bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quantitative in-vitro assessment of a novel robot-assisted system for cochlear implant electrode insertion
Authors: Aebischer Philipp , Anschuetz Lukas , Caversaccio Marco , Mantokoudis Georgios , Weder Stefan 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Purpose
As an increasing number of cochlear implant candidates exhibit residual inner ear function, hearing preservation strategies during implant insertion are gaining importance. Manual implantation is known to induce traumatic force and pressure peaks. In this study, we use a validated in-vitro model to comprehensively evaluate a novel surgical tool that addresses these challenges through motorized movement of a forceps.

Methods
Using lateral wall electrodes, we examined two subgroups of insertions: 30 insertions were performed manually by experienced surgeons, and another 30 insertions were conducted with a robot-assisted system under the same surgeons’ supervision. We utilized a realistic, validated model of the temporal bone. This model accurately reproduces intracochlear frictional conditions and allows for the synchronous recording of forces on intracochlear structures, intracochlear pressure, and the position and deformation of the electrode array within the scala tympani.

Results
We identified a significant reduction in force variation during robot-assisted insertions compared to the conventional procedure, with average values of 12 mN/s and 32 mN/s, respectively. Robotic assistance was also associated with a significant reduction of strong pressure peaks and a 17 dB reduction in intracochlear pressure levels. Furthermore, our study highlights that the release of the insertion tool represents a critical phase requiring surgical training.

Conclusion
Robotic assistance demonstrated more consistent insertion speeds compared to manual techniques. Its use can significantly reduce factors associated with intracochlear trauma, highlighting its potential for improved hearing preservation. Finally, the system does not mitigate the impact of subsequent surgical steps like electrode cable routing and cochlear access sealing, pointing to areas in need of further research.
Temporal Trends in Racial and Gender Disparities of Early Onset Colorectal Cancer in the United States: An Analysis of the CDC WONDER Database
Authors: Nawras Yusuf , Merza Nooraldin , Beier Katie , Dakroub Aya , Al-Obaidi Hasan , Al-Obaidi Ahmed Dheyaa , Amatul-Raheem Hajera , Bahbah Eshak , Varughese Tony , Hosny Jerome , Hassan Mona , Kobeissy Abdallah 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Background
The mortality rates of early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) have surged globally over the past two decades. While the underlying reasons remain largely unknown, understanding its epidemiology is crucial to address this escalating trend. This study aimed to identify disparities potentially influencing these rates, enhancing risk assessment tools, and highlighting areas necessitating further research.

Methods
Using the CDC Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (WONDER) database, this study assessed EOCRC mortality data from 2012 to 2020. Individuals under 50 years who succumbed to EOCRC were identified through the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes. Data interpretation and representation were performed using R 4.2.2 software.

Results
Between 2012 and 2020, EOCRC mortality rates fluctuated marginally between 1.7 and 1.8 per 100,000. Male mortality rates increased from 1.9 to 2.0 per 100,000, while female rates varied between 1.5 and 1.6 per 100,000. Significant variations were observed across age groups, with the 40–49 years category experiencing an increase from 6.34 (2012) to 6.94 (2020) per 100,000. Racial category-based data revealed the highest mortality rates among African Americans. Geographically, Mississippi and Alabama exhibited elevated mortality rates. Age-adjusted mortality rate (AAMR) assessments indicated a marked decline for both genders from 2012 to 2020, with consistently higher rates for men.

