bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Time interval between the onset of connective tissue disease symptoms and first contact with a rheumatologist: results from the German National Database of collaborative arthritis centers
Authors: Kernder Anna , Thiele Katja , Chehab Gamal , Schneider Matthias , Callhoff Johanna
Published: June 2023

The long-term outcome of connective tissue diseases is associated with the time from symptom onset to diagnosis. To understand gaps in care, we determine whether the length of time between symptom onset and first presentation to a rheumatologist has changed in Germany in recent decades. We analyzed data on patients diagnosed with connective tissue diseases (n = 19,662) collected from the German National Database of the Regional Cooperative Rheumatology Centers. We reviewed the onset of relevant symptoms listed at first presentations from 1993 to 2018 and performed a quantitative analysis of the intervals until first presentation to a rheumatologist. We compared time intervals and performed a linear mixed regression model with random effects to identify associated factors. Although the interval between the onset of symptoms and first presentation to a rheumatologist has diminished since 1980 for all connective tissue diseases, there has been no relevant improvement during the past 2 decades. The interval between symptoms and presentation increases with patients age for all connective tissue diseases (e.g., Systemic sclerosis; for each 10-year-increment of patients age: β 0.41, CI 0.38; 0.44). Among those diagnosed with systemic sclerosis, the mean interval was 1.5 years (95% CI 1.1; 1.8) for male patients and 2.6 years (95% CI 2.4; 2.8) for females. Patients presenting with different degrees of disease severity on their first visits and with different educational levels had similar mean intervals between symptoms and first presentation regardless of their final diagnoses. Over the past 2 decades, the time to first consultation with a rheumatologist has not continued to improve in Germany, but has stagnated at the same level. Selected patient subgroups, such as older patients with suspected connective tissue diseases and female patients with suspected systemic sclerosis, are at risk to present late and may in particular benefit from an earlier referral to a rheumatologist.
Paediatric pineal region cysts: enigma or impaired neurofluid system?
Authors: Ludwig Hans C. , Dreha-Kulaczewski Steffi , Bock Hans Christoph
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Pineal region cysts (PCs) may affect the tectum and aqueduct and cause deep central vein congestion. Beside headaches, PC often causes a broad range of symptoms, leading to prolonged diagnosis and therapy. The aims of this study are to reveal parameters that might explain the ambiguity of the symptoms and to identify factors in association with the respiration-driven neurofluid system.

Methods

This retrospective study included 28 paediatric patients (mean age 11.6 years) who received surgical treatment and 18 patients (mean age 11.3 years) who were followed conservatively. Symptoms, time to diagnosis, cyst size, ventricular indices, head circumference and postoperative outcome, were analysed. Four patients were investigated for CSF dynamics with real-time MRI. The mean follow-up time was 1.6 years.

Results

The most common early onset symptoms were headaches (92%), blurred vision (42.8%), sleep disturbances (39.3%) and vertigo (32.1%). Tectum contact was observed in 82% of patients, and MRI examinations revealed that imaging flow void signals were absent in 32.1% of patients. The maximal cyst diameters were 13.7 × 15.6 mm (mean). Together with a postoperative flow void signal, 4 patients recovered their respiration-driven CSF aqueductal upward flow, which was not detectable preoperatively. After surgery the main symptoms improved.

Conclusion

Despite proximity to the aqueduct with frequently absent flow void signals, hydrocephalus was never detected. Data from real-time MRI depicted a reduced preoperative filling of the ventricular CSF compartments, indicating a diminished fluid preload, which recovered postoperatively.
Mental body representations of women with tattoos in emerging adulthood — a cluster analysis
Authors: Jabłońska Klaudia , Mirucka Beata
Published: June 2023

Tattoo is a permanent body modification relevant to women’s bodily experiences. Previous studies on the population of tattooers have focused mainly on searching for negative or positive aspects of tattooing, mainly in the field of self-esteem. The aim of this study was to explore the mental body representations of tattooed women during emerging adulthood. Three hundred and twenty-seven women with tattoos, aged 18 to 25 (M = 21.48; SD = 2.05), participated in the study. In the study, we adopted a quantitative research project; the data for analysis was obtained from questionnaires that were completed online between January and March 2021. Women with tattoos completed a survey containing demographic questions, questions regarding their tattoos, the Battery of Tests of Body Self Representations, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Based on that a cluster analysis, we have discovered three types of mental body representations that may characterize them: (1) unstable, (2) disordered, and (3) integrated. The study showed that having a tattoo is associated with experiencing carnality in a specific way.
The kinetics of SARS-CoV-2 viremia in COVID-19 patients receiving remdesivir
Authors: Krifors Anders , Karlsson Linda , Ekman Martin , Lorant Camilla , Skorup Paul
Published: June 2023

