bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chinese university students’ intention to study abroad in times of Covid-19: the important role of student background characteristics
Authors: Yang Tianyu , Bao Wei , Belfi Barbara , Haelermans Carla 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic has affected higher education students in many ways, and it seems to also have influences students’ willingness to study abroad. To date, much is still unclear about the exact effects of COVID-19 on Chinese students’ intentions to study abroad and whether that differs for different types of students. This is problematic, as for students, international study experience is of great importance for their further careers, while for HEIs, the share of foreign students greatly influences their resources. We collected and analyzed survey data from 14,385 Chinese students to examine (1) the unique effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on their intention to study abroad, and (2) the potential differential effects of the pandemic on students with different background characteristics. The results indicate that students from provinces with high COVID-19 pandemic exposure were more inclined to study abroad due to stringent preventive measures and heightened awareness of the virus’s severity. Moreover, the results show that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a greater impact on the intentions to study abroad of high-SES students and students with lower academic achievement than of low-SES and high achieving students. More concretely, due to the pandemic, both student groups were less willing to study abroad than their low-SES and high-achieving counterparts. In terms of student gender, no differential effects were found, suggesting that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the studying abroad intentions of students of various genders relatively equally.
Leveraging computer vision towards high-efficiency autonomous industrial facilities
Authors: Yousif Ibrahim , Burns Liam , El Kalach Fadi , Harik Ramy 
Published: May 2024

AbstractManufacturers face two opposing challenges: the escalating demand for customized products and the pressure to reduce delivery lead times. To address these expectations, manufacturers must refine their processes, to achieve highly efficient and autonomous operations. Current manufacturing equipment deployed in several facilities, while reliable and produces quality products, often lacks the ability to utilize advancements from newer technologies. Since replacing legacy equipment may be financially infeasible for many manufacturers, implementing digital transformation practices and technologies can overcome the stated deficiencies and offer cost-affordable initiatives to improve operations, increase productivity, and reduce costs. This paper explores the implementation of computer vision, as a cutting-edge, cost-effective, open-source digital transformation technology in manufacturing facilities. As a rapidly advancing technology, computer vision has the potential to transform manufacturing operations in general, and quality control in particular. The study integrates a digital twin application at the endpoint of an assembly line, effectively performing the role of a quality officer by utilizing state-of-the-art computer vision algorithms to validate end-product assembly orientation. The proposed digital twin, featuring a novel object recognition approach, efficiently classifies objects, identifies and segments errors in assembly, and schedules the paths through the data pipeline to the corresponding robot for autonomous correction. This minimizes the need for human interaction and reduces disruptions to manufacturing operations.
Enhanced Efficiency of Silicon Solar Cell by New Salophen Complexes Embedded PMMA as Light Concentrators
Authors: Ahmed Radwa K. , Mohamed Naglaa M. , Reda S. M. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe Schiff base N,N-bis(salicylidene)-o-phenylenediamine (salophen) was prepared by the condensation of salicylaldehyde with o-phenylenediamine in ethanol solution. Two new Zn(II) and Ni(II) salophen complexes, were synthesized, fully characterized by infrared (IR), 1H NMR spectroscopic measurements, UV–Vis spectra, photoluminescence (PL), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The prepared complexes were used as phosphors to fabricate complexes/PMMA slab-based luminescent solar concentrators (LSC). The thermal stability of pure and doped PMMA polymer was examined by differential scanning calorimetry. Various parameters such as the optical energy gap, refractive index, AC and DC conductivity, dielectric constant, dielectric loss, Urbach energy, fluorescence quantum yield, and Stokes shift have been calculated and discussed. Optical absorption is carried out in wavelength region 200–900 nm at room temperature before and after the samples have been exposed to sunlight for up to 8 h. Photodegradation studies showed that the Zn(II) complex/PMMA LSC has the lowest rate of degradation compared with Ni(II) complex/PMMA LSC with the same concentration (0.06% weight). I–V characteristics of the photovoltaic devices with and without collectors were examined. The PV cell coupled with LSC shows an increase in maximum efficiency by about 50% compared to the normal one. This indicates that the proposed technique is very useful for improving the efficiency of solar cells.
A novel preclinical model of the normal human breast
Authors: Wilby Anthony J. , Cabral Sara , Zoghi Nastaran , Howell Sacha J. , Farnie Gillian , Harrison Hannah 
Published: May 2024

