bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Dual Challenge: Coxiella burnetii Endocarditis in a Patient with Familial Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm—Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Cozlac Alina-Ramona , Streian Caius Glad , Boca Marciana Ionela , Crisan Simina , Lazar Mihai-Andrei , Virtosu Mirela-Daniela , Ionac Adina , Staicu Raluca Elisabeta , Dugaci Daniela-Carmen , Emandi-Chirita Adela , Lascu Ana , Gaita Dan , Luca Constantin-Tudor
Published: November 2024

Background/Objectives: Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) are potentially life-threatening medical conditions, and their etiology involves both genetic and multiple risk factors. Coxiella burnetii endocarditis is one of the most frequent causes of blood culture-negative infective endocarditis (BCNIE) in patients with previous cardiac surgery. Our review aims to emphasize the importance of genetic testing in patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms but also the importance of additional testing in patients with suspected endocarditis whose blood cultures remain negative. The reported case has a history of acute DeBakey type I aortic dissection that developed during her second pregnancy, for which the Bentall procedure was performed at that time. Ten years after the surgery, the patient started developing prolonged febrile syndrome with repeatedly negative blood cultures, the serological tests revealing the presence of an infection with Coxiella burnetii. Considering her family history and the onset of her aortic pathology at a young age, genetic tests were performed, disclosing a missense variant in the actin alpha-2 (ACTA2) gene in heterozygous status. Methods: For a better understanding of both conditions, our research was conducted in two directions: one reviewing the literature on patients with Coxiella burnetii BCNIE and the other focusing on patients who had a familial thoracic aortic aneurysm (FTAA) due to the ACTA2 variant. This review incorporates studies found on PubMed and ResearchGate up to August 2024. Conclusions: BCNIE represents a condition with several diagnostic challenges and may lead to severe complications if timely treatment is not initiated. Also, diagnosing an FTAA requires genetic testing, enabling better follow-up and management.
Measuring Patient-Reported Outcomes Following Traumatic Craniomaxillofacial Injuries: Development of the AO CMF Injury Symptom Battery
Authors: Jensen Sally E. , Rothrock Nan E. , Lacson-Soltysiak Leilani , Olsson Alexis , Ellis Edward
Published: November 2024

Background/Objectives: Traumatic craniomaxillofacial (CMF) injuries are associated with various symptoms/concerns that affect patients’ quality of life. The assessment of outcomes from the patient perspective has been limited by the absence of patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures tailored to this patient population. To address this need, we employed a mixed methods, multi-step process to first identify the most important symptoms/concerns and then use this information to construct a PRO symptom battery. Methods: CMF clinicians and patients who had sustained traumatic CMF injuries participated in semi-structured interviews to elicit the symptoms/concerns considered the most important. The data were analyzed using an iterative coding procedure and symptom/concern frequency was tabulated. The findings were used to develop a conceptual model of the most important symptoms to include in a PRO battery. Existing items were modified as needed and new items were drafted to ensure adequate coverage of the symptoms. Results: The resulting AO CMF Injury Symptom Battery includes four modules specific to the injury site (oral, ocular, nasopharyngeal, ear) and five universal modules (pain/sensation, cognitive, cosmetic, psychosocial, and injury impact). Conclusions: The AO CMF Injury Symptom Battery offers promise for assessing symptoms only patients can report on in clinical research and practice. Ongoing research will examine the battery’s psychometric properties.
Analysis of Dry Needling Combined with an Exercise Program in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Agost-González Aida , Escobio-Prieto Isabel , Barrios-Quinta Cristo Jesús , Cardero-Durán María de los Ángeles , Espejo-Antúnez Luis , Albornoz-Cabello Manuel
Published: November 2024

Background: Therapeutic exercise is recommended for people with knee osteoarthritis (OA), although it could be complemented with other treatments such as dry needling (DN). The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the resulting data on pain, functionality, strength and range of motion in subjects with knee osteoarthritis after being treated with a specific therapeutic physical exercise program alone or in combination with the DN technique in the popliteus muscle. Methods: A total of 33 participants were randomly assigned to two groups: the dry needling plus therapeutic physical exercise group (n = 15) and the therapeutic physical exercise alone group (n = 18). Both groups received the same exercise protocol, and the dry-needling group conducted three sessions of this technique over 3 weeks. Results: Variables such as pain, functionality, neuropathic pain, stiffness, strength, range of motion, pain catastrophizing and kinesiophobia were evaluated before and after the intervention, as well as at a follow-up 3 months after the intervention. Significant differences were observed between the two groups in pain intensity, stiffness, functionality, pain catastrophizing and kinesiophobia (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The combination of dry needling targeting the popliteus muscle and therapeutic physical exercise showed better results in terms of pain, functionality and strength compared to therapeutic physical exercise alone, especially after the intervention.
The Sensory Landscape and Embodied Experiences in Anorexia Nervosa Treatment: An Inpatient Sensory Ethnography
Authors: Chubinidze Dimitri , Zesch Elisa , Sarpong Amanda , Li Zhuo , Baillie Claire , Tchanturia Kate
Published: November 2024