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in serum, viremia, has been linked to disease severity and outcome. The kinetics of viremia in patients receiving remdesivir has not been thoroughly studied and could help predict treatment response and outcome. We investigated the kinetics of SARS-CoV-2 viremia and factors associated with baseline viremia, viral clearance and 30-day mortality in patients receiving remdesivir. An observational study including 378 hospitalised patients (median age 67 years, 67% male) sampled with serum SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR within ± 24 h of initiation of remdesivir treatment. Baseline viremia was present in 206 (54%) patients with a median Ct value of 35.3 (IQR = 33.3–37.1). In patients with baseline viremia, the estimated probability of viral clearance was 72% by day 5. Ct values decreased significantly during remdesivir treatment for viremic patients, indicating an increase in viral load. In total, 44 patients (12%) died within 30 days, and mortality was significantly associated with viremia at baseline (OR = 2.45, p = 0.01) and lack of viral clearance by day 5 (OR = 4.8, p =  < 0.01). Viral clearance was not associated with any individual risk factor. Viremia appears to be a prognostic marker before and during remedesivir treatment. The resolution of viremia was similar to patients not receiving remdesivir in other studies, and the decrease in Ct values during treatment questions the antiviral capacity of remdesivir in vivo. Prospective studies are warranted to confirm our findings.
Cognitive functioning in postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome among different body positions: a prospective pilot study (POTSKog study)
Authors: Maier Andrea , Schopen Lena , Thiel Joana C. , Müller Katharina , Fimm Bruno , Schulz Jörg B.
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Approximately 96% of patients with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (PoTS) report cognitive complaints. We investigated whether cognitive function is impaired during sitting and active standing in 30 patients with PoTS compared with 30 healthy controls (HCs) and whether it will improve with the counter manoeuvre of leg crossing.

Methods

In this prospective pilot study, patients with PoTS were compared to HCs matched for age, sex, and educational level. Baseline data included norepinephrine plasma levels, autonomic testing and baseline cognitive function in a seated position [the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, the Leistungsprüfsystem (LPS) subtests 1 and 2, and the Test of Attentional Performance (TAP)]. Cognitive functioning was examined in a randomized order in supine, upright and upright legs crossed position. The primary outcomes were the cognitive test scores between HCs and patients with PoTS at baseline testing, and among the different body positions.

Results

Patients with PoTS had impaired attention (TAP median reaction time) in the seated position and impaired executive functioning (Stroop) while standing compared with HC. Stroop was influenced by position (supine versus upright versus upright legs crossed) only in the PoTS group. Leg crossing did not result in an improvement in executive function. In patients with PoTS, there was a negative correlation of Stroop with norepinephrine plasma levels while standing.

Conclusion

Compared with HCs, PoTS participants showed impaired cognitive attention and executive function in the upright position that did not improve in the legs crossed position. Data provide further evidence for orthostatic cognitive deterioration in patients with PoTS.

Trial Registration Information

The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03681080).
Theories of Growth and Propagation of Parallel Whistler-Mode Chorus Emissions: A Review
Authors: Hanzelka Miroslav , Santolík Ondřej
Published: June 2023

The significant role of nonlinear wave–particle interactions in the macrodynamics and microdynamics of the Earth’s outer radiation belt has long been recognised. Electron dropouts during magnetic storms, microbursts in atmospheric electron precipitation, and pulsating auroras are all associated with the rapid scattering of energetic electrons by the whistler-mode chorus, a structured electromagnetic emission known to reach amplitudes of about $$1\%$$

1
%

of the ambient magnetic field. Despite the decades of experimental and theoretical investigations of chorus and the recent progress achieved through numerical simulations, there is no definitive theory of the chorus formation mechanism, not even in the simple case of parallel (one-dimensional) propagation. Here we follow the evolution of these theories from their beginnings in the 1960s to the current state, including newly emerging self-consistent excitation models. A critical review of the unique features of each approach is provided, taking into account the most recent spacecraft observations of the fine structure of chorus. Conflicting interpretations of the role of resonant electron current and magnetic field inhomogeneity are discussed. We also discuss the interplay between nonlinear growth and microscale propagation effects and identify future theoretical and observational challenges stemming from the two-dimensional aspects of chorus propagation.
Examining the Acceptance of Blockchain by Real Estate Buyers and Sellers
Authors: Yeoh William , Lee Angela Siew Hoong , Ng Claudia , Popovic Ales , Han Yue
Published: June 2023

Buying and selling real estate is time consuming and labor intensive, requires many intermediaries, and incurs high fees. Blockchain technology provides the real estate industry with a reliable means of tracking transactions and increases trust between the parties involved. Despite the benefits of blockchain, its adoption in the real estate industry is still in its infancy. Therefore, we investigate the factors that influence the acceptance of blockchain technology by buyers and sellers of real estate. A research model was designed based on the combined strengths of the unified theory of technology acceptance and use model and the technology readiness index model. Data were collected from 301 real estate buyers and sellers and analyzed using the partial least squares method. The study found that real estate stakeholders should focus on psychological factors rather than technological factors when adopting blockchain. This study adds to the existing body of knowledge and provides valuable insights to real estate stakeholders on how to implement blockchain technology.
One center experience with a personalized frozen-thawed embryo transfer in patients with recurrent implantation failure
Authors: Edimiris Philippos , Doehmen Cornelius , Baston-Buest Dunja Maria , Kruessel Jan-Steffen , Bielfeld Alexandra Petra
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Displaced endometrial receptivity has been discussed as a possible cause of recurrent implantation failure in patients undergoing assisted reproductive technology. The aim of this study was to document our experience with the endometrial receptivity analysis in patients with recurrent implantation failure.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study, conducted at the Fertility Centre of the University Hospital, Duesseldorf Germany, presents the results of the endometrial receptivity analysis in 67 patients with recurrent implantation failure and compares the clinical outcome between these 67 patients who underwent a personalized frozen-thawed embryo transfer guided by the results of the endometrial receptivity analysis and 32 patients with recurrent implantation failure who performed a standardized frozen-thawed embryo transfer.

