bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A framework for advancing sustainable magnetic resonance imaging access in Africa
Authors: Anazodo Udunna C. , Ng Jinggang J. , Ehiogu Boaz , Obungoloch Johnes , Fatade Abiodun , Mutsaerts Henk J. M. M. , Secca Mario Forjaz , Diop Mamadou , Opadele Abayomi , Alexander Daniel C. , Dada Michael O. , Ogbole Godwin , Nunes Rita , Figueiredo Patricia , Figini Matteo , Aribisala Benjamin , Awojoyogbe Bamidele O. , Aduluwa Harrison , Sprenger Christian , Wagner Rachel , Olakunle Alausa , Romeo Dominic , Sun Yusha , Fezeu Francis , Orunmuyi Akintunde T. , Geethanath Sairam , Gulani Vikas , Nganga Edward Chege , Adeleke Sola , Ntobeuko Ntusi , Minja Frank J. , Webb Andrew G. , Asllani Iris , Dako Farouk ,   the Consortium for Advancement of MRI Education and Research in Africa (CAMERA)
Published: October 2022

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology has profoundly transformed current healthcare systems globally, owing to advances in hardware and software research innovations. Despite these advances, MRI remains largely inaccessible to clinicians, patients, and researchers in low‐resource areas, such as Africa. The rapidly growing burden of noncommunicable diseases in Africa underscores the importance of improving access to MRI equipment as well as training and research opportunities on the continent. The Consortium for Advancement of MRI Education and Research in Africa (CAMERA) is a network of African biomedical imaging experts and global partners, implementing novel strategies to advance MRI access and research in Africa. Upon its inception in 2019, CAMERA sets out to identify challenges to MRI usage and provide a framework for addressing MRI needs in the region. To this end, CAMERA conducted a needs assessment survey (NAS) and a series of symposia at international MRI society meetings over a 2‐year period. The 68‐question NAS was distributed to MRI users in Africa and was completed by 157 clinicians and scientists from across Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA). On average, the number of MRI scanners per million people remained at less than one, of which 39% were obsolete low‐field systems but still in use to meet daily clinical needs. The feasibility of coupling stable energy supplies from various sources has contributed to the growing number of higher‐field (1.5 T) MRI scanners in the region. However, these systems are underutilized, with only 8% of facilities reporting clinical scans of 15 or more patients per day, per scanner. The most frequently reported MRI scans were neurological and musculoskeletal. The CAMERA NAS combined with the World Health Organization and International Atomic Energy Agency data provides the most up‐to‐date data on MRI density in Africa and offers a unique insight into Africa's MRI needs. Reported gaps in training, maintenance, and research capacity indicate ongoing challenges in providing sustainable high‐value MRI access in SSA. Findings from the NAS and focused discussions at international MRI society meetings provided the basis for the framework presented here for advancing MRI capacity in SSA. While these findings pertain to SSA, the framework provides a model for advancing imaging needs in other low‐resource settings.
Study on optimal scheduling strategy of electric vehicles clusters in distribution power grid
Authors: Yin WanJun , Ming ZhengFeng
Published: October 2022

In order to reduce the negative impact of disorderly charging of electric vehicles on the power grid, this article uses an improved particle swarm optimization algorithm to optimize the electric vehicle charging model. With full consideration of various constraints, load variance, load peak‐valley difference, and the charging cost of electric vehicle users are taken as optimization targets. The simulation results show that the orderly charging control strategy proposed in this article realizes the peak‐shaving and valley‐filling of the grid, reduces load fluctuations, improves the performance of the grid, and improves the safety and reliability of grid operation. The method proposed in this article provides a reference for electric vehicle charging scheduling.
Towards the development of an optimized Decision Support System for the PV industry: A comprehensive statistical and economical assessment of over 35,000 O&M tickets
Authors: Lindig Sascha , Gallmetzer Sandra , Herz Magnus , Louwen Atse , Koumpli Elena , Sebastian Enriquez Paez Pablo , Moser David
Published: October 2022

Due to the overall declining costs of photovoltaic systems, market players in the operation and maintenance sector are under increasing price pressure when offering their services. The automation and standardization of maintenance and failure tickets as well as their statistical and economical evaluation are key to ensure optimal yield and long lifetime. A thorough understanding of typical faults, classified through a standardized taxonomy, can be a pathway of developing location and technology specific decision support, offering cost‐time efficient solutions to reduce component downtime and costs in case of failure appearance. A useful method for this approach is the Cost Priority Number, a methodology to assess technical failures and their economic impact in energy systems. In this work, this method is further improved to be applied to individual use cases to make it useful in the actual operation of PV plants. A standardized ticket taxonomy for the operational phase of PV systems has been developed where more than 35,000 PV systems' tickets have been statistically evaluated, and a fully automated methodology to calculate the cost of individual maintenance tickets has been developed.
Group sleep intervention with adolescents attending a pupil referral unit using youth participation methodology: A report of the development of an intervention in practice
Authors: Carey Alexis , Povey Rachel
Published: October 2022

