bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analytic Morphomics in Myositis-Related Interstitial Lung Disease
Authors: O’Mahony Alexander T. , Henry Patrick J. , Coghlan Patrick , Waldron Michael , Crowley Claire , Ryan David , Moore Niamh , Bennett Deirdre M. , O’Connor Owen J. , Maher Michael M. , Henry Michael T.
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is the most common non-musculoskeletal manifestation of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM). Identification of body composition change may enable early intervention to improve prognosis. We investigated muscle quantity and quality derived from cross-sectional imaging in IIM, and its relationship to ILD severity.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study assessing IIM of ILD patients (n = 31) was conducted. Two datasets separated in time were collected, containing demographics, biochemical data, pulmonary function testing and thoracic CT data. Morphomic analysis of muscle quantity (cross-sectional area) and quality (density in Hounsfield Units) on thoracic CT were analysed utilising a web-based tool allowing segmentation of muscle and fat. Bilateral erector spinae and pectoralis muscle (ESM&PM) were measured at defined vertebral levels.

Results

FVC and DLCO decreased but within acceptable limits of treatment response (FVC: 83.7–78.7%, p < 0.05, DLCO 63.4–60.6%, p < 0.05). The cross-sectional area of the PM and ESM increased (PM: 39.8 to 40.7 cm2, p = 0.491; ESM: 35.2 to 39.5 cm2, p = 0.098). Density significantly fell for both the PM and ESM (PM: 35.3–31 HU, p < 0.05; ESM: 38–33.7, p < 0.05). Subcutaneous fat area increased from 103.9 to 136.1 cm2 (p < 0.05), while the visceral fat area increased but not reaching statistical significance. The change in PM density between time points demonstrated an inverse correlation with DLCO (p < 0.05, R =  − 0.49).

Conclusion

Patients with IIM ILD demonstrated significant body composition changes on CT imaging unlikely to be detected by traditional measurement tools. An increase in muscle area with an inverse decrease in density suggests poor muscle quality.
Single-port endoscopic-sentinel lymph node biopsy combined with indocyanine green and carbon nanoparticles in breast cancer
Authors: Wang Zi-Han , Gang Tian-Ran , Wu Shan-Shan , Lu Can , Gao Guo-Xuan , Xu Wei , Ding Guo-Qian , Qu Xiang , Zhang Zhong-Tao
Published: July 2023

Background

In order to explore the surgical safety and the reliability of axillary staging of single-port endoscopic-sentinel lymph node biopsy, we combined it with indocyanine green that was excited by near-infrared fluorescence endoscopy and carbon nanoparticles as a tracer and compared this method to conventional open sentinel lymph node biopsy.

Methods

This is a retrospective and observational study, there were 20 patients in each group and the total sample size was 60: Group 1, single-port endoscopic-sentinel lymph node biopsy combined with indocyanine green and carbon nanoparticles; Group 2, single-port endoscopic-sentinel lymph node biopsy with carbon nanoparticles only; Group 3, conventional sentinel lymph node biopsy with indocyanine green and carbon nanoparticles. Sentinel lymph node detection and upper extremity function were determined to measure the safety and efficacy of the novel single-port endoscopic-sentinel lymph node biopsy (SPE-SLNB) technique to the standard conventional sentinel lymph node biopsy technique.

Results

The detection rate of sentinel lymph nodes was 100% in Group 1, 100% in Group 2, and 95% in Group 3. There were no significant differences in upper arm function and pain scores between the three groups.

Conclusion

The novel technique of combining indocyanine green and carbon nanoparticles with single-port endoscopic-sentinel lymph node biopsy achieved a similar detection rate and mean number of sentinel lymph nodes as conventional sentinel lymph node biopsy. Traditional open surgery requires two different incisions for breast surgery and SLNB. While the most important advantage of SPE-SLNB is that two procedures can be effectively performed through a single-port in the axilla Therefore, for patients who meet the indications, single-port endoscopic-sentinel lymph node biopsy is as safe and reliable as conventional sentinel lymph node biopsy but has the aesthetic advantage of only one incision.
Efficacy of different surgical treatments for management of anal fistula: a network meta-analysis
Authors: Bhat S. , Xu W. , Varghese C. , Dubey N. , Wells C. I. , Harmston C. , O’Grady G. , Bissett I. P. , Lin A. Y.
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Currently, the anal fistula treatment which optimises healing and preserves bowel continence remains unclear. The aim of our study was to compare the relative efficacy of different surgical treatments for AF through a network meta-analysis.

Methods

Systematic searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL databases up to October 2022 identified randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing surgical treatments for anal fistulae. Fistulae were classified as simple (inter-sphincteric or low trans-sphincteric fistulae crossing less than 30% of the external anal sphincter (EAS)) and complex (high trans-sphincteric fistulae involving more than 30% of the EAS). Treatments evaluated in only one trial were excluded from the primary analyses to minimise bias. The primary outcomes were rates of success in achieving AF healing and bowel incontinence.

