bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research Infrastructures as Anchor Points for Long-Term Environmental Observation
Authors: Feig Gregor , Brümmer Christian , Maluleke Amukelani , Midgley Guy F.
Published: January 2024

In this chapter, we highlight the importance and value of key Environmental Research Infrastructures, and how these can act as anchor points for long-term environmental observations and facilitate interdisciplinary environmental research. We briefly summarize the development of these efforts in South and southern Africa over the last three decades and from this perspective discuss how their successful maintenance and further implementation may turn such RIs into important anchor points for long-term environmental scientific work in support of environmental sustainability, national commitments under selected international policy discussions, and societal well-being. The fundamental role of Environmental Research Infrastructures is multifold and includes the provision of data that enable reporting and policy development, the provision of validation sites in the development of new observational sensors, measurement techniques and models, and the provision facilities for training of scientists and technicians. Humanity currently faces a number of global crises, including the impact of changes in the climate, resulting in droughts, floods, fires, storms, and other extreme events. These crises are significantly stressing and transforming the lives and livelihoods of the vast majority of humanity. The societal response to these events is dependent on the availability of scientific knowledge and its effective transfer to governance structures, industry, and the broader society. In order to effectively address these challenges, large amounts of long-term social-ecological data are required across a broad range of intersecting disciplines that are available for analysis by the scientific community. Research Infrastructures have the ability to act as anchor points in the provision and utilization of this data, and the development of indigenous capacity to develop the observations and technical skills.
Lessons Learned from a North-South Science Partnership for Sustainable Development
Authors: Luetkemeier Robert , Bieri Mari , Kraus Ronja , Mbidzo Meed , Midgley Guy F.
Published: January 2024

SDG goal 17 seeks to strengthen global partnerships, especially between Global North and South. However, in research and development, experiences indicate a mismatch in expectations with perceived power, funding and workload imbalances, a situation derogated as ‘parachute science’ or ‘helicopter research’. The research programme SPACES seeks to enhance North-South collaborations. As an inter- and transdisciplinary research programme focusing on the interactions between land, sea, atmosphere, biosphere and society, it aims to be a forum for fruitful partnerships. In this chapter, we carve out lessons learned from the nine projects involved in the programme’s second phase. Based on a survey amongst 66 SPACES II scientists, we explored their motivations for collaboration, their involvement in decision-making, the assigned resources and workloads as well as conflicts between Northern and Southern teams. Furthermore, we conducted bibliometric analyses and observed an intensification of the North-South co-authorship network over time. We conclude that SPACES can be considered a success as researchers acted largely as peers on an equal footing. Nevertheless, our insights show that (1) the asynchrony in funding is a threat for effective collaborations, (2) continuous project evaluation should incorporate a North-South component and (3) collaborative publications should be formalised as a tool for integration.
Projections of Future Climate Change in Southern Africa and the Potential for Regional Tipping Points
Authors: Engelbrecht Francois A. , Steinkopf Jessica , Padavatan Jonathan , Midgley Guy F.
Published: January 2024

Southern Africa is a climate change hotspot with projected warming and drying trends amplifying stresses in a naturally warm, dry and water-stressed region. Despite model-projected uncertainty in rainfall change over the eastern escarpment of South Africa, strong model agreement in projections indicates that southern African is likely to become generally drier. Sharply increased regional warming and associated strong reductions in soil-moisture availability and increases in heat-waves and high fire-danger days are virtually certain under low mitigation futures. Changes are detectible in observed climate trends for the last few decades, including regional warming, drying in both the summer and winter rainfall regions, and increases in intense rainfall events. The southern African climate is at risk of tipping into a new regime, with unprecedented impacts, such as day-zero drought in the Gauteng province of South Africa, collapse of the maize and cattle industries, heat-waves of unprecedented intensity and southward shifts in intense tropical cyclone landfalls. Many of these adverse changes could be avoided if the Paris Accord’s global goal were to be achieved, but research is urgently required to quantify the probabilities of such tipping points in relation to future levels of global warming. Adaptation planning is an urgent regional priority.
Fighting for PET in German Oncological Guidelines and for Its Reimbursement by Statutory Health Insurances
Authors: Hellwig Dirk
Published: January 2024

Precision medicine has a substantial basis in nuclear medicine and found its way into diagnosis and treatment of major and rare diseases. Apart from their scientific basis, further aspects are important for new medical procedures to be introduced into broad clinical care. In this matter, we in Germany have special experiences with PET which is still not fully recognized by statutory health insurances as the standard procedure of choice for many important indications despite its recommendation in international guidelines. This chapter describes the long way of PET and PET/CT into German guidelines and reimbursement for the example of lung cancer, to which the jubilarian made crucial contributions.
The Role of Individuals for Innovation: The Nuclear Medicine Biotope
Authors: Kluge Andreas
Published: January 2024

Today’s ability of nuclear medicine to diagnostically image almost any physiological target and to translate the obtained diagnostic information into therapeutic interventions is founded on the combination multiple individual innovations in all areas of science. Since the inception of nuclear medicine in 1941, the basic methodologies of nuclide generation, radiochemistry, imaging physics, engineering and biomedical data analysis all had to be developed de novo. This article intends to synoptically highlight individual key contributions enabling current molecular imaging and radiotherapy.
Terbium “Sisters”: More Than just a “Swiss Army Knife”
Authors: Müller Cristina , van der Meulen Nicholas P.
Published: January 2024

The concept of radiotheragnotics is employed at many nuclear medicine entities worldwide, where 68Ga and 177Lu are the most commonly used radiometals for PET imaging and radionuclide therapy, respectively.

