bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identifying kindergarteners at-risk of writing difficulties based on foundational literacy skills
Authors: Jiménez Juan E. , Rodríguez Cristina , Balade Jennifer
Published: February 2024

The main aim of this study was to evaluate the Early Grade Writing Assessment for Kindergarten (EGWA-K), which is grounded in foundational literacy skills, for its validity and diagnostic accuracy in identifying children at risk of developing early learning disabilities in writing (LDW). To the best of our knowledge, no such tool exists for Spanish-speaking children. A sample of 363 Spanish kindergarten children aged 4.7 to 6.6 years was selected for this purpose. The EGWA-K protocol, comprising four tasks (i.e., phonological awareness, writing words from pictures, free writing of words, and oral narrative), was administered to the sample. Additionally, two criterion tasks based on free letter writing and teacher ratings were included for validation purposes. First, an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted using parallel analysis to determine the dimensionality of the EGWA-K, which was confirmed by a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) yielding two factors (one related to transcription ability and the other to narrative competence). Additionally, measurement invariance was confirmed at the configural, metric, scalar, and residual levels by gender. The EGWA-K had an acceptable area under the ROC curve (AUC in the 0.87 range), particularly when free letter writing was utilized as the criterion measure, with adequate sensitivity (0.90) and specificity (0.71) indices. Therefore, a reliable and construct-valid screening tool such as the EGWA-K is now available for the early identification of LDW in Spanish kindergarten children.
Shedding Light on the Dark Corners of the Law, by Walking Hand in Hand with Professor Sacco, Master of Italian Comparative Law
Authors: Grande Elisabetta
Published: February 2024

Making use as a guideline of a self-authored manuscript—dated February 2000—where the “Maestro” reveals himself, this essay explores the academic life and the scholarly achievements of Rodolfo Sacco, the Italian master of comparative law, who just recently passed away. His intellectual endeavor is described throughout the lenses of a common thread that underlies his entire scholarly output: it his ability to illuminate the dark places of law, finding it where no one had sought it before. This is the essence of his original contribution to the understanding of the legal landscape’s dynamics and it is the core of his cultural legacy, not only to comparative lawyers, but also to the community of the jurists at large.
Data-Driven Forecasting of Sunspot Cycles: Pros and Cons of a Hybrid Approach
Authors: Xu Qinglin , Jain Rekha , Xing Wei
Published: February 2024

Understanding the number of sunspots is crucial for comprehending the Sun’s magnetic-activity cycle and its influence on space weather and the Earth. Recent advancements in machine learning have significantly improved the accuracy of time-series predictions, revealing a compelling approach for sunspot forecasts. Our work takes the pioneering work by proposing a hybrid forecasting approach that combines the Seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (SARIMA) with machine-learning algorithms like Random Forest and Support Vector Machine, delivering high prediction accuracy. Despite its high accuracy, we highlight the need for caution in deploying machine-learning-based methods for sunspot-number prediction, demonstrated through a detailed case study with only three extra time stamps leading to a dramatic change. More specifically, when making a forecast of monthly averaged sunspot numbers from 2023–2043 based on data from 1749–2023, we found that the observations in June, July, and August 2023 have a significant impact on the forecast, particularly in the long term. Given the multiseasonal and nonstationary nature of the sunspot time series, we conclude that this kind of phenomenon cannot be simply captured by a pure data-driven model, which can be highly sensitive in the forecast in the long term, and requires a more comprehensive approach, possibly with a model that includes physics.
Boosting general-purpose stream processing with reconfigurable hardware
Authors: Ottimo Alberto , Mencagli Gabriele , Danelutto Marco
Published: February 2024

Reconfigurable devices such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) offer flexible solutions to workload acceleration with high energy efficiency. Despite such a potential advantage, they often reveal hard to program by application programmers. High-level synthesis languages have been developed to provide higher-level abstractions, allowing the developers to define the FPGA behavior using an imperative programming approach based on C/C++ languages. However, such approaches still leave the developer with the responsibility to harness the low-level optimizations required to develop efficient FPGA programs. Along this line, this paper introduces , a framework helping programmers to develop FPGA-accelerated data stream processing (DSP) applications. The approach provides a high-level Python API to develop the data-flow graph of operators, which is automatically translated into an efficient Vitis source code targeting Xilinx devices. The execution of the bitstreams implementing two benchmark applications showcases the efficiency of using FPGAs for DSP workloads. In general, provides, with a reasonable time-to-solution, higher performance compared with state-of-the-art DSP frameworks.
Bridging domains: examining the effects of relevance instructions and guiding questions on pre-service teachers’ first- and second-order knowledge integration
Authors: Lehmann Thomas
Published: February 2024

