bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of fish spawning habitat at offshore reefs in southwest Lake Michigan using side‐scan sonar and underwater video
Authors: Stacy‐Duffy William L. , Redman Rebecca A. , Roswell Charles R. , Peterson Scot D. , Czesny Sergiusz J.
Published: February 2024

Offshore reefs in the Laurentian Great Lakes provide critical spawning habitats for native lake trout. Though many historic spawning reefs have been documented, thorough evaluation of the habitat they contain is rare. After decades of stocking, natural recruitment of lake trout has increased dramatically in the Illinois waters of Lake Michigan since 2010, reinforcing the need for information about the viability and distribution of spawning habitats.

Using side‐scan sonar and underwater video, this study sought to map bottom substrates at Lake Bluff Reef and Gumby's Reef, offshore of the northern Illinois coast of Lake Michigan, to describe and quantify the availability of substrates suitable for lake trout spawning. Substrates were manually delineated in ArcGIS using side‐scan sonar imagery mosaics. Underwater video was used to verify substrate classifications through direct observation.

Suitable spawning substrate consisting of fractured bedrock debris and piled boulder/cobble was observed at both reefs. Underwater video revealed the presence of lake trout at both reefs in the weeks leading up to the spawning season. The largest congregation of fish was observed in the vicinity of the shallowest points, steep slopes, and the largest patches of spawning substrate.

The distribution, amount, and condition of spawning substrate available at each reef was in line with others studied in the region and their likely importance for lake trout spawning was reinforced by observed aggregations of mature fish.

This study has expanded the inventory of well‐documented offshore reefs in the Illinois waters of Lake Michigan, enhancing appreciation of what is coming to be understood as the Illinois Reef Complex. Knowledge of the distribution and status of habitats critical to the life history of native fishes in the Great Lakes are necessary for managers to properly assess, manage, and conserve lake trout and other fish populations.
Vowel distinctiveness as a concurrent predictor of expressive language function in autistic children
Authors: Simeone Paul J. , Green Jordan R. , Tager‐Flusberg Helen , Chenausky Karen V.
Published: February 2024

Speech ability may limit spoken language development in some minimally verbal autistic children. In this study, we aimed to determine whether an acoustic measure of speech production, vowel distinctiveness, is concurrently related to expressive language (EL) for autistic children. Syllables containing the vowels [i] and [a] were recorded remotely from 27 autistic children (4;1–7;11) with a range of spoken language abilities. Vowel distinctiveness was calculated using automatic formant tracking software. Robust hierarchical regressions were conducted with receptive language (RL) and vowel distinctiveness as predictors of EL. Hierarchical regressions were also conducted within a High EL and a Low EL subgroup. Vowel distinctiveness accounted for 29% of the variance in EL for the entire group, RL for 38%. For the Low EL group, only vowel distinctiveness was significant, accounting for 38% of variance in EL. Conversely, in the High EL group, only RL was significant and accounted for 26% of variance in EL. Replicating previous results, speech production and RL significantly predicted concurrent EL in autistic children, with speech production being the sole significant predictor for the Low EL group and RL the sole significant predictor for the High EL group. Further work is needed to determine whether vowel distinctiveness longitudinally, as well as concurrently, predicts EL. Findings have important implications for the early identification of language impairment and in developing language interventions for autistic children.
Simple and efficient method for the extraction, isolation, and purification of peroxidase enzyme from wheat bran
Authors: Kumar Akhil , Vasishta Ayush , Pawar Hitesh S.
Published: February 2024

Peroxidase is an industrially important enzyme with a broad range of applications. In this study, the extraction, isolation, and purification of peroxidase was conducted with wheat bran as a feedstock. Several commercially available buffers (K2HPO4, Na3PO4, CH3COONa, and Tris‐base) were explored for the extraction of peroxidase from wheat bran. Of the tested media, sodium acetate buffer gave an excellent performance and displayed maximum protein (0.44 mg mL−1) and enzyme activity (28 U mL−1). A process optimization study was also conducted to obtain the maximum protein concentration and enzyme activity. The intensified process provided 1.39 mg mL−1 protein concentration with 90 U mL−1 enzyme activity with specific enzyme activity of 135.8 U mg−1. Crude enzyme was purified using a three‐step process: (a) precipitation, (b) ultrafiltration, and (c) chromatographic purification. Commercially available strong and weak ion exchange resins, with different surface properties, were tested for purification. The weak anion exchange resin showed an excellent performance for maximum binding of peroxidase. Adsorption study investigated the best fit model of Freundlich isotherm with maximum binding capacity of 54 mg mL−1. Overall, purification provided peroxidase with a protein concentration of 1.24 mg mL−1 and 727.58 U mg −1 specific enzyme activity with purity increased by around ~6.6 fold. The reported process provides a simple and efficient method for the extraction and purification of peroxidase enzyme from wheat bran for its efficient valorization.
Cervical enamel projections from a periodontal perspective: A scoping review
Authors: Kim Hyun Ju , Kim Sun‐Young
Published: February 2024