The application of radionuclides of the same element (i.e., radioisotopes) would enable the preparation of chemically identical radiopharmaceuticals for both imaging and therapy. At the Paul Scherrer Institute, the realization of this concept has been a major research focus over the last decade. Among several interesting metals, terbium is of particular relevance. It comprises four radioisotopes suitable for nuclear medicine purposes, including imaging using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT; terbium-155) and positron emission tomography (PET; terbium-152), respectively, as well as targeted radionuclide therapy using α-particles (terbium-149) and β¯-particles (terbium-161).

This chapter presents the birth of the terbium “sisters” at PSI and briefly summarizes the most important achievements obtained with each of the four sisters. Future perspectives and challenges with regard to clinical translation of the “terbium sister concept” are presented and discussed.
On the Use of 203Pb Imaging to Inform 212Pb Dosimetry for 203/212Pb Image-Guided Alpha-Particle Therapy for Cancer
Authors: Graves Stephen , Li Mengshi , Lee Dongyoul , Schultz Michael K.
Published: January 2024

Alpha-emitting radiopharmaceutical therapy shows promise for improving the therapeutic efficacy of existing and future targeting ligands by limiting off-target irradiation and by preempting many cell survival mechanisms. Dosimetry-guided therapies are emerging as potentially safer and more effective than approaches based on a fixed-activity-administration paradigm. Among the candidates of alpha-emitting radionuclides, 212Pb shows promise for use under an image-guided dosimetry-informed theranostic paradigm, whereby 203Pb can be used for dosimetry and treatment planning. In this chapter, we model an approach to accurately estimate the dosimetry of 212Pb-based radiopharmaceuticals using 203Pb as a surrogate. However, uncertainties arise in dosimetric predictions for 212Pb based on 203Pb imaging due to the potential for migration of 212Pb radionuclide progeny (i.e., 212Bi, 212Po, 208Tl) from the site of 212Pb decay. On the other hand, based on distinct gamma-ray energies of the 212Pb progeny, the design of in vivo experiments is described that have the potential to define these uncertainties more precisely, so as to gain insights into the potential toxicity of bioconjugated and potentially decoupled 212Bi in tissues. The promise of alpha-particle radionuclide therapy is evidenced by a tenfold increase in publications over the last 30 years, and it is anticipated that the elementally matched 203Pb/212Pb radionuclide pair will play a key role in our progress toward personalized receptor-targeted alpha-particle therapy for cancer.
Radioiodine-Labeled Meta-Iodobenzylguanidine for Imaging and Treatment of Pheochromocytoma/Paraganglioma and Neuroblastoma
Authors: Fischer Manfred , Schmidt Matthias
Published: January 2024

Following the new WHO classification of tumors of the endocrine organs (Lloyd RV, Osamura RY, Klöppel G, Rodai J, editors. WHO classification of tumours of endocrine organs. Lyon: International Agency for Research on Cancer; 2017), this chapter deals with the development of radionuclide therapy of malignant pheochromocytomas, parangliomas, and neuroblastomas. All of these tumors are expressing the noradrenaline transporter, which is responsible for the active uptake of 131I-meta-iodobenzyguanidine (131I-mIBG) into the tumor cells. This tracer was introduced for diagnostic procedures of the adrenal medulla, for the treatment of adrenal medullary hyperplasia and also for malignant neuroendocrine tumors in 1980/1981, and these treatment indications are still valid until today. For treatment of malignant pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas, an improvement of 5-year overall survival in about 36% was published.

In Germany, the most common indication for 131I-mIBG therapy in high-risk neuroblastoma patients is the treatment of persistent mIBG-avid disease before autologous stem cell transplantation. However, 131I-mIBG may also be used in case of neuroblastoma relapse or in palliative intent, in other countries also as first-line treatment. Mean objective tumor response for 131I-mIBG in neuroblastoma was reported with about 32%.

Some promising results of recent studies using new tracers (DOTATOC, DOTATATE) with newer beta-emitters are also discussed.
From Concept to Clinic and Commercialization: Cowboys Wanted
Authors: Behrenbruch Christian P.
Published: January 2024

The purpose of this chapter is threefold.

Firstly, it is an honor to be included in this Festschrift, a recognition and celebration of the enormous contribution Professor Richard Baum has made to the field of nuclear medicine. I would like to write a few words as to why Richard’s contribution to nuclear medicine and theranostics has been so important from a commercial perspective, and why we need more innovators like him. Secondly, I want to review some of the reasons why, despite enormous potential, the field of nuclear medicine has not been as commercially successful as it could be, and the pitfalls we must address in order to deliver in the future. Finally, I’d like to highlight some of the areas that I am most excited about from a commercial perspective that will likely define the field over the next decade.

