bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Startup Creation Beyond Hackathons – A Survey on Startup Development and Support
Authors: Angarita Maria Angelica Medina , Kolnes Martin , Nolte Alexander
Published: February 2024

Hackathons are themed, fast-paced events where participants gather in teams to work on a project of their interest. Hackathons are often organized to drive entrepreneurial behavior, however, little is known about how they have supported startup creation. To address this issue, we conducted a cross-sectional survey among hackathon participants about their motivations for participating in a hackathon including creating a new startup product and advancing their careers. The survey also addressed their perceived hackathon benefits related to entrepreneurship, such as learning and networking, and how useful they were to their startups. Moreover, the survey included aspects of the hackathon setting that may have influenced startup creation, including winning awards. We obtained answers from participants who have attended 48-h, in-person hackathons. We found motivations related to entrepreneurship that were related to startup creation, such as learning about the startup domain. Our findings show that participants with entrepreneurial motivations are more likely to create a startup after the hackathon. We also found that participants with startups in an early stage have attended hackathons motivated to build the initial version of their startup product, however, they have also worked on other projects unrelated to their startup. To support startup creation beyond hackathons, organizers should gain awareness of such hackathon participants who are motivated by entrepreneurship.
Towards a Business Case for AI Ethics
Authors: Agbese Mamia , Halme Erika , Mohanani Rahul , Abrahamsson Pekka
Published: February 2024

The increasing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into software engineering (SE) highlights the need to prioritize ethical considerations within management practices. This study explores the effective identification, representation, and integration of ethical requirements guided by the principles of IEEE Std 7000–2021. Collaborating with 12 Finnish SE executives on an AI project in autonomous marine transport, we employed an ethical framework to generate 253 ethical user stories (EUS), prioritizing 177 across seven key requirements: traceability, communication, data quality, access to data, privacy and data, system security, and accessibility. We incorporate these requirements into a canvas model, the ethical requirements canvas. The canvas model serves as a practical business case tool in management practices. It not only facilitates the inclusion of ethical considerations but also highlights their business value, aiding management in understanding and discussing their significance in AI-enhanced environments.
Practitioner Views on Analytics for Software Startups: A Preliminary Guide Based on Gray Literature
Authors: Rafiq Usman , Pattyn Frédéric , Wang Xiaofeng
Published: February 2024

Software startup companies operate under extreme conditions of uncertainty and with limited resources. These innovative companies face constant pressure to find a product-market fit, drive growth, and maintain competitive advantage. The nature of these companies makes them suitable candidates to practice analytics. Analytics can help software startups to use data in several ways e.g. make data-informed decisions, grow business, and provide value to users. However, startup founders tend to put off practicing analytics for a later time. In addition, the existing literature on startups does not provide paved paths to establish analytics in the context of startups. Therefore, to this end, we perform a gray literature review, to understand what startup practitioners say about analytics benefits and how can startups define analytics within their particular context. We utilized YouTube as a source of our data. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria to 400 videos, we ended up analyzing 16 potentially relevant videos. We used thematic synthesis as well as quasi-statistics to analyze the data. Our results identify and report ten analytics benefits, and two key analytics practices to set up analytics in these competitive environments.
DevOps Challenges and Risk Mitigation Strategies by DevOps Professionals Teams
Authors: Azad Nasreen
Published: February 2024

DevOps is a team culture and organizational practice that eliminates inefficiencies and bottlenecks in the DevOps infrastructure. While many companies are adopting DevOps practices, it can still be risky. We conducted 26 interviews with DevOps professionals around the globe and found four major risks associated with DevOps practices: Organizational risks (Intra-organizational collaboration and communication, strategic planning), Social and cultural risks (Team Dynamics, Cultural shift), Technical risks (Integration, Build and test automation), Ethics and security breaches in DevOps environment (Ethical risks, Data collection ethics, Ethical decision making). Our research also identified several risk mitigation strategies namely continuous testing, using infrastructure as code, security audit and monitoring, disaster recovery planning, cross-functional training, proper documentation, continuous learning, continuous improvement etc. that companies can adopt for better performance and efficiency.
Quantum Software Ecosystem: Stakeholders, Interactions and Challenges
Authors: Stirbu Vlad , Mikkonen Tommi
Published: February 2024

The emergence of quantum computing proposes a revolutionary paradigm that can radically transform numerous scientific and industrial application domains. The ability of quantum computers to scale computations imply better performance and efficiency for certain algorithmic tasks than current computers provide. However, to gain benefit from such improvement, quantum computers must be integrated with existing software systems, a process that is not straightforward. In this paper, we investigate the quantum computing ecosystem and the stakeholders involved in building larger hybrid classical-quantum systems. In addition, we discuss the challenges that are emerging at the horizon as the field of quantum computing becomes more mature.
Artificial Intelligence Procurement Assistant: Enhancing Bid Evaluation
Authors: Waseem Muhammad , Das Teerath , Paloniemi Teemu , Koivisto Miika , Räsänen Eeli , Setälä Manu , Mikkonen Tommi
Published: February 2024