AbstractImproved screening and treatment have decreased breast cancer mortality, although incidence continues to rise. Women at increased risk of breast cancer can be offered risk reducing treatments, such as tamoxifen, but this has not been shown to reduce breast cancer mortality. New, more efficacious, risk-reducing agents are needed. The identification of novel candidates for prevention is hampered by a lack of good preclinical models. Current patient derived in vitro and in vivo models cannot fully recapitulate the complexities of the human tissue, lacking human extracellular matrix, stroma, and immune cells, all of which are known to influence therapy response. Here we describe a normal breast explant model utilising a tuneable hydrogel which maintains epithelial proliferation, hormone receptor expression, and residency of T cells and macrophages over 7 days. Unlike other organotypic tissue cultures which are often limited by hyper-proliferation, loss of hormone signalling, and short treatment windows (< 48h), our model shows that tissue remains viable over 7 days with none of these early changes. This offers a powerful and unique opportunity to model the normal breast and study changes in response to various risk factors, such as breast density and hormone exposure. Further validation of the model, using samples from patients undergoing preventive therapies, will hopefully confirm this to be a valuable tool, allowing us to test novel agents for breast cancer risk reduction preclinically.
Monitoring of some minor human skin lesions using a skin calorimeter
Authors: Rodríguez de Rivera Pedro Jesús , Rodríguez de Rivera Miriam , Socorro Fabiola , Rodríguez de Rivera Manuel 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe growing interest of human skin thermal properties is motivating the development of new instruments, either by contact or by remote sensing. In this work, we show the ability of a skin calorimeter to monitor the temporal evolution of the heat capacity and the equivalent thermal resistance of the skin, in two small skin lesions. The first one consists of a forehead wound of 10 × 2 mm2. The other injury consists of a second degree burn on the volar wrist area, of 10 × 20 mm2. We studied the temporal evolution of the thermal properties of both injuries. The variation of heat capacity was significant. For first injury, heat capacity decreased by 21% and full recovery was achieved after ten days. For the second case, the heat capacity decrease was 55% and recovery was achieved after 3 weeks. These skin recoveries are monitored by the measured heat capacity value. The returning of the heat capacity to its normal value coincides with the recovery from the injury.
Benchmarking palliative care practices in neurooncology: a german perspective
Authors: Lawson McLean Anna Cecilia , Lawson McLean Aaron , Ernst Thomas , Forster Marie-Therese , Freyschlag Christian , Gempt Jens , Goldbrunner Roland , Grau Stefan , Jungk Christine , van Oorschot Birgitt , Rosahl Steffen K. , Wedding Ulrich , Senft Christian , Kamp Marcel A. ,   on behalf of the German Consortium for Excellence in Neurooncology, Palliative Care (GCE-NPC), Misch Martin , Herrlinger Ulrich , Malinova Vesna , Machein Marcia , Hau Peter , Grauer Oliver , Glas Martin , Kessler Almuth F. , Keric Naureen , Egermann Hannes , Stein Marco , Weigel Jens , Reinges Marcus , Jödicke Andreas , Stein Klaus-Peter , Mehlitz Marcus , May Sven-Axel , Thon Niklas , Kassubek Rebecca , Knappe Ulrich , Alomari Ali , Ebner Florian H. , Renovanz Mirjam , Bumes Elisabeth , Seidel Clemens , Clusmann Hans , Freiman Thomas M. , Ryang Yu-Mi , Gerhardt Julia , Stoffel Michael , Lange Ina , Tronnier Volker , Schulz-Schaeffer Walter 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Purpose
To benchmark palliative care practices in neurooncology centers across Germany, evaluating the variability in palliative care integration, timing, and involvement in tumor board discussions. This study aims to identify gaps in care and contribute to the discourse on optimal palliative care strategies.

