bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Heavy Metal Accumulation in Ulva rigida and its Effects on Seed Germination of Pennisetum glaucum
Authors: Selvaraj Vijai Selvaraj Karungan , Periakaruppan Rajiv , Palanimuthu Vanathi , Romanovski Valentin , Bharathi Ayyarappan , Mohan Manu 
Published: January 2025

AbstractThe alga contains salt and heavy metals that are accumulated in algae poses a significant challenge to the safe use of algae in soil fertilization and other applications. This study examines the relevance of algal biomass as an environmentally friendly fertilizer, thereby contributing to sustainable coastal management practices. In this study, the hot and cold extraction method were done to obtain the Ulva rigida extract. Heavy metals such as vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, nickel, cobalt, copper, zinc and cadmium etc. were analyzed using ICP‐MS. Heavy metal analysis showed that the major metals such as manganese, iron, vanadium and zinc in Ulva rigida extract. The algae extract was used in different concentration (20, 40, 60 and 80 μL) to analyze the seed germination study in Pennisetum glaucum and it was found that theseed germination were 100 % at 5th day after sowing and the root and shoot length increased with increasing concentration of Ulva rigida extract and at 80 μL the shoot length of Pennisetum glaucum were decreased. The aqueous extracts of Ulva rigida are eco‐friendly, safe method for recycling the algal biomass as a novel biofertilizer.
Enhancing degradability with polyanhydrides: synthesis and impact on morphology, molecular interactions, hydrophilicity and hydrolytic degradation of PLLA/PCL/CAB blend films
Authors: Kongprayoon Arisa , Ross Gareth , Mahasaranon Sararat , Wilson James A , Topham Paul D , Tighe Brian J , Ross Sukunya 
Published: January 2025

