bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extraction of essential oils from tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) and lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) using betaine‐based deep eutectic solvent (DES)
Authors: Mori Natsuki , Usuki Toyonobu
Published: May 2022

Introduction

The essential oils of tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) leaves mainly contain eucalyptol, α‐terpinene,
‐terpinene, and terpinen‐4‐ol and have anti‐bacterial, anti‐fungal, anti‐infective, and anti‐inflammatory actions. The essential oils of lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) leaves mainly contain neral, geranial, and geraniol and have anti‐microbial and anti‐fungal activities and hypocholesterolemic effect.

Objectives

The present study describes the use of low‐toxicity solvents called betaine‐based deep eutectic solvents (DESs) for efficient extraction of essential oils from tea tree and lemon grass. H2O and EtOH were used for extraction as control methods.

Methodology

Quantitative analysis was performed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) in selected ion monitoring mode. Scanning electron micrography (SEM) and antioxidant assays for extracted samples were also conducted.

Results

The results indicated that extraction for tea tree using betaine/sucrose (molar ratio 2:1) improved the yields of terpinolene and eucalyptol 2.5‐ and 1.9‐fold, respectively, compared with the control method. In lemon grass, extraction using betaine/sucrose (molar ratio 2:1) improved the yields of neral and geranial 1.9‐ and 1.7‐fold, respectively, compared with the control method.

Conclusion

These results demonstrated the effective extraction of essential oils from plant leaves under milder conditions than those needed for the conventional methods. The environmentally benign DESs for the extraction would be applicable to the food and cosmetic industries.
Ultrafast Porous Carbon Activation Promises High‐Energy Density Supercapacitors
Authors: Liu Zhedong , Duan Cunpeng , Dou Shuming , Yuan Qunyao , Xu Jie , Liu Wei‐Di , Chen Yanan
Published: May 2022

Activated porous carbons (APCs) are traditionally produced by heat treatment and KOH activation, where the production time can be as long as 2 h, and the produced activated porous carbons suffer from relatively low specific surface area and porosity. In this study, the fast high‐temperature shock (HTS) carbonization and HTS‐KOH activation method to synthesize activated porous carbons with high specific surface area of ≈843 m2 g‐1, is proposed. During the HTS process, the instant Joule heating (at a heating speed of ≈1100 K s‐1) with high temperature and rapid quenching can effectively produce abundant pores with homogeneous size‐distribution due to the instant melt of KOH into small droplets, which facilitates the interaction between carbon and KOH to form controllable, dense, and small pores. The as‐prepared HTS‐APC‐based supercapacitors deliver a high energy density of 25 Wh kg‐1 at a power density of 582 W kg‐1 in the EMIMBF4 ionic liquid. It is believed that the proposed HTS technique has created a new pathway for manufacturing activated porous carbons with largely enhanced energy density of supercapacitors, which can inspire the development of energy storage materials.
A Tandem Interfaced (Ni3S2‐MoS2)@TiO2 Composite Fabricated by Atomic Layer Deposition as Efficient HER Electrocatalyst
Authors: Guo Daying , Wan Zhixin , Fang Guoyong , Zhu Mengqi , Xi Bin
Published: May 2022

Reported herein is a highly active and durable hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalyst, which is constructed following a tandem interface strategy and functional in alkaline and even neutral medium (pH ≈ 7). The ternary composite material, consisting of conductive nickel foam (NF) substrate, Ni3S2‐MoS2 heterostructure, and TiO2 coating, is synthesized by the hydrothermal method and atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique. Representative results include: (1) versatile characterizations confirm the proposed composite structure and strong electronic interactions among comprised sulfide and oxide species; (2) the material outperforms commercial Pt/C by recording an overpotential of 115 mV and a Tafel slope of 67 mV dec−1 under neutral conditions. A long‐term stability in alkaline electrolytes up to 200 h and impressive overall water splitting behavior (1.56 V @ 10 mA cm−2) are documented; (3) implementation of ALD oxide tandem layer is crucial to realize the design concept with superior HER performance by modulating a variety of heterointerface and intermediates electronic structure.
An Adaptive Algorithm for Selling On‐Site Renewable Energy of Data Centers in Two Transaction Modes
Authors: Cao Wangzhang , Li Bin , Zheng Shunlin , Qi Bing , Sun Yi , Chen Songsong
Published: May 2022

The data center operator has diverse options to sell redundant energy generated by its on‐site renewable generators to obtain payoff, where options include the grid and surrounding consumers. Different options and combinations of options mean different transaction modes for the data center operator. However, current works mainly investigate the selling of renewable energy in a fixed transaction mode, which will lead to payoff loss of data center operator. To heighten the payoff of data center operator, this paper designs two frameworks to model two transaction modes (i.e., single‐channel transaction mode and dual‐channel transaction mode) based on the Stackelberg game, where the Stackelberg game is used to address the conflict of interest between data center operator and electric utility company. The Stackelberg equilibrium, the optimal payoff of the data center operator, in two transaction modes is derived. Based on the difference of calculated optimal payoff in two transaction modes, an algorithm is proposed to adaptively choose the transaction mode that can bring more payoff. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm is able to increase the payoff of the data center operator compared with that in fixed mode. © 2022 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Auswirkungen von imaginiertem Kontakt auf Einstellungen, Vorurteile, Intergruppenangst und Verhaltensabsichten deutscher Studierender gegenüber Gasthörenden mit Geflüchteten-Status
Authors: Genkova Petia , Hasse Louisa
Published: May 2022

