bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
糖尿病性ケトアシドーシスに合併した糖尿病性舞踏病の1例(A case of diabetic hemiballismus with diabetic ketoacidosis)
Authors: 隆文 清水 , 新介 大西 , 洋一 片山 , 慶介 江原 , 理 奈良
Published: November 2024

症例は84歳の女性。糖尿病治療の自己中断歴がある。来院数日前から左上下肢にふるえを認めていたが，来院当日には左上下肢を振り回すような粗大運動になっていたため当院に救急搬送された。来院時の血液検査で高血糖とケトン体陽性の所見を認め糖尿病性ケトアシドーシスと診断し，インスリン持続静注を開始して入院とした。脳CTでは右大脳基底核にわずかな高濃度領域を認め，MRIでは右大脳基底核にT1強調画像でわずかに高信号域，T2強調画像，拡散強調画像，T2*強調画像では低信号域を認めたため，左上下肢近位からの不随意運動と合わせて糖尿病性舞踏病と診断した。不随意運動に対してはハロペリドールを投与し，症状の改善を図った。第2病日には高血糖は改善したためインスリン持続静注を中止し，basal bolus therapyに変更した。不随意運動は経時的に改善し，第5病日には消失した。その後，血糖コントロールを行ったのち，第15病日に他院に転院となった。糖尿病性舞踏病は非ケトン性高血糖で発症することがあるという報告が多いが，ケトアシドーシスでの発症は稀である。また脳血管障害や肝性脳症など，救急外来で遭遇する頻度が高い疾患が鑑別疾患となるため，救急医が知っておくべき病態である。
Uncovering the Strategic Potential of Blockchain Technology Adoption: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Pooja Pooja , Chikhale Mayur M. , Dhir Sanjay
Published: November 2024

Blockchain technology adoption has gained significant attention from researchers due to its potential transformative impacts across various industries. This study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the adoption of blockchain technology and its strategic implications for firms. This paper uses bibliometric analysis to identify influential articles, journals, authors, countries, and the thematic focus of articles. Further, this paper uses the TCCM framework to identify frequently used theories, characteristics, contexts, and methodologies of blockchain adoption. The most popular research areas are supply chain, finance, banking, agriculture, and health care. This study has provided a novel understanding of the antecedents for adopting blockchain technology including technology‐specific, organization‐specific, environment‐specific, and psychological factors and its strategic outcomes. Blockchain adoption results in the achievement of competitive advantage, sustainable and superior performance, and the creation of new value for customers. Future researchers can gain an understanding of the existing trends and knowledge related to blockchain adoption with a strategic perspective. Specific research questions are framed to advance knowledge in this domain by future researchers. Further, a unique conceptual model a from strategic perspective is proposed, that can serve as a foundation for future empirical and theoretical analysis. Managers and practitioners should consider strategic antecedents associated with blockchain technology adoption to gain a competitive advantage.
The role of physical metallurgical relationships in enhancing alloy properties prediction and design: A case study on Q&P steel
Authors: Li Yong , Li Hua , Wang Chenchong , Jose Rivera‐Diaz‐del‐Castillo Pedro Eduardo
Published: November 2024

Traditional alloy design typically relies on a trial‐and‐error approach, which is both time‐consuming and expensive. Whilst physical metallurgical (PM) models offer some predictive capabilities, their reliability is limited by errors accumulating across space scales. To address this, this study proposes a novel framework that combines PM knowledge graphs (PMKGs) with graph neural networks (GNNs) to predict the tensile properties of quenching and partitioning steels, using genetic algorithms for dual‐objective optimization. Compared to traditional artificial intelligence (AI) models, this framework shows significant advantages in predicting ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and total elongation (TEL) with higher accuracy and stability. Notably, the R2 for TEL prediction improved by approximately 15%. Furthermore, this framework successfully balances UTS and TEL, resulting in the design of alloys with superior overall properties. The designed alloys, with a composition of approximately 0.3 wt.% C, 3 wt.% Mn, 1.2 wt.% Si, and minor amounts of Cr and Al, achieve a UTS exceeding 1500 MPa and TEL near 20%, aligning with PM principles and validating the rationality and feasibility of this method. This study offers new insights into applying AI in complex multi‐objective alloy design, highlighting the potential of integrating expert knowledge with GNNs.
Sequencing, Task Failures, and Capacity When Failures Are Driven by a Non‐Homogeneous Poisson Process
Authors: Zhu Lingjiong , Paul Anand , Aytug Haldun
Published: November 2024

We study the optimal sequencing of a batch of tasks on a machine subject to random disruptions driven by a non‐homogeneous Poisson process (NHPP), such that every disruption requires the interrupted task to be re‐processed from scratch, and partially completed work on a disrupted task is wasted. The NHPP models random disruptions whose frequency varies systematically with time. In general, the time taken to process a given batch of tasks depends on the order in which the tasks are processed. We find conditions under which the simplest possible sequencing rules—shortest processing time first (SPT) and longest processing time first (LPT)—suffice to minimize the completion time of a batch of tasks.
Real‐Time Fault Ride Through Capability Improvement of PMSG‐Wind Turbine Based on Robust Fractional Order Sliding Mode Control
Authors: Feyzi Mojtaba , Roozbehani Sam , Ghaseminejad Liasi Sahand , Deihimi Kordkandi Reza
Published: November 2024