Results

Fifty-two RCTs were included. Of the 14 treatments considered, there were no significant differences regarding short-term (6 months or less postoperatively) and long-term (more than 6 months postoperatively) success rates between any of the treatments in patients with both simple and complex anal fistula. Ligation of the inter-sphincteric fistula tract (LIFT) ranked best for minimising bowel incontinence in simple (99.1% of comparisons; 3 trials, n = 70 patients) and complex anal fistula (86.2% of comparisons; 3 trials, n = 102 patients).

Conclusions

There is insufficient evidence in existing RCTs to recommend one treatment over another regarding their short and long-term efficacy in successfully facilitating healing of both simple and complex anal fistulae. However, LIFT appears to be associated with the least impairment of bowel continence, irrespective of AF classification.
Effect of flow rate ratio and positioning on a lighthouse tip ECMO return cannula
Authors: Fiusco Francesco , Lemétayer Julien , Broman Lars Mikael , Prahl Wittberg Lisa
Published: July 2023

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is a life-saving support therapy in the case of cardiopulmonary refractory failure. Its use is associated to complications due to the presence of artificial surfaces and supraphysiological stress conditions. Thus, knowledge of the fluid structures associated to each component can give insight into sources of blood damage. In this study, an experimentally validated numerical study of a conventional lighthouse tip cannula in return configuration was carried out to characterize the flow structures using water or a Newtonian blood analog with different flow rate ratios and cannula positioning and their influence on hemolysis. The results showed that strong shear layers developed where the jets from the side holes met the co-flow. Stationary backflow regions at the vessel wall were also present downstream of the cannula. In the tilted case, the recirculation was much more pronounced on the wide side and almost absent on the narrow side. Small vortical backflow structures developed at the side holes which behaved like obstacles to the co-flow, creating pairs of counter-rotating vortices, which induced locally higher risk of hemolysis. However, global hemolysis index did not show significant deviations. Across the examined flow rate ratios, the holes on the narrow side consistently reinfused a larger fraction of fluid. A radial force developed in the tilted case in a direction so as to recenter the cannula in the vessel.
Diversification of coniferous monocultures in the last 30 years and implications for forest restoration: a case study from temperate lower montane forests in Central Europe
Authors: Seliger Alexander , Ammer Christian , Kreft Holger , Zerbe Stefan
Published: July 2023

Planted monocultures of even-aged coniferous tree species are abundant worldwide but increasingly damaged by biotic and abiotic stressors and disturbances. In Central Europe, a fundamental goal of ecologically oriented forest management is thus the conversion of pure and often even-aged coniferous stands into structurally more diverse and mixed broad-leaved forests. This conversion is often achieved by single-tree selection resulting in small canopy openings that promote artificial or natural regeneration. Consequently, forest conversion aims at altering stand structure and tree communities. In order to describe thestatus quoof forest conversion and derive implications for forest management, we investigated changes of tree composition and forest structure in the Bavarian Spessart mountains in southwest Germany. We conducted a resurvey of 108 semi-permanent plots in four different coniferous stand types of Norway spruce, Scots pine, Douglas fir, and European larch about 30 years after the initial survey. We found significant differences in the stratification and cover of respective forest layers between the two sampling periods that indicated an increase in stand structural heterogeneity. While species richness of the overstorey remained constant, species richness and diversity of the shrub and lower canopy layer increased significantly. Regenerating “winner” species included late-successional broad-leaved (e.g., European beech, sessile oak), pioneer broad-leaved (e.g., silver birch, rowan) and shade-tolerant coniferous (e.g., silver fir, Douglas fir) species. Although Norway spruce was significantly reduced in the overstorey, it regenerated in parts extensively in the understorey. We conclude that the forest conversion in the Spessart mountains was overall successful in terms of diversifying forest structure and tree species. Its effects are, though, still emerging and the stands are in a transitional phase. Besides the preferred natural regeneration of target tree species, forest management may consider active measures to guide the facilitated diverse tree community of previously pure and even-aged coniferous stands towards stand maturity.
Why most youth comply with the social distancing measures: a qualitative study
Authors: Koning Naomi , Gorter Annerike , Zonneveld Michelle , van Rooij Floor , Spruijt Pita , van Dam Levi
Published: July 2023

Aim

To examine what makes youth comply with COVID-19 social distancing measures.

Subject and methods

This qualitative interview study explored to what extent and why Dutch youth comply with social distancing measures during the first wave of COVID-19. All 35 participants were between 16 and 25 years old.

Results

Results showed that participants complied very well with social distancing measures, and that feeling solidarity with others and feeling responsible for others were most important for compliance. The participants experienced mental health issues during the COVID-19 pandemic, but also mentioned positive outcomes, such as more time for hobbies. Lastly, having a natural mentor seems to be positively associated with compliance.

