bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mitochondrial genetic variation and risk of chronic kidney disease and acute kidney injury in UK Biobank participants
Authors: Jotwani Vasantha , Yang Stephanie Y. , Thiessen-Philbrook Heather , Parikh Chirag R. , Katz Ronit , Tranah Gregory J. , Ix Joachim H. , Cummings Steve , Waikar Sushrut S. , Shlipak Michael G. , Sarnak Mark J. , Parikh Samir M. , Arking Dan E.
Published: February 2024

Experimental models suggest an important role for mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and acute kidney injury (AKI), but little is known regarding the impact of common mitochondrial genetic variation on kidney health. We sought to evaluate associations of inherited mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation with risk of CKD and AKI in a large population-based cohort. We categorized UK Biobank participants who self-identified as white into eight distinct mtDNA haplotypes, which were previously identified based on their associations with phenotypes associated with mitochondrial DNA copy number, a measure of mitochondrial function. We used linear and logistic regression models to evaluate associations of these mtDNA haplotypes with estimated glomerular filtration rate by serum creatinine and cystatin C (eGFRCr-CysC, N = 362,802), prevalent (N = 416 cases) and incident (N = 405 cases) end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), AKI defined by diagnostic codes (N = 14,170 cases), and urine albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR, N = 114,662). The mean age was 57 ± 8 years and the mean eGFR was 90 ± 14 ml/min/1.73 m2. MtDNA haplotype was significantly associated with eGFR (p = 2.8E−12), but not with prevalent ESKD (p = 5.9E−2), incident ESKD (p = 0.93), AKI (p = 0.26), or urine ACR (p = 0.54). The association of mtDNA haplotype with eGFR remained significant after adjustment for diabetes mellitus and hypertension (p = 1.2E−10). When compared to the reference haplotype, mtDNA haplotypes I (β = 0.402, standard error (SE) = 0.111; p = 2.7E−4), IV (β = 0.430, SE = 0.073; p = 4.2E−9), and V (β = 0.233, SE = 0.050; p = 2.7E−6) were each associated with higher eGFR. Among self-identified white UK Biobank participants, mtDNA haplotype was associated with eGFR, but not with ESKD, AKI or albuminuria.
Ein Instrument zur Erfassung biopsychosozialer Schmerzkonzepte von Erwachsenen
Authors: Wickering L. , Lautwein C. , Fiegler A. , Allerdißen L. , Kloos T. , Schneider M. , Hechler T.
Published: February 2024

Hintergrund

Das biopsychosoziale Modell ist Grundlage für das Verständnis und die Behandlung chronischer Schmerzen. Ob Betroffene ein biopsychosoziales Verständnis zeigen, ist wenig erforscht. Hier wird der multidimensionale Fragebogen „Biopsychosoziale Schmerzkonzept Matrix“ (BiPS Matrix) vorgestellt. Die Konzeption der BiPS Matrix basiert sowohl auf den Bereichen biologisch, psychologisch und sozial als auch auf dem Common-Sense Model of Self-Regulation mit fünf Dimensionen: (1) Art der Störung, (2) Annahmen zur Ursache, (3) Konsequenzen, (4) zeitlicher Krankheitsverlauf, (5) Möglichkeiten der Kontrolle/Behandlung.

Ziel

Ziel der vorliegenden Studie ist die Erfassung der inhaltlichen Relevanz und Verständlichkeit der Bereiche, Dimensionen und Items inklusive der Verwendung der BiPS Matrix mit Kindern durch interdisziplinäre Expert*innen-Ratings. Perspektivisch kann der Fragebogen von Behandelnden im Rahmen der Diagnostik angewendet werden.

Methode

In einer Online-Studie wurden 17 Expert*innen befragt. Neben deskriptiven Statistiken wurden Kommentare mittels qualitativer Inhaltsanalyse nach Mayring ausgewertet.

Ergebnisse

Alle Expert*innen schätzten die Erfassung von Schmerzkonzepten mit der BiPS Matrix sowie die Bereiche und Dimensionen als sehr relevant ein. Hinsichtlich der Items wurden vorwiegend Vorschläge bezüglich der Itemformulierungen sowie Anpassungsvorschläge für Kinder gemacht.

Diskussion

Die BiPS Matrix stellt aus Expert*innensicht ein relevantes Instrument dar. Weitere Forschung zur psychometrischen Überprüfung der BiPS Matrix bei Erwachsenen und Kindern ist indiziert. Daneben kann die BiPS Matrix auch zur Erforschung von Schmerzkonzepten an medizinischen und psychotherapeutischen Berufsgruppen zur Abbildung des biopsychosozialen Schmerzverständnisses und der damit einhergehenden Behandlungsangebote eingesetzt werden.
Exploring emergent syllables in end-to-end automatic speech recognizers through model explainability technique
Authors: Vitale Vincenzo Norman , Cutugno Francesco , Origlia Antonio , Coro Gianpaolo
Published: February 2024

