bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of Baclofen on Central Paroxysmal Positional Downbeat Nystagmus
Authors: Yun So-Yeon , Lee Jong-Hee , Kim Hyo-Jung , Choi Jeong‑Yoon , Kim Ji-Soo 
Published: March 2024

AbstractParoxysmal positional nystagmus frequently occurs in lesions involving the cerebellum, and has been ascribed to disinhibition and enhanced canal signals during positioning due to cerebellar dysfunction. This study aims to elucidate the mechanism of central positional nystagmus (CPN) by determining the effects of baclofen on the intensity of paroxysmal positional downbeat nystagmus due to central lesions. Fifteen patients with paroxysmal downbeat CPN were subjected to manual straight head-hanging before administration of baclofen, while taking baclofen 30 mg per day for at least one week, and two weeks after discontinuation of baclofen. The maximum slow phase velocity (SPV) and time constant (TC) of the induced paroxysmal downbeat CPN were analyzed. The positional vertigo was evaluated using an 11-point numerical rating scale (0 to 10) in 9 patients. After treatment with baclofen, the median of the maximum SPV of paroxysmal downbeat CPN decreased from 30.1°/s [interquartile range (IQR) = 19.6—39.0°/s] to 15.2°/s (IQR = 11.2—22.0°/s, Wilcoxon signed rank test, p < 0.001) with the median decrement ratio at 40.2% (IQR = 28.2—50.6%). After discontinuation of baclofen, the maximum SPV re-increased to 24.6°/s (IQR = 13.1—34.4°/s, Wilcoxon signed rank test, p = 0.001) with the median increment ratio at 23.5% (IQR = 5.2—87.9%). In contrast, the TCs of paroxysmal downbeat CPN remained unchanged at approximately 3.0 s throughout the evaluation. The positional vertigo also decreased with the medication (Wilcoxon signed rank test, p = 0.020), and remained unchanged even after discontinuation of medication (Wilcoxon signed rank test, p = 0.737). The results of this study support the prior presumption that paroxysmal CPN is caused by enhanced responses of the semicircular canals during positioning due to cerebellar disinhibition. Baclofen may be tried in symptomatic patients with paroxysmal CPN.
Torn Between Love and Hate: Mouse Tracking Ambivalent Attitudes Towards Robots
Authors: Stapels Julia G. , Eyssel Friederike 
Published: March 2024

AbstractRobots are a source of evaluative conflict and thus elicit ambivalence. In fact, psychological research has shown across domains that people simultaneously report strong positive and strong negative evaluations about one and the same attitude object. This is defined as ambivalence. In the current research, we extended existing ambivalence research by measuring ambivalence towards various robot-related stimuli using explicit (i.e., self-report) and implicit measures. Concretely, we used a mouse tracking approach to gain insights into the experience and resolution of evaluative conflict elicited by robots. We conducted an extended replication across four experiments withN= 411 overall. This featured a mixed-methods approach and included a single paper meta-analysis. Thereby, we showed that the amount of reported conflicting thoughts and feelings (i.e., objective ambivalence) and self-reported experienced conflict (i.e., subjective ambivalence) were consistently higher towards robot-related stimuli compared to stimuli evoking univalent responses. Further, implicit measures of ambivalence revealed that response times were higher when evaluating robot-related stimuli compared to univalent stimuli, however results concerning behavioral indicators of ambivalence in mouse trajectories were inconsistent. This might indicate that behavioral indicators of ambivalence apparently depend on the respective robot-related stimulus. We could not obtain evidence of systematic information processing as a cognitive indicator of ambivalence, however, qualitative data suggested that participants might focus on especially strong arguments to compensate their experienced conflict. Furthermore, interindividual differences did not seem to substantially influence ambivalence towards robots. Taken together, the current work successfully applied the implicit and explicit measurement of ambivalent attitudes to the domain of social robotics, while at the same time identifying potential boundaries for its application.
Partitioning Human Dietary Exposure to Ammunition-Derived Lead in Meat from Game Animals Between Bullets and Shotgun Pellets
Authors: Green Rhys E. , Pain Deborah J. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIn making recommendations for restricting uses of lead shotgun pellets and bullets for hunting, regulatory agencies, including those of EU and UK REACH, estimate human health risks from dietary exposure to lead from both ammunition types separately and attempt to monetise benefits of restriction options. However, available data from diet surveys are rarely sufficient to allow straightforward partitioning of dietary exposure between game killed with lead bullets and shotgun pellets. Because information on game meat consumption was limited, the UK REACH Agency’s draft socioeconomic analysis assigned all health-related economic benefits of lead ammunition restriction to shotgun pellets and none to bullets because a much higher tonnage of shotgun pellets than bullets is used. However, differences between the two ammunition types in exposure pathways make tonnage used an unreliable proxy for dietary exposure. Using primarily data for the UK, we partitioned exposure to lead by estimating tonnages of edible game meat shot with bullets and shotgun pellets separately and the mean lead concentrations in these meats. We estimated that ca.21% of human dietary exposure to ammunition-derived lead in the UK is from bullets and 79% from shotgun pellets. This new partitioning approach could be used to inform cost–benefit analysis in the UK and elsewhere when data from food consumption surveys are lacking.
Literature Survey for In-Vivo Reynolds and Womersley Numbers of Various Arteries and Implications for Compliant In-Vitro Modelling
Authors: Williamson P. N. , Docherty P. D. , Jermy M. , Steven B. M. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Purpose
In-vitro modelling can be used to investigate haemodynamics of arterial geometry and stent implants. However, in-vitro model fidelity relies on precise matching of in-vivo conditions. In pulsatile flow, velocity distribution and wall shear stress depend on compliance, and the Reynolds and Womersley numbers. However, matching such values may lead to unachievable tolerances in phantom fabrication.