Das vorliegende Kapitel stellt eine Querschnittsstudie vor, die den Einfluss von imaginiertem Kontakt auf Einstellungen, Vorurteile, Intergruppenangst und Verhaltensabsichten von deutschen Studierenden (N = 502) gegenüber Gasthörenden mit Geflüchteten Status untersucht. Auf Basis der Kontakthypothese ist anzunehmen, dass imaginierter Kontakt Veränderungen von Einstellungen und Verhaltensabsichten gegenüber Mitgliedern sozialer Outgroups anstoßen kann. Anhand eines Experiments wird die Wirksamkeit des imaginierten Kontaktes mittels Online-Instruktion untersucht. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass imaginierter Kontakt einerseits positive Verhaltensabsichten begünstigt andererseits Angst vor unangenehmen Interaktionssituationen, Intergruppenangst, verstärkt. Einstellungen und Vorurteile unterscheiden sich nicht zwischen Experimental- und Kontrollgruppe. Implikationen und Potenziale für weiterführende Forschung werden diskutiert.
Dualities from dualities: the sequential deconfinement technique
Authors: Bottini Lea E. , Hwang Chiung , Pasquetti Sara , Sacchi Matteo
Published: May 2022

Abstract

It is an interesting question whether a given infra-red duality between quantum field theories can be explained in terms of other more elementary dualities. For example recently it has been shown that mirror dualities can be obtained by iterative applications of Seiberg-like dualities. In this paper we continue this line of investigation focusing on theories with tensor matter. In such cases one can apply the idea of deconfinement, which consists of trading the tensor matter for extra gauge nodes by means of a suitable elementary duality. This gives an auxiliary dual frame which can then be manipulated with further dualizations, in an iterative procedure eventually yielding an interesting dual description of the original theory. The sequential deconfinement technique has avatars in different areas of mathematical physics, such as the study of hypergeometric and elliptic hypergeometric integral identities or of 2d free field correlators. We discuss various examples in the context 4d$$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 supersymmetric theories, which are related to elliptic hypergeometric integrals. These include a new self-duality involving a quiver theory which exhibits a non-trivial global symmetry enhancement to E6.
Dark sector as origin of light lepton mass and its phenomenology
Authors: Chiang Cheng-Wei , Obuchi Ryomei , Yagyu Kei
Published: May 2022

Abstract

We discuss a model with a dark sector, in which smallness of mass for charged leptons and neutrinos can naturally be explained by one-loop effects mediated by particles in the dark sector. These new particles, including dark matter candidates, also contribute to the anomalous magnetic dipole moment, denoted by (g − 2), for charged leptons. We show that our model can explain the muon (g − 2) anomaly and observed neutrino oscillations under the constraints from lepton flavor violating decays of charged leptons. We illustrate that the scenario with scalar dark matter is highly constrained by direct searches at the LHC, while that with fermionic dark matter allows for considering dark scalars with masses of order 100 GeV. Our scenario can be tested by a precise measurement of the muon Yukawa coupling as well as the direct production of dark scalar bosons at future electron-positron colliders.
One-loop corrections to the spectral action
Authors: van Nuland Teun D. H. , van Suijlekom Walter D.
Published: May 2022

Abstract

We analyze the perturbative quantization of the spectral action in noncommutative geometry and establish its one-loop renormalizability in a generalized sense, while staying within the spectral framework of noncommutative geometry. Our result is based on the perturbative expansion of the spectral action in terms of higher Yang-Mills and Chern-Simons forms. In the spirit of random noncommutative geometries, we consider the path integral over matrix fluctuations around a fixed noncommutative gauge background and show that the corresponding one-loop counterterms are of the same form so that they can be safely subtracted from the spectral action. A crucial role will be played by the appropriate Ward identities, allowing for a fully spectral formulation of the quantum theory at one loop.
How to classify, diagnose, treat and follow-up extragonadal germ cell tumors? A systematic review of available evidence
Authors: Winter Christian , Zengerling Friedemann , Busch Jonas , Heinzelbecker Julia , Pfister David , Ruf Christian , Lackner Julia , Albers Peter , Kliesch Sabine , Schmidt Stefanie , Bokemeyer Carsten
Published: May 2022

Purpose

To present the current evidence and the development of studies in recent years on the management of extragonadal germ cell tumors (EGCT).

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted in Medline and the Cochrane Library. Studies within the search period (January 2010 to February 2021) that addressed the classification, diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and follow-up of extragonadal tumors were included. Risk of bias was assessed and relevant data were extracted in evidence tables.

