bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Populism pressure, public policies, and firm strategic choices: The case of Brazil
Authors: Biazzin Cristiane , Coelho Martins Ferreira Fernando , Hong Paul C.
Published: March 2024

Populist leadership has gained global traction in recent years, often emerging as a voice for the people against established institutions and elites while championing traditional values. However, the repercussions for the business environment remain elusive. This study examines the impact of populist policies on businesses, with a specific focus on the responses of large companies. We analyze two decades of the Brazilian political landscape to identify controversies surrounding populism's rhetoric and its real‐world effects on people's lives and business practices. Through this case study, we introduce a framework that explores the interplay between populism's influence and public policies, shaping market dynamics. In response, companies strategically adapt to maintain their competitiveness. This study, set in the Brazilian context, provides valuable insights and lessons for international businesses operating in politically diverse and dynamic economies.
Targeting the PI3K/pAKT/mTOR/NF‐κB/FOXO3a signaling pathway for suppressing the development of hepatocellular carcinoma in rats: Role of the natural remedic Suaeda vermiculata forssk
Authors: Abdel‐Bakky Mohamed S. , Mohammed Hamdoon A. , Mahmoud Nesreen I. , Amin Elham , Alsharidah Mansour , Al Rugaie Osamah , Ewees Mohamed G.
Published: March 2024

Liver malignancy is well recognized as a prominent health concern, with numerous treatment options available. Natural products are considered a renewable source, providing inspiring chemical moieties that could be used for cancer treatment. Suaeda vermiculata Forssk has traditionally been employed for management of hepatic conditions, including liver inflammation, and liver cirrhosis, as well as to improve general liver function. The findings of our earlier study demonstrated encouraging in vivo hepatoprotective benefits against liver injury generated by paracetamol and carbon tetrachloride. Additionally, Suaeda vermiculata Forssk exhibited cytotoxic activities in vitro against Hep‐G2 cell lines and cell lines resistant to doxorubicin. The present investigation aimed to examine the potential in vivo hepatoprotective efficacy of Suaeda vermiculata Forssk extract (SVE) against hepatocellular carcinoma induced by diethylnitrosamine (DENA) in rats. The potential involvement of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR/NF‐κB pathway was addressed. Sixty adult male albino rats were allocated into five groups randomly (n = 10). First group received a buffer, whereas second group received SVE only, third group received DENA only, and fourth and fifth groups received high and low doses of SVE, respectively, in the presence of DENA. Liver toxicity and tumor markers (HGFR, p‐AKT, PI3K, mTOR, NF‐κB, FOXO3a), apoptosis markers, and histopathological changes were analyzed. The current results demonstrated that SVE inhibited PI3K/AKT/mTOR/NF‐κB pathway as well as increased expression of apoptotic parameters and FOXO3a levels, which were deteriorated by DENA treatment. Furthermore, SVE improved liver toxicity markers and histopathological changes induced by DENA administration. This study provided evidence for the conventional hepatoprotective properties attributed to SV and investigated the underlying mechanism by which its extract, SVE, could potentially serve as a novel option for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment derived from a natural source.
Hydrological effects of the conversion of tropical montane forest to agricultural land in the central Andes of Peru
Authors: Noriega‐Puglisevich José André , Eckhardt Karen I.
Published: March 2024

Agricultural expansion is one of the main causes of deforestation of tropical montane forests in the central Andes of Peru. The hydrological impacts of converting forests to cropland are well known; however, an issue that is not entirely clear is related to the hydrological effects that can result from the conversion of montane forests to agroforestry systems and the recovery of the hydrological functions of montane forests after a disturbance. In this study, we compare the hydrological processes of different land covers previously modified by agricultural expansion, in order to determine the impact of the conversion of tropical montane forest to agricultural land on the ecosystem service of water provision and regulation. To achieve this, we establish study plots in four land cover types located in the central Andes of Peru (mature montane forest (BMC), natural regenerating secondary forest (BMR), coffee agroforestry systems (AF), and cropland (C)), for the purpose of measuring the vegetation structure and soil properties in them, and subsequently carry out a soil water balance in each plot to calculate the actual evapotranspiration, surface runoff, and groundwater recharge. The results revealed the following percentages (based on precipitation) for the hydrological components in the four land cover types: annual actual evapotranspiration—BMR (41.2%), AF (40.4%), BMC (40.0%), and C (38.0%); annual surface runoff—C (16.1%), BMC (8.3%), BMR (5.2%), and AF (4.6%); and annual groundwater recharge—AF (43.0%), BMR (41.6%), C (34.0%), and BMC (31.7%). Furthermore, the study also examined the relationship between vegetation structure and the hydrological components across the four land cover types. The findings indicated that the reduction of thicker and taller trees could increase surface runoff generation, whereas the presence of thinner and shorter trees could facilitate groundwater recharge. These results shed light on the complex interactions between land cover types, vegetation structure, and hydrological processes, emphasizing the importance of considering these factors in water resource management and land use planning.
Digital Close Reading for Lower Primary Students
Authors: Lo‐Philip Stephanie Wing Yan
Published: March 2024