Cervical enamel projections (CEPs) represent a unique developmental and anatomical anomaly wherein the enamel structure extends apically beyond the cemento‐enamel junction of the tooth. In this scoping review, the existing literature on CEPs was evaluated to delineate their characteristics, prevalence, predilection for specific teeth and surfaces, clinical significance, and management approaches. Searches were conducted on MEDLINE (PubMed), Cochrane Library, and Embase databases using the keywords “enamel projection(s)” or “ectopic enamel.” In total, 24 studies meeting inclusion criteria were included in the review. The prevalence of CEPs varied widely (8.3%–85.1%), predominantly manifesting as grade I or grade III. Mandibular first and second molars exhibited a higher incidence of CEPs, with a notable predilection for buccal surfaces. The consensus in most studies was that CEPs are associated with localized periodontal diseases. Recommendations inclined toward the removal of ectopic enamel during periodontal surgery to enhance periodontal attachment formation. However, decision‐making should involve careful consideration of the benefits and drawbacks based on individual circumstances.
All we crave is pleasure! The motivation behind millennial men's clothing store choices when purchasing semi‐formal/smart workwear for themselves
Authors: Diedericks Lizette , Erasmus Alet C. , Donoghue Suné
Published: February 2024

Multi‐method research was conducted in South Africa to explore the personal values that shape millennial men's clothing retail store choices when purchasing semi‐formal/smart workwear for themselves. The qualitative phase comprised in‐depth, personal interviews with 25 participants, implementing soft laddering to elicit the preferred attributes and desired consequences that drive clothing retail store choices. These ‘easier to communicate’ properties formed the crux of the phase 2 measuring instrument. The online quantitative questionnaire, an interactive version of the established Association Pattern Technique (APT), was completed by 408 millennial men as part of the means‐end chain (MEC) procedure. The stepwise process produced a series of hierarchical value maps (HVMs), disclosing two prominent underlying personal values that drive millennial men's clothing store choices. ‘Pleasure’ emerged as the most prominent personal value, signalling millennials' high regard for enjoyable shopping experiences. The importance of a sense of ‘security’ should also be noted. Accordingly, the underlying forces that drive this financially lucrative cohort's clothing retail store choices extend beyond the marketing principles taught in business schools. Retailers will, therefore, have to delve deeper to understand their target markets' needs to prosper in a highly competitive marketplace.
Fibrous Material Structure Developments for Sustainable Heterogeneous Catalysis – An Overview
Authors: Loccufier Eva , Debecker Damien P. , D'hooge Dagmar R. , De Buysser Klaartje , De Clerck Karen
Published: February 2024

The continuous development of advanced catalysts to increase process yield and selectivity is crucial. A high specific surface area and a good active phase dispersion are generally essential to create catalytic materials with a large number of active sites. Notably, materials with a fibrous morphology are appealing because of their large surface‐to‐volume ratio and flexibility. This contribution highlights the morphology of different types of fibrous structures currently under investigation, all the way from the nanoscale to the macroscale and back, where the distinction lies in the length and diameter of the fibers, as well as in the connection between the structures. Fibers with at least one submicron to nanoscale characteristic result in a higher yield, but can display practical usability issues when unbound. Therefore, fibrous structure catalysts with a balance between the small diameter and handleability are important for industrial viability. By combining different morphologies, the best of both nanomaterials and macroscopic integer materials can be combined into advanced catalytic materials. This overview showcases the large potential of these materials but makes clear that further research is needed to keep expanding the use and effectiveness of fibrous structures in catalysis.
Different Reaction Modes Operating in ansa‐Half‐Sandwich Magnesium Catalysts
Authors: Lugo‐Fuentes Leonardo I. , Lucas‐Rosales Victor A. , Sandoval‐Mendoza J. Antonio , Shang Rong , Martínez Juan Pablo , Jiménez‐Halla J. Oscar C.
Published: February 2024

Magnesium‐based catalysts are becoming popular for hydroelementation reactions specially using p‐block reagents. Based on the seminal report from Schäfer's group (ChemCatChem 2022, 14, e202201007), our study demonstrates that the reaction mechanisms exhibit a far greater degree of complexity than originally presumed. Magnesium has a variety of coordination modes (and access to different hybridizations) which allows this electron‐deficient centre to modulate its catalytic power depending on the σ‐donor properties of the reagent. DFT calculations demonstrate several reaction channels closely operating in these versatile catalysts. In addition, variations in limiting energy barriers resulting from catalyst modifications were examined as a function of the Hammett constant, thereby predicting enhanced efficiency in reaction conversions.
Tuning the Inorganic Core of a reduced Ni2Ge2 Cluster
Authors: Theulier Cyril A. , Bajo Sonia , López‐Serrano Joaquín , Campos Jesús
Published: February 2024

