bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Landscape changes and watershed erosion in Prince George's County, Maryland
Authors: Stribling James B.
Published: May 2024

This study evaluated erosion rates and sediment production in streams, and factors potentially influencing them throughout the Anacostia, Patuxent, and Potomac (non‐Anacostia) River watersheds within Prince George's County, Maryland, US. As part of the County's watershed‐scale biological monitoring program, from approx. 1999 to 2008, permanent monuments were established to allow measurement of stream channel cross‐sectional (XS) area. The intent of this study was to characterize the intensity and spatial distribution of fluvial geomorphic instability across the county and use the results to target and plan stormwater management and stream restoration actions. For this study, 78 stream locations were re‐surveyed in 2020, representing a time lapse of from 12 to 21 years. Data collected included XS dimensions, modified Wolman 100‐particle pebble counts, and reach‐specific soil bulk density. Land use/land cover data were compiled from the National Land Cover Dataset (NLCD), precipitation from the National Weather Service Center for Environmental Information (NCEI), and soils from the Natural Resources Conservation Service Web Soil Survey (NRCS/WSS). We calculated percent change in XS area, rates of erosion, sediment yield, and assigned geomorphic classifications, and interpreted them in the context of spatial positions relative to changes in land cover characteristics. Sediment yields among the 78 reaches exhibited a combination of those undergoing enlargement/erosion (67.9%), reduction/deposition (25.6%), and the remaining 6.4% with essentially no change over the period of record. Of the top 20 most geomorphically active reaches surveyed in the County, 12 are in the Anacostia River basin, with the other scattered among the Patuxent River and Potomac River basins.
Negative variance components and intercept‐slope correlations greater than one in magnitude: How do such “non‐regular” random intercept and slope models arise, and what should be done when they do?
Authors: Bridge Helen , Morgan Katy E. , Frost Chris
Published: May 2024

Statistical models with random intercepts and slopes (RIAS models) are commonly used to analyze longitudinal data. Fitting such models sometimes results in negative estimates of variance components or estimates on parameter space boundaries. This can be an unlucky chance occurrence, but can also occur because certain marginal distributions are mathematically identical to those from RIAS models with negative intercept and/or slope variance components and/or intercept‐slope correlations greater than one in magnitude. We term such parameters “pseudo‐variances” and “pseudo‐correlations,” and the models “non‐regular.” We use eigenvalue theory to explore how and when such non‐regular RIAS models arise, showing: (i) A small number of measurements, short follow‐up, and large residual variance increase the parameter space for which data (with a positive semidefinite marginal variance‐covariance matrix) are compatible with non‐regular RIAS models. (ii) Non‐regular RIAS models can arise from model misspecification, when non‐linearity in fixed effects is ignored or when random effects are omitted. (iii) A non‐regular RIAS model can sometimes be interpreted as a regular linear mixed model with one or more additional random effects, which may not be identifiable from the data. (iv) Particular parameterizations of non‐regular RIAS models have no generality for all possible numbers of measurements over time. Because of this lack of generality, we conclude that non‐regular RIAS models can only be regarded as plausible data‐generating mechanisms in some situations. Nevertheless, fitting a non‐regular RIAS model can be acceptable, allowing unbiased inference on fixed effects where commonly recommended alternatives such as dropping the random slope result in bias.
Dynamic hierarchical state space forecasting
Authors: Liu Ziyue , Guo Wensheng
Published: May 2024

In this paper, we aim to both borrow information from existing units and incorporate the target unit's history data in time series forecasting. We consider a situation when we have time series data from multiple units that share similar patterns when aligned in terms of an internal time. The internal time is defined as an index according to evolving features of interest. When mapped back to the calendar time, these time series can span different time intervals that can include the future calendar time of the targeted unit, over which we can borrow the information from other units in forecasting the targeted unit. We first build a hierarchical state space model for the multiple time series data in terms of the internal time, where the shared components capture the similarities among different units while allowing for unit‐specific deviations. A conditional state space model is then constructed to incorporate the information of existing units as the prior information in forecasting the targeted unit. By running the Kalman filtering based on the conditional state space model on the targeted unit, we incorporate both the information from the other units and the history of the targeted unit. The forecasts are then transformed from internal time back into calendar time for ease of interpretation. A simulation study is conducted to evaluate the finite sample performance. Forecasting state‐level new COVID‐19 cases in United States is used for illustration.
Comparative Study of New A3 and A2B Aluminum Corroles by Absorption and Charge Transport Properties
Authors: Salas Felipe , Sanhueza Luis , Dreyse Paulina
Published: May 2024