How can primary literacy teachers effectively identify, adapt, and incorporate developmentally appropriate technologies to support their students' reading development? This article reports results from a case study attempting to digitize a classroom literacy practice—close reading—for Year 2 students. It suggests that digital tools can effectively support close reading practices and students' literacy learning. Results also identify some unique affordances that digitization offers. The author provides suggestions and tips for practitioners interested in incorporating technology into their regular close reading routines.
Gastrointestinal helminths infection of free‐roaming cats (Felis catus) in Southeast Iran
Authors: Nourollahi Fard Saeid Reza , Akhtardanesh Baharak , Sadr Soheil , Khedri Javad , Radfar Mohammad Hossein , Shadmehr Mehdi
Published: March 2024

Background

Cats in Iran are definitive hosts for several zoonotic intestinal helminths, such as Toxocara cati, Dipylidium caninum, Toxascaris leonina, Physaloptera praeputialis and Diplopylidium nolleri.

Objective

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of intestinal helminth infection in free‐roaming cats in southeast Iran, a region with a high free‐roaming cat population.

Methods

From January 2018 to December 2021, 153 cadavers of free‐roaming cats from Southeast Iran were necropsied for intestinal helminth infections. The carcasses were dissected, and the digestive systems were removed. The esophagus, stomach, small intestine, caecum and colon were tightly ligated. All adult helminths were collected, preserved and identified.

Results

The prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth infections was 80.39% (123/153). Of the cats from Kerman, 73% (73/100) were infected with at least one helminth, including D. caninum 70% (70/100), T. leonina 8% (8/100) and P. praeputialis 17% (17/100). Concurrent infection with two helminth species was found in 16% (16/100) and of three species infections was found in 3% (3/100) of the cats. Of the cats from Zabol, 94.33% (50/53) were infected with at least one of the helminths, including D. caninum 69.81% (37/53), T. leonina 11.32% (6/53), P. praeputialis 37.73% (20/53) and T. cati 5.66% (3/53). Concurrent infection with two helminth species was found in 28.3% (15/53), and three species were found in 1.88% (1/53) of the cats. Helminth infections were more prevalent in older cats. There was no association between sex and infection rate.

Conclusion

Based on the very high prevalence of zoonotic intestinal helminth infections in free‐roaming cats in southeast Iran, the potential public health risk emphasizes the need for intersectoral collaboration, particularly the provision of health and hygiene education to high‐risk populations, such as pre‐school and school‐age children.
The influence of Marangoni convection in engine oil base nanofluid with the impact of variable viscosity and viscous dissipation on infinite disk
Authors: Rehman Ali , Khun Ma Chau , Alotaibi Hammad , Inc Mustafa
Published: March 2024

In this research work, we will investigate the influence of MC (Marangoni convection) in engine oil as base fluid with viscous dissipation and the influence of variable viscosity on an infinite disk. The flow system takes into account MC with influence of variable viscosity, convective boundary conditions, and viscous dissipation. Furthermore, for the sake of the present research paper, the graphical results of the temperature and velocity profiles are presented. To convert a collection of PDEs to NODEs, we applied appropriate transformations. We utilize the Homotopy analysis method to solve this set of equations. The effects of temperature and velocities on numerical perceptions involving Casson, magnetic, Schmidt number, thermophoresis, and Brownian motion input factors are shown. A physical description is used to simulate and evaluate the structures of flow features such as velocity and temperature profiles in response to changes in developing factors. It is hoped that this issue would contribute positively to improving the heat transformation ratio in order to satisfy the demands of the industrial and engineering sectors.
Interplay of inert doublet and vector-like lepton triplet with displaced vertices at the LHC/FCC and MATHUSLA
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Priyotosh , Frank Mariana , Parashar Snehashis , Sen Chandrima
Published: March 2024

Abstract

We study the interaction between the inert Higgs doublet (IDM) dark matter and a vector-like SU(2) triplet lepton (VLL), both of which are Z2-odd. The vector current of the VLL with the Z-boson rules out a fermionic or two-component dark matter scenario. However, a compressed mass spectrum and a sufficiently small Yukawa coupling allows co-annihilation and late decay of the VLL into the IDM sector, affecting the relic density of the pseudoscalar dark matter. The same two factors enable displaced decay of the VLL states, providing novel signatures involving hadronically quiet displaced multi-lepton final states. Such signatures to probe the model are studied at the 14 and 27 TeV LHC, as well as the 100 TeV FCC-hh. In addition to being detectable at the CMS/ATLAS experiments, if the new particles have sub-100 GeV masses, signals can also be seen at the proposed MATHUSLA detector.
The force-force correlator at the hard thermal scale of hot QCD
Authors: Ghiglieri Jacopo , Schicho Philipp , Schlusser Niels , Weitz Eamonn
Published: March 2024

