bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decoding pathology: the role of computational pathology in research and diagnostics
Authors: Hölscher David L. , Bülow Roman D.
Published: August 2024

Traditional histopathology, characterized by manual quantifications and assessments, faces challenges such as low-throughput and inter-observer variability that hinder the introduction of precision medicine in pathology diagnostics and research. The advent of digital pathology allowed the introduction of computational pathology, a discipline that leverages computational methods, especially based on deep learning (DL) techniques, to analyze histopathology specimens. A growing body of research shows impressive performances of DL-based models in pathology for a multitude of tasks, such as mutation prediction, large-scale pathomics analyses, or prognosis prediction. New approaches integrate multimodal data sources and increasingly rely on multi-purpose foundation models. This review provides an introductory overview of advancements in computational pathology and discusses their implications for the future of histopathology in research and diagnostics.
Procedural sedation and analgesia in Swiss Pediatric Emergency Departments: a national subgroup analysis of a European cross-sectional survey
Authors: Romano Fabrizio , Brändle Gabriel , Abplanalp-Marti Olivia , Gualtieri Renato , Sahyoun Cyril
Published: August 2024

This study aims to provide a national overview of procedural sedation and analgesia practices within Pediatric Emergency Departments in Switzerland, focusing on the availability of pharmacologic agents, the presence of safety protocols, the utilization of non-pharmacological interventions, and to identify specific local limitations. We conducted a detailed subgroup analysis of Swiss data from a European cross-sectional survey on emergency department pediatric Procedural Sedation and Analgesia (PSA) practice, isolating data from Swiss sites. The survey, conducted between November 2019 and March 2020, covered various aspects of procedural sedation and analgesia practices. The survey included nine Swiss sites, treating a total of 252,786 patients in 2019. Topical analgesia, inhaled equimolar nitrous oxide-oxygen mixture, and ketamine were largely available. All sites had nurse-directed triage protocols in place; however, opioid administration was included in the protocols in only 66% of sites. Only 33% of hospitals reported common use of intravenous sedation. Barriers to procedural sedation and analgesia implementation included staffing shortages (89% of sites) and lack of dedicated spaces (78%).

Conclusions: Despite a broad array of pharmacological and options available in Swiss Pediatric Emergency Departments, challenges remain in standardizing practices across the country. Limited space and staffing and enhancing training on non-pharmacological interventions were identified as potential areas for improving pain and anxiety management in pediatric emergency care. This study underscores the need for national guidelines to harmonize emergency department PSA practices across Switzerland, ensuring all children have access to effective and evidence-based procedural comfort.

What is Known:• Recent research, conducted in European emergency departments, suggests that in pediatric Procedural Sedation and Analgesia (PSA) resources are limited, and practice is heterogeneous

What is New:• Swiss pediatric hospitals offer a wide range of pharmacological options for pain and anxiety management. However, significant barriers to PSA were identified. These include external control of intravenous sedation and insufficient integration of non-pharmacological interventions, such as child life specialists and procedural hypnosis. National guidelines are needed to harmonize PSA practices
Do Orally Disintegrating Tablets Facilitate Medical Adherence and Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Post-stroke Dysphagia?
Authors: Sato So , Sasabuchi Yusuke , Okada Akira , Yasunaga Hideo
Published: August 2024

Orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs) dissolve rapidly in contact with saliva and have been reported to facilitate oral administration of medications in swallowing difficulties. However, their clinical benefits remain unclear because no previous studies have examined whether ODTs facilitate medication adherence and clinical outcomes in patients with post-stroke dysphagia. This study evaluated the association between ODT prescriptions and clinical benefits using high-dimensional propensity score (hd-PS) matching to adjust for confounding factors. Using a large Japanese commercial medical and dental claims database, we identified patients aged ≥ 65 years with post-stroke dysphagia between April 2014 and March 2021. To compare 1-year outcomes of medication adherence, cardiovascular events, and aspiration pneumonia between patients taking ODTs and non-ODTs, we performed hd-PS matching. We identified 11,813 patients without ODTs and 3178 patients with ODTs. After hd-PS matching, 2246 pairs were generated. Medication adherence for 1 year, based on the proportion of days covered, was not significantly different between the non-ODT and ODT groups before (0.887 vs. 0.900, P = 0.999) and after hd-PS matching (0.889 vs. 0.902, P = 0.977). The proportion of cardiovascular events (0.898 vs. 0.893, P = 0.591) and aspiration pneumonia (0.380 vs. 0.372, P = 0.558) were also not significantly different between the groups. This study found no significant differences in medication adherence, cardiovascular diseases, or aspiration pneumonia between the non-ODT and ODT groups in patients with post-stroke dysphagia. Both groups achieved a proportion of days covered exceeding 80%. Clinicians may consider prescribing ODTs or non-ODTs based on patient preferences rather than solely on post-stroke conditions.
The role of MRI biomarkers in evaluation of symptomatic pineal cysts – a retrospective analysis
Authors: Greisert S. , Fleck S. , Rathmann E. , Vollmer M. , Schroeder H. W. S.
Published: August 2024

Background

Our aim was to determine whether the Apparent Diffusion Coefficient is able to predict the presence of a symptomatic pineal cyst by detecting cerebral edema.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed MRIs of 45 patients with pineal cysts before and after resection and 51 patients without pineal cysts, comparing ADC values of thalamus, central, periventricular and subcortical white matter. Furthermore we evaluated cyst size and morphology and analyzed its correlation to ADC values in corresponding patients.

