bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Breaking Scaling Relations for Highly Efficient Electroreduction of CO2 to CO on Atomically Dispersed Heteronuclear Dual‐Atom Catalyst
Authors: Lu Song , Mazur Michal , Guo Kun , Stoian Dragos Constantin , Gu Minfen , Tucho Wakshum Mekonnen , Yu Zhixin
Published: November 2023

Conversion of CO2 into value‐added products by electrocatalysis provides a promising way to mitigate energy and environmental problems. However, it is greatly limited by the scaling relationship between the adsorption strength of intermediates. Herein, Mn and Ni single‐atom catalysts, homonuclear dual‐atom catalysts (DACs), and heteronuclear DACs are synthesized. Aberration‐corrected annular dark‐field scanning transmission electron microscopy (ADF‐STEM) and X‐ray absorption spectroscopy characterization uncovered the existence of the Mn─Ni pair in Mn─Ni DAC. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X‐ray absorption near‐edge spectroscopy reveal that Mn donated electrons to Ni atoms in Mn─Ni DAC. Consequently, Mn─Ni DAC displays the highest CO Faradaic efficiency of 98.7% at −0.7 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (vs RHE) with CO partial current density of 16.8 mA cm−2. Density functional theory calculations disclose that the scaling relationship between the binding strength of intermediates is broken, resulting in superior performance for ECR to CO over Mn─Ni─NC catalyst.
Acid Hydrolyzed Pearl Millet Starch Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Characterization
Authors: Chavan Prafull , Sinhmar Archana , Thory Rahul , Sharma Somesh , Sukhija Sakshi , Singh Gurvendra Pal , Aayush Krishna , Singh Jay , Kumar Deepak
Published: November 2023

The amylose content in native starch is reduced through hydrolysis, impacting its physicochemical properties. Starch nanoparticles exhibit enhanced water and oil absorption capacities, attributed to increased hydrolysis and subsequently higher solubility. Moreover, the swelling power of starch nanoparticles is notably higher, indicating improved functionality. Pasting properties are altered, with reduced peak viscosity, breakdown viscosity, and setback viscosity in modified starches. Dynamic light scattering reveals a significant reduction in particle size for starch nanoparticles compared to native starch. Morphological analysis using field emission‐scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM) highlights distinct granule shapes and surfaces between the two starch types. The X‐ray diffraction patterns confirm an A‐type crystalline structure in both native and modified starches. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy verifies no significant difference in functional groups due to extraction or hydrolysis methods. This comprehensive investigation provides valuable insights into the chemical modification of pearl millet starch, shedding light on its potential applications in various industries, including food and pharmaceuticals.
Investigating science teacher educator identity through the politics of domestication and critical positional praxis
Authors: Rodriguez Alberto J. , Tolbert Sara , Mark Sheron L.
Published: November 2023

The focus on identity in the field of teaching and learning continues to grow, especially when it concerns equitable outcomes for students. While most attention is placed on students' identities and increasingly those of teachers, lesser addressed are the identities of the teacher educators and researchers broaching the issue of identity. Additionally, identity research is not often linked to relationships between self, others, and transformative action. We recognize these as gaps to be addressed and offer critical positional praxis (CPP) as a response. CPP is the public manifestation of the insights gained through our sense of identity and reflexivity. More specifically, CPP is the actions (or inactions) that express who we are in response to an event in any given social context—especially oppressive ones. In this article, we draw from our own critical autoethnographies, as a context for putting CPP into practice in identity research. Our collective analysis of these critical autoethnographies revealed how our identity development was inseparable from the ways in which we have each resisted the politics of domestication. Our autoethnographies further point to the role of dissent as central to our experiences of becoming critical science teacher educators committed to equity, diversity, and anti‐racism in education. We draw from this analysis to offer recommendations for how identity and positionality can move beyond theoretical constructs toward transformative personal and collective change in science education.
To push or to pull? A clinical audit on the efficacy and safety of the pull and push percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy techniques in oncological patients
Authors: Kucha Piotr , Zorniak Michal , Szmit Mateusz , Lipczynski Rafal , Wieszczy‐Szczepanik Paulina , Kapala Aleksandra , Wojciechowska Urszula , Didkowska Joanna , Rupinski Maciej , Olesinski Tomasz , Maj Tomasz , Regula Jaroslaw , Kaminski Michal F. , Januszewicz Wladyslaw
Published: November 2023

Background

The peroral “pull” technique and the direct “push” procedure are the two main methods for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) placement. Although pull‐PEG is generally recommended as the first‐line modality, many oncological patients require a push‐PEG approach to prevent tumor seeding or overcome tumor‐related obstruction.

Objective

We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of both PEG procedures in cancer patients.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed all consecutive PEG procedures within a tertiary oncological center. Patients were followed up with the hospital databases and National Cancer Registry to assess the technical success rate for PEG placement, the rate of minor and major adverse events (AEs), and 30‐day mortality rates. We compared those outcomes between the two PEG techniques. Finally, risk factors for PEG‐related adverse events were analyzed using a multivariable Cox proportional‐hazard regression model adjusted for patients' sex, age, performance status (ECOG), Body Mass Index (BMI), diabetes, chemoradiotherapy (CRT) status (pre‐/current‐/post‐treatment), and type of PEG.

