bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multi‐modal assessment of recycled polyethylene terephthalate composites in additive manufacturing: The role of carbon fiber
Authors: Charkieh Ahmad Shawki , Zhu Yifan , Huysman Sofie , Polyzos Efstratios , Quaak Astrid , Pien Nele , Carpentier Nathan , Boone Matthieu N. , Pyl Lincy
Published: February 2025

With the growing interest in sustainable manufacturing, 3D printing with recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (rPET) offers an innovative approach to upcycling waste. This study explores the potential of combining rPET with milled short carbon fibers and polymer chain extenders to produce high‐performance 3D printing filaments through melt extrusion. Filaments containing 5% and 10% carbon fiber, with and without sizing, along with a polymer chain extender, were investigated to enhance viscosity and material properties of rPET. Thermal analysis techniques evaluated the material's thermal stability and transitions, assessing the degradation temperature and calorimetric properties including glass transition and melting temperatures, while the measured carbon fiber content closely matched the theoretical content. Tensile testing of unidirectionally printed samples showed promising mechanical properties. X‐ray micro‐computed tomography assessed fiber length in extruded filaments, comparing it with the target length set during manufacturing, showing agreement. Scanning electron microscopy examined fracture and side surfaces, revealing governing failure mechanisms and defects, attributed to filament production and composition. This study highlights the synergistic role of carbon fiber sizing and chain extenders in enhancing tensile modulus, while improving overall consistency and quality of extruded filaments. It presents a groundbreaking pathway for sustainable, high‐performance additive manufacturing.

Highlights

Investigated the synergistic effect of CF sizing and chain extenders in rPET.

Melt extrusion achieved 10% CF with excellent fiber alignment and integrity.

Additives enhanced thermal stability, crystallization, and adhesion.

SEM and Micro‐CT revealed improved fiber‐matrix bonding and fewer defects.

Tensile modulus doubled through synergy of CF sizing and chain extenders.
The Impact of School‐Based Personnel Delivered Coaching and Performance Feedback on Elementary Teachers' Use of Behavior Specific Praise
Authors: Ellis Kaci , Gage Nicholas A. , MacSuga‐Gage Ashley S. , Schmidt Carla , Lane Holly , Serpahine Ann
Published: February 2025

Performance feedback has been shown to improve teachers' classroom management skills. Typically, a researcher provides the performance feedback, not school‐based personnel. Therefore, we investigated the effects of performance feedback on classroom management skills when the feedback is delivered by school‐based personnel. We used a concurrent multiple baseline design across participants to examine the effects of visual performance feedback provided by a school behavior resource teacher on four teachers' use of behavior specific praise. One White behavior support teacher, two White teachers, and two Black teachers, all with more than 5 years of teaching experience participated in the study. We used visual analysis and Tau‐U single‐case design effect sizes to evaluate the multiple baseline design. Results indicate a functional relation between visual performance feedback provided by a school behavior resource teacher and teachers' increased use of behavior specific praise The results suggest that school‐based personnel can be trained in data collection, brief coaching sessions, and implementation of visual performance feedback to support teachers in increasing their use of behavior‐specific praise. This study provides evidence that school‐based personnel can help teachers increase their use of BSP during instruction.
A Meta‐Analysis on the Effects of Peer Tutoring on Emergent Bilinguals’ Academic Achievement
Authors: Romero Monica E. , Burns Matthew K. , Wan Hoi Ting , Abdelnaby Heba , Crawford Tiffany J.
Published: February 2025

This meta‐analysis investigated the effects of peer tutoring interventions on the academic achievement of Emergent Bilingual (EB) students from preschool through Grade 12. Fourteen studies, including peer‐reviewed journal articles and unpublished dissertations published between 2010 and 2021, were analyzed based on study characteristics, student variables, and intervention characteristics. The findings indicate that peer tutoring yielded a moderate effect size (g = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.22–0.94) on EBs’ academic outcomes. The majority of studies focused on elementary‐aged students, with significantly fewer studies addressing preschool or secondary‐level EBs. Nearly all studies involved Spanish‐speaking students (n = 14), and most targeted reading outcomes demonstrated a moderate effect size (g = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.24–1.00). Only a limited number of effects came from studies involving EBs with disabilities. These findings underscore the potential of peer tutoring to support reading development among EBs while highlighting critical research gaps, particularly at the secondary level and in core content areas such as mathematics. Implications for practice and directions for future research are discussed.
Refinement and curation of homologous groups facilitated by structure prediction
Authors: Schaeffer Richard Dustin , Pei Jimin , Zhang Jing , Cong Qian , Grishin Nick V.
Published: February 2025