The conceptualization of pre-service teachers’ knowledge integration typically involves the distinction of two types: first-order knowledge integration, which includes merging domain-specific knowledge entities into a common knowledge base, and second-order knowledge integration, which refers to the integrated (simultaneous) application of knowledge from diverse domains. This study investigates the effect of instructional prompts in the form of (a) relevance instructions and (b) guiding questions on promoting pre-service teachers’ first-order knowledge integration in a reading- and writing-based learning setting with three domain-specific study texts: one text each referring to content knowledge (CK), general pedagogical knowledge (PK), or pedagogical-content knowledge (PCK). Furthermore, the study explores whether pre-service teachers’ second-order knowledge integration depends on the degree to which they engaged in first-order knowledge integration when reading and writing about different domain-specific learning contents. The study applied a three parallel group experimental design. An analysis of essays written by N = 83 German language pre-service teachers indicated positive effects of both prompts on first-order knowledge integration. Moreover, a mediation analysis showed that pre-service teachers’ second-order knowledge integration is mediated by their first-order knowledge integration. The results are discussed and integrated into the existing body of research, practical implications are presented, and limitations of the study are explained.
Bird population changes in urban green spaces explained by regional population trends
Authors: Skjelvik Carmen Emilie , Dale Svein
Published: February 2024

Urban bird species represent a subset of the regional species pool, consisting of species that have been able to survive in, or colonise, urban areas. Urban birds are typically resident non-forest species with a broad diet and nesting high in trees or in cavities, and some studies have also claimed that they are large-brained. However, little is known about how urban bird communities change over time. Does the urban environment impose specific selective pressures favouring particular species or ecological groups, or do birds in urban areas simply have population changes reflecting population trends at larger scales? We assessed population changes of 45 breeding land bird species in Oslo, the capital of Norway, based on surveys conducted ca. 15 years apart. Population changes within Oslo most closely matched changes occurring at the regional level (national population trends from Norway and Sweden). Thus, species increasing in Oslo were those that also increased at the regional level. We found no evidence that relative brain size, diet or habitat preferences influenced population trends. However, controlling for regional population trends, there were additional residual effects of nest site and migration: species nesting on the ground or low in bushes had more positive changes than species nesting high in trees or in cavities, and resident species did better than long- or short-distance migrants. These results indicate that urban environments are not isolated islands only influenced by own selection pressures, but are connected with regional population dynamics, most likely through immigration.
Fertility Intention in Hong Kong: Declining Trend and Associated Factors
Authors: Chen Mengtong , Lo Camilla Kin Ming , Chen Qiqi , Chan Ko Ling , Ip Patrick
Published: February 2024

Hong Kong is characterized by extremely low fertility, with a total fertility rate of 0.701 in 2022. This paper reports significant declines in the intention to have children among non-parents and in the desire to have more children among parents, based on data from the Family Surveys conducted in Hong Kong in 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017, which imply more dramatic demographic changes in the future. Drawing on the theory of planned behavior (TPB), this paper explored individuals’ attitudes toward marriage and having children, family functioning variables indicating subjective norms regarding fertility, and housing status and parenting stress relating to individuals’ control over fertility behavior. The results show that among non-parent respondents, being older and possessing a secondary education were associated with a lower level of fertility intention, whereas being a tenant, having positive attitudes toward marriage and having children, and having higher levels of family mutuality and harmony were associated with a higher level of fertility intention. Among parent respondents, parenting stress significantly inhibited the desire to have more children, regardless of financial matters and family environment. The findings suggest that fertility intentions can be remade over the life course. This paper, based on the TPB framework, can help guide the development and adoption of policies and supportive programs to improve fertility intentions in Hong Kong.
CO2 adsorption by KOH-activated hydrochar derived from banana peel waste
Authors: Goel Chirag , Mohan Sooraj , Dinesha P. , Rosen Marc A.
Published: February 2024

Hydrothermal carbonization is one of the effective methods of converting wet lignocellulosic biomass into carbon-rich hydrochar. Due to its characteristic application on CO2 capture and storage, many researchers have studied the CO2 uptake on activated hydrochar. The present work studies the CO2 uptake from banana-peel-derived activated hydrochar which is not presented in the literature. Hydrochar is obtained at three different temperatures (180, 200, and 220 °C) and activated using KOH. Characterization studies including SEM, XRD and FTIR were performed to examine the structure and chemistry of the derived activated hydrochar. The hydrochar sample (BP-180) when activated with a KOH/hydrochar ratio of 3 and an activation temperature of 700 °C has a well-developed microstructure with a surface area and pore volume of 243.4 m2/g and 0.0931 cm3/g, respectively. Samples obtained at higher process temperatures (BP-200 and BP-220) showed much lower porosity. Similarly, the maximum CO2 adsorption is recorded for BP-180 (3.8 mmol/g), followed by BP-200 and BP-220 with maximum adsorption capacities of 3.71 and 3.18 mmol/g, respectively, at 1 bar and 25 °C.
Feasibility of robotic cholecystectomy at an academic center with a young robotic surgery program: a retrospective cohort study with umbrella review
Authors: Corzo Maria Paula , Tomey Daniel , Martinino Alessandro , Secchi Roberto , Elzein Steven , Lee Yoon Kyung , Abou-Mrad Adel , Oviedo Rodolfo J.
Published: February 2024