New materials for applications in energy conversion systems as solar cells or lighting devices, avoiding expensive and scarce metals is desirable, therefore, aluminum corroles appear as alternative, since these compounds are relatively less expensive, and the electronic modulation appears as an interesting tuning to achieve good performance in optical devices. In this sense, this research presents a theoretical study of new aluminum corroles containing electron‐withdrawing substituents on the meso‐carbons of the macrocycle. The first family of corroles comprises three A3 structures (AlCo1, AlCo2 and AlCo3) that contain NO2‐phenyl and CF3‐phenyl substituents, and the second family comprises three A2B structures (AlCo4, AlCo5 and AlCo6) with a pyrenyl substituent on the 10 meso‐carbon. All the calculations were obtained by Density Functional Theory using B3LYP functional and 6‐31G(d,p) basis set for all atoms evaluating their geometrical parameters, absorption properties and injection/transport charge transfer processes. The results show that the corroles have strong absorption processes extended from blue to near infrared region, being favored the absorption shifted to red in A2B structures and with para NO2‐phenyl substituents. Furthermore, the calculated charge transfer processes showed interesting values demonstrating that these macrocyclic compounds could be useful for optoelectronic applications such as solar cells or lighting devices.
Nymphaea Alba for Resistive Switching Devices: Exploring the Non‐Volatile Memory and Neuromorphic Computing Applications of the Plant Leaves
Authors: Babar Pooja , Patil Pradnya , Patil Amitkumar R. , Jadhav Bhavana , Ghadage Rhushikesh , Kondalwade Meghana , Attar Suraj , Kamat Rajanish K. , Dongale Tukaram D. , Kamble Santosh
Published: May 2024

Biomaterial‐based resistive switching memory is one promising technology that could significantly impact the current direction of non‐volatile memory and neuromorphic computing. Given this, we report the fabrication of a resistive switching (RS) device based on Nymphaea Alba as an active switching layer and investigate its RS properties for memory and neuromorphic computing applications. The Nymphaea Alba switching layer was deposited by the conventional doctor blade method. Further, this is characterized by various analytical techniques. The fabricated device showed bipolar RS behavior and demonstrated good non‐volatile memory properties. Additionally, the device mimics various synaptic properties of the human brain, such as potentiation‐depression, Excitatory post‐synaptic current (EPSC), and Paired‐pulse facilitation (PPF). The charge‐flux relation reveals the non‐ideal memristor‐type behavior of the device. The Ohmic and Child's square law dominates the conduction of the device and the filamentary process responsible for the RS process of the device. These results show that the Nymphaea Alba is a promising biomaterial for non‐volatile memory applications.
Convergent Synthesis of a Pentasaccharide Containing a Rare Sugar 4‐amino‐4‐deoxy‐D‐fucose Related to the Cell Wall O‐polysaccharide of Acinetobacter baumannii 90
Authors: Sahaji Samim , Kumar Misra Anup
Published: May 2024

A convenient synthetic strategy has been developed for the synthesis of a pentasaccharide related to the cell wall O‐polysaccharide of Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) 90 in very good yield applying a stereoselective [3+2] block glycosylation reaction. The synthesis of the target pentasaccharide was challenging due to the presence of a rare sugar, 4‐amino‐4‐deoxy‐D‐fucose and several α‐glycosidic linkages in it. The construction of 1,2‐cis glycosyl linkages were achieved using a combination of copper(II) bromide and tetra‐n‐butylammonium bromide (TBAB) or a combination of N‐iodosuccinimide (NIS) and trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (TMSOTf) as thiophilic glycosylation activator. Perchloric acid supported over silica (HClO4‐SiO2) mediated orthogonal glycosylation reaction has been carried out using glycosyl trichloroacetimidate derivative as donor and thioglycoside as acceptor.
Heterogeneous CuS QDs/BiVO4@Y2O2S Nanoreactor for Monitorable Photocatalysis
Authors: Guo Da , Jiang Shuwen , Shen Lifan , Pun Edwin Yue Bun , Lin Hai
Published: May 2024

Exploration of multifunctional integrated catalysts is of great significance for photocatalysis toward practical application. Herein, a 1D confined nanoreactor with a heterogeneous core–shell structure is designed for synergies of efficient catalysis and temperature monitoring by custom encapsulation of Z‐scheme heterojunction CuS quantum dots/BiVO4 (CuS QDs/BiVO4) and Y2O2S‐Er, Yb. The dispersed active sites created by the QDs with high surface energy improve the mass transfer efficiency, and the efficient electron transport channels at the heterogeneous interface extend the carrier lifetime, which endows the nanoreactor with excellent catalytic performance. Meanwhile, real‐time temperature monitoring is realized based on the thermally coupled levels 2H11/2/4S3/2→4I15/2 of Er3+ using fluorescence intensity ratio, which enables the monitorable photocatalysis. Furthermore, the nanoreactor with a multidimensional structure increases effective intermolecular collisions to facilitate the catalytic process by restricting the reaction within distinct enclosed spaces and circumvents potential unknown interaction effects. The design of multi‐space nanoconfined reactors opens up a new avenue to modulate catalyst function, providing a unique perspective for photocatalytic applications in the mineralization of organic pollutants, hydrogen production, and nitrogen fixation.
Ammonium Sulfate to Modulate Crystallization for High‐Performance Rigid and Flexible Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Zou Yuqin , Song Qili , Zhou Jungui , Yin Shanshan , Li Yanan , Apfelbeck Fabian A. C. , Zheng Tianle , Fung Man‐Keung , Mu Cheng , Müller‐Buschbaum Peter
Published: May 2024