AbstractThe degradation of polymer‐based materials is crucial for their end‐of‐life management, particularly in biomedical applications where controlled degradation rates are essential. Addressing this need, this study explores the incorporation of newly designed polyanhydrides (PAs) into multicomponent blends to enhance hydrolytic biodegradation. Two distinct PAs – poly[(propionic anhydride)‐co‐(succinic anhydride)] (PASA) and poly[(propionic anhydride)‐co‐(sebacic anhydride)] (PASEA) – were synthesized through melt‐condensation polymerization. These PAs were then incorporated into solution blend films composed of poly(l‐lactide) (PLLA), poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) and cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB), aiming to serve as an accelerator for the hydrolytic degradation of films. The incorporation of PASA and PASEA into the PLLA/PCL/CAB blend films resulted in the formation of phase‐separated domains and a notable shift of the carbonyl frequency band in the Fourier transform infrared spectra, indicating phase separation and intermolecular packing between homopolymers in the blend system. Significant changes in the molecular weight and surface morphology of the blend films with PAs were observed after 0, 3 and 6 months of storage. These observations confirmed the role of PASA and PASEA in accelerating through surface erosion, as evidenced by the presence of craze lines at both macrophase‐ and microphase‐separated domains. This study highlights the potential of newly designed PA additives to enhance the degradation and stability of PLLA/PCL/CAB polymer‐based film. Such enhancements are valuable for designing materials with controlled degradation rates, which is particularly important in biomedical applications where precise timing of degradation within the body is essential. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.
Pulmonary Morbidity in Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Survivors Treated at a Non‐ECMO Center From 1998 to 2015: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Larsen Ulla Lei , Agertoft Lone , Herskind Anne Maria , Strøm Thomas , Toft Palle , Halken Susanne 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTIntroductionA main feature of CDH is lung hypoplasia and the related presentation of pulmonary hypertension and cardiac dysfunction. Multiple factors influence pulmonary status after CDH: degree of hypoplasia, ventilator‐induced injury, altered growth and development of pulmonary structures, reduced diaphragm function and chest wall abnormalities. The evolution of pulmonary sequela in this population is still unclear. We aimed to describe the pulmonary status of our population of CDH‐survivors and evaluated on risk factors.MethodsCDH‐survivors (1998−2015) were included and performed lung function tests and chest X‐rays.ResultsFifty‐one (51/71, 71.8%) participated. Median age was 12.2 (5.5–21.4) years, 28 (54.9%) male, 42 (82.4%) had left‐sided hernias, 10 (19.6%) needed patch‐repair and median length of stay in hospital was 28.0 (IQR 18.5–61.6) days in Table 1. Spirometry including bronchodilator response (BDR)‐test, body plethysmography, and diffusion capacity, were available for 48, 42, and 40 participants. The mean (SD) z‐score for FEV1 and FVC was −0.26 (1.70) and −0.28 (1.70). Twenty‐one (43.8%) had obstructive patterns and six had positive BDR. TLC mean (SD) z‐score was −0.18 (1.10). Four showed restricted/mixed patterns and 13 showed signs of hyperinflation. Increased RV/TLC‐ratio and reduced FEV1 was associated with longer time on mechanical ventilation. Diffusion capacity was decreased in three cases. Chest X‐ray revealed hernia recurrence (13.9%) and scoliosis (38.9%).ConclusionMild obstructive impairment and hyperinflation was frequent in our CDH cohort and only a small subset of restrictive disorders were identified. We advocate follow‐up by a specialized multidisciplinary team through childhood and into adulthood.
Predicting Remaining Useful Life and Optimizing Preventive Maintenance for Multistage Manufacturing Processes
Authors: Choo Young‐Suk , Lee Dong‐Hee , Shin Seung‐Jun 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTA multistage manufacturing process (MMP) is a sequential manufacturing process where products enter a machine in each stage and go through multiple stages for their production. In MMP, the machines even with possessing remaining useful life (RUL) at the current stage have to stop production when all the machines in their previous stage fail to operate. A majority of the relevant studies focus on predicting RUL without considering the characteristics of MMP; thus, hardly provide predictive RUL and optimum replacement time for stage‐level maintenance. The proposed method aims to predict RUL and optimize replacement time for stage‐level maintenance under the MMP structure. It consists of three steps: (1) detection and prediction models for caution and breakdown alarms are generated from historical data, (2) RUL of currently running machines and the probability distribution of RUL at stage level is estimated by analyzing current data with the detection and prediction models, and (3) an optimal replacement time at the stage level is derived based on the probability function of RUL. The proposed method is demonstrated in a hypothetical case study to derive the optimal machine replacement time and validated in a real case study.
Enhanced activation of retinal progenitor cells by zinc silicate bioceramics for effective functional restoration in retinal degenerative diseases
Authors: Sun Na , Zhang Zhaowenbin , Wang Jiajing , Yang Yuan , Wang Jianhui , Chen Tianxing , Wang Yiqi , Xiao Haodong , Gu Ping , Wang Zhaoyang , Chang Jiang , Ji Jing 
Published: January 2025

