bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Full-scale fatigue testing of a cast-iron wind turbine rotor shaft
Authors: Kyling Hans , Siddiqui Muhammad Omer
Published: March 2023

Spheroidal graphite cast iron (EN-GJS), which provides a high degree of design flexibility and the possibility for lightweight design, has benefits as a material for use in structural parts in wind turbines. Comparing components made using the sand casting technique to those made using the chill casting process reveals significant potential to boost strength. However, at present, there is neither a proven design guideline nor reliable material input data for a lightweight component based on this material and fabrication process. This publication presents the results from the Gusswelleproject in chronological order. It starts with the explanation of the final setup and test plan for the full-scale rotor shaft fatigue experiment. The elaborated sensor and operational concept are then presented together with an adequate finite element method (FEM) model of the specimen and relevant neighboring components. The validation of this FEM model to ensure that the loading and the resulting local strains representing the real test bench situation is described. The usage of non-destructive testing to document the condition of the specimen from initial crack formation until integrity loss is explained followed by a comparison between the component fatigue test results and the material-based life-time forecast. A strength increase for chill-cast large components in the range of 50% is indicated. Simulation-based crack propagation studies are performed to qualitatively verify the loads responsible for the observed cracks of the component test and to further develop the possible method for crack predictions.
Development of a pre-screening-method for the qualification of environmentally acceptable lubricants for stern tube systems—The evaluation of friction efficiency and scuffing capacity
Authors: Bürger Marius , Jacobs Georg , von Goeldel Stephan , König Florian
Published: March 2023

Lubricants for stern tube systems are subject to increasingly stringent requirements in terms of environmental compatibility, as any lubricant leakage leads to contamination of the sea. As a result, interest in environmentally acceptable lubricants (EALs) is increasing. Biodegradable ester lubricants represent a possible alternative to conventional, mineral oil-based lubricants. In addition to environmental compatibility requirements, these ester lubricants must also meet tribological requirements. In this study, suitable tribometers were therefore combined in a pre-screening method to cost-effectively test lubricants for their tribological requirements (friction efficiency, wear protection and scuffing capacity). For this purpose, the contact parameters are transferred from the real conditions in the stern tube system’s journal bearing and from the standardized component tests (FZG for gears and FE8 for rolling bearings) to tribological model tests on a Mini-Traction-Machine (MTM, PCS Instruments). The result of the study is a method for the pre-screening of EALs under the application-related journal bearing and standardized component test conditions, respectively. The results show an influence of the lubricant composition on the friction efficiency in fluid friction as well as the transition point from fluid to mixed friction. Furthermore, an influence of the lubricant composition on the scuffing capacity could be shown. The results of friction efficiency and scuffing capacity confirm also a high reproducibility for those pre-screening tests.
Validation of the Italian version of the Cluster Headache Impact Questionnaire (CHIQ)
Authors: Onofri Agnese , Iannone Luigi Francesco , Granato Antonio , Garascia Gabriele , Bartole Luca , Manganotti Paolo , Vollono Catello , Romozzi Marina , Sottani Costanza , Calabresi Paolo , Tassorelli Cristina , Sances Grazia , Allena Marta , De Icco Roberto , De Cesaris Francesco , Burgalassi Andrea , Chiarugi Alberto , Baraldi Carlo , Guerzoni Simona , Prudenzano Maria Pia , Fallacara Adriana , Albanese Maria , Rainero Innocenzo , Coppola Gianluca , Casalena Alfonsina , Mampreso Edoardo , Pistoia Francesca , Sarchielli Paola , Morson Marisa , Sacco Simona , Geppetti Pierangelo , Ornello Raffaele ,   on behalf of the Italian Headache Registry (RICe) Study Group
Published: March 2023

Background

The Cluster Headache Impact Questionnaire (CHIQ) is a specific and easy-to-use questionnaire to assess the current impact of cluster headache (CH). The aim of this study was to validate the Italian version of the CHIQ.

Methods

We included patients diagnosed with episodic CH (eCH) or chronic CH (cCH) according to the ICHD-3 criteria and included in the “Italian Headache Registry” (RICe). The questionnaire was administered to patients through an electronic form in two sessions: at first visit for validation, and after 7 days for test-retest reliability. For internal consistency, Cronbach’s alpha was calculated. Convergent validity of the CHIQ with CH features and the results of questionnaires assessing anxiety, depression, stress, and quality of life was evaluated using Spearman’s correlation coefficient.

Results

We included 181 patients subdivided in 96 patients with active eCH, 14 with cCH, and 71 with eCH in remission. The 110 patients with either active eCH or cCH were included in the validation cohort; only 24 patients with CH were characterized by a stable attack frequency after 7 days, and were included in the test-retest cohort. Internal consistency of the CHIQ was good with a Cronbach alpha value of 0.891. The CHIQ score showed a significant positive correlation with anxiety, depression, and stress scores, while showing a significant negative correlation with quality-of-life scale scores.