Results

We included 1055 PEG procedures (58.7% push‐PEG/41.4% pull‐PEG) performed in 994 patients between 2014 and 2021 (mean age 62.0 [±10.7] yrs.; 70.2% males; indication: head‐and‐neck cancer 75.9%/other cancer 24.1%). The overall technical success for PEG placement was 96.5%. Although the “push” technique had a higher rate of all AEs (21.4% vs. 7.1%, Hazard Ratio [HR]  = 2.9; 95% CI = 1.9–4.3, p < 0.001), most of these constituted minor AEs (71.9%), such as tube dislodgement. The methods had no significant difference regarding major AEs and 30‐day mortality rates. Previous CRT was associated with an increased risk of major AEs (hazard ratio = 2.7, 95% CI = 1.0–7.2, p = 0.042).

Conclusion

The risk of major AEs was comparable between the push‐ and pull‐PEG techniques in cancer patients. Due to frequent tube dislodgement in push‐PEG, the pull technique may be more suitable for long‐term feeding. Previous CRT increases the risk of major AEs, favoring early (“prophylactic”) PEG placement when such treatment is expected.
A review of Monte Carlo and quasi‐Monte Carlo sampling techniques
Authors: Hung Ying‐Chao
Published: November 2023

This article presents a comprehensive review and comparison of the Monte Carlo and quasi‐Monte Carlo sampling techniques, which are widely used in numerical integration, simulation, and optimization. Monte Carlo sampling involves the generation of pseudorandom numbers or vectors to estimate unknown quantities of interest. In contrast, quasi‐Monte Carlo sampling is specialized for situations where uniformity and reduced variance are important. It generates a deterministic low‐discrepancy sequence that spans the entire sampling space. This review aims to analyze the strengths and distinctions of these two sampling methodologies, offering valuable insights to researchers in search of sampling techniques aligned with their specific research objectives and needs. Furthermore, it seeks to equip practitioners with efficient algorithms for practical implementations.

This article is categorized under:

Statistical and Graphical Methods of Data Analysis > Monte Carlo Methods

Algorithms and Computational Methods > Numerical Methods

Statistical and Graphical Methods of Data Analysis > Sampling
Endocrine Disruptors, Epigenetic Changes, and Transgenerational Transmission
Authors: Rizzo Roberta , Bortolotti Daria , Rizzo Sabrina , Schiuma Giovanna
Published: November 2023

Recent discoveries in the field of molecular biology are focused on phenomena like chromatin condensation, histone (H) modification, and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) methylation, as well as the action of small non-coding ribonucleic acid (RNA), which together belong to the branch of epigenetics. The term “epigenetics” was coined in 1940 by Conrad Waddington [1] who described it as “the branch of biology which studies the causal interactions between genes and their product which bring phenotypes into being.” In fact, epigenetics includes all those mechanisms that are able to regulate DNA expression without modifying nucleotide sequence.
Introduction to Environmental Pollutants and Human Reproduction
Authors: Marci Roberto , Buzzaccarini Giovanni , Wenger Jean Marie , Vitagliano Amerigo
Published: November 2023

Environmental pollution is a global issue caused by the introduction of chemical, biological, and physical substances in the environment. The short- and long-term effects of these substances on human reproduction are a present matter of concern, especially in the developed countries. Several mechanisms may be involved in reproductive damage caused by environmental pollutants including hormone-mediated effects, oxidative stress, and direct genetic damage. In recent times, big efforts have been made for the identification of the harmful pollutants, their mechanism of interaction with human fertility, tolerable limits, and possible solutions to minimize the human exposure. In this chapter, we summarize the current knowledge on the impact of environmental pollutants on human reproduction, with a special focus on their mechanisms of action.
“Organization”: Its Conceptual History and Its Relationship to Other Fundamental Biological Concepts
Authors: Toepfer Georg
Published: November 2023

The conceptual history of the term “organization” begins in Medieval times with the reception and transformation of Aristotle’s philosophy of life. It designates the corporeal structure and conditions of identity of natural “organic bodies,” a term that had been used to refer to living beings since antiquity. The term played an important role in specifying the ontological status of living beings. At the same time, it offered a basis for their mechanistic understanding. Starting with mechanistic models of life in the second half of the seventeenth century, “organization” and “life” were increasingly used interchangeably. This conjunction of meaning transformed “living beings” into “organisms.” Within physiological accounts of the eighteenth century, the living organization was compared to a causal cycle of interdependency. Philosophically, this conjunction was adapted at the end of the century in Kant’s philosophy of “organized beings of nature” in which he located the idea of causal cyclicity within a teleological framework and specified an “organized being” in causal terms as a system of interacting and interdependent parts characterized by functional closure. Thus, “organization” refers to the constitution of living beings as a particular kind of causal system. In the nineteenth century, the term achieves the status of a signal word for the life sciences and starts being applied in a wide variety of contexts, from comparative anatomy to physiology and ecology. It was supplemented by two other fundamental notions, namely, “regulation” and “evolution,” the first referring to the stabilization and the second to the long-term transformation of natural organizations. The twentieth century saw a further intensification of the complementarity of the perspectives associated with these three terms. Finally, in recent years, a substantial improvement in understanding the causal structure of “organization” was achieved by analyzing it in terms of the “closure of constraints.”
Varieties of Organicism: A Critical Analysis
Authors: Wolfe Charles T.
Published: November 2023