Results

The systematic search identified nine studies. Germ cell tumors (GCT) arise predominantly from within the testis, but about 5% of the tumors are primarily located extragonadal. EGCT are localized primarily mediastinal or retroperitoneal in the midline of the body. EGCT patients are classified according to the IGCCCG classification. Consecutively, all mediastinal non-seminomatous EGCT patients belong to the “poor prognosis” group. In contrast mediastinal seminoma and both retroperitoneal seminoma and non-seminoma patients seem to have a similar prognosis as patients with gonadal GCTs and metastasis at theses respective sites. The standard chemotherapy regimen for patients with a EGCT consists of 3–4 cycles (good vs intermediate prognosis) of bleomycin, etoposid, cisplatin (BEP); however, due to their very poor prognosis patients with non-seminomatous mediastinal GCT should receive a dose-intensified or high-dose chemotherapy approach upfront on an individual basis and should thus be referred to expert centers Ifosfamide may be exchanged for bleomycin in cases of additional pulmonary metastasis due to subsequently planned resections. In general patients with non-seminomatous EGCT, residual tumor resection (RTR) should be performed after chemotherapy.

Conclusion

In general, non-seminomatous EGCT have a poorer prognosis compared to testicular GCT, while seminomatous EGGCT seem to have a similar prognosis to patients with metastatic testicular seminoma. The current insights on EGCT are limited, since all data are mainly based on case series and studies with small patient numbers and non-comparative studies. In general, systemic treatment should be performed like in testicular metastatic GCTs but upfront dose intensification of chemotherapy should be considered for mediastinal non-seminoma patients. Thus, EGCT should be referred to interdisciplinary centers with utmost experience in the treatment of germ cell tumors.
Interdisziplinäre Notaufnahme: Geben Symptome und Zuweisungsweg Auskunft über den Bettenbedarf?
Authors: Völk Stefanie , Koedel Uwe , Pedersen Vera , Weiglein Tobias , Klein Matthias
Published: May 2022

Hintergrund

Das größte Nadelöhr in der Patientenbehandlung in der Notaufnahme ist meist die stationäre Bettenkapazität bei stationärer Aufnahmeindikation des Patienten. Im Gegensatz zu den interdisziplinären Notaufnahmen sind die aufnehmenden Kliniken meist fachspezifisch organisiert. Ziel unserer Studie ist es, den Bedarf an Betten bei Patienten in der zentralen Notaufnahme in Abhängigkeit von Zuweisungsweg und zu Clustern zugeteilten Symptomen zu erfassen.

Methoden

Retrospektiv wurden Daten aller Patienten, die sich innerhalb von drei Jahren in der Notaufnahme am Klinikum Großhadern vorstellten (n = 113.693) analysiert.

Ergebnisse

Die meisten Patienten wurden mit Symptomen aus den Bereichen Innere Medizin (28 %), Unfallchirurgie (24 %) und Neurologie (15 %) behandelt, gefolgt von Allgemeinchirurgie (11 %), HNO (7 %), Urologie (5 %), Orthopädie (5 %), Gynäkologie (3 %) und Neurochirurgie (2 %). Patienten, die über den Rettungsdienst vorgestellt wurden, mussten am häufigsten (67 %) aufgenommen werden, verglichen mit Zuweisungen über niedergelassene Ärzte (47 %) und Selbstzuweisungen (23 %). Am häufigsten stationär und auf Intensivstation aufgenommen wurden zudem Patienten mit Symptomen, die auf ein neurochirurgisches (69 % stationär, davon 12 % auf Intensivstation), internistisches (56 %; 5 %) oder neurologisches (46 %; 4 %) Krankheitsbild hinwiesen.

Diskussion

Unsere Daten legen nahe, dass Zuweisungsweg und fachspezifische Symptomzuordnung bei Patienten einer interdisziplinären Notaufnahme zu einer frühzeitigen Abschätzung der im Verlauf benötigten stationären Ressourcen beitragen können.
A survey on the use of association rules mining techniques in textual social media
Authors: Diaz-Garcia Jose A. , Ruiz M. Dolores , Martin-Bautista Maria J.
Published: May 2022

The incursion of social media in our lives has been much accentuated in the last decade. This has led to a multiplication of data mining tools aimed at obtaining knowledge from these data sources. One of the greatest challenges in this area is to be able to obtain this knowledge without the need for training processes, which requires structured information and pre-labelled datasets. This is where unsupervised data mining techniques come in. These techniques can obtain value from these unstructured and unlabelled data, providing very interesting solutions to enhance the decision-making process. In this paper, we first address the problem of social media mining, as well as the need for unsupervised techniques, in particular association rules, for its treatment. We follow with a broad overview of the applications of association rules in the domain of social media mining, specifically, their application to the problems of mining textual entities, such as tweets. We also focus on the strengths and weaknesses of using association rules for solving different tasks in textual social media. Finally, the paper provides a perspective overview of the challenges that association rules must face in the next decade within the field of social media mining.
The Personal is the Political: Internet Filtering and Counter Appropriation in the Islamic Republic of Iran
Authors: Wulf Volker , Randall Dave , Aal Konstantin , Rohde Markus
Published: May 2022

