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Ecosystem change is an everyday reality, and assessment of its ability to provide men with products and services of the ecosystem (fresh water, climate, soil fertility, etc.), which are necessary for human welfare, is an urgent applied issue. The question as to "whether changes in the loss of biological diversity will affect the functioning of local ecosystems" is attracting increasing attention. In this first paper, we consider modern approaches to ecosystem monitoring. The concept of historical and novel ecosystems, ecosystem resilience, threshold effects, theory-driven restoration, and social–ecological considerations are reviewed. The principles of indication, requirements for indicators, possibilities, and prospects for the use of small mammals as indicators of the dynamics of local ecosystems are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This white paper provides guidance regarding the process for establishing and maintaining international collaborations to conduct oncology/neurology-focused chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (CIPN) research. Methods: An international multidisciplinary group of CIPN scientists, clinicians, research administrators, and legal experts have pooled their collective knowledge regarding recommendations for establishing and maintaining international collaboration to foster advancement of CIPN science. Results: Experts provide recommendations in 10 categories: (1) preclinical and (2) clinical research collaboration; (3) collaborators and consortiums; (4) communication; (5) funding; (6) international regulatory standards; (7) staff training; (8) data management, quality control, and data sharing; (9) dissemination across disciplines and countries; and (10) additional recommendations about feasibility, policy, and mentorship. Conclusion: Recommendations to establish and maintain international CIPN research collaboration will promote the inclusion of more diverse research participants, increasing consideration of cultural and genetic factors that are essential to inform innovative precision medicine interventions and propel scientific discovery to benefit cancer survivors worldwide. Relevance to inform research policy: Our suggested guidelines for establishing and maintaining international collaborations to conduct oncology/neurology-focused chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (CIPN) research set forth a challenge to multinational science, clinical, and policy leaders to (1) develop simple, streamlined research designs; (2) address logistical barriers; (3) simplify and standardize regulatory requirements across countries; (4) increase funding to support international collaboration; and (5) foster faculty mentorship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a mathematical model for the slow combustion (smoldering) of a two-dimensional sheet of paper. We describe the evolution of the char region, and we investigate the effects of an orthogonal air flow on the shape of the combustion front. The mathematical formulation consists in a set of two nonlinear PDEs for the temperature and the oxygen concentrations coupled with one ODE for the cellulose concentration. The (dimensionless) problem is solved numerically by means of a spectral collocation scheme based on Chebyshev polynomials. Our results show that the Péclet and the Lewis number strongly influence the shape of the ignition front and that the advancement of the combustion front does not occur if advection and diffusion are neglected (zero Péclet and Lewis numbers). In particular we observe that the burning region and the ignition front are strongly influenced by the velocity of the airflow and by the mass and heat transport phenomena due to diffusion and advection. We shall see that the increasing of the ratio between the convective and diffusive characteristic times (Péclet number) and the decreasing of the ratio between the mass and heat diffusive characteristic times (Lewis number) have a "flattening effect" on the combustion front. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Digital surgery is a new paradigm within the surgical innovation space that is rapidly advancing and encompasses multiple areas. Methods: This white paper from the SAGES Digital Surgery Working Group outlines the scope of digital surgery, defines key terms, and analyzes the challenges and opportunities surrounding this disruptive technology. Results: In its simplest form, digital surgery inserts a computer interface between surgeon and patient. We divide the digital surgery space into the following elements: advanced visualization, enhanced instrumentation, data capture, data analytics with artificial intelligence/machine learning, connectivity via telepresence, and robotic surgical platforms. We will define each area, describe specific terminology, review current advances as well as discuss limitations and opportunities for future growth. Conclusion: Digital Surgery will continue to evolve and has great potential to bring value to all levels of the healthcare system. The surgical community has an essential role in understanding, developing, and guiding this emerging field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) may develop following interpersonal and cumulative traumatic events, usually during early development. In addition to the core PTSD symptom profile, CPTSD presents emotional dysregulation symptoms that can be resistant to conventional treatments. Compassion-focused therapy (CFT) may be an effective intervention for addressing the more resistant symptoms in the emotional stabilisation phase of treatment rather than the trauma-processing phase. This paper explores the diagnostic validity and prevalence of CPTSD, treatment recommendations and the role of CFT in mediating shame and stabilising emotional dysregulation. We also evaluate current evidence utilising compassion-based interventions for the components of the CPTSD symptom profile and the viability of CFT as a whole. The novelty of CPTSD as a clinical condition means there is limited evidence regarding recommended treatment. Research into the efficacy of CFT and its suitability to target CPTSD's symptom profile will contribute to the current gap in recommended treatment approaches for this condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the social organism, Polistes wasps build a communal nest using woody fibers with saliva for sustaining brood and adult population throughout the season. Limited information exists regarding the identification specific plant materials employed in wasp nest building. Thus, we firstly tested if the DNA metabarcoding approach utilizing rbcL and trnL molecular markers could identify the plant species quantitatively and qualitatively inform the mixed-origin woody samples. A threshold of 0.01 proportion of reads was applied for rbcL and trnL molecular markers, while this threshold for median proportion was 0.0025. In assessing taxa richness, the median proportion demonstrated superior performance, exhibiting higher taxa detection power, however, rbcL marker outperformed in quantitative analysis. Subsequently, we applied DNA metabarcoding to identify the plant materials from the