bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of electroencephalography modification by antipsychotic drugs in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders using frontier orbital theory: A preliminary study
Authors: Ozaki Takashi , Mikami Koichiro , Toyomaki Atsuhito , Hashimoto Naoki , Ito Yoichi M. , Kusumi Ichiro
Published: February 2023

Aim

Schizophrenia is characterized by an abnormality in electroencephalography (EEG), which can be affected by antipsychotic drugs. Recently, the mechanism underlying these EEG alterations in schizophrenia patients was reframed from the perspective of redox abnormalities. The highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) can be calculated using a computational method and may be useful for evaluating the antioxidant/prooxidant effect of antipsychotic drugs. Thus, we examined the association between the effects of antipsychotic monotherapy on quantitative EEG and HOMO/LUMO energy.

Methods

We used medical report data including EEG results of psychiatric patients admitted to Hokkaido University Hospital. We extracted the EEG records of patients diagnosed with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder undergoing antipsychotic monotherapy during the natural course of treatment (n = 37). We evaluated the HOMO/LUMO energy of all antipsychotic drugs using computational methods. Multiple regression analyses were used to examine the relationship between the HOMO/LUMO energy of all antipsychotic drugs and spectral band power in all patients. Statistical significance was set at p < 6.25 × 10−4 adjusted with Bonferroni correction.

Results

We showed that the HOMO energy of all antipsychotic drugs had weak positive correlations with delta‐ and gamma‐band power (e.g., standardized β = 0.617 for delta in the F3 channel, p = 6.6 × 10−5; standardized β = 0.563 for gamma in the O1 channel, p = 5.0 × 10−4).

Conclusion

Although there may be unexpected bias and confounding factors, our findings suggest that the effect of antipsychotic drugs on EEG may be related to their antioxidant actions.
Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 agonists combined with sodium‐glucose cotransporter‐2 inhibitors reduce weight in type 1 diabetes
Authors: Al‐Ozairi Ebaa , Irshad Mohammad , Taghadom Etab , Sojan Litty , Al Kandari Jumana , Alroudhan Dherar , le Roux Carel W.
Published: February 2023

Objective

This study evaluated whether adding sodium‐glucose cotransporter‐2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) and/or glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists (GLP1‐RA) to insulin reduced weight and glycemia in people with type 1 diabetes.

Methods

This retrospective analysis of electronic health records evaluated 296 people with type 1 diabetes over 12 months after medications were first prescribed. Four groups were defined: controln = 80, SGLT2in = 94, GLP1‐RAn = 82, and combination of drugs (Combo)n = 40. We measured changes at 1 year in weight and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c).

Results

The control group did not have changes in weight or glycemic control. The mean (SD) percentage weight loss after 12 months was 4.4% (6.0%), 8.2%  (8.5%), and 9.0% (8.4%) in the SGLT2i, GLP1‐RA, and Combo groups, respectively (p < 0.001). The Combo group lost the most weight (p < 0.001). The HbA1c reduction was 0.4%  (0.7%), 0.3% (0.7%), and 0.6% (0.8%) in the SGLT2i, GLP1‐RA, and Combo groups, respectively (p < 0.001). The Combo group had the biggest improvements in glycemic control and total and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol compared with baseline (allp < 0.01). Severe adverse events were similar between all the groups, with no increased risk of diabetic ketoacidosis.

Conclusions

The SGLT2i and GLP1‐RA agents on their own improved body weight and glycemia, but combining the medications resulted in more weight loss. Treatment intensification appears to result in benefits with no difference in severe adverse events.
Birthweight of children with isolated congenital heart disease—A sibling analysis study
Authors: Aliasi Moska , Mastenbroek Malou , Papakosta Styliani , van Geloven Nan , Haak Monique C.
Published: February 2023

Objective

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is associated with decreased birthweight (BW) compared to population‐based references. The aim of this study was to compare the BW of isolated CHD cases to their siblings, thus controlling for unknown and unmeasured confounders within the family.

Methods

All isolated CHD cases in the Leiden University Medical Center were included (2002–2019). Generalized estimated equation models were constructed to compare BW z scores of CHD neonates with their siblings. Cases were clustered to minor or severe CHD and stratified according to the aortic flow and oxygenation to the brain.

Results

The overall BW z score of siblings was 0.032 (n = 471). The BW z score was significantly lower in CHD cases (n = 291) compared to their siblings (−0.20, p = 0.005). The results were consistent in the subgroup analysis of severe and minor CHD (BW z score difference −0.20 and −0.10), but did not differ significantly (p = 0.63). Stratified analysis regarding flow and oxygenation showed no BW difference between the groups (p = 0.1).