Issues of trust, privacy and security at the intersection of state intervention and the use of the internet both by ‘publics’ and by individuals for—from the State’s point of view- dispreferred purposes have been of great recent interest to researchers. This has been accompanied by a slowly developing concern for the way in which these issues pan out for people in non-Western cultures. Based on a study of Iranians living in urban centers, we examine the way in which culture, State institutions, technological infrastructure and practices intersect. Iran is a republic with a theocratic constitution and relatively strict regulation of private life. It has one of the highest rates of internet appropriation and social media use in the MENA region, but use is heavily mediated by state interventions, for instance the filtering of sites such as Facebook and Twitter. We show how young Iranians, due to restrictions on their private lives, learn from early age on to deal with illegal access techniques such as proxy servers and virtual private networks (VPNs). These access technologies are often used for private purposes such as contacting and meeting other genders. However, these capabilities become even more important when preparing to leave the country or to articulate their political dissatisfaction, specifically at moments of political unrest. We discuss and develop the concept of ‘counter-appropriation’ and the ‘counter-public’ to describe the practices of urban dwellers in circumventing increasingly more sophisticated intervention by the state security apparatus.
Linguistic Radicalisation of Right-Wing and Salafi Jihadist Groups in Social Media: a Corpus-Driven Lexicometric Analysis
Authors: Müller Pia , Harrendorf Stefan , Mischler Antonia
Published: May 2022

Social media groups, for example on Facebook, WhatsApp or Telegram, allow for direct exchange, communication and interaction, as well as networking of different individuals worldwide. Such groups are also used to spread propaganda and thus allow for self-radicalisation or mutual radicalisation of their members. The article reports selected results from a research project analysing online communication processes of extremist groups. Based on data from group discussions in social media, corpus linguistic analyses were carried out, examining quantitative relationships between individual lexical elements and occurring regularities. To this end, four different corpora were built. These consist of data collected in right-wing and Salafi jihadist groups of a low or medium radicalisation level on Facebook and VKontakte via fake profiles, and of group communication in forums, messenger apps and social networks of highly radicalised persons, which were extracted from files of (e.g. terrorism) cases prosecuted in Germany. Quantitative linguistic analyses of social media data continue to be challenging due to the heterogeneity of the data as well as orthographic and grammatical errors. Nevertheless, it was possible to identify phenomenon specific sociolects that point to different levels of linguistic radicalisation. Based on the results of the analyses, the article discusses the prospects, problems and pitfalls of lexicometric analyses of online communication, especially as a tool for understanding radicalisation processes.
Investigation of metal mobility in gold and silver mine tailings by single-step and sequential extractions
Authors: Kumkrong Paramee , Dy Eben , Tyo Daniel D. , Jiang Cindy , Gedara Pihilligawa Indu , Kingston David , Mercier Patrick H. J.
Published: May 2022

Metal leachate from mine tailings has the potential to release toxic metals into the surrounding environment. A single-step extraction procedure mimicking rainwater and a three-step BCR sequential extraction procedure (acid, reducing and oxidizing conditions) were applied to gold (GMT) and silver (SMT) mine tailings. Major (Al, Ca, Fe, Mg, and Mn) and trace metals were monitored to better understand the mobility and geochemistry of these metals when exposed to various environmental leaching conditions. Rainwater extraction released only small quantities of metals, while the three-step BCR extraction was more effective in mobilizing metals from the tailings. Under the acidic conditions of BCR step 1, Ca, Mg, Cd, Cu, and Mn were released in high concentrations. The dissolution of Fe, Ca, and Mg were dominant along with Pb in step 2 (reducing conditions). In step 3 (oxidizing conditions), Fe was the most dominant species together with Co, Cu, Ni, and Se. A high fraction of Al, Be, Cr, Li, Mo, Sb, Tl, and V remained in the residue. From SMT, larger quantities of As, Ca, Cd, and Zn were released compared to GMT. The BCR extraction could be applied to tailings to predict the potential release of toxic metals from mine wastes; however, excessive amounts of Ca and Fe in the tailings could cause carry-overs and incomplete extraction and carry-overs, resulting in a misinterpretation of results.
The current state of eDNA research in freshwater ecosystems: are we shifting from the developmental phase to standard application in biomonitoring?
Authors: Schenekar Tamara
Published: May 2022

Environmental DNA (eDNA) has seen a massive increase in application in freshwater systems with a concurrent growth in protocol developments and a drive to gain a better understanding of the ‘ecology’ of eDNA. This raises the question of whether we are currently still in an early, developmental phase of eDNA-based assessments or already transitioning into a more applied stage for biomonitoring. I conducted a systematic literature review on 381 eDNA-focused studies in freshwater systems targeting macro-organisms over the last 5 years, assessing study goals, methods, target systems and taxa and study design aspects. The results show an increase of biomonitoring-focused studies throughout the years, while the fraction of studies investigating the ‘ecology’ of eDNA decreased. The application of metabarcoding significantly increased while studies applying qPCRs tentatively declined. A geographic inequality was observed concerning study numbers and study goals biased towards the global North. Descriptive studies increased, but the fraction of in-field studies and studies applying eDNA and conventional methods combined revealed no trend. These results show a shift towards application-focused work for eDNA-based assessments but also reveal this field to still be developing. In this transitional phase, practitioners need to ensure consistency and data comparability for long-term monitoring programmes.
‘Dubai’ as a Place of Memory in Malayalam Cinema
Authors: Karinkurayil Mohamed Shafeeq
Published: May 2022