Domain classification of protein predictions released in the AlphaFold Database (AFDB) has been a recent focus of the Evolutionary Classification of protein Domains (ECOD). Although a primary focus of our recent work has been the partition and assignment of domains from these predictions, we here show how these diverse predictions can be used to examine the reference domain set more closely. Using results from DPAM, our AlphaFold‐specific domain parsing algorithm, we examine hierarchical groupings that share significant levels of homologous links, both between groups that were not previously assessed to be definitively homologous and between groups that were not previously observed to share significant homologous links. Combined with manual analysis, these large datasets of structural and sequence similarities allow us to merge homologous groups in multiple cases which we detail within. These domains tend to be families of domains from families that are either small, previously had few experimental representatives, or had unknown function. The exception to this is the chromodomains, a large homologous group which were increased from “possibly homologous” to “definitely homologous” to increase the consistency of ECOD based their strong homologous links to the SH3 domains.
Controlling the Oxygen Content in Sn‐Doped In2O3 Thin Films by Partially Reactive Co‐Sputtering
Authors: Creutz Kim Alexander , Klein Andreas
Published: February 2025

It is shown that partially reactive co‐sputtering employing ceramic In2O3 and metallic Sn targets is a viable tool to control the dopant and carrier concentration n in In2O3 thin films over a wide range, reaching carrier concentrations close to the fundamental limit with mobilities μ as high as those deposited by magnetron sputtering from doped ceramic targets and epitaxial films. Despite the reduced oxygen content, no Sn2+ species are observed, even for high Sn content in the film. This is attributed to the formation of SnO precipitates, which also explains the reduction of carrier mobility with increasing Sn content.
Pioneering Mass Spectrometry: A Tribute to My Mentor Jean‐François Muller and His Enduring Legacy
Authors: Frache Gilles
Published: February 2025

Professor Jean‐François Muller, a distinguished figure in the field of mass spectrometry, made significant contributions to the advancement of analytical chemistry and its applications. As the founding director of the Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry and Laser Chemistry at the University of Metz, Muller played a pivotal role in establishing Metz as a leading center for mass spectrometry research. His pioneering work, particularly in the development of matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) instrumentation and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass Spectrometry (FTICR MS), has had a profound impact on various scientific disciplines. This article commemorates Professor Muller's illustrious career and highlights his collaborative efforts with industrial partners such as Total, which led to groundbreaking advancements in MS analysis. I will delve into the key findings of my thesis which focused on instrumental developments for MALDI analysis and imaging, as well as personal reminiscences and the impact of his inspiring mentorship.
Algebraic rates of stability for front-type modulated waves in Ginzburg–Landau equations
Authors: Beyn Wolf-Jürgen , Döding Christian
Published: February 2025

We consider the stability of front-type modulated waves in the complex Ginzburg–Landau equation (CGL). The waves occur in the bistable regime (e.g., of the quintic CGL) and connect the zero state to a spatially homogenous state oscillating in time. For initial perturbations that decay at a certain algebraic rate, we prove convergence to the wave with asymptotic phase. The convergence holds in algebraically weighted Sobolev norms and with an algebraic rate in time, where the asymptotic phase is approached by one order less than the profile. On the technical side, we use the theory of exponential trichotomies to separate the spatial modes into growing, weakly decaying, and strongly decaying ones. This allows us to derive resolvent and semigroup estimates in weighted Sobolev norms and to close the argument with a Gronwall lemma involving algebraic weights.
Scanogram leg length measurement after total hip arthroplasty: not all landmarks are created equal
Authors: Le Brian T. N. , Bourgeault-Gagnon Yoan , Lyons Matthew C. , McCaffrey Samuel L. , Salmon Lucy J. , O’Sullivan Michael D.
Published: February 2025

Objective

To compare the magnitude of post-arthroplasty leg length discrepancy (LLD) and incidence of clinically significant LLD measured on CT scanogram using a commonly used measurement method (from the acetabular apex to tibial plafond) to an alternative technique avoiding the use of the acetabular prosthesis as a landmark and to assess inter-observer and intra-rater reliability of the new technique.

Materials and methods

In this retrospective study, post-arthroplasty LLD measurements were conducted in 100 hips by two interpreters on CT scanogram scout views from the acetabular apex to the tibial plafond (AA-TP) and the inter-teardrop line to the tibial plafond (IT-TP). Aggregate means and proportions of clinically relevant LLD (≥ 10 mm) were compared between methods. Inter-rater reliability was calculated, and both interpreters repeated measurements on ten randomly selected patients to calculate intra-rater reliability.

Results

The commonly used AA-TP technique overestimated LLD by 3.7 mm compared to the IT-TP technique. The odds of LLD measurement exceeding the clinically significant threshold of 10 mm were 3.8 times higher when using the AA-TP technique. Excellent inter-rater (ICC 0.984, 0.958) and intra-rater reliability (ICC > 0.9) were found for both techniques.

Conclusion

CT scanogram measurements from the acetabular apex to the tibial plafond often overestimate operative limb length due to reference landmarks in different axial planes. Measurements from the inter-teardrop line to the tibial plafond yield significantly lower LLD values, possibly reflecting actual limb length better. The authors recommend using the inter-teardrop line and tibial plafond as reference landmarks to improve LLD assessment accuracy post-arthroplasty.
Preparation of non-toxic green slippery liquid infused surfaces based on electrospun fiber with anti-algae and anti-bacterial properties
Authors: Dinc Sena Kardelen , Caglar Busra Nur , Birlik Demirel Gokcen , San Keskin Nalan Oya
Published: February 2025