nests of two Polistes species, P. mandarinus and P. rothneyi. The results showed that higher preference of Quercus and Robinia as the major nest building materials regardless of the surrounding plant communities, by two wasp species. Material diversity was higher for P. rothneyi than P. mandarinus, which may explain the abundance of this species possibly with heightened adaptive capacities in their nesting behavior. This study demonstrated that DNA metabarcoding could identify the complex nest-building plant materials of paper wasps and provide insights into their ecological interactions in the natural ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mannan is a predominant constituent of cork hemicellulose and is widely distributed in various plant tissues. β-Mannanase is the principal mannan-degrading enzyme, which breaks down the β-1,4-linked mannosidic bonds in mannans in an endo-acting manner. Microorganisms are a valuable source of β-mannanase, which exhibits catalytic activity in a wide range of pH and temperature, making it highly versatile and applicable in pharmaceuticals, feed, paper pulping, biorefinery, and other industries. Here, the origin, classification, enzymatic properties, molecular modification, immobilization, and practical applications of microbial β-mannanases are reviewed, the future research directions for microbial β-mannanases are also outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a commentary on a paper about statistics of marked point processes. The author, Dietrich Stoyan, discusses the importance of understanding how marks or marked points are generated and which models can be used to analyze them. Stoyan also questions the use of certain notations and suggests comparing different mark-correlation functions to determine their effectiveness. The author expresses disappointment with the examples provided in the paper and suggests that more scientific questions should have been addressed. Stoyan concludes by discussing the value of the mark variogram in understanding the spatial relationship and variability of marks within a given range of distances. [Extracted from the article]

Numerous natural dyes were used to dye mediaeval Islamic paper from the tenth to the nineteenth century, using a variety of techniques. The objective of this research is to develop an analytical method using high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC–DAD) to identify natural dyes in forty historical Islamic paper manuscripts from two collections. In addition, novel information was obtained from original treatises containing recipes for dyeing paper and the chronological use of dyes in dyeing mediaeval Islamic paper between the tenth and seventeenth centuries. The results show that thirty-four of the forty manuscripts examined contained dyes. Six natural dyes were detected, including henna, madder, lac, safflower, turmeric, and weld. This is the first study aimed at developing a method for determining various natural dyes in Islamic paper from a wide historical and geographical range in the mediaeval time and to fill significant gaps in the technical and historical knowledge of papermaking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Journal of Geographical Systems (JGS) has announced two initiatives to recognize outstanding research published in the journal. The first initiative is the JGS Best Paper Award, which aims to encourage and acknowledge excellent scholarship in the field of GIScience and spatial planning. The second initiative is the Editors' Choice, where the editors select their favorite paper from each issue. The winners of these awards are listed on the journal's website and their papers are made freely accessible for a certain period of time. The 2023 JGS Best Paper Award was given to Luyu Liu, Adam Porr, and Harvey J. Miller for their research on evaluating the reliability of public transit accessibility using real-time data. The paper demonstrates how even small levels of unreliability in transit services can significantly impact accessibility levels, particularly for lower income populations. The paper also promotes open and reproducible research practices. The Editors' Choice for Volume 26(1) is a paper by Chris Jacobs-Crisioni, Ana I. Moreno-Monroy, Mert Kompil, and Lewis Dijkstra, which proposes a sequential approach to estimate school provision, cost, and access using open databases of student counts. The paper provides valuable insights into the balance between cost, access, and residential values in school provision. Both papers are recognized for their significant contributions to the field. [Extracted from the article]

Autistic individuals often experience a wide range of barriers and challenges with employment across their lifetime. Despite their strengths and abilities to contribute to the workforce, many individuals experience unemployment, underemployment and malemployment. However, current supports and services are often inadequate to meet their needs. To allow autistic people to achieve vocational success, we explore four contributors to employment and expand upon the issues and potential solutions to each. These positions include the importance of family support and its consideration in the application of vocational support interventions, addressing transitional needs for autistic youth, building employer capacity, and conducting research that advises the development of meaningful programs and policies. By advocating for these positions, we aim to foster greater inclusivity and support for individuals with ASD in the workplace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the key roles of the cerebellum in motor, cognitive, and affective operations and given the decline of brain functions with aging, cerebellar circuitry is attracting the attention of the scientific community. The cerebellum plays a key role in timing aspects of both motor and cognitive operations, including for complex tasks such as spatial navigation. Anatomically, the cerebellum is connected with the basal ganglia via disynaptic loops, and it receives inputs from nearly every region in the cerebral cortex. The current leading hypothesis is that the cerebellum builds internal models and facilitates automatic behaviors through multiple interactions with the cerebral cortex, basal ganglia and spinal cord. The cerebellum undergoes structural and functional changes with aging, being involved in mobility frailty and related cognitive impairment as observed in the physio-cognitive decline syndrome (PCDS) affecting older, functionally-preserved adults who show slowness and/or weakness. Reductions in cerebellar volume accompany aging and are at least correlated with cognitive decline. There is a strongly negative correlation between cerebellar volume and age in cross-sectional studies, often mirrored by a reduced performance in motor tasks. Still, predictive motor timing scores remain stable over various age groups despite marked cerebellar atrophy. The cerebello-frontal network could play a significant role in processing speed and impaired cerebellar function due to aging might be compensated by increasing frontal activity to optimize processing speed in the elderly. For cognitive operations, decreased functional connectivity