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has been standard of care for surgical treatment of benign gallbladder pathology for decades. With the advent of robotic surgical technology, robotic cholecystectomy (RC) has gained attention as an alternative to conventional laparoscopy. This study introduces a single-surgeon experience with laparoscopic versus robotic cholecystectomy and an umbrella systematic review of the outcomes of both approaches. A retrospective chart review was performed at a single institution on a prospectively maintained database of patients undergoing laparoscopic or robotic cholecystectomy for benign gallbladder pathology. An umbrella systematic review was conducted using PRISMA methodology. A total of 103 patients were identified; 61 patients underwent LC and 42 underwent RC. In the RC cohort, 17 cases were completed using a four-port technique while 25 were completed using a three-port technique. Patients undergoing RC were older compared to the LC group (44.78 vs 57.02 years old; p < 0.001) and exhibited lower body mass index (29.37 vs 32.37 kg/m2, p = 0.040). No statistically significant difference in operative time or need for postoperative ERCP was noted. Neither this series nor the umbrella systematic review revealed significant differences in conversion to open surgery or readmissions between the LC and RC cohorts. Three-port RC was associated with reduced operative time compared to four-port RC (101.28 vs 150.76 min; p < 0.001). Robotic cholecystectomy is feasible and safe at a young robotic surgery program in an academic center setting and comparable to laparoscopic cholecystectomy clinical outcomes.
Constructed wetlands as nature based solutions – hands-on activities to highlight their potential to minimize ocean pollution
Authors: Almeida C. Marisa R. , Azevedo Tomé , Guimarães Laura
Published: February 2024

This work presents an engaging hands-on activity designed to teach school students about nature based solutions (NBS) and their role in achieving high-quality water systems within a sustainable circular economy. Through this activity, students actively participate in building a small constructed wetland (CW) and test its effectiveness under various contamination scenarios. The activity was tested with school teachers, undergoing refinements based on their feedback. This iterative development process has ensured the activity’s effectiveness in engaging both school students and the public. Further, the CW model can be scaled-up for specific school projects focused on improving water quality. This activity offers valuable opportunities to enhance ocean literacy, promote understanding on NBS and raise awareness about aquatic ecosystems contamination and the importance of environmental sustainability.
Advanced Electroanatomic Mapping: Current and Emerging Approaches
Authors: Narayan Sanjiv M. , John Roy M.
Published: February 2024

Purpose of review

Contemporary ablation for complex arrhythmias raises several challenges for electroanatomic mapping. We examine how current and emerging systems may meet these challenges, and we outline major unmet needs.

Recent findings

The latest versions of the 3 major systems (Carto™, Ensite X™, and Rhythmia™) all construct near real-time maps of cardiac anatomy, which can be registered to tomographic images that integrate thousands of electrical points from high-resolution catheters to create activation maps, and display voltage, proprietary features, and ablation lesion locations. While these systems have improved procedural efficiency, it is less clear that they have improved ablation outcomes particularly for atrial fibrillation (AF), scar-related atrial flutter, ventricular tachycardia (VT), and fibrillation (VF). These remain urgent needs.

Cardiac electroanatomic mapping has reached a mature stage for supraventricular and many ventricular arrhythmias. Novel functional mapping systems have shown success in improving ablation outcomes for AF, VT, and VF in small patient series, but none in randomized trials of broad unselected patient cohorts.
Cardiotoxicity After Synthetic Cathinone Use; Two Cases, A Case Series and Scoping Review
Authors: Groenewegen K. L. , Gresnigt F. M. J. , Lonkhuyzen J. J. Nugteren-van , den Haan C. , Franssen E. J. F. , Riezebos R. K. , Ohana D. , de Lange D. W.
Published: February 2024

The cardiotoxic effects of synthetic cathinones remain largely unknown. In this study, we present two cases, a case series and a scoping review, to explore synthetic cathinone associated cardiotoxicity. Case 1 involved a 28-year-old male with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction after ingesting a substance containing 4-methylmethcathinone (4-MMC), 3-methylmethcathinon (3-MMC), and methcathinone. Case 2 involved a 49-year-old male with ventricular fibrillation after 4-methylmethcathinone ingestion, who was diagnosed with severe three-vessel disease. A retrospective analysis was performed on self-reported synthetic cathinone poisonings reported to the Dutch Poisons Information Centre from 2012 to 2022. A total of 222 mono-intoxications with cardiotoxicity were included, mostly involving 3-methylmethcathinon (63%). Often tachycardia, hypertension, palpitations, and chest pain were reported. A comprehensive literature search was performed on PubMed to identify the studies reporting cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction, cardiac inflammation, cardiomyopathy, and life-threatening arrhythmias following synthetic cathinone use. A total of 30 articles reporting 40 cases were included. The reported complications included cardiac arrest (n = 28), ventricular tachycardia (n = 4), supraventricular tachycardia (n = 1), ST-elevation myocardial infarction (n = 2), non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (n = 2), cardiomyopathy (n = 1), and myocarditis (n = 2). A total of ten different associated synthetic cathinones were identified. Cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction, and ventricular arrhythmias have been reported following the use of synthetic cathinones, underscoring the importance of obtaining a detailed recreational drug use history from patients presenting with syncope, chest pain, or palpitations.
Delphi consensus for the third-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer
Authors: García-Alfonso Pilar , Vera Ruth , Aranda Enrique , Élez Elena , Rivera Fernando
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The optimal drug regimen and sequence are still unknown for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) who are candidates for third-line (3L) or subsequent treatment. The aim of this study is to know the opinion of experts on the most appropriate treatment options for mCRC in 3L and to clarify certain clinical decisions in Spain.