Background: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a complex eating disorder that often requires inpatient care, where treatment experiences are influenced by both the illness and the surrounding environment. Sensory issues in AN are increasingly acknowledged for their impact on treatment engagement and outcomes. Despite this, the ways in which the sensory landscape of inpatient settings shapes patients’ lived experiences and meaning-making processes remain underexplored. Methods: This study employed collaborative sensory ethnography to explore how the sensory environment of an inpatient eating disorder ward shapes patients’ lived experiences. Drawing on multimodal and embodied approaches, a novel proof-of-concept method was developed, combining sensory-attuned guided reflection with AI-assisted visualization. This framework supported patients in exploring and articulating their embodied sensory experiences, linking their emotional and physical states to the ward’s sensory environment through metaphorical reasoning. Results: The findings reveal two central themes: a sense of entrapment within the illness and its treatment, and ambivalence toward both. The study highlights how the sensory environment and spatial layout of the ward amplify these experiences, demonstrating the tension between strict safety protocols and patients’ needs for agency and autonomy. Conclusions: This study illustrates the role of the sensory landscape in shaping treatment experiences and contributing to the broader lived experiences of individuals with AN. The experience of sensory cues in inpatient settings is closely intertwined with contextual and embodied meanings, often evoking complex feelings of entrapment and ambivalence toward both the illness and its treatment. These findings highlight the potential for holistic sensory and spatial adaptations in therapeutic interventions to alleviate such feelings and, consequently, improve patient engagement and well-being.
Surgical Management of Adult Spinal Deformity Patients with Osteoporosis
Authors: Baroudi Makeen , Daher Mohammad , Maheshwari Krish , Singh Manjot , Nassar Joseph E. , McDonald Christopher L. , Diebo Bassel G. , Daniels Alan H.
Published: November 2024

Adult spinal deformity (ASD) commonly affects older adults, with up to 68% prevalence in those over 60, and is often complicated by osteoporosis, which reduces bone mineral density (BMD) and increases surgical risks. Osteoporotic patients undergoing ASD surgery face higher risks of complications like hardware failure, pseudoarthrosis, and proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK). Medical management with antiresorptive medications (e.g., bisphosphonates, SERMs, and denosumab) and anabolic agents (e.g., teriparatide, abaloparatide, and romosozumab) can improve BMD and reduce complications. While bisphosphonates reduce fracture risk, teriparatide and newer agents like romosozumab show promise in increasing bone density and improving fusion rates. Surgical adaptations such as consideration of age-adjusted alignment, fusion level selection, cement augmentation, and the use of expandable screws or tethers enhance surgical outcomes in osteoporotic patients. Specifically, expandable screws and cement augmentation have been shown to improve fixation stability. However, further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of these treatments, specifically in osteoporotic ASD patients.
A Unified Shear Deformation Theory for Piezoelectric Beams with Geometric Nonlinearities—Analytical Modelling and Bending Analysis
Authors: Ntaflos Konstantinos I. , Beltsios Konstantinos G. , Hadjigeorgiou Evangelos P.
Published: November 2024

The objective of the present paper is to demonstrate the effects of shear deformation and large deflections on the piezoelectric materials and structures which often serve as substrate layers of multilayer composite sensors and actuators. Based on a displacement-unified high-order shear deformation theory and the von Kármán geometric nonlinearity, a general theory (governing equations and associated boundary conditions) for the analysis of piezoelectric beams is developed using Hamilton’s principle. Nonlinear effects due to the coupling between extensional and bending responses in beams with moderately large rotations but small strains are included. A bending problem for a piezoelectric beam is solved analytically, and the obtained results are compared to the results available in the literature. The numerical results show that both shear deformation effects and von Kármán geometric nonlinearity have a stiffening effect and therefore reduce the displacements. The influence of geometric nonlinearity is more prominent in the case of thin beams, while the effects of shear deformation dominate in the case of thick beams. The proposed unified methodology for the analysis of bending problems is independent of the thickness of the piezoelectric beam.
Emotional Intelligence May Be Associated with Some Forms of Creative Potential
Authors: Abdulla Alabbasi Ahmed M. , Runco Mark A. , Al Jarrah Abed Al-Nasser D. , Aljohani Nada A. , Ayoub Alaa Eldin A.
Published: November 2024