The increasing integration of renewable energy sources, such as wind power, poses significant challenges for maintaining grid stability and reliability, especially under fault conditions. The issue of transient response speed of the control system during fault occurrence and clearing is one of those challenges. In this article, a fractional‐order sliding mode control (FOSMC) method is introduced for a wind energy conversion system (WECS) with a variable‐speed direct‐drive permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) under both normal and fault conditions. During normal operation, the machine‐side converter (MSC) is utilized to achieve maximum power point tracking (MPPT) for the wind turbine, while the grid‐side converter (GSC) regulates the DC‐link voltage and injected reactive power. In fault conditions, such as low voltage ride through (LVRT) events mandated by grid codes, the MSC adjusts the DC‐link voltage instead of the GSC, while the GSC controls active and reactive powers. The proposed control method is compared to a conventional control system. The results demonstrate that the suggested approach offers faster dynamic response and greater robustness under both balanced and unbalanced conditions. Furthermore, by enhancing LVRT capability and reactive power injection, the proposed control method leads to smaller spikes in injected current and DC link voltage. To validate the proposed method, simulations are performed using offline MATLAB/Simulink simulation. Subsequently, the results are validated through experimental real‐time implementation.
Beyond Body Mass Index: Accurate Metabolic Disease‐Risk Phenotyping With 3D Smartphone Application
Authors: McCarthy Cassidy , Tinsley Grant M. , Ramirez Sophia , Heymsfield Steven B.
Published: November 2024

Objective

Smartphone applications (apps) with optical imaging capabilities are transforming the field of physical anthropometry; digital measurements of body size and shape in clinical settings are increasingly feasible. Currently available apps are usually designed around the capture of two‐dimensional images that are then transformed with app software to three‐dimensional (3D) avatars that can be used for digital anthropometry. The aim of the current study was to compare waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), four other circumferences (right/left upper arm, thigh) and WC/HC evaluated with a novel high‐precision 3D smartphone app to ground‐truth measurements made with a flexible tape by a trained anthropometrist.

Methods

Forty‐four participants aged 20–78 years and body mass index 18.5–48.5 kg/m2 completed digital and manual circumference evaluations and dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry for visceral adipose tissue mass (VAT).

Results

3D‐digital and ground‐truth tape WC, HC, and WC/HC estimates were highly correlated (R2s, 0.90–0.97, p < 0.001), mean 3D and tape group means at each site did not differ significantly, mean absolute (± SD) and root‐mean square errors were low (e.g., WC, 3.4 ± 2.6 and 4.4 cm), and strong concordance correlations were present (0.90–0.99); bias with Bland–Altman analyses was small but significant (p < 0.001) for WC and WC/HC. Comparable results were observed for the four other circumferences. VAT was equally well‐correlated with 3D and tape WC measurements (R2s 0.70, 0.69, both p < 0.001); comparable tape‐3D VAT‐WC/HC associations were also observed in males (R2s, 0.85, 0.73, both p < 0.001) and females (R2s, 0.43, p < 0.01; 0.73, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Digital anthropometry, with accessible technology such as the evaluated novel 3D app, has reached a sufficiently developed stage to go beyond body mass index for phenotyping patient's metabolic disease risks.
Thermal stability modeling of high molecular weight polymethylmethacrylate TiO2 nanocrystals nanocomposites: Effect of loading and morphology
Authors: Jouamaa Adam , El Fengouchi Ikrame , Striccoli Marinella , Panniello Annamaria , El Hasnaoui Mohamed
Published: November 2024

In this work, we investigated the thermal degradation of high molecular weight polymethylmethacrylate (HMW‐PMMA) nanocomposites reinforced with titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) in two morphologies, namely nanodots (NDs) and nanorods (NRs). Thermogravimetric (TG) measurements were studied by using a weight loss kinetic model based on the isothermal Lyon approximation. The combination of experimental data and theorical calculations allows for the evaluation of significant thermodynamic parameters, including entropy, activation energy, Gibbs free energy, and enthalpy. The obtained results show that the thermal stability of the HMW‐PMMA improves by adding increasing TiO2 NP loading amounts into the polymeric nanocomposites. Interestingly, the thermal stability is also affected by the specific nanoparticle morphology, as adding spherical shaped TiO2 NDs leads to a superior resistance to thermal degradation than elongated TiO2 NRs, due to the larger surface area of TiO2 NDs and their reduced tendency to aggregate within the polymeric host. Finally, our findings demonstrate the relevance of the systematic study and careful selection of nanofiller morphology and concentration in optimizing the thermal properties of PMMA‐based nanocomposites.

