bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Controllability of Steer-by-Wire Steering Angle Faults at the Limits of Driving Dynamics
Authors: Birkemeyer Janick , Borkowski Lukas , Wülfing Ingo , Müller Steffen
Published: October 2024

To ensure functional safety of vehicle dynamics controllers, monitoring functions are used to limit the effectiveness of lateral dynamic inputs to a safe, controllable level. For this purpose, driving situation dependent limits for maximum permissible lateral dynamic inputs are determined with the help of subject studies. To exploratively investigate limits of a steer-by-wire superposition function in a nonlinear driving situation, a subject study (N = 52) was conducted in a semi-dynamic driving simulator. This paper presents the study design and discusses the results obtained. A 4 × 4 within subject design including an additional baseline condition was used to investigate the independent variables steering angle fault and side slip angle. First, significant effects on the maximum lateral deviation and the integral of the side slip angle are demonstrated with a two-way ANOVA, thus proving the methodical approach. Second, limits for permissible additional steering input of a steer-by-wire system in an oversteering driving situation are determined from the obtained data.
Automated Parking System for Tractor-Trailer Vehicle
Authors: Kim Jinwoo , Yim Seongjin
Published: October 2024

By virtue of recent development in automated parking system, there has been growing interest in tractor-trailer automated parking application (TTAPA). However, there are two major obstacles when developing TTAPA. The one is low maneuverability of reversing a tractor-trailer vehicle (TTV), caused by hitch angle steering characteristic, and the other is heavy computational cost from non-linearity of model. This paper considers an autonomous parking system (APS) for a TTV. To achieve successful autonomous parking under various circumstances, this system adopts nonlinear model predictive control and LQR as path planner and path tracking controller, respectively. To validate the proposed APS for TTV, the system is implemented and evaluated in MATLAB/Simulink and TruckSim co-simulation environment. From simulation results, it is shown that the proposed APS can achieve parking scenario goal with good performance for a TTV.
Data-Driven Risk Assessment with Scenario Classification for Collision Avoidance in Left/Right Turn Across Path Conflicts
Authors: Wang Wei , Raksincharoensak Pongsathorn , Henze Roman
Published: October 2024

Traffic safety is one of the vital issues in developing autonomous and assisted driving systems. To achieve higher level of driving automation, it becomes necessary to have a reliable Risk Assessment (RA) method that not only responds to current traffic conditions but also anticipates future scenario propagation. Regardless of the driver intentions, traditional deterministic risk indicators like Time-To-Collision (TTC) have proven effective but fall short in addressing the inherent uncertainty in future propagation, especially under conflict scenarios influenced by interdependent decisions of traffic participants. Acceleration for Collision Avoidance (ACA) emerges as a flexible risk criterion adaptable to different collision-avoidance maneuvers. Focusing on the Left/Right Turn across path conflicts, this work aims to propose an innovative surrogate risk indicator for collision avoidance with the combination of ACA criteria and scenario classification using Hidden Markov Models (HMM). Based on a near-miss video database, we further train and evaluate the presented model, supplying interpretability and adaptability of risk assessment in complex conflict scenarios.
Advancing Autonomous Driving Safety Through LLM Enhanced Trajectory Prediction
Authors: Cheng Qian , Jiao Xinyu , Yang Mengmeng , Yang Mingliang , Jiang Kun , Yang Diange
Published: October 2024

In recent years, there has been remarkable progress in autonomous driving technology. To improve the safety of autonomous driving comprehensively, accurate predictions for all traffic agents are crucial. Typically, the graph neural network is widely employed for the trajectory prediction. To enhance the prediction accuracy rate, this paper utilizes a finetuned vision-to-language large model to extract driving intentions. With the well-designed prompt and the supervision of the specific dataset, the LLM (large language model) can analyze the current traffic condition and give the corresponding driving intention. This paper also combines the result of the LLM and the output of the traditional prediction model, and the future trajectory is modified with the driving intention, which can improve the final prediction accuracy. Finally, in the decision-making part, both the driving intention from the LLM and the trajectory from the traditional prediction model are considered in the boundary-based drivable area, and a safe planning path is then generated. According to the validation in the public motion forecasting dataset, this method has greatly improved the accuracy of the prediction and the safety of route planning.
A Yaw Rate Based Stability Control Tuning via Virtual Methods
Authors: D’Avico Luca , Carbone Fabio , Baudry Lucas , Forni Fabrizio , Caresia Pietro , Amato Gerardo
Published: October 2024

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) allows to prevent safety-critical scenarios and vehicle sideslip angle estimation plays a crucial role in such applications. Time to market and safety concerns in the development and validation of such algorithms are leading the automotive industry towards virtual methods. The recent introduction of driving simulator technologies on vehicle development process allows to develop calibrate and test in advance virtual prototypes of full vehicle and its controls obtaining objective and subjective evaluation during the early stage of the vehicle development. This paper presents the methodology and results related to the development and calibration of a yaw rate based stability control grounded on a mixed-kinematic sideslip estimator. This work has been carried out leveraging tools provided by simulation platforms, scalable configurations of driving simulators and results from road tests.
Wear behavior of all-ceramic micro end mills in micro milling of PMMA
Authors: Mayer Tobias , Kieren-Ehses Sonja , Willrich Markus , Kirsch Benjamin , Aurich Jan C.
Published: October 2024

