bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stress‐Aligned Hexahedral Lattice Structures
Authors: Bukenberger D. R. , Wang J. , Wu J. , Westermann R. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractMaintaining the maximum stiffness of components with as little material as possible is an overarching objective in computational design and engineering. It is well‐established that in stiffness‐optimal designs, material is aligned with orthogonal principal stress directions. In the limit of material volume, this alignment forms micro‐structures resembling quads or hexahedra. Achieving a globally consistent layout of such orthogonal micro‐structures presents a significant challenge, particularly in three‐dimensional settings. In this paper, we propose a novel geometric algorithm for compiling stress‐aligned hexahedral lattice structures. Our method involves deforming an input mesh under load to align the resulting stress field along an orthogonal basis. The deformed object is filled with a hexahedral grid, and the deformation is reverted to recover the original shape. The resulting stress‐aligned mesh is used as basis for a final hollowing procedure, generating a volume‐reduced stiff infill composed of hexahedral micro‐structures. We perform quantitative comparisons with structural optimization and hexahedral meshing approaches and demonstrate the superior mechanical performance of our designs with finite element simulation experiments.
Public and professional stakeholders’ perceptions of alcohol advertising and availability policies: A qualitative study
Authors: Dimova Elena D. , Shortt Niamh K. , Smith Matt , Mitchell Richard J. , Lekkas Peter , Pearce Jamie R. , Clemens Tom L. , Emslie Carol 
Published: October 2024

AbstractIntroductionReducing alcohol availability and restricting alcohol advertising are effective ways to reduce harm from alcohol. Implementation of public health policies involves collaboration between different stakeholders, and is influenced by public opinion. This paper explores public and professional stakeholders' perceptions of alcohol advertising and availability policies. It is the first to capture consensus and divergence in narratives of these stakeholders.MethodsWe conducted semi‐structured interviews with 14 stakeholders from third sector organisations, government, public health and alcohol licensing in Scotland. We conducted 11 online focus groups with 45 participants, living in neighbourhoods in Scotland characterised by varying levels of urbanity, deprivation and retail density change. We gave participants a list of policies and discussed their views on acceptability, feasibility and likely success.ResultsDespite general consensus that regulation of alcohol advertising is an important priority, public stakeholders were concerned about the feasibility of advertising interventions and potential unintended consequences. While professional stakeholders were in favour of regulating alcohol availability, public stakeholders had misgivings about feasibility and effectiveness. When prompted to discuss specific interventions, similar views about protecting children and achieving cultural change emerged.Discussion and ConclusionsThis study highlights the importance of policy makers and other stakeholders to consider public stakeholders' opinions on alcohol policy and understanding that their views may be influenced by competing framings of alcohol problems. Attempts to increase support for alcohol control policies need to consider people's concerns about the effectiveness and potential unintended consequences of these policies, and the wider social context of alcohol consumption.
Effect of spironolactone wash‐out on albuminuria after long‐term treatment in individuals with type 2 diabetes and high risk of kidney disease—An observational follow‐up of the PRIORITY study
Authors: Wasehuus Victor , Rotbain Curovic Viktor , Tofte Nete , Lindhardt Morten , Currie Gemma , Delles Christian , Frimodt‐Møller Marie , Mischak Harald , von der Leyen Heiko , Hansen Tine Willum , Kümler Thomas , Persson Frederik , Rossing Peter ,   the PRIORITY Study group
Published: October 2024