Abstract

High-energy particles traversing the Quark-Gluon plasma experience modified (massive) dispersion, although their vacuum mass is negligible compared to the kinetic energy. Due to poor convergence of the perturbative series in the regime of soft loop momenta, a more precise determination of this effective mass is needed. This paper continues our investigation on the factorisation between strongly-coupled infrared classical and perturbative ultraviolet behavior. The former has been studied non-perturbatively within EQCD by determining a non-local operator on the lattice. By computing the temperature-scale contribution to the same operator in 4D QCD at next-to-leading order (NLO), we remove the ultraviolet divergence of the EQCD calculation with an opposite infrared divergence from the hard thermal scale. The result is a consistent, regulator-independent determination of the classical contribution where the emergence of new divergences signals sensitivities to new regions of phase space. We address the numerical impact of the classical and NLO thermal corrections on the convergence of the factorised approach and on the partial applicability of our results to calculations of transport coefficients.
Photoheterotroph improved the growth and nutrient levels of Chlorella vulgaris and the related molecular mechanism
Authors: Long Xianmei , Zhang Cancan , Yang Qian , Zhang Xiaorui , Chen Wangwang , Zhu Xiaofang , Xu Qing , Tan Qingsong
Published: March 2024

Microalgae are rich in fatty acids, proteins, and other nutrients, which have gained the general attention of researchers all over the world. For the development of Chlorella vulgaris in food and feed industry, this study was conducted to investigate the differences in C. vulgaris’ growth and nutritional components under different culture conditions (autotrophic, heterotrophic, photoheterotrophic) and the internal factors through cell counting in combination with transcriptome and nutrient analyses. The results showed that, under the photoheterotrophic condition, Chlorella’s growth and the contents of lipid and protein were significantly higher than that under the heterotrophic condition, and the moisture content was lower than that under the heterotrophic condition. The saturated fatty acid content under the photoheterotrophic condition was the lowest, while the polyunsaturated fatty acid content was significantly higher than those under the other two conditions. There were 46,583 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including 33,039 up-regulated DEGs (70.93%) and 13,544 down-regulated DEGs (29.07%), under the photoheterotrophic condition in comparison with the autotrophic condition. The fold change between the two conditions of samples of up-regulated genes was higher than that of the down-regulated genes. The KEGG enrichment showed that the up-regulated DEGs in the photoheterotrophic condition were significantly enriched in 5 pathways, including protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum pathway, photosynthesis pathway, photosynthesis-antenna protein pathway, endocytosis pathway, and phosphonate and phosphinate metabolism pathway. DEGs related to fatty acid metabolic pathways were significantly enriched in the fatty acid biosynthesis pathway and the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acid pathway. The qPCR analysis showed that the expression pattern of the selected genes was consistent with that of transcriptome analysis. The results of this study lay a theoretical foundation for the large-scale production of Chlorella and its application in food, feed, and biodiesel.

Key points

• Nutrient levels under photoheterotrophic condition were higher than other conditions.

• Six important pathways were discovered that affect changes in nutritional composition.

• Explored genes encode important enzymes in the differential metabolic pathways.
Superomedial Pedicle Technique and Management
of Circulation Problems in Gigantomastia
Authors: Anlatici Recep , Demiralay Sarp , Parildar Omer , Ozerdem Omer Refik
Published: March 2024

Breast reduction surgeries encompass a wide range of methods that are continuously
evolving to discover more reliable and satisfactory techniques. This presentation aims
to address the research gap by sharing outcomes and experiences using the superomedial
pedicle in gigantomastia, as well as the implemented protocol for managing nipple-areola
complex (NAC) ischemia. The Wise pattern and superomedial pedicle reduction mammaplasty
method were utilized in treating 19 patients (38 breasts). The average age of the
patients was 41.47 years, with a basal mass index (BMI) of 33.27
kg/m2. The mean sternal notch to nipple (SN-N) length for
the entire population was found to be 40.97 cm. On both sides, this length was
statistically similar at 41.11 cm on the right side and 40.84 cm on the left side. The
average weight of resected tissue from all patients was calculated to be 1793.42 g, with
slightly higher weight on the right side at 1800 g compared to the left side’s weight of
1786.84 g. Postoperative NAC ischemia occurred in three patients, one bilateral case,
and two unilateral cases. The study revealed that in both the groups with and without
NAC ischemia, the average values were as follows: age, which ranged from 45.33 to 40.75
years; BMI, ranging from 35.01 kg/m2 to 32.95
kg/m2; SN-N distance, which varied from 40 cm to 41.09 cm;
and excision material weights, ranging from 1650 g to 1810.29 g. The p-value in the
comparisons was found to be greater than 0.05. These results indicate that age, BMI,
SN-N distance, and excision material weight did not have an impact on NAC vascularity
issues. All NACs were successfully saved through a protocol involving hyperbaric oxygen
therapy (HOT) and vacuum-assisted therapy (VAT). The study suggests that utilizing a
superomedial flap is a viable option for treating gigantomastia and highlights the
effectiveness of their outlined protocol in managing postoperative complications. While
acknowledging the need for comparative studies, the study proposes incorporating HOT and
VAT into protocols aimed at saving NACs.

Level of Evidence IV This journal
requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description
of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the
online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.
Phenotypic spectrum of tinnitus patients bearing rare ANK2 gene variants
Authors: Martin-Lagos Juan , Bernal-Robledano Alberto , Perez-Carpena Patricia , Lamolda Mar , Escalera-Balsera Alba , Frejo Lidia , Lopez-Escamez Jose A.
Published: March 2024

Purpose

To describe the clinical, audiological, and psychometric features observed in patients with chronic tinnitus and rare variants in the ANK2 gene.