Results

The data analysis revealed a displaced endometrial receptivity in 73% (49/67) of all tested patients. Out of these patients, 24% (12/49) were early receptive, 74% (36/49) were pre-receptive, and 2% (1/49) were post-receptive. Comparison of pregnancy rate, clinical pregnancy rate, and live-birth rate between personalized (49%, 39%, 27%, respectively) and standardized embryo transfer (44%, 31%, 19%, respectively) reveals no statistically significant difference. In both groups, patients had an average of four unsuccessful embryo transfers.

Conclusion

In this cohort of patients with recurrent implantation failure, the endometrial receptivity analysis showed a high incidence of displaced endometrial receptivity. However, a personalized embryo transfer did not increase reproductive outcome. Displaced endometrial receptivity might not be the main cause for recurrent implantation failure in this cohort.
Is spontaneous echo contrast associated with device-related thrombus or embolic events after left atrial appendage occlusion? - Insights from the multicenter German LAARGE registry
Authors: Fastner Christian , Müller Claus , Brachmann Johannes , Lewalter Thorsten , Akin Ibrahim , Sievert Horst , Käunicke Matthias , Zeymer Uwe , Hochadel Matthias , Schneider Steffen , Senges Jochen , Erkapic Damir , Weiß Christian
Published: June 2023

Background

Interventional left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) provides an alternative to oral anticoagulation (OAC) for prophylaxis of thromboembolic events (TEs) in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients, predominantly in those with high bleeding risk and contraindications for long-term OAC. Although spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) is a well-known risk factor for atrial thrombus formation, little is known about whether this means an increased risk of device-related thrombus (DRT) or TEs following LAAO.

Methods

This substudy of the prospective, multicenter German LAARGE registry assessed two groups according to absence (SEC −) or presence of SEC (SEC +) in preprocedural cardiac imaging. Clinical and echocardiographic parameters were registered up to 1 year after LAAO.

Results

Five hundred eighty-eight patients (SEC − 85.5 vs. SEC + 14.5%) were included. More SEC + patients were implanted for OAC non-compliance (11.8 vs. 4.6%, p = 0.008) and a higher proportion received only antiplatelet therapy without OAC at hospital discharge (96.5 vs. 86.0%, p = 0.007). The SEC + patients had larger LA diameters (50 (47; 54) vs. 47 (43; 51) mm, p < 0.001), wider LAA ostia (21 (19; 23) vs. 20 (17; 22) mm at 45°, p = 0.011), and lower left ventricular ejection fraction (50 (45; 60) vs. 60 (50; 60) %, p < 0.001) on admission. Procedural success was very high in both groups (98.1%, p = 1.00). Periprocedural major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events and other major complications were rare in both groups (3.8 vs. 4.7%, p = 0.76). At follow-up, DRT was only detected in the SEC − group (3.8 vs. 0%, p = 1.00). The rates of TEs (SEC − 1.2 vs. SEC + 0%, p = 1.00) after hospital discharge and 1-year mortality (SEC − 12.0 vs. SEC + 11.8%, p = 0.96) were not significantly different between the two groups.

Conclusions

Presence of SEC at baseline was not associated with an increased rate of DRT or TEs at 1-year follow-up after LAAO in LAARGE.
Navier–Stokes–Fourier system with phase transitions
Authors: Watson Stephen J.
Published: June 2023

We consider the Navier–Stokes–Fourier ($$\mathcal NSF$$NSF) system for a class of compressible fluids that exhibit agas-liquidphase transition at low temperatures. For the initial-boundary value problem corresponding to thermally insulated end-points that are held at a constant pressure, we establish the existence and uniqueness of temporally global classical solutions. A novel feature of the analysis presented here is the derivation ofuniformpoint-wise apriori estimates on the specific volume, which refines the non-uniform estimates framework developed in Watson (Arch Ration Mech Anal 153:1–37, 2000).
Investigating the role of preference variation in the perceptions of railway passengers in Great Britain
Authors: Monsuur Fredrik , Enoch Marcus , Quddus Mohammed , Meek Stuart
Published: June 2023