Tetranuclear cores (M−E)2 of transition metals (M) and tetrylenes (EII=Si, Ge, Sn) are key motifs in homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis. They exhibit a continuum of M−M and E−E bonding within the inorganic core that leads to a variety of structures for which there are no specific synthetic methods. Herein, we report a series of highly reduced [Ni0GeII]2 squares solely stabilized by bulky terphenyl (C6H3−2,6‐Ar2) ligands, for which we provide complementary and high‐yielding syntheses. Reactivity studies with common Lewis bases (carbene and CO) evince that the structure of the (M−E)2 core can be transformed. We have investigated this core modification by computational means, offering a rationale to better understand the continuum of bonding across these clusters.
Caged Dexamethasone to Photo‐control the Development of Embryos through Activation of the Glucocorticoid Receptor
Authors: Mandal Mrinal , Scerbo Pierluigi , Coghill Ian , Riou Jean‐François , Bochet Christian G. , Ducos Bertrand , Bensimon David , Le Saux Thomas , Aujard Isabelle , Jullien Ludovic
Published: February 2024

Efficient tools for controlling molecular functions with exquisite spatiotemporal resolution are much in demand to investigate biological processes in living systems. Here we report an easily synthesized caged dexamethasone for photo‐activating cytoplasmic proteins fused to the glucocorticoid receptor. In the dark, it is stable in vitro as well as in vivo in both zebrafish (Danio rerio) and Xenopus sp, two significant models of vertebrates. In contrast, it liberates dexamethasone upon UV illumination, which has been harnessed to interfere with developmental steps in embryos of these animals. Interestingly, this new system is biologically orthogonal to the one for photo‐activating proteins fused to the estrogen ERT receptor, which brings great prospect for activating two distinct proteins down to the single cell level.
Dry Recycling of Lithium‐Containing Material by Forced Tribocharging and Electrostatic Separation
Authors: Javadi Mehran , Abohelwa Mohamed , Wollmann Annett , Weber Alfred P.
Published: February 2024

Lithium‐containing components in batteries, electronics, and renewable energy pose material and waste challenges. Ongoing research focuses on eco‐friendly recycling, emphasizing electrostatic separation as a method to recover, for instance, lithium, especially in battery recycling. This study investigates forced dry triboelectric charging and electrostatic separation of powdered materials, with a focus on the charging behavior of lithium aluminate and talcum. The electrostatic separation efficiency for a blend of powders is also evaluated. Collected samples are analyzed via inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry testing to assess component enrichment. Results show successful lithium enrichment from a talcum‐lithium aluminate mixture, highlighting significant separation success.
Plant‐based diet associated with better quality of life in prostate cancer survivors
Authors: Loeb Stacy , Hua Qi , Bauer Scott R. , Kenfield Stacey A. , Morgans Alicia K. , Chan June M. , Van Blarigan Erin L. , Shreves Alaina H. , Mucci Lorelei A.
Published: February 2024

Background

Plant‐based diets have many health benefits, including a lower risk of fatal prostate cancer, and greater environmental sustainability. However, less is known regarding the impact of plant‐based diets on quality of life among individuals diagnosed with prostate cancer. The authors' objective was to examine the relationship between plant‐based diet indices postdiagnosis with quality of life.

Methods

This prospective cohort study included 3505 participants in the Health Professionals Follow‐Up Study (1986–2016) with nonmetastatic prostate cancer. Food‐frequency questionnaires were used to calculate overall and healthful plant‐based diet indices. Quality‐of‐life scores were calculated using the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite. Generalized estimating equations were used to examine associations over time between plant‐based diet indices and quality‐of‐life domains (sexual functioning, urinary irritation/obstruction, urinary incontinence, bowel functioning, hormonal/vitality), adjusted for demographics, oncologic history, body mass index, caloric intake, health‐related behaviors, and comorbidities.

Results

The median age at prostate cancer diagnosis was 68 years; 48% of patients underwent radical prostatectomy, and 35% received radiation as primary therapy. The median time from diagnosis/treatment to first the quality‐of‐life questionnaire was 7.0 years. A higher plant‐based diet index was associated with better scores for sexual function, urinary irritation/obstruction, urinary incontinence, and hormonal/vitality. Consuming more healthful plant‐based foods was also associated with better sexual and bowel function, as well as urinary incontinence and hormonal/vitality scores in the age‐adjusted analysis, but not in the multivariable analysis.

Conclusions

This prospective study provides supportive evidence that greater consumption of healthful plant‐based foods is associated with modestly higher scores in quality‐of‐life domains among patients with prostate cancer.
Exploring drivers of behavioral willingness to reduce plastic consumption and socially responsible consumption behavior: A stimulus–organism–behavior–consequence paradigm based environmental management perspective
Authors: Mehmood Khalid , Jabeen Fauzia , Iyanna Shilpa , Zhang Hui , Piccardi Patrice , Nehra Nagendra Singh
Published: February 2024

