bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Natural resource extraction and environmental sustainability in Africa: The role of voice and accountability
Authors: Manu Emmanuel Kwaku , Chen George S. , Hoang Nam , Leu Shawn
Published: April 2024

We examine the effect of natural resource extraction on environmental sustainability in Africa. Using comprehensive panel data from 30 countries for the 2004–2021 period, we find that natural resource extraction reduces environmental sustainability, particularly in resource‐poor countries. However, the nature of this nexus is time‐varying, with natural resource extraction exerting a positive and negative impact on environmental sustainability in the short and long run, respectively. We also note that strong economic institutions like voice and accountability can enhance environmental sustainability. In short, our results shed light on the complex dynamics of the extraction–sustainability nexus in an extremely young and rapidly developing part of the world. Moreover, our results demonstrate that robust economic institutions can be an effective environmental protection mechanism independent of initial natural resource endowment.
Dacryoadenitis Associated with Linear Scleroderma En Coup De Sabre: A Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: Oustabassidis Eva , Keren Shay , David Joel , Norris Jonathan H.
Published: April 2024

Dacryoadenitis in the setting of linear scleroderma en coup de sabre (LScs) is an association that has not previously been described in the scientific literature. The purpose of this case report is to describe the co-existence of LScs and chronic dacryoadenitis and how it was managed. We report the case of a 42-year-old woman who presented with a 4-month history of left upper eyelid swelling with radiological enlargement of the left lacrimal gland on orbital CT and MRI imaging. Clinical examination revealed a left erythematous, swollen upper eyelid with lateral conjunctival injection and a palpable left lacrimal gland. An ipsilateral band-like cutaneous depression in the fronto-temporal region was also noted, which extended to the ipsilateral upper eyelid and brow. Serology revealed nucleolar antinuclear antibodies. A further incisional biopsy of the lacrimal gland confirmed chronic inflammatory changes and fibrous tissue. Based on both the histological and clinical findings, a diagnosis of dacryoadenitis in association with LScs was made. Oral methotrexate was commenced. The patient responded well with less frequent episodes of eyelid swelling and reduced periocular pain. This case describes for the first time, the ophthalmological manifestation of chronic dacryoadenitis in association with linear scleroderma en coup de sabre.
Structural Optimization, Anti‐TNBC Activities Evaluation, and Molecular Docking of an Indolone Derivative from Periplaneta americana
Authors: Jiang Qin‐Bin , Li Xu , Maimaitituerhong Maierhaba , Cheng Li‐Zhi , Cheng Yong‐Xian , Huang Danling
Published: April 2024

In our previous work, an indolone derivative ZL170 was isolated and identified from Periplaneta americana (P. americana). Based on its characteristic structure, we used it as a lead compound to carry out structural optimization and subsequent antitumor activity evaluation. In the present study, a series of novel indolone derivatives bearing thiazole scaffold were designed and synthesized, and their antitumor activities against triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) were determined. The preliminary screening results showed that LJ3, LJ8, LJ23, and LJ27 display inhibition rates of over 60 % against MDA‐MB‐231cells at the concentration of 50 μM. Notably, LJ23 demonstrated an IC50 value of 32.19 μM against MDA‐MB‐231, prompting further evaluation of its inhibitory effect on TNBC cell motility. Results revealed that LJ23 effectively hindered TNBC cell migration through downregulation of the EMT process. Additionally, molecular docking was employed to predict the interaction mode between LJ23 and phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K).
Superior Catalytic Performance and Methanol Tolerance of Co@Mesoporous Graphene Nanocomposites toward Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Yuan Fangying , Chen Wei , Fan Lining , Guo Xiaoxiao , Zheng Hui , Zheng Peng , Zheng Liang , Zhang Yang
Published: April 2024

The global energy crisis and growing concerns about environmental pollution have spurred researchers to explore eco‐friendly methods of generating clean energy. Previous studies have often relied on noble metal catalysts to facilitate oxygen reduction reactions (ORR) in energy production reactions. However, their high cost has limited their widespread adoption, making the development of highly active and affordable ORR catalysts a significant challenge. In this study, a vacuum heat treatment technique was employed to fabricate a cobalt‐loaded mesoporous graphene (Co−Gs) nanocomposite. The inclusion of cobalt in graphene enhances the reaction, while the presence of mesoporous graphene provides a larger surface area to accommodate the active sites of Co. This synergistic effect promotes the improvement of catalytic performance. Additionally, the stability and methanol tolerance of Co−Gs nanocomposites is also superior than that of Pt−C. The excellent catalytic performance of the Co−Gs nanocomposite is attributed to a four‐electron pathway within the nanocomposite, as demonstrated by electrocatalytic kinetics investigations. Additionally, the interface interaction between the Co nanoparticles and Gs enhances the efficiency of electron transfer, effectively improving the catalytic performance. These findings highlight the potential of Co‐loaded graphene nanocomposites as highly efficient and cost‐effective electrocatalysts for clean energy application.
Sealing of Zeolite L Channels with Ethoxysilanes: Influence of Molecular Structure and Thermal Treatment
Authors: Lustenberger Simon , Brühwiler Dominik
Published: April 2024

