bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synthetic co-culture in an interconnected two-compartment bioreactor system: violacein production with recombinant E. coli strains
Authors: Müller Tobias , Schick Simon , Klemp Jan-Simon , Sprenger Georg A. , Takors Ralf 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe concept of modular synthetic co-cultures holds considerable potential for biomanufacturing, primarily to reduce the metabolic burden of individual strains by sharing tasks among consortium members. However, current consortia often show unilateral relationships solely, without stabilizing feedback control mechanisms, and are grown in a shared cultivation setting. Such ‘one pot’ approaches hardly install optimum growth and production conditions for the individual partners. Hence, novel mutualistic, self-coordinating consortia are needed that are cultured under optimal growth and production conditions for each member. The heterologous production of the antibiotic violacein (VIO) in the mutually interacting E. coli–E. coli consortium serves as an example of this new principle. Interdependencies for growth control were implemented via auxotrophies for L-tryptophan and anthranilate (ANT) that were satisfied by the respective partner. Furthermore, VIO production was installed in the ANT auxotrophic strain. VIO production, however, requires low temperatures of 20–30 °C which conflicts with the optimum growth temperature of E. coli at 37 °C. Consequently, a two-compartment, two-temperature level setup was used, retaining the mutual interaction of the cells via the filter membrane-based exchange of medium. This configuration also provided the flexibility to perform individualized batch and fed-batch strategies for each co-culture member. We achieved maximum biomass-specific productivities of around 6 mg (g h)−1 at 25 °C which holds great promise for future applications.
A single-arm pilot of MyInspiration: a novel digital resource to support spiritual needs of patients undergoing cancer-directed surgery
Authors: Kelly Elizabeth Palmer , Klatt Maryanna , Caputo Jacqueline , Pawlik Timothy M. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Purpose
This study aimed to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and satisfaction associated with the MyInspiration intervention, a digital spiritual support tool for patients undergoing cancer surgery. Additionally, we evaluated changes in spiritual well-being and the ability to find meaning in their experience with cancer before and after the intervention.

Methods
This was a prospective, single-arm pilot study. Feasibility and acceptability were assessed by ratio of participants who completed all assessments among individuals who had signed consent forms. Satisfaction was assessed with 5 Likert-style questions around user experience. Patient spiritual well-being and finding meaning in their experience with cancer were measured at baseline and post-intervention.

Results
Forty patients were enrolled, the majority of whom were female (80.0%) and diagnosed with breast cancer (52.5%), with an average age of 54.4 years (SD = 13.7, range 29.0–82.0). Regarding feasibility and acceptability, 76.9% of patients who consented to participate completed the full study protocol. In assessing satisfaction, 59% of patients were satisfied with the overall experience of MyInspiration. There was no difference in spiritual well-being pre-/post-intervention. There was a difference in pre (M = 1.95, SD = .95) and post (M = 2.23, SD = .86) scores relative to “finding meaning in the cancer experience” with a mean difference of 0.28 (p = 0.008).

Conclusion
MyInspiration was feasible and acceptable to patients, and the majority were satisfied with the tool. The intervention was associated with changes in patients’ ability to find meaning within their cancer experience. A randomized control trial is needed to evaluate the efficacy of the tool in a broader population of patients with cancer.
Chemical angioplasty vs. balloon plus chemical angioplasty for delayed cerebral ischemia: a pilot study of PbtO2 outcomes
Authors: Moncur Eleanor M. , Craven Claudia L. , Al-Ahmad Selma , Jones Bethany , Robertson Fergus , Reddy Ugan , Toma Ahmed K. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background
Delayed cerebral ischaemia (DCI) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH). Chemical angioplasty (CA) and transluminal balloon angioplasty (TBA) are used to treat patients with refractory vasospasm causing DCI. Multi-modal monitoring including brain tissue oxygenation (PbtO2) is routinely used at this centre for early detection and management of DCI following aSAH. In this single-centre pilot study, we are comparing these two treatment modalities and their effects on PbtO2.

