bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parental and child's psychosocial and financial burden living with an inherited metabolic disease identified by newborn screening
Authors: Schnabel‐Besson Elena , Garbade Sven F. , Gleich Florian , Grünert Sarah C. , Krämer Johannes , Thimm Eva , Hennermann Julia B. , Freisinger Peter , Burgard Peter , Gramer Gwendolyn , Morath Marina A. , Tuncel A. Tunç , Keßler Svenja , Hoffmann Georg F. , Kölker Stefan , Mütze Ulrike
Published: August 2024

Newborn screening (NBS) is one of the most effective measures of secondary prevention. While the benefit of NBS on the clinical long‐term outcomes of children with inherited metabolic diseases (IMD) has been demonstrated, the potential burden of families living with an early diagnosed and treated child with an IMD has not been thoroughly investigated. The aim of this longitudinal questionnaire‐based study on 369 families living with a child with an IMD was to investigate the psychosocial and financial burden following a true‐positive NBS. The reported psychosocial burden differed between children and their parents, and was associated with the child's age, diagnosis, and treatment. At younger ages, parent‐reported burden was higher for the parents than for the individual child, while it increased for children and decreased for parents as the child grew older. Furthermore, psychosocial burden increased if the child required a strict dietary treatment and was at risk of metabolic decompensation. Regardless of diagnosis and treatment, the developmental delay of their child independently increased the parental psychosocial burden. Financial burden was reported by 24% of all families, and was higher in low‐income families and in families whose children required dietary treatment. In conclusion, a substantial psychosocial and financial burden was revealed for children and their families after true‐positive NBS. Since this burden is likely to have a negative impact on the long‐term individual health benefits of NBS, this study underlines the importance of regularly assessing the psychosocial and financial needs of these families.
Effect of glycosylation, acylation and pyranylation at cyanidin C‐ring on its interaction with vitamin C in apple juice beverage matrix
Authors: Huang Jinping , Yang Chen , Pan Xin , Wu Jihong , Lao Fei
Published: August 2024

BACKGROUND

Synchronous degradation between anthocyanin and vitamin C was found in fruit and vegetable juice matrices. To investigate whether the C‐ring of anthocyanin is the key site of this interaction, cyanidin with four different C‐ring modifications (3‐glucosylation, 3,5‐diglucosylation, 6″‐malonylation, pyranylation) was added to vitamin C‐containing apple juice, and the changes of anthocyanin retention, vitamin C retention, color, antioxidative activity and differential metabolites were analyzed.

RESULTS

The anthocyanin retention was in the order of pyranylation >6″‐malonylation >3,5‐diglucosylation >3‐glucosylation. The vitamin C retention was in the order of 6″‐malonylation > pyranylation >3,5‐diglucosylation >3‐glucosylation. The order of color stability was the same as that of anthocyanin retention, and the order of antioxidative activity was opposite to that of vitamin C retention. The results showed that modification at the C‐ring limited the activity of anthocyanin, and suggested that the C‐ring was one of the key sites for anthocyanin and vitamin C interaction. The shared differential metabolite of all apple juice matrices added with different anthocyanins was trans‐hinokiresinol, which was likely generated from anthocyanin skeleton reacted with certain compounds in apple juice.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that modification of the anthocyanin C‐ring could affect the anthocyanin and vitamin C interaction to some extent, which provided valuable insights for the application of anthocyanin C‐ring modification in shelf‐life quality control of typical fruit and vegetable beverages with the coexistence of anthocyanin and vitamin C. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Deer oil improves ulcerative colitis induced by DSS in mice by regulating the intestinal microbiota and SCFAs metabolism and modulating NF‐κB and Nrf2 signaling pathways
Authors: Li Hongyan , Han Lu , Zong Ying , Feng Ruyi , Chen Weijia , Geng Jianan , Li Jianming , Zhao Yan , Wang Yuqi , He Zhongmei , Du Rui
Published: August 2024

BACKGROUND

Deer oil (DO), a byproduct of deer meat processing, possesses high nutritional value. This study aims to evaluate the protective effects of DO on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)‐induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in mice and to explore its potential mechanisms of action.

RESULTS

DO was found to inhibit weight loss and colon shortening in colitis mice, significantly reduce disease activity index scores, and notably enhance the levels of tight junction proteins in colon tissues, thus improving intestinal barrier function. ELISA results indicated that DO markedly alleviated the mice's oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. Western blot analysis further demonstrated that DO significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of NF‐κB while up‐regulating the expression levels of Nrf2 and HO‐1 proteins. Additionally, DO increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Odoribacter, Blautia, and Muribaculum, reduced the abundance of harmful bacteria such as Bacteroides, Helicobacter, and Escherichia‐Shigella, and promoted the production of short‐chain fatty acids.