This study examines the factors that drive behavioral willingness to reduce plastic consumption and socially responsible consumption behavior through the Stimulus–Organism–Behavior–Consequence (S‐O‐B‐C) framework. The study involved 440 retail consumers from the United Arab Emirates, utilizing a four‐wave time‐lagged design. To investigate the hypotheses, the research employed structural equation modeling. The study results suggest that environmental consciousness and values are positively related to environmental knowledge and environmental self‐identity. Furthermore, environmental knowledge and environmental self‐identity are positively linked with the willingness to reduce plastic consumption, while socially responsible consumption behavior is positively associated with the willingness to reduce plastic consumption. Additionally, policy support positively moderated the connotation of environmental knowledge with behavioral willingness to reduce plastic consumption and socially responsible consumption behavior. The proposed S‐O‐B‐C framework enriches the literature on plastic consumption to understand retail consumers' perspectives in an emerging country context. The findings provide insights that will help practitioners and academics understand consumers' plastic consumption intention and formulate strategies that will increase the involvement of consumers in plastic conservation activities.
Archival research on sustainability‐related executive compensation. A literature review of the status quo and future improvements
Authors: Velte Patrick
Published: February 2024

This literature review summarizes previous quantitative archival research on sustainability‐related executive compensation (SREC) as the overarching research method in this field. Based on stakeholder agency theory, we included 66 peer‐reviewed studies on the determinants (governance, financial, and sustainability drivers) and consequences of SREC on firm value (financial and sustainability consequences). Regarding SREC, we differentiated between the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the total executive level. Although we note a lower attraction of SREC research on possible determinants, there are clear indications that SREC has a positive effect on sustainability performance. In contrast to the business case argument for sustainability, this is not true for financial performance. We find major limitations and research gaps in previous studies that should be recognized in future studies (e.g., differentiation between symbolic and substantive use of SREC). Our results are mainly important for researchers, business practice and regulatory bodies.
Empowering edge devices: FPGA‐based 16‐bit fixed‐point accelerator with SVD for CNN on 32‐bit memory‐limited systems
Authors: Yanamala Rama Muni Reddy , Pullakandam Muralidhar
Published: February 2024

Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are now often used in deep learning and computer vision applications. Its convolutional layer accounts for most calculations and should be computed fast in a local edge device. Field‐programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) have been adequately explored as promising hardware accelerators for CNNs due to their high performance, energy efficiency, and reconfigurability. This paper developed an efficient FPGA‐based 16‐bit fixed‐point hardware accelerator unit for deep learning applications on the 32‐bit low‐memory edge device (PYNQ‐Z2 board). Additionally, singular value decomposition is applied to the fully connected layer for dimensionality reduction of weight parameters. The accelerator unit was designed for all five layers and employed eight processing elements in convolution layers 1 and 2 for parallel computations. In addition, array partitioning, loop unrolling, and pipelining are the techniques used to increase the speed of calculations. The AXI‐Lite interface was also used to communicate between IP and other blocks. Moreover, the design is tested with grayscale image classification on MNIST handwritten digit dataset and color image classification on the Tumor dataset. The experimental results show that the proposed accelerator unit implementation performs faster than the software‐based implementation. Its inference speed is 89.03% more than INTEL 3‐core CPU, 86.12% higher than Haswell 2‐core CPU, and 82.45% more than NVIDIA Tesla K80 GPU. Furthermore, the throughput of the proposed design is 4.33GOP/s, which is better than the conventional CNN accelerator architectures.
A new ripple carry adder structure based on a swing‐boosted full adder for concurrent error correction in low‐resolution pipeline analog‐to‐digital converters
Authors: Tahghigh Mahsa , Shiri Nabiollah
Published: February 2024

A ripple carry adder (RCA) structure is presented which can concurrently correct a gain error in low‐resolution pipeline analog‐to‐digital converters (ADCs). The RCA is composed of a new swing‐boosted full adder (FA) based on the transmission gate (TG) technique. So, it is low‐power, high‐speed, and full‐swing with high driving capability. In 90 nm technology, the results of power, delay, and power‐delay‐product (PDP) of the FA are 1.5296 μW, 2.1141 ns, and 3.2337 fJ, respectively. The RCA with an area of 408.09 μm2 is evaluated by a 3‐bit pipeline ADC with 1.5‐bit per stage. When the erroneous codes are passed through the RCA, the maximum and minimum integral nonlinearity (INL) are improved by 19.83% and 90.98%, while the maximum and minimum of the differential nonlinearity (DNL) are improved by 50%, and 42.06%, respectively.
The relationship between folic acid and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Xu Bing'er , Yang Xinyu , Zhu Xiaopeng , Liu Qiling , Zhang Yuying , Zhang Miao , Fan Chenmin , Ban Xilei , Aikebaier Guligeina , bian Hua
Published: February 2024

In recent years, the incidence of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been increasing, which has become an explosive interest because of the growing impact on world health. NAFLD is the hepatic manifestation of systemic metabolic syndrome (MS), and the umbrella term that comprises a continuum of liver conditions, from nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), has a variable course but can lead to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). currently, there is no pharmacological agent that is therapeutically approved for the treatment of this disease. Folic acid (FA) was one of a water‐soluble B vitamins, entirely absorbed from the diet. Numbers of clinical studies have confirmed that patients with NAFLD and insulin resistance are often accompanied by abnormal FA. We investigated the potential effects of FA on NAFLD through the metabolic pathways, DNA synthesis and methylation, oxidative stress in liver and intestinal flora. In addition, FA has an effect on HCC or other cancer. Therefore, FA might be a safe and economical potential treatment method for NAFLD.
Double balloon enteroscopy in the detection and removal of jejunal anisakiasis: Case report
Authors: Abe Erika , Ishida Tsukasa , Osuga Tatsuya , Kakuyama Saori , Ogawa Hirofumi , Nabeshima Katsutoshi
Published: February 2024