In earlier work I wrestled with the question of the “ontological status” of organisms. It proved difficult to come to a clear decision, because there are many candidates for what such a status is or would be and of course many definitions of what organisms are. But what happens when we turn to theoretical projects “about” organisms that fall under the heading “organicist”? I first suggest that organicist projects have a problem: a combination of invoking Kant, or at least a Kantian “regulative ideal,” usually presented as the epistemological component (or alternately, the complete overall vision) of a vision of organism – as instantiating natural purposes, as a type of “whole” distinct from a merely mechanistically specifiable set of parts, etc. – and a more ontological statement about the inherent or essential features of organisms, typically presented according to a combination of a “list of heroes” or “laundry list” of properties of organisms. This amounts to a category mistake. Other problems concern the too-strict oppositions between mechanism and organi(ci)sm, and symmetrical tendencies to “ontologize” (thus objectifying) properties of organisms and to “subjectify” them (turning them into philosophies of subjectivity). I don’t mean to suggest that no one should be an organicist or that Kant is a name that should be banished from civilized society. Rather, to borrow awkwardly from Sade, “organicists, one more effort!” if one wants a naturalistic, non-foundationalist concept of organicism, which is indeed quite active in recent theoretical biology, and which arguably was already alive in the organismic and even vitalist theories of thinkers like Goldstein and Canguilhem.
On the Organizational Roots of Bio-cognition
Authors: Hooker Cliff
Published: November 2023

The theme of this book is the place of organization in the life sciences, especially biology. In that context, this essay is concerned with the place of organization within mind and the place of mind within the life sciences, especially biology. There are many possibilities for theories of mind, ranging from noumenal to neural to nihilist (behaviorist), and for most of these, the question of the role for organization therein makes no sense; further, they escape, or are opposed to, any deep tie to biology. Even when some link to biology is acknowledged, as for physicalisms, no inherent notion of organization appears in their development. But this chapter will present a thoroughly organizational conception of mind-as-cognition, anchored in a supportive conception of biology.
The System of Local Government in Italy: A Stress-Test to Traditional Paradigms?
Authors: Valdesalici Alice , Trettel Martina
Published: November 2023

In 2001 a constitutional reform was approved with the aim to considerably increase the powers and the political autonomy of the Italian Regions. In championing the federalisation of the country, the relations between State and Regions were reshaped. Despite the presence of many typical federal traits, many other essential federal features are missing. The system of local autonomies is one of the most emblematic elements that distinguishes Italy’s decentralised model from traditional federations. According to the theorical approaches to federalism, federations usually adhere to a common paradigm when it comes to local entities: local governments are creatures of the subnational units, whereas non-federal countries follow a different path, in which local entities depend on the central State. Against this background, the chapter explores the hybrid nature of the Italian paradigm, i.e., a system in which relations with local governments cannot be situated in neither of these two groups. In addressing this fuzziness, the chapter gives evidence of the main characteristics of mixed paradigms by emphasizing the components that in the Italian case show significant deviations from the abovementioned dichotomy.
Word Segmentation of Hiragana Sentences Using Hiragana BERT
Authors: Izutsu Jun , Komiya Kanako , Shinnou Hiroyuki
Published: November 2023

Unlike Western languages, word segmentation is necessary for Japanese sentences because they do not have word boundaries. The performances of existing morphological analyzers for Japanese sentences are very high. However, it is difficult to segment sentences mostly written in Hiragana, which is a Japanese writing system simpler than Kanji, because clues to segment the sentences decrease. In this study, we created a word segmentation model of Hiragana sentences using two types of BERT: unigram and bigram BERT models. We pre-trained the BERT models with Wikipedia and fine-tuned them with the core data of the Balanced Corpus of Contemporary Written Japanese for word segmentation. In addition to the two types of BERT-based word segmentation systems, we developed a word segmentation system for Hiragana sentences using KyTea, a toolkit developed for analyzing text, with a focus on languages requiring word segmentation. We compared them in word segmentation of Hiragana sentences. The experiments revealed that the unigram BERT-based word segmentation system outperformed the bigram BERT-based word segmentation system and the KyTea-based word segmentation system.
Higgs probes of axion-like particles
Authors: Aiko Masashi , Endo Motoi
Published: November 2023