Methods
A survey targeting both German Cancer Society-certified and non-certified university neurooncology centers was conducted to explore palliative care frameworks and practices for neurooncological patients. The survey included questions on palliative care department availability, involvement in tumor boards, timing of palliative care integration, and use of standardized screening tools for assessing palliative burden and psycho-oncological distress.

Results
Of 57 centers contacted, 46 responded (81% response rate). Results indicate a dedicated palliative care department in 76.1% of centers, with palliative specialists participating in tumor board discussions at 34.8% of centers. Variability was noted in the initiation of palliative care, with early integration at the diagnosis stage in only 30.4% of centers. The survey highlighted a significant lack of standardized spiritual care assessments and minimal use of advanced care planning. Discrepancies were observed in the documentation and treatment of palliative care symptoms and social complaints, underscoring the need for comprehensive care approaches.

Conclusion
The study highlights a diverse landscape of palliative care provision within German neurooncology centers, underscoring the need for more standardized practices and early integration of palliative care. It suggests the necessity for standardized protocols and guidelines to enhance palliative care's quality and uniformity, ultimately improving patient-centered care in neurooncology.
Solubility vs Dissolution in Physiological Bicarbonate Buffer
Authors: Claussen Felix , Al-Gousous Jozef , Salehi Niloufar , Garcia Mauricio A. , Amidon Gordon L. , Langguth Peter 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Background
Phosphate buffer is often used as a replacement for the physiological bicarbonate buffer in pharmaceutical dissolution testing, although there are some discrepancies in their properties making it complicated to extrapolate dissolution results in phosphate to the in vivo situation. This study aims to characterize these discrepancies regarding solubility and dissolution behavior of ionizable compounds.

Methods
The dissolution of an ibuprofen powder with a known particle size distribution was simulated in silico and verified experimentally in vitro at two different doses and in two different buffers (5 mM pH 6.8 bicarbonate and phosphate).

Results
The results showed that there is a solubility vs. dissolution mismatch in the two buffers. This was accurately predicted by the in-house simulations based on the reversible non-equilibrium (RNE) and the Mooney models.

Conclusions
The results can be explained by the existence of a relatively large gap between the initial surface pH of the drug and the bulk pH at saturation in bicarbonate but not in phosphate, which is caused by not all the interfacial reactions reaching equilibrium in bicarbonate prior to bulk saturation. This means that slurry pH measurements, while providing surface pH estimates for buffers like phosphate, are poor indicators of surface pH in the intestinal bicarbonate buffer. In addition, it showcases the importance of accounting for the H2CO3-CO2 interconversion kinetics to achieve good predictions of intestinal drug dissolution.
Aneuploidy is Linked to Neurological Phenotypes Through Oxidative Stress
Authors: Islam Anowarul , Shaukat Zeeshan , Hussain Rashid , Ricos Michael G. , Dibbens Leanne M. , Gregory Stephen L. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractAneuploidy, having an aberrant genome, is gaining increasing attention in neurodegenerative diseases. It gives rise to proteotoxic stress as well as a stereotypical oxidative shift which makes these cells sensitive to internal and environmental stresses. A growing body of research from numerous laboratories suggests that many neurodegenerative disorders, especially Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia, are characterised by neuronal aneuploidy and the ensuing apoptosis, which may contribute to neuronal loss. Using Drosophila as a model, we investigated the effect of induced aneuploidy in GABAergic neurons. We found an increased proportion of aneuploidy due to Mad2 depletion in the third-instar larval brain and increased cell death. Depletion of Mad2 in GABAergic neurons also gave a defective climbing and seizure phenotype. Feeding animals an antioxidant rescued the climbing and seizure phenotype. These findings suggest that increased aneuploidy leads to higher oxidative stress in GABAergic neurons which causes cell death, climbing defects, and seizure phenotype. Antioxidant feeding represents a potential therapy to reduce the aneuploidy-driven neurological phenotype.
Disruption detection for a cognitive digital supply chain twin using hybrid deep learning
Authors: Ashraf Mahmoud , Eltawil Amr , Ali Islam 
Published: May 2024