Automatic speech recognition systems based on end-to-end models (E2E-ASRs) can achieve comparable performance to conventional ASR systems while reproducing all their essential parts automatically, from speech units to the language model. However, they hide the underlying perceptual processes modelled, if any, and they have lower adaptability to multiple application contexts, and, furthermore, they require powerful hardware and an extensive amount of training data. Model-explainability techniques can explore the internal dynamics of these ASR systems and possibly understand and explain the processes conducting to their decisions and outputs. Understanding these processes can help enhance ASR performance and reduce the required training data and hardware significantly. In this paper, we probe the internal dynamics of three E2E-ASRs pre-trained for English by building an acoustic-syllable boundary detector for Italian and Spanish based on the E2E-ASRs’ internal encoding layer outputs. We demonstrate that the shallower E2E-ASR layers spontaneously form a rhythmic component correlated with prominent syllables, central in human speech processing. This finding highlights a parallel between the analysed E2E-ASRs and human speech recognition. Our results contribute to the body of knowledge by providing a human-explainable insight into behaviours encoded in popular E2E-ASR systems.
Impact of the novel coronavirus infection on pediatric surgery: an analysis of data from the National Clinical Database
Authors: Ise Kazuya , Tachimori Hisateru , Fujishiro Jun , Tomita Hirofumi , Suzuki Kan , Yamamoto Hiroyuki , Miyata Hiroaki , Fuchimoto Yasushi
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic limited the delivery of medical resources. Although surgeries are triaged according to disease severity and urgency, a delay in diagnosis and surgery can be detrimental. We conducted this study to analyze data on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric surgery for different diseases or disorders.

Methods

We compiled and compared data on pediatric surgical cases from 2018 to 2020, using the National Clinical Database. The number of diseases, severity, complication rates, mortality rates by disease/disorder, and the COVID-19 pandemic areas were analyzed.

Results

The total number of cases of pediatric surgery in 2018, 2019, and 2020 was 50,026, 49,794, and 45,621, respectively, reflecting an 8.8% decrease in 2020 from 2018 and an 8.4% decrease in 2020 from 2019. A decrease was observed when the number of patients with COVID-19 was high and was greater in areas with a low infection rate. There was a marked decrease in the number of inguinal hernia cases. The number of emergency room visits and emergency surgeries decreased, but their relative proportions increased.

Conclusions

The COVID-19 pandemic decreased the number of pediatric surgeries, reflecting the limitations of scheduled surgeries and infection control measures.
A novel lncRNA-hidden polypeptide regulates malignant phenotypes and pemetrexed sensitivity in A549 pulmonary adenocarcinoma cells
Authors: Han Xiaobing , Chen Liangxin , Sun Peng , Wang Xiuqing , Zhao Qian , Liao Lingfeng , Lou Dejin , Zhou Nan , Wang Yujun
Published: February 2024

The advance of high-throughput sequencing enhances the discovery of short ORFs embedded in long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). Here, we uncovered the production and biological activity of lncRNA-hidden polypeptides in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). In the present study, bioinformatics was used to screen the lncRNA-hidden polypeptides in LUAD. Analysis of protein expression was done by western blot or immunofluorescence assay. The functions of the polypeptide were determined by detecting its effects on cell viability, proliferation, migration, invasion, and pemetrexed (PEM) sensitivity. The protein interactors of the polypeptide were analyzed by mass spectrometry after Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assay. The results showed that the lncRNA LINC00954 was confirmed to encode a novel polypeptide LINC00954-ORF. The polypeptide had tumor-suppressor features in A549 cells by repressing cell growth, motility and invasion. Moreover, the polypeptide enhanced PEM sensitivity and suppressed growth in A549/PEM cells. The protein interactors of this polypeptide had close correlations with RNA processing, amide metabolic process, translation, RNA binding, RNA transport, and DNA replication. As a conclusion, the LINC00954-ORF polypeptide embedded in lncRNA LINC00954 possesses tumor-suppressor features in A549 and PEM-resistant A549 cells and sensitizes PEM-resistant A549 cells to PEM, providing evidence that the LINC00954-ORF polypeptide is a potential anti-cancer agent in LUAD.
Unexpected findings: loss of corneal endothelial cells in Uygur patients with exfoliation syndrome
Authors: Ma Yinu , Li Qin , Dong Yue , Yi Xianglong
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate anterior segment parameters in patients with exfoliation syndrome (XFS) and exfoliation glaucoma (XFG).

Methods

The study adopted a retrospective case series design, involving a total of 56 patients (112 eyes) with unrelated XFS/XFG (XFS: 26 patients/60 eyes; XFG: 30 patients/44 eyes) and 100 age-related cataract cases as the control group (200 eyes). The participants were evaluated at the ophthalmology department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University. Clinical data, including eye axial length, anterior chamber depth, white-to-white distance, central corneal thickness, and corneal endothelial cell density (ECD), were collected for statistical analysis.

Results

ECD exhibited a significant difference between the XFS/XFG and age-related cataract groups (P < 0.001), while the remaining indexes did not show statistical differences (P > 0.05). Ocular parameters in patients with XFS and XFG were distinct from those in age-related cataract cases, with consistent results. Notably, there were no statistically significant differences between XFS and XFG patients.