Conclusion

Most youth complied with the COVID-19 measures, but the participants also discussed the impact on their mental health of the COVID-19 pandemic. These results shed light on the reasons for compliance of youth, but also stress that the mental health of youth should be monitored when these measures are in place.
Complex networks and deep learning for copper flow across countries
Authors: Federico Lorenzo , Mounim Ayoub , D’Urso Pierpaolo , De Giovanni Livia
Published: July 2023

In this paper, by using a lifecycle perspective, four stages related to the extraction, refining and processing of copper were identified. The different behaviors of countries in the import/export networks at the four stages synthetically reflect their position in the global network of copper production and consumption. The trade flows of four commodities related to the extraction, refining and processing of copper of 142 nations with population above 2 millions based on the UN Comtrade website (https://comtrade.un.org/data/), in five years from 2017 to 2021, were considered. The observed trade flows in each year have been modelled as a directed multilayer network. Then the countries have been grouped according to their structural equivalence in the international copper flow by using a Multilayer Stochastic Block Model. To put further insight in the obtained community structure of the countries, a deep learning model based on adapting the node2vec to a multilayer setting has been used to embed the countries in an Euclidean plane. To identify groups of nations that play the same role across time, some distances between the parameters obtained in consecutive years were introduced. We observe that 97 countries out of 142 consistently occupy the same position in the copper supply chain throughout the five years, while the other 45 move through different roles in the copper supply chain.
The AI4Citizen pilot: Pipelining AI-based technologies to support school-work alternation programmes
Authors: Georgara Athina , Kazhamiakin Raman , Mich Ornella , Palmero Aprosio Alessio , Pazzaglia Jean-Christoph , Rodríguez Aguilar Juan Antonio , Sierra Carles
Published: July 2023

The School-Work Alternation (SWA) programme was developed (under a European Commission call) to bridge the gaps and establish a well-tuned partnership between education and the job market. This work details the development of the AI4Citizen pilot, an AI software suite designed to support the SWA programme. The AI4Citizen pilot, developed within the H2020 AI4EU project, offers AI tools to automate and enhance the current SWA process. At the same time, the AI4Citizen pilot offers novel tools to support the complex problem of allocating student teams to internship programs, promoting collaborative learning and teamwork skills acquisition. Notably, the AI4Citizen pilot corresponds to a pipeline of AI tools, integrating existing and novel technologies. Our exhaustive empirical analysis confirms that the AI4Citizen pilot can alleviate the difficulties of current processes in the SWA, and therefore it is ready for real-world deployment.
Helicobacter pylori–activated fibroblasts as a silent partner in gastric cancer development
Authors: Krzysiek-Maczka Gracjana , Brzozowski Tomasz , Ptak-Belowska Agata
Published: July 2023

The discovery of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection of gastric mucosa leading to active chronic gastritis, gastroduodenal ulcers, and MALT lymphoma laid the groundwork for understanding of the general relationship between chronic infection, inflammation, and cancer. Nevertheless, this sequence of events is still far from full understanding with new players and mediators being constantly identified. Originally, the Hp virulence factors affecting mainly gastric epithelium were proposed to contribute considerably to gastric inflammation, ulceration, and cancer. Furthermore, it has been shown that Hp possesses the ability to penetrate the mucus layer and directly interact with stroma components including fibroblasts and myofibroblasts. These cells, which are the source of biophysical and biochemical signals providing the proper balance between cell proliferation and differentiation within gastric epithelial stem cell compartment, when exposed to Hp, can convert into cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) phenotype. The crosstalk between fibroblasts and myofibroblasts with gastric epithelial cells including stem/progenitor cell niche involves several pathways mediated by non-coding RNAs, Wnt, BMP, TGF-β, and Notch signaling ligands. The current review concentrates on the consequences of Hp-induced increase in gastric fibroblast and myofibroblast number, and their activation towards CAFs with the emphasis to the altered communication between mesenchymal and epithelial cell compartment, which may lead to inflammation, epithelial stem cell overproliferation, disturbed differentiation, and gradual gastric cancer development. Thus, Hp-activated fibroblasts may constitute the target for anti-cancer treatment and, importantly, for the pharmacotherapies diminishing their activation particularly at the early stages of Hp infection.
The Mechanisms of Ferroptosis Under Hypoxia
Authors: Gao Xin , Hu Wei , Qian Dianlun , Bai Xiangfeng , He Huilin , Li Lin , Sun Shibo
Published: July 2023

Ferroptosis is a new form of programmed cell death, which is characterized by the iron-dependent accumulation of lipid peroxidation and increase of ROS, resulting in oxidative stress and cell death. Iron, lipid, and multiple signaling pathways precisely control the occurrence and implementation of ferroptosis. The pathways mainly include Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway, p62/Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway. Activating p62/Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway inhibits ferroptosis. Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway promotes ferroptosis. Furthermore, some factors also participate in the occurrence of ferroptosis under hypoxia, such as HIF-1, NCOA4, DMT1. Meanwhile, ferroptosis is related with hypoxia-related diseases, such as MIRI, cancers, and AKI. Accordingly, ferroptosis appears to be a therapeutic target for hypoxia-related diseases.
Do Too Many Cooks Spoil the Broth? How EU Law Underenforcement Allows TikTok’s Violations of Minors’ Rights
Authors: Cantero Gamito M.
Published: July 2023

