bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Metabolic quotient and specific enzymatic activity in response to the addition of organic amendments to mining tailings
Authors: Nava-Arsola N. E. , Beltrán-Paz O. , Martínez-Jardines G. , Chávez-Vergara B. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractAdding organic amendments to mining tailings to ameliorate extreme conditions that limit plant growth is a common practice in reclamation projects; still, the impact on microbial activity is not commonly considered. This work aimed to explore the use of the metabolic quotient and specific enzymatic activity as indicators of microbial carbon use efficiency in response to adding organic amendments to mining tailings. An experiment in vitro on adding organic amendments: compost, biochar, a mixture of them, and no addition on mining tailing from Taxco, Guerrero, Mexico, was established. Carbon mineralization, microbial biomass, and the enzymatic activity of β-glucosidase, phosphatase, polyphenol oxidase, and dehydrogenase were measured, while specific enzymatic activity and metabolic quotient were calculated. The results showed that microbial activity increased by adding all organic amendments in the following order: compost > mixture > biochar. In the treatment with the addition of compost, we observed a higher carbon mineralization and a greater enzymatic activity. The treatment with adding biochar showed similarities with the control treatment in parameters related to carbon dynamics, such as β-glucosidase, dehydrogenase, and carbon mineralization. This reflects microorganisms’ trade-off between investing energy in searching for resources or using them to improve their biomass clearly to view the specific enzymatic activity and metabolic quotient indicators.
The Suffering Son of David in Matthew's Passion Narrative
Authors: Johnson Nathan C. 
Published: November 2023

In this book, Nathan C. Johnson offers the first full-scale study of David traditions in the Gospel of Matthew's story of Jesus's death. He offers a solution to the tension between Matthew's assertion that Jesus is the Davidic messiah and his humiliating death. To convince readers of his claim that Jesus was the Davidic messiah, Matthew would have to bridge the gap between messianic status and disgraceful execution. Johnson's proposed solution to this conundrum is widely overlooked yet refreshingly simple. He shows how Matthew makes his case for Jesus as the Davidic messiah in the passion narrative by alluding to texts in which David, too, suffered. Matthew thereby participates in a common intertextual, Jewish approach to messianism. Indeed, by alluding to suffering David texts, Matthew attempts to turn the tables of the problem of a crucified messiah by portraying Jesus as the Davidic messiah not despite, but because of his suffering.
Multiplicity and stability of normalized solutions to non-autonomous Schrödinger equation with mixed non-linearities
Authors: Li Xinfu , Xu Li , Zhu Meiling 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThis paper first studies the multiplicity of normalized solutions to the non-autonomous Schrödinger equation with mixed nonlinearities
\begin{equation*}
\begin{cases}
-\Delta u=\lambda u+h(\epsilon x)|u|^{q-2}u+\eta |u|^{p-2}u,\quad x\in \mathbb{R}^N, \\
\int_{\mathbb{R}^N}|u|^2\,\textrm{d}x=a^2,
\end{cases}
\end{equation*}
where $a, \epsilon, \eta \gt 0$, q is L2-subcritical, p is L2-supercritical, $\lambda\in \mathbb{R}$ is an unknown parameter that appears as a Lagrange multiplier and h is a positive and continuous function. It is proved that the numbers of normalized solutions are at least the numbers of global maximum points of h when ϵ is small enough. The solutions obtained are local minimizers and probably not ground state solutions for the lack of symmetry of the potential h. Secondly, the stability of several different sets consisting of the local minimizers is analysed. Compared with the results of the corresponding autonomous equation, the appearance of the potential h increases the number of the local minimizers and the number of the stable sets. In particular, our results cover the Sobolev critical case $p=2N/(N-2)$.
Surgical management of the discharging mastoid cavity
Authors: Mills R. P. 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
A survey of 67 patients with 74 mastoid cavities has been carried out.
During the study period they made a total of 126 cavity/outpatient visits.
Thirty-five patients (56 per cent) had discharge from at least one cavity on
at least one outpatient visit. At only 5 per cent of visits was the
discharge classified as profuse. A retrospective study of 54 mastoid
revision operations on 51 patients has been made. Overall 59 per cent of
operations resulted in a dry ear. The best results were achieved by carrying
out cavity revision combined with a meatoplasty (83 per cent dry ears).