A 53‐year‐old Japanese man presented to the emergency department with epigastric pain and bloating. Computed tomography revealed a thickening of the jejunal wall and proximal dilation. Double‐balloon enteroscopy was performed to investigate the jejunal thickening, which revealed an anisakis larva in the jejunum with an associated ulcer. The larva was removed using endoscopic forceps, after which there was immediate improvement of symptoms. Further patient interview determined that he had consumed marinated mackerel the day before the onset of symptoms. After diagnosis of small intestinal anisakiasis, he was successfully treated using double‐balloon enteroscopy. Its use for small intestinal anisakiasis is rare, and this case may be the first instance in the jejunum. Removal of the anisakis larva led to a clear diagnosis and a quick resolution of symptoms. A history of raw fish consumption a few days before the onset of abdominal symptoms and abnormal findings on computed tomography scans are key to the diagnosis of small intestinal anisakiasis. Double‐balloon enteroscopy was thought to be a safe means of making accurate diagnoses and appropriate treatment of our patients.
Rutting and rambling: Movement characteristics reveal partial migration in adult male white‐tailed deer at a latitude void of chronic and severe environmental fluctuations
Authors: Resop Luke , Demarais Stephen , Strickland Bronson K. , McKinley William T. , Street Garrett
Published: February 2024

White‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are generally considered a home‐ranging species, although northern populations may migrate between summer and winter ranges to balance resource requirements with environmental stressors. We evaluated annual home range characteristics of adult bucks (n = 30) fitted with GPS collars from 2017 to 2021 in central Mississippi with time series segmentation and Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) to determine if individuals employed varying movement strategies. We found 67% of bucks displayed a “sedentary” strategy characterized by a single KDE home range polygon with a mean size of 361 ha. The remaining 33% of bucks employed a “mobile” strategy characterized by multiple home range segments with a mean size of 6530 ha. Sedentary bucks went on an average of 5.9 excursions annually while mobile bucks went on 0.8. Excursion timing for both strategies peaked in breeding season and early spring. Mobile buck home ranges were separated by a mean distance of 7.1 km and mean duration in one home range segment before traveling to another was 78 days. Our study provides the first evidence that partial migration may apply to a larger proportion of lower‐latitude deer populations than originally thought, though the environmental justification for this partial migration is not clear.
New insights into predator–prey dynamics: First evidence of a leopard cat hunting coypus
Authors: Park Hee‐Bok , Lim Anya
Published: February 2024

We present the first documented evidence of interactions between the leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus) and the invasive coypu (Myocastor coypus) in South Korea, captured through camera traps in Hwapocheon wetland park from May 2015 to April 2017. Two interactions were recorded: one showing a leopard cat carrying a carcass of sub‐adult coypu and the other a 4‐min sequence of predation and defense between two species. The observed interactions indicate active predatory behavior by the leopard cat against coypus and cooperative defense by coypus. These findings shed new light on predator–prey dynamics, highlighting the leopard cat's potential role as a predator of coypus and coypus' defensive abilities. Understanding these relationships could facilitate more effective management of invasive species and offer broader implications for ecosystem dynamics and conservation strategies.
The relationship between the body and air temperature in a terrestrial ectotherm
Authors: Gardner Alexandra S. , Maclean Ilya M. D. , Rodríguez‐Muñoz Rolando , Hopwood Paul E. , Mills Kali , Wotherspoon Ross , Tregenza Tom
Published: February 2024

Ectotherms make up the majority of terrestrial biodiversity, so it is important to understand their potential responses to climate change. Often, models aiming to achieve this understanding correlate species distributions with ambient air temperature. However, this assumes a constant relationship between the air temperature and body temperature, which determines an ectotherm's thermal performance. To test this assumption, we develop and validate a method for retrospective estimation of ectotherm body temperature using heat exchange equations. We apply the model to predict the body temperature of wild field crickets (Gryllus campestris) in Northern Spain for 1985–2019 and compare these values to air temperature. We show that while air temperature impacts ectotherm body temperature, it captures only a fraction of its thermal experience. Solar radiation can increase the body temperature by more than 20°C above air temperature with implications for physiology and behaviour. The effect of solar radiation on body temperature is particularly important given that climate change will alter cloud cover. Our study shows that the impacts of climate change on species cannot be assumed to be proportional only to changing air temperature. More reliable models of future species distributions require mechanistic links between environmental conditions and thermal ecophysiologies of species.
Design of a model‐free controller based on predictive functional control
Authors: Ashida Yoichiro , Katayama Masaru
Published: February 2024