In modern business, maintaining competitiveness and efficiency necessitates the integration of state-of-the-art technology. This paper introduces the Artificial Intelligence Procurement Assistant (AIPA), an advanced system co-developed with Solita, a Finnish software company. AIPA leverages Large Language Models (LLMs) and sophisticated data analytics to enhance the assessment of procurement call bids and funding opportunities. The system incorporates LLM agents to enhance user interactions, from intelligent search execution to results evaluation. Rigorous usability testing and real-world evaluation, conducted in collaboration with our industry partner, validated AIPA’s intuitive interface, personalized search functionalities, and effective results filtering. The platform significantly streamlines the identification of optimal calls by synergizing LLMs with resources from the European Commission TED and other portals. Feedback from the company guided essential refinements, particularly in the performance of ChatGPT agents for tasks like translation and keyword extraction. Further contributing to its scalability and adaptability, AIPA has been made open-source, inviting community contributions for its ongoing refinement and enhancement. Future developments will focus on extensive case studies, iterative improvements through user feedback, and expanding data sources to further elevate its utility in streamlining and optimizing procurement processes.
Entropies and reflected entropies in the Hayden-Preskill protocol
Authors: Czech Bartłomiej , Shuai Sirui , Tang Haifeng
Published: February 2024

Abstract

We revisit information retrieval from evaporating black holes in the Hayden-Preskill protocol, treating the black hole dynamics as Haar-random. We compute, down to the first exponentially suppressed terms, all integer-indexed Rényi mutual informations between a black hole, its radiation, and a reference that catalogues Alice’s diaries. We find that dropping a diary into a young black hole effectively delays the Page time. We also compute the radiation: diary reflected Rényi entropies, and identify a technical reason why they cannot be continued to the reflected entropy by the replica trick.
A Classification of Supersymmetric Kaluza–Klein Black Holes with a Single Axial Symmetry
Authors: Katona David
Published: February 2024

We extend the recent classification of five-dimensional, supersymmetric asymptotically flat black holes with only a single axial symmetry to black holes with Kaluza–Klein asymptotics. This includes a similar class of solutions for which the supersymmetric Killing field is generically timelike, and the corresponding base (orbit space of the supersymmetric Killing field) is of multi-centred Gibbons–Hawking type. These solutions are determined by four harmonic functions on $$\mathbb {R}^3$$

R

3

with simple poles at the centres corresponding to connected components of the horizon, and fixed points of the axial symmetry. The allowed horizon topologies are $$S^3$$

S
3

, $$S^2\times S^1$$

S
2

×

S
1

, and lens space L(p, 1), and the domain of outer communication may have non-trivial topology with non-contractible 2-cycles. The classification also reveals a novel class of supersymmetric (multi-)black rings for which the supersymmetric Killing field is globally null. These solutions are determined by two harmonic functions on $$\mathbb {R}^3$$

R

3

with simple poles at centres corresponding to horizon components. We determine the subclass of Kaluza–Klein black holes that can be dimensionally reduced to obtain smooth, supersymmetric, four-dimensional multi-black holes. This gives a classification of four-dimensional asymptotically flat supersymmetric multi-black holes first described by Denef et al.
Digitally supported participation in the nexus between public health and urban planning
Authors: Shrestha Rehana , Hasselder Pia , Bolte Gabriele
Published: February 2024

The nexus between urban planning and public health acknowledges the importance of creating cities that contribute to their residents’ physical, mental, and social well-being. The Healthy Cities movement underlines that community participation and intersectoral work are important to create sustainable, equitable, and healthy cities.

Several theoretical and practical participatory approaches form the foundation for participation in public health and urban planning. Growing digitalization has significantly transformed how participation is conducted in various fields. Digital technologies not only play a large role in daily life, but they have opened more opportunities for individuals to interact, share, and collaborate in the planning and design of cities.

This article explores how digital technologies enable participation among residents and stakeholders in order to support the health-oriented planning of cities and neighborhoods. From the selective case studies presented in the paper, it can be ascertained that digital technologies can support various forms of participation by enabling different levels of engagement as well as both one-way and two-way interactions. Some forms of engagement can be supported entirely within digital platforms. However, in the case of higher engagement, which requires deeper insights into the problems and the codevelopment of solutions, other nondigital formats and traditional methods such as follow-up workshops and focus group discussions are necessary to complement the digital form of participation.
Semirigid ureteroscopy and tamsulosin therapy as dilatation methods before flexible ureteroscopy: evaluation and benefits
Authors: Ali Ahmed Issam , Abdelfadel Abdelsalam , Rohiem Mahmoud F. , Hassan Ali
Published: February 2024

Objective

To evaluate the effect of semirigid ureteroscopy and tamsulosin therapy as dilatation methods before flexible ureteroscopy advancement to the renal collecting system.

Patients and methods

This prospective study included patients with renal stones less than 2 cm who underwent retrograde flexible ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy. The patients were randomized into two groups: group A patients were given a placebo for 1 week before flexible ureteroscopy, and group B patients were administered 0.4 mg of tamsulosin once daily for 1 week before surgery and underwent active dilatation using semirigid ureteroscopy before flexible ureteroscopy. The ability of the flexible ureteroscope to reach the collecting system in both groups during the same operative session was assessed. Operative outcomes and complications were collected and analyzed in both groups.

