bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Structural and life cycle assessments of recycled aggregate concrete beams incorporating industrial hemp fibers
Authors: Ghosn Samer , Hamad Bilal , Awwad Elie 
Published: August 2023

AbstractAs a sustainable concrete material, hemp and recycled aggregate concrete (HRAC) is produced by partial replacement of natural coarse aggregates (NCA) with recycled concrete coarse aggregates (RCA) and industrial hemp fibers. The objective of the reported research was to investigate the structural performance of reinforced concrete beams prepared with HRAC and designed to fail in flexure, shear, or bond splitting modes of failure, and to compare that performance with companion control beams cast with conventional concrete. The significance stems for the fact that no previous research is reported on mixtures using such a combination of hemp fibers and RCA. Test results indicated that HRAC beams with 0.75% volumetric percentage hemp fibers and 50% RCA replacement had comparable peak load capacities to the control beams with no RCA and no fibers, with ±4% difference for all tested modes of failure. Additionally, the fracture energy of the HRAC beam was higher than the control beam by 3.6%, 17.9%, and 14.4% for the flexure, shear, and bond modes of failure, respectively. Moreover, a life cycle analysis (LCA) was considered to compare HRAC mix with conventional concrete mix in terms of the environmental aspects. LCA results indicated that HRAC is a sustainable concrete, specifically with respect to structural performance and lower environmental impact.
Sensitive and prolonged intracellular electrophysiological recording by three‐dimensional nanodensity regulation
Authors: Liu Xingxing , Xu Dongxin , Fang Jiaru , Liao Yuheng , Zhang Mingyue , Li Hongbo , Yang Wenjian , Wu Yue , Xu Zhongyuan , Hu Ning , Zhang Diming 
Published: August 2023

AbstractWith the advancement of micro/nanotechnologies, multielectrodes arrays (MEAs) with different three‐dimensional (3D) micro/nanostructures have been developed to achieve intracellular action potential recording of cardiomyocytes. However, the effect of the 3D micro/nanostructures density on the intracellular recording has not been fully investigated. In this work, 3D tunable nanodensity electrode arrays (TNDEA) are fabricated by hydrothermal synthesis and standard microfabrication to explore the effect of nanodensity regulation on intracellular biosensing. By low‐voltage electroporation, the signal quality of intracellular potentials recorded by the low‐nanodensity TNDEA showed was significantly improved compared to those recorded by the high‐nanodensity TNDEA. The low‐nanodensity TNDEA improved the amplitude (up to 7.7 mV), signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) (up to 69.46 dB), recording duration (up to 83 min), and recording yield (∼100%). The 3D nanodensity regulating strategy has achieved sensitive and prolonged intracellular biosensing of action potentials and is expected to be a powerful electrophysiological research tool in the biomedical field.
Comparison of trigeminal lateralization with differing stimulants
Authors: Chen Tiffany , Poupore Nicolas S. , Shih Michael C. , Edwards Thomas S. , Nguyen Shaun A. , Soler Zachary M. , Schlosser Rodney J. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractTrigeminal‐specific stimulants have been shown to activate different receptors preferentially and this likely accounts for variation in sensory perception. It is unclear whether trigeminal sensitivity is similar across different transient receptor potential (TRP) receptors or if dysfunction of different receptors results in differing patient symptoms. Therefore, a prospective cohort study was conducted, consisting of trigeminal lateralization testing with three different stimulants (eucalyptol, isothiocyanate, acetic acid), olfaction testing with Sniffin' Sticks, and measurement of various patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs). A total of 50 participants were enrolled across the olfactory spectrum. Mean TDI score was 27.1 ± 8.3 (range 7.0–39.5) with 38% normosmic and 62% dysosmic. Mean trigeminal lateralization scores out of 20 in the overall cohort were 16.18 (2.78) for eucalyptol, 14.94 (3.49) for mustard oil, and 15.28 (3.68) for vinegar. Eucalyptol showed a significant correlation with threshold scores of Sniffin' Sticks. A significant correlation was found between acetic acid and various PROMs. None of the lateralization scores of the trigeminal stimulants correlated to each other significantly and there was no correlation to age. The lack of correlation suggests that the measured sensitivity of one type of TRP receptor may not translate to similar sensitivity of the other receptors. Additional investigations with TRPV1 and TRPA1 agonists are needed to corroborate our findings.
PDF Evaluation of Elliptically Contoured GNSS Integer Ambiguity Residuals
Authors: Teunissen Peter J. G. , Verhagen Sandra 
Published: August 2023