Conclusions

ECD is reduced in XFS/XFG patients compared with age-related cataract subjects. It is crucial to remain vigilant to enhance surgical safety in XFS/XFG patients and prevent complications proactively.
Quantum algorithms to compute the neighbour list of N-body simulations
Authors: Combarro E. F. , Rúa I. F. , Orts F. , Ortega G. , Puertas A. M. , Garzón E. M.
Published: February 2024

One of the strategies to reduce the complexity of N-body simulations is the computation of the neighbour list. However, this list needs to be updated from time to time, with a high computational cost. This paper focuses on the use of quantum computing to accelerate such a computation. Our proposal is based on a well-known oracular quantum algorithm (Grover). We introduce an efficient quantum circuit to build the oracle that marks pairs of closed bodies, and we provide three novel algorithms to calculate the neighbour list under several hypotheses which take into account a-priori information of the system. We also describe a decision methodology for the actual use of the proposed quantum algorithms. The performance of the algorithms is tested with a statistical simulation of the oracle, where a fixed number of pairs of bodies are set as neighbours. A statistical analysis of the number of oracle queries is carried out. The results obtained with our simulations indicate that when the density of bodies is low, our algorithms clearly outperform the best classical algorithm in terms of oracle queries.
Unlocking the value from car data: A taxonomy and archetypes of connected car business models
Authors: Sterk Felix , Stocker Alexander , Heinz Daniel , Weinhardt Christof
Published: February 2024

The automotive industry is relocating from viewing cars as standalone products to an all-encompassing ecosystem built around connected cars enabling data-driven business models. The vastly increasing amount of data collected by connected cars grants a unique driving experience for its users while providing companies operating in the automotive industry access to valuable information and, ultimately, cost and revenue benefits. In this article, we develop an empirically and theoretically grounded taxonomy of data-driven business models in the connected car domain to explore the impact of car connectivity and data availability on business models. Building on this, we conduct a cluster analysis revealing seven business model archetypes for the connected car domain: data platforms, location-based services, fleet management, diagnostics and maintenance, driving analytics, cyber-physical protection, and connected infotainment. Our findings advance the theoretical knowledge of data-driven business models, provide researchers with a systematic analysis of connected car-enabled business models, and enable decision-makers to identify strategic opportunities for leveraging connected car technology to enrich their business portfolios.
Validation of an in-house developed therapeutic dosimetric software tool for the treatment of 177Lutetium-DOTATATE peptide receptor radionuclide therapy
Authors: Van Wyk Bronwin , Hasford Francis , Nyakale Nozipho , Vangu Mboyo-Di-Tamba
Published: February 2024

Background

Computer software for absorbed dose quantification has been used widely in nuclear medicine. Different software tools have been written to improve the dose assessment, especially in therapeutic nuclear medicine. Some software tools focusing on computational phantom models from the international commission of radiation protection and units (ICRP) whilst others on Monte Carlo simulated models. While many studies have investigated therapeutic nuclear medicine dosimetry. The authors have noticed that very few papers compare the therapeutic software tools to each other, hence a doctor of philosophy study was embarked on. The aim of our study was therefore to validate our in-house developed software tool Masterdose using the commercial software OLINDA/EXM 1.0 that was available in our department.

Methods

Methodology was based on clinical patient data treated for neuroendocrine tumours with 177Lutetium (Lu)-DOTATATE at a South African hospital. All patients underwent the same SPECT acquisition protocol and were corrected for scatter, partial volume, collimator-detector response, gamma camera calibration and attenuation. Correction factors were applied to images to convert counts to activity. The first cycle of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) for 11 single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) patients were compared on the Masterdose and OLINDA/EXM 1.0 software tools at 1, 24, 72 and 168 h. Cumulated activity and the absorbed dose were compared for the two software tools. The absorbed dose difference was then compared using statistical Bland-Altman analysis.

Results

Masterdose and OLINDA/EXM 1.0 had different peptide receptor radionuclide therapy methodologies. This led to different results obtained for the software tools. Cumulated activities of Masterdose and DTK was 10.5% and 10.9% for the kidneys and tumours respectively. On average tumour absorbed doses were nine-times that of the kidneys. Bland–Altman analysis show a non-systematic difference between the two software.

Conclusion

On average the relative percentage difference between the cumulated activities and absorbed dose of the two software were 10.7%.
Development of a culturally targeted chatbot to inform living kidney donor candidates of African ancestry about APOL1 genetic testing: a mixed methods study
Authors: Gordon Elisa J. , Gacki-Smith Jessica , Gooden Matthew J. , Waite Preeya , Yacat Rochell , Abubakari Zenab R. , Duquette Debra , Agrawal Akansha , Friedewald John , Savage Sarah K. , Cooper Matthew , Gilbert Alexander , Muhammad Lutfiyya N. , Wicklund Catherine
Published: February 2024

