bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rotary compression test for determination of critical value of hybrid damage criterion for railway steel EA1T
Authors: Wójcik Łukasz , Bulzak Tomasz , Lis Konrad , Winiarski Grzegorz , Kusiak Tomasz
Published: April 2024

The article presents and discusses the problem of determining and characterizing the cracking limits of cross-rolled specimens. The limit values were determined in accordance with the hybrid Pater criterion. For the study, the author’s test method was used, which allows the determination of the cracking moment, formed as a result of the Mannesmann effect during the compression of specimens in the channel. In order to determine the values needed to describe the cracking criterion, it was necessary to perform laboratory tests and numerical simulations of the process of compression in the channel of discs made of EA1T steel under hot forming conditions. Experimental tests were carried out for forming processes at 950 °C, 1050 °C and 1150 °C. The tested material had a disc shape with a diameter of 40 mm and a length of 20 mm, during the pressing process the diameter of the disc was reduced to a diameter of 38 mm. The increase in forming temperature caused a significant increase in the forming path until cracking occurred. Numerical tests were carried out in the finite element calculation environment Simufact.Forming 2021. The stress and strain distributions in the specimen axis were analysed during the tests, which were then used to calculate the hybrid cracking criterion limit according to Pater. After calculations according to the Pater criterion and after statistical analysis, the cracking criterion limits were obtained.
Comparison of DNA metabarcoding and microscopy in analysing planktonic protists from the European Arctic
Authors: Weydmann-Zwolicka Agata , Dąbrowska Anna Maria , Mioduchowska Monika , Zwolicki Adrian
Published: April 2024

In the era of climate change-related restructuring of planktonic protist communities, it is especially important to identify possible shifts in their taxonomic composition. While traditional microscopy-based morphological classification is time-consuming and requires experienced taxonomists, metabarcoding seems to substantially accelerate the determination of taxonomic composition. In this study, based on samples collected in summer 2019 from the West Spitsbergen Current, we analysed planktonic protists using both methods. Metabarcoding, based on high-throughput sequencing of the V4 region of the 18S rRNA gene, resulted in a much higher number of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and sample diversity than microscopy, although the resolution of taxonomic identification ranged from species to phyla. Most morphology-based identification was performed at the species or genus level, additionally allowing us to include information about dominants and size fractions. The highest proportion of 45% shared taxa by both methods was recorded at the class level. The composition of dominant protists differed between the approaches, with most similarities being observed in Bacillariophyceae, for which two genera, Thalassiosira and Eucampia, were found to be the most abundant with both methods. For Dinophyceae, the most abundant representatives identified by microscopy were Gymnodinium spp., Prorocentrum minimum and Gonyaulax gracilis, while in the metabarcoding approach, most dinoflagellates were identified to the class level only. Given the different levels of accuracy of taxonomic determinations and possible biases in results connected to the chosen methodology, we advocate using an integrative taxonomic approach for the classification of planktonic protists based on the combination of microscopy and molecular methods.
Building a decision-support tool to inform sustainability approaches under complexity: Case study on managing wild ruminants
Authors: Griesberger Paul , Kunz Florian , Hackländer Klaus , Mattsson Brady
Published: April 2024

In wildlife management, differing perspectives among stakeholders generate conflicts about how to achieve disparate sustainability goals that include ecological, economic, and sociocultural dimensions. To mitigate such conflicts, decisions regarding wildlife management must be taken thoughtfully. To our knowledge, there exists no integrative modeling framework to inform these decisions, considering all dimensions of sustainability. We constructed a decision-support tool based on stakeholder workshops and a Bayesian decision network to inform management of wild ruminants in the federal state of Lower Austria. We use collaborative decision analysis to compare resource allocations while accounting for trade-offs among dimensions of sustainability. The tool is designed for application by non-technical users across diverse decision-making contexts with particular sets of wildlife management actions, objectives, and uncertainties. Our tool represents an important step toward developing and evaluating a transparent and replicable approach for mitigating wildlife-based conflicts in Europe and beyond.
Exploring 6 years of colorectal cancer surgery in rural Italy: insights from 648 consecutive patients unveiling successes and challenges
Authors: Santoro Roberto , Goglia Marta , Brighi Manuela , Curci Fabio Pio , Amodio Pietro Maria , Giannotti Domenico , Goglia Angelo , Mazzetti Jacopo , Antolino Laura , Bovino Antonio , Zampaletta Costantino , Levi Sandri Giovanni Battista , Ruggeri Enzo Maria
Published: April 2024