AbstractIn this contribution we will present and evaluate the joint probability density function (PDF) of the multivariate integer GNSS carrier phase ambiguity residuals, thereby assuming that the GNSS data belong to the very general class of elliptically contoured (EC) distributions. Examples of distributions belonging to this class are the multivariate normal distribution, the t-distribution and the contaminated normal distribution. Since the residuals and their properties depend on the integer estimation principle used, we will present the PDF of the ambiguity residuals for the whole class of admissible integer estimators. This includes the estimation principles of integer rounding, integer bootstrapping, and integer least squares. The probabilistic properties of these estimators vary with the distributions from the EC-class. In order to get a better understanding of the various features of the joint PDF of the ambiguity residuals we will use a step-by-step construction aided by graphical means.
Recommender Systems and Discrimination
Authors: Gössl Susanne Lilian 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe following article deals with the topic of discrimination “by” a recommender system. Several reasons can create discriminating recommendations, especially the lack of diversity in training data, bias in training data or errors in the underlying modelling algorithm. The legal frame is still not sufficient to nudge developers or users to effectively avoid those discriminations, especially data protection law as enshrined in the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is not feasible to fight discrimination. The same applies for the EU Unfair Competition Law, that at least contains first considerations to allow an autonomous decision of the subjects involved to know about possible forms of discrimination. Furthermore, with the Digital Service Act (DSA) and the AI Act (AIA) there are first steps into a direction that can inter alia tackle the problem. Most effectively seems a combination of regular monitoring and audit obligations and the development of an information model, supported by information by legal design, that allows an autonomous decision of all individuals using a recommender system.
Integrated Diagnostics and Theragnostics of Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma and Related Syndromes
Authors: Fargette Christelle , Imperiale Alessio , Giovanella Luca , Taïeb David 
Published: August 2023

AbstractMedullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is a rare neoplasm derived from calcitonin-secreting cells of the thyroid (C cells) for which surgery is the only curative treatment. Successful management of MTC depends on the patient’s condition, tumor stage, genetic background, and the medical team’s experience. This chapter provides an overview of clinical manifestations, diagnosis of MTC and Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2 (MEN2) and also presents applications of the most up-to-date imaging modalities to MTC with special emphasis on 18F-FDOPA PET/CT. It aims to guide physicians toward a rationale for the use of imaging prior to prophylactic thyroidectomy, reoperations for persistent/recurrent disease and prior to initial surgery. This chapter also concludes that, in the near future, it is expected that these patients will indeed benefit from newly developed diagnostic and theragnostic approaches.
“Exotic Sensation” or “Völkisch Art”? Press Reviews of the Indisches Ballett Menaka (Menaka Indian Ballet) on Tour Through Germany, 1936–1938
Authors: Schwaderer Isabella 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe tour of the Indian Ballet Menaka through hundreds of German cities between 1936 and 1938 left a large footprint in the form of theatre reviews. This article focuses on the role of these performances in actualizing a specific knowledge about India that was, firstly, based on the assumption of the consanguinity of Indo-German peoples and, secondly, on a vision of history as a realization of the utopian ideal of cultural regeneration through art. This article thus hopes to articulate the ways in which the unique experience of this Indian theatre event served as an instrument for consolidating a völkisch/racialized perception of art in general, and of music in particular.
Ergebnisqualität und Kosten der allgemeinen und spezialisierten Palliativversorgung in Deutschland im regionalen Vergleich: eine GKV-Routinedatenstudie
Authors: Freytag Antje , Meissner Franziska , Krause Markus , Lehmann Thomas , Jansky Maximiliane Katharina , Marschall Ursula , Schmid Andreas , Schneider Nils , Vollmar Horst Christian , Wedding Ulrich , Ditscheid Bianka 
Published: August 2023

