bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ecological physiology of recovery from experimental phenology of algal food deprivation in larvae of a sea urchin (Lytechinus pictus)
Authors: Griffith Andrew W. , Li Ning , Manahan Donal T.
Published: February 2025

Studies of seasonal breeding of marine invertebrates led to many important and long-standing marine biological “Rules” (e.g., Orton; Crisp; Thorson: 1920–1950s). Currently, the world’s oceans are undergoing rapid rates of change. The extent to which these historically formative “Rules” still apply in the modern ocean is the focus of the current study. Anthropogenic-driven ocean change is altering the phenology of animal reproduction by impacting trophic mismatch of larval phases and food availability. The present study addresses these issues in larvae of the white sea urchin (Lytechinus pictus), an important species in marine ecology and developmental biology. Specifically, following experimentally-simulated phenological delays in the availability of phytoplankton, an integrated analysis of whole-organism, physiological, and biochemical responses revealed: (i) the limits of larval tolerance to algal food deprivation, (ii) mechanisms of nutritional stress resilience, and (iii) a higher energy cost of subsequent growth recovery once algal food became available. Contrary to expectations, unfed larvae did not deplete egg energy stores of lipid during extended periods of food deprivation. Instead, protein was the primary biochemical reserve used to fuel the metabolic cost of delayed feeding, reduced to over 80% protein depletion in unfed larvae. When algal food become available, an analysis of protein dynamics of synthesis, and turnover, and accretion showed that delayed-feeding larvae had a faster protein accretion rate. The energy cost of this compensatory catch-up strategy was, however, 2.4-fold higher. These findings highlight constraints to the classically-accepted “Rules” regarding life history strategies in a changing ocean.
Neoadjuvant therapy-induced remodeling of tumor immune microenvironment in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: a spatial and digital pathology analysis
Authors: Li Danting , Liu Yongjun , Lan Ruoxin , Pillarisetty Venu G. , Zhang Xiaofei , Liu Yao-Zhong
Published: February 2025

Neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) is the standard of care for borderline-resectable and locally advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). It can be used to treat resectable PDAC. This study aimed to investigate how NAT remodels the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) and whether this remodeling translates into survival benefits. We performed spatial and digital pathology analysis of 27 upfront resection patients (naïve group) and 39 age-, gender-, and stage-matched patients who had surgery after NAT (NAT group). AI-assisted digital pathology was used to annotate cancer cells and CD8 + T lymphocytes. Spatial correlation between CD8 + T lymphocytes and cancer cells for each case was assessed using spatial point pattern analysis, followed by generalized linear modeling (GLM) of quadrat counts of CD8 + T cells, with the quadrat counts of cancer cells as the independent variable. The regression coefficient was used to quantify the strength of their spatial correlation and then further assessed for association with patient survival. The analyses showed that the NAT group, compared with the naïve group, had increased spatial correlation of CD8 + T cells with cancer cells, suggesting enhanced effector T cell-cancer cell engagement in the NAT patients. Additionally, patients with a higher degree of spatial correlation between the two cells showed improved after-surgery survival. Through a new methodological framework that takes advantage of AI-assisted digital pathology and spatial point pattern analysis, our study has successfully captured the subtle effects of NAT-induced TIME remodeling and assessed its impact on prognosis of PDAC patients.
Large-scale pyrodiversity is not needed to beget ant diversity in an Australian tropical savanna
Authors: Brassard François , Murphy Brett P. , Ferrier Simon , Andersen Alan N.
Published: February 2025

The hypothesis that pyrodiversity begets biodiversity is foundational to conservation management in fire-prone ecosystems and has received extensive research attention. However, empirical evidence for the hypothesis remains ambivalent. Moreover, few studies directly assess the key question of how much pyrodiversity is needed to conserve all species within a community. A novel way of addressing this is to use the biodiversity–maximisation approach developed for reserve selection as part of strategic conservation planning. We apply this approach to an ant dataset from a long-term fire experiment in northern Australia to establish how many of the six experimental fire treatments are required to represent all local ant diversity. We identified the treatment combinations required to maximise species richness and geometric mean abundance. We repeated this for six fire-activity classes based on cumulative fire intensity experienced by plots over the course of the experiment. We found that a very limited number of fire treatments or fire activity classes were needed to represent all of the highly diverse ant species and to maximise the geometric mean abundance of ants. We attribute this to the substantial small-scale heterogeneity of fire behaviour and vegetation structure within individual fire treatments. We conclude that high pyrodiversity at larger spatial scales is not required for sustaining ant biodiversity in our study system. We believe that a reserve selection approach is a powerful method for assessing how much pyrodiversity is needed to conserve biodiversity and recommend that it be applied to other taxa and other ecosystems.
What is the evidence for dietary modification in the management and prevention of malignant bowel obstruction? A scoping review
Authors: Ware Ellie , Tookman Laura , Sullivan Erin Stella , Johansson Lina , McNeish Iain , Allan Lindsey
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Dietary modification is one tool in the multidisciplinary and multi-faceted management of malignant bowel obstruction (MBO). However, the evidence for this has not been systematically explored and no guidelines currently exist. The purpose of this review was to identify the type and breadth of published evidence available to support the use of dietary modification in MBO, and to identify key characteristics of dietary interventions and outcome measures used in evaluating these interventions.