Abstract

We study axion-like particle contributions to the Higgs boson decays. The particle is assumed to couple with the standard model electroweak gauge bosons. Although direct productions of axion-like particles have often been discussed, we investigate indirect contributions to the Higgs boson decays into fermions, photons, W, and Z bosons at the one-loop level. It is found that the corrections to the fermions are suppressed, whereas precise measurements of the di-photon channel of the Higgs boson decay can provide a significant probe of the model especially when the axion-like particle is heavy and its coupling to di-photon is suppressed.
Generalization of instanton-induced inflation and dynamical compactification
Authors: Ho Jeongwon , Kim Kyung Kiu , Koh Seoktae , Yang Hyun Seok
Published: November 2023

Abstract

It was shown that Yang-Mills instantons on an internal space can trigger the expansion of our four-dimensional universe as well as the dynamical compactification of the internal space. We generalize the instanton-induced inflation and dynamical compactification to general Einstein manifolds with positive curvature and also to the FLRW metric with spatial curvature. We explicitly construct Yang-Mills instantons on all Einstein manifolds under consideration and find that the homogeneous and isotropic universe is allowed only if the internal space is homogeneous. We then consider the FLRW metric with spatial curvature as a solution of the eight-dimensional Einstein-Yang-Mills theory. We find that open universe (k = −1) admits bouncing solutions unlike the other cases (k = 0, +1).
Anomalous dimensions in hypercubic theories
Authors: Bednyakov Alexander , Henriksson Johan , Kousvos Stefanos R.
Published: November 2023

Abstract

We perform a comprehensive perturbative study of the operator spectrum in multi-scalar theories with hypercubic global symmetry. This includes working out symmetry representations and their corresponding tensor structures. These structures are then used to compute the anomalous dimensions of scalar operators with up to four fields and arbitrary representations to six-loop order. Moreover, we determine one-loop anomalous dimensions for a large number of low-lying operators in the spectrum which include more powers of the fundamental field and/or insertions of derivatives. As an aside we show how projectors used in the conformal bootstrap can be conveniently reused in computations of anomalous dimensions. The results of our study are of use to the conformal bootstrap. They also illuminate features of conformal perturbation theory and the large n expansion. Our results may be of interest for various crossover phenomena in statistical field theory. In total, we compute the scaling dimension of more than 300 operators, of which 16 are computed to six-loops. Our analysis is exhaustive with respect to group theory up to rank 4 for any number of flavours n, and also exhaustive with respect to which representations exist for n ⩽ 4.
Radiation therapy of breast cancer in the Nahe Breast Center: first results of an analysis in the context of health services research
Authors: Mücke Ralph , Heim Gabor , Gosenheimer Robert , Schmitz Volker , Schulz Christoph , Knoeß Per , Fakhrian Khashayar , Harvey Christina , Mücke Christiane , Lochhas Gabriele , Metzmann Ute , Bussmann Matthias , Paschold Markus
Published: November 2023

Background

The first evaluation of radiotherapy results in patients with breast cancer treated as part of a multimodal oncologic therapy in the Nahe Breast Center is presented. Analysis of the results was performed using an in-practice registry.

Patients and methods

From September 2016 to December 2017, 138 patients (median age 62.5 years; range 36–94 years) with breast cancer (right side, n = 67; left side, n = 71) received adjuvant radiation therapy. Of these, 103 patients received gyneco-oncologic care at the Nahe Breast Center, and 35 were referred from outside breast centers. The distribution into stages was as follows: stage I, n = 48; stage II, n = 68; stage III, n = 19; stage IV, n = 3. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was given to 19 and adjuvant chemotherapy to 50 patients. Endocrine treatment was given to 120 patients. Both 3D conformal (n = 103) and intensity-modulated (n = 35) radiotherapy were performed with a modern linear accelerator.

Results

With a median follow-up of 60 months (1–67), local recurrence occurred in 4/138 (2.9%) and distant metastasis in 8/138 (5.8%) patients; 7/138 (5.1%) patients died of their tumors during the follow-up period. The actuarial 5‑year local recurrence-free survival of all patients was 97.1%, and the actuarial 5‑year overall survival of all patients was 94.9%. We observed no grade 3 or 4 radiogenic side effects.

Conclusion

The results of radiotherapy for breast carcinoma at the Nahe Breast Center are comparable to published national and international results. In particular, the local recurrence rates in our study, determined absolutely and actuarially, are excellent, and demonstrate the usefulness of radiotherapy.
Changes in tumor-to-blood ratio as a prognostic marker for progression-free survival and overall survival in neuroendocrine tumor patients undergoing PRRT
Authors: Weber Manuel , Pettersson Olof , Seifert Robert , Schaarschmidt Benedikt M. , Fendler Wolfgang P. , Rischpler Christoph , Lahner Harald , Herrmann Ken , Sundin Anders
Published: November 2023

Background

Historically, patient selection for peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) has been performed by virtue of somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS). In recent years, somatostatin receptor positron emission tomography (SSTR-PET) has gradually replaced SRS because of its improved diagnostic capacity, creating an unmet need for SSTR-PET-based selection criteria for PRRT. Tumor-to-blood ratio (TBR) measurements have shown high correlation with the net influx rate Ki, reflecting the tumor somatostatin receptor expression, to a higher degree than standardized uptake value (SUV) measurements. TBR may therefore predict treatment response to PRRT. In addition, changes in semiquantitative SSTR-PET parameters have been shown to predate morphological changes, making them a suitable metric for response assessment.