This report of the development of an intervention in practice outlines the design, delivery, and evaluation of a tailored, school‐based, group adolescent sleep intervention utilising youth participation methodology and an intervention mapping protocol as a framework. The intervention also included supplementary video support. The intervention was delivered to 5‐year 11 students attending a pupil referral unit. This alternative education provision is organised to provide education for young people who cannot participate in school and may not otherwise receive suitable education in Britain. Through co‐formulation and cooperative design, the voice of the young people was sought throughout the design, implementation, and evaluation process. The behavioural objectives of the intervention were to increase stress management techniques and reduce technology usage. These were chosen to align with the overall outcomes: improving sleep behaviours and reducing negative sleep hygiene practices. Improvements in sleep behaviour and decreases in negative sleep hygiene practices were achieved post‐intervention and at 4‐month follow‐up. Strengths of the intervention, future intervention optimisation, and implications for practice are considered.
Numerical Investigation on the Gas‐Solid Flow in Blast Flow Fields Induced by a High‐Speed Body
Authors: Cheng Cheng , Wang Guannan , Huang Xi , Zhang Xiaobing
Published: October 2022

As one of the critical phenomena during the firing of guns, propellant combustion creates an expanding gas plume with smoke containing the combustion residues. This paper aims to clarify the influence of gunshot residue particles on muzzle flow. Firstly, a two‐dimensional gas‐solid two‐phase model is established to describe the muzzle flow with gunshot residue for a small caliber rarefaction wave gun. And a discrete phase model is used to track particle trajectories for the dilute gas‐solid flow. Then the different development processes are discussed between the pure‐gas and the gas‐solid flow. Finally, the particle diameter and the mass fraction of particles are investigated to show the effects on the development process of the muzzle flow with gunshot resides. The results show that particles greatly influence the main flow parameters in the muzzle flow with gunshot residue. The gas velocity decreases due to the interaction between the particles and the gas. This paper provides a valuable reference for the study of muzzle flow.
Loop‐mediated isothermal amplification for detecting the Ile‐2041‐Asn mutation in fenoxaprop‐P‐ethyl‐resistant Alopecurus aequalis
Authors: Wang Mali , Tang Zhi , Liao Min , Cao Haiqun , Zhao Ning
Published: October 2022

BACKGROUND

Shortawn foxtail (Alopecurus aequalis Sobol.), a competitive grass weed severely infesting overwintering crops worldwide, has evolved resistance to the highly efficient acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (ACCase)‐inhibiting herbicide fenoxaprop‐P‐ethyl. The Ile‐to‐Asn substitution at codon position 2041 of ACCase is a dominant resistance mutation that has been associated with fenoxaprop‐P‐ethyl resistance in A. aequalis. However, its detection based on conventional methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and gene sequencing is rather labor‐ and time‐consuming.

RESULTS

In order to facilitate its detection in field populations of A. aequalis, a simple and efficient method with high sensitivity to the Ile‐2041‐Asn mutation was developed based on loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). A set of four primers was designed to target a 244‐bp fragment of ACCase comprising codon position 2041. Using the special primers and genomic DNA of A. aequalis, the concentrations of reaction components, temperature and time each were optimized. The LAMP reaction for the detection of the Ile‐2041‐Asn mutation was processed at 65 °C for 45 min followed by 80 °C for 10 min to stop the reaction. The LAMP method developed was 1000‐fold more sensitive than the conventional PCR method, and the detection was also practicable when using crude DNA of A. aequalis as a template.

CONCLUSION

The low cost, simplicity and high sensitivity of the developed LAMP assay make the detection of the Ile‐2041‐Asn mutation easier and quicker, which may contribute to the monitoring and management of resistance development to fenoxaprop‐P‐ethyl in A. aequalis. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Quick shift in volatile attraction between the third and fifth instar larvae of Endoclita signifier
Authors: Hu Ping , Qiu Zhisong , Zhang Yujing , Xu Yuan , Yang Zhende
Published: October 2022

BACKGROUND

Endoclita signifer is a polyphagous lepidopteran species of eucalyptus that selects its hosts in the third‐instar larval period. To understand how it adapts to its host during development, we studied the olfactory responses of late‐stage (fifth)‐instar larvae to the dynamic chemical environment they encounter.

RESULTS

Thirty‐two volatiles from eucalyptus trunk and soil were identified, among which 14 showed electroantennal activity and five were identified as new. Further behavioral bioassay showed that both β‐pinene and the imitation ratio of six key volatile in eucalyptus trunk were attractive to the fifth‐instar larvae, but both eliminated and increased β‐pinene in the mixture decreased the choice ratio and showed no attraction. Although E. signifer larvae shifted their attraction from o‐cymene at the third‐instar stage to β‐pinene at the fifth‐instar stage in a single volatile, the appropriate ratio of the main compounds in eucalyptus trunk volatile is the key to the behavior choice of fifth‐instar larvae.

