bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quantitative Imaging of Regional Cerebral Protein Synthesis in Clinical Alzheimer's Disease by [11C]Leucine PET
Authors: Herholz Karl , McMahon Adam , Thompson Jennifer C. , Jones Matthew , Boutin Herve , Gregory Jamil , Parker Christine A. , Hinz Rainer 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Protein synthesis is essential to maintain integrity and function of the human brain, and protein synthesis is associated specifically with the formation of long-term memory. Experimental and clinical observations indicate that this process is disturbed in Alzheimer’s dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases. In-vivo investigation with positron emission tomography (PET) using [11C]leucine provides a unique possibility to measure regional cerebral protein synthesis (rCPS) rates in human brain and to determine whether it is altered in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and thus may provide a target for future therapeutic interventions.

Procedures
In this first human study, we measured rCPS by [11C]leucine PET in four patients with AD (age 57–73 years) and compared the results with six healthy controls (three of whom were age matched and the other three were young controls). Quantification of rCPS also required measurement of amino acid (AA) levels and of free and protein-bound [11C]leucine in plasma during the 90 min PET scans conducted following at least six hours of fasting.

Results
Rates of rCPS measured in absolute units of nmol/g/min ranged between 1.81 and 2.53 in AD patients, 2.10 and 2.54 in matched controls, and 2.21 to 2.35 in the young controls. Mean and median values did not show significant differences between the groups. Rates of rCPS also depended upon whether corrections for plasma AA levels were included in the calculations. When considering regional values relative to the corpus callosum as a reference region, there was a tendency towards impairment of rCPS in patients, which was most prominent in the parietal cortex, but did not reach significance. Similar findings were observed with normalisation of rCPS to global cortical mean.

Conclusions
In summary, this first human study assessing regional protein synthesis with [11C]leucine in AD has demonstrated where the sources of variance in measurements of cerebral protein synthesis may arise, along with the potential magnitude of this variance. This study also indicates that there is a tendency towards impairment of rCPS in patients with Alzheimer’s disease, which requires further investigation including possible partial volume effects due to atrophy.
The translation of latent into actual entrepreneurship: the impact of GE
Authors: Cannavale Chiara , Rivieccio Giorgia , Claudio Lorenza , Nadali Iman Zohoorian 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
This study seeks to answer two questions: Is latent entrepreneurship a predictor of entrepreneurial activity? Does Gender Egalitarianism affect the translation of latent into actual entrepreneurship? We developed a quantitative analysis based on a regression with unbalanced panel data covering the 2002–2020 period across 42 countries. We employed data from Global Entrepreneurship Monitor to investigate latent entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial activity. We considered values lagged by three years for latent entrepreneurship and actual data for entrepreneurial activity. We took cultural data from the GLOBE Project to measure Gender Egalitarianism across countries and used both “as is” (Gender Egalitarianism Practices) and “should be” (Gender Egalitarianism Values) scores. Findings indicate that Gender Egalitarianism Values and Gender Egalitarianism Practices mainly have a curvilinear effect on entrepreneurial activity, showing an inverted U-shape relationship. The main contribution is Gender Egalitarianism’s non-linear moderating role in the relationship between latent and actual entrepreneurship: higher Gender Egalitarianism Values and Gender Egalitarianism Practices significantly reduce the effect of latent entrepreneurship on entrepreneurial activity.
Enhancing detection of high-level axillary lymph node metastasis after neoadjuvant therapy in breast cancer patients with nodal involvement: a combined approach of axilla ultrasound and breast elastography
Authors: Huang Jia-Xin , Liu Feng-Tao , Tan Yu-Ting , Wang Xue-Yan , Huang Jia-Hui , Lin Shi-Yang , Huang Gui-Ling , Zhang Yu-Ting , Pei Xiao-Qing 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Purpose
To develop a combined approach using shear wave elastography (SWE) and conventional ultrasound (US) to determine the extent of positive axillary lymph nodes (LNs) following neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) in breast cancer patients with nodal involvement.