The current study examined the relationship between creative potential, estimated with tests of divergent thinking (DT), and emotional intelligence (EI). Previous research has hinted at a relationship, but the EI–DT relationship may differ as a function of the tasks and the specific components of EI. With this in mind, the present investigation compared two DT tests (Social Games vs. Titles Games) and examined whether or not the Interpersonal and Intrapersonal subscales of EI were more associated with DT than the Adaptability and Stress Management EI subscales. The youth version of the Bar-On Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ-i: YV) was used to measure EI. The measure of EI and the two DT tests were administered to 244 male and female gifted (N = 125) and nongifted (N = 119) high school students in Saudi Arabia. The first objective was to examine whether the EI–DT relationship differs based on the nature of the task of the two DT tests used in the current study (Social Games vs. Titles Games). The second objective was to test whether the Interpersonal and Intrapersonal subscales of EI are more associated with DT than the Adaptability and Stress Management EI subscales. Canonical correlation analysis showed that the relationship between the Social Games test and EI was stronger than the relationship between the Titles Games test and EI. Two path analyses were run: one for the total sample and the second for the gifted sample. The likelihood ratio test showed that the Social Games test was more associated with EQ-i subscales than the Titles Games test for both samples. As expected, the Inter- and the Intrapersonal subscales of the EQ-i were more highly related to Social Games fluency and originality scores compared with the Stress Management and Adaptability subscales. Limitations and future directions are discussed.
On Forming Characteristics of Hems by Means of Incremental Sheet Forming
Authors: Steinfels Dennis , Bailly David
Published: November 2024

Given the need for versatile joining processes, form-fit joining is gaining increasing importance. Although it has known limitations and complexity, roller hemming remains widely used due to its flexibility. Here, the novel Incremental Sheet Forming (ISF) hemming technique has the potential to expand the range of applications and process limits. It has already proven effective in preliminary works for joining comparatively small radii without wrinkles and cracks. However, a deeper understanding of the dominant material flow and deformation mechanism during forming is required to fully exploit its potential. This study aims to conduct a detailed examination of this technology through experimental and numerical investigations. Strain measurements on convex and concave hems provide insights into the material flow. A comparison of the forming mechanism for both processes is made using straight hems. The results show that ISF hemming has a favorable material flow for compensating cracks and wrinkles in curved hems. Additionally, it induces strains across the entire hem area, reaching higher values than those achieved with roller hemming. One reason for this is the forming mechanism, which combines tension, compression and shear, whereas roller hemming primarily involves bending and compression of the hemming radius.
Influence of Heave Plate on the Dynamic Response of a 10 MW Semisubmersible Floating Platform
Authors: Wang Haijun , Yang Yuhang , Guo Yaohua , Lian Jijian
Published: November 2024

Based on the 10 MW OO-Star semi-submersible floating platform, this study proposes internal and external heave plates to enhance its stability and explores their influence on the platform’s hydrodynamic characteristics. The platform’s structural behavior is analyzed in both frequency and time domains using numerical simulation methods. The study investigates the effects of the porosity and number of holes (with an equal porosity) of the inner heave plate and the opening angle (with the equal area) of the external heave plate on the platform’s hydrodynamic characteristics, ultimately obtaining the optimal arrangement for the inner and external heave plates. Results indicate that the best scheme involves a 10% porosity with 16 holes, which reduces the heave amplitude by 5.7% compared to the original structure. Additionally, reducing the opening angle of the external heave plate increases the added mass and natural period in the heave and pitch directions of the platform. At an opening angle of 140°, the added mass in the heave direction can increase by 25.2% compared to the original structure. Overall, the internal and external heave plates effectively reduce the heave and pitch amplitude of the platform under severe sea conditions.
Vibration Characteristic Analysis of Sandwich Composite Plate Reinforced by Functionally Graded Carbon Nanotube-Reinforced Composite on Winkler/Pasternak Foundation
Authors: Li Mengzhen , Liu Xiaolong , Yazdi Mohammad , Chen Wei
Published: November 2024

This paper presents numerical investigations into the free vibration properties of a sandwich composite plate with two fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) face sheets and a functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) core made of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite resting on Winkler/Pasternak elastic foundation. The material properties of the FG-CNTRC core are gradient change along the thickness direction with four distinct carbon nanotubes reinforcement distribution patterns. The Hamilton energy concept is used to develop the equations of motion, which are based on the high-order shear deformation theory (HSDT). The Navier method is then used to obtain the free vibration solutions. By contrasting the acquired results with those using finite elements and with the previous literature, the accuracy of the present approach is confirmed. Moreover, the effects of the modulus of elasticity, the carbon nanotube (CNT) volume fractions, the CNT distribution patterns, the gradient index p, the geometric parameters and the dimensionless natural frequencies’ elastic basis characteristics are examined. The results show that the FG-CNTRC sandwich composite plate has higher dimensionless frequencies than the functionally graded material (FGM) plate or sandwich plate. And the volume fraction of carbon nanotubes and other geometric factors significantly affect the dimensionless frequency of the sandwich composite plate.
Identification and Confirmation of Virulence Factor Production from Fusarium avenaceum, a Causal Agent of Root Rot in Pulses
Authors: Witte Thomas E. , Hermans Anne , Sproule Amanda , Hicks Carmen , Talhouni Tala , Schneiderman Danielle , Harris Linda J. , Eranthodi Anas , Foroud Nora A. , Chatterton Syama , Overy David P.
Published: November 2024