Conclusion
The findings highlight the evolving landscape of EOCRC mortality, revealing significant gender, age, and racial disparities. These results underscore the urgent need for tailored health strategies and intensified research efforts targeting these disparities.
Chronically Low NMNAT2 Expression Causes Sub-lethal SARM1 Activation and Altered Response to Nicotinamide Riboside in Axons
Authors: Antoniou Christina , Loreto Andrea , Gilley Jonathan , Merlini Elisa , Orsomando Giuseppe , Coleman Michael P. 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase 2 (NMNAT2) is an endogenous axon survival factor that maintains axon health by blocking activation of the downstream pro-degenerative protein SARM1 (sterile alpha and TIR motif containing protein 1). While complete absence of NMNAT2 in mice results in extensive axon truncation and perinatal lethality, the removal of SARM1 completely rescues these phenotypes. Reduced levels of NMNAT2 can be compatible with life; however, they compromise axon development and survival. Mice born expressing sub-heterozygous levels of NMNAT2 remain overtly normal into old age but develop axonal defects in vivo and in vitro as well as behavioural phenotypes. Therefore, it is important to examine the effects of constitutively low NMNAT2 expression on SARM1 activation and disease susceptibility. Here we demonstrate that chronically low NMNAT2 levels reduce prenatal viability in mice in a SARM1-dependent manner and lead to sub-lethal SARM1 activation in morphologically intact axons of superior cervical ganglion (SCG) primary cultures. This is characterised by a depletion in NAD(P) and compromised neurite outgrowth. We also show that chronically low NMNAT2 expression reverses the NAD-enhancing effect of nicotinamide riboside (NR) in axons in a SARM1-dependent manner. These data indicate that low NMNAT2 levels can trigger sub-lethal SARM1 activation which is detectable at the molecular level and could predispose to human axonal disorders.
SONAR: An Adaptive Control Architecture for Social Norm Aware Robots
Authors: Dell’Anna Davide , Jamshidnejad Anahita 
Published: October 2024

AbstractRecent advances in robotics and artificial intelligence have made it necessary or desired for humans to get involved in interactions with social robots. A key factor for the human acceptance of these robots is their awareness of environmental and social norms. In this paper, we introduce SONAR (for SOcial Norm Aware Robots), a novel robot-agnostic control architecture aimed at enabling social agents to autonomously recognize, act upon, and learn over time social norms during interactions with humans. SONAR integrates several state-of-the-art theories and technologies, including the belief-desire-intention (BDI) model of reasoning and decision making for rational agents, fuzzy logic theory, and large language models, to support adaptive and norm-aware autonomous decision making. We demonstrate the feasibility and applicability of SONAR via real-life experiments involving human-robot interactions (HRI) using a Nao robot for scenarios of casual conversations between the robot and each participant. The results of our experiments show that our SONAR implementation can effectively and efficiently be used in HRI to provide the robot with environmental and social and norm awareness. Compared to a robot with no explicit social and norm awareness, introducing social and norm awareness via SONAR results in interactions that are perceived as more positive and enjoyable by humans, as well as in higher perceived trust in the social robot. Moreover, we investigate, via computer-based simulations, the extent to which SONAR can be used to learn and adapt to the social norms of different societies. The results of these simulations illustrate that SONAR can successfully learn adequate behaviors in a society from a relatively small amount of data. We publicly release the source code of SONAR, along with data and experiments logs.
New Possibilities for Fair Algorithms
Authors: Nielsen Michael , Stewart Rush 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
We introduce a fairness criterion that we call Spanning. Spanning i) is implied by Calibration, ii) retains interesting properties of Calibration that some other ways of relaxing that criterion do not, and iii) unlike Calibration and other prominent ways of weakening it, is consistent with Equalized Odds outside of trivial cases.
Minimal change glomerular disease associated with solid neoplasms: a systematic review
Authors: Cozzo Domenico , Orlando Francesca , Bruno Mariolina , Ogna Adam , Forni Ogna Valentina 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Background
Paraneoplastic minimal change disease (MCD) has been associated with hematological malignancies, whereas solid malignancies are commonly associated with membranous glomerulonephritis. In this systematic review of the literature, we describe the clinical features, treatment and outcome of MCD associated with solid neoplasms.

Methods
We performed a systematic review of the MEDLINE, COCHRANE, EMBASE and SCOPUS databases, including case reports of adult patients with biopsy-proven MCD and solid malignancy, without language or time restrictions.