Methods
Published Reynolds and Womersley numbers for 14 major arteries in the human body were determined via a literature search. Preference was given to in-vivo publications but in-vitro and in-silico values were presented when in-vivo values were not found. Subsequently ascending aorta and carotid artery case studies were presented to highlight the limitations dynamic matching would apply to phantom fabrication.

Results
Seven studies reported the in-vivo Reynolds and Womersley numbers for the aorta and two for the carotid artery. However, only one study each reported in-vivo numbers for the remaining ten arteries. No in-vivo data could be found for the femoral, superior mesenteric and renal arteries. Thus, information derived in-vitro and in-silico were provided instead. The ascending aorta and carotid artery models required scaling to 1.5× and 3× life-scale, respectively, to achieve dimensional tolerance restrictions. Modelling the ascending aorta with the comparatively high viscosity water/glycerine solution will lead to high pump power demands. However, all the working fluids considered could be dynamically matched with low pump demand for the carotid model.

Conclusion
This paper compiles available human haemodynamic information, and highlights the paucity of information for some arteries. It also provides a method for optimal in-vitro experimental configuration.
RGD-coated polymeric microbubbles promote ultrasound-mediated drug delivery in an inflamed endothelium-pericyte co-culture model of the blood-brain barrier
Authors: Hark Christopher , Chen Junlin , Blöck Julia , Buhl Eva Miriam , Radermacher Harald , Pola Robert , Pechar Michal , Etrych Tomáš , Peña Quim , Rix Anne , Drude Natascha I. , Kiessling Fabian , Lammers Twan , May Jan-Niklas 
Published: March 2024