This study explores the factors associated with passenger satisfaction on the UK railways. To uncover taste variation, the data was segmented into three homogeneous groups of passengers through a latent class ordered logit model, whereby the class allocation was based on observed personal and trip characteristics. The findings suggest that there is significant variation in the impact of service attributes on overall satisfaction across the segments, ‘class a’, ‘class b’ and ‘class c’. Class a (15% of the sample) consists of moderately dissatisfied to highly dissatisfied passengers, for whom ‘punctuality/reliability’ is most impactful on overall satisfaction. Respondents in this class are much more likely to experience adverse service conditions such as delays or crowding conditions. Class b (32% of the sample) consists of passenger who are quite critical and moderately satisfied, for whom ‘hedonic’ factors such as ‘upkeep and repair of the train’ and ‘seat comfort’ were most impactful. Finally, class c (53% of the sample) consists of passengers that are generally satisfied, and for whom the ‘value for money of the ticket price’ is most impactful on overall satisfaction. Interestingly, for both ‘class b’ and ‘class c’, ‘punctuality/reliability’ plays a more limited role in determining overall satisfaction compared to ‘class a’. This suggests that the role of ‘punctuality/reliability’ in determining overall satisfaction is more complex than presented in the literature thus far. Finally, unobserved taste variation plays an important role in the model, as the class allocation is not always easily linked to observed groups in the data. This paper thus highlights the importance of accounting for unobserved and systematic sources of heterogeneity in the data and could provide useful insights for analysts, policy makers and practitioners, to provide more targeted strategies to improve passenger satisfaction.
Positive antiphospholipid antibodies: observation or treatment?
Authors: Grygiel-Górniak Bogna , Mazurkiewicz Łukasz
Published: June 2023

Antiphospholipid antibodies (APLAs) are  primarily directed toward phospholipid-binding proteins and are responsible for thrombotic events. APLAs include anti-β2Glycoprotein I (anti-β2GPI), anticardiolipin (anti-CL) antibodies, and lupus anticoagulant. These antibodies are typical markers of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and are a part of its diagnostic criteria. Many data underline the presence of APLAs in other rheumatic diseases (e.g., systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, Sjögren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis and Behçet’s disease). However, they are also detected in patients with cancer, infection, and neurological disorders. Furthermore, healthy individuals may be carriers of APLAs. Chronic asymptomatic APLAs presence is most common in the elderly and subjects with chronic diseases (including malignancies). Specific kinds of APLAs are considered markers of oncological progression. These antibodies occur in 6% of pregnant women (without diagnosed APS) and are related to many pregnancy complications. Of worth, various types of APLAs are reported to have different prothrombotic properties. The risk of thrombotic events in APLA-positive but clinically naïve patients raises many questions in clinical practice. This manuscript analyses various clinical situations and consequences of the APLAs’ presence, particularly in patients without diagnosed APS. The prevalence, etiology, molecular background, and prothrombotic properties of numerous APLAs are broadly discussed. The new management approach in different clinical conditions and organ complications is present in the context of recent recommendations. Discussed data underlines that adequate and timely introduced thromboprophylaxis can decrease the risk of thrombus formation and prevent increased morbidity.
Microscale Modelling of Flow, Heat and Mass Transport During Vacuum Cooling of Porous Foods: Effective Property Computation
Authors: Ajani Clement Kehinde , Zhu Zhiwei , Sun Da-Wen
Published: June 2023

A microscale modelling framework to compute effective properties related to flow, heat and mass transfer during vacuum cooling (VC) of porous foods was developed. A heterogeneous computational domain reconstructed from steamed bread (SB) was used for modelling, while the cellular water transport in SB investigated using nuclear magnetic resonance was applied for model validation. The computed porosity (63.47 ± 1.05%), effective permeability (1.91 ± 0.39 × 10−11 m2), effective thermal conductivity, (0.33 ± 0.08 W m−1 K−1), and effective diffusivity (5.56 ×  ± 0.24 10−8 m2 s−1) were in the same range as those measured from the experiment/literature. Also, the analysis revealed that microstructural variability significantly affected the estimated effective properties. The microscale model yielded results similar to the lumped formulation but provided details not visible in the latter. Therefore, the developed model provides a framework for multiscale modelling, which could lead to a better understanding of the underlying moisture loss mechanisms during VC.
A Family of Approaches for Full 3D Reconstruction of Objects with Complex Surface Reflectance
Authors: Addari Gianmarco , Guillemaut Jean-Yves
Published: June 2023

3D reconstruction of general scenes remains an open challenge with current techniques often reliant on assumptions on the scene’s surface reflectance, which restrict the range of objects that can be modelled. Helmholtz Stereopsis offers an appealing framework to make the modelling process agnostic to surface reflectance. However, previous formulations have been almost exclusively limited to 2.5D modelling. To address this gap, this paper introduces a family of reconstruction approaches that exploit Helmholtz reciprocity to produce complete 3D models of objects with arbitrary unknown reflectance. This includes an approach based on the fusion of (orthographic or perspective) view-dependent reconstructions, a volumetric approach optimising surface location within a voxel grid, and a mesh-based formulation optimising vertices positions of a given mesh topology. The contributed approaches are evaluated on synthetic and real datasets, including novel full 3D datasets publicly released with this paper, with experimental comparison against a wide range of competing methods. Results demonstrate the benefits of the different approaches and their abilities to achieve high quality full 3D reconstructions of complex objects.
Blur Invariants for Image Recognition
Authors: Flusser Jan , Lébl Matěj , Šroubek Filip , Pedone Matteo , Kostková Jitka
Published: June 2023

