bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of different IFS (MWCNTs, BN, and ZnO) on flame retardant, thermal and mechanical properties of PA6/aluminum diisobutyl phosphinate composites
Authors: Xu Songjiang , Xiang Yushu , Huan Xuanying , Xu Qiu , Ma Shikai , Bao Dongmei , Qin Shuhao , Zhang Daohai , Du Haijun
Published: August 2024

In this paper, the effects of the synergistic flame retardation of aluminum diisobutyl phosphinate acid (APBA) with three inorganic fillers of different dimensions (multi‐walled carbon nanotubes [MWCNTs] [1‐dimensional], hexagonal boron nitride [BN] [2‐dimensional], and zinc oxide [ZnO] [3‐dimensional]), respectively, on the properties of nylon 6 (polyamide 6 [PA6]) materials were investigated. It was shown that under the same additive amount, with the increase of spatial dimension of inorganic fillers, the thermal stability and residual carbon capacity were improved. Which would catalyze the formation of more and denser carbon layers in the matrix material, effectively blocked the transfer of oxygen and heat, enhanced the cohesive‐phase flame retardancy of synergistic flame‐retardant PA6 composites, and exerted a better synergistic flame‐retardant effect with APBA. So that the flame‐retardant properties of PA6 composites were gradually improved, and the mechanical properties were also gradually increased. The comprehensive performance of three types of inorganic fillers gradually improves in the order of MWCNTs < BN < ZnO. When the addition amount of ZnO was 2 wt%, the vertical combustion grade (UL‐94) of PA6 composite was V‐0, and the limiting oxygen index (LOI) was as high as 36.5%. The tensile strain increased by 19.11% and impact strength increased by 20.26% compared with PA6, and PA6/APBA‐Zn can be used as a flame retardant PA6 composite material with balanced overall performance.

Highlights

Diisobutylaluminium hypophosphite and inorganic fillers have efficient synergistic flame retardant effects in PA6.

With the increase of spatial dimension of inorganic fillers, the better the synergistic flame retardant effect in PA6.

The flame retardant can degrade to release the phosphorous free radicals.

Inorganic fillers can cross‐link with the PA6 substrate and promote the charring.
Immunity through technification? A critical review of water governance discourses in Tunisia
Authors: Bouazzi Kais
Published: August 2024

After Tunisia's independence from France in 1956, the country was engaged in what has been termed the “supply management policy”, that is, a maximum mobilization of water resources through large‐scale modern hydraulic infrastructure. Towards the beginning of the 1980s, the country entered a crisis and had to adopt in 1986, under pressure from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, a “Structural Adjustment Program” (SAP) that prioritized measures to improve economic efficiency and liberalize the economy. Since then, Tunisian water policy has progressively shifted towards “Integrated Water Resources Management” (IWRM). This review critically analyzes the water governance discourses that have framed these policy interventions. I will draw on academic research and official and civil society reports to suggest that these discourses have been “rendered technical”, stripping issues of any political (and therefore conflicting) character. When rendered technical discourses raise development projects and policies above the terrain of political contestation, the possibilities of action available to those opposed to them become limited. This depoliticization of development interventions through technical discourses narrows the public space of democratic debate. I will also argue that the “technification” (rendering technical) process is reversible. Opposition groups can challenge technical discourses with a critical approach that can reconfigure and alter the trajectory of governmental programs. However, critical discourses can, in turn, be rendered technical.

This article is categorized under:

Human Water > Water Governance

Human Water > Rights to Water
Methodology and Data for Our New Analysis
Authors: Tausch Arno
Published: August 2024

In this chapter, we lay the groundwork for our own emperical study, based on data from the World Values Survey and the European Values Survey. We briefly summarise the key facts about these two global barometers, explain the empirical statistical methodology, in particular Promax factor analysis and our approach to testing significance levels in factor analysis, discuss the nature of parametric indicators, provide our readers with an insight into margins of error, and highlight the dimensions and variables from the World Values Survey and the European Values Survey that are used in our analysis. We then briefly discuss the cross-national data that we used to draw conclusions from the relationships between opinion structures and cross-national aggregate data. Finally we highlight the empirical research design.
The Potential for Violence Against Homosexuals and Strategies of Advancing Tolerant Gender Social Norms and Democracy
Authors: Tausch Arno
Published: August 2024

In this chapter, we first present an estimate of the potential for homophobic violence driven by religiously motivated extremism, estimated from data from the World Values Survey 2017 to 2022. on a population-weighted basis, 52.5% of the world's population can be classified as homophobic, that is, they disapprove of having a homosexual neighbour, and 12.8% of the population not only disapprove of having a homosexual neighbour, but also strongly believe that it is an essential part of democracy for religious institutions to interpret the laws 1. 2% of the world's population now not only are homophobic and believe that it is an essential part of democracy for religious institutions to interpret the laws, but also strongly believe that political violence is justified. We then present country estimates of this extremist religiously motivated homophobic population with the Philippines, Malaysia, Kenya, Ecuador, Zimbabwe, Canada, Spain, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Iraq leading the way. We then present a parametric factor analytical derived index of tolerance, social gender norms, and democracy, and show the results for the countries as a whole, and for their Muslim and Orthodox populations. we also analyze in this chapter homonegativity in the wider social context and discuss the very close relationship between homonegativity and phenomena, such as religious particularism, and restrictive gender, norms, documented by the United Nations Development Program and find evidence of the strong relationship between homonegativity and anti-Semitism.
Marginalisation of Adat Communities: Intersectionality of Land Grabbing, Human Rights, Climate Adaptation, and Human Mobility in Indonesia
Authors: Rumpia James Reinaldo
Published: August 2024