Methods
Retrospective case series of patients with DCI who had PbtO2 monitoring as part of their multimodality monitoring and underwent either CA or TBA combined with CA. PbtO2 values were recorded from intra-parenchymal Raumedic NEUROVENT-PTO® probes. Data were continuously collected and downloaded as second-by-second data. Comparisons were made between pre-angioplasty PbtO2 and post-angioplasty PbtO2 median values (4 h before angioplasty, 4 h after and 12 h after).

Results
There were immediate significant improvements in PbtO2 at the start of intervention in both groups. PbtO2 then increased by 13 mmHg in the CA group and 15 mmHg in the TBA plus CA group in the first 4 h post-intervention. This improvement in PbtO2 was sustained for the TBA plus CA group but not the CA group.

Conclusion
Combined balloon plus chemical angioplasty results in more sustained improvement in brain tissue oxygenation compared with chemical angioplasty alone. Our findings suggest that PbtO2 is a useful tool for monitoring the response to angioplasty in vasospasm.
Interdisziplinäre Therapie von Hirnmetastasen
Authors: Bernhardt Denise , Krieg Sandro M. , Müller Volkmar , Witzel Isabell 
Published: April 2024

ZusammenfassungBei Patientinnen mit einem metastasierten Mammakarzinom zeigt sich eine steigende Inzidenz zerebraler Metastasen bei Fortschritten in der systemischen Therapie. Bei Metastasen des zentralen Nervensystems (ZNS) ist in den meisten Fällen eine lokale Therapie indiziert. Eine operative Therapie kommt bei symptomatischen Metastasen, singulären Metastasen oder zur Gewinnung einer Histologie infrage. Eine Radiatio der ZNS-Metastasen sollte nach Möglichkeit stereotaktisch erfolgen. Bei multiplen Hirnmetastasen bzw. im Rezidiv kann eine Ganzhirnbestrahlung durchgeführt werden, die mit kognitiven Einschränkungen assoziiert sein kann. In Einzelfällen kann bei asymptomatischen Metastasen und Wechsel der systemischen Therapie eine lokale Behandlung aufgeschoben werden, insbesondere wenn eine stereotaktische Bestrahlung nicht möglich ist. Erste Studiendaten für Patientinnen mit Hirnmetastasen liegen vor, jedoch besteht großer Bedarf an klinischer und translationaler Forschung.
Simulating vision impairment in virtual reality: a comparison of visual task performance with real and simulated tunnel vision
Authors: Neugebauer Alexander , Castner Nora , Severitt Björn , Stingl Katarina , Ivanov Iliya , Wahl Siegfried 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIn this work, we explore the potential and limitations of simulating gaze-contingent tunnel vision conditions using Virtual Reality (VR) with built-in eye tracking technology. This approach promises an easy and accessible way of expanding study populations and test groups for visual training, visual aids, or accessibility evaluations. However, it is crucial to assess the validity and reliability of simulating these types of visual impairments and evaluate the extend to which participants with simulated tunnel vision can represent real patients. Two age-matched participant groups were acquired: The first group (n = 8, aged 20–60, average 49.1 ± 13.2) consisted of patients diagnosed with Retinitis pigmentosa (RP). The second group (n = 8, aged 27–59, average 46.5 ± 10.8) consisted of visually healthy participants with simulated tunnel vision. Both groups carried out different visual tasks in a virtual environment for 30 min per day over the course of four weeks. Task performances as well as gaze characteristics were evaluated in both groups over the course of the study. Using the ’two one-sided tests for equivalence’ method, the two groups were found to perform similar in all three visual tasks. Significant differences between groups were found in different aspects of their gaze behavior, though most of these aspects seem to converge over time. Our study evaluates the potential and limitations of using Virtual Reality technology to simulate the effects of tunnel vision within controlled virtual environments. We find that the simulation accurately represents performance of RP patients in the context of group averages, but fails to fully replicate effects on gaze behavior.
Landscape discourses and rural transformations: insights from the Dutch Dune and Flower Bulb Region
Authors: de Koning Susan 
Published: April 2024