Clinical chatbots are increasingly used to help integrate genetic testing into clinical contexts, but no chatbot exists for Apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) genetic testing of living kidney donor (LKD) candidates of African ancestry. Our study aimed to culturally adapt and assess perceptions of the Gia® chatbot to help integrate APOL1 testing into LKD evaluation. Ten focus groups and post-focus group surveys were conducted with 54 LKDs, community members, and kidney transplant recipients of African ancestry. Data were analyzed through thematic analysis and descriptive statistics. Key themes about making Gia culturally targeted included ensuring: (1) transparency by providing Black LKDs’ testimonials, explaining patient privacy and confidentiality protections, and explaining how genetic testing can help LKD evaluation; (2) content is informative by educating Black LKDs about APOL1 testing instead of aiming to convince them to undergo testing, presenting statistics, and describing how genetic discrimination is legally prevented; and (3) content avoids stigma about living donation in the Black community. Most agreed Gia was neutral and unbiased (82%), trustworthy (82%), and words, phrases, and expressions were familiar to the intended audience (85%). Our culturally adapted APOL1 Gia chatbot was well regarded. Future research should assess how this chatbot could supplement provider discussion prior to genetic testing to scale APOL1 counseling and testing for LKD candidate clinical evaluation.
Coronary events in elderly patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation: a prespecified sub-analysis of the ANAFIE registry
Authors: Nakamura Masato , Inoue Hiroshi , Yamashita Takeshi , Akao Masaharu , Atarashi Hirotsugu , Ikeda Takanori , Koretsune Yukihiro , Okumura Ken , Shimizu Wataru , Suzuki Shinya , Tsutsui Hiroyuki , Toyoda Kazunori , Yasaka Masahiro , Yamaguchi Takenori , Teramukai Satoshi , Morishima Yoshiyuki , Fukuzawa Masayuki , Takita Atsushi , Hirayama Atsushi
Published: February 2024

Real-world data on coronary events (CE) in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are lacking in the direct oral anticoagulant era. This prespecified sub-analysis of the ANAFIE Registry, a prospective observational study in > 30,000 Japanese patients aged ≥ 75 years with non-valvular AF (NVAF), investigated CE incidence and risk factors. The incidence and risk factors for new-onset CE (a composite of myocardial infarction [MI] and cardiac intervention for coronary heart diseases other than MI), MI, and cardiac intervention for coronary heart diseases other than MI during the 2-year follow-up were assessed. Bleeding events in CE patients were also examined. Among 32,275 patients, the incidence rate per 100 patient-years was 0.48 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.42–0.53) for CE during the 2-year follow-up, 0.20 (0.16–0.23) for MI, and 0.29 (0.25–0.33) for cardiac intervention for coronary heart diseases other than MI; that of stroke/systemic embolism was 1.62 (1.52–1.73). Patients with CE (n = 287) likely had lower creatinine clearance (CrCL) and higher CHADS2 and HAS-BLED scores than patients without CE (n = 31,988). Significant risk factors associated with new-onset CE were male sex, systolic blood pressure of ≥ 130 mmHg, diabetes mellitus (glycated hemoglobin ≥ 6.0%), CE history, antiplatelet agent use, and CrCL < 50 mL/min. Major bleeding incidence was significantly higher in patients with new-onset CE vs without CE (odds ratio [95% CI], 3.35 [2.06–5.43]). In elderly patients with NVAF, CE incidence was lower than stroke/systemic embolism incidence. New-onset CE (vs no CE) was associated with a higher incidence of major bleeding.

Trial registration: UMIN000024006.

Graphical Abstract
Performance of multistage-fractured horizontal wells with secondary discrete fractures in heterogeneous tight reservoirs
Authors: Deng Qi , Qu Jianhua , Mi Zhongrong , Xu Bing , Lv Xindong , Huang Kai , Zhang Boning , Nie Ren-Shi , Chen Shengnan
Published: February 2024

A significant portion of tight sandstone reservoirs commonly displays intricate fluvial channels or fault systems. Despite various attempts at analytical/semi-analytical modeling of multistage-fractured horizontal wells (MFHWs) in unconventional reservoirs, the majority of studies have focused on scenarios with homogeneous original physical properties, neglecting cases where MFHWs traverse multiple regions in channelized heterogeneous reservoirs. Comprehending the influence of heterogeneous and leaky faults on the performance of MFHWs is essential for efficient development. This study presents an innovative semi-analytical model to analyze the pressure transient behavior of MFHWs with secondary fractures as they traverse multiple regions in banded channel heterogeneous reservoirs, particularly considering the presence of partially-communicating faults. The approach combines the source method and Green’s function method to obtain solutions, introducing a novel technique for discretizing fractures without discretizing interfaces. The effects of the reservoir heterogeneity, partially-communicating faults and fractures system on pressure behavior are analyzed. The results indicate that the pressure behavior of MFHWs passing through regions with different physical properties exhibits distinctive characteristics, differing from both the homogeneous case and the heterogeneous cases where the well does not traverse distinct regions. Permeability heterogeneity influences the curves of all other flow regimes, except the early and late flow regimes. Faults affect transient pressure behavior only when not positioned in the middle of each two primary fractures. Region area heterogeneity primarily influences the medium flow regimes. This work provides valuable insights into the performance of MFHWs in channelized heterogeneous reservoirs, offering technical support for well testing in these reservoirs.
Helping and not Harming Animals with AI
Authors: Coghlan Simon , Parker Christine
Published: February 2024