AbstractRetinal degenerative diseases, primarily owing to the gradual loss of neuronal cells, could lead to blindness. Transplantation of retinal progenitor cells (RPCs), which had the unique ability to differentiate into neuronal cells, offered promising therapeutic potential for these diseases. However, a critical challenge in stem cell therapy was the efficient promotion of the directed proliferation and differentiation of progenitor cells. To overcome this limitation, we formulated a zinc silicate bioceramic (ZS) composite hydrogel. The experimental outcomes demonstrated that this novel material possessed substantial advantages and immense possibilities for mimicking the extracellular matrix environment, thereby effectively modulating stem cell proliferation and differentiation. Notably, it enhanced the differentiation of RPCs into neurons while suppressing glial cell differentiation. In particular, ZS had an exceptional capacity to induce the differentiation of RPCs into photoreceptor cells, a specialized type of neuronal cell. It was important to highlight that the ZS composite hydrogel predominantly facilitated the differentiation of RPCs through activation of the Tiam2‐Rac signaling pathway. Concurrently, it stimulated proliferation via activation of the AKT and ERK signaling pathways. The Zn ions in the ZS composite hydrogel primarily promoted the proliferation of RPCs, while the synergistic effect of Zn ions and Si ions contributed to reducing inflammatory factor expression and promoting the neuronal differentiation of RPCs. In conclusion, the meticulous modulation of RPC proliferation and differentiation mediated by ZS bioceramics held promise for novel therapeutic strategies of retinal degenerative diseases and neurodegenerative disorders.
Evaluation of the Accuracy and Performance of Two Commercial Pregnancy‐Associated Glycoprotein Tests for Early Pregnancy Detection in Cows
Authors: Safak Tarik , Tümer Kenan Çağrı , Alp Yağmur İpek , Özen Taha Yasin , Yilmaz‐Koc Oznur 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to determine and compare the diagnostic accuracies of two commercial pregnancy‐associated glycoprotein tests, Alertys OnFarm Pregnancy Test (AOPT) and Alertys Milk Pregnancy Test (AMPT), for early pregnancy diagnosis in dairy cattle. Holstein cows (n = 124) were used in the study. Whole blood samples were collected from the jugular vein 28 days after fixed‐time artificial insemination (FTAI). In addition, teats of these cows were swabbed and milk samples were collected into sterile Falcon tubes. AOPT was performed on the farm within 2 h after whole blood collection. Milk samples for AMPT analysis were taken to the laboratory and analysed within 2 h. Transrectal ultrasonography was performed on the 32nd day after FTAI as a reference test. Comparative evaluation was made according to the AOPT and AMPT results, 28 days after FTAI. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) for the AOPT were 92.4%, 80.0%, 87.9%, 89.0% and 85.7% and for AMPT were 97.5%, 82.2%, 91.9%, 90.6% and 94.9% respectively. Cohen's kappa statistic showed a 91.9% agreement (kappa = 0.820, p < 0.001) between the reference test and AMPT, and an 87.9% agreement (kappa = 0.735, p < 0.001) between the reference test and AOPT. AOPT and AMPT offers a reliable, non‐invasive (in milk) and practical approach to pregnancy diagnosis in cows. These methods enable early pregnancy detection and can be easily integrated into farm routines, enhancing reproductive management and overall herd productivity.
Small changes of femoral torsion in varus or valgus distal femoral osteotomy using patient-specific instruments
Authors: Jud Lukas , Neopoulos Georgios , Hodel Sandro , Vlachopoulos Lazaros , Fucentese Sandro F. 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Purpose
Hinge fractures show a relatively high incidence in varus and valgus distal femoral osteotomy (DFO) and can lead to delayed- or non-union. Another observed complication of a hinge fracture is an unintentional change of the postoperative femoral torsion of up to + 9.5° in conventionally performed DFO. We hypothesize that the change of femoral torsion in case of a hinge fracture is less pronounced when DFO is performed using patient-specific instruments (PSI) compared to the literature of conventionally performed DFO.

Methods
All patients who underwent varus or valgus DFO using PSI from January 2014 to September 2023 were included. Radiographs and computed tomography (CT) scans were used to screen for hinge fractures. Pre- and postoperative femoral torsion was measured in CT.

Results
Thirty-five medial closing-wedge DFO (MCW-DFO), 27 lateral closing-wedge DFO (LCW-DFO), and 27 lateral opening-wedge DFO (LOW-DFO) were included, resulting in a total of 89 included osteotomies. A total of 55 hinge fractures (61.8%) were observed. The femoral torsion changed significantly from 20.5° ± 7.7° to 15.5° ± 8.1° (p < 0.001) in LOW-DFO with a hinge fracture, whereas the other two techniques showed no significant change of femoral torsion.

Conclusion
The use of PSI in varus and valgus DFO showed only small changes of the postoperative femoral torsion, even in case of a hinge fracture. The change of femoral torsion was depending on the type of DFO and was only significant in LOW-DFO, however, not exceeding a mean change of 5°.
Impact of impaired renal function on kinetics of high-sensitive cardiac troponin following cardiac surgery
Authors: Rudolph Felix , Deutsch Marcus-André , Friedrichs Kai Peter , Renner André , Scholtz Werner , Gerçek Muhammed , Kirchner Johannes , Ayoub Mohamed , Rudolph Tanja Katharina , Schramm René , Gummert Jan , Rudolph Volker , Omran Hazem 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
Impaired renal function can increase cardiac troponin levels due to reduced elimination, potentially affecting its diagnostic utility. Limited data exist on high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) kinetics after cardiac surgery relative to renal function. This study evaluates how impaired renal function influences hs-cTnI kinetics following cardiac surgery, distinguishing between patients with and without postoperative myocardial infarction (PMI).