Conclusion

Our data show the validity of the Italian version of the CHIQ, which represents a suitable tool for evaluating the social and psychological impact of CH in clinical practice and research.
Solar-powered algal production on vegetable processing industry wastewater at pilot scale
Authors: Martín-Marroquín Jesús M. , Garrote Lidia , Hidalgo Dolores , Moustakas Konstantinos , Barampouti Elli Maria , Mai Sofia
Published: March 2023

Τhis paper proposed a sustainable treatment scheme for effluents from fruit and vegetable processing industries with high organic load that combined heterotrophic microalgae cultivation with microalgae spray drying producing end-products of commercial interest (biofertilisers and/or animal feed). A pilot plant was operated with feedstock from a fruit and vegetable processing industry and its final products were assessed. The pilot plant was powered by renewable energy (solar energy supported by biomass), which minimized the carbon footprint and operating costs of the process. Through the ultimate analysis of the produced algae, it was evident that in all cases it could be commercialized as a solid NPK organic fertilizer being in line with the respective EU and Spanish legislation framework. As far as the animal feed perspective is concerned, the end-product of the pilot plant could be efficiently included in the feed of various animals, substituting a significant part of the animal feed required. The results from the implementation were used for the design of a full-scale implementation of the innovative treatment scheme, proving that 1.26 ton/d of microalgae could be produced, which could be later used as fertiliser and/or animal feed from the daily wastewater production of a medium sized fruit and vegetable processing company. From an environmental perspective, the proposed solution provides a gold standard example of the circular economy concept, since 1.15 kg CO2 equivalent per kg of sludge avoided could be saved. Additionally, the use of renewable energy (solar and biomass) will result in a saving of 0.531 kg of CO2 emissions per kWh consumed. Conclusively, the proposed treatment scheme could meet circularity and sustainability since the end-products quality permits their integration into new value chains.
Extracting exotic annual grass phenology and climate relations in western U.S. rangeland ecoregions
Authors: Benedict Trenton D. , Boyte Stephen P. , Dahal Devendra , Shrestha Dinesh , Parajuli Sujan , Megard Logan J.
Published: March 2023

This research builds upon the extensive body of work to model exotic annual grass (EAG) characteristics and invasion. EAGs increase wildland fire risk and intensifies wildland fire behavior in western U.S. rangelands. Therefore, understanding characteristics of EAG growth increases understanding of its dynamics and can inform rangeland management decisions. To better understand EAG phenology and spatial distribution, monthly weather (precipitation, minimum and maximum temperature) variables were analyzed for 24 level III ecoregions. This research characterizes EAGs’ phenology identified by a normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) threshold-based interpolation technique. An EAG phenology metric model was used to estimate a growing season dynamic for the years 2017–2021 for shrub and herbaceous land cover types in the western conterminous United States (66% of the area). The EAG phenology metrics include six growing season metrics such as start of season time, end of season time, and time of maximum NDVI during the growing season. The models’ cross validation results for Pearson’s r ranged from 0.88 to 0.95. Increased understanding of the effects that weather conditions have on EAG growth and spatial distribution can help land managers develop time-sensitive plans to protect entities deemed valuable to society like native habitat, wildlife, recreational areas, and air quality.
Camera-based Prospective Motion Correction in Paediatric Epilepsy Patients Enables EEG-fMRI Localization Even in High-motion States
Authors: Steinbrenner Mirja , McDowell Amy , Centeno Maria , Moeller Friederike , Perani Suejen , Lorio Sara , Maziero Danilo , Carmichael David W.
Published: March 2023

Background: EEG-fMRI is a useful additional test to localize the epileptogenic zone (EZ) particularly in MRI negative cases. However subject motion presents a particular challenge owing to its large effects on both MRI and EEG signal. Traditionally it is assumed that prospective motion correction (PMC) of fMRI precludes EEG artifact correction. Methods: Children undergoing presurgical assessment at Great Ormond Street Hospital were included into the study. PMC of fMRI was done using a commercial system with a Moiré Phase Tracking marker and MR-compatible camera. For retrospective EEG correction both a standard and a motion educated EEG artefact correction (REEGMAS) were compared to each other. Results: Ten children underwent simultaneous EEG-fMRI. Overall head movement was high (mean RMS velocity < 1.5 mm/s) and showed high inter- and intra-individual variability. Comparing motion measured by the PMC camera and the (uncorrected residual) motion detected by realignment of fMRI images, there was a five-fold reduction in motion from its prospective correction. Retrospective EEG correction using both standard approaches and REEGMAS allowed the visualization and identification of physiological noise and epileptiform discharges. Seven of 10 children had significant maps, which were concordant with the clinical EZ hypothesis in 6 of these 7. Conclusion: To our knowledge this is the first application of camera-based PMC for MRI in a pediatric clinical setting. Despite large amount of movement PMC in combination with retrospective EEG correction recovered data and obtained clinically meaningful results during high levels of subject motion. Practical limitations may currently limit the widespread use of this technology.
Game Theory and Demonstratives
Authors: Smit J. P.
Published: March 2023