This chapter seeks to examine issues concerning the Adat community, a community whose very existence is based on a strong link between indigenous knowledge and the environment. It will also examine the community’s role in climate change mitigation and adaptation. The chapter addresses the problem of marginalisation of indigenous people through the intersectionality of land grabbing, fulfilment of human rights, climate adaptation, and human mobility. It uses an indigenous—local knowledge—human rights-based approach to understand the knowledge, traditions, and dynamics of the rights of indigenous people. The chapter uses the case of the Sikep and Rendu communities in Indonesia and shows that their lives as farmers doing traditional farming are very much a part of conservation efforts. And that their marginalisation because of the expansion of industries, specifically, the cement industry and various dam projects, has resulted in land grabbing and consequently, migration. In addition, the fragmentation of law and policy creates multiple vulnerabilities due to the absence of specific laws concerning the rights of indigenous people, limited legal recognition, bureaucratic-administrative nature of land registration, and the lack of meaningful participation by the indigenous people in environmental and climate policy.
Action, entropy and pair creation rate of charged black holes in de Sitter space
Authors: Morvan E. , van der Schaar J. P. , Visser M. R.
Published: August 2024

Abstract

We compute and clarify the interpretation of the on-shell Euclidean action for Reissner-Nordström black holes in de Sitter space. We show the on-shell action is minus the sum of the black hole and cosmological horizon entropy for arbitrary mass and charge in any number of dimensions. This unifying expression helps to clear up a confusion about the Euclidean actions of extremal and ultracold black holes in de Sitter, as they can be understood as special cases of the general expression. We then use this result to estimate the probability for the pair creation of black holes with arbitrary mass and charge in an empty de Sitter background, by employing the formalism of constrained instantons. Finally, we suggest that the decay of charged de Sitter black holes is governed by the gradient flow of the entropy function and that, as a consequence, the regime of light, superradiant, rapid charge emission should describe the potential decay of extreme charged Nariai black holes to singular geometries.
Solving the strong CP problem without axions
Authors: Feruglio Ferruccio , Parriciatu Matteo , Strumia Alessandro , Titov Arsenii
Published: August 2024

Abstract

We formulate general conditions under which the strong CP problem is solved by spontaneous CP violation. Quark-mass matrix elements are polynomials in the CP-breaking order parameters, engineered such that their determinant is a real constant. This scheme permits only a limited number of textures. These conditions can be realized in supersymmetric theories with CP as an anomaly-free local flavor symmetry, suggesting a unified solution to the strong CP problem and the flavor puzzle. Our solution can be implemented using either modular invariance or a local U(1) symmetry. We present modular-invariant realizations where matter fields are assigned small modular weights ±2 (±1), utilising higher levels N = 2 (N = 3). Heavy quarks are in general not required, but their presence allows for models where colored particles fill non-singlet representations of the flavor group.
Fine large-time asymptotics for the axisymmetric Navier–Stokes equations
Authors: Seis Christian , Winkler Dominik
Published: August 2024

We examine the large-time behavior of axisymmetric solutions without swirl of the Navier–Stokes equation in $${\mathbb {R}}^3$$

R

3

. We construct higher-order asymptotic expansions for the corresponding vorticity. The appeal of this work lies in the simplicity of the applied techniques: Our approach is completely based on standard $$L^2$$

L
2

-based entropy methods.
Frühe urologische und venerourologische Quellen zur Sexualmedizin aus Wien
Authors: Moll Friedrich H. , Fangerau Heiner
Published: August 2024

Im Jahre 2014 wurde eine „Österreichische Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Sexualmedizin und der Sexuellen Gesundheit“ (ÖGFSSG) gegründet. Diese Gründung blickt zurück auf die spätestens seit der Mitte des 19. Jahrhunderts zunehmenden Bemühungen, das Wissensfeld akademisch zu erschließen. Die Wiener Medizin spielt hier eine eigene, besondere Rolle. Der Beitrag wendet sich zentralen Wiener Akteuren zu, die um 1900 ein besonderes Interesse für die Sexualmedizin aus urologischer Perspektive aufbrachten. Sie arbeiteten im Grenzbereich mehrerer nach Spezialisierung strebender Disziplinen im Umfeld einer rasch wachsenden Großstadt mit multiplen kulturellen Einflüssen. Die hier im Sinne einer Quellensammlung vorgestellten Personen trugen durch ihre Arbeiten zum Aufschwung der Sexualmedizin bei, indem sie sich auf ein Gebiet vorwagten, in dem bis dahin keine medizinische oder andere Disziplin eine Deutungshoheit beanspruchen konnte.
Geschlechtsspezifische Unterschiede im chirurgischen Selbstvertrauen: Ergebnisse des Endo-Workshops der German Society of Residents in Urology 2022
Authors: Siech Carolin , Kluth Luis A. , Konopka Mareen , Reimann Maximilian , Plage Henning , Lichy Isabel , Gerdes Benedikt , Kasperek Jan , Humke Clara , Marks Phillip , Fisch Margit , Karakiewicz Pierre I. , Chun Felix K. H. , Schäfer Timm , Meyer Christian P. , Kaulfuss Julia C.
Published: August 2024

Hintergrund

Simulationstrainings gewinnen in der Ausbildung von Ärzt:innen in Weiterbildung (ÄiW) an Bedeutung.