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are attracting widespread research and attention as highly promising candidates in the field of electronic photovoltaics owing to their exceptional power conversion efficiency (PCE). However, rigid or flexible PSCs still face challenges in preparing full‐coverage and low‐defect perovskite films, as well as achieving highly reproducible and highly stable devices. Herein, a multifunctional additive 2‐aminoethyl hydrogen sulfate (AES) is designed to regulate the film crystallization and thereby form flat and pinhole‐free perovskite films. It is found that the introduction of AES can effectively passivate defects, restrain charge carrier recombination, and then achieve a higher fill factor. As seen with grazing incidence wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (GIWAXS), this approach does not affect the crystal orientation distribution. It is observed that AES addition shows a universality across different perovskite components since the PCE is improved up to 20.7% for FA0.97MA0.03Pb(I0.97Br0.03)3‐AES, 22.85% for Cs0.05FA0.95PbI3‐AES, 22.23% for FAPbI2.7Br0.3‐AES, and 23.32% for FAPI‐AES rigid devices. Remarkably, the non‐encapsulated flexible Cs0.05 (FA0.85MA0.15)0.95Pb(I0.85Br0.15)3 device with AES additive delivers a PCE of 20.1% and maintains over 97% of its initial efficiency under ambient conditions (25 ± 5% relative humidity) over 2280 h of aging.
Zero Voltage‐Degradation of Li2MnO3 with Ultrathin Amorphous Li─Mn─O Coating
Authors: Liu Shiqi , Wan Jie , Wang Boya , Li Chenghan , Wang Yulong , Wang Lin , Wu Haipeng , Zhang Nian , Zhang Xu , Yu Haijun
Published: May 2024

Manganese‐based lithium‐rich layered oxides (Mn‐LLOs) are promising candidate cathode materials for lithium‐ion batteries, however, the severe voltage decay during cycling is the most concern for their practical applications. Herein, an Mn‐based composite nanostructure constructed Li2MnO3 (LMO@Li2MnO3) is developed via an ultrathin amorphous functional oxide LixMnOy coating at the grain surface. Due to the thin and universal LMO amorphous surface layer etched from the lithiation process by the high‐concentration alkaline solution, the structural and interfacial stability of Li2MnO3 are enhanced apparently, showing the significantly improved voltage maintenance, cycle stability, and energy density. In particular, the LMO@Li2MnO3 cathode exhibits zero voltage decay over 200 cycles. Combining with ex situ spectroscopic and microscopic techniques, the Mn2+/4+ coexisted behavior of the amorphous LMO is revealed, which enables the stable electrochemistry of Li2MnO3. This work provides new possible routes for suppressing the voltage decay of Mn‐LLOs by modifying with the composite functional unit construction.
Evolutionary patterns of DNA base composition at polymorphic sites highlight the role of the environment in shaping barley and rice genomes
Authors: Gou Xiangjian , Shao Yang , Wang Xiao , Shi Haoran , Yu Jianming , Li Xianran , Guo Tingting
Published: May 2024

Insights into changes in genome base composition underlying crop domestication can be gained by using comparative genomics. With this approach, previous studies have reported that crop genomes during domestication accumulate more nucleotides adenine (A) and thymine (T) (termed as [AT]‐increase) across polymorphic sites. However, the potential influence of the environment or its factors, for example, solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation and temperature, on the [AT]‐increase has not been well elucidated. Here, we investigated the [AT]‐increase in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and rice (Oryza sativa L.) and the association with natural environments, where accessions are distributed. With 12,798,376 and 2,861,535 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms from 368 barley and 1375 rice accessions, respectively, we discovered that [AT] increases from wild accessions to improved cultivars, and genomic regions with larger [AT]‐increase tend to have higher UV‐related motif frequencies, suggesting solar UV radiation as a potential factor in driving genome variation. To link [AT] change with the geographic distribution, we gathered georeferenced accessions and examined their local environments. Interestingly, negative correlations between [AT] and environmental factors were observed (r = −0.39 ∼ −0.75) and modern accessions with higher [AT] values, as compared with wild relatives, are from the environments with lower solar UV radiation or lower temperature. With [AT] and environmental factors as phenotypes, genome‐wide association mapping identified three candidate genes that have the potential to contribute to [AT] variation under the effect of environmental conditions. Our findings provide genomic and environmental insights into evolutionary pattern of DNA base composition and underlying mechanisms.
Evaluation of the restorative effect of ozone and chitosan–hyaluronic acid with and without mesenchymal stem cells on wound healing in rats
Authors: Shabani Mahshid , Sharifi Siavash , Karimi Iraj , Shirian Sadegh , Fadaei Milad , Mirzaei Esmaeil
Published: May 2024