Ethical discussions about Artificial Intelligence (AI) often overlook its potentially large impact on nonhuman animals. In a recent commentary on our paper about AI’s possible harms, Leonie Bossert argues for a focus not just on the possible negative impacts but also the possible beneficial outcomes of AI for animals. We welcome this call to increase awareness of AI that helps animals: developing and using AI to improve animal wellbeing and promote positive dimensions in animal lives should be a vital ethical goal. Nonetheless, we argue that there is some value in focusing on technology-based harms in the context of AI ethics and policy discourses. A harms framework for AI can inform some of our strongest duties to animals and inform regulation and risk assessment impacts designed to prevent serious harms to humans, the environment, and animals.
A Study on the Optimization of Nano-B4C Content for the Best Wear and Corrosion Properties of the Al-Based Hybrid Nanocomposites
Authors: Çanakçı Aykut , Karabacak Abdullah Hasan , Çelebi Müslim , Özkaya Serdar , Arpacı Kürşat Alp
Published: February 2024

This investigation is dedicated to producing hybrid nanocomposites based on AA2024, achieved through the utilization of powder metallurgy methods encompassing mechanical milling and hot pressing. The research focused on studying how changes in B4C content influence the mechanical, wear, and corrosion behavior of AA2024/h-BN/B4C hybrid nanocomposites. The findings revealed that as the B4C content increased, the relative density values decreased, and higher porosity values were observed in the hybrid nanocomposite samples. Among the tested samples, the hybrid nanocomposite with 4 wt% B4C exhibited the most favorable properties. It demonstrated significantly higher hardness and ultimate tensile strength compared to AA2024 matrix alloy, with values of 161 HB and 372 MPa, respectively. In contrast, the matrix alloy showed hardness and ultimate tensile strength values of 105 HB and 237 MPa, respectively. Furthermore, the wear resistance of hybrid nanocomposite with 4 wt% B4C displayed approximately 14 times greater wear resistance under 40 N load compared to the unreinforced AA2024 matrix alloy. The corrosion test results have revealed that the corrosion resistance of the hybrid nanocomposite reinforced with 4wt% B4C is nearly 47% higher compared to the corrosion resistance of the unreinforced AA2024 alloy. This nanocomposite exhibits the highest polarization resistance of 5.21 Ω.cm2.
Decolorization of Congo Red and Reactive Black 5 Dyes with Horseradish Peroxidase-Immobilized Cross-Linked Polymeric Microbeads
Authors: Zhumabekova Altynay , Noma Samir Abbas Ali , Tümay Özer Elif , Osman Bilgen
Published: February 2024

In this study, the efficiency of poly(ethylene glycol dimethacrylate-N-methacryloyl-amido-l-tryptophan methyl ester) [PEDMT] microbeads (in the diameter range of 106–180 µm) as a support material for HRP immobilization was evaluated and the immobilized-HRP enzyme was used for decolorization of Congo Red (CR) and Reactive Black 5 (RB5) dyes. The specific surface area of the PEDMT microbeads was 1103 m2 g−1, which is very high. The PEDMT microbeads had a pore volume and pore size of 1.94 cm3 g−1 and 9.99–55.3 Å, respectively. The chemical compositions of the PEDMT and PEDMT–HRP microbead surfaces were analyzed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Immobilization yield, activity yield, and immobilization efficiency were 84.9 ± 2.1, 73.8 ± 5.9%, and 86.9 ± 6.9%, respectively. Optimum pH (6.0), temperature (45 °C and 50 °C for free and immobilized enzyme), H2O2 concentration (3% v/v) were investigated in detail. Thermal and storage stability was increased after immobilization and immobilized enzyme preserved more than 55% of its initial activity even after 10 consecutive uses. Decolorization studies were also performed by investigating the effects of pH, CR, and RB5 concentration, enzyme amount, H2O2 concentration, contact time on decolorization efficiency. The decolorization efficiency for CR and RB5 by PEDMT–HRP was 98.20% and 47.99% after 30 min at pH 6.0 and 45 °C. The immobilized-HRP retained 89% and 27% of its initial activity after three repeated cycles with CR and RB5, respectively. The PEDMT microbeads with high surface area, porosity, durability, and reusability exactly met the requirements for HRP immobilization and dye decolorization.
On direct sums and quotient spaces of near-vector spaces
Authors: Howell K. -T. , Cara P. , Wessels L.
Published: February 2024

