bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stromal PDGFR-beta expression is a prognostic factor in high-grade serous ovarian cancer patients but is it also predictive for response to antiangiogenic treatment?
Authors: Volk Annabelle , von Bülow Charlotte , Stern Aysche , Simon Ronald , Burandt Eike , Sauter Guido , Schmalfeldt Barbara , Oliveira-Ferrer Leticia
Published: January 2025

Objective

In advanced ovarian cancer, the majority of patients receive anti-angiogenic treatment with bevacizumab. However, its use is often associated with severe side effects, and not all patients benefit from the therapy. Currently, there are no reliable biomarkers to predict response to treatment. Given their role as key regulators of angiogenesis, platelet-derived growth factor receptor-beta (PDGFR-beta) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) are promising candidates for predictive biomarkers. This study evaluates their potential.

Methods

PDGFR-beta and VEGFR-2 expression was evaluated using immunohistochemistry in a tissue microarray assay including 391 ovarian tissue samples. Correlation analyses with clinical and histopathological parameters were performed in a homogeneous cohort of 199 high grade serous ovarian cancer samples (HGSOC).

Results

In HGSOC, strong stromal PDGFR-beta expression was associated with significantly shorter overall survival compared to weak/moderate expression. The impact of stromal PDGFR-beta expression on patient survival was however not restricted to the subgroup of patients receiving therapy with bevacizumab, and therefore cannot be considered as a predictive factor. For VEGFR-2, no or weak protein expression was found in the majority of the tumor samples. Survival analyses showed a more favorable prognosis with no or weak VEGFR-2 expression.

Conclusions

High stromal expression levels of PDGFR-beta correlate with shorter overall survival in HGSOC. Thus, stromal PDGFR-beta might serve as a prognostic biomarker. No predictive effect in response to bevacizumab therapy could be attributed.
Primary surgery of subcondylar mandibular fracture using patient-specific implant: the Helsinki protocol
Authors: Saloniemi Mikko , Salli Malla , Lehtinen Valtteri , Snäll Johanna
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Preoperative virtual planning and osteosynthesis with patient-specific implants (PSIs) have become a quotidian approach to many maxillofacial elective surgery setups. When a process is well-organized, a similar approach can be harnessed to serve the needs of exact primary reconstructions, especially in midfacial trauma cases. PSI osteosynthesis of the mandible is, however, more challenging because a mirror technique of the facial sides is often unreliable due to inherent lack of symmetry, and movement of the mandible increases the risk of loosening of the osteosynthesis. The purpose of this study was to present clinical results of the Helsinki protocol concept of utilizing PSIs in the primary surgery of unilateral mandibular subcondylar fractures as the first publication on the subject.

Methods

A single-center study of a new Helsinki protocol is presented for surgical treatment of subcondylar mandibular fractures using patient-specific, titanium-milled repositator plates. Ten patients with dislocated subcondylar mandibular fractures received surgery and osteosynthesis with PSI via a retromandibular approach.

Results

Clinical and radiological outcomes were excellent; none of the patients had fixation-related major complications or developed postoperative malocclusion.

Conclusions

Study results show that the Helsinki protocol, treating mandibular condylar fractures primarily with PSI plates, is a viable treatment option.
Rats and mice rapidly update timed behaviors
Authors: Aggadi N. , Krikawa S. , Paine T. A. , Simen P. , Howard C. D.
Published: January 2025

Keeping track of time intervals is a crucial aspect of behavior and cognition. Many theoretical models of how the brain times behavior make predictions for steady-state performance of well-learned intervals, but the rate of learning intervals in these models varies greatly, ranging from one-shot learning to learning over thousands of trials. Here, we explored how quickly rats and mice adapt to changes in interval durations using a serial fixed-interval task. In the first experiment, animals experienced randomly selected fixed-intervals of 12, 24, 36, 48, or 60 s, for blocks ranging from 13 to 21 trials. Consistent with previous work, animals abruptly increased lever pressing as reward availability approached, and these ‘start times’ scaled with the interval duration for both species. We then quantified the rate of updating to new trial durations and found that rodents consistently updated their start times within 2–3 trials following a change in interval duration, before stabilizing their behavior by the third or fourth trial. To account for repeated exposures to fixed-interval durations, a second set of animals was tested with new fixed-intervals after being trained on the serial fixed-interval task described above. Next, a third group was trained on fixed-interval durations that were generated de novo in each day. In each of these contexts, rodents rapidly increased or decreased their start times to mirror new FI durations following exposure to 1–2 trials of new intervals following block transitions. This work adds to growing evidence for rapid duration learning across species, highlighting the need for timing models to be capable of rapid updating in dynamic temporal scenarios.
Implementation and application of extended reality in foreign language education for specific purposes: a systematic literature review
Authors: Christou Eirini , Parmaxi Antigoni , Christoforou Maria
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Extended Reality (XR) applications such as Augmented, Virtual and Mixed Reality have extensively supported foreign language education for specific purposes, creating opportunities and challenges that are different from the ones in general foreign language contexts. However, there is a lack of comprehensive description of XR applications aiming to support language learning for specific purposes. This study was conducted to fill this gap by reviewing the state-of-the-art technology in the use of XR for language learning for specific purposes.