AbstractAimsThis study aimed to explore the effect of discontinuation of long‐term spironolactone treatment on markers of kidney function in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) at high risk of kidney disease enrolled in the Proteomic prediction and Renin angiotensin aldosterone system Inhibition prevention Of early diabetic nephRopathy In TYpe 2 diabetic patients with normoalbuminuria (PRIORITY) study.Materials and MethodsAn observational study following the nested randomised part of the PRIORITY study was conducted. A total of 115 individuals with T2D and normoalbuminuria but high risk for progression based on urinary proteomics, randomised to daily spironolactone (n = 50) or placebo (n = 65) for a median of 2.5 years, were re‐examined approximately 6 weeks after the final visit in the PRIORITY study. Primary endpoint was relative change in geometric mean of urinary albumin‐creatinine ratio (UACR) between the final visit in PRIORITY (baseline) and follow‐up. Secondary endpoints were change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and serum potassium.ResultsNo change in UACR was observed in neither the spironolactone (geometric mean change: 17%; 95% CI −12, 55; p = 0.28) nor the placebo (5%; 95% CI −13, 26; p = 0.63) group at follow‐up. No difference in UACR between the groups was observed at follow‐up (relative difference in geometric mean: 11%, 95% CI −26, 67; p = 0.60). For eGFR and SBP, an increase after discontinuation of spironolactone was observed, as well as for SBP after placebo discontinuation. Potassium levels were lower after discontinuation of spironolactone, but higher after placebo discontinuation (all p < 0.05).ConclusionsUACR did not change after discontinuation of long‐term treatment with spironolactone. However, an increase in eGFR was observed supporting a haemodynamic effect of spironolactone in the kidneys.
Acclimation Unifies the Scaling of Carbon Assimilation Across Climate Gradients and Levels of Organisation
Authors: Garen Josef C. , Michaletz Sean T. 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTThe temperature dependence of carbon assimilation—from leaf photosynthesis to ecosystem productivity—is hypothesised to be driven by the kinetics of Rubisco‐catalysed carboxylation and electron transport. However, photosynthetic physiology acclimates to changes in temperature, which may decouple temperature dependencies at higher levels of organisation from the acute temperature sensitivity of photosynthesis. Here, we integrate relative growth rate theory, metabolic theory and biochemical photosynthesis theory to develop a carbon budget model of plant growth that accounts for photosynthetic acclimation to temperature. We test its predictions using a novel experimental approach enabling concurrent measurement of the temperature sensitivity of acute photosynthesis, acclimated photosynthesis and growth rate. We demonstrate for the first time that photosynthetic acclimation mediates how carbon assimilation kinetics ‘scale up’ from leaf photosynthesis to whole‐plant growth. We also find that existing models of photosynthetic acclimation are unable to predict features of growth rate responses to temperature in our system.
The politics of integration in retrospect and the supranational mega‐politics of governance and design in prospect: A roadmap
Authors: Koncewicz Tomasz Tadeusz 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThe article argues that the ever‐closer Union among peoples of Europe finds itself at a critical juncture: the unstated and implicit assumption of a community made up of liberal democracies is being challenged and pitted against the rival rebirth of the nationalistic narrative of uniqueness and self‐sufficiency. The readiness to live, or paddle together, is on the line as the once sacrosanct ‘ever closer union among the peoples of Europe’ seems to be the focal point of the principled disagreement that calls into question the very belonging to the community and its continued existence. Faced with these challenges, this article charts an interdisciplinary and holistic road map to grapple with the big supranational questions of the day. It argues that the traditional European discourse moves beyond the technical dichotomy of ‘market regulation versus deregulation’ and ‘Union competence versus Member State competence’ and instead zeroes in on the more fundamental questions pertaining to mega‐politics centred on the identity of the common legal order. While the analysis appreciates the critical interaction between the legal dimension of European supranational integration—the search for optimal tools to safeguard the integrity of the supranational order—it stresses the importance of the ethical face—the narrative and justification that would explain in the name of whom the supranational governance and design acts when it defines and then defends its narrative and First Principles of the common legal order today in flux more than ever.
SGLT2 inhibitors: Exploring the effects in humans and horses
Authors: Sundra T. , Matthews V. , Harris P. , Rendle D. 
Published: October 2024

SummarySodium‐glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are human antidiabetic drugs that are increasingly used in equine practice for the management of hyperinsulinaemia and hyperinsulinaemia‐associated laminitis. However, the understanding of SGLT2i use in horses is in its infancy compared to human medicine. This review article aims to briefly examine the literature in both species, highlighting current knowledge gaps, potential similarities in therapeutic outcomes and possible adverse effects.
Prediction of Rubber Fatigue Life Using an Assimilation‐based Learning Approach and Incremental Crack Propagation Model
Authors: Fang Congzhuo , Chen Yanfu , Yang Zihao , Zhang Yiyuan , He Xindang 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTAccurately and efficiently predicting the fatigue life of rubber materials has been a long‐standing challenge due to limited understanding of the fatigue mechanism. In this study, a variational assimilation‐based machine learning method assisted with incremental crack propagation model is proposed to predict the fatigue life of rubber materials. Firstly, according to the fracture mechanics theory, a new rubber fatigue life prediction model based on incremental crack propagation and sparse experimental data is established, which owns higher accuracy than the classical crack energy density model. Further, a rubber fatigue life solver coupled incremental crack propagation model and nonlinear finite element method is introduced to generate a dense fatigue life dataset of rubber materials with high accuracy. Finally, the artificial neural network model is trained, cross‐validated, and tested using the dense dataset, and the three‐dimensional variational assimilation model is employed to merge the predicted values of artificial neural network with experimental data. By comparing against the experimental data, the effectiveness of the proposed method was verified; thereby, we offer an accurate and efficient approach to predict the rubber fatigue life.
Association of sleep duration with obesity in older adults: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Jiang Huan , Zhang Hanyu , Wen Zhifei , Yuan Jiang , Wang Hongyan , Zhang Xiangeng 
Published: October 2024

