bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Laser acupuncture and photobiomodulation therapy in Bell’s palsy with a duration of greater than 8 weeks: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Wu Dong , Lan Xin , Litscher Gerhard , Zhao Yan-Ling , Wu Yun-Qing , Dai Ru-Jun , Cao Kai , Wang Yu , Chen Lu-Quan 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
To investigate the efficacy of laser acupuncture and photobiomodulation therapy in alleviating symptoms among patients diagnosed with Bell’s palsy with duration of greater than 8 weeks. The randomized controlled trial has been performed from May 2021 to April 2023. Patients were eligible who had Bell’s palsy with duration of greater than 8 weeks on out-patient Department of Otorhinolaryngology in Beijing Tongren Hospital. The laser acupuncture group received class IV laser treatment for 3 times per weeks, a total of 72 times. The control group received the same treatment procedure except the laser parameter. The primary outcome measures comprised House–Brackmann facial nerve grading system and electroneurography. Secondary outcome measures comprised Sunnybrook facial grading system, electromyography, and the blink reflex. A total of 84 participants were included (42 control group, 42 laser acupuncture group). After treatment, House–Brackmann facial nerve grading system (OR, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.04–0.30; P < 0.001), and the pathologic numbers of electroneuronography were statistically different between the laser acupuncture group and control group, including orbicularis oculi (OR,0.08; 95% CI, 0.02–0.21; P < 0.001), Frontalis muscle (OR,0.14; 95% CI, 0.05–0.39; P < 0.001), Orbicularis oris (OR,0.13; 95% CI, 0.04–0.36; P < 0.001), Ala nasi muscle (OR,0.06; 95% CI, 0.02–0.18; P < 0.001). In secondary outcomes, Sunnybrook facial grading system, has significant difference between the two groups (20.26; 95% CI, 14.69 to 25.83; P < 0.01). Latency by ENoG, include orbicularis oculi (-0.61; 95% CI, -0.43 to -0.09; P < 0.001), frontalis muscle (-0.12; 95% CI, -0.21 to -0.03; P < 0.01), orbicularis oris (-0.28; 95% CI, -0.41 to -0.16; P < 0.001), and ala nasi muscle (-0.26; 95% CI, -0.38 to -0.16; P < 0.001). All amplitudes of MUAPs and durations by electromyography (EMG) showed statistically significant differences compared with the control group after treatment. For the frontalis muscle, the amplitude of MUAPs was -64.23 (95% CI, -80.89 to -47.56; P < 0.001) and duration was -1.18 (95% CI, -1.49 to -0.87; P < 0.001). For orbicularis oris, amplitude of MUAPs was -29.82 (95% CI, -55.03 to -4.62; P = 0.02) and duration was -0.57 (95% CI, -0.94 to -0.20; P < 0.001). For depressor angulli oris, amplitude of MUAPs was -47.06 (95% CI, -62.15 to -31.97; P < 0.001) and duration was -2.21 (95% CI, -2.69 to -1.72; P < 0.001). Blink reflex, including R1 (OR, 0.03; 95% CI, 0.01–0.16; P < .001), R2 (OR, 0.04; 95% CI, 0.004–0.29; P < .001), and R2 latency differences (OR, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.05–0.51; P < .001), have significant difference between the two groups, respectively. The findings suggest that laser acupuncture relieve symptoms for patients with Bell’s palsy with a duration of greater than 8 weeks.
Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05846217.
Ancient solutions and translators of Lagrangian mean curvature flow
Authors: Lotay Jason D. , Schulze Felix , Székelyhidi Gábor 
Published: January 2024

AbstractSuppose that ℳ is an almost calibrated, exact, ancient solution of Lagrangian mean curvature flow in $\mathbf {C} ^{n}$

C
n

. We show that if ℳ has a blow-down given by the static union of two Lagrangian subspaces with distinct Lagrangian angles that intersect along a line, then ℳ is a translator. In particular in $\mathbf {C} ^{2}$

