bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dependency and neocolonialism in international research collaboration: evidence from a Ghanaian elite university
Authors: Nkansah Jacob Oppong , Oldac Yusuf Ikbal , Yang Lili 
Published: December 2024

AbstractScientific collaboration between the Global North and South has expanded significantly over the last three decades. However, this expansion has yet to bring about equal international research collaborations (IRC) for all collaborating sides. Through a case study of a Ghanaian elite university, this study examines how these inequalities manifest in the IRC of Ghanaian higher education researchers, building on the theoretical lenses of neocolonialism and academic dependency. It collected data from the university’s researchers and administrators and national policymakers through in-depth interviews. Ghanaian higher education system is uniquely located in West Africa as one of the few English-speaking colonised countries. Its growing involvement in global research makes it an interesting case to explore the manifestations of neocolonialism and dependency in IRC. The findings suggest how colonial structures continue to play out in the IRC dynamics. Findings also reveal how academic dependency resulting from external and internal factors impacts IRC in the context of Ghana and how such dependency has reflected and moved beyond colonial legacies. We propose that collaborative and targeted policies should aim for a gradual road towards breaking the dependency, where the Global North is positioned to have the upper hand. A more equally grounded research collaboration is important for Ghanaian and overall African higher education.
Effective Thermal Conductivity of Cyclohexane-Based Nanofluids Containing Cerium Dioxide Nanoparticles with Chemisorbed Organic Shell
Authors: Bioucas Francisco E. Berger , Wu Wenchang , Stiegler Lisa M. S. , Peukert Wolfgang , Walter Johannes , Adschiri Tadafumi , Yoko Akira , Koller Thomas M. , Fröba Andreas P. 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
In the present study, the effective thermal conductivity λ
eff of nanofluids containing metal oxide nanoparticles with a chemisorbed organic shell was investigated experimentally and theoretically. The model systems synthesized by a continuous-flow hydrothermal method consist of cyclohexane as organic base fluid and dispersed nearly spherical cerium dioxide (CeO2) core nanoparticles with a decanoic acid shell chemically attached to their surface. From the differences between the hydrodynamic diameters of the two core–shell nanoparticle types with (8.6 or 9.1) nm determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and the nearly spherical CeO2 core diameters obtained by analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), an estimation for the thickness of the entire hydrodynamic layer around the particle core in the range of about (1.1 to 1.3) nm could be deduced. Experimental data for λ
eff of the nanofluids and the thermal conductivity of the base fluid λ
bf were determined with a steady-state guarded parallel-plate instrument (GPPI) with an expanded (k = 2) relative uncertainty of 0.026 at atmospheric pressure over a temperature range from (283.15 to 313.15) K in steps of 10 K. The measurement results for the thermal-conductivity ratio λ
eff ·λ
bf
–1 are independent of temperature and increase with increasing volume fraction of the CeO2 core nanoparticles up to about 0.023. It was found that the experimental results can be described by the Hamilton–Crosser model within their experimental uncertainties for all temperatures investigated.
Anisotropic Diffusion in Riemannian Colour Geometry
Authors: Farup Ivar , Rivertz Hans Jakob 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Anisotropic diffusion has long been an important tool in image processing. More recently, it has also found its way to colour imaging. Until now, mainly Euclidean colour spaces have been considered in this context, but recent years have seen a renewed interest in and importance of non-Euclidean colour geometry. The main contribution of this paper is the derivation of the equations for anisotropic diffusion in Riemannian colour geometry. It is demonstrated that it contains several well-known solutions such as Perona–Malik diffusion and Tschumperlé–Deriche diffusion as special cases. Furthermore, it is shown how it is non-trivially connected to Sochen’s general framework for low-level vision. The main significance of the method is that it decouples the coordinates used for solving the diffusion equation from the ones that define the metric of the colour manifold, and thus directs the magnitude and direction of the diffusion through the diffusion tensor. It also enables the use of non-Euclidean colour manifolds and metrics for applications such as denoising, inpainting, and demosaicing, based on anisotropic diffusion.
The Limits of Responsibilization? Responsibility Boundary-Work Through Visions in the Case of Neuromorphic Computing
Authors: Neudert Philipp , Smolka Mareike , Böschen Stefan 
Published: December 2024