Ziel der Arbeit

Mit dieser prospektiven Arbeit wurde der Einfluss des Endo-Workshops der German Society of Residents in Urology e. V. (GeSRU) auf das chirurgische Selbstvertrauen evaluiert.

Material und Methoden

Der GeSRU Endo-Workshop 2022 umfasste ein Simulationstraining zur Steinsanierung mittels Ureterorenoskopie (URS) und zur transurethralen Resektion der Blase (TURB). Mittels Online-Fragebogen wurde das chirurgische Selbstvertrauen vor und nach dem Workshop erhoben. Das operative Assessment erfolgte mittels Global Rating Scale (GRS).

Ergebnisse

Von 40 Teilnehmenden waren 25 (62,5 %) männlich und 15 (37,5 %) weiblich. In der URS-Aufgabe erreichten männliche vs. weibliche Teilnehmende durchschnittlich 26,6 vs. 26,1/35 Punkte der GRS (p = 0,7) und schlossen die Aufgabe in 8,1 ± 1,9 vs. 9,9 ± 0,4 min ab (p < 0,001). In der Durchführung der TURB erreichten männliche vs. weibliche Teilnehmende durchschnittlich 26,0 vs. 27,3/35 Punkte der GRS (p = 0,3) und benötigten hierfür 7,6 ± 1,9 vs. 7,7 ± 2,2 min (p = 0,9). Unter den Teilnehmenden mit beantworteter Basisbefragung und Evaluation (n = 33), hatten 16 (80 %) männliche vs. 3 (23 %) weibliche vor (p = 0,01) und 19 (95 %) männliche vs. 7 (54 %) weibliche Teilnehmende nach dem Workshop (p = 0,03) ein chirurgisches Selbstvertrauen, eine URS durchzuführen. Bezüglich der Durchführung einer TURB hatten 10 (50 %) männliche vs. 7 (54 %) weibliche vor (p = 0,1) und 15 (75 %) männliche vs. 10 (77 %) weibliche nach dem Workshop ein chirurgisches Selbstvertrauen (p = 1,0). Eine Zunahme des chirurgischen Selbstvertrauens für die Durchführung einer URS bzw. TURB hatten 9 (45 %) bzw. 10 (50 %) männliche und 9 (69 %) bzw. 8 (62 %) weibliche Teilnehmende.

Schlussfolgerung

Simulationsbasiertes Training steigert das chirurgische Selbstvertrauen. Bei vergleichbaren operativen Ergebnissen gehen weibliche ÄiW mit einem geringeren chirurgischen Selbstvertrauen an eine URS heran.

Graphic abstract
Influence of turning parameters on residual stresses and roughness of 42CrMo4 + QT
Authors: Díaz-Salamanca Diego , Muñiz-Calvente Miguel , Ebrahimzadeh Pejman , Llavori Iñigo , Zabala Alaitz , Pando Pablo , Álvarez Carlos Suárez , Fernández-Pariente Inés , Larrañaga Miren , Papuga Jan
Published: August 2024

Residual stresses and surface roughness have been recognized to play a critical role in the fatigue strength of metal components. Machining processes can induce different roughness and residual stress conditions depending on the parameters used in the process. Therefore, it is essential to develop knowledge that helps to predict the residual stresses and roughness that would be obtained from different machining conditions. Due to the growing interest from the industry in the use of 42CrMo4 steel because of its excellent mechanical properties, the main objective of this work is to establish two phenomenological models to accurately predict the residual stress and roughness values in turned specimens of this material. The models are derived from data of four process variables: (a) insert tip radius; (b) feed rate; (c) cutting speed; and (d) depth of cut. For this purpose, a wide experimental campaign has been developed, which includes the machining of 68 specimens under various cutting scenarios, and their subsequent measurement of residual stresses and roughness. Once the experimental data were obtained, the response surface method based on the central composite design was used to fit the models, obtaining a correlation index $${R}^{2}$$

R

2

higher than 0.9 in both cases. In this article, it is concluded that feed rate and insert radius have a greater effect on the residual stress and roughness obtained, while cutting speed and depth of cut have a lesser impact on the results. It is hoped that the findings will establish a groundwork for the machining of this material type, ensuring controlled conditions of residual stress and roughness.
The impact of task measurements on sequential dependence: a comparison between temporal reproduction and discrimination tasks
Authors: Cheng Si , Chen Siyi , Yang Xuefeng , Shi Zhuanghua
Published: August 2024