Microbial attachment is a problem of vital importance and economic significance, particularly in marine environments. Slippery Liquid Infused Surfaces (SLIPS) have attracted considerable interest as a solution to this challenge. In the present study, we hypothesized that Saint John's Wort Oil (SJWO) could provide an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic oils, combating marine microbial attachment with non-toxic chemicals. We developed a hydrophobic electrospun porous cellulose acetate fiber layer, coated with silica nanoparticles (SiO2NPs), and infused with SJWO. The optimization process involved measuring sliding velocity, the number of SiO2NP layers, the amount of lubricant, and the infusion time. The optimal configuration demonstrated a sliding velocity of 0.31 cm/s on a 10° slope. Antibacterial tests revealed that the SLIPS reduced bacterial attachment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from 1.67 ± 0.03 × 106 CFU/mL on glass substrates to 2.85 ± 0.07 × 105 CFU/mL for SLIPS. Similarly, the anti-algae performance against Chlorella sp. showed a significant reduction in optical density from 0.92 ± 0.01 for glass substrates to 0.19 ± 0.01 for SLIPS, and chlorophyll content was reduced from 7.24 ± 0.19 µg/mL to 3.70 ± 0.77 µg/mL. The findings indicate that SJWO-infused SLIPS provide a robust and effective method for reducing microbial attachment.
Tinnitus is not associated with cardiovascular risk factors or mortality in the Gutenberg Health Study
Authors: Hahad Omar , Hackenberg Berit , Döge Julia , Bahr-Hamm Katharina , Kerahrodi Jasmin Ghaemi , Tüscher Oliver , Michal Matthias , Kontohow-Beckers Konstantin , Schuster Alexander K. , Schmidtmann Irene , Lackner Karl J. , Schattenberg Jörn M. , Konstantinides Stavros , Wild Philipp S. , Münzel Thomas
Published: February 2025

Background and aims

Tinnitus, characterized by the conscious perception of sound without external acoustic stimulation, presents a multifaceted challenge. Recent research suggests a potential association between tinnitus and cardiovascular health. To elucidate these associations further, we examined the prevalence of tinnitus alongside its distress levels and their associations with cardiovascular risk factors, diseases, and risk of death within a general population cohort.

Methods and results

This study analyzed data from the prospective Gutenberg Health Study (GHS), a population-based cohort of 15,010 individuals aged 35–74, who underwent baseline assessments from 2007 to 2012. We focused on the 10-year follow-up (2017–2020) of the GHS, including otologic testing with 8539 subjects, of whom 2387 (28%) reported tinnitus, allowing for a comprehensive cross-sectional and prospective analysis. Participants completed a questionnaire on hearing-related symptoms, including tinnitus presence (“Do you suffer from ringing in the ears (tinnitus)?” yes/no) and distress (“How much do you feel bothered by it?”), rated on a six-point scale from 0 (“not bothersome”) to 5 (“very bothersome”). Outcomes were assessed based on observed prevalent cardiovascular conditions (i.e., cardiovascular risk factors and diseases) and deaths. Additionally, calculated cardiovascular risk was assessed using the SCORE2 algorithm. Significant differences in baseline characteristics emerged between participants with and without tinnitus, with the former exhibiting advanced age, male predominance, and a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and diseases. Tinnitus displayed associations with various prevalent cardiovascular diseases including atrial fibrillation (odds ratio 1.48, 95% confidence interval 1.11–1.96), peripheral artery disease (1.43, 1.05–1.95), coronary artery disease (1.49, 1.09–2.04), and any cardiovascular disease (1.31, 1.11–1.56), persisting even after adjustments for demographic, socioeconomic, and cardiovascular risk factors. While crude associations with several prevalent cardiovascular risk factors were observed, these associations diminished upon comprehensive adjustment. Tinnitus presence was associated with elevated 10-year cardiovascular disease risk (incidence rate ratio 1.11, 1.09–1.13), as indicated by higher SCORE 2 values, yet did not predict all-cause mortality risk.

Conclusions

In the present study, tinnitus was associated with prevalent cardiovascular disease. However, no association with cardiovascular risk factors and mortality was found.
Pseudotumor following total hip arthroplasty: experience of a tertiary referral center and proposal of the new “PCS” classification system
Authors: Stimolo Davide , Muratori Francesco , Cucurullo Lorenzo , Scoccianti Guido , Innocenti Matteo , Campanacci Domenico Andrea
Published: February 2025

Introduction

This study summarizes outcomes in treating pseudotumors of the hip at a tertiary referral center and introduces a classification system to aid treatment decisions and enhance communication among providers.

Materials and methods

We collected data from 39 patients who underwent surgery for hip pseudotumor, analyzing implant failures based on patient history, revision reasons, bearing surface type, mass location and size, bone loss, revision type, and whether it was single- or two-stage. We introduce the PCS classification: ‘P’ for Pseudotumor (with ‘s’ for symptomatic, ‘e/I’ for intra/extrapelvic location, and ‘m’ for high Chromium/Cobalt levels), ‘C’ for implant status, and ‘S’ for bone loss extent. In 37 patients, we evaluated Cohen’s kappa coefficient to evaluate interobserver reliability.