The suitability of silanes H2N(C3H6)Si(OC2H5)3‐x(CH3)x (x=0, 1, 2) for the sealing of zeolite pores has been investigated. The sealing efficiency was evaluated by observing the exit kinetics of the fluorescent dye resorufin from the one‐dimensional main channels of zeolite L (ZL). The best results in terms of sealing quality were obtained with x=0, indicating the importance of ensuring maximum probability for siloxane bond formation and cross‐linking during the sealing process. The amino group thereby plays a crucial role in the positioning of the silane prior to covalent bond formation. Samples sealed with 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) showed excellent stability against leaching in aqueous medium even under moderately alkaline conditions. Further evidence for the ability of APTES to efficiently seal the channels of ZL was obtained by nitrogen sorption measurements.
Oxidative and Colloidal Kinetics of Size‐Controlled Copper Structures through Surface Plasmon‐Regulated Examinations for Broadband Absorbance
Authors: Indhu A. R. , Dharmalingam Gnanaprakash
Published: April 2024

Out of all the candidate plasmonic metals, copper has noteworthy optical characteristics and is also economically favourable for use. However, the stability of plasmonic copper nanomaterials against the loss of the plasmonic property is a setback. The present work is on the synthesis of oxidation‐stable copper micro/nanoparticles (CuMps/NPs) at ambient conditions with chosen precursors, antioxidizing agents, polymeric capping agents and chelating ligands. The Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) response of the synthesized Cu structures and their morphological analyses are studied. XRD data revealed changes in crystal structure such as crystallite sizes, lattice distortions and dislocation densities as a result of variations in the synthesis conditions. We present from these analyses micro/nanostructures of oxidation‐stable plasmonic Cu. The validation of the aggregation and oxidation stabilities of the different synthesized samples make them a worthy choice for multiple plasmonic applications, along with showing the synthesis protocols as viable approaches for achieving such structures with a markedly increased shelf life.
Identification of hCA I, hCA II, AChE and BChE Inhibitory Properties of Some Norcantharimide Derivatives; Molecular Docking, SAR and in silico ADME Studies
Authors: Polat Köse Leyla , Köse Aytekin
Published: April 2024

(3aR,4S,7R,7aS)‐2‐Alkyl/aryl‐3a,4,7,7a‐tetrahydro‐1H‐4,7‐epoxyisoindole‐1,3(2H)‐diones, which are norcantharimide derivatives, were synthesized and their effects on carbonic anhydrase I (hCA I) and II (hCA II), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory activity were investigated. For enzyme activity studies, hCA I and II isoenzymes purified from human erythrocytes and the commercially available enzymes AChE and BChE, which are both markers and significantly affect the known symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, were used. The two derivatives exerted efficient inhibition with IC50=4.530 nM (Ki=4.483) and 4.426 nM (Ki=4.696) against hCA I and with IC50=3.825 nM (Ki=3.854) and 3.457 nM (Ki=3.292) against hCA II, respectively. The another two derivatives exerted considerable inhibition with IC50=0.526 nM (Ki=0.224) and 0.575 nM (Ki=0.292) against AChE and with IC50=0.135 nM (Ki=0.057) and IC50=0.180 nM (Ki=0.070) against BChE, respectively. The compounds showed activity at the nanomolar level. These remarkable inhibition results were compared with those of standard inhibitors (acetazolamide for hCA I and II and tacrine for AChE and BChE) of each enzyme, reported, and graphed. In addition, molecular docking studies were carried out by in silico methods and the structure–activity relationship was discussed. The poses of compound 4 c are presented along with the ligand–receptor interaction against all metabolic enzymes.
Targeted Development of Pyrazoline Derivatives for Neurological Disorders: A Review
Authors: Chauhan Anurag , Salahuddin Salahuddin , Mazumder Avijit , Kumar Rajnish , Jawed Ahsan Mohamed , Shahar Yar Mohammad , Maqsood Ramish , Singh Kumar
Published: April 2024

Pyrazolines are preferred to be stable heterocycles in medication development. It has been established from previous research that the 2‐pyrazolone scaffold is a common pattern that can be found in many pharmacologically significant therapeutic compounds. They are said to have a wide range of biological actions and have been thoroughly investigated by the scientific community. 2‐pyrazoline has been used as an intriguing pharmacophore to create novel compounds with enhanced potency, less toxicity, and the necessary pharmacokinetic profile to treat unprecedented diseases and global drug resistance. Experiments done by docking confirmed the hypothesized neuropharmacological mode of action and demonstrated a strong affinity towards the monoamine oxidase, β‐amyloid plaques, and AChE. Furthermore, additional computational pharmacokinetic assessments signify that it may not have any significant risk of carcinogenic effects, neurotoxic effects, reproductive intoxication, acute toxicity, mutagenicity, or irritations suggesting their possible utility in depressive, convulsions, and anxiety disorders. This discussion outlines a reliable approach for medicinal chemists to develop pyrazolines for the establishment of neurodegenerative research as well as future research programs on neurodegenerative disorders.
3D‐Continuous Nanoporous Covalent Framework Membrane Nanoreactors with Quantitatively Loaded Ultrafine Pd Nanocatalysts
Authors: Jeong Dawoon , Oh Wangsuk , Park Ji‐Woong
Published: April 2024