Conclusion

Isolated CHD cases display a significantly lower BW z score compared to their siblings. As the siblings of these CHD cases show a BW distribution similar to the general population, this suggests that shared environmental and maternal influences between siblings do not explain the difference in BW.
Mechanistic in vitro studies indicate that the clinical drug–drug interactions between protease inhibitors and rosuvastatin are driven by inhibition of intestinal BCRP and hepatic OATP1B1 with minimal contribution from OATP1B3, NTCP and OAT3
Authors: Elsby Robert , Coghlan Hannah , Edgerton Jacob , Hodgson David , Outteridge Samuel , Atkinson Hayley
Published: February 2023

Previous use of a mechanistic static model to accurately quantify the increased rosuvastatin exposure due to drug–drug interaction (DDI) with coadministered atazanavir underpredicted the magnitude of area under the plasma concentration–time curve ratio (AUCR) based on inhibition of breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) and organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP) 1B1. To reconcile the disconnect between predicted and clinical AUCR, atazanavir and other protease inhibitors (darunavir, lopinavir and ritonavir) were evaluated as inhibitors of BCRP, OATP1B1, OATP1B3, sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) and organic anion transporter (OAT) 3. None of the drugs inhibited OAT3, nor did darunavir and ritonavir inhibit OATP1B3 or NTCP. All drugs inhibited BCRP‐mediated estrone 3‐sulfate transport or OATP1B1‐mediated estradiol 17β‐D‐glucuronide transport with the same rank order of inhibitory potency (lopinavir>ritonavir>atazanavir>>darunavir) and mean IC50 values ranging from 15.5 ± 2.80 μM to 143 ± 14.7 μM or 0.220 ± 0.0655 μM to 9.53 ± 2.50 μM, respectively. Atazanavir and lopinavir also inhibited OATP1B3‐ or NTCP‐mediated transport with a mean IC50 of 1.86 ± 0.500 μM or 65.6 ± 10.7 μM and 5.04 ± 0.0950 μM or 20.3 ± 2.13 μM, respectively. Following integration of a combined hepatic transport component into the previous mechanistic static model using the in vitro inhibitory kinetic parameters determined above for atazanavir, the newly predicted rosuvastatin AUCR reconciled with the clinically observed AUCR confirming additional minor involvement of OATP1B3 and NTCP inhibition in its DDI. The predictions for the other protease inhibitors confirmed inhibition of intestinal BCRP and hepatic OATP1B1 as the principal pathways involved in their clinical DDI with rosuvastatin.
Sarcoidosis presenting as optic neuritis with vision loss
Authors: Kataoka Ryosuke , Kai Yoshiro , Ohara Hiroya , Hirai Hiromasa , Suzuki Kentaro , Takano Masato , Yamamoto Yoshifumi , Muro Shigeo
Published: February 2023

Neurosarcoidosis is a rare complication of sarcoidosis and unusually presents as optic neuritis. We present the case of a 51‐year‐old man who complained of right vision loss. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed asymmetrical enlargement of the right optic nerve. Chest computed tomography detected mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy. There were cutaneous nodules on the back. Biopsy of the mediastinal lymph node by endobronchial ultrasound‐guided transbronchial needle aspiration and the skin showed noncaseating granulomas consistent with sarcoidosis. Serum angiotensin‐converting enzyme level was elevated (34.2 IU/L) (normal: 8.3–21.4 IU/L). Based on these findings, he was diagnosed as neurosarcoidosis with optic neuritis. He was started on 1000‐mg/day methylprednisolone intravenously for 3 days, followed by oral 50‐mg/day prednisolone, which was gradually tapered for 8 weeks. Thereafter, the skin nodules and lymphadenopathy decreased and the right vision partially improved. Based on this rare case, sarcoidosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis in cases of optic neuritis.
Buckley–Jamesestimation of generalized additive accelerated lifetime model with ultrahigh‐dimensional data
Authors: Li Zichang , Zhao Xuejing
Published: February 2023

High‐dimensional covariates in lifetime data is a challenge in survival analysis, especially in gene expression profile. The objective of this paper is to propose an efficient algorithm to extend the generalized additive model to survival data with high‐dimensional covariates. The algorithm is combined of generalized additive (GAM) model and Buckley–James estimation, which makes a nonparametric extension to the nonlinear model, where the GAM is exploited to illustrate the nonlinear effect of the covariates and the Buckley–James estimation is used to address the regression model with right‐censored response. In addition, we use maximal‐information‐coefficient (MIC)‐type variable screening and weightedp‐value to reduce dimension in high‐dimensional situations. The performance of the proposed algorithm is compared with the three benchmark models: Cox proportional hazards regression model, random survival forest, and BJ‐AFT on a simulated dataset and two real survival datasets. The results, evaluated by concordance index (C‐index) as well as modified mean squared error (mMSE), illustrated the superiority of the proposed algorithm.
Refugee caregivers: Associations between psychosocial wellbeing and parenting in Uganda
Authors: Meinhart Melissa , Mangen Patrick Onyango , Hermosilla Sabrina , Cohen Flora , Agaba Gary Samuel , Kajungu Rehema , Knox Justin , Obalim Grace , Stark Lindsay
Published: February 2023