This paper is an exploration of cinematic memory as a resource for remembering large-scale Keralan migration to the Gulf since the late 1960s. The south Indian state of Kerala, which predominantly speaks Malayalam, is a major contributor to the migrant labour force in the Gulf region for the last five decades. However, until recently, the migrant figured in the public discourse of Kerala as an economic agent alone. There has been increasing instances of memorialising the Gulf in the Malayalam public sphere since the beginning of the 2000s which brings to light the subjective aspects of the Gulf migration. However, what is lost in these accounts is the simultaneity and interlinked nature of the two places. Cinema, on the other hand, offers resources to inscribe the mutuality of the two places in the collective memory of Kerala. Invoking Pierre Nora’s concept of places of memory, the paper looks at cinematic renditions of ‘Dubai’ as one such site of memory in the present when the image of Dubai and the profile of Keralan migrant has undergone a shift. Taking the example of one Malayalam film, Pathemari (Salim Ahamed, 2015), and tracing its cinematic genealogy, this paper analyses the ways in which ‘Dubai’ is remembered and how this remembrance inscribes the Gulf as part of the collective memory of Kerala. The paper identifies the persistence of filmed space, intertextuality, and the archivality of the star body as the modes in which cinematic memory achieves this collective memorialisation. The mutuality between Kerala and Dubai, offered by cinematic memory, allows it to be an act of affective citizenship on the part of the migrants, i.e. embodied and sensorial acts of claiming the universal right to have rights.
Fabrication on the microscale: a two-photon polymerized device for oocyte microinjection
Authors: Yagoub Suliman H. , Thompson Jeremy G. , Orth Antony , Dholakia Kishan , Gibson Brant C. , Dunning Kylie R.
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) addresses male sub-fertility by injecting a spermatozoon into the oocyte. This challenging procedure requires the use of dual micromanipulators, with success influenced by inter-operator expertise. We hypothesized that minimizing oocyte handling during ICSI will simplify the procedure. To address this, we designed and fabricated a micrometer scale device that houses the oocyte and requires only one micromanipulator for microinjection.

Methods

The device consisted of 2 components, each of sub-cubic millimeter volume: aPodand aGarage.These were fabricated using 2-photon polymerization. Toxicity was evaluated by culturing single-mouse presumptive zygotes (PZs) to the blastocyst stage within a Pod, with several Pods (and embryos) docked in a Garage. The development was compared to standard culture. The level of DNA damage/repair in resultant blastocysts was quantified (γH2A.X immunohistochemistry). To demonstrate the capability to carry out ICSI within the device, PZs were microinjected with 4-μm fluorescent microspheres and cultured to the blastocyst stage. Finally, the device was assessed for oocyte traceability and high-throughput microinjection capabilities and compared to standard microinjection practice using key parameters (pipette setup, holding then injecting oocytes).

Results

Compared to standard culture, embryo culture within Pods and a Garage showed no differences in development to the blastocyst stage or levels of DNA damage in resultant blastocysts. Furthermore, microinjection within our device removes the need for a holding pipette, improves traceability, and facilitates high-throughput microinjection.

Conclusion

This novel device could improve embryo production following ICSI by simplifying the procedure and thus decreasing inter-operator variability.
Explainable Artificial Intelligence in Data Science
Authors: Borrego-Díaz Joaquín , Galán-Páez Juan
Published: May 2022

A widespread need to explain the behavior and outcomes of AI-based systems has emerged, due to their ubiquitous presence. Thus, providing renewed momentum to the relatively new research area of eXplainable AI (XAI). Nowadays, the importance of XAI lies in the fact that the increasing control transference to this kind of system for decision making -or, at least, its use for assisting executive stakeholders- already affects many sensitive realms (as in Politics, Social Sciences, or Law). The decision-making power handover to opaque AI systems makes mandatory explaining those, primarily in application scenarios where the stakeholders are unaware of both the high technology applied and the basic principles governing the technological solutions. The issue should not be reduced to a merely technical problem; the explainer would be compelled to transmit richer knowledge about the system (including its role within the informational ecosystem where he/she works). To achieve such an aim, the explainer could exploit, if necessary, practices from other scientific and humanistic areas. The first aim of the paper is to emphasize and justify the need for a multidisciplinary approach that is beneficiated from part of the scientific and philosophical corpus on Explaining, underscoring the particular nuances of the issue within the field of Data Science. The second objective is to develop some arguments justifying the authors’ bet by a more relevant role of ideas inspired by, on the one hand, formal techniques from Knowledge Representation and Reasoning, and on the other hand, the modeling of human reasoning when facing the explanation. This way, explaining modeling practices would seek a sound balance between the pure technical justification and the explainer-explainee agreement.
Improving the patient-reported outcome sections of clinical trial protocols: a mixed methods evaluation of educational workshops
Authors: King Madeleine T. , Tait Margaret-Ann , Campbell Rachel , Müller Fabiola , Rutherford Claudia , Beckmore Corinna , Chima Sophie , Langbecker Danette , Shaw Joanne , Mercieca-Bebber Rebecca
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Failure to incorporate key patient-reported outcome (PRO) content in trial protocols affects the quality and interpretability of the collected data, contributing to research waste. Our group developed evidence-based training specifically addressing PRO components of protocols. We aimed to assess whether 2-day educational workshops improved the PRO completeness of protocols against consensus-based minimum standards provided in the SPIRIT-PRO Extension in 2018.