Results
Sixty-seven papers were included, presenting 86 cases with a mean age of 57.8 ± 14.7 years; 41.0% were women. Nephrotic syndrome was the initial presentation in 96.2% of patients; 67.2% had kidney function impairment, and 21.2% required kidney replacement therapy. The most frequent malignancies were malignant thymoma (34.9%), kidney (14.0%), lung (12.8%), and gastrointestinal tumors (12.8%). In 40.7% of cases, the neoplasm diagnosis preceded MCD by 33.8 ± 46.1 months, while in 31.4%, it followed diagnosis of MCD by 12.4 ± 22.6 months. In 27.9%, the neoplasm and kidney disease were diagnosed simultaneously. Immunosuppressive therapy was started in 79.1% of cases and tumor-specific treatment in 83.7%. Remission of MCD was achieved in 80.2% of patients: 38.2% responded to immunosuppressive treatment alone and 29.6% to oncological treatment alone.

Conclusions
The association between MCD and solid neoplasms is well-documented. Immunosuppressive therapy alone induced nephrotic syndrome remission in over one-third of cases; most others responded to tumor-specific treatment. Solid tumor screening should be considered in MCD independently of the steroid response, though more data on solid tumor-associated MCD prevalence are needed for a definitive statement.

PROSPERO trial registration number
CRD42024521854.

Graphical abstract
Hamiltonian Birkhoff Normal Form for Gravity-Capillary Water Waves with Constant Vorticity: Almost Global Existence
Authors: Berti Massimiliano , Maspero Alberto , Murgante Federico 
Published: October 2024

AbstractWe prove an almost global existence result for space periodic solutions of the 1D gravity-capillary water waves equations with constant vorticity. The result holds for any value of gravity, vorticity and depth, a full measure set of surface tensions, and any small and smooth enough initial datum. The proof demands a novel approach—that we call paradifferential Hamiltonian Birkhoff normal form for quasi-linear PDEs—in presence of resonant wave interactions: the normal form is not integrable but it preserves the Sobolev norms thanks to its Hamiltonian nature. A major difficulty is that paradifferential calculus used to prove local well posedness (as the celebrated Alinhac good unknown) breaks the Hamiltonian structure. A major achievement of this paper is to correct (possibly) unbounded paradifferential transformations to symplectic maps, up to an arbitrary degree of homogeneity. Thanks to a deep cancellation, our symplectic correctors are smoothing perturbations of the identity. Thus we are able to preserve both the paradifferential structure and the Hamiltonian nature of the equations. Such Darboux procedure is written in an abstract functional setting applicable also in other contexts.
Inconsistent Belief Aggregation in Diverse and Polarised Groups
Authors: Kopecky Felix , Betz Gregor 
Published: October 2024

AbstractHow do opinion diversity and belief polarisation affect epistemic group decision-making, particularly if decisions must be made without delay and on the basis of permissive evidence? In an agent-based model, we track the consistency of group opinions aggregated through sentence-wise majority voting. Simulations on the model reveal that high opinion diversity, but not polarisation, incurs a significant inconsistency risk. These results indicate that epistemic group decisions based on permissive evidence can be particularly difficult for diverse groups. The results also improve our understanding of what can reasonably be expected of expert groups, and where expert advice might have limits.
Short-term changes in human metabolism following a 5-hour delay of the light-dark and behavioural cycle
Authors: Flanagan A. , Ruddick-Collins L.C. , Fielding B. , Middleton B. , von Gerichten J. , Short M. , Revell V. , Mendis J. , Mayer C.D. , Morgan P.J. , Johnstone A.M. , Johnston J.D. 
Published: October 2024

The circadian timing system regulates many aspects of metabolic physiology, including the postprandial response to meals(1). Experimental inversion of circadian and behavioural rhythms by 12 hours adversely effects markers of metabolic health(2). We investigated effects of a more modest 5hour delay in behavioural cycles.Fourteen participants completed an 8-day in-patient laboratory protocol, with controlled sleepwake opportunities, light-dark cycles, and diet. The 5-hour delay in behavioural cycles was induced by delaying sleep opportunity. We measured: melatonin to confirm central circadian phase; fasting markers and postprandial metabolism; energy expenditure; subjective sleepiness; and appetite, throughout the waking period.After the phase delay, there was slower gastric emptying at breakfast, lower fasting plasma glucose, higher postprandial plasma glucose and triglycerides, and lower thermic effect of feeding. Any changes were abolished or attenuated within 48-72 hours. Further, we show no difference in 16 h waking energy expenditure.These data extend our previous findings, which showed no time-of-day effect on energy expenditure in healthy adults.
Food image validation for assessing diurnal patterns of appetite and food reward in individuals ranging in BMI with and without type 2 diabetes
Authors: Beaulieu K. , Pedersen H. , Søndergaard C. S. , van Elst C. , Færch K. , Finlayson G. , Quist J. S. 
Published: October 2024