This study evaluated the effect of ozone, chitosan–hyaluronic (Cs–HA) acid and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on wound healing in rats. A total of 64 rats were randomly divided into four groups: control, ozone, Cs–HA + ozone and Cs–HA + ozone + MSCs. A 5 mm full‐thickness wound was created on the back of each rat. The wound area was measured macroscopically on days 3, 5, 9 and 14. Tissue sections were prepared for histopathological evaluation of inflammation, collagen arrangement, neovascularization and epithelial tissue rearrangement. Macroscopic assessment showed differences in wound area on days 5, 9 and 14. Histopathological examination showed that the Cs–HA + ozone + MSCs and Cs–HA + ozone groups had significantly higher vascularization on day 3 compared to the ozone‐treated and control groups. All treatment groups had significantly better collagen arrangement than the control group. On day 5, no significant difference was observed between different groups. On day 9, the inflammation level in the Cs–HA + ozone + MSCs group was significantly lower than in the other groups. All treatment groups had significantly better vascularization compared to the control group. On day 14, the rate of inflammation was significantly lower in the treatment groups than in the control group. Significantly higher collagen arrangement levels were observed in the Cs–HA + ozone and Cs–HA + ozone + MSCs groups compared to the control and ozone groups. All treatment groups had significantly better epithelial tissue rearrangement than the control group. Overall, the results of this study indicated that treatment with ozone, Cs–HA acid, Cs–HA and MSCs accelerated wound healing in rats. The effect of using Cs–HA acid with mesenchymal cells was better than the other types of treatment. Larger clinical trials are needed to assess these factors for improving chronic wound treatment.
Effects of swimming activity and feed restriction on antioxidant and digestive enzymes in juvenile rainbow trout: Implications for nutritional and exercise strategies in aquaculture
Authors: Tunçelli Gökhan , Ertik Onur , Bayrak Bertan Boran , Memiş Devrim , Yanardag Refiye
Published: May 2024

Background

In this study, we investigated the effects of swimming activity and feed restriction on digestion and antioxidant enzyme activities in juvenile rainbow trout (average body weight of 26.54 ± 0.36 g).

Methods

The stomach, liver and kidney tissues were obtained from four distinct groups: the static water group (fish were kept in static water and fed to satiation), the feeding restricted group (fish were kept in static water with a 25% feed restriction), the swimming exercised group (fish were forced to swimming at a flow rate of 1 Body Length per second (BL/s)) and the swimming exercised‐feed restricted group (subjected to swimming exercise at a 1 BL/s flow rate along with a 25% feed restriction). We determined the levels of glutathione, lipid peroxidation and the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase, as well as the presence of reactive oxygen species in the tissues obtained from the fish. Additionally, the activities of pepsin, protease, lipase and arginase in these tissues were measured.

Results

Swimming activity and feed restriction showed different effects on the enzyme activities of the fish in the experimental groups.

Conclusion

It can be concluded that proper nutrition and exercise positively influence the antioxidant system and enzyme activities in fish, reducing the formation of free radicals. This situation is likely to contribute to the fish's development.
Bilateral renal dysplasia in a ferret (Mustela putorius furo)
Authors: Gilbert Sayrah , Lennox Angela , Johnson‐Delaney Cathy , Biswell Ethan
Published: May 2024

Renal dysplasia is a histological diagnosis characterised by disorganised architecture of the renal cortex and medulla with disrupted nephron differentiation and primitive ducts surrounded by collarettes of the mesenchymal tissue. This condition has been reported once previously in ferrets as a component of multiple congenital abnormalities of the urogenital tract. A 1.5‐year‐old, male, neutered ferret was presented after being found minimally responsive under a fallen shelf in its enclosure. The ferret was obtunded, with mild intermittent muscle tremors and severe dehydration. Survey radiographs, including thoracic and abdominal ventrodorsal and right and left lateral views, were performed to assess for general trauma. The right renal silhouette was normal in size, and the left was moderately reduced. The capsular margins of both renal silhouettes were moderately undulating and mildly indistinct with perirenal retroperitoneal striations. No signs of trauma or other abnormalities were identified. Whole blood biochemical analysis demonstrated elevated creatinine, elevated blood urea nitrogen, hypernatraemia, hypercalcaemia, hyperphosphataemia and hyperproteinemia characterised by hyperalbuminemia and haemoconcentration. The hypernatraemia and mentation failed to improve with intravenous fluid therapy, and the ferret was euthanased. Bilateral renal dysplasia was confirmed via gross postmortem examination and histopathology.
Ferroelectric Order in the Chiral Coordination Polymers [Ln2(L*)2(ox)2(H2O)2] with Ln=Gd3+ or Dy3+, L*=((S, S)‐1,3‐bis(1‐Carboxylethyl)imidazolium and Ox=Oxalate.
Authors: Farger P. , Leuvrey C. , Lenertz M. , Taupier G. , Dorkenoo K. D. , Ihiawakrim D. , Cherifi‐Hertel S. , Rogez G. , Rabu P. , Delahaye E.
Published: May 2024

We evidence the ferroelectricity of two isostructural magnetic coordination networks obtained from a chiral imidazolium dicarboxylate salt ((S, S)‐1,3‐bis(1‐carboxylethyl)imidazolium or [HL*]) and Gd3+ or Dy3+ ions in presence of oxalic acid (H2ox). The two compounds exhibit a chiral structure P1 and ferroelectric properties. The crystallographic study shows that the Dy based‐compound is isostructural to the Gd analog. The non‐centrosymmetry of the two samples was further checked by means of nonlinear optical spectroscopy. The room temperature ferroelectric character of the compounds has been investigated through by an original method, derived from that used for thin films, made possible by preparing the sample as thin slices of resin containing inclusions of the coordination compounds.
‘Urban-itarian’ Ecologies after Displacement from Syria
Authors: Carpi Estella
Published: May 2024