Methods

Systematic searches of three databases were conducted, last in September 2024. Title and abstract screening and full-text review were conducted before data were extracted using a data extraction tool.

Results

Only seven records met the criteria for inclusion. Quality of interventions was low, with four abstracts, one retrospective review and two feasibility studies identified. Most interventions focused on gynaecological cancers, where MBO is most prevalent. Key characteristics of dietary modification included a low-fibre diet and modification of the texture of the diet. These approaches were often used in conjunction and in a stepwise manner (progressing from liquid to soft to low-fibre diet). All records reported benefit of dietary modification, but with limited justification. The number, type and quality of records retrieved might reflect that this is a novel area of research, with local practice and clinical experience being published as abstracts. We found no methodologically robust, large-scale interventions.

Conclusion

This review demonstrates a lack of evidence to support the use of dietary modification in MBO. High-quality studies assessing the efficacy and impact of dietary modification are needed to support the advice commonly being provided in clinical settings. However, this research is ethically and logistically challenging to conduct. Nutritional management guidelines based on expert consensus might be a useful resource for clinicians managing MBO given the lack of research evidence currently available to inform practice.
Neural network-based surrogate model in postprocessing of topology optimized structures
Authors: Persia Jude Thaddeus , Sung Myung Kyun , Lee Soobum , Burns Devin E.
Published: February 2025

This paper proposes a general method of creating an accurate neural network-based surrogate model for postprocessing a topologically optimized structure. When topology optimization results are converted into computer-aided design (CAD) files with smooth boundaries for manufacturability, finite element method (FEM) based stresses often do not agree with the topology optimized results due to changes of surface and mesh density. The conversion between topology optimization derived results and CAD files often requires postprocessing, an additional fine tuning of the geometry parameters to reconcile the change of the stress values. In this work, a feedforward, deep artificial neural network (DANN) is presented with varying architecture parameters that are found for each stress output of interest. This network is trained with the data based on a combination of Design of Experiments (DoE) models that have the geometry dimensions as inputs and stress readings under various loads as the outputs. A DANN-based surrogate model is constructed to enable fine tuning of all relevant stress performance metrics. This method of constructing an artificial network-based surrogate model minimizes the number of FEM computations required to generate an optimized, post-processed design. We present a case study of postprocessing a wind tunnel balance, a measurement device that yields the six force and moment components of a test aircraft. It needs to be designed considering multiple stress measures under combinations of the six loading conditions. Excellent performance of a neural network is presented in this paper in terms of accurate prediction of the highly nonlinear stresses under combinations of the six loads. Von Mises stress predictions are within 10% and axial force sensor stress predictions are within 2% for the final post-processed topology. The results support its usefulness for postprocessing of topology optimized structures.
Confidence intervals for Newton–Cotes quadratures based on stationary point processes
Authors: Stehr Mads , Kiderlen Markus
Published: February 2025

Motivated by the stereological application of volume estimation, this paper is concerned with numerical integration on the real line, employing function values at a finite set of randomly chosen points. The sampling points are modeled by a stationary point process, with the estimators being Newton–Cotes quadratures. Our comprehensive probabilistic analysis crucially extends existing results regarding the approximation error and variance, accommodating more general integrands and non-ergodic sampling processes. Notably, these findings are used to formulate novel asymptotic confidence intervals, a considerable challenge given the usual absence of limit distributions. To underscore the practicality of our approach, we apply it to a stereological simulation study. Specifically, we establish confidence intervals for the volume of a three-dimensional ellipsoid, based on section areas obtained from randomly positioned parallel planes.
The first detailed study and illustration of Ammon’s horn sclerosis in epilepsy and the men behind it: Emil Bratz (1868–1934) and Otto Hebold (1856–1945)
Authors: Kasper B. S. , Hebold M. , Stockmann J. P.
Published: February 2025

Ammon’s horn sclerosis (AHS) is a frequent, important, and intriguing central nervous lesion in human epilepsy. As early as 200 years ago in 1825, AHS was recognized and described macroscopically first, but its significance was debated. After an initial microscopic report from postmortem brain tissue in 1880 made by Wilhelm Sommer, it was Emil Bratz (1868–1934) who published the first systematic investigation of AHS in epilepsy in Europe, performed under the directorship of Otto Hebold (1856–1945) at Wuhlgarten, an early German institution built for the care of patients with epilepsy in Berlin. In 1899, a paper published by Bratz contained a precise illustration of AHS tissue characteristics: a beautiful woodcarving. The picture as well as Bratz’s writings encompasses all the hallmarks of AHS. Here, we revisit this milestone paper of epilepsy pathology in a historical context including several aspects so far unknown or not readily available. Bratz, supported by Hebold, recognized the pathognomonic histological pattern of AHS, as seen in certain cases of epilepsy, at a time when epilepsy and its anatomical correlates were still poorly understood. As shown here, this contribution was widely recognized at the time, represented a seed point for many researchers to come, remains cited to this day, and is worth being remembered along with the two men behind it.
Canonical extensions via fitted sublocales
Authors: Jakl Tomáš , Suarez Anna Laura
Published: February 2025