ZusammenfassungHintergrundWesentliche Rahmenbedingungen für Palliativversorgung (PV) werden auf regionaler Ebene gesetzt. Der Umfang zum Einsatz kommender Versorgungsformen (ambulant, stationär, allgemein, spezialisiert) variiert regional stark. Welche Ergebnisqualität zu welchen Kosten wird mit der in einer KV-Region (Kassenärztliche Vereinigung) angebotenen PV erreicht?MethodenRetrospektive Beobachtungsstudie mit BARMER-Routinedaten von 145.372 im Zeitraum 2016–2019 Verstorbenen mit PV im letzten Lebensjahr. Vergleich der KV-Regionen hinsichtlich folgender Outcomes: Anteil palliativ versorgter Menschen, die im Krankenhaus verstarben, potenziell belastende Versorgung in den letzten 30 Lebenstagen (Rettungsdiensteinsätze, [intensivmedizinische] Krankenhausaufenthalte, Chemotherapien, Anlage/Wechsel einer PEG-Sonde, parenterale Ernährung), Gesamtversorgungskosten der letzten 3 Lebensmonate, Kosten der PV(‑Formen) des letzten Lebensjahres, Kosten-Effektivitäts-Relationen sowie Patienten‑/Wohnkreismerkmals-adjustierte Kennzahlen.ErgebnisseDie KV-Regionen variierten hinsichtlich der Outcomes (auch adjustiert) der PV deutlich. Über alle Outcomes aggregiert wies Westfalen-Lippe bessere Ergebnisse auf. Die PV-Kosten variierten ebenfalls stark, am stärksten bei spezialisierter ambulanter PV (SAPV). Die günstigste Kosten-Effektivitäts-Relation von Gesamtversorgungskosten zur Sterberate in der Häuslichkeit wies Westfalen-Lippe auf.FazitRegionen mit besserer Ergebnisqualität und günstigerer Kosten-Effektivität können Orientierung für andere Regionen bieten. Es sollte überprüft werden, inwieweit der neue SAPV-Bundesrahmenvertrag die empirischen Erkenntnisse aufgreifen kann. Patientenrelevanten Outcomes sollte stärkeres Gewicht gegeben werden als Parametern, die auf Versorgungsstrukturen abzielen.
Selective targeting of lectins and their macropinocytosis in urothelial tumours: translation from in vitro to ex vivo
Authors: Resnik Nataša , Višnjar Tanja , Smrkolj Tomaž , Kreft Mateja Erdani , Romih Rok , Zupančič Daša 
Published: August 2023

AbstractUrinary bladder cancer can be treated by intravesical application of therapeutic agents, but the specific targeting of cancer urothelial cells and the endocytotic pathways of the agents are not known. During carcinogenesis, the superficial urothelial cells exhibit changes in sugar residues on the apical plasma membranes. This can be exploited for selective targeting from the luminal side of the bladder. Here we show that the plant lectins Jacalin (from Artocarpus integrifolia), ACA (from Amaranthus caudatus) and DSA (from Datura stramonium) selectively bind to the apical plasma membrane of low- (RT4) and high-grade (T24) cancer urothelial cells in vitro and urothelial tumours ex vivo. The amount of lectin binding was significantly different between RT4 and T24 cells. Endocytosis of lectins was observed only in cancer urothelial cells and not in normal urothelial cells. Transmission electron microscopy analysis showed macropinosomes, endosome-like vesicles and multivesicular bodies filled with lectins in RT4 and T24 cells and also in cells of urothelial tumours ex vivo. Endocytosis of Jacalin and ACA in cancer cells was decreased in vitro after addition of inhibitor of macropinocytosis 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl) amiloride (EIPA) and increased after stimulation of macropinocytosis with epidermal growth factor (EGF). Clathrin, caveolin and flotillin did not colocalise with lectins. These results confirm that the predominant mechanism of lectin endocytosis in cancer urothelial cells is macropinocytosis. Therefore, we propose that lectins in combination with conjugated therapeutic agents are promising tools for improved intravesical therapy by targeting cancer cells.
Hypothalamus volumes in adolescent Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): impact of self-reported fatigue and illness duration
Authors: Byrne Hollie , Josev Elisha K. , Knight Sarah J. , Scheinberg Adam , Rowe Katherine , Lubitz Lionel , Seal Marc L. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractAdolescent Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a complex illness of unknown aetiology. Emerging theories suggest ME/CFS may reflect a progressive, aberrant state of homeostasis caused by disturbances within the hypothalamus, yet few studies have investigated this using magnetic resonance imaging in adolescents with ME/CFS. We conducted a volumetric analysis to investigate whether whole and regional hypothalamus volumes in adolescents with ME/CFS differed compared to healthy controls, and whether these volumes were associated with fatigue severity and illness duration. 48 adolescents (25 ME/CFS, 23 controls) were recruited. Lateralised whole and regional hypothalamus volumes, including the anterior–superior, superior tubular, posterior, anterior-inferior and inferior tubular subregions, were calculated from T1-weighted images. When controlling for age, sex and intracranial volume, Bayesian linear regression models revealed no evidence for differences in hypothalamus volumes between groups. However, in the ME/CFS group, a weak linear relationship between increased right anterior–superior volumes and fatigue severity was identified, which was absent in controls. In addition, Bayesian quantile regression revealed a likely-positive association between illness duration and right superior tubular volumes in the ME/CFS group. While these findings suggest overall comparability in regional and whole hypothalamus volumes between adolescents with ME/CFS and controls, preliminary evidence was identified to suggest greater fatigue severity and longer illness duration were associated with greater right anterior–superior and superior-tubular volumes, respectively. These regions contain the anterior and superior divisions of the paraventricular nucleus, involved in the neuroendocrine response to stress, suggesting involvement in ME/CFS pathophysiology. However, replication in a larger, longitudinal cohort is required.
Reproduction of transport-induced vibration of paintings based on a multi-channel FxLMS controller
Authors: Gao Yulong , Ziegler Pascal , Hartlieb Eva , Heinemann Carolin , Eberhard Peter 
Published: August 2023