Methods

Using a modified Delphi method, a group of experts discussed the treatment in 3L of patients with mCRC and developed a questionnaire with 21 items divided into 5 sections.

Results

After 2 rounds, the 67 panelists consulted agreed on 17 items (81%). They considered that the main objective of 3L is to equally increase survival and improve patients’ quality of life (QoL), but preferably the QoL. It was agreed that patients with mCRC in 3L prefer to receive active versus symptomatic treatment. Panelists considered trifluridine/tipiracil (FTD/TPI) to be the best oral treatment available to them in 3L. In patients with MSI-H or dMMR and BRAF V600E, the panelists mostly prefer targeted treatments. Panelists agreed the use of a therapeutic sequence that not only increases outcomes but also allows patients to be treated later. Finally, it was agreed that FTD/TPI has a mechanism of action that allows it to be used in patients refractory to previous treatment with 5-fluorouracil.

Conclusion

The experts agreed with most of the proposed items on 3L treatment of mCRC, prioritizing therapeutic options that increase survival and preserve QoL, while facilitating the possibility that patients can continue to be treated later.
Computer vision for transit travel time prediction: an end-to-end framework using roadside urban imagery
Authors: Abdelhalim Awad , Zhao Jinhua
Published: February 2024

Accurate travel time estimation is paramount for providing transit users with reliable schedules and dependable real-time information. This work is the first to utilize roadside urban imagery to aid transit agencies and practitioners in improving travel time prediction. We propose and evaluate an end-to-end framework integrating traditional transit data sources with a roadside camera for automated image data acquisition, labeling, and model training to predict transit travel times across a segment of interest. First, we show how the General Transit Feed Specification real-time data can be utilized as an efficient activation mechanism for a roadside camera unit monitoring a segment of interest. Second, automated vehicle location data is utilized to generate ground truth labels for the acquired images based on the observed transit travel time percentiles across the camera-monitored segment during the time of image acquisition. Finally, the generated labeled image dataset is used to train and thoroughly evaluate a Vision Transformer (ViT) model to predict a discrete transit travel time range (band). The results of this exploratory study illustrate that the ViT model is able to learn image features and contents that best help it deduce the expected travel time range with an average validation accuracy ranging between 80 and 85%. We assess the interpretability of the ViT model’s predictions and showcase how this discrete travel time band prediction can subsequently improve continuous transit travel time estimation. The workflow and results presented in this study provide an end-to-end, scalable, automated, and highly efficient approach for integrating traditional transit data sources and roadside imagery to improve the estimation of transit travel duration. This work also demonstrates the added value of incorporating real-time information from computer-vision sources, which are becoming increasingly accessible and can have major implications for improving transit operations and passenger real-time information.
Hydroponic Nutrient Solution Temperature Impacts Tulane Virus Persistence over Time
Authors: Dhulappanavar Gayatri R. , Gibson Kristen E.
Published: February 2024

Controlled environment agriculture (CEA), or indoor agriculture, encompasses non-traditional farming methods that occur inside climate-controlled structures (e.g., greenhouses, warehouses, high tunnels) allowing for year-round production of fresh produce such as leaf lettuce. However, recent outbreaks and recalls associated with hydroponically grown lettuce contaminated with human pathogens have raised concerns. Few studies exist on the food safety risks during hydroponic cultivation of leaf lettuce; thus, it is important to identify contributing risk factors and potential mitigation strategies to prevent foodborne transmission via hydroponically grown produce. In this study, the concentration of infectious Tulane virus (TV), a human norovirus surrogate, in hydroponic nutrient solution at 15 °C, 25 °C, 30 °C, and 37 °C was determined over a duration of 21 days to mimic the time from seedling to mature lettuce. The mean log PFU reduction for TV was 0.86, 1.80, 2.87, and ≥ 3.77 log10 at 15 °C, 25 °C, 30 °C, and 37 °C, respectively, at the end of the 21-day period. Similarly, average decimal reduction values (D-values) of TV at 15 °C, 25 °C, 30 °C, and 37 °C were 48.0, 11.3, 8.57, and 7.02 days, respectively. This study aids in the (i) identification of possible food safety risks associated with hydroponic systems specifically related to nutrient solution temperature and (ii) generation of data to perform risk assessments within CEA leaf lettuce operations to inform risk management strategies for the reduction of foodborne outbreaks, fresh produce recalls, and economic losses.
Numerical assessment of the risk of GERD break on the downstream countries
Authors: Elbelasy Ahmed M. , Khater Abdel Hamed M. , Hassan Eid H. , Ibrahim Amir S.
Published: February 2024