Methods
We conducted a retrospective analysis of adult patients who underwent elective cardiac surgery at our hospital from January 2013 to May 2019. Serial hs-cTnI measurements were taken from baseline up to 48 h post-surgery. Renal function was assessed using the MDRD formula, defining impaired renal function as a GFR < 60 ml/min. Acute kidney injury (AKI) was based on postoperative creatinine levels, and PMI was defined by ARC-2 criteria. Predictors of long-term all-cause mortality were analyzed using Cox regression.

Results
Out of 14,355 patients (51.4% CABG, 39.4% valvular procedures, 9.2% thoracic aortic procedures), 139 (1.0%) had PMI. Hs-cTnI levels were higher in patients with impaired renal function across the cohort and in those without PMI. However, in patients with PMI, hs-cTnI levels did not vary significantly with renal function. Elevated hs-cTnI ≥ 213 times the upper limit of normal was a significant predictor of long-term mortality regardless of renal function (hazard ratio: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.17–1.40, p < 0.001), but early postoperative hs-cTnI measures held poor discriminatory yield to predict PMI with an AUC of 0.55 (95% confidence intervals: 0.54–0.56).

Conclusion
Renal function and acute kidney injury affect hs-cTnI kinetics post-surgery only in patients without PMI. Elevated hs-cTnI remains a strong predictor of long-term mortality, independent of renal function, but early postoperative detection of PMI requires additional metrics, including ECG, transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), and signs of hemodynamic instability.