The multidisciplinary management of patients suffering from colorectal cancer (CRC) has significantly increased survival over the decades and surgery remains the only potentially curative option for it. However, despite the implementation of minimally invasive surgery and ERAS pathway, the overall morbidity and mortality remain quite high, especially in rural populations because of urban − rural disparities. The aim of the study is to analyze the characteristics and the surgical outcomes of a series of unselected CRC patients residing in two similar rural areas in Italy. A total of 648 consecutive patients of a median age of 73 years (IQR 64–81) was enrolled between 2017 and 2022 in a prospective database. Emergency admission (EA) was recorded in 221 patients (34.1%), and emergency surgery (ES) was required in 11.4% of the patients. Tumor resection and laparoscopic resection rates were 95.0% and 63.2%, respectively. The median length of stay was 8 days. The overall morbidity and mortality rates were 23.5% and 3.2%, respectively. EA was associated with increased median age (77.5 vs. 71 ys, p < 0.001), increased mean ASA Score (2.84 vs. 2.59; p = 0.002) and increased IV stage disease rate (25.3% vs. 11.5%, p < 0.001). EA was also associated with lower tumor resection rate (87.3% vs. 99.1%, p < 0.001), restorative resection rate (71.5 vs. 89.7%, p < 0.001), and laparoscopic resection rate (36.2 vs. 72.6%, p < 0.001). Increased mortality rates were associated with EA (7.2% vs. 1.2%, p < 0.001), ES (11.1% vs. 2.0%, p < 0.001) and age more than 80 years (5.8% vs. 1.9%, p < 0.001). In rural areas, high quality oncologic care can be delivered in CRC patients. However, the surgical outcomes are adversely affected by a still too high proportion of emergency presentation of elderly and frail patients that need additional intensive care supports beyond the surgical skill and alternative strategies for earlier detection of the disease.
On the full range of Zippin and inclusion indices of rearrangement-invariant spaces
Authors: Curbera Guillermo P. , Karlovych Oleksiy , Shargorodsky Eugene
Published: April 2024

Let X be a rearrangement-invariant space on [0, 1]. It is known that its Zippin indices $$\underline{\beta }{}_X,\overline{\beta }{}_X$$

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,

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and its inclusion indices $$\gamma _X,\delta _X$$

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. We show that given $$\underline{\beta },\overline{\beta }\in [0,1]$$

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and $$\gamma ,\delta \in [1,\infty ]$$

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satisfying $$\underline{\beta }\le 1/\gamma \le 1/\delta \le \overline{\beta }$$

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, there exists a rearrangement-invariant space X such that $$\underline{\beta }{}_X=\underline{\beta }$$

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.
Supercritical fluid technology for lupin hulls valorization: extraction and fractionation of lupeol
Authors: Vázquez Luis , Bañares Celia , Chabni Assamae , Reglero Guillermo , Torres Carlos F.
Published: April 2024

Extraction of lupeol from lupin hulls has been carried out using supercritical CO2 extraction technology under different operating conditions in order to obtain value-added extracts from the raw material of industrial lupin. The operational parameters used include CO2 pressure and flow and sequential depressurization fractionation. The highest lupeol recovery (96.8%) has been obtained using 320 bar and 50 g/min of CO2. For sequential depressurization, the best results were obtained with a CO2 density close to 728 kg/m3 providing up to 92% of lupeol in the extract and an enrichment factor of 1.2. Despite this high enrichment, lupeol recovery decreases to 50% after fractionation. Better extraction recoveries would have been expected and thus further studies are necessary to improve the extraction recovery of extracts with a high lupeol composition.
Innovative lightweight concrete: effect of fiber, bacteria and nanomaterials
Authors: Beytekin Hatice Elif , Biricik Altun Öznur , Mardani Ali , Şenkal Sezer Filiz
Published: April 2024

It was reported that various studies have been carried out to increase the strength, permeability and durability performances of lightweight concrete (LC) mixtures. Extensive research was carried out on the production of sustainable and ecologic LC. In this context, the use of various innovative materials and methods have been demonstrated. In this direction, increasing the service life of concrete produced by the use of fiber, nanomaterials and self-healing with bacteria is one of the applied methods. In this study, the effects of the use of fiber, nanomaterials and bacteria on the workability, unit weight, strength, toughness, modulus of elasticity, impact resistance, permeability, drying-shrinkage, freeze–thaw, high temperature resistance, thermal conductivity performance of LC mixtures have been compared in detail. It was reported that workability, specific gravity, permeability, thermal conductivity and drying-shrinkage values decrease, while strength, high temperature resistance, freeze–thaw resistance and toughness performance increase with the addition of fiber and nanomaterials to LC mixtures. While it was emphasized that the strength and permeability performance and elasticity modulus values of the mixtures increased with the addition of bacteria. In addition, the use of fiber has insignificant effect in terms of the modulus of elasticity.