Highlights

Solid state nanocomposite films of PMMA and colloidal TiO2 NPs were fabricated

Thermal degradation was studied by TGA measurements and theoretical simulations

Thermodynamic parameters were evaluated by experimental data and simulations

Increasing NP loading in PMMA enhanced the thermal stability of nanocomposites

Specific morphology of TiO2 NPs affects thermal stability of nanocomposites
A comparison of established and digital surface model (DSM)‐based methods to determine population estimates and densities for king penguin colonies, using fixed‐wing drone and satellite imagery
Authors: Coleman J. , Fenney N. , Trathan P.N. , Fox A. , Fox E. , Bennison A. , Ireland L. , Collins M.A. , Hollyman P.R.
Published: November 2024

Drones are being increasingly used to monitor wildlife populations; their large spatial coverage and minimal disturbance make them ideal for use in remote environments where access and time are limited. The methods used to count resulting imagery need consideration as they can be time‐consuming and costly. In this study, we used a fixed‐wing drone and Beyond Visual Line of Sight flying to create high‐resolution imagery and digital surface models (DSMs) of six large king penguin colonies (colony population sizes ranging from 10,671 to 132,577 pairs) in South Georgia. We used a novel DSM‐based method to facilitate automated and semi‐automated counts of each colony to estimate population size. We assessed these DSM‐derived counts against other popular counting and post‐processing methodologies, including those from satellite imagery, and compared these to the results from four colonies counted manually to evaluate accuracy and effort. We randomly subsampled four colonies to test the most efficient and accurate methods for density‐based counts, including at the colony edge, where population density is lower. Sub‐sampling quadrats (each 25 m2) together with DSM‐based counts offered the best compromise between accuracy and effort. Where high‐resolution drone imagery was available, accuracy was within 3.5% of manual reference counts. DSM methods were more accurate than other established methods including estimation from satellite imagery and are applicable for population studies across other taxa worldwide. Results and methods will be used to inform and develop a long‐term king penguin monitoring programme.
Sol–Gel Synthesis of CeO2 Nanoparticles Using a Gelatine Template for Effective Adsorptive Removal of Arsenate and Fluoride from Water
Authors: Trinh Tuyen Ngoc , Dang Phong Xuan , Duong Lim Thi , Truong Dung Phuong , Nguyen Kien Trung , Nguyen Chi Thi Ha , Pham Chuc Ngoc , Nguyen Bac Quang , Dao Nhiem Ngoc , Van Nguyen Long , Pham Nghia Ngo , Kalus Alina , Walenzik Gabriele , Rudolph Karl‐Ulrich
Published: November 2024

In this study, CeO2 nanoparticles were synthesized by the sol–gel method using gelatine templates. The prepared CeO2 analyzed by analytical techniques displayed the fluorite structure with uniform sizes of 10–25 nm, a BET‐specific surface area of 65.8 m2/g, a pore volume of 0.144 cm3/g, and the existence of oxygen vacancies, suggesting their compatibility for adsorption removal of pollutants. The adsorption of arsenate and fluoride on CeO2 exhibited the maximal adsorption capacity of 224 and 64 mg/g, respectively. The kinetics of the adsorption fitted the pseudo‐second‐order model perfectly. Compared to fluoride, the adsorption of arsenate was found kinetically more but thermodynamically less favored. It can lie on the more stable complexes formed between arsenate and the prepared CeO2, the larger size of arsenate ions, and the mesoporosity of the prepared CeO2. As a result, the pore of the prepared CeO2 is filled quickly with arsenate ions, becoming full after a specific time that prevents the filling of further arsenate ions. Moreover, the CeO2 adsorbent demonstrated its high reusability up to 9 times without losing remarkable adsorption capacity (≤10%). Overall, the prepared CeO2 can be applied for the treatment of drinking water and wastewater in several regions of Vietnam.
Towards a More Holistic and Pluralistic Critical Systems Thinking: The Dimension of ‘Hé’ (和)
Authors: Sun Wenxian Hetty
Published: November 2024

This paper is dedicated to the pioneering work of Mike Jackson, a prominent figure in systems thinking. His enduring commitment to philosophical inquiry and holism has been pivotal in shaping critical systems thinking (CST). This paper emphasises Jackson's insights into addressing the complexities of the VUCA world. It examines the significant influence of Western philosophy on CST, highlighting the need for a balanced approach to pluralism. In challenging Jackson's recent endorsement of ‘discordant pluralism’ and his shift toward a ‘pragmatist turn’, the paper argues that these positions diverge from CST's foundational principles of holism. As an alternative, the paper advocates for exploring the concept of ‘Hé’ (和) from Eastern, particularly Chinese, philosophical traditions, which promotes harmony, diversity and unity within the framework of CST. The paper argues that ‘Hé’ (和) can enrich CST's capacity to cultivate a holistic and pluralistic perspective, ultimately fostering self‐reflexivity as a crucial pathway for navigating the complexities of our contemporary world.
Experimental study on interfacial shear strength of concrete construction joints with high GGBS replacement level
Authors: Chen Lijie , Ji Xinlin , Zhu Zexiu , Wong Rayson Wai Hung , Su Ray Kai Leung
Published: November 2024