Methods

The institutional database of the Department of Nuclear Medicine (University Hospital Essen) was searched for NET patients undergoing ≥ 2 PRRT cycles with available baseline and follow-up SSTR-PET. Two blinded independent readers reported the occurrence of new lesions quantified tumor uptake of up to nine lesions per patient using SUV and TBR. The association between baseline TBR and changes in uptake/occurrence of new lesions with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) was tested by use of a Cox regression model and log-rank test.

Results

Patients with baseline TBR in the 1st quartile had a shorter PFS (14.4 months) than those in the 3rd (23.7 months; p = 0.03) and 4th (24.1 months; p = 0.02) quartile. Similarly, these patients had significantly shorter OS (32.5 months) than those with baseline TBR in the 2nd (41.8 months; p = 0.03), 3rd (69.2 months; p < 0.01), and 4th (42.7 months; p = 0.03) quartile. Baseline to follow-up increases in TBR were independently associated with shorter PFS when accounting for prognostic markers, e.g., RECIST response (hazard ratio = 2.91 [95%CI = 1.54–5.50]; p = 0.01). This was confirmed with regard to OS (hazard ratio = 1.64 [95%CI = 1.03–2.62]; p = 0.04). Changes in SUVmean were not associated with PFS or OS.

Conclusions

Baseline TBR as well as changes in TBR were significantly associated with PFS and OS and may improve patient selection and morphological response assessment. Future trials need to assess the role of TBR for therapy monitoring also during PRRT and prospectively explore TBR as a predictive marker for patient selection.
Proposal of a diagnostic algorithm for radiation-induced dropped head syndrome in long-term childhood cancer survivors based on a prospective study in a specialized clinical setting and a review of the literature
Authors: Rieken Sarah , Kronziel Lea Louisa , Langer Thorsten , Rades Dirk , Boppel Tobias , Trillenberg Peter , Gebauer Judith
Published: November 2023

Purpose

To prospectively assess the incidence of Dropped Head Syndrome (DHS) in childhood cancer survivors (CCS) and to develop and evaluate a diagnostic algorithm for DHS.

Methods

A systematic literature search for DHS in combination with neck radiotherapy (RT) exposure was performed. Analyses and a combination of the most common examination methods were integrated into a diagnostic algorithm. Almost all CCSs visiting the local late effects clinic between May 2020 and April 2022 were included in the study. CCS exposed to neck RT with doses ≥ 19 Gy received standardized clinical and neurological assessment and, in case of abnormal results, an MRI scan to confirm muscle atrophy.

Results

Two hundred and five CCS were included of whom 41 received RT to the neck with ≥ 19 Gy. In the entire cohort and in the subgroup receiving RT, 2.4% and 12% of CCS were affected by DHS, respectively. Results of clinical and neurological assessment correlated well with MRI results. Neck circumference and neck/thigh ratio were lower after neck RT. Over 50% of CCS experienced neck disability and pain.

Conclusions

A relevant proportion of CCS exposed to neck RT is affected by DHS. High concordance of MRI results with the neurological examination supports the clinical value of the diagnostic algorithm. Measurement of neck circumference might be an easy tool for assessment of neck muscle atrophy in survivors at risk.

Implications for cancer survivors

Integration of a diagnostic algorithm for DHS in standard long-term follow-up care facilitates diagnosis as well as initiation of early treatment and obviates the need for invasive examinations.
Spa therapy and peripheral serotonin and dopamine function: a systematic review
Authors: Gálvez Isabel , Fioravanti Antonella , Ortega Eduardo
Published: November 2023

Spa therapy consists of multiple techniques based on the healing effects of water, including hydrotherapy, balneotherapy, and mud therapy, often combined with therapeutic exercises, massage, or physical therapy. Balneotherapy is a clinically effective complementary approach in the treatment of low-grade inflammation- and stress-related pathologies, especially rheumatic conditions due to its anti-inflammatory properties. The main objective of this investigation was to conduct a systematic review analyzing the available evidence on the effect of spa therapy on serotonin and dopamine function. The databases PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) were used from June to July 2023. Exclusion criteria were (1) articles not written in English, (2) full text not available, (3) article not related to the objective of the review. JADAD scale was used for methodological quality evaluation. Four studies were included in the systematic review. Two studies were related to serotonin in healthy individuals, one to serotonin in fibromyalgia, and one to dopamine in healthy individuals. One of the studies evaluated hydrotherapy, another one balneotherapy and mud-bath therapy, and the other two assessed balneotherapy interventions. Studies were very heterogeneous, and their methodological quality was low, making it difficult to draw clear conclusions regarding the effect of spa therapy on peripheral serotonin and dopamine function. The findings of this review highlight the lack of studies evaluating these neurotransmitters and hormones in the context of spa therapy. Further research is needed to evaluate the potential effects of these therapies on serotonin or dopamine function.
Effects of traditional Chinese culture-based bibliotherapy on the spiritual health of patients with liver cancer
Authors: Huang Ling , Zhang Honghui , Xiao Yuting , Li Qian , Huang Xiu , Li Lihui , Xiao Shan , Li Ou , Wang Le
Published: November 2023

Background

Liver cancer is a serious global health problem and is associated with poor spiritual health. Bibliotherapy is beneficial in improving health outcomes in cancer patients, yet there is a lack of empirical evidence of its effect on the spiritual health of liver cancer patients in China. The study aimed to investigate the effects of bibliotherapy based on Chinese traditional culture on the spiritual health of patients with liver cancer in China. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Hunan Normal University School of Medicine and registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry with the registration (No: 2021260), which registration in June 30th 2021.