C
2

, all almost calibrated, exact, ancient solutions of Lagrangian mean curvature flow with entropy less than 3 are special Lagrangian, a union of planes, or translators.
Compatibility of soil application of Metarhizium brunneum and cover crops against Ceratitis capitata soil-dwelling stages
Authors: Cruz-Miralles Joaquín , Garrido-Jurado Inmaculada , Yousef-Yousef Meelad , Ibáñez-Gual M. Victoria , Dembilio Óscar , Quesada-Moraga Enrique , Jaques Josep A. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractFruit fly ground-dwelling stages (late third instar larvae, pupae, and teneral adults) are susceptible to predation from generalist ground-dwelling predators and to infection by entomopathogenic fungi (EPF). The effect of predators can be enhanced with cover crops and that of EPF by augmentative releases. However, whether these two biological control methods could be combined has not been studied under field conditions yet. Here, we studied in the field whether the enhanced activity of predators against the medfly, Ceratitis capitata, already observed in a Lolium arundinaceum ground cover could be impaired by a soil application of Metarhizium brunneum. Our results show that C. capitata adult emergence was reduced by this EPF for up to three months after fungal application, with the combination of the cover and M. brunneum being the most effective at reducing C. capitata emergence relative to bare soil (92.5% reduction). Although M. brunneum reduced the activity density of ground-dwelling predatory beetles up to 93 days after application, it showed no clear negative effects on earwigs, no effects on spiders, and a positive effect on ants up to 65 days after application. Therefore, the combined use of a ground cover of L. arundinaceum and M. brunneum against the soil-dwelling stages of C. capitata seems to work synergistically and appears as a strong and sustainable control tactic against the medfly and other fruit orchard pests.
The Median Isn’t the Message: soil nutrient hot spots have a disproportionate influence on biogeochemical structure across years, seasons, and depths
Authors: Barnes Morgan E. , Johnson Dale W. , Hart Stephen C. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractSoil nutrient distribution is heterogeneous in space and time, potentially altering nutrient acquisition by trees and microorganisms. Ecologists have distinguished “hot spots” (HSs) as areas with enhanced and sustained rates of nutrient fluxes relative to the surrounding soil matrix. We evaluated the spatial and temporal patterns in nutrient flux HSs in two mixed-conifer forest soils by repeatedly sampling the soil solution at the same spatial locations (horizontally and vertically) over multiple seasons and years using ion exchange resins incubated in situ. The climate of these forests is Mediterranean, with intense fall rains occurring following summers with little precipitation, and highly variable winter snowfall. Hot spots formed most often for NO3−and Na+. Although nutrient HSs often occurred in the same spatial location multiple times, HSs persisted more often for PO43−NH4+, and NO3−, and were more transient for Ca2+, Mg2+, and Na+. Sampling year (annual precipitation ranged from 558 to 1223 mm) impacted the occurrence of HSs for most nutrients, but season was only significant for PO43−, NH4+, NO3−, and Na+, with HSs forming more often after fall rains than after spring snowmelt. The frequency of HSs significantly decreased with soil depth for all nutrients, forming most commonly immediately below the surficial organic horizon. Although HSs accounted for less than 17% of the sampling volume, they were responsible for 56–88% of PO43−, NH4+, and NO3−resin fluxes. Our results suggest that macronutrient HSs have a disproportional contribution to soil biogeochemical structure, with implications for vegetation nutrient acquisition strategies and biogeochemical models.Graphical abstract
Synthesis and characterization of cellulose derivatives for enhanced antimicrobial activity
Authors: Echeverría Coro , Arnaldos-Pérez Irene , Barranco Rosa , Muñoz-Bonilla Alexandra , Fernández-García Marta 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe need for biodegradable materials has driven the exploration of natural and biobased polymers, with cellulose emerging as a promising option due to its abundance and environmental sustainability. However, cellulose lacks inherent antimicrobial activity, prompting researchers to explore various strategies. In this work, the permanent covalent chemical modification of microcrystalline cellulose with 1-methylimidazole is reported to provide cellulose with antimicrobial properties. The modifications were confirmed using solid-state 13C-NMR and Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopies. The analysis from 13C-NMR and elemental analysis also confirmed the successful of the chemical modification occurred at C6 after chlorination with an estimated degree of substitution of 17%. The surface charge density of this cellulosic derivative was determined using ζ potential measurements, which confirmed its cationization. The crystalline and thermal properties of the resulting cellulose derivative were evaluated using X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), respectively. Finally, the antimicrobial activity of the obtained cationic cellulose was assessed against both Gram-positive (Staphylococcus epidermidis) and Gram-negative (Pseudomona aeruginosa) bacteria, giving a reduction of > 99.99% and 99.6%, respectively.
Efficacy of Remote Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia in Improving Health Status of Patients with Insomnia Symptoms: A Meta-analysis
Authors: Xu Dawei , Li Zhanjiang , Leitner Unnah , Sun Jing 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
Insomnia is highly prevalent and cognitive behavioural therapy is the first-line treatment for it. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of remote cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia, specifically, treatment fully delivered through the internet, mobile phones and telephones for sleep and other health outcomes in adults diagnosed with insomnia or reporting insomnia symptoms. This study also aimed to evaluate the effect of various intervention components as subgroup variables to explain the efficacy of remote cognitive behavioural therapy on health outcomes.