Intelligent‐PID (i‐PID) control proposed by Fliess is a simple control algorithm. The controller is designed based on ultra‐local model, and consisted of PID type controller and derivatives of reference signal and controlled variables. Authors have considered discrete i‐PID controller and its properties, and one of the result was that PD controller was sufficient in discrete time domain. In discrete i‐PID controller, PD type controller is still required to ensure convergence of controlled error to zero, and PD type parameters affects convergence property, fast‐response property and stability. In this paper, predictive functional control (PFC) based on an ultra‐local model is proposed. By introducing of PFC, controlled variable converge to reference value without PD type controller. User‐specified parameters of the proposed controller is smaller than the conventional i‐PID controller. Characteristics of the proposed controller are compared with discrete i‐PID controller by numerical examples.
Exercise combined with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for chronic pain: One‐year follow‐up from a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Casey M. B. , Takemasa S. , O'Reilly T. , Leamy M. , Mc Kearney E. , Buckley M. , Smart K. M. , Segurado R. , Lowry D. , Flanagan D. , Gopal H. , Hearty C. , Doody C.
Published: February 2024

Background

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a type of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, which has demonstrated positive outcomes in individuals with chronic pain. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of an 8‐week programme combining Exercise with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ExACT) with a standalone supervised exercise programme at 1‐year follow‐up.

Methods

One hundred and seventy‐five people with chronic pain were randomly assigned to ExACT or supervised exercise only. The primary outcome was pain interference measured with the Brief Pain Inventory‐Interference Scale. Secondary and treatment process outcomes included pain severity, depression, anxiety, pain catastrophizing, pain self‐efficacy, fear avoidance, pain acceptance, committed action, healthcare utilization, patient satisfaction, and global impression of change. Estimates of treatment effects at 1‐year follow‐up were based on intention‐to‐treat analyses, implemented using a linear mixed‐effects model.

Results

Eighty‐three participants (47.4%) returned the outcome measures at 1‐year follow‐up. No significant difference was observed between the groups for the primary outcome, pain interference. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups, in favour of ExACT for pain catastrophizing. Within group improvements that were observed within both groups at earlier timepoints were maintained at 1‐year follow‐up for many of the secondary and treatment process outcomes. ExACT group participants reported higher levels of satisfaction with treatment and global perceived change.

Conclusions

The study results showed no significant difference between the two groups for the primary outcome pain interference at 1‐year follow‐up. Future research could investigate factors that may predict and optimize outcomes from these types of intervention for people living with chronic pain.

Significance

Few previous randomized controlled trials investigating ACT for chronic pain have included long‐term follow‐up. This study found that Exercise combined with ACT was not superior to supervised exercise alone for reducing pain interference at 1‐year follow‐up. Further research is necessary to identify key processes of therapeutic change and to explore how interventions may be modified to enhance clinical outcomes for people with chronic pain.
Performance‐based optimum seismic design of self‐centering steel moment frames with SMA‐based connections
Authors: Hassanzadeh Aydin , Moradi Saber , Burton Henry V.
Published: February 2024

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) have found several applications in earthquake‐resilient structures. However, because of high material costs, their implementation on industry projects is still limited. Developing design approaches that minimize the use of expensive SMAs is critical to facilitating their widespread adoption in real structures. This paper proposes a performance‐based seismic design optimization procedure for self‐centering steel moment‐resisting frames (SC‐MRFs) with SMA‐bolted endplate connections. The topology optimization uses a metaheuristic algorithm to minimize the frame's total cost, including the initial construction and expected repair costs. The design variables are the steel beam and column sections, SMA connection properties, and the topology of the SMA connections. Different constraints are considered, such as the constructability of the chosen steel sections, member strengths, performance‐based design, Park‐Ang damage index, and strong‐column weak‐beam requirements. Furthermore, the seismic safety of optimal designs is assessed by calculating adjusted collapse margin ratios according to FEMA‐P695. An illustrative optimization study using three‐ and nine‐story SC‐MRFs is presented. The optimal SC‐MRFs are then assessed in terms of cost and seismic performance. The results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed optimum design, which minimizes the use of SMAs while ensuring improved seismic performance. The case studies show that the optimal placement of SMA connections can reduce the total cost by up to 71% and 61% for the three‐ and nine‐story SC‐MRFs, respectively, compared to nonoptimal frames. Moreover, the optimal SC‐MRFs exhibit more uniform drift distributions, lower residual story drifts by up to 96%, and increase collapse capacity by up to 102%.
Rooted in perpetuity: Weaving grandfather teachings as an ongoing journey for CRE, IE, and evaluators
Authors: Dodge Francis Carolee , Bowman Nicole R.
Published: February 2024

Through an intergenerational lens, we recognize that trauma and healing are integral parts of the responsibilities and lineage we carry as Indigenous scholars honoring the Seven Generations before us and after us. This chapter frames and illustrates the intertwining of rooted relationships and kinship while broadening the standard norms and concepts of culturally responsive evaluation (CRE) and Indigenous evaluation (IE). By rooting CRE and IE kinship together in the field of evaluation, we complement and contribute to the legacy of Dr. Stafford Hood and the CRE/IE movement using the framework of the Seven Grandfather Teachings: Love, Honesty, Bravery, Respect, Humility, Wisdom, and Truth. Traditional teachings provide conceptual and practical Indigenous perspectives on how we continue to move forward together as good relatives. Academically, we confront western ideologies and systems that reflect and uphold settler‐controlled frameworks, while we seek to empower, celebrate, and advocate for our rights, voices, and visibility. The ongoing push for recognition and acknowledgement of CRE and IE and the integration of their innovations into theory, methodology, policy, and practice presents a transformative process for the evaluation field to embrace.
Hybrid convolutional long short‐term memory models for sales forecasting in retail
Authors: de Castro Moraes Thais , Yuan Xue‐Ming , Chew Ek Peng
Published: February 2024