This paper argues, based on Lewis’ claim that communication is a coordination game (Lewis in Minnesota studies in the philosophy of science, University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, pp 3–35, 1975), that we can account for the communicative function of demonstratives without assuming that they semantically refer. The appeal of such a game theoretical version of the case for non-referentialism is that the communicative role of demonstratives can be accounted for without entering the cul de sac of trying to construct conventions of ever-increasing complexity. Instead communication via demonstratives is explained with reference to the general, non-domain specific ability of human beings to solve games of coordination. Furthermore, there is empirical support for such a view. Judgments concerning demonstrative reference have been shown to be sensitive to judgments concerning common ground (Clark et al. in J Verb Learn Verb Behav 22:245–258, 1983), which is exactly what the non-referentialist account would predict. The game theoretical account also allows for an intuitively plausible, non-referentialist treatment of Speaks’ ‘trumping argument’ (Speaks in Philos Stud 174:709–734, 2017), as well as the Carnap/Agnew puzzle (Kaplan in Syntax Semant 9:221–43, 1970).
Establishing General Working Population Norms for the Cognitive Symptom Checklist-Work
Authors: Ehrenstein Johanna K. , Duijts Saskia F. A. , van Zon Sander K. R. , Amick Benjamin C. , Schagen Sanne B. , Bültmann Ute
Published: March 2023

Purpose: The Cognitive Symptom Checklist-Work (CSC-W) is a self-report measure to assess cognitive symptoms (i.e., memory and executive function) in working adults with cancer. To date, general working population norm data are lacking worldwide. We established CSC-W norm values in the general working population, and assessed associations of CSC-W scores with work and health-related factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study consisted of 1,000 Dutch working adults, of whom data was collected through an online respondent panel. The sample was stratified for sex and age, and data were weighted. Summary scores of the CSC-W total scale, and memory and executive function symptoms subscales, were determined (e.g., means, percentiles). Z- and T-scores were calculated, and analysis of (co)variance has been applied. Results: Cognitive symptom scores were relatively stable across age groups, but 18-39-year-old respondents reported lower memory and executive function than respondents in other age groups. Symptom scores of memory function (mean 29.1; SD = 16.7) were higher for all age groups and in both sexes compared to executive function (mean 22.1; SD = 16.8). No sex differences in memory and executive function were observed. Higher symptom scores were associated with performing non-manual work only, manual work only, self-reported long-term illness, and higher levels of depressive symptoms and fatigue. Conclusion: The CSC-W norms may enhance the interpretation and facilitate the analysis of self-reported cognitive symptoms in patients with cancer at work. Our findings may support health care professionals in identifying working adults with cancer with cognitive symptoms and in developing personalized treatment.
An Exact Solution Algorithm for Integer Bilevel Programming with Application in Energy Market Optimization
Authors: Kozanidis George , Kostarelou Eftychia
Published: March 2023

We develop an exact cutting plane solution algorithm for a special class of bilevel programming models utilized for optimal price-bidding of energy producers in day-ahead electricity markets. The proposed methodology utilizes a suitable reformulation in which a key prerequisite for global optimality, termed bilevel feasibility, is relaxed. Solving the problem to global optimality involves finding the price-offers of the strategic producer (upper-level decision variables) which maximize his self-profit upon clearing of the market and identification of the optimal energy quantity distribution (lower-level decision variables). To exclude from consideration the encountered bilevel infeasible solutions, the algorithm employs a special type of valid cuts drawn from the theory of integer parametric programming. The generation of these cuts involves finding the truly optimal lower-level solution using the strategic price-offers at the bilevel infeasible solution subject to exclusion and devising range intervals for these offers such that the optimality of this solution is retained when each of them lies in its corresponding interval. Each cut imposes a suitable part of this solution, under the condition that each price-offer belongs to its associated interval, which renders the bilevel infeasible solution invalid. We establish the theoretical framework for the development of the proposed algorithm, we illustrate its application on a small case study, and we present extensive computational results demonstrating its behavior and performance on random problem instances. These results indicate that the algorithm is capable of solving to global optimality considerably larger problems than those that a previous elementary version of the same algorithm could solve. This constitutes significant research contribution, considering the lack of generic optimization software for bilevel programming, as well as the fact that the applicability of specialized algorithms on problems of realistic size is rather limited.
A Comparative Study of Treatment Methods of Raw Sugarcane Bagasse for Adsorption of Oil and Diesel
Authors: G Anusha Y , Machado Avryl Anna , Mulky Lavanya
Published: March 2023