The confinement effect of catalytic nanoreactors containing metal catalysts within nanometer‐sized volumes has attracted significant attention for their potential to enhance reaction rate and selectivity. Nevertheless, unregulated catalyst loading, aggregation, leaching, and limited reusability remain obstacles to achieving an efficient nanoreactor. A robust and durable catalytic membrane nanoreactor prepared by incorporating palladium nanocatalysts within a 3D‐continuous nanoporous covalent framework membrane is presented. The reduction of palladium precursor occurs on the pore surface within 3D nanochannels, producing ultrafine palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs) with their number density adjustable by varying metal precursor concentrations. The precise catalyst loading enables controlling the catalytic activity of the reactor while preventing excess metal usage. The facile preparation of Pd NP‐loaded free‐standing membrane materials allows hydrodechlorination in both batch and continuous flow modes. In batch mode, the catalytic activity is proportional to the loaded Pd amount and membrane area, while the membrane retains its activity upon repeated use. In continuous mode, the conversion remains above 95% for over 100 h, with the reactant solution passing through a single 50 µm‐thick Pd‐loaded membrane. The efficient nanoporous film‐type catalytic nanoreactor may find applications in catalytic reactions for small chemical devices as well as in conventional chemistry and processes.
Uncovering the Recent Progress of CNC‐Derived Chirality Nanomaterials: Structure and Functions
Authors: Jia Shengzhe , Yang Bingbing , Du Jing , Xie Yujiang , Yu Liuyang , Zhang Yuan , Tao Tiantian , Tang Weiwei , Gong Junbo
Published: April 2024

Cellulose nanocrystal (CNC), as a renewable resource, with excellent mechanical performance, low thermal expansion coefficient, and unique optical performance, is becoming a novel candidate for the development of smart material. Herein, the recent progress of CNC‐based chirality nanomaterials is uncovered, mainly covering structure regulations and function design. Undergoing a simple evaporation process, the cellulose nanorods can spontaneously assemble into chiral nematic films, accompanied by a vivid structural color. Various film structure‐controlling strategies, including assembly means, physical modulation, additive engineering, surface modification, geometric structure regulation, and external field optimization, are summarized in this work. The intrinsic correlation between structure and performance is emphasized. Next, the applications of CNC‐based nanomaterials is systematically reviewed. Layer‐by‐layer stacking structure and unique optical activity endow the nanomaterials with wide applications in the mineralization, bone regeneration, and synthesis of mesoporous materials. Besides, the vivid structural color broadens the functions in anti‐counterfeiting engineering, synthesis of the shape‐memory and self‐healing materials. Finally, the challenges for the CNC‐based nanomaterials are proposed.
Retrospective study of 540 cats with respiratory diseases in Japan (2003–2020)
Authors: Fujiwara‐Igarashi Aki , Ohshima Takafumi , Kojima Ryusei , Fujita Michio , Nakazawa Yuta
Published: April 2024

Background

Few epidemiological studies on respiratory medicine and the relationship between clinical signs and various respiratory diseases in cats have been reported.

Objectives

This retrospective study aimed to investigate the prevalence and breed predisposition to feline respiratory diseases in Japan and determine the association between clinical signs, duration and type of respiratory diseases.

Methods

The medical records of cats with feline respiratory diseases were examined to obtain information on age, sex, breed, final diagnosis, clinical signs and duration. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to evaluate breed predispositions. Mann–Whitney U, Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn's tests were used to assess the duration of clinical signs.

Results

This study included 540 cats with 615 respiratory diagnoses. The American Shorthair breed was predisposed to bronchopneumonia (BP; OR: 5.0) and pulmonary tumour (PT; OR: 3.6), while the Russian Blue breed exhibited a predisposition to inflammatory lower airway diseases (OR: 3.4), BP (OR: 6.1) and interstitial lung diseases (OR: 11.1). Similarly, the Scottish Fold breed displayed predisposition to PTs (OR: 5.8). The duration of clinical signs among nasal diseases, nasopharyngeal diseases and lower tracheal/bronchial and pulmonary diseases differed significantly (p = 0.001, p = 0.012, p < 0.0001, respectively).