Blur is an image degradation that makes object recognition challenging. Restoration approaches solve this problem via image deblurring, deep learning methods rely on the augmentation of training sets. Invariants with respect to blur offer an alternative way of describing and recognising blurred images without any deblurring and data augmentation. In this paper, we present an original theory of blur invariants. Unlike all previous attempts, the new theory requires no prior knowledge of the blur type. The invariants are constructed in the Fourier domain by means of orthogonal projection operators and moment expansion is used for efficient and stable computation. Applying a general substitution rule, combined invariants to blur and spatial transformations are easy to construct and use. Experimental comparison to Convolutional Neural Networks shows the advantages of the proposed theory.
Portus, New Contributions to its Research: Construction Systems and Dating of the East–West Docks
Authors: Meléndez Javier Bermejo , Campos Juan M. , Meléndez Alberto Bermejo , Sutilo Lucía Fernández , Sebastiani Renato , Sánchez Hernando L. J.
Published: June 2023

The archaeological site of Portus (Ostia Antica), is a most important ports of the ancient world. Since 2017, the University of Huelva, in collaboration with the Archaeological Park of Ostia Antica, has been developing a research project on one of its interior piers, the so-called lantern. Said east–west structure or pier is the best example of its category in the port complex. With a length of about 150 m. the latest research has provided numerous and interesting data on its architecture and diachrony, highlighting significant phases in its evolution from its construction to its final abandonment in the beginnings of the Middle Ages. Therefore, the results presented here represent a significant novelty in the general knowledge of Portus and in that of its docks in particular.
Factors associated with weight gain in pre- and post-menopausal women receiving adjuvant endocrine therapy for breast cancer
Authors: Uhelski Anna-Carson Rimer , Blackford Amanda L. , Sheng Jennifer Y. , Snyder Claire , Lehman Jennifer , Visvanathan Kala , Lim David , Stearns Vered , Smith Karen Lisa
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Weight gain after breast cancer poses health risks. We aimed to identify factors associated with weight gain during adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET).

Methods

Women initiating AET enrolled in a prospective cohort. Participants completed FACT-ES plus PROMIS pain interference, depression, anxiety, fatigue, sleep disturbance and physical function measures at baseline, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 months. Treatment-emergent symptoms were defined as changes in scores in the direction indicative of worsening symptoms that exceeded the minimal important difference at 3 and/or 6 months compared to baseline. We used logistic regression to evaluate associations of clinicodemographic features and treatment-emergent symptoms with clinically significant weight gain over 60 months (defined as ≥ 5% compared to baseline) in pre- and post-menopausal participants.

Results

Of 309 participants, 99 (32%) were pre-menopausal. The 60 months cumulative incidence of clinically significant weight gain was greater in pre- than post-menopausal participants (67% vs 43%, p < 0.001). Among pre-menopausal participants, treatment-emergent pain interference (OR 2.49), aromatase inhibitor receipt (OR 2.8), mastectomy, (OR 2.06) and White race (OR 7.13) were associated with weight gain. Among post-menopausal participants, treatment-emergent endocrine symptoms (OR 2.86), higher stage (OR 2.25) and White race (OR 2.29) were associated with weight gain while treatment-emergent physical function decline (OR 0.30) was associated with lower likelihood of weight gain.

Conclusions

Weight gain during AET is common, especially for pre-menopausal women. Clinicodemographic features and early treatment-emergent symptoms may identify at risk individuals.

Implications for cancer survivors

Patients at risk for weight gain can be identified early during AET.

Clinical trials.gov identifier

NCT01937052, registered September 3, 2013.
Additive manufacturing of flexible 3D surface electrodes for electrostatic adhesion control and smart robotic gripping
Authors: Kim Dong Geun , Je Hyeongmin , Hart A. John , Kim Sanha
Published: June 2023

Mechanically flexible surface structures with embedded conductive electrodes are attractive in contact-based devices, such as those used in reversible dry/adhesion and tactile sensing. Geometrical shapes of the surface structures strongly determine the contact behavior and therefore the resulting adhesion and sensing functionalities; however, available features are often restricted by fabrication techniques. Here, we additively manufacture elastomeric structure arrays with diverse angles, shapes, and sizes; this is followed by integration of conductive nanowire electrodes. The fabricated flexible three-dimensional (3D) surface electrodes are mechanically compliant and electrically conductive, providing multifunctional ability to sense touch and to switch adhesion via a combined effect of shear- and electro adhesives. We designed soft, anisotropic flexible structures to mimic the gecko’s reversible adhesion, which is governed by van der Waals forces; we integrated nanowires to further manipulate the localized electric field among the adjacent flexible 3D surface electrodes to provide additional means to digitally tune the electrostatic attraction at the contact interface. In addition, the composite surface can sense the contact force via capacitive sensing. Using our flexible 3D surface electrodes, we demonstrate a complete soft gripper that can grasp diverse convex objects, including metal, ceramic, and plastic products, as well as fresh fruits, and that exhibits 72% greater electroadhesive gripping force when voltage is applied.
The role of construction materials by accelerated carbonation in mitigation of CO2 considering the current climate status: a proposal for a new cement production model
Authors: Carvalho Vitor , Castro-Gomes João , Luo Shuqiong
Published: June 2023

