bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Arbitrary Power: Caricature and Concept
Authors: Ahmed Farrah
Published: July 2024

Arbitrary power is often understood as bearing some kind of relation to tyrannical rule, a relation that is thought to explain why arbitrary power is objectionable. But what is tyrannical rule? What precisely is the relationship between arbitrary power and tyranny? Why (if at all) is arbitrary power objectionable? Arbitrary power, this paper argues, is best understood through the figure of the tyrant. The figure of the tyrant is a caricature with stock character traits, usually of a disliked other, who is, or is thought to be, powerful. Arbitrary power, the paper argues, is power that is constituted to express, or enable the expression of, caricatured tyrannical traits. Arbitrary power is bad or objectionable (if and when it is) for mimetic reasons. Understanding arbitrary power in this way allows us to see problems with how it is deployed, understood and communicated and has advantages over standard accounts.
Prevalence of Postpartum Depression among Mothers in the Emirates of Abu Dhabi
Authors: Al Ahbabi Salma , Mubarak Ghada , Al Khaldi Sharifa , Bin Mousa Ali , Mohammad Baynouna Al Ketbi Latifa
Published: July 2024

Background

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common mental health condition that affects women in a silent and covert way and is not clearly visible to the community or to health care providers. Untreated PPD has significant and long-term consequences on the mother and their child. This study aims to assess the risk of postpartum depression among women in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and its determinants.

Method

This is a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study conducted at primary healthcare centers in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The target population is women visiting the well-child vaccination clinics for their infants’ vaccination. The questionnaire used consisted of socio-demographic characteristics, important histories such as obstetric, medical, and social histories, and the Edinburgh Post Partum depression scale EPPS. EPPS is a validated tool used to evaluate the probability of postpartum depression.

Results

The probability of postpartum depression for women visiting the well child care clinics in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi during the study period was 35%, One-third. 10% had high risk, 7% had moderate risk, and 18% had mild risk. Using logistic and linear regression, there was an association identified between postpartum depression risk and the presence of weight concern and employment status OR 5.499(2.618–11.548) and OR 0.483 (0.246–0.951), respectively (P < 0.005). From the total sample, 3.7% responded quite often or sometimes to the question of having the intention to harm themselves.

Conclusion

EPDS is recommended to be used routinely to screen women in the postnatal period. This high prevalence of risk of postpartum depression in the UAE (One in three women) calls for a well-prepared healthcare system and community. Healthcare providers need to be prepared with better knowledge, practice, and management strategies to care for these women, for early identification and management. Further studies should be undertaken to achieve effective strategies to reduce the incidence of this condition.
An image-processing toolkit for remote photoplethysmography
Authors: Montalvo Javier , García-Martín Álvaro , MartÃ­nez José M.
Published: July 2024

Objective. Image-processing-based remote photoplethysmography algorithms are usually composed of steps where different methods are used, and often, researchers perform these steps using methods that are not necessarily the best for their application. With our toolkit, we want to provide easy and fast access to different state-of-the-art methods for the most common image-processing steps in remote photoplethysmography algorithms. Methods. Our toolkit was programmed in Python and was developed with sequential workflow in mind, making it versatile and easy to use in interactive environments. It also includes tools so the users can modify or extend it if they want to, and will be updated as new methods for the different steps are published. Results. Our use case examples and validation show an effective approach and how the toolkit can be used for exhaustive evaluation and ablation studies in a simple way. We also show how choosing different methods can affect the final heart rate estimation accuracy at the cost of computation time. Conclusion. With this toolkit we are providing researchers with a versatile, easy-to-use tool, with access to different methods for the most common steps in remote photoplethysmography algorithms. Significance. Our toolkit is a relevant tool for researchers in the remote photoplethysmography field due to their versatility, ease of use, and adaptability. (It will be available onhttps://github.com/Montyro/rppgtkgithub upon acceptance).
Fiscal resilience over time and its management in the context of multi-risks: an application to the Danube Region
Authors: Hochrainer-Stigler Stefan , Šakić Trogrlić Robert , Reiter Karina
Published: July 2024

Multi-hazards as well as multi-risk management are increasingly gaining importance in research, policy, and practice, but present a challenging task. Focusing on governments as key risk bearers, we assume a multi-hazard and multi-risk perspective and address the question of how different natural hazards can influence fiscal risk and how fiscal risk can change over time due to other risk realizations (e.g., pandemics). We employ a risk-layer approach to analyze the changes in fiscal risk, comparing the fiscal stress associated with different hazards during distinct time periods and scenarios. In doing so, we address the question under which circumstances risk reduction or risk financing may be needed as well as how an iterative approach can account for changing financing resource levels for different hazards under different scenarios. We apply this methodology to the Danube Region which is exposed to different natural hazards and encompasses countries with different levels of fiscal resilience. Furthermore, the countries in the Danube Region were affected by Covid-19, which acted as an additional stressor and caused large economic costs. The analysis should demonstrate the flexibility as well as the relevance of the presented methodology to address multi-risks within a coherent framework. One of the main outcomes of the study is the appreciation of different fiscal resilience levels for different countries and the different types of disasters they are exposed to, which can inform the diverse strategies needed on a case-by-case basis but within a common framework to tackle current and future risks. The analysis should be therefore not only informative for the Danube Region and respective countries but also regarding the more general question under which circumstances risk reduction or risk financing may be needed as well as how an iterative approach can account for changing financing resource levels against multiple risks.
Growth hormone increase by luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone reflects gonadotroph-related characteristics in acromegaly
Authors: Mitsui Yuto , Mukai Kosuke , Otsuki Michio , Oshino Satoru , Saitoh Youichi , Kohara Masaharu , Morii Eiichi , Fukuhara Atsunori , Shimomura Iichiro
Published: July 2024