Micro milling is a state-of-the-art micro manufacturing method employed, for instance, in the context of prototyping applications. Due to the high specific cutting forces and small tool diameters inherent to micro milling, tool wear represents a significant challenge for the fabrication of large, high-quality structures. In conventional cutting applications, ceramic tool substrates have been demonstrated to exhibit greater wear resistance than cemented carbides. In the case of micro milling of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), all-ceramic micro end mills made from zirconia (Y-TZP) have been observed to exhibit less tool wear than common cemented carbide micro end mills. In previous experiments, these tools exhibited a feed per tooth-dependent wear behavior, regardless of the spindle speed employed. The objective of this study was to investigate the wear behavior of the all-ceramic micro end mills at higher feeds per tooth (up to 7.5 µm) and spindle speeds (up to 110,000 rpm) in PMMA. The objective was to fully characterize the interactions between the all-ceramic micro end mills and the milling parameters for this thermoplastic workpiece material. The wear at the cutting edge was quantified by analyzing the topography with an atomic force microscope, and the results were correlated with the cutting forces and process outcomes. The results were found to be highly sensitive to the spindle speed used, with higher speeds leading to higher temperatures in the cutting zone and thus softening of the PMMA material. In general, micro milling parameters of 110,000 rpm and a feed per tooth of 5 µm resulted in significantly reduced tool wear with no adverse effect on surface quality when micro milling PMMA with all-ceramic micro end mills.
Evaluation and inter-comparison of twenty-three gridded rainfall products representing a typical urban monsoon climate in India
Authors: Kumar Vivek , Borgemeister Christian , Tischbein Bernhard , Kumar Navneet
Published: October 2024

Accurate and reliable estimation of rainfall is crucial for scientific research and various applications. However, the observed rainfall data is often limited. With the advancements in technology, many global gridded rainfall products are now available, but their accuracy levels vary across the world. In this study, we comprehensively analyzed the reliability and effectiveness of 23 publicly available global rainfall datasets against the observed rainfall for Patna, representing a typical urban monsoon climate in India. Thirteen continuous and ten categorical statistical metrics were applied at daily, weekly, monthly, and annual intervals over 16 years (2000–2015). The results indicate that the reliability of all derived rainfall datasets varied on different temporal scales and reference datasets used. Overall, in continuous metrics, MERRA2 and MSWEP consistently outperformed in all the temporal scales whereas in categorical metrics for analyzing the rainfall detection ability, AIMERG, followed by MERRA2 demonstrated superior performance among others. Furthermore, IMD GRID, GSMAP, PCCS, AIMERG, and IMERG performed well in estimating different rainfall intensities. MERRA2 and MSWEP, which have not been widely considered for evaluation in a monsoon climate were found to be outstanding performers consistently. Therefore, we suggest broadening the selection of global rainfall products in the evaluation to fully utilize the potentiality of all available options. Furthermore, our approach offers a reliable framework to comprehensively assess the performance of different gridded rainfall products and assist in the selection of the best rainfall product for a particular region and purpose.
Transient behavior and steady-state rheology of dense frictional suspensions in pressure-driven channel flow
Authors: Peerbooms Wouter , Heijden Antoine van der , Breugem Wim-Paul
Published: October 2024

Results from particle-resolved Direct numerical simulations are presented for dense suspensions of frictional non-colloidal spheres in viscous pressure-driven channel flow. The bulk solid volume fraction varies between $$\phi _b=0.2$$

ϕ
b

=
0.2

and 0.6, and the Coulomb friction coefficient is either $$\mu _c = 0$$

μ
c

=
0

or 0.5. The main objectives are to unravel the influence of (1) $$\phi _b$$

ϕ
b

and $$\mu _c$$

μ
c

on the flow development time and of (2) heterogeneous shear on the steady-state suspension rheology. Starting from an initially homogeneous distribution, the particles show shear-induced migration toward the core until equilibrium is reached. The flow development time decays exponentially with increasing $$\phi _b/\Phi _R$$

ϕ
b

/

Φ
R

, where $$\Phi _R$$

Φ
R

is a friction-dependent reference bulk concentration beyond which particle contacts cause a rapid increase in the particle stress. The steady-state rheology is studied by means of the ‘viscous’ and ‘frictional’ rheology frameworks. Excluding the central core and wall regions, the data for the local relative suspension viscosity collapse onto a single curve as function of the normalized local concentration $${\bar{\phi }}/\phi _m$$

ϕ

¯

/

ϕ
m

, where $$\phi _m$$

ϕ
m

is the friction-dependent maximum flowable packing fraction. The frictional rheology shows ‘subyielding’ at low viscous number $$I_v$$

I
v

in the core region, where the macroscopic friction coefficient $$\mu $$
μ
drops below the minimal value found for homogeneous shear flows. A modified frictional rheology model is presented that captures subyielding. Finally, a model is presented for $${\bar{\phi }}/\phi _{mp}$$

ϕ

¯

/

ϕ

mp

as function of $$I_v$$

I
v

, where $$\phi _{mp}$$

ϕ

mp

is a modified maximum flowable packing fraction. It captures both ‘overcompaction’ in the core beyond $$\phi _{m}$$