The high level partial replacement of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) with ground granulated blast‐furnace slag (GGBS) is being increasingly employed due to the heavy environmental burden of construction work. This study experimentally investigates the interfacial shear strength of concrete construction joints with high GGBS replacement levels. The experimental variables include type of joint (OPC‐OPC, GGBS‐GGBS, and GGBS‐OPC), concrete grade (C45 and C60) and GGBS replacement level (50% and 60%). The compressive strength and shear strength of concrete specimens were obtained for analysis. The morphology and porous zone (PZ) of the bonding interface between new and old concrete were examined by scanning electron microscopy. The experimental interfacial shear strength of concrete construction joints was compared with values calculated by the design equations of existing standards. The results indicate that the interfacial shear strength of GGBS‐OPC concrete construction joints can be 28% lower than their OPC counterparts. The thickness of PZ can be increased by introducing GGBS. The design of the interfacial shear strength of a plain concrete construction joint without normal stress can be determined using the AASHTO equation, provided the surface is roughened by an applied retarder.
Amnesia and Oblivion
Authors: Jacob Ramalho Joana
Published: November 2024

Expanding the focus from obsessive re-membering to the inability to re-collect, this chapter takes as its main topic wilful and involuntary forgetting. The tension between the two emphasises the threshold existence of the protagonists and suggests death as the only way to cope with the challenges and pains of memory in a gothic context. In the light of neurologist Oliver Sacks’s research on amnesia and music, and psychologist and cognitive neuroscientist Endel Tulving’s work on human memory, I analyse Juliette, or Key of Dreams (Carné, 1951), which depicts a strange realm—the Land of Oblivion—whose inhabitants have all lost their memory. The close connection between music, memory, and nation which emerges here in the figure of an amnesic accordionist, begins my investigation into musical instruments as memory-objects, which continues in the next chapter. The accordion, which the hand’s touch brings to life, appears in this film as the only medium of remembering and thus of counteracting an otherwise thoroughly exilic existence. Juliette, a quietly disquieting film, offers failure as a solution to postwar, postmodern disenchantment and disenfranchisement, deploying a gothic aesthetic to portray a self-reflexive, somewhat satirical, and utterly despondent outlook on ordinary life in contemporary societies.
The Gothic Piano: Elegy to an Absence
Authors: Jacob Ramalho Joana
Published: November 2024

This chapter focuses on the piano—a tactile space par excellence—and argues that the connections between memory, touch, and estrangement in the Gothic are made evident through pianism. The awakening and retrieval of memories that classical piano music facilitates trigger spatial, temporal, and psychological processes of audiovisual re-collection that decisively contribute to the breakdown of relationships. The following films anchor my investigation into the Gothic’s aural geographies: Orlacs Hände (Wiene, 1924), Undercurrent (Minnelli, 1946), Dragonwyck (Mankiewicz, 1946), While I Live (Harlow, 1947), and Letter from an Unknown Woman (Ophuls, 1948). Through Marcel Proust’s and Reverend H.R. Haweis’s writings, and guided by Ivan Raykoff’s (Dreams of Love: Playing the Romantic Pianist. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2013) research on ‘sound-bodies’, ‘unsound bodies’, and ‘untuned women’, I analyse the effects of pianism’s dark aural aesthetics on the memory of the viewers-listeners and the tortured virtuosos. I advance the concept of ‘haptic listening’ to analyse the characters’ intense experience of piano music in exilic spaces of musical interaction and offer a literary and pseudo-medical contextualisation of the piano’s evil effects.
São Jorge's Volcano-Tectonic Unrest in 2022: A Joint Interpretation Through GNSS and Fully Automated Seismic Analysis
Authors: Suarez E. D. , García-Cañada L. , Meletlidis S. , Domínguez-Cerdeña I. , del Fresno C. , Perdiguer-Lopez R. , Poczatek-Stanczyk M.
Published: November 2024

The Azores Triple Junction offers a unique opportunity to investigate the interplay between volcanism and tectonic activity. After 60 years of quiescence in São Jorge Island, in March 2022, the island experienced a volcano-tectonic unrest, accompanied by widely felt earthquakes and surface deformation. We conducted an extensive study of this anomalous activity throughout 2022, through a purely automated analysis based on a deep-learning approach for seismic activity, combined with the processing and analysis of data from GNSS stations in the archipelago. The joint interpretation of ground deformation and seismicity suggests a failed magmatic eruption, which we have summarized in a four-stage conceptual model. The unrest began on 16 March 2022 with a period of vertical uplift that lasted for 2 days. On 19 March, the deformation reversed with a burst of seismicity that marked a rapid dike intrusion in the crust which abruptly stopped a few kilometers under the surface. Over the following weeks, the relocated seismicity suggests an intense overpressure near the Moho discontinuity and reveals, in great detail, a lateral magmatic expansion in a sill-like pattern. Finally, from the second week of April until the end of the year a decrease in seismic activity and a lack of deformation registered, indicates a decline and stabilization of the volcano-tectonic process.
On domain generators for the evaluation of action reversibility in STRIPS
Authors: Schwartz Tobias , Boockmann Jan H. , Martin Leon
Published: November 2024