Purpose

We previously showed the clinical characteristics of acromegaly with a paradoxical growth hormone (GH) response to oral glucose or thyrotropin-releasing hormone. However, the clinical characteristics of acromegaly with an increased GH response to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH responders) remain unclear. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics, especially gonadotroph-related characteristics of LHRH responders in acromegaly.

Methods

The clinical characteristics of 33 LHRH responders and 81 LHRH nonresponders were compared.

Results

No differences in age, sex or basal serum levels of GH, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and gonadotropin were observed between the two groups. Steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1), gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRHR), and LH expression was more frequently observed in LHRH responders (P < 0.05). In addition, a greater increased rate of GH after LHRH loading, and the proportion of GnRHR and gonadotropin expression was observed in pituitary tumor with SF-1 expression than that without the expression (P < 0.01). LHRH responders showed a greater GH decrease in the octreotide test and a greater IGF-1 decrease after first-generation somatostatin ligand than LHRH nonresponders (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the proportion of hypointense pituitary tumors on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and tumors with densely granulated type was higher in LHRH responders than in LHRH nonresponders, respectively (P < 0.05). No difference between the two groups was observed in either somatostatin receptor 2 or 5 expression.

Conclusions

The increased GH response to LHRH is associated with the gonadotroph-related characteristics. This response may reflect the biological characteristics of somatotroph tumors.
Application of the Extended Log Quad Model to Municipal Life Tables
Authors: Horiguchi Yu
Published: July 2024

In this study, we improve on the research results of relational models that enable life table estimates from a small number of demographic indices, such as the Log Quad Model by Wilmoth et al. (Popul Stud 66(1):1–28, 2012) and the Extended Log Quad Model 1 by Horiguchi (J Popul Stud 58:13–28, 2022). Consequently, we propose the Extended Log Quad Model 2. This is a mortality rate model that reflects the remarkable improvement in old-age mortality rates in Japan since the 1970s. This is intended for application to the estimation of municipal life tables in Japan. The Extended Log Quad Model 2 is useful for municipal policymaking because it is possible to estimate future life tables with a high level of accuracy by projecting only life expectancy at the age of 65. It is also suggested that the Extended Log Quad Model 2 will be applicable to other developed countries, such as Australia, Canada, France, and New Zealand.
Innovation strategies and firm performance
Authors: Bogetoft Peter , Kroman Lene , Smilgins Aleksandrs , Sørensen Anders
Published: July 2024

Innovation is often seen as crucial for firm survival and as a way for firms to differentiate themselves from their rivals. However, innovation studies are vague about the actual importance of different innovation strategies. In this study, we distinguish between pure product, process, organizational, and marketing innovations and their combinations. We use a (balanced) panel data set with more than 15,000 firm-year observations for manufacturing firms to analyze the performance of firms with different innovation strategies. Additionally, we investigate from a societal perspective whether innovation facilitates less efficient firms to catch up, or whether firms already utilizing best practices are the main beneficiaries. Using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), we find the highest increase in firms’ performance among the firms with innovation strategies that combine product innovation with other innovation types. This finding applies to both the short and the longer term. We also conclude that catch-up is strongest among the firms adopting pure process innovation, whereas the other innovation strategies are primarily associated with frontiers shifts.
Exploring the profiles of foreign language learners’ writing self-regulation: focusing on individual differences
Authors: Zhang Jianhua , Zhang Lawrence Jun
Published: July 2024

The available classifications of self-regulated learners may not be applicable to second or foreign language writing due to the contextual nature of self-regulated learning. This study intended to fill the gap by exploring the profiles of English as a foreign language (EFL) learners’ writing self-regulation and their association with writing-relevant individual differences. A total of 391 tertiary students from Southwest China were recruited to participate in the current study, including freshmen, sophomores, and juniors. Their writing self-regulation was measured by the Writing Strategies for Self-Regulated Learning Questionnaire. Latent profile analyses discovered two profiles of self-regulated learners in EFL writing: “highly self-regulated group” and “moderately self-regulated group”. Moreover, ANOVA and Welch’s Test showed that the participants assigned to the two profiles differed significantly in L2 grit, writing achievement goals, and writing self-efficacy rather than language aptitude and working memory. Perseverance of effort, mastery goals, and self-regulatory self-efficacy are found to predict profile membership significantly. Additionally, the results of path analyses revealed that the profiles varied in the predictive effect of individual differences on EFL learners’ writing regulation. These findings contributed to furthering our understanding of classification of self-regulated learners and the role of individual differences in the classification.
Enhancing Learners’ Conceptual Understanding of Reaction Kinetics Using Computer Simulations – A Case Study Approach
Authors: Jere Samuel , Mpeta Mamotena
Published: July 2024