Methods

Published manuscripts during the period 2020–2024 were searched electronically with an eye to retrieve recent relevant published literature on the topic. The criteria for inclusion in the final review were met by a total of 33 articles.

Results

The analysis indicated six types of tasks being employed in the use of XR for specific purposes (i.e., role playing, peer tutoring/dyadic task, informal discussions, closed outcome tasks, XR environment exploration, and XR content creation). Primary purposes and benefits of XR technologies were identified: authentic contexts, oral proficiency improvement and development of communication skills, creative thinking, improvement of long-term memory, motivation, and students’ multimodal literacy.

Conclusion

Increased attention was directed toward VR applications for language learning for specific purposes. Both students’ and teachers’ familiarity with XR technologies plays a crucial role in their overall learning and teaching experience. The added value of XR in the teaching and learning circumstances should be taken into consideration. Implications for educators and future research are suggested.
Improving math self-efficacy and math self-concept in middle school: a narrative systematic review
Authors: Granello Federica , Cuder Alessandro , Doz Eleonora , Pellizzoni Sandra , Passolunghi Maria Chiara
Published: January 2025

Math self-competence beliefs, namely, math self-efficacy and math self-concept, are crucial factors in sustaining math learning. Since there is a lack of literature on interventions targeting math self-competence beliefs in middle school students, the aim of this systematic review is to provide a narrative synthesis of the characteristics of interventions focusing on math self-efficacy and math self-concept in middle school students, and to describe their effects in enhancing math outcomes. A total of 15 intervention studies met the inclusion criteria (i.e., studies conducted on middle school students, interventional or quasi-experimental, studies evaluated math self-efficacy and math self-concept), comprising a sample of N = 10,416 middle schoolers and n = 21 effect sizes. Qualitative analysis identified five main types of interventional approaches: self-regulation strategies (n = 3), use of technology (n = 3), instructional teaching (n = 3), enhancement of self-competence sources (n = 3), and collaborative learning (n = 3). Collaborative learning and technology-based interventions seemed effective in enhancing students’ math self-competence beliefs. Conversely, interventions focusing on self-regulation strategies, as well as instructional teaching, appeared more effective in improving math outcomes than self-competence beliefs. These findings provide valuable insights for educational practitioners and policymakers, informing evidence-based choices for optimizing teaching practices and intervention activities in educational context.
ExoSim 2: the new exoplanet observation simulator applied to the Ariel space mission
Authors: Mugnai Lorenzo V. , Bocchieri Andrea , Pascale Enzo , Lorenzani Andrea , Papageorgiou Andreas
Published: January 2025

ExoSim 2 is the next generation of the Exoplanet Observation Simulator (ExoSim) tailored for spectro-photometric observations of transiting exoplanets from space, ground, and sub-orbital platforms. This software is a complete rewrite implemented in Python 3, embracing object-oriented design principles, which allow users to replace each component with their functions when required. ExoSim 2 is publicly available on GitHub, serving as a valuable resource for the scientific community. ExoSim 2 employs a modular architecture using Task classes, encapsulating simulation algorithms and functions. This flexible design facilitates the extensibility and adaptability of ExoSim 2 to diverse instrument configurations to address the evolving needs of the scientific community. Data management within ExoSim 2 is handled by the Signal class, which represents a structured data cube incorporating time, space, and spectral dimensions. The code execution in ExoSim 2 follows a three-step workflow: the creation of focal planes, the production of Sub-Exposure blocks, and the generation of non-destructive reads (NDRs). Each step can be executed independently, optimizing time and computational resources. ExoSim 2 has been extensively validated against other tools like ArielRad and has demonstrated consistency in estimating photon conversion efficiency, saturation time, and signal generation. The simulator has also been validated independently for instantaneous read-out and jitter simulation, and for astronomical signal representation. In conclusion, ExoSim 2 offers a robust and flexible tool for exoplanet observation simulation, capable of adapting to diverse instrument configurations and evolving scientific needs. Its design principles and validation results underscore its potential as a valuable resource in the field of exoplanet research.
Characterizing hole trap production due to proton irradiation in germanium cross-strip detectors
Authors: Pike Sean N. , Boggs Steven E. , Brewster Gabriel , Haight Sophia E. , Roberts Jarred M. , Shih Albert Y. , Szornel Joanna , Tomsick John A. , Zoglauer Andreas
Published: January 2025

We present an investigation into the effects of high-energy proton damage on charge trapping in germanium cross-strip detectors with the goal of accomplishing three important measurements. First, we calibrated and characterized the spectral resolution of a spare COSI-balloon detector in order to determine the effects of intrinsic trapping, finding that electron trapping due to impurities dominates over hole trapping in the undamaged detector. Second, we performed two rounds of proton irradiation of the detector in order to quantify, for the first time, the rate at which charge traps are produced by proton irradiation. We find that the product of the hole trap density and cross-sectional area,

$$[n\sigma ]_\textrm{h}$$

[
n
σ
]

h

, follows a linear relationship with the proton fluence,

$$F_\textrm{p}$$

F
p

, with a slope of

$$(5.4\pm 0.4)\times 10^{-11}\,\mathrm {cm/p^{+}}$$

(
5.4
±
0.4
)