Methods

A total of 60 patients with liver cancer were divided into the intervention group (n = 30) and the control group (n = 30) through WeChat. The intervention group received bibliotherapy therapy based on traditional Chinese culture, while the control group received routine care. Spiritual health was assessed using the Spiritual Attitude and Involvement List (SAIL) and compared before and after the intervention between the two groups. The chi-square test and t-test were used to analyze the intervention effects.

Results

The two groups were comparable in all baseline characteristics including the SAIL score. After 5 weeks of intervention, the score of SAIL increased significantly from 96.76 ± 15.08 to 106.93 ± 13.82 in the intervention group (t =  − 29.380, p < 0.001), while no significant difference in SAIL score was observed in the control group (from 95.27 ± 16.40 to 95.31 ± 16.24, t =  − 0.189, p = 0.852). Similar patterns were also observed in its three dimensions of connecting with oneself, connecting with the environment, and connecting with transcendence.

Conclusions

Our study showed that bibliotherapy based on traditional Chinese culture using the WeChat platform can greatly improve the spiritual health of patients with liver cancer and has the potential to be widely applied to cancer patients to improve their well-being.
Automation of interaction—interaction design at the crossroads of user experience (UX) and artificial intelligence (AI)
Authors: Wiberg Mikael , Stolterman Bergqvist Erik
Published: November 2023

Interaction design/HCI seems to be at a crossroads. On the one hand, it is still about designing for engaging user experiences (UX). Still, on the other hand, it seems to be increasingly about reducing interaction and automating human–machine interaction through the use of AI and other new technologies. In this paper, we explore this seemingly unavoidable gap. First, we discuss the fundamental design rationality underpinning interaction and automation of interaction from the viewpoints of classic theoretical standpoints. We then illustrate how these two come together in interaction design practice. Here we examine four examples from already published research on automation of interaction, including how different levels of automation of interaction affect or enable new practices, including coffee making, self-tracking, automated driving, and conversations with AI-based chatbots. Through an interaction analysis of these four examples, we show (1) how interaction and automation are combined in the design, (2) how interaction is dependent on a certain level of automation, and vice versa, and (3) how each example illustrates a different balance between, and integration of interaction and automation. Based on this analysis, we propose a two-dimensional design space as a conceptual construct that takes these aspects into account to understand and analyze ways of combining interaction and automation in interaction design. We illustrate the use of the proposed two-dimensional design space, discuss its theoretical implications, and suggest it as a useful tool—when designing for engaging user experiences (UX), with interaction and automation as two design materials.
Elastic graphs with clamped boundary and length constraints
Authors: Dall’Acqua Anna , Deckelnick Klaus
Published: November 2023

We study two minimization problems concerning the elastic energy on curves given by graphs subject to symmetric clamped boundary conditions. In the first, the inextensible problem, we fix the length of the curves while in the second, the extensible problem, we add a term penalizing the length. This can be considered as a one-dimensional version of the Helfrich energy. In both cases, we prove existence, uniqueness and qualitative properties of the minimizers. A key ingredient in our analysis is the use of Noether identities valid for critical points of the energy and derived from the invariance of the energy functional with respect to translations. These identities allow us also to prove curvature bounds and ordering of the minimizers even though the problem is of fourth order and hence in general does not allow for comparison principles.
Influence of Participant Perceptions of Adherence-Related Interactions with Study/Study Team on Drug Levels: HPTN069 Analysis of Self-Reported Adherence Experiences While on Study
Authors: Amico K. R. , Mayer K. H. , Landovitz R. J. , Marzinke M. , Hendrix C. , McCauley M. , Wilkin T. , Gulick R. ,   HPTN 069/A5305 study team
Published: November 2023

Adherence to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) study drug is critical for safety, tolerability, and efficacy trials, and may be affected by how adherence is communicated by the study staff to trial participants. Increasingly, clinical trials investigating PrEP are creating and implementing ‘participant-centered’ approaches that discuss potential non-adherence neutrally (without negative judgement) and support efforts to adhere versus insisting on perfect adherence. In the HPTN069/ACTG A5305 study, we evaluated participant experiences of potentially negative adherence-related interactions with study teams using ten items to characterize the frequency of such experiences. We related these individual items and a combined set of seven negative experience items (total negative experience score) to drug concentrations (detectable or consistent with daily-dosing). The exploratory analyses used logistic regression for each experience item on the full sample and disaggregated by sex. Several experiences were related to drug detection and to daily-dosing, although more so for participants identifying as men than women. Total negative experience scores associated with not having detection drug concentrations for the full sample, and remained significant even when controlling for sex, age, and race. Daily dosing was associated with total negative experience score for men in the sample. Additional investigations into adherence-related interactions with study teams that are most problematic or helpful in general and uniquely for men and women are warranted.
A flexible short recurrence Krylov subspace method for matrices arising in the time integration of port-Hamiltonian systems and ODEs/DAEs with a dissipative Hamiltonian
Authors: Diab Malak , Frommer Andreas , Kahl Karsten
Published: November 2023