Over the last decade, displacement from conflict-ridden Syria has converged with an increasing emphasis on the ‘urban-humanitarian’ nexus. Humanitarian actors have focused on urban livelihoods as refugees mainly move to cities in search of employment and a predominantly camp-based mode of assistance has turned into support for urban refugees, internally displaced people, and local urban dwellers. Within this framework, the politics of international humanitarianism has inscribed itself in cities and towns, generating layered ‘urban-itarian’ ecologies. Considering vernacular definitions of ‘urban’ and ‘urban actors’, this chapter discusses encounters and missed encounters between the urban and the humanitarian worlds. Drawing on different case-studies since 2016 in six sites across Lebanon, Türkiye, and Jordan – all primary destinations for refugees from Syria – it shows how ‘urbanising’ humanitarianism, when insufficiently responsive to local specificities, has tended to result in poorly attuned humanitarian programming. My multisite-based observations suggest that people lead hybrid lifestyles while developing complex livelihood strategies, building their worlds across the urban and the rural. In light of this, the working concept of ‘urban-itarian’ does not intend to mark those spaces as exclusively or predominantly urban; but, rather, as an interface where humanitarian and urban actors and negotiations end up marginalising or assimilating the rural and the peri-urban, regardless of environmental complexities.
Immigration Policy and Less-Favoured Regions and Cities: Comparing Urban Atlantic Canada and the US Rust Belt
Authors: Pottie-Sherman Yolande
Published: May 2024

There is a growing interest in immigrant receiving countries like Canada and the United States in spreading the benefits of immigration to less-favoured regions and cities that face a myriad of demographic and economic challenges associated with aging or shrinking populations, slow growth, and economic decline. This chapter uses the cases of Atlantic Canada and the US Rust Belt to examine two different approaches to immigration and uneven development. In Canada, place-based immigration programmes explicitly encourage immigration to Atlantic Canada while immigrant integration is supported through ‘top-down’ federally-funded settlement, multiculturalism, and citizenship programmes. Conversely, in the US, efforts to use immigration to address spatial inequality are happening outside of formal policy channels from the ‘bottom-up’, driven by networks of local business associations and non-profit organisations that increasingly promote immigration as a tool of economic revitalisation in the Rust Belt. Drawing on several years of fieldwork in both regions involving participant observation at immigration summits and conventions, stakeholder interviews, and media and document analysis, this chapter considers the implications of these diverging approaches. Ultimately, dynamic regions need dynamic solutions, and cities in these regions provide a roadmap for understanding the role of immigration in addressing uneven development.
Rehearsing Emergency Scenarios: Using Space Syntax and Intelligent Mobility Modelling for Scenario Visualisation and Disaster Preparedness
Authors: Ostwald Michael J. , Waller S. Travis
Published: May 2024

Extreme climate events require people to rapidly navigate dynamically changing environments. Wildfires and floods alter the landscape, blocking roads, destroying landmarks and turning the built environment and infrastructure into potential hazards. While various computational methods exist for modelling the ways people move through buildings, urban spaces and transportation networks, there are relatively few examples of these being applied to natural disasters. Moreover, these methods have unexploited potential to support real-time simulation and visualisation of the evolving impacts of climate emergencies. This chapter reviews advanced research using two computational approaches—space syntax and intelligent mobility modelling (IMM)—to visualise the interaction between people, the built environment and infrastructure. These approaches support the simulation of diverse scales of spatial interactions, from individuals to entire populations. Combining examples from the authors of research in these fields with practices and concepts from the arts, this chapter highlights the ways new applications of these methods can support stakeholders’s needs for disaster responsiveness, rehearsal and preparedness.
Latest Advances and Challenges in Extreme Flood 3D Simulation
Authors: Sharma Ashish , Johnson Fiona M.
Published: May 2024

This chapter canvasses the latest developments in the modelling and communication of environmental extremes, with a focus on floods. Three scenarios are explored. The first refers to real-time prediction, including the current modelling basis that is adopted, and the visualisation/communication strategies in place. The second refers to an environmental extreme event that is conditional to a failure scenario, as is the case when an existing infrastructure (i.e. levee or spillway in an extreme flood) fails. The third, more complex scenario is the occurrence of a compound or joint extreme, possibly in the future, where extreme storms will intensify. A compound extreme here could represent a flood event that follows from an incident of rare storm conditions on a fire-damaged landscape. While the modelling challenges are significant, visualisation is even more challenging, as the scenario occurs under a hypothetical future. Demonstrating how coupled models can support the anticipation of extreme event scenarios, the chapter considers implications for risk assessment and communication that can support future preparedness and resilience. Surveying knowledge gaps that still need to be bridged, the authors formulate a list of key requirements in the fields of data availability, processing and representation.
On the Product Functor on Inner forms of the General Linear Group Over A Non-Archimedean Local Field
Authors: Chan Kei Yuen
Published: May 2024