AbstractRural landscapes are facing a loss of biodiversity. To deal with this challenge, landscape governance is seen as an alternative and addition to sectoral policies and a potential way of realizing transformative change for biodiversity. To study transformative change in the Bulb Region, the Netherlands, this study uses a discursive-institutional perspective. A mixed methods approach was used including 50 interviews, participant observation and document analysis. The structuration and institutionalization of three competing landscape discourses were analyzed: a hegemonic discourse rejecting any changes in bulb farming; an emerging discourse aiming to enhance sustainability through innovation; and an unstructured discourse questioning the sustainability of bulb farming. The paper shows that the emerging sustainability discourse strengthens the hegemonic discourse by providing an action repertoire for farmers to deal with changing societal demands, while not questioning the hegemonic view on the landscape. Moreover, an institutionalized landscape discourse can be very stable if discursive (relation between naturalized landscape perspectives, identity and the articulated economic interests) and non-discursive factors (natural-spatial conditions, structure of agricultural sector, embeddedness in international trade) are strongly intertwined, leaving little room for alternative discourses. The sustainability discourse was induced by changes outside the Bulb Region (e.g., legislation), thus raising the question whether landscapes are the appropriate level to expect the initiation of transformative change. For rural transformations to come about, solely relying on policies on the landscape level is not sensible. A mix of policies at both the landscape and higher levels offers more perspective for transformative change.
Neural signatures of imaginary motivational
states: desire for music, movement and social play
Authors: Della Vedova Giada , Proverbio Alice Mado 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe literature has demonstrated the potential for detecting accurate
electrical signals that correspond to the will or intention to move, as well as
decoding the thoughts of individuals who imagine houses, faces or objects. This
investigation examines the presence of precise neural markers of imagined
motivational states through the combining of electrophysiological and neuroimaging
methods. 20 participants were instructed to vividly imagine the desire to move,
listen to music or engage in social activities. Their EEG was recorded from 128
scalp sites and analysed using individual standardized Low-Resolution Brain
Electromagnetic Tomographies (LORETAs) in the N400 time window (400–600 ms).
The activation of 1056 voxels was examined in relation to the 3 motivational states.
The most active dipoles were grouped in eight regions of interest (ROI), including
Occipital, Temporal, Fusiform, Premotor, Frontal, OBF/IF, Parietal, and Limbic
areas. The statistical analysis revealed that all motivational imaginary states
engaged the right hemisphere more than the left hemisphere. Distinct markers were
identified for the three motivational states. Specifically, the right temporal area
was more relevant for “Social Play”, the orbitofrontal/inferior
frontal cortex for listening to music, and the left premotor cortex for the
“Movement” desire. This outcome is encouraging in terms of the
potential use of neural indicators in the realm of brain-computer interface, for
interpreting the thoughts and desires of individuals with locked-in syndrome.
The impact of severe obesity on image quality and ventricular function assessment in echocardiography and cardiac MRI