AbstractVisions and imaginaries have been longstanding research topics in Science and Technology Studies. Visions of sociotechnical change often ascribe responsibility for achieving the desired change to specific actors. However, there is little research on how visions create, change, and preserve responsibilities in the present. Drawing on Vision Assessment, we present a case-study on visions of neuromorphic computing in NeuroSys, a research and innovation cluster located in the Aachen region in Germany, which develops brain-inspired computing technology, also known as neuromorphic computing. Based on interviews, participant observation, and document analysis, we identify a core vision, which imagines the region as a prominent center of neuromorphic computing, and three satellite visions, focusing on, respectively, entrepreneurship, science, and society. We analyze all visions through the lens of “responsibility boundary-work” operating in the dimensions of time, space, and actor constellation. This concept captures the selective conferral and deferral of responsibilities through visions, highlighting how normative boundaries are drawn in local practices. We further shed light on the larger institutional conditions shaping responsibility boundary-work by attending to the “politics of visions.” Power struggles are enacted through the ways in which visions confer and defer responsibilities. Tensions between these practices reflect conflicts over desirable social orders and power distributions within them, revealing the socio-political nature of visions. We discuss the implications of these findings for governance approaches that pursue responsible research and technology development, and we conclude that responsibility boundary-work may limit the potential of governance to conceive of and work toward responsible futures.
Metabolic markers of tongue coating in healthy people with phlegm dampness constitution and damp-heat constitution
Authors: You Zhiyuan , Lu Junhong , Xu Yifeng , Wang Yiqin , Hao Yiming 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Objective
Using tongue coating metabolomics, this study will comprehensively analyze metabolic differences between individuals with Phlegm Dampness Constitution (PDC) and Dampness Heat Constitution (DHC).

Methods
The samples were categorized into three groups: the Phlegm Dampness Constitution group, the Dampness Heat Constitution group, and the Balanced Constitution (BC) group (each consisting of 50 cases). Metabolites present in the tongue coating of the three groups were identified using GC-TOF-MS and UHPLC-QE-MS. We scrutinized the characteristics of metabolites, identified differential metabolic pathways in the Phlegm Dampness and Dampness Heat groups, and constructed a recognition model for distinguishing between Phlegm Dampness and Dampness Heat.

Results
A total of 139 different metabolites (75 upregulated, 64 downregulated) were identified in the Phlegm Dampness Constitution group compared to the Balanced Constitution group. Similarly, 157 different metabolites (103 upregulated, 54 downregulated) were observed in the Dampness Heat Constitution group compared to the Balanced Constitution group. Notably, 100 metabolites were common in the differential metabolites obtained from the aforementioned two comparisons, comprising 14 types of substances (mainly lipids and lipid-like molecules) across 6 metabolic pathways. In the comparison between the Phlegm Dampness Constitution and Dampness Heat Constitution groups, 54 different metabolites (15 upregulated, 39 downregulated) were identified, mainly involving 10 types of compounds (primarily lipids and lipid-like molecules and organic heterocyclic compounds) across 10 metabolic pathways. The identification model for distinguishing Phlegm Dampness Constitution and Dampness Heat Constitution groups based on differential metabolites included phenol, N-nitrosopyrrolidine, and triethanolamine. The model exhibited high accuracy (98.4%), specificity (96.0%), and sensitivity (98.0%). Triethanolamine was significantly upregulated in the Phlegm Dampness Constitution group compared to the Dampness Heat Constitution group, while N-nitrosopyrrolidine and phenol were significantly downregulated in the Phlegm Dampness Constitution group.

Conclusion
Lipids, lipid-like molecules, and organic heterocyclic compounds with abnormal expression play a crucial role in the formation of the Phlegm Dampness Constitution and the Dampness Heat Constitution. These identified differential metabolites hold promise as non-invasive markers for identifying individuals with Phlegm Dampness and Dampness Heat constitutions.
Impact of insurance on outcomes of patients undergoing endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery for non-functional pituitary adenomas: a single institution study
Authors: Shah Khushi H. , Susic Nikola , Khalafallah Adham M. , Lu Victor M. , Ivan Michael E. , Komotar Ricardo J. , Sargi Zoukaa B. , Shah Ashish H. 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Uninsured and underinsured patients face notable healthcare disparities in neurosurgery, but limited literature exists on the impact of insurance on non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs). We investigated how insurance affects outcomes of endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary surgery (ETPS) for NFPAs.

Methods
We retrospectively reviewed NFPA patients who underwent ETPS at our institution from 2012 to 2023. Patients were grouped by insurance status, and insured patients were further subcategorized by insurance providers. Bivariate analyses used Fisher’s exact, chi-square, and t-tests. ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis tests were applied for ≥ 2 groups. Logistic regression identified relationships between binomial variables and insurance.

Results
Our cohort (n = 651, 56.93 ± 15.53 years, 52.53% male) included 611 insured and 40 uninsured patients. Uninsured patients had lower preoperative KPS, higher rates of visual disturbances (VD), preoperative tumor volumes (TV), chiasm compression, and Knosp 4 grade, along with lower resection and longer hospital stays (LOS) (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed lack of insurance was associated with increased VD (aOR 3.38), TV (aOR 2.63), Knosp 4 (aOR 3.44), subtotal resection (aOR 2.72), and prolonged LOS (aOR 7.03) (p < 0.05). When insured patients were grouped into Private (n = 361), Medicare (n = 223), and Medicaid (n = 23), Medicaid patients had larger preoperative TV, chiasm compression, Knosp 3 grade, and longer LOS (p < 0.05), with higher odds for Knosp 3 (aOR 3.00), subtotal resection (aOR 3.86), and prolonged LOS (aOR 8.38) (p < 0.05).