One of the critical goals of teaching chemistry is to enable learners to gain conceptual understanding. Traditional instruction has often been associated with rote memorisation, resulting in learners failing to explain observed chemical phenomena, make predictions based on acquired concepts, advance convincing arguments, and engage in meaningful problem-solving and critical thinking. Therefore, the study aimed to describe the conceptual understanding of the learners taught Reaction Kinetics using computer simulations supported by the Predict-Observe-Explain strategy. The study was guided by Holme, Luxford, and Brandriet’s five categories of conceptual understanding—transfer, translation, problem-solving, prediction, and depth as the conceptual framework. This was a descriptive study in which a case study research approach was used. Five purposively sampled grade 12 learners participated in the study, representing the range of cognitive abilities from a secondary school class of 53 learners. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. The responses of the five participants were analysed using the qualitative content analysis. The findings were that most of the learners’ responses were in the sound understanding sub-category, some were in the partial understanding sub-category, and a few were in the no understanding sub-category, which made us conclude that computer simulations supported by the Predict-Observe-Explain strategy assisted the learners in conceptual understanding. The learners gained an understanding of most concepts, although their responses in the partial understanding sub-category showed difficulties related to depth, transfer, and translation. These findings are expected to assist chemistry teachers, teacher educators, and curriculum planners in improving learners’ conceptual understanding of chemistry.
A New Game Theoretic Semantics (GTS-2) for Weak Kleene Logics
Authors: Carrara Massimiliano , Mancini Filippo , Pra Baldi Michele , Zhu Wei
Published: July 2024

Hintikka’s game theoretical approach to semantics has been successfully applied also to some non-classical logics. A recent example is Başkent (A game theoretical semantics for logics of nonsense, 2020. arXiv:2009.10878), where a game theoretical semantics based on three players and the notion of dominant winning strategy is devised to fit both Bochvar and Halldén’s logics of nonsense, which represent two basic systems of the family of weak Kleene logics. In this paper, we present and discuss a new game theoretic semantics for Bochvar and Halldén’s logics, GTS-2, and show how it generalizes to a broader family of logics of variable inclusions.
Proteo: a framework for the generation and evaluation of malleable MPI applications
Authors: Martín-Álvarez Iker , Aliaga José I. , Castillo Maribel , Iserte Sergio
Published: July 2024

Applying malleability to HPC systems can increase their productivity without degrading or even improving the performance of running applications. This paper presents Proteo, a configurable framework that allows to design benchmarks to study the effect of malleability on a system, and also incorporates malleability into a real application. Proteo consists of two modules: SAM allows to emulate the computational behavior of iterative scientific MPI applications, and MaM is able to reconfigure a job during execution, adjusting the number of processes, redistributing data, and resuming execution. An in-depth study of all the possibilities shows that Proteo is able to behave like a real malleable or non-malleable application in the range [0.85, 1.15]. Furthermore, the different methods defined in MaM for process management and data redistribution are analyzed, concluding that asynchronous malleability, where reconfiguration and application execution overlap, results in a 1.15$$\times$$
×
speedup.
Plasma metabolomic and lipidomic profiles accurately classify mothers of children with congenital heart disease: an observational study
Authors: Mires Stuart , Sommella Eduardo , Merciai Fabrizio , Salviati Emanuela , Caponigro Vicky , Basilicata Manuela Giovanna , Marini Federico , Campiglia Pietro , Baquedano Mai , Dong Tim , Skerritt Clare , Eastwood Kelly-Ann , Caputo Massimo
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common congenital anomaly, representing a significant global disease burden. Limitations exist in our understanding of aetiology, diagnostic methodology and screening, with metabolomics offering promise in addressing these.

Objective

To evaluate maternal metabolomics and lipidomics in prediction and risk factor identification for childhood CHD.

Methods

We performed an observational study in mothers of children with CHD following pregnancy, using untargeted plasma metabolomics and lipidomics by ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS). 190 cases (157 mothers of children with structural CHD (sCHD); 33 mothers of children with genetic CHD (gCHD)) from the children OMACp cohort and 162 controls from the ALSPAC cohort were analysed. CHD diagnoses were stratified by severity and clinical classifications. Univariate, exploratory and supervised chemometric methods were used to identify metabolites and lipids distinguishing cases and controls, alongside predictive modelling.

Results

499 metabolites and lipids were annotated and used to build PLS-DA and SO-CovSel-LDA predictive models to accurately distinguish sCHD and control groups. The best performing model had an sCHD test set mean accuracy of 94.74% (sCHD test group sensitivity 93.33%; specificity 96.00%) utilising only 11 analytes. Similar test performances were seen for gCHD. Across best performing models, 37 analytes contributed to performance including amino acids, lipids, and nucleotides.