AbstractMonitoring the vibration of the painting canvas during transport is of great significance to protect paintings from damage. However, limited to the narrow structure of the transport crate, the lack of an inertial reference, and the limitations to attach sensors to the canvas, this is a difficult task. For this reason, based on vibration data measured on the strainer that is easily obtained during transport, this contribution proposes to reproduce these with high accuracy in the laboratory. There, the resulting vibration of the canvas can be conveniently observed in a controlled environment with respect to an inertial reference. A real-time simulation platform based on the multi-channel Filtered-x Least Mean Square (FxLMS) algorithm controls four actuators simultaneously and reproduces the vibration of the strainer obtained from a real transport experiment. The vibration of the canvas is then measured by a laser Doppler vibrometer without contact. The experimental results show that the vibration reproduction system has sufficient reproduction accuracy for the vibration response. Even though some overshoot in the reproduced acceleration can be observed in some cases, the overall reproduction is very good. A long-term reproduction experiment verifies its stable reproducibility. Therefore, the designed vibration reproduction system provides a reference for the unknown canvas response during transport, and further helps art conservators to evaluate the transport process of the painting.
Subject-Specific Automatic Reconstruction of White Matter Tracts
Authors: Meesters Stephan , Landers Maud , Rutten Geert-Jan , Florack Luc 
Published: August 2023

AbstractMRI-based tractography is still underexploited and unsuited for routine use in brain tumor surgery due to heterogeneity of methods and functional–anatomical definitions and above all, the lack of a turn-key system. Standardization of methods is therefore desirable, whereby an objective and reliable approach is a prerequisite before the results of any automated procedure can subsequently be validated and used in neurosurgical practice. In this work, we evaluated these preliminary but necessary steps in healthy volunteers. Specifically, we evaluated the robustness and reliability (i.e., test–retest reproducibility) of tractography results of six clinically relevant white matter tracts by using healthy volunteer data (N = 136) from the Human Connectome Project consortium. A deep learning convolutional network-based approach was used for individualized segmentation of regions of interest, combined with an evidence-based tractography protocol and appropriate post-tractography filtering. Robustness was evaluated by estimating the consistency of tractography probability maps, i.e., averaged tractograms in normalized space, through the use of a hold-out cross-validation approach. No major outliers were found, indicating a high robustness of the tractography results. Reliability was evaluated at the individual level. First by examining the overlap of tractograms that resulted from repeatedly processed identical MRI scans (N = 10, 10 iterations) to establish an upper limit of reliability of the pipeline. Second, by examining the overlap for subjects that were scanned twice at different time points (N = 40). Both analyses indicated high reliability, with the second analysis showing a reliability near the upper limit. The robust and reliable subject-specific generation of white matter tracts in healthy subjects holds promise for future validation of our pipeline in a clinical population and subsequent implementation in brain tumor surgery.
Akuter epileptischer Anfall – Handlungspläne für Laien (HEAL) und Therapeuten (HEAT)
Authors: Klotz Kerstin Alexandra , Bast Thomas , Strzelczyk Adam , Schubert-Bast Susanne 
Published: August 2023