Graphical abstract
An improved black hole algorithm designed for K-means clustering method
Authors: Gao Chenyang , Yong Xin , Gao Yue-lin , Li Teng
Published: April 2024

Data clustering has attracted the interest of scholars in many fields. In recent years, using heuristic algorithms to solve data clustering problems has gradually become a tendency. The black hole algorithm (BHA) is one of the popular heuristic algorithms among researchers because of its simplicity and effectiveness. In this paper, an improved self-adaptive logarithmic spiral path black hole algorithm (SLBHA) is proposed. SLBHA innovatively introduces a logarithmic spiral path and random vector path to BHA. At the same time, a parameter is used to control the randomness, which enhances the local exploitation ability of the algorithm. Besides, SLBHA designs a replacement mechanism to improve the global exploration ability. Finally, a self-adaptive parameter is introduced to control the replacement mechanism and maintain the balance between exploration and exploitation of the algorithm. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm, comparison experiments are conducted on 13 datasets creatively using the evaluation criteria including the Jaccard coefficient as well as the Folkes and Mallows index. The proposed methods are compared with the selected algorithms such as the whale optimization algorithm (WOA), compound intensified exploration firefly algorithm (CIEFA), improved black hole algorithm (IBH), etc. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm outperforms the compared algorithms on both external criteria and quantization error of the clustering problem.
MAFNet: dual-branch fusion network with multiscale atrous pyramid pooling aggregate contextual features for real-time semantic segmentation
Authors: Zhao Shan , Wang Yunlei , Wu Xuan , Zhang Fukai
Published: April 2024

Currently, many real-time semantic segmentation networks aim for heightened accuracy, inevitably leading to increased computational complexity and reduced inference speed. Therefore, striking a balance between accuracy and speed has emerged as a crucial concern in this domain. To address these challenges, this study proposes a dual-branch fusion network with multiscale atrous pyramid pooling aggregate contextual features for real-time semantic segmentation (MAFNet). The first key component, the semantics guide spatial-details module (SGSDM) not only facilitates precise boundary extraction and fine-grained classification, but also provides semantic-based feature representation, thereby enhancing support for spatial analysis and decision boundaries. The second component, the multiscale atrous pyramid pooling module (MSAPPM), is designed by combining dilation convolution with feature pyramid pooling operations at various dilation rates. This design not only expands the receptive field, but also aggregates rich contextual information more effectively. To further improve the fusion of feature information generated by the dual-branch, a bilateral fusion module (BFM) is introduced. This module employs cross-fusion by calculating weights generated by the dual-branch to balance the weight relationship between the dual branches, thereby achieving effective feature information fusion. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed network, experiments are conducted on a single A100 GPU. MAFNet achieves a mean intersection over union (mIoU) of 77.4% at 70.9 FPS on the Cityscapes test dataset and 77.6% mIoU at 192.5 FPS on the CamVid test dataset. The experimental results conclusively demonstrated that MAFNet effectively strikes a balance between accuracy and speed.
Privacy-preserving bipartite output consensus for continuous-time heterogeneous multi-agent systems via event-triggered impulsive control
Authors: Ma Jiayue , Hu Jiangping
Published: April 2024

This paper studies the problem of differentially private bipartite output consensus in continuous-time heterogeneous multi-agent systems (MASs) characterized by antagonistic interactions. A novel hybrid privacy-preserving event-triggered impulsive consensus protocol is introduced to protect the agent’s initial information from disclosure, which involves a discrete-time information transmission based on an event-triggering mechanism. Using stochastic Lyapunov method, sufficient conditions have been obtained to achieve mean square bipartite output consensus with a guaranteed level of privacy. Furthermore, the differential privacy of competitive agent pairs is exclusively secured by the proposed control scheme by injecting Laplace noise. The protocol also effectively prevents Zeno behavior by imposing a lower bound for impulsive intervals under all event-triggered conditions. A simulation example is provided to validate the effectiveness of the theoretical result.
Silane Gas Production Through Hydrolysis of Magnesium Silicide by Hydrochloric Acid
Authors: Rasouli Azam , Kuhn Raphael , Lai Samson Yuxiu , Safarian Jafar , Tranell Gabriella
Published: April 2024

Monosilane (SiH4) is a common precursor for the production of high-purity silicon for solar PV applications. As an alternative to carbothermic reduction of silica to produce metallurgical grade silicon with subsequent conversion to silane, an alternative route over magnesiothermic reduction of silica to Mg2Si has been explored in our earlier work. In the current work, silane gas production through hydrolysis of Mg2Si in HCl acid solution was studied. Two sources of Mg2Si were chosen: a commercial Mg2Si source and a Mg2Si source produced through magnesiothermic reduction of high-purity natural quartz. Effects of various parameters on the hydrolysis of Mg2Si, including different experimental setups, temperature of the acid solution, acid concentration, reaction time, and relative amounts of reactants were studied. The evolution of produced gases was determined by two different methods: firstly, by passing the produced gas through a KOH solution to capture Si with subsequent analysis of the Si content in the KOH solution by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and secondly, on-line gas analysis by GC–MS. The silane distribution between different silane species with reaction time was evaluated and the activation energy of silane formation was calculated. The results indicated comparable silane yields obtained from the on-line GC–MS method and KOH solution analysis method, as well as for commercial Mg2Si and the Mg2Si–MgO mixture produced through magnesiothermic reduction. Furthermore, adding HCl acid to Mg2Si in water led to higher SiH4 formation yield than adding Mg2Si to acid. However, the total silane yield for the two methods was similar at approximately 32%.