Conclusions

The results suggest that some popular breeds in Japan are predisposed to feline respiratory diseases, especially the American Shorthair, Russian Blue and Scottish Fold breeds. The characteristics of occurrence, clinical signs and duration of each disease will aid in diagnosing, treating, preventing and elucidating the pathophysiology of feline respiratory disease.
Wind‐assisted microgrid grid code compliance employing a hybrid Particle swarm optimization‐Artificial hummingbird algorithm optimizer‐tuned STATCOM
Authors: Imtiaz Saqif , Yang Lijun , Azib Khan Hafiz Muhammad , Mudassir Munir Hafiz , Alharbi Mohammed , Jamil Mohsin
Published: April 2024

The importance of resolving stability concerns in weak AC grid‐connected doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) wind energy systems during low‐voltage ride‐through (LVRT) events cannot be ignored, given the increasing popularity of wind power‐based microgrids. Furthermore, the emergence of generation loss and postfault oscillation within a microgrid (MG) due to grid faults has also become a significant concern. The static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) under consideration in this study is tuned using particle swarm optimization (PSO), the artificial hummingbird algorithm (AHA), and a hybrid approach incorporating both PSO and AHA. Faults of both a symmetrical and an asymmetrical nature have occurred on the power grid side. The proposed hybrid PSO‐AHA‐tuned STATCOM strategy aims to improve LVRT, minimize power generation loss during faults, and reduce oscillations after a fault by controlling the flow of reactive power between point of common coupling (PCC) and MG. The MATLAB simulation environment was used to simulate the 16 MW MG test system. The performance of the PSO‐AHA‐tuned STATCOM was assessed by comparing results with those from conventional STATCOM, PSO, and AHA optimizer‐tuned STATCOM in four fault situations. A comparison of the results shows that the proposed strategy performed better than other approaches mentioned in this paper and achieved the desired objectives.
Comparing daily, circalunar and seasonal activity patterns of cheetah Acinonyx jubatus in response to livestock presence in Botswana
Authors: Kral Michelle J. C. , Rios Tubio Pablo , Broekhuis Femke , Heitkönig Ignas M. A. , Mbisana Christopher , Motlhabane Lucas , Klein Rebecca , van Langevelde Frank
Published: April 2024

Animal activity patterns vary on a daily, circalunar and seasonal scale in response to abiotic (e.g. light availability and temperature) and biotic factors (e.g. predation and competition). In the presence of humans and their livestock, carnivores, for example, have been found to become more nocturnal. The aim of this paper is to compare daily, circalunar and seasonal activity patterns of cheetah Acinonyx jubatus in the western Kalahari of Botswana between areas where there is no livestock present (i.e. game farms with a relatively low risk of cheetah mortality) and areas where livestock is present (i.e. cattle farms with a higher risk of cheetah mortality). Using two years of camera trap data, we recorded 88% of cheetah observations on game farms and 12% on cattle farms. Our results showed that cheetahs were more nocturnal in the absence of cattle and more crepuscular on cattle farms compared to game farms. Overall, cheetah activity on cattle farms showed a peak in activity after inferred cattle activity and before human activity during the day, specifically during the dry season. We recommend management strategies on a local scale such as temporal zoning of grazing activities during the different seasons or keeping cattle in an enclosure at night. This study sheds new light on our understanding of the impact of land use on free‐ranging carnivores in the face of livestock expansion on the African continent.
Urban Agriculture and the Right to the City: A Practitioner’s Roadmap
Authors: Eriksen Arild , Ruggeri Deni , Titland Esben Slaatrem
Published: April 2024

This essay approaches urban agriculture from the perspective of an architect and urban farmer/beekeeper practicing bottom-up, participatory design in Oslo. It discusses the motivations for the co-creation of livable, experientially rich, place-making, and inclusive urban agriculture in public space to complement to compact city development. It touches on a few critical dimensions of urban agriculture in public space, which relate to the private and corporate claim on these landscapes, and their potentiality as multifunctional and abundant contributors to sociocultural and ecological diversity, food security, health, and democratic discourse. It also critiques its current aesthetics of impermanence and temporality and questions the notion that the joy and a sense of freedom urban agriculture brings to a community should be built upon and enriched by future development and policy. Rather than a replicable model of urban gardening, what emerges from this essay is a rich collection of stories of regeneration and change and of collective action and cultivation.
Raising the Ambition of Urban Agriculture in Public Space: Nurturing Urban Agroecology and More-than-Human Health
Authors: Tornaghi Chiara
Published: April 2024

Building on 15 years of research in the field of urban agriculture, this chapter discusses key issues that refrain urban agriculture from achieving its full potential, in terms of human and non-human health, and offers a few pointers for informing policy and practice. First, the author offers a brief overview of how the key challenges of western urbanisation (climate change, people’s health and the destruction of nature) intersect with urban agriculture and what promises lay ahead for this rediscovered practice. The second part highlights a number of shortcomings in urban planning policy, including (i) the failure to consider urban agriculture as a food-producing practice, (ii) the invisibility of soil and lack of understanding of the role of living soils and (iii) the failure to consider the role that soil-cares and food-producing specialists (farmers!) can play in advising on healthy public land design and soil management. Part three discusses how agroecological considerations can deepen and expand the ambition of urban agriculture in public space and bring about more-than-human health. The conclusions offer a summary of the challenges, critical issues, and learning points discussed in the previous three sections and highlight their connection to the concept of ‘agroecological urbanism’.
Ethics Review Challenges
Authors: Carracedo Sarah , Palmero Ana , Saenz Carla
Published: April 2024