Results

Differences between patients with symptomatic pineal cyst and control group were not significant (p = 0.200 – 0.968). ADC ratios did not change significantly after resection of the cyst (p = 0.575 – 0.862). Cyst size showed no significant correlation to ADC ratios (p = 0.071 – 0.918). Raw data analyses revealed more significance, especially periventricularly and in central white matter, which resulted in significant interhemispheric differences in ADC ratios in both subgroups (p < 0.001 and p = 0.031). MRI of 1.5T showed consistently higher values than 3T but mostly insignificant.

Conclusion

Our analysis revealed no evidence that pineal cysts lead to intracerebral edema caused by venous compression. Since variability was higher than the differences seen, ADC sequences do not appear to be an appropriate diagnostic tool for symptomatic pineal cysts.
Carbonate rocks and karst water resources in the Mediterranean region
Authors: Xanke Julian , Goldscheider Nico , Bakalowicz Michel , Barberá Juan Antonio , Broda Stefan , Chen Zhao , Ghanmi Mohamed , Günther Andreas , Hartmann Andreas , Jourde Hervé , Liesch Tanja , Mudarra Matías , Petitta Marco , Ravbar Nataša , Stevanović Zoran
Published: August 2024

Carbonate rocks in the Mediterranean region form karst landscapes with a variety of morphological and hydrological features, and are of particular interest from a water management perspective as they represent major karst aquifers. The Mediterranean Karst Aquifer Map and Database (MEDKAM) provides a 1:5,000,000 scale map showing the distribution of carbonate and evaporite rocks that can host karst groundwater resources, with additional information on other hydrogeological settings, selected terrestrial and submarine karst springs, caves and karst groundwater-dependent ecosystems. A statistical evaluation shows that carbonate rocks cover ~39.5% of the Mediterranean region within a 250-km focus area from the coastline. North Africa has the largest continuous area of carbonate rocks, while smaller countries in the Middle East and the Dinarides have the largest proportion of carbonate rocks in relation to their total area. Carbonate rocks are also widespread in coastal areas, occurring along ~33.6% (14,000 km) of the total Mediterranean coastline, including large islands such as Crete and Mallorca, and ~25.9% (6,400 km) of the continental coastline. Two additional maps display (1) groundwater recharge, showing a climatic gradient from north to south, and (2) groundwater storage trends, indicating a mean annual karst groundwater loss from 2003 to 2020 of 436 million m3 in the 250-km area. This study quantifies the carbonate rocks in the Mediterranean region and shows their importance for groundwater resources. MEDKAM will serve as a basis for further research and improved international cooperation in karst groundwater management.
The association between lifestyle factors and the composition of the vaginal microbiota: a review
Authors: Morsli Madjid , Gimenez Elise , Magnan Chloé , Salipante Florian , Huberlant Stéphanie , Letouzey Vincent , Lavigne Jean-Philippe
Published: August 2024

Purpose

The vaginal microbiota offers valuable insights into women’s sexual health and the risk of developing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and bacterial vaginosis. Despite the public health implications of changes in the vaginal environment, existing data on this topic remain sparse.

Methods

Following the PRISMA statement guidelines, we consulted five bibliographic databases, focusing on five main daily habits and behaviors. We included only studies published up to October 2023, investigating the influence of personal hygiene, sexual behaviors, hormonal contraception, smoking, alcohol consumption, and psychosocial stress on the vaginal microbiota using next-generation sequencing.

Results

Based on our inclusion criteria, we incorporated 37 studies into this review. Hormonal contraception and personal hygiene were found to promote eubiosis of the vaginal microbiota. In contrast, sexual behaviors, smoking, alcohol consumption, and psychosocial stress were associated with an increased susceptibility to bacterial vaginosis, STIs, and severe pelvic inflammatory diseases due to a modified vaginal microbiota. Black ethnicity emerged as a confounding factor, with this population showing unstable vaginal microbiota. Oral contraception and a stable male sexual partner were found to favor Lactobacillus colonization, acting as a protective factor. Conversely, non-hormonal contraception and unprotected or non-penile/vaginal sexual activity increased the incidence of vaginal inflammation and bacterial vaginosis by disturbing the vaginal microbiota and reducing Lactobacillus abundance.