Results

A total of 170 patients were included in our study, with each group comprising 85 patients. In group B, the flexible ureteroscope successfully accessed the kidney in 61 patients, while in group A, the flexible ureteroscope was successful only in 28 cases (71.4% versus 32.9%). In group A, 33 (38.8%) patients had lower urinary tract symptoms compared to 17 (20.2%) patients in group B (P = 0.013).

Conclusion

Using tamsulosin therapy and semirigid ureteroscopy as dilatation methods before flexible ureteroscopy increased the success of primary flexible ureteroscopy advancement to renal collecting system.
A novel score to predict in-hospital mortality for patients with acute coronary syndrome and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: the FACTOR study
Authors: Schweiger Victor , Hiller Pauline , Utters Rahel , Fenice Angela , Cammann Victoria Lucia , Di Vece Davide , Rajman Katja , Candreva Alessandro , Gotschy Alexander , Gilhofer Thomas , Würdinger Michael , Stähli Barbara E. , Seifert Burkhardt , Müller Stefan M. , Templin Christian , Stehli Julia
Published: February 2024

Introduction

Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) represent a substantial global healthcare challenge. In its most severe form, it can lead to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Despite medical advancements, survival rates in OHCA patients remain low. Further, the prediction of outcomes in these patients poses a challenge to all health care providers involved. This study aims at developing a score with variables available on admission to assess in-hospital mortality of patients with OHCA undergoing coronary angiography.

Method

All patients with OHCA due to ACS admitted to a tertiary care center were included. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to explore the association between clinical variables and in-hospital all-cause mortality. A scoring system incorporating variables available upon admission to assess individual patients' risk of in-hospital mortality was developed (FACTOR score). The score was then validated.

Results

A total of 291 patients were included in the study, with a median age of 65 [56–73] years, including 47 women (16.2%). The in-hospital mortality rate was 41.2%. A prognostic model was developed in the derivation cohort (n = 138) and included the following variables: age, downtime, first detected rhythm, and administration of epinephrine. The area under the curve for the FACTOR score was 0.823 (95% CI 0.737–0.894) in the derivation cohort and 0.828 (0.760–0.891) in the validation cohort (n = 153).

Conclusion

The FACTOR score demonstrated a reliable prognostic tool for health care providers in assessing in-hospital mortality of OHCA patients. Early acknowledgement of a poor prognosis may help in patient management and allocation of resources.

Graphical abstract
Fully angularly resolved 3D microrheology with optical tweezers
Authors: Matheson Andrew B. , Mendonca Tania , Smith Matthew G. , Sutcliffe Ben , Fernandez Andrea Jannina , Paterson Lynn , Dalgarno Paul A. , Wright Amanda J. , Tassieri Manlio
Published: February 2024

Microrheology with optical tweezers (MOT) is an all-optical technique that allows the user to investigate a materials’ viscoelastic properties at microscopic scales, and is particularly useful for those materials that feature complex microstructures, such as biological samples. MOT is increasingly being employed alongside 3D imaging systems and particle tracking methods to generate maps showing not only how properties may vary between different points in a sample but also how at a single point the viscoelastic properties may vary with direction. However, due to the diffraction limited shape of focussed beams, optical traps are inherently anisotropic in 3D. This can result in a significant overestimation of the fluids’ viscosity in certain directions. As such, the rheological properties can only be accurately probed along directions parallel or perpendicular to the axis of trap beam propagation. In this work, a new analytical method is demonstrated to overcome this potential artefact. This is achieved by performing principal component analysis on 3D MOT data to characterise the trap, and then identify the frequency range over which trap anisotropy influences the data. This approach is initially applied to simulated data for a Newtonian fluid where the trap anisotropy induced maximum error in viscosity is reduced from ~ 150% to less than 6%. The effectiveness of the method is corroborated by experimental MOT measurements performed with water and gelatine solutions, thus confirming that the microrheology of a fluid can be extracted reliably across a wide frequency range and in any arbitrary direction. This work opens the door to fully spatially and angularly resolved 3D mapping of the rheological properties of soft materials over a broad frequency range.
TON1 recruiting motif 21 positively regulates the flavonoid metabolic pathway at the translational level in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Wu Ling , Chen Xuan , Zhang Ping , Yan Shaowei , Zhang Tingzhi , Li Yuanyuan
Published: February 2024

Main conclusion

This study reveals that TRM21 acts as a positive regulator of flavonoid biosynthesis at the translational level in Arabidopsis, impacting both secondary metabolites and genes associated with root hair growth.