Methods
This prospective, multicenter study was registered on the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2400085035). From October 2018 to February 2024, a total of 303 breast cancer patients with biopsy-proven positive LN were enrolled. The conventional US features of axillary LNs and SWE characteristics of breast lesions after NAT were analyzed. The diagnostic performances of axilla US, breast SWE, and their combination in detecting residual metastasis in axillary level III after NAT were assessed.

Results
Pathologically positive LN(s) in axilla level III were detected in 13.75% of cases following NAT. The kappa value for the axilla level with positive LN confirmed by surgical pathology and detected by US is 0.39 (p < 0.001). The AUC of conventional axilla US to determine the status of axilla level III LNs after NAT was 0.67, with a sensitivity of 51.52%, a specificity of 74.36%. The breast SWE displayed moderate performance for detecting residual metastasis in axilla level III following NAT, with an AUC of 0.79, sensitivity of 84.85%, and specificity of 74.36%. Compared to axilla US and breast SWE alone, the combination of axilla US with breast SWE achieved a stronger discriminatory ability (AUC, 0.86 vs 0.67 vs 0.79, p < 0.05, Delong’s test) and precise calibration (X2 = 13.90, p = 0.085, HL test), with an improved sensitivity of 93.94% and a comparable specificity of 75.64%%.

Conclusions
SWE outperformed conventional US in identifying the axilla levels with nodal metastasis following NAT in patients with initially diagnosed positive axilla. Furthermore, combining breast SWE with axilla US showed good diagnostic performance for detecting residual metastasis in axilla level III after NAT.
Lagrange duality on DC evenly convex optimization problems via a generalized conjugation scheme
Authors: Fajardo M. D. , Vidal-Nunez J. 
Published: November 2024

AbstractIn this paper we study how Lagrange duality is connected to optimization problems whose objective function is the difference of two convex functions, briefly called DC problems. We present two Lagrange dual problems, each of them obtained via a different approach. While one of the duals corresponds to the standard formulation of the Lagrange dual problem, the other is written in terms of conjugate functions. When one of the involved functions in the objective is evenly convex, both problems are equivalent, but this relation is no longer true in the general setting. For this reason, we study conditions ensuring not only weak, but also zero duality gap and strong duality between the primal and one of the dual problems written using conjugate functions. For the other dual, and due to the fact that weak duality holds by construction, we just develop conditions for zero duality gap and strong duality between the primal DC problem and its (standard) Lagrange dual problem. Finally, we characterize weak and strong duality together with zero duality gap between the primal problem and its Fenchel-Lagrange dual following techniques used throughout the manuscript.
Changes in the tumor microenvironment in recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and its implication on efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors
Authors: Kim Dong Hyun , Kang Mingu , Park Gahee , Mostafavi Mohammad , Lim Yoojoo , Ock Chan-Young , Koh Jiwon , Jeon Yoon Kyung , Jung Kyeong Cheon , Ahn Soon-Hyun , Chung Eun-Jae , Kwon Seong-Keun , Keam Bhumsuk 
Published: November 2024

AbstractLittle is known about changes in the abundance of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and immune phenotype (IP) in recurrent and/or metastatic (R/M) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). We aimed to compare the TILs and IP between initial and recurrent HNSCCs using paired analysis. Thirty-seven patients who experienced recurrence after surgical resection and received treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) between June 2014 and June 2023 were included. Changes in intratumoral TIL (iTILs), stromal TIL (sTILs), and IPs were subjected to paired analysis between the initial and recurrent tumors. We investigated their relationship with the outcomes of ICIs. The density of iTIL and sTIL in the recurrent tumors was significantly lower compared to initial tumors. IP was significantly different; the proportion of desert IP was higher in recurrent tumors (83.8% vs. 35.1%, P < 0.001). Increased sTIL was a favorable indicator for overall response to ICIs and progression-free survival. Our findings suggest TILs decrease during recurrence compared with the initial tumor, resulting in a transition toward desert IP. Therefore, careful evaluation of TIL density in both initial and recurrent tumors is recommended when using ICIs in patients with R/M HNSCC.
Mitochondria-based holistic 3PM approach as the ‘game-changer’ for individualised rehabilitation—the proof-of-principle model by treated breast cancer survivors
Authors: Pesta Martin , Mrazova Barbara , Kapalla Marko , Kulda Vlastimil , Gkika Eleni , Golubnitschaja Olga 
Published: November 2024