Conclusion

Daily habits and lifestyle can influence the composition of the vaginal microbiota, thereby affecting vaginal health. Disturbances in the vaginal microbiota could be associated factors for STIs and vaginosis. Therefore, prioritizing more appropriate management of the vaginal microbiota is crucial.
Predicting Knee Joint Contact Force Peaks During Gait Using a Video Camera or Wearable Sensors
Authors: Lavikainen Jere , Stenroth Lauri , Vartiainen Paavo , Alkjær Tine , Karjalainen Pasi A. , Henriksen Marius , Korhonen Rami K. , Liukkonen Mimmi , Mononen Mika E.
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Estimating loading of the knee joint may be helpful in managing degenerative joint diseases. Contemporary methods to estimate loading involve calculating knee joint contact forces using musculoskeletal modeling and simulation from motion capture (MOCAP) data, which must be collected in a specialized environment and analyzed by a trained expert. To make the estimation of knee joint loading more accessible, simple input predictors should be used for predicting knee joint loading using artificial neural networks.

Methods

We trained feedforward artificial neural networks (ANNs) to predict knee joint loading peaks from the mass, height, age, sex, walking speed, and knee flexion angle (KFA) of subjects using their existing MOCAP data. We also collected an independent MOCAP dataset while recording walking with a video camera (VC) and inertial measurement units (IMUs). We quantified the prediction accuracy of the ANNs using walking speed and KFA estimates from (1) MOCAP data, (2) VC data, and (3) IMU data separately (i.e., we quantified three sets of prediction accuracy metrics).

Results

Using portable modalities, we achieved prediction accuracies between 0.13 and 0.37 root mean square error normalized to the mean of the musculoskeletal analysis-based reference values. The correlation between the predicted and reference loading peaks varied between 0.65 and 0.91. This was comparable to the prediction accuracies obtained when obtaining predictors from motion capture data.

Discussion

The prediction results show that both VCs and IMUs can be used to estimate predictors that can be used in estimating knee joint loading outside the motion laboratory. Future studies should investigate the usability of the methods in an out-of-laboratory setting.
Mitochondrial control of hypoxia-induced pathological retinal angiogenesis
Authors: Yagi Hitomi , Boeck Myriam , Nian Shen , Neilsen Katherine , Wang Chaomei , Lee Jeff , Zeng Yan , Grumbine Matthew , Sweet Ian R. , Kasai Taku , Negishi Kazuno , Singh Sasha A. , Aikawa Masanori , Hellström Ann , Smith Lois E. H. , Fu Zhongjie
Published: August 2024

Objective

Pathological retinal neovascularization is vision-threatening. In mouse oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) we sought to define mitochondrial respiration changes longitudinally during hyperoxia-induced vessel loss and hypoxia-induced neovascularization, and to test interventions addressing those changes to prevent neovascularization.

Methods

OIR was induced in C57BL/6J mice and retinal vasculature was examined at maximum neovessel formation. We assessed total proteome changes and the ratio of mitochondrial to nuclear DNA copy numbers (mtDNA/nDNA) of OIR vs. control retinas, and mitochondrial oxygen consumption rates (OCR) in ex vivo OIR vs. control retinas (BaroFuse). Pyruvate vs. vehicle control was supplemented to OIR mice either prior to or during neovessel formation.

Results

In OIR vs. control retinas, global proteomics showed decreased retinal mitochondrial respiration at peak neovascularization. OCR and mtDNA/nDNA were also decreased at peak neovascularization suggesting impaired mitochondrial respiration. In vivo pyruvate administration during but not prior to neovessel formation (in line with mitochondrial activity time course) suppressed NV.

Conclusions

Mitochondrial energetics were suppressed during retinal NV in OIR. Appropriately timed supplementation of pyruvate may be a novel approach in neovascular retinal diseases.
The political ecology of cocoa agroforestry and implications for equitable land use in rural Ghana
Authors: Kumeh Eric Mensah
Published: August 2024

The relevance of cocoa agroforestry is widely discussed in debates on sustainability transition in cocoa, especially in the context of ending hunger and poverty among cocoa farmers. Whereas this has led to multiple cocoa agroforestry investments by NGOs, governments, and cocoa and chocolate companies in West and Central Africa, a notable gap exists in the literature on how these interventions respond to the needs of cocoa farmers who are typically framed as the primary target of equity in cocoa sustainability discussions. This paper contributes to bridging this gap by analyzing equity in implementing various cocoa agroforestry projects by different actors in Ghana’s Juabeso-Bia Landscape (JBL). I find that the ongoing cocoa agroforestry initiatives may be broadly characterized as renovative or additive in terms of how they (re)shape the various components on cocoa farms. Yet, they are all designed to primarily enhance cocoa productivity even when seasonal food insecurity is one of the most pressing challenges among cocoa farmers in the JBL. The persistent neglect of food in cocoa production risks leaving poverty and hunger in cocoa households unaddressed. Additionally, it increases cocoa households' predisposition to forest conversion, making current forms of cocoa agroforestry an indirect driver of deforestation in the landscape. To transform the current situation, policymakers and scholars must reflexively integrate household food security in designing cocoa agroforestry, prioritizing farmers’ involvement in dynamic agroforestry technologies that contribute directly to local food access over time. This contrasts the current policy and practice of cocoa agroforestry, focused on maintaining a prescribed number of shade trees on new or existing cocoa farms but highly likely to engender significantly greater inequity in the cocoa sector.
A survey: knowledge graph entity alignment research based on graph embedding
Authors: Zhu Beibei , Wang Ruolin , Wang Junyi , Shao Fei , Wang Kerun
Published: August 2024