We study restrictions of the correspondence between the lattice

$$\textsf{SE}(L)$$

SE
(
L
)

of strongly exact filters, of a frame L, and the coframe

$$\mathcal {S}_o(L)$$

S
o

(
L
)

of fitted sublocales. In particular, we consider the classes of exact filters

$$\textsf{E}(L)$$

E
(
L
)

, regular filters

$$\textsf{R}(L)$$

R
(
L
)

, and the intersections

$$\mathcal {J}(\textsf{CP}(L))$$

J
(
CP
(
L
)
)

and

$$\mathcal {J}(\textsf{SO}(L))$$

J
(
SO
(
L
)
)

of completely prime and Scott-open filters, respectively. We show that all these classes of filters are sublocales of

$$\textsf{SE}(L)$$

SE
(
L
)

and as such correspond to subcolocales of

$$\mathcal {S}_o(L)$$

S
o

(
L
)

with a concise description. The theory of polarities of Birkhoff is central to our investigations. We automatically derive universal properties for the said classes of filters by giving their descriptions in terms of polarities. The obtained universal properties strongly resemble that of the canonical extensions of lattices. We also give new equivalent definitions of subfitness in terms of the lattice of filters.
Does the Cortical-Depth Dependence of the Hemodynamic Response Function Differ Between Age Groups?
Authors: Raimondo Luisa , Heij Jurjen , Knapen Tomas , Siero Jeroen C. W. , van der Zwaag Wietske , Dumoulin Serge O.
Published: February 2025

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a widely used tool to investigate the functional brain responses in living humans. Valid comparisons of fMRI results depend on consistency of the blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) hemodynamic response function (HRF). Although common statistical approaches assume a single HRF across the entire brain, the HRF differs across individuals, regions of the brain, and cortical depth. Here, we measure HRF properties in primary visual cortex (V1) using 7 T fMRI with ultra-high spatiotemporal resolution line-scanning (250 μm in laminar direction, sampled every 105 ms). Line-scanning allowed us to investigate age-related HRF changes as a function of cortical depth. Eleven young and eleven middle-aged healthy participants participated in the experiments. We estimated the HRFs using a smooth basis function deconvolution approach. We also compared the results with conventional resolutions. From these HRFs, we extracted properties related to response magnitude and temporal dynamics. The cortical depth dependent HRFs were similar to the HRFs extracted using conventional resolutions validating the cortical depth dependent approach. We found that the properties of the HRF in the two age groups are similar across cortical depth. In other words, the variance between participants is larger than the variance between age groups. This suggests that middle-aged individuals can participate in cortical depth dependent studies free of bias in HRF properties.
Through the Lens of Psychiatrists: Understanding Smoking Cessation Behaviour Among People with Serious Mental Illness
Authors: Parul Parul , Joseph Bindu , Datta Sunil , Desousa Avinash , Rahman Muhammad Aziz
Published: February 2025

Smoking among people with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) is a pleading public health concern as the rates are much higher compared to the general population. Although different interventions are available to provide cessation support, there is limited evidence of assessing psychiatrists’ perspectives on smoking cessation among people with SMI. The study aims to explore the perspectives of psychiatrists regarding smoking cessation among people with SMI. The study used a qualitative approach. In-depth interviews were conducted with ten psychiatrists, exploring their opinions about smoking and its cessation among people with SMI. Purposive sampling was employed. Data saturation was achieved when no new information was gathered. The verbatim transcripts were analysed using thematic analyses. A total of 14 subthemes emerged under seven themes, highlighting the perspective of psychiatrists in terms of the utilisation of smoking as a coping mechanism among people with SMI. Findings, such as priority of care, time constraints and patient initiative, emphasised the factors impacting cessation. Psychiatrists expressed that support from peers and family members significantly influences smoking cessation among people with SMI. Furthermore, merely engaging in asking, assessing and advicing components from the World Health Organisation 5As scale implied insufficient usage of the 5As tool while discussing cessation. Psychiatrists recognise the impact of cessation on mental health outcomes, like the utilisation of smoking as a coping mechanism. Their experiences and challenges with cessation highlighted time commitment and priority of care while contemplating cessation. The deepened insight provided by our study findings has been instrumental in shaping the content of tailored interventions related to smoking cessation among people with SMI.
The architecture for synchronous hybrid peer learning using pedagogy-space-technology (PST) framework
Authors: Kee Tris , Kuys Blair , Zhang Jing
Published: February 2025