×

10

-
11

cm
/

p
+

. Third, by utilizing our measurements of physical trapping parameters, we performed calibrations which corrected for the effects of trapping and mitigated degradation to the spectral resolution of the detector.
Er2O3-Doped Lead Borate Glasses: Advanced Optical and Radiation Shielding Performance
Authors: Abouhaswa A. S. , Perişanoğlu U. , Saltık S. , Ekinci N. , Nasr M. H. , Kalecik S. , Perişanoğlu E. Kavaz
Published: January 2025

A new glass system with the composition 60B2O3 + 30PbF2 + (10−x)K2O + x Er2O3 (x = 0 to 3 mol%) were synthesized using the melt-quenching technique and comprehensively analyzed to evaluate their structural, optical, mechanical, and radiation shielding properties. Increasing Er2O3 concentration enhanced the density (from 4.260 to 4.89 g/cm3) and reduced the molar volume (from 29.28 to 28.98 cm3/mol), indicating a denser and more compact glass matrix. Optical studies revealed increased UV absorbance, a red shift in the cutoff wavelength, and a reduction in the optical energy gap from 3.487 to 3.335 eV (direct transitions). Urbach energy values increased from 0.722 to 1.083 eV, signifying heightened structural disorder. Enhanced refractive index and extinction coefficients further underscored the glasses’ potential for optical applications. Mechanical analyses demonstrated a significant increase in all elastic moduli, including Young’s, bulk, and shear moduli, with Er2O3 incorporation, indicating improved rigidity and mechanical stability. The radiation shielding performance of the glasses was assessed across photon energies of 0.015–15 MeV, incorporating both experimental data and machine learning (ML)-based predictions of mass attenuation coefficients (MAC). The ML model, developed using a neural network architecture, successfully predicted MAC values with high accuracy, demonstrating excellent agreement with XCOM-calculated results. Key shielding parameters, including half-value layer (HVL), effective atomic number (Zeff), and buildup factors (EABF and EBF), improved significantly with higher Er2O3 content. BPKE3 glass, with the highest Er2O3 concentration, exhibited the best shielding efficiency, outperforming conventional shielding materials in terms of lower HVL and buildup factors, coupled with higher MAC and Zeff values. This study highlights the dual role of Er2O3-doped lead borate glasses as efficient optical and radiation shielding materials. Machine learning effectively predicts shielding parameters, aiding material optimization for applications in nuclear, medical, and industrial fields.
GrapHisto: A Robust Representation of Graph-Structured Data for Graph Convolutional Networks
Authors: Benini Marco , Bongini Pietro , Trentin Edmondo
Published: January 2025

Machine learning from graphs is an established branch of AI research motivated by the relevance of applications that involve graph-structured data. The most popular instance is the graph neural network (GNN). On the other hand, due to the promising results of deep learning models in the most diverse fields of application, several efforts have been made to replicate these successes when dealing with graphical data. A prominent specimen of the kind is the graph convolutional network (GCN). Along these lines, the paper propose a novel approach for processing graphs that exploits the capabilities of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to learn from images. This is achieved by means of a new representation of graphs, called GrapHisto, that portrays graphs in the form of characteristic “pictures”. The GrapHisto is in the form of graph-specific, unique tensors encapsulating the graph topology and its features (i.e., the labels associated with vertexes and edges). This representation is fed to a CNN, and the resulting machine is termed GrapHisto-CNN. The paper provides some theoretical investigations of the properties of the approach, and proposes solutions to some practical issues. An experimental evaluation of the GrapHisto-CNN is reported, revolving around two setups: classification of synthetically-generated graphs, and molecule classification form the dataset QM9. The results show that the approach is effective and robust, and that it compares favorably with GNNs and GCNs.
An overview of the phytochemistry of medicinal bark (trunk, stem or root) from the most popular southern African species
Authors: Sadgrove Nicholas John , Mitaine-Offer Anne-Claire , Khumalo Gugulethu , Van Wyk Ben-Erik
Published: January 2025