Let $$G_n$$

G
n

be an inner form of a general linear group over a non-Archimedean local field. We fix an arbitrary irreducible representation $$\sigma $$
σ
of $$G_n$$

G
n

. Building on the work of Lapid-Mínguez on the irreducibility of parabolic inductions, we show how to define a full subcategory of the category of smooth representations of some $$G_m$$

G
m

, on which the parabolic induction functor $$\tau \mapsto \tau \times \sigma $$

τ
↦
τ
×
σ

is fully-faithful. A key ingredient of our proof for the fully-faithfulness is constructions of indecomposable representations of length 2. Such result for a special situation has been previously applied in proving the local non-tempered Gan-Gross-Prasad conjecture for non-Archimedean general linear groups. In this article, we apply the fully-faithful result to prove a certain big derivative arising from Jacquet functor satisfies the property that its socle is irreducible and has multiplicity one in the Jordan-Hölder sequence of the big derivative.
Online training for hearing implant surgery
Authors: Rak Kristen , Kaulitz Stefan , Voelker Johannes , Müller-Graff Franz-Tassilo , Engert Jonas , Spahn Björn , Hackenberg Stephan , Grasso Peter , Hagen Rudolf
Published: May 2024

Objective

Education in microsurgery of the ear includes staged training to allow for mastering of the complex microsurgical procedures, particularly in the context of middle ear reconstruction and cochlear implantation. Traditional surgical training includes temporal bone preparations by cadaver dissection and supervised operating room practice. As these on-site trainings are limited, there is a need to broaden education facilities in an on-line format. Therefore, a first basic on-line training for otosurgery was developed.

Materials and methods

The system consists of an artificial temporal bone model together with a set of basic surgical instruments and implant dummies. As an essential part of the training kit, a high-resolution camera set is included that allows for connection to a video streaming platform and enables remote supervision of the trainees’ surgical steps by experienced otological surgeons. In addition, a pre-learning platform covering temporal bone anatomy and instrumentation and pre-recorded lectures and instructional videos has been developed to allow trainees to review and reinforce their understanding before hands-on practice.

Results

Over the three courses held to date, 28 participants with varying levels of prior surgical experience took part in this otological surgical training program. The immediate feedback of the participants was evaluated by means of a questionnaire. On this basis, the high value of the program became apparent and specific areas could by identified where further refinements could lead to an even more robust training experience.

Conclusion

The presented program of an otosurgical online training allows for basal education in practical exercises on a remote system. In this way, trainees who have no direct access to on-site instruction facilities in ear surgery now have the chance to start their otosurgical training in an educational setting adapted to modern technologies.
Size effects of voids on the mechanical properties of 3D printed parts
Authors: Gonabadi Hassan , Hosseini Seyed Farhad , Chen Yao , Bull Steve
Published: May 2024

Although the effects of additive manufacturing process parameters on the mechanical properties of 3D printed parts have been numerically investigated in the literature, less attention has been paid on the size effects of voids between deposited filaments. This study fills this gap by developing a methodology based on a combined finite element (FE) and design of experiment (DoE) technique. The development of FE methodology is based on micro-mechanical analysis of representative volume element (RVE) of 3D printed parts to predict the effective orthotropic properties. To account for the size effects of inter-bead voids, the RVE includes contribution of the multiple parameters of layer heights, layer widths and overlapping regions. To study the main and interaction effects of the above input parameters on the stiffness properties of 3D printed parts, a structured approach based on full factorial design is used. Although the size effects of voids on the constituents of elastic moduli of RVE were investigated, the main focus in the present work is to develop a regression model to predict the stiffness properties. The FE stress analysis of the RVE conducted in this study provides an insight about the potential failure modes such as delamination and filament debonding that may occur in load bearing 3D printed parts. For a case study, the results of FE-based homogenization technique in terms of stiffness properties are validated against the experimental data via three-point bending and Iosipescu shear tests which were conducted in conjunction with digital image correlation technique. The combined numerical and statistical approach proposed in this study provides a swift iterative design of 3D printed parts prior to the time-consuming computation modelling, contributing to reduce the number of tests and manufacturing costs.
Surface roughness evaluation when brushing heat-resistant alloy components
Authors: González Mikel , Rodríguez Adrián , Pereira Octavio , de Lacalle Luis Norberto López
Published: May 2024

Nowadays, the combination of additive manufacturing technologies, together with the use of materials such as Inconel 718, opens new opportunities in the manufacture of aeronautical turbines. However, parts obtained directly through additive manufacturing are far from being considered suitable in their initial state, as they exhibit a poor surface finish that compromises their mechanical characteristics. Common among the defects found in such components are ridges stemming from thermal deformations during the powder fusion process. Therefore, abrasive brushing emerges as the prevalent method to rectify these surface imperfections. However, conventional roughness indicators prove insufficient in accurately characterizing such local defects during surface analysis. Consequently, this study investigates surface conditions of Inconel 718 parts produced through additive manufacturing, particularly focusing on defects caused by peak alignments along the powder fusion direction. Thus, a series of frontal brushing operations were conducted under varying conditions, with the aim of increasing the feed rate to address these defects. Subsequently, the effectiveness of the brushing process was assessed through the calculation of peak areas. The analysis of this indicator revealed that the maximum feed rate enabling complete removal of the peak marks was 500 mm/min.
Comparison of supine–prone percutaneous nephrolithotomy methods in the treatment of kidney stones in pediatric patients: prospective randomized study
Authors: Eryılmaz Recep , Ertas Kasım , Aslan Rahmi , Sevim Mehmet , Keles Muhammed Fatih , Taken Kerem
Published: May 2024