In this paper we study the direct sums of subspaces and some constructions of quotient spaces of near-vector spaces, as defined by André. In particular, for near-vector spaces constructed by taking copies of finite fields, we characterise the quasi-kernels of their quotient spaces, find their cardinality and determine when they are regular. In the case of non-regular quotient spaces, we show how they decompose into maximal regular subspaces. We show how the theory of finite-dimensional near-vector spaces constructed from finite fields allows us to reconstruct near-vector spaces with certain quotient spaces.
A longitudinal prospective study of active tuberculosis in a Western Europe setting: insights and findings
Authors: Romero-Tamarit Arantxa , Vallès Xavier , Munar-García María , Espinosa-Pereiro Juan , Saborit Núria , Tortola Ma. Teresa , Stojanovic Zoran , Roure Sílvia , Antuori Adrián , Cardona Pere-Joan , Soriano-Arandes Antoni , Martin-Nalda Andrea , Espiau María , de Souza-Galvão Maria Luiza , Jiménez Ma. Ángeles , Noguera-Julian Antoni , Molina Israel , Casas Xavier , Domínguez-Álvarez Marisol , Jové Neus , Gogichadze Nino , L. Fonseca Kaori , Arias Lilibeth , Millet Joan-Pau , Sánchez-Montalvá Adrián , Vilaplana Cristina
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This study investigates the potential of inflammatory parameters (IP), symptoms, and patient-related outcome measurements as biomarkers of severity and their ability to predict tuberculosis (TB) evolution.

Methods

People with TB were included prospectively in the Stage-TB study conducted at five clinical sites in Barcelona (Spain) between April 2018 and December 2021. Data on demographics, epidemiology, clinical features, microbiology, and Sanit George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and Kessler-10 as Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) were collected at three time points during treatment. C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), neutrophil/lymphocyte, and monocyte/lymphocyte ratios (NLR and MLR), complement factors C3, C4, and cH50, clinical and microbiological data, and HRQoL questionnaires were assessed at baseline, 2 months, and 6 months. Their ability to predict sputum culture conversion (SCC) and symptom presence after 2 months of treatment was also analysed.

Results

The study included 81 adults and 13 children with TB. The CRP, ESR, NLR, and MLR values, as well as the presence of symptoms, decreased significantly over time in both groups. Higher IP levels at baseline were associated with greater bacillary load and persistent symptoms. Clinical severity at baseline predicted a delayed SCC. Kessler-10 improved during follow-up, but self-reported lung impairment (SGRQ) persisted in all individuals after 6 months.

Conclusions

IP levels may indicate disease severity, and sustained high levels are linked to lower treatment efficacy. Baseline clinical severity is the best predictor of SCC. Implementing health strategies to evaluate lung function and mental health throughout the disease process may be crucial for individuals with TB.
A GIS-Based Flood Risk Assessment Using the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory Approach at a Regional Scale
Authors: Efraimidou Eirini , Spiliotis Mike
Published: February 2024

This paper introduces an integrated methodology that exploits both GIS and the Decision-making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) methods for assessing flood risk in the Kosynthos River basin in northeastern Greece. The study aims to address challenges arising from data limitations and provide decision-makers with effective flood risk management strategies. The integration of DEMATEL is crucial, providing a robust framework that considers interdependencies among factors, particularly in regions where conventional numerical modeling faces difficulties. DEMATEL is preferred over other methods due to its proficiency in handling qualitative data and its ability to account for interactions among the studied factors. The proposed method is based on two developed causality diagrams. The first diagram is crucial for assessing flood hazard in the absence of data. The second causality diagram offers a multidimensional analysis, considering interactions among the criteria. Notably, the causality diagram referring to flood vulnerability can adapt to local (or national) conditions, considering the ill-defined nature of vulnerability. Given that the proposed methodology identifies highly hazardous and vulnerable areas, the study not only provides essential insights but also supports decision-makers in formulating effective approaches to mitigate flood impacts on communities and infrastructure. Validation includes sensitivity analysis and comparison with historical flood data. Effective weights derived from sensitivity analysis enhance the precision of the Flood Hazard Index (FHI) and Flood Vulnerability Index (FVI).
Preliminary Study of Dental Caries Detection by Deep Neural Network Applying Domain-Specific Transfer Learning
Authors: Kawazu Toshiyuki , Takeshita Yohei , Fujikura Mamiko , Okada Shunsuke , Hisatomi Miki , Asaumi Junichi
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to confirm whether it is possible to acquire a certain degree of diagnostic ability even with a small dataset using domain-specific transfer learning. In this study, we constructed a simulated caries detection model on panoramic tomography using transfer learning.

Methods

A simulated caries model was trained and validated using 1094 trimmed intraoral images. A convolutional neural network (CNN) with three convolution and three max pooling layers was developed. We applied this caries detection model to 50 panoramic images and evaluated its diagnostic performance.

Results

The diagnostic performance of the CNN model on the intraoral film was as follows: C0 84.6%; C1 90.6%; C2 88.6%. Finally, we tested 50 panoramic images with simulated caries insertion. The diagnostic performance of the CNN model on the panoramic image was as follows: C0 75.0%, C1 80.0%, C2 80.0%, and overall diagnostic accuracy was 78.0%. The diagnostic performance of the caries detection model constructed only with panoramic images was much lower than that of the intraoral film.