Conclusions

Here, maternal metabolomic and lipidomic analysis has facilitated the development of sensitive risk prediction models classifying mothers of children with CHD. Metabolites and lipids identified offer promise for maternal risk factor profiling, and understanding of CHD pathogenesis in the future.
Laboratory Efficacy of Essential Oils Against Pectobacterium carotovorum Subsp. carotovorum and Pectobacterium atrosepticum Causing Soft Rot of Potato Tubers
Authors: Jílková Barbora , Víchová Jana , Holková Ludmila , Pluháčková Helena , Michutová Markéta , Kmoch Martin
Published: July 2024

The antibacterial activity of essential oils (EOs) from Carum carvi, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Cuminum cyminum, Eugenia caryophyllus, Foeniculum vulgare, Melaleuca alternifolia, Mentha × piperita, Origanum vulgare, Rosmarinus officinalis and Thymus vulgaris was tested against Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum (Pcc) and Pectobacterium atrosepticum (Pa), which cause soft rot of potato tubers. In disc diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) tests, cinnamon EO was found to be most effective against both bacteria. The inhibition zones ranged from 20.46 to 29.58 mm for a concentration of 100 μL/mL. The minimum inhibitory concentration was 0.5 μL/mL, and MBC was between 0.5 and 5 μL/mL. The higher sensitivity of bacteria was manifested in clove (Pcc and Pa), mint (Pcc), oregano (Pa) and thyme (Pa) EOs. Rosemary EO was the least effective. The results of the in vivo test were not entirely consistent with those of the in vitro tests. The most significant antibacterial effect was achieved with mint EO. The treatment of potato tuber discs with mint EO at a concentration of 3 μL/mL for Pcc and 3–10 μL/mL for Pa was 100% effective. The efficacy of the essential oils of caraway (5–10 μL/mL), thyme (10 μL/mL) and oregano (5 μL/mL) also ranged from 95.7 to 99.7%. Based on the results of the in vivo test, it may be recommended that mint EO and potentially caraway, oregano and thyme EOs be further tested for pickling potato tubers against bacteria of the genus Pectobacterium.
Tracking longitudinal thalamic volume changes during early stages of SCA1 and SCA2
Authors: Grisoli Marina , Nigri Anna , Medina Carrion Jean Paul , Palermo Sara , Demichelis Greta , Giacosa Chiara , Mongelli Alessia , Fichera Mario , Nanetti Lorenzo , Mariotti Caterina
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Spinocerebellar ataxia SCA1 and SCA2 are adult-onset hereditary disorders, due to triplet CAG expansion in their respective causative genes. The pathophysiology of SCA1 and SCA2 suggests alterations of cerebello-thalamo-cortical pathway and its connections to the basal ganglia. In this framework, thalamic integrity is crucial for shaping efficient whole-brain dynamics and functions. The aims of the study are to identify structural changes in thalamic nuclei in presymptomatic and symptomatic SCA1 and SCA2 patients and to assess disease progression within a 1-year interval.

Material and methods

A prospective 1-year clinical and MRI assessment was conducted in 27 presymptomatic and 23 clinically manifest mutation carriers for SCA1 and SCA2 expansions. Cross-sectional and longitudinal changes of thalamic nuclei volume were investigated in SCA1 and SCA2 individuals and in healthy participants (n = 20).

Results

Both SCA1 and SCA2 patients had significant atrophy in the majority of thalamic nuclei, except for the posterior and partly medial nuclei. The 1-year longitudinal evaluation showed a specific pattern of atrophy in ventral and posterior thalamus, detectable even at the presymptomatic stage of the disease.

Conclusion

For the first time in vivo, our exploratory study has shown that different thalamic nuclei are involved at different stages of the degenerative process in both SCA1 and SCA2. It is therefore possible that thalamic alterations might significantly contribute to the progression of the disease years before overt clinical manifestations occur.
Good governance in autocratic international organizations
Authors: Hafner-Burton Emilie , Pevehouse Jon C. W. , Schneider Christina J.
Published: July 2024

A large and growing number of international organizations (IOs) are made up and governed by illiberal or outright authoritarian regimes. Many of these authoritarian IOs (AIOs) formally adopt good governance mandates, linking goals like democracy promotion, anti-corruption policies and human rights to their broader mission. Why do some AIOs adopt good governance mandates that appear to conflict with the norms and standards these regimes apply at home? We argue that AIOs adopt good governance mandates when they face substantial pressure from inside or outside the IO to adopt them. Central to our argument is that not all aspects of good governance are inherently or equally threatening to autocratic regimes. They pursue strategies that minimize the threat by externalizing policy outside the membership and strategically defining the goals to avoid or enact. This allows autocratic governments to uptake good governance talk but lessen any deep commitment to the norms and sometimes even to use them strategically to project their own power outside of the organization. Using data on 48 regional IOs with primarily autocratic membership between 1945 and 2015, we demonstrate that AIOs facing pressure from external good governance promoters will adopt good governance mandates but strategically shape those mandates in their favor if they can form bargaining coalitions with like-minded governments. The findings have sobering implications for the future of good governance promotion through IOs.
Non-Inferiority Trials: A Systematic Review on Methodological Quality and Reporting Standards
Authors: Sengul Anthony , Escobar Edison , Flores John R. , Kwok Michelle , Kono Shogo , Guyatt Gordon , Jackevicius Cynthia A.
Published: July 2024