Fusarium avenaceum is an aggressive pathogen of pulse crops and a causal agent in root rot disease that negatively impacts Canadian agriculture. This study reports the results of a targeted metabolomics-based profiling of secondary metabolism in an 18-strain panel of Fusarium avenaceum cultured axenically in multiple media conditions, in addition to an in planta infection assay involving four strains inoculated on two pea cultivars. Multiple secondary metabolites with known roles as virulence factors were detected which have not been previously associated with F. avenaceum, including fungal decalin-containing diterpenoid pyrones (FDDPs), fusaoctaxins, sambutoxin and fusahexin, in addition to confirmation of previously reported secondary metabolites including enniatins, fusarins, chlamydosporols, JM-47 and others. Targeted genomic analysis of secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters was used to confirm the presence/absence of the profiled secondary metabolites. The detection of secondary metabolites with diverse bioactivities is discussed in the context of virulence factor networks potentially coordinating the disruption of plant defenses during disease onset by this generalist plant pathogen.
Effects of ECMF Isolated from Mining Areas on Water Status, Photosynthesis Capacity, and Lead Ion Transport of Populus alba Under Pb Stress
Authors: Wu Na , Li Zhen , Wu Fei , Tan Jing
Published: November 2024

Native ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECMF) are generally more effective than non-native ECMF in facilitating the phytoremediation of heavy metal (HM) ions from contaminated soils. This study aimed to investigate the contributions of four ECMF species—Suillus luteus, Suillus flavidus, Suillus variegatus, and Gomphidius glutinosus—that were isolated from mining areas to the growth, water status, photosynthesis, and metallothionein gene expression of Populus alba exposed to varying concentrations of lead (Pb). The experiment lasted two months and involved P. alba cuttings subjected to Pb concentrations of 0, 200, and 400 mg kg−1, representing no Pb stress, moderate Pb stress, and severe Pb stress, respectively. Results indicated that S. flavidus significantly enhanced the growth, water status, photosynthesis parameters, and metallothionein gene expression of P. alba under Pb stress, whereas S. luteus only exhibited positive effects under severe Pb stress. S. variegatus negatively affected the growth, water status, photosynthesis, and metallothionein gene expression of P. alba under Pb stress, while no significant difference was observed between the control treatment and G. glutinosus symbiosis. Therefore, S. flavidus and S. luteus are promising ECMF species for ecological restoration in mining areas, especially in P. alba woodlands.
Fin-ALICE: Artificial Linguistic Intelligence Causal Econometrics
Authors: McCarthy Shawn , Alaghband Gita
Published: November 2024

This study introduces Fin-ALICE (Artificial Linguistic Intelligence Causal Econometrics), a framework designed to forecast financial time series by integrating multiple analytical approaches including co-occurrence networks, supply chain analysis, and emotional sentiment analysis to provide a comprehensive understanding of market dynamics. In our co-occurrence analysis, we focus on companies that share the same emotion on the same day, using a much shorter horizon than our previous study of one month. This approach allows us to uncover short-term, emotion-driven correlations that traditional models might overlook. By analyzing these co-occurrence networks, Fin-ALICE identifies hidden connections between companies, sectors, and events. Supply chain analysis within Fin-ALICE will evaluate significant events in commodity-producing countries that impact their ability to supply key resources. This analysis captures the ripple effects of disruptions across industries and regions, offering a more nuanced prediction of market movements. Emotional sentiment analysis, powered by the Fin-Emotion library developed in our prior research, quantifies the emotional undertones in financial news through metrics like “emotion magnitude” and “emotion interaction”. These insights, when integrated with Temporal Convolutional Networks (TCNs), significantly enhance the accuracy of financial forecasts by capturing the emotional drivers of market sentiment. Key contributions of Fin-ALICE include its ability to perform month-by-month company correlation analysis, capturing short-term market fluctuations and seasonal patterns. We compare the performance of TCNs against advanced models such as LLMs and LSTMs, demonstrating that the Fin-ALICE model outperforms these models, particularly in sectors where emotional sentiment and supply chain dynamics are critical. Fin-ALICE provides decision-makers with predictive insights and a deeper understanding of the underlying emotional and supply chain factors that drive market behaviors.
The Natural Vegetation of Residual Wetlands in the Hinterland of Western Sicily (Italy)
Authors: Gianguzzi Lorenzo , Caldarella Orazio , Sciandrello Saverio
Published: November 2024