Current environmental trends show an increase in pollutant concentrations in water bodies. The alarming concern this poses has made it crucial to remove pollutants from water and eliminate them, owing to the host of issues they cause to the ecosystem. While sorption is a popular method of treating wastewater, there are several concerns regarding its accessibility, affordability, efficiency, and functioning toward a circular sustainable economy. The current study focuses on the feasibility of using sugarcane bagasse (SCB) to remove oil and diesel from water and proposes to do so without turning SCB into biochar, contrary to the usual method. Raw SCB was chemically treated using sodium hydroxide and acetic acid. With little pre-treatment, it was found to have improved sorption abilities with low input materials and environmental toxicity. Sorption experiments conducted on treated and untreated SCB showed the effects of different parameters on the oil or diesel removal efficiency. Furthermore, FTIR, BET, and SEM studies were conducted to characterize the intrinsic morphology and structure of the sorbent.
Emotional design of pedagogical agents: the influence of enthusiasm and model-observer similarity
Authors: Beege Maik , Schneider Sascha
Published: March 2023

Pedagogical agents were found to enhance learning but studies on the emotional effects of such agents are still missing. While first results show that pedagogical agents with an emotionally positive design might especially foster learning, these findings might depend on the gender of the agent and the learner. This study investigated whether emotional expressions performed by an on-screen instructor were able to increase learning outcomes while considering differences the gender of the agent and the learner. In a 2 (neutral vs. enthusiastic expressions) × 2 (female vs. male agent) between-subject design with additional consideration of the gender of the learner, data of 129 participants was collected. Results revealed that the manipulation of enthusiasm lead to higher perceptions of positive emotions. In addition, a pedagogical agent who performed enthusiastic expressions led to a higher retention but not transfer performance. In terms of the gender of the agent and the learner, male learners retained knowledge better when they watched the agent performing enthusiastic expression irrespective of the persona gender. Female learners, however, retained knowledge only better when a female agent performed enthusiastic expressions. Results are discussed in the light of the positivity principle, model-observer similarity hypotheses and current theories on social cues in multimedia learning.
Michigan Market Referral Coordination Initiative: a Regional Market Approach to VA Specialty Care
Authors: Cusick Alice , Gronek Julie , Gorman Mary , Hausman Mark S. , Schildhouse Richard J.
Published: March 2023

Background

The Maintaining Internal Systems and Integrated Outside Networks (MISSION) Act of 2018 was created in response to reports of prolonged wait times for veterans accessing health care within the Veterans Affairs (VA) system. In Michigan, the MISSION Act Community Care Program led to an increased number of veterans receiving specialty care outside the VA system, in part due to the complicated process of coordinating specialty care within the VA system. From 2018 to 2020, the percentage of veterans referred to the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System (AA) for specialty care from its two referring facilities, Battle Creek VA Medical Center (BC) and Saginaw VA Healthcare System (SAG), decreased from 54.4 to 27%.

Objective

Improve the number of Michigan veterans choosing VA specialty care.

Intervention

In 2021, three VA facilities in Michigan (AA, BC, and SAG) created a market-level referral system named the Michigan Market Referral Initiative (MMRCI). This unique approach used a centralized nurse-driven team to manage specialty referrals, working directly with the veteran to explore both VA and community care (CC) options.

Main Measures

Referrals triaged and acceptance rates for VA care were tracked. The localized Standard Episode of Care model was used to estimate cost savings. Post-intervention AA patient wait times were compared to local CC wait times.

Key Results

In the 14 months after implementation of the MMRCI, the rate of veteran retention increased by 32.4%. The estimated dollars retained within the VA by MMRCI efforts was $24,105,251 as of 7/1/2022. Post-intervention AA wait times were superior to community care except in 3 specialties.

Conclusions

This multifacility effort is an example of a highly coordinated, veteran-centered collaboration that has led to successful retention of veterans within the VA system with resultant large-scale cost avoidance and comparable clinic wait times. Focusing on central care coordination and veteran engagement in the referral process are keys to its success, along with leveraging existing referral patterns between nearby VA facilities. This model could be extrapolated to other VA markets throughout the country where similar relationships exist.
Racial-Ethnic Composition of Primary Care Practices and Comprehensive Primary Care Plus Initiative Participation
Authors: Rubio Karl , Fraze Taressa K. , Bibi Salma , Rodriguez Hector P.
Published: March 2023

Background

It remains unclear whether the racial-ethnic composition or the socioeconomic profiles of eligible primary care practices better explain practice participation in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Comprehensive Primary Care Plus (CPC+) program.

Objective

To examine whether practices serving high proportions of Black or Latino Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) beneficiaries were less likely to participate in CPC+ in 2021 compared to practices serving lower proportions of these populations.

Design

2019 IQVIA OneKey data on practice characteristics was linked with 2018 CMS claims data and 2021 CMS CPC+ participation data. Medicare FFS beneficiaries were attributed to practices using CMS’s primary care attribution method.

Participants

11,718 primary care practices and 7,264,812 attributed Medicare FFS beneficiaries across 18 eligible regions.

Methods

Multivariable logistic regression models examined whether eligible practices with relatively high shares of Black or Latino Medicare FFS beneficiaries were less likely to participate in CPC+ in 2021, controlling for the clinical and socioeconomic profiles of practices.

Main Measures

Proportion of Medicare FFS beneficiaries attributed to each practice that are (1) Latino and (2) Black.