This work presents the evolution of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to the atmosphere with data from 2009 to 2019, considering three sources and respective emission sectors. In the first section, a reflection on CO2 emissions today is developed to compare the amount that has been removed from the atmosphere with present technologies and systems. Secondly, the current study consists, in part, of a scrutiny of the areas and subareas of capture, utilisation and storage of CO2 that are considered nowadays. A revision on the current development of a direct air capture technology regarding commercial implementation, economic viability, and importance in mitigating global warming is also presented here. The importance of the construction sector (building and infrastructure) as a path to achieve climate neutrality, considering the new materials based on accelerated carbonation, is highlighted. Construction materials based on accelerated carbonation have the potential to use and store several quantities of CO2. This work brings forward a new model of construction material production based on innovative technologies developed to reduce the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere, also considering its economic viability. In general, it is presented the latest research developments in building material area that allow mitigating global warming. The form of reflection concluded on the current technological development in this area and the major future challenges that still need to be achieved.
A Reduction in Antenatal Steroid Dose Was Associated with Reduced Cardiac Dysfunction in a Sheep Model of Pregnancy
Authors: Kumagai Yusaku , Kemp Matthew W. , Usuda Haruo , Takahashi Tsukasa , Takahashi Yuki , Hamada Hirotaka , Schmidt Augusto F. , Hanita Takushi , Watanabe Shimpei , Sato Shinichi , Ikeda Hideyuki , Fee Erin L. , Furfaro Lucy , Newnham John P. , Jobe Alan H. , Yaegashi Nobuo , Saito Masatoshi
Published: June 2023

Despite widespread use, dosing regimens for antenatal corticosteroid (ACS) therapy are poorly unoptimized. ACS therapy exerts a programming effect on fetal development, which may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Having demonstrated that low-dose steroid therapy is an efficacious means of maturing the preterm lung, we hypothesized that a low-dose steroid exposure would exert fewer adverse functional and transcriptional changes on the fetal heart. We tested this hypothesis using low-dose steroid therapy (10 mg delivered to the ewe over 36 h via constant infusion) and compared cardiac effects with those of a higher dose treatment (30 mg delivered to the ewe over 24 h by intramuscular injection; simulating currently employed clinical ACS regimens). Fetal cardiac function was assessed by ultrasound on the day of ACS treatment initiation. Transcriptomic analyses were performed on fetal myocardial tissue. Relative to saline control, fetuses in the higher-dose clinical treatment group had significantly lower ratios between early diastolic ventricular filling and ventricular filling during atrial systole, and showed the differential expression of myocardial hypertrophy-associated transcripts including βMHC, GADD45γ, and PPARγ. The long-term implications of these changes remain unstudied. Irrespective, optimizing ACS dosing regimens to maximize respiratory benefit while minimizing adverse effects on key organ systems, such as the heart, offers a means of improving the acute and long-term outcomes associated with this important obstetric therapy.
Structure-property correlation of alumina/nickel composites for their mechanical and electrical properties
Authors: Seo Yeongjun , Shi Shengfang , Goto Tomoyo , Cho Sunghun , Sekino Tohru
Published: May 2023

Al2O3/nickel (Ni) composites were fabricated via hot-press sintering at 1400 °C to investigate the effects of microstructure on their mechanical and electrical properties. For this purpose, various amounts of Ni metal particles (5–20 vol%) were dispersed in Al2O3 ceramics. All the composites were highly densified, with a theoretical density of over 97%, and microstructural observations revealed elongated Ni phases and strong Al2O3/Ni interfaces. The Young’s moduli of the composites with 5–15 vol% Ni content were higher than that of the pure Al2O3 matrix. Additionally, all the composites showed higher fracture toughness than the pure Al2O3 ceramic matrix, owing to toughening mechanisms such as crack deflection and bridging between Al2O3 grains. This microstructural evolution also affected the formation of continuous conductive pathways connecting the elongated Ni particles. As a result, the electrical resistivity of the composite dramatically decreased to 3.6 × 103 Ωcm at 15 vol% Ni and was further reduced to 1.1 × 102 Ωcm when the volume fraction of Ni was increased to 20 vol%. These results suggest that controlling the amount of Ni, which greatly affects the microstructural evolution, can simultaneously enhance the mechanical and electrical properties of Al2O3/Ni composites.
Time Series for Data Scientists
Authors: Sanchez Juana
Published: June 2023

Learn by doing with this user-friendly introduction to time series data analysis in R. This book explores the intricacies of managing and cleaning time series data of different sizes, scales and granularity, data preparation for analysis and visualization, and different approaches to classical and machine learning time series modeling and forecasting. A range of pedagogical features support students, including end-of-chapter exercises, problems, quizzes and case studies. The case studies are designed to stretch the learner, introducing larger data sets, enhanced data management skills, and R packages and functions appropriate for real-world data analysis. On top of providing commented R programs and data sets, the book's companion website offers extra case studies, lecture slides, videos and exercise solutions. Accessible to those with a basic background in statistics and probability, this is an ideal hands-on text for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as researchers in data-rich disciplines
Land Tenure Rights and Short- and Long-term Agricultural Practices: Empirical Evidence From Burkina Faso
Authors: Diendéré Achille Augustin , Wadio Jean-Paul
Published: June 2023

