bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prognostic accuracy of 70 individual frailty biomarkers in predicting mortality in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging
Authors: Blodgett Joanna M. , Pérez-Zepeda Mario Ulisses , Godin Judith , Kehler Dustin Scott , Andrew Melissa K. , Kirkland Susan , Rockwood Kenneth , Theou Olga 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe frailty index (FI) uses a deficit accumulation approach to derive a single, comprehensive, and replicable indicator of age-related health status. Yet, many researchers continue to seek a single “frailty biomarker” to facilitate clinical screening. We investigated the prognostic accuracy of 70 individual biomarkers in predicting mortality, comparing each with a composite FI. A total of 29,341 individuals from the comprehensive cohort of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging were included (mean, 59.4 ± 9.9 years; 50.3% female). Twenty-three blood-based biomarkers and 47 test-based biomarkers (e.g., physical, cardiac, cardiology) were examined. Two composite FIs were derived: FI-Blood and FI-Examination. Mortality status was ascertained using provincial vital statistics linkages and contact with next of kin. Areas under the curve were calculated to compare prognostic accuracy across models (i.e., age, sex, biomarker, FI) in predicting mortality. Compared to an age-sex only model, the addition of individual biomarkers demonstrated improved model fit for 24/70 biomarkers (11 blood, 13 test-based). Inclusion of FI-Blood or FI-Examination improved mortality prediction when compared to any of the 70 biomarker-age-sex models. Individual addition of seven biomarkers (walking speed, chair rise, time up and go, pulse, red blood cell distribution width, C-reactive protein, white blood cells) demonstrated an improved fit when added to the age-sex-FI model. FI scores had better mortality risk prediction than any biomarker. Although seven biomarkers demonstrated improved prognostic accuracy when considered alongside an FI score, all biomarkers had worse prognostic accuracy on their own. Rather than a single biomarker test, implementation of routine FI assessment in clinical settings may provide a more accurate and reliable screening tool to identify those at increased risk of adverse outcomes.
Efficacy of High-dose Liraglutide 3.0 mg in Patients with Poor Response to Bariatric Surgery: Real-world Experience and Updated Meta-analysis
Authors: Vinciguerra Federica , Di Stefano Carla , Baratta Roberto , Pulvirenti Alfredo , Mastrandrea Giuseppe , Piazza Luigi , Guccione Fabio , Navarra Giuseppe , Frittitta Lucia 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Poor response to bariatric surgery, characterized by insufficient weight loss (IWL) or weight regain (WR), poses a significant challenge in obesity treatment. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of liraglutide in addressing this issue.

Materials and Methods
A retrospective, multicenter cohort study investigated the impact of liraglutide 3 mg on weight loss in adults with suboptimal responses or weight regain after bariatric surgery (BS). Additionally, a systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted for a comprehensive evaluation.

Results
A total of 119 patients (mean age 41.03 ± 11.2 years, 71.4% female) who experienced IWL or WR after BS received pharmacologic therapy with liraglutide 3 mg. Mean percent weight loss in the entire cohort was 5.6 ± 2.6% at 12 weeks and 9.3 ± 3.6% at 24 weeks with a significant reduction in waist circumference (p < 0.0001). No serious side effects were reported. A meta-analysis, utilizing the fixed effect model with the metafor package in R, included 6 and 5 papers for the change in body weight and BMI after liraglutide treatment, respectively. The analysis demonstrated a considerable reduction in body weight (7.9; CI − 10.4; − 5.4, p < 0.0001) and BMI (3.09; CI 3.89; − 2.28, p < 0.0001).

Conclusion
Liraglutide 3 mg emerges as a viable option for significant weight loss in patients experiencing IWL or WR after BS. Its inclusion in a multimodal, sequential obesity treatment approach proves promising.