Key Results

Of the eligible practices, 26.9% were CPC+ participants. In adjusted analyses, practices with relatively high shares of Black (adjusted odds ratio, aOR = 0.62, p < 0.05) and Latino (aOR = 0.32, p < 0.01) beneficiaries were less likely to participate in CPC+ compared to practices with lower shares of these beneficiary groups. State differences in CPC+ participation rates partially explained participation disparities for practices with relatively high shares of Black beneficiaries, but did not explain participation disparities for practices with relatively high shares of Latino beneficiaries.

Conclusions

The racial-ethnic composition of eligible primary care practices is more strongly associated with CPC+ participation than census tract–level poverty. Practice eligibility requirements for CMS-sponsored initiatives should be reconsidered so that Black and Latino beneficiaries are not left out of the benefits of practice transformation.
Phase Equilibrium Studies in the CaO–SiO2–Al2O3–MgO System with MgO/CaO Ratio of 0.2
Authors: Liao Jinfa , Qing Gele , Zhao Baojun
Published: March 2023

With the raw materials for ironmaking are becoming increasingly complex, more accurate control of blast furnace operation is essential to reduce the energy cost and CO2 emission. CaO–SiO2–Al2O3–MgO is a basic system of ironmaking slag in which CaO and MgO are mainly come from the flux, SiO2 and Al2O3 are mainly from the raw materials. Effect of raw material composition on phase equilibrium of the slag can be described by a pseudo-ternary system (CaO + MgO)–SiO2–Al2O3 at a fixed MgO/CaO ratio of 0.2. High-temperature experiments have been carried out in this system, and the quenched samples were analyzed by an electron-probe microanalyzer. The results are presented in a pseudo-ternary phase diagram (CaO + MgO)–SiO2–Al2O3 with a fixed MgO/CaO weight ratio of 0.2. Dicalcium silicate (Ca2SiO4), Melilite (2CaO·MgO·2SiO2–2CaO·Al2O3·SiO2), spinel (MgO·Al2O3), merwinite (3CaO·MgO·2SiO2), and anorthite (CaO·Al2O3·2SiO2) are the major primary phases in the composition range investigated. A series of pseudo-binary phase diagrams have been constructed to demonstrate the applications of phase diagram on blast furnace operation. CaO-rich cordierite solid solution has been first time reported with the accurate compositions and microstructure. The liquidus temperatures and solid solution compositions are compared between the experimental data and FactSage predictions to provide useful information for optimization of the thermodynamic database.
Analysis of Ancient Slag Inclusion-Metal Systems as a Method to Disclose Processing Thermo-chemical Parameters: The Case Study of a Medieval Lombard Steel Bar from Northern Italy
Authors: Merico Paolomarco , Faccoli Michela , Cornacchia Giovanna
Published: March 2023

An archaeometallurgical characterization of a VI to VII century Lombard steel bar from Ponte di Val Gabbia I site (northern Italy) was performed to reconstruct its manufacturing process and extract processing thermochemical parameters (i.e., temperature and oxygen chemical potential) from the slag inclusion-metal systems. Metallographic observations by optical microscopy and Vickers microhardness measurements indicated that the steel bar was forged from a heterogeneous steel lump, most probably an iron bloom, which was cooled in the air after the forging process. The chemical composition of non-metallic inclusions was determined by scanning electron microscopy coupled with X-ray dispersive spectroscopy. A multivariate statistical analysis of the smelting-derived non-metallic inclusions chemistry allowed to conclude that the steel bar was obtained by the direct or bloomery method. Under the hypothesis of local near-equilibrium conditions for the slag inclusion-metal systems, a thermodynamic-based strategy was adopted to estimate the firing conditions in the bloomery furnace in terms of both temperature and oxygen chemical potential of the reducing gas atmosphere. In particular, the computed temperatures are in the range of 1003 °C to 1171 °C, whereas the values of oxygen chemical potential vary between − 447.47 and − 385.79 kJ/mol.
The Impact of Contact: Isotope Geochemistry Sheds Light on the Lives of Indigenous Australians Living on the Colonial Frontier in Late 19th Century Queensland
Authors: Adams Shaun , Collard Mark , McGahan David , Martin Richard , Phillips Susan , Westaway Michael C.
Published: March 2023