I’ve spent 20 years hunting money for imaging and nuclear medicine companies and over that time, through varying degrees of economic prosperity, I have received a great deal of candid feedback about how investors view the nuclear medicine industry. These perceptions offer provocative insights into our industry and I believe they are worth sharing, both for information and entertainment. Not all opinions will garner agreement.
“How Do You Feel About Dosimetry?” The Gretchenfrage of Radionuclide Therapy
Authors: Blaickner Matthias
Published: January 2024

Dosimetry is Radionuclide Therapy which is a topic often and sometimes even passionately debated among scientists. It revolves around the question whether dosimetry calculations are useful or even necessary and if the calculated values have any clinical significance or advantage for the patient.

This article aims to give answers to these questions by systematically reviewing the different aspects of Radionuclide Therapy. First, the most important radionuclides, carrier molecules, and corresponding imaging techniques used in diagnosis and therapy are discussed in the ways they can be combined for theragnostic approaches. Furthermore, the different forms of dosimetry and their levels of detail are outlined including a precis on the physical and radiobiological dose quantities found in literature.

Moving forward the evidence for dose-effect relationships is presented, i.e., quantifiable tissue responses as a function of the calculated radiation dose. This includes radiotoxicities of normal, healthy organs which cause an upper limit of the administered activity and are controlled very well. In the case of the kidney the toxicity by Radionuclide Therapy was successfully described via radiobiologic models.

Regarding the dose-response of malignant tissue the data is not as comprehensive as in external beam radiotherapy; however, the few studies clearly indicate the existence of a mathematical relation for the mean absorbed dose as well as for more complex dose quantities.

Finally, the results are discussed in the context of personalized medicine where the benefits and limits of dosimetry in Radionuclide Therapy are presented.
Emergence of species scale black hole horizons
Authors: Calderón-Infante José , Delgado Matilda , Uranga Angel M.
Published: January 2024

Abstract

The scale at which quantum gravity becomes manifest, the species scale Λs, has recently been argued to take values parametrically lower than the Planck scale. We use black holes of vanishing horizon area (small black holes) in effective field theories coupled to quantum gravity to shed light on how the three different physical manifestations of the species scale Λs relate to each other. (i) Near the small black hole core, a scalar field runs to infinite distance in moduli space, a regime in which the Swampland Distance Conjecture predicts a tower of exponentially light states, which lower Λs. (ii) We integrate out modes in the tower and generate via Emergence a set of higher derivative corrections, showing that Λs is the scale at which such terms become relevant. (iii) Finally, higher derivative terms modify the black hole solution and grant it a non-zero, species scale sized stretched horizon of radius $$ {\Lambda}_s^{-1} $$

Λ
s

−
1

, showcasing the species scale as the size of the smallest possible black hole describable in the effective theory.

We present explicit 4d examples of small black holes in 4d $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 supergravity, and the 10d example of type IIA D0-branes. The emergence of the species scale horizon for D0-branes requires a non-trivial interplay of different 8-derivative terms in type IIA and M-theory, providing a highly non-trivial check of our unified description of the different phenomena associated to the species scale.
Forward production of a Drell-Yan pair and a jet at small x at next-to-leading order
Authors: Taels Pieter
Published: January 2024

Abstract

We perform the analytical next-to-leading order calculation of the process p + A γ∗ + jet + X, at forward rapidities and low x. These kinematics justify a hybrid approach, where a quark from the ‘projectile’ proton scatters off the gluon distribution of the ‘target’, which can be a nucleus or a highly boosted proton. By using the Color Glass Condensate effective theory approach, this gluon distribution is allowed to be so dense that the quark undergoes multiple scattering. Moreover, large high-energy logarithms in the ratio of the hard scale and the center-of-mass energy are resummed by the Balitsky, Kovchegov, Jalilian-Marian, Iancu, McLerran, Weigert, Leonidov, Kovner or BK-JIMWLK evolution equations. We demonstrate that all ultraviolet divergences encountered in the calculation cancel, while the high-energy divergences are absorbed into BK-JIMWLK. The remaining singularities are collinear in nature and can be either absorbed into the Dokshitzer-Gribov-Lipatov-Altarelli-Parisi evolution of the incoming quark, when they stem from initial-state radiation, or else can be treated by a jet function in case they are caused by final-state emissions. The resulting cross section is completely finite and expressed in function of only a small set of color operators.
Quantum corrections to Higgs inflation in Einstein-Cartan gravity
Authors: He Minxi , Kamada Kohei , Mukaida Kyohei
Published: January 2024

Abstract

This paper studies the quantum corrections to the Higgs inflation model in the context of the Einstein-Cartan (E-C) gravity in the large-Nlimit withNbeing the number of real scalar components in Higgs. Recently, it is realized that the Higgs inflation in the E-C formalism smoothly connects those in the metric and the Palatini formalisms in the presence of a non-minimal coupling between the Higgs fields and the Nieh-Yan term. This motivates us to investigate the quantum corrections in large-Nlimit to the E-C Higgs inflation and to clarify how the Ricci curvature squaredR2induced by the quantum corrections succeeds in Ultraviolet (UV)-extending the Higgs inflation in metric formalism while it fails in the Palatini case. We show that a generalizedR2-term required for the renormalization in the E-C formalism induces a new scalar degree of freedom (DoF), the scalaron, which gradually decouples with the system due to its increasing mass as approaching the Palatini limit. The presence of the scalaron extends the UV cutoff at vacuum of the original model except for the parameter space close to the Palatini limit. This UV-extension is expected to solve the strong coupling problem that may exist during (p)reheating in the absence of the scalaron.
Corrected calculation for the non-local solution to the g − 2 anomaly and novel results in non-local QED
Authors: Abu-Ajamieh Fayez , Okada Nobuchika , Vempati Sudhir K.
Published: January 2024