The paradigm shifts towards synchronous hybrid instruction in higher education, influenced in part by the impact of the post-COVID-19 pandemic and initiatives such as Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), underscores the need for a comprehensive redesign of digital interactive learning environments. This transformation necessitates the integration of educational technologies and adaptable interior architecture to facilitate a wide range of instructional and learning pedagogies that foster peer learning. Through the utilization of the Pedagogy-Space-Technology (PST) Framework, this study aims to explore the challenges inherent in reconfiguring the “architecture” of synchronous hybrid learning (SHL) environments to promote technology-enhanced collaborative peer learning experiences. Data were gathered from academics at ten higher education institutions, collecting 134 survey responses and outcomes of utilizing a new patented technology of a SHL Console. By examining three key factors of pedagogy, space, and technology, this study investigates the challenges and opportunities associated with facilitating peer learning with new technology. The empirical findings underscore that the integration of interactive educational technology, innovation in pedagogical development, and institutional re-thinking of the architecture of the learning environment are pivotal to effectively promoting peer learning. By offering some recommendations on the re-design of the SHL environment, educators and higher education institutions can create a more engaging, inclusive, and collaborative peer learning experience for students, ultimately promoting academic success and personal growth.
Individualism and Collectivism as Moderators of Relations between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Adolescent Aggressive Behavior
Authors: Dang Hoang-Minh , Le Trang , Chau Cindy , Nguyen Phuc T. , Weiss Bahr
Published: February 2025

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are generally associated with impaired life functioning, including mental health. Prevalent globally, ACEs’ effects vary across cultural settings and groups. The present study assessed horizontal and vertical individualism and collectivism – key cultural dimensions – as moderators of ACEs’ relations to adolescent aggressive behavior. The study was conducted in Vietnam, a Southeast Asian nation with high levels of collectivism but with levels of individualism increasing with globalization. The cross-sectional study included 644 high-school students (mean age = 16.6 years; 54% female). Self-report measures assessed ACEs, adolescent aggressive behavior, and individualism and collectivism. Given collectivism’s focus on supporting one’s social communities, it was hypothesized that collectivism would serve as a protective factor for statistical effects of ACEs on aggression. All four moderator analyses involving collectivism supported this hypothesis; i.e., at high levels of collectivism, relations between ACEs and aggression were significantly smaller than at low levels of collectivism. Statistical effects were largest for vertical (endorsing hierarchical power structures) collectivism. In the one significant individualism moderator analysis, individualism served as a risk factor for (i.e., increased) statistical effects of ACEs on proactive aggression. Results highlight the importance of the horizontal-vertical sub-dimensions, as they may provide for more precise theoretical explanatory and intervention models. For instance, concern for the power hierarchy’s reactions (vertical collectivism) to one’s aggression vs. concern for harm to one’s groups (horizontal collectivism) by one’s aggression have different implications for prevention and treatment that may be useful for maximizing interventions’ effectiveness.
Quantum-dot cellular automata serial decimal digit multiplier
Authors: Gladshtein Michael
Published: February 2025

The quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA) technology is considered as a possible nanoelectronic technology for future computing facilities. The leading role of QCA wires makes it preferable for serial data transfer/processing. Many modern computer applications require direct processing of decimal information without representation and conversion errors. The main purpose of the research is to design a novel QCA serial decimal digit multiplier. A QCA wire can be considered as a virtual tape with written binary symbols. The designed multiplier uses the Turing machine run-time multiple tapes reconfiguration to multiply two decimal digits encoded in the 5-bit Johnson–Mobius code. The proposed multiplier has successfully passed verification. In comparison with possible QCA BCD multipliers, it shows significant hardware simplification.
Network effects of traumatic brain injury: from infra slow to high frequency oscillations and seizures
Authors: Marsh Brianna , Chauvette Sylvain , Huang Mingxiong , Timofeev Igor , Bazhenov Maxim
Published: February 2025

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can have a multitude of effects on neural functioning. In extreme cases, TBI can lead to seizures both immediately following the injury as well as persistent epilepsy over years to a lifetime. However, mechanisms of neural dysfunctioning after TBI remain poorly understood. To address these questions, we analyzed human and animal data and we developed a biophysical network model implementing effects of ion concentration dynamics and homeostatic synaptic plasticity to test effects of TBI on the brain network dynamics. We focus on three primary phenomena that have been reported in vivo after TBI: an increase in infra slow oscillations (<0.1 Hz), increase in Delta power (1 - 4 Hz), and the emergence of broadband Gamma bursts (30 - 100 Hz). Using computational network model, we show that the infra slow oscillations can be directly attributed to extracellular potassium dynamics, while the increase in Delta power and occurrence of Gamma bursts are related to the increase in strength of synaptic weights from homeostatic synaptic scaling triggered by trauma. We also show that the buildup of Gamma bursts in the injured region can lead to seizure-like events that propagate across the entire network; seizures can then be initiated in previously healthy regions. This study brings greater understanding of the network effects of TBI and how they can lead to epileptic activity. This lays the foundation to begin investigating how injured networks can be healed and seizures prevented.
Safety and efficacy of atrial fibrillation ablation in kidney transplant patients
Authors: Keelani Ahmad , Bartoli Lorenzo , Gasperetti Alessio , Popescu Sorin , Schiavone Marco , Traub Anna , Phan Huong-Lan , Feher Marcel , Fink Thomas , Sciacca Vanessa , Nitschke Martin , Vogler Julia , Eitel Charlotte , Forleo Giovanni , Heeger Christian-H. , Tilz Roland R.
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Managing atrial fibrillation in kidney transplant patients poses a challenge for both nephrologists and cardiologists. Data regarding the safety and efficacy of catheter ablation in this patient’s cohort is scarce.