CONCLUSION

The switch in olfactory attraction to different compounds between fifth‐ and third‐instar larvae indicated an olfactory plasticity between third‐ and fifth‐instar larvae. And the particular blend mediated the highly specialized communication interactions specificity between fifth‐instar larvae and eucalyptus trunk volatile indicated the specialized host adaptation to fifth‐instar larvae. This enhances understanding of how the primitive lepidopteran E. signifier, as a native pest, adapts to introduced eucalyptus. Moreover, this study provides knowledge for the screening and development of target volatiles for trapping and managing E. signifer larvae. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Trichoepithelioma Presenting as Leonine Facies in a Young Female
Authors: Ghahartars Mehdi , Parvar Seyedeh Yasamin , Samipour Leila , Hadibarhaghtalab Maryam
Published: October 2022

Trichoepithelioma is a rare benign tumour of the pilosebaceous unit that originates from the hair follicles. Although it rarely results in facial disfigurement, it is thought to be the cause of leonine facies. We discuss a 27-year-old woman who presented with facies Leonine caused by trichoepitheliomas. The first line of treatment for these multiple symmetrical, firm, and round papules or nodules is excisional surgery.
CoW Bimetallic Carbide Nanocatalysts: Computational Exploration, Confined Disassembly–Assembly Synthesis and Alkaline/Seawater Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Meng Ge , Chen Yafeng , Wang Rongyan , Zhu Libo , Yao Heliang , Chen Chang , Chang Ziwei , Tian Han , Kong Fantao , Cui Xiangzhi , Shi Jianlin
Published: October 2022

Earth‐abundant tungsten carbide exhibits potential hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalytic activity owing to its Pt‐like d‐band electronic structure, which, unfortunately, suffers from the relatively strong tungsten‐hydrogen binding, deteriorating its HER performance. Herein, a catalyst design concept of incorporating late transition metal into early transition metal carbide is proposed for regulating the metal–H bonding strength and largely enhancing the HER performance, which is employed to synthesize CoW bi‐metallic carbide Co6W6C by a “disassembly–assembly” approach in a confined environment. Such synthesized Co6W6C nanocatalyst features the optimal Gibbs free energy of *H intermediate and dissociation barrier energy of H2O molecules as well by taking advantage of the electron complementary effect between Co and W species, which endows the electrocatalyst with excellent HER performance in both alkaline and seawater/alkaline electrolytes featuring especially low overpotentials, elevated current densities, and much‐enhanced operation durability in comparison to commercial Pt/C catalyst. Moreover, a proof‐of‐concept Mg/seawater battery equipped with Co6W6C‐2‐600 as cathode offers a peak power density of 9.1 mW cm−2 and an open‐circuit voltage of ≈1.71 V, concurrently realizing hydrogen production and electricity output.
Climate tipping points and expert judgment
Authors: Lam Vincent , Majszak Mason M.
Published: October 2022

Expert judgment can be seen throughout climate science and even more prominently when discussing climate tipping points. To provide an accurate characterization of expert judgment we begin by evaluating the existing literature on expertise as it relates to climate science as a whole, before then focusing the literature review on the role of expert judgment in the unique context of climate tipping points. From this we turn our attention to the structured expert elicitation protocols specifically developed for producing expert judgments about tipping points. We highlight that expert elicitation is not only used for the quantification of uncertainty in this context, but also for the very identification and characterization of tipping points and their interactions, making expert judgment in itself a genuine scientific output. The central role of expert judgment in this domain raises several epistemic issues that require careful attention. Among other topics, we discuss the relationship between expert judgment and modeling, as well as the nonepistemic values that are involved in the production of expert judgments, highlighting how the elicitation protocols can be used to manage these values. In the perspective of climate change, clarifying the epistemic foundations of expert judgment in this context can help to navigate the epistemic situation between self‐defeating alarmism and blind dismissal, thus contributing to a better understanding of the challenges related to climate (and Earth system) tipping points.

This article is categorized under:

Climate, History, Society, Culture > Ideas and Knowledge

The Social Status of Climate Change Knowledge > Climate Science and Decision Making
Identifying the flap side‐edge noise contribution of a wind turbine blade section with an adaptive trailing edge
Authors: Suryadi A. , Jätz C. , Seume J.R. , Herr M.
Published: October 2022

Active trailing‐edge technology is a promising application for localized load alleviation of large‐diameter wind turbine rotors, accomplished using one or more control surfaces in the rotor blade's outer region. This work focuses on identifying noise contributions from the flap side‐edge and the trailing edge in a laboratory condition. Measurements were conducted in the Acoustic Wind Tunnel Braunschweig (AWB) at the German Aerospace Center's (DLR) Braunschweig site. The small‐scale model has a span of 1,200 mm and a chord length of 300 mm. The control surface, a plain flap, has a span of 400 mm and a chord length of 90 mm. Far‐field noise was measured using a phased‐microphone array for various flow speeds, angles of attack, and flap deflection angles. Due to the size of the model and assumed closeness of the sound sources, two noise reduction addons were installed interchangeably: trailing‐edge brush and flap side‐edge porous foam for sound source identification. Analysis of the far‐field noise reveals that, while changes to the flap deflection angle alter the far‐field noise spectra, the trailing‐edge noise remains the predominant noise source at deflection angles
and
. No additional noise level was observed from the flap side edge within the measurable frequency range at these angles. The flap side‐edge noise has an increased role for frequency larger than 2 kHz for the larger flap deflection angles of
and
.
Analysis of two non‐miscible electrically conducting micropolar fluid flow through an inclined porous channel: Influence of magnetic field
Authors: Yadav Pramod Kumar , Verma Amit Kumar
Published: October 2022