Methods

We report a case series of 12 patients with chronic tinnitus and heterozygous variants in the ANK2 gene. Tinnitus phenotyping included audiological (standard and high-frequency audiometry, Auditory Brainstem Responses (ABR) and Auditory Middle Latency Responses (AMLR)), psychoacoustic and psychometric assessment by a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for tinnitus annoyance, the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), the test on Hypersensitivity to Sound (THS-GÜF), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA).

Results

All patients reported a persistent, unilateral noise-type tinnitus, mainly described as white noise or narrowband noise. Seven patients (58%) were considered to have extreme phenotype (THI score > 76), and all patients reported some degree of hyperacusis (THS-GÜF score > 18 in 75% of patients). Seven patients scored MoCA < 26, regardless of the age reported, suggesting a mild cognitive disorder. ABR showed no significant differences in latencies and amplitudes between ears with or without tinnitus. Similarly, the latencies of Pa, Pb waves, and NaPa complex in the AMLR did not differ based on the presence of tinnitus. However, there were statistical differences in the amplitudes of Pa waves in AMLR, with significantly greater amplitudes observed in ears with tinnitus.

Conclusion

Patients with ANK2 variants and severe tinnitus exhibit an endophenotype featuring hyperacusis, persistent noise-like tinnitus, high-frequency hearing loss, and decreased amplitudes in AMLR. However, anxiety, depression, and cognitive symptoms vary among individuals.
Organoids in ovarian cancer: a platform for disease modeling, precision medicine, and drug assessment
Authors: Hu Haiyao , Sun Chong’en , Chen Jingyao , Li Zhengyu
Published: March 2024

Ovarian cancer (OC) is a major cause of gynecological cancer mortality, necessitating enhanced research. Organoids, cellular clusters grown in 3D model, have emerged as a disruptive paradigm, transcending the limitations inherent to conventional models by faithfully recapitulating key morphological, histological, and genetic attributes. This review undertakes a comprehensive exploration of the potential in organoids derived from murine, healthy population, and patient origins, encompassing a spectrum that spans foundational principles to pioneering applications. Organoids serve as preclinical models, allowing us to predict how patients will respond to treatments and guiding the development of personalized therapies. In the context of evaluating new drugs, organoids act as versatile platforms, enabling thorough testing of innovative combinations and novel agents. Remarkably, organoids mimic the dynamic nature of OC progression, from its initial formation to the spread to other parts of the body, shedding light on intricate details that hold significant importance. By functioning at an individualized level, organoids uncover the complex mechanisms behind drug resistance, revealing strategic opportunities for effective treatments.
A CT-based radiomics nomogram involving the cystic fluid area for differentiating appendiceal mucinous neoplasms from appendicitis with intraluminal fluid
Authors: Wang Xinbin , Feng Na , Qiu Yonggang , Dong Hao , Lou Cuncheng , Yang Junjie , Yu Jieni , Jiang Chunyan , Xu Jianxia , Yu Risheng
Published: March 2024

Objective

To develop and validate a radiomics nomogram based on computed tomography (CT) to distinguish appendiceal mucinous neoplasms (AMNs) from appendicitis with intraluminal fluid (AWIF).

Method

A total of 211 patients from two medical institutions were retrospectively analysed, of which 109 were pathologically confirmed as having appendicitis with concomitant CT signs of intraluminal fluid and 102 as having AMN. All patients were randomly assigned to a training (147 patients) or validation cohort (64 patients) at a 7:3 ratio. Radiomics features of the cystic fluid area of the appendiceal lesions were extracted from nonenhanced CT images using 3D Slicer software. Minimum redundancy maximum relevance and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression methods were employed to screen the radiomics features and develop a radiomics model. Combined radiomics nomogram and clinical-CT models were further developed based on the corresponding features selected after multivariate analysis. Lastly, receiver operating characteristic curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to assess the models’ performances in the training and validation cohorts.

Results

A total of 851 radiomics features were acquired from the nonenhanced CT images. Subsequently, a radiomics model consisting of eight selected features was developed. The combined radiomics nomogram model comprised rad-score, age, and mural calcification, while the clinical-CT model contained age and mural calcification. The combined model achieved area under the curves (AUCs) of 0.945 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.895, 0.976) and 0.933 (95% CI: 0.841, 0.980) in the training and validation cohorts, respectively, which were larger than those obtained by the radiomics (training cohort: AUC, 0.915 [95% CI: 0.865, 0.964]; validation cohort: AUC, 0.912 [95% CI: 0.843, 0.981]) and clinical-CT models (training cohort: AUC, 0.884 [95% CI: 0.820, 0.931]; validation cohort: AUC, 0.767 [95% CI: 0.644, 0.863]). Finally, DCA showed that the clinical utility of the combined model was superior to that of the clinical CT and radiomics models.