Robustness is a crucial requirement for the deployment of AI systems in real-world scenarios. In the context of AI planning, the concept of action reversibility, i.e., the ability to undo the effects of an action using a reverse plan, is a promising direction for achieving robust plans. Plans composed exclusively of reversible actions exhibit resilience against goal changes during the execution of the plan. However, the evaluation of action reversibility systems in STRIPS planning presents a challenge, given that standard planning benchmarks are often not suitable. Early experiments using a naive implementation of an action reversibility algorithm show that the available domain generation approach is susceptible to bias. Building on this existing domain generator, we introduce two slight variations that exhibit entirely different search space characteristics. We assess these domain generators using the naive action reversibility implementation and existing ASP implementations, and demonstrate that different generators indeed favor different implementations. As a follow-up to this line of research, we present a generalized domain generator facilitating the creation of domains with diverse search space characteristics. To finally reduce the utilization of contrived generation patterns, we propose another domain generator based on the Barabási-Albert model yielding less rigid domains. Our experiments demonstrate that these new domain generators can produce a variety of domains with diverse search space characteristics, enabling a less biased evaluation of action reversibility systems.
Optimal configurations for modular systems at the example of crane bridges
Authors: Beck Maren , Bolender Steffen , Stein Oliver
Published: November 2024

The aim of this paper is to optimize modular systems which cover the construction of products that can be assembled on a modular basis. Increasing the number of different variants of individual components on the one hand decreases the cost of oversizing the assembled product, while on the other hand the cost for maintaining the modular system increases. For the minimization of the overall cost a mixed-integer model is derived. However, this model cannot simply be passed to a solver for mixed-integer optimization, since certain dependency structures of the variables occur. We propose a solution approach for this complicating structure using binary variables to transform the problem into a mixed-integer optimization problem, which can be solved deterministically. In a numerical study, this formulation is investigated using the example of a modular system for crane bridges.
Valorization of Manihot esculenta peel from environmental pollutant to sustainable engineering solutions for a cleaner future
Authors: Ben Festus
Published: November 2024

As efforts intensify to address the environmental impact of agricultural waste, the valorization of Manihot esculenta peel (MEP) for sustainable engineering applications presents a unique opportunity to repurpose this class of agricultural waste to achieve environmental sustainability development goals while promoting socio-economic development of this pollutant. The inherent properties of MEP, such as its richness in carbohydrates and cellulose, make it a useful raw material for producing biofuels, bioethanols, biocomposites, and other sustainable engineering materials. Its resilience to adverse environmental conditions also makes MEP well-suited for cultivation in diverse agroecological settings, further enhancing its appeal as a sustainable resource. While existing review articles provide valuable insights into Manihot esculenta peel utilization across various industries, they often overlook the comprehensive valorization of Manihot esculenta for sustainable engineering applications, creating a notable knowledge gap. Through a systematic examination of innovative approaches documented in the literature, this research seeks to bridge this gap by elucidating strategies for repurposing cassava waste into valuable engineering materials to mitigate environmental pollution and promote sustainable resource utilization. By synthesizing existing research and identifying key research gaps, this study advances the understanding of Manihot esculenta peel’s potential as a sustainable material and facilitates the transition toward greener engineering practices.
Prevalence of urinary incontinence in female gymnasts: a systematic review
Authors: Kneißler Emelie , Zentgraf Karen
Published: November 2024

Background

It is commonly assumed that it is mainly older, pregnant, and postnatal women who suffer from urinary incontinence. However, young and healthy women who are active in sports are also affected, and research suggests that women practicing high-impact sports are more prone to incontinence than their nonathletic peers. This review evaluates the prevalence of urinary incontinence in female gymnasts as high-impact athletes, and identifies the factors most likely to contribute to it.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature was based on a search for published English-language studies up to January 2024 in three electronic databases: PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. The search strategy included the keywords stress urinary incontinence, female urinary leakage, trampoline, artistic gymnastics, cheerleading, and female athletes. Subjects were female gymnasts and the outcome was the prevalence of urinary incontinence.

Results

The search identified 49 studies, 6 of which met the methodological criteria for a complete analysis. This review integrated 928 women aged 13–44 years. Depending on the type of study, risk of bias was assessed using either risk of bias in nonrandomized cohort studies by Cochrane or AXIS.

Conclusion

Data suggest a high prevalence of urinary incontinence for exercising in gymnastics, due mainly to sport-specific movements. However, preventive measures are rarely taken. Urine leakage massively influences the quality of life as well as performance in training and competition. The present review aims to cast light on this issue because it may have a major impact on well-being and female participation in sports.
Electropolymerized Dopamine Film-Modified Optical Fiber LMR Biosensor for Immunoassay
Authors: Dai Xiaoshuang , Wang Shuang , Li Yongle , Jiang Junfeng , Tan Ke , Liu Hongyu , Li Zhiyuan , Xu Tianhua , Liu Tiegen
Published: November 2024

In producing high-performance optical biosensors, the selected coupling agent and its fixation mode play an essential role as one of the decisive conditions for antibody incubation. In this work, we designed optical fiber biosensors by electrochemical polymerization to enable low detection limit (LOD) immunoassay. Based on the optical fiber lossy mode resonance (OF-LMR) achieved by In2O3-SnO2-90/10 wt% (ITO), we have simultaneously implemented the electropolymerized dopamine (ePDA) film on the ITO-coated fiber via the electrochemical method, utilizing the excellent electrical conductivity of ITO. After that, the immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody layer was immobilized on the entire sensing region with the assistance of the ePDA film. The results of immunoassay were analyzed by recording the shift of the LMR resonance wavelength to verify the sensor performance. The LOD was evaluated as the lowest concentration of human IgG detected by the OF-LMR sensor, which was confirmed to be 4.20 ng·mL−1. Furthermore, the sensor achieved selective detection for specific antigens and exhibited a good recovery capability in chicken serum samples. The developed scheme provides a feasible opportunity to enhance the intersection of electrochemistry and optics subjects and also offers a new promising solution to achieve the immunoassay.
Symmetrization process and truncated orthogonal polynomials
Authors: Dominici Diego , García-Ardila Juan Carlos , Marcellán Francisco
Published: November 2024