AbstractDrug delivery to central nervous pathologies is compromised by the blood-brain barrier (BBB). A clinically explored strategy to promote drug delivery across the BBB is sonopermeation, which relies on the combined use of ultrasound (US) and microbubbles (MB) to induce temporally and spatially controlled opening of the BBB. We developed an advanced in vitro BBB model to study the impact of sonopermeation on the delivery of the prototypic polymeric drug carrier pHPMA as a larger molecule and the small molecule antiviral drug ribavirin. This was done under standard and under inflammatory conditions, employing both untargeted and RGD peptide-coated MB. The BBB model is based on human cerebral capillary endothelial cells and human placental pericytes, which are co-cultivated in transwell inserts and which present with proper transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER). Sonopermeation induced a significant decrease in TEER values and facilitated the trans-BBB delivery of fluorescently labeled pHPMA (Atto488-pHPMA). To study drug delivery under inflamed endothelial conditions, which are typical for e.g. tumors, neurodegenerative diseases and CNS infections, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) was employed to induce inflammation in the BBB model. RGD-coated MB bound to and permeabilized the inflamed endothelium-pericyte co-culture model, and potently improved Atto488-pHPMA and ribavirin delivery. Taken together, our work combines in vitro BBB bioengineering with MB-mediated drug delivery enhancement, thereby providing a framework for future studies on optimization of US-mediated drug delivery to the brain.
Graphical abstract
Aging Processes Are Affected by Energy Balance: Focused on the Effects of Nutrition and Physical Activity on Telomere Length
Authors: Gürel Satı , Pak Elif Nisa , Tek Nilüfer Acar 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Purpose of Review
The number and proportion of individuals aged 60 and over are increasing globally. The increase in the elderly population has important social and economic effects. Telomere length is an important marker for healthy aging. Here, we review the relevance between telomere length and energy balance by determining the effects of physical activity, nutrients, dietary patterns, and foods on healthy aging and telomere length with related studies.

Recent Findings
Evidence emphasizes the importance of telomere length and integrity for healthy aging. It also focuses on the importance of potential interventions such as physical activity and a healthy diet to improve this process.

Summary
We suggest that ensuring energy balance with regular physical activity and healthy diets can contribute to the aging process by protecting telomere length. In addition, different methods in studies, short and inconsistent durations, different types of exercise, different diet patterns, and non-standard foods have led to conflicting results. More studies are needed to elucidate molecular-based mechanisms.
A hybrid modeling approach to simulate complex systems and classify behaviors
Authors: Boodaghian Asl Arsineh , Raghothama Jayanth , Darwich Adam , Meijer Sebastiaan 
Published: March 2024