Graphical Abstract
Impact of impaired renal function on kinetics of high-sensitive cardiac troponin following cardiac surgery. Legend: Postopereparative myocardial infarction (PMI) was defined in accordance with the ARC-2 criteria, as: > 35x elevation of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) above the upper limit of normal (ULN) of 26 pg/ml and either of 1) new pathological Q waves or equivalent, 2) flow-limiting angiographic complication, or 3) new “substantial” loss of myocardium on imaging. Normal or impaired renal function at baseline was discriminated by estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) with a cut-off of 60 ml/ml. ECG = electrocardiogram, TTE = transthoracic echocardiography.
Enhanced spatial modeling on linear networks using Gaussian Whittle-Matérn fields
Authors: Chaudhuri Somnath , Barceló Maria A. , Juan Pablo , Varga Diego , Bolin David , Rue Håvard , Saez Marc 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Spatial statistics is traditionally based on stationary models on
$${\mathbb{R}}^{d}$$
like Matérn fields. The adaptation of traditional spatial statistical methods, originally designed for stationary models in Euclidean spaces, to effectively model phenomena on linear networks such as stream systems and urban road networks is challenging. The current study aims to analyze the incidence of traffic accidents on road networks using three different methodologies and compare the model performance for each methodology. Initially, we analyzed the application of spatial triangulation precisely on road networks instead of traditional continuous regions. However, this approach posed challenges in areas with complex boundaries, leading to the emergence of artificial spatial dependencies. To address this, we applied an alternative computational method to construct nonstationary barrier models. Finally, we explored a recently proposed class of Gaussian processes on compact metric graphs, the Whittle-Matérn fields, defined by a fractional SPDE on the metric graph. The latter fields are a natural extension of Gaussian fields with Matérn covariance functions on Euclidean domains to non-Euclidean metric graph settings. A ten-year period (2010–2019) of daily traffic-accident records from Barcelona, Spain have been used to evaluate the three models referred above. While comparing model performance we observed that the Whittle-Matérn fields defined directly on the network outperformed the network triangulation and barrier models. Due to their flexibility, the Whittle-Matérn fields can be applied to a wide range of environmental problems on linear networks and more general metric graphs such as modeling of water contamination in stream networks or modeling air quality or accidents on urban road networks.
Motivations for Self-Harm in Young People and Their Correlates: A Systematic Review
Authors: Tang S. , Hoye A. , Slade A. , Tang B. , Holmes G. , Fujimoto H. , Zheng W.-Y. , Ravindra S. , Christensen H. , Calear A. L. 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Self-harm in young people is associated with increased risk of suicide and other negative long-term outcomes. Understanding the motivations driving self-harm behaviours among young people can help to inform the development of preventative and treatment interventions. Self-harm rates have been rising, but reviews of the recent quantitative literature have not been undertaken. PsycInfo, Embase and Medline were systematically searched in September 2024 for studies published in the past ten years. Quantitative studies that examined motivations for self-harm (including prevalence and/or correlates) among young people (aged 10 to 24 years) with a history of self-harm were included in the review. The review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines and registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023429568). One hundred and seventeen studies met inclusion criteria. Intrapersonal motivations for self-harm (particularly emotion regulation, anti-dissociation and self-punishment) were more common than interpersonal motivations (e.g. peer bonding, communication). Intrapersonal motivations correlated with female gender, higher self-harm severity, current, repetitive and persistent self-harm, suicidality, poorer mental health and poorer emotion regulation. There was evidence to suggest that interpersonal motives are associated with younger age and some mental health difficulties (e.g. anxiety). Young people predominantly self-harm for intrapersonal reasons. Given that self-harm for intrapersonal reasons is associated with greater self-harm severity, suicidality and poor mental health, steps should be taken to prevent and reduce self-harm. Interventions for self-harm require a multifaceted approach that not only provides young people with alternate ways of regulating their emotions, but also targets risk factors that contribute to self-harm.
A Novel Stochastic Interacting Particle-Field Algorithm for 3D Parabolic-Parabolic Keller-Segel Chemotaxis System
Authors: Wang Zhongjian , Xin Jack , Zhang Zhiwen 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
We introduce an efficient stochastic interacting particle-field (SIPF) algorithm with no history dependence for computing aggregation patterns and near singular solutions of parabolic-parabolic Keller-Segel (KS) chemotaxis system in three-dimensional (3D) space. In our algorithm, the KS solutions are approximated as empirical measures of particles coupled with a smoother field (concentration of chemo-attractant) variable computed by a spectral method. Instead of using heat kernels that cause history dependence and high memory cost, we leverage the implicit Euler discretization to derive a one-step recursion in time for stochastic particle positions and the field variable based on the explicit Green’s function of an elliptic operator of the form Laplacian minus a positive constant. In numerical experiments, we observe that the resulting SIPF algorithm is convergent and self-adaptive to the high-gradient part of solutions. Despite the lack of analytical knowledge (such as a self-similar ansatz) of a blowup, the SIPF algorithm provides a low-cost approach to studying the emergence of finite-time blowup in 3D space using only dozens of Fourier modes and by varying the amount of initial mass and tracking the evolution of the field variable. Notably, the algorithm can handle multi-modal initial data and the subsequent complex evolution involving the merging of particle clusters and the formation of a finite time singularity with ease.
Fairness in Algorithmic Profiling: The AMAS Case
Authors: Achterhold Eva , Mühlböck Monika , Steiber Nadia , Kern Christoph 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
We study a controversial application of algorithmic profiling in the public sector, the Austrian AMAS system. AMAS was supposed to help caseworkers at the Public Employment Service (PES) Austria to allocate support measures to job seekers based on their predicted chance of (re-)integration into the labor market. Shortly after its release, AMAS was criticized for its apparent unequal treatment of job seekers based on gender and citizenship. We systematically investigate the AMAS model using a novel real-world dataset of young job seekers from Vienna, which allows us to provide the first empirical evaluation of the AMAS model with a focus on fairness measures. We further apply bias mitigation strategies to study their effectiveness in our real-world setting. Our findings indicate that the prediction performance of the AMAS model is insufficient for use in practice, as more than 30% of job seekers would be misclassified in our use case. Further, our results confirm that the original model is biased with respect to gender as it tends to (incorrectly) assign women to the group with high chances of re-employment, which is not prioritized in the PES’ allocation of support measures. However, most bias mitigation strategies were able to improve fairness without compromising performance and thus may form an important building block in revising profiling schemes in the present context.