Results

Twenty (51.2%) patients were female, with a mean age of 71 years (range 36–89; σ 12.11); the mean follow-up duration was 54.43 months (range 12.2–128.3). The average size of the pseudotumor was 13.10 cm (range 3.3–37.2; σ 7.11) with 61.5% exhibiting extra-pelvic localization only. Bearing surfaces were MoM in 27 patients (69.2%). Single-stage revision surgery was performed in 87.1% of patients. There were 7 (17.9%) implant failures. No significant differences in failure rates were observed based on considered parameters. The agreement following Cohen’s coefficient for the combined PCS classification was k = 0.43. Moderate to almost perfect agreement was obtained for parameter P and S, with k = 0.48 for parameter C.

Conclusion

No correlation was found between failures and analyzed characteristics. Our classification assesses clinical scenarios and stratifies surgical complexity for indication purposes. While interobserver agreement varies with parameter C, it is consistent with parameters P and S.
Inverse design of spinodoid structures using Bayesian optimization
Authors: Raßloff Alexander , Seibert Paul , Kalina Karl A. , Kästner Markus
Published: February 2025

Tailoring materials to achieve a desired behavior in specific applications is of significant scientific and industrial interest as design of materials is a key driver to innovation. Overcoming the rather slow and expertise-bound traditional forward approaches of trial and error, inverse design is attracting substantial attention. Targeting a property, the design model proposes a candidate structure with the desired property. This concept can be particularly well applied to the field of architected materials as their structures can be directly tuned. The bone-like spinodoid materials are a specific class of architected materials. They are of considerable interest thanks to their non-periodicity, smoothness, and low-dimensional statistical description. Previous work successfully employed machine learning (ML) models for inverse design. The amount of data necessary for most ML approaches poses a severe obstacle for broader application, especially in the context of inelasticity. That is why we propose an inverse-design approach based on Bayesian optimization to operate in the small-data regime. Necessitating substantially less data, a small initial data set is iteratively augmented by in silico generated data until a structure with the targeted properties is found. The application to the inverse design of spinodoid structures of desired elastic properties demonstrates the framework’s potential for paving the way for advance in inverse design.
Component specific fatigue strength determination using hollow drill samples for limit state design in drive train components
Authors: Weber Felix , Züch Vitali , Schulz Victoria , Bosse Dennis , Jacobs Georg , Broeckmann Christoph
Published: February 2025

With modern wind turbines facing continuous upscaling in terms of size and power, challenges in manufacturing, logistics, assembly, and total cost arise. To account for these challenges, an increase in the power density, e.g., of the drive train, is required. While modifications of the component geometry allow for potential optimization, significant potential is currently locked up by safety factors accounting for uncertainty in local material properties. To unlock this potential, the uncertainty of local material properties, especially the local fatigue strength, needs to be reduced.

This study presents an experimental approach to analyze and quantify the local fatigue strength of a cast component by testing specimens manufactured from hollow drill samples taken from the cast component. Therefore, the change in temperature due to internal dissipation effects is observed during fatigue testing of the specimen in a load increase test. Analysis of the stress dependent change in temperature results in virtual test points that can be evaluated to derive local fatigue strengths. The temperature change within the specimen is determined by low-cost Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) thermistors placed on the surface of the specimen.

The potential of the method is demonstrated for cast iron grade EN-GJS-500-14. The testing of different casts of EN-GJS-500-14 demonstrates the robustness of uncertainty estimation of the proposed method. Especially for heavy-section castings, this procedure allows for the determination of a component specific local material fatigue strength without an effect on the overall component integrity. Implementing this testing procedure as a fingerprint of a cast component could reduce the uncertainty in the local material properties and consequently reduce the applied safety factors.
Detection of particle contamination and lubrication outage in journal bearings in wind turbine gearboxes using surface acoustic wave measurements and machine learning
Authors: Decker Thomas , Jacobs Georg , Raddatz Malte , Röder Julian , Betscher Jonas , Arneth Philipp
Published: February 2025

Journal bearings are used more and more in wind turbine (WT) gearboxes. Compared to rolling element bearings they are advantageous in terms of power density and reliability. Despite their reliability and theoretically unlimited fatigue life, journal bearings can be damaged by particularly critical operating conditions that do not represent normal WT operation. As journal bearing damage can occur very suddenly in the worst case, continuous monitoring of the bearing’s condition is advisable. Particle contamination in the lubricant and an outage of the oil supply can be particularly harmful to the bearing. Condition monitoring systems (CMS) have the potential to detect such critical operating conditions in journal bearings before damage occurs. A detection of these conditions is crucial for preventing bearing damage and thus gearbox failure which results in turbine downtime and yield loss. If failures of journal bearings in WT gearboxes can be avoided through the use of CMS this, in the long term, has the potential to reduce maintenance and repair costs in the field application.

In this work the novel surface acoustic wave (SAW) measurement method is presented for the detection of particle contamination and lubrication outage. The SAW method is advantageous compared to conventional monitoring methods such as vibration measurements, as it is based on measuring the propagation behavior of actively introduced SAW into the bearing. This makes the method particularly robust against disturbing noise. For the evaluation of the signals and the detection of the aforementioned operational anomalies a machine learning approach is used. The latter is implemented such that an online monitoring can be performed with only a short latency between data input and evaluation.