Caregivers in humanitarian settings experience compounding stressors that may challenge their ability to provide quality parenting to children in their care. In recognition of this precarity, our analysis examines the linkage between psychosocial wellbeing and parenting behaviours among caregivers in Kiryandongo Settlement, Uganda. Using baseline data from an evaluation of a psychosocial intervention designed to support caregiver wellbeing and engage caregivers to support children in their communities, multi‐variable ordinary least square regressions were used to estimate how various measures of psychosocial wellbeing (i.e. psychological distress, social support, and functioning) and parenting attitudes (related to violence against children) are associated with parental warmth and rejection. Profound livelihood challenges were found, as nearly half of the sample (48.20%) indicated cash from INGOs as their income source and/or reported never attending school (46.71%). Increased social support (coef. 0.11; 95% CIs: 0.08–0.15) and positive attitudes (coef. 0.21; 95% CIs: 0.14–0.29) were significantly associated with more desirable parental warmth/affection. Similarly, positive attitudes (coef. 0.16; 95% CIs 0.11–0.20), reduced distress (coef. 0.11; 95% CIs: 0.08–0.14) and increased functioning (coef. 0.03; 95% CIs: 0.01–0.04) were significantly associated with more desirable scores of parental undifferentiated rejection. While further research is needed to examine underlining mechanisms and causal pathways, our findings both link individual wellbeing characteristics with parenting behaviours and suggest further exploration into whether and how broader elements of the ecosystem may influence parenting outcomes.
Data interplay: A model to optimize data usage in the Internet of Things
Authors: Andrade Leandro , De Santana Cleber Jorge Lira , Alencar Brenno De Mello , Silva Claudio Jr. , Prazeres Cássio
Published: February 2023

The Internet of Things (IoT) has been playing an important role in the technology scenario due to its high potential and impact on different society segments. Estimates suggest a trend for an increase in the number of IoT devices connected to the Internet for the next few years. Hence, the volume of data produced by IoT devices will follow this growth perspective, and there will be a demand for systems that can process, store, and promote access to large amounts of data. The data collected from sensors in typical IoT systems is stored and processed in cloud servers. However, some IoT solutions use edge devices to perform specific actions, such as processing, storage, and access, using only local infrastructure for low latency requirements. Fog computing has been used to improve IoT solutions and to transfer some of the complexity from the cloud to the edge of the network, that is, closer to devices, applications and users, working as a kind of “local and private cloud.” The cooperation of devices and applications between edge and cloud creates a need for an interplay to enable data flow among the layers of IoT systems deployed on edge and in the cloud. Thus, IoT data systems should support the data life cycle through its collection, analysis, and use. Performance efficiency is a quality factor of systems and software engineering, which measures “performance relative to the number of resources used under stated conditions.” In particular, in IoT systems that involve a large volume of data, the performance efficiency of data interplay is a relevant requirement. This work proposes a data interplay model of IoT to define and deploy the IoT data life cycle in the collection, analytics, and data use stages. This data interplay proposal aims to improve performance efficiency in IoT data life cycle operations: collection, analytics, and use among devices and applications in edge and cloud infrastructures.
Non‐pharmacological approaches for treatment of premature ejaculation: a systematic review
Authors: Pizzol Damiano , López Sánchez Guillermo F , Ilie Petre Cristian , Bertoldo Alessandro , Trott Mike , Tully Mark A , Wilson Jason J , Veronese Nicola , Soysal Pinar , Carrie Anne , Ippoliti Simona , Pratsides Luke , Shah Sam , Koyanagi Ai , Butler Laurie , Barnett Yvonne , Parris Christopher , Lindsay Rosie , Smith Lee
Published: February 2023

Premature ejaculation is a common male condition worldwide with prevalence estimates varying from 30% to 85%. Owing to the lack of a clear definition and a clear understanding of the potentially multifactorial pathophysiology, treatment remains challenging. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the non‐pharmacological treatment modalities for PE to inform clinical practice and patients.
Improved flame retardancy and ceramifiable properties of PE composites by the combination of aluminum hypophosphite and zinc borate
Authors: Qian Chihui , Sun Qing , Zhang Jian , Sheng Jiawei
Published: February 2023

Ceramifiable polyolefin materials protect circuits by forming compact ceramic layers under fire conditions, and can have an excellent application prospect in the refractory cable field. In this paper, Aluminum hypophosphite (AHP) and zinc borate (ZB) were added to further improve flame retardancy and ceramifiable properties of polyethylene (PE)/silicon powder (SP)/wollastonite (WS)/glass frits (GF) composites. The LOI values of composites with AHP/ZB can reach 23.5%, significantly higher than that of PE/SP/WS/GF composites (19.6%). The thermal stability behavior and char yield behaviors of composites could also be characterized by the TG test. The incorporation of AHP/ZB enhances the flexural strength of residue formed at 1000°C from 0.1 to 20.5 MPa. In addition, a new crystal is formed at high temperatures and is identified as the calcium aluminum phosphate phase [CAP, Ca9Al (PO4)7] by XRD analysis. The flow of molten ZB accelerates the reaction of AHP and WS, and this eutectic reaction promotes the formation and stability of ceramics. Furthermore, the SEM analysis reveals the fluxing effect of ZB at low temperatures and AHP at high temperatures. The incorporation of AHP/ZB with a ratio of 1:1 could effectively avoid the vitrification of ceramics and improve their dimensional stability.
Soviet and Russian perspectives on geoengineering and climate management
Authors: Oldfield Jonathan D. , Poberezhskaya Marianna
Published: February 2023