ϕ
m

at high $$\phi _b$$

ϕ
b

and maximum core concentrations below $$\phi _m$$

ϕ
m

at lower $$\phi _b$$

ϕ
b

.
Annual change in eGFR in renal hypouricemia: a retrospective pilot study
Authors: Sugihara Shinobu , Yamamoto Yasutaka , Teramoto Kei , Hamada Toshiro , Miyazaki Satoshi , Ogino Kazuhide , Kuwabara Masanari , Ohtahara Akira , Mizuta Einosuke , Ichida Kimiyoshi , Endo Yusuke , Minato Hiroyuki , Ninomiya Haruaki , Kato Masahiko , Yamamoto Kazuhiro , Hisatome Ichiro
Published: October 2024

Background

Extremely low uric acid (UA) levels or increased urinary UA (Uua) excretion might be risk factors for kidney disease in renal hypouricemia (RHU) patients, but their relationship with kidney dysfunction is unclear. This study investigated time-dependent changes in eGFR in RHU patients.

Methods

This multicenter retrospective study assessed UA metabolism and changes in eGFR (median 5.5 years) in 13 RHU patients. We then compared eGFR change in 7 of 13 RHU patients whose eGFR could be measured for 4 years with those in normouricemic group (n = 31). In addition, 7 RHU patients were divided into two groups based on URAT1 gene mutations: homozygote and compound heterozygote mutations (Homo/Com group, n = 3), and wild-type and heterogeneous mutations (WT/Hetero group, n = 4).

Results

In 13 RHU patients, the median and mean serum UA (SUA) were 0.8 (0.4–2.5) and 1.1 ± 0.7 mg/dL. The median and mean Uua were 44.3 (12.7–141.1) and 49.7 ± 36.2 mg/dL. The median and mean urinary urate clearance (Cua/Ccr) were 46.8 (11.3–73.6) and 43.3 ± 19.7%. Over 4 years, eGFR did not change in the RHU group but declined in the normouricemic group. Annual mean eGFR decline and change rate in the RHU group were the same as those in the normouricemic group (− 1.09 ± 1.11 vs. − 1.09 ± 1.92 mL/min/1.73 m2/year, p = 0.996) (− 1.74 ± 1.96 vs. − 1.36 ± 2.10%, p = 0.664). And no significant difference was found in eGFR decline or change rate between Homo/Com and WT/Hetero groups (− 0.33 ± 1.03 vs. − 1.67 ± 0.85 mL/min/1.73 m2/year, p = 0.116) (− 0.61 ± 1.62 vs. − 2.59 ± 1.91%, p = 0.210).

Conclusion

RHU from URAT1 genetic mutation may not show eGFR decline over 4 consecutive years.
Improving PPP positioning and troposphere estimates using an azimuth-dependent weighting scheme
Authors: He Shengping , Hobiger Thomas , Becker Doris
Published: October 2024

Asymmetric troposphere modeling is crucial in Precise Point Positioning (PPP). The functional model of the asymmetric troposphere has been thoroughly studied, while the stochastic model lacks discussion. Currently, there is no suitable stochastic model for asymmetric tropospheric conditions, potentially degrading the positioning accuracy and the reliability of Zenith Total/Wet Delay (ZTD/ZWD) estimates. This paper introduces an Azimuth-Dependent Weighting (ADW) scheme that utilizes information from asymmetric mapping functions to adaptively weight Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) observations affected by azimuth-dependent errors. The concept of ADW has been validated using Numerical Weather Prediction data and International GNSS Service data. The results indicate that ADW effectively improves the coordinate repeatability of the PPP solution by approximately $$10\%$$

10
%

in the horizontal and $$20\%$$

20
%

in the vertical direction. Additionally, ADW appears to be capable to improve the ZWD estimates during the PPP convergence period and yields smoother ZWD estimates. Consequently, it is recommended to adopt this new weighting scheme in PPP applications when an asymmetric mapping functions is employed.
Over-the-air upgrading for enhancing security of intelligent connected vehicles: a survey
Authors: Li Beibei , Hu Wei , Da Lemei , Wu Yibing , Wang Xinxin , Li Yiwei , Yuan Chaoxuan
Published: October 2024

The continuous improvement in the connectivity, automation and autonomy levels of Intelligent Connected Vehicles (ICVs) significantly increases the probability of potential security threats. Over-the-Air (OTA) is a promising technique for upgrading features of ICVs and enhancing their reliability and security against environmental disturbances as well as malicious attacks. To better understand the potential security risks and possible countermeasures, we survey research works in ICV security during OTA from cloud upgrade, terminal upgrade, and object upgrade. We also summarize existing methods in OTA upgrading techniques and systematically investigate the overall framework of OTA upgrading methods from the perspectives of Software-Over-the-Air (SOTA) and Firmware-Over-the-Air (FOTA).We further discuss possible mitigation strategies and open issues yet to be resolved in this research direction. This survey shows that OTA provides a powerful technique for upgrading the ICV features and improving ICV security.
Stabilization of a matrix via a low-rank-adaptive ODE
Authors: Guglielmi Nicola , Sicilia Stefano
Published: October 2024

Let A be a square matrix with a given structure (e.g. real matrix, sparsity pattern, Toeplitz structure, etc.) and assume that it is unstable, i.e. at least one of its eigenvalues lies in the complex right half-plane. The problem of stabilizing A consists in the computation of a matrix B, whose eigenvalues have all negative real part and such that the perturbation $$\Delta =B-A$$