Methods and results

In this two-center prospective study, we included all consecutive kidney transplant patients who underwent atrial fibrillation ablation between April 2017 and March 2022. A 1:3 propensity score matching created a control group of non-transplant AF patients undergoing ablation. We included 16 kidney transplant patients and 48 matched controls. Ablation was successful in all patients. The periprocedural complication rate (6.3% in the kidney transplant group vs. 6.3% in the control group, p value = 1) did not differ between the two groups. One transplant patient experienced graft dysfunction after a complication. At 18 months, AF recurrence-fee rates were 69% in the transplant group and 70.1% in controls (p = 0.95). By the last follow-up, all transplant patients had discontinued antiarrhythmic drugs, while 19.6% of the patients in the control group were treated with antiarrhythmic drugs (p = 0.09). Kidney function in the transplant group remained stable (eGFR 32 [23.8, 40.5] ml/min/1.73 m2 before vs. 34 [29.8, 38] ml/min/1.73 m2 at last follow up, p = 0.93).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that catheter ablation is a viable option for treating AF in kidney transplant patients, with comparable outcomes to non-transplanted individuals. Discontinuing antiarrhythmic drugs reduces drug interaction risks, but minimizing procedural complications remains critical to preserving graft function.

Graphical Abstract
Intramodal consistency in triplet-based cross-modal learning for image retrieval
Authors: Mallea Mario , Ñanculef Ricardo , Araya Mauricio
Published: February 2025

Cross-modal retrieval requires building a common latent space that captures and correlates information from different data modalities, usually images and texts. Cross-modal training based on the triplet loss with hard negative mining is a state-of-the-art technique to address this problem. This paper shows that such approach is not always effective in handling intra-modal similarities. Specifically, we found that this method can lead to inconsistent similarity orderings in the latent space, where intra-modal pairs with unknown ground-truth similarity are ranked higher than cross-modal pairs representing the same concept. To address this problem, we propose two novel loss functions that leverage intra-modal similarity constraints available in a training triplet but not used by the original formulation. Additionally, this paper explores the application of this framework to unsupervised image retrieval problems, where cross-modal training can provide the supervisory signals that are otherwise missing in the absence of category labels. Up to our knowledge, we are the first to evaluate cross-modal training for intra-modal retrieval without labels. We present comprehensive experiments on MS-COCO and Flickr30k, demonstrating the advantages and limitations of the proposed methods in cross-modal and intra-modal retrieval tasks in terms of performance and novelty measures. We also conduct a case study on the ROCO dataset to assess the performance of our method on medical images and present an ablation study on one of our approaches to understanding the impact of the different components of the proposed loss function. Our code is publicly available on GitHub https://github.com/MariodotR/FullHN.git.
The prosody of the extended VP
Authors: Brodkin Dan
Published: February 2025

This paper investigates the syntax of vso and vos clauses in Mandar (Austronesian) by leveraging the prosody. This language allows free alternations between vso and vos orders, but phonotactic diagnostics reveal that vso strings are optimally parsed into tight prosodic constituents while vos strings are not. These results converge with syntactic diagnostics to show that vso orders arise from leftward movement of the verb while vos orders are generated through an additional step of rightward "Equation missing"-scrambling of the s. Targeted manipulations then reveal that phonological phrases can be built around substrings of arguments in the vso string, providing a new type of evidence for fine functional structure in the extended vp (Larson 1988). The prosodic parse of scrambled arguments, finally, shows that "Equation missing"-scrambling places its targets in adjunct positions (Chomsky 1993) in Mandar, setting up an account of scrambling that is grounded in the principle of Greed (Lasnik 1995).
Assessing SDN Controller Vulnerabilities: A Survey on Attack Typologies, Detection Mechanisms, Controller Selection, and Dataset Application in Machine Learning
Authors: Arevalo-Herrera Juliana , Camargo Mendoza Jorge , Martínez Torre Jose Ignacio , Zona-Ortiz Tatiana , Ramirez Juan M.
Published: February 2025

SDN controllers become the main advantage of the architecture because they present a centralized control decision-making and general view of the network. They are, however, also a critical point that an attacker could exploit. More review of the body of research is needed regarding the types of attacks on SDN controllers, methods to detect them, and mitigation techniques directed specifically to the controller, particularly considering the approach of machine learning detection methods. This survey addresses the topics of attacks targeting the SDN controller, methods for their detection, what types of controllers are used in different studies, and datasets used in machine learning detection methods. The findings highlight that most attacks exploit vulnerabilities inherent in the OpenFlow protocol, while the detection methodologies remain primarily statistical and machine learning approaches. Additionally, the review shows that while outdated controllers like Floodlight and Ryu are still widely used in studies, actively supported controllers such as ONOS and ODL are used much less. Finally, the survey finds only two publicly available datasets tailored for SDN environments, none considering attacks directed at the controllers, illustrating a notable gap in the existing research. This survey also highlights the need for further research focusing on modern SDN controllers and developing comprehensive datasets to advance effective security solutions.
Arbeitsfähigkeit nach einer COVID-19-Rehabilitation („coronavirus disease 2019“)
Authors: Neudecker Stefanie , Stucke Jana , Meier Isabel , Meyer-Feil Thorsten
Published: February 2025