Methods
Randomised controlled trial studies were obtained from five electronic databases. The PEDro scale was used to assess the quality of the studies. A random effect model was used to assess the mean difference, standardised mean difference and standard deviation of the outcome variables. Heterogeneity among the study articles was assessed using I2 and Q tests. Egger regression analysis was used to assess publication bias.

Results
Remote cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia had significant and positive effects on improving sleep outcomes, depression, anxiety, fatigue and mental health compared with the control conditions. Its effect on physical health was not significant. The effect of the therapy was enhanced when the total length of intervention was shorter than 6 weeks, delivered via the internet and did not include therapist support.

Conclusion
Remote cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia is effective in improving sleep quality, depression, anxiety, fatigue and mental health in insomnia patients.
Digital Twins in the Context of Seaports and Terminal Facilities
Authors: Neugebauer Julian , Heilig Leonard , Voß Stefan 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIncreasing freight volumes and challenging environments in seaports and container terminals worldwide require streamlined and reliable operations. Digital twins are seen as important drivers of the digitalization in seaports by providing a basis for higher transparency, control and data-driven decision making. In this context, however, the concept is rarely studied, and implementation issues are not comprehensively discussed. The paper presents an exploratory study of digital twins in seaports based on a literature review and case studies. The analysis reveals a standardization deficit for digital twin implementations, an inflationary and improper use of the term digital twin, and fields of research that need to be explored further. The application of optimization methods and the integration of simulation-based optimization in the field of seaports and container terminals is examined, due to its relevance for digital twins. Important lessons learned can be taken from the most advanced implementations, integrating simulations and emulations with optimization methods. An in-depth examination of multiple case studies and discussions with global port leaders yields valuable perspectives on the varied levels of digital twin implementations being applied today, including insights into the most advanced implementations currently being used in ports and container terminals. As a result of the analyses conducted, various research directions and a research agenda are presented.
Robotics Meets AI and Vision in South America (Topical Collection)
Authors: Silva Bruno M. F. , Todt Eduardo , Nascimento Tiago P. , Curvelo Carla da C. F. , Gonçalves Luiz M. G. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe integration of robotics research with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Computer Vision (CV) has enabled the solution of practical tasks previously challenging with traditional techniques. This interdisciplinary approach focuses on developing intelligent computational systems for decision-making, planning, and object recognition, minimizing human intervention in various domains like e-commerce, healthcare, industry, and more. South American researchers contribute significantly, with emphasis on emerging AI technologies such as Deep Learning, statistical methods, and computer vision applied to robotics. The works within this collection highlight the increasing prominence of robotics in education, with it becoming a part of basic education, and discuss a topical collection showcasing research presented at Latin American robotics events in 2021. The papers cover diverse topics, including altitude control for hybrid aerial-underwater vehicles, robust localization in challenging environments, cross-domain localization for underwater robots, image-based navigation for agricultural rovers, continuous training of educators in Educational Robotics, and the role of robotic simulators in education. The collection aims to disseminate cutting-edge robotics research and foster collaboration in the field.
Geodesic Tracking via New Data-Driven Connections of Cartan Type for Vascular Tree Tracking
Authors: van den Berg Nicky J. , Smets Bart M. N. , Pai Gautam , Mirebeau Jean-Marie , Duits Remco 
Published: January 2024