Δ
=
B
-
A

has minimal norm. The structured stabilization further requires that the perturbation preserves the structural pattern of A. This non-convex problem is solved by a two-level procedure which involves the computation of the stationary points of a matrix ODE. It is possible to exploit the underlying low-rank features of the problem by using an adaptive-rank integrator that follows rigidly the rank of the solution. Some benefits derived from the low-rank setting are shown in several numerical examples. These computational advantages also allow to deal with high dimensional problems.
A characterization of complex Hadamard matrices appearing in families of MUB triplets
Authors: Matszangosz Ákos K. , Szöllősi Ferenc
Published: October 2024

It is shown that a normalized complex Hadamard matrix of order 6 having three distinct columns each containing at least one $$-1$$

-
1

entry, necessarily belongs to the transposed Fourier family, or to the family of 2-circulant complex Hadamard matrices. The proofs rely on solving polynomial systems of equations by Gröbner basis techniques, and make use of a structure theorem concerning regular Hadamard matrices. As a consequence, members of these two families can be easily recognized in practice. In particular, one can identify complex Hadamard matrices appearing in known triplets of pairwise mutually unbiased bases in dimension 6.
Exploring the Broader Benefits of Obesity Prevention Community-based Interventions From the Perspective of Multiple Stakeholders
Authors: Jacobs J. , Nichols M. , Ward N. , Sultana M. , Allender S. , Brown V.
Published: October 2024

Community-based interventions (CBIs) show promise as effective and cost-effective obesity prevention initiatives. CBIs are typically complex interventions, including multiple settings, strategies and stakeholders. Cost-effectiveness evidence, however, generally only considers a narrow range of costs and benefits associated with anthropometric outcomes. While it is recognised that the complexity of CBIs may result in broader non-health societal and community benefits, the identification, measurement, and quantification of these outcomes is limited. This study aimed to understand the perspectives of stakeholders on the broader benefits of CBIs and their measurement, as well as perceptions of CBI cost-effectiveness. Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants from three stakeholder groups (lead researchers, funders, and community stakeholders of CBIs). Online semi-structured interviews were conducted, taking a constructivist approach. Coding, theme development and analysis were based on published guidance for thematic analysis. Twenty-six stakeholders participated in the interviews (12 lead researchers; 7 funders; 6 community stakeholders). Six key themes emerged; (1) Impacts of CBIs (health impacts and broader impacts); (2) Broader benefits were important to stakeholders; (3) Measurement of benefits are challenging; (4) CBIs were considered cost-effective; (5) Framing CBIs for community engagement (6) Making equitable impacts and sustaining changes—successes and challenges. Across all stakeholders, broader benefits, particularly the establishment of networks and partnerships within communities, were seen as important outcomes of CBIs. Participants viewed the CBI approach to obesity prevention as cost-effective, however, there were challenges in measuring, quantifying and valuing broader benefits. Development of tools to measure and quantify broader benefits would allow for more comprehensive evaluation of the cost-effectiveness of CBIs for obesity prevention.
Truth and dare: patients dare to tell the truth when using PROMs in clinical practice
Authors: Haverman Lotte , Luijten Michiel A. J. , Blackford Amanda L. , Absolom Kate , Basch Ethan M. , van Rossum Marion A. J. , Engelen Vivian , Grootenhuis Martha A. , Velikova Galina , Snyder Claire
Published: October 2024

Purpose

As patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are increasingly used in clinical practice for screening, monitoring, and management, the potential for response bias has been raised (e.g., over-reporting problems for attention, under-reporting to avoid treatment changes/discontinuation). We investigated whether patients systematically bias their responses when they know clinicians will review their PROM results.

Methods

We conducted secondary analyses of three experimental studies evaluating PROMs in adult and pediatric care. Prior to PROM completion, intervention group patients were informed that the results would be shown to their clinicians (“feedback” arm), whereas control group patients were told that their clinicians would not see their responses (“no feedback” arm). Independent sample t-tests compared the “feedback” and “no feedback” arms’ PROM scores at baseline. Effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals were estimated using Cohen’s d statistics with Hedges’ g correction, and effect sizes > 0.50 were considered clinically relevant.

Results

Across the 29 domains assessed in the three studies, no between-arm differences reached an effect size of ± 0.50. Only 3/29 effect sizes exceeded ± 0.30. The confidence intervals for 14 domains included ± 0.50, with 4 favoring the “no feedback” arm and 10 favoring the “feedback” arm. Two domains reached statistical significance, one favoring the “no feedback” arm and one favoring the “feedback” arm.

Conclusion

This study does not support the hypothesis that patients systematically bias their PROM responses if they know that clinicians will see their results. These findings support using PROMs in clinical practice as a valid mechanism to promote patient-centered care.
Dietary supplement guava leaf extract regulates growth, feed utilization, immune function, nutrient digestibility and redox regulation in growing rabbits
Authors: Abdelghani Islam G. , Sheiha Asmaa M. , Abdelnour Sameh A. , El-Maati Mohamed F. Abo , El-Darawany Abdelhalim A. , Al-Marakby Khaled M.
Published: October 2024