The potential effects of Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) failure on the downstream countries were numerically assessed. Flow discharge reaching Lake Nasser and the corresponding water levels were determined, and the inundated areas were defined as a result of GERD failure. High-resolution digital elevation model was developed with 2670-km length starting from GERD till Aswan High Dam. GERD’s reservoir, urban, and rural lands downstream of the GERD were presented using a numerical model. The modeled areas included parts of Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt, not to mention Toshka Spillway. The model areas were not divided into parts because of calculating the water levels at the existence of intermediate dams as model outputs. In case possible failure of GERD, Roseires and Sennar dams could collapse. Meanwhile, Merowe dam can sustain with the operation of its emergency spillway. Wave height reaches 100-m downstream of the GERD and 64-m and 31-m downstream of the Roseires and Merowe dams, respectively.
Longshore changes in the microfacies and distribution of clastic barrier coastal sandbodies: a case from the Benxi formation in the Ordos Basin, China
Authors: Meng Xiangzhen , Pu Renhai , Dou Tiancai , Liu Gang , Gong Hujun , Song Ming , Fan Yujie
Published: February 2024

The Benxi Formation in the Ordos Basin is an important gas-producing layer in the Yanchang gas field. There are critical changes in the microfacies type and extension trend of sandbodies, which affects the understanding of reservoir formation and the deployment of development wells. Based on many core and thin section observations, as well as statistical analyzes of sandstone thickness and percentage of sandstone content from 1446 wells, we analyzed the coastal changes and control factors of the microfacies type, planar morphology and distribution of the Benxi Fm sandbodies in the field. The results indicate that the Benxi Fm of the Yanchang gas field is generally composed of terrigenous coastal clastic barrier deposits in a medium to small tidal range environment, but the wave action in the southern region is weak, forming typical barrier sandbars and backbarrier deposits. The wave actions in the north change more strongly, forming three major microfacies sandbodies: reworked barriers, shoals and incised valley filled tidal channels. The barrier sandbodies are arranged in a belt or bead-like pattern parallel to the shoreline and are distributed longshore near the provenance. The oval-shaped shoal sandbodies are dispersed further from the shoreline, and the filling of tidal channel sandbodies is controlled by ancient geomorphic grooves. This research has important guiding significance for the identification and evaluation of reservoirs in the Yanchang gas field and similar geological settings.
Cohesive approach for determining porosity and P-impedance in carbonate rocks using seismic attributes and inversion analysis
Authors: Bashir Yasir , Siddiqui Numair Ahmed , Morib Daniel Loro , Babasafari Amir Abbas , Ali Syed Haroon , Imran Qazi Sohail , Karaman Abdullah
Published: February 2024

The assessment of hydrocarbon flow through seismic and well-log data presents a persistent challenge in determining porosity. The acoustic impedance section provides a visual representation of the layers, while the raw seismic data showcase the subsurface reflectors that exist within the rock layers. The accuracy of acoustic impedance is widely acknowledged to surpass that of seismic data as a representation of reality. The primary objective of this study is to convert seismic reflector data into acoustic impedance values, which provide insights into the layer properties based on lithology. This approach enhances the accuracy of seismic inversion results by aligning them more closely with actual geological conditions. Seismic inversion is employed to ascertain the physical characteristics of the rock, including acoustic impedance and porosity. Carbonate reservoirs are recognised for their complex pore structures and heterogeneity, which present difficulties in their characterisation. The objective of this research is to predict the porosity and identify the reservoir within the dense carbonate reservoirs in Central Luconia, Sarawak. These objectives are achieved by employing a porosity and acoustic impedance cross-plot and improved precision and predictability through the integration of seismic attribute interpretation and deterministic seismic inversions. The uniqueness of our approach stems from the incorporation of various geophysical techniques to detect reservoirs that have hydrocarbon deposits. A correlation is observed between seismic inversion acoustic impedance and porosity within the zone of interest, indicating an estimated porosity range of 10–35%. The analysed area demonstrates the possibility of containing a hydrocarbon based on the observed relationship between porosity and impedance, as well as the outcomes of the inversion analysis.
A Methodology for the Rapid Qualification of Additively Manufactured Materials Based on Pore Defect Structures
Authors: Stopka Krzysztof S. , Desrosiers Andrew , Andreaco Amber , Sangid Michael D.
Published: February 2024