Entity alignment (EA) aims to automatically match entities in different knowledge graphs, which is beneficial to the development of knowledge-driven applications. Representation learning has powerful feature capture capability and it is widely used in the field of natural language processing. Compared with traditional EA methods, EA methods based on representation learning have better performance and efficiency. Hence, we summarize and analyze the representative EA approaches based on representation learning in this paper. We present the problem description and data preprocessing for EA and other related fundamental knowledge. We propose a new EA framework for the latest models, which includes information aggregation module, entity alignment module, and post-alignment module. Based on these three modules, the various technologies are described in detail. In the experimental part, we first explore the effect of EA direction on model performance. Then, we classify the models into different categories in terms of alignment inference strategy, noise filtering strategy, and whether additional information is utilized. To ensure fairness, we perform the comparative analysis of the performance of the models within the categories separately on different datasets. We investigate both unimodal and multimodal EA. Finally, we present future research perspectives based on the shortcomings of existing EA methods.
Selection of marine macroalgae for nutrient biofilter and bioproduct trials in the coastal waters of Queensland, Australia
Authors: Theobald Emma J. , Irving Andrew D. , Capper Angela , Costa Joana F. , Diaz-Pulido Guillermo , Andrews Elizabeth L. , Kelly Jo , Jackson Emma L.
Published: August 2024

The capacity of many macroalgae to rapidly absorb soluble inorganic nutrients and convert them into primary biomass provides opportunities for their use in the bioremediation of nutrient-enriched waters. Marine-based macroalgal cultivation has the potential to target diffuse source nutrient discharges and produce valuable bioproducts such as fertiliser, soil conditioning agents and agricultural feed additives and phycocolloids. Whilst macroalgal diversity offers benefits for improving and maintaining healthy marine ecosystems, it also presents a challenge for determining the best candidate species for cultivation as a nutrient biofilter and, ultimately, a source of bioproducts. We developed and applied a multi-criteria selection model to identify likely candidate macroalgal species for cultivation in Queensland’s coastal waters for biofiltration and bioproduct development, focusing on native species and product development for the agronomical and horticultural sectors. From a species database of 1380 macroalgal species, candidates were initially selected based on their regional abundance, distribution and morphological characteristics considered amenable to in-situ cultivation and harvesting. From a resulting shortlist of 17 species, five systematic literature searches were applied to identify biofilter potential, bioproduct potential and current cultivation status. Of the shortlisted species, Ulva lactuca, Gracilaria edulis and Hypnea cervicornis ranked most highly in the multi-criteria analysis, with several other species showing good potential, but requiring further investment in understanding key biological processes and the development of cultivation protocols.
Novel therapeutic targets: bifidobacterium-mediated urea cycle regulation in colorectal cancer
Authors: Nie Xusheng , Zhang Tingting , Huang Xiumei , Gu Chongqi , Zuo Wei , Fu Li-Juan , Dong Yiping , Liu Hao
Published: August 2024

Background and purpose

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a widespread malignancy with a complex and not entirely elucidated pathogenesis. This study aims to explore the role of Bifidobacterium in the urea cycle (UC) and its influence on the progression of CRC, a topic not extensively studied previously.

Experimental approach

Utilizing both bioinformatics and experimental methodologies, this research involved analyzing bacterial abundance in CRC patients in comparison to healthy individuals. The study particularly focused on the abundance of BA. Additionally, transcriptomic data analysis and cellular experiments were conducted to investigate the impact of Bifidobacterium on ammonia metabolism and mitochondrial function, specifically examining its regulation of the key UC gene, ALB.

Key results

The analysis revealed a significant decrease in Bifidobacterium abundance in CRC patients. Furthermore, Bifidobacterium was found to suppress ammonia metabolism and induce mitochondrial dysfunction through the regulation of the ALB gene, which is essential in the context of UC. These impacts contributed to the suppression of CRC cell proliferation, a finding corroborated by animal experimental results.