Soviet science contributed significantly to our understanding of anthropogenic climate change and, as part of this, played a central role in the emerging science underpinning climate modification and geoengineering initiatives. A key focus of discussion was the use of stratospheric aerosols linked to the innovative ideas of Mikhail Budyko and colleagues. This work had its origins in what has been termed the theory of aerosol climatic catastrophe, which gained prominence in the Soviet context during the early 1970s. Following the breakup of the Soviet Union, the ideas of Budyko concerning the use of stratospheric aerosols were advanced by Yuri Izrael and his collaborators. The associated body of work gained traction during the 2000s and engendered a wider debate concerning the efficacy of geoengineering solutions amongst Russia's climate scientists. The legacies of this scientific discussion are also evident in recent high‐level international debates such as those linked to the activities of the IPCC. While significant geopolitical obstacles remain in the way of an international agreement linked to the possible deployment of geoengineering measures, interest continues to grow. The maturity of Russian science in the area of geoengineering and climate modification ensures that it remains an important voice within the broader scientific debate. At the same time, the progressive isolation of Russian science from the international scene due to wider geopolitical events risks deflecting attention away from contemporary popular and political debate in this area and alienating this rich scientific tradition at a critical juncture.

This article is categorized under:

Climate, History, Society, Culture > Ideas and Knowledge

Climate, History, Society, Culture > Disciplinary Perspectives

Climate, History, Society, Culture > Technological Aspects and Ideas
Rapid Quantification of NaDCC for Water Purification Tablets in Commercial Production Using ATR-FTIR Spectroscopy Based on Machine Learning Techniques
Authors: Asadi Hamzeh , O’Mahony Tom , Lambert Julie , Brown Kenneth N.
Published: February 2023

Accurate, fast and simple quantitative analysis of solid dosage forms is required for efficient pharmaceutical manufacturing. A spectroscopic analysis in ATR-FTIR (Attenuated Total Reflection-Fourier Transform Infrared) mode was developed for NaDCC (Sodium dichloroisocyanurate) quantification. This fast and low-cost method can be used to quantify NaDCC solid dosage forms using ATR-FTIR in absorbance mode in conjunction with partial least squares. A simple sampling procedure is included in the proposed experiment by just dissolving the samples in deionized water. An algorithm pipeline is also included for data cleaning, such as outlier removal, scatter correction, scaling, and mapping of the sample’s spectrum to a NaDCC concentration. In addition, a simple model based on Beer’s law was evaluated on a sub-range of$$1220{-}1830\,\text {cm}^{-1}$$. Furthermore, a variable selection algorithm shows minimum excipient interference from the sample matrix in addition to visual analysis. A statistical analysis of the proposed method shows that it demonstrates a promising result with a regression coefficient of 0.996 ($$R^2=0.996$$) and recovery range of 95.5%–107%. As a result of the positive correlation of ATR-FTIR with NaDCC concentration, and in conjunction with the proposed method, this can serve as a clean, fast, affordable and eco-friendly method for pharmaceutical analysis.
Going beyond the “common suspects”: to be presumed innocent in the era of algorithms, big data and artificial intelligence
Authors: Sachoulidou Athina
Published: February 2023

This article explores the trend of increasing automation in law enforcement and criminal justice settings through three use cases: predictive policing, machine evidence and recidivism algorithms. The focus lies on artificial-intelligence-driven tools and technologies employed, whether at pre-investigation stages or within criminal proceedings, in order to decode human behaviour and facilitate decision-making as to whom to investigate, arrest, prosecute, and eventually punish. In this context, this article first underlines the existence of a persistent dilemma between the goal of increasing the operational efficiency of police and judicial authorities and that of safeguarding fundamental rights of the affected individuals. Subsequently, it shifts the focus onto key principles of criminal procedure and the presumption of innocence in particular. Using Article 6 ECHR and the Directive (EU) 2016/343 as a starting point, it discusses challenges relating to the protective scope of presumption of innocence, the burden of proof rule and thein dubio pro reoprinciple as core elements of it. Given the transformations law enforcement and criminal proceedings go through in the era of algorithms, big data and artificial intelligence, this article advocates the adoption of specific procedural safeguards that will uphold rule of law requirements, and particularly transparency, fairness and explainability. In doing so, it also takes into account EU legislative initiatives, including the reform of the EU data protectionacquis, the E-evidence Proposal, and the Proposal for an EU AI Act. Additionally, it argues in favour of revisiting the protective scope of key fundamental rights, considering,inter alia, the new dimensions suspicion has acquired.
Microsatellites and mitochondrial evidence of multiple introductions of the invasive raccoon Procyon lotor in France
Authors: Larroque Jérémy , Chevret Pascale , Berger Juliette , Ruette Sandrine , Adriaens Tim , Van Den Berge Koen , Schockert Vinciane , Léger François , Veron Géraldine , Kaerle Cécile , Régis Corinne , Gautrelet Manon , Maillard Jean-François , Devillard Sébastien
Published: February 2023