Graphical Abstract
From pelvic radiation to social isolation: a qualitative study of survivors’ experiences of chronic bowel symptoms after pelvic radiotherapy
Authors: Biran A , Dobson C , Rees C , Brooks-Pearson R , Cunliffe A , Durrant L , Hancock J , Ludlow H , Neilson L , Wilson A , Sharp L 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Purpose
We explored survivors’ experiences of chronic bowel symptoms following pelvic radiotherapy, strategies employed in living with these symptoms, effects on daily activities, and roles at home and in the workplace.

Methods
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 28 individuals (10 gynaecological, 14 prostate, four anal/rectal cancer survivors) who had completed pelvic radiotherapy at least six months prior to data collection and who had experience of bowel symptoms during this post-treatment period. Reflexive thematic analysis was undertaken.

Results
We propose four themes describing a process leading from experience of symptoms to withdrawal from activities and roles. These are (1) losing control (the experience of unintended anal leakage or discharge); (2) experiencing embarrassment and fear (the experience of embarrassment or fear of embarrassment as a result of discharge becoming public); (3) managing and reacting (acting to reduce the likelihood of discharge or to prevent this becoming public); and (4) restriction and withdrawal (avoiding specific activities or situations so as to reduce or remove the risk of embarrassment). Returning to the workplace presented additional challenges across these themes.

Conclusions
Impacts of chronic bowel symptoms can be severe. Survivors employ a variety of methods and strategies in living with their symptoms. Some of these support continued role fulfilment but some constitute a withdrawal from pre-treatment roles. Current healthcare provision and statutory protections fail to fully meet needs following pelvic radiotherapy.
Implications for cancer survivors.
There is a need to develop and implement evidence-based services and supported self-management programmes for survivors experiencing chronic bowel problems post-radiotherapy.
Pavlovian Reflex in Colloids
Authors: Raeisi Kheirabadi Noushin , Chiolerio Alessandro , Adamatzky Andrew 
Published: January 2024

AbstractLiquid computers are devices that utilise the properties of liquid volumes or reactants to represent data and outputs. A recent development in this field is the emergence of colloid computers, which employ electromagnetic interactions among functional particles for computation. To assess the potential of colloid computers in implementing neuromorphic dynamical architectures, we have focused on realising Pavlovian reflexes within colloid mixtures. The Pavlovian reflex, a fundamental function of neurological systems in living organisms, enables learning capabilities. Our approach involves implementing Pavlovian learning by associating an increase in synaptic weight with a decrease in the resistance of the colloid mixture. Through experimental laboratory conditions, we have successfully demonstrated the feasibility of Pavlovian learning in colloid systems.
A Qualitative Comparison of Secular and Buddhist-Informed Mental Health Practitioners’ Perceptions of Non-Attachment
Authors: Sys Samantha , Van Gordon William , Gilbert Paul 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Objectives
Buddhist non-attachment has been shown to be effective for improving mental health and wellbeing. Non-attachment refers to the ability to engage with phenomena without psychologically clinging to experiences or rejecting them. The present qualitative investigation sought to compare secular and Buddhist-informed counselors’ and psychotherapists’ perceptions of the non-attachment construct, including their views on its relevance for client-therapist practice.

Method
Two data sets were collected. In Sample 1, semi-structured interviews were administered to nine qualified counselors and psychotherapists with limited prior knowledge of non-attachment or related Buddhist principles. In Sample 2, five Buddhist-informed counselors and psychotherapists completed an open questionnaire. Both data sets were analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis.

Results
Analysis of the first sample generated four themes concerning participants’ understanding of non-attachment: (1) misunderstanding non-attachment, (2) who non-attachment might be useful for, (3) potential impact on the therapeutic relationship and (4) the importance of experiential understanding on the part of the therapist. The analysis of Sample 2 generated two themes: (1) considerations for assimilating non-attachment, and (2) positive experiences of applying the construct in client-therapist contexts.

Conclusions
The secular mental health practitioners in Sample 1 recognised the potential utility of non-attachment but harboured some misunderstandings as to its meaning as well as reservations regarding its suitability for all client groups. This was in contrast to Sample 2 participants, who felt that with appropriate therapeutic skill and discernment, non-attachment can be beneficial for a broad range of mental health conditions. Raising awareness of non-attachment amongst secular mental health practitioners is crucial to improving comprehension of the concept and its integration into client-therapist settings.