Here, we report the first attempt to use isotope geochemistry to improve understanding of the experiences of Indigenous Australians living on the colonial frontier in late 19th century CE Australia. In the study, we analysed strontium (87Sr/86Sr), carbon (δ13C), and oxygen (δ18O) isotope ratios from the tooth enamel and dentine of six individuals who died in Normanton, Queensland, in the 1890s. The study was a collaboration between scientists and the local Traditional Owners, the Gkuthaarn and Kukatj people, and was carried out to promote truth and reconciliation. The enamel 87Sr/86Sr results suggest that the individuals moved to Normanton from three geologically distinct regions during the period of European expansion into the Gulf of Carpentaria, Cape York. This is consistent with the oral histories and historical documents, which suggest that many Indigenous people in the Gulf Country were displaced to camps on the outskirts of towns like Normanton because of European settlement. The δ13C values we obtained indicate that the individuals mostly ate C4 plants and/or C4-plant-consuming herbivores. When combined with the fact that some of the individuals’ teeth had dental caries, this suggests that the individuals may have had regular access to introduced foods. The enamel δ18O values are high compared to an international comparative sample, at 0.72–4.69‰ VPDB. We suspect the elevated values are due to a combination of a high degree of preferential loss of 16O through evaporation of surface water, the amount effect associated with the Australian monsoon, and high prevalence of introduced infectious diseases. Together, the results of our study demonstrate that isotopic analysis of human remains has the potential to further illuminate the effects of European colonisation on Indigenous people in Australia. Perhaps most importantly in connection with this, our study’s results show that isotopic analyses of human remains can provide surprisingly detailed information about the lives of a category of Indigenous Australians who rarely appear in the documents written by early ethnographers and colonial officials—subadults. That the analysis of the skeletal remains of Indigenous Australians can now contribute to the truth and reconciliation process is an unexpected, interesting, and welcome development in the story of bioarchaeology in Australia.
Adipocytes reprogram prostate cancer stem cell machinery
Authors: Fontana Fabrizio , Anselmi Martina , Limonta Patrizia
Published: March 2023

It is now well-established that an obese condition correlates with a higher risk of prostate cancer (PCa). A crosstalk between adipose tissue and PCa has been observed but is still poorly characterized. Herein, we demonstrated that 3T3-L1 adipocyte conditioned media (CM) could endow PC3 and DU145 PCa cells with stemness properties, by stimulating their sphere formation ability and promoting CD133 and CD44 expression. Moreover, after exposure to adipocyte CM both PCa cell lines underwent partial epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), with E-/N-cadherin switch and Snail upregulation. Specifically, these changes in PC3 and DU145 cell phenotype were accompanied by increased tumor clonogenic activity and survival, as well as by enhanced invasion, anoikis resistance and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) production. Finally, adipocyte CM-treated PCa cells exhibited reduced responsiveness to both docetaxel and cabazitaxel, demonstrating greater chemoresistance. Overall, these data indicate that adipose tissue can effectively contribute to PCa aggressiveness by reprogramming the cancer stem cell (CSC) machinery.

Graphical abstract

Adipocytes endow prostate cancer cells with stem-like properties and mesenchymal traits, increasing their tumorigenicity, invasion and chemoresistance.
The ‘PERFECT’ PARTNER: UNDERSTANDING THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF MEN WHO OWN SEX DOLLS
Authors: Lievesley Rebecca , Reynolds Rebecca , Harper Craig A.
Published: March 2023

The ownership of sex dolls has become an increasingly discussed phenomenon in recent years, with legal scholars and legislators calling for increased regulation and criminalization of such articles. However, our knowledge of sex doll ownership is lacking, and the peer-reviewed literature is especially sparse on detailed phenomenological analyses of the motivations of sex doll owners and their experiences of owning a doll. In this study, we interviewed nine male owners of sex dolls to investigate these issues. Two main themes were elicited from the data: “the ‘perfect’ partner” and “sex doll or love doll?”. In understanding doll ownership in this way, we hope to add to ongoing social discussions about the types of people who own dolls, why they do so, and how dolls act as a functional aspect of their sexual (and nonsexual) lives.
Understanding left-wing authoritarianism: Relations to the dark personality traits, altruism, and social justice commitment
Authors: Krispenz Ann , Bertrams Alex
Published: March 2023

In two pre-registered studies, we investigated the relationship of left-wing authoritarianism with the ego-focused trait of narcissism. Based on existing research, we expected individuals with higher levels of left-wing authoritarianism to also report higher levels of narcissism. Further, as individuals with leftist political attitudes can be assumed to be striving for social equality, we expected left-wing authoritarianism to also be positively related to prosocial traits, but narcissism to remain a significant predictor of left-wing authoritarianism above and beyond those prosocial dispositions. We investigated our hypotheses in two studies using cross-sectional correlational designs. Two nearly representative US samples (Study 1: N = 391; Study 2: N = 377) completed online measures of left-wing authoritarianism, the Dark Triad personality traits, and two variables with a prosocial focus (i.e., altruism and social justice commitment). In addition, we assessed relevant covariates (i.e., age, gender, socially desirable responding, and virtue signaling). The results of multiple regression analyses showed that a strong ideological view, according to which a violent revolution against existing societal structures is legitimate (i.e., anti-hierarchical aggression), was associated with antagonistic narcissism (Study 1) and psychopathy (Study 2). However, neither dispositional altruism nor social justice commitment was related to left-wing anti-hierarchical aggression. Considering these results, we assume that some leftist political activists do not actually strive for social justice and equality but rather use political activism to endorse or exercise violence against others to satisfy their own ego-focused needs. We discuss these results in relation to the dark-ego-vehicle principle.
Integrating Economic Theory, Domain Knowledge, and Social Knowledge into Hybrid Sentiment Models for Predicting Crude Oil Markets
Authors: Kaplan Himmet , Weichselbraun Albert , Braşoveanu Adrian M. P.
Published: March 2023