An overview of the wetland vegetation of the hinterland of western Sicily, between the hills located south of the Palermo Mts. and the Sicani Mts., is presented herein. This study was conducted according to Braun-Blanquet’s phytosociological method, through a survey carried out mainly within six important biotopes: (1) Gorgo Lungo (“Bosco Ficuzza”; municipality of Godrano); (2) Gorgo Marosa (on the southern side of Rocca Busambra; municipality of Godrano); (3) Gorgo di Piano Scala (on the northern side of Mt. Cardellia; municipality of Corleone); (4) and (5) Gorgo Carcaci and Gorgo Carcaciotto (both on the south-eastern slope of Mt. Carcaci; municipality of Castronovo di Sicilia); and (6) Gorgo S. Andrea (municipality of Castronovo di Sicilia). A vegetation analysis was carried out on the basis of 107 field relevés, together with other data taken from scientific literature. A total of 28 plant communities were identified, between hydrophytics of the classes Lemnetea minoris (3 associations) and Potamogetonetea pectinati (6 associations), helophytics of the Phragmito-Magnocaricetea class (14 associations and 1 community), ephemeral of the Isöeto-Nanojuncetea class (2 communities) and perennial herbaceous vegetation of the Molinio-Arrhenatheretea class (1 association and 1 community). A new syntaxon is also described (Callitricho obtusangulae-Glycerietum notatae ass. nova), as an endemic association of the hinterland of western Sicily, referred to as the Alopecuro-Glycerion spicatae alliance. For all surveyed communities, new insights into syntaxonomy and diagnostic taxa are provided, as well as for the floristic composition, synecology, syndynamism and synchorology of the aquatic vegetation of western Sicily.
Internal and External Collaborative Shaping: The Role of Official Information and Online Communities in Shaping a City’s Image
Authors: Tian Yuxuan , Xue Desheng , Liu Chen , Ou Yubin
Published: November 2024

City image is essential for city marketing, yet the impact of “outside–in” shaping by social media in the Web 2.0 era has been largely overlooked. The decentralized and diverse Web 2.0 environment now dominates online information dissemination, influencing not just cyberspace, but also the physical urban landscape. These externally driven city images increasingly reflect and interact with traditional “inside–out” images shaped by official sources. Understanding the influence of external actors via social media compared to traditional internal sources, like government websites, is crucial. This dual analysis offers insights into city image formation, helping cities refine their marketing strategies. This study analyzed a representative social media platform alongside official government websites, using programming and a naive Bayes classifier. We developed a method to categorize the city images of selected U.S. world cities based on these two different media sources. The results are as follows: (1) We establish a city image categorization system that divides the considered U.S. world cities into four and five categories based on social media and official government website content, respectively. (2) We compare the groups and logics shaping global city images in different cyber eras based on the example of the U.S. world cities, and based on this, we explore the relative roles of groups outside the city. (3) We identify the preferences of forming different city images between external groups based on social media and internal forces based on government websites. In summary, this article takes world cities as an example to demonstrate that, in the Web 2.0 era, the image of a city depends on both internal and external groups and has varying degrees of preference. The unique urban image of each city is formed through two media content streams and quantitative preference.
Willingness for Land Transfer and Coupling Coordination Analysis in Poverty Alleviation Resettlement Areas: A Sustainable Development Perspective
Authors: Cao Zhijie , Yan Lingzhi , Zhou Kexin , Lei Ming
Published: November 2024

This study focuses on the land transfer intentions of migrants and surrounding villagers in the SZ resettlement area of BS City, Guangxi. It systematically analyzes the coupling coordination relationship between migrants’ land transfer-in intentions and the land transfer-out intentions of surrounding villagers, verifying the practical value of the “Shared Land Resource Model” in the resettlement area and its surroundings. The study yields the following key conclusions: (1) there is a strong coupling between the land demand intentions of migrants and the land supply intentions of surrounding villagers, yet the actual coordination in the transfer process is limited, which constrains resource allocation efficiency and prevents land transfer from fully utilizing shared resources; (2) in the evaluation of migrants’ land transfer-in intentions, external environmental factors have the greatest influence (with a weight coefficient of 0.7877), while individual characteristics (0.0486) and psychological characteristics (0.0593) have relatively low weight coefficients, indicating that migrants primarily rely on government policy support and lack internal motivation; (3) the land transfer-out intentions of surrounding villagers are most affected by farmland resource endowment (weight coefficient of 0.3284), indicating that the quality and quantity of land resources are key factors affecting villagers’ transfer-out willingness, while individual endowment factors have the smallest impact (weight coefficient of 0.1220). Three recommendations are proposed: stimulating migrants’ intrinsic motivation to enhance livelihood autonomy, protecting villagers’ land rights to increase transfer participation, and building a systematic land resource sharing model to promote sustainable resource allocation. This study provides theoretical support for optimizing the land transfer mechanism in resettlement areas, aiming to improve land use efficiency, support the livelihood transition of migrants, and offer practical insights for land management planning in poverty alleviation and resettlement projects in other countries.
Integrating Local Food Policies and Spatial Planning to Enhance Food Systems and Rural–Urban Links: A Living Lab Experiment
Authors: Galli Francesca , Arcuri Sabrina , Belletti Giovanni , Marescotti Andrea , Moretti Michele , Rovai Massimo
Published: November 2024