In the context of a public health emergency it is imperative to conduct research studies that will produce evidence rapidly while upholding ethical standards. The Ebola and Zika outbreaks highlighted the importance of devising agile processes for ethics review in emergencies, and international research ethics guidelines stress the duty to depart from standard processes for ethics review in emergency circumstances. However, before the COVID-19 pandemic it was not entirely clear what emergency procedures should look like. An additional challenge is that while the same substantive ethical standards apply in emergency and non-emergency settings, deciding what these standards entail in the specific circumstances of a pandemic may be difficult. During the COVID-19 pandemic, challenges included identifying thresholds of social and scientific value, along with duties towards research participants, given the absence of therapeutic options; assessing continually changing risk–benefit profiles of studies, given rapidly emerging new evidence; developing appropriate informed consent processes, given lockdown scenarios; and even addressing the ethics of offering unproven interventions outside research settings. Additional issues raised during epidemics include devising feasible and meaningful community engagement strategies, mechanisms to ensure fairness in the distribution of the benefits that may result from research, and equitable and effective data-sharing plans that will inform pandemic response. Learning from these procedural and substantive challenges encountered in the ethics review of COVID-19 research is important for enhancing ethics preparedness for future emergencies. It can also potentially contribute to improving the ethics review of research in non-emergency circumstances. The seven cases in this chapter highlight ethical issues associated with ethics approval of multi-centre studies in pandemics, the need for careful consideration of the social and scientific value of research and challenges encountered when interventions are being transitioned from research to rollout, and issues that can arise when existing regulations and policies may limit capacities to appropriately adapt research to pandemic contexts.
Participant Recruitment, Consent and Post-trial Access to Interventions
Authors: Mormina Maru , Suwalowska Halina , Schneiders Mira L.
Published: April 2024

Humanitarian emergencies, including public health crises such as epidemics, can overwhelm local resources and severely disrupt the functioning of communities and societies. Conducting research during or in the immediate aftermath of an emergency poses increased practical and ethical challenges, not least because the need to rapidly generate valuable knowledge must be constantly balanced with the principles of humanitarian assistance. This chapter provides an overview of key ethical considerations relevant to recruitment, consent and post-trial access to interventions in pandemic contexts, and proposes an “ethics in practice” approach. Research conducted during emergencies is unavoidably context – and time – sensitive, making generalized guidance difficult. The aim of this chapter is thus not to prescribe a checklist for decision-making, but to assist researchers and practitioners to reflect on and discern what constitutes ethical practice during exceptional times. In particular, public health emergencies highlight tensions that can arise between balancing the rights and interests of research participants with the health needs of the population. Careful consideration is also needed of the necessity of minimising risks and maximising benefits, including ensuring that recruitment processes are sensitive to potentially altered risk perceptions and impacts of increased vulnerability on power imbalances. The importance of establishing and maintaining trust is reviewed, particularly when asymmetries in knowledge and access to resources are heightened in complex and challenging pandemic contexts. The five case studies presented in this chapter invite readers to reflect on ethical challenges that research during public health emergencies presents, particularly in connection with processes for communicating with and recruiting participants which have been adapted in pandemic contexts; potential risks to research participants and study staff; and with the rights participants in control groups may have to access experimental products.
Hospital admissions following emergency medical services in Germany: analysis of 2 million hospital cases in 2022
Authors: Roessler Martin , Schulte Claudia , Bobeth Christoph , Wende Danny , Karagiannidis Christian
Published: April 2024

Background

The use of emergency medical services (EMS) in Germany has increased substantially over the last few decades. While current reform efforts aim to increase effectiveness and efficiency of the German hospital and EMS systems, there is lack of data on characteristics of hospital cases using EMS.

Objectives

To analyze and compare the characteristics of cases hospitalized with and without the use of EMS.

Materials and methods

The BARMER health insurance data on more than 2 million hospital cases admitted in 2022 were analyzed. The distributions of age, clinical complexity (measured by patient clinical complexity levels, PCCL), main diagnoses, costs for EMS and hospital treatment, and multiple severity indicators were described. The overall severity of hospital cases was classified as “low or moderate” or “high” based on a combined severity indicator. All analyses were stratified by use of EMS and EMS type.

Results

A total of 28% of all included hospital cases used EMS. Relative to hospital cases without use of EMS, hospital cases with use of EMS were older (physician-staffed ambulance: 75 years, interquartile range [IQR] 59–84, double-crewed ambulance: 78 years, IQR 64–85) and had a higher clinical complexity. The severity of more than 30% of the cases using EMS (except for patient transport service ambulance) was classified as “low or moderate”. The distributions of main diagnoses differed by severity and use of EMS.