For several decades, sentiment analysis has been considered a key indicator for assessing market mood and predicting future price changes. Accurately predicting commodity markets requires an understanding of fundamental market dynamics such as the interplay between supply and demand, which are not considered in standard affective models. This paper introduces two domain-specific affective models, CrudeBERT and CrudeBERT+, that adapt sentiment analysis to the crude oil market by incorporating economic theory with common knowledge of the mentioned entities and social knowledge extracted from Google Trends. To evaluate the predictive capabilities of these models, comprehensive experiments were conducted using dynamic time warping to identify the model that best approximates WTI crude oil futures price movements. The evaluation included news headlines and crude oil prices between January 2012 and April 2021. The results show that CrudeBERT+ outperformed RavenPack, BERT, FinBERT, and early CrudeBERT models during the 9-year evaluation period and within most of the individual years that were analyzed. The success of the introduced domain-specific affective models demonstrates the potential of integrating economic theory with sentiment analysis and external knowledge sources to improve the predictive power of financial sentiment analysis models. The experiments also confirm that CrudeBERT+ has the potential to provide valuable insights for decision-making in the crude oil market.
Concentration of Innovation Investments Along the Business Cycle
Authors: Mendi Pedro
Published: March 2023

This paper addresses the question of the impact of demand reductions on firms’ concentration of innovation investments. Evidence is drawn from the PITEC database, which includes a stable panel of firms yearly surveyed in the 2006–2013 period. Controlling for selection, firms in the sample are found, following a demand decrease, to reduce the number of innovation investment categories. The effect of demand decreases is stronger for small firms. No evidence is found of exporting being a moderator of the relationship between demand fluctuations and the concentration of innovation investments. These findings suggest that downturns reduce the diversity in the innovation of firms, which could potentially have long-lasting effects on their innovation activities, and, ultimately, on their competitiveness.
A spatiotemporal transferable image fusion technique for GeoEye-1 satellite imagery
Authors: Elshora Mohamed
Published: March 2023

This study proposed a novel technique to solve the problem of color distortion in the fusion of the GeoEye-1 satellite's panchromatic (PAN) and multispectral (MS) images. This technique suggested reducing the difference in radiometry between the PAN and MS images by using modification coefficients for the MS bands in the definition of the intensity (I) equation, which guarantees using only the overlapped wavelengths with the PAN band. These modification coefficients achieve spatiotemporal transferability for the proposed fusion technique. As the reflectance of vegetation is high in the NIR band and low in the RGB bands, this technique suggested using an additional coefficient for the NIR band in the definition of the I equation, which varies based on the ratio of the agricultural features within the image, to indicate the correct impact of vegetation. This vegetation coefficient provides stability for the proposed fusion technique across all land cover classes. This study used three datasets of GeoEye-1 satellite PAN and MS images in Tanta City, Egypt, with different land cover classes (agricultural, urban, and mixed areas), to evaluate the performance of this technique against five different standard image fusion techniques. In addition, it was validated using six additional datasets from different locations and acquired at different times to test its spatiotemporal transferability. The proposed fusion technique demonstrated spatiotemporal transferability as well as great efficiency in producing fused images of superior spatial and spectral quality for all types of land cover.
The Inactivation of Hippo Signaling Pathway Promotes the Development of Adenomyosis by Regulating EMT, Proliferation, and Apoptosis of Cells
Authors: Jin Tingting , Li Mengqi , Li Ting , Yan Simiao , Ran Qingzhen , Chen Wanqun
Published: March 2023

Adenomyosis is a benign gynecological disease. The pathogenesis of adenomyosis is still unclear. The Hippo signaling pathway is highly conserved in vivo and associated with endometriosis and various cancers. Our objective was to study the expression of Hippo signaling pathway–related proteins in the uterus of mice with and without adenomyosis. We also sought to determine the relationship between the Hippo signaling pathway and cell migration, invasion, proliferation, and apoptosis in adenomyosis. The inactivation of Hippo signaling pathway and abnormal expression of EMT-related proteins were observed in mice with adenomyosis. In vitro, the YAP inhibitor verteporfin can inhibit the proliferation and migration of Ishikawa cells and promote apoptosis, while inhibiting the EMT process. In addition, intraperitoneal injection of verteporfin inhibits EMT process and proliferation and promotes apoptosis of cells in the uterus of adenomyosis mice. It suggests that the Hippo signaling pathway participates in the EMT, proliferation, and apoptosis of cells in adenomyosis. In conclusion, these results suggest that Hippo signaling pathway may be involved in the development of adenomyosis by regulating EMT, proliferation, and apoptosis of cells, which provide a potential target for the treatment of adenomyosis.
Introduction to Adaptive Trial Designs and Master Protocols
Authors: Park Jay J. H. , Mills Edward J. , Wathen J. Kyle
Published: March 2023