Corona (COVID-19, „coronavirus disease 2019“) kann die Arbeitsfähigkeit langfristig bedrohen. Die Erkenntnisse zum Einfluss von Long- bzw. Post-COVID auf die Arbeitsfähigkeit sind begrenzt und heterogen. Dieser Beitrag untersucht anhand qualitativer Daten die Lebens- und Arbeitssituation von Betroffenen nach ihrer COVID-19-Rehabilitation und zeigt die Besonderheiten der Zielgruppe sowie daraus resultierende Herausforderungen für Rehabilitation bzw. Berufstätigkeit auf. Wir führten Interviews mit COVID-19-Betroffenen (n = 15) 12 Monate nach ihrem Aufenthalt in der medizinischen Rehabilitation (kardiologisch, pneumologisch, neurologisch). Die Rekrutierung erfolgte mittels „maximum variation sampling“. Zudem erfolgten Interviews (n = 5) und Gruppendiskussionen (n = 3) mit Klinikmitarbeitenden. Alle Gespräche wurden auditiv aufgezeichnet, transkribiert und inhaltsanalytisch ausgewertet. Klinikmitarbeitende und Rehabilitand*innen verfolgen die Arbeitsfähigkeit als zentrales Ziel. Motivation wird aus der Wiedererlangung des Selbstwertgefühls, sozialer Integration sowie aus finanziellen Sorgen und Existenzängsten geschöpft. Die Aufrechterhaltung der Arbeitsfähigkeit erfolgt oft zulasten außerberuflicher Tätigkeiten. Um trotz Beeinträchtigungen arbeiten zu können, werden Kompensationsstrategien entwickelt. Unzureichend erscheint die sozialmedizinische Leistungsbeurteilung, die derzeit keine langfristigen Prognosen bzgl. der Arbeitsfähigkeit zulässt. Nach einer Rehabilitation kehren viele zur Arbeit zurück, für einige Betroffene bleiben die Folgen der COVID-19-Erkrankung jedoch eine langfristige berufliche Bedrohung. Die Erfassung und Beobachtung der Arbeitsfähigkeit und Stabilität der Arbeitssituation sind wichtig, um genaue sozialmedizinische Prognosen zu ermöglichen.
Overexpression of Circ-Astn1 Suppresses Hyperglycemia-Induced Endothelial Cell Damage via the miR-138-5p/SIRT1 Axis
Authors: Yu Hong-bin , Wang Li-yun , Yan Xiao-ning , Wu Xue-yan , Wu Jian-long , Liu Da-wei , Liu Si-yang
Published: February 2025

Objective

To elucidate the regulatory mechanism of circRNAs in diabetic retinopathy.

Methods

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was employed to identify circRNAs that are abnormally expressed in endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) under hyperglycemia (HG) conditions. The regulatory mechanism and predicted targets of this circRNA were also studied via bioinformatics analysis, luciferase reporter assays, angiogenic differentiation experiments, flow cytometry, and RT-qPCR.

Results

Circ-astrotactin 1 (circ-Astn1) expression was decreased in EPCs under HG conditions, and circ-Astn1 overexpression inhibited HG-induced endothelial damage. The miR-138-5p and silencing information regulator 2 related enzyme 1 (SIRT1) were identified as circ-Astn1 downstream targets, which were further verified through luciferase reporter assays. SIRT1 silencing or miR-138-5p overexpression reversed the protective effect of circ-Astn1 on HG-induced endothelial cell dysfunction, as evidenced by increased apoptosis, abnormal vascular differentiation, and inflammatory factor secretion. SIRT1 overexpression reversed miR-138-5p-induced endothelial cell dysfunction under HG conditions. In vivo experiments confirmed that circ-Astn1 overexpression promoted skin wound healing through the regulation of SIRT1.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that circ-Astn1 promotes SIRT1 expression by sponging miR-138-5p. Circ-Astn1 overexpression suppresses HG-induced endothelial cell damage via miR-138-5p/SIRT1 axis.
End-of-Life Treatment of Spent Potlining from the Aluminum Industry by Low Pressure and Heat
Authors: Sommerseth Camilla , Eidem Per Anders , Stránský Pavel , Tetlie Pål , Gaertner Heiko , Senanu Samuel , Myrvold Ellen , Hagen Eirik , Lossius Lorentz Petter , Skybakmoen Egil , Sørhuus Anders
Published: February 2025

The environmental footprint of the aluminum industry is affected by greenhouse gas emissions and the amount of waste generated. Spent potlining (SPL) has traditionally been deposited, but increasing scrutiny is put to this practice. The cost of deposit is also increasing. First cut SPL is the carbon rich part and are the remaining cathode at end-of-life of an aluminum cell. A method for cleaning the first cut SPL is proposed which involves high temperature and low-pressure treatment for removal of fluoride-rich electrolyte remains. This way the carbon rich part of the SPL can become a product which can be reused or secondly used as an energy source, instead of being deposited. 5–19 kg of SPL has been treated for four hours in a furnace at low pressure and high temperature, and a post-treatment carbon purity up to 98 wt pct was found. The electrolyte condensate mainly consists of NaF og Na3AlF6. An LCA study on the process related to Norwegian aluminum smelters has been performed and the distance to the SPL treatment plant, the energy used during treatment and the SPL pre-processing, was found to affect the sustainability of such an industrial process the most.
Influence of Environment and Load-Controlled Tribo-chemistry on Wear Performance of Ni-Cr-B-Si Hardfaced Coating
Authors: Sreevidya N. , Rani Revati , Ganesan K. , Kumar Hemant , Das C. R. , Vasudevan M. , Albert S. K. , Mathews Tom
Published: February 2025