Conclusion

Our combined radiomics nomogram model constituting radiomics, clinical, and CT features exhibited good performance for differentiating AMN from AWIF, indicating its potential application in clinical decision-making.
FeNb11O29 and related niobate anodes for fast-charging lithium-ion batteries: a review
Authors: Bini Marcella
Published: March 2024

The main request to be fulfilled for the wide distribution of electric vehicles is the availability of fast-charging lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, fast charging accelerates the degradation of a battery, particularly at ambient temperature, and the main responsible one is the anode compartment. The research is indeed devoted to developing new anode materials for LIBs with outstanding performances at high rates. FeNb11O29 (FNO), a double shear phase, also known as a Wadsley–Roth phase, with an intrinsic pseudocapacitance, was recently proposed as anode in LIBs, thanks to its high theoretical capacity (400 mAh g−1), high operating voltage (~ 1.6 V vs Li+/Li) and an amazing structural stability. In this review, after the discussion of strengths and weaknesses of FNO, the structural features of both its polymorphic forms, with a particular focus on the niobium and iron neighbourhoods, will be described. Then, the working mechanism and the structure-electrochemistry relationships will be treated, with an in-depth analysis of the pseudo-capacitive behaviour, i.e., the key to understand its electrochemical performances. The strategies to mitigate its main drawbacks, i.e., the poor electronic conductivity and the limited lithium diffusion, will be also dealt with. In the final paragraph, the electrochemical performances of some other analogues niobates will be briefly described.
Non-Invasive Hardware Trojans Modeling and Insertion: A Formal Verification Approach
Authors: Ibrahim Hala , Azmi Haytham , El-Kharashi M. Watheq , Safar Mona
Published: March 2024

In modern chip designs, shared resources are used extensively. Arbiters usage is crucial to settle conflicts when multiple requests compete for these shared resources. Making sure these arbiter circuits work correctly is vital not just for their proper functionality, but also for security reasons. The work in this paper introduces a method based on formal verification to thoroughly assess the proper functional aspects of various arbiter setups. This is achieved through SystemVerilog assertions and model checking. Additionally, we explore a non-invasive method for the modeling and insertion of different types of hardware Trojans. These Trojans, with their unique triggers and payloads, are modeled formally without the need for any alterations to the actual circuit. The results provide a detailed analysis of the cost involved in running the formal verification environment on versions of arbiters that are free from Trojans. This analysis is carried out using Questa PropCheck formal analysis tool, which offers valuable insights into the time and memory resources required. Furthermore, the results highlights how the formally modeled and inserted Trojans interfere with hold criteria of the arbiters’ properties, where at least a single property fires due to the inserted Trojan. This work can be extended to be a generic approach with the potential to validate both the proper operation and security aspects of complex systems.
Alternative vegetation trajectories through passive habitat rewilding: opposite effects for animal conservation
Authors: Jiménez-Franco María V. , Graciá Eva , Rodríguez-Caro Roberto C. , Anadón José D. , Wiegand Thorsten , Giménez Andrés
Published: March 2024

Context

Passive habitat rewilding after rural abandonment can affect wildlife differently depending on the type of habitats that it generates.

Objective

Evaluate and compare the effects of two alternative vegetation trajectories that occur through passive habitat rewilding in Mediterranean ecotone areas (crop-scrub and crop-pine forest transitions) on the long-term population dynamics of animal species.

Methods

We used the spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca), a characteristic long-lived species of cultural landscapes, as study species. We applied a spatially explicit and individual-based model (STEPLAND) to simulate the movement and demographic processes in a long-term period, by comparing an “impact scenario” (i.e., historical land-use changes) to a “control scenario” (no land-use changes).

Results

The two landscape scenarios resulted in different population trends. In the crop-scrub scenarios (control and impact), population densities increased similarly over time. However, the crop-pine forest scenario negatively affected population density throughout the simulation period, and showed a time-lag response of three decades. The extinction risk was 55% with a time-lag response of approximately 110 years.

Conclusions

Our study highlights the need to analyse the legacy effects on long-lived ectotherms, using them as a proxy to understand the future effects of dynamic landscapes created by “passive habitat rewilding”. Our results showed how traditional agriculture in Mediterranean ecotone areas may generate “ecotone effects” (i.e. increase in demographical parameters), but also population extinction on long-lived ectotherms. Therefore, we consider it relevant to maintain traditional agricultural areas in Mediterranean landscapes, especially in ecotone areas associated with pine forests (generating mosaics with open habitats).
Transition to Motherhood: Adverse Childhood Experiences, and Support from Partner, Family and Friends
Authors: Mathijssen J. J. P. , Dirks E. , van Bakel H. J. A.
Published: March 2024

Background

The complex identity changes women have to go through to become mothers makes it a challenging transitional period. Especially, mothers who have experienced childhood adversity (ACEs) may be vulnerable to poor adjustment to motherhood. However, support from a partner, family and friends can act as a buffer to cope with this challenging transitional period. Therefore, the aim was to study whether ACEs and experienced social support (partners, family, and friends) were related to the adjustment to motherhood or ‘motherhood constellation’ of women after the birth of their first child.

Method

Data were collected via an online questionnaire among first-time mothers from June–September 2020. Motherhood constellation was measured with four items based on the descriptions by (Stern, 1995) about the motherhood constellation, i.e. worries about Life/Growth, Emotional Engagement, Support Systems, Identity Organisation. Multiple regression analyses with pairwise deletion were conducted.