Abstract

We provide the corrected calculation of the (g − 2)μ in non-local QED previously done in the literature. In specific, we show the proper technique for calculating loops in non-local QED and use it to find the form factors F1(q2) and F2(q2) in non-local QED. We also utilize this technique to calculate some novel results in non-local QED, including calculating the correction to the photon self-energy, the modification to the classical Coulomb potential, the modification to the energy levels of the hydrogen atom, and the contribution to the Lamb shift. We also discuss charge dequantization through non-locality, and show that the experimental bounds on the electric charge on Dirac neutrinos, translate into strong flavor-dependent bounds on the scale on non-locality that range between 105−1010 TeV. We also discuss the inconsistencies of unrenormalized non-local Quantum Field Theories (QFTs) and the need for renormalizing them, even when they are free from UV divergences.
Split NMSSM from dimensional reduction of a 10D, $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 1 E8 over SU(3)/U(1) × U(1) × Z3
Authors: Patellis Gregory , Porod Werner , Zoupanos George
Published: January 2024

Abstract

We examine an extension of the Standard Model which results from a 10D, $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1, E8 gauge theory. The theory is dimensionally reduced over a M4 × B0/Z3 space, where B0 is the nearly-Kähler manifold SU(3)/U(1) × U(1) and Z3 is a freely acting discrete group on B0 that triggers a Wilson flux breaking, leading to an $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1, SU(3)3 × U(1)2 effective theory in 4D. At lower energies we are left with the Split NMSSM. Its 2-loop analysis yields third generation quark and light Higgs masses within the experimental limits and predicts a neutralino LSP mass < 800 GeV.
Photon-rejection power of the Light Dark Matter eXperiment in an 8 GeV beam
Authors:   The LDMX collaboration, Åkesson Torsten , Bravo Cameron , Brennan Liam , Bryngemark Lene Kristian , Butti Pierfrancesco , Dukes E. Craig , Dutta Valentina , Echenard Bertrand , Eichlersmith Thomas , Eisch Jonathan , Elén Einar , Ehrlich Ralf , Froemming Cooper , Furmanski Andrew , Gogate Niramay , Grieco Chiara , Group Craig , Herde Hannah , Herwig Christian , Hitlin David G. , Horoho Tyler , Incandela Joseph , Ketchum Wesley , Krnjaic Gordan , Li Amina , Mans Jeremiah , Masterson Phillip , Middleton Sophie , Moreno Omar , Mullier Geoffrey , Muse Joseph , Nelson Timothy , O’Dwyer Rory , Östman Leo , Oyang James , Pascadlo Jessica , Pöttgen Ruth , Sarmiento Luis G. , Schuster Philip , Solt Matthew , Suarez Cristina Mantilla , Tompkins Lauren , Toro Natalia , Tran Nhan , Wallin Erik , Whitbeck Andrew , Zhang Danyi
Published: January 2024

Abstract

The Light Dark Matter eXperiment (LDMX) is an electron-beam fixed-target experiment designed to achieve comprehensive model independent sensitivity to dark matter particles in the sub-GeV mass region. An upgrade to the LCLS-II accelerator will increase the beam energy available to LDMX from 4 to 8 GeV. Using detailed GEANT4-based simulations, we investigate the effect of the increased beam energy on the capabilities to separate signal and background, and demonstrate that the veto methodology developed for 4 GeV successfully rejects photon-induced backgrounds for at least 2 × 1014 electrons on target at 8 GeV.
Exploring slicing variables for jet processes
Authors: Buonocore Luca , Grazzini Massimiliano , Haag Jürg , Rottoli Luca , Savoini Chiara
Published: January 2024

Abstract

We consider the class of inclusive hadron collider processes in which one or more energetic jets are produced, possibly accompanied by colourless particles. We provide a general formulation of a slicing scheme for this class of processes, by identifying the various contributions that need to be computed up to next-to-leading order (NLO) in QCD perturbation theory. We focus on two novel observables, the one-jet resolution variable ∆Et and the n-jet resolution variable $$ {k}_T^{\textrm{ness}} $$

k
T
ness

, and explicitly compute all the ingredients needed to carry out NLO computations using these variables. We contrast the behaviour of these variables when the slicing parameter becomes small. In the case of $$ {k}_T^{\textrm{ness}} $$

k
T
ness

we also present results for the hadroproduction of multiple jets.
New inflationary probes of axion dark matter
Authors: Chen Xingang , Fan JiJi , Li Lingfeng
Published: January 2024