TRM (TONNEAU1-recruiting motif) superfamily proteins are reported to be involved in microtubule assembly. However, the functions of this protein family are just beginning to be uncovered. Here, we provide metabolomic and genetic evidence that 1 of the 34 TRM members, TRM21, positively regulates the biosynthesis of flavonoids at the translational level in Arabidopsis thaliana. A loss-of-function mutation in TRM21 led to root hair growth defects and stunted plant growth, accompanied by significant alterations in secondary metabolites, particularly a marked reduction in flavonoid content. Interestingly, our study revealed that the transcription levels of genes involved in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway remained unchanged in the trm21 mutants, but there was a significant downregulation in the translation levels of certain genes [flavanone 3-hydroxylase (F3H), dihydroflavonol-4-reductase (DFR), anthocyanidin reductase (ANR), flavanone 3’-hydroxylase (F3'H), flavonol synthase (FLS), chalcone synthase (CHS)]. Additionally, the translation levels of some genes related to root hair growth [RHO-related GTPases of plant 2 (ROP2), root hair defective 6 (RHD6), root hair defective 2 (RHD2)] were also reduced in the trm21 mutants. Taken together, these results indicate that TRM21 functions as a positive regulator of flavonoid biosynthesis at the translational level in Arabidopsis.
Metronomic cyclophosphamide for bone marrow carcinomatosis in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Peres Tobias , Aeppli Stefanie , Fischer Stefanie , Gysel Katrin , Rothermundt Christian
Published: February 2024

Purpose

In some patients with prostate cancer, bone marrow carcinomatosis develops later in the course of the disease, which has a poor prognosis. These are often heavily pretreated patients in the castration-resistant situation for whom there are no other therapeutic options, because either all available systemic therapies have already been used or the use of one is not possible due to the cytopenias associated with bone marrow carcinomatosis. In our literature search, there are no data on this treatment in the setting available, especially no clinical trial or even randomized data. This case series is to determine the clinical efficacy of metronomic cyclophosphamide in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer and bone marrow carcinomatosis, particularly with regard to stabilization of the blood count (thrombocytopenias) and thus the possibility of further (more toxic) lines of therapy.

Methods

Retrospective unicenter analysis was performed on eleven patients between 54 and 84 years of age on metronomic cyclophosphamide for bone marrow carcinomatosis in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer treated at a Swiss cancer center between 2014 and 2023.

Results

Eleven patients received metronomic cyclophosphamide for varying periods of time; the majority had severe cytopenias (especially thrombocytopenias). Partially hematologic stabilization was achieved with administration of further systemic therapies.

Conclusion

Our case series demonstrates that the use of metronomic cyclophosphamide allows hematologic stabilization for months, benefiting patients who had already received all available therapies for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Alternatively, it may act as bridging therapy to allow consecutive administration of more toxic therapies with proven survival benefit.
CircBRIP1: a plasma diagnostic marker for non-small-cell lung cancer
Authors: Fan Xinfeng , Zhang Qi , Qin Shiyi , Ju Shaoqing
Published: February 2024

Background

Circular RNA (circRNA), which has been demonstrated in studies to be abundantly prevalent in tumor cells and bodily fluids and to play a significant role in tumors, has the potential for biological markers to be used to assist tumor diagnosis. This study mainly discusses the potential of circBRIP1 as a biomarker for diagnosing non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

First, high-throughput sequencing screened the differentially expressed circBRIP1, and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) verified its expression in NSCLC. Next, sanger sequencing, agarose gel electrophoresis, RNase R assay, and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were used to verify its molecular characteristics. The diagnostic value was analyzed by the subject operating characteristic curve (ROC), and the cardinality test was analyzed for correlation with clinicopathological parameters. Finally, we tentatively predicted the downstream miRNA- or RNA-binding protein that may bind to circBRIP1.

Results

CircBRIP1 is highly expressed in NSCLC tissues, cells and plasma with good specificity and stability. CircBRIP1 not only can well-distinguish NSCLC patients from benign pulmonary diseases (BPD) patients, healthy individuals and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients, but it also has some potential for dynamic monitoring. Combined with the analysis of clinicopathological data, the high level of circRNA expression was related to the degree of tumor differentiation, TNM stage, T stage, lymph node metastasis and distal metastasis in NSCLC patients. In addition, circBRIP1 has a high diagnostic value.

Conclusions

Plasma circBRIP1 is significantly overexpressed in NSCLC patients. It can be used as a sensitive biomarker with unique value for early diagnosis, tumor development and prognosis detection.
Charakterisierung von Schlackenphasen und deren Auswirkung auf den LD-Prozess
Authors: Hufnagl Michaela , Ammer Rainer , Fritz Raimund , Angeli Johann
Published: February 2024