AbstractBreast cancer belongs to the most commonly diagnosed malignancies worldwide, with its increasing incidence paralleled by advances in early diagnostics and effective treatments resulting in significantly improved survival rates. However, breast cancer survivors often experience significantly reduced quality of life linked to the long-term health burden as a consequence of aggressive oncological treatments applied. Their most frequently recorded complains include chronic fatigue, reduced physical activity, disordered sleep, chronification of pain, and severe mental health impairments—all per evidence are associated with compromised mitochondrial health and impaired homeostasis. Self-report of a breast cancer survivor is included in this article to illustrate currently uncovered patient needs. This article highlights mechanisms behind the suboptimal health of breast cancer survivors associated with mitochondrial damage, and introduces a novel, mitochondria-based holistic approach addressing rehabilitation concepts for breast cancer survivors following advanced principles of predictive, preventive and personalised medicine (3PM). By operating via mitochondrial function, the proposed holistic approach triggers systemic effects at molecular, sub/cellular and organismal levels positively affecting energy metabolism, repair mechanisms as well as physical and mental health creating, therefore, highly effective rehabilitation algorithms tailored to an individualised patient profile. The proposed methodology integrates mitochondrial health assessments utilising mitochondrial homeostasis biomarkers in tear fluid as a non-invasive diagnostic tool, tailored nutraceuticals and lifestyle adjustments. The introduced approach aligns with advanced principles of 3PM, offering a holistic and proactive framework for managing persistent post-treatment symptoms of suboptimal health in the cohort of cancer survivors. Furthermore, presented approach is also applicable to pre-habilitation programmes considering needs of other patient cohorts affected by chronic diseases such as CVD and orthopaedic disorders with planned major surgical incisions, who require individually adapted pre- and rehabilitation programmes. Implementing such innovative pre- and rehabilitation strategies may lead to a full recovery, sustainable health conditions and, therefore, facilitating patients’ comeback to normal daily activities, family and professional life. Contextually, presented approach is considered a ‘proof-of-principle’ model for the 3PM-related paradigm shift from reactive medicine to a cost-effective holistic health management in both primary and secondary care benefiting a large spectrum of affected patient cohorts, individuals in suboptimal health conditions as well as society at large.
Gallium-doped titania nanotubes as advanced photocatalysts and biopesticides: a path to water purification and vector control
Authors: Elzaref Ahmed S. , Elfeky Ahmed S. , El-Adawy Hassan A. , Awad Mohamed A. , El-Bahy Zeinhom M. 
Published: November 2024