Preregistration
This study was not preregistered.
Prediction of wellbore sand production potential from analysis of petrophysical data coupled with field stress: a case study from the Shah-Deniz gas field (Caspian Sea Basin)
Authors: Vijouyeh Ali Gholami , Sedghi Mohammad Hassanpour , Wood David A. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIdentifying the optimal azimuth and inclination for wellbore drilling in sandy formations can be considered a valuable aid in reducing sand production risks, lost time, and decreasing drilling costs in the petroleum industry. Therefore, a numerical systematic approach was provided to predict sand production in wellbore SDX-5, drilled in a deep-water sandstone reservoir in the Shah-Deniz gas field (South Caspian Basin), which has never been done previously. Additionally, this systematic approach uses geomechanical and geodynamical criteria, along with petrophysical information (density and sonic log) and tectonic characteristics of the study area, which are influenced by the active tectonic stresses of the Apsheron-Balkhan zone. The subsurface data sources employed are more eco-friendly, available, and continuous than experimental tests. The computations conducted achieved azimuth, inclination, polar, and depth profile plots for the Lower Balakhany Formation. The calculations reveal that the optimum azimuth for the wellbore drilling trajectories is parallel to SHmax and oblique drilling to near horizontal is the result of optimum inclination. Polar plots showed optimum azimuth, inclination, and effect of wellbore trajectory on critical collapse pressure and collapse drawdown pressure with pressure values simultaneously, which identify safer alternatives for achieving higher petroleum production rates without sanding. Depth profile plots provide a simultaneous overview of the values of critical collapse pressure, critical sanding pressure for instantaneous drawdown, and optimum wellbore production pressure during drilling and production operations. Moreover, optimum reservoir fluid production (maximum discharge) rates can be identified and imposed as upper limits to prevent sand production.
Antiproliferative polyketides from fungus Xylaria cf. Longipes SWUF08-81 in different culture media
Authors: Sresuksai Kittiwan , Sawadsitang Sasiphimol , Jantaharn Phongphan , Noppawan Pakin , Churat Audomsak , Suwannasai Nuttika , Mongkolthanaruk Wiyada , Senawong Thanaset , Tontapha Sarawut , Moontragoon Pairot , Amornkitbamrung Vittaya , McCloskey Sirirath 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBioactive compounds from the wood-decay fungus Xylaria cf. longipes SWUF08-81, cultivated in three different culture media (GM, YM and PDB), were isolated. Their structures and stereochemistry were deduced from spectroscopic and MS data analysis, together with quantum chemical calculations of 13C NMR chemical shifts and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. Five undescribed polyketides including dibenzofuran (1), mellein (2), dihydroisocoumarin (15), and two pyrans (16, 17), together with twenty-three compounds were determined. Compounds 18 and 20 were significantly toxic against cancer cell lines (HCT116, HT29, MCF-7 and HeLa) based on the MTT assay. Quantification by HPLC showed that 18 was produced three-fold higher in the broth of PDB than YM. These studies showed that the production of different compounds were primarily dependent on nutrition sources and it has given a starting point for the growth optimization conditions for the scaling up of bioactive compounds production.
Graphical Abstract
Introductory commentary: Marine conflicts and pathways to sustainability in an era of Blue Growth and climate change
Authors: Saunders Fred , Tafon Ralph , Knol-Kauffman Maaike , Selim Samiya Ahmed 
Published: January 2024