Für das Einstellen der geforderten Zielgehälter an Phosphor im LD-Rohstahl ist dessen Abbindung in den sich bildenden mineralogischen Phasen der LD-Schlacke sowie die sich einstellende Schlackenviskosität entscheidend. Um die Auswirkung schwankender Rohstoffqualitäten und damit einhergehend signifikant erhöhter Initial-Phosphorgehälter im Roheisen (bis zu 1200 ppm) hinsichtlich der Phasenausbildung und damit dem potenziellen Phosphoraufnahmevermögen der Schlacke zu untersuchen, wurde der mineralogische Aufbau von Betriebsschlacken mit einem gezielt eingestelltem P‑Start-Gehalt von 1200 ppm mit Hilfe der analytischen Methoden LIMI, REM-BSE/EDX, RFA und XRD bestimmt und jener mit dem ebenfalls analysierten Aufbau von Referenzschlacken (P-Start-Gehalt < 25 ppm) gegenübergestellt. Weiters wurde für die Bewertung der Plausibilität und der künftigen Anwendbarkeit thermodynamisch ermittelter Ergebnisse ein Vergleich der experimentell identifizierten Phasenzusammensetzung, mit jener aus den thermodynamischen Berechnungen mittels der Software FactSage 8.1 durchgeführt. Dabei wurde durch die durchgehende Präsenz des β‑Dicalciumsilikats (Larnit) in den High-P-Schlacken, welche als Hauptphase für die Entphosphorung wirkt, der P‑Einbau in dieser Phase über alle Methoden hinweg identifiziert. Allerdings geht sowohl analytisch als auch thermodynamisch berechnet hervor, dass jenes zusammen mit den anderen primär auftretenden Phasen der Schlacke als Festphase vorliegt, wodurch bei hohen P‑Gehältern die Schlackenviskosität, welche ein entscheidender Faktor für das Ablaufen der metallurgischen Frischreaktionen im LD-Konverter ist, maßgeblich beeinflusst wird und damit das Optimierungspotential hinsichtlich der Steuerung der Phasenausbildung durch Anpassung der Zugaben limitiert ist.
Low-Dimensional Invariant Embeddings for Universal Geometric Learning
Authors: Dym Nadav , Gortler Steven J.
Published: February 2024

This paper studies separating invariants: mappings on D-dimensional domains which are invariant to an appropriate group action and which separate orbits. The motivation for this study comes from the usefulness of separating invariants in proving universality of equivariant neural network architectures. We observe that in several cases the cardinality of separating invariants proposed in the machine learning literature is much larger than the dimension D. As a result, the theoretical universal constructions based on these separating invariants are unrealistically large. Our goal in this paper is to resolve this issue. We show that when a continuous family of semi-algebraic separating invariants is available, separation can be obtained by randomly selecting $$2D+1 $$

2
D
+
1

of these invariants. We apply this methodology to obtain an efficient scheme for computing separating invariants for several classical group actions which have been studied in the invariant learning literature. Examples include matrix multiplication actions on point clouds by permutations, rotations, and various other linear groups. Often the requirement of invariant separation is relaxed and only generic separation is required. In this case, we show that only $$D+1$$

D
+
1

invariants are required. More importantly, generic invariants are often significantly easier to compute, as we illustrate by discussing generic and full separation for weighted graphs. Finally we outline an approach for proving that separating invariants can be constructed also when the random parameters have finite precision.
Event-triggered finite-time dissipative control for fractional-order neural networks with uncertainties
Authors: Huyen Nguyen Thi Thanh , Tuan Tran Ngoc , Thuan Mai Viet , Thanh Nguyen Truong
Published: February 2024

In this paper, the focus is on addressing the problems of designing an event-triggered finite-time dissipative control strategy for fractional-order neural networks (FONNs) with uncertainties. Firstly, the Zeno behavior of the fractional-order neural networks model is discussed. Utilizing inequality techniques, we calculate a positive lower bound for inter-execution intervals, which serves to resolve issues related to infinite triggering and sampling. Secondly, we formulate an event-triggered control scheme to solve the finite-time dissipative control problems. Through the application of finite-time boundedness theory, fractional-order calculus properties, and linear matrix inequality techniques, we derive sufficient conditions for the existence of such an event-triggered finite-time dissipative state-feedback control for the considered systems. Finally, a numerical example is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology.
Taxonomic characterisation of the Regianum clade (genus Tuber) and the trait evolution of spore size among true truffles
Authors: Cseh Péter , Merényi Zsolt , Bóna Lilla , Varga Torda , Bóka Károly , Nagy István , Kaounas Vasileios , Vidal Josep Maria , Paz Aurelia , Bratek Zoltán
Published: February 2024

The genusTubercomprises ectomycorrhizal fungal species producing belowground ascomata, including the gastronomically most prominent hypogeous fungi. Since the discovery and description of new species are ongoing, the proportion of undescribed species can be considerable and the taxonomy of the genus goes often through changes. The taxonomy of the genusTuberwould therefore benefit from a periodic review.Tuberspecies described in Europe in recent decades includeTuber regianum,T. bernardiniiandT. magentipunctatum. The common characteristics of these three species are the relatively small-sized spores with alveolate-reticulate ornamentation, a high number of spores per ascus (most frequently 6–8 spores) and small-sized ascomata with a verrucose-papillate or smooth surface. The present study aimed at examining the morphology and ecology of the three species, and providing a detailed taxonomic description of the Regianum clade using a multilocus phylogenetic analysis. In addition to this, we examined whether the apparently plesiomorphic morphological character states of this phylogenetically basal clade are the result of the conservation of ancestral character states. Our results show that in the case of certain morphological traits of the Regianum clade, the apparently plesiomorphic character states are indeed retained ancestral states, while in others, they are convergently reappeared ones. Furthermore, taking an overlook at allTuberclades, we found that some morphological characters, such as spore length, number of spores per ascus and ascus length, changed together in the same evolutionary patterns, while others transformed in different ways within the genus.
Logik und Leistungsfähigkeit des Verschwörungsweltbildes
Authors: Vobruba Georg
Published: February 2024