Graphical Abstract
Lessons from a Va Relational Approach: Embedding Indigenous Constructs for Classroom Practice
Authors: Ualesi Yvonne Maggie
Published: April 2024

There is increasing concern raised for youth not in education and employment or training (NEET). Subsequently there is an increased demand for both education and health services that support the development of positive youths’ identities, socioemotional and cognitive developmental needs, through youth mentoring strategies (Rhodes & DuBois, Current Directions in Psychological Science 17(4):254–258, 2008). Youth mentoring programmes are largely underpinned by Eurocentric approaches lacking consideration of diverse cultural needs of multi-ethnic under-served youth (Larson & Ngo, Journal of Adolescent Research 32:3–10, 2017). This article draws on data from a participant observational study highlighting how youth mentoring practice underpinned by a range of key Indigenous psychological constructs can be nurtured to improve classroom practice for kaiako (teacher, instructor). The context of investigation is focused on a youth mentoring programme in a tertiary learning environment at a large urban city of Aotearoa New Zealand that explored culturally responsive, sustaining and safe youth mentoring practice for Māori and Pacific/Pasifika rangatahi excluded from mainstream compulsory education.
A Local Line Optimization Model for Urban Rail Considering Passenger Flow Allocation
Authors: He Peng , Tang Hao , Chen Feng , Wang Zijia , Sun Ying , Yang Bobo , Wang Jin , Li Na
Published: April 2024

It is important to strengthen the research on urban rail transit (URT) existing line renovation strategies. In this paper, we investigate the optimization of bottlenecks that are less attractive but have strong travel demand in existing URT networks. A URT local line optimization model is constructed. The maximum passenger flow and minimum project cost are chosen as the optimization objective for the benefit of both passengers and operators, and several actual constraints are considered in the proposed model, such as the station interval. In order to obtain higher computational efficiency and accuracy, a passenger flow allocation method is embedded in a genetic algorithm with elitist preservation. Taking the local network of the Beijing URT as a case study, the calculation results show that the designed algorithm can quickly and effectively obtain the optimal solution, and the generated local line scheme is able not only to meet the regional travel demand, but also to optimize the connection relationship of the existing URT network. This study can provide a reference method for increasing the attraction of URT and optimization of existing URT networks.
The Effect of Civic Engagement on Different Dimensions of Well-Being in Youth: A Scoping Review
Authors: Mužík Michal , Šerek Jan , Juhová Dana Seryjová
Published: April 2024

Youth civic engagement is usually framed positively by existing literature, which finds that it can benefit young people’s well-being. Despite that, the literature lacks summarized evidence of the effects of various forms of youth civic engagement on different dimensions of well-being (i.e., psychological, emotional, social, and mental health). This scoping review identified 35 studies on this topic. Results demonstrated that social engagement (e.g., volunteering) generally positively affected psychological and social well-being and mental health. In contrast, the effects of other forms of civic engagement (i.e., protest action, conventional and online engagement) on these dimensions were more heterogeneous. Mixed evidence was found for the effects of all forms of civic engagement on emotional well-being. The issue of possible opposite effects, i.e., from well-being dimensions to civic engagement, was also addressed. They were found mainly for emotional well-being, which usually predicted civic engagement but not vice versa. Overall, this scoping review stresses the importance of distinguishing between different forms of civic engagement and between different dimensions of well-being in future research.
To behave or not (un)ethically? The meditative effect of mindfulness on statistics anxiety and academic dishonesty moderated by risk aversion
Authors: Eshet Yovav , Grinautsky Keren , Steinberger Pnina
Published: April 2024

Despite the growing interest in mindfulness in higher education, the literature on its relation to decision-making under risk (i.e. academic misconduct) and statistics anxiety is scarce. The present research shall fill this gap. Based on the prospect theory, we assessed the mediating effect of mindfulness on the relationship between statistics anxiety and academic dishonesty moderated by risk aversion. Data were collected from 791 undergraduate students in six Israeli academic institutions studying for bachelor’s degrees in social sciences. Questionnaires included the following measures: risk behaviour according to the prospect theory framework, Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, Statistics Anxiety Rating Scale, Academic Misconduct Scale and sociodemographic variables. Correlations among these variables were explored. The data was analysed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). The results indicate that the variance in academic dishonesty is explained by students' statistics anxiety with a mediation of Mindfulness moderated by Risk Aversion. Mindfulness negatively affects Academic Dishonesty, while Risk Aversion has a significant positive effect on Mindfulness. Finally, among individuals with high statistics anxiety, Risk Averse individuals show significantly higher Mindfulness than Risk Seekers. We conclude that mindfulness-based interventions might be a constructive tool to reduce risk-taking and promote ethical decision-making among individuals who experience high levels of statistics anxiety. Furthermore, developing mindful skills may help individuals with higher anxiety levels neutralize these unwanted feelings and get along with their learning tasks. Hence, avoid academic unethical behaviours.
A Combustion-Driven Facility for Hypersonic Sustained Flight Simulation
Authors: Esposito Antonio , Lappa Marcello , Allouis Christophe
Published: April 2024