AbstractThe release of Rose Bengal (RB) dye poses a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems, necessitating sustainable water treatment solutions. This study introduces a novel photocatalytic approach utilizing titania nanotubes (TNTs) doped with varying contents of gallium oxide (Ga₂O₃, 0–5%) via a hydrothermal method. Characterization techniques, including FTIR, XRD, TEM, SEM, EDX, and XPS, confirmed the formation of nanotubular structures with enhanced surface area and defect states. The total organic carbon (TOC) measurement indicated effective mineralization of RB dye. Among the synthesized photocatalysts, the 1% Gallium-doped titania nanotubes (Ga-doped TNTs) achieved optimal RB degradation, decomposing 97% of the dye within 110 min under UV illumination, owing to improved charge separation and synergistic effects between Ga and TNTs. Furthermore, Ga-doped TNTs demonstrated superior efficacy in mosquito control, with 100% larvicidal mortality observed at 400 °C compared with only 57.2% for TNTs. Similarly, the pupicidal mortality rate at 72 h increased from 26.2% (TNTs) to 60.8% (Ga-doped TNTs-400). The findings emphasize the dual functionality of Ga-doped TNTs as efficient photocatalysts for water purification and eco-friendly biopesticides, presenting a promising strategy for environmental remediation and vector control.
Acoustic process monitoring during projection welding using airborne sound analysis and machine learning
Authors: Koal J. , Baumgarten M. , Nikolov C. , Ramakrishnan S. , Mathiszik C. , Schmale H. C. 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Resistance projection welding is predominantly performed using capacitor discharge machines, known for their short welding times, rapid current rise times, and high currents compared to medium-frequency inverter technology. The resulting joints are covered up during resistance welding, so that either destructive or non-destructive testing is required to evaluate the quality. Process monitoring is therefore essential in resistance projection welding. The requirement for this is process data that can be acquired and integrated into the process monitoring easily, cost-effectively, and contactlessly. This study investigates the use of low-cost condenser microphones to utilize the airborne sound generated during welding for process monitoring. It is shown that, acoustic data processed by the fast Fourier transform can be used to evaluate the quality of the connection. Only a minor influence of the microphone position could be determined. A machine learning model was also used to detect the batch of the welding nut. The machine parameters, welding nut geometry and material were kept constant. The results show a batch prediction of more than 90% using airborne sound.
Long and short sleep durations can affect cognitive function in older adults through the chain mediation effect of ADL and depression: evidence from CHARLS2018
Authors: Zou Hao , Jiang Lijie , Hou Yueli , Zhang Linlin , Liu Jianrong 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Background
Both long and short sleep durations may lead to cognitive decline in the elderly individuals, though the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

Aims
To explore the mediating mechanism of activities of daily living and depression on different sleep durations and cognitive function in older Chinese older adults.

Methods
This retrospective study used data from 5,899 older adults who completed the 2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Surveys. We used the PROCESS macro in SPSS to determine the chain mediating effect of ADL and depression on the relationship between different sleep durations and cognitive functions.

Results
(1) There were significant correlations among sleep duration, ability to perform ADL, depression, and cognitive function. (2) For sleep durations ≤ 7 h/night or > 7 h/night, ADL and depression play a chain mediating role in the relationship between sleep duration and cognitive function.

Conclusions
Shorter or longer sleep durations were associated with cognitive decline by weakening ADL and worsening depression, which suggests that medical personnel should take action to correct abnormal sleep duration in older adults. Timely treatment of ADL impairment and depression may help prevent cognitive decline.
Direct and Vicarious Experiences of COVID-19-Related Racism Across Racial and Ethnic Groups in the United States
Authors: Cho Yong Ju , Sherchan Juliana S. , Fernandez Jessica R. , Barlow Sydney A. , Strassle Paula D. , Forde Allana T. 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Objectives
Due to stigmatization associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, certain groups were believed to be the cause of COVID-19 and thus experienced COVID-19-related racism through direct interpersonal and vicarious experiences. This study used quantitative and qualitative responses to examine whether the prevalence of experiencing these types of racism varied across racial and ethnic groups.

Study Design
This cross-sectional study included 5,480 participants in the REACH-US (Race-Related Experiences Associated with COVID-19 and Health in the United States) study, which is a nationally representative survey administered to 5,500 U.S. adults from January 26, 2021-March 3, 2021.

Methods
COVID-19-related racism was measured using single items about whether participants: 1.) experienced racism because they were thought to belong to a group more likely to get COVID-19 (direct); 2.) witnessed racism against others who were thought to belong to a group more likely to get COVID-19 (vicarious). Logistic regression examined differences in experiencing COVID-19-related racism across racial and ethnic groups, adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics. Themes emerged from open-ended descriptions of racism experiences coded in a thematic analysis and were reported across racial and ethnic groups.

Results
Overall, 6.4% and 15.9% of adults experienced direct and vicarious COVID-19-related racism, respectively. All racial and ethnic groups (except Hispanic/Latino English Language Preference) were significantly more likely than White adults to experience direct (AORs: 2.06–4.92) and vicarious (AORs: 1.63–3.02) COVID-19-related racism. Racial and ethnic differences were observed across thematic domains of type of mistreatment and settings where racism occurred.