Decisions about a current stimulus are influenced by previously encountered stimuli, leading to sequential bias. However, the specific processing levels at which serial dependence emerges remain unclear. Despite considerable evidence pointing to contributions from perceptual and post-perceptual processes, as well as response carryover effects impacting subsequent judgments, research into how different task measurements affect sequential dependencies is limited. To address this gap, the present study investigated the role of task type in shaping sequential effects in time perception, employing a random-dot kinematogram (RDK) in a post-cue paradigm. Participants had to remember both the duration and the direction of the RDK movement and perform the task based on a post-cue, which was equally likely to be direction or duration. To delineate the task type, we employed the temporal bisection task in Experiment 1 and the duration reproduction task in Experiment 2. Both experiments revealed a significant sequential bias: durations were perceived as longer following longer previous durations, and vice versa. Intriguingly, the sequential effect was enhanced in the reproduction task following the same reproduction task (Experiment 2), but did not show significant variation by the task type in the bisection task (Experiment 1). Moreover, comparable response carryover effects were observed across two experiments. We argue that the differential impacts of task types on sequential dependence lies in the involvement of memory reactivation process in the decision stage, while the post-decision response carryover effect may reflect the assimilation by subjective, rather than objective, durations, potentially linking to the sticky pacemaker rate and/or decisional inertia.
Research prioritization in hernia surgery: a modified Delphi ACHQC and VHOC expert consensus
Authors: Remulla Daphne , Al-Mansour Mazen R. , Schneider Christopher , Phillips Sharon , Hope William W. , Bradley III Joel F. , Pierce Richard A. , Arias-Espinosa Luis , Bernardi Karla , Holihan Julie L. , Loor Michelle , Liang Mike K. , Miller Benjamin T.
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Numerous clinical practice guidelines and consensus statements have been published in hernia surgery, however, there is still a need for high-quality evidence to address remaining unanswered questions. The aim of this study was to conduct research priority setting through a modified Delphi process to identify a list of top research priorities in hernia surgery.

Methods

A structured literature review of clinical practice guidelines was performed by the steering committee. Topics considered clinically significant, practical to study and lacking strong evidence were extracted and refined into a comprehensive list, then entered into a two-round Delphi survey for prioritization at the Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative (ACHQC) Quality Improvement Summit. In round 1, participants were instructed to select any topic that should be prioritized for future research. Topics were ranked according to the proportion of votes and the 25 highest-ranking topics were included in the second round. In round 2, participants were instructed to select only the top 10 topics for research prioritization.

Results

Eleven clinical practice guidelines were reviewed. Eighty-seven topics were extracted by the steering committee and submitted for prioritization. After the first round, 25 of the highest-ranking topics were determined and included in the second round. A final list of 11 research questions was identified. The hernia types with the most research interest were inguinal and epigastric/umbilical hernias. Other topics of high interest were the management of diastasis recti, primary versus mesh repairs and expectant management versus surgical repair.

Conclusion

Our study provides a research agenda generated through expert consensus that may be used in the prioritization of the design and funding of clinical trials in hernia surgery.
How does robotic process automation create value for firms?
Authors: Durão Daniel , dos Reis António Palma
Published: August 2024

RPA’s potential for efficiency improvement highly recommends the analysis of its applicability to the organizations’ processes. This paper analyses the value of RPA as its impact on the main activity groups in the value chain: Procurement, Internal Operations and Marketing and Sales. The analysis of RPA’s contribution for each of the activity groups addresses a research question through an exploratory approach: “How does RPA create value for organizations and which RPA features are critical for such value creation?”. The data was collected through interviews, analyzed using content analysis, and shows that RPA has impacts on both downstream and internal dimensions. Regarding upstream dimension further research is required to ascertain RPA’s potential.
Corporate Weakness of Will
Authors: Silver Kenneth
Published: August 2024

Proponents of corporate moral responsibility take certain corporations to be capable of being responsible in ways that do not reduce to the responsibility of their members. If correct, one follow-up question concerns what leads corporations to fail to meet their obligations. We often fail morally when we know what we should do and yet fail to do it, perhaps out of incontinence, akrasia, or weakness of will. However, this kind of failure is much less discussed in the corporate case. And, where it is discussed, the view is that corporations are less prone to weakness. Here, I argue that proponents of corporate responsibility should say that corporations can and often do instantiate weakness of the will, and that this is important to recognize. Weakness of the will requires certain capacities that these proponents typically take corporations to have. And once this is appreciated, we can assess how corporate weakness might proceed differently than how it does for individuals. We can also begin a conversation about how best to meet the distinctive challenges for recognizing and correcting corporate weakness, using a number of resources from management scholarship.
Land use land cover change in the African Great Lakes Region: a spatial–temporal analysis and future predictions
Authors: Kayitesi Naomie M. , Guzha Alphonce C. , Tonini Marj , Mariethoz Gregoire
Published: August 2024

The African Great Lakes Region has experienced substantial land use land cover change (LULCC) over the last decades, driven by a complex interplay of various factors. However, a comprehensive analysis exploring the relationships between LULCC, and its explanatory variables remains unexplored. This study focused on the Lake Kivu catchment in Rwanda, analysing LULCC from 1990 to 2020, identifying major variables, and predicting future LULC scenarios under different development trajectories. Image classification was conducted in Google Earth Engine using random forest classifier, by incorporating seasonal composites Landsat images, spectral indices, and topographic features, to enhance discrimination and capture seasonal variations. The results demonstrated an overall accuracy exceeding 83%. Historical analysis revealed significant changes, including forest loss (26.6 to 18.7%) and agricultural land expansion (27.7 to 43%) in the 1990–2000 decade, attributed to political conflicts and population movements. Forest recovery (24.8% by 2020) was observed in subsequent decades, driven by Rwanda’s sustainable development initiatives. A Multi-Layer Perceptron neural network from Land Change Modeler predicted distinct 2030 and 2050 LULC scenarios based on natural, socio-economic variables, and historical transitions. Analysis of explanatory variables highlighted the significant role of proximity to urban centers, population density, and terrain in LULCC. Predictions indicate distinct trajectories influenced by demographic and socio-economic trends. The study recommends adopting the Green Growth Economy scenario aligned with ongoing conservation measures. The findings contribute to identifying opportunities for land restoration and conservation efforts, promoting the preservation of Lake Kivu catchment’s ecological integrity, in alignment with national and global goals.