Method

Annual workshops were conducted 2011–2017. Participants were investigators/trialists from cancer clinical trials groups. Although developed before 2018, workshops covered 15/16 SPIRIT-PRO items. Participant feedback immediately post-workshop and, retrospectively, in November 2017 was summarised descriptively. Protocols were evaluated against SPIRIT-PRO by two independent raters for workshop protocols (developed post-workshop by participants) and control protocols (contemporaneous non-workshop protocols). SPIRIT-PRO items were assessed for completeness (0 = not addressed, 10 = fully addressed). Mann–Whitney U tests assessed whether workshop protocols scored higher than controls by item and overall.

Results

Participants (n = 107) evaluated the workshop positively. In 2017, 16/41 survey responders (39%) reported never applying in practice; barriers included role restrictions (14/41, 34%) and lack of time (5/41, 12%). SPIRIT-PRO overall scores did not differ between workshop (n = 13, median = 3.81/10, interquartile range = 3.24) and control protocols (n = 9, 3.51/10 (2.14)), (p = 0.35). Workshop protocols scored higher than controls on two items: ‘specify PRO concepts/domains’ (p = 0.05); ‘methods for handling missing data’ (p = 0.044).

Conclusion

Although participants were highly satisfied with these workshops, the completeness of PRO protocol content generally did not improve. Additional knowledge translation efforts are needed to assist protocol writers address SPIRIT-PRO guidance and avoid research waste that may eventuate from sub-optimal PRO protocol content.
Statistical significance and its critics: practicing damaging science, or damaging scientific practice?
Authors: Mayo Deborah G. , Hand David
Published: May 2022

While the common procedure of statistical significance testing and its accompanying concept of p-values have long been surrounded by controversy, renewed concern has been triggered by the replication crisis in science. Many blame statistical significance tests themselves, and some regard them as sufficiently damaging to scientific practice as to warrant being abandoned. We take a contrary position, arguing that the central criticisms arise from misunderstanding and misusing the statistical tools, and that in fact the purported remedies themselves risk damaging science. We argue that banning the use of p-value thresholds in interpreting data does not diminish but rather exacerbates data-dredging and biasing selection effects. If an account cannot specify outcomes that will not be allowed to count as evidence for a claim—if all thresholds are abandoned—then there is no test of that claim. The contributions of this paper are: To explain the rival statistical philosophies underlying the ongoing controversy; To elucidate and reinterpret statistical significance tests, and explain how this reinterpretation ameliorates common misuses and misinterpretations; To argue why recent recommendations to replace, abandon, or retire statistical significance undermine a central function of statistics in science: to test whether observed patterns in the data are genuine or due to background variability.
Siphoderina hustoni n. sp. (Platyhelminthes: Trematoda: Cryptogonimidae) from the Maori snapper Lutjanus rivulatus (Cuvier) on the Great Barrier Reef
Authors: Martin Storm B. , Cutmore Scott C.
Published: May 2022

A new cryptogonimid trematode, Siphoderina hustonin. sp., is reported, collected off Lizard Island, Queensland, Australia, from the Maori snapper Lutjanus rivulatus (Cuvier). The new species is moderately distinctive within the genus. It is larger and more elongate than most other species of Siphoderina Manter, 1934, has the shortest forebody of any, a relatively large ventral sucker, a long post-testicular zone, and is perhaps most recognisable for the substantial space in the midbody between the ventral sucker and ovary devoid of uterine coils and vitelline follicles, the former being restricted to largely posterior to the ovary and the latter distributed from the level of the anterior testis to the level of the ovary. In phylogenetic analyses of 28S ribosomal DNA, the new species resolved with the other nine species of Siphoderina for which sequence data are available, all of which are from Queensland waters and from lutjanid and haemulid fishes. Molecular barcode data were also generated, for the ITS2 ribosomal DNA and cox1 mitochondrial DNA markers. The new species is the first cryptogonimid known from L. rivulatus and the first metazoan parasite reported from that fish in Australian waters.
Edge computing empowered anomaly detection framework with dynamic insertion and deletion schemes on data streams
Authors: Xiang Haolong , Zhang Xuyun
Published: May 2022

Anomaly detection plays a crucial role in many Internet of Things (IoT) applications such as traffic anomaly detection for smart transportation and medical diagnosis for smart healthcare. With the explosion of IoT data, anomaly detection on data streams raises higher requirements for real-time response and strong robustness on large-scale data arriving at the same time and various application fields. However, existing methods are either slow or application-specific. Inspired by the edge computing and generic anomaly detection technique, we propose an isolation forest based framework with dynamic Insertion and Deletion schemes (IDForest), which can incrementally update the forest to detect anomalies on data streams. Besides, IDForest is deployed on edge servers in parallel through packing each tree into a subtask, which facilitates the fast anomaly detection on data streams. Extensive experiments on both synthetic and real-life datasets demonstrate the efficiency and robustness of our framework for anomaly detection.
Effect of Temperature on Sliding Wear Behavior of Ti-6Al-4V Alloy Processed by Powder Bed Fusion Additive Manufacturing Techniques
Authors: Li Hua , Chen Zhan Wen , Ramezani Maziar
Published: May 2022