Ni-Cr-B-Si hardfaced coating is used in many mating components of Fast Breeder Reactors for improving their tribological properties. Selection of environment and load, plays a vital role in controlling wear loss of the hardfaced coating under rubbing conditions, in addition to its processing route. In the present study, a defect-free Ni-Cr-B-Si coating is made on 316L (N) stainless steel using Plasma Transferred Arc Welding (PTAW) process. Dominant phases dispersed in the γ-Ni matrix of the coating are identified to be borides (CrB, Cr5B3 and Cr3 B4), carbides (Cr23C6, Fe3C and Cr7C3) and nitride (BN). Average hardness of the coating is measured to be 536 ± 33 HV for 0.5 kg load. Tribological behavior of the coating is studied using a ball-on-disk tribometer at 2N and 5N loads in air (1 bar) and vacuum (10−9 bar), in order to simulate its friction and wear performance at contact pressures relevant for various structural components placed in a sodium environment. Results revealed higher average friction coefficient in vacuum than that in air, which is due to variation in dominant wear mechanism from tribo-oxidation to micro-plowing. Specific wear rate increased with both increase in load from 2 to 5N and change in environment from air to vacuum. This is attributed to the increased delamination-type wear along with oxidation in air and micro-plowing in vacuum as revealed by the unique tribo-induced morphology and chemistry corresponding to each of the wear test conditions. Techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy are used for the examination of tribo-pair surfaces, the results of which helped to elucidate the possible wear mechanisms. Results from the present study necessitate the relevance of choosing a hardfaced coating with appropriate microstructural and tribological characteristics for an intended application in order to minimize the risk of wear.
Is it Genocide?
Authors: James Paul
Published: February 2025

In the context of the current war, the question “Is the Israeli state effecting genocide in Gaza?” suggests a threshold legal excursus, a definitional contestation, or a cry of moral outrage. This article does not take any of those paths. It lives the pain of the unethical deaths of tens of thousands of civilians in Gaza, while beginning the longer-term task of seeking a way beyond deploying the concept of “genocide” as a performative gesture of shock and horror. The article argues that the meaning of genocide is being emptied out by an unsettling of the grounding conditions of political debate and the relativization of political language. While the evidence is strong that crimes against humanity are being perpetrated in Gaza, both by the Israeli state in its attack upon civilians and by Hamas in holding hostages, the provisional ruling by the International Court of Justice that there is a case to be answered is the most resolute that we can be at this point. Clearly, the war has to stop. In the meantime, the article suggests an alternative way of naming the horror.
Family diagnosis and paleogeography extended by asymmetrically deformed burmite liberiblattinid
Authors: Vršanský Peter
Published: February 2025

In total, 97 species and over 4,000 specimens of cockroaches are known from the tropical Upper Cretaceous burmite. This paper describes a new North Myanmar amber cockroach belonging to the ecologically diverse Mesozoic family Liberiblattinidae Vršanský, 2002, along with a summarization of its palaeogeographic distributions over geologic time, cosmopolitan during Upper Jurassic and Early Cretaceous. Compostus supremus gen. et sp. n. resembles genera Stavba Vršanská et Vršanský in Vršanský et al. (2019) and Facioblatta Hinkelman, 2023, and autapomorphies (forewing membrane coloration, monstrous sponging palps, carved hind leg) justify unique feeding and/or reproductive behaviors. Besides asymmetries (foretarsi non-taphonomic L/R difference 171%), the holotype specimen reveals mutations extremely rare in burmite.
Fibrillar Strings for Wearable Sensor Applications
Authors: Park Junho , Hanif Adeela , Kim Dong Sung , Jeong Unyong
Published: February 2025

In recent years, fibrillar string-based wearable sensors have gained significant attention for their ability to detect mechanical and physiological stimuli, including tactility, temperature, humidity, and glucose levels. Stretchability, flexibility, and lightweight nature of the fibrillar strings make them ideal for integration into textiles and wearable devices. This review highlights recent advancements in the fabrication of fibrillar string sensors by using various spinning techniques, including dry spinning, wet spinning, melt spinning, and light polymerization spinning. The examination of conductive material integration into fibrillar strings highlights progress in this field, including advancements in composite fabrication and structural engineering. Furthermore, the review discusses the potential applications of these sensors in health monitoring, including mechanical stimuli, temperature, humidity, glucose levels. The article highlights ongoing challenges in fibrillar string sensors such as enhancing durability and sensitivity under mechanical strain, and suggests future research directions to improve the performance and functionality in wearable sensors.
Kindliches Schweigen oder taube Institutionen?
Authors: Alberth Lars
Published: February 2025