Increasing scientific interest in diurnal patterns of appetite and food reward means it is important to employ valid methodologies that are time-of-day appropriate. Moreover, it is unknown whether people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) experience similar diurnal patterns to healthy individuals. The Steno Biometric Food Preference Task (SBFPT)(1) utilises an array of food images to assess food reward and biometric responses to food cues varying in fat content and sweet taste. We aimed to adapt and validate the SBFPT to assess diurnal appetite and food reward in Danish adults with a range of BMI with/without T2D.An anonymous online survey was used to validate 28 food images (7 high-fat sweet (HFSW), 7 lowfat sweet (LFSW), 7 high-fat savoury (HFSA) and 7 low-fat savoury (LFSA)) in Danish residents in order to select 16 images for the diurnal-SBFPT (4 from each category). For each food image, participants had to name the food, report the frequency of consumption, and rate its tastiness, sweetness, fat content, appropriateness to consume in the morning (between 8:00-12:00), afternoon (between 12:00-16:00), and evening (between 16:00-20:00) on a 100-mm visual analogue scale(2).We obtained 207 complete responses (with >80% completion). Participants included 61 men, 144 women and 2 not specified. Of these, 124 did not have T2D and 83 had T2D with a median [Q1, Q3] diagnosis duration of 12 [8, 18] years. Median [Q1, Q3] age was 61 [50, 67] years and BMI was 26.4 [23.4, 31.8] kg/m2. After data were cleaned, the mean of the individual ratings for each food was calculated and adequacy was judged according to pre-specified criteria(2). As there were overall differences in ratings of appropriate consumption time between those with/without T2D regardless of time of day (linear mixed model β = -5.3mm; p=.01), a difference score between morning (AM) and afternoon/evening (PM) ratings was computed (AM-PM difference). Adequacy for this criterion was based on foods with the smallest absolute mean across those with/without T2D and smallest absolute difference between groups.Overall, the majority of the final 4 images from each food category met the criteria for recognition, frequency of consumption, liking, taste and perceived fat content. LFSW foods had the smallest absolute AM-PM differences (i.e., more similar appropriateness scores in AM vs PM; range 110mm), followed by LFSA (5-21mm), HFSA (8-21mm) and HFSW (8-38mm).This image validation study will allow us to examine appetite and food reward across the day using a validated tool among Danish adults ranging in BMI with/without T2D. Future studies should consider the perceived appropriateness of the foods selected for appetite-related assessments in T2D, especially high-fat sweet foods.
The India League and the Condition of India: Agnotological Imperialism, Colonial State Violence and the Making of Anticolonial Knowledge 1930–4
Authors: Arni Abhimanyu 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThis article explores the 1932 visit to India of a delegation of Labour party figures associated with the India League, a prominent anticolonial organisation based in London, charged with investigating the colonial state violence unleashed by ‘Ordinance Rule’. It also examines efforts taken by the Government of India, India Office and Indian Political Intelligence to suppress their findings, through which it explores a dialectic between anticolonial knowledge-making and agnotological imperialism, which often took the form of the latter ‘exceptioning’ examples produced by the former of excessive colonial state violence. It offers the conclusion that the contradictions between liberal imperialism and the rule of colonial difference and repression in the age of mass nationalism in India and mass democracy in Britain meant that liberal imperialism in India increasingly flowed, paradoxically, from illiberalism in Britain.
Predicting autism from young Infants’ empathic responding: A prospective study
Authors: Paz Yael , Roth-Hanania Ronit , Gabis Lidia V. , Orlitsky Tal , Zilka-Cohen Noa , Zahn-Waxler Carolyn , Davidov Maayan 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Difficulties in empathy are frequent among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and often considered a core feature of autism. Reduced empathy during the second year of life has been shown to predict subsequent ASD diagnosis. However, links between empathy in the first year and ASD have not yet been investigated. Moreover, prior work focused on empathy for others’ distress but not for others’ joy. To address these gaps, this prospective longitudinal study followed 60 infants (33% girls), 39 at high genetic risk of ASD (siblings of children with ASD) and a matching control group. Infants’ empathic responses to others’ distress and happiness were assessed at ages 6, 9, and 12 months, using simulations by the mother/experimenter and videos of crying and laughing infants. Diagnosis was determined between 18 and 36 months. Infants later diagnosed with ASD showed a reduced empathic response toward a person simulating distress, but not toward a video of a crying peer, and not in response to others’ joy (either in simulation or video). Overall, reduced empathic concern during the first year of life appears to be an early prodromal marker of subsequent ASD. Implications for theory, research, and practice are discussed.