Results

ACEs were related to all four themes of motherhood constellation, indicating that the more frequent these adverse experiences occurred in the past the more concerns, both about the child and herself, the mother had. Moreover, after controlling for ACEs and other forms of support, only support from friends was related to the use of support systems and identity organisation. Finally, statistically significant interactions were found between ACES and support from friends with life/growth and between ACES and support from family with identity organisation. These interactions indicated that contrary to the expectation the positive association between mother’s ACEs and worries was stronger for mothers who experienced more support.

Conclusion

The consequences of ACEs seemed to show up in the transition to motherhood, indicating that interventions targeting first-time mothers should address the motherhood constellation that may arise from earlier adverse life experiences. Moreover, especially support from friends seemed to be associated with less worries among mothers. Social support has no buffering effect for the negative consequences of ACEs on the themes of motherhood constellation. Further research is clearly needed to get more insight into these themes and to understand the meaning of different types of social support during the transition to motherhood.
Intuitionistic Fuzzy Extreme Learning Machine with the Truncated Pinball Loss
Authors: Gao Qingyun , Ai Qing , Wang Wenhui
Published: March 2024

Fuzzy extreme learning machine (FELM) is an effective algorithm for dealing with classification problems with noises, which uses a membership function to effectively suppress noise in data. However, FELM has the following drawbacks: (a) The membership degree of samples in FELM is constructed by considering only the distance between the samples and the class center, not the local information of samples. It is easy to mistake some boundary samples for noises. (b) FELM uses the least squares loss function, which leads to sensitivity to feature noise and instability to re-sampling. To address the above drawbacks, we propose an intuitionistic fuzzy extreme learning machine with the truncated pinball loss (TPin-IFELM). Firstly, we use the K-nearest neighbor (KNN) method to obtain local information of the samples and then construct membership and non-membership degrees for each sample in the random mapping feature space based on valuable local information. Secondly, we calculate the score value of samples based on the membership and non-membership degrees, which can effectively identify whether the boundary samples are noises or not. Thirdly, in order to maintain the sparsity and robustness of the model, and enhance the stability of the resampling of the model, we introduce the truncated pinball loss function into the model. Finally, in order to solve more efficiently, we employ the concave-convex procedure (CCCP) to solve TPin-IFELM. Extensive comparative experiments are conducted on the benchmark datasets to verify the superior performance of TPin-IFELM.
Hyperspectral Image Classification Based on 3D–2D Hybrid Convolution and Graph Attention Mechanism
Authors: Zhang Hui , Tu Kaiping , Lv Huanhuan , Wang Ruiqin
Published: March 2024

Convolutional neural networks and graph convolutional neural networks are two classical deep learning models that have been widely used in hyperspectral image classification tasks with remarkable achievements. However, hyperspectral image classification models based on graph convolutional neural networks using only shallow spectral or spatial features are insufficient to provide reliable similarity measures for constructing graph structures, limiting their classification performance. To address this problem, we propose a new end-to-end hyperspectral image classification model combining 3D–2D hybrid convolution and a graph attention mechanism (3D–2D-GAT). The model utilizes the collaborative work of hybrid convolutional feature extraction module and GAT module to improve classification accuracy. First, a 3D–2D hybrid convolutional network is constructed and used to quickly extract the discriminant deep spatial-spectral features of various ground objects in hyperspectral image. Then, the graph is built based on deep spatial-spectral features to enhance the feature representation ability. Finally, a network of graph attention mechanism is adopted to learn long-range spatial relationship and distinguish the intra-class variation and inter-class similarity among different samples. The experimental results on three datasets, Indian Pine, the University of Pavia and Salinas Valley show that the proposed method can achieve higher classification accuracy compared with other advanced methods.
Exploratory factor analysis and Rasch analysis to assess the structural validity of the Adult Social Care Outcomes Toolkit Proxy version (ASCOT-Proxy) completed by care home staff
Authors: Rand Stacey , Towers Ann-Marie , Allan Stephen , Webster Lucy , Palmer Sinead , Carroll Rachael , Gordon Adam , Akdur Gizdem , Goodman Claire
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Rasch analysis and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) were used to evaluate the structural validity of the ASCOT-Proxy measures completed by staff on behalf of older adults resident in care homes, by comparison to the ASCOT-SCT4, the measure of social care-related quality of life (SCRQoL) from which the ASCOT-Proxy was developed.

Methods

EFA was conducted on the ASCOT-SCT4 and the two ASCOT-Proxy measures (Proxy-Proxy, Proxy-Resident), to determine if they retained the single factor of the original ASCOT-SCT4 measure found in samples of older community-dwelling adults. Rasch analysis was also applied to measures with a single factor structure in the EFA.

Results

ASCOT-Proxy-Resident had a single factor structure, as did the original ASCOT-SCT4 (also, found in this analysis when completed by care home staff). The ASCOT-Proxy-Proxy had a two factor structure. Rasch analysis of ASCOT-Proxy-Resident and ASCOT-SCT4 had an acceptable model fit, internal consistency and met the assumptions of unidimensionality and local independence. There was evidence of less than optimal distinguishability at some thresholds between responses, and low frequency of rating of the ‘high level needs’.