of the default mode network (DMN) is correlated with lower performances. Neuroimaging studies highlight that the cerebellum might be involved in the cognitive decline occurring in Alzheimer's disease (AD), independently of contributions of the cerebral cortex. Grey matter volume loss in AD is distinct from that seen in normal aging, occurring initially in cerebellar posterior lobe regions, and is associated with neuronal, synaptic and beta-amyloid neuropathology. Regarding depression, structural imaging studies have identified a relationship between depressive symptoms and cerebellar gray matter volume. In particular, major depressive disorder (MDD) and higher depressive symptom burden are associated with smaller gray matter volumes in the total cerebellum as well as the posterior cerebellum, vermis, and posterior Crus I. From the genetic/epigenetic standpoint, prominent DNA methylation changes in the cerebellum with aging are both in the form of hypo- and hyper-methylation, and the presumably increased/decreased expression of certain genes might impact on motor coordination. Training influences motor skills and lifelong practice might contribute to structural maintenance of the cerebellum in old age, reducing loss of grey matter volume and therefore contributing to the maintenance of cerebellar reserve. Non-invasive cerebellar stimulation techniques are increasingly being applied to enhance cerebellar functions related to motor, cognitive, and affective operations. They might enhance cerebellar reserve in the elderly. In conclusion, macroscopic and microscopic changes occur in the cerebellum during the lifespan, with changes in structural and functional connectivity with both the cerebral cortex and basal ganglia. With the aging of the population and the impact of aging on quality of life, the panel of experts considers that there is a huge need to clarify how the effects of aging on the cerebellar circuitry modify specific motor, cognitive, and affective operations both in normal subjects and in brain disorders such as AD or MDD, with the goal of preventing symptoms or improving the motor, cognitive, and affective symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immune-mediated cerebellar ataxias (IMCAs) have diverse etiologies. Patients with IMCAs develop cerebellar symptoms, characterized mainly by gait ataxia, showing an acute or subacute clinical course. We present a novel concept of latent autoimmune cerebellar ataxia (LACA), analogous to latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA). LADA is a slowly progressive form of autoimmune diabetes where patients are often initially diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The sole biomarker (serum anti-GAD antibody) is not always present or can fluctuate. However, the disease progresses to pancreatic beta-cell failure and insulin dependency within about 5 years. Due to the unclear autoimmune profile, clinicians often struggle to reach an early diagnosis during the period when insulin production is not severely compromised. LACA is also characterized by a slowly progressive course, lack of obvious autoimmune background, and difficulties in reaching a diagnosis in the absence of clear markers for IMCAs. The authors discuss two aspects of LACA: (1) the not manifestly evident autoimmunity and (2) the prodromal stage of IMCA's characterized by a period of partial neuronal dysfunction where non-specific symptoms may occur. In order to achieve an early intervention and prevent cell death in the cerebellum, identification of the time-window before irreversible neuronal loss is critical. LACA occurs during this time-window when possible preservation of neural plasticity exists. Efforts should be devoted to the early identification of biological, neurophysiological, neuropsychological, morphological (brain morphometry), and multimodal biomarkers allowing early diagnosis and therapeutic intervention and to avoid irreversible neuronal loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The possibility of analyzing the general and functional diversity of the ecosystem is considered, as is unambiguous interpretation of the results obtained based on our work experience and previously obtained data. The prospects for studying small mammals without removal from the wild are discussed. We discuss distinguishing in a sample the resident component, which makes it possible to characterize local resource flows, and the nonresident component, dependent on the state of the territory as a whole. A description of the capture–mark–recapture protocol, methods for assessing spatial activity, calculating the density of the resident population per unit area, and the completeness of species richness estimate is provided. The estimates of animal numbers per unit of trapping effort in pooled sample, the population density of residents, and the index of the nonresident flow are compared. The possibility of analyzing the resource flows in "historical," "novel," and "hybrid" ecosystems, as well as using data to analyze the resilience of the ecosystem and detect the threshold point, is considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a low-cost and eco-friendly paper-based analytical device (PAD) method is described for the determination of phyto-cannabinoids in cannabis and oral fluids based on a simple colorimetric reaction. The PAD was able to distinguish tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)- and cannabidiol (CBD)-rich plant samples by using 4-aminophenol (4-AP) and later on to quantify total phyto-cannabinoid content (THC + CBD + CBN) in plant and oral fluids by using the Fast Corinth V reagent. The chemical and physical properties regarding paper type and reagent concentration in the PAD were optimized to achieve the best analytical performance. After that, analytical features were obtained, including a linear range of 0.01–0.1 mg mL−1, a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.003 mg mL−1, and a suitable precision, expressed as relative standard deviation (RSD) lower than 10%. Furthermore, no significant interferences were observed in colorimetric reactions when tea, herbs, and drug samples were analyzed. Additionally, the PAD proved color stability up to 1 month after the sampling at 25 °C. The developed PAD was suitable for determining total phyto-cannabinoid content in plants and oral fluids, obtaining good results compared to GC–MS. Overall, this method showed good reliability resulting in an operational on-site device for drug monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A user-friendly, cost-effectively, portable, and environmentally friendly colorimetric sensor for the quantitative determination of formaldehyde was developed based on the combining of microfluidic paper-based analytical device (μPAD), headspace microextraction (HSME), and digital image colorimetry. Coupling HSME and μPAD led to enhancements in selectivity and sensitivity of the sensor through sample cleanup and analyte enrichment. To construct the μPAD-HSME device, two pieces of paper as the sample and detection zone were placed facing each other so that a small common and sealed space was created between them. The color change occurred when the analyte in the gaseous form