Graphical Abstract
Connexive Exclusion
Authors: Shramko Yaroslav , Wansing Heinrich
Published: August 2024

We present a logic which deals with connexive exclusion. Exclusion (also called “co-implication”) is considered to be a propositional connective dual to the connective of implication. Similarly to implication, exclusion turns out to be non-connexive in both classical and intuitionistic logics, in the sense that it does not satisfy certain principles that express such connexivity. We formulate these principles for connexive exclusion, which are in some sense dual to the well-known Aristotle’s and Boethius’ theses for connexive implication. A logical system in a language containing exclusion and negation can be called a logic of connexive exclusion if and only if it obeys these principles, and, in addition, the connective of exclusion in it is asymmetric, thus being different from a simple mutual incompatibility of propositions. We will develop a certain approach to such a logic of connexive exclusion based on a semantic justification of the connective in question. Our paradigm logic of connexive implication will be the connexive logic $${\textsf{C}}$$
C
, and exactly like this logic the logic of connexive exclusion turns out to be contradictory though not trivial.
Adaptive acquisition planning for visual inspection in remanufacturing using reinforcement learning
Authors: Kaiser Jan-Philipp , Gäbele Jonas , Koch Dominik , Schmid Jonas , Stamer Florian , Lanza Gisela
Published: August 2024

In remanufacturing, humans perform visual inspection tasks manually. In doing so, human inspectors implicitly solve variants of visual acquisition planning problems. Nowadays, solutions to these problems are computed based on the object geometry of the object to be inspected. In remanufacturing, however, there are often many product variants, and the existence of geometric object models cannot be assumed. This makes it difficult to plan and solve visual acquisition planning problems for the automated execution of visual inspection tasks. Reinforcement learning offers the possibility of learning and reproducing human inspection behavior and solving the visual inspection problem, even for problems in which no object geometry is available. To investigate reinforcement learning as a solution, a simple simulation environment is developed, allowing the execution of reproducible and controllable experiments. Different reinforcement learning agent modeling alternatives are developed and compared for solving the derived visual planning problems. The results of this work show that reinforcement learning agents can solve the derived visual planning problems in use cases without available object geometry by using domain-specific prior knowledge. Our proposed framework is available open source under the following link: https://github.com/Jarrypho/View-Planning-Simulation.
Psychometric Validation of the Connectedness to the LGBT Community Scale among Black Sexual Minority Men Living with HIV
Authors: Turpin Rodman , Dangerfield II Derek T. , Oke Temitope , Thorpe Roland J. , Hickson DeMarc A.
Published: August 2024

Purpose: LGBTQ + community connectedness is generally a protective health factor for sexual and gender minorities. However, existing scales have not been validated among Black sexual minority men living with HIV (SMMLWH), who face unique marginalized experiences that disproportionately impact several health outcomes compared to the general LGBT + community. We validated the Connectedness to the LGBT Community Scale among Black SMMLWH. Methods: We validated the 9-item Connectedness to the LGBT Community Scale from Frost and Meyer using preliminary data from a cohort of Mid-Atlantic Black SMMLWH (n = 650). Factor analysis and intercorrelations were conducted to assess unidimensionality, and Cronbach’s alpha was measured for reliability. Correlations and cumulative ordinal regression models were generated using internalized homophobia, hopelessness, depression, HIV stigma, social support, and resilience as criterion constructs. Models were adjusted for sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics. Results: The Connectedness to the LGBT Community Scale demonstrated high internal consistency (alpha = 0.948) and strong item intercorrelation with a single factor structure. The scale was associated with all criterion measures before and after adjustment, including lower internalized homophobia (aCOR = 0.19, 95% CI 0.15–0.25), lower hopelessness (aCOR = 0.53, 95% CI 0.41–0.68), lower HIV stigma (aCOR = 0.58, 95% CI 0.47–0.72), and lower depression (aCOR = 0.61, 95% CI 0.50–0.75). The scale was also associated with greater social support (aCOR = 2.38, 95% CI 1.91–2.97) and resilience (aCOR = 2.53, 95% CI 2.03–3.15). Conclusion: The Connectedness to the LGBT Community Scale is a valid measure for use among Black SMMLWH. Future studies should explore relationships between community connectedness and HIV care outcomes and quality of life among Black SMMLWH.
ATENA: Adaptive TEchniques for Network Area Coverage and Routing in IoT-Based Edge Computing
Authors: Jagho Mdemaya Garrik Brel , Kengne Tchendji Vianney , Velempini Mthulisi , Atchaze Ariege
Published: August 2024