This practical high-level guidebook offers an in-depth understanding of the newly emerging clinical trial designs in adaptive trial designs and master protocols. Both concise and readable without shying away from technical discussion, the book introduces the most innovative approaches in clinical trial research such as adaptive trial designs, master protocols, platform trial, basket trial, and umbrella trial designs. Featuring a revisionist history of clinical research before moving on to case-study based discussion and practical considerations from collective experience. The book enables readers to understand the strengths and limitations of these novel designs as well as their application to individual areas of research and clinical practice. Supplemented by real-world examples from the recent developments in medical research efficiency instigated by both personalized medicine and high-profile diseases like COVID-19 and cancer. The first book of its kind, it is the go-to resource for medical students and researchers working in clinical trial research.
The impacts of environmental science on Bhutanese students’ environmental sustainability competences
Authors: Mongar Kishore
Published: March 2023

The subject of environmental science (ES) was introduced into Bhutanese schools to educate students about sustainable environmental conservation. This study aims to answer the research question: What are the impacts of studying ES on Bhutanese students for environmental sustainability? The study employed mixed methods to draw data from interviews with six principals, 14 teachers and 189 students, and surveys with 14 teachers and 563 students from six secondary schools. Participants indicated the development of students’ Gross National Happiness value of sustainable environmental and socioeconomic development. However, an anthropocentric perspective appeared to be dominant among participants, suggesting a need to develop ecocentric worldviews to support sustainability. Most students noted their changed behaviours, development of optimism, stewardship and agency towards ecological sustainability from studying ES. To prepare students to take action to address sustainability issues, teachers could leverage students’ optimism, agency and stewardship through action-oriented approaches to teaching ES.
Vision geometry-based UAV flocking
Authors: Wang L. , He T.
Published: March 2023

A distributed UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) flocking control method based on vision geometry is proposed, in which only monocular RGB (red, green, blue) images are used to estimate the relative positions and velocities between drones. It does not rely on special visual markers and external infrastructure, nor does it require inter-UAV communication or prior knowledge of UAV size. This method combines the advantages of deep learning and classical geometry. It adopts a deep optical flow network to estimate dense matching points between two consecutive images, uses segmentation technology to classify these matching points into background and specific UAV, and then maps the classified matching points to Euclidean space based on the depth map information. In 3D matching points, also known as 3D feature point pairs, each of their classifications is used to estimate the rotation matrix, translation vector, velocity of the corresponding UAV, as well as the relative position between drones, based on RANSAC and least squares method. On this basis, a flocking control model is constructed. Experimental results in the Microsoft Airsim simulation environment show that in all evaluation metrics, our method achieves almost the same performance as the UAV flocking algorithm based on ground truth cluster state.
A synthetic study of acoustic full waveform inversion to improve seismic modelling of firn
Authors: Pearce Emma , Booth Adam D. , Rost Sebastian , Sava Paul , Konuk Tuğrul , Brisbourne Alex , Hubbard Bryn , Jones Ian
Published: March 2023

The density structure of firn has implications for hydrological and climate modelling and for ice shelf stability. The firn structure can be evaluated from depth models of seismic velocity, widely obtained with Herglotz-Wiechert inversion (HWI), an approach that considers the slowness of refracted seismic arrivals. However, HWI is appropriate only for steady-state firn profiles and the inversion accuracy can be compromised where firn contains ice layers. In these cases, Full Waveform Inversion (FWI) can be more successful than HWI. FWI extends HWI capabilities by considering the full seismic waveform and incorporates reflected arrivals, thus offering a more accurate estimate of a velocity profile. We show the FWI characterisation of the velocity model has an error of only 1.7% for regions (vs. 4.2% with HWI) with an ice slab (20 m thick, 40 m deep) in an otherwise steady-state firn profile.
Lockdown life - experiences of partners of individuals with an acquired brain injury during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study
Authors: Beal Erin M. , Pelser Cara , Coates Peter
Published: March 2023

Objectives:

The present study sought to investigate the experience of individuals living with their partner with an acquired brain injury (ABI) during the first lock down period of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Method:

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven partners of individuals who had sustained a range of ABIs. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis was carried out by two of the researchers exploring the unique narratives.

Results:

ABI occurs within a relational framework, which means that it has repercussions not only for the individual but also the entire family system. COVID-19 prevented family systems (living separately) from coming together which negatively impacted them; however, it also slowed life down, with many people working from home with flexible arrangements in place which participants found to be beneficial. Three main themes emerged from the interview data: partner focus, slowing down and support networks. The narratives identified the struggles of having to continue their partner’s rehabilitation when face to face services could not visit the home, the importance of establishing routine, the positives of a slower paced life (due to COVID-19) that enabled them to build stronger relationships with their partners, and the difficulties of being separated from family and loved ones.

Conclusion:

This research suggests that it is imperative to consider individual experiences and choices. Some families benefited from reduced treatment and a slowed pace of life, whilst others may find this overwhelming and burdensome. The study makes recommendations for supporting couples after an ABI during the ongoing pandemic.