The ten countries that make up southern Africa are collectively a hot-spot of medicinal plant knowledge, with a unique preference for the utilization of bark over leaves from possibly hundreds of species. The most popular 86 medicinal bark species were identified in an earlier survey of various muthi markets around Johannesburg, and are listed in the current review, out of which chemical data was found for 63 and tabulated. The chemistry of medicinal bark species is, however, incomplete, since many scholars focused their research on metabolites of interest to their research groups, such as essential oils, lipophilic compounds, alkaloids or saponins, to the exclusion of other specialized metabolites present in the respective biota. From the current phytochemical analysis, the medicinal potential of bark relative to leaves is not obvious, as it is dependent on factors such as quantity of specialized metabolites (potency), their identities and anecdotal accounts from traditional healers. Nevertheless, the preference for bark may be due to empirical outcomes in therapy. Southern African medicinal bark species demonstrate an extremely diverse pool of unique/new or relatively unheard of natural products, such as calondendrolide from C. capense, combretastatin from C. caffrum, capensin from C. capense, crotohalimaneic acid from C. sylvaticus, ekebergins from E. capensis, entandrophragmin from E. caudatum, lysisteisoflavone from E. lysistemon, kigelinone from K. africana, holstinones from O. holstii, piptadeniaoside from P. africanum, rauvolfianoids from R. caffra, tetrapterosides from T. tetraptera, voacangine from V. thouarsii, warburganal from W. salutaris and mucronine from Z. mucronata. The review concludes by briefly commenting on pharmacokinetic aspects associated with ingestion or topical application of bark metabolites.
Engaging People with Intellectual Disability in Participatory Action Research: Co-Developing Sex Educational Resources
Authors: Wellington Monica , Dew Angela , Frawley Patsie , David Jennifer , O’Shea Amie
Published: January 2025

People with intellectual disability experience barriers accessing appropriate sexual health information, particularly that are developed using a participatory approach. A Participatory Action Research Group (PARG) including two people with intellectual disability and ten people working in sexual health education worked alongside researchers to develop sex education resources for young people with intellectual disability. Through seven co-development meetings, PARG members contributions benefited the research outputs. They viewed the co-development process as valuable to the sector and identified how the research team facilitated their meaningful engagement. This paper adds to the literature that informs participatory action research and highlights the steps required to engage people with lived experience in inclusive research methods.
Exploring data flow design and vectorization with oneAPI for streaming applications on CPU+GPU
Authors: Campos Cristian , Asenjo Rafael , Navarro Angeles
Published: January 2025

In recent times, oneAPI has emerged as a competitive framework to optimize streaming applications on heterogeneous CPU+GPU architectures, since it provides portability and performance thanks to the SYCL programming language and efficient parallel libraries as oneTBB. However, this approach opens up a wealth of implementations alternatives in this type of applications: from how to design the data flow to how to exploit data parallelism. Choosing the best alternative is not trivial, so in this paper we analyze them and contribute with an analytical model based on queue theory that helps in the on-line selection of the alternative that maximizes the throughput and the occupancy of the CPU and GPU compute units. We explore the design space offered by: a) different APIs to define the data flow ( and Flow Graph from oneTBB, and SYCL from SYCL); b) alternative kernel implementations to express data parallelism (SYCL, AVX and ); and c) the mapping of the kernels into the available computing resources (CPU cores and GPU). The results show that the library can be 1.54x faster, 3% more energy efficient, and requires 7.36x less programming effort than AVX, and that implementations that enable asynchronous offloading of tasks to the devices as those based on SYCL and Flow Graph APIs outperform the other APIs, being up to 1.10x faster and up to 1.18x more energy efficient.
Intelligent energy pairing scheduler (InEPS) for heterogeneous HPC clusters
Authors: López Marta , Stafford Esteban , Bosque Jose Luis
Published: January 2025

In recent years, energy consumption has become a limiting factor in the evolution of high-performance computing (HPC) clusters in terms of environmental concern and maintenance cost. The computing power of these clusters is increasing, together with the demands of the workloads they execute. A key component in HPC systems is the workload manager, whose operation has a substantial impact on the performance and energy consumption of the clusters. Recent research has employed machine learning techniques to optimise the operation of this component. However, these attempts have focused on homogeneous clusters where all the cores are pooled together and considered equal, disregarding the fact that they are contained in nodes and that they can have different performances. This work presents an intelligent job scheduler based on deep reinforcement learning that focuses on reducing energy consumption of heterogeneous HPC clusters. To this aim it leverages information provided by the users as well as the power consumption specifications of the compute resources of the cluster. The scheduler is evaluated against a set of heuristic algorithms showing that it has potential to give similar results, even in the face of the extra complexity of the heterogeneous cluster.
Performance comparison in workflow efficiency between a remotely installed 3D workstation and an on-premises image processing workstation for dental cone-beam CT image reconstruction
Authors: Tanaka Ryoichi , Mouri Hiroki , Takahashi Noriaki , Izumisawa Mitsuru , Hoshino Masayuki , Sakamoto Riku , Kanamori Takaki , Shimamura Ami , Sakai Ryota , Kanno Emi , Sawano Motoi
Published: January 2025

Objectives

This study aims to compare the image processing times of dental cone beam CT (CBCT) images using a remote medical image processing workstation (RW) versus on-premises image processing (OP) and assess its impact on workflow efficiency.

Methods

Data from 100 CBCT cases were randomly selected and processed using the OP3D VISION 17-19DX (EH Japan Co., Ltd.). In the OP environment, OnDemand 3D Dental (Cybermed Inc.) was used on a local terminal, while the RW setup involved a remote workstation—ZIO STATION (Ziosoft Inc.) connected via a 2 Gbps network. Seven experienced dentists processed the same data in both environments, and various processing times, including data transfer, re-slicing, 3D reconstruction, and PACS transfer, were compared.