Ti-6Al-4V is suitable for powder bed fusion additive manufacturing processes; however, until now, limited studies are conducted to investigate the high temperature tribological performance of Ti-6Al-4V samples made by selective laser melting (SLM) and electron beam melting (EBM) techniques. This paper investigated dry sliding wear resistance of Ti-6Al-4V alloy manufactured by SLM, EBM and conventional processes at elevated temperatures up to 600 °C in contact with WC-Co. Linear reciprocating sliding wear tests were carried out under different applied loads and temperatures, and different wear mechanisms were identified and related to the manufacturing technique. Deviations of wear track width measurements indicated shape irregularly, which has been presented and discussed by SEM images of the wear tracks. Energy-dispersive x-ray analysis of surface layer showed how increasing temperature affects the surface oxide layer and debris. The results showed that for all three types of samples, the oxygen richer oxide debris layer at higher temperatures provided a protective layer with higher wear resistance, although strength and hardness of Ti-6Al-4V are lower at a higher temperatures. So, the combination of these two effects results in no significant effect of temperature on wear rate.
Toward memristive in-memory computing: principles and applications
Authors: Bao Han , Zhou Houji , Li Jiancong , Pei Huaizhi , Tian Jing , Yang Ling , Ren Shengguang , Tong Shaoqin , Li Yi , He Yuhui , Chen Jia , Cai Yimao , Wu Huaqiang , Liu Qi , Wan Qing , Miao Xiangshui
Published: May 2022

With the rapid growth of computer science and big data, the traditional von Neumann architecture suffers the aggravating data communication costs due to the separated structure of the processing units and memories. Memristive in-memory computing paradigm is considered as a prominent candidate to address these issues, and plentiful applications have been demonstrated and verified. These applications can be broadly categorized into two major types: soft computing that can tolerant uncertain and imprecise results, and hard computing that emphasizes explicit and precise numerical results for each task, leading to different requirements on the computational accuracies and the corresponding hardware solutions. In this review, we conduct a thorough survey of the recent advances of memristive in-memory computing applications, both on the soft computing type that focuses on artificial neural networks and other machine learning algorithms, and the hard computing type that includes scientific computing and digital image processing. At the end of the review, we discuss the remaining challenges and future opportunities of memristive in-memory computing in the incoming Artificial Intelligence of Things era.

Graphical Abstract
Performance indicators of water supply network of Goma Township in the Democratic Republic of Congo: a tripartite assessment
Authors: Ciraane Utashi Docile , Mutua Benedict Mwavu , Abdelbaki Chérifa , Boumazzza Tarek
Published: May 2022

In Goma Township, the water supply system has become ineffective and insufficient against the background of an increasing population with high water demand. A study was therefore carried out to assess the water supply network of Goma Township using three performances indicators with a view to proposing possible solutions to the existing water supply challenges. The methodology involved the assessment and evaluation of the water production, the physical characteristics, and the hydraulic characteristics of the current water supply network. The research utilized secondary data comprising technical reports from review of the literature, GIS data sets, and a database of the existing network converted into an EPANET model to assess its performances. The results generally showed a low performance of the current water supply system (production capacity: 11%, hydraulic characteristic: 33%, physical characteristic: 71%) mainly related to the water demand which has outpaced the water supply capacity and several design issues. The methodology used in this study and the results obtained can be used not only for Goma Township but also by other Sub-Saharan African cities in order to solve the urban water supply crisis.
Extreme solar events
Authors: Cliver Edward W. , Schrijver Carolus J. , Shibata Kazunari , Usoskin Ilya G.
Published: May 2022

We trace the evolution of research on extreme solar and solar-terrestrial events from the 1859 Carrington event to the rapid development of the last twenty years. Our focus is on the largest observed/inferred/theoretical cases of sunspot groups, flares on the Sun and Sun-like stars, coronal mass ejections, solar proton events, and geomagnetic storms. The reviewed studies are based on modern observations, historical or long-term data including the auroral and cosmogenic radionuclide record, and Kepler observations of Sun-like stars. We compile a table of 100- and 1000-year events based on occurrence frequency distributions for the space weather phenomena listed above. Questions considered include the Sun-like nature of superflare stars and the existence of impactful but unpredictable solar "black swans" and extreme "dragon king" solar phenomena that can involve different physics from that operating in events which are merely large.
Beteiligung von Grundschulkindern im Kunstunterricht des zweiten Schuljahres. Zur Bedeutung von individuellen Voraussetzungen und den drei Basisdimensionen der Unterrichtsqualität für die Quantität und Qualität der Beiträge von Lernenden
Authors: Hess Miriam , Denn Ann-Katrin , Lipowsky Frank
Published: May 2022