Cavity revision alone produced a dry ear in only 57 per cent of cases. The
worst results were produced by soft tissue obliteration (33 per cent dry
ears). This supplement also presents the early results of a prospective
investigation of bone pate obliteration of mastoid cavities. Of the eight
cases studied so far, five (63 per cent) have dry ears following surgery.
Three of the patients in this group had undergone previous unsuccessful
revision surgery using other techniques. Cavity revision with meatoplasty is
the technique of choice for most patients, but mastoid obliteration offers
potential advantages for younger patients, particularly those wishing to
swim.
The pathology of neonatal endotracheal intubation and its relationship to
subglottic stenosis
Authors: Gould S. J. 
Published: November 2023

The most common serious long-term consequence of neonatal endotracheal
intubation is acquired subglottic stenosis (SGS). The incidence in intubated
infants is variously reported as between one and eleven per cent but this
may be a relatively high range, reflecting the interest of the reporting
centres and the various methods of diagnosis. (Fearon et
al., 1966; Parkin et al., 1916;
Strong and Passy, 1977; Papsidero and Pashley, 1980; Jones et
al., 1981; Sherman et al.,
1986).
In one study conducted at University College Hospital London (UCH) we
reported an incidence of 1.8 per cent of SGS in all intubated neonates in a
three year period (1981-83); if only survivors were considered the incidence
was 2.6 per cent (Quiney and Gould, 1985). The relatively high incidence
during this particular time focussed our attention on SGS and the factors
which might precipitate its occurrence.
Mega‐Tidal and Surface Flooding Controls on Coastal Groundwater and Saltwater Intrusion Within Agricultural Dikelands
Authors: LeRoux N. K. , Frey S. K. , Lapen D. R. , Guimond J. A. , Kurylyk B. L. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractClimate change will increase sea levels, driving saltwater into coastal aquifers and impacting coastal communities and land use viability. Coastal aquifers are also impacted by tides that control groundwater‐ocean interactions and maintain an “upper saline plume” (USP) of brackish groundwater. Coastal dikes are designed to limit the surface impacts of high‐amplitude tides, but, due to ongoing sea‐level rise (SLR), low‐lying dikelands and underlying aquifers are becoming increasingly vulnerable to flooding from high tides and storm surges. This study combines field observations with numerical modeling to investigate ocean‐aquifer mixing and future saltwater intrusion dynamics in a mega‐tidal (tidal range >8 m) dikeland along the Bay of Fundy in Atlantic Canada. Field data revealed strong connectivity between the ocean and coastal aquifer, as evidenced by pronounced tidal oscillations in deeper groundwater heads and an order of magnitude intra‐tidal change in subsurface electrical resistivity. Numerical model results indicate that SLR and surges will force the migration of the USP landward, amplifying salinization of freshwater resources. Simulated storm surges can overtop the dike, contaminating agricultural soils. The presence of dikes decreased salinization under low surge scenarios, but increased salinization under larger overtopping scenarios due to landward ponding of seawater behind the dike. Mega‐tidal conditions maintain a large USP and impact aquifer freshening rates. Results highlight the vulnerability of terrestrial soil landscapes and freshwater resources to climate change and suggest that the subsurface impacts of dike management decisions should be considered in addition to protection measures associated with surface saltwater intrusion processes.
Experimental study on crack propagation pattern and fracture process zone evolution based on far-field displacement by using DIC
Authors: Qiao Yang , Guan Xian-bo , Zhang Zong-Xian 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThis study utilizes digital image correlation (DIC) technology to measure the far-field displacements and strains of rock specimens during the entire loading and unloading. Through analyzing the distributions of strain, displacement and their variations per unit length at different stages, the variations of both length and migration velocity of the fracture process zone (FPZ) were studied, and the crack propagation was also investigated. In addition, the entire path of crack propagation was observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results reveal that (1) the fractured ligament can be divided into three zones based on the displacement variation per unit length: intact zone, crack propagation zone, and FPZ. (2) The FPZ length reaches its maximum at the peak load and then decreases, and the minimum length even is only 1/3–1/2 of the maximum length. The FPZ migration velocity is − 48 to 1460 m/s. FPZ’s microscale features are intergranular microcracks, transgranular microcracks, cleavage, and debris on fracture surface and around main crack propagation path. (3) The crack propagation length during peak load to peak-post 90% accounts for more than 1/3–1/4 of the entire post-peak length. Crack propagation is alternating fast and slow, i.e., the velocity of crack propagation varies regularly in the range of 24–700 m/s. The region of crack initial propagation is more severely damaged compared to other propagation regions.