We define the family of truncated Laguerre polynomials $$P_n(x;z)$$

P
n

(
x
;
z
)

, orthogonal with respect to the linear functional $$\varvec{\ell }$$

ℓ

defined by $$\begin{aligned} \left\langle {\varvec{\ell },p}\right\rangle =\int _{0}^zp(x)x^\alpha e^{-x}dx,\qquad \alpha >-1. \end{aligned}$$

ℓ

,
p

=

∫

0

z

p

(
x
)

x
α

e

-
x

d
x
,

α
>
-
1
.

The connection between $$P_n(x;z)$$

P
n

(
x
;
z
)

and the polynomials $$S_n(x;z)$$

S
n

(
x
;
z
)

(obtained through the symmetrization process) constitutes a key element in our analysis. As a consequence, several properties of the polynomials $$P_n(x;z)$$

P
n

(
x
;
z
)

and $$S_n(x;z)$$

S
n

(
x
;
z
)

are studied taking into account the relation between the parameters of the three-term recurrence relations that they satisfy. Asymptotic expansions of these coefficients are given. Discrete Painlevé and Painlevé equations associated with such coefficients appear in a natural way. An electrostatic interpretation of the zeros of such polynomials as well as the dynamics of the zeros in terms of the parameter z are given.
RGB Color-Discriminable Photonic Synapse for Neuromorphic Vision System
Authors: Jeong Bum Ho , Lee Jaewon , Ku Miju , Lee Jongmin , Kim Dohyung , Ham Seokhyun , Lee Kyu-Tae , Kim Young-Beom , Park Hui Joon
Published: November 2024

To emulate the functionality of the human retina and achieve a neuromorphic visual system, the development of a photonic synapse capable of multispectral color discrimination is of paramount importance. However, attaining robust color discrimination across a wide intensity range, even irrespective of medium limitations in the channel layer, poses a significant challenge. Here, we propose an approach that can bestow the color-discriminating synaptic functionality upon a three-terminal transistor flash memory even with enhanced discriminating capabilities. By incorporating the strong induced dipole moment effect at the excitation, modulated by the wavelength of the incident light, into the floating gate, we achieve outstanding RGB color-discriminating synaptic functionality within a remarkable intensity range spanning from 0.05 to 40 mW cm−2. This approach is not restricted to a specific medium in the channel layer, thereby enhancing its applicability. The effectiveness of this color-discriminating synaptic functionality is demonstrated through visual pre-processing of a photonic synapse array, involving the differentiation of RGB channels and the enhancement of image contrast with noise reduction. Consequently, a convolutional neural network can achieve an impressive inference accuracy of over 94% for Canadian-Institute-For-Advanced-Research-10 colorful image recognition task after the pre-processing. Our proposed approach offers a promising solution for achieving robust and versatile RGB color discrimination in photonic synapses, enabling significant advancements in artificial visual systems.
An efficient tuning method for networked control systems
Authors: Pal Debashish , Bhagat Shiv Kumar , Shanmugasundar G. , Ghadai Ranjan Kumar
Published: November 2024

Sensors, controllers, and actuators in a networked control system collaborate to execute a distributed closed-loop feedback control system. Currently, NCS includes network components that remain unidentified, such as heightened latency and packet loss, which may be persistent or fluctuate over time. The current predicament stems from the increased complexity of inspection and control systems, which is attributed to the vast expansion of communication networks. Implementing proactive strategies to mitigate the effects of communication network disruptions on control systems is crucial. A comprehensive study has identified various techniques for controller development. Initiatives are underway to mitigate the impact of network-wide random delays and improve the efficiency of the NCS system. To reach this goal, this study uses a meta-heuristic optimization method called the Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA) along with a fuzzy-PID controller for a Networked Control System (NCS) plant. The proposed work will be evaluated under two operational scenarios of the NCS plant: one incorporating a random delay condition and the other excluding it. The effectiveness of the proposed method is evaluated by measuring and comparing its closed-loop performance to a traditional PID controller. The outcomes for both NCS plant scenarios illustrate the efficacy of the proposed initiative regarding closed-loop performance.
The Architectural Image and Early Modern Science
Authors: Petcu Elizabeth J.
Published: November 2024