This study proposes novel sales forecasting approaches that merge deep learning methods in a hybrid model. Long short‐term memory (LSTM) is adopted for modeling the temporal characteristics of the data, whereas the convolutional neural network (CNN) focuses on identifying and extracting relevant exogenous information. We propose stacked (S‐CNN‐LSTM) and parallel (P‐CNN‐LSTM) hybrid architectures to understand complex time series data with varying seasonal patterns and multiple products correlations. The performance drivers of both architectures were empirically tested with a real‐world multivariate retail dataset and outperformed when compared with simple neural network architectures and standard autoregressive methods for short and long‐term forecasting horizons. When compared with traditional predictive approaches, the proposed hybrid models reduce the computational complexity while providing flexibility and robustness.
Intratumoral delivery of a highly active form of XCL1 enhances antitumor CTL responses through recruitment of CXCL9‐expressing conventional type‐1 dendritic cells
Authors: Kamei Momo , Matsuo Kazuhiko , Yoshida Yusuke , Shimada Kaho , Otsuki Mayuko , Fujimoto Nao , Ishibashi Miho , Quan Ying‐Shu , Kamiyama Fumio , Hara Yuta , Takamura Shiki , Nakayama Takashi
Published: February 2024

Conventional type 1 dendritic cells (cDC1s) play a crucial role in antitumor immunity through the induction and activation of tumor‐specific CD8+ cytotoxic T cells (CTLs). The chemokine XCL1 is a major chemotactic factor for cDC1s and its receptor XCR1 is selectively expressed on cDC1s. Here, we investigated the effect of intratumoral delivery of a highly active form of murine XCL1 (mXCL1‐V21C/A59C) on cDC1‐mediated antitumor immunity using a hydrophilic gel patch. The hydrophilic gel patch containing mXCL1‐V21C/A59C increased cDC1 accumulation in the tumor masses and promoted their migration to the regional lymph nodes, resulting in enhanced induction of tumor‐specific CTLs. Tumor‐infiltrating cDC1s not only expressed XCR1 but also produced CXCL9, a ligand for CXCR3 which is highly expressed on CTLs and NK cells. Consequently, CTLs and NK cells were increased in the tumor masses of mice treated with mXCL1‐V21C/A59C, while immunosuppressive cells such as monocyte‐derived suppressive cells and regulatory T cells were decreased. We also confirmed that anti‐CXCL9 treatment decreased the tumor infiltration of CTLs. The intratumoral delivery of mXCL1‐V21C/A59C significantly decreased tumor growth and prolonged survival in E.G7‐OVA and B16‐F10 tumor‐bearing mice. Furthermore, the antitumor effect of mXCL1‐V21CA59C was enhanced in combination with anti‐programmed cell death protein 1 treatment. Finally, using The Cancer Genome Atlas database, we found that XCL1 expression was positively correlated with tumor‐infiltrating cDC1s and a better prognosis in melanoma patients. Collectively, our findings provide a novel therapeutic approach to enhance tumor‐specific CTL responses through the selective recruitment of CXCL9‐expressing cDC1s into the tumor masses.
Wekemo Bioincloud: A user‐friendly platform for meta‐omics data analyses
Authors: Gao Yunyun , Zhang Guoxing , Jiang Shunyao , Liu Yong‐Xin
Published: February 2024

The increasing application of meta‐omics approaches to investigate the structure, function, and intercellular interactions of microbial communities has led to a surge in available data. However, this abundance of human and environmental microbiome data has exposed new scalability challenges for existing bioinformatics tools. In response, we introduce Wekemo Bioincloud—a specialized platform for ‐omics studies. This platform offers a comprehensive analysis solution, specifically designed to alleviate the challenges of tool selection for users in the face of expanding data sets. As of now, Wekemo Bioincloud has been regularly equipped with 22 workflows and 65 visualization tools, establishing itself as a user‐friendly and widely embraced platform for studying diverse data sets. Additionally, the platform enables the online modification of vector outputs, and the registration‐independent personalized dashboard system ensures privacy and traceability. Wekemo Bioincloud is freely available at https://www.bioincloud.tech/.
3D printing modality effect: Distinct printing outcomes dependent on selective laser sintering (SLS) and melt extrusion
Authors: Park Jeong Hun , Tucker Sarah Jo , Yoon Jeong‐Kee , Kim YongTae , Hollister Scott J.
Published: February 2024