Conclusions and implications

This study elucidates the molecular mechanism by which Bifidobacterium impacts CRC progression, highlighting its role in regulating key metabolic pathways. These findings provide potential targets for novel therapeutic strategies in CRC treatment, emphasizing the importance of microbiota in cancer progression.
The Role of Morality in Corruption, Theft, and Violence in a Ukrainian Context
Authors: Trivedi-Bateman Neema , Markovska Anna , Serdiuk Oleksii , Bogdanov Roman
Published: August 2024

Many anti-crime efforts are found to be costly and unsuccessful in reducing crime, and new fresh approaches are needed. Morality has long been neglected in our understanding of crime prevention. This paper uses a theoretical and empirical approach to explore the relationship between individual morality, associated moral emotions, and crime in a sample of 11,671 respondents in Ukraine. To date, few studies have explored morality using large samples in a Ukrainian context. Existing morality studies have been largely limited to nonadult and Global North samples. In the current study, existing standardised scales are applied for the first time in a new context. Morality is measured with how right or wrong respondents feel that various acts of delinquent and criminal behaviour are, and logistic regression is used to analyse its association with self-reported corruption, theft, and violence. Findings show that weak individual morality is associated with higher corruption, theft, and violence. This paper empirically evidences this association, already evidenced in The Global North, in an Eastern-European context. The implications of this are potentially wide-reaching and can inform crime prevention measures in Ukraine and beyond. Individual morality, which develops from early childhood and throughout adolescence, is associated with crime involvement in numerous studies and samples. To reduce crime, suggestions are made to deliver and evaluate morality intervention programmes (such as The Compass Project) in schools (to youth) and in the workplace (to influential employees of organisations and institutions). This is likely to contribute to a societal shift in countries like Ukraine which are presented with politically historic complexities in relation to morally acceptable actions.
The perfect technological storm: artificial intelligence and moral complacency
Authors: Kaas Marten H. L.
Published: August 2024

Artificially intelligent machines are different in kind from all previous machines and tools. While many are used for relatively benign purposes, the types of artificially intelligent machines that we should care about, the ones that are worth focusing on, are the machines that purport to replace humans entirely and thereby engage in what Brian Cantwell Smith calls “judgment.” As impressive as artificially intelligent machines are, their abilities are still derived from humans and as such lack the sort of normative commitments that humans have. So while artificially intelligent machines possess a great capacity for “reckoning,” to use Smith’s terminology, i.e., a calculative prowess of extraordinary utility and importance, they still lack the kind of considered human judgment that accompanies the ethical commitment and responsible action we humans must ultimately aspire toward. But there is a perfect technological storm brewing. Artificially intelligent machines are analogous to a perfect storm in that such machines involve the convergence of a number of factors that threaten our ability to behave ethically and maintain meaningful human control over the outcomes of processes involving artificial intelligence. I argue that the storm in the context of artificially intelligent machines makes us vulnerable to moral complacency. That is, this perfect technological storm is capable of lulling people into a state in which they abdicate responsibility for decision-making and behaviour precipitated by the use of artificially intelligent machines, a state that I am calling “moral complacency.” I focus on three salient problems that converge to make us especially vulnerable to becoming morally complacent and losing meaningful human control. The first problem is that of transparency/opacity. The second problem is that of overtrust in machines, often referred to as the automation bias. The third problem is that of ascribing responsibility. I examine each of these problems and how together they threaten to render us morally complacent.
Effect of Thermal Radiation on Fractional MHD Casson Flow with the Help of Fractional Operator
Authors: Abbas Shajar , Parveen Iram , Nisa Zaib Un , Amjad Muhammad , Metwally Ahmed Sayed M. , Nazar Mudassar , Jan Ahmed Zubair
Published: August 2024

This study examines the effects of Newtonian heating along with heat generation, and thermal radiation on magnetohydrodynamic Casson fluid over a vertical plate. At the boundary, the Newtonian heating phenomena has been employed. The problem is split into two sections for this reason: momentum equation and energy equations. To transform the equations of the given model into dimensionless equations, some particular dimensionless parameters are defined. In this article, generalized Fourier’s law and the recently proposed Caputo Fabrizio fractional operator are applied. The corresponding results of non-dimensional velocity and heat equations can be identified through the application of Laplace transform. Moreover, Tzou’s algorithm as well as Stehfest’s algorithm is implemented to recognize the inverted Laplace transform of heat and momentum equations. Finally, a graphical sketch is created using Mathcad 15 software to demonstrate the results of numerous physical characteristics. It has been reported that the heat and velocity drop with rising Prandtl number values, whereas the fluid’s velocity has been seen to rise with increasing Grashof number values. Additionally, current research has shown that flow velocity and temperature increase with rising values of a fractional parameter.
Re-Evaluating the Appropriateness of the “Don’t Know” Response Option: Guessing Rate as a Source of Systematic Error on Autism Knowledge Assessments
Authors: McMahon Camilla M. , McClain Maryellen Brunson , Haverkamp Cassity R. , Harris Bryn
Published: August 2024