This work aims to analyse the flow of immiscible micropolar fluid through an inclined porous channel in presence of uniform magnetic field. The flow model have divided in two different porous regions and permeability of each porous region is taken different. The two immiscible electrically conducting micropolar fluids which have different densities and viscosities, take place through these two porous regions. The flow in an inclined porous channel is caused by a constant pressure gradient which acts on entrance section of flow domain. The flow of the micropolar fluids in the respective regions is governed by Brinkman's equation. The governing flow equations of the proposed model are solved analytically by reliable techniques and exact solution of flow field, flow rate and wall shear stress is evaluated by using well‐known boundary conditions. In this work, authors examined the influence of existing parameters such as permeability parameters, Hartmann number, gravitational parameter, viscosity ratio and so forth, which describes the physical significance of the presented model, on velocity profile, flow rate and wall shear stresses and these effect presented by graphs. The results are validated with the findings of past published article.
Combined IVS Contribution to the ITRF2020
Authors: Hellmers Hendrik , Modiri Sadegh , Bachmann Sabine , Thaller Daniela , Bloßfeld Mathis , Seitz Manuela , Gipson John
Published: October 2022

The ITRF2020 is the upcoming official solution of the International Terrestrial Reference Frame and is the successor to the currently used ITRF2014. The global ITRF2020 solution is based on an inter-technique combination of the four space-geodetic techniques VLBI, GNSS, SLR, and DORIS. In this context, the Combination Centre of the IVS (International VLBI Service for Geodesy and Astrometry) operated by the Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy (BKG, Germany) in close cooperation with the Deutsches Geodätisches Forschungsinstitut at TUM (DGFI-TUM, Germany) generates the final VLBI contribution of the IVS. This is achieved by an intra-technique combination utilizing the individual contributions of multiple IVS Analysis Centres (ACs). For the IVS contribution to the ITRF2020, sessions containing 24 h VLBI observations from 1979 until the end of 2020 were re-processed by 11 different ACs and submitted to the IVS Combination Centre. As a result, datum-free normal equations containing station coordinates and source positions as well as full sets of Earth Orientation Parameters (EOP) are delivered. In order to ensure consistency of the combined solution, time series of EOP and station coordinates were generated and further investigated for validation. Finally, the IVS contribution to the ITRF2020 comprises session-wise normal equations including EOP and station coordinates provided in SINEX format. In order to assess the quality of the contributions by the individual IVS ACs, internal as well as external comparisons of the estimated EOP are carried out, with the combined solution as well as external time series (e.g., IERS Bulletin A) serving as a reference. Additionally, the scale of the IVS contribution is investigated as VLBI is one of the space geodetic techniques realizing the scale of the ITRF. The evaluation of the contributions by the ACs, the combination procedure, and the results of the combined solution for station coordinates and EOP will be presented.
Understanding Social Feedback in Biological Collectives with Smoothed Model Checking
Authors: Klein Julia , Petrov Tatjana
Published: October 2022

Biological groups exhibit fascinating collective dynamics without centralised control, through only local interactions between individuals. Desirable group behaviours are typically linked to a certain fitness function, which the group robustly performs under different perturbations in, for instance, group structure, group size, noise, or environmental factors. Deriving this fitness function is an important step towards understanding the collective response, yet it easily becomes non-trivial in the context of complex collective dynamics. In particular, understanding the social feedback - how the collective behaviour adapts to changes in the group size - requires dealing with complex models and limited experimental data. In this work, we assume that the collective response is experimentally observed for a chosen, finite set of group sizes. Based on such data, we propose a framework which allows to: (i) predict the collective response for any given group size, and (ii) automatically propose a fitness function. We use Smoothed Model Checking, an approach based on Gaussian Process Classification, to develop a methodology that is scalable, flexible, and data-efficient; We specify the fitness function as a template temporal logic formula with unknown parameters, and we automatically infer the missing quantities from data. We evaluate the framework over a case study of a collective stinging defence mechanism in honeybee colonies.
Standardisation Considerations for Autonomous Train Control
Authors: Peleska Jan , Haxthausen Anne E. , Lecomte Thierry
Published: October 2022

In this paper, we review software-based technologies already known to be, or expected to become essential for autonomous train control systems with grade of automation GoA 4 (unattended train operation) in existing open railway environments. It is discussed which types of technology can be developed and certified already today on the basis of existing railway standards. Other essential technologies, however, require modifications or extensions of existing standards, in order to provide a certification basis for introducing these technologies into non-experimental “real-world” rail operation. Regarding these, we check the novel pre-standard ANSI/UL 4600 with respect to suitability as a certification basis for safety-critical autonomous train control functions based on methods from artificial intelligence. As a thought experiment, we propose a novel autonomous train controller design and perform an evaluation according to ANSI/UL 4600. This results in the insight that autonomous freight trains and metro trains using this design could be evaluated and certified on the basis of ANSI/UL 4600 .
Renormalization group flows between Gaussian fixed points
Authors: Buccio Diego , Percacci Roberto
Published: October 2022