The development of synergies between rural and urban areas is one of the EU’s objectives to contribute to smart and inclusive growth. Effective governance of rural–urban links is essential for balanced development but often lacks policy coherence. This study examines the role of spatial planning and food policy integration in enhancing local food system sustainability and resilience, specifically in peri-urban areas. It investigates challenges and enablers in this integration through a Living Lab experiment in Lucca (Italy) as part of the ROBUST H2020 project. The Living Lab methodology entailed envisioning, experimenting, and experiencing phases to identify key rural–urban connections and assess governance arrangements, focusing on reclaiming abandoned land in peri-urban areas together with local stakeholders. By highlighting the strengths and limitations of a multi-year collaborative research approach, the research highlights a weak recognition of rural–urban linkages and the need for improved dialogue between rural stakeholders and urban planners. Key recommendations comprise formalising public–private partnerships and cross-sectoral projects linking agriculture with education, tourism, and landscape (e.g., agricultural parks).
Tracking Adults’ Eye Movements to Study Text Comprehension: A Review Article
Authors: Andreou Georgia , Gkantaki Maria
Published: November 2024

Adult readers’ cognitive effort during text processing is often associated with their reading comprehension, learning ability, and achievement scores. The aim of this review is to examine and analyze the current literature on the use of eye tracking technology as a tool for assessing text comprehension. A systematic review was conducted and, after the final screening, 13 articles were analyzed that fell into three main areas: (a) eye movements during reading in print and digital media, (b) eye tracking in text comprehension with perspective effects, and (c) eye tracking in text comprehension with instructional strategy effects. The findings of this review showed that during reading, the amount of cognitive effort invested in text processing, whether induced by the text, the task, or the readers themselves, is usually reflected in longer total fixation times, both as a result of higher fixation frequencies and longer fixation durations.
A Comparative Analysis of Language Skills and Parent–Child Interactions in Monolingual and Bilingual Children Born Preterm
Authors: Crespo Kimberly , Libersky Emma , Poehlmann Julie , Kaushanskaya Margarita
Published: November 2024

Children born preterm are at an elevated risk of language delays compared to children born full-term. However, there is a dearth of research investigating language outcomes in premature children exposed to more than one language. There is also limited empirical evidence linking the quantity and quality of parent input and language outcomes in premature children and the strength of these relationships in bilingual contexts remains unknown. Therefore, the current study examined language skills, parent input, conversational turns, and their associations at 16 months to 36 months in monolingual and bilingual children born preterm. Nine English-speaking monolingual parent–child dyads, and nine Spanish–English bilingual parent–child dyads participated in parent–child interactions that occurred over time in play-based contexts. Results revealed that preterm monolingual and bilingual children exhibited similar language abilities at all time points assessed. While both monolingual and bilingual dyads engaged in a comparable number of conversational turns at 16 m, monolingual mothers produced more words than bilingual mothers during play. Significant associations were observed between children’s vocabulary skills and their ability to combine words within and across most time points. Notably, relationships between parental input, conversational turns, and language skills were limited to a significant association between conversational turns at 16 m and vocabulary skills at 24 m. Together, findings indicate that bilingual children born preterm acquire language on the same timeline as monolingual children born preterm. While it is crucial that the current work be replicated in larger samples of children born preterm, the current work is the first to compare relationships between children’s language outcomes and the quantity and quality of parental input in monolingual and bilingual contexts.
Development of Biomimetic Substrates for Limbal Epithelial Stem Cells Using Collagen-Based Films, Hyaluronic Acid, Immortalized Cells, and Macromolecular Crowding
Authors: Gurdal Mehmet , Ercan Gulinnaz , Barut Selver Ozlem , Aberdam Daniel , Zeugolis Dimitrios I.
Published: November 2024