Raccoons (Procyon lotor) are worldwide invaders, due to deliberate or accidental releases, and their impacts exceed hundred of billions of Euros in Europe only. In France, raccoons have currently established three separate, expanding populations. Identifying the current spatial genetic structure, dispersal events and phylogeography of these populations is needed to infer the invasion history and identify management units. We used wild and captive individuals sampled in France and Belgium to characterize the genetic diversity and current population genetic structure of French raccoon populations and identify potential genetic connectivity with the Belgium population using both mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite loci. Results confirm that French populations are the result of at least three independent introductions. While the three populations display low genetic diversity and sign of recent bottleneck, they are still expanding, suggesting that in addition to their ecological plasticity, the remaining genetic diversity is sufficient to successfully adapt to their new environment and allow a quick colonization. Particular attention must be given to the North-Eastern population, which shows genetic admixture with the Belgium population, as admixed individuals may exhibit hybrid vigor facilitating their expansion. The comparison of captive and wild individuals did not allow to identify a potential captive origin of the wild populations. The current regulation in France allowing captivity in zoos without enforcement to tighten the biosecurity of detention facilities might dampen any management measure as few introduced founders might be enough to create new populations.
Addressing unavoidable climate change loss and damage: A case study from Fiji’s sugar industry
Authors: Nand Moleen Monita , Bardsley Douglas K. , Suh Jungho
Published: February 2023

Climate change loss and damage (L&D) presents an existential threat to the Fiji Islands. This case study examines how rural Indo-Fijian sugarcane farming communities face challenges in minimising, averting, and addressing L&D from cyclones. In-depth semi-structured interviews (n = 68) were conducted with 40 sugarcane farmers in two Indo-Fijian sugarcane communities, Barotu and Toko settlements in Western Viti Levu, Fiji, and with 28 key stakeholders from government ministries, academia, and climate change response services. Despite implementing climate change adaptation measures, Fiji’s sugar industry has faced devastating L&D from frequent and severe cyclones. Much of the climate change L&D to crops, property, and income was irreversible and unavoidable. Non-economic loss and damage (NELD) was found insurmountable in both field sites, including the loss of homes and places of worship, cascading and flow-on effects as well as the heightening of uncertainty, fear, and trauma. Evidence suggests that L&D, including NELD, is highly context specific, and UNFCCC’s broad NELD categories do not fully capture L&D at the local level. The systematic documentation of L&D within vulnerable communities would improve understanding of L&D, including NELD, and assist to facilitate the mobilisation of immediate support and action to address L&D in countries that lack the capacities to respond independently. This paper recommends crucial policy interventions such as livelihood diversification, integration of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, land tenure policy reforms, and the operationalisation of the Santiago Network for Loss and Damage.
The Impact of Policy Interventions on Systemic Risk across Banks
Authors: Nistor Simona , Ongena Steven
Published: February 2023

What is the impact of policy interventions on the systemic risk of banks? To answer this question, we analyze a comprehensive sample that combines an original set of bank-specific bailout events with the balance sheets of key affected and nonaffected European banks between 2005 and 2014. We find a positive and significant association ofguaranteeswith systemic risk that is somewhat weaker in the long run when the regulator appoints members to the supervisory board. The short run association betweenrecapitalizationsand systemic risk is also positive for large and less capitalized banks, while in the long run, recapitalizations are linked with reduced systemic importance, especially for less profitable banks and in cases when the regulator limits management pay.Liquidity injectionsare positively linked with systemic risk, but the long-run effect is mitigated for small or better capitalized banks. In the short run, injecting liquidity is associated with reduced systemic risk when the regulator imposes restrictions on supervisory board composition or on management pay or capital payouts.
A novel mechanistic approach for the anti-fibrotic potential of rupatadine in rat liver via amendment of PAF/NF-ĸB p65/TGF-β1 and hedgehog/HIF-1α/VEGF trajectories
Authors: Didamoony Manar A. , Atwa Ahmed M. , Ahmed Lamiaa A.
Published: February 2023

Hepatic fibrosis is one of the major worldwide health concerns which requires tremendous research due to the limited outcomes of the current therapies. The present study was designed to assess, for the first time, the potential therapeutic effect of rupatadine (RUP) in diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced liver fibrosis and to explore its possible mechanistic actions. For the induction of hepatic fibrosis, rats were treated with DEN (100 mg/kg, i.p.) once weekly for 6 consecutive weeks, and on the 6th week, RUP (4 mg/kg/day, p.o.) was administered for 4 weeks. Treatment with RUP ameliorated changes in body weights, liver indices, liver function enzymes, and histopathological alterations induced by DEN. Besides, RUP amended oxidative stress, which led to the inhibition of PAF/NF-κB p65-induced inflammation, and, subsequently, prevention of TGF-β1 elevation and HSCs activation as indicated by reduced α-SMA expression and collagen deposition. Moreover, RUP exerted significant anti-fibrotic and anti-angiogenic effects by suppressing Hh and HIF-1α/VEGF signaling pathways. Our results highlight, for the first time, a promising anti-fibrotic potential of RUP in rat liver. The molecular mechanisms underlying this effect involve the attenuation of PAF/NF-κB p65/TGF-β1 and Hh pathways and, subsequently, the pathological angiogenesis (HIF-1α/VEGF).