For several classes of mathematical models that yield linear systems, the splitting of the matrix into its Hermitian and skew Hermitian parts is naturally related to properties of the underlying model. This is particularly so for discretizations of dissipative Hamiltonian ODEs, DAEs and port-Hamiltonian systems where, in addition, the Hermitian part is positive definite or semi-definite. It is then possible to develop short recurrence optimal Krylov subspace methods in which the Hermitian part is used as a preconditioner. In this paper, we develop new, right preconditioned variants of this approach which, as their crucial new feature, allow the systems with the Hermitian part to be solved only approximately in each iteration while keeping the short recurrences. This new class of methods is particularly efficient as it allows, for example, to use few steps of a multigrid solver or a (preconditioned) CG method for the Hermitian part in each iteration. We illustrate this with several numerical experiments for large scale systems.
Exploring the effects of digital technology on deep learning: a meta-analysis
Authors: Wu Xiu-Yi
Published: November 2023

The impact of digital technology on learning outcomes, specifically deep learning, has been a subject of considerable debate and scrutiny in educational settings. This study aims to provide clarity by conducting a meta-analysis of empirical publications that examine students' deep learning outcomes in relation to digital technology. A comprehensive search of databases and a thorough literature review yielded 60 high-quality, peer-reviewed journal articles that met the inclusion criteria. Using Review Manager 5.4.1 software, a meta-analysis was conducted to assess the overall effectiveness of digital technology. The calculated effect size indicates a positive influence of digital technology on students' deep learning outcomes. Furthermore, a moderator variable analysis revealed several significant findings: 1. Different categories of digital technology tools have a favorable impact on deep learning outcomes; 2. The duration of digital technology treatment does not significantly affect deep learning outcomes; 3. Digital technology demonstrates a highly positive influence on deep learning within the humanities and social sciences disciplines; 4. Combining online and offline utilization of digital technology in education leads to a substantially greater enhancement in deep learning compared to relying solely on online methods; 5. The effectiveness of digital technology on deep learning is enhanced when accompanied by appropriate instructional guidance; 6. Utilizing digital technology in a systematic manner produces different outcomes compared to fragmented approaches, highlighting the importance of a cohesive implementation; 7. Integrating digital technology with collaborative learning has a more pronounced effect on deep learning compared to independent learning. These findings contribute to our understanding of the impact of digital technology on deep learning outcomes and underscore the importance of thoughtful integration and instructional support in educational contexts.
Distortions in Investment Timing and Quantity in Real Options with Asymmetric Information
Authors: Oosterhout Maarten van , Zwart Gijsbert
Published: November 2023

We analyze real options investment under asymmetric information on investment costs, where decisions not only involve investment timing, but also investment quantity. A principal, the regulator, offers a menu of contracts to the agent (the regulated firm). The regulated firm has better information on costs than the regulator, and the optimal regulation trades off distortions in investment decisions and informational rents left to the firm. In a non-dynamic situation, it is well known that optimal contracts involve downward distortions on investment quantity. In the dynamic, real options situation, distortions also occur in investment timing: a high-cost firm’s investment will be delayed beyond the optimal time, until revenues reach a higher investment threshold. We explore the effect on investment quantity in this real option regulation under various assumptions on the stochastic process for revenues. On the one hand, the higher investment threshold tends to increase investment quantities, whereas screening of high-cost firms would favour reducing their investment quantity. We find a simple sufficient condition for the latter, quantity-reducing, effect to dominate, and show that it is satisfied for a wide range of commonly used stochastic processes.
Genome-wide association study and pathway analysis to decipher loci associated with Fusarium ear rot resistance in tropical maize germplasm
Authors: Ayesiga Stella Bigirwa , Rubaihayo Patrick , Oloka Bonny Michael , Dramadri Isaac Ozinga , Sserumaga Julius Pyton
Published: November 2023