Conclusion
Our study highlights significant disparities in uninsured patients and those with Medicaid, underscoring the need for targeted interventions for these populations.
Field-free Line Magnetic Particle Imaging: Radon-based Artifact Reduction with Motion Models
Authors: Blanke Stephanie , Brandt Christina 
Published: December 2024

AbstractMagnetic particle imaging is a promising medical imaging technique. Applying changing magnetic fields to tracer material injected into the object under investigation results in a change in magnetization. Measurement of related induced voltage signals enables reconstruction of the particle distribution. For the field-free line scanner the scanning geometry is similar to the one in computerized tomography. We make use of these similarities to derive a forward model for dynamic particle concentrations. We validate our theoretical findings for synthetic data. By utilizing information about the object’s dynamics in terms of a diffeomorphic motion model, we are able to jointly reconstruct the particle concentration and the corresponding dynamic Radon data without or reduced motion artifacts. Thereby, we apply total variation regularization for the concentration and an optional sparsity constraint on the Radon data.
Modeling Biological Nutrients Removal for Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Management: A Case Study of Ain El Houtz WWTP (Algeria)
Authors: Aliyu Abdurrahman , Mohamed Tiar Sidi , ElSayed Nadia Badr , Abdelbaki Chérifa , Bessedik Madani , Kumar Navneet 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
This study aimed to develop a comprehensive Ain El Houtz Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) model that represents its biological nutrient removal process to simulate its performance and assess the model's predictability. Operational data was collected and analyzed over three years (2020 to 2023), to characterize the water quality of influent and effluent discharged from the plant. Physicochemical parameters such as Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5), Ammonium-Nitrogen (NH4), Nitrite-Nitrogen (N-NO2
−), Nitrate-Nitrogen (N-NO3
−), and Phosphate ions (PO4-3) were considered. Using the GPS-X software modeling platform, a process flow diagram was developed to integrate the ASM2d model for biological nutrient removal. Through the sensitivity analysis of kinetic and stoichiometric parameters, the research identified the key parameters that impacted the nutrient removal efficiency, which in turn further guided the calibration process. The calibration adjustments focused primarily on parameters associated with denitrification, autotrophic growth, and oxygen saturation coefficients. Statistical measures such as Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) were used to evaluate the model’s performance in both steady-state and dynamic-state validation scenarios. Results indicated that for the steady state the MAE and RMSE were the same, NH4 (6.06) N-NO2
−& N-NO3
− (1.36), and PO4-3 (3.167), while for dynamic-state we noticed a difference between the MAE and RMSE for the concentration, indicating the complexity of modeling nutrient removal processes. It was observed that PO4
−3 concentration was not affected by the sensitivity analysis, possibly due to the lack of availability of specific process for the phosphorus removal in the treatment plant, further studies are needed to be carried out to address this issue in detail.
Evaluating the Evidence for Neuroprotective and Axonal Regenerative Activities of Different Inflammatory Cell Types After Optic Nerve Injury
Authors: Venanzi Alexander W. , McGee Laura D. , Hackam Abigail S. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThe optic nerve contains retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons and functions to transmit visual stimuli to the brain. Injury to the optic nerve from ischemia, trauma, or disease leads to retrograde axonal degeneration and subsequent RGC dysfunction and death, causing irreversible vision loss. Inflammatory responses to neurological damage and axonal injuries in the central nervous system (CNS) are typically harmful to neurons and prevent recovery. However, recent evidence indicates that certain inflammatory cell types and signaling pathways are protective after optic nerve injury and promote RGC survival and axonal regeneration. The objective of this review is to examine the evidence for diverse effects of inflammatory cell types on the retina and optic nerve after injury. Additionally, we highlight promising avenues for further research.
Non-compliance with COVID-19 Health Recommendations: Five- and Ten-Month Effects on Mental Health and Academic Self-efficacy Among University Students in Sweden
Authors: Andersson Claes , Berman Anne H. , Lindfors Petra , Bendtsen Marcus 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Background
Addressing the effects of non-compliance with health-related recommendations in pandemics is needed for informed decision-making. This longitudinal study investigated the effects of non-compliance on mental health and academic self-efficacy among university students in Sweden.

Methods
Baseline assessments were conducted in May 2020, with follow-ups after 5 and 10 months. Students (n = 3123) from 19 universities completed online questionnaires covering compliance, mental health, and academic self-efficacy. Effects of non-compliance were estimated using causal inference and multilevel multinomial regression.