Authors: Goyal Akash , Crabtree Christopher D. , Lee Bryan C. , Harfi Thura T. , Rajpal Saurabh , Yildiz Vedat O. , Simonetti Orlando P. , Tong Matthew S. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThis study sought to evaluate the impact of severe obesity on image quality and ventricular function assessment in cardiovascular magnetic resonance (MRI) and trans-thoracic echocardiography (TTE). We studied 100 consecutive patients who underwent clinically indicated cardiac MRI and TTE studies within 12 months between July 2017 and December 2020; 50 (28 females and 22 males; 54.5 ± 18.7 years) with normal body mass index (BMI) (18.5–25 kg/m2) and 50 (21 females and 29 males; 47.2 ± 13.3 years) with severe obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2). MRI and TTE image quality scores were compared within and across cohorts using a linear mixed model. Categorical left (LVF) and right (RVF) ventricular function were compared using Cohens Kappa statistic. Mean BMI for normal weight and obese cohorts were 22.2 ± 1.7 kg/m2 and 50.3 ± 5.9 kg/m2, respectively. Out of a possible 93 points, mean MRI image quality score was 91.5 ± 2.5 for patients with normal BMI, and 88.4 ± 5.5 for patients with severe obesity; least square (LS) mean difference 3.1, p = 0.460. TTE scores were 64.2 ± 13.6 for patients with normal BMI and 46.0 ± 12.9 for patients with severe obesity, LS mean difference 18.2, p < 0.001. Ventricular function agreement between modalities was worse in the obese cohort for both LVF (72% vs 80% agreement; kappa 0.53 vs 0.70, obese vs. normal BMI), and RVF (58% vs 72% agreement, kappa 0.18 vs 0.34, obese vs. normal BMI). Severe obesity had limited impact on cardiac MRI image quality, while obesity significantly degraded TTE image quality and ventricular function agreement with MRI.
A preliminary study on 3D printing feedstock derived from cellulose recovered from cigarette butts
Authors: D’Urso Flavia , Iaccarino Paolo , Giordano Michele , Oliviero Maria , Di Maio Ernesto , Sansone Lucia 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIn this work, we describe the recovery of cellulose acetate (r-CA) polymer from waste cigarette butts (CBs) and their subsequent conversion into feedstock for 3D printing technology. The extraction process for CBs includes two stages: initial washes in water, followed by additional washes in ethanol. A final step involves a dissolution and reprecipitation process, resulting in the creation of a fine powder. The recovery polymer has been analysed and compared to commercial cellulose acetate (p-CA) and unsmoked cigarette filter (u-CA) to assess its purity and examine alterations in its physicochemical properties. The CA powder has also been plasticized with different biocompatible plasticizers to improve the mechanical properties of the CA. We analyze the rheological properties to identify the suitable composition as feedstock for 3D printing.
Environmental regulation, outward foreign direct investment, and China’s green total factor productivity
Authors: Kong Xiangrong , Li Zhezhou , Lei Xiao , Jiang Xiaozhen , Bao Xinzhuo 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIncreasing green total factor productivity (GTFP) is currently the primary goal of sustainable development worldwide. GTFP not only reflects the efficiency of economic expansion but also encompasses resource consumption and pollution. This research enhances the current understanding of GTFP by indicating that aside from reverse technology spillovers, labor mobility, and changes in industrial structure, additional factors, such as environmental regulations, exert a dynamic function in shaping the influence of outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) on the GTFP of the home nation. The empirical findings indicate that OFDI has a single threshold effect on GTFP, and the negative effect increases with the reinforcing of environmental control. The main impact comes from home country’s changes in green technology (GTC) rather than changes in green efficiency. Additionally, environmental regulation has a positive moderating effect on OFDI, the moderating effect of environmental regulation in western regions is more pronounced in promoting the home country’s GTC. It is imperative to take into account regional variations and devise distinct policies for eastern, central, and western regions.
Explainable AI in the military domain
Authors: Wood Nathan Gabriel 
Published: April 2024