Abstract

A scalar theory can have many Gaussian (free) fixed points, corresponding to Lagrangians of the form ϕ□nϕ. We use the non-perturbative RG to study examples of flows between such fixed points. We show that the anomalous dimension changes continuously in such a way that at the endpoints the fields have the correct dimensions of the respective free theories. These models exhibit various pathologies, but are nonetheless interesting as examples of theories that are asymptotically free both in the infrared and in the ultraviolet. Furthermore, they illustrate the fact that a diverging coupling can actually correspond to a free theory.
Mass perturbation theory in the 2-flavor Schwinger model with opposite masses with a review of the background
Authors: Georgi Howard
Published: October 2022

Abstract

I discuss the 2-flavor Schwinger model with θ = 0 and small equal and opposite fermion masses (or θ = π with equal masses). The massless model has an unparticle sector with unbroken conformal symmetry. I argue that this special mass term modifies the conformal sector without breaking the conformal symmetry. I show in detail how mass-perturbation-theory works for correlators of flavor-diagonal fermion scalar bilinears. The result provides quantitative evidence that the theory has no mass gap for small non-zero fermion masses. The massive fermions are bound into conformally invariant unparticle stuff. I show how the long-distance conformal symmetry is maintained when small fermion masses are turned on and calculate the relevant scaling dimensions for small mass. I calculate the corrections to the 2- and 4-point functions of the fermion-bilinear scalars to leading order in perturbation theory in the fermion mass and describe a straightforward procedure to extend the calculation to all higher scalar correlators. I hope that this model is a useful and non-trivial example of unparticle physics, a sector with unbroken conformal symmetry coupled to interacting massive particles, in which we can analyze the particle physics in a consistent approximation.
Erwartete Effekte der neuen Weiterbildungsordnung in der Allgemein- und Viszeralchirurgie
Authors: Schardey Josefine , Huber Tobias , Kappenberger Alina Sophie , Horné Fabian , Beger Nicola , Weniger Maximilian , Werner Jens , Kühn Florian , Wirth Ulrich
Published: October 2022

Einleitung

Die neue, vermehrt kompetenzbasierte Weiterbildungsordnung für die chirurgische Weiterbildung (WBO) trat in Bayern im August 2022 in Kraft.

Methoden

Von Mai bis Juli 2022 führten wir eine anonymisierte Onlineumfrage unter den bayerischen Allgemein- und Viszeralchirurginnen und -cChirurgen sowie den Ärzt*innen in Weiterbildung (ÄiW) durch. Ziel war die Erfragung der Erwartungen an die Effekte der neuen WBO.

Ergebnisse

Die Rücklaufquote betrug 35 %; insgesamt konnten Daten von 80 Personen erhoben werden: 36 ÄiW (45 %), 30 Fach- und Oberärzt*innen (37,5 %) und 14 Chefärzt*innen (17,5 %). Die Mehrheit der Befragten arbeitete an einem Universitätsklinikum (38,8 %) oder Regelversorger (35 %). Eine Stärkung der Handlungskompetenz durch Umsetzung der neuen WBO erwarten 41,3 % und 55,7 % sehen als Ziel ein „selbstständiges Operieren unter teilweiser Aufsicht durch den Ausbilder“. 50 % sehen die geforderten Richtzahlen als nicht erreichbar an, bzw. 55,1 % verneinen ein Erreichen derselben im Zeitraum von 6 Jahren. Etwa 60 % erwarten, nicht die gleiche Anzahl an ÄiW in der gleichen Zeit ausbilden zu können. Fast 75 % der Befragten geben an, dass aus ihrer Sicht eine gute Weiterbildung mit Erreichen einer soliden Handlungskompetenz ohne Überstunden nicht funktioniere. Etwa 44 % der Befragten erwarten, dass die volle Weiterbildung an ihrem Haus auch weiterhin möglich sei.

Schlussfolgerung

Sowohl unter den Weiterbilder*innen als auch unter den ÄiW besteht tendenziell die Sorge, dass eine realistische Weiterbildung – insbesondere das Erreichen der Richtzahlen in der bisher üblichen Weiterbildungszeit – nicht möglich sein wird. Notwendig ist daher die konsequente Umsetzung einer strukturierten Weiterbildung mit hoher Transparenz der Ausbildung.
Exploring children’s exposure to voice assistants and their ontological conceptualizations of life and technology
Authors: Festerling Janik , Siraj Iram , Malmberg Lars-Erik
Published: October 2022