The use of agricultural waste in animal production has gained global interest. An eight-week trial was conducted to investigate the impacts of adding ethanolic guava leaf extract (GLE) as a feed supplement on the growth, feed utilization, immune response, nutrient digestibility, redox regulation, and blood health of growing rabbits. Ninety weaned growing rabbits were randomly assigned to three groups. The first group was fed a basal diet (GLE0), while the other two groups were fed the control diet fortified with 15 mg (GLE15) or 20 mg (GLE20) of GLE per kg of diet for 8 weeks. The HPLC analysis of GLE exhibited the presence of gallic acid, ferulic acid, catechin, and caffeic acid in significant amounts. The results indicated that final body weight, daily body weight, daily feed intake and nutrient digestibility were significantly higher in the GLE-treated groups compared to the un-treated group (p < 0.05). Dietary supplementation of GLE significantly reduced lipid contents including triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and VLDL (P < 0.05), with the most significant results observed when adding 20 mg/kg to the diet. AST and ALT levels as well as cortisol hormone in rabbits fed GLE were lower than those in the GLE0 group (P < 0.05). Immunoglobulins (IgG and IgA), antioxidant biomarkers (SOD and TAC) and T3 hormone were significantly improved by GLE supplementation (P < 0.001). Rabbits fed with GLE had lower levels of ROS and MDA compared to those in the GLE0 group (P < 0.001). Moreover, the hepatic and intestinal architectures were maintained in all rabbits fed diets with GLE. The results suggest that GLE supplementation (20 mg/kg diet) in fattening rabbit diets could efficiently improve growth, health status, blood physiology, antioxidant capacity and tissue histology.
Wilson’s bottleneck
Authors: Kennel Charles , Falk Jim , Victor David G.
Published: October 2024

Planetary sustainability is in trouble, heading towards what pioneer of evolutionary biology, E.O Wilson, twenty-two years ago called a “bottleneck”. Created through the actions of humanity this is an increasingly narrow passage through which only some species can pass, and on which humans depend to provide the sources of re-radiation. What is lost is hard to impossible to restore. Keeping this passage as wide as possible is crucial, but the trends are not yet promising. At a time when those trends appear to be converging to a human and ecological crisis of planetary but finite duration, changed priorities are required whilst at the same time providing opportunity. In particular, strategies, such as experimental governance devised to act in the face of unknowns and uncertain knowledge provide a basis for action to hold open and successfully pass through the bottleneck, a goal which is of the highest importance for humans as we seek to achieve a sustainable future.
Impact of waitlist weight change on outcomes in heart transplant recipients: a UNOS database analysis
Authors: Austin Melissa A. , Ahmad Danial , Rosen Jake L. , Weber Matthew P. , Rajapreyar Indranee , Rame Jesus Eduardo , Alvarez Rene J. , Entwistle John W. , Massey Howard T. , Tchantchaleishvili Vakhtang
Published: October 2024

Background

While the effect of pre-transplant weight on patient outcomes following heart transplantation (HTx) has previously been studied, data regarding the impact of dynamic weight change prior to HTx are extremely limited.

Objectives

We sought to elucidate the interaction between HTx listing weight and weight change while waitlisted, and explore how that interaction impacts post-HTx survival in a continuous manner.

Methods

Adult patients listed for HTx from 1987 to 2020 were identified from UNOS database. Three-dimensional restricted cubic spline analysis explored post-HTx survival relative to both changes in BMI/weight and BMI at time of HTx listing. Continuous predictor variables were analyzed with Cox proportional hazards method.

Results

9,628 included patients underwent HTx. Median recipient age was 55 [IQR 46–62] years, and 21% were females. 53% of patients lost while 47% gained weight on the waitlist. Median BMI (27.6 kg/m2 [24.3–31.3] vs. 27.4 kg/m2 [24.2–30.9], paired p < 0.001) and weight (84.8 kg [73.0–98.0] kg vs. 84.4 kg [72.6–96.6], p < 0.001) were similar at listing and transplant. One-year survival was 89.3%. Weight loss over 3 BMI points or 10 kg was associated with higher hazard of death irrespective of listing BMI. In non-obese patients, some weight gain (1–4 BMI points or 5–15 kg) was associated with improved survival. In cachectic patients (BMI < 18.5), failure to gain weight was associated with worse survival.

Conclusions

Impact of weight change varies depending on listing BMI. While a survival benefit is seen in non-obese patients who gain some weight, significant weight loss is associated with poorer survival.
Genomic Validation in the UK Biobank Cohort Suggests a Role of C8B and MFG-E8 in the Pathogenesis of Trigeminal Neuralgia
Authors: Lafta Muataz S. , Rukh Gull , Hamdeh Sami Abu , Molero Yasmina , Sokolov Aleksandr V. , Rostami Elham , Schiöth Helgi B.
Published: October 2024

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a severe facial pain disease of uncertain pathophysiology and unclear genetic background. Although recent research has reported a more important role of genetic factors in TN pathogenesis, few candidate genes have been proposed to date. The present study aimed to identify independent genetic variants in the protein-coding genes associated with TN. We focused on genes previously linked to TN based on the results of four proteomic studies conducted by our research team. The goal was to validate these findings on the genetic level to enhance our understanding of the role of genetics in TN. The study is based on the participants from UK Biobank cohort. Following quality control, 175 independent single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 17 genes were selected. The study sample comprised of diagnosed TN cases (N = 555) and randomly matched controls (N = 6245) based on specific criteria. Two SNPs corresponding to C8B rs706484 [odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval (CI)): 1.357 (1.158–1.590); p: 0.00016] and MFG-E8 rs2015495 [OR (95% CI): 1.313 (1.134–1.521); p: 0.00028] showed significant positive association with TN, indicating a positive effect of the SNP alleles on gene expression and disease risk. Interestingly, both SNPs are Expression Quantitative Trait Loci (eQTLs), and are associated with changes in the expression activity of their corresponding gene. Our findings suggest novel genetic associations between C8B, a key component of the complement system, and MFG-E8, which plays a role in regulating neuroinflammation, in relation to TN. The identified genetic variations may help explain why some individuals develop TN while others do not, indicating a potential genetic predisposition to the condition.
Effects of Grazing by Native and Non-Native Terrestrial Vertebrates on the Growth of Tecticornia arbuscula in Australian Temperate Saltmarshes
Authors: Prahalad Vishnu , Aalders John , Kirkpatrick Jamie B.
Published: October 2024