AbstractArtificial intelligence (AI) has become nearly ubiquitous in modern society, from components of mobile applications to medical support systems, and everything in between. In societally impactful systems imbued with AI, there has been increasing concern related to opaque AI, that is, artificial intelligence where it is unclear how or why certain decisions are reached. This has led to a recent boom in research on “explainable AI” (XAI), or approaches to making AI more explainable and understandable to human users. In the military domain, numerous bodies have argued that autonomous and AI-enabled weapon systems ought not incorporate unexplainable AI, with the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United States Department of Defense both explicitly including explainability as a relevant factor in the development and use of such systems. In this article, I present a cautiously critical assessment of this view, arguing that explainability will be irrelevant for many current and near-future autonomous systems in the military (which do not incorporate any AI), that it will be trivially incorporated into most military systems which do possess AI (as these generally possess simpler AI systems), and that for those systems with genuinely opaque AI, explainability will prove to be of more limited value than one might imagine. In particular, I argue that explainability, while indeed a virtue in design, is a virtue aimed primarily at designers and troubleshooters of AI-enabled systems, but is far less relevant for users and handlers actually deploying these systems. I further argue that human–machine teaming is a far more important element of responsibly using AI for military purposes, adding that explainability may undermine efforts to improve human–machine teamings by creating aprima faciesense that the AI, due to its explainability, may be utilized with little (or less) potential for mistakes. I conclude by clarifying that the arguments are not against XAI in the military, but are instead intended as a caution against over-inflating the value of XAI in this domain, or ignoring the limitations and potential pitfalls of this approach.
Integrated Data Modeling and Biological Evaluation of PEGylated Konjac Gum-Rosin Pentaerythritol Polymeric Nanocomposites for Enhanced Antimicrobial Performance
Authors: Yıldız Ahmet , Küçükdeniz Tarık , İlgar Merve , Soomro Razium Ali , Sayed Mohamed E. El , Karakuş Selcan 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens necessitates the development of novel antimicrobial agents. Herein, PEGylated konjac gum-supported rosin pentaerythritol nanocomposites (KG/PEG/RE PNCs) were synthesized using an environmentally friendly sonochemical method, aiming to explore their potential antibacterial and antifungal properties against a range of pathogens, including Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aspergillus brasiliensis, and Staphylococcus aureus. An elaborate investigation into the rheological properties of these PNCs highlighted the dependence of viscosity on synthesis parameters such as RE concentration, sonication time, and KG/RE blend ratio with the Higiro model validated as a suitable mathematical model for defining the intricate relationship between experimental and resulting viscosity of PNCs. The integration of machine learning (ML), particularly polynomial regression, enabled the modeling of the complex dynamics influencing PNC viscosity, thus advancing comprehension of PNCs behavior in relation to the synthesis parameters. The modeling facilitated precise formulation to predict PNC viscosity with high accuracy, as confirmed by a mean squared error (MSE) of 3.81 and an R2 of 0.993. Moreover, the PNCs demonstrated broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, reaching an inhibition plateau during the first week, confirming its efficacy as a versatile antibacterial and antifungal agent. Combining advanced data modeling techniques with biological assessments, this integrated approach represents a step forward in understanding and optimizing polymeric nanostructures.
The Relationship Between Preparedness for Caregiving and Spiritual Well-Being in the Carers of Stroke Patients: A Case Study in Türkiye
Authors: Özkan Tuncay Fatma 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThis study was conducted to determine the relationship between preparedness for caregiving and spiritual well-being in the carers of stroke patients. This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 130 primary carers of patients hospitalized with the diagnosis of stroke at the neurology clinic of a hospital. It was determined that the participants had moderate levels of preparedness for caregiving, they had high levels of spiritual well-being, and there was a positive significant relationship between these two variables. According to the regression analysis results, the spiritual well-being level of the participants was a predictor of their preparedness for caregiving (B: 0.144, p < 0.001). The results of this study demonstrated that the spiritual well-being of the carers of stroke patients is important in increasing preparedness for caregiving. In this context, to ensure that the carers of all stroke patients feel prepared for the caregiving process, it is recommended to evaluate their preparedness levels, support them in their preparation for their caregiving roles, and identify their spiritual needs.
Corporate entrepreneurship strategy in universities: emerging leadership in austerity time
Authors: Civera Alice , Meoli Michele 
Published: April 2024

AbstractPublic organizations have widely adopted corporate entrepreneurial strategy. The complex and financially constrained context in which public organizations operate calls for the implementation of entrepreneurial actions. Our study validates the theoretical framework of Kearney and Meynhardt (Int Public Manage J 19(4):543–572, 2016), which recognizes strategic vision and organizational factors as the main components of corporate entrepreneurial strategy and theorize its main antecedents and outcomes. Thus, by analyzing the public University of Bergamo as a single case study, we demonstrate that entrepreneurial orientation is beneficial for public organizations such as universities. Specifically, the entrepreneurial leadership was able to recognize opportunities in the unsupportive political external environment characterizing the entire Italian public sector during the period 2009-2015. The austerity policy known as the Gelmini reform was designed to make public organizations more efficient and transparent, by cutting personnel costs, by explicitly accounting for university budgets, and introducing external controls on university governance and performance. Despite the climate of general austerity, the entrepreneurial leadership succeeded in engaging several stakeholders and grounding an entrepreneurial strategy at the university. This has significantly changed the image of this public organization.