For some time already, there have been concerns about TikTok’s business practices and their compliance with EU law. Different market investigations found out that TikTok’s Terms of Service do not comply with the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive, the Unfair Contract Terms Directive or the Consumers Rights Directive, and that they also infringe the General Data Protection Regulation and the Audiovisual Media Services Directive. This is particularly problematic considering that many children, a vulnerable category under the applicable law, use TikTok on a daily basis, which intensifies the severity of the infringements. Although the protection of minors is one of the policy objectives of the EU, this article argues that the enforcement structure is deficient. In view of TikTok’s practices infringing EU law, the European Consumer Organization, BEUC, called for an EU-level coordinated action to the European Commission and national authorities to request TikTok to align its practices with EU consumer law under the Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) Regulation. However, the developments following BEUC’s call for action revealed that the CPC Regulation is not sufficiently effective. Ultimately, the ongoing problems and the seemingly lenient interpretation and application of the CPC Regulation by EU authorities that allow the continuation of TikTok’s identified abusive and misleading practices provide evidence that the institutional apparatus for an EU-wide action for enforcement of consumer and data protection law is failing to deliver. This article provides a practical account of these developments and argues that “too many cooks spoil the broth”—i.e., that the plethora of rules, organizations, and procedures involved in enforcement paradoxically lead to the ineffectiveness of EU law. The paper takes the reconstruction of TikTok as a blueprint for discussing various options on how the existing enforcement structure of EU law in general, and CPC in particular, could and should be improved in light of the entry into application of the Digital Services Act.
Psychological Needs and Psychopathology in Adults Following a Significant Life Event: A Self-Determination Theory Perspective
Authors: Eckley Darrell , Allen Andrew , Millear Prudence , Rune Karina , Mason Jonathan
Published: July 2023

Background

Symptom-based diagnostic formulations significantly influence psychological treatment; however, they are not without limitations. Employing a transdiagnostic approach may address these shortcomings. For transdiagnosis to gain wider acceptance, it is crucial to establish a meaningful connection between transdiagnostic measures and symptom expression. Two potential transdiagnostic measures, the Event Characteristics Questionnaire (ECQ) and the Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction and Needs Frustration Scale (BPNSNFS), were identified based on theories of psychopathology. The present study investigated whether the unique within-person characteristics assessed by each scale could indicate symptom expression over time.

Method

Online questionnaires were completed by 290 international participants (86% female) who had experienced a significant event within the past 12 months. The measures included the ECQ, BPNSNFS, and clinical assessments of depression, anxiety, and anger.

Results

Results indicated that only the BPNSNFS demonstrated a meaningful connection with symptom expression. A cross-lagged structural analysis revealed that participants experiencing higher levels of needs frustration reported higher levels of depression and anger. Conversely, those reporting higher levels of needs satisfaction reported lower levels of depression and anxiety.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that the BPNSNFS can serve as a valuable transdiagnostic tool to enhance the delivery of measure-based care. Further research should continue to explore the clinical role of basic psychological needs.
Self-cleansing velocity in upward three-phase steady pipe-flow
Authors: Freire Diogo António Manuel Abreu , Maio Moura Pedro José de
Published: July 2023

The solids transport and the conditions required to begin the transport of granular particles, or to avoid their deposition, in three-phase turbulent flows of mixtures of gas–liquid–solids, in upward inclined pipes, are complex phenomena whose governing equations and corresponding solutions can be approximated via experimental investigation and numerical computation. An experimental installation for establishing steady flow conditions of air–water-solids in an upward transparent acrylic pipe of 84 mm was built and prepared to allow the measurement of the transported flow rates of air, water, sand and fine gravel, with particle diameters between 0.425 and 7.20 mm. Two full set of experiments with water-solids, and air–water-solids, under comparable conditions, were performed in Laboratory, in order to analyse the influence of the gas phase. Three pipe angles between 30° and 58°, and four solid particle ranges with intermediate sizes forming a bed were tested. The average water superficial velocity demonstrates to be the most relevant variable for the solids transport beginning, and the presence of air has a positive influence, even without the mobilisation of the water flow rate increase due to air-lift pumping. A model relating a modified Shields parameter (Shmixc) with a modified Reynolds number of the particles (Remixc), both defined for the critical average flow rates of three-phase mixtures under steady flow, for which a residual mass of solid particles begins to be transported, is proposed. The resulting equation follows a power law of the generic type Shmixc = a Remixc−b, where a and b are positive constants experimentally obtained for the different angles of inclination of the upward pipe, with coefficients of determination well above 90%. The mathematical model proposed in this work allows the explicit computation of the self-cleansing velocity required for two-phase flows. The critical average air superficial velocity and subsequent average velocity of the mixture required for the solids transport in steady three-phase flows, when the average water superficial velocity is below the two-phase self-cleansing velocity, are computed using the proposed model by numerical iterative processes.
Primary teachers’ early and retrospective instructional vision of mathematical inquiry
Authors: Makar Katie
Published: July 2023