The effects of grazing and browsing by terrestrial vertebrates are poorly understood for southern hemisphere saltmarshes, many of which are recovering from stock grazing. We investigated whether the native late-successional shrub, Tecticornia arbuscula, regenerating several years after the cessation of stock grazing, was grazed by wild herbivorous mammals to the degree of impeding recovery. We measured T. arbuscula growth parameters in exclosures and adjacent controls for two years and used camera trapping of animals across four consecutive austral seasons to indicate grazing pressure. Height growth was more affected by exclosure from grazing than lateral change. Notably, grazing did not prevent the recovery of the shrubs from stock grazing at either site, suggesting that the growth rate of T. arbuscula relative to total grazing pressure is at sustainable levels and these shrubs are in a trajectory of recovery, with the smaller plants growing the fastest. Also, we found little difference between our two sites in grazing impact, despite one site having twice the number of animals, largely native macropods, as the other site, which was dominated by introduced lagomorphs (rabbits and hares). These findings further the knowledge of native and non-native terrestrial vertebrates in austral saltmarsh ecology and conservation.
Seafood traceability program design: Examination of the United States’ Seafood Import Monitoring Program
Authors: Steinkruger Andrew , Kroetz Kailin , Malakoff Kaitlyn L. , Gephart Jessica A. , Luque Gloria , Lee Patrick , Chicojay Moore Katrina , Donlan C. Josh
Published: October 2024

The United States’ current Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP) and a potential extension are undergoing review, yet quantitative evaluation of the current program is lacking. The SIMP is a traceability program aimed at reducing imports of seafood products that are of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) origin or associated with seafood fraud. We conducted a quantitative examination of the SIMP’s current scope and design by synthesizing publicly available trade data along with measures of IUU fishing and seafood mislabeling. We found prioritized shipments amounted to 33% of 2016 imported tonnage. The SIMP species groups had higher IUU scores and mislabeling rates relative to non-SIMP groups, but the difference was consistent with random prioritization suggesting potential benefits from program expansion. Furthermore, two-thirds of imported volume lacked a mislabeling rate and 5% lacked species information, underlining the urgent need for improved open-access data on globalized seafood supply chains.
Cu3BiS3 film synthesis through rapid thermal processing sulfurization of electron beam evaporated precursors
Authors: Amorim C. O. , Liborio M. S. , Queiroz J. C. A. , Melo B. M. G. , Sivasankar S. M. , Costa T. H. C. , Graça M. P. F. , da Cunha A. F.
Published: October 2024

In response to the increasing demand for sustainable energy solutions, Cu3BiS3 (CBS) films emerge as a promising alternative for cost-effective and eco-friendly photovoltaic absorbers. This work explores the synthesis and characterization of CBS films via sulfurization of metallic Cu and Bi precursors deposited using electron beam evaporation. We investigated the effects of both duration and temperature during the Rapid Thermal Processing (RTP) sulfurization. Using SEM/EDS, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, and UV-VIS-NIR transmittance measurements, we demonstrate the successful formation of the CBS Wittichenite phase with band gap energies $$\:{E}_{g}\approx\:1.4\:eV$$, and absorption coefficients $$\:\alpha\:\ge\:{10}^{4}\:{cm}^{-1}$$, highlighting the CBS potential as a viable alternative as a photovoltaic absorber. We achieved films with the dominant CBS phase, with large highly crystalline grains but still containing some undesired copper sulphide secondary phases. These films were obtained at low RTP temperatures (350 °C) and short durations (5 min), ensuring both time and energy efficient consumption, in contrast to commonly reported lengthy, high-temperature processes.

Graphical abstract
Phytochemical Screening, Nutritional Properties and Biological Activities of Sweet and Conventional Potato Planted in Morocco
Authors: Sbai Hajar , Zinedine Abdellah , Rocha João Miguel , Chabir Rachida , Errachidi Faouzi , Raoui Sidi Mohammed
Published: October 2024