crossed this gap and reached the detection zone. Colorimetric sensing in the detection zone was performed based on the Hantzsch reaction. The color change in the detection zone was recorded by a smartphone and digital images were processed using image analysis software based on the RGB model. The influence of some key variables on the sensitivity of the method including derivatization reagent composition, sample volume, extraction temperature, and extraction time was studied and optimized. The linear dynamic range of the method was obtained in two ranges of 0.10–0.75 and 0.75–5.0 mg L−1 with a limit of detection of 0.03 mg L−1. The recoveries were in the range 80–126% for the quantification of formaldehyde in textile, milk, and wastewater samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has been recognized as one of the most sensitive analytical methods by adsorbing the target of interest onto a plasmonic surface. Growing attention has been directed towards the fabrication of various substrates to broaden SERS applications. Among these, flexible SERS substrates, particularly paper-based ones, have gained popularity due to their easy-to-use features by full contact with the sample surface. Herein, we reviewed the latest advancements in flexible SERS substrates, with a focus on paper-based substrates. Firstly, it begins by introducing various methods for preparing paper-based substrates and highlights their advantages through several illustrative examples. Subsequently, we demonstrated the booming applications of these paper-based SERS substrates in abiotic and biological matrix detection, with particular emphasis on their potential application in clinical diagnosis. Finally, the prospects and challenges of paper-based SERS substrates in broader applications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a reply to a comment on a previous article about applying a science-forward approach to groundwater regulatory design in British Columbia, Canada. The reply addresses three aspects of the comment: the need for legislation for data collection, the flexibility within the new regulatory regime, and the acknowledgement of Indigenous water rights. The authors of the reply appreciate the insider perspective provided by the comment authors, who were involved in the development of the regulatory regime. The reply also discusses the importance of a science-forward approach to groundwater regulation and the challenges faced in implementing it. It concludes by suggesting ways to course correct and improve the regulatory design in the future. [Extracted from the article]

Energy storage devices (ESD) which are intended to power electronic devices, used in close contact of human skin, are desirable to be safe and non-toxic. In light of this requirement, Zn based energy storage devices seem to provide a viable pathway as they mostly employ aqueous based electrolytes which are safe and non-toxic in their functioning. Additionally, having a flexible ESD will play a crucial role as it will enable the ESD to conform to the varying shapes and sizes of wearable electronics which they energize. In this work, we have developed an inkjet-printed Zinc ion battery (IPZIB) with planar electrode configuration over bond paper substrate. Zn has been used as the negative electrode, MnO2 is used as the positive electrode with Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) as the active binder. Conducting tracks of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) are used to construct the current collector on the paper substrate. The fabricated IPZIB delivered a high discharge capacity of 300.14 mAh g−1 at a current density of 200 mA g−1. The energy density of the IPZIB is observed as 330.15 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 220 W kg−1 and retains an energy density of 94.36 Wh kg−1 at a high power density of 1650 W kg−1. Finally, we have demonstrated the capability of the IPZIB to power a LED at various bending and folding conditions which indicates its potential to be used in the next generation flexible and wearable electronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Konrad Lorenz, Niko Tinbergen and Karl von Frisch in 1973 for their pioneering work during the 1930s and 1940s, in the study of animal behaviour. Lorenz established the foundations of ethology in 1935 in what has become known as his "Kumpan paper". The paper focussed on the social relationships between conspecifics (i.e. 'kumpans', companions) and provided a much-needed conceptual framework for the study of animal behaviour. We describe the origins and immediate reception of Lorenz's paper using his correspondence with colleagues, mainly Erwin Stresemann who was then the influential editor of Journal für Ornithologie. The Kumpan paper was notable for its extraordinary originality, but also for its length and—in parts—its incomprehensible language. Most of Lorenz's concepts were rapidly superseded as the field of Ethology/Animal Behaviour developed over the following decades. The paper (translated in full into English only in 1970) is rarely read today, but as we show, many of Lorenz's observations of birds are both timeless and highly original and have the potential to inspire further research today. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nuclear medicine has made enormous progress in the past decades. However, there are still significant inequalities in patient access among different countries, which could be mitigated by improving access to and availability of radiopharmaceuticals. Main body: This paper summarises major considerations for a suitable pharmaceutical regulatory framework to facilitate patient access to radiopharmaceuticals. These include the distinct characteristics of radiopharmaceuticals which require dedicated regulations, considering the impact of the variable complexity of radiopharmaceutical preparation, personnel requirements, manufacturing practices and quality assurance, regulatory authority interfaces, communication and training, as well as marketing authorisation procedures to ensure availability of radiopharmaceuticals. Finally, domestic and regional supply to ensure patient access via alternative regulatory pathways, including in-house production of radiopharmaceuticals, is described, and an outlook on regulatory challenges faced by new developments, such as the use of alpha emitters, is provided. Conclusions: All these considerations are an outcome of a dedicated Technical Meeting organised by the IAEA in 2023 and represent the views and opinions of experts in the field, not those of any regulatory authorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The following White Paper will discuss the appropriateness of gadolinium administration in MRI for musculoskeletal indications. Musculoskeletal radiologists should consider the potential risks involved and practice the judicious use of intravenous contrast, restricting administration to cases where there is demonstrable added value. Specific nuances of when contrast is or is not recommended are discussed in detail and listed in table format. Briefly, contrast is recommended for bone and soft tissue lesions. For infection, contrast is reserved for chronic or complex cases. In