Conclusions

The high proportion of cases with low or moderate severity using EMS may indicate a substantial potential to avoid the use of EMS in the context of hospital admissions in Germany. Further investigation is required to explore whether the proportion of cases using EMS could be reduced by optimizing preclinical service.
Blind measurements did not confirm effects of forest fragmentation on fluctuating asymmetry of a tropical butterfly Morpho helenor
Authors: Kozlov Mikhail V.
Published: April 2024

Re-evaluation of photographs of the tropical butterfly Morpho helenor from a previous study (Pignataro et al. 2023) revealed that its conclusion regarding increased wing fluctuating asymmetry in forest edge habitats compared to forest interior habitats could not be replicated. This discrepancy likely arises from (i) original measurements not being conducted blindly, (ii) insufficient photograph quality hindering accurate landmark selection, and (iii) a lack of detailed description of the measurement protocol. The likelihood of false positive discoveries within the published data concerning the impacts of environmental stress on the fluctuating asymmetry of plants and animals is probably higher than previously assumed.
Imagining and governing artificial intelligence: the ordoliberal way—an analysis of the national strategy ‘AI made in Germany’
Authors: Hälterlein Jens
Published: April 2024

National Artificial Intelligence (AI) strategies articulate imaginaries of the integration of AI into society and envision the governing of AI research, development and applications accordingly. To integrate these central aspects of national AI strategies under one coherent perspective, this paper presented an analysis of Germany’s strategy ‘AI made in Germany’ through the conceptual lens of ordoliberal political rationality. The first part of the paper analyses how the guiding vision of a human-centric AI not only adheres to ethical and legal principles consistent with Germany’s liberal democratic constitutional system but also addresses the risks and promises inherent to the ordoliberal problematization of freedom. Second, it is scrutinized how the strategy cultivates the fear of not achieving technological sovereignty in the AI sector. Thereby, it frames the global AI race as a race of competing (national) approaches to governing AI and articulates an ordoliberal approach to governing AI (the ‘third way’), according to which government has to operate between the twin dangers of governing too much and not governing enough. Third, the paper analyses how this ordoliberal proportionality of governing structures Germany’s Science Technology & Innovation Policy. It is shown that the corresponding risk-based approach of regulating AI constitutes a security apparatus as it produces an assessment of fears: weighting the fear of the failure to innovate with the fear of the ramifications of innovation. Finally, two lines of critical engagement based on this analysis are conducted.
Chatter detection in simulated machining data: a simple refined approach to vibration data
Authors: Alberts Matthew , St. John Sam , Jared Bradley , Karandikar Jaydeep , Khojandi Anahita , Schmitz Tony , Coble Jamie
Published: April 2024

Vibration monitoring is a critical aspect of assessing the health and performance of machinery and industrial processes. This study explores the application of machine learning techniques, specifically the Random Forest (RF) classification model, to predict and classify chatter—a detrimental self-excited vibration phenomenon—during machining operations. While sophisticated methods have been employed to address chatter, this research investigates the efficacy of a novel approach to an RF model. The study leverages simulated vibration data, bypassing resource-intensive real-world data collection, to develop a versatile chatter detection model applicable across diverse machining configurations. The feature extraction process combines time-series features and Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) data features, streamlining the model while addressing challenges posed by feature selection. By focusing on the RF model’s simplicity and efficiency, this research advances chatter detection techniques, offering a practical tool with improved generalizability, computational efficiency, and ease of interpretation. The study demonstrates that innovation can reside in simplicity, opening avenues for wider applicability and accelerated progress in the machining industry.
Advancing human–robot collaboration in handcrafted manufacturing: cobot-assisted polishing design boosted by virtual reality and human-in-the-loop
Authors: Ciccarelli Marianna , Forlini Matteo , Papetti Alessandra , Palmieri Giacomo , Germani Michele
Published: April 2024

Industry 5.0 envisions a future where seamless collaboration between humans and robots enhances efficiency, innovation, and coevolution. While collaborative robots have found widespread applications in manufacturing, particularly in tasks like pick-and-place and assembly, their integration into handcrafted manufacturing processes presents unique challenges. This article focuses on advancing technology in the less-explored field of cobot-assisted handcrafted manufacturing, specifically in the fashion industry, with a priority on reducing work-related risks. In handcrafted processes, which often involve intricate and artistic work, cobots face challenges related to nuanced decision-making, adaptability to customizations, and the need for precise manual dexterity. The study delves into the cobot-assisted polishing of leather shoes, addressing issues associated with product delicacy, process and knowledge formalization, versatility, and integration into existing manufacturing processes. To overcome these challenges, the research proposes the application of cobots in the initial polishing phase, which is the most physically demanding, allowing artisans to focus on finalization, quality control, and process supervision. The study also applies the concept of human-in-the-loop (HITL) and virtual reality simulation to optimize collaboration, ensuring safety, ergonomics, and efficiency. The article contributes to the scientific and industrial communities by pioneering the study of collaborative robotics in craftsmanship, successfully implementing human–robot collaboration (HRC) in an industrial setting, demonstrating the effectiveness of virtual simulation and HITL, and prioritizing human factors throughout the design and development of HRC. The insights gained from this research are crucial for achieving practical solutions in industrial environments while aligning with the performance objectives of companies and workers’ well-being.
Long-term recurrence of Dupuytren’s disease treated with clostridium histolitycum collagenase. Surgical treatment and anatomopathological study
Authors: Simón-Pérez C. , Rodríguez-Mateos J. I. , Maestro I. Aguado , Alvarez-Quiñones M. , Simon-Perez E. , Martín-Ferrero M. A.
Published: April 2024

Objective

To present the functional results obtained and the possible surgical difficulties after the surgical treatment of Dupuytren’s disease (DD) recurrence in patients previously treated with Clostridium histolyticum (CCH) collagenase.