Additive manufacturing (AM) can create net or near-net-shaped components while simultaneously building the material microstructure, therefore closely coupling forming the material and shaping the part in contrast to traditional manufacturing with distinction between the two processes. While there are well-heralded benefits to AM, the widespread adoption of AM in fatigue-limited applications is hindered by defects such as porosity resulting from off-nominal process conditions. The vast number of AM process parameters and conditions make it challenging to capture variability in porosity that drives fatigue design allowables during qualification. Furthermore, geometric features such as overhangs and thin walls influence local heat conductivity and thereby impact local defects and microstructure. Consequently, qualifying AM material within parts in terms of material properties is not always a straightforward task. This article presents an approach for rapid qualification of AM fatigue-limited parts and includes three main aspects: (1) seeding pore defects of specific size, distribution, and morphology into AM specimens, (2) combining non-destructive and destructive techniques for material characterization and mechanical fatigue testing, and (3) conducting microstructure-based simulations of fatigue behavior resulting from specific pore defect and microstructure combinations. The proposed approach enables simulated data to be generated to validate and/or augment experimental fatigue data sets with the intent to reduce the number of tests needed and promote a more rapid route to AM material qualification. Additionally, this work suggests a closer coupling between material qualification and part certification for determining material properties at distinct regions within an AM part.
Target-user preferences, motivations, and acceptance for a dialectical behaviour therapy smartphone application for eating disorders
Authors: Anderson Cleo , Fuller-Tyszkiewicz Matthew , Messer Mariel , Linardon Jake
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Evidence shows that dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT) is efficacious for eating disorders (ED), yet few people have access to specialized treatments like DBT. Translating key DBT skills for delivery via a smartphone application may broaden the dissemination of evidence-based interventions. However, prior to developing a DBT-based app, it is crucial to gather information on target-user needs and preferences. Assessing overall acceptance and identifying predictors of acceptance, informed by the UTAUT framework, is also important. This process ensures not only a demand for such an app, but also that users receive content and features tailored to their needs.

Method

This study aimed to understand target-user preferences of DBT-based apps for EDs by assessing willingness to engage, overall acceptance levels, and preferred functionality/content delivery modes (n = 326 symptomatic participants).

Results

Eighty-eight percent indicated they would be willing to use a DBT-based ED app if it were available. Acceptance levels of a DBT app were high (64%), which was uniquely predicted by performance expectancy (perceptions of how beneficial an intervention is) and facilitating conditions (expectations of technological infrastructure and support in interventions) in path analysis. Content perceived as important to contain were emotion regulation techniques, tailored intervention strategies, and psychoeducation.

Conclusion

Findings generate important information about target-user preferences of a DBT-based app for EDs, highlighting necessary design principles for apps of this kind.

Level of evidence Level V, cross-sectional descriptive study.
Implementing perceptrons by means of water-based computing
Authors: Civiero Nicoló , Henderson Alec , Hinze Thomas , Nicolescu Radu , Zandron Claudio
Published: February 2024

Water-based computing emerged as a branch of membrane computing in which water tanks act as permeable membranes connected via pipes. Valves residing at the pipes control the flow of water in terms of processing rules. Resulting water tank systems provide a promising platform for exploration and for case studies of information processing by flow of liquid media like water. We first discuss the possibility of realizing a single layer neural network using tanks and pipes systems. Moreover, we discuss the possibility to create a multi-layer neural network, which could be used to solve more complex problems. Two different implementations are considered: in a first solution, the weight values of the connections between the network nodes are represented by tanks. This means that the network diagram includes multiplication structures between the weight tanks and the input tanks. The second solution aims at simplifying the network proposed in the previous implementation, by considering the possibility to modify the weight values associated to neuron by varying the diameter of the connecting pipes between the tanks. The multiplication structures are replaced with a timer that regulates the opening of the outlet valves of all the tanks. These two implementations can be compared to evaluate their efficiency, and considerations will be made regarding the simplicity of implementation.
„Social egg freezing“
Authors: Skala Christine , Theis Susanne
Published: February 2024

Beim „social egg freezing“ werden unbefruchtete Eizellen ohne medizinische Indikation kryokonserviert. Damit bleibt die Eizellqualität dem Alter bei Entnahme entsprechend erhalten und verändert sich nicht weiter. Durch die Anlage eines Eizelldepots lässt sich die Mutterschaft vom Lebensalter entkoppeln. Die Konsequenz daraus ist eine reproduktive Autonomie der Frau, deren Notwendigkeit sich aus sozialen, ökonomischen und psychologischen Gründen ergeben kann. Daran entzündet sich eine gesellschaftliche Debatte. Im folgenden Artikel werden die Vor- und Nachteile dargestellt. Obwohl die Nachfrage nach der Kryokonservierung von Eizellen steigt, bleibt die Abrufrate gering. Damit zeigt sich im Moment eine ungünstige Kosten-Nutzen-Relation. Dennoch hat das „social egg freezing“ seine Berechtigung. Es verschafft den Anwenderinnen Zeit, um das persönliche Leben für eine Elternschaft vorzubereiten. Um Maßnahmen der Reproduktionsmedizin für Frauen ohne medizinische Indikation überflüssig zu machen, müsste sich die Gesellschaft verändern. Dann darf eine Mutterschaft nicht mit beruflichen und sozialen Nachteilen vergesellschaftet sein.
Automatic edge app placement for personalized heart attack predictions
Authors: Upadrista Venkatesh , Nazir Sajid , Tianfield Huaglory
Published: February 2024