Despite the promising potential of cell-based therapies developed using tissue engineering techniques to treat a wide range of diseases, including limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD), which leads to corneal blindness, their commercialization remains constrained. This is primarily attributable to the limited cell sources, the use of non-standardizable, unscalable, and unsustainable techniques, and the extended manufacturing processes required to produce transplantable tissue-like surrogates. Herein, we present the first demonstration of the potential of a novel approach combining collagen films (CF), hyaluronic acid (HA), human telomerase-immortalized limbal epithelial stem cells (T-LESCs), and macromolecular crowding (MMC) to develop innovative biomimetic substrates for limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs). The initial step involved the fabrication and characterization of CF and CF enriched with HA (CF-HA). Subsequently, T-LESCs were seeded on CF, CF-HA, and tissue culture plastic (TCP). Thereafter, the effect of these matrices on basic cellular function and tissue-specific extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition with or without MMC was evaluated. The viability and metabolic activity of cells cultured on CF, CF-HA, and TCP were found to be similar, while CF-HA induced the highest (p < 0.05) cell proliferation. It is notable that CF and HA induced cell growth, whereas MMC increased (p < 0.05) the deposition of collagen IV, fibronectin, and laminin in the T-LESC culture. The data highlight the potential of, in particular, immortalized cells and MMC for the development of biomimetic cell culture substrates, which could be utilized in ocular surface reconstruction following further in vitro, in vivo, and clinical validation of the approach.
Overview of Typical Projects for Geological Storage of CO2 in Offshore Saline Aquifers
Authors: Li Lintao , Liu Yuming , Li Yanzun , Wang Ziyi , Guo Kai , Ma Qianli , Cui Yingying , Liu Kaibang , Chen Cong
Published: November 2024

With the continuous growth of global energy demand, greenhouse gas emissions are also rising, leading to serious challenges posed by climate change. Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) technology is considered one of the key pathways to mitigate climate change. Among the CCUS technologies, CO2 storage in offshore saline aquifers has gained significant attention in recent years. This paper conducts an in-depth analysis of the Sleipner and Snøhvit projects in Norway and the Tomakomai project in Japan, exploring key issues related to the application, geological characteristics, injection strategies, monitoring systems, and simulation methods of CO2 storage in offshore saline aquifers. This study finds that CO2 storage in offshore saline aquifers has high safety and storage potential but faces several challenges in practical applications, such as geological reservoir characteristics, technological innovation, operational costs, and social acceptance. Therefore, it is necessary to further strengthen technological innovation and policy support to promote the development and application of CO2 storage in offshore saline aquifers. This study provides valuable experiences and insights for similar projects worldwide, contributing to the sustainable development of CO2 storage in offshore saline aquifers and making a greater contribution to achieving global net-zero emission targets.
Start-Up Process of High-Speed Micro-Grooved Pumping Seal for New Energy Vehicles
Authors: Chen Hanqing , Yan Ruqi , Hong Xianzhi , Bao Xin , Ding Xuexing
Published: November 2024

With the growing global demand for clean energy, new energy vehicles are a key focus in the automotive industry. This paper investigates the micro-grooved pumping seal used in such vehicles, using a custom Python computational programme to study the start-up behaviour of a non-contact oil–gas two-phase micro-grooved seal. The research explores the balance of forces during start-up, employing fractal theory for surface contact force calculations and solving the two-phase laminar Reynolds equation by the finite difference method. The results show that high-speed micro-grooved seals perform well under typical conditions for new energy vehicles. When film thickness is below a critical value, fractal dimension and characteristic length influence the initial thickness. Above the critical value, film thickness increases non-linearly with rotational speed, whereas the leakage rate decreases linearly. Critical rotational speed decreases non-linearly with the oil–gas ratio, peaking at an oil–gas ratio of 0.06. Both critical speed and leakage rate increase linearly and non-linearly with pressure and temperature, respectively. The study highlights the boundary-line where leakage transitions to pumping, providing valuable guidance for optimising seal design in new energy vehicles.
Intelligent Numerical Control Programming System Based on Knowledge Graph
Authors: Fang Xifeng , Su Jiabao , Cheng Dejun
Published: November 2024

With the wide application of computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software, manufacturing enterprises have accumulated a wealth of numerical control (NC) programming data, providing valuable knowledge resources for new products’ development. Efficiently acquiring and reusing existing NC knowledge is essential for enhancing programming efficiency, improving product quality, and shortening manufacturing cycles. This study proposes an intelligent NC programming method based on knowledge graph. Firstly, the relevant knowledge in the NC programming domain is analyzed, and CAM knowledge elements are constructed to reduce the granularity of knowledge. Then, the ontology layer and data layer are constructed to achieve the development of the knowledge graph. Next, knowledge reasoning is performed on the knowledge graph through entity alignment and semantic rule-based reasoning. Furthermore, to address the issues of low reliability, limited applicability and need for frequent manual modifications in NC programming templates guided by the CAM knowledge graph, a CAM knowledge graph completion method based on neighborhood aggregation and semantic enhancement is proposed. Finally, an intelligent NC programming system based on knowledge graph is developed, and comparative experiments with mainstream algorithms on public datasets for few-shot knowledge graph completion are conducted, validating the effectiveness of the proposed method by experimenting with the key components of marine diesel engines.
Two-Dimensional Dispersionless Toda Lattice Hierarchy: Symmetry, New Extension, Hodograph Solutions, and Reduction
Authors: Wu Hongxia , Liu Jingxin , Wang Haifeng
Published: November 2024