The Architectural Image and Early Modern Science: Wendel Dietterlin and the Rise of Empirical Investigation explores how architectural media came to propel scientific discourse between the eras of Dürer and of Rubens. It is also the first English-language book to feature the polymathic, eccentric, and long-misunderstood artist Wendel Dietterlin (c. 1550–1599). Here, Elizabeth J. Petcu reveals how architectural paintings, drawings, sculptures, and prints became hotbeds of early modern empiricism, the idea that knowledge derives from sensory experience. She demonstrates how Dietterlin's empirical imagery of architecture came into dialogue with the image-making practices of early modern scientists, a rapport that foreshadowed the intimate relationships between architecture and science today. Petcu's astute insights offer historians of art, science, and architecture a new framework for understanding the role of architectural images in the foundations of modern science. She also provides a coherent narrative regarding the interplay between early modern art, architecture, and science as a catalyst for modern empirical philosophy.
Verbal Medicines
Authors: Arnovick Leslie K.
Published: November 2024

Religious texts played a central role in Early English, and this innovative book looks in particular at how medieval Christians used prayers and psalms in healing the sick. At first glance, the variety and multiplicity of utterances, prayers, exorcistic formulas, and other incantations found in a single charm may seem to be random and eclectic. However, this book shows that charms had distinct, logical linguistic characteristics, as well performative aspects that were shaped by their usage and cultural significance. Together, these qualities gave the texts a unique role in the early development of English, in particular its use in ritual and folklore. Arnovick identifies four forms of incantations and a full chapter is devoted to each form, arranged to reflect the lived experiences of medieval Christians, from their baptism in infancy, to daily prayer and attendance at Church celebrations, and to their Confession and anointing during grave illness.
Islam, Causality, and Science
Authors: Koca Özgür
Published: November 2024

This Element intends to contribute to the debate between Islam and science. It focuses on one of the most challenging issues in the modern discussion on the reconciliation of religious and scientiﬁc claims about the world, which is to think about divine causality without undermining the rigor and efficacy of the scientiﬁc method. First, the Element examines major Islamic accounts of causality. Then, it provides a brief overview of contemporary debates on the issue and identifies both scientific and theological challenges. It argues that any proposed Islamic account of causality for the task of reconciliation should be able to preserve scientific rigor without imposing a priori limits on scientific research, account for miracles without turning them into science-stoppers or metaphors, secure divine and creaturely freedom, and establish a strong sense of divine presence in the world. Following sections discuss strengths and weaknesses of each account in addressing these challenges.
Judicial Populism: A Conceptual and Normative Inquiry
Authors: Hilbink Lisa
Published: November 2024

A growing number of analysts use the term “judicial populism” to refer to judicial behavior that they find problematic, but they apply it to divergent phenomena and find it objectionable for different reasons. What, then, is judicial populism, and when and why should it be of concern? Taking a deductive approach, I argue that judicial populism is best understood as a performance/discursive style, analytically distinct from judicial activism. Like judicial activism, it is a gradational concept, and both populism and activism may present in judicial behavior to different degrees and in different combinations. To illustrate, I develop a grid matrix with an X-axis that runs from maximal restraint/deference to maximal creativity/dominance in the content of judicial rulings (the “what”) and a Y-axis that runs from maximally removed and technocratic to maximally proximate and publicly oriented in the performance or communication of the judicial role (the “how”). This two-dimensional framework enables nuanced comparison of judicial behavior in disparate times, places, and issue areas, illuminating relative variations and trends therein. It also helps to illustrate that, from a pluralist and deliberative democratic perspective, it is not judicial populism per se that should trouble democrats but, rather, populist behavior taken to extremes.
Radiative and continuum dampings of reversed shear Alfvén eigenmodes and perturbative analysis limitations for tokamaks
Authors: Gorelenkov N. N. , Yu L. , Wang Y. , Fu G.-Y.
Published: November 2024

A careful theoretical analysis of the excitation of Alfvén eigenmodes (AEs), such as TAE (toroidicity-induced AE) and RSAE (reversed shear AE), by superalfvenic energetic particles is required for reliable predictions of energetic ion relaxation in present day fusion experiments. This includes the evaluation of different AE damping mechanisms including radiative and continuum dampings which are the focus of this study. A recent comprehensive benchmark of different eigenmode solvers including gyrokinetic, gyrofluid and hybrid magenetohydrodynamics (MHD) has shown that employed models may have deficiencies when addressing some of them (Taimourzadeh et al., Nucl. Fusion, vol. 59, 2019, 066006). In this paper, we are studying the radiative and continuum dampings of RSAEs in details which were missing in hybrid NOVA/NOVA-C calculations to prepare a NOVA-C package with a substantial upgrade. Both dampings require the finite Larmor radius (FLR) corrections to AE mode structures to be accounted for. Accurately calculating different damping rates and understanding their parametric dependencies, we resolve the limitation coming out of the perturbative approach. In particular, here, the radiative damping is included perturbatively, whereas the continuum damping is computed non-perturbatively. Our comparison leads to the conclusion that the non-perturbative treatment of the unstable RSAE modes is needed to find the agreement with the gyrokinetic calculations. We expect that the RSAE mode structure modification plays a dominant role in determining the RSAE stability.
Status of prevention of neural tube defects post-folic acid fortification of cereal grains in South Africa
Authors: Kancherla Vijaya , Randall Phillip , Christianson Arnold L , Malherbe Helen Louise
Published: November 2024

Objective:

Neural tube defects (NTD) are serious, life-threatening birth defects. Staple food fortification with folic acid (vitamin B9) is a proven, effective intervention to reduce NTD birth prevalence. Mandatory food fortification with folic acid was implemented in South Africa (SA) in 2003. This article provides an overview of NTD birth prevalence in SA, pre- and post-fortification, and evaluates current folic acid fortification regulations.