The added value of SPECT/CT lymphoscintigraphy in the initial assessment of secondary extremity lymphedema patients
Authors: Yoon Hai-Jeon , Woo Kyong-Je , Kim Ji-Young , Kang Seo Young , Moon Byung Seok , Kim Bom Sahn 
Published: November 2023

AbstractAn added value of SPECT/CT over planar lymphoscintigraphy for initial staging in patients with secondary extremity lymphedema was investigated. Furthermore, we developed a hybrid SPECT/CT classification combining dermal backflow (DBF) of SPECT and honeycomb pattern (HP) of CT, correlated it with lymphoscintigraphic staging and clinical severity. Forty-one patients with secondary extremity lymphedema who underwent lymphoscintigraphy with SPECT/CT were included retrospectively. The severity of extremity lymphedema was assessed using CT volumetry. Lymphoscintigraphic findings were evaluated using the Taiwan Lymphoscintigraphy Staging (TLS), and CT-based and SPECT-based quantitative analysis were performed. TLS was performed by planar scintigraphy only and with SPECT/CT, respectively. The SPECT/CT findings were classified into DBF−/HP−, DBF+/HP−, DBF+/HP+, and DBF−/HP+. Based on these findings, patients were categorized into five classes: Class 1 = DBF−HP− entire limb, Class 2 = DBF+/HP− proximal/distal limb without DBF+/HP+ or DBF−/HP+, Class 3 = DBF+/HP+ proximal/distal limb without DBF−/HP+, Class 4 = Mixed DBF+/HP+ and DBF−/HP+ in proximal/distal limb, Class 5 = DBF−/HP+ entire limb. Adding SPECT/CT to planar scintigraphy showed a 15.4% modification rate in lymphoscintigraphic staging. HP volume ratio significantly increased as clinical severity and lymphoscintigraphic staging increased, while DBF volume ratio increased with severity and followed expected patterns according to lymphoscintigraphic staging. Hybrid SPECT/CT lymphoscintigraphic classification showed strong positive correlation with clinical severity and TLS. Our results demonstrated substantial modification of lymphoscintigraphic staging by adding SPECT/CT to a conventional planar scintigraphy. In addition, a hybrid SPECT/CT is expected to provide new indicators reflecting lymphoscintigraphic staging and clinical severity by providing both of functional DBF and anatomical HP information.
Neurodegeneration-associated protein VAPB regulates proliferation in medulloblastoma
Authors: Faria Assoni Amanda , Giove Mitsugi Thiago , Wardenaar René , Oliveira Ferreira Raiane , Farias Jandrey Elisa Helena , Machado Novaes Gabriela , Fonseca de Oliveira Granha Isabela , Bakker Petra , Kaid Carolini , Zatz Mayana , Foijer Floris , Keith Okamoto Oswaldo 
Published: November 2023

AbstractVAMP (Vesicle-associated membrane protein)-associated protein B and C (VAPB) has been widely studied in neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS, but little is known about its role in cancer. Medulloblastoma is a common brain malignancy in children and arises from undifferentiated cells during neuronal development. Therefore, medulloblastoma is an interesting model to investigate the possible relationship between VAPB and tumorigenesis. Here we demonstrate that high VAPB expression in medulloblastoma correlates with decreased overall patient survival. Consistent with this clinical correlation, we find that VAPB is required for normal proliferation rates of medulloblastoma cells in vitro and in vivo. Knockout of VAPB (VAPBKO) delayed cell cycle progression. Furthermore, transcript levels of WNT-related proteins were decreased in the VAPBKO. We conclude that VAPB is required for proliferation of medulloblastoma cells, thus revealing VAPB as a potential therapeutic target for medulloblastoma treatment.