rheumatology, contrast is recommended for early detection but not for advanced arthritis. Contrast is not recommended for sports injuries, routine MRI neurography, implants/hardware, or spine imaging, but is helpful in complex and post-operative cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current research focuses on the efficiency of energy recovery from non-hazardous organic wastes. It entails the generation of low-chloride refuse-derived fuel (RDF) from municipal solid waste (MSW) through moderate pyrolysis of combustible components. The moderate pyrolysis settings and composition ratio of biogenic/non-biogenic content from MSW combination (food waste, plastic waste, and paper waste) had a significant impact on the thermochemical characteristics and fuel behavior of RDF. Furthermore, pyrolysis with optimal MSW composition was studied to reduce toxic elements (chlorides, sulphides, and nitrides) and enhance the energy value in RDF by utilizing potassium-rich (waste orange peels (OP); banana peels (BP); and maize cob (MC)) and calcium-rich species (waste animal bone meal (ABM); egg shells (ES); and mussel shells (MS)) as natural additives. The results showed that increasing the pyrolysis temperature maximized the carbon concentration with reduced oxygen moieties (low O/C ratio), indicating a high energy value as the oxygenates were eliminated during moderate pyrolysis. The RDF treated at 400 °C (SF4-400) with MSW composition of 55% non-biogenic carbon and 45% biogenic carbon resulted in HHV of 29.22 MJ kg−1, the lowest ash concentration (0.96%), and a densified microstructural surface. The addition of natural maize cob additive into MSW (SF4-400-MC) yielded the maximum HHV (33.07 MJ kg−1) with considerable reductions in chlorides (71.43%), sulphides (87.50%), and insignificant nitrides content, all of which meet ASTM RDF quality criteria Grade I. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Socio-ecological theories have long been in search of general principles to characterise anthropogenic activity-environmental change dynamics. Besides allowing for more flexible hypothesis testing, stochastic-extended IPAT and ImPACT baselines opened the door to multiple environmental applications in which solid waste generation took a growing stage. This paper surveys Waste Kuznets Curve's original foundations and underlines why the nature and shape of the hypothetical curvilinear income-waste response function tend to compare to a "black-box". It then stresses why diverging conclusions are linked to heterogeneous estimators' choices differing in their statistical assumptions and powers; whereas generic patterns hardly emerge (e.g., income elasticities of waste generation vary even when the mathematical functional form does not; population elasticities are sensitive to time-varying data and income groups). Next, we identify persisting biases of endogeneity which threaten the internal validity of WKC conclusions, if uncontrolled for (e.g., simultaneity, waste measurement errors and garbage policy confounding effect); along with other identification problems including within-panel heterogeneity with systematic slope variations and cross-sectional and spatially dependent income series. Although we propose a set of theoretically justified instrumental variables to exogenously predict income levels and ensure unbiased elasticities, we also detect and underline that additional threats to external invalidity do play out in practice (e.g., asymmetric geographical coverage and bias of case study selection due to environmental data constraints; missing policy-realm; within-waste heterogeneity hidden by widely aggregated indicators; and a non-systematic treatment of the technological effect). All prevent the waste literature from converging and should be considered by future empirical assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of in-situ reservoir conditions (high temperature and pressure) on the fracture characteristics (aperture, asperities) and behaviour of fluid through the fractures is a very niche study area for varied energy fields like (i) enhanced geothermal energy systems (ii) nuclear energy storage (iii) CO2 sequestration, (iv) petroleum engineering and (v) storage of liquified natural gas. Keeping this in view many researchers have conducted studies to understand the heat and mass transfer processes occurring in the fractures. Along the same lines Tan et al., 2023 published the paper Thermal Effects Promotes Non-Darcian Flow in Heated Rock Fractures to understand the effect of fluid flow through rock fractures at high temperatures. However, the data presented in the paper by Tan et al., Rock Mech Rock Eng 2023 related to (i) the fracture closure, (ii) the time required for the changes along the fracture, (iii) the thermal expansion effect, and (iv) changes to the phase of water while heating requires further explanation and will otherwise result in the dissemination of incomplete information if not taken care of. The same has been further elaborated in the discussion that follows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The International Thermal Spray Conference (ITSC) 2023 was held in Québec City, Canada, from May 22 to May 25, 2023. The conference covered various topics related to thermal spray research, including wear and corrosion-protection coatings, thermal barrier coatings, and emerging technologies like cold spraying and suspension spraying. The special issue of the Journal of Thermal Spray Technology features papers based on the contributions presented at ITSC 2023, covering subjects such as high-entropy alloys, the integration of artificial intelligence into thermal spray research, and novel thermal spray processes. The issue aims to provide up-to-date information for further research and innovation in the field. [Extracted from the article]

Objectives: The aim of the present consensus paper was to provide recommendations for clinical practice considering the use of visual examination, dental radiography and adjunct methods for primary caries detection. Materials and methods: The executive councils of the European Organisation for Caries Research (ORCA) and the European Federation of Conservative Dentistry (EFCD) nominated ten experts each to join the expert panel. The steering committee formed three work groups that were asked to provide recommendations on (1) caries detection and diagnostic methods, (2) caries activity assessment and (3) forming individualised caries diagnoses. The experts responsible for “caries detection and diagnostic methods” searched and evaluated the relevant literature, drafted this manuscript and made provisional consensus recommendations. These recommendations were discussed and refined during the structured process in the whole work group. Finally, the agreement for each recommendation was determined using an anonymous Delphi survey. Results: Recommendations (N = 8) were approved and agreed upon by the whole expert panel: visual examination (N = 3), dental radiography (N = 3) and additional diagnostic methods (N = 2). While the quality of evidence was found to be heterogeneous, all recommendations were agreed upon by the expert panel. Conclusion: Visual examination is recommended as the first-choice method for the detection and assessment of caries lesions on accessible surfaces. Intraoral radiography, preferably bitewing, is recommended as an additional method. Adjunct, non-ionising radiation methods might also be useful in certain clinical situations. Clinical relevance: The expert panel merged evidence from the scientific literature with practical considerations and provided recommendations for their use in daily dental practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