Design:

Fortification effectiveness data in SA were reviewed using published studies and national reports on NTD birth prevalence pre- and post-folic acid fortification. Current folic acid fortification regulations in SA were evaluated by experts.

Setting:

Regulations were assessed using national health guidelines, legislation and regulations. NTD birth prevalence data were sourced from the published literature.

Participants:

None.

Results:

Significant reductions in the birth prevalence of spina bifida and anencephaly and improved maternal folate levels have been achieved following the introduction of folic acid fortification in SA. However, there is poor overall regulatory compliance in some instances and a gap in current regulations that excludes the fortification of cake flour in SA.

Conclusions:

While the SA NTD birth prevalence has decreased by 30% post-fortification, the regulatory exclusion of cake flour fortification is a significant and growing issue. Proposed 2016 regulatory amendments to address this gap urgently require finalisation and enactment by government to prevent negating benefits achieved to date and to ensure continued improvement. Fortification monitoring requires strengthening to ensure widespread compliance with policies, particularly in underserved areas.
Associations between prenatal alcohol exposure and early education outcomes: a matched controls study using the born in Bradford dataset
Authors: McCarthy Robyn , Cook Penny A. , Pink Joshua , Eddy Lucy H.
Published: November 2024

Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) is associated with cognitive, behavioural, and developmental impairments throughout the lifespan of affected individuals, but there is limited evidence on how early this impact can be identified through routinely collected childhood data. This paper explores the relationship between PAE and the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile (EYFSP), a statutory teacher-based summative assessment of early development in relation to learning goals. This analysis uses the Born in Bradford dataset, a UK based cohort (n = 13,959; full dataset), which collected self-reported PAE from 11,905 mothers, with 19.8% reporting drinking alcohol at some point during pregnancy. Coarsened exact matching was conducted to examine relationships between patterns of PAE and children achieving a ‘Good Level of Development’ on the EYFSP, a binary variable assessed at 4–5 years of age, controlling for known confounders, including deprivation, mother’s education, exposure to other teratogenic substances, and child’s age at assessment. Additionally, we examined EYFSP sub-scores to identify specific developmental deficits associated with PAE.

The key finding is a statistically significant association between PAE at a level of consuming 5 or more units of alcohol (equivalent to 50 ml or 40 g of pure alcohol) at least once per week from the 4th month of pregnancy onwards and lower EYFSP scores when accounting for established confounding variables. These findings highlight that the detrimental impact of alcohol during pregnancy can be identified using statutory educational assessments. This has implications internationally for prevention work, policy, and commissioning of support services for people impacted by PAE.
An equity indicator for assessing mental healthcare access: a national population case study
Authors: Dawadi S. , Shawyer F. , Callander E. , Patten S. , Johnson B. , Rosenberg S. , Lakra V. , Lin E. , Teede H. , Meadows G. , Enticott J.
Published: November 2024

Aims

Achieving equitable healthcare access is a global challenge. Improving whole-population mental health and reducing the global burden of mental disorders is a key recommendation of the 2018 Lancet Global Mental Health Commission, which proposed monitoring national indicators, including the proportion of people with severe mental disorders who are service-users. This study aims to derive an equity indicator from national datasets integrating need, service utilisation and socioeconomic status, and demonstrate its utility in identifying gaps in mental health service use amongst those with the greatest need, thereby guiding equitable healthcare delivery.

Methods

We present a case study of a universal health insurance scheme (Medicare) in Australia. We developed the equity indicator using three national datasets. Geographic areas were linked to an area-based socioeconomic deprivation quintile (Census 2016). Per geographic area, we estimated the number with a mental healthcare need using scores ≥30 on the Kessler-10 (Australian National Health Surveys 2015 and 2018), and obtained the number of services used, defined as mental health-related contacts with general practitioners and mental health professionals (Medicare administrative data 2015–2019). We divided the number of services by the population with an estimated mental healthcare need and averaged these use-rates across each socioeconomic deprivation quintile. The equity indicator is the ratio of the use-rates in the least versus most deprived quintiles.

Results

Those estimated to have the greatest need for mental healthcare in 2019 ranged between 8.2% in the most disadvantaged area quintile (Q1) and 2.4% in the least (Q5), corresponding to a proportional increase of 27.7% in Q1 and 19.5% in Q5 since 2015. Equity-indicator-adjusted service rates of 4.2 (3.8–4.6) and 23.9 (22.4–25.4) showed that individuals with the highest need for care residing in Q1 areas received a stark 6 times fewer services compared to their Q5 counterparts, producing an equity indicator of 6.

Conclusions

As the global prevalence of common mental disorders may be increasing, it is crucial to calculate robust indicators evaluating the equity of mental health service use. In this Australian case study, we developed an equity indicator enabling the direct comparison of geographic areas with different need profiles. The results revealed striking inequities that persisted despite publicly-funded universal healthcare, recent service reforms and being a high-income country. This study demonstrates the importance and feasibility of generating such an indicator to inform and empower communities, healthcare providers and policymakers to pursue equitable service provision.