BackgroundResearch on sleep duration and obesity is extensive in children and young individuals but limited and inconsistent for older adults. Our study aims to clarify the current status of this association in the elderly population.MethodsWe searched six English and four Chinese databases up to January 25, 2024, for observational studies on sleep duration and obesity in older adults. Two researchers independently conducted the literature search and data extraction. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale for cohort studies and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality for cross‐sectional studies. Meta‐analyses were performed using Stata 15.0 software, using both random‐effects and fixed‐effects models to calculate pooled odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).ResultsThe meta‐analysis of 15 studies found a correlation between short sleep duration and obesity in older individuals (pooled odds ratio, 1.40 [95% CI: 1.12–1.73]; P = 0.003). However, no significant correlation was found between long sleep duration and obesity among the elderly (pooled odds ratio, 1.04 [95% CI, 0.95–1.13]; P = 0.426).ConclusionsShort sleep duration in the elderly was associated with obesity. More prospective studies need to be included in the future to improve the reliability of the conclusions. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 1269–1282.
Developing a battery of physical performance tests to predict functional disability in Japanese older adults: A longitudinal study from the Kasama study
Authors: Lim Namhoon , Tsunoda Kenji , Nagata Koki , Asano Yujiro , Seol Jaehoon , Jindo Takashi , Tsuji Taishi , Okura Tomohiro 
Published: October 2024

AimPreventing functional disability benefits the quality of life of older adults and mitigates the economic burden of an aging society. However, the most effective physical performance tests and optimal cut points for identifying older adults at risk of functional disability remain unclear, and Japan lacks physical function‐based assessment tools. We aimed to identify the physical performance tests related to functional disability and to develop a predictive test battery for it.MethodsWe included 975 older adults (mean 72.8 ± 5.2 years, 55.4% women) in Kasama City, Japan. Functional disability was defined as certification of care level 2 or above based on the long‐term care insurance system. Cox proportional hazards analysis examined the association between physical performance tests and incident functional disability.ResultsDuring a mean follow‐up of 8.6 years (maximum 14 years), 236 participants (24.2%) developed functional disability. After adjusting for covariates, higher performances in grip strength, single‐leg balance with eyes open (SLB), timed up‐and‐go (TUG), five‐repetition sit‐to‐stand (5‐STS), and 5‐m habitual walk were significantly associated with a lower risk of functional disability. In a stepwise model, SLB, TUG, and 5‐STS were key predictors of functional disability. Receiver operating characteristic analysis determined optimal cut points of 32.6/32.7 s for SLB, 6.5/6.6 s for TUG, and 7.8/7.9 s for 5‐STS. We developed a predictive battery combining these cut points (area under the curve = 0.78).ConclusionsThe developed battery of physical performance tests predicts future functional disability and is useful for screening older adults at high risk. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 1343–1349.
Community Preferences for Allied Health Services in Residential Aged Care
Authors: Meulenbroeks Isabelle , Raban Magdalena Z. , Seaman Karla , Rolfe Kathleen , Mercardo Crisostomo , Ludlow Kristiana , Wabe Nasir , Westbrook Johanna 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTIntroductionExploring health consumer preferences in care is an essential foundational, and ongoing activity, when designing and delivering models of care. We undertook a study to explore: (i) what allied health (AH) services are most important to health consumers and (ii) how health consumers expect to access these services in residential aged care (RAC) to determine consumer priorities in future AH models of care in RAC.MethodsA mixed method study was conducted with aged care residents and community members (friends or family of residents/people who believe they may use RAC services). The study comprised two focus‐group activities where participants were asked to (1) rank the AH services most important to them and then (2) categorise how they would prefer to access each AH service. Focus group members used card sort methods (Q‐methodology) to aid prioritisation, categorisation and discussion. Card sorting data were analysed using inverted factor analysis and descriptive statistics. Qualitative focus group data were deductively coded using a coding structure created by the research team informed by quantitative results.ResultsData were collected from 16 participants who formed five focus groups in a community forum. The analysis revealed three factors, that represented shared meaning amongst groups of participants (viewpoints) regarding prioritisation of AH services: ‘Prioritising urgent needs’, ‘Prioritising long‐term healthy habits and lifestyle’, and ‘Prioritising social well‐being’. Data from the card sort activity, which related to ‘how health consumers expect to access AH services’, were also categorised into three categories: ‘It is always provided’, ‘A professional will assess my need’ and ‘I or my family will ask for this service if I need it’. Participants wanted most AH services to be provided regularly, with some such as ‘Exercise and rehabilitation’ and ‘Meaningful activity’ to be provided up to one hour every day.ConclusionConsumers value a range of AH services and have an expectation that these will be provided in RAC on a regular basis. To ensure consumers make informed preferences regarding the future of services in RAC, health systems need to trial innovative AH models of care and embed consumer evaluation.
Black‐and‐white pepper: unravelling Cruella De Vil's medical diagnoses
Authors: D'Acunto Laura , Brigo Francesco 
Published: October 2024