Das entscheidende Merkmal des Verschwörungsweltbildes ist, dass es die komplexe soziale Realität moderner Gesellschaften in der Logik des Handelns erklärt und auf ein übermächtiges Handlungszentrum, dessen verborgene Absichten und daraus folgende manipulative Strategien zurückführt. Soziale Konflikte, Inkonsistenzen und Widersprüche werden auf der Ebene des Scheins verortet und als Ablenkungs- und Verwirrungsmanöver identifiziert, die eine wirklichere Wirklichkeit lediglich verdecken. Verschwörungsdenken tritt verstärkt dann auf, wenn in der Folge von Krisen Komplexität in den Alltag der Leute einbricht. Es lässt sich als rückwärtsgewandter Versuch interpretieren, sich der Komplexität der Moderne kognitiv zu erwehren. Vor diesem Hintergrund analysiert der Artikel die zentralen Motive der digitalen Verschwörungspublizistik der letzten Jahre, die infolge der internationalen Finanzkrise, der anhaltenden Migration nach Europa, der COVID-Pandemie und des Ukraine-Kriegs stark an Popularität gewonnen hat. Es zeigt sich, dass das Verschwörungsweltbild sowie das dafür kennzeichnende „Einfachdenken“ eine absurde, aber in sich weitestgehend stimmige Interpretation der Wirklichkeit bieten. Im Ergebnis wird deutlich, wie Logik, Leistungsfähigkeit und Folgen des Verschwörungsweltbildes systematisch miteinander zusammenhängen und sich wechselseitig konsolidieren sowie katalysieren.
Application of Ultrasonic Cavitation in Ship and Marine Engineering
Authors: Huang Xiao , Niu Guangyun , Xie Yuanji , Chen Xiaopeng , Hu Haibao , Pan Guang
Published: February 2024

Biofouling on ships and offshore structures has always been a difficult problem to solve, which not only jeopardizes the structural strength but also brings great economic losses. Ultrasonic cavitation is expected to solve this problem due to its characteristics of no damage to structures and no pollution. Starting from the phenomenon and mechanism of ultrasonic cleaning, this paper introduces the application of ultrasonic cavitation in ship, pipeline and oil cleaning as well as ballast water treatment. By reviewing the existing studies, limitations such as insufficient ultrasonic parameter studies, lack of uniform cleanliness standards, and insufficient cavitation studies are summarized to provide traceable research ideas for improving ultrasonic cavitation technology and to guide the expansion and improvement of its applications.
Consciously choosing and shaping what to comprehend: a mixed-methods approach to first-person aspects of mental agency in ambiguous speech perception
Authors: Wagemann Johannes , Walter Annika
Published: February 2024

Speech perception plays a key role in many fields of human development and social life but is often impaired by ambiguities on various levels of processing. While these phenomena have been extensively researched in the cognitive (neuro-) sciences according to empirical paradigms that adhere to the third-person perspective of externally measurable behavior, their first-personal and agentive dimensions remain mostly elusive. However, particularly the latter should not be neglected as they can in principle not completely be mapped on quantitative data but are crucial for people in lifeworld situations. We explored this point in the contexts of cognitive penetrability and mental action and conducted a mixed-methods study with qualitative reports on speech perceptual reversal (N = 63) as part of a series of related studies on other modalities. Exposed to respective stimuli, one half of the participants was instructed to voluntarily change their verbal percept, while the other half were told to hold a deliberately chosen word. Qualitative data analysis revealed four typical forms of mental activity, various strategies, and accompanying forms of intention and metacognitive feelings. On the one hand, this activity structure replicates that found in already published studies on vision and non-linguistic audition and thus lends itself to refinement of Posner and Petersen’s (Annual Reviews in Neuroscience, 13, 25–42, 1990) classic model of attentional shift. On the other hand, statistical testing of the quantified data strengthened our hypotheses about mental activities across conditions and modalities, thus also arguing for a cultivable agentive attention awareness in speech perception that even penetrates early stages of speech processing.
Farmer-Centred Multi-stakeholder Platforms: From Iterative Approach to Conceptual Embedding
Authors: van Ewijk Edith , Ataa-Asantewaa Martha , Asubonteng Kwabena O. , Van Leynseele Yves P. B. , Derkyi Mercy , Laven Anna , Ros-Tonen Mirjam A. F.
Published: February 2024