This study reports on the development of a new Blowdown-Induction Facility driven by two different Oxygen-Fueled Guns. The facility has been conceived and realized to simulate different flow conditions in the context of hypersonic sustained flight. Here the underlying principles are illustrated critically, along with a focused description of the various facility subsystems, their interconnections and the procedures specifically conceived to overcome some of the technical complexities on which this facility relies. Its performances are finally presented in relation to some prototype applications, together with an indication of the related limits, advantages and possible directions for future improvements.
Safety culture assessment in petroleum industry: cross sectional survey of workers safety performance in the Niger Delta Region, Nigeria
Authors: Ehiaguina Efua , Nnadi Brendan Chukwudi , Rangarajan Ravi , Moda Haruna Musa
Published: April 2024

Poor safety culture influences workers safety behaviour, which in many situations leads to accidents and injuries, and the performance of workers can be improved only by strengthening the safety culture in workplaces. The present study evaluates the safety behaviour and its impact on the safety performance of oil and gas workers in Nigeria. Opinion of 462 oil and gas frontline workers from fifteen different oil and gas companies in Nigeria (Niger Delta) on safety culture was collected using an online survey questionnaire. Findings from the study show that there is a significant relationship between safety management and safety participation including safety compliance. Work experience did make significant direct estimated impact of safety participation and a non-significant direct estimated impact on safety climate. Age was found to have a significant estimated impact on safety compliance, but did not indicate direct significant role in safety participation. The study clearly indicates that safety culture influences workers’ safety behaviour in the Nigeria oil and gas sector and timely strengthening of workplace safety culture and visible management approach to safety is important for occupational safety improvement within the oil and gas industry. In addition, there is the need for policy realignment to aid in the promotion of safety culture and adherence to safety standards within the industry as practiced in other countries.
Pathway for Development and Validation of Multi-domain Endpoints for Amyloid Light Chain (AL) Amyloidosis
Authors: Signorovitch James , Zhang Jialu , Brown David , Dunnmon Preston , Xiu Liang , Done Nicolae , Hsu Kristen , Barbachano Yolanda , Lousada Isabelle
Published: April 2024

Immunoglobin light chain (AL) amyloidosis is a rare disease in which a plasma cell dyscrasia leads to deposition of insoluble amyloid fibrils in multiple organs. To facilitate development of new therapies for this heterogenous disease, a public–private partnership was formed between the nonprofit Amyloidosis Research Consortium and the US Food and Drug Administration Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. In 2020, the Amyloidosis Forum launched an initiative to identify clinical trial endpoints and analytic strategies across affected organ systems and life impacts via specialized working groups. This review summarizes the proceedings of the Statistical Group and proposes a pathway for development and validation of multi-domain endpoints (MDEs) for potential use in AL amyloidosis clinical trials. Specifically, drawing on candidate domain-specific endpoints recommended by each organ-specific working group, different approaches to constructing MDEs were considered. Future studies were identified to assess the validity, meaningfulness and performance of MDEs through use of natural history and clinical trial data. Ultimately, for drug development, the context of use in a regulatory evaluation, the specific patient population, and the investigational therapeutic mechanism should drive selection of appropriate endpoints. MDEs for AL amyloidosis, once developed and validated, will provide important options for advancing patient-focused drug development in this multi-system disease.
Burden of Antimicrobial Resistance Among Women with Post-Partum Infections in Low-Middle Income Countries: A Systematic Review
Authors: Monari Caterina , Onorato Lorenzo , Coppola Nicola , Raviglione Mario C. B. , Gon Giorgia
Published: April 2024

Background

Due to the rising incidence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens, especially in Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC), post-partum infections represent a significant treatment challenge.

Methods

We performed a systematic review of the literature from January 2005 to February 2023 to quantify the frequency of maternal post-partum infections due to MDR pathogens in LMICs, focusing on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and/or extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacterales. Secondary objectives: description of antimicrobials’ prescriptions.

Findings

We included 22 studies with 14,804 total bacterial isolates from 12 countries, mostly from WHO African-Region. Twelve papers described wound- and 10 puerperal-infections. Seven were high-quality articles. Seventeen studies reported data on MRSA, and 18 on ESBL-producing Enterobacterales. Among high-quality studies, MRSA ranged from 9.8% in Ghana to 91.2% in Uganda; ESBL-producing Enterobacterales ranged from 22.8% in Ukraine to 95.2% in Uganda. Nine articles, mostly on C-sections, described different protocols for antibiotic prophylaxis and/or post-partum treatment.