A key challenge in implementing inquiry-based learning in mathematics has been raising teachers’ confidence and skills with unfamiliar pedagogical practices. The nature of inquiry in particular challenges traditional notions of teaching mathematics that dominate the field. Few studies have explored how teachers’ perceptions of the nature of inquiry evolve as they adopt and gain experience over time teaching mathematics with inquiry. This article draws on interviews from ten primary teachers about their anticipated and initial experiences, then again after five years of experience. Using instructional vision as a lens, analysis of their perspectives of inquiry at each juncture provided insights into how teachers were confronted by and then persisted through early challenges to make mathematical inquiry a regular part of their pedagogy. This paper provides new insights of teachers’ vision of their role into adopting ambitious pedagogies over time.
Wireless patient monitoring and Efficacy Safety Score in postoperative treatment at the ward: evaluation of time consumption and usability
Authors: Skraastad Erlend Johan , Borchgrevink Petter Christian , Opøyen Lillian Asbøll , Ræder Johan
Published: July 2023

To evaluate objective time consumption and how nurses perceived introducing wireless patient monitoring (WPM) and a validated score on patient quality and safety, the Efficacy Safety Score (ESS), at a mixed surgery ward. After fulfilling a randomised controlled trial combining the ESS and WPM, we addressed time consumption and conducted a questionnaire survey among nurses who participated in the study. The questionnaire appraised the nurses’ evaluation of introducing these tools for postoperative management. Of 28 invited nurses, 24 responded to the questionnaire, and 92% reported the ESS and WPM-systems to increase patient safety and quality of care. 67% felt the intervention took extra time, but objective workload measurements revealed reduced time to 1/3 using ESS and WPM compared to standard manual assessment. Improved confidence when using the systems was reported by 83% and improved working situation by 75%. In a test situation to measure time consumption, the ESS and pre-attached WPM-systems require less time than the conventional standard of care, and may allow for more frequent clinical monitoring at the post-surgical ward. The combination of the ESS and the WPM systems was perceived as positive by participating nurses and further clinical development and research is warranted.
Development of microsatellite markers for sister species Linum suffruticosum and Linum tenuifolium in their overlapping ranges
Authors: Olmedo-Vicente Erika , Désamoré Aurélie , Simón-Porcar Violeta I. , Slotte Tanja , Arroyo Juan
Published: July 2023

Background

Microsatellite markers were developed for distylous Linum suffruticosum and tested in the monomorphic sister species Linum tenuifolium. These species are perennial herbs endemic to the western and northwestern Mediterranean, respectively, with a partially overlapping distribution area.

Methods and results

We developed 12 microsatellite markers for L. suffruticosum using next generation sequencing, and assessed their polymorphism and genetic diversity in 152 individuals from seven natural populations. The markers displayed high polymorphism, with two to 16 alleles per locus and population, and average observed and expected heterozygosities of 0.833 and 0.692, respectively. All loci amplified successfully in the sister species L. tenuifolium, and 150 individuals from seven populations were also screened. The polymorphism exhibited was high, with two to ten alleles per locus and population, and average observed and expected heterozygosities of 0.77 and 0.62, respectively.

Conclusions

The microsatellite markers identified in L. suffruticosum and tested in L. tenuifolium are a powerful tool to facilitate future investigations of the population genetics, mating patterns and hybridization between both Linum species in their contact zone.
FECNet: a Neural Network and a Mobile App for COVID-19 Recognition
Authors: Zhang Yu-Dong , Govindaraj Vishnuvarthanan , Zhu Ziquan
Published: July 2023

COVID-19 has caused over 6.35 million deaths and over 555 million confirmed cases till 11/July/2022. It has caused a serious impact on individual health, social and economic activities, and other aspects. Based on the gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM), a four-direction varying-distance GLCM (FDVD-GLCM) is presented. Afterward, a five-property feature set (FPFS) extracts features from FDVD-GLCM. An extreme learning machine (ELM) is used as the classifier to recognize COVID-19. Our model is finally dubbed FECNet. A multiple-way data augmentation method is utilized to boost the training sets. Ten runs of tenfold cross-validation show that this FECNet model achieves a sensitivity of 92.23 ± 2.14, a specificity of 93.18 ± 0.87, a precision of 93.12 ± 0.83, and an accuracy of 92.70 ± 1.13 for the first dataset, and a sensitivity of 92.19 ± 1.89, a specificity of 92.88 ± 1.23, a precision of 92.83 ± 1.22, and an accuracy of 92.53 ± 1.37 for the second dataset. We develop a mobile app integrating the FECNet model, and this web app is run on a cloud computing-based client–server modeled construction. This proposed FECNet and the corresponding mobile app effectively recognize COVID-19, and its performance is better than five state-of-the-art COVID-19 recognition models.
APKOWL: An Automatic Approach to Enhance the Malware Detection
Authors: Aboshady Doaa , Ghannam Naglaa E. , Elsayed Eman K. , Diab L. S.
Published: July 2023