Conclusions
Direct and vicarious COVID-19-related racism were more prevalent among marginalized racial and ethnic groups, comprised various types of mistreatment, and occurred across multiple settings, thus highlighting the need for integrated efforts to reduce and prevent racism.
Influence of Soil Extractable Plant Nutrients on the Walnut Kernel Ionome in Southern Kyrgyzstan at Different Elevations
Authors: Oskonbaeva Zhyldyz , Joergensen Rainer Georg , Wichern Florian 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Background and Aims
Climate change causes altered precipitation patterns and temperature increases, which may affect food quantity and quality. In Kyrgyzstan anticipated temperature changes are expected to influence the physiology of walnuts (Juglans regia L.) and soil properties relevant to plant nutrition, thereby impacting walnut fruit quality. This study explores the relationship between plant available nutrients in soil and walnut fruit nutrient content as affected by future temperature changes.

Methods
The soil samples were collected in the walnut forests of Southern Kyrgyzstan from top- and subsoils at three elevation levels (1000, 1300, and 1600 m above sea level). The walnut samples were collected from the same sampling sites and both soil Mehlich-3 extracts and acid digests of walnut fruits analyzed by ICP-OES.

Results
The results revealed no consistent relationship between Mehlich-3 extractable elements and walnut extractable elements, except for a weak negative correlation with zinc (Zn). Stronger relationships were observed among soil elements, but no clear associations with elevation levels were found. The walnut kernel ionome exhibited differences, particularly in calcium (Ca) and potassium (K) concentrations, with the low elevation site showing higher Ca and lower K concentrations compared to the high elevation site.

Conclusions
Differences in average temperature as caused by elevation did not affect available plant nutrients in the soil but altered the walnut kernel ionome and thus affected the walnut quality in the investigated forest systems. Future investigations should focus on climate change effects, such as altered precipitation patterns and drought, which may impact walnut fruit development and kernel properties.
Designing toy prototypes: an exploration of how fidelity affects children’s feedback on prototypes
Authors: Codner Andria , Lauff Carlye Anne 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Testing prototypes with users is essential when developing new products. This qualitative study examines and organizes users’ (children) feedback on physical toy prototypes at various fidelity levels; the data collected comes from a multidisciplinary design studio class tasked with developing wooden toys for the company PlanToys. In this research, we use an organizational framework to categorize stakeholders’ feedback, which includes affirmative feedback, convergent critical feedback, and divergent critical feedback. In our analysis, the children’s feedback was compared by prototype fidelity in terms of both form and function, as well as by the feedback categorization. Findings suggest that form fidelity may bias children toward giving more divergent feedback, that function fidelity may have little impact on feedback given, that children tend to give more types of feedback on lower fidelity than higher fidelity models, and that play value, form, interaction, and function were the highest reported categories of feedback. Based on our observations, we encourage toy designers to be aware of their goals for testing with children before beginning to prototype. This paper is a resource for designers to understand how to prototype for children, as well as resource for researchers studying how specific end users influence the product design process.
Sunk cost predictions as theory of mind
Authors: Howard Amy , Sehl Claudia , Denison Stephanie , Friedman Ori 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
People often predict that they, and others, will be biased by sunk costs—they think that investing in an object or goal increases how much one values or wants it. In this article, we use sunk cost predictions to look at people’s theory of mind and their conceptions of mental life. More specifically, we ask which mental states and motivations are seen as underlying the bias. To investigate this, participants in two preregistered experiments predicted whether different kinds of agents would be biased by sunk costs, and also assessed the agents’ mental abilities. Participants predicted that some kinds of agents (e.g., human adults and children, robots) would show the sunk cost bias and that others would not (e.g., raccoons and human babies). These predictions were strongly related to the participants’ assessments of whether the different kinds of agents are capable of seeing actions as wasteful, but also related to their assessments of the agents’ capacities to feel regret and frustration.