Interpretation

We described a high burden of post-partum infections caused by MRSA and/or ESBL-producing Enterobacterales in LMICs, but only a few studies met quality standards. There is an urgent need for high-quality studies to better describe the real burden of antimicrobial resistance in low-resource settings and inform policies to contain the spread of multidrug-resistant organisms.
Smoke Detection with Dual Convolutional Networks From Infrared Frames
Authors: Deng Li , Chen Qian , Sui Xiubao , Liu Quanyi , He Yuanhua
Published: April 2024

In many smoke detection fields, such as fire detection in confined space of aircraft cargo hold, the false alarm rate is still high. In the closed and dark environment of the confined space cabin, the traditional video smoke detection method is difficult to find the fire early because of the limitation of lighting conditions. The advantage of fire detection based on infrared video image is that it does not need lighting conditions and has better performance in dark environment. There is a rapid temperature rise process in the confined space at the beginning of the fire, which is more easily captured by infrared cameras. However, there is little research on infrared frame detection methods in confined space. Therefore, based on the limited space environment of aviation industry, this paper studies the smoke detection problem under the infrared framework, and proposes a high-precision fire and smoke image detection algorithm based on infrared double convolution neural network. By modeling the texture features of neural network and infrared smoke frames, and using video frames as an auxiliary means to increase the number of available training images, the problem of insufficient infrared video data sets is solved. The experimental results show that the detection effect of this method is better than other comparison algorithms in limited space, and the detection false alarm rate is effectively reduced.
Compliance to ventilator care bundles and its association with ventilator-associated pneumonia
Authors: Leong Yun Hao , Khoo You Liang , Abdullah Hairil Rizal , Ke Yuhe
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Ventilator care bundles are effective in the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). However, the compliance of these bundles in intensive care units (ICUs) remains poorly studied. This study investigates the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC)-IV cohort’s compliance with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) bundle and its resulting association with VAP incidence.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study of the MIMIC-IV database. Patients with > 48 h of invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) were included. Diagnosis of VAP was identified with the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9 and ICD-10 codes. Compliance rates to the IHI bundle were extracted. The association of the IHI bundle and its individual interventions with VAP incidence was analyzed with univariate and multivariate analysis.

Results

8270 patients were included, of which 1328 (16.1%) had VAP. 25 patients (0.3%) had full compliance to the IHI bundle. 137 patients (1.7%) received no interventions from the bundle. Gastroprophylaxis had the lowest (2.1%) while head elevation had the highest (89.3%) compliance rates. In patients receiving the IHI bundle, each additional intervention was associated with lower VAP incidence (OR [odds ratio] = 0.906, 95% CI [confidence interval] 0.847–0.969). Appropriate sedation levels (OR = 0.765, 95% CI 0.661–0.885) and the use of heat and moisture exchanger (HME) filters (OR = 0.862, 95% CI 0.745–0.998) were individually associated with reduced VAP incidence, while active humidification was individually associated with increased VAP incidence (OR = 1.139, 95% CI 1.001–1.296).

Conclusion

The use of the IHI bundle was associated with a lower incidence of VAP, but compliance with the bundle was poor. Appropriate sedation and HME filters were individually associated with reduced VAP incidence. Better compliance with the IHI bundle may reduce VAP rates in mechanically ventilated patients.

Graphical Abstract
The Gift of Transformative Leaders
Authors: Hatch Nathan O.
Published: April 2024

Great organizations flourish at the hands of transformative leaders. Most organizations remain competitive but are unlikely to advance without impetus. Only exceptional leaders in an organization can fulfill an ambition for real institutional advancement. In this Element, Nathan Hatch, a former university president and provost at two top-30 national universities, draws on their more than forty-year career in higher education to showcase leaders the author recruited and empowered to advance and transform institutions. At each institution, the author witnessed pockets of mediocrity transform into national examples of excellence. Finding the right leader to spearhead the work was the key to growth and success nearly every time. Through the stories of thirteen transformative leaders, Hatch illuminates how the author approached identifying talent and empowered leaders to lead in bold and creative ways.
Ultrasound diagnosis of cystic echinococcosis: updates and implications for clinical management
Authors: Tamarozzi F.
Published: April 2024

The diagnosis of cystic echinococcosis (CE) is based on imaging. Detection of a focal lesion with morphological characteristics of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato metacestode is the starting point for the diagnostic workup. In organs explorable with ultrasound (US), this is the method of choice for both aetiological diagnosis of CE and staging of the CE cyst. Staging in terms of lesion morphology is also needed when serology is added to the diagnostic workflow when imaging alone is inconclusive. Finally, staging guides the clinical management of uncomplicated CE, especially in the liver. This commentary provides an overview of the most up-to-date evidence backing the above-mentioned role of US in the diagnosis and clinical management of CE. Finally, we outline future perspectives for the improvement of CE diagnosis.
Global Mariátegui
Authors: Drinot Paulo
Published: April 2024

In this commentary, I consider Mariátegui's globality. I begin by discussing his status as the pre-eminent Latin American Marxist. I then consider the fact that he continues to be ignored or marginalised by scholarship in English on Marxism and the global history of the Left. I note, however, that in recent years, ‘global’ interest in Mariátegui (i.e. beyond Latin America) has increased. This leads me to a consideration of two types of Mariátegui's globality. First, a globality produced by his growing purchase as an ‘epistemologist of the South’ which is extending the applicability of his thought beyond Latin America. And second, a globality expressive of his role as a global actor; as someone who (i) sought to experience life globally, (ii) drew on global ideas, or ideas with globalising (or universalising) ambitions, to make sense of his own (local) context, and (iii) operated as an original interpreter of the global.
Novel insight into the genetic diversity of strongylid nematodes infecting South-East and East Asian primates
Authors: Mason Bethan , Cervena Barbora , Frias Liesbeth , Goossens Benoit , Hasegawa Hideo , Keuk Kenneth , Langgeng Abdullah , Majewski Kasia , Matsumoto Takashi , Matsuura Keiko , Mendonça Renata , Okamoto Munehiro , Peter Steve , Petrzelkova Klara J. , Sipangkui Symphorosa , Xu Zhihong , Pafco Barbora , MacIntosh Andrew J.J.
Published: April 2024