Research on knowledge exchange in multi-stakeholder platforms (MSPs) within smallholder farmer settings has primarily focused on adaptive designs and increased innovation rates. This paper addresses a knowledge gap by providing insights into the limited understanding of how knowledge sharing in MSPs can be inclusive of smallholder farmers’ knowledge. It shares experiences with a farmer-centred approach to learning and knowledge-sharing with smallholder farmers in Ghana and places this iteratively developed approach within a theoretical perspective. We relate the farmer-centred approach to five design principles inspired by human-centred design rules and inclusive development dimensions. Findings from observations, interviews, and focus group discussions illustrate how the farmer-centred approach creates multifunctional spaces for peer-to-peer learning, interaction with institutional actors, and network building (design principle 1). Prior farmer-centred research ensured that themes addressed were relevant to participant farmers and brought their innovations ‘from below’ to the table (design principles 2 and 3). A majority representation of farmers, facilitation by local researchers, and organising platform meetings at the district level created a safe space for farmers to share their knowledge and feel included and empowered (design principle 4). Several local institutional actors took ownership of the platform principles, which created opportunities for their manifestation in future collaborations with farmers (design principle 5). However, challenges remain in engaging crucial actors from higher scale levels and reducing donor dependency. The design principles presented in this paper contribute to the genuine inclusion of farmers’ knowledge and innovations. We recommend government agencies at the national and district levels incorporate these design principles into their work plans and budgets and prioritise farmers’ knowledge and innovation capacity for inclusive learning and knowledge co-creation.
Predicting discharge coefficient of weir–orifice in closed conduit using a neuro-fuzzy model improved by multi-phase PSOGSA
Authors: Adnan Rana Muhammad , Khosravinia Payam , Kisi Ozgur , Nikpour Mohammad Reza , Dai Hong-Liang , Osmani Mazyar , Ghazaei Seyyede Aniseh
Published: February 2024

This study investigates the viability of a strong algorithm (PSOGSA) merging particle swarm optimization (PSO) and gravity search algorithm (GSA) in tuning adaptive neuro-fuzzy system (ANFIS) parameters for modeling dimensionless experimental discharge of combined weir–orifices. The results are compared with the standard ANFIS and two hybrid models ANFIS tuned with PSO and GSA. The models are assessed by applying several dimensionless input parameters, consistingh/D(the ratio of upstream water depth to channel diameter),W/D(the ratio of orifice opening height to channel diameter),H/D(the ratio of plate height to channel diameter) and using comparison indices such as root-mean-square error and mean absolute error. The outcomes reveal that the new ANFIS-PSOGSA method provides superior accuracy in modeling dimensionless experimental discharge over the ANFIS-PSO, ANFIS-GSA and standard ANFIS method. Among the input parameters, the h/D was found to be the most effective input on modeling dimensionless experimental discharge while involving theH/Dparameter deteriorated the models’ performances. The relative root-mean-square error differences between ANFIS-PSOGSA and ANFIS are found as 50% and 68.29% for pipe A and B, respectively. By implementing the ANFIS-PSOGSA, the accuracy of ANFIS-PSO and ANFIS-GSA is also improved in modeling dimensionless experimental discharge by 45.71% and 29.63% in pipe A and by 63.89% and 45.83% in pipe B with respect to root-mean-square error.
Development and validation of a respiratory syncytial virus multiplex immunoassay
Authors: Marsall Patrick , Fandrich Madeleine , Griesbaum Johanna , Harries Manuela , Lange Berit ,   RESPINOW Study Consortium, Ascough Stephanie , Dayananda Pete , Chiu Christopher , Remppis Jonathan , Ganzenmueller Tina , Renk Hanna , Strengert Monika , Schneiderhan-Marra Nicole , Dulovic Alex
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the leading causes of severe respiratory disease in infants and adults. While vaccines and monoclonal therapeutic antibodies either are or will shortly become available, correlates of protection remain unclear. For this purpose, we developed an RSV multiplex immunoassay that analyses antibody titers toward the post-F, Nucleoprotein, and a diverse mix of G proteins.

Methods

A bead-based multiplex RSV immunoassay was developed, technically validated to standard FDA bioanalytical guidelines, and clinically validated using samples from human challenge studies. RSV antibody titers were then investigated in children aged under 2 and a population-based cohort.

Results

Technical and clinical validation showed outstanding performance, while methodological developments enabled identification of the subtype of previous infections through use of the diverse G proteins for approximately 50% of samples. As a proof of concept to show the suitability of the assay in serosurveillance studies, we then evaluated titer decay and age-dependent antibody responses within population cohorts.

Conclusion

Overall, the developed assay shows robust performance, is scalable, provides additional information on infection subtype, and is therefore ideally suited to be used in future population cohort studies.
Quasi-periodic orbits of small solar sails with time-varying attitude around Earth–Moon libration points
Authors: Chujo Toshihiro
Published: February 2024

This paper proposes new quasi-periodic orbits around Earth–Moon collinear libration points using solar sails. By including the time-varying sail orientation in the linearized equations of motion for the circular restricted three-body problem (CR3BP), four types of quasi-periodic orbits (two types around L1 and two types around L2) were formulated. Among them, one type of orbit around L2 realizes a considerably small geometry variation while ensuring visibility from the Earth if (and only if) the sail acceleration due to solar radiation pressure is approximately of a certain magnitude, which is much smaller than that assumed in several previous studies. This means that only small solar sails can remain in the vicinity of L2 for a long time without propellant consumption. The orbits designed in the linearized CR3BP can be translated into nonlinear CR3BP and high-fidelity ephemeris models without losing geometrical characteristics. In this study, new quasi-periodic orbits are formulated, and their characteristics are discussed. Furthermore, their extendibility to higher-fidelity dynamic models was verified using numerical examples.
Connecting Creativity and Motivation Research with End Users
Authors: Reisman Fredricka , Keiser Larry , Westphal Jeff , Hammrich Penny
Published: February 2024