A direct and comprehensive comparative study on different 3D printing modalities was performed. We employed two representative 3D printing modalities, laser‐ and extrusion‐based, which are currently used to produce patient‐specific medical implants for clinical translation, to assess how these two different 3D printing modalities affect printing outcomes. The same solid and porous constructs were created from the same biomaterial, a blend of 96% poly‐ε‐caprolactone (PCL) and 4% hydroxyapatite (HA), using two different 3D printing modalities. Constructs were analyzed to assess their printing characteristics, including morphological, mechanical, and biological properties. We also performed an in vitro accelerated degradation study to compare their degradation behaviors. Despite the same input material, the 3D constructs created from different 3D printing modalities showed distinct differences in morphology, surface roughness and internal void fraction, which resulted in different mechanical properties and cell responses. In addition, the constructs exhibited different degradation rates depending on the 3D printing modalities. Given that each 3D printing modality has inherent characteristics that impact printing outcomes and ultimately implant performance, understanding the characteristics is crucial in selecting the 3D printing modality to create reliable biomedical implants.
Therapeutic Strategies for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis – Thriving Present and Promising Tomorrow
Authors: Gupta Nikita , Paryani Mitali , Patel Snehal , Bariya Aditi , Srivastava Anshu , Pathak Yashwant , Butani Shital
Published: February 2024

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a continuous, progressive, and lethal age‐related respiratory disease. It is characterized by condensed and rigid lung tissue, which leads to a decline in the normal functioning of the lungs. The pathophysiology of IPF has still not been completely elucidated, so current strategies are lagging behind with respect to improving the condition of patients with IPF and increasing their survival rate. The desire for a better understanding of the pathobiology of IPF and its early detection has led to the identification of various biomarkers associated with IPF. The use of drugs such as pirfenidone and nintedanib as a safe and effective treatment alternative have marked a new chapter in the treatment of IPF. However, nonpharmacological therapies, involving long‐term oxygen therapy, transplantation of the lungs, pulmonary rehabilitation, ventilation, and palliative care for cough and dyspnea, are still considered to be beneficial as supplementary methods for IPF therapy. A major risk factor for IPF is aging, with associated hallmarks such as telomere attrition, senescence, epigenetic drift, stem cell exhaustion, loss of proteostasis, and mitochondrial dysfunction. These are promising earmarks for the development of potential therapy for the disease. In this review, we have discussed current and emerging novel therapeutic strategies for IPF, especially for targets associated with age‐related mechanisms.
Achievement goal theory in STEM education: A systematic review
Authors: Struck Jannini Alexander Vincent , Akdemir Zeynep , Menekse Muhsin
Published: February 2024

Background

Achievement goal theory is a popular motivational theory within education and psychology, with several review papers summarizing the extensive work done in these fields. Although reviews exist in these specific fields, none exists within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. This is a considerable gap in our knowledge as STEM educators, especially engineering educators, where motivation is often ill‐defined.

Purpose

This paper highlights the findings of a systematic review of how STEM educators have used achievement goal theory within undergraduate STEM education.

Scope/Method

We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 checklist for our search. A total of 50 studies (43 journal articles and 7 conference proceedings) were included in our review.

Results

Our review revealed five common themes: quantitative methodologies, sex, emotions, academic achievement, and culture. A majority of the papers reviewed used quantitative methods. Although there was inconclusive evidence of differences in motivational orientations based on biological sex, the most studied emotion (anxiety) was found to be inversely correlated with mastery orientations. Among the many ways to measure academic achievement, exam scores was the most popular method reported. Lastly, ethnic, institutional, and department cultures were significant factors in shaping a student's motivational orientation.

Conclusions

Our review suggests that a motivational difference between students based on biological sex is inconclusive. We also recommend more studies that use qualitative or mixed methodologies to gain further insight into students' motivational processes and consider how cultural contexts may impact students' motivational orientations.
Saturated buffers: Improvements and issues
Authors: Eldridge Emma E. , Schoonover Jon E. , Williard Karl W. J. , Sadeghpour Amir , Gillespie Jackie C.
Published: February 2024

Saturated buffers are a newly developed agricultural best management practice used to redirect tile flow away from waterways, thereby mitigating nutrient losses and downstream eutrophication. This study evaluated the potential benefits of a novel saturated buffer design, which included pitchfork‐shaped (PF) dispersion lines and a backflow check valve, that was installed alongside a traditional or standard (ST) buffer on a field in Moultrie County, Illinois, in the spring of 2019. Daily flow measurements and routine water samples were used to monitor the movement of water through both buffers and estimate nutrient loads. During observation days in 2020 and 2021, the PF buffer diverted 35% and 1.9% of incoming tile flow, respectively, while the ST buffer increased effluent rates by 116% and 137% over the same period. Both the PF and ST buffers experienced backflow from 30% to 47% of the monitoring period, well above the often reported 5%. Ultimately, the efficacy of saturated buffers could be improved with minimal, low‐cost additions to their designs. Check valves are a simple supplement to saturated buffer design that can enhance flow diversion and potential nutrient removal. Added dispersion lines provide more opportunity for diversion of tile flow; however, they require more land to be removed from agricultural production and could increase backflow volumes, so the costs and benefits should be weighed.