The presented method was validated on a component test rig for journal bearings. For the experiments the SAW measurement was implemented into the test bearings. In the test campaign, the anomalies were actively induced and the bearing behavior observed over time. This work provides insight into the signals measured during the occurrence of operational anomalies and proves that a lubrication outage and particle contamination can be detected using SAW.
Numerical simulation of ring creep on a wind turbine main shaft
Authors: Grosse Peter , Kyling Hans
Published: February 2025

A novel high-fidelity FEM modeling approach is developed to simulate the micro-motion in the main bearing assembly of a wind turbine (WT) drive train. This model will not only simulate the rolling bearing itself but also the stiffness of the neighboring structure, as this is mandatory to simulate the ring migration effect realistically. Due to the size of the components and the bearings on the one hand and the scale of the micro-movements resulting in ring creep on the other hand, there are some challenges, e.g. the model needs to be fine enough to fully capture the non-linearity in the bearing, but it should also remain calculable with basic computer equipment. For that purpose, state-of-the-art bearing modeling is combined with the submodeling technique. So ring creep can be calculated in a smart way on usual computer hardware.
Robustness and transferability of an autoencoder based anomaly detection approach to detect gear damage
Authors: Binanzer Lisa , Dazer Martin
Published: February 2025

Using an autoencoder (AE) based approach enables damage detection in a very early stage and does not require labeled training data. The earliest possible damage detection in gearboxes provides a precise insight into the state of health. The aim of this investigation is to use extended training datasets that include multiple operating conditions, thus robust damage detection is investigated independent of the operating state. In a first evaluation the operating states with same speed, but different torques of a healthy gear pair are used as a training dataset. In a second evaluation, operating states of different speeds and torques are used as a training dataset. In addition, the transferability of the algorithm to other gear pairs is examined without training the AE again. The vibration data used for damage detection are recorded on the test bench with a single stage spur gearbox. The test runs are carried out at different damage sizes, speeds and torques. The AE is trained on datasets without damage. The trained AE receives datasets of the tests with and without damage and encodes them. After a subsequent decoding step, the loss of the AE is calculated. The loss varies depending on the damage size. The investigation of the extended training datasets and the transferability of the AE provides valuable insights for the further development of robust damage detection algorithms.
Oedema as a prognostic factor for seizures in meningioma - a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Tanti Matthew J. , Nevitt Sarah , Yeo Molly , Bolton William , Chumas Paul , Mathew Ryan , Maguire Melissa J.
Published: February 2025

Meningiomas are benign intracranial tumours that commonly lead to seizures and oedema. An understanding of seizure risk factors is essential for the meningioma community. Many studies have differing conclusions on whether oedema is associated with seizure. Existing meta-analyses are limited by lack of focus on oedema. Our objective was to summarise all literature on oedema as a prognostic factor for seizures in meningioma patients. We searched OVID, Scopus, Pubmed, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov and Google scholar up to April 2024 for reports with more than 10 human meningioma participants. Statistics were performed on R-Studio. Cochrane and Campbell guides for systematic reviews and meta-analysis were followed. Risk of bias was assessed with ROBINS-E. Our protocol was uploaded to INPLASY. We included 51 studies for meta-analysis and 21 for narrative review. Most studies were of surgically treated adults. Heterogeneity was low once outliers were removed. Preoperative oedema was associated with preoperative seizure (k = 28, n = 7,725, OR 3.5, 95% CI = 3.1-4.0, I2 = 0%, p < .001), early postoperative seizure (k = 9, n = 2,929, OR 1.5, CI = 1.1–1.9, I2 = 0%, p = .011) and late postoperative seizure (k = 9, n = 2,150, OR 1.9, CI = 1.5–2.2, I2 = 0%, p < .001). We performed an additional adjusted analysis for preoperative seizures which was also significant (k = 3, n = 2,241, OR 3.9, CI = 2.4–6.3, I2 = 0%, p = .007). There were few studies of post-radiosurgery oedema and seizure, and of postoperative oedema and seizure, with insignificant but positive associations. Preoperative oedema is a key factor for preoperative seizures. Oedema also increases risk of postoperative seizures. Further study in conservative, radiosurgery and paediatric populations, as well as study of oedema and seizure severity or subtype is warranted.
How strong was Goliath? Geomechanical characterization of the submarine Goliath slide
Authors: Pinkert Shmulik , Bar-Zvi Liad , Makovsky Yizhaq , Bookman Revital
Published: February 2025