Conclusion

Domain-specific transfer learning methods may be useful for saving datasets and training time (179/250).
A novel smart disinfection system using 3D-printed and electrically conductive composite hydrogel
Authors: Khan Shaheryar A. , Malik Anjum Naeem , Velioglu Basak , Gul Seref , Kavakli Ibrahim Halil , Lazoglu Ismail
Published: February 2024

Smart materials are ushering in the era of smart and adaptable products. Hydrogels are a distinct class of smart materials that can be 3D-printed to produce smart and active structures that can be used as sensors and actuators. The development and characterization of a 3D-printable and electrically conductive composite hydrogel, as well as its application in the development of a smart disinfection system, are discussed in this article. The developed composite hydrogel has a maximum electrical conductivity of 145 S.m−1, is stable up to 200 °C, and has a 3D printable rheology. Virtuous of its electrical conductivity, the composite hydrogel was used to create a smart disinfection system. Various disinfection systems have been adopted for the disinfection of contaminated surfaces; however, most of these systems require human evacuation from the surroundings due to the hazardous nature of the virucide. The proposed system is designed to disinfect contaminated surfaces on common-use equipment and is capable of real-time activation through user interaction. It employs a thermal disinfection process at 60 °C for 5 min and becomes ready for the next user once its temperature drops below 55 °C. This system consumes 1.64 Wh of energy per disinfection cycle and is suitable for scenarios with fewer than 60 user interactions in an 8-h work shift.
Time Matters: A Short-Term Longitudinal Analysis of Conservation Agriculture and Its Impact on Soil Health
Authors: Du Preez G. C. , Marcelo-Silva J. , Azizah N. , Claassens S. , Fourie D.
Published: February 2024

Conservation agriculture is seen as a potential solution to modern farming challenges. This paper elucidates its immediate impact by investigating the short-term dynamics of soil health, including the biological constituents, following the implementation of conservation agriculture. We hypothesised that implementing conservation agriculture would lead to changes in soil health. However, these changes will vary across the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil, given that each of these components is likely differently influenced by conservation agriculture. The study site was a multi-year trial in Ottosdal (South Africa) with different crop production systems, including maize monoculture, conservation agriculture (rotation of maize, sunflower, and cover crops), and an uncultivated grassland, which served as a natural reference system. Appropriate statistical methods were used to analyse soil health parameters and their interactions from samples collected during the three consecutive summer growing seasons. The study revealed significant soil health dynamics between the cultivated and uncultivated systems. Total available P, organic matter content, and microbial biomass were key indicators of soil health over the 3 years. Crop sequence influenced these dynamics, while a shift from abiotic to biotic factors was observed as primary system differentiators. Notably, crop rotation and soil structure significantly influenced soil microbial communities. These findings provide valuable insights into the interactions between soils and biota and the resulting effects on soil health dynamics. However, further research is required to fully elucidate the mechanisms involved and optimise sustainable farming practices for diverse environmental contexts.
Determinants of Intra-major Specialization and Career Decisions Among Undergraduate Biomedical Engineering Students
Authors: Miller Isabel , Lopez-Alvarez Grisel , Cardador M. Teresa , Jensen Karin J.
Published: February 2024

Biomedical engineering is a broad and interdisciplinary field that prepares graduates for a variety of careers across multiple career sectors. Given this breadth, undergraduate degree programs often have formal or informal opportunities for students to further specialize within the biomedical engineering major to develop skills in subdisciplines of biomedical engineering. While previous work has explored factors that influence student decision-making of engineering major choice, including the role of gender, limited work has explored factors that influence intra-major specialization in biomedical engineering. The present study sought to expand on existing research to understand factors that influence biomedical engineering students’ choice of intra-major specializations and how, if at all, these factors are related to gender. Grounded in social cognitive career theory, the present study leveraged quantitative surveys from undergraduate biomedical engineering students to understand factors influencing intra-major specialization choice, including the impact that students viewed on their career plans. Participants rated multiple factors as important in their intra-major specialization decisions, with professors/classes rated as the most important influence and alumni as the lowest. Similarly, participants rated multiple outcome expectations of their specialization, although income was rated lower than other factors. Participants most commonly indicated interest in pursuing careers in industry and medicine. We found some differences in intra-major specialization, outcome expectations, and career interests by gender, with women students indicating a higher influence of professors/classes and higher expectations for their track decision to provide a career with a good income. Further understanding of how undergraduate students select specializations in engineering coursework will inform curriculum design and student advising.
Lordship and Governance by the Inheriting Countesses of Boulogne, 1160-1260
Authors: Tanner Heather J.
Published: February 2024

Traditional scholarship argues that the changes fostered by the growth of royal power and feudalism in Western Europe directly impacted women's public power and authority in the later twelfth and thirteenth centuries. Focusing on the inheriting countesses of Boulogne (1160-1260) and their neighbours in northern France, this monograph investigates the influence of the rise of centralized government on elite women's power. This chronological and comparative analysis highlights successive countesses' governance of inherited lands, the roles they played in their spouses' lands and in political affairs outside their inherited lands, along with crucial assessments of the social identity and status of the family. It challenges the established interpretation and shows that the establishment of feudalism and the elaboration of bureaucracy did not curtail elite women's access to or exercise of lordship to any significant degree.
Evaluating governance in a clinical and translational research organization
Authors: Philibert Ingrid , Fletcher Amanda , Poppert Cordts Katrina M. , Rizzo Matthew
Published: February 2024