Results

The RW environment showed significantly shorter data transfer and re-slicing times than the OP environment. However, 3D image reconstruction times were similar between the two setups. Overall, processing time was significantly reduced in the RW environment. Variability in processing times among operators was observed, with most achieving reductions in the RW environment.

Conclusions

Remote processing of dental CBCT images using a dedicated image processing device offers equivalent or improved performance compared to on-premises processing. This approach can enhance workflow efficiency by reducing processing times and freeing up local resources, although further research is needed to optimize remote display protocols and multi-client access.
Usefulness of four-dimensional noise reduction filtering using a similarity algorithm in low-dose dynamic computed tomography for the evaluation of breast cancer: a preliminary study
Authors: Uraoka Daichi , Matsuda Megumi , Tanabe Yuki , Kawaguchi Naoto , Nishiyama Chihiro , Okada Ayaka , Uda Koichiro , Suekuni Hiroshi , Nishiyama Hikaru , Kamei Yoshiaki , Kurata Mie , Kitazawa Riko , Nakano Shota , Kido Teruhito
Published: January 2025

Purpose

To evaluate the effects of four-dimensional noise reduction filtering using a similarity algorithm (4D-SF) on the image quality and tumor visibility of low-dose dynamic computed tomography (CT) in evaluating breast cancer.

Materials and methods

Thirty-four patients with 38 lesions who underwent low-dose dynamic breast CT and were pathologically diagnosed with breast cancer were enrolled. Dynamic CT images were reconstructed using iterative reconstruction alone or in combination with 4D-SF. We selected the peak enhancement phase image of breast cancer for each patient for quantitative and qualitative evaluations of image quality and measurement of the maximum diameter of breast cancer. The signal-to-noise and contrast-to-noise ratios were calculated for quantitative evaluation. The maximum diameters of the breast cancer were measured from the images obtained with and without 4D-SF (4D-SF ±) (size-4D-SF + and size-4D-SF-) and for the pathological specimen (size-PS) and compared.

Results

The median and interquartile ranges of the signal-to-noise ratio [4D-SF-: 3.03 (2.54–4.17) vs 4D-SF + : 5.52 (4.75–6.66)] and contrast-to-noise ratio [4D-SF-: 2.88 (2.00–3.60) vs 4D-SF + : 7.84 (4.65–10.35)] were significantly higher for 4D-SF + than for 4D-SF- (p < 0.001). The overall image quality (Observer 1, p < 0.001; Observer 2, p < 0.001) and tumor margin sharpness scores (Observer 1, p = 0.003; Observer 2, p < 0.001) were significantly higher for 4D-SF + than for 4D-SF-. The tumor contrast scores for 4D-SF + and 4D-SF- were not significantly different (Observers 1, 2; p = 0.083). Size-4D-SF- was significantly smaller than size-PS (p < 0.001); size-4D-SF + was also smaller than size-PS, but the difference was not significant (p = 0.088). The Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was 0.65 for size-PS and size-4D-SF- and 0.77 for size-PS and size-4D-SF + .

Conclusion

The 4D-SF can improve the image quality and tumor visibility of low-dose dynamic CT in evaluating breast cancer extent due to noise reduction.
First Detection and Molecular Characterization of Colpodella in Goats, Foxes, and Birds
Authors: Hasapis Kyriacos A. , Charalambidou Iris , Phanis Catherine O’Dowd , Kazamia Stefanie , Kassinis Nicolaos , Schou Chad , Karanis Panagiotis
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of Colpodella sp. in domestic and wild animals in Cyprus. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to report the detection of Colpodella sp. in foxes (Cyprus red fox Vulpes vulpes indutus), wild birds (Eurasian coot Fulica atra, duck Anas spp.) and goats (Capra hircus) worldwide.

Methods

A total of 180 faecal samples (29 foxes, 48 Eurasian coot, 20 Eurasian teal Anas crecca, 7 duck, 44 goats − 10 from a farm and 34 free-living individuals - and 32 sheep Ovis aries) were analyzed for the parasite by nested PCR and sequencing.

Results

Four samples were positive (4/180 = 2.2%), including one goat from a farm (1/10 = 10%), one fox (1/29 = 3.4%), one Eurasian coot (1/48 = 2.1%) and one duck (1/7 = 14.3%).

Conclusion

The results of this study support the evidence that Colpodella sp. can infect mammals and birds, as well as livestock and wildlife, which could act as zoonotic reservoirs of the parasite and potentially pose a risk to human and animal health.
Recreation impact on the early establishment of dune-building grasses Elytrigia juncea and Ammophila arenaria on the beach
Authors: van Rosmalen S.J. , Homberger J.-M. , Riksen M.J.P.M. , Limpens J.
Published: January 2025