Mini-PCNL is one of the most effective surgical methods in the treatment of kidney stones in pediatric patients. In this study, we aimed to compare PCNL in the supine–prone position in pediatric patients (especially operation time, postop complications, hospital stay and stone-free rates).We conducted our study in a randomized and prospective manner. Patients with lower pole stones larger than 1 cm, stones larger than 1.5 cm in the pelvis, upper pole, midpole or multiple locations, and patients who did not respond to ESWL or whose family that preferred mini-PCNL to be the primary treatment were included in the study. Patients with any previous kidney stone surgery, patients with coagulation disorders and patients with retrorenal colon were excluded from the study. Between 2021 and 2023, a total of 144 patients underwent PCNL. 68 of these patients had supine PCNL and 76 prone PCNL. Postoperative Clavien grade1 complication occurred in a total of 7 patients in the prone position; Clavien grade1 complication occurred in 1 patient in the supine position. The mean operation time for prone PCNL was 119.88 ± 28.32 min, and the mean operative time for supine PCNL was 98.12 ± 14.97 the mean hospitalization time in prone PCNL was 3.56 ± 1.12 days, and 3.00 ± 0.85 days in supine PCNL. In conclusion, supine PCNL is a safe and effective method in the treatment of pediatric kidney stones and postoperative complications were observed to be less; the operation time and hospital stay were shorter in supine PCNL.
Receptor-interacting protein kinase-3 (RIPK3): a new biomarker for necrotising enterocolitis in preterm infants
Authors: Shen Lirong , Yang Zuming , Gao Chuchu , Li Lili , Wang Yu , Cai Yan , Feng Zongtai
Published: May 2024

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the role of receptor-interacting protein kinase-3 (RIPK3) in the diagnosis, estimation of disease severity, and prognosis of premature infants with necrotising enterocolitis (NEC).

Methods

RIPK3, lactic acid (LA), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured in the peripheral blood of 108 premature infants between 2019 and 2023, including 24 with stage II NEC, 18 with stage III NEC and 66 controls. Diagnostic values of the indicators for NEC were evaluated via receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

Results

Plasma RIPK3 and LA levels upon NEC suspicion in neonates with stage III NEC were 32.37 ± 16.20 ng/mL. The ROC curve for the combination of RIPK3, LA, CRP for NEC diagnosis were 0.925. The time to full enteral feeding (FEFt) after recovery from NEC was different between two expression groups of plasma RIPK3 (RIPK3 < 20.06 ng/mL and RIPK3 ≥ 20.06 ng/mL).

Conclusion

Plasma RIPK3 can be used as a promising marker for the diagnosis and estimation of disease severity of premature infants with NEC and for the guidance on proper feeding strategies after recovery from NEC.
Public sector and human capital: on the mechanics of economic development
Authors: Bethencourt Carlos , Perera-Tallo Fernando
Published: May 2024

This paper proposes a theory about the allocation of human capital along the development process that helps to understand the controversial impact of this variable in growth regressions. We build a model in which human capital is allocated to three activities: production, tax collection (bureaucracy), and public education. At the first stage of development, countries have low effective tax rates because tax collection requires human capital, which is scarce. As countries accumulate human capital throughout the transition, the effective tax rate rises, diverting human capital from production to bureaucracy and public education. Consequently, at this stage, human capital has a weak impact on production, even when the human capital allocation is efficient. Furthermore, disparities in institutional quality may diminish the correlation between human capital and GDP.
„Verhaltenstherapie“ heute – eine Kurzcharakteristik
Authors: Egger Josef Wilhelm
Published: May 2024

Die „Verhaltenstherapie“ zählt zu den – historisch und wissenschaftlich betrachtet – fundamentalen Psychotherapietraditionen. Wenngleich die vielen theoretischen und praktischen Ansätze heute kein einheitliches „Schulengebäude“ mehr ergeben, so verbindet doch alle „verhaltenstheoretischen“ Konzepte die Forderung nach empirisch-wissenschaftlicher Überprüfung ihrer Vorgehensweisen und Wirkelemente. Für die Nutzung dieser relativ großen, international verankerten Therapierichtung wird heute – insbesondere auch für die Anwendung innerhalb medizinischer Rahmenbedingungen – eine methodenoffene Konzeption favorisiert, die in ihrer aktuellen kognitiv-behavioralen Form bisweilen auch als „Integrative Verhaltenstherapie“ oder „Psychologische Psychotherapie“ bezeichnet wird. Ihre allgemeinen Kennzeichen sind die gute wissenschaftliche Fundierung, die große Anwendungsbreite, ihre transparente Therapiegestaltung, das breite Spektrum an Methoden sowie der emanzipatorische Ansatz gemäß dem Motto „professionelle Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe“. Dies und die Einbettung in die erweiterte bio-psycho-soziale Theorie von Gesundheit und Krankheit unterstützt die gewünschte Integration von psychosozialen und biomedizinischen Aspekten in der Praxis in hervorragender Weise.
Speciation of antimony and vanadium in municipal solid waste incineration ashes analyzed by XANES spectroscopy
Authors: Vogel Christian , Scholz Philipp , Kalbe Ute , Caliebe Wolfgang , Tayal Akhil , Vasala Sami Juhani , Simon Franz-Georg
Published: May 2024