Digital Voice Assistants (DVAs) have become a ubiquitous technology in today’s home and childhood environments. Inspired by (Bernstein and Crowley, J Learn Sci 17:225–247, 2008) original study (n = 60, age 4–7 years) on how children’s ontological conceptualizations of life and technology were systematically associated with their real-world exposure to robotic entities, the current study explored this association for children in their middle childhood (n = 143, age 7–11 years) and with different levels of DVA-exposure. We analyzed correlational survey data from 143 parent–child dyads who were recruited on ‘Amazon Mechanical Turk’ (MTurk). Children’s ontological conceptualization patterns of life and technology were measured by asking them to conceptualize nine prototypical organically living and technological entities (e.g., humans, cats, smartphones, DVAs) with respect to their biology, intelligence, and psychology. Their ontological conceptualization patterns were then associated with their DVA-exposure and additional control variables (e.g., children’s technological affinity, demographic/individual characteristics). Compared to biology and psychology, intelligence was a less differentiating factor for children to differentiate between organically living and technological entities. This differentiation pattern became more pronounced with technological affinity. There was some evidence that children with higher DVA-exposure differentiated more rigorously between organically living and technological entities on the basis of psychology. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study exploring children’s real-world exposure to DVAs and how it is associated with their conceptual understandings of life and technology. Findings suggest although psychological conceptualizations of technology may become more pronounced with DVA-exposure, it is far from clear such tendencies blur ontological boundaries between life and technology from children’s perspective.
LSTM power quality disturbance classification with wavelets and attention mechanism
Authors: Chiam Dar Hung , Lim King Hann , Law Kah Haw
Published: October 2022

Efficient detection and classification of power quality disturbances is required with the increasing penetration of multi-energy systems such as microgrids and features from renewable energy resources. Machine learning approach is popular to generate useful and optimal features from data learning to improve the classification performance. This paper aims to analyse the classification performance using the hybrid model of multi-resolution analysis and long short-term memory network. The proposed model uses four-level decomposition wavelet transform to increase the resolution of input signals into multi-bands signal representation. Spatial and temporal feature representation of the wavelet coefficients are highlighted using attention mechanism before feeding into long short-term memory network for sequence feature extraction. The sequence feature output is then passed into multiple dense layer for the classification process. Synthetic disturbance signals are used as training samples. The performance test carried out includes the condition of 20–50 dB signal-to-noise ratio signals, where additive white Gaussian noise are added into the test samples.
Epidemiology of Acute Mesenteric Ischemia: A Population‐Based Investigation
Authors: Kase Karri , Reintam Blaser Annika , Tamme Kadri , Mändul Merli , Forbes Alastair , Talving Peep , Murruste Marko
Published: October 2022

Background

There is a lack of population‐based studies on acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI). We have therefore performed a nationwide epidemiological study in Estonia, addressing incidence, demographics, interventions and mortality of AMI.

Methods

A retrospective population‐based review was conducted of all adult cases of AMI accrued from the digital Estonian Health Insurance Fund and Causes of Death Registry for 2016–2020 based on international classification of diseases (ICD‐10) diagnostic codes and procedure codes (NOMESCO).

Results

Overall, 577 cases of AMI were identified—an annual incidence of 8.7 per 100,000. The median age was 79 (range 32–104) and 57% were female. Predominating comorbidities included hypertensive disease (81%), atherosclerosis (67%), and atrial fibrillation (52%). The majority of cases (60%) were caused by superior mesenteric artery occlusion (thrombosis 54%, embolism 12%, and unclear 34%). Inferior mesenteric artery occlusion occurred in 7%, non‐occlusive mesenteric ischemia in 7%, venous thrombosis in 4%, whereas the type remained unclear in 21% of cases. 40% of patients received intervention (revascularization and/or intestinal resection) and 13% active non‐operative treatment. In 21% an exploratory laparotomy or laparoscopy revealed unsalvageable bowel prompting end‐of‐life care, which was the only management in a further 25% of cases.

Conclusions

The population‐based annual incidence of AMI in Estonia was 8.7 per 100,000 during the study period. The overall hospital mortality and 1 year mortality were 64% and 74%, respectively. In the 53% of patients who received active treatment hospital mortality was 32% and 1 year all‐cause mortality was 51%.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT04867499.
Control of Antarctic phytoplankton community composition and standing stock by light availability
Authors: Biggs T. E. G. , Rozema P. D. , Evans C. , Timmermans K. R. , Meredith M. P. , Pond D. W. , Brussaard C. P. D.
Published: October 2022

Southern Ocean phytoplankton are especially subjected to pronounced seasonal and interannual changes in light availability. Although previous studies have examined the role of light in these environments, very few combined pigment-based taxonomy with flow cytometry to better discriminate the light response of various phytoplankton groups. In particular the different populations within the diverse and important taxonomic group of diatoms require further investigation. Six incubation experiments (9–10 days) were performed during the main productive period with natural seawater collected at the Western Antarctic Peninsula. Standing stock of Phaeocystis spp. cells displayed relatively fast accumulation under all levels of light (low, medium, high; 4–7, 30–50 and 150–200 µmol quanta m−2 s−1), whilst the small- and larger-sized diatom populations (4.5 and 20 µm diameter) exhibited faster accumulation in medium and high light. In contrast, intermediate-sized diatoms (11.5 µm diameter) displayed fastest net growth under low light, subsequently dominating the phytoplankton community. Low light was a key factor limiting accumulation and peak phytoplankton biomass, except one incubation displaying relatively high accumulation rates under low light. The 3-week low-light period prior to experimentation likely allowed adaptation to maximize achievable growth and seems a strong determinant of whether the different natural Antarctic phytoplankton populations sustain, thrive or decline. Our study provides improved insight into how light intensity modulates the net response of key Antarctic phytoplankton, both between and within taxonomic groups.
Two firing modes and well-resolved Na+, K+, and Ca2+ currents at the cell-microelectrode junction of spontaneously active rat chromaffin cell on MEAs
Authors: Marcantoni Andrea , Chiantia Giuseppe , Tomagra Giulia , Hidisoglu Enis , Franchino Claudio , Carabelli Valentina , Carbone Emilio
Published: October 2022