AbstractWe introduce a data-driven version of the plus Cartan connection on the homogeneous space $${\mathbb {M}}_2$$

M
2

of 2D positions and orientations. We formulate a theorem that describes all shortest and straight curves (parallel velocity and parallel momentum, respectively) with respect to this new data-driven connection and corresponding Riemannian manifold. Then we use these shortest curves for geodesic tracking of complex vasculature in multi-orientation image representations defined on $${\mathbb {M}}_{2}$$

M
2

. The data-driven Cartan connection characterizes the Hamiltonian flow of all geodesics. It also allows for improved adaptation to curvature and misalignment of the (lifted) vessel structure that we track via globally optimal geodesics. We compute these geodesics numerically via steepest descent on distance maps on $${\mathbb {M}}_2$$

M
2

that we compute by a new modified anisotropic fast-marching method.Our experiments range from tracking single blood vessels with fixed endpoints to tracking complete vascular trees in retinal images. Single vessel tracking is performed in a single run in the multi-orientation image representation, where we project the resulting geodesics back onto the underlying image. The complete vascular tree tracking requires only two runs and avoids prior segmentation, placement of extra anchor points, and dynamic switching between geodesic models. Altogether we provide a geodesic tracking method using a single, flexible, transparent, data-driven geodesic model providing globally optimal curves which correctly follow highly complex vascular structures in retinal images. All experiments in this article can be reproduced via documented Mathematica notebooks available at van den Berg (Data-driven left-invariant tracking in Mathematica, 2022).
A Dynamic Disadvantage? Social Perceptions of Dynamic Morphed Emotions Differ from Videos and Photos
Authors: Becker Casey , Conduit Russell , Chouinard Philippe A. , Laycock Robin 
Published: January 2024

AbstractDynamic face stimuli are increasingly used in face perception research, as increasing evidence shows they are perceived differently from static photographs. One popular method for creating dynamic faces is the dynamic morph, which can animate the transition between expressions by blending two photographs together. Although morphs offer increased experimental control, their unnatural motion differs from the biological facial motion captured in video recordings. This study aimed to compare ratings of emotion intensity and genuineness in video recordings, dynamic morphs, and static photographs of happy, sad, fearful, and angry expressions. We found that video recordings were perceived to have greater emotional intensity than dynamic morphs, and video recordings of happy expressions were perceived as more genuine compared to happy dynamic morphs. Unexpectedly, static photographs and video recordings had similar ratings for genuineness and intensity. Overall, these results suggest that dynamic morphs may be an inappropriate substitute for video recordings, as they may elicit misleading dynamic effects.
Is Dignity Still Necessary in Health Care? From Definition to Recognition of Human Dignity
Authors: Ferdynus Marcin Paweł 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe concept of dignity is not, as some scholars claim, an unnecessary moral idea, and nor need it have religious overtones or be characterised by speciesism. In this article, I try to show that dignity can be defined and recognised. The starting point for the argumentation is the four typologies of dignity, which show that the term ‘dignity’ can denote significantly different concepts, and that the different concepts of dignity can have significantly different ontological senses. A unified typology of dignity allows for five categories to be distinguished: inherent dignity, dignity based on changeable qualities, moral dignity, bestowed dignity and comportment dignity. I take the first two categories of dignity as the object of the analysis, with which I seek to formulate a philosophical response to the charge of speciesism and to show on what basis it can be maintained that all human beings possess dignity. To this end, I distinguish between existential dignity, actual dignity, and potential dignity. Distinguishing these types of dignity becomes possible in the light of Aquinas’ and Aristotle’s views. In the final section, I point to two ways of recognising dignity. The first is based on certain narratives and emotional states (‘ecumenical model of dignity’), while the second is related to a specific moral experience developed within ethical personalism.
Assessment of the activity scheduling optimization method using real travel data
Authors: Toaza Bladimir , Esztergár-Kiss Domokos 
Published: January 2024