Edge computing brings data processing, analytics and storage closer to the source, but the major limitation of edge devices is that they have limited processing power and storage. Some have argued that cloud can be a solution to overcome the edge computing limitations. However, performing all tasks on the cloud introduces latency issues. Therefore, we need a solution that can use edge and cloud computing intelligently and interchangeable such that the merits of both can be utilized based on the specific scenario. Such a model has not been discussed in the literature so far which poses a very important limitation. We proposed a novel architecture that intelligently switches data processing between the cloud and edge just-in-time based on specific conditions, i.e., if a healthcare scenario demands low latency data are processed at the edge, otherwise data are automatically processed on the cloud. We illustrate this by creating an Automatic edge application to monitor high risk cardiovascular disease patients who are at the risk of heart attacks after a post-operative surgery. Low latency is very important while monitoring such patients and the application is built to automatically detect all such cases and performs heart attack predictions on the edge while other patients data is processing on the cloud. The experimental results have demonstrated that our application can automatically detect high risk cardiovascular disease patients and place their workloads on the edge which is a new and unique invention in the area of automated edge computing. We have also demonstrated that the data retrieval from the edge is 55% faster than the cloud thereby ensuring low latency with edge.
Scanning dial: the instantaneous audio classification transformer
Authors: Jiang Huawei , Mutahira Husna , Park Unsang , Muhammad Mannan Saeed
Published: February 2024

A number of remarkable accomplishments have been achieved in the field of audio classification using algorithms based on Transformers in recent years. As addressed in the literature, sound classification commonly involves the analysis of audio recordings that are usually five seconds or longer in duration. This raises a secondary question: Can Transformers effectively classify extremely short audio samples? The main objective of this study is to utilize the Transformer model for sound classification, focusing on extremely brief audio clips, with an average sound duration of $$1.24\times 10^{-2}$$

1.24
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10

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seconds, which is too short for human recognition. In addition, a new filter is developed to obtain an instantaneous audio dataset. This filter is applied individually to the ESC-50, UrbanSound8K, AESDD, ReaLISED and RAVDESS datasets to obtain corresponding instantaneous datasets. Moreover, a new data augmentation technique is introduced with the objective of increasing classification accuracy. A comparative analysis between the proposed scheme and the mainstream data augmentation methods is performed on the instantaneous audio datasets, resulting in accuracy rates of 94.16%, 96.40%, 70.98%, 89.28%, and 53.51%, respectively. This study has the main advantage of being able to classify sounds efficiently for extremely short audio duration.
Characterization and photodegradation of methylene blue dye using bio-synthesized cerium oxide nanoparticles with Spirulina platensis extract
Authors: Ali Mohamed H. H. , Abdelkarim Mohamad S. , Al-Afify Afify D. G.
Published: February 2024

Increasing concern about environmental pollution attracts researchers to develop eco-friendly, low-cost, and sustainable approaches for green biosynthesis of nanoparticles to overcome pollutants. This study focuses on the green synthesis of ceria NPs using Spirulinaplatensis extract as a stabilizing and reducing agent. Characterization measurements, such as optical properties, X-ray diffraction, SEM, TEM, and FT-IR spectroscopy, confirmed the successful synthesis of crystalline and stable ceria NPs with well-defined morphological features. The calculated bandgaps energy of pure ceria, green CeO2@Sp 2:1, and CeO2@Sp 1:1 were 3.3, 3.15, and 2.94 eV, respectively. The as-synthesized and green ceria NPs showed an excellent degradation efficacy of MB dye under UV irradiation. Furthermore, the green ceria NPs showed high photodegradation efficiency of MB dye (R% = 86.2 and 88.8%) than pure ceria (R% = 76.4%) at certain specific conditions (pH = 11, contact time = 90 min, catalyst dose = 0.3 g/L and MB dye initial concentration = 100 mg/L). The isothermal constants confirmed that the degradation of MB dye is well-fitted with the Freundlich isotherm model (R2 > 0.99) better than the Langmuir model (R2 < 0.8). The kinetics models revealed a rapid degradation rate of MB dye, which follows pseudo-second-order models with Ce values ranging from 83.33 to 89.29 mg/g, with R2 > 0.99. These results indicated the potential applicability and promising avenue for developing advanced ceria NPs for wastewater treatment applications.
Chemical Reactivity and Alteration of Pyrite Mineral in the Kubi Gold Concession in Ghana
Authors: Nzulu Gabriel K. , Högberg Hans , Eklund Per , Hultman Lars , Nude Prosper M. , Yaya Abu , Magnuson Martin
Published: February 2024

Pyrite is the most common among the group of sulfide minerals in the Earth and abundant in most geological settings. This gangue mineral in association with garnet, hematite, magnetite, and other sulfide minerals acts as an indicator mineral in the Kubi concession of the Asante Gold corporation in Ghana. X-ray diffraction (XRD), air annealing in a furnace, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were applied to investigate the crystal structure, identify individual elements, permanence, transformation, and chemical/electronic properties of such pyrite. The study aims to identify individual elements and to gain an understanding of the surface reaction mechanisms, as well as the properties of precipitated pyrite particles observed during the hydrothermal formation of the ore deposit. XRD shows that pristine and annealed samples contain some hematite and quartz besides pyrite. Results from air annealing indicate that the relationship between pyrite and hematite-magnetite is controlled by temperature. EDX reveals that the sample has O and C as contaminants, while XPS in addition reveals Ba, Au, P, Al, and N. These elements are attributed to pyrite that bonds metallically or covalently to neighboring ligands/impurity minerals such as oxides, chalcogenide sulfides, as well as the gangue alteration minerals of magnetite and hematite in the pyrite sample.