AbstractWorldwide, marine conflicts are growing in frequency and intensity due to increasing global demands for resources (Blue Growth) and climate change. This article introduces a collection in Maritime Studies on marine conflicts and pathways to sustainability in an era of Blue Growth and climate change. We posit that while conflict can be problematic, it can also play a positive role in bringing about societal change, by highlighting unsustainable and unjust practices and be a trigger for sustainability transformation. However, left unattended, festering marine conflict can hinder just and equitable sustainability transformation. We present two distinct, yet arguably complementary, lenses through which researchers working with sustainability engage with marine conflicts. First, a social-ecological systems approach engages in conflicts by examining the interdependencies between human and ecological systems and related governance arrangements, promoting collaborative learning and action, and exploring adaptive governance strategies that seek sustainability conflict resolution. Second, a political ecology approach addresses conflicts by examining power dynamics and resource (mal)distributions, arguing for fair governance, and emphasizing the need to address historical and current injustices that are at the root of conflicts. Next, we present insights on diverse sustainability transformational pathways, including the importance of searching for common ground and the need for the reconfiguration of power relations as key steps to understand and inform sustainability conflict research. We conclude by indicating that more sustainability research in marine conflict settings is needed and by forwarding intersectionality as a promising approach to productively reframe and disrupt the debilitating effects of deep-rooted marine sustainability conflicts.
Welfare reducing licensing by an outside innovator
Authors: Mukherjee Arijit , Sinha Uday Bhanu 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIt is commonly believed that licensing of cost reducing technology increases welfare. We show that technology licensing by an outside innovator may reduce welfare when the technology is not useful for all final goods producers. Technology licensing reduces welfare if cost reduction by the licensed technology is small and the initial cost difference of the final goods producers is large. A higher intensity of competition, either due to lower product differentiation or due to Bertrand competition instead of Cournot competition, increases the possibility of welfare reducing licensing.
State of health estimation of lithium-ion battery based on CNN–WNN–WLSTM
Authors: Yao Quanzheng , Song Xianhua , Xie Wei 
Published: January 2024