Breeding for host resistance is the most efficient and environmentally safe method to curb the spread of fusarium ear rot (FER). However, conventional breeding for resistance to FER is hampered by the complex polygenic nature of this trait, which is highly influenced by environmental conditions. This study aimed to identify genomic regions, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and putative candidate genes associated with FER resistance as well as candidate metabolic pathways and pathway genes involved in it. A panel of 151 tropical inbred maize lines were used to assess the genetic architecture of FER resistance over two seasons. During the study period, seven SNPs associated with FER resistance were identified on chromosomes 1, 2, 4, 5, and 9, accounting for 4–11% of the phenotypic variance. These significant markers were annotated into four genes. Seven significant metabolic pathways involved in FER resistance were identified using the Pathway Association Study Tool, the most significant being the superpathway of the glyoxylate cycle. Overall, this study confirmed that resistance to FER is indeed a complex mechanism controlled by several small to medium-effect loci. Our findings may contribute to fast-tracking the efforts to develop disease-resistant maize lines through marker-assisted selection.
Psychometric Properties of the North Carolina Family Assessment Scale (NCFAS) for Vulnerable Preschoolers from Ecuador
Authors: Ramírez-Morales Karina , Sadurní Marta , Ramirez-Morales Iván
Published: November 2023

Positive parenting and appropriate interaction with children are globally recognized as pivotal in enhancing children’s quality of life. Evaluating family intervention programs is therefore vital, particularly in regions that lack reliable tools for assessment. This manuscript details a study conducted in Ecuador, a country noted for its scarcity of validated instruments to assess the impact of such interventions, especially for vulnerable preschool children. We focused on the application of the North Carolina Family Assessment Scale (NCFAS), a well-established measure to evaluate family functioning internationally, to Ecuadorian families with preschool children who are deemed vulnerable. The Spanish translation of the original scale was administered by trained evaluators to 470 preschool children in Machala, Ecuador. Our examination of the psychometric properties of the NCFAS in this context demonstrated high internal consistency. Additionally, factor analysis corroborated the reliability and validity of this adapted version of the NCFAS, albeit with a reduced item count. This research supports the effectiveness of the NCFAS in the Ecuadorian setting and underscores its potential utility in further studies involving varied demographic groups within the country. The results of this study have substantial implications for the enhancement of children’s quality of life in Ecuador through family intervention programs.
Performance evaluation of an indirect–direct evaporative cooler using aluminum oxide-based nanofluid
Authors: Ganesha A. , Kumar Shiva , Kumar Nitesh , Girish H. , Harsha Anala Krishna , Sekhar Matam Vidya
Published: November 2023

Indoor comfort has become a necessity in recent times with the advancement of science and technology. The usage of direct type air coolers increases the humidity of the closed room, and this increase in humidity is unfavorable. The present work deals with the study related to the combination of direct and indirect type air cooler to increase the performance. A set of mild steel plates have been arranged to form a cross flow heat exchanger to exchange the heat between cold nanofluid and warm air forms the indirect heat exchanger. Al2O3-based nanoparticles have been blended with pure water and used in indirect air coolers. Celdek pad 7090 is used as the cooling pad in the direct type of air cooling. Experiments are performed by varying the flow rates of water from 1 to 4 lpm, by varying the air velocities from 3 to 6 ms−1, and by varying the concentration of nanoparticles in the water from 0 to 0.2.5%. Performance parameters such as change in temperature, change in Relative humidity (RH), cooling efficiency and coefficient of performance (COP) are determined. It was found that by adding the nanoparticles, the performance of the cooler has been enhanced. Chane in dry bulb temperature (ΔDBT), cooling efficiency increased by 13.1%, 14% as compared to the indirect method without using the nanoparticles and 39.2% and 21% as compared to the only direct type. Similarly, ΔRH reduced by 27% when compared to only direct evaporative cooler. 3 LPM showed the best performance with the highest humidification efficiency and COP of 96% and 5.9, respectively. When the air velocity is increased from 3 to 6 ms−1, energy consumption increases by 49%. Combination of indirect–direct techniques with the use of nanofluid has shown the potential of greater reduction in the exit DBT with simultaneously without appreciably increasing the exit RH.
Making social media applications inclusive for deaf end-users with access to sign language
Authors: Yeratziotis Alexandros , Achilleos Achilleas , Koumou Stavroulla , Zampas George , Thibodeau Regan A. , Geratziotis George , Papadopoulos George A. , Iasonas Iasonos , Kronis Christophoros
Published: November 2023

Social media apps such as WhatsApp, Messenger, Telegram and Viber are primary communication channels for most people today. Even within these Mainstream Social Media Applications, persons who are deaf are not provided with the rights and means to interact using sign language. This work, an outcome of the research project’ “Accessible System and Social Media Mobile Application for Deaf Users (ASM4Deaf)”, supports the inclusion of deaf end-users in social media applications. This was achieved via: 1) design and development of the ASM4Deaf system, which includes the Connect Deaf mobile application, enabling use of Sign Language Alphabet keyboards in social media apps in 17 different sign languages and 2) the evaluations of Low- and High-Fidelity prototypes aimed to enhance the app’s design and functionality, i.e. the ability to browse, search and edit animated videos/GIFs in the American Sign Language (ASL), using the face swapping feature. This makes the full set of features offered by social media applications accessible to deaf end-users and their personal network, which is the main contribution of this work. A Human-Centred Design methodology was employed, with the end-users at the heart of the process, to design and evaluate the Lo-Fi and Hi-Fi prototypes, and based on the evaluation results to develop the ASM4Deaf system and the Connect Deaf mobile application to fully meet the requirements of the deaf end-users.