Conclusion

The ASCOT-Proxy-Resident is a valid instrument of SCRQoL for older adults resident in care homes, completed by staff proxies. Due to the two-factor structure, which differs from the original ASCOT-SCT4, we do not recommend the use of the ASCOT-Proxy-Proxy measure, although collecting data as part of the ASCOT-Proxy questionnaire may support its feasibility and acceptability. Further qualitative study of how care home staff complete and perceive the ASCOT-Proxy is encouraged for future studies.
Fastlomap: faster lead optimization mapper algorithm for large-scale relative free energy perturbation
Authors: Furui Kairi , Ohue Masahito
Published: March 2024

In recent years, free energy perturbation calculations have garnered increasing attention as tools to support drug discovery. The lead optimization mapper (Lomap) was proposed as an algorithm to calculate the relative free energy between ligands efficiently. However, Lomap requires checking whether each edge in the FEP graph is removable, which necessitates checking the constraints for all edges. Consequently, conventional Lomap requires significant computation time, at least several hours for cases involving hundreds of compounds, and is impractical for cases with more than tens of thousands of edges. In this study, we aimed to reduce the computational cost of Lomap to enable the construction of FEP graphs for hundreds of compounds. We can reduce the overall number of constraint checks required from an amount dependent on the number of edges to one dependent on the number of nodes by using the chunk check process to check the constraints for as many edges as possible simultaneously. Based on the analysis of the execution profiles, we also improved the speed of cycle constraint and diameter constraint checks. Moreover, the output graph is the same as that obtained using the conventional Lomap, enabling direct replacement of the original one with our method. With our improvement, the execution was hundreds of times faster than that of the original Lomap.
Atmospheric Particulate Matter and Associated Trace Elements Pollution in Bangladesh: A Comparative Study with Global Megacities
Authors: Kumar Sazal , Saha Narottam , Mohana Anika Amir , Hasan Md. Sabbir , Rahman M. Safiur , Elmes Michele , MacFarlane Geoff R.
Published: March 2024

Air quality degradation due to high levels of atmospheric particulate matter (PM) of various size fractions and the associated potentially toxic trace elements (PTEs) is a global concern. This article provides a thorough review and analysis of the temporal and spatial distribution of PM and PTEs in Bangladesh, offering a comprehensive assessment with other megacities worldwide based on existing literature. This study provides insights into the sources and transport mechanisms of PM and their link to human health. The level of PM was consistently high in Dhaka (capital of Bangladesh), with occasional higher levels in the surrounding cities. Different functional areas within Bangladesh show varying levels of PM, with total suspended particulates (TSP) being notably prevalent. When compared to megacities worldwide, African and Asian megacities, like India, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Egypt, exhibited higher PM concentrations. The concentration of PM-associated PTEs varies significantly among megacities and PM10 tends to have relatively higher concentrations of PTEs compared to other fractions in Bangladesh. Pb in ambient air was found across most megacities, with a temporal increase in Bangladesh. TSP exhibited the highest relative Pb content, followed by PM10 and PM2.5. Temporal factors, geographic locations, meteorological conditions, and anthropogenic activities contribute to the variation in PM and associated PTEs concentration in Bangladesh and global megacities. Ultimately, this study would aid policymakers in assessing the magnitude of PM pollution in Bangladesh compared to other megacities considering regional factors.
Geochemical Evaluation of Manganese Neutralization Sludge for Mn-Containing Mine Drainage Treatment
Authors: Furukori Yusuke , Oyama Keishi , Fuchida Shigeshi , Tokoro Chiharu
Published: March 2024

Conventional neutralization treatment for manganese (Mn)-bearing mine drainage provides a challenge of cost-efficiency, and new approaches should be explored for efficient removal of Mn. We focused on Mn neutralization sludge, a by-product of the Mn-bearing drainage treatment process, which was assumed to be useful as a water purification material. Mn and zinc (Zn) removal tests in simulated drainage were performed using Mn neutralization sludge, and the reaction mechanism was elucidated using geochemical modeling and X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) analysis. The results showed that the addition of sludge enabled to lower the Mn and Zn concentration below Japanese effluent standard (10 mg dm−3 for Mn; 2 mg dm−3 for Zn) within 1 h. Furthermore, heavy metal immobilization was achieved at neutral pH (7–8) with the sludge addition, while the conventional neutralization process without adding the sludge requires higher pH (>10) to lower Mn concentration. These removal behaviors were not explainable by considering only well-known phenomena: hydroxide precipitation, surface complexation reaction onto δ-MnO2, and autocatalytic Mn oxidation. Hence, we advanced the geochemical model for simulation, suggesting that a surface complexation reaction onto γ-MnOOH greatly contributed to the removal of Mn. Besides, Zn was calculated to be predominantly precipitated as ZnMn2O4. Solid residue analysis by XAFS measurement supported the result of above calculation, validating the reliability of the constructed geochemical model. Overall, we concluded that the advanced geochemical model would be useful in predicting the Mn and Zn behavior during mine drainage treatment with Mn neutralization sludge.