Malicious software (malware) can steal passwords, leak details, and generally cause havoc with users’ accounts. Most of the current malware detection techniques are designed to detect malware at the code level of the software, where it is actually infected and causes damage. Additionally, current malware detection techniques at the design level are done manually or semi-automatically. This research aims to enhance these methods to detect malware at the design level automatically with a big dataset. The proposed method presents an automatic system for detecting SMS (Short Message Service) malware at the design which is called APKOWL. It is based on reverse engineering of the mobile application and then automatically builds OWL (web ontology Language) ontology. The proposed system is implemented in python and Protégé, and its performance has been tested and evaluated on samples of android mobile applications including 3,904 malware and 3,200 benign samples. The experimental results successfully verify the effectiveness of the proposed method because it has good performance in detecting SMS malware at the software design level. The proposed method obtained an accuracy of 97%, precision of 97.5%, and recall of 99%, outperforming the compared model in all performance metrics.
Advanced detection of fungi-bacterial diseases in plants using modified deep neural network and DSURF
Authors: Saraswat Shipra , Singh Pooja , Kumar Manoj , Agarwal Jyoti
Published: July 2023

Food is indispensable for humans as their growth and survival depend on it. But nowadays, crop is getting spoiled due to fungi and bacteria as soil temperature are changes very rapidly according to sudden climate changes. Due to fungi-bacterial crop, the quality of food is declining day by day and this is really not good for human health. The goal of this research paper is the advanced detection of fungi-bacterial diseases in plants using modified deep neural network approach and DSURF method in order to enhance the detection process. Proposed approach of this research is to use the artificial intelligence techniques like neural network model and dynamic SURF method in order to identify and classify the plant diseases for fungus and bacteria. Additionally, support dynamic feature extraction DSURF & classifier combinations for creating image clusters with the help of Clustering. Deep learning model is employed for training and testing the classifier. The quantitative experimental results of this research work are claimed that authors have achieved the 99.5% overall accuracy by implementing DNNM and DSURF which is much higher than other previous proposed methods in this field. This proposed work is a step towards finding the best practices to detect plant diseases from any bacterial and fungal infection so that humans can get healthy food.
The influence of large-scale climate modes on tropical cyclone tracks in the southwest Pacific
Authors: Sharma Krishneel K. , Verdon-Kidd Danielle C. , Magee Andrew D.
Published: July 2023

Tropical cyclones (TCs) impact the economy, properties, lives and infrastructure of island nations and territories of the southwest Pacific (SWP), accounting for three in four regional disasters each year. To increase the resilience of the SWP to the destructive impacts of TCs, improved TC track forecasts are needed since a high degree of uncertainty exists around the likely path a TC will take in this region post-formation. This requires better comprehension of the factors contributing to TC track variability occurring at different timescales. Therefore, we examine the modulating impact of key Indo-Pacific climate drivers: the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation (IPO), Southern Annular Mode (SAM) and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), on SWP TC track variability. We present new insights into the spatial (i.e. prevailing trajectories) and temporal (i.e. track length, average speed and duration) components of TC tracks, being modulated by both individual and combined climate modes. Overall, TC tracks tend to shift northeast during El Niño, IPO positive, IOD east positive and/or SAM negative phases (with a southwest shift observed during the opposite climate phases). Further, we show that when two of these climate modes are in their positive phase (e.g. El Niño with the positive phases of IPO or eastern pole of IOD and SAM), TC track length and average speed are enhanced. However, for cases where either one (e.g. El Niño/negative phase of IPO and IOD east) or two (La Niña/negative phase of IPO, IOD east and SAM) climate modes were in the negative phase, an increase in TC track duration was observed. The findings of this study may be used to improve TC forecasting and better quantify TC-related risks.
Dynamic analysis of magnetic spring-based nonlinear oscillator system
Authors: Ahamed Raju , Howard Ian , McKee Kristoffer
Published: July 2023