Abstract

If a light axion is present during inflation and becomes part of dark matter afterwards, its quantum fluctuations contribute to dark matter isocurvature. In this article, we introduce a whole new suite of cosmological observables for axion isocurvature, which could help test the presence of axions, as well as its coupling to the inflaton and other heavy spectator fields during inflation such as the radial mode of the Peccei-Quinn field. They include correlated clock signals in the curvature and isocurvature spectra, and mixed cosmological-collider non-Gaussianities involving both curvature and isocurvature fluctuations with shapes and running unconstrained by the current data analyses. Taking into account of the existing strong constraints on axion isocurvature fluctuations from the CMB, these novel signals could still be sizable and potentially observable. In some models, the signals, if observed, could even help us significantly narrow down the range of the inflationary Hubble scale, a crucial parameter difficult to be determined in general, independent of the tensor mode.
Association between reduced physical performance measures and short-term consequences after major emergency abdominal surgery: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Kokotovic Dunja , Schucany Aide , Soylu Liv , Fenger Andreas Q. , Puggard Iben , Ekeloef Sarah , Gögenur Ismail , Burcharth Jakob
Published: January 2024

Background

Major emergency abdominal surgery is associated with high morbidity with outcomes worse than for similar elective surgery, including complicated physical recovery, increased need for rehabilitation, and prolonged hospitalisation.

Purpose

To investigate whether low physical performance test scores were associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications, and, furthermore, to investigate the feasibility of postoperative performance tests in patients undergoing major emergency abdominal surgery. We hypothesize that patients with low performance test scores suffer more postoperative complications.

Methods

The study is a prospective observational cohort study including all patients who underwent major abdominal surgery at the Department of Surgery at Zealand University Hospital between 1st March 2017 and 31st January 2019. Patients were evaluated with De Morton Mobility Index (DEMMI) score, hand grip strength, and 30-s chair-stand test.

Results

The study included 488 patients (median age 69, 50.6% male). Physiotherapeutic evaluation including physical performance tests with DEMMI and hand grip strength in the immediate postoperative period were feasible in up to 68% of patients undergoing major emergency abdominal surgery. The 30-s chair-stand test was less viable in this population; only 21% of the patients could complete the 30-s chair-stand test during the postoperative period. In logistic regression models low DEMMI score (< 40) and ASA classification and low hand grip strength (< 20 kg for women, < 30 kg for men were independent risk factors for the development of postoperative severe complications Clavien–Dindo (CD) grade ≥ 3.

Conclusions

In patients undergoing major emergency surgery low performance test scores (DEMMI and hand grip strength), were independently associated with the development of significant postoperative complications CD ≥ 3.
Anstieg der natürlichen Hörschwelle nach Cochleaimplantatversorgung
Authors: Moermans Nathalie , Sudhoff Holger , Todt Ingo
Published: January 2024

Mehr als 5 % der Weltbevölkerung leiden an einem behindernden Hörverlust. Bei unklarer Ursache des Hörverlusts bezeichnet man dies als „idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss“ (ISSNHL). Nach ausbleibendem Erfolg der Standardtherapie wird in aller Regel die Verwendung von Hörgeräten oder ein Cochleaimplantat (CI) empfohlen. In diesem Fall wurde ein 55-jähriger Patient mit ISSNHL und erfolgloser konservativer Therapie mit einer Cochleaimplantation behandelt. Rund 1 Jahr nach Implantation und 7 Jahre nach dem Hörsturz wurde anhand von subjektiven Messungen eine weitestgehende Wiederherstellung der Hörschwelle festgestellt.
Type 2 diabetes and succinate: unmasking an age-old molecule
Authors: Fernández-Veledo Sonia , Marsal-Beltran Anna , Vendrell Joan
Published: January 2024

Beyond their conventional roles in intracellular energy production, some traditional metabolites also function as extracellular messengers that activate cell-surface G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) akin to hormones and neurotransmitters. These signalling metabolites, often derived from nutrients, the gut microbiota or the host’s intermediary metabolism, are now acknowledged as key regulators of various metabolic and immune responses. This review delves into the multi-dimensional aspects of succinate, a dual metabolite with roots in both the mitochondria and microbiome. It also connects the dots between succinate’s role in the Krebs cycle, mitochondrial respiration, and its double-edge function as a signalling transmitter within and outside the cell. We aim to provide an overview of the role of the succinate–succinate receptor 1 (SUCNR1) axis in diabetes, discussing the potential use of succinate as a biomarker and the novel prospect of targeting SUCNR1 to manage complications associated with diabetes. We further propose strategies to manipulate the succinate–SUCNR1 axis for better diabetes management; this includes pharmacological modulation of SUCNR1 and innovative approaches to manage succinate concentrations, such as succinate administration and indirect strategies, like microbiota modulation. The dual nature of succinate, both in terms of origins and roles, offers a rich landscape for understanding the intricate connections within metabolic diseases, like diabetes, and indicates promising pathways for developing new therapeutic strategies.