Institutional Development Awards for Clinical and Translational Research (IDeA-CTR) networks, funded by NIH/NIGMS, aim to advance CTR infrastructure to address historically unmet state and regional health needs. Success depends on the response to actionable feedback to IDeA-CTR leadership from network partners and governance groups through annual surveys, interviews, and governance body recommendations. The Great Plains IDeA-CTR applied internal formative meta-evaluation to evaluate dispositions of 172 governance recommendations from 2017 to 2021. Results provided insights to improve the classification and quality of recommendations, credibility of evaluation processes, responsiveness to recommendations, and communications and governance in a complex CTR network comprising multiple coalitions.
The influence of entrepreneurs’ multi-country resources and mobility on transnational entrepreneurship survivability
Authors: Abd Hamid Hamizah , Bouhalleb Arafet
Published: February 2024

This study examines the role of entrepreneurs’ multi-country resources and mobility in achieving transnational entrepreneurship survivability. Outlined by the Forms of Capital model through the context of transnational entrepreneurship, this research provides a layer of understanding on the individual-opportunity-venture nexus in entrepreneurship through to exploring the way individual resources contribute towards venture survivability in a dynamic environment. The findings indicate that there are four core configurations associated with long-term entrepreneurial survivability, with geographical mobility is present as the necessary condition in achieving the outcome of interest. Theory-wise, this study speaks to the discourse of individual-opportunity-venture nexus through the configurations revealed from the findings. Practice-wise, the configurations will be useful for transnational entrepreneurs and policymakers interested in developing policies to encourage transnational venture sustainability.
Estimating the Ideology of Political YouTube Videos
Authors: Lai Angela , Brown Megan A. , Bisbee James , Tucker Joshua A. , Nagler Jonathan , Bonneau Richard
Published: February 2024

We present a method for estimating the ideology of political YouTube videos. The subfield of estimating ideology as a latent variable has often focused on traditional actors such as legislators, while more recent work has used social media data to estimate the ideology of ordinary users, political elites, and media sources. We build on this work to estimate the ideology of a political YouTube video. First, we start with a matrix of political Reddit posts linking to YouTube videos and apply correspondence analysis to place those videos in an ideological space. Second, we train a language model with those estimated ideologies as training labels, enabling us to estimate the ideologies of videos not posted on Reddit. These predicted ideologies are then validated against human labels. We demonstrate the utility of this method by applying it to the watch histories of survey respondents to evaluate the prevalence of echo chambers on YouTube in addition to the association between video ideology and viewer engagement. Our approach gives video-level scores based only on supplied text metadata, is scalable, and can be easily adjusted to account for changes in the ideological landscape.
Quantitative analysis of lateral root development with time-lapse imaging and deep neural network
Authors: Uemura Yuta , Tsukagoshi Hironaka
Published: February 2024

During lateral root (LR) development, morphological alteration of the developing single LR primordium occurs continuously. Precise observation of this continuous alteration is important for understanding the mechanism involved in single LR development. Recently, we reported that very long-chain fatty acids are important signalling molecules that regulate LR development. In the study, we developed an efficient method to quantify the transition of single LR developmental stages using time-lapse imaging followed by a deep neural network (DNN) analysis. In this ‘insight’ paper, we discuss our DNN method and the importance of time-lapse imaging in studies on plant development. Integrating DNN analysis and imaging is a powerful technique for the quantification of the timing of the transition of organ morphology; it can become an important method to elucidate spatiotemporal molecular mechanisms in plant development.
Post-mortem examination on a striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) reveals a potential fatal interaction with bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Italian waters
Authors: Ascheri Davide , Fontanesi Elena , Marsili Letizia , Berio Enrica , Garibaldi Fulvio , Goria Maria , Serracca Laura , Dondo Alessandro , di Francesco Cristina Esmeralda , Varello Katia , Casalone Cristina , Giorda Federica , Grattarola Carla
Published: February 2024

Despite attacks of bottlenose dolphins towards conspecifics and other species of dolphins being reported worldwide, inside the Mediterranean Sea these behaviours are still considered sporadic and have been, to date, only recorded in Spain and France, mostly directed to striped dolphins. In this work, we reported the necropsy outcomes of a dead striped dolphin that suggest a fatal interaction with bottlenose dolphins inside the Italian side of the Pelagos Sanctuary, Western Ligurian Sea. Results from the post-mortem examination showed multiple, multifocal external rake marks spaced 1–1.2 cm and several internal injuries, consisting of subcutaneous and muscular haematomas and haemorrhages, multiple vertebral and rib fractures, haemothorax and lung laceration. The inter-tooth distance and all the internal findings were consistent with a fatal traumatic interaction with bottlenose dolphins as reported in similar cases in other parts of the world where the same results were found. No other significant gross and microscopic findings and concurrent significant pathogens were detected. This case highlights the existence of negative interspecific interactions in an area where they have never been reported before and adds new important information to the literature for understanding their occurrence, expanding the geographical range of observation in the western Mediterranean Sea.