AbstractMany important systems, both natural and artificial, are complex in nature, and models and simulations are one of the main instruments to study them. In this paper, we present an approach where a complex social system is represented at a high level of abstraction as a network, thereby addressing several challenges such as quantification, intervention, adaptation and validation. The network represents the factors that influence the mental health and wellbeing in children and young people. In this article, we present an approach that links a system dynamics simulation to simulate the network and ranking algorithms to measure the vertices’ behaviors. The network is enhanced by adding edge strengths in the form of correlations between vertices (established through literature). Such an approach allows us to exploit the network structure to qualify and quantify the vertices of the network, to overlay different processes over the network topology, to add and remove new vertices, and therefore interact dynamically. This in turn allows for the qualification of vertices’ importance and network resilience. System dynamics simulation allows for policy analysis, where different scenarios are analyzed by stimulating a set of vertices and the effect over the network is observed. This approach allows for an abstract, flexible, yet comprehensive way of analyzing a complex social network at any scale.
Electrochemical decolorization of liquid digestate from coffee waste biomass using a boron-doped diamond anode
Authors: Chen H. B. , Yoshida G. , Andriamanohiarisoamanana F. J. , Ihara I. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractLiquid digestate can be used to provide nutrients for microalgae cultivation but the medium needs to be clear and colorless. The aim of this work was to use liquid digestate from coffee waste biomass to produce a light-permeable medium for microalgae cultivation. A boron-doped diamond anode was applied for electrochemical decolorization of the digestate. The electrochemical oxidation process reduced the platinum-cobalt color value by up to 97% and the chemical oxygen demand by 84.1%. After electrochemical oxidation, 87.4% of the ammonium nitrogen (NH4-N) was retained. Decolorization of the spent coffee grounds liquid digestate was compared with that of dairy cow manure liquid digestate. It took 90 min longer to fully decolorize the spent coffee grounds liquid digestate compared with the dairy cow manure liquid digestate. The boron-doped diamond anode performed better in the decolorization than Ti/IrO2 and Ti/Pt anodes. The effects of the initial Fe2+ concentration and current on the electrochemical oxidation process were also evaluated. Increasing the initial Fe2+ concentration enhanced the Fenton reaction and chemical oxygen demand removal. A higher current enhanced the electrochemical decolorization process and side reactions. Electrochemical oxidation using a boron-doped diamond anode is a promising method for producing an appropriate medium for microalgae cultivation because it promotes decolorization of liquid digestate and retains most of the NH4-N.
Functional Optical Fiber Sensors Detecting Imperceptible Physical/Chemical Changes for Smart Batteries
Authors: Li Yiding , Wang Li , Song Youzhi , Wang Wenwei , Lin Cheng , He Xiangming 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe battery technology progress has been a contradictory process in which performance improvement and hidden risks coexist. Now the battery is still a “black box”, thus requiring a deep understanding of its internal state. The battery should “sense its internal physical/chemical conditions”, which puts strict requirements on embedded sensing parts. This paper summarizes the application of advanced optical fiber sensors in lithium-ion batteries and energy storage technologies that may be mass deployed, focuses on the insights of advanced optical fiber sensors into the processes of one-dimensional nano–micro-level battery material structural phase transition, electrolyte degradation, electrode–electrolyte interface dynamics to three-dimensional macro-safety evolution. The paper contributes to understanding how to use optical fiber sensors to achieve “real” and “embedded” monitoring. Through the inherent advantages of the advanced optical fiber sensor, it helps clarify the battery internal state and reaction mechanism, aiding in the establishment of more detailed models. These advancements can promote the development of smart batteries, with significant importance lying in essentially promoting the improvement of system consistency. Furthermore, with the help of smart batteries in the future, the importance of consistency can be weakened or even eliminated. The application of advanced optical fiber sensors helps comprehensively improve the battery quality, reliability, and life.
Pathologies in the Asymptotics of low-Froude Free-surface Waves Over Smooth Bodies
Authors: Johnson-Llambias Yyanis , Trinh Philippe H. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIn the study of low-speed or low-Froude flows of a potential gravity-driven fluid past a wave-generating object, the traditional asymptotic expansion in powers of the Froude number predicts a waveless free-surface at every order. This is due to the fact that the waves are, in fact, exponentially small and beyond-all-orders of the naive expansion. The theory of exponential asymptotics indicates that such exponentially-small water waves are switched-on across so-called Stokes lines—these curves partition the fluid-domain into wave-free regions and regions with waves. In prior studies, Stokes lines are associated with singularities in the flow field, such as stagnation points, or corners of submerged objects or rough beds. In this work, we present a smoothed geometry that was recently highlighted by Pethiyagoda et al. [Int. J. Numer. Meth. Fluids. 2018; 86:607–624] as capable of producing waves, yet paradoxically exhibiting no obvious Stokes line according to conventional exponential asymptotics theory. In this work, we demonstrate that the Stokes line for this smooth geometry originates from an essential singularity at infinity in the analytic continuation of free-surface quantities. We discuss some of the difficulties in extending the typical methodology of exponential asymptotics to general wave-structure interaction problems with smooth geometries.
Hydrothermal synthesis of hydroxyapatite crystals with and without seed crystals and surfactant
Authors: Abdel-Aal E. A. , El-Sayed D. , Abdel-Ghafar H. M. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractTo the best of our knowledge for the first time the hydroxyapatite (HA) crystals were synthesized with different doses of HA seed crystals. HA crystals were synthesized from solutions containing the stoichiometric amounts of ammonium dihydrogen phosphate and calcium hydroxide. The various interactions of the NH4H2PO4 concentrations (0.5–5.5 Molar), surfactant {amino tris (methylene phosphonic acid) [N(CH2PO3H2)3] (ATMP)} [ATMP] concentrations (0–100 ppm), and HA seed crystals doses (0–50%) were investigated and their effects on the HA mean diameter and hardness were studied using the Box-Behnken experimental statistical design. Results have shown that no correlations were obtained between the mean diameters of the HA crystals and the obtained HA hardness. HA synthesis in the absence of surfactant resulted in formation of HA rod-like and/or tabular crystals whereas agglomerated crystals were obtained with surfactant. The results indicate that with increasing the % of HA crystal seed dose, an increase in the HA mean diameter was obtained. Moreover, with increase of surfactant concentration, a high increase in HA hardness was achieved. HA crystal particle sizes were ranged from about 11–18 µm whereas the crystallite sizes were ranged from 22 to 46 nm.
Adding Agricultural Topsoil and Growing Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) Enhanced the Rehabilitation of Metal/loids Enriched Iron Ore Mine Tailings
Authors: Sarathchandra Sajeevee S. , Rengel Zed , Solaiman Zakaria M. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractRevegetating iron-ore mine tailings is difficult due to their poor physicochemical and microbial properties. This experiment aimed to improve tailings properties for better plant growth and rhizosphere activities. First, a pot experiment was conducted to assess the influence of topsoil amendment on the remediation of tailings collected from two sites (coded A and B) in Western Australia to promote the growth of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L. cv Ausvic). Each pot was filled with pre-defined ratios of topsoil to mine tailings (0, 10, 20, 30, 50 and 100% w/w). Perennial ryegrass was harvested 60 days after sowing and analysed for plant growth, root morphological characteristics and metal uptake by shoots. Second, a study on biological attributes and an incubation study over 84 days were carried out. The addition of topsoil significantly decreased pH, but EC and total organic carbon (TOC) increased with an increased proportion of topsoil. Total concentrations of As, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Fe and Mn decreased with an increased ratio of topsoil in growth medium. The highest root dry biomass was observed in the treatments with 30% and 50% topsoil addition to tailings, whereas shoot dry biomass only increased with 50% topsoil. Total root length increased significantly with 50% topsoil addition to site A tailings. A significant increase in microbial biomass carbon (MBC) was found with 50% addition of topsoil compared with the control. Microbial quotient (MBC/TOC) decreased significantly with the addition of topsoil to both types of tailings. Metal contents in perennial ryegrass shoots decreased with the increasing rate of topsoil, but perennial ryegrass was an effective phytoextractor of Cu, Zn and Mn. Further, the incubation study revealed that 50% topsoil application increased cumulative respiration emissions in both A and B tailings after 42 days. Iron ore mine tailings can be improved in terms of physicochemical and biological attributes by adding topsoil. However, further investigation should be carried out to determine the speciation of metal/loids in amended iron ore tailings.
Efficient and Homogenous Precipitation of Sulfur Within a 3D Electrospun Heterocatalytic Rutile/Anatase TiO2-x Framework in Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Feng Ping , Dong Kang , Xu Yaolin , Zhang Xia , Jia Haojun , Prell Henrik , Tovar Michael , Manke Ingo , Liu Fuyao , Xiang Hengxue , Zhu Meifang , Lu Yan 
Published: March 2024

AbstractLithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries can potentially outperform state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries, but their further development is hindered by challenges, such as poor electrical conductivity of sulfur and lithium sulfide, shuttle phenomena of lithium polysulfides, and uneven distribution of solid reaction products. Herein, free-standing carbon nanofibers embedded with oxygen-deficient titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2-x/CNFs) has been fabricated by a facile electrospinning method, which can support active electrode materials without the need for conductive carbon and binders. By carefully controlling the calcination temperature, a mixed phase of rutile and anatase was achieved in the TiO2-x nanoparticles. The hybridization of anatase/rutile TiO2-x and the oxygen vacancy in TiO2-x play a crucial role in enhancing the conversion kinetics of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs), mitigating the shuttle effect of LiPSs, and enhancing the overall efficiency of the Li–S battery system. Additionally, the free-standing TiO2-x/CNFs facilitate uniform deposition of reaction products during cycling, as confirmed by synchrotron X-ray imaging. As a result of these advantageous features, the TiO2-x/CNFs-based cathode demonstrates an initial specific discharge capacity of 787.4 mAh g−1 at 0.5 C in the Li–S coin cells, and a final specific discharge capacity of 584.0 mAh g−1 after 300 cycles. Furthermore, soft-packaged Li–S pouch cells were constructed using the TiO2-x/CNFs-based cathode, exhibiting excellent mechanical properties at different bending states. This study presents an innovative approach to developing free-standing sulfur host materials that are well suited for flexible Li–S batteries as well as for various other energy applications.
Graphical Abstract