We recorded spontaneous extracellular action potentials (eAPs) from rat chromaffin cells (CCs) at 37 °C using microelectrode arrays (MEAs) and compared them with intracellularly recorded APs (iAPs) through conventional patch clamp recordings at 22 °C. We show the existence of two distinct firing modes on MEAs: a ~ 4 Hz irregular continuous firing and a frequent intermittent firing mode where periods of high-intraburst frequency (~ 8 Hz) of ~ 7 s duration are interrupted by silent periods of ~ 12 s. eAPs occurred either as negative- or positive-going signals depending on the contact between cell and microelectrode: either predominantly controlled by junction-membrane ion channels (negative-going) or capacitive/ohmic coupling (positive-going). Negative-going eAPs were found to represent the trajectory of the Na+, Ca2+, and K+ currents passing through the cell area in tight contact with the microelectrode during an AP (point-contact junction). The inward Nav component of eAPs was blocked by TTX in a dose-dependent manner (IC50 ~ 10 nM) while the outward component was strongly attenuated by the BK channel blocker paxilline (200 nM) or TEA (5 mM). The SK channel blocker apamin (200 nM) had no effect on eAPs. Inward Nav and Cav currents were well-resolved after block of Kv and BK channels or in cells showing no evident outward K+ currents. Unexpectedly, on the same type of cells, we could also resolve inward L-type currents after adding nifedipine (3 μM). In conclusion, MEAs provide a direct way to record different firing modes of rat CCs and to estimate the Na+, Ca2+, and K+ currents that sustain cell firing and spontaneous catecholamines secretion.
The retinal phenotype in primary hyperoxaluria type 2 and 3
Authors: Birtel Johannes , Diederen Roselie M. , Herrmann Philipp , Kaspar Sophie , Beck Bodo B. , Garrelfs Sander F. , Hoppe Bernd , Charbel Issa Peter
Published: October 2022

Background

The primary hyperoxalurias (PH1-3) are rare inherited disorders of the glyoxylate metabolism characterized by endogenous overproduction of oxalate. As oxalate cannot be metabolized by humans, oxalate deposits may affect various organs, primarily the kidneys, bones, heart, and eyes. Vision loss induced by severe retinal deposits is commonly seen in infantile PH1; less frequently and milder retinal alterations are found in non-infantile PH1. Retinal disease has not systematically been investigated in patients with PH2 and PH3.

Methods

A comprehensive ophthalmic examination was performed in 19 genetically confirmed PH2 (n = 7) and PH3 (n = 12) patients (median age 11 years, range 3–59).

Results

Median best corrected visual acuity was 20/20. In 18 patients, no retinal oxalate deposits were found. A 30-year-old male with PH2 on maintenance hemodialysis with plasma oxalate (Pox) elevation (> 100 µmol/l; normal < 7.4) demonstrated bilateral drusen-like, hyperreflective deposits which were interpreted as crystallized oxalate. Two siblings of consanguineous parents with PH2 presented with retinal degeneration and vision loss; exome-wide analysis identified a second monogenic disease, NR2E3-associated retinal dystrophy.

Conclusions

Retinal disease manifestation in PH2 and PH3 is rare but mild changes can occur at least in PH2-associated kidney failure. Decline in kidney function associated with elevated plasma oxalate levels could increase the risk of systemic oxalosis. Deep phenotyping combined with genomic profiling is vital to differentiate extrarenal disease in multisystem disorders such as PH from independent inherited (retinal) disease.

Graphical abstract
Joint effect of East Asia–Pacific and Scandinavian teleconnections on summer precipitation in Southwest China
Authors: Mingxin Yang , Tiangui Xiao , Ping Zhao , Yong Li , Wei Huang , Yueqing Li , Jie Tan
Published: October 2022

Based on the summer precipitation data from 328 meteorological stations in Southwest China and the monthly mean reanalysis data from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research, the relationships of summer precipitation in Southwest China with the East Asia–Pacific (EAP) teleconnection pattern and the Scandinavian (SCA) teleconnection pattern are explored by using correlation analysis and composite analysis. The results show that the two teleconnections are significantly negatively correlated with the summer precipitation in Southwest China in the same period. The EAP teleconnection pattern and the SCA teleconnection pattern can affect the summer precipitation in Southwest China by affecting the atmospheric circulation situation in the middle and high latitudes, the north–south and east–west movement of the WPSH, and the water vapor transport in southwest China. In particular, the EAP and SCA teleconnections jointly affect the summer precipitation in Southwest China, which can be divided into four categories of configurations based on their phases, that is, (I) positive EAP + positive SCA, (II) negative EAP + negative SCA, (III) positive EAP + negative SCA, and (IV) negative EAP + positive SCA. The distribution of summer precipitation in Southwest China varies under different categories of configurations. Category I (II) corresponds to an opposite distribution pattern of precipitation anomalies between the north and south of Southwest China. In the configuration of category I(II), the cold air from high latitudes is weaker (stronger), the WPSH is more north(south) and more west(east) than the climatological mean, and the water vapor mainly comes from the Western Pacific (Bay of Bengal), thus resulting in category I(II), the opposite distribution of precipitation. While for configuration of category III(IV), no similar symmetrical distribution of precipitation anomalies can be found, and no obvious other distribution characteristics as well.
Cognitive impairment in asymptomatic cerebral arterial stenosis: a P300 study
Authors: Nahas Nevine El , Zaki Amr , Zakaria Magd , Naser Azza Abd El , Bassiony Ahmed El , Abdeldayem Eman , Shokri Hossam , Bokl Ahmed El
Published: October 2022