This paper aims to study the dynamics of the single-degree-of-freedom magnetic spring-based oscillator system. The proposed oscillator system contains a nonmagnetic shaft, a floating permanent magnet (PM), and two fixed permanent magnets (PMs). All PMs are placed in such a way that they can repel each other. At first, the proposed system's magnetic properties and magnetic restoring force are studied. Experimental and numerical analyses have been carried out to validate the analytical investigation of the magnetic restoring force. The linear and nonlinear coefficients of the oscillator system are analysed from the magnetic restoring force. Moreover, how the gravitational force affects the equilibrium position is studied by varying the height of the oscillator. The magnetic restoring forces for different oscillator heights are also analysed. In addition, the system dynamics, such as damping ratio, eigenvalues and natural frequencies of the oscillator system, are investigated with and without electromechanical coupling. Finally, the proposed system's energy generation capacity is examined using electromechanical coupling.
Fiscal Space and Policy Response to Financial Crises: Market Access and Deficit Concerns
Authors: Salamaliki Paraskevi K. , Venetis Ioannis A.
Published: July 2023

Existing literature suggests that fiscal space matters for the policy response to financial crises. High public debt levels limit countries capacity to pursue macroeconomic and financial stabilization policies and resume growth after severe crisis downturns. We examine the involved channels through which fiscal space matters for the dynamics of fiscal policy after a financial distress, namely sovereign market access and policymakers’ views, in a panel of 30 OECD countries for the period 1980–2017. We introduce a non-linear measure of fiscal space, which further considers simultaneously both the debt-to-GDP ratio capturing long-term features of countries’ policy-making processes and budgetary balances that capture recent policy decisions and persistent fiscal deficits. We document a substantially strengthened role for sovereign market access constraints in driving the policy response to distress once fiscal space non-linearity is introduced in the model, which highlights the non-linearity involved in market participants’ concerns about fiscal space. Moreover, the vulnerability of market access concerning fiscal space is affected by either the debt-to-GDP ratio or fiscal balances dominating the assessment of fiscal space. The role of fiscal health and the policymakers’ views channel is more pronounced once flows of budget deficits are at the epicenter of the assessment of fiscal space, suggesting a “deficit concerns” channel.
Biological nitrogen fixation by legume cover plants in oil palm plantations: calibration of the ureide technique and effects of plantation age and soil nitrate
Authors: Pipai Rachel , McNeill Ann , Unkovich Murray , Banabas Murom , Nelson Paul N.
Published: July 2023

Background and Aims

To sustainably manage N in oil palm systems quantities of N fixed by cover legumes need to be understood. Current values are scarce, based on shoot N measures and do not include litter which releases nitrate as it decomposes. We aimed to quantify N2 fixed by legumes under oil palm systems in PNG and to determine if soil nitrate influenced dependence on N2 fixation (Ndfa).

Methods

The ureide technique for estimating tropical legume Ndfa was calibrated for Calapogonium mucunoides and Pueraria phaseoloides using 15N isotope dilution, and then used to assess Ndfa for legume cover under oil palms (2 to 25 years old) in Papua New Guinea. Amounts of fixed N in above-ground legume biomass (shoot plus litter) were calculated incorporating % groundcover. Soil nitrate under the legume litter was also measured.

Results

Legume Ndfa was highly negatively correlated with soil nitrate concentration but independent of palm age. Legume groundcover, shoot and litter dry matter, and quantity of fixed N were greater under oil palms less than 5 years old, decreasing under older plantations where solely C. caeruleum was present. DM and N content of litter were similar to shoots for legumes in plantations less than 6 years old.

Conclusion

The calibrated ureide technique can be used, together with estimates of annual legume N accumulation, to quantify N input from legume groundcover during the life cycle of oil palm plantations and other tropical ecosystems, in order to support more sustainable management of N.
The Post-COVID-19 Economic Recovery, Government Performance and Lived Poverty Conditions in Kenya
Authors: Onyango Gedion
Published: July 2023

The post-COVID-19 era has witnessed intensive engagements on latest datasets on COVID-19 experiences and the need for robust data systems to understand emerging policy pathways. There have also been extensive deliberations on how public organisations can deliver beyond immediate concerns with economic recovery and improved livelihoods. This paper draws insights from the Afrobarometer round 9 dataset on how different African governments' economies have been recovering from COVID-19 and how this has affected citizens' well-being in Kenya. The results show that despite the good recovery progress, the government has yet to stabilise high food prices, inflation, debts, job creation, etc. While national policy priorities may explain how this situation plays out, these challenges remain complex and linked to external factors that African governments may have little control over.
Income Inequality and Political Trust: Do Fairness Perceptions Matter?
Authors: Bobzien Licia
Published: July 2023