My comments concern some errors in the crystallographic part of the commented paper. The diffraction patterns are erroneously analysed and the final data on the structure (symmetry and unit cell parameters) are different than those supposed in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substantial R &D efforts are currently directed towards the development of combined heat and power (CHP) systems that automatically and seamlessly connect to the power grid. In this paper we develop a real options model to assess the impact that the operational flexibility characterizing such systems will have on the optimal timing and capacity associated with investments in CHP plants. We take the viewpoint of a manufacturer operating in an energy-intensive industry who contemplates investing in CHP. We discuss and compare investments in two types of CHP systems: a standard one that is operationally rigid and a technologically advanced one that is operationally flexible. The interaction between temporal and operational flexibility under uncertainty and irreversibility is central to our analysis. We show that operational flexibility guarantees earlier investment but has an ambiguous effect in terms of capacity. In particular, when operational flexibility is very valuable the potential investor is opting for investing in a plant with larger productive capacity. The potential investor chooses a smaller CHP unit if otherwise. A numerical exercise calibrated using data from the Italian pulp and paper and electricity industries complements our theoretical analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a response to a letter concerning a paper titled "Geriatric distal femoral fractures: post-operative complications and nine-year mortality—a retrospective analysis of two tertiary trauma centres" published in International Orthopaedics. The authors appreciate the engagement with their study and clarify key aspects of their work. They highlight the orthogeriatric program's success in providing high-quality care for elderly patients with fractures and emphasize the importance of physical therapy and rehabilitation in promoting functional recovery. The authors also address the gender distribution in their study and suggest further research to explore gender-related outcomes. They express their commitment to advancing care for elderly patients with fractures and improving patient outcomes through orthogeriatric co-management. [Extracted from the article]

Exosomes as new biomarkers for cancer diagnosis have attracted attention because they are highly released by tumor cells in various biological fluids. In this study, an electrochemical paper-based immunosensor device (Exo-sensing paper) is introduced for the detection of exosome in the serum. The Exo-sensing paper is a three-electrode system that is prepared using pattern paper and carbon and silver inks. The sensor part of this immunosensor contains a three-dimensional porous nanocomposite of nickel nanofoam coupled with graphene oxide and gold nanoparticles. The high specific surface area of this nanocomposite increases the antibody loading on the sensor surface significantly and consequently leads to obtaining a wide linear range of 500–1 × 107 Exospore µL−1 with a detection limit of 110 Exosome µL−1. Due to some advantages of this constructed Exo-sensing paper such as easy storage, simple application, low cost and good selectivity in the real samples, this system has a good potential to be used as a point of care testing for in situ detection of the exosomes and is a promising strategy for minimally invasive liquid biopsy.Graphical abstract: Exosomes as new biomarkers for cancer diagnosis have attracted attention because they are highly released by tumor cells in various biological fluids. In this study, an electrochemical paper-based immunosensor device (Exo-sensing paper) is introduced for the detection of exosome in the serum. The Exo-sensing paper is a three-electrode system that is prepared using pattern paper and carbon and silver inks. The sensor part of this immunosensor contains a three-dimensional porous nanocomposite of nickel nanofoam coupled with graphene oxide and gold nanoparticles. The high specific surface area of this nanocomposite increases the antibody loading on the sensor surface significantly and consequently leads to obtaining a wide linear range of 500–1 × 107 Exospore µL−1 with a detection limit of 110 Exosome µL−1. Due to some advantages of this constructed Exo-sensing paper such as easy storage, simple application, low cost and good selectivity in the real samples, this system has a good potential to be used as a point of care testing for in situ detection of the exosomes and is a promising strategy for minimally invasive liquid biopsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development of high-power-density electronic devices, interface thermal resistance has become a critical barrier for effective heat management in high-performance electronic products. Therefore, there is an urgent demand for advanced thermal interface materials (TIMs) with high cross-plane thermal conductivity and excellent compressibility to withstand increasingly complex operating conditions. To achieve this aim, a promising strategy involves vertically arranging highly thermoconductive graphene on polymers. However, with the currently available methods, achieving a balance between low interfacial thermal resistance, bidirectional high thermal conductivity, and large-scale production is challenging. Herein, we prepared a graphene framework with continuous filler structures in in-plane and cross-plane directions by bonding corrugated graphene to planar graphene paper. The interface interaction between the graphene paper framework and polymer matrix was enhanced via surface functionalization to reduce the interface thermal resistance. The resulting three-dimensional thermal framework endows the polymer composite material with a cross-plane thermal conductivity of 14.4 W·m−1·K−1 and in-plane thermal conductivity of 130 W·m−1·K−1 when the thermal filler loading is 10.1 wt%, with a thermal conductivity enhancement per 1 wt% filler loading of 831%, outperforming various graphene structures as fillers. Given its high thermal conductivity, low contact thermal resistance, and low compressive modulus, the developed highly thermoconductive composite material demonstrates superior performance in TIM testing compared with TFLEX-700, an advanced commercial TIM, effectively solving the interfacial heat transfer issues in electronic systems. This novel filler structure framework also provides a solution for achieving a balance between efficient thermal management and ease of processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metagenomics