IBN SĪNĀ ON PROVING CAUSALITY
Authors: Erlwein Hannah C. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractIbn Sīnā famously opens The Metaphysics (Al-ilāhiyyāt) of The Healing (Al-šifāʾ) with a discussion of what constitutes the subject matter of that science. Several candidates are introduced and subsequently dismissed, before “the existent qua existent” is identified as its subject matter. Among the candidates dismissed, he mentions “the ultimate causes for all existents, the four of them” (which are, however, things investigated [maṭālib] in this science). Here, Ibn Sīnā comes to problematise the notion of causality itself. He is adamant that “the existence of causes for things which are effects” is not self-evident, but needs to be proven by the metaphysician by means of a “demonstrative clarification” (bayān burhānī). He explains why sensation (ḥiss) and experience (taǧriba) cannot prove causality, before turning to its metaphysical proof. In this article, I investigate what Ibn Sīnā thought this “demonstrative clarification” of causality is. I present an analysis of his train of thought and a commentary on the various points he makes, leading up to his proof of causality. These points touch on problems of psychology, scientific method, and scientific proof, and can be unpacked by taking into account explanations he offers elsewhere.
Improved Lifetime Model of Energetic Electrons Due to Their Interactions With Chorus Waves
Authors: Wang Dedong , Shprits Yuri Y. , Haas Bernhard , Drozdov Alexander Y. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractChorus waves induce both electron acceleration and loss. In this letter, we provide significantly improved models of electron lifetime due to interactions with chorus waves. The new models fill the gap that previous models have on some magnetic local time (MLT) sectors of the Earth's magnetosphere. This improvement is critical for modeling studies. The lifetime models developed using two different methods are valid for electrons with an energy range from 1 keV to 2 MeV. To facilitate the integration of these new models into different ring current and radiation belt codes, we parameterize the electron lifetime as a function of ‐shell and electron kinetic energy at each MLT and geomagnetic activity (Kp). The parameterized electron lifetimes exhibit strong dependencies on ‐shell, MLT, and energy. Simulations using these new models demonstrate improved agreement with satellite observations compared to simulations using previous models, advancing our understanding of electron dynamics in the magnetosphere.
To What Extent Does Discounting ‘Hot’ Climate Models Improve the Predictive Skill of Climate Model Ensembles?
Authors: McDonnell Abigail , Bauer Adam Michael , Proistosescu Cristian 
Published: October 2024

AbstractIt depends. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) Assessment Report Six (AR6) took a step toward ending so‐called ‘model democracy’ by discounting climate models that are too warm over the historical period (i.e., models that ‘run hot’) when making projections of global temperature change. However, the IPCC did not address whether this procedure is reliable for other quantities. Here, we explore the implications of weighting climate models according to their skill in reproducing historical global‐mean surface temperature using three other climate variables of interest: global average precipitation change, regional average temperature change, and regional average precipitation change. We find that the temperature‐based weighting scheme leads to an improved prediction of global average precipitation, though we show that this prediction could be overconfident. On regional scales, we find a heterogeneous pattern of error reduction in future regional precipitation. This stands in sharp contrast with the broad regional pattern of error reduction in future temperature projections, though we do find regions where error is not significantly reduced. Our results demonstrate that practitioners using weighted climate model ensembles for climate projections must take care when weighting by temperature alone, lest they produce unreliable climate projections that result from an inappropriate weighting procedure.