Sandy shores serve multiple ecosystem services, including recreation. To what extent these services can coexist is unclear, especially given increasing stressors such as rising sea levels and urbanization. We investigated the effect of recreational pressure on the establishment of two dune building grass species representative for European beaches (Ammophila arenaria and Elytrigia juncea). We conducted a field introduction experiment with seeds and rhizomes (diaspores) of both species along an anthropogenic pressure gradient on the upper beach of the Dutch barrier Island of Terschelling. Across two beach sites 300 plots were set out following a randomised block design with 4 factorial treatments (species*diaspore). Local plant material was collected. Plots were left unmarked to enable undisturbed recreation. Establishment success was monitored by counting the number of emerged shoots per plot at regular intervals across the growing season of 2022. To control for environmental drivers, we included the environmental variables: soil moisture, bed level change, and distance to the sea. We found that establishment success increased significantly with longshore distance from the beach entrance, irrespective of species or diaspore type. This effect was especially strong within the first 100 m, where plants did emerge from seeds or rhizomes but progressively died over the summer. Establishment success was further constrained by changes to the beach bed level and distance to the sea. Our results indicate that recreational pressure can constrain dune development on the upper beach. This implies trade-offs between beach functions, that should be considered when designing sandy coastal areas.
Capecitabine and temozolomide or temozolomide alone in patients with atypical carcinoids
Authors: Galvani Linda , Zappi Arianna , Pusceddu Sara , Gelsomino Fabio , La Salvia Anna , Oldani Simone , Panzuto Francesco , Andrini Elisa , Lamberti Giuseppe , Campana Davide
Published: January 2025

Background

Lung neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) represent about 20% of all lung cancers. Few therapeutic options are available for atypical carcinoids (ACs). Single-agent temozolomide (TEM) is active in lung NENs, but whether the addition of capecitabine (CAPTEM) is associated with improved outcomes, is unknown. We sought to investigate the TEM-based therapies (TEM or CAPTEM) in patients with advanced AC.

Material and methods

This was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from patients with AC of the lung referred to our institution from January 2003 to January 2023 who have received chemotherapy with either TEM or CAPTEM as any line treatment. Primary endpoint was progression free survival (PFS), secondary endpoints included overall response rate (ORR) and overall survival (OS).

Results

In this study we included 31 patients with advanced AC. Median Ki-67 was 14.4% (3–30). CAPTEM in 17 patients (54.8%), while TEM was administered in 14 patients (45.2%). Overall, ORR was 39% (N = 12/31, all partial responses), while median PFS and OS were 57.4 months (95%CI: 43.2–71.7) and 24.4 months (95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 14.7–34.1). Median PFS was 33.9 months (15.6–52.1) in the CAPTEM group, while it was 15.5 (7.3–23.8) in the TEM group (p = 0.047). When adjusting for potential confounding factors, treatment with TEM vs CAPTEM retained its independent association with an increased risk of progression (HR: 4.01 [95%CI: 1.18–13.68]; p = 0.027).

Conclusions

Treatment with CAPTEM is associated with longer PFS than TEM alone in patients with AC. Prospective studies with larger sample size are needed to validate this finding.
China’s Green Industrial Policy and World Trade Law
Authors: Li Xiaofeng , Du Ming
Published: January 2025

This article seeks to unpack China’s green industrial policy and explore its implications for world trade law. It argues that, first, central to China’s achievements in renewable energy is the role of state-level centralized green industrial policy. Second, China’s approach to renewable energy features a pragmatic attitude of subordinating climate commitment to economic development prerogatives. China’s pro-growth mentality has also shaped the international posture of China on climate change. Third, China’s domination in green technology has raised important policy questions for world trade law. In response to China’s green industrial policy, other countries are likely to enforce trade defense measures more aggressively against China and launch their own green industrial policy as a critical part of the re-balancing effort.
Biohydrogen production enhancement from organic solid waste using consecutive intermittent feeding strategies in a sequencing batch reactor
Authors: Gomez-Aquino Arely , Vargas Alejandro , Moreno-Andrade Iván
Published: January 2025

The organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) can be valorized for bioenergy production by dark fermentation (DF) using sequencing batch reactors (SBR). Alternative feeding strategies such as fed-batch have shown increased biogas production. Since fed-batch operation with OFMSW is difficult because of the viscosity and density of its substrate, this work proposes the use of a feeding strategy that operates intermittently to improve the biohydrogen (H2) production from OFMSW in an SBR. The consecutive intermittent feeding strategy consisted in supplying the influent volume with a given number of equal feeding pulses in the first 16 h. Two, four, eight, and frequent pulses were tested in three consecutive cycles. Single pulse feeding (i.e., conventional batch) was performed before and after each feeding strategy for comparison. The four feeding strategies had a change in H2 and metabolite composition, cumulative volume, productivity, and yield. Intermittent feeding also diminished the lag phase for H2 production (λ ≤ 0.62 h). The frequent pulse strategy showed the best performance (365.5 ± 10.8 NmL, 340.3 ± 0.7 NmL L−1∙d−1, and 26.1 ± 0.7 NmL gVSadded for accumulated hydrogen production, hydrogen productivity, and yield, respectively), and it also increased caproate production (up to 1.12 gCOD L−1). Significant correlations between the production of organic acids and specific microbial genera were observed, highlighting the complex microbial community interactions present during biological hydrogen production.