Risk factors for toxocariasis during incarceration: the One Health intervention approach
Authors: Santarém Vamilton Alvares , Pinto Gabriel Luís Brucinski , de Souza Filho Roberto Teixeira , Ferreira Isabella Braghin , Lescano Susana Angélica Zevallos , Gonzáles William Henry Roldan , Kosloski Jully , Ribeiro Juliano , Giuffrida Rogério , dos Santos Andrea Pires , Kmetiuk Louise Bach , Biondo Alexander Welker 
Published: November 2023

AbstractDespite potential exposure to soil-transmitted helminths, especially when stray dogs and cats are present, toxocariasis in inmate populations remains to be established. Accordingly, the present study assessed the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of toxocariasis at the Women's State Penitentiary of Parana, Brazil. A total of 234/370 (63.2%; 95% CI 58.2–68.0) women inmates and 28/87 (32.2%; 95% CI 23.3–42.6) correctional officers were seropositive for anti-Toxocara spp. IgG by ELISA, with inmates 2.62-fold more likely positive (p = 0.00000026). The univariate model has identified that non-white (OR = 1.58, p = 0.047) and older than 39 years (OR = 1.28, p = 0.032) inmates were associated with mild but significant odds for seropositivity. Elementary or higher educational level was considered a protective factor for seropositivity. The presence of Toxocara spp. eggs was observed in 10/15 (66.7%) collected soil samples by centrifuge-flotation in Zinc Sulfate, and molecular analysis by PCR identified only Toxocara cati in these eggs. An intervention program was established with regular trap-neuter-release, with gradual removal for adoption (donation campaigns), treatment, and euthanasia when necessary (particularly due to advanced sporotrichosis). In addition, an educational awareness agenda was proposed, aiming to reduce soil contamination and accidental intake by the incarcerated population. A total of 40 feral cats were trapped, 20 males and 20 females, mostly adults. After trapping, 36 cats were neutered, treated, and microchipped in the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) at the Federal University of Paraná. Five trapped feral cats were euthanized, four diagnosed with advanced sporotrichosis, and one already neutered cat (not herein) with complications due to feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Female inmates presented higher seroprevalence for Toxocara spp. antibodies when compared to correctional officers, significantly associated with age, self-declared ethnicity (non-white), and lack of formal education. Despite the non-natural scenario of a state penitentiary, the One Health approach of Toxocara spp. has highlighted the interdisciplinary nature of the study and its relevance in understanding the complex interactions between human, animal, and environmental factors, particularly impacting female inmates. Further studies should establish the rate of inmate infection over time while deprived of liberty.
E-DPNCT: an enhanced attack resilient differential privacy model for smart grids using split noise cancellation
Authors: Hafeez Khadija , O’Shea Donna , Newe Thomas , Rehmani Mubashir Husain 
Published: November 2023

AbstractHigh frequency reporting of energy consumption data in smart grids can be used to infer sensitive information regarding the consumer’s life style and poses serious security and privacy threats. Differential privacy (DP) based privacy models for smart grids ensure privacy when analysing energy consumption data for billing and load monitoring. However, DP models for smart grids are vulnerable to collusion attack where an adversary colludes with malicious smart meters and un-trusted aggregator in order to get private information from other smart meters. We first show the vulnerability of DP based privacy model for smart grids against collusion attacks to establish the need of a collusion resistant privacy model. Then, we propose an Enhanced Differential Private Noise Cancellation Model for Load Monitoring and Billing for Smart Meters (E-DPNCT) which not only provides resistance against collusion attacks but also protects the privacy of the smart grid data while providing accurate billing and load monitoring. We use differential privacy with a split noise cancellation protocol with multiple master smart meters (MSMs) to achieve collusion resistance. We propose an Enhanced Differential Private Noise Cancellation Model for Load Monitoring and Billing for Smart Meters (E-DPNCT) to protect the privacy of the smart grid data using a split noise cancellation protocol with multiple master smart meters (MSMs) to provide accurate billing and load monitoring and resistance against collusion attacks. We did extensive comparison of our E-DPNCT model with state of the art attack resistant privacy preserving models such as EPIC for collusion attack. We simulate our E-DPNCT model with real time data which shows significant improvement in privacy attack scenarios. Further, we analyze the impact of selecting different sensitivity parameters for calibrating DP noise over the privacy of customer electricity profile and accuracy of electricity data aggregation such as load monitoring and billing.