has revolutionized access to genomic information of microorganisms inhabiting the gut of herbivorous animals, circumventing the need for their isolation and cultivation. Exploring these microorganisms for novel hydrolytic enzymes becomes unattainable without utilizing metagenome sequencing. In this study, we harnessed a suite of bioinformatic analyses to discover a novel cellulase-degrading enzyme from the camel rumen metagenome. Among the protein-coding sequences containing cellulase-encoding domains, we identified and subsequently cloned and purified a promising candidate cellulase enzyme, Celcm05-2, to a state of homogeneity. The enzyme belonged to GH5 subfamily 4 and exhibited robust enzymatic activity under acidic pH conditions. It maintained hydrolytic activity under various environmental conditions, including the presence of metal ions, non-ionic surfactant Triton X-100, organic solvents, and varying temperatures. With an optimal temperature of 40 °C, Celcm05-2 showcased remarkable efficiency when deployed on crystalline cellulose (> 3.6 IU/mL), specifically Avicel, thereby positioning it as an attractive candidate for a myriad of biotechnological applications spanning biofuel production, paper and pulp processing, and textile manufacturing. Efficient biodegradation of waste paper pulp residues and the evidence of biopolishing suggested that Celcm05-2 can be used in the bioprocessing of cellulosic craft fabrics in the textile industry. Our findings suggest that the camel rumen microbiome can be mined for novel cellulase enzymes that can find potential applications across diverse biotechnological processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The March 2024 issue of the Journal of Materials Science features a cover paper titled "Data-driven search for promising intercalating ions and layered materials for metal-ion batteries" by Shayani Parida and her colleagues at the University of Connecticut and EaglePicher. The paper, which falls under the "Computation & theory" Topical Collection, explores the use of density functional theory (DFT) calculations and machine-learning methods to identify alternative 2D materials and intercalating ions for high-power efficiency metal-ion batteries. The journal's Editor-in-Chief, Professor Jean-François Gohy, handled the paper, highlighting the journal's commitment to multidisciplinary research. The paper is freely accessible online, and additional details can be found in the Supplementary Information. [Extracted from the article]

An ultra-sensitive paper-based sensor for the rapid and specific detection of apigenin in Scutellaria barbata D. Don was developed. The construction process of the proposed apigenin sensor was to grow ZIF-8 in situ with MXene as a template on carbon paper (CP) electrode. The MXene with excellent conductivity and ZIF-8 with porous structure showed synergistic effect in promoting electron transfer and increasing the number of binding sites, thus providing a highly sensitive detection for apigenin. Under optimal conditions, the sensor showed an excellent linear relationship in the range of 0.01 to 10 µM, with a detection limit of 2.6 nM. This study not only constructed a new sensing platform for sensitive detection of apigenin, but also provided a new method for the detection of apigenin in Scutellaria barbata D. Don, which was of great significance for promoting the construction of an electrochemical sensor for apigenin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Journal of Materials Science awards the annual Robert W. Cahn Prize to recognize the best paper published in the journal each year. The winner of the 2023 Cahn Prize is a research paper titled "Molecular modelling of graphene nanoribbons on the effect of porosity and oxidation on the mechanical and thermal properties." The paper presents molecular simulation models of graphene nanoribbons and examines the impact of porosity and oxidation on their mechanical and thermal conductivity properties. The paper is well-written and provides valuable insights for researchers in this field. Two other papers were selected as runners-up for the prize. All the monthly finalists for the Cahn Prize can be downloaded for free on the journal's website. [Extracted from the article]

This summary is about a special issue of the International Journal on Digital Libraries (IJDL) that features selected papers from the 23rd International Conference on Asia-Pacific Digital Libraries (ICADL 2021). ICADL is an annual interdisciplinary conference that connects digital libraries, computer science, and library and information science communities. The special issue includes five papers that have undergone a rigorous review process and cover topics such as improving scientific publication retrieval, multi-label document classification, extracting leaderboards from research papers, and AI-powered peer review systems. The articles offer diverse perspectives and high-quality research within these fields. [Extracted from the article]

This document is a summary of a special issue of the International Journal on Digital Libraries (IJDL) that features selected papers from the 24th International Conference on Asia–Pacific Digital Libraries (ICADL 2022). ICADL is an annual interdisciplinary conference that connects digital library, computer science, and information science communities. The conference was held in Ha Noi, Vietnam, with the theme "From Born-Physical to Born-Virtual: Augmenting Intelligence in Digital Libraries." The special issue includes four papers that cover topics such as political opinions, web archives, cultural heritage content, and literature management. The papers underwent a rigorous review process and were selected based on their high quality. The authors hope that readers will find these papers interesting and insightful. [Extracted from the article]

The 33rd International Workshop On Combinatorial Algorithms (IWOCA 2022) was held at the University of Trier in Germany. This workshop covers a wide range of topics related to combinatorial algorithms. The special issue of the journal Algorithmica contains extended versions of selected papers from IWOCA 2022, which were nominated by the Program Committee and underwent a rigorous reviewing process. The special issue includes nine papers on various topics such as perfect matchings, algorithmic questions, and winner determination algorithms. One paper was chosen as the Best Paper of IWOCA 2022 and another as the Best Student Paper. The special issue is recommended for readers interested in exploring more papers from IWOCA 2022. [Extracted from the article]