AbstractAccurate and stable estimation of the state of health (SOH), which is one of the critical indicators to characterize the ability of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries to store and release energy, is critical in the stable driving of electric vehicles. In this paper, a novel SOH estimation method based on the aging factors of battery, which combines convolutional neural network (CNN), wavelet neural network (WNN), and wavelet long short-term memory (WLSTM) named CNN–WNN–WLSTM, is designed. The proposed CNN–WNN–WLSTM estimation scheme inherits both the fast convergence and robust stability of the WNN, as well as the ability of long short-term memory neural network (LSTM) to extract the time series features of the data; moreover, using CNN can make the proposed algorithm extract the data features from the original battery data automatically, and the WNN–WLSTM is then adopted to produce the final SOH estimation by exploiting the features from the CNN. To further speed and achieve global optimization, the RMSprop optimizer, instead of the usually used Adagrad optimizer, is chosen as the solver of the CNN–WNN–WLSTM network. Experimental results on data set from the NASA Ames Prognostics Center of Excellence show that the proposed algorithm can be commendably used for Li-ion battery health management by quantitative comparison with other commonly used machine learning methods, such as back-propagation neural network, WNN, LSTM, WLSTM, convolutional neural network–long short-term memory neural network (CNN–LSTM), and Gaussian process regression.
Study on damage characteristics and application of gypsum pillar strengthened with FRP
Authors: Wen Zhijie , Jiang Pengfei , Song Zhenqi , Jiang Yujing , Wen Jinhao 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe instability of mine pillars has posed a serious threat to the safety of mines in China. In order to reduce the risk of pillar instability, this study used fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) to reinforce gypsum specimens and conduct mechanical loading experiments. The study investigates the reinforcement effect of gypsum specimens with different height-diameter ratios and different FRP wrapping thicknesses, and analyzed the uneven distribution of constraint force along the height direction of FRP-reinforced gypsum specimens. An optimized wrapping method was proposed, and a stress–strain constitutive model for gypsum materials under optimized wrapping was established. By utilizing a statistical method based on strain energy density for heterogeneous rock damage identification, a simulation study was conducted on FRP-reinforced gypsum-like specimens. A comparative analysis was carried out with experimental results to verify the feasibility of the constitutive model. The research findings indicate that the use of FRP reinforcement significantly improves the uniaxial compressive strength and strain values of gypsum-like specimens. Moreover, the smaller the aspect ratio, the more pronounced the effect of FRP reinforcement on gypsum-like specimens. The stress–strain curve of FRP-reinforced gypsum-like specimens shows a distinct combination of curves and straight lines, which can be divided into two distinct stages based on different elastic moduli. The peak value of acoustic emission energy of FRP-reinforced gypsum specimens appears at the junction of the first and second stages of the stress–strain curve, and then the acoustic emission energy curve becomes relatively flat, with an increase in peak energy before failure. The constraint force acting on FRP-reinforced gypsum specimens exhibits an obvious uneven distribution along the height direction, based on which an optimized reinforcement scheme is proposed. Based on the established constitutive model, numerical simulation was conducted using real data from a specific mine. The research findings demonstrate that when the optimized reinforcement method is employed, the load-bearing capacity of the mine pillars was significantly enhanced. The maximum displacement was reduced by 33%, the maximum vertical stress was reduced by 3.2%, and the volume of the plastic zone was reduced by 39.87%.
Adaptive Traffic Control Using Cooperative Communication Through Visible Light
Authors: Vieira Manuel Augusto , Vieira Manuela , Louro Paula , Vieira Pedro , Fernandes Rafael 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe study aims to create a Visible-Light Communication (VLC) system for secure vehicle management at intersections. This involves enabling communication between vehicles and infrastructure (V2V, V2I, and I2V) using headlights, streetlights, and traffic signals. Mobile optical receivers gather data, determine their location, and read transmitted information through joint transmission. An intersection manager coordinates traffic and communicates with vehicles through embedded Driver Agents. The system utilizes a "mesh/cellular" hybrid network configuration and encodes data into light signals emitted by transmitters. Optical sensors and filtering properties enable reception and decoding. The study demonstrates bidirectional communication, employing queue/request/response mechanisms and relative pose concepts for safe vehicle passage. A deep reinforcement learning model controls traffic light cycles, validated via simulation in a Simulation of Urban Mobility simulator. Results show that this adaptive traffic control system effectively collects detailed vehicle data and ensures secure communication within the short-range mesh network.
Hamilton and Li–Yau type gradient estimates for a weighted nonlinear parabolic equation under a super Perelman–Ricci flow
Authors: Taheri Ali , Vahidifar Vahideh 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIn this paper we derive elliptic and parabolic type gradient estimates for positive smooth solutions to a class of nonlinear parabolic equations on smooth metric measure spaces where the metric and potential are time dependent and evolve under a super Perelman–Ricci flow. A number of implications, notably, a parabolic Harnack inequality, a class of Hamilton type dimension-free gradient estimates and two general Liouville type theorems along with their consequences are discussed. Some examples and special cases are presented to illustrate the results.
Temporal-Like Bivariate Fay-Herriot Model: Leveraging Past Responses and Advanced Preprocessing for Enhanced Small Area Estimation of Growing Stock Volume
Authors: Georgakis Aristeidis , Papageorgiou Vasileios E. , Gatziolis Demetrios , Stamatellos Georgios 
Published: January 2024

AbstractForest inventories are crucial for effective ecosystem management but often lack precision for smaller geographical units due to limited sample sizes. This study introduces an enhanced temporal-like bivariate Fay-Herriot model, improving upon its univariate counterpart. The model incorporates field data and auxiliary data, including canopy height metrics from WorldView stereo-imagery and past census data, sourced from the University Forest of Pertouli in Central Greece. The model aims to estimate the growing stock volume for 2008 and 2018, focusing on enhancing the precision of the 2018 estimates. The 2008 dependent variable is used as auxiliary information by the model for more reliable 2018 small area estimates. A novel preprocessing pipeline is also introduced, which includes outlier identification, cluster analysis, and variance smoothing. Compared to direct estimates and the standard univariate Fay-Herriot model, our bivariate approach shows a percentage variance reduction of 96.58% and 13.52%, respectively. The methodology not only offers more reliable estimates with reduced variance and bias but also contributes to more accurate decision-making for sustainable forest management.