Background

Cerebral
arterial stenosis (CAS), in the absence of a structural lesion, can result in cognitive impairment that represents an ongoing contention among studies. Accordingly, we investigated cognitive functions in asymptomatic patients with CAS, using P300 which is a neurophysiological tool. We also compared cognition in intracranial stenosis (ICS) and extracranial stenosis (ECS).

Methods

Asymptomatic patients with CAS (≥ 70%) in the absence of structural brain lesions were categorized into ICS and ECS groups of 15 patients each, in addition to 15 normal controls. MRI, MRA, CT angiography, P300 analysis, Mini-Mental State examination (MMSE), Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), and Wechsler Memory Scale Test-Revised (WMST) were performed to all patients.

Results

Impairment on all cognitive scales ranged from 70 up to 100% among CAS group. Prolonged p300 latency and reaction time correlated with worse performance on WMST (p = 0.02), while lower amplitude and decreased accuracy correlated with more errors on WCST (p = 0.01). ICS scores on WCTS were lower than those of ECS group (p = 0.001), while ECS had a longer reaction time (p = 0.02) and lower scores on MMS and WMST than those of ICS group (p = 0.03).

Conclusion

Patients with asymptomatic CAS had a high prevalence of cognitive dysfunction which places them at risk of higher morbidity. ICS group showed impairment on executive functions, while the ECS group showed predilection to memory and information processing dysfunction.
Gandhi’s Concept of Conscience/Antarātmā Revisited: Exploring His Cardinal Principle in Trilingual Texts
Authors: Hazama Eijiro
Published: October 2022

This article explores the nature and genealogy of Mohandas K. Gandhi’s concept of conscience/antarātmā(inner soul/spirit), the cardinal principle of his religious politics. Much previous scholarship, solely relying upon English materials, has explained the nature of Gandhi’s concept of conscience in relation to Western and Christian Protestant traditions. By chronologically examining his lifelong discourse on conscience expressed in English andantarātmāin Gujarati and Hindi writings, this article shows that: (1) Gandhi developed a distinct variant of hybrid thought that was essentially different from the prevalent negative conception of “guilty conscience” in the modern West by integrating ideas of conscience andātmā/ātman; (2) since the notion ofātmāwas intimately related to the ascetic bodily discipline (brahmacarya), Gandhi identified the essence of hissatyāgrahacampaign asātmabaḷ(the force ofātmā) and believed that taking the vow ofbrahmacaryacould enhance one’s vital energy (vīrya); and (3) as Gandhi reached his last years, and the most controversial phase of his intellectual evolution, he developed a new understanding of an inner voice/antarno avājwhose nature was “mystical” (gūḍh), and thereby difficult even for him to articulate in any language.
Analysing mathematical modelling tasks in light of citizenship education using the COVID-19 pandemic as a case study
Authors: Maass Katja , Zehetmeier Stefan , Weihberger Anika , Flößer Katharina
Published: October 2022

In this paper, we discuss the theoretical background of mathematical modelling and its connection to citizenship education. Citizenship education in this context means that young people are equipped with competencies to respond as responsible citizens in situations relevant for society. To outline the connection between mathematical modelling and citizenship education in theory, we discuss the aims of mathematical modelling, modelling competences and the connection between numeracy and modelling. Based on these reflections we present an extended modelling cycle that specifically highlights modelling steps relevant to citizenship education. To show how the theoretical connection between mathematical modelling and citizenship education can be used in teaching practice, we describe three different examples of modelling tasks and analyse them with the help of the extended modelling cycle. We argue that the three tasks support different learning aims in relation to citizenship education and require modellers to carry out different steps of the extended modelling cycle. As an example of context, we used the pandemic caused by COVID-19, as it affected the quality of human life greatly, as all students in the Western world experienced.
The Emerging Roles of E3 Ligases and DUBs in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: Liu Na , Lin Miao-Miao , Wang Yan
Published: October 2022

Despite annual increases in the incidence and prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases, there is a lack of effective treatment strategies. An increasing number of E3 ubiquitin ligases (E3s) and deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) have been observed to participate in the pathogenesis mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases, on the basis of which we conducted a systematic literature review of the studies. This review will help to explore promising therapeutic targets from highly dynamic ubiquitination modification processes.