Graphical abstract
Does Meta-induction Justify Induction: Or Maybe Something Else?
Authors: Pitts J. Brian
Published: February 2023

According to the Feigl–Reichenbach–Salmon–Schurz pragmatic justification of induction, no predictive method is guaranteed or even likely to work for predicting the future; but if anything will work, induction will work—at least when induction is employed at the meta-level of predictive methods in light of their track records. One entertains a priori all manner of esoteric prediction methods, and is said to arrive a posteriori at the conclusion, based on the actual past, that object-level induction is optimal. Schurz’s refinements largely solve the notorious short-run problem. A difficulty is noted, however, related to short-run worries but based on localized disagreement about the past, a feature characteristic of real debates (especially early modern) involving induction in intellectual history. Given the evidence about past events, unfiltered by induction, meta-induction might support a partly non-inductive method—especially as judged by proponents of esoteric prediction methods, who presumably believe that their methods have worked. Thus induction is justified meta-inductively in contexts where it was uncontroversial, while not obviously justified in key contexts where it has been disputed. This objection, momentarily sensed by Reichenbach regarding clairvoyance, is borne out by the Stoics’ use of meta-induction to justify both science and divination and by ancient Hebrew examples of meta-induction. Schurz’s recently introduced criteria for acceptance of testimony play a crucial role in arriving at object-level induction using meta-induction, but one might question them. Given the need for judgment in accepting testimony, it is unclear that the subjectivity of Howson’s Bayesian answer to Hume’s problem is overcome.
Formal Epistemology Meets Mechanism Design
Authors: Landes Jürgen
Published: February 2023

This article connects recent work in formal epistemology to work in economics and computer science. Analysing the Dutch Book Arguments, Epistemic Utility Theory and Objective Bayesian Epistemology we discover that formal epistemologists employ the same argument structure as economists and computer scientists. Since similar approaches often have similar problems and have shared solutions, opportunities for cross-fertilisation abound.
Investigating the effect of intelligent assistance systems on motivational work characteristics in assembly
Authors: Walczok Marvin , Bipp Tanja
Published: February 2023

Intelligent assistance systems (IAS) are designed to counteract rising cognitive demands caused by increasingly individualized manufacturing processes in assembly. How IAS affect work characteristics which are crucial for promoting work motivation of employees is yet unclear. Based on the cyber-physical systems transformation framework, the model of routine-biased technological change, and a comprehensive model of work design, we expected in- and decreases in motivational work characteristics (MWC) when working with IAS. Furthermore, we posited a buffering effect of the option of voluntary use on decreasing knowledge characteristics. Applying an online case study with experimental vignette methodology (EVM) allowed us to identify effects of the IAS on MWC before it is widely implemented. 203 German and British blue-collar workers evaluated an assembly workplace according to three experimental conditions (work without IAS, work with IAS, work with voluntary use of IAS). We identified enhanced feedback from the job and information processing in work with IAS in contrast to a traditional assembly workplace but found no restrictions (or elevations) in terms of other task (i.e., autonomy) or knowledge characteristics (i.e., job complexity, problem solving, specialization, skill variety). Thus, our results indicate that the IAS improves some motivational work characteristics of the assembly workplace, although it misses the primary goal of cognitive relief. Our study highlights the need for work design theories that specify the effect of IAS on motivational work characteristics and the potential benefit of IAS in assembly of the future.
A Cyber-Physical System for Integrated Remote Control and Protection of Smart grid Critical Infrastructures
Authors: Isern Juan , Jimenez-Perera Gabriel , Medina-Valdes Luis , Chaves Pablo , Pampliega David , Ramos Francisco , Barranco Francisco
Published: February 2023

This work proposes a Cyber-Physical System (CPS) for protecting smart electric grid critical infrastructures using video surveillance while remotely monitoring them. Due to the critical nature of the smart grid, it is necessary to guarantee an adequate level of safety, security and reliability. Thus, this CPS is back-boned by a Time-Sensitive Network solution providing concurrent support for smart video surveillance and smart grid control over a single communication infrastructure. To this end, TSN delivers high-bandwidth communication for video surveillance and deterministic quality of service, latency and bandwidth guarantees, required by the time-critical revision smart grid control. On the one hand, the CPS utilizes High-availability Seamless Redundancy in the control subsystem via Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) guaranteeing seamless failover against failures in smart grid. On the other hand, the smart video surveillance subsystem applies machine learning to monitor secured perimeters and detect people around the smart grid critical infrastructure. Moreover, it is also able to directly interoperate with RTUs to send alarms in case of for example, an intrusion. The work evaluates the accuracy and performance of the detection using common metrics in surveillance field. An integrated monitoring dashboard has also been developed in which all CPS information is available in real time.
Does privacy and ease of use influence user trust in digital banking applications in Spain and Portugal?
Authors: Martínez-Navalón Juan-Gabriel , Fernández-Fernández María , Alberto Fernanda Pedrosa
Published: February 2023