Angebots-Nutzungs-Modelle werden vielfach zur Konzeptualisierung der Determinanten und Wirkungen von Unterricht herangezogen. Dabei wird die Nutzungsseite in verschiedenen Modellvarianten unterschiedlich definiert und insgesamt in empirischen Studien vergleichsweise selten spezifisch betrachtet. Der vorliegende Beitrag fokussiert daher auf folgende übergeordnete Frage: Inwiefern stehen die Häufigkeit und die Art der verbalen Beteiligung von Lernenden im Kunstunterricht des zweiten Schuljahres als ausgewählte Facetten der Nutzung mit individuellen Lernvoraussetzungen und der Qualität des Unterrichtsangebots in Beziehung? Die Ergebnisse von Regressionsanalysen (N = 33 Klassen) zeigen, dass in Klassen mit einer positiv beurteilten Klassenführung insgesamt weniger Meldungen vorkommen, dass die Beiträge der Lernenden bei einer guten Klassenführung aber häufiger neue Ideen enthalten. Zu den ausgewählten individuellen Voraussetzungen der Lernenden finden sich nur wenige und eher geringe Zusammenhänge. Die Ergebnisse werden auch vor dem Hintergrund diskutiert, ob und inwiefern die Beteiligung von Lernenden am Unterrichtsgespräch tatsächlich als Facette der Nutzung des Unterrichtsangebots konzeptualisiert werden kann.
An analytical approach to design horns and boosters of ultrasonic welding machines
Authors: Yazdian Amir , Karafi Mohammad Reza
Published: May 2022

This paper presents a new design approach for two main components of an ultrasonic plastic welding machine, booster and horn, based on an analytical model. The design procedure is developed due to the lack of a comprehensive and precise analytical model for rapid design and analysis of these components. The previous analytical models use the one-dimensional wave equation that causes significant errors in designing components with large lateral dimensions. Three-dimensional vibrations are considered for developing an analytical model using the apparent elasticity method. In this way, longitudinal frequency equations are coupled with radial frequency equations by mechanical coupling coefficients. Also, the damping of materials is taken into account. The model can be adapted to calculate the resonant length of the components or calculate the resonant frequency. To verify the model, the results are compared to a numerical simulation. The difference between analytical and numerical resonance frequency is less than 0.02%. Moreover, an experimental modal analysis is performed, which shows 0.9% error with analytical results.

Article highlights

A new design approach for boosters and horns has been developed based on an analytical model.

Three-dimensional vibrations are considered in the model using the apparent elasticity method.

The accuracy of calculating resonant frequencies is more than one-dimensional design method.
Investigating the strength, hydraulic conductivity, and durability of the CSG (cemented sand-gravel) check dams: a case study in Iran
Authors: Farshbaf Aghajani Hamed , Soltani-Jigheh Hossein , Salimi Mohammad , Karimi Sina , Estekanchi Vahid , Akbarzadeh Ahari Reza
Published: May 2022

This paper aims to find a proper admixture of the cemented sand-gravel (CSG) material for constructing a hardfill embankment located in cold weather. To this end, the compaction, strength, permeability of the cemented sand-gravel mixtures with cement contents of 5, 7.5, 10, and 12.5% are experimentally studied. Besides, the freeze–thaw durability of native grains of the soil and stabilizing soil is examined. According to the test results, even though the compaction specifications of all mixtures do not considerably depend on the cement content, however the cement content in the mixture significantly influences the compressive strength, stiffness, and permeability of mixtures. The soil aggregates inherently have high water absorption and are thus severely fractured after 50 cycles of freeze–thaw. After stabilizing the soil grains with cement, the freeze–thaw durability of the cemented soil mixture is considerably improved, and the weight loss of all mixtures becomes less than 5% after 12 cycles of freeze–thaw. However, the freeze–thaw cycles reduce the mixture strength up to 40% in comparison with the intact mixture. The analysis of scanning electron microscope images implies that four factors including disintegration of the calcium-silicate-hydration complex, imposing new porosity, releasing interlayered water, and establishing the secondary ettringite are the main reasons for strength reduction of the cemented sand-gravel mixtures after encountering the freeze–thaw cycles which have not been observed in the previous researches.
A Pedagogy of Digital Materiality: Integrated Design and Robotic Fabrication Projects of the Master of Advanced Studies in Architecture and Digital Fabrication
Authors: Jenny David , Mayer Hannes , Aejmelaeus-Lindström Petrus , Gramazio Fabio , Kohler Matthias
Published: May 2022

This paper illustrates the pedagogical approach to teaching computational design and digital fabrication in the Master of Advanced Studies in Architecture and Digital Fabrication. It demonstrates how the introduction of computational design and digital fabrication methods foster a holistic approach to integrate novel material and constructive systems into the design process. Such an integration allows the students to combine digital fabrication techniques with sustainable material processes, taking into account the questions of reversibility, recycling and reuse, and thus designing for a more sustainable construction. In the presented paper, the structure and the curriculum of the MAS programme is introduced and the pedagogical approach of the Integrated Design and Robotic Fabrication Project is demonstrated through four case studies, highlighting their respective teaching strategies in combination with the learning experiences of the students.