The Internet of Things (IoT) and Edge Computing (EC) are now pervasive. IoT networks are made up of several objects, deployed in an area of interest (AoI), that can communicate with each other and with a remote computing centre for decision-making. EC reduces latency and data congestion by bringing data processing closer to the source. In this paper, we address the problems of network coverage and data collection in IoT-based EC networks. Several solutions exist designed to solve these problems unfortunately, they are either not energy-efficient or do not consider connectivity and they do not cover AoI. The proposed routing mechanisms are often not suited for AoI coverage schemes and lead to poor data routing delay or high packet losses. To address these shortcomings, we propose ATENA, a periodic, lightweight and energy-efficient protocol that aims to improve network coverage based on the two new schemes used to define a few number of objects to be kept awake at each period it also uses an adaptive routing scheme to send the collected data to the computing centre. This protocol is designed to take into account the limited resources of objects and ensures a longer network lifetime. A comparison of ATENA’s simulation results with recent existing protocols shows that it significantly improves network coverage, network lifetime and end-to-end delay to the computing centre.
Long-Range First-Passage Percolation on the Torus
Authors: van der Hofstad Remco , Lodewijks Bas
Published: August 2024

We study a geometric version of first-passage percolation on the complete graph, known as long-range first-passage percolation. Here, the vertices of the complete graph$$\mathcal {K}_n$$Knare embedded in thed-dimensional torus$$\mathbb T_n^d$$Tnd, and each edgeeis assigned an independent transmission time$$T_e=\Vert e\Vert _{\mathbb T_n^d}^\alpha E_e$$Te=‖e‖TndαEe, where$$E_e$$Eeis a rate-one exponential random variable associated with the edgee,$$\Vert \cdot \Vert _{\mathbb T_n^d}$$‖·‖Tnddenotes the torus-norm, and$$\alpha \ge 0$$α≥0is a parameter. We are interested in the case$$\alpha \in [0,d)$$α∈[0,d), which corresponds to the instantaneous percolation regime for long-range first-passage percolation on$$\mathbb {Z}^d$$Zdstudied by Chatterjee and Dey [14], and which extends first-passage percolation on the complete graph (the$$\alpha =0$$α=0case) studied by Janson [24]. We consider the typical distance, flooding time, and diameter of the model. Our results show a 1, 2, 3-type result, akin to first-passage percolation on the complete graph as shown by Janson. The results also provide a quantitative perspective to the qualitative results observed by Chatterjee and Dey on$$\mathbb {Z}^d$$Zd.
Designing a Context-Driven Problem-Solving Method with Metacognitive Scaffolding Experience Intervention for Biology Instruction
Authors: Eticha Merga Dinssa , Hunde Adula Bekele , Ketema Tsige
Published: August 2024

Learner-centered instructional practices, such as the metacognitive strategies scaffolding the problem-solving method for Biology instruction, have been shown to promote students’ autonomy and self-direction, significantly enhancing their understanding of scientific concepts. Thus, this study aimed to elucidate the importance and procedures of context analysis in the development of a context-driven problem-solving method with a metacognitive scaffolding instructional approach, which enhances students’ learning effectiveness in Biology. Therefore, the study was conducted in the Biology departments of secondary schools in Shambu Town, Oromia Region, Ethiopia. The study employed mixed-methods research to collect and analyze data, involving 12 teachers and 80 students. The data collection tools used were interviews, observations, and a questionnaire. The study revealed that conducting a context analysis that involves teachers, students, and learning contexts is essential in designing a context-driven problem-solving method with metacognitive scaffolding for Biology instruction, which provides authentic examples, instructional content, and engaging scenarios for teachers and students. As a result, the findings of this study provide a practical instructional strategy that can be applied to studies aimed at designing a context-driven problem-solving method with metacognitive scaffolding with the potential to influence instructional practices.
Deep learning-based automated assessment of canine hip dysplasia
Authors: Loureiro Cátia , Gonçalves Lio , Leite Pedro , Franco-Gonçalo Pedro , Pereira Ana Inês , Colaço Bruno , Alves-Pimenta Sofia , McEvoy Fintan , Ginja Mário , Filipe Vítor
Published: August 2024

Radiographic canine hip dysplasia (CHD) diagnosis is crucial for breeding selection and disease management, delaying progression and alleviating the associated pain. Radiography is the primary imaging modality for CHD diagnosis, and visual assessment of radiographic features is sometimes used for accurate diagnosis. Specifically, alterations in femoral neck shape are crucial radiographic signs, with existing literature suggesting that dysplastic hips have a greater femoral neck thickness (FNT). In this study we aimed to develop a three-stage deep learning-based system that can automatically identify and quantify a femoral neck thickness index (FNTi) as a key metric to improve CHD diagnosis. Our system trained a keypoint detection model and a segmentation model to determine landmark and boundary coordinates of the femur and acetabulum, respectively. We then executed a series of mathematical operations to calculate the FNTi. The keypoint detection model achieved a mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.013 during training, while the femur segmentation results achieved a dice score (DS) of 0.978. Our three-stage deep learning-based system achieved an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.86 (95% confidence interval) and showed no significant differences in paired t-test compared to a specialist (p > 0.05). As far as we know, this is the initial study to thoroughly measure FNTi by applying computer vision and deep learning-based approaches, which can provide reliable support in CHD diagnosis.
Holo4Care: a MR framework for assisting in activities of daily living by context-aware action recognition
Authors: Benavent-Lledo Manuel , Mulero-Pérez David , Garcia-Rodriguez Jose , Martinez-Martin Ester , Vizcaya-Moreno Flores
Published: August 2024