AbstractRecent disruptive events, such as COVID-19 and Russia–Ukraine conflict, had a significant impact of global supply chains. Digital supply chain twins have been proposed in order to provide decision makers with an effective and efficient tool to mitigate disruption impact. This paper introduces a hybrid deep learning approach for disruption detection within a cognitive digital supply chain twin framework to enhance supply chain resilience. The proposed disruption detection module utilises a deep autoencoder neural network combined with a one-class support vector machine algorithm. In addition, long-short term memory neural network models are developed to identify the disrupted echelon and predict time-to-recovery from the disruption effect. The obtained information from the proposed approach will help decision-makers and supply chain practitioners make appropriate decisions aiming at minimizing negative impact of disruptive events based on real-time disruption detection data. The results demonstrate the trade-off between disruption detection model sensitivity, encountered delay in disruption detection, and false alarms. This approach has seldom been used in recent literature addressing this issue.
Addressing Barriers and Facilitators to African Americans’ and Hispanics’ Participation in Clinical and Genomic Research Through a Bioethical Sensitive Video
Authors: Churchill Victoria , Schoenberger Yu-Mei , Carter Vivian L. , Chevrin Jamirah Y. , Dean-Colomb Windy , Matthews Roland , Rivers Desiree , Sodeke Stephen O. , Ezer Jonathan , Rivers Brian M. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractResearch advances on effective methods to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer continue to emerge through clinical and genomic research. Most clinical trial and genomic research participants identify as White which limits the generalizability of research findings to non-White populations. With the development and access to technology, digital delivery of salient and tailored health education may provide innovative pathways to increase representation of African Americans (AA) and Hispanics in research. This project focused on the creation of a bioethical sensitive education video aimed at increasing participation in clinical trials and genomic research by bringing together experts from the community, healthcare, biomedical research, and public health. The goal was to utilize existing educational resources to create a tailored message to address AA/Hispanics’ beliefs, values, and bioethical concerns related to participation in clinical and genomic research. Models of behavior change and communication theories were leveraged to frame key components of the message, which then informed the framework for the animated video. Development of the video consisted of six iterative phases: 1) writing sessions; 2) storyboarding; 3) animating; 4) screening/revisions; 5) acceptability testing; 6) finalization. The final animated video is approximately 5 min in length and covers several topics including the goal of clinical research, disparities in research participation, bioethical concerns, and genomic research regulations. Increasing AA and Hispanic participation in clinical and genomic research is imperative to achieving health equity. Tailored messages via short videos may assist in addressing the barriers and facilitators towards research participation and increase intentions to enroll in trials.
Vestibular Implantation
Authors: Vesper Evan O. , Sun Ruolan , Della Santina Charles C. , Schoo Desi P. 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Purpose of Review
This review aims to introduce vestibular implants as investigational devices with the potential to provide a novel rehabilitative treatment for patients with vestibular dysfunction.

Recent Findings
Vestibular implants are being investigated in clinical trials in the USA and Europe as a treatment option for patients with bilateral vestibular hypofunction (also called bilateral vestibulopathy). Analogous to cochlear implants, vestibular implants aim to encode head motion information and provide electric stimulation targeting the vestibular nerve of the inner ear. Published clinical trial results suggest vestibular implants can electrically drive vestibular mediated reflexes, including the vestibulo-ocular reflex and vestibulo-cervical reflex, as well as decreasing dizziness-specific symptoms and improving measures of quality of life.