Graphical Abstract
Densification, microstructure, and nanomechanical evaluation of pulsed electric sintered zirconia-silicon nitride reinforced Ti-6Al-4 V alloy
Authors: Ogunmefun Olakunle Anthony , Olubambi Peter Apata , Bayode Bamidele Lawrence , Anamu Ufoma , Olorundaisi Emmanuel , Ayodele Olusoji , Babalola Bukola , Mkhatshwa Sindile , Odetola Peter , Ngeleshi Kibambe
Published: January 2024

In this study, the influence of silicon nitride (Si3N4) and zirconia (ZrO2) ceramics was examined on the titanium alloy using the pulsed electric current sintering technique to investigate the microstructural behavior, densification, and nanomechanical properties of these composites. Si3N4 and ZrO2 were dispersed in Ti-6Al-4 V at a functional pressure of 50 MPa, a sintering temperature of 1200 °C, a heating rate of 100 °C/min, and a holding time of 10 min. The ternary composite samples were prepared viz, Cs1 (Ti6Al4V-3 vol.% Si3N4-15 vol.% ZrO2), Cs2 (Ti6Al4V-3 vol.% Si3N4-10 vol.% ZrO2), and Cs3 (Ti6Al4V-3 vol.% Si3N4-5 vol.% ZrO2). The bulk morphology of the composites was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with EDS, and the phase contents were identified with an X-ray diffractometer (XRD). The relative density results for the tri-composites showed that the Cs1 sample recorded the highest at 99.94%, producing a fully dense sintered composite. However, there was a drop in the relative density of composites Cs2 and Cs3, recording 97.73% and 97.11%, respectively, comparable to the unreinforced Ti-6Al-4 V alloy with 98.65%. The nanoindentation examination conducted for the trio-composites showed linear mechanical responses/improvement, with Vickers hardness, from 589.31 to 865.70 MPa; nano hardness, from 6.466 to 9.441 GPa, and elastic modulus, from 113.52 to 185.95 GPa.
Quality of life, hearing results, patient satisfaction and postoperative complications of day-case versus inpatient unilateral cochlear implantation in adults: a randomized controlled, equivalence trial
Authors: Derks Laura S. M. , Smit Adriana. L. , Thomeer Hans G. X. M. , Topsakal Vedat , Grolman Wilko , Stokroos Robert J. , Wegner Inge
Published: January 2024

Objective

To investigate the hypothesis that day-case cochlear implantation is associated with equal quality of life, hearing benefits and complications rates, compared to inpatient cochlear implantation.

Study design

A single-center, non-blinded, randomized controlled, equivalence trial in a tertiary referral center.

Methods

Thirty adult patients with post-lingual bilateral sensorineural hearing loss eligible for unilateral cochlear implantation surgery were randomly assigned to either the day-case or inpatient treatment group. The effect on general quality of life, patient satisfaction, (subjective) hearing improvement, postoperative complications and causes of crossover and/or readmission were assessed using questionnaires, auditory evaluations and patients’ charts over a follow-up period of 1 year.

Results

Overall quality of life measured by the HUI3 was equal between the day-case (n = 14) and inpatient group (n = 14). The overall patients’ satisfaction showed a slight favor towards an inpatient approach. There was no significant difference in the subjective and objective hearing improvement between both treatment groups. During the 1-year follow-up period no major complications occurred. Minor complications occurred intraoperatively in three day-case patients resulting in three out of nine admissions of day-case patients. Other causes of admission of day-case patients were nausea and vomiting (n = 1), drowsiness (n = 1), late scheduled surgery (n = 2), social reasons (n = 1), or due to an unclear reason (n = 1). No patients required readmission.

Conclusion

We found equal outcomes of QoL, patient satisfaction, objective, and subjective hearing outcomes between day-case and inpatient unilateral cochlear implantation. Nine out of 14 day-case patients were admitted for at least one night postoperatively (crossover). No major complications occurred in both groups. A day-case approach seems feasible when using specific patient selection, surgical planning and the preoperative provision of patient information into account. Besides this, the familiarity with a day-case approach of both patient and the surgical team can increase the feasibility of day-case surgery.

Level of evidence

1.
Evaluation of the test–retest and inter-mode comparability of the Impact of Vision Impairment questionnaire in people with chronic eye diseases
Authors: Terheyden Jan Henrik , Ost Reglind A. D. , Behning Charlotte , Mekschrat Liza , Bildik Gamze , Wintergerst Maximilian W. M. , Holz Frank G. , Finger Robert P.
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The main objective of this study is to assess the test–retest and inter-administration mode reliability of the Impact of Vision Impairment profile (IVI), a common patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) for people with chronic eye diseases.

Methods

The IVI was administered to adult patients with stable, chronic eye diseases two to four times per participant (average intervals between administrations 12 to 20 days; maximum two phone interviews, paper administration, electronic administration) by two trained interviewers. Rasch models were fit to the data. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs), mean differences and Cronbach’s alpha between test–retest administrations (two phone interviews) and inter-mode comparisons were calculated.

Results

Two hundred-sixteen patients (mean age 67 ± 12 years, 40% male) were included in the study. The IVI met all psychometric requirements of the Rasch model, and the division into the domains of functional items (IVI_F) and emotional items (IVI_E) corresponded to the German validation study. ICCs (all for IVI_F and IVI_E, respectively) for the retest administrations were 0.938 and 0.912, and 0.853 and 0.893 for inter-mode comparisons phone/paper, 0.939 and 0.930 for phone/electronic, and 0.937 and 0.920 for paper/electronic (all p < 0.01). Mean differences (all for IVI_F and IVI_E, respectively) for the retest administrations were 2.8% and 0.7% and ranged from 2.0% to 6.2% and from 0.4 % to 4.9% between administration modes. Cronbach’s alpha ranged from 0.886 to 0.944 for retest and inter-mode comparisons.