It is often difficult to translate the findings of creativity and motivation researchers into language or activities that benefit end users. This is the problem driving the need for translational research, and this book fills the gap. It translates creativity and motivation research into language that teachers and their students, corporate trainers and their employees, and students' families or caregivers can immediately understand. Instructional modules and lesson plans provide readers with opportunities to network, give feedback, suggest new research needs, and access free assessments. Additional resources and opportunities for readers are available through the Freddie Reisman Center for Translational Research in Creativity and Motivation.
On Bilinguals and Bilingualism
Authors: Grosjean François
Published: February 2024

François Grosjean is one of the world's best-known scholars in the study of bilingualism. Over a career spanning two continents, his holistic approach has made groundbreaking contributions to many areas of the field. This book surveys this lifetime of work, from the start of his career, to where it stands today. The first chapter sets the stage with his personal experience as a bilingual, and the chapters that follow then deal with his holistic view of bilingualism, the bilingual's language modes, the Complementarity Principle, spoken language processing, cross-linguistic influence, biculturalism, the bilingualism and biculturalism of the Deaf, the statistics of bilingualism, and special bilinguals. In each chapter, he describes the concept, theory or findings that he proposed, adds follow-up comments, and discusses reactions, replications and extensions. The final chapter underlines the importance of informing the general public about bilingualism and biculturalism, and illustrates how this can be done.
The Political Economy of Education
Authors: Carnoy Martin
Published: February 2024

The Political Economy of Education provides academically rigorous yet clear explanations of the economics and politics driving today's educational systems and how economists analyze them. The book covers a host of topics central to teaching about education and crucial to educational policy. These include how to use the tools of economic and political theory to take critical measure of education's role in social mobility and economic growth, whether good teachers can overcome social class and race achievement gaps, the effectiveness of early childhood and vocational education, and debates on school accountability and whether increasing spending on schooling improves quality. The book also explores worldwide changes in higher education, especially massification and increased stratification and privatization. Written for upper undergraduate and graduate students in economics, public policy, and education and packed with real-world examples, this is an essential text for anyone interested in gaining fresh and international perspectives on education.
Silicon Valley Bank
Authors: Nguyen Xuan-Thao
Published: February 2024

This book provides a first-hand account of the founding, ascent, and dissolution of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), a tech community bank founded in 1982 with US$5 million that became the nation's 13th largest bank and tech industry's lender and bank. In this pathbreaking work, which challenges conventional understanding of risky tech lending by showing how an independent community bank became the go-to bank for the tech industry in the United States, Xuan-Thao Nguyen includes interviews with key players, ranging from the original founders and early employees to the current CEO of SVB. Chapters explore how the relationship between the venture capital (VC) industry and SVB transformed the way commercial banks comply with banking regulators while lending and nurturing young tech clients. The book demonstrates why the relationships between investors, start-ups, bankers, lenders, experts, lawyers, regulators, and community leaders are key ingredients for ongoing innovation in the tech industry. The book concludes with the sobering dissection of SVB's sudden death by $142 billion cuts inflicted by tech bros, social media, and the Federal Reserve Bank's successive interest rate hikes to squash the overheated economy.
Performing Nationalism in Russia
Authors: Meerzon Yana
Published: February 2024

Following Homi Bhabha's prompt on reading nationalism as a set of discursive and performative practices, this Element focuses on the cultural geography of today's Russia and examines a range of performative strategies used by the Russian state to uphold its nationalist project. Simultaneously, it maps artistic strategies of resistance to the ideology of nationalism as employed by both state-funded and independent theatre companies, via new dramaturgies, performance practices and strategies of storytelling.
A Concise History of the Aztecs
Authors: Kellogg Susan
Published: February 2024

Susan Kellogg's history of the Aztecs offers a concise yet comprehensive assessment of Aztec history and civilization, emphasizing how material life and the economy functioned in relation to politics, religion, and intellectual and artistic developments. Appreciating the vast number of sources available but also their limitations, Kellogg focuses on three concepts throughout – value, transformation, and balance. Aztecs created value, material, and symbolic worth. Value was created through transformations of bodies, things, and ideas. The overall goal of value creation and transformation was to keep the Aztec world—the cosmos, the earth, its inhabitants—in balance, a balance often threatened by spiritual and other forms of chaos. The book highlights the ethnicities that constituted Aztec peoples and sheds light on religion, political and economic organization, gender, sexuality and family life, intellectual achievements, and survival. Seeking to correct common misperceptions, Kellogg stresses the humanity of the Aztecs and problematizes the use of the terms 'human sacrifice', 'myth', and 'conquest'.