Graphical Abstract
Primary adenocarcinoma of the lacrimal sac with 5-year recurrence-free survival after radiation therapy alone: a case report
Authors: Takizawa Daichi , Ohnishi Kayoko , Hiratsuka Kentaro , Matsuoka Ryota , Baba Keiichiro , Nakamura Masatoshi , Iizumi Takashi , Suzuki Kiyotaka , Mizumoto Masashi , Sakurai Hideyuki
Published: January 2025

Lacrimal sac tumors are rare, with approximately 800 cases reported worldwide; primary adenocarcinoma of the lacrimal sac is particularly rare. Although there is no established treatment strategy, surgical removal is generally performed. However, complete removal often requires extensive resection, including orbital exenteration and lateral rhinoplasty, which is highly invasive and creates significant cosmetic issues. Here, we report our experience with a 72-year-old woman with primary adenocarcinoma of the lacrimal sac with ethmoid bone invasion. She refused surgery and was treated with radiation therapy alone, totaling 70 Gy in 35 fractions. This is the first report of a patient with primary adenocarcinoma of the lacrimal sac who survived for 5 years without recurrence after radiation therapy alone. She experienced late radiation-related complications: the affected eye developed grade-3 retinopathy according to the common terminology criteria for adverse events, version 5.0, and secondary neovascular glaucoma. Cataract and vitreous surgery with retinal photocoagulation were performed. Her cosmetic appearance was maintained after all treatments were completed. Radiation therapy may be an effective treatment for primary adenocarcinoma of the lacrimal sac for patients who either refuse surgery or in whom surgery is not feasible.
ChatGPT in the Classroom: Evaluating its Role in Fostering Critical Evaluation Skills
Authors: Oates Angela , Johnson Donna
Published: January 2025

The increasing prevalence of artificial intelligence in educational domains raises both opportunities and challenges in the context of academic integrity and pedagogical efficacy. This study outlines an innovative project that investigates the use of ChatGPT as a tool for enhancing the critical evaluation skills of master’s students in biomedical science. Using a dual approach combining AI-generated essay writing with subsequent student-led critical evaluation, this project sought to foster deeper critical evaluation skills in learners. By having participants critically assess AI-generated essays, supported critical evaluation based on peer-reviewed literature, the project aimed to deepen their evaluative skills. Outputs from the tasks were compared against academic benchmarks considering factors such as marks, writing, and overall quality. Participant perceptions were collected through a combination of a focus group session and an evaluation questionnaire. The key finding of this project was that while ChatGPT demonstrated proficiency in structural coherence and grammatical accuracy, it did not augment academic performance– participant marks for the AI-generated essays aligned closely with their overall module marks, showing no overall improvement. However, this study did see an increase in marks for participants’ critical evaluations. This suggests that ChatGPT was more effective as an assessment tool when used for critical evaluation tasks, aligning with pedagogical emphasis on nurturing critical evaluation skills. User interaction with AI emerged as a significant variable that influenced the tool’s efficacy, highlighting the need for a nuanced approach to its integration into educational settings. The study concludes that while ChatGPT offers promising avenues for both drafting and assessment, and demonstrated a high level of factual accuracy, it is not a substitute for human-led academic enquiry, and students preferred writing their own essays.
Unlocking robotic perception: comparison of deep learning methods for simultaneous localization and mapping and visual simultaneous localization and mapping in robot
Authors: Hoang Minh Long
Published: January 2025

Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) and Visual SLAM are crucial technologies in robotics, allowing autonomous systems to navigate and comprehend their environment. Deep learning (DL) has become a powerful tool in driving progress in these areas, providing solutions that improve accuracy, efficiency, and resilience. This article thoroughly analyzes different deep learning techniques designed explicitly for SLAM and Visual SLAM applications in robotic systems. This work provides a detailed overview of DL roles in SLAM and VSLAM and emphasizes the differences between these two fields. Five powerful DL methods are investigated: Convolutional Neural Networks in extracting features and understanding meaning, Recurrent Neural Network in modeling temporal relationships, Deep Reinforcement Learning in developing exploration strategies, Graph Neural Network in modeling spatial relationships, and Attention Mechanisms in selectively processing information. In this research, we will examine the advantages and disadvantages of each approach in relation to robotic applications, taking into account issues such as real-time performance, resource restrictions, and adaptability to various situations. This article seeks to guide researchers and practitioners in selecting suitable deep learning algorithms to improve the capabilities of SLAM and Visual SLAM in robotic systems by combining ideas from recent research and actual implementations. The popular types of each concerned DL will be synthesized with the discussion of pros and cons.
Monitoring of self-setting apatite cement using near-infrared spectroscopy: time-course evaluation using machine learning
Authors: Otsuka Yuta , Ito Sayaka , Noguchi Kazuyuki , Kono Hiroshi , Kikuchi Masafumi
Published: January 2025