The use of ashes from municipal solid waste incineration as secondary building materials is an important pillar for the circular economy in Germany. However, leaching of potential toxic elements from these materials must be at environmentally acceptable levels. Normally, a three-month ageing period immobilizes most hazardous heavy metals, but antimony (Sb) and vanadium (V) showed previously unusual leaching. In order to clarify the mechanisms, we analyzed the Sb and V species in various bottom and fly ashes from municipal waste incineration by XANES spectroscopy. Antimony oxidizes from Sb(+ III) species used as flame retardants in plastics to Sb(+ V) compounds during waste incineration. However, owing to the similarity of different Sb(+ V) compound in the Sb K- and L-edge XANES spectra, it was not possible to accurately identify an exact Sb(+ V) species. Moreover, V is mainly present as oxidation state + V compound in the analyzed ashes. However, the coarse and magnetic fraction of the bottom ashes contain larger amounts of V(+ III) and V(+ IV) compounds which might enter the waste incineration from vanadium carbide containing steel tools. Thus, Sb and V could be critical potential toxic elements in secondary building materials and long-term monitoring of the release should be taken into account in the future.
Optimal treatment conditions for low-intensity pulsed ultrasound therapy for Alzheimer’s disease: applications from mice to humans
Authors: Shindo Tomohiko , Eguchi Kumiko , Monma Yuto , Kanai Hiroshi , Yasuda Satoshi , Shimokawa Hiroaki
Published: May 2024

Purpose

We previously developed a novel therapy with low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) that ameliorates cognitive decline through upregulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial, we demonstrated that whole-brain LIPUS therapy is safe and tends to suppress the cognitive decline in early AD patients. We herein report the findings of our basic experiments that we performed for the pilot trial in order to apply whole-brain LIPUS therapy to humans, as well.

Methods

First, we examined the relationship between bone density/thickness and ultrasound transmittance using human temporal bone. Next, based on the results of ultrasound transmittance, we further examined mRNA expression of VEGF, FGF2, and eNOS in response to variable ultrasound frequencies, duty cycles, and sound pressures.

Results

There was a significant correlation between bone thickness and transmittance (1.0 MHz, P < 0.001), while there was no significant correlation between bone density and transmittance (1.0 MHz, P = 0.421). At a frequency of 0.5 MHz, the optimum duty cycle was considered to be up to 20%. When the tissue amplitude was in the range of 0.05–0.5 MPa, VEGF, FGF2, and eNOS were significantly upregulated by LIPUS. Thus, the conditions necessary for LIPUS therapy for the human brain were identified as sound pressure just below the probe 1.3 MPa (tissue amplitude 0.15 MPa), duty cycle 5%, and frequency 0.5 MHz.

Conclusion

We successfully identified the optimal treatment conditions for LIPUS therapy for patients with AD.
Diabetic retinopathy detection using supervised and unsupervised deep learning: a review study
Authors: Naz Huma , Ahuja Neelu Jyothi , Nijhawan Rahul
Published: May 2024

The severe progression of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) stands out as one of the most significant concerns for healthcare officials worldwide. Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is a common complication associated with diabetes, particularly affecting individuals between the ages of 18 and 65. As per the findings of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) report, 35–60% of individuals suffering from DR possess a diabetes history. DR emerges as a leading cause of worldwide visual impairment. Due to the absence of ophthalmologists worldwide, insufficient health resources, and healthcare services, patients cannot get timely eye screening services. Automated computer-aided detection of DR provides a wide range of potential benefits. In contrast to traditional observer-driven techniques, automatic detection allows for a more objective analysis of numerous images in a shorter time. Moreover, Unsupervised Learning (UL) holds a high potential for image classification in healthcare, particularly regarding explainability and interpretability. Many studies on the detection of DR with both supervised and unsupervised Deep Learning (DL) methodologies are available. Surprisingly, none of the reviews presented thus far have highlighted the potential benefits of both supervised and unsupervised DL methods in Medical Imaging for the detection of DR. After a rigorous selection process, 103 articles were retrieved from four diverse and well-known databases (Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and IEEE). This review provides a comprehensive summary of both supervised and unsupervised DL methods applied in DR detection, explaining the significant benefits of both techniques and covering aspects such as datasets, pre-processing, segmentation techniques, and supervised and unsupervised DL methods for detection. The insights from this review will aid academics and researchers in medical imaging to make informed decisions and choose the best practices for DR detection.