Summary
Vestibular implants are an investigational technology with the potential to provide treatment options for patients with chronic bilateral vestibulopathy.
Higher derivatives of functions with given critical points and values
Authors: Goldman G. , Yomdin Y. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractLet $$f: B^n \rightarrow {{\mathbb {R}}}$$

f
:

B
n

→
R

be a $$d+1$$

d
+
1

times continuously differentiable function on the unit ball $$B^n$$

B
n

, with $$\mathrm{max\,}_{z\in B^n} \Vert f(z) \Vert =1$$

max

z
∈

B
n

‖
f

(
z
)

‖

=
1

. A well-known fact is that if f vanishes on a set $$Z\subset B^n$$

Z
⊂

B
n

with a non-empty interior, then for each $$k=1,\ldots ,d+1$$

k
=
1
,
…
,
d
+
1

the norm of the k-th derivative $$||f^{(k)}||$$

|
|

f

(
k
)

|
|

is at least $$M=M(n,k)>0$$

M
=
M
(
n
,
k
)
>
0

. A natural question to ask is “what happens for other sets Z?”. This question was partially answered in Goldman and Yomdin (Lower bounds for high derivatives of smooth functions with given zeros. arXiv:2402.01388), Yomdin (Anal Math Phys 11:89, 2021), Yomdin (J Singul 25:443–455, 2022) and Yomdin (Higher derivatives of functions vanishing on a given set. arXiv:2108.02459v1). In the present paper, we ask a similar (and closely related) question: what happens with the high-order derivatives of f, if its gradient vanishes on a given set $$\Sigma $$
Σ
? And what conclusions for the high-order derivatives of f can be obtained from the analysis of the metric geometry of the “critical values set” $$f(\Sigma )$$

f
(
Σ
)

? In the present paper, we provide some initial answers to these questions.
The Yogavāsiṣṭha and the Philosophy of the Absurd: A Hindu Response to the Heart’s Cry
Authors: Tubali Shai 
Published: May 2024

AbstractIn this article, I call attention to the Yogavāsiṣṭha’s depiction of Rāma’s existential crisis and Vasiṣṭha’s various methods for resolving it. However, I illuminate this crisis and Rāma’s lengthy monologue by turning to an altogether different frame of reference: Albert Camus’s philosophy of the absurd as developed in his absurd-oriented works, from The Myth of Sisyphus to The Rebel. Arguing that Rāma’s existential crisis is strongly reminiscent of Camus’s awakening to life’s absurdity, and that his monologue may be considered among the most successful meditations on this predicament, I examine not only Rāma’s quandary but also what the Yogavāsiṣṭha deems the ultimate response to it. In this way, I throw into sharp relief two contrasting responses to the absurd condition in human life that effectively challenge one another. Considering some of the Indian classical works, such as the Yogavāsiṣṭha, in this light suggests that they too acknowledge the absurd as their starting point and, at least to a certain extent, develop doctrines that aid their practitioners in facing it. Nevertheless, the Yogavāsiṣṭha also enables us to develop our thinking about absurdity and expand the discussion of constructive responses to the reality of the absurd.
Assessing outdoor and environmental education threshold concepts in Australian universities
Authors: Polley Scott , McLeod Beth , Rankin Joss , Munge Brendon , Bovino Peter , Picknoll Duncan 
Published: May 2024

AbstractCommunicating tertiary graduate skills and knowledge to employers is a contemporary issue in Australian outdoor education. Threshold concepts have been proposed as a positive way forward to a shared understanding between Higher Education (HE) professionals, students, graduates, employers, and other outdoor education stakeholders. While threshold concepts can offer a curriculum development framework that highlights the graduate capabilities of an HE outdoor educator, they do not specify how these concepts are assessed. In this paper, we explore the assessment of threshold concepts in HE degrees and then examine current assessment practices in HE outdoor education degrees. We highlight selected literature on assessing outdoor education in HE and then explore how other professions assess threshold concepts. Specific professions included have (a) identified threshold concepts and (b) considered the ability to practice upon graduation, as this has the most significant alignment with the professional role of an outdoor educator. We then describe current outdoor education HE assessment practices at selected Australian universities, highlighting the breadth and range of assessment methods incorporated in existing degrees. We conclude with a discussion of the role of authentic assessment and provide five recommendations for how academics might assess the seven HE outdoor education threshold concepts described by Thomas et al. (2019) to support communication of graduate capabilities to employers, students, graduates, and other outdoor education stakeholders.