The evolution of virtual and augmented reality devices in recent years has encouraged researchers to develop new systems for different fields. This paper introduces Holo4Care, a context-aware mixed reality framework designed for assisting in activities of daily living (ADL) using the HoloLens 2. By leveraging egocentric cameras embedded in these devices, which offer a close-to-wearer perspective, our framework establishes a congruent relationship, facilitating a deeper understanding of user actions and enabling effective assistance. In our approach, we extend a previously established action estimation architecture after conducting a thorough review of state-of-the-art methods. The proposed architecture utilizes YOLO for hand and object detection, enabling action estimation based on these identified elements. We have trained new models on well-known datasets for object detection, incorporating action recognition annotations. The achieved mean Average Precision (mAP) is 33.2% in the EpicKitchens dataset and 26.4% on the ADL dataset. Leveraging the capabilities of the HoloLens 2, including spatial mapping and 3D hologram display, our system seamlessly presents the output of the action recognition architecture to the user. Unlike previous systems that focus primarily on user evaluation, Holo4Care emphasizes assistance by providing a set of global actions based on the user’s field of view and hand positions that reflect their intentions. Experimental results demonstrate Holo4Care’s ability to assist users in activities of daily living and other domains.
From ashes to answers: decoding acoustically agglomerated soot particle signatures
Authors: Ko Yoon , Li Yuchuan , Mozaffari Hamed , McAlister Jamie , Cho Jae-Young , Henriques Kerri , Khalili Aria , Fellah Jahromi Arash , Jones Benjamin , Naboka Olga , McCarrick Brendan , Zhao Zelda
Published: August 2024

This study investigated the possibility of extending the soot morphology analyses to acoustically agglomerated soot deposited on the surface of smoke alarms and of applying the validity of soot analysis for unique chemical signatures in the field of fire investigations. Through collecting soot samples, including agglomerated soot acquired from smoke alarms, this research presents a pioneering stride in soot morphology data analyses conducted by leveraging advanced deep learning methodologies. Preliminary outcomes underline that the proposed convolutional neural network model has the potential to decode intricate soot characteristics and to distinguish soot particle images between diverse fuel types and burning conditions. In particular, for the acoustically agglomerated soot collected by smoke alarms, it was also found possible to decode their intricate morphology by applying the proposed data-driven approach.
Biological effective dose as a predictor of local tumor control in stereotactic radiosurgery treated parasellar meningioma patients
Authors: Shaaban Ahmed , Pham Duy , Tos Salem M. , Mantziaris Georgios , Schlesinger David , Sheehan Jason P.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

The radio-surgical literature increasingly uses biological effective dose (BED) as a replacement for absorbed dose to analyze outcome of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). There are as yet no studies which specifically investigate the association of BED to local tumor control in para-sellar meningioma.

Methods

we did a retrospective analysis of patients underwent stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for para-sellar meningioma during the period of 1995–2022. Demographic, clinical, SRS parameters, and outcome data were collected. The target margin BED with and without a model for sub-lethal repair was calculated, as well as a ratio of BED at the target margin to the absorbed dose at the target margin. Factors related to local control were further analyzed.

Results

The study was comprised of 91 patients, 20 (22.0%) and 71 (78.0%) of whom were male and female, respectively. The median age was 55.0 (interquartile range Q1, Q3:47.5,65.5years). 34 (37%) patients had a resection of their meningioma prior to SRS. The median interval from SRS to last clinical follow up or progression was 89 months. 13 (14.3%) patients were found to have progression. 3-, 5- and 10-years local tumor control were 98%, 92% and 77%, respectively. In cox univariate analysis, the following factors were significant: Number of prior surgical resections (Hazard Ratio [HR] = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.08–3.05, p = 0.024), BED (HR = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.92-1.00, p = 0.03), and BED/margin (HR = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.21–0.92, p = 0.028). A BED threshold above 68 Gy was associated significantly with tumor control (P = 0.04).

Conclusion

BED and BED /margin absorbed dose ratio can be predictors of local control after SRS in parasellar meningioma. Optimizing the BED above 68Gy2.47 may afford better long-term tumor control.
Glioblastoma in the real-world setting: patterns of care and outcome in the Austrian population
Authors: Hainfellner Andreas , Borkovec Martin , Seebrecht Lukas , Neuhauser Magdalena , Roetzer-Pejrimovsky Thomas , Greutter Lisa , Surböck Birgit , Hager-Seifert Andrea , Gorka-vom Hof Doris , Urbanic-Purkart Tadeja , Stultschnig Martin , Cijan Clemens , Würtz Franz , Calabek-Wohinz Bernadette , Pichler Josef , Höllmüller Isolde , Leibetseder Annette , Weis Serge , Kleindienst Waltraud , Seiberl Michael , Bieler Lara , Hecker Constantin , Schwartz Christoph , Iglseder Sarah , Heugenhauser Johanna , Nowosielski Martha , Thomé Claudius , Moser Patrizia , Hoffermann Markus , Loibnegger Karin , Dieckmann Karin , Tomschik Matthias , Widhalm Georg , Rössler Karl , Marosi Christine , Wöhrer Adelheid , Hainfellner Johannes A. , Oberndorfer Stefan
Published: August 2024

Purpose

We present results of a retrospective population-based investigation of patterns of care and outcome of glioblastoma patients in Austria.