Understanding the mechanical properties of continental submarine slopes is critical for the assessment of geo-marine slope stability hazards. This paper presents the first detailed geomechanical study on sediment profiles associated with a geologically recent sliding event at the Goliath submarine complex offshore southern Israel. Sediment samples were extracted from ~ 5-m-long piston cores collected from three representative sites: on the recent slide headscar (PHS3), the adjacent undisturbed slope seafloor (PSL4), and at the dextral tail-depositional lobe (PTL3). The investigation included Gamma-ray and CT scanning, sediment phase measurement, laboratory T-bar penetration, and vane shear testing. The evaluated properties for the three sites are the undrained shear strength, over-consolidation ratio, soil sensitivity, water content, and density. The experimental results show a strong correlation between the findings of the various investigation tools regarding the original soil condition before sliding, the slide scar location, the degradation in properties of the disturbed soil, and the post-slide deposited soil properties. Despite the variation in properties among the different sites, the paper presents a prediction model for the soil strength in the Goliath slide area. Beyond the geomechanical characterization, the analysis of the test results highlights two unique findings: (1) evidence of a long-term strength softening phenomenon in the post-slide period, and (2) insights into the transition of geomechanical properties with depth within the slide scar.
Associations of procrastination with loneliness, social isolation, and social withdrawal
Authors: Hajek André , Gyasi Razak M. , Pengpid Supa , Kostev Karel , Soysal Pinar , Veronese Nicola , Smith Lee , Jacob Louis , König Hans-Helmut , Peltzer Karl
Published: February 2025

Aim

The aim was to investigate the association of procrastination with loneliness, social isolation, and social withdrawal (also stratified by sex).

Subjects and methods

Data were used from a large sample of the general adult population in Germany, consisting of individuals aged 18 to 74 years (analytic sample, n  = 5000 individuals, mean age: 46.9 years, SD: 15.2; 50.7% female). Standardized instruments were employed to measure the key variables. Multiple linear regressions were employed.

Results

After the adjustment for various sociodemographic factors, lifestyle habits, and health-related variables, the regression analyses showed that greater procrastination was significantly associated with higher levels of loneliness (β = .11, p < .001), higher perceived social isolation (β = .05, p < .001), higher objective social isolation (β = .14, p < .001), and greater social withdrawal (β = 1.00, p < .001). Additional regressions showed that such associations were mainly significantly more pronounced among men.

Conclusion

Our study showed that procrastination is associated with several unfavorable social outcomes, particularly among men. Efforts to address procrastination may also help such unfavorable social outcomes, pending future longitudinal studies.
The potential of silvopasture in the mid-atlantic USA: insights from land managers on motivations, challenges, and production features
Authors: Poudel Sanjok , Ely Kristine , Fike John
Published: February 2025

Silvopasture is an intentional integration of trees, livestock, and forages within a common land management unit. Despite the significant potential opportunity, silvopasture is not widely adopted by landowners in the mid-Atlantic U.S.A. Limited information exists on silvopasture establishment and its overall management in a real farming context. These case studies were conducted to observe and document various establishment and management approaches for silvopasture among early adopters in Virginia to provide practical information to other producers interested in developing these systems. A questionnaire was developed and four producers in different physiographic regions of Virginia were interviewed. All the producers interviewed manage beef cattle operations. A common motivation behind silvopasture adoption was the opportunity to utilize the shade within the system for livestock health and welfare benefits. In cases where silvopastures were thinned from existing timber stands, the ability to expand grazable land was also a strong motivator. Producers utilized different methods for establishing and managing silvopasture based on their available resources and expertise. Climate change was not a consideration for any producers interviewed in their decision to create or manage silvopasture on their farm. Limited access to information and resources on silvopasture during the early adoption stage was a common experience for all interviewees. Each participant felt that silvopasture has great aesthetic value and can increase biodiversity within the farm. All producers interviewed were interested in expanding the silvopasture land area on their farm but also described various constraints that may hinder their ability to do so.
RNA sequencing identifies MAP1A and PTTG1 as predictive genes of aging CD264+ human mesenchymal stem cells at an early passage
Authors: Giler Margaret K. , Tucker H. Alan , Foote Amanda K. , Francis Avery G. , Madsen Sean D. , Liu Yao-Zhong , O’Connor Kim C.
Published: February 2025

Molecular profiles of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are needed to standardize the composition and effectiveness of MSC therapeutics. This study employs RNA sequencing to identify genes to be used in concert with CD264 as a molecular profile of aging MSCs at a clinically relevant culture passage. CD264− and CD264+ populations were isolated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting from passage 4 MSC cultures. CD264+ MSCs exhibited an aging phenotype relative to their CD264− counterpart. Donor-matched CD264−/+ mRNA samples from 5 donors were subjected to pair-ended, next-generation sequencing. An independent set of 5 donor MSCs was used to validate differential expression of select genes with quantitative reverse transcription PCR. Pairwise differential expression analysis identified 2,322 downregulated genes and 2,695 upregulated genes in CD264+ MSCs relative to donor-matched CD264− MSCs with a Benjamini–Hochberg adjusted p-value (BH p

adj
) < 0.1. Nearly 25% of these genes were unique to CD264−/+ MSCs and not differentially expressed at a significance level of BH p

adj
 < 0.1 in previous RNA sequencing studies of early- vs. late-passage MSCs. Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator regression identified microtubule-associated protein 1A (MAP1A) and pituitary tumor-transforming gene 1 (PTTG1) as predictive genes of CD264+ MSCs. Combined MAP1A and PTTG1 expression correctly classified CD264 status of MSC samples with an accuracy of 100%. Differential expression and predictive ability of MAP1A and PTTG1 compared favorably with that of existing senescence markers expressed in early passage CD264−/+ MSCs. This study provides the first linkage of MAP1A to CD264, aging and senescence. Our findings have application as quality metrics to standardize the composition of MSC therapies and as molecular targets to slow/reverse cellular aging.
Being Responsible in Cybersecurity: A Multi-Layered Perspective
Authors: Panteli Niki , Nthubu Boineelo R , Mersinas Konstantinos
Published: February 2025