Conclusion

Due to the high test–retest reliability and the almost equally high comparability of different modes of administration of the IVI, the study endorses its use as a robust PROM to capture vision-related quality of life. Our results further support the use of the IVI as an endpoint in clinical trials and may simplify implementing it in both clinical trials or real-world evidence generation by offering multiple administration modes with high reliability.
Immunohistochemical field parcellation of the human hippocampus along its antero-posterior axis
Authors: González-Arnay Emilio , Pérez-Santos Isabel , Jiménez-Sánchez Lorena , Cid Elena , Gal Beatriz , de la Prida Liset M. , Cavada Carmen
Published: January 2024

The primate hippocampus includes the dentate gyrus, cornu ammonis (CA), and subiculum. CA is subdivided into four fields (CA1-CA3, plus CA3h/hilus of the dentate gyrus) with specific pyramidal cell morphology and connections. Work in non-human mammals has shown that hippocampal connectivity is precisely patterned both in the laminar and longitudinal axes. One of the main handicaps in the study of neuropathological semiology in the human hippocampus is the lack of clear laminar and longitudinal borders. The aim of this study was to explore a histochemical segmentation of the adult human hippocampus, integrating field (medio-lateral), laminar, and anteroposterior longitudinal patterning. We provide criteria for head-body-tail field and subfield parcellation of the human hippocampus based on immunodetection of Rabphilin3a (Rph3a), Purkinje-cell protein 4 (PCP4), Chromogranin A and Regulation of G protein signaling-14 (RGS-14). Notably, Rph3a and PCP4 allow to identify the border between CA3 and CA2, while Chromogranin A and RGS-14 give specific staining of CA2. We also provide novel histological data about the composition of human-specific regions of the anterior and posterior hippocampus. The data are given with stereotaxic coordinates along the longitudinal axis. This study provides novel insights for a detailed region-specific parcellation of the human hippocampus useful for human brain imaging and neuropathology.
Effects of endoluminal vacuum sponge therapy on the perfusion of gastric conduit in a porcine model for esophagectomy
Authors: Felinska Eleni Amelia , Studier-Fischer Alexander , Özdemir Berkin , Willuth Estelle , Wise Philipp Anthony , Müller-Stich Beat , Nickel Felix
Published: January 2024

Background

After esophagectomy, the postoperative rate of anastomotic leakage is up to 30% and is the main driver of postoperative morbidity. Contemporary management includes endoluminal vacuum sponge therapy (EndoVAC) with good success rates. Vacuum therapy improves tissue perfusion in superficial wounds, but this has not been shown for gastric conduits. This study aimed to assess gastric conduit perfusion with EndoVAC in a porcine model for esophagectomy.

Material and methods

A porcine model (n = 18) was used with gastric conduit formation and induction of ischemia at the cranial end of the gastric conduit with measurement of tissue perfusion over time. In three experimental groups EndoVAC therapy was then used in the gastric conduit (− 40, − 125, and − 200 mmHg). Changes in tissue perfusion and tissue edema were assessed using hyperspectral imaging. The study was approved by local authorities (Project License G-333/19, G-67/22).

Results

Induction of ischemia led to significant reduction of tissue oxygenation from 65.1 ± 2.5% to 44.7 ± 5.5% (p < 0.01). After EndoVAC therapy with − 125 mmHg a significant increase in tissue oxygenation to 61.9 ± 5.5% was seen after 60 min and stayed stable after 120 min (62.9 ± 9.4%, p < 0.01 vs tissue ischemia). A similar improvement was seen with EndoVAC therapy at − 200 mmHg. A nonsignificant increase in oxygenation levels was also seen after therapy with − 40 mmHg, from 46.3 ± 3.4% to 52.5 ± 4.3% and 53.9 ± 8.1% after 60 and 120 min respectively (p > 0.05). An increase in tissue edema was observed after 60 and 120 min of EndoVAC therapy with − 200 mmHg but not with − 40 and − 125 mmHg.

Conclusions

EndoVAC therapy with a pressure of − 125 mmHg significantly increased tissue perfusion of ischemic gastric conduit. With better understanding of underlying physiology the optimal use of EndoVAC therapy can be determined including a possible preemptive use for gastric conduits with impaired arterial perfusion or venous congestion.