Political trust—in terms of trust in political institutions—is an important precondition for the functioning and stability of democracy. One widely studied determinant of political trust is income inequality. While the empirical finding that societies with lower levels of income inequality have higher levels of trust is well established, the exact ways in which income inequality affects political trust remain unclear. Past research has shown that individuals oftentimes have biased perceptions of inequality. Considering potentially biased inequality perceptions, I argue that individuals compare their perceptions of inequality to their preference for inequality. If they identify a gap between what they perceive and what they prefer (= fairness gap), they consider their attitudes towards inequality unrepresented. This, in turn, reduces trust in political institutions. Using three waves of the ESS and the ISSP in a cross-country perspective, I find that (1) perceiving a larger fairness gap is associated with lower levels of political trust; (2) the fairness gap mediates the link between actual inequality and political trust; and (3) disaggregating the fairness gap measure, political trust is more strongly linked to variation in inequality perceptions than to variation in inequality preferences. This indicates that inequality perceptions are an important factor shaping trust into political institutions.
Distributions of Mesoscale Periodic Structures in the Elemental and Ionic Composition of the Solar Wind
Authors: Gershkovich Irena , Lepri Susan , Viall Nicholeen , Di Matteo Simone , Kepko Larry
Published: July 2023

Multiple statistical and event studies based onin situobservations have shown that the solar wind contains mesoscale (∼ 100 – 10,000 Mm) periodic structures in the proton number density. Remote observations of such structures and event studies of concurrent variations in composition have demonstrated that they can form in the solar atmosphere and be preserved while advecting outwards through the heliosphere. Viall, Kepko, and Spence (J. Geophys. Res. (Space Phys.)113, A07101, 2008;J. Geophys. Res. (Space Phys.)114, A01201, 2009) and Kepko, Viall, and Wolfinger (J. Geophys. Res. (Space Phys.)125(8), e28037, 2020) have reported that periodic proton density structures preferentially occur at specific radial length scales and have published their distributions from Wind measurements near L1. Here, we conduct a statistical study of 14 years (1998 – 2011) of 12-minute composition data measured by the Solar Wind Ion Composition Spectrometer instrument aboard the Advanced Composition Explorer spacecraft. We found that the elemental and ionic composition also contain statistically significant mesoscale periodic structures and, for the first time, present occurrence distributions for elemental abundance ratios with low, intermediate, and high first ionization potentials as well as for key solar wind charge states. These distributions set important constraints on solar wind formation in general and the formation of periodic mesoscale solar wind structures specifically, as the elemental and ionic composition are known to be determined at the Sun and to not evolve during advection.
The Ionospheric Connection Explorer - Prime Mission Review
Authors: Immel Thomas J. , England Scott L. , Harding Brian J. , Wu Yen-Jung , Maute Astrid , Cullens Chihoko , Englert Christoph R. , Mende Stephen B. , Heelis Roderick A. , Frey Harald U. , Korpela Eric J. , Stephan Andrew W. , Frey Sabine , Stevens Michael H. , Makela Jonathan J. , Kamalabadi Farzad , Triplett Colin C. , Forbes Jeffrey M. , McGinness Emma , Gasque L. Claire , Harlander John M. , Gérard Jean-C. , Hubert Benoit , Huba Joseph D. , Meier Robert R. , Roberts Bryce
Published: July 2023

The two-year prime mission of the NASA Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON) is complete. The baseline operational and scientific objectives have been met and exceeded, as detailed in this report. In October of 2019, ICON was launched into an orbit that provides its instruments the capability to deliver near-continuous measurements of the densest plasma in Earth’s space environment. Through collection of a key set of in-situ and remote sensing measurements that are, by virtue of a detailed mission design, uniquely synergistic, ICON enables completely new investigations of the mechanisms that control the behavior of the ionosphere-thermosphere system under both geomagnetically quiet and active conditions. In a two-year period that included a deep solar minimum, ICON has elucidated a number of remarkable effects in the ionosphere attributable to energetic inputs from the lower and middle atmosphere, and shown how these are transmitted from the edge of space to the peak of plasma density above. The observatory operated in a period of low activity for 2 years and then for a year with increasing solar activity, observing the changing balance of the impacts of lower and upper atmospheric drivers on the ionosphere.
Epistemological Foundations of Intercultural Education: Contributions from Raimon Panikkar
Authors: Espinosa Zárate Zaida
Published: July 2023

The present article explores the epistemological conditions of intercultural encounters. Based on an analysis of Raimon Panikkar's intercultural hermeneutics, we argue that intercultural encounters cannot take place adequately when they are based on purelyrhetoricalrationality or rationalpersuasion. We point to the limitations of grounding intercultural relationships on dialectical dialogue and, therefore, of educating them by simply enhancing discursive capacities. We underline the need for other epistemological conditions that should be fostered in order to move forward on the path to actual interculturality. These can be summarised by what Panikkar calls "conversion", an epistemic framework of love—personalrelationality, that goes beyondobjectifyingrationality—for the communication between (culturally different) subjects. We conclude that the culturally diverse human condition refers to being encountered and being understood on a level that is not merely logical or linguistic. What can be understood of a person with another cultural background goes beyond what can be comprehended by logical rationality or captured byveritativejudgements about objects. In other words, in intercultural encounters,ontological, rather than merely logical truth is at stake, which means that the presence of the other can lead to experiences of meaning: it reveals a being that calls for conversion. Conversion demands anonticaction on the part of the subject, not merely an epistemological one, that cancels the violence that rational persuasion might entail.