This study aimed at studying phytochemical composition, nutritional properties and biological activities (antioxidant and anti-inflammatory) of two potato varieties (sweet potato (SP): Ipomoea batatas L. and conventional potato (CP): Solanum tuberosum L.) planted and consumed in Morocco. For this, potato samples (SP and CP) were firstly subjected to phytochemical and nutritional analysis, including water content, total and reducing sugars, proteins, lipids, vitamin C, carotenoids, phenolic compounds and flavonoids. Secondly, phenolic compounds extracts were subjected to biological activities namely antioxidant and invitro anti-inflammatory. Potato extracts antioxidant activity was tested by DPPH and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) methods. Proteins and lipids contents were found much higher in SP (5.21 ± 0.26 and 0.29 ± 0.02 g/100g DW) respectively than in CP (2.93 ± 0.15 and 0.11 ± 0.01 g/100g DW) respectively. Besides, total and reducing sugars contents were 16.65 and 2.53 g/100g DW in the CP, and 12.47 and 2.13 g/100g DW in the SP, respectively. The antioxidant activity of different SP extracts was found to be higher than those of CP, by using DPPH and TAC methods. These findings could be explained by SP richness in carotenoids (212 ± 10.60 mg/100g DW), phenolic compounds (130.11 ± 6.51 mg GAE/100g DW), flavonoids (85.03 ± 4.2 5mg QE/100g DW) and vitamin C (471.33 ± 23.57 mg/100g DW). Exclusion chromatography done by Sephadex G50 showed that polymeric phenolic compounds in SP were more abundant when compared to monomeric ones. This difference was consistent with the anti-inflammatory activity assessed in vitro.
Trends in antibiotic utilization for patients hospitalized with COVID-19 with and without signs of sepsis
Authors: Shappell Claire N. , Klompas Michael , Chan Christina , Chen Tom , Rhee Chanu
Published: October 2024

Objective:

To assess trends in antibiotic prescribing for patients hospitalized with COVID-19 with and without sepsis.

Design:

Retrospective cohort study using electronic health record (EHR) data.

Setting:

Five hospitals in eastern Massachusetts.

Patients:

Adults (≥18 years) hospitalized with community-onset SARS-CoV-2 infections between March 2020 and November 2022.

Methods:

We assessed quarterly trends in the use of prolonged initial antibiotic therapy (≥4 antibiotic days within one week of admission, including discharge antibiotics) amongst COVID-19 patients with and without sepsis, defined using clinical signs of organ dysfunction before hospital day 3. Poisson regression models were used to adjust for baseline characteristics and severity of illness.

Results:

Of 431,017 hospitalizations in the study period, 21,563 (5.0%) had community-onset COVID-19. 4,769/21,563 (20.5%) presented with sepsis. Prolonged antibiotics were prescribed in 2,323/4,769 (48.7%) COVID-19 patients with sepsis and 2,866/16,794 (17.1%) without sepsis despite low rates of positive bacterial cultures on admission (15.0% vs 6.3%, respectively). Quarterly rates of prolonged antibiotics declined between the first and second pandemic quarters for both sepsis (66.8% to 43.9%) and no-sepsis (31.8% to 24.4%) groups. However, there was no significant change thereafter through November 2022 in either group (quarterly aORs 1.02, 95% CI 0.99–1.05 and 1.01, 95% CI 0.99–1.03, respectively).

Conclusions:

Prolonged antibiotics were common in hospitalized COVID-19 patients with and without sepsis during the first 33 months of the pandemic despite low rates of proven bacterial infection. Decreases in antibiotic utilization occurred primarily between the first and second pandemic quarter with no further reduction thereafter.
De-risking Death-traps in Uncontrolled Industrialization: Factory Act and Industrial Health and Safety in Republican China
Authors: Lee Ban
Published: October 2024

In Republican China, the Factory Act was first promulgated in 1929, after almost thirty years of unregulated industrialization. Little academic effort has been made to comprehend its actual implementation. Some academics have dismissed it as completely useless, while others have credited it with various enhancements in working conditions. This article focuses on workplace health and safety issues and critically evaluates the implementation of the law to scrutinize its effectiveness (or ineffectiveness) in addressing workers’ life and death matters. This article aims to reassert the Factory Act in China's modern history of industrial development. It points out that despite its inadequate enforcement, the law was significant in laying the foundation for the national institutionalization of state responsibility to systematically monitor and regulate workplace health and safety and paving the way for further safety legislation. Nevertheless, the law fell short of safeguarding workers’ rights during industrial accidents.
Sharing memory and wisdom across generations: A scaffolded community reminiscing programme for adolescents and older adults
Authors: Van Bergen Penny , Evans Tanya , Harris Celia B. , Branagh Elizabeth , Macabulos Patricia , Barnier Amanda J.
Published: October 2024

The role of memory in supporting adolescents' sense of place and past is not well understood, but older adults offer a wealth of life stories and wisdom that they can share with younger generations. This in-depth pilot study positioned Australian high school students as oral historians to interview older Australians about their lives. Oral historian training and materials were provided, and pre- and post-intervention measures of adolescents' sense of everyday Australian history, well-being, and social connection were collected for an intervention school group (n = 17) and a waitlist control school group (n = 12). In-depth supplementary memory and well-being data were also collected for six participating older adults. In the intervention condition, scaffolded memory interviews took place during weekly aged care visits across one school term and were followed by an intergenerational celebration and memory book presentation. As hypothesised, older adults imbued their stories with life lessons for adolescents. Although no quantitative changes in participants' well-being emerged, qualitative data revealed the emergence of rich interpersonal relationships and bonding between adolescents and older adults. There were also benefits of the programme for older adults' reports of generativity and adolescents' understanding of everyday Australian history. The findings demonstrate the social and academic benefits of scaffolded intergenerational memory conversations and represent a scalable educational model and materials with downstream community benefits.
THE EXTENT AND LEGITIMACY OF THE JUDICIAL FUNCTION IN UNCLOS DISPUTE SETTLEMENT
Authors: Guilfoyle Douglas , Mossop Joanna
Published: October 2024