Graphical abstract
Dynamic analysis of double cracked bi-directional functionally graded nanobeam using the differential quadrature method
Authors: Attia Mohamed A. , Matbuly Mohamed S. , Osman Tharwat , AbdElkhalek Mohamed
Published: January 2024

This study investigates the free vibration behavior of a double cracked nanobeam composed of bi-directional functionally graded material. The analysis incorporates Eringen’s nonlocal elasticity theory and the Euler–Bernoulli theory. The material properties are considered to vary in both the thickness and length directions. The cracked nanobeam is modeled as a series of interconnected sub-beams, with rotational springs placed at the cracked sections. This modeling approach accounts for the discontinuities in rotational displacement resulting from bending, which is directly related to the bending moment transmitted by the cracked section. The problem is solved using the differential quadrature method, which approximates the derivatives of the field quantities by employing a weighted linear sum of the nodal values. By doing so, the problem is transformed into a linear algebraic system. Various supporting cases are examined, and a parametric study is conducted to analyze the impact of the axial and transverse gradient indices, nonlocal parameter, and crack severity on the obtained results.
Predation and Biophysical Context Control Long-Term Carcass Nutrient Inputs in an Andean Ecosystem
Authors: Monk Julia D. , Donadio Emiliano , Smith Justine A. , Perrig Paula L. , Middleton Arthur D. , Schmitz Oswald J.
Published: January 2024

Animal carcass decomposition is an often-overlooked component of nutrient cycles. The importance of carcass decomposition for increasing nutrient availability has been demonstrated in several ecosystems, but impacts in arid lands are poorly understood. In a protected high desert landscape in Argentina, puma predation of vicuñas is a main driver of carcass distribution. Here, we sampled puma kill sites across three habitats (plains, canyons, and meadows) to evaluate the impacts of vicuña carcass and stomach decomposition on soil and plant nutrients up to 5 years after carcass deposition. Soil beneath both carcasses and stomachs had significantly higher soil nutrient content than adjacent reference sites in arid, nutrient-poor plains and canyons, but not in moist, nutrient-rich meadows. Stomachs had greater effects on soil nutrients than carcasses. However, we did not detect higher plant N concentrations at kill sites. The biogeochemical effects of puma kills persisted for several years and increased over time, indicating that kills do not create ephemeral nutrient pulses, but can have lasting effects on the distribution of soil nutrients. Comparison to broader spatial patterns of predation risk reveals that puma predation of vicuñas is more likely in nutrient-rich sites, but carcasses have the greatest effects on soil nutrients in nutrient-poor environments, such that carcasses increase localized heterogeneity by generating nutrient hotspots in less productive environments. Predation and carcass decomposition may thus be important overlooked factors influencing ecosystem functioning in arid environments.
Assessment of mesh shrinkage using fibroblast-populated collagen matrices: a proof of concept for in vitro hernia mesh testing
Authors: Khader R. , Whitehead-Clarke T. , Mudera V. , Kureshi A.
Published: January 2024

Purpose

This study uses free-floating contractile fibroblast-populated collagen matrices (FPCMs) to test the shrinkage of different hernia mesh products. We hope to present this model as a proof of concept for the development of in vitro hernia mesh testing—a novel technology with interesting potential.

Methods

FPCMs were formed by seeding Human Dermal Fibroblasts into collagen gels. FPCMs were seeded with three different cell densities and cast at a volume of 500 μl into 24-well plates. Five different mesh products were embedded within the collagen constructs. Gels were left to float freely within culture media and contract over 5 days. Photographs were taken daily and the area of the collagen gel and mesh were measured. Media samples were taken at days 2 and 4 for the purposes of measuring MMP-9 release. After 5 days, dehydrated FPCMs were also examined under light and fluorescence microscopy to assess cell morphology.

Results

Two mesh products—the mosquito net and large pore lightweight mesh were found to shrink notably more than others. This pattern persisted across all three cell densities. There were no appreciable differences observed in MMP-9 release between products.

Conclusions

This study has successfully demonstrated that commercial mesh products can be successfully integrated into free-floating contractile FPCMs. Not only this, but FPCMs are capable of applying a contractile force upon those mesh products—eliciting different levels of contraction between mesh products. Such findings demonstrate this technique as a useful proof of concept for future development of in vitro hernia mesh testing.
Differential sampling in the assessment of conservation and biodiversity merit: a comparison of the seagrass macrofauna in three nearby South African estuaries
Authors: Barnes R. S. K. , Seath J. L. , Arendse C. J.
Published: January 2024

To what extent is the relative biodiversity of some flagship conservation sites a result of differential attention? Knysna estuarine bay is the topmost ranked South African estuary for conservation importance and biodiversity. It is also one of the most intensively studied, and hence differential sampling effort could partly be responsible for its apparent relative richness. To assess the extent to which this might be true, identical sampling area, effort and methodology were employed to compare the benthic macrofauna of one specific major Knysna habitat (Zostera capensis seagrass beds) with equivalent ones in two nearby lesser-studied estuaries, the Keurbooms/Bitou and Swartvlei. Investigation showed all three localities to share a common species pool, but different elements of it dominated the shared habitat type in each. The seagrass and adjacent sandflat macrobenthos proved just as biodiverse in unprotected Keurbooms/Bitou as in the Protected Area of Knysna, but that in Swartvlei (also a Protected Area) was impoverished in comparison, presumably consequent on mouth closure and the prevailing lower salinity. Despite marked geomorphological and hydrological differences, all three estuaries share a suite of unusual faunal elements and such particularly close faunal similarity suggests the importance of historical biogeographic processes. The analysis emphasises the need for caution when assessing the relative conservation importance or other merits of different individual systems in a data-limited environment.