Several autism knowledge assessments include “don’t know” as a response option. The inclusion of this response option may lead to systematic error, such that participants’ guessing rate affects the measurement of their autism knowledge. This study examines both predictors of guessing rate for autism knowledge and predictors of autism knowledge, including guessing rate. School-based professionals (n = 396) completed the Autism Spectrum Knowledge Scale Professional Version-Revised (ASKSP-R; McClain et al, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 50(3):998–1006, 2020). and the Autism Stigma and Knowledge Questionnaire (ASK-Q; Harrison et al, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 47(10):3281–3295, 2017). Both assessments include “don’t know” as a response option. Guessing rate was the strongest predictor of autism knowledge across both the ASKSP-R and the ASK-Q assessments. For the ASKSP-R, participants who were school psychologists, practicing for more years, had more autism-related clinical experiences, and who personally knew an autistic person had a higher guessing rate. School psychologists and participants who worked with more autistic students scored higher in autism knowledge. For the ASK-Q, participants with greater self-perceived autism knowledge had a higher guessing rate. Participants with a doctorate degree, who personally knew an autistic person, and who worked with more autistic students scored higher in autism knowledge. Guessing rate can be a source of systematic error on autism knowledge assessments. Potential solutions to correct for guessing rate are examined and recommended for future use.
Managing product-inherent constraints with artificial intelligence: production control for time constraints in semiconductor manufacturing
Authors: May Marvin Carl , Oberst Jan , Lanza Gisela
Published: August 2024

Continuous product individualization and customization led to the advent of lot size one in production and ultimately to product-inherent uniqueness. As complexities in individualization and processes grow, production systems need to adapt to unique, product-inherent constraints by advancing production control beyond predictive, rigid schedules. While complex processes, production systems and production constraints are not a novelty per se, modern production control approaches fall short of simultaneously regarding the flexibility of complex job shops and product unique constraints imposed on production control. To close this gap, this paper develops a novel, data driven, artificial intelligence based production control approach for complex job shops. For this purpose, product-inherent constraints are resolved by restricting the solution space of the production control according to a prediction based decision model. The approach validation is performed in a real semiconductor fab as a job shop that includes transitional time constraints as product-inherent constraints. Not violating these time constraints is essential to avoid scrap and similarly increase quality-based yield. To that end, transition times are forecasted and the adherence to these product-inherent constraints is evaluated based on one-sided prediction intervals and point estimators. The inclusion of product-inherent constraints leads to significant adherence improvements in the production system as indicated in the real-world semiconductor manufacturing case study and, hence, contributes a novel, data driven approach for production control. As a conclusion, the ability to avoid a large majority of violations of time constraints shows the approaches effectiveness and the future requirement to more accurately integrate such product-inherent constraints into production control.
MoSe2 nanosheets-based sensor for electrochemical detection of dopamine, ascorbic acid, and uric acid
Authors: Coban Deniz , Tangal Yasin , Cogal Sadik
Published: August 2024

There has been a growing interest in the field of transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) materials and their potential applications in the field of electrochemical sensors. In the present work, molybdenum diselenide (MoSe2), as a typical representative of TMD, was prepared using a facile hydrothermal method and characterized in terms of its morphological and structural properties. Then, the obtained MoSe2 was dispersed in various solvents to investigate its electrocatalytic properties towards dopamine (DA), ascorbic acid (AA), and uric acid (UA). The electrochemical measurements revealed that deionized water is an effective solvent to disperse the MoSe2 and modify electrodes with the MoSe2 for electrochemical applications. Furthermore, the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with the MoSe2, referred as GCE-MoSe2, was used as an electrochemical sensor to simultaneously detect the DA, AA, and UA. The GCE-MoSe2 exhibited wide linear detection with concentration ranges of 1–333 µM for DA, 50–3440 µM for AA, and 5–1146 µM for UA in phosphate buffer solution and low detection limits (LODs) of 0.57 µM, 13.7 µM, and 1.75 µM, respectively. The electrode further displayed good selectivity, reproducibility, and stability. This work provides valuable insights on constructing electrochemical sensing devices with high analytical performance using the important two-dimensional (2D) TMD materials.
Electrophysiological Responses of Trissolcus japonicus, T. basalis, and T. oenone (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) to Volatile Compounds Associated with New Zealand Stink Bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)
Authors: Saunders Thomas E. , Manning Lee-Anne M. , Avila Gonzalo A. , Holwell Gregory I. , Park Kye Chung
Published: August 2024

Parasitoid biological control agents rely heavily on olfaction to locate their hosts. Chemical cues associated with hosts and non-hosts are known to influence the expression of host preferences and host-specificity. A better understanding of how and why parasitoids attack some species and not others, based on volatile organic compounds associated with potential hosts, can provide key information on the parasitoid’s host preferences, which could be applied to pre-release risk assessments for classical biological control agents. Electrophysiological techniques such as electroantennography (EAG) and GC-EAD (gas chromatography coupled with electroantennographic detection) are widely used to identify bioactive semiochemicals. But the application of these techniques to understanding how chemical ecological cues mediate parasitoid host specificity has not been as thoroughly explored. We conducted GC-EAD and EAG studies to identify olfactory-active compounds associated with adult females of nine stink bug species from Aotearoa/New Zealand on the antennae of three closely related parasitoid species: Trissolcus japonicus Ashmead, a pre-emptively (= proactively) approved biocontrol agent against brown marmorated stink bug; T. basalis (Wollaston), a biocontrol agent introduced against Nezara viridula L. in 1949; and T. oenone Johnson, a native Australasian pentatomid parasitoid. Eight compounds associated with stink bugs elicited antennal responses from all three parasitoids, and we were able to identify seven of these. (E)-2-hexenal, (E)-4-oxo-2-hexenal, (E)-2-octenal and (E)-2-decenal generally elicited stronger responses in the three parasitoids, while n-tridecane, n-dodecane, and (E)-2-decenyl acetate elicited weaker responses. We discuss how and why the results from electrophysiological experiments can be applied to non-target risk assessments within biological control programmes.
From Abuse to Resilience in Romantic Relationships of Women: A Model Testing Study
Authors: Yıldız-Akyol Elvan , Öztemel Kemal
Published: August 2024