Materials and methods

In this prospective study, 178 patients with DD were treated with CCH from 2011 to 2018; During long-term postoperative follow-up, 34 patients (19.1%) had recurrence of DD. In all patients injected in the IFP the disease recurred; In patients injected in the MCP, recurrence was highest in grade III and IV of the Tubiana classification, with involvement of the 5th finger and the two-finger Y-chord. Fourteen patients (7,8%) required surgery by partial selective fasciectomy due to recurrence of cord DD infiltration. The clinical and functional results of the patients, the difficulty of the surgical technique and the anatomopathological analysis of the infiltrated cords were evaluated in comparison with those of cords and patients who had had no previous CCH treatment.

Results

In all patients, cord rupture was achieved after injection, reducing joint contracture. In 14 patients, we observed during the follow-up the existence of DD recurrence that required surgical treatment by selective partial fasciectomy. There were no major difficulties in surgery and good clinical and functional results at 6 months of follow-up. The anatomopathological study of the resected tissue did not present histological alterations with respect to the samples obtained from patients initially treated by selective partial fasciectomy.

Conclusions

Selective fasciectomy after CCH injection does not lead to important operative difficulties, as long as the CCH injection is performed according to the recommendations. There were no histological changes in the tissue after CCH injection.

Level of evidence

III.
From morbidity reduction to cost-effectiveness: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) society recommendations in minimal invasive liver surgery
Authors: Moosburner Simon , Dahlke Paul M. , Neudecker Jens , Hillebrandt Karl H. , Koch Pia F. , Knitter Sebastian , Ludwig Kristina , Kamali Can , Gül-Klein Safak , Raschzok Nathanael , Schöning Wenzel , Sauer Igor M. , Pratschke Johann , Krenzien Felix
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Minimal-invasive liver surgery (MILS) reduces surgical trauma and is associated with fewer postoperative complications. To amplify these benefits, perioperative multimodal concepts like Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS), can play a crucial role. We aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness for MILS in an ERAS program, considering the necessary additional workforce and associated expenses.

Methods

A prospective observational study comparing surgical approach in patients within an ERAS program compared to standard care from 2018—2022 at the Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin. Cost data were provided by the medical controlling office. ERAS items were applied according to the ERAS society recommendations.

Results

537 patients underwent liver surgery (46% laparoscopic, 26% robotic assisted, 28% open surgery) and 487 were managed by the ERAS protocol. Implementation of ERAS reduced overall postoperative complications in the MILS group (18% vs. 32%, p = 0.048). Complications greater than Clavien-Dindo grade II incurred the highest costs (€ 31,093) compared to minor (€ 17,510) and no complications (€13,893; p < 0.001). In the event of major complications, profit margins were reduced by a median of € 6,640.

Conclusions

Embracing the ERAS society recommendations in liver surgery leads to a significant reduction of complications. This outcome justifies the higher cost associated with a well-structured ERAS protocol, as it effectively offsets the expenses of complications.
Music in the eye of the beholder: a pupillometric study on preferred background music, attentional state, and arousal
Authors: Kiss Luca , Szikora Bence , Linnell Karina J
Published: April 2024

Although background music listening during attention-demanding tasks is common, there is little research on how it affects fluctuations in attentional state and how these fluctuations are linked to physiological arousal. The present study built on Kiss and Linnell (2021) - showing a decrease in mind-wandering and increase in task-focus states with background music - to explore the link between attentional state and arousal with and without background music. 39 students between the ages of 19–32 completed a variation of the Psychomotor Vigilance Task in silence and with their self-selected background music (music they would normally listen to during attention-demanding tasks). Objective arousal measures (pretrial pupil diameter and task-evoked pupillary responses) and subjective attentional state measures (mind-wandering, task-focus, and external-distraction states) were collected throughout the task. Results showed a link between attentional state and arousal and indicated that background music increased arousal. Importantly, arousal mediated the effect of music to decrease mind-wandering and increase task-focus attentional states, suggesting that the arousal increase induced by music was behind the changes in attentional states. These findings show, for the first time in the context of background music listening, that there is a link between arousal and attentional state.
External quality assessments for SARS-CoV-2 genome detection in Austria
Authors: Buchta Christoph , Aberle Stephan W. , Görzer Irene , Griesmacher Andrea , Müller Mathias M. , Neuwirth Erich , Puchhammer-Stöckl Elisabeth , Weseslindtner Lukas , Camp Jeremy V.
Published: April 2024

Background

External quality assessment (EQA) schemes provide objective feedback to participating laboratories about the performance of their analytical systems and information about overall regional analytical performance. The EQAs are particularly important during pandemics as they also assess the reliability of individual test results and show opportunities to improve test strategies. With the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, the testing frequency significantly decreased in Austria. Here, we analyzed whether this decrease had an effect on participation and/or performance in SARS-CoV‑2 virus detection EQAs, as compared to the pandemic era.