ZusammenfassungEine barrierefreie Teilnahme am alltäglichen Leben stellt für Menschen mit aktiver Epilepsie häufig eine Herausforderung dar. Epileptische Anfälle können in Kindergarten, Schule und am Arbeitsplatz sowie im häuslichen Umfeld Unsicherheit und Überforderung hervorrufen. Individuell erstellte Pläne für Betreuende, Angehörige, Aufsichtspersonen und den Rettungsdienst sollen im Falle eines akuten Anfalls geeignete Handlungsanweisungen geben. Bisher gibt es hierfür im deutschsprachigen Raum keine standardisierten Vorlagen. Mit den Handlungsplänen bei epileptischen Anfällen für Laien (HEAL) bzw. Therapeuten (HEAT) werden hier 2 Formulare vorgestellt, die zum einen eine standardisierte Grundlage bieten und andererseits leicht auf den individuellen Bedarf angepasst werden können.
Assessing the joint prevalence of dementia and hearing loss in Scotland: a growth model for public health planning
Authors: Koesters Nils Bernd , McMenemy Andrena , Johnson Christine 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Aim
Data in Public Health studies often comes in mismatched age groups. This study investigated how mathematical modelling techniques could be used to estimate the number of individuals with dementia and hearing loss in Scotland given heterogeneous age group data.

Subject and Methods
Using established criteria for modelling hearing loss, current population level estimates from the Scottish National Records office were employed to calculate general estimates of the number of individuals with hearing loss in Scotland. Additionally, age group models developed by the European Collaboration on Dementia were used to generate estimates of the number of people with dementia in Scotland. To estimate the number of individuals with both conditions, the two models were combined in a single formula. Parameter optimization was performed on various growth models to determine the best fit to the data.

Results
The Stannard growth model was found to be the best fit to the data.

Conclusion
The prevalence of hearing loss, dementia and their co-occurrence exhibit a sigmoidal pattern, which is well-captured by the Stannard growth model, a logistic, sigmoidal type model. This study demonstrates the potential of mathematical modelling to provide nuanced and robust estimates of the prevalence of hearing loss, dementia and their co-occurrence given heterogeneous data sources. A lookup table is provided.
Monitoring of a microbial community during bioaugmentation with hydrogenotrophic methanogens to improve methane yield of an anaerobic digestion process
Authors: Gállego-Bravo Aixa Kari , García-Mena Jaime , Piña-Escobedo Alberto , López-Jiménez Gloria , Gutiérrez-Castillo María Eugenia , Tovar-Gálvez Luis Raúl 
Published: August 2023

AbstractMethane production by microbial fermentation of municipal waste is a challenge for better yield processes. This work describes the characterization of a hydrogenotrophic methanogen microbial community used in a bioaugmentation procedure to improve the methane yield in a thermophilic anaerobic process, digesting the organic fraction of municipal solid waste. The performance of the bioaugmentation was assessed in terms of methane production and changes in the microbial community structure. The results showed that bioaugmentation slightly improved the cumulative methane yield (+ 4%) in comparison to the control, and its use led to an acceleration of the methanogenesis stage. We observed associated significant changes in the relative abundance of taxa and their interactions, using high throughput DNA sequencing of V3-16S rRNA gene libraries, where the abundance of the archaeal hydrogenotrophic genus Methanoculleus (class Methanomicrobia, phylum Euryarchaeota) and the bacterial order MBA08 (class Clostridia, phylum Firmicutes) were dominant. The relevant predicted metabolic pathways agreed with substrate degradation and the anaerobic methanogenic process. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of the addition of hydrogenotrophic methanogens in the generation of methane, while treating organic waste through anaerobic digestion.