The challenge of paper sludge disposal has become an important environmental issue; therefore, the combustion characteristics of paper sludge need to be examined. In this paper, the combustion of paper sludge particles under different atmospheres was analysed and investigated using a flat flame burner and optical observation techniques under fast temperature rise conditions. The combustion of paper sludge could be divided into a preheating stage, volatile combustion stage, and coke combustion stage. The changes in oxygen content had different effects on the different stages of combustion. The increase in oxygen content had no significant impact on the ignition time of the sludge particles; however, the flame brightness significantly increased. The CH* free radical appeared in the most intense stage of combustion and was depleted before the volatile flame disappeared. A higher oxygen content correlated to a faster CH* depletion. The influence of the oxygen content on the combustion rate and burnout degree of the sludge particles was investigated by comparing mass loss data and heating data. The maximum temperature and heating rate also increased with increasing oxygen content. The reduced oxygen concentration could not fully penetrate the ash layer on the surface of the particles and react with the interior sludge, resulting in a lesser degree of sludge particle burnout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) function as versatile and highly selective elements in biosensing, mimicking biomolecular receptors and effectively interacting with target analytes within complex matrices. Integrating MIPs with paper-based analytical devices (PADs) allows for rapid, convenient, and cost-effective deployment of molecular imprinting technologies. This review provides an overview of the advances in the fabrication process of MIP-PADs and explores their diverse applications, highlighting their utility in on-site detection using various detection mechanisms such as colorimetric, fluorometric, chemiluminescent electrochemical, photoelectrochemical, and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy. The fabrication process involves synthesizing MIPs tailored for specific target analytes and incorporating them into cellulosic paper-based analytical devices, resulting in MIP-PADs that offer advantages such as affordability, portability, and disposability. Applications of MIP-PADs extend across environmental monitoring, food safety, and biomedical analysis, demonstrating exceptional selectivity and sensitivity toward diverse biomolecules, pathogens, and small molecules. Their affordability and user-friendly design make them particularly suitable for resource-limited settings. Lastly, the challenges and future prospects of MIP-PAD technologies are presented in the context of real-world applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthraquinone has been widely utilized in the pulp and paper industry as a catalyst for alkaline cooking; however, its application has been recently restricted due to its potential carcinogenic effects. Hence, safer alternatives to anthraquinone have been explored. Agro-industrial by-products have been utilized as sustainable sources of value-added materials. In this study, teak (Tectona grandis) wood waste from Gunung Kidul, Indonesia, which naturally contains lapachol, was utilized as a biocatalyst to enhance delignification and improve pulp yield in alkaline cooking for pulp and paper production. The use of lapachol as a cooking catalyst was investigated for kraft, soda, and prehydrolysis soda cooking. Lapachol accelerated delignification and retained carbohydrate in all three alkaline cooking methods, with its effect being more pronounced in kraft cooking than in soda cooking. This study demonstrates that teak wood extractives with lapachol are promising sustainable catalysts for alkaline cooking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The article discusses the potential use of artificial intelligence chatbots, specifically ChatGPT, as "exobrains" for tasks such as scientific writing and research evaluation. The authors tested ChatGPT's ability to evaluate a review article and found that it was able to summarize the findings of a 7,000-word paper in less than 30 seconds. ChatGPT identified strengths and weaknesses in the article, providing valuable insights and constructive criticism. The authors suggest that large language models like ChatGPT could be used to evaluate research and improve manuscripts, saving time and resources. [Extracted from the article]

The Journal of Materials Science has awarded the 2023 William Bonfield Prize for the best review paper to "Cement hydration mechanisms through time—a review" by Elisabeth John and Barbara Lothenbach. The review examines the work of Henri Louis Le Chatelier and William Michaëlis in the late nineteenth century and proposes pathways for future research in cement hydration mechanisms. The authors provide a comprehensive review with over 150 references, making it valuable for researchers in the field. The review was chosen by Professor Bonfield, who praised its analysis and contribution to the understanding of cement and concrete technology. Honorable mentions were also given to reviews on carbon dots, biopolymer-based treatments for cultural heritage materials, and superwetting membranes for oil/water separation. The William Bonfield Prize was created to honor Professor Bonfield's contributions to the Journal of Materials Science and materials research. [Extracted from the article]

A novel 1,8-naphthalimide fluorescent probe (BNAS) containing 2-thiopheneethylamine moiety was designed and synthesized for analyzing the composition of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF)/deionized water (H2O) mixtures. With the increase of DMF content, the fluorescence of the system was enhanced from dark to bright yellow-green. Taking 15% (volume) DMF content as the dividing point, the fluorescence intensity of the system at 535 nm showed two good linear relationships with the DMF content 1–15% and 15–99%, based on which the composition of the DMF/H2O mixtures with a volume ratio of 1/99–99/1 could be quickly and efficiently analyzed with high selectivity and sensitivity. BNAS can be applied in real sample assay and further be loaded onto filter paper to make a portable sensor. The mechanism of BNAS response to DMF/H2O composition was also explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The commentary on the paper entitled "The effects of ketogenic diet on systolic and diastolic blood pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Regression Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials," provides a critical appraisal of the evidence presented and identifies key areas for further inquiry. The original paper, which compiles results from 34 high-quality studies, concludes that ketogenic diets significantly reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressures. While acknowledging these findings, the commentary highlights several issues, such as the lack of uniformity in intervention durations and the observed heterogeneity in systolic blood pressure results, suggesting that the impact of the ketogenic diet may vary significantly based on these factors. It also points out the need for clarity in discussing the term "ketogenic diets" due to the diverse protocols that exist. Moreover, the commentary enriches the discussion by proposing that future research should explore the underlying physiological mechanisms in greater depth and consider the impact of dietary composition on metabolic health and blood pressure regulation. This reflection aims to refine the conclusions drawn from the meta-analysis and suggests a more nuanced approach to studying and implementing ketogenic diets in hypertension management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]