The growth of technology in recent years and the increased use of digital platforms has boosted e-commerce, where digital banking stands out in this research. The present study aims to analyze the impact of the variables privacy, ease of use and trust in digital banking. In addition, it studies whether this impact is affected by the nationality of the users. The study was conducted through a literature review and the dissemination of an online questionnaire using PLS software. The analysis validated the measurement scale and analyzed the structural model at different stages, which confirmed its validity and reliability. The research concludes that privacy positively influences trust and perceived ease of use by users. Moreover, it confirms that the higher the perceived ease of use, the higher the consumer trust. However, the research does not show significant results to support that the difference in nationality positively and directly influences the sense of trust, privacy and ease of use of the surveyed users.
Enhancing the Predictive Capabilities of Microstructure Simulations of PBF-LB/M by an Evaluation of Nucleation Theories
Authors: Panzer Hannes , Buss Lorenz , Zaeh Michael F.
Published: February 2023

Powder Bed Fusion of Metals using a Laser Beam (PBF-LB/M) has proven to be a competitive manufacturing technology to produce customized parts with a high geometric complexity. Due to process-specific characteristics, such as high cooling rates, the microstructural features can be tailored. This offers the possibility to locally control the mechanical properties. Therefore, the grain structure has to be reliably predicted at first. The starting point of the grain formation and the growth process is characterized by the nucleation. Over the course of this study, various nucleation theories were applied to the PBF-LB/M process and their suitability was evaluated. The two Sc-modified aluminum alloys Scalmalloy® and Scancromal® were processed with a novel experimental PBF-LB/M setup. By performing melt pool simulations based on the Finite Element Method (FEM), the input data for the nucleation models were obtained. The simulatively predicted nucleation zones based on the different theories were compared to real metallographic images and to literature results. It was found that the phenomenological approach should be used whenever no first-time-right prediction of the simulation is necessary. The physically based models with the heterogeneous nucleation should be applied if a first-time-right prediction is striven for. For applications in PBF-LB/M, the nucleation models should be extended in terms of the influence of precipitates and the high cooling rates during the manufacturing process. The presented approach may be used to further assess grain nucleation models for various additive manufacturing processes.
The influence of energy management systems on the progress of efficient energy use in cross-cutting technologies in companies
Authors: Knayer Tobias , Kryvinska Natalia
Published: February 2023

The implementation of energy efficiency measures in companies is the key to a successful energy transition. To that end, companies should improve their energy efficiency and achieve energy savings. The aim of this paper is to present the current status of energy efficiency in companies based on selected cross-cutting technologies and to empirically investigate the implementation status of these measures. For this purpose, a multiple case study was conducted with 386 companies from different industries. The data basis of the case study was generated by means of questionnaires, interviews, and expert visits, and the data were collected within the framework of the Network of Regional Competence Centers for Energy Efficiency, an EU-funded project. A comparison of the potentials of companies with an energy management system in accordance with ISO 50001 and companies without such a system was carried out on the basis of 12 cross-cutting technologies. Statistical evaluation methods and hypothesis testing of eleven hypotheses and nine expressions were used. Our case study showed that (1) the level of energy efficiency in companies is highly dependent on the measure considered. (2) Simple measures have lower potentials than more complex, cost-intensive measures. (3) A positive effect of energy management on energy efficiency in general and on individual measures such as lighting technology, energy monitoring, peak load management, and energy purchasing is empirically confirmed. Further studies should investigate the interaction and correlation of individual efficiency measures (e.g., investments and organizational measures in cross-cutting technologies) in companies to make more targeted statements about the companies' needs and to create efficient support programs.
Evolution of sex determination in crustaceans
Authors: Ye Zhiqiang , Bishop Trent , Wang Yaohai , Shahriari Ryan , Lynch Michael
Published: February 2023

Sex determination (SD) involves mechanisms that determine whether an individual will develop into a male, female, or in rare cases, hermaphrodite. Crustaceans harbor extremely diverse SD systems, including hermaphroditism, environmental sex determination (ESD), genetic sex determination (GSD), and cytoplasmic sex determination (e.g., Wolbachia controlled SD systems). Such diversity lays the groundwork for researching the evolution of SD in crustaceans, i.e., transitions among different SD systems. However, most previous research has focused on understanding the mechanism of SD within a single lineage or species, overlooking the transition across different SD systems. To help bridge this gap, we summarize the understanding of SD in various clades of crustaceans, and discuss how different SD systems might evolve from one another. Furthermore, we review the genetic basis for transitions between different SD systems (i.e., Dmrt genes) and propose the microcrustacean Daphnia (clade Branchiopoda) as a model to study the transition from ESD to GSD.
Tail index partition-based rules extraction with application to tornado damage insurance
Authors: Maillart Arthur , Robert Christian Y.
Published: February 2023