Material and methods

Identical samples were sent to all participating laboratories, and the EQA provider evaluated the agreement of the reported results with defined targets. The EQA was operated under two schemes with identical samples and therefore we analyzed it as a single EQA round. The performance of testing was reported as true positive ratios, comparing the post-pandemic data to previous rounds. Furthermore, subgroups of participants were analyzed stratified by laboratory type (medical or nonmedical) and the test system format (fully automated or requiring manual steps).

Results

While the frequency of false negative results per sample did not change during the 3 years of the pandemic (5.7%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.1–8.4%), an average per sample false negative ratio of 4.3% was observed in the first post-pandemic EQA (0%, 1.8%, and 11% for the 3 positive samples included in the test panel, n = 109 test results per sample). In this first post-pandemic EQA medical laboratories (average 0.4% false negative across 3 samples, n = 90) and automated test systems (average 1.2% false negative, n = 261) had lower false negative ratios than nonmedical laboratories (22.8%, n = 19) and manual test systems (16.7%, n = 22). These lower average ratios were due to a low concentration sample, where nonmedical laboratories reported 36.8% and manual test systems 54.5% true positive results.

Conclusion

Overall ratios of true positive results were below the mean of all results during the pandemic but were similar to the first round of the pandemic. A lower post-pandemic true positive ratio was associated with specific laboratory types and assay formats, particularly for samples with low concentration. The EQAs will continue to monitor the laboratory performance to ensure the same quality of epidemiological data after the pandemic, even if vigilance has decreased.
Postoperative complications after surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis, assessment using two different data sources
Authors: Alhaug Ole Kristian , Dolatowski Filip C. , Kaur Simran , Lønne Greger
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a prevalent disorder, and surgery for LSS is a common procedure. Postoperative complications occur after any surgery and impose costs for society and costs and additional morbidity for patients. Since complications are relatively rare, medical registries of large populations may provide valuable knowledge. However, recording of complications in registries can be incomplete.

To better estimate the true prevalence of complications after LSS surgery, we reviewed two different sources of data and recorded complications for a sample of Norwegian LSS patients.

Methods

474 patients treated surgically for LSS during 2015 and 2016 at four hospitals reported to a national spine registry (NORspine).

Postoperative complications were recorded by patients in NORspine, and we cross-referenced complications documented in NORspine with the patients´ electronic patient records (EPR) to re-test the complication rates. We performed descriptive statistics of complication rates using the two different data sources above, and analyzed the association between postoperative complications and clinical outcome with logistic regression.

Results

The mean (95%CI) patient age was 66.3 (65.3–67.2) years, and 254 (53.6%) were females. All patients were treated with decompression, and 51 (10.7%) received an additional fusion during the index surgery. Combining the two data sources, we found a total rate for postoperative complications of 22.4%, the NORspine registry reported a complication rate of 15.6%, and the EPR review resulted in a complication rate of 16.0%. However, the types of complications were inconsistent across the two data sources. According to NORspine, the frequency of reoperation within 90 days was 0.9% and according to EPR 3.4%. The rates of wound infection were for NORspine 3.1% and EPR review 2.1%.

There was no association between postoperative complication and patient reported outcome.

Conclusion

Postoperative complications occurred in 22% of LSS patients. The frequency of different postoperative complications differed between the two data sources.
ARPMEC: an adaptive mobile edge computing-based routing protocol for IoT networks
Authors: Foko Sindjoung Miguel Landry , Velempini Mthulisi , Kengne Tchendji Vianney
Published: April 2024

The Internet of Things (IoT) networks comes with many challenges, especially in network architecture designs. IoT is populated by several kinds of devices with different characteristics that are autonomously managed. These devices do not have enough resources and they require to process data in real-time. Hence, there is a need to design suitable architectures for IoT networks that are as efficient as possible. Previously, Cloud Computing (CC) seemed to provide a good solution of processing data from IoT networks. Recently, Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) seems to be offering a better solution than CC by ensuring a better Quality of Services (QoS) provisioning. As a result, many MEC solutions have emerged for QoS improvement in IoT networks. These solutions mainly focus on device resource management without considering data routing from an end-user device to another, especially when the latter are mobile and need to communicate with each other. In this paper, we propose to design an adaptive routing protocol for a MEC-based network to manage efficiently, the end-user devices’ energy consumption during data routing. The proposed adaptive Mobile Edge Computing-based protocol consists of two main phases: firstly, we subdivide the network’s objects into clusters by exploiting a link quality prediction algorithm. Secondly, we route the data to their destination adaptively by considering the object’s movement during the routing process. As presented in the simulation results, our protocol outperforms other existing routing protocols for IoT networks in terms of energy consumption. We then propose the use of our solution for data routing in IoT networks that require huge data processing and forwarding.