Background

Non-inferiority (NI) trials require unique trial design and methods, which pose challenges in their interpretation and applicability, risking introduction of inferior therapies in clinical practice. With the abundance of novel therapies, NI trials are increasing in publication. Prior studies found inadequate quality of reporting of NI studies, but were limited to certain specialties/journals, lacked NI margin evaluation, and did not examine temporal changes in quality. We conducted a systematic review without restriction to journal type, journal impact factor, disease state or intervention to evaluate the quality of NI trials, including a comprehensive risk of bias assessment and comparison of quality over time.

Methodology

We searched PubMed and Cochrane Library databases for NI trials published in English in 2014 and 2019. They were assessed for: study design and NI margin characteristics, primary results, and risk of bias for blinding, concealment, analysis method and missing outcome data.

Results

We included 823 studies. Between 2014 and 2019, a shift from publication in specialty to general journals (15% vs 28%, p < 0.001) and from pharmacological to non-pharmacological interventions (25% vs 38%, p = 0.025) was observed. The NI margin was specified in most trials for both years (94% vs 95%). Rationale for the NI margin increased (36% vs 57%, p < 0.001), but remained low, with clinical judgement the most common rationale (30% vs 23%), but more 2019 articles incorporating patient values (0.3% vs 21%, p < 0.001). Over 50% of studies were open-label for both years. Gold standard method of analyses (both per protocol + (modified) intention to treat) declined over time (43% vs 36%, p < 0.001).

Discussion

The methodological quality and reporting of NI trials remains inadequate although improving in some areas. Improved methods for NI margin justification, blinding, and analysis method are warranted to facilitate clinical decision-making.
“Take your responsibility”: the politics of green sacrifice for just low-carbon transitions in rural Portugal
Authors: van Meer Dominique , Zografos Christos
Published: July 2024

The EU has recently taken important climate action, notably through the launching of the European Green Deal. However, EU action has been criticized for its potential to generate a heavy increase in mining of ‘critical minerals’ necessary for renewables technologies, and so create green sacrifice zones both overseas and within Europe. We explore the politics of green sacrifice making through an analysis of green governance practices and opposition to them in a case of a lithium mining conflict in rural northern Portugal. We find that institutional rearrangements attempt to reconfigure lithium mining as a force for sustainability in ways that enable capital accumulation. Such reconfigurations clash with concerns about maintaining a meaningful life in localities where mining would take place, as well as alternative definitions of the logic of the circular economy and of what the proper scales of decision-making for marginalized territories should be. Government and corporate action attempt to resolve these clashes by promoting a discourse of ‘responsibility’, which assigns public institutions the role of convincing communities to accept ‘green’ mining; to corporations the role of exercising corporate social responsibility; and to affected populations the role of subjects whose political action should conform to their consumption habits and help deliver a distinctive ‘European way’ of being responsible in a warming world. We conclude that green sacrifice is essential for maintaining economic growth and a liberal order of governance, delivered through a biopolitics of inclusion that exists side-by-side with attempts at self-constitution. We highlight a contradiction between what such praxis tries to achieve and ways in which some critical constituencies seek to address democracy challenges of just transitions.
Is Blockchain a game-changer for social currency systems? Some reflections in light of the experience of Moneda PAR in Argentina
Authors: Valdecantos Sebastian , Orzi Ricardo , Porcherot Raphaël , Camargo Federico José
Published: July 2024

Social currencies can make a valuable contribution to sustainability as they strengthen solidarity markets, a specific exchange practice that enhances the resilience of their surrounding environmental, social and human systems. Until now, the need to secure trust in a currency has been a major challenge for social currency initiatives not backed by the State. The emergence of Blockchain, which offers security, transparency and auditability to currencies and transactions it supports, seemingly circumvents this issue. This raises the question that this paper seeks to address: is Blockchain a game-changer for bottom-up solidarity economy initiatives? The methodological approach draws on a multidimensional conceptualisation of trust that recognises three components: ethical, hierarchical and methodical trust. It uses Moneda PAR, an Argentinian Blockchain-based social currency, as a case study and draws on use data, participant surveys and direct observation by the authors as action researchers to explore social currency and solidarity economy development in relation to currency performance on each dimension of trust. Findings from the case show that despite strengthening hierarchical and methodical trust, Blockchain needs to be articulated with additional market-building strategies to be a true game-changer in the development of social currency systems.
Controlled Directional Cu Outflow in Cu/W Nanomultilayers
Authors: Lorenzin G. , Rheingans B. , Janczak-Rusch J. , Cancellieri C.
Published: July 2024