Purpose

This study aimed to examine the mediating role of awareness, cognitive flexibility, positive attitude towards the future, and social support in the relationship between perceived abuse and resilience in women.

Method

The researchers used structural equation modelling to test whether internal protective factors such as mindfulness, cognitive flexibility, positive attitudes towards the future, and external protective factors such as perceived social support from family and friends play a role as protective factors in the effect of abuse women perceive in their romantic relationships on their resilience. Within the scope of this research, data were collected by purposive sampling method from 818 women aged 18 and over who are currently in a romantic relationship.

Results

The findings of this study revealed that the hypothetical model established based on the literature was not rejected [χ² / df = 4,400; RMSEA = 0.065; SRMR: 057; CFI = 0.951; NFI =, 938; TLI / NNFI = 0.925; GFI = 0.964; AGFI = 0.935]. Besides, it has been found that internal and external protective factors together explain 52% of the change in resilience.

Conclusions

The mediating role of the internal and external protective factors in the model revealed that they play a crucial role in the process of developing resilience among women. The findings obtained from the research were discussed within the scope of the related literature and suggestions were presented to researchers and those working in the practice field for further studies.
Optimization of Processing Conditions for Rice Bran-based Bioplastics Through Extrusion and Injection Molding
Authors: Alonso-González María , Felix Manuel , Romero Alberto , Sergi Claudia , Bavasso Irene , Sarasini Fabrizio
Published: August 2024

Conventional plastics pose environmental threats due to their non-biodegradable nature and their reliability on fossil resources, leading to the exploration of sustainable alternatives. In this sense, biodegradable bioplastics derived from renewable resources offer a promising solution to mitigate ecological impacts. This study focuses on the combination of extrusion and injection molding for the development of rice bran-based bioplastics. Being a by-product from the rice industry rich in starches and proteins, rice bran is an abundant and non-expensive resource that contributes to an enhanced waste management and represents a step forward in integrating the principles of a circular economy. This study delves into the optimization of processing conditions through a Design of Experiment approach. For this purpose, the number of extrusion steps, cylinder and mold temperatures, and injection pressure were investigated. The results showed that two extrusion steps led to a significant increase of approximately 22.8% in Young’s modulus and 37.5% in tensile strength compared to a single extrusion cycle. This enhancement was attributed to the facilitation of starch gelatinization and biopolymer-plasticizer interactions (achieving thermoplastic starch and protein plasticization). Similarly, manipulation of injection temperatures and pressure had notable effects on tensile properties, highlighting the complex interplay between processing parameters. In particular, when using cylinder and mold temperatures of 110 °C and 180 °C, respectively, along with 800 bar, it was possible to achieve a further enhancement in tensile properties, with an increase of 97.1% in Young’s modulus and over 100% in tensile strength. Overall, this research underscores the importance of understanding the relationship between processing conditions and biopolymer interactions for bioplastic production.
Land-cover gradients determine alternate drivers of mammalian species richness in fragmented landscapes
Authors: Dennis M. , Huck J. J. , Holt C. D. , Bispo P. da Conceição , McHenry E. , Speak A. , James P.
Published: August 2024

Context

Understanding habitat fragmentation is a critical concern for nature conservation and the focus of intense debate in landscape ecology. Resolving the uncertainty around the effects of habitat fragmentation on biodiversity remains an ongoing challenge that requires the successful delineation of multiple patch-landscape interactions.

Objectives

We carried out a regional analysis on species richness of woodland mammals to determine the relative influence of structural, compositional and functional characteristics related to woodland habitat across different land-cover gradients.

Methods

We calculated the Edge-weighted Habitat Index, an area-weighted measure of functional connectivity that incorporates a mechanistic estimate of edge-effects, for interior woodland habitat. We compared its influence on mammalian species richness to that of increasing edge and patch density, landscape diversity, and a habitat-only model, in different contexts of matrix hostility across Northern England in the UK.

Results

Our results demonstrate the relevance of alternative drivers of species richness resulting from patch-landscape interactions across gradients of matrix hostility. Evidence is provided for positive and negative effects of increasing structural (edge density), functional (connected interior habitat) and compositional (landscape diversity) attributes, varying according to matrix type and intensity. Results were sensitive to dominant land-cover types in the matrix and the scale of observation.