Ausgehend von dem Befund einer institutionellen Unsichtbarkeit von Kindern im Kinderschutz und Evidenzen dafür, dass auf Offenbarungsversuche von Kindern nicht unterstützend reagiert wird, wird eine organisationssoziologische Deutung von Stimme und Schweigen betroffener Kinder angeboten. Entsprechend ist das Schweigen, etwa das Ausbleiben von Beschwerden oder auch das fehlende Anzeigen von Fehlverhalten, ein Warnsignal für einen Rückzug der Kinder, die in den Institutionen des Kinderschutzes keine unterstützenden Interaktionspartner_innen finden.
Sexuality Construction, Pornography, and Gender Violence: A Qualitative Study with Spanish Adolescents
Authors: Navarro-Mantas L. , Sáez-Lumbreras A.
Published: February 2025

Sexuality is a central aspect of human beings, and adolescence is a crucial period of transition from childhood to adulthood where sexual awakening occurs. As a critical aspect of life, adolescents should have quality sexual education to guide them through this transition. However, currently, educational institutions often lack structured and standardized sexual education programs that go beyond medicalized models focused on sexual and reproductive health and contraceptive use. A qualitative design using in-depth interviews with an ethnographic perspective to obtain detailed information considering the context. The Venegas model on sexual-affective education was referenced. This model identifies four significant areas: gender, sexuality, love/affection, and body. A qualitative design based on in-depth interviews was chosen to obtain detailed information about the issues mentioned. Forty semi-structured interviews were conducted with adolescents aged 13 to 20 in two groups: students of compulsory secondary education and vocational training. Results showed boys tend to prioritize physical aspects of sexuality, such as masturbation and intercourse, whereas girls tend to focus more on emotional connections and concern about contraception. Pornography, patriarchal cultural patterns, sexism, and traditional gender roles shaped these initial experiences. Meanings and practices were revealed to be conditioned by a sexist model of attraction, body dissatisfaction, and learning through pornography, which was related to experiences of normalized control and sexual violence in relationships. Some positive advancements resulting from feminist achievements were also discovered, such as understanding the value of consent, empathy, and the appreciation of alternative models of masculinity by some girls. These results highlight the importance of developing sexual education programs from a psychosocial and feminist perspective. Such programs should aim to transform cultural norms and attitudes surrounding sexuality, promoting agency and healthier and more equitable relationships among adolescents.
Effective polysulfides regulation in high-performance Li–S batteries via novel VO2–VS2 heterostructure
Authors: Hou Yao-Lin , Zhang Yu-Qing , Li Dan , Xie Hai-Ming , Liu Jia , Liu Yu-Long , Zhu Jie-Fang
Published: February 2025

Developing effective heterostructure strategies to mitigate the shuttling effect and accelerate lithium polysulfide (LiPS) conversion remains a critical challenge in lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries. Here, we report the first carbon–free VO2–VS2 heterostructure material synthesized via in situ sulfurization, applied as a modifier on a commercial polypropylene (PP) separator (denoted as VO2–VS2@PP). The as–prepared VO2–VS2 nanorods synergistically combine the high absorptivity of VO2 with the efficient catalytic properties of VS2, simultaneously enhancing LiPS anchoring and promoting its conversion. We systematically investigate the influence of material composition on battery performance, leveraging these functional attributes, Li–S cells incorporating VO2–VS2@PP exhibit exceptional cycle stability (over 500 cycles at 1C), impressive rate performance (807 mAh·g–1 at 5C), desirable reversibility (49.9% capacity retention after 300 cycles at 5C) and exceptional pouch cell performance (3.65 mAh·cm–2 after 50 stable cycles at 0.1C). This study underscores the potential of tailored heterostructures in realizing high–performance Li–S batteries, offering new insights for next–generation energy storage solutions.

Graphical abstract
Supplementary mathematics among adolescents in Timor-Leste
Authors: Yazdani Naisan , Edmonds-Wathen Cris
Published: February 2025

Students in Timor-Leste schools have been grappling with mathematics acquisition since the nation’s independence in 2002. Schools encounter scarcity of resources necessary to effect significant change and few other organisations have formally assumed this responsibility. Despite the recognition of the importance of mathematics in Timor-Leste, research in this area remains limited. This paper aims to examine the mathematics proficiency of 10- to 15-year-olds and evaluate the effectiveness of a supplementary tutoring programme designed to address learning gaps. Our findings reveal disparities in students’ proficiency across various mathematical domains. Students demonstrate higher achievement in counting, arithmetic, and number patterns and less so in statistics, angles, and shape recognition. Proficiency in three-quarters of curriculum strands pertaining to cycle 1 (grades 1 to 4) is below 40%. In response to these challenges, a supplementary tutoring initiative for this age group conducted in Tetum language was evaluated. The programme utilised tailored worksheets and small group sessions and took place thrice weekly. Results demonstrated statistically significant improvements over a seven-month period. Students in the intervention group on average gained proficiency in 7.5 new content areas compared to a comparison group value of 1.7. Feedback from participating students underscored the value of incorporating worksheets alongside traditional teaching methods. This study highlights the pressing need to address mathematics education in Timor-Leste and underscores the potential role of supplementary programmes. Importantly, it underscores that solutions can arise from low-resource community-driven interventions.