This study examines the impact of land tenure rights on the adoption of short- and long-term agricultural practices and the impact of these practices on the income and food insecurity for rural households in Burkina Faso. The bivariate probit model and propensity score matching are used to analyze data collected from 4,398 rural households. The results show that ownership of permanent land rights only increases the likelihood of adopting long-term agricultural practices. In addition, adoption of short-term practices increases household income and reduces food insecurity, while adoption of long-term practices only increases household income.
Pliocene–Pleistocene hydrology and pluvial lake during Marine Isotope Stages 5a and 4, Deep Springs Valley, western Great Basin, Inyo County, California
Authors: Knott Jeffrey R. , Mahan Shannon A. , Bright Jordon , Langer Lindsey , Ramirez Adam , McCarty Kyle , Garcia Anna L.
Published: June 2023

Deep Springs Valley (DSV) is a hydrologically isolated valley between the White and Inyo mountains that is commonly excluded from regional paleohydrology and paleoclimatology. Previous studies showed that uplift of Deep Springs ridge (informal name) by the Deep Springs fault defeated streams crossing DSV and hydrologically isolated the valley sometime after eruption of the Pleistocene Bishop Tuff (0.772 Ma). Here, we present tephrochronology and clast counts that reaffirms interruption of the Pliocene–Pleistocene hydrology and formation of DSV during the Pleistocene. Paleontology and infrared stimulated luminescence (IRSL) dates indicate a freshwater lake inundated Deep Springs Valley from ca. 83–61 ka or during Late Pleistocene Marine Isotope Stages 5a (MIS 5a; ca. 82 ka peak) and 4 (MIS 4; ca. 71–57 ka). The age of pluvial Deep Springs Lake coincides with pluvial lakes in Owens Valley and Columbus Salt Marsh and documents greater effective precipitation in southwestern North America during MIS 5a and MIS 4. In addition, we hypothesize that Deep Springs Lake was a balanced-fill lake that overflowed into Eureka Valley via the Soldier Pass wind gap during MIS 5a and MIS 4. DSV hydrology has implications for dispersal and endemism of the Deep Springs black toad (Anaxyrus exsul).
“Migration Background” versus “Nazi Background”: (German) Debates on Post-Nazism, Post-Migration, and Postcolonialism
Authors: Rupnow Dirk
Published: June 2023

The politics of history and memory culture have recently been the topic of increased discussion again—and this discussion has by no means been cool-headed, but hot, with a high potential for conflict. An argument is ongoing in the public sphere over which (hi)stories are present and visible and which are not, who is being recognized and who is not, as well as what is being forgotten, repressed, or tacitly accepted in this context. Corresponding to this general development, a debate is currently ongoing in the German press that has been dubbed “Historikerstreit 2.0,” or “the historians’ debate reloaded.” The controversy was initially sparked by a discussion about the Cameroonian intellectual Achille Mbembe, his position toward the State of Israel, and his involvement with the BDS movement, before continuing on to a discussion about Michael Rothberg's book Multidirectional Memory when it was published in a German translation. Finally, the debates deepened with the controversy surrounding Dirk Moses's polemics concerning an ostensible “German catechism” with regard to Holocaust commemoration.
The Perniciousness of Higher-Order Evidence on Aesthetic Appreciation
Authors: Sackris David , Larsen Rasmus Rosenberg
Published: June 2023

We demonstrate that many philosophers accept the following claim: When an aesthetic object is apprehended correctly, taking pleasure in said object is a reliable sign that the object is aesthetically successful. We undermine this position by showing that what grounds our pleasurable experience is opaque: In many cases, the experienced pleasure is attributable to factors that have little to do with the aesthetic object. The evidence appealed to is a form of Higher-Order Evidence (HOE) and we consider attempts to overcome said evidence. We argue they are unsuccessful. We conclude by considering what this means for our practice of making aesthetic judgements.
Demystifying the Theory of the Unity of Knower and Known: A Comparative Study of the Views of Ṣadrā and Shoemaker Regarding Self-Knowledge
Authors: Sarkarpour Zahra , Khazaei Zahra
Published: June 2023

Mullā Ṣadrā explains self-knowledge through the notion of knowledge-by-presence, which refers to the immediate presence of the known before the knower. A puzzling component of this view is his idea that knower and known have a relationship of unity with one another. Reflection on Sydney Shoemaker's account of self-knowledge can help us uncover Ṣadrā's motivation for this puzzling idea. We show that Ṣadrā was motivated by his awareness of the concept of self-blindness, a notion introduced into contemporary philosophy by Shoemaker.
Gas Phase Chemistry in Comets
Authors: Oppenheimer M.
Published: May 2023

Present theories for the formation of molecular species observed in comets predict the sublimation of parent molecules such as H2O, CH4, CO2, and NH3, from the surface of the nucleus and their subsequent photodissociation and ionization to form the observed species (Delsemme 1973). It can be shown (Oppenheimer 19 75) that gas phase chemical reactions occur between these fragments which have characteristic timescales which are short compared to the timescale for significant variation in the solar flux incident on the comet. Hence, a steady-state approximation may be used for determining the densities of many species. It can also be shown (Oppenheimer 1975) that the rate of formation of many species is faster by gas phase reactions than by photoprocess. For instance, the formation of OH+ from H2O+ by the reaction