The paper posits that in the increasingly connected digital landscape, there is a growing need to examine the scale and scope of responsible cybersecurity. In an exploratory study that involved qualitative interviews with senior cybersecurity professionals, we identify different layers of responsible cybersecurity that span across techno-centric, human-centric, organizational (intra and inter) and societal centric perspectives. We present these in an onion-shaped framework and show that collectively these diverse perspectives highlight the linked responsibilities of different stakeholders both within and beyond the organization. The study also finds that senior leadership plays a crucial role in fostering responsible cybersecurity across the different layers. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Distribution and failure patterns of primary central nervous system lymphoma related to the hippocampus: implications for hippocampal avoidance irradiation
Authors: Ryu Hyejo , Li Xue , Lee Tae Hoon , Kim Tae Min , Choi Seung Hong , Park Chul-Kee , Lee Soon Tae , Park Sung-Hye , Won Jae-Kyung , Jang Bum-Sup , Kim Il Han , Lee Joo Ho
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Hippocampal injury from WBRT contributes to neurocognitive decline in brain malignancy patients. HA-WBRT may mitigate this by reducing hippocampal radiation exposure, but its feasibility in PCNSL remains unassessed regarding hippocampal involvement and failure rates. This study evaluates hippocampal involvement at diagnosis and after treatment in PCNSL patients.

Materials and methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of 278 immunocompetent PCNSL patients diagnosed between 2000 and 2021. Following high-dose methotrexate-based induction chemotherapy, patients either received consolidation therapy, including RT, cytarabine alone, or autologous stem cell transplantation or underwent observation. Hippocampus was outlined on T1 MRI images and expanded by a 5 mm margin to create the hippocampal avoidance region (HAR). Hippocampal failure was defined as recurrence or progression at HAR. The median follow-up was 38.7 months (range 3.1–239.4 months).

Results

Of the 278 patients diagnosed with PCNSL, 39.9% presented initial lesions at HAR. After induction therapy, 212 evaluable patients received consolidation treatments or observation. Intracranial failures occurred in 47.6% (n = 101), with 66.3% (n = 67) occurring outside the HAR and 33.7% (n = 34) inside the HAR. Unifocal disease (HR 0.61, 95% CI 0.39–0.96, p = 0.025) was associated with a lower risk of hippocampal failures, while initial HAR involvement significantly increased the risk (HR 2.26, 95% CI 1.18–4.47, p = 0.018). Patients with unifocal disease outside the HAR had the lowest 3-year hippocampal failure rate (6.2%). RT that included the hippocampus did not significantly affect hippocampal failure rates in patients without initial HAR lesions (p = 0.282), with three-year rates of 9.2 vs. 14.6% for other treatments. However, among patients with initial HAR involvement, RT including the hippocampus significantly reduced hippocampal failure rates compared to other approaches (p = 0.002). Hippocampal failure rates were comparable, with conventional WBRT at 14.6% and HA-WBRT at 19% in patients without initial HAR lesions (p = 0.734).

Conclusion

The routine application of the HA-WBRT strategy is not supported due to the high risk of hippocampal failures in general and requires further investigation to establish its feasibility and safety in well-defined subgroups. Our results suggest that the HA-WBRT strategy could be evaluated for select PCNSL patients with unifocal lesions or those located outside the HAR.
Do competitive forces tend to correct choice errors in journal selection due to imperfect attention on the part of researchers?
Authors: García J. A. , Montero-Parodi J. J. , Rodriguez-Sánchez Rosa , Fdez-Valdivia J.
Published: February 2025

For scientists, one of the most important points to consider is the right journals for research, current awareness, and publication of results. However, if scientists suffer from imperfect attention, they would pay attention to only a subset of journals in the subject category. Under this scenario, chief editors might affect preferences by using the journal’s salience to influence what scientists pay attention to. In this paper, we are going to address two related research questions: First, do competitive forces tend to correct choice errors in journal selection due to imperfect attention on the part of researchers? Second, does journal selection based on the choice of journal impact factor (JIF) quartiles produce the best journals in a multivariate indicator space? Using an attention game, we find that the competition between journals in the presence of positive externalities between the visibility of journals, pushes the best journals to increase their salience enough to overcome the distorting effects of imperfect attention. However, a visibility strategy based on JIF quartiles exhibits negative externalities between the ability of journals to attract attention. Therefore, we cannot guarantee that the most visible journals using quartiles are the preferred journals based on their impact on the development of the discipline. To illustrate this theoretical result, for the subject categories of Information Science & Library Science, and Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence (both in 2022), we found that the JIF quartiles do not reveal the impact classification of journals in a multivariate space of seven indicators.
Bracketing higher-order evidence in scholarly philosophical argumentation: why and which?
Authors: Königs Peter
Published: February 2025