Conclusion

This study provides new insights into fragmentation effects on biodiversity and clarifies assumptions around the relative influence of structural, compositional and functional habitat characteristics on landscape-level species richness. We highlight the presence of thresholds, related to matrix hostility, that determine alternative drivers of species richness in woodland mammals. These drivers, and related thresholds, were sensitive to the scale of observation and landscape context. Landscape decisions aimed at promoting biodiversity should consider sources of matrix hostility and homogeneity at scales relevant to ecological processes of interest.
Short Tandem Repeat Genotyping of Medically Important Fungi: A Comprehensive Review of a Powerful Tool with Extensive Future Potential
Authors: Spruijtenburg Bram , Meis Jacques F. , Verweij Paul E. , de Groot Theun , Meijer Eelco F. J.
Published: August 2024

Fungal infections pose an increasing threat to public health. New pathogens and changing epidemiology are a pronounced risk for nosocomial outbreaks. To investigate clonal transmission between patients and trace the source, genotyping is required. In the last decades, various typing assays have been developed and applied to different medically important fungal species. While these different typing methods will be briefly discussed, this review will focus on the development and application of short tandem repeat (STR) genotyping. This method relies on the amplification and comparison of highly variable STR markers between isolates. For most common fungal pathogens, STR schemes were developed and compared to other methods, like multilocus sequence typing (MLST), amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and whole genome sequencing (WGS) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis. The pros and cons of STR typing as compared to the other methods are discussed, as well as the requirements for the development of a solid STR typing assay. The resolution of STR typing, in general, is higher than MLST and AFLP, with WGS SNP analysis being the gold standard when it comes to resolution. Although most modern laboratories are capable to perform STR typing, little progress has been made to standardize typing schemes. Allelic ladders, as developed for Aspergillus fumigatus, facilitate the comparison of STR results between laboratories and develop global typing databases. Overall, STR genotyping is an extremely powerful tool, often complimentary to whole genome sequencing. Crucial details for STR assay development, its applications and merit are discussed in this review.
Floodplains along the Danube River evaluated with the Floodplain Evaluation Matrix (FEM) determining their importance for flood protection, ecology, and socio-economics
Authors: Eder Markus , Habersack Helmut , Preiml Max , Perosa Francesca , Scheuer Sabrina , Gelhaus Marion , Cyffka Bernd , Kiss Timea , Van Leeuwen Boudewijn , Tobak Zalán , Sipos György , Csikos Nándor , Smetanova Anna , Bokal Sabina , Samu Andrea , Gruber Tamas , Galie Andreea-Cristina , Moldovenau Marinela , Mazilu Petrişor , Tritthart Michael
Published: August 2024

This study presents a method to investigate the influence of active floodplains on flood protection, ecology, and socio-economics. We used and further developed the Floodplain Evaluation Matrix (FEM) to systematically assess the Danube River, known as the most international river worldwide. The study also aims to develop a method applicable to other large rivers, taking into account different data availability and research objectives. Hydrological, hydraulic, ecological, and socio-economic parameters were assessed to address the multiple functions and services of floodplains. The evaluation showed that some active floodplains significantly reduce the impact of a 100-year flood event, with relative flood peak reductions by up to 17% and decelerating the flood wave by up to 41.5 h. While other floodplains may not have a noticeable impact on hydrological or hydraulic parameters, they play a crucial role in preserving biodiversity by providing essential habitats for protected species. We introduced an approach to assess whether a floodplain should be preserved and to categorize the restoration demand as low, medium, or high. Our findings indicate a universal need for preservation and restoration measures across all floodplains, with 81% demonstrating a high or medium demand for restoration. Preservation and restoration of floodplains are integral parts of achieving more sustainable floodplain management for each river. Applying the FEM to other large rivers could create a basis for sustainable decision-making, increase awareness of the multiple benefits of floodplains, and foster the implementation of preservation and restoration measures.
Performance analysis of the effects of atmospheric turbulence on free space optical communication using multi-hop decode and forward relay in north and south of Egypt
Authors: EL-Qady Abdullah , Abaza Mohamed
Published: August 2024

Free-space optical (FSO) communication has become a focus of both study and commercial interest. FSO transfers data between sites in free space, typically the Earth's atmosphere or space, using laser-emitted light beams, in contrast to standard radio frequency (RF) wireless communication. The possibility for high data transmission speeds, the lack of licencing constraints, versatility, affordability, simplicity of deployment, and its environmentally friendly communication method which provides an alternative to crowded radio frequency-based communications are the driving forces behind this growing interest. To determine the feasibility of FSO communication in the cities of Alexandria and Aswan in Egypt, we utilized the micrometeorology model to analyze how weather conditions and atmospheric turbulence impact on FSO linkages based on real-time weather data. In both the winter and summer seasons, we evaluated the bit error rate, beam spreading, scintillation, and transmission range of FSO. Moreover, bit error rate performance was improved by the use of the multi-hop Decode and Forward relay.