The symmetry for two-dimensional (2D) dispersionless Toda lattice hierarchy (dTLH) is firstly derived, and then the 2D dTLH is extended based on the symmetry constraint. The commutativity of two different flows for this new hierarchy is shown, which leads to the 2D dToda lattice equation with self-consistent sources (dTLESCSs) together with its conservation equation. The hodograph solutions to 2D dTLESCSs are also given. One dimensional reduction of extended 2D dTLH is finally investigated by finding the constraint, and a one-dimensional dTLESCS is shown.
Main Problems in Constructing Quantum Theory Based on Finite Mathematics
Authors: Lev Felix M.
Published: November 2024

As shown in our publications, quantum theory based on a finite ring of characteristic p (FQT) is more general than standard quantum theory (SQT) because the latter is a degenerate case of the former in the formal limit p→∞. One of the main differences between SQT and FQT is the following. In SQT, elementary objects are described by irreducible representations (IRs) of a symmetry algebra in which energies are either only positive or only negative and there are no IRs where there are states with different signs of energy. In the first case, objects are called particles, and in the second antiparticles. As a consequence, in SQT it is possible to introduce conserved quantum numbers (electric charge, baryon number, etc.) so that particles and antiparticles differ in the signs of these numbers. However, in FQT, all IRs necessarily contain states with both signs of energy. The symmetry in FQT is higher than the symmetry in SQT because one IR in FQT splits into two IRs in SQT with positive and negative energies at p→∞. Consequently, most fundamental quantum theory will not contain the concepts of particle–antiparticle and additive quantum numbers. These concepts are only good approximations at present since at this stage of the universe the value p is very large but it was not so large at earlier stages. The above properties of IRs in SQT and FQT have been discussed in our publications with detailed technical proofs. The purpose of this paper is to consider models where these properties can be derived in a much simpler way.
Lifetime Practice and Intention to Use Contraception After Induced Abortion Among Serbian Women in Belgrade
Authors: Gazibara Tatjana , Bila Jovan , Tulic Lidija , Maksimovic Natasa , Maksimovic Jadranka , Stojnic Jelena , Plavsa Dragana , Miloradovic Maja , Radovic Milos , Maksimovic Katarina , Dotlic Jelena
Published: November 2024

Background and Objectives: The issue of high rates of abortion among Serbian women has been previously highlighted, yet its social underpinnings are still not clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the lifetime use of and intention to use contraception among women after having an abortion. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out from 2022 to 2024 at the Clinic for Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Clinical Center of Serbia. The study participants were women who underwent induced abortions at the clinic. They filled in an anonymous questionnaire examining their demographic data, life-style and habits, medical history, lifetime use of contraception and intention to use contraception after their abortion. Results: A total of 433 women aged 16 to 49 years (mean age 32.0 years) participated in the study. In our sample, 81.1% of women had ever used contraception, with condoms being the most common, while 18.9% never used any contraception. Around 70% of women expressed the intention to use contraception post-abortion. Women who were of Serbian ethnicity, who had a higher level of education, who had no chronic illnesses and who already had multiple children were more likely to ever use contraception. Being of Serbian ethnicity, having higher education level and chronic illnesses and not smoking were associated with the intention to use contraception post-abortion. Conclusions: Most women who had abortions used contraception at least occasionally during their reproductive life and had the intention to start using it again. Therefore, women need to be continuously reminded by their gynecologists of contraception possibilities.
Successful Treatment of Abdominal Wall Advanced Endometriosis-Associated Clear Cell Carcinoma with AKT Pathway Inhibitor: Case Report
Authors: Ko Ya-Ting , Wu Ching-Hsuan , Chang Cheng-Shyong , Lai De-Wei , Liu Ta-Chih
Published: November 2024

The emergence of endometriosis-associated clear cell carcinoma (CCC) within the abdominal wall is a notably rare phenomenon. This condition predominantly impacts females who have previously undergone surgical interventions, including hysterectomy or caesarean section (C-section), with the malignant transformation of endometriosis within the post-surgical abdominal scar posited as a likely mechanism. Herein, we delineate a distinctive case of endometriosis-associated CCC emanating from the abdominal wall. The therapeutic approach for the patient encompassed surgical resection, complemented by a regimen of adjuvant chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. Despite these measures, the patient experienced disease progression, manifested by bilateral inguinal lymph node involvement and metastasis to the left femoral bone. Advanced molecular diagnostics, specifically next-generation sequencing (NGS) of the resected specimen, identified a targetable PIK3CA E726K mutation. Subsequent treatment with alpelisib and everolimus was initiated, culminating in a sustained complete response.