With many non-human primates (NHPs) showing continued population decline, there is an ongoing need to better understand their ecology and conservation threats. One such threat is the risk of disease, with various bacterial, viral and parasitic infections previously reported to have damaging consequences for NHP hosts. Strongylid nematodes are one of the most commonly reported parasitic infections in NHPs. Current knowledge of NHP strongylid infections is restricted by their typical occurrence as mixed infections of multiple genera, which are indistinguishable through traditional microscopic approaches. Here, modern metagenomics approaches were applied for insight into the genetic diversity of strongylid infections in South-East and East Asian NHPs. We hypothesized that strongylid nematodes occur in mixed communities of multiple taxa, dominated by Oesophagostomum, matching previous findings using single-specimen genetics. Utilizing the Illumina MiSeq platform, ITS-2 strongylid metabarcoding was applied to 90 samples from various wild NHPs occurring in Malaysian Borneo and Japan. A clear dominance of Oesophagostomum aculeatum was found, with almost all sequences assigned to this species. This study suggests that strongylid communities of Asian NHPs may be less species-rich than those in African NHPs, where multi-genera communities are reported. Such knowledge contributes baseline data, assisting with ongoing monitoring of health threats to NHPs.
Multi-objective optimal trajectory planning for robot manipulator attention to end-effector path limitation
Authors: Ye Jintao , Hao Lina , Cheng Hongtai
Published: April 2024

In the process of trajectory optimization for robot manipulator, the path that is generated may deviate from the intended path because of the adjustment of trajectory parameters, if there is limitation of end-effector path in Cartesian space for specific tasks, this phenomenon is dangerous. This paper proposes a methodology that is based on the Pareto front to address this issue, and the methodology takes into account both the multi-objective optimization of robotic arm and the quality of end-effector path. Based on dung beetle optimizer, this research proposes improved non-dominated sorting dung beetle optimizer. This paper interpolates manipulator trajectory with quintic B-spline curves, achieves multi-objective trajectory optimization that simultaneously optimizes traveling time, energy consumption, and mean jerk, proposes a trajectory selection strategy that is based on Pareto solution set by introducing the concept of Fréchet distance, and the strategy enables the end-effector to approach the desired path in Cartesian space. Simulation and experimental results validate the effectiveness and practicability of the proposed methodology on the Sawyer robot manipulator.
Urban green space exposure is low and unequally distributed in an Amazonian metropolis
Authors: dos Santos Facundes Alessandra , Rodriguez Chuma Victor Juan Ulises , Mustin Karen
Published: April 2024

Urban green spaces are important for interactions between people and non-human nature, with their associated health and well-being impacts, although their distribution is often unequal. Here, we characterize the distribution of urban green spaces in Belém, the largest city in the Amazon Delta, and relate it to levels of human development and social vulnerability across the city; this is the first such analysis to be conducted for a Brazilian Amazon city. We first conducted a supervised maximum likelihood classification of images at 5–m spatial resolution taken in 2011 by the RapidEye satellites to map the distribution of green space across the urban part of the municipality of Belém. We then calculated two measures of urban green space at the level of human development units: the proportional cover of vegetation (Vegetation Cover Index; VCI) and the area of vegetation per person (Vegetation Cover per Inhabitant; VCPI), and we used hurdle models to relate them to two measures of socioeconomic status: the Social Vulnerability Index and the Human Development Index, as well as to demographic density. We find that VCI and VCPI are higher in more socially vulnerable areas. We explain how this pattern is driven by historical and ongoing processes of urbanization, consider access to urban green space and the benefits to human health and well-being and discuss equitable planning of urban green space management in the Amazon. We conclude that the assumption that urban greening will bring health benefits risks maintaining the status quo in terms of green exclusion and repeating historical injustices via displacement of socially vulnerable residents driven by demand for access to urban green spaces.
The politics of reciprocity: urban councils and intercity conflict management in Reval (Tallinn) and Lübeck, c. 1470–1570
Authors: Manger Christian
Published: April 2024

Ties of trade, credit and family provided the basis for trading networks between Hanseatic towns. They also, however, contained the seed for conflicts over fraud, debt and inheritance. Such disputes between burghers of different Hanseatic cities presented municipal governments with the particular challenge to balance their role as Hanseatic partners with an obligation of externally representing their own burghers. Focusing on relations between the cities of Lübeck and Reval, this article explores the variety of diplomatic strategies and tactics which city councils employed to preserve the political and economic benefits of intercity co-operation.
The use of ketorolac may reduce opioid exposure in infants less than 6 months of age undergoing congenital heart surgery
Authors: Townsend Janae , Zaki Hania , Keesari Rohali , Maher Kevin , Hupp Susan , Branstetter Joshua W.
Published: April 2024

Objectives:

Pain management for infants undergoing cardiothoracic surgery primarily utilises opioid analgesics. There is a paucity of data available for the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as ketorolac in this patient population.