AbstractCruella De Vil, the iconic character from Dodie Smith's novel The Hundred and One Dalmatians, was traditionally viewed through a psychodynamic lens as a figure embodying narcissistic personality disorder, psychosis and mania. In this article, we propose an alternative hypothesis that her erratic behaviour and distinctive physical appearance may be attributed to a chronic systemic condition.
Ex situ spawning, larval development, and settlement in massive reef‐building corals (Porites) in Palau
Authors: Bennett Matthew‐James , Grupstra Carsten G. B. , Da‐Anoy Jeric , Andres Maikani , Holstein Daniel , Rossin Ashley , Davies Sarah W. , Meyer‐Kaiser Kirstin S. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractReproduction, embryological development, and settlement of corals are critical for survival of coral reefs through larval propagation. Yet, for many species of corals, a basic understanding of the early life‐history stages is lacking. In this study, we report our observations for ex situ reproduction in the massive reef‐building coral Porites cf. P. lobata across 2 years. Spawning occurred in April and May, on the first day after the full moon with at least 2 h of darkness between sunset and moonrise, on a rising tide. Only a small proportion of corals observed had mature gametes or spawned (14–35%). Eggs were 185–311 μm in diameter, spherical, homogenous, and provisioned with 95–155 algal cells (family Symbiodiniaceae). Males spawned before females, and ex situ fertilization rates were high for the first 2 h after egg release. Larvae were elliptical, ~300 μm long, and symbiotic. Just 2 days after fertilization, many larvae swam near the bottom of culture dishes and were competent to settle. Settlers began calcification 2 days after metamorphosis, and tentacles were developed 10 days after attachment. Our observations contrast with previous studies by suggesting an abbreviated pelagic larval period in Porites cf. P. lobata, which could lead to the isolation of some populations. The high thermal tolerance and broad geographic range of Porites cf. P. lobata suggest that this species could locally adapt to a wide range of environmental conditions, especially if larvae are locally retained. The results of this study can inform future work on reproduction, larval biology, dispersal, and recruitment in Porites cf. P. lobata, which could have an ecological advantage over less resilient coral species under future climate change.
Causal association of circulating inflammatory proteins on neurodegenerative diseases: Insights from a mendelian randomization study
Authors: Lin Wenwen , Wu Xuewei , Ou Guanyong 
Published: October 2024

AbstractNeuroinflammation is increasingly recognized as a pivotal factor in the development and progression of neurodegenerative disorders. While correlations between inflammatory cytokines and these diseases are documented, the definitive causal dynamics remain to be elucidated. We explored the causal association between 91 circulating inflammatory cytokines and Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson's disease (PD) through Mendelian randomization analysis. Leveraging genetic variants from the most comprehensive genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) available for these cytokines, AD, ALS, MS and PD, we sought to uncover the causality. Our study validated a causal influence of genetically determined cytokine levels on the susceptibility to AD, with notable cytokines including C‐X‐C motif chemokine 1 (OR = 0.9993, p = 0.0424), Interleukin‐18 (OR = 0.9994, p = 0.0186), Leukaemia inhibitory factor receptor (OR = 0.9993, p = 0.0122) and Monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (OR = 0.9992, p = 0.0026) in risk attenuation. Additionally, a positive causal relationship was identified between two cytokines—C‐C motif chemokine 19 (OR = 1.0005, p = 0.0478) and Fms‐related tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (OR = 1.0005, p = 0.0210)—and AD incidence. Conversely, transforming growth factor‐alpha (OR = 0.8630, p = 0.0298), CD40L receptor (OR = 0.7737, p = 1.1265E‐09) and Interleukin‐12 subunit beta (OR = 0.8987, p = 0.0333) showed inverse associations with ALS, MS and PD, respectively. The consistency observed in various MR analyses, alongside sensitivity analysis, underscored the absence of horizontal pleiotropy, thus supporting our causal findings. This study reveals, for the first time, a genetically anchored causal nexus between levels of circulating inflammatory cytokines and the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.
Hampered Monetary Policy Transmission ‐ A Supply‐Side Story?
Authors: HECKMANN‐DRAISBACH LOTTA , HARDT JULIA 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThis paper shows that the supply side of credit is a major factor for hampered monetary policy transmission in monopolistic banking markets. Our stress test data containing projected interest rates of all 1,555 small and medium‐sized banks in Germany under two hypothetical scenarios provide a clear way to partial out demand shocks that are unrelated to monetary policy; we are thus able to show that while market power banks charge higher loan rates, they spare their borrowers a part of exogenous monetary policy contractions and withhold a substantial part of rising rates from their depositors. Because high market power banks are relatively more profitable, these banks could be able to insure their relationship customers against adverse shocks.