In this study, we have investigated the feasibility of localized, focused ion beam (FIB)-stimulated Cu outflow in Cu/W nanomultilayers (NMLs) for manufacturing of heterogeneous micro-/nanojoints. Sub-micron-sized trenches were created on the nanomultilayer surface prior to heat treatment with the aim of directing the diffusion of Cu to locally defined NML surface regions. Cu outflow was triggered by annealing at 500 °C in a reducing atmosphere and lead to formation of (sub-)micron-sized Cu particles that are firmly joined to the W-terminated Cu/W NML. The results show that not only the depth of trenches (i.e., the parameters of the FIB treatment), but also the stress and the microstructure of the NMLs influence the Cu directional transport. The Cu outflow was found to be much more pronounced when the multilayer has a disordered microstructure with pores and open grain boundaries, as observed for NMLs with a tensile stress. We have thus demonstrated that FIB surface patterning enables the localized generation of (sub-)micron-sized Cu particles that can be used for manufacturing of micro-/nanojoints.
Evaluation of Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Heartworm Infection for Dogs in Rio de Janeiro with Access to Veterinary Care
Authors: Guedes Mariana , Gomes Tamiris , Alberigi Bruno , Prudente Emilene , Bendas Alexandre , Souza Thalita , Mendes-de-Almeida Flavya , Knackfuss Fabiana Batalha , Merlo Alexandre , Labarthe Norma
Published: July 2024

Heartworm infection is a chronic disease with clinical signs and effects ranging from an asymptomatic condition to severe disease and death. The prevalence of heartworm disease in the state of Rio de Janeiro has been reported to be high (21.3%). The present study was conducted to evaluate the seroprevalence and risk factors of heartworm infection for the canine population with access to veterinary services in different areas of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A total of 1787 canine blood samples were obtained from 135 practices across 8 different areas of Rio de Janeiro state (Rio de Janeiro municipality, São Gonçalo municipality, Niterói municipality, Baixada Fluminense, and the northern, southern, eastern, and mountainous areas) and tested for the presence of Dirofilaria immitis antigens and antibodies against several tick-borne disease pathogens using a commercial immunochromatography technique (Vetscan® Flex 4 Rapid Test; Zoetis; NJ USA). Pet owners reported living conditions, physical characteristics, demographics, and clinical signs for evaluation of risk factors for heartworm infection. Only two evaluated risk factors were shown to enhance the risk for D. immitis infection, including having a short hair coat vs. having a medium or long hair coat (OR 2.62) or positive for antibodies to tick-borne disease parasites (OR 3.83). Clinical signs reported for dogs with heartworm disease were typical for that condition. The overall prevalence of heartworm disease in the state was 8.2%, ranging from 2.4% in the mountainous region to 29.4% in the eastern area. It could not be determined if veterinarians were not diligent about dispensing heartworm preventatives or if poor levels of compliance by dog owners were responsible for higher infection rates in some areas of the state.
Ideal suturing technique for robot-assisted microsurgical anastomoses
Authors: Wessel Kai J. , Wendenburg Isa , Varnava Charalampos , Wellenbrock Sascha , Dermietzel Alexander , Hiort Mirkka , Kampshoff David , Wiebringhaus Philipp , Hirsch Tobias , Kueckelhaus Maximilian
Published: July 2024

The development of novel robotic devices specifically designed for open microsurgery leads to increasing applications in reconstructive procedures. While initial studies revealed improved precision and surgical ergonomics upon robotic assistance, surgical time was consistently observed to be increased. This study compares two robotic suturing techniques using the Symani Surgical System and RoboticScope in a preclinical setting, to further leverage the benefits of novel robotic devices in microsurgery. Six experienced microsurgeons performed three microvascular anastomoses with a “steady-thread” suturing technique and a “switch-thread” technique on 1.0-mm-diameter artificial silicone vessels. Time for anastomosis and participant’s satisfaction with the techniques and robotic setup were recorded. Anastomosis quality and microsurgical skills were assessed using the Anastomosis Lapse Index and Structured Assessment of Microsurgery Skills. Lastly, technical error messages and thread ruptures were quantified. Knot tying was significantly faster and evaluated significantly better by participants using the steady-thread technique (4.11 ± 0.85 vs. 6.40 ± 1.83 min per anastomosis). Moreover, microsurgical skills were rated significantly better using this technique, while both techniques consistently led to high levels of anastomosis quality (2.61 ± 1.21 vs. 3.0 ± 1.29 errors per anastomosis). In contrast, the switch-thread technique was associated with more technical error messages in total (14 vs. 12) and twice as many unintended thread ruptures per anastomosis (1.0 ± 0.88 vs. 0.5 ± 0.69). This study provides evidence for the enhanced performance of a steady-thread suturing technique, which is suggested to be applied upon robot-assisted microsurgical procedures for optimized efficiency.
Enzymatic Synthesis of Prebiotic Carbohydrates from Lactose: Integration of Osmotic Membrane Distillation with Batch Reactor System
Authors: Cinar Kadir , Gulec Haci Ali , Onsekizoglu Bagci Pelin , Bagci Ufuk , Gunes Gurbuz
Published: July 2024