In this study, near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, a measurement method not widely used in dentistry, was used to monitor the synthesis of calcium phosphate cement. Tetra calcium phosphate and di calcium phosphate dihydrate were mixed at a Ca/P ratio of 1.67, and water was added dropwise to induce the phase transition to HAp. The reaction conditions were evaluated by measuring NIR spectra every minute for 60 min and every 20 min for 24 h. The obtained NIR spectra were analyzed using singular value decomposition. The synthesized apatite was characterized by measuring XRD, FT-IR, and SEM. In the self-setting apatite cement system, 24-hour monitoring revealed that a phase transition was achieved. NIR monitoring was found to be effective and valuable for evaluating calcium phosphate cements.
Autonomous Docking Manoeuvre Testing in the Framework of the ERMES Experiment
Authors: Bortotto Alessandro , Degli Agli Giuliano , Pozzato Nicola , Dignani Mattia , Favotto Federico , Mattiazzi Fabio , Mihailovic Miroljub , Branz Francesco , Olivieri Lorenzo , Caon Alex , Lion Luca , Basana Federico , Francesconi Alessandro
Published: January 2025

The rise of the “New Space Economy” has expanded access to low-Earth orbits for commercial, non-profit, and educational entities. This has driven significant growth in the small satellite market, offering a low-cost solution for various missions. Autonomous proximity operation systems for small satellites are actively studied for their wide-ranging applications. Experimental Rendezvous in Microgravity Environment Study (ERMES) is a student project, which aimed at testing an autonomous docking manoeuvre between two free-flying CubeSats mock-ups in a reduced gravity environment. The manoeuvre is characterized by an active Chaser and cooperative Target approach. In particular, the Chaser is equipped with a cold gas propulsive system based on expendable

$$\hbox {CO}_{2}$$

CO
2

cartridges for three-dimensional manoeuvering, whereas the Target has a set of reaction wheels for attitude control. The magnetic post-manoeuvre connection is achieved thanks to a dedicated miniaturized docking interface. Moreover, the reduced gravity conditions have been achieved by participating in the European Space Agency (ESA)

$$79^{th}$$

79

th

Parabolic Flight Campaign thanks to the selection in the ESA Fly Your Thesis! Programme 2022 (FYT).

This article provides an overview of the ERMES experiment, discussing its main objectives and key design solutions. It first describes the design of the Guidance Navigation and Control subsystems of the two mock-ups, then discusses the results of the parabolic flight campaign, and finally focuses on the analysis of a specific parabolic test, where the Chaser was able to dock by recovering a high overall misalignment.
Evaluating the Accuracy of a Generic Field Template for Camera Calibration in Soccer Broadcast Footage
Authors: Breytenbach Gerhardt , Grobler Jacomine
Published: January 2025

Camera calibration is a fundamental process for essential sports analytics tasks, including augmented reality, player tracking, and scene reconstruction. In soccer, camera calibration aims to estimate the geometric relationship between the field and broadcast footage. The international guidelines for soccer fields, however, permit a size variance of up to

$$1850 \, \text {m}^2$$

1850

m
2

in soccer fields. This paper investigates whether a generic virtual template can serve as a calibration object for soccer broadcast footage from any internationally approved fields. An experiment is conducted to assess if the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) recommended field size can be adapted to fit any internationally-approved field. An initial experiment is conducted with regards to four extreme fields and an arbitrary camera view, after which the experiment is enlarged to cover a thousand camera views for all integer-based allowable field shapes. The direct linear transform is utilised to establish a homography matrix between the generic template and the extreme fields. The initial findings indicate that the generic template can achieve accuracies of at least

$$93\%$$

93
%

, as calculated by the standard metric, however, the extended analysis indicated that some arbitrary camera perspectives limit the accuracy to less than

$$90\%$$

90
%

. This accuracy metric, however, considers the overall area of the field rather than its distinct segments. Consequently, in addition to the standard metrics employed in the literature, a novel approach is proposed to calculate the combined intersection over union (IoU) as the average IoU per field segment within the visible plane.
The role of sensory experiences in evoking emotional responses in virtual reality
Authors: Alshaer Abdulaziz
Published: January 2025

This study investigates the impact of multisensory stimuli—visual, auditory, tactile, and olfactory—on emotional responses in virtual reality, with a specific focus on trust and disgust. Drawing upon Plutchik’s Wheel of Emotions, this research explores how sensory modalities evoke distinct emotional reactions within a VR simulation of a spiritual experience. Eighteen participants, all with prior experience of a similar physical ritual, were immersed in a detailed virtual environment designed with high visual fidelity and a combination of physical and olfactory stimuli to replicate the spiritual setting. The study analyzed how different sensory inputs contribute to emotional engagement. Results indicated that visual and tactile stimuli significantly enhanced trust, while olfactory inputs were associated with feelings of disgust. Furthermore, multisensory integration, particularly between tactile and olfactory cues, played a pivotal role in shaping emotional intensity. This approach offers a deeper understanding of how specific sensory inputs shape emotional responses, providing valuable insights for creating emotionally immersive and authentic VR experiences, especially in culturally and spiritually significant contexts. A key contribution of this research lies in its development of a more refined method for measuring emotional responses, moving beyond the traditional focus on presence and immersion to capture the subtle emotional effects of multisensory stimuli.