H2O+ + O + → OH+ + OH
Expected Scientific Results on Ballistic Spacecraft Missions to Comet Encke During the 1980 Apparition
Authors: Mumma Michael J.
Published: May 2023

This paper summarizes three proposed ballistic spacecraft missions to intercept P/Encke during the 1980 apparition, establishes a baseline physical activity model for P/Encke, and assesses the performance of the neutral mass spectrometer and of the Imaging experiment on each intercept mission, Many of the most fundamental questions about comets are unlikely ever to be answered by ground-based or near-earth observations alone, and a direct intercept of a comet by an appropriately instrumented spacecraft is required in order to directly study the comet and its intercept mission.
Lightweight mechatronic system for humanoid robot
Authors: Jeong Jaesik , Yang Jeehyun , Christmann Guilherme Henrique Galelli , Baltes Jacky
Published: June 2023

This paper presents the technical specifications of a lightweight humanoid robot platform named Robinion Sr. including its mechanical and electrical design. We describe a versatile and robust mechatronic system, efficient walking gait, and software architecture of the humanoid robot. The humanoid robot platform is targeted for use in a range of applications, including research and development, competitions, and the service industry. A reduced platform cost was an essential consideration in our design. We introduce a specialized and inexpensive mechanical design, which includes a parallel-kinematics leg design, external gears, and low-cost controllers and sensors. The humanoid robot is equipped with an efficient electronic structure and a tablet computer for task scheduling, control, and perception, as well as an embedded controller for solving forward & inverse kinematics and low-level actuator control. The perception system recognizes objects at real-time inference with Deep Learning-based detection algorithms without a dedicated GPU. We present and evaluate the capabilities of our newly developed advanced humanoid robot and believe it is a suitable platform for the academic and industrial robotics community.
Fascism, Reality, Shit, and the German Stage
Authors: Friedman Andrew
Published: June 2023

The controversial performances of Jonathan Meese and the duo Vegard Vinge and Ida Müller uncouple the presumed alliance between fascist politics and aesthetics. Provocatively repurposing fascist iconography and thought, Meese and Vinge/Müller defend art’s autonomy against the contamination of reality and reimagine how contemporary artists grapple with Germany’s past.
Embodied and Immersed Is the New Professional - Reconstruction, Replication and Re-enactment in the Humanities and Social Sciences. Edited by Sven Dupré, Anna Harris, Julia Kursell, Patricia Lulof, and Maartje Stols-Witlox. Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press, 2020; 298 pp. €124.00 cloth, e-book available. - Experimenting with Ethnography: A Companion to Analysis. Edited by Andrea Ballestero and Brit Ross Winthereik. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2021; 301 pp. $104.95 cloth, $27.95 paper, e-book available. - Transmissions: Critical Tactics for Making and Communicating Research. Edited by Kat Jungnickel. Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press, 2020; 264 pp.; illustrations. $35.00 cloth. - Theatre and Performance in the Neoliberal University: Responses to an Academy in Crisis. Edited by Kim Solga. Abingdon: Routledge, 2020; 262 pp.; illustrations. $160.00 cloth, $48.95 paper, e-book available.
Authors: Gluzman Yelena
Published: June 2023

Three recent anthologies in science and technology studies show how standards for scholarly professionalization are changing. Such changes may facilitate new alliances for theatre faculty plagued by old feuds and the increasingly neoliberal university.
Polish natural language inference and factivity: An expert-based dataset and benchmarks
Authors: Ziembicki Daniel , Seweryn Karolina , Wróblewska Anna
Published: June 2023

Despite recent breakthroughs in Machine Learning for Natural Language Processing, the Natural Language Inference (NLI) problems still constitute a challenge. To this purpose, we contribute a new dataset that focuses exclusively on the factivity phenomenon; however, our task remains the same as other NLI tasks, that is prediction of entailment, contradiction, or neutral (ECN). In this paper, we describe the LingFeatured NLI corpus and present the results of analyses designed to characterize the factivity/non-factivity opposition in natural language. The dataset contains entirely natural language utterances in Polish and gathers 2432 verb-complement pairs and 309 unique verbs. The dataset is based on the National Corpus of Polish (NKJP) and is a representative subcorpus in regard to syntactic construction [V][że][cc]. We also present an extended version of the set (3035 sentences) consisting more sentences with internal negations. We prepared deep learning benchmarks for both sets. We found that transformer BERT-based models working on sentences obtained relatively good results ($\approx 89\%$F1 score on base dataset). Even though better results were achieved using linguistic features ($\approx 91\%$F1 score on base dataset), this model requires more human labor (humans in the loop) because features were prepared manually by expert linguists. BERT-based models consuming only the input sentences show that they capture most of the complexity of NLI/factivity. Complex cases in the phenomenon—for example, cases with entitlement (E) and non-factive verbs—still remain an open issue for further research.