This study aimed to enhance galactooligosaccharide (GOS) yield by maintaining high lactose concentration levels using osmotic membrane distillation (OMD) throughout the synthesis. The main problem influencing GOS yield during transgalactosylation is the decrease of lactose concentration over extended reaction periods. By integrating OMD with a continuous stirred batch reactor, water was progressively removed from the reaction medium. Compared to a standard batch reactor, the OMD-integrated system not only increased GOS yield by a maximum of 20.1% but also reduced the time needed for equivalent lactose conversion about 15–90 min. This integration particularly boosted the formation of longer-chain GOS. A consistent GOS yield of 67% was achieved, with up to 28% lactose conversion, surpassing the non-integrated reactor’s performance. The proposed reactor design shows promise for enhancing GOS production efficiency while concurrently concentrating the reaction medium in a single step.
Prediction of the Fatty Acid Profiles of Iberian Pig Products by Near Infrared Spectroscopy: A Comparison Between Multiple Regression Tools and Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: Hernández-Jiménez Miriam , Revilla Isabel , Hernández-Ramos Pedro , Vivar-Quintana Ana María
Published: July 2024

In this study, the feasibility of predicting the lipid profiles of Iberian ham and shoulder samples by using near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy was evaluated. Gas chromatography analysis was the reference method used. The muscles analyzed and recorded by NIR spectroscopy were 76 Biceps femoris for Iberian hams and 72 Brachiocephalicus for Iberian shoulders. NIR calibrations were carried out by using two methods: modified partial least squares regression (MPLS) and artificial neural networks (ANN). With the MPLS method, it was possible to obtain equations with regression’s coefficients (RSQ) of > 0.5 for 5 individual fatty acids and 3 summations: polyunsaturated fatty acids, n3 and n6. The use of neural networks made it possible to find equations with RSQ of > 0.5 for 10 individual fatty acids, all of which are present in over 90% of the samples, and 5 summations of saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids (SFA, MUFA, PUFA), n3 and n6, finding that the calibration curves of the fatty acids C18:1, C18:2n6, and C18:3n3 presented RSQ’s of > 0.7. The results obtained indicate that NIR spectroscopy could be a very useful technology for the quality control of cured products as it allows estimating the main fatty constituents quickly and without using reagents.
How does sutures pattern influence stomach motility after endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty? A computational study
Authors: Berardo Alice , Polese Lino , Carniel Emanuele Luigi , Toniolo Ilaria
Published: July 2024

The relatively recent adoption of Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG) amongst obese patients has gained approval within the surgical community due to its notable benefits, including significant weight loss, safety, feasibility, repeatability, and potential reversibility. However, despite its promising clinical outcomes and reduced invasiveness, there is still a lack of standardised procedures for performing ESG. Multiple suture patterns and stitching methods have been proposed over time, yet rational tools to quantify and compare their effects on gastric tissues are absent. To address this gap, this study proposed a computational approach. The research involved a case study analyzing three distinct suture patterns (C-shaped, U-shaped and Z-shaped) using a patient-specific computational stomach model generated from magnetic resonance imaging. Simulations mimicked food intake by placing wire features in the intragastric cavity to replicate sutures, followed by applying a linearly increasing internal pressure up to 15 mmHg. The outcomes facilitated comparisons between suture configurations based on pressure–volume behaviours and the distribution of maximum stress on biological tissues, revealing the U-shaped as the more effective in terms of volume reduction, even if with reduced elongation strains and increased tissues stresses, whereas the Z-shaped is responsible of the greatest stomach shortness after ESG. In summary, computational biomechanics methods serve as potent tools in clinical and surgical settings, offering insights into aspects that are challenging to explore in vivo, such as tissue elongation and stress. These methods allow for mechanical comparisons between different configurations, although they might not encompass crucial clinical outcomes.
Philosophical Investigations into AI Alignment: A Wittgensteinian Framework
Authors: Pérez-Escobar José Antonio , Sarikaya Deniz
Published: July 2024

We argue that the later Wittgenstein’s philosophy of language and mathematics, substantially focused on rule-following, is relevant to understand and improve on the Artificial Intelligence (AI) alignment problem: his discussions on the categories that influence alignment between humans can inform about the categories that should be controlled to improve on the alignment problem when creating large data sets to be used by supervised and unsupervised learning algorithms, as well as when introducing hard coded guardrails for AI models. We cast these considerations in a model of human–human and human–machine alignment and sketch basic alignment strategies based on these categories and further reflections on rule-following like the notion of meaning as use. To sustain the validity of these considerations, we also show that successful techniques employed by AI safety researchers to better align new AI systems with our human goals are congruent with the stipulations that we derive from the later Wittgenstein’s philosophy. However, their application may benefit from the added specificities and stipulations of our framework: it extends on the current efforts and provides further, specific AI alignment techniques. Thus, we argue that the categories of the model and the core alignment strategies presented in this work can inform further AI alignment techniques.
Chaotic Artificial Algae Algorithm for Solving Global Optimization With Real-World Space Trajectory Design Problems
Authors: Turkoglu Bahaeddin , Uymaz Sait Ali , Kaya Ersin
Published: July 2024