Graphical abstract
Teachers’ use of data from digital learning platforms for instructional design: a systematic review
Authors: Hase Alina , Kuhl Poldi
Published: March 2024

Data-based decision-making is a well-established field of research in education. In particular, the potential of data use for addressing heterogeneous learning needs is emphasized. With data collected during the learning process of students, teachers gain insight into the performance, strengths, and weaknesses of their students and are potentially able to adjust their teaching accordingly. Digital media are becoming increasingly important for the use of learning data. Students can use digital learning platforms to work on exercises and receive direct feedback, while teachers gain data on the students’ learning processes. Although both data-based decision-making and the use of digital media in schools are already widely studied, there is little evidence on the combination of the two issues. This systematic review aims to answer to what extent the connection between data-based decision-making and the use of digital learning platforms has already been researched in terms of using digital learning data for further instructional design. The analysis of n = 11 studies revealed that the use of data from digital learning platforms for instructional design has so far been researched exploratively. Nevertheless, we gained initial insights into which digital learning platforms teachers use, which data they can obtain from them, and how they further use these data.
Unlocking the Everdoor: analyzing the serious game Spiritfarer
Authors: Glaser Noah , Jensen Lucas , Riedy Tina , Center Maggie , Shifflett Jim , Griffin Joseph
Published: March 2024

This qualitative research study aims to examine the potential of the commercially available serious game, Spiritfarer. The study focuses on the game's unique approach to serious themes and its ability to facilitate discussions about grief. A grounded theory approach was used to analyze lived experience descriptions from 54 participants. Findings indicate that Spiritfarer can impact gamers' outlook, knowledge, and behaviors, particularly related to grief, empathy, and loss management. The game achieves this through effective game design principles that generate emotional reactions and establish a connection between the narrative, characters, and players.
Diagnostic Accuracy of the Primary Care PTSD for DSM-5 Screen (PC-PTSD-5) in Demographic and Diagnostic Subgroups of Veterans
Authors: Tiet Quyen Q. , Tiet Thien-Nha
Published: March 2024

Background

The Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5) is a screening instrument designed to identify patients with probable PTSD and is mandated to be used in VA primary care settings. However, validation of the diagnostic accuracy of the instrument is lacking in various demographic and diagnostic groups.

Objective

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the PC-PTSD-5 in demographically and diagnostically stratified groups of VA primary care patients.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Based on a sample of 519 VA primary care patients (40.61% response rate), the PC-PTSD-5 was evaluated against a criterion measure, examining its sensitivity, specificity, and other diagnostic properties. Evaluations were conducted in demographically stratified patient groups, including gender, age, race/ethnicity, marital status, and education, as well as diagnostically stratified groups, in patients with and without a depression, alcohol use, and drug use disorder.

Main Measures

The MINI-International Neuropsychiatric Interview was the criterion measure against which the PC-PTSD-5 was evaluated.

Key Results

Among the 10 demographically stratified groups of patients, the PC-PTSD-5 demonstrated a sensitivity between 81.25% (95% C.I.: 54.35 – 05.95) and 100% (95% C.I.: 63.06 – 1000) and its specificity ranged from 80.54% (95% C.I.: 74.70 – 85.55) to 88.31% (95% C.I.: 83.45 – 92.15). Among the 6 diagnostically stratified groups of patients (with and without depression, alcohol use, and drug use disorders), the PC-PTSD-5 exhibited a sensitivity between 88.89% (95% C.I.: 65.29 – 98.62) and 95.92% (95% C.I.: 86.02 – 99.50), and its specificity varied from 60.00% (95% C.I.: 40.60 – 77.34) to 88.14% (95% C.I.: 84.50 – 91.19).

Conclusions

The PC-PTSD-5, suitable for a diverse range of VA primary care patients, shows satisfactory sensitivity and specificity across various demographic and diagnostic groups. Healthcare providers should be cautious of false positives in patients with depression or substance use disorders, given the potential symptom overlap with PTSD.
A lightweight multi-task learning network based on key area guidance for counterfeit detection
Authors: Yang Yaotian , Yang Yu , Zhou Linna , Zou Jixin
Published: March 2024

Counterfeit detection traditionally relies on manual efforts, but manual detection efficiency is notably low. The accuracy of deep learning methods is challenging because of the insufficient samples, so it is crucial to allow the model to learn effective representation at a lower training cost. Given the above problems, we proposed a lightweight multi-task learning method that employs an uncomplicated auxiliary task to enhance the main task’s attention and reduce the training sample requirements. A key area guidance algorithm is designed to construct the auxiliary task, disturbing key image areas to generate new samples and training the auxiliary task to recognize the disturbance. This guides the main task in discerning authenticity from these key areas. Additionally, a tailored data preprocessing strategy was designed to improve the method’s performance further. Achieving an impressive 98.8% accuracy in identifying various counterfeiting points, our method outperforms existing advanced methods. Importantly, the method significantly reduces training costs. Even with an 80% reduction in the sample size, the method maintains a 92.1% accuracy, demonstrating minimal performance degradation compared to alternative methods.