This article examines reactions to the South China Sea and Chagos Marine Protection Area arbitrations under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), in particular concerns about the potential widening of Part XV jurisdiction and its impact on the dispute resolution system's consent basis. It argues that assessing the impact of such cases involves a characterization of both the function of Part XV and of international judges. Ultimately, it suggests that the best test of whether UNCLOS case law has gone too far is the reaction of States in designing dispute settlement under the new Agreement under UNCLOS on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction.
Consumer food environments change over a 5-year period
Authors: de Freitas Patrícia Pinheiro , Lopes Mariana Souza , de Menezes Mariana Carvalho , Jaime Patrícia Constante , Lopes Aline Cristine Souza
Published: October 2024

Objective:

Evaluate the 5-year changes in the consumers’ food environment in the area of a health promotion service in Brazilian primary health care. Our hypothesis is that the consumers’ food environment in the areas with primary healthcare services has changes that may favour healthy eating habits over time.

Design:

Longitudinal study.

Setting:

The territory around the primary healthcare services in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Participants:

All food stores and open-air food markets that sell fruits and vegetables around the primary healthcare services in 2013 (n 272) and in 2018 (n 265).

Results:

Fruit diversity increased by 13·4 % (P < 0·001) and vegetables variety and quality by 16·1 % (P = 0·003) and 12·5 % (P < 0·001), respectively. Corn snacks showed an increase in availability (13·5 %; P = 0·002). The increase in advertising was observed for fruits and vegetables (34·6 %; P < 0·001) and ultra-processed foods (47·6 %; P < 0·001). Supermarkets showed an increase in the Healthy Food Store Index (three points; P < 0·001), while fruits and vegetables stores showed a decrease of one point in the index (P < 0·001).

Conclusions:

The unequal changes in the consumers’ food environment according to the food stores types demonstrate the importance of food supply policies that promote a healthy environment and favour the maintenance of traditional healthy food retailers.
How we can mine asteroids for space food
Authors: Pilles Eric , Nicklin Richard I. , Pearce Joshua M.
Published: October 2024

To deeply explore the solar system, it will be necessary to become less reliant on the resupply tether to Earth. An approach explored in this study is to convert hydrocarbons in asteroids to human edible food. After comparing the experimental pyrolysis breakdown products, which were able to be converted to biomass using a consortia, it was hypothesized that equivalent chemicals found on asteroids could also be converted to biomass with the same nutritional content as the pyrolyzed products. This study is a mathematical exercise that explores the potential food yield that could be produced from these methodologies. This study uses the abundance of aliphatic hydrocarbons in the Murchison meteorite (>35 ppm) as a baseline for the calculations, representing the minimum amount of organic matter that could theoretically be attributed to biomass production. Calculations for the total carbon in solvent-insoluble organic matter (IOM) represent the maximum amount of organic matter that could theoretically be attributed to food production. These two values will provide a range of realistic yields to determine how much food could theoretically be extractable from an asteroid. The results of this study found that if only the aliphatic hydrocarbons can be converted into biomass (minimum scenario) the resulting mass of edible biomass extractable from asteroid Bennu ranges from 5.070 × 107 g to 2.390 × 108 g. If the biomass extraction process, however, is more efficient, and all IOM is converted into edible biomass (maximum scenario), then the mass of edible biomass extractable from asteroid Bennu ranges from 1.391 × 109 g to 6.556 × 109 g. This would provide between 5.762 × 108 and 1.581 × 1010 calories that is enough to support between 600 and 17 000 astronaut life years. The asteroid mass needed to support one astronaut for one year is between 160 000 metric tons and 5000 metric tons. Based on these results, this approach of using carbon in asteroids to provide a distributed food source for humans appears promising, but there are substantial areas of future work.
Harvest loss in corn and implication for volunteerism
Authors: Stephens Trey , Kumar Vipin , Rees Jenny , Jhala Amit J.
Published: October 2024

Nebraska is one of the top five corn-growing states in the United States, with the planting of corn on 3.5 to 4 million hectares annually. Harvest loss of corn results in volunteer corn interference in the crop grown in rotation. Estimating the extent of harvest loss and expected volunteer corn density is a key to planning an integrated volunteer corn management program. This study aimed to evaluate the harvest loss of corn and estimate the potential for volunteerism. Harvest loss samples were collected after corn harvest from a total of 47 fields in six counties, including 26 corn fields in 2020, and 21 fields in 2021, in south-central and southeastern Nebraska. An individual cornfield size was 16 to 64 ha. A total of 16 samples were collected from each field after corn harvest in 2020 and 2021. Harvest loss of corn was 1.5% and 0.7% of the average yield of 15,300 kg ha−1 in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Corn harvest loss was 191 and 80 kg ha−1 from dryland fields, and 206 and 114 kg ha−1 from irrigated fields in 2020 and 2021, respectively. An average kernel loss of 68 and 33 m−2 occurred in 2020 and 2021, respectively. The germination percentage of corn kernels collected from harvest loss was 51%, which implies that volunteer corn plants of 35 and 17 m−2 from 2020 and 2021, respectively, could be expected in successive years. A volunteer corn management plan is required, because if it is not controlled, this level of volunteer corn density can cause yield reduction depending on the crop grown in rotation.