The artificial algae algorithm (AAA) is a recently introduced metaheuristic algorithm inspired by the behavior and characteristics of microalgae. Like other metaheuristic algorithms, AAA faces challenges such as local optima and premature convergence. Various strategies to address these issues and enhance the performance of the algorithm have been proposed in the literature. These include levy flight, local search, variable search, intelligent search, multi-agent systems, and quantum behaviors. This paper introduces chaos theory as a strategy to improve AAA's performance. Chaotic maps are utilized to effectively balance exploration and exploitation, prevent premature convergence, and avoid local minima. Ten popular chaotic maps are employed to enhance AAA's performance, resulting in the chaotic artificial algae algorithm (CAAA). CAAA's performance is evaluated on thirty benchmark test functions, including unimodal, multimodal, and fixed dimension problems. The algorithm is also tested on three classical engineering problems and eight space trajectory design problems at the European Space Agency. A statistical analysis using the Friedman and Wilcoxon tests confirms that CAA demonstrates successful performance in optimization problems.
Uniformly Loaded Logarithmic Beam Mode with Spatially Varying Flexural Rigidity
Authors: Turkyilmazoglu Mustafa
Published: July 2024

This analysis explores natural leading modes represented by logarithmic functions, achieved by imposing four boundary constraints at the ends of an elastic inhomogeneous beam. The beam possessing constant material inertia, is assumed to be uniformly loaded, and is composed of material with variable stiffness. It is sought analytical expressions for beam deflections in terms of logarithmic functions. Our findings demonstrate that such formulae can be derived for a beam under axially uniform load and with spatially distributed flexural rigidity. Subsequently, the beam shapes and material properties for four specific scenarios are identified: free-free logarithmic beam, cantilevered logarithmic beam, simply-supported logarithmic beam, and simply-supported sliding logarithmic beam. Explicit logarithmic beam responses, governed by a limited number of shape parameters, are illustrated graphically using normalized deflections with respect to the maximum deflection. Highly deflected elastic logarithmic modes emerge as a consequence of high flexural rigidity influenced by the uniformly applied transverse load. These elucidated logarithmic beam modes offer potential practical applications in the structural design of functionally graded materials. They also serve as valuable testing platforms for numerical techniques employed in the analysis of more complex beam problems.
An Innovative Approach for Enhancing Relay Coordination in Distribution Systems Through Online Adaptive Strategies Utilizing DNN Machine Learning and a Hybrid GA-SQP Framework
Authors: Al-Bhadely Faraj , İnan Aslan
Published: July 2024

The present study addresses the issue of varying fault locations within a distribution system, which leads to fluctuations in short-circuit currents and requires the implementation of adaptive protection strategies for network reliability. This paper presents a novel adaptive protection scheme that specifically considers these fault location variations using directional overcurrent relays (DOCRs). Unlike previous research on adaptive protection, which does not adequately account for fault location variations, this method employs deep neural networks (DNNs) for online fault location detection. In the verification process, the effectiveness of the proposed methodologies was assessed by analyzing the time derivative of a trained machine learning model for fault identification. This approach enables the immediate detection of fault locations within the distribution system and facilitates the transmission of the setting group index to activate preset optimal coordination parameter values for the system relays. Crucially, the proposed method ensures that the coordination constraints remain intact across various adaptive settings, relying on precise fault identification through machine learning. The practical significance of this approach lies in its applicability to real-world systems because the proposed solutions and protective settings can be easily implemented using commercially available relays. To evaluate its effectiveness, the adaptive protection scheme was tested on three distribution networks: IEEE 14-Bus, 15-Bus and 30-Bus. The comparative test results highlight that the proposed method significantly improves the speed of the protection system for distribution networks when compared to existing studies, making it a valuable contribution to enhancing network reliability and performance.
Mediation Analysis using Semi-parametric Shape-Restricted Regression with Applications
Authors: Yin Qing , Jeong Jong-Hyeon , Qin Xu , Peddada Shyamal D , Adibi Jennifer J
Published: July 2024

Often linear regression is used to estimate mediation effects. In many instances the underlying relationships may not be linear. Although, the exact functional form of the relationship may be unknown, based on the underlying science, one may hypothesize the shape of the relationship. For these reasons, we develop a novel shape-restricted inference-based methodology for conducting mediation analysis. This work is motivated by an application in fetal endocrinology where researchers are interested in understanding the effects of pesticide application on birth weight, with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) as the mediator. Using the proposed methodology on a population-level prenatal screening program data, with hCG as the mediator, we discovered that while the natural direct effects suggest a positive association between pesticide application and birth weight, the natural indirect effects were negative.