Materials and Methods:

This retrospective study evaluated patients between 30 days and 6 months undergoing cardiothoracic surgery. The primary endpoint evaluates ketorolac on reducing post-operative opioid use.

Results:

Of 243 evaluated patient, 145 met inclusion. Baseline demographics were similar amongst the cohorts. Patients administered ketorolac used less cumulative opiates, in morphine milligram equivalents, for post-op days (POD) 1–3 after surgery compared to patients not receiving ketorolac (9.47 versus 12.68; p = 0.002). The no-ketorolac group required more opiates on POD 1 (10.9 versus 5; p < 0.001) and POD 2 (4.2 versus 2.5; p = 0.006) with no difference found on POD 3 (2 versus 1.6; p = 0.2). There was a mean increase from baseline to highest serum creatinine level on POD 1–3 in the no-ketorolac group compared to the ketorolac group (0.15 versus 0.09 mg/dL; p < 0.014), with no difference in stage 1 or stage 2 acute kidney injury. There were no differences in average chest tube output in mL/kg/day (0.24 versus 0.32; p = 0.569) or need for transfusion (36% versus 24%; p = 0.125), respectively.

Discussion:

Scheduled administration of ketorolac after cardiothoracic surgery resulted in a significant reduction in opioid exposure, with no difference in rates of acute kidney injury or bleeding.
‘“I think” is the Sole Text of Rational Psychology’: Comments on Ian Proops’s The Fiery Test of Critique
Authors: Longuenesse Béatrice
Published: April 2024

I focus on two main points in Ian Proops’s reading of Kant’s Paralogisms of Pure Reason: the structure of the paralogisms in the A edition of the Critique of Pure Reason, and the changes in Kant’s exposition of the paralogisms from A to B. I agree with Proops that there are defects in the A exposition and that Kant attempted to correct those defects in B. But I argue that Proops fails to give its due to what remains fundamental in both editions: Kant’s criticism of the rational psychologist’s confusion between the subjective (albeit universally subjective) standpoint thinkers have on themselves just in virtue of thinking, and the objective, metaphysical standpoint on a thinking thing. In short, Proops fails to give sufficient attention to Kant’s opening statement in the Paralogisms of Pure Reason: ‘“I think” is the sole text of rational psychology’.
Drought Propagation and Recovery Behaviors Across 407 Australian Catchments
Authors: Aryal Santosh K. , Zheng Hongxing , Zhang Yongqiang , Faiz M. A.
Published: April 2024

A reliable understanding of linkages between meteorological, hydrological and agricultural droughts (MD, HD, and AD respectively) is crucial to building resilience and planning for future climate changes. Despite Australia being prone to severe droughts, lagtimes of propagation (and recovery), from meteorological to hydrological and agricultural droughts across its large hydroclimatic regions, are poorly understood. Therefore, we investigate the characteristics of drought propagation and recovery time lags for droughts of four timescales and a combination of drought onset and cessation criteria in 407 unregulated catchments within six major precipitation zones across the country. We find that the propagation and recovery lags depend on climatic conditions, drought criteria and timescales. The median of catchment average propagation times from MD to HD across Australia varied from 0.8 to 1.7 months for 1‐month timescales, increasing to 2.2–5.0 months for 12‐month timescales. The corresponding recovery lagtimes were 1.3–3.7 and 1.7–7.0 months respectively. Similarly, the median of catchment average propagation times from MD to AD ranged from 0.8 to 1.9 months for 1‐month timescales, increasing to 0.6–5.0 months for 12‐month. The corresponding recovery lagtimes were 0.7–2.8 and 0.3–8.7 months respectively. For droughts of smaller timescales, propagation and recovery lags are linearly correlated with recovery lagtimes consistently greater than propagation times. However, as the timescale increases, these relationships weaken suggesting effects of other catchment attributes (e.g., groundwater contributions) on lag relationships.
The Effect of the 18.6‐Year Lunar Nodal Cycle on Steric Sea Level Changes
Authors: Bult Sterre V. , Le Bars Dewi , Haigh Ivan D. , Gerkema Theo
Published: April 2024

We show that steric sea‐level varies with a period of 18.6 years along the western European coast. We hypothesize that this variation originates from the modulation of semidiurnal tides by the lunar nodal cycle and associated changes in ocean mixing. Accounting for the steric sea level changes in the upper 400 m of the ocean solves the discrepancy between the nodal cycle in mean sea level observed by tide gauges and the theoretical equilibrium nodal tide. Namely, by combining the equilibrium tide with the nodal modulation of steric sea level, we close the gap with the observations. This result supports earlier findings that the observed phase and amplitude of the 18.6‐year cycle do not always correspond to the equilibrium nodal tide.