AbstractNew mobility services are appearing with the support of technological developments. Part of them is related to activity scheduling of individuals and the optimization of their travel patterns. A novel method called Activity Chain Optimization (ACO) is an application of the Traveling Salesman Problem with Time Windows (TSP-TW) extended with additional assumptions about temporal and spatial flexibility of the activities, where the travelers can optimize the total travel time of their daily activity schedule. This paper aims to apply the ACO method and evaluate its performance using a real-world household survey dataset, where activity chains of up to 15 activities during a day are considered. The optimization is developed using the genetic algorithm (GA) metaheuristic with suitable parameters selected and the branch-and-bound exact algorithm. The findings demonstrate that the branch-and-bound solution exhibits superior performance for smaller activity chain sizes, while the GA outperforms computationally for activity chains with a size from nine. However, the GA found the solutions in only 2% of the time compared to the branch-and-bound method. By applying the ACO method, relevant time savings and emission reduction can be achieved for travelers, when realizing daily activities.
Spatial Procurement of Farm Products and the Supply of Processed Foods: Application to the Tomato Processing Industry
Authors: Hamilton Stephen , Kjorlien Scott , Ligon Ethan , Shafran Aric 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIncreased transportation and logistical costs in agricultural markets have affected the spatial allocation of production in the agricultural and food sectors of the economy. We develop a spatial model of farm product procurement by a food processor, which is designed to capture the effects of supply-chain disruptions on the spatial procurement of farm products in the processed food sector. We use detailed data on production and procurement from a large California tomato processor to estimate the key parameters of the model, which allow us to calculate the price elasticity of supply for California tomato paste production and describe how changes in energy prices and transportation costs for primary agricultural products affect the supply of processed food.
Underwater hyperspectral imaging technology has potential to differentiate and monitor scallop populations
Authors: Tahmasbian Iman , McMillan Matthew N. , Kok Jonathan , Courtney Anthony J. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractAccurate and low-impact monitoring of scallop abundance is critical for stock assessment, especially in sensitive habitats. The possibility of using low-impact hyperspectral imaging (HSI) for differentiating scallop species in the marine environment was investigated. Live saucer (Ylistrum balloti) and mud (Ylistrum pleuronectes) scallops (N =  31) were scanned inside a sea simulator using a visible to near infrared (400–1000 nm) line-scanner HSI camera. Partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was trained to distinguish between the species using their spectral signatures. Important wavelengths were identified and new models were developed using these wavelengths to reduce the model complexity and potentially increase the imaging speed when applied under at-sea conditions. The PLS-DA model distinguished between saucer and mud scallops using any area of the left valve that was exposed above the sediments, with 90.73% accuracy when all 462 available wavelengths were used. Using the subset of important wavelengths (N = 13) reduced the classification accuracy to 84%. Overall, our results showed that HSI has potential for detecting, distinguishing and counting commercially important saucer scallops for low-impact monitoring and resource management, and to complement RGB imaging that relies solely on morphological properties.
Graphical abstract
How can revivals of scientific publications be explained using bibliometric methods? A case study discovering booster papers for the 1985 Physics Nobel Prize paper
Authors: Haunschild Robin , Marx Werner , Weis Jürgen 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe unusual citation profile of the 1985 Physics Nobel Prize paper has been analyzed. The number of citing papers per year exhibits a maximum of 123 citations in the mid-1980s and increases to more than 200 citations about two decades later. The publication set of the citing papers was analyzed in terms of co-authorships and research topics. The USA and (more recently) the People’s Republic of China appear prominently among the countries of the citing authors. A keyword analysis of the citing papers revealed research dealing with topological insulators as one of the major newly evolving research topics. An analysis of the co-cited papers has been performed via reference publication year spectroscopy (RPYS). The most-frequently co-cited papers (the peak papers of the RPYS spectrogram) were identified and discussed. As a result, we found two primary booster papers and three secondary booster papers that renewed the interest in the 1985 Physics Nobel Prize paper.