Patients and methods

In this nation-wide cooperative project, all Austrian glioblastoma patients newly diagnosed between 2014 and 2018 and registered in the ABTR-SANOnet database were included. Histological typing used criteria of the WHO classification of CNS tumors, 4th edition 2016. Patterns of care were assessed, and all patients were followed until the end of 2019.

Results

1,420 adult glioblastoma cases were identified. 813 (57.3%) patients were male and 607 (42.7%) female. Median age at diagnosis was 64 years (range: 18–88). Median overall survival (OS) was 11.6 months in the total cohort and 10.9 months in patients with proven IDH-wildtype. Median OS in the patient group ≤ 65 years receiving postoperative standard of care therapy was 16.1 months. In the patient group > 65 years with postoperative therapy, median OS was 11.2 months. Follow-up ≥ 5 years identified 13/264 (4.9%) long-term survivors. Brain tumor surgery frequently was assisted by 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) fluorescence (up to 55%). Postoperative treatment was initiated around one month after surgery (median: 31 days) following standardized protocols in 1,041/1,420 (73.3%) cases. In 830 patients (58.5%), concomitant radiochemotherapy was started according to the established standard of care. Treatment in case of progressive disease was considerably variable. 170/1,420 patients (12.0%) underwent a second surgical procedure, 467 (33.0%) received systemic treatment after progression, and 173 (12.2%) were re-irradiated.

Conclusion

Our data illustrate and confirm nation-wide translation of effective standard of care to Austrian glioblastoma patients in the recent past. In the case of progressive disease, highly variable therapeutic approaches were used, most frequently accompanied by anti-angiogenic therapy. Long-term survival was observed in a minor proportion of mostly younger patients who typically had gross total tumor resection, a favorable postoperative ECOG score, and standard of care therapy.
Oxidation Behavior of a Novel Nickel-Based Alloy in Air and Steam at 1273 K for the Oxygen–Hydrogen Combustion Chamber
Authors: Latif Abdul , Ueda Mitsutoshi , Takeyama Masao
Published: August 2024

As part of advancing oxygen–hydrogen combustion power generation technology, a study was carried out to evaluate the oxidation behavior of a novel developed Ni–Cr–W alloy as the structural material candidate. Tungsten is utilized in the alloy as a solid solution-strengthened element and as an α2-W precipitate former. The examination involved exposing the developed alloy and commercial alloys, Hastelloy X and Nimonic 263, to air and steam environments at 1273 K. The results show a different oxidation behavior of the developed alloy. Considering the air oxidation kinetics, the performance of the developed alloy was on par with that of Hastelloy X and superior to Nimonic 263. A single outer chromia scale was established with an intergranular oxide. Whereas steam exposure resulted in the formation of outer and inner chromia scales with a deeper intergranular oxide penetration. Thicker chromia formation with a lower mass gain indicates the evaporation of chromia under a steam atmosphere.
Using protein–metabolite interactions to identify novel plant metabolite receptors
Authors: Fischer Hillary D. , Fernie Alisdair , Skirycz Aleksandra
Published: August 2024

An increasing interest in plant protein–metabolite interactions has occurred in the past decade due to advancements in technology and methodology. Metabolite receptors especially are of great importance in plant research due to their role in cell signaling for the regulation of growth and development and environmental sensing. Energy, carbon, and nitrogen signaling through AMPK/SNF1/SnRK1, TOR, and PII receptors are core components conserved across Kingdoms of Life and what is known in plants often came first from study in non-plant systems. In contrast, known phytohormone receptors are relatively distinct to plants and identified within a plant system. Therefore, this review will give an update on known plant receptors for energy, carbon, and nitrogen signaling as well as phytohormones, focusing on the detection methods used to provide our current understanding of their function in the plant. Finally, it will address emerging strategies for identifying protein–metabolite interactions to discover novel plant receptors.
Sleep conditions and sleep hygiene behaviors in early pregnancy are associated with gestational diabetes mellitus: A propensity-score matched study
Authors: Ma Guojun , Cai Yanqing , Zhang Yong , Fan Jianxia
Published: August 2024

Purpose

To explore the influence of sleep conditions and sleep hygiene behaviors in early pregnancy on gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) development.

Methods

This 1:1 propensity-score matched study included 1,216 pregnant women divided into GDM and control groups based on diagnosis via the oral glucose tolerance test at 24–28 gestational weeks. Sleep conditions and hygiene behaviors were evaluated using structural questionnaires, including the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and Sleep Hygiene Practice Scale. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses and Spearman’s correlation were conducted to identify the associations.

Results

After adjusting for baseline clinical characteristics, women with GDM were more likely to have poor sleep quality (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.585, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.261–1.992) and higher scores for subjective sleep quality, latency, duration, efficiency, and sleep disturbances (all P < 0.01). Mild sleepiness (AOR = 1.311, 95% CI: 1.012–1.699) and worrying about not being able to fall asleep (AOR = 1.123, 95% CI: 1.005–1.255) were more likely to occur in the GDM group. Sleep quality and hygiene behaviors such as sleep-irrelevant activities, staying in bed after waking up, weekend catch-up sleep, and overeating before bedtime were significantly correlated with gestational diabetes variables.

Conclusion

Poor sleep conditions and specific sleep hygiene behaviors in early pregnancy may be independent risk factors for GDM. This suggests that sleep assessment and behavior education can be used as new approaches for the early implementation of surveillance and prevention of GDM.