Open-label placebo treatment does not enhance cognitive abilities in healthy volunteers
Authors: Hartmann Helena , Forkmann Katarina , Schmidt Katharina , Kleine-Borgmann Julian , Albers Johanna , Wiech Katja , Bingel Ulrike 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe use of so-called ‘smart drugs’ such as modafinil to improve cognitive performance has recently attracted considerable attention. However, their side effects have limited user enthusiasm. Open-label placebo (OLP) treatment, i.e., inert treatments that are openly disclosed to individuals as having no active pharmacological ingredient, has been shown to improve various medical symptoms and conditions, including those related to cognitive performance. OLP treatment could therefore be an exciting alternative to pharmacological cognitive enhancers. Here, we used a randomized-controlled design to investigate the effect of a 21-day OLP treatment on several sub-domains of cognitive performance inN = 78 healthy volunteers. Subjective and objective measures of cognitive performance as well as different measures of well-being were obtained before and after the treatment period. Using a combination of classic Frequentist and Bayesian analysis approaches showed no additional benefit from OLP treatment in any of the subjective or objective measures of cognitive performance. Our study thus highlights possible limitations of OLP treatment in boosting cognitive performance in healthy volunteers. These findings are discussed in the light of expectancy-value considerations that may determine OLP efficacy.
Improving explainable AI with patch perturbation-based evaluation pipeline: a COVID-19 X-ray image analysis case study
Authors: Sun Jimin , Shi Wenqi , Giuste Felipe O. , Vaghani Yog S. , Tang Lingzi , Wang May D. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractRecent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have sparked interest in developing explainable AI (XAI) methods for clinical decision support systems, especially in translational research. Although using XAI methods may enhance trust in black-box models, evaluating their effectiveness has been challenging, primarily due to the absence of human (expert) intervention, additional annotations, and automated strategies. In order to conduct a thorough assessment, we propose a patch perturbation-based approach to automatically evaluate the quality of explanations in medical imaging analysis. To eliminate the need for human efforts in conventional evaluation methods, our approach executes poisoning attacks during model retraining by generating both static and dynamic triggers. We then propose a comprehensive set of evaluation metrics during the model inference stage to facilitate the evaluation from multiple perspectives, covering a wide range of correctness, completeness, consistency, and complexity. In addition, we include an extensive case study to showcase the proposed evaluation strategy by applying widely-used XAI methods on COVID-19 X-ray imaging classification tasks, as well as a thorough review of existing XAI methods in medical imaging analysis with evaluation availability. The proposed patch perturbation-based workflow offers model developers an automated and generalizable evaluation strategy to identify potential pitfalls and optimize their proposed explainable solutions, while also aiding end-users in comparing and selecting appropriate XAI methods that meet specific clinical needs in real-world clinical research and practice.
Assessing impending hazards from summit eruptions: the new probabilistic map for lava flow inundation at Mt. Etna
Authors: Zuccarello Francesco , Bilotta Giuseppe , Ganci Gaetana , Proietti Cristina , Cappello Annalisa 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe development of probabilistic maps associated with lava flow inundation is essential to assess hazard in open vent volcanoes, especially those that have highly urbanized flanks. In this study we present the new lava flow hazard map linked to the summit eruptions of Mt. Etna, which has been developed using a probabilistic approach that integrates statistical analyses of the volcanological historical data with numerical simulations of lava flows. The statistical analysis of volcanological data (including vent location, duration and lava volumes) about all summit eruptions occurred since 1998 has allowed us both to estimate the spatiotemporal probability of future vent opening and to extract the effusion rate curves for lava flow modelling. Numerical simulations were run using the GPUFLOW model on a 2022 Digital Surface Model derived from optical satellite images. The probabilistic approach has been validated through a back-analysis by calculating the fit between the expected probabilities of inundation and the lava flows actually emplaced during the 2020-2022 period. The obtained map shows a very high probability of inundation of lava flows emitted at vents linked to the South East Crater, according to the observation of the eruptive dynamics in the last decades.