The tail index is an important parameter that measures how extreme events occur. In many practical cases, this tail index depends on covariates. In this paper,we assume that it takes a finite number of values over a partition of the covariate space. This article proposes a tail index partition-based rules extraction method that is able to construct estimates of the partition subsets and estimates of the tail index values. The method combines two steps: first an additive tree ensemble based on the Gamma deviance is fitted, and second a hierarchical clustering with spatial constraints is used to estimate the subsets of the partition. We also propose a global tree surrogate model to approximate the partition-based rules while providing an explainable model from the initial covariates. Our procedure is illustrated on simulated data. A real case study on wind property damages caused by tornadoes is finally presented.
The influence of unsteady aerodynamics and
inter-blade aerodynamic coupling on the blades
responses to harmonic variations of their pitch
angles
Authors: Rosen A. , Isser A. , Yoshpe M.
Published: February 2023

During recent years a new vortex model of the unsteady
aerodynamics of a hovering rotor or a rotor in axial
flight, named Temura, has been
developed in the Technion. This model has succeeded
in describing various phenomena of rotor dynamics.
In the present paper Temura is used
in order to develop a model which describes the
blades’ responses to harmonic variations of their
pitch angles. This model includes unsteady
influences of trailing and shed vortices, together
with unsteady geometric effects which represent a
special capability of Temura. The
model is general and can be applied to any number of
blades and arbitrary differences between the pitch
angle variations of different blades. The
application of the model to analyse cases of
collective harmonic pitch variations and
differential harmonic pitch variations is presented.
Numerical results of the new model are compared with
experimental results from the literature and good
agreement is shown.
Rapid determination of aerodynamic
sensitivity derivatives for subsonic
wings
Authors: Mingchu X. , Wenying G.
Published: February 2023

A rapid quasi-analytical method — low order
perturbation panel method — is presented for
calculating aerodynamic sensitivity derivatives for
subsonic wings. The method is based on the low order
panel method with the internal Dirichlet problem
formulation and analytical differentiations cascaded
and inverted. In terms of doublet strength
sensitivity to configuration geometry, the computing
cost of the present method for the partial
derivative matrix calculation is less than one order
of magnitude than the existing high order
perturbation panel method, but the accuracy is
comparable. Furthermore, by applying a physical
interpolation instead of a weighted geometrical
interpolation, the sensitivity derivatives of
pressure, lift and pitching moment coefficient with
respect to configuration geometry are derived and
calculated in the present paper. Such sensitivity
derivatives are lacking in high order perturbation
panel method. A few calculative examples are
given.
On the effect of uniform suction on
stability and transition in zero pressure gradient
viscous incompressible flow
Authors: Poll D. I. A. , Walsh S. A. , Gallagher M. C.
Published: February 2023

The classic problem of stability and transition to
turbulence of an incompressible flow over a flat
plate subjected to uniform suction through the
surface is considered. This is an important “model”
problem for laminar flow control and the results
have direct application to the design of low drag
aerofoils. Detailed mean boundary layer calculations
are presented and the flow stability is determined
by obtaining numerical solutions of the
Orr-Somerfield equation. Transition conditions are
estimated by using the semi-empirical en method.
Accurate values have been obtained for the levels of
suction necessary to delay instability and
transition indefinitely. Consideration has also been
given to the effect of surface suction upon the
plate drag.
Measurement of drag using a momentum
balance
Authors: Squire L. C.
Published: February 2023

This note presents the results of the application of a
momentum control surface analysis to the estimation
of the drag of bodies and surfaces placed in the
test section of a windtunnel. The assumptions of the
method are stated and accuracy of the method
considered with particular reference to the drag of
riblet surfaces at high subsonic speeds, the drag of
two-dimensional cavities at both high subsonic and
low supersonic speeds, and the drag of manipulators
at high subsonic speeds.
Optimal load limiting parachute inflation
control
Authors: Redmond J. , Parker G. G. , Hinnerichs T. D.
Published: February 2023

Excessive deceleration forces experienced during high
speed deployment of parachute systems can cause
damage to the payload and the canopy fabric.
Conventional reefing lines offer limited relief by
temporarily restricting canopy inflation and
limiting the peak deceleration load. However, the
open-loop control provided by existing reefing
devices restricts their use to a specific set of
deployment conditions. The sensing, processing, and
actuation which are characteristic of adaptive
structures form the basis of three concepts for
active control of parachute inflation. These active
control concepts are incorporated into a computer
simulation of parachute inflation. Initial
investigations indicate that these concepts promise
enhanced performance as compared to conventional
techniques for a nominal release. Furthermore, the
ability of each controller to adapt to off-nominal
release conditions is examined.
A study of the three-dimensional
interaction of wakes and boundary
layers
Authors: Yeung C. P. , Squire L. C.
Published: February 2023

This paper concerns the study of the three-dimensional
interaction of a slat wake and a wing boundary
layer, as commonly occurs on the suction surface of
a high-lift rnulti-element aerofoil. The
experimental test case has a realistic slat-wing
flow configuration under infinite swept wing
conditions. This enables the effect of the cross
flow induced by the wing sweep on the slat wake and
the wing boundary layer interaction process to be
investigated. A triple hot-wire system has been used
to measure the mean velocity and Reynolds stress
components in the flow field. The measurements are
used to validate a three-dimensional boundary layer
code, which has been modified to calculate this
three-dimensional wake-boundary layer mixing
flow.