Higher-order evidence, such as that arising from peer disagreement, is typically bracketed in scholarly argumentation. For instance, we do not challenge a philosophical position by noting that it is subject to peer disagreement. Two questions related to this phenomenon remain unresolved: 1) Why is scholarly argumentation governed by a norm against the use of higher-order evidence? 2) Which higher-order evidence is affected by this norm? This article argues, first, that the reason higher-order evidence is bracketed is not related to the sincerity with which we may hold our views, or to the promotion of cognitive diversity. Rather, it is due to the inconclusive nature of arguments based on higher-order evidence. Second, it argues that the ban on higher-order evidence extends to all types of higher-order evidence, not just a subset. The rationale behind banning higher-order evidence suggests that philosophical inquiry aims at solving philosophical questions with a high degree of conclusiveness, even if this aim might only be achieved in the far future.
Modified aluminum (Al)-hematoxylin stain for detection of Al in sheep and cat tissues: an animal model for the study of Al-associated conditions
Authors: Pérez Estela , de Diego Alicia , Gómez Álex , Rodríguez-Largo Ana , Pérez Marta , Luján Lluís
Published: February 2025

Aluminum (Al) has been an effective adjuvant in vaccines for nearly a century in animals and humans. Al can induce persistent granulomatous inflammatory responses characterized by macrophages with large granular, blue-gray cytoplasm sometimes with intracytoplasmic structures known as crystalloid bodies. These granulomas have been linked to proliferative and neoplastic conditions at injection sites in animal and humans. The detection of Al in tissue is crucial but current methods are time-intensive and require specialized training. This study highlights the efficacy of the modified Al-hematoxylin (MAH) technique in animals. Tissues from Al-induced lesions in sheep and cats were examined, along with non-aluminum granulomas as controls and MAH results were confirmed with lumogallion staining. In sheep, MAH positively stained granuloma macrophages, crystalloid bodies, necrotic regions and nearby connective tissue macrophages, while lymphoid aggregates present in granulomas were consistently negative. Macrophages loaded with Al and crystalloid bodies in lymph nodes were also MAH-positive, as were macrophages in contaminated injection sites following application of commercial Al-based vaccines. In cats with Feline Injection Site Sarcoma (FISS), MAH detected macrophage clusters around the tumor periphery and within the sarcoma. This cost-effective, rapid, and specific technique provides valuable insights for diagnosing Al-related conditions and could serve as an animal model for other species, including humans.
Wem nützen Beschwerdeverfahren an Schulen?
Authors: Haupt Selma , Jann Nina
Published: February 2025

Im Rahmen der explorativen Interviewstudie BaS (Beschwerdeverfahren an Schulen) wurde untersucht, welche Erfahrungen Lehrkräfte und Schulleitungen mit der Umsetzung von Beschwerdeverfahren an Schulen machen. Die Analyse des empirischen Materials zeigt, dass Beschwerdeverfahren im Kontext Schule in der Mehrheit der Fälle von der institutionellen Logik von Schule vereinnahmt werden und insbesondere der Durchsetzung schulischer Interessen dienen. Beschwerdeverfahren werden von den Befragten häufig weniger als Instrument interpretiert, das Kindern und Jugendlichen eine Stimme geben und zur Sicherung der Rechte von jungen Menschen beitragen soll. Der Beitrag diskutiert vor dem Hintergrund der Forschungsergebnisse, welche Schlussfolgerungen sich aus diesem Befund für die Wirkung der Stimme von Kindern und Jugendlichen im Kontext Schule ziehen lassen.
Ombudschaft in der Kinder- und Jugendhilfe
Authors: Urban-Stahl Ulrike , Fritsch Konstanze
Published: February 2025

Ombudschaftliche Beratung in der Kinder- und Jugendhilfe soll die strukturelle Machtasymmetrie der Helfer_innen-Klient_innen-Beziehung ausgleichen, junge Menschen und ihre Familien über ihre Rechte informieren und sie darin unterstützen, diese einzufordern. Zugleich setzt ombudschaftliche Beratung eine hohe fachliche Expertise voraus und ist selbst durch strukturelle Machtasymmetrie charakterisiert. Damit beinhaltet Ombudschaft gleichermaßen große Chancen, um jungen Menschen in der Kinder- und Jugendhilfe Gehör zu verschaffen – aber auch das Risiko den Machtüberhang zu nutzen und ohne ausreichende Partizipation stellvertretend für Ratsuchende zu handeln. Die bestehenden Asymmetrien müssen durch die Fachkräfte in Ombudsstellen gesehen, transparent verhandelt und aktiv ausgeglichen werden – durch verständliche Information, Aufklärung und Selbstbindung an die getroffenen Vereinbarungen. Im Beitrag werden die Möglichkeiten und Grenzen hierzu an einem Fallbeispiel verdeutlicht. Eine besondere Bedeutung erhält diese Auseinandersetzung auch vor dem Hintergrund der Ausweitung von Ombudsstellen nach § 9a SGB VIII und der Frage, wie in diesem Prozess der Anspruch von Ombudschaft zum verantwortungsvollen Umgang mit den gegebenen Strukturen aufrechterhalten werden kann und junge Menschen und ihre Familien Gehör finden können.