Results
Non-compliant students constituted a minority, but their proportion increased over time. Regarding mental health and academic self-efficacy, few differences were observed between compliant and non-compliant students. When differences were identified, non-compliant students experienced fewer negative effects on mental health and academic self-efficacy than compliant students.

Conclusion
The findings may suggest that non-compliance may have involved a trade-off between increased individual freedom and mitigating negative outcomes. Addressing the research gap on non-compliance effects is crucial for informed decision-making and promoting the common good. This may guide strategies balancing individual autonomy and collective well-being during future pandemics.

Pre-registration
Center for Open Science (OSF), https://accounts.osf.io/login?service=https://osf.io/37dhm/.
Linear system identification of the UC San Diego Geisel Library building under ambient vibration
Authors: Sun Lin , Conte Joel P. , Todd Michael D. , Astroza Rodrigo , Bock Yehuda , Offield Glen , Vernon Frank 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThis paper focuses on system identification (SID) of the UC San Diego Geisel Library building using ambient vibration (AV) data, assuming that the building’s behavior can be fully described by linear models in terms of material, geometry, damping, etc. Three state-space-based, output-only time domain SID methods are applied and fully automated to identify the library’s modal properties using AV data from both a 15-day and a 486-day monitoring period. The modes identified from the AV data are higher-order coupled torsional-flexural modes. The identified modal properties are influenced by the atmospheric conditions, and the amplitude of the building’s ambient vibration. The time-varying identified modal properties show a cyclical 1-day pattern due to human activity, earth tremors, and short-term changes in atmospheric conditions such as wind speed and temperature. One of the output-only SID methods was used to estimate modal properties from ambient vibration data recorded continuously over a 486-day period, including three low-intensity earthquakes. No permanent changes in the identified modal properties were observed due to the three low-intensity earthquakes that occurred during that period. Renovations of the Geisel Library involving only non-structural components (e.g., non-load-bearing partition walls, changes in space allocations, and inertial/live loads) caused some discontinuities in the identification of the modes of interest in this study. The influence of the data window length on system identification results, in terms of identification success rate and estimation uncertainty, was investigated. The identified state-space models are also used to assess the relative contribution of the ambient base excitation to the building’s total ambient vibrational response. This research offered a unique opportunity to study linear SID of a large and complex real-world structure under ambient excitations, and the effects of changing environmental conditions on the identified modal properties. It provided insight into some of the causes of the observed temporal variation in the identified modal properties. The SID results presented in this study also provide a baseline for future structural health monitoring studies of the Geisel Library building.
Pressure-volume analysis of thermodynamic workload of voiding - an application in pelvic organ prolapse patients subjected to robotic-assisted sacrocolpopexy
Authors: Lau Hui-Hsuan , Lai Cheng-Yuan , Hsieh Ming-Chun , Peng Hsien-Yu , Chou Dylan , Su Tsung-Hsien , Lee Jie-Jen , Lin Tzer-Bin 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Purpose

Given objective benefits of robotic-assisted sacrocolpopexy (RSCP) to the voiding function/deficit of patients with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) waits to be clarified, this study investigated if RSCP modifies voiding functions of POP patients by focusing on its impact on the outlet resistance-dependent voiding workload using pressure-volume analysis (PVA), a protocol thermodynamically assaying work expenditure by the bladder in voiding cycles.

Methods
Pre- and post-operative cystometry and PVA of 22 female patients, who underwent RSCP for POP (stage ≥ II), were reviewed. Mean voiding resistance (Rvod), mean voiding pressure (Pvod), mean voiding flow (Fvod), voided volume (Vvod), voiding time (Tvod), and the trajectory-enclosed area (Apv) were analyzed.

Results
The PVA, in which trajectory shaped an enclosed loop representing a voiding cycle, was established by adapting from the time-domain cystometry. Compared to the pre-operative control, RSCP decreased Rvod, Pvod, and Tvod (p = 0.003, 0.042, and 0.040, respectively. All N = 22) but increased Fvod (p = 0.036, N = 22) without markedly affecting Vvod (p = 0.580, N = 22). Apv was decreased after RSCP (p = 0.017, N = 22). The RSCP-decreased Rvod (ΔRvod) displayed a moderate correlation with both the decreased Pvod (ΔPvod, r = 0.551, p = 0.007, N = 22) and the increased Fvod (ΔFvod, r=-0.625, p = 0.001, N = 22). The ΔFvod moderately correlated with the decreased Tvod (ΔTvod, r=-0.620, p = 0.002, N = 22). Moreover, the RSCP-decreased Apv (ΔApv) displayed correlation with the ΔPvod (r = 0.385, p = 0.047, N = 22).

Conclusions
Through diminishing outlet resistance of POP patients, RSCP not only prompted urine emission thereby increased voiding efficacy but also decreased the pressure developed for driving urine flow that lessened voiding workload.

Clinical Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05682989).