These findings suggest that during the hydrothermal flow regime, pyrite, pathfinder elements, and impurity minerals/metals were in contact with quartz minerals before undergoing hematite transformation, which thus becomes an indicator mineral in the Kubi gold concession.
High Thermoelectric Performance and Flexibility in Rationally Treated PEDOT:PSS Fiber Bundles
Authors: Wu Ting , Shi Xiao-Lei , Liu Wei-Di , Li Meng , Yue Fang , Huang Pei , Liu Qingfeng , Chen Zhi-Gang
Published: February 2024

Organic thermoelectric fibers have great potential as wearable thermoelectric textiles because of their one-dimensional structure and high flexibility. However, the insufficient thermoelectric performance, high fabrication cost, and mechanical fragility of most organic thermoelectric fibers significantly limit their practical applications. Here, we employ a rapid and cost-effective wet-spinning method to prepare dimethyl sulfoxide-doped poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) fiber bundles, followed by rational post-treatment with concentrated sulfuric acid (98% H2SO4) to enhance their thermoelectric performance. The wearable fiber bundles composed of multiple individual PEDOT:PSS fibers have effectively reduced resistance and overall high tensile strength and stability. Rational treatment with H2SO4 partially removes excessive PSS, thereby increasing the electrical conductivity to 4464 S cm‒1, while the parallel bundle is also a major factor in improving the power factor of up to 80.8 μW m‒1 K‒2, which is super-competitive compared with those of currently published studies. Besides, the thermoelectric device based on these fiber bundles exhibits high flexibility and promising output power of 2.25 nW at a temperature difference of 25 K. Our work provides insights into the fabrication of all-organic flexible high-conductivity textiles with high thermoelectric properties.

Graphical Abstract
Coastal lagoons of West Africa: a scoping study of environmental status and management challenges
Authors: Davies-Vollum K. Sian , Koomson Daniel , Raha Debadayita
Published: February 2024

Lagoons are a major coastal environment in West Africa. They provide a plethora of resources, ecosystem services and economic benefits yet a diverse set of inter-connected stressors are a challenge to their sustainability. A scoping study of the published literature pertaining to lagoons within the region was undertaken to reveal the nature of these stressors and identify gaps in knowledge, providing a resource to inform coastal management practices and reveal areas for future study. Thirty-one lagoons were identified from the scoping exercise covering Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Cote D’Ivoire, Liberia and Senegal. The DAPSI(W)R(M) framework was used to structure analysis of the literature and surface key environmental themes. Key drivers and activities established are the use of lagoon resources and expansion of lagoon settlements. The resultant identified pressures are waste, overuse of resources, and urban growth as well as climate change. Resultant stage changes are the degradation of water quality and ecosystems with impacts for the health of lagoon organisms and humans. Responses to changes were identified as a combination of punitive legislation, participatory management approaches and solutions focused on ecosystem restoration and engineering of the physical environment. Gaps identified include research on waste and aspects of climate change mitigation and adaptation. Also notable is a lack of multi- and interdisciplinary studies that address the inter-connecting stressors experienced at lagoons and studies of multiple lagoons. Studies also tend to be problem-focused with solutions rarely presented, limiting their applicability to inform management practices.
Neurolaw
Authors: Caruso Gregg D.
Published: February 2024

Neurolaw is an area of interdisciplinary research on the meaning and implications of neuroscience for the law and legal practices. This Element addresses the potential contributions of neuroscience, and the brain sciences more generally, to criminal justice decision-making and policy. It distinguishes between three different areas and domains of investigation in neurolaw: assessment, intervention, and revision. The first concerns brain-based assessments, which may be used for predicting future violence, lie detection, judging legal insanity, and the like. The second concerns potential treatments and other interventions that aim at rehabilitating criminals and/or preventing crime before it occurs. The third investigates the ways that neuroscience may impact the law by changing or revising commonsense views about human nature and the causes of human action.
Rethinking Corruption
Authors: Picci Lucio
Published: February 2024

Why have anti-corruption efforts often failed? Current thinking on corruption has largely overlooked the profound implications of its contested nature, which paradoxically makes it an effective yet highly dysfunctional 'tool of government.' As a tool of government, it helps execute policies and guarantees a degree of political order. Moreover, anti-corruption measures are wielded as political instruments, strategically embraced by governments and oppositions to further their respective agendas. Based on an analysis of Russia, Brazil and the United States, Rethinking Corruption takes a fresh look at corruption and critiques the prevailing view of anti-corruption policies. Embarking on a captivating journey through these countries, this book encompasses the notion of legal corruption and invites a comprehensive reconsideration of corruption, with a focal point on questions of economic and political equality.