CONCLUSION

Our study provides the first evidence that DO can effectively improve DSS‐induced UC in mice. The underlying mechanisms may involve maintaining intestinal barrier function, inhibiting inflammation, alleviating oxidative stress, and modulation of gut microbiota. These findings offer valuable insights for developing DO as an adjunct treatment for UC and as a functional food. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Determination of amino acids and peptides without their pre‐column derivatization by capillary electrophoresis with ultraviolet and contactless conductivity detection. An overview
Authors: Kartsova Liudmila , Maliushevska Anastasiia
Published: August 2024

This review provides an overview of recent works focusing on the determination of amino acids (AAs) and peptides using capillary electrophoresis with contactless conductivity detection and ultraviolet (UV) detection, which is the most widespread detection in capillary electromigration techniques, without pre‐capillary derivatization. Available options for the UV detection of these analytes, such as indirect detection, complexation with transition metal ions, and in‐capillary derivatization are described. Developments in the field of direct detection of UV‐absorbing AAs and peptides as well as progress in chiral separation are described. A separate section is dedicated to using on‐line sample preconcentration methods combined with capillary electrophoresis‐UV.
Nesterov acceleration‐based iterative method for backward problem of distributed‐order time‐fractional diffusion equation
Authors: Zhang Zhengqiang , Zhang Yuan‐Xiang , Guo Shimin
Published: August 2024

This paper is concerned with the inverse problem of determining the initial value of the distributed‐order time‐fractional diffusion equation from the final time observation data, which arises in some ultra‐slow diffusion phenomena in applied areas. Since the problem is ill‐posed, we propose an iterated regularization method based on the Nesterov acceleration strategy to deal with it. Convergence rates for the regularized approximation solution are given under both the a priori and a posteriori regularization parameter choice rules. It is shown that the proposed method can always yield the order optimal convergence rates as long as the iteration parameter which appears in the Nesterov acceleration strategy is chosen large enough. In numerical aspect, the main advantage of the proposed method lies in its simplicity. Specifically, due to the Nesterov acceleration strategy, only a few number of iteration steps are required to obtain the approximation solution, and at each iteration step, we only need to numerically solve the standard initial‐boundary value problem for the distributed‐order time‐fractional diffusion equation. Some numerical examples including one‐dimensional and two‐dimensional cases are presented to illustrate the validity and effectiveness of the proposed method.
Hopf bifurcation analysis of a two‐delayed diffusive predator–prey model with spatial memory of prey
Authors: Wang Hongyan , Dai Yunxian , Zhou Shumin
Published: August 2024

In this paper, we consider a diffusive predator–prey model with spatial memory of prey and gestation delay of predator. For the system without delays, we study the stability of the positive equilibrium in the case of diffusion and no diffusion, respectively. For the delayed model without diffusions, the existence of Hopf bifurcation is discussed. Further, we investigate the stability switches of the model with delays and diffusions when two delays change simultaneously by calculating the stability switching curves and obtain the existence of Hopf bifurcation. We also calculate the normal form of Hopf bifurcation to determine the direction of Hopf bifurcation and the stability of bifurcation periodic solutions. Finally, numerical simulations verify the theoretical results.
On time‐fractional partial differential equations of time‐dependent piecewise constant order
Authors: Kian Yavar , Slodička Marián , Soccorsi Éric , Van Bockstal Karel
Published: August 2024

This contribution considers the time‐fractional subdiffusion with a time‐dependent variable‐order fractional operator of order
. It is assumed that
is a piecewise constant function with a finite number of jumps. A proof technique based on the Fourier method and results from constant‐order fractional subdiffusion equations has been designed. This novel approach results in the well‐posedness of the problem.
GLIM‐defined malnutrition in patients with acute abdomen associated with poor prognosis and increased economic burden: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Ma Wei , Cai Bin , Li Hua‐xin , Tan Xin , Deng Meng‐jie , Jiang Li , Sun Ming‐wei , Jiang Hua
Published: August 2024

Background

The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria have rapidly developed into a principal methodological framework for nutrition diagnosis. However, the applicability of the GLIM criteria in patients with acute abdomen has not been validated.

Methods

This is a cross‐sectional study conducted on patients diagnosed with acute abdomen and admitted to a tertiary hospital in southwest China. Nutrition risk screening was conducted using the Nutrition Risk Screening 2002, and patients identified with nutrition risk were assessed for malnutrition based on the GLIM criteria.

Results

We enrolled a total of 440 patients with acute abdomen. The top three diagnoses of acute abdomen were intestinal obstruction (47.2%), acute appendicitis (23.1%), and digestive system perforation (8.8%). The prevalence of nutrition risk was 46.5%, with a malnutrition rate of 32.5% based on the GLIM. Patients with malnutrition according to the GLIM showed significantly higher rates of intensive care unit (ICU) admission (13.28% vs 7.07%; P = 0.003), increased hospitalization costs (median: 3315USD [interquartile range (IQR): 978–7852] vs 1641 [IQR: 816–3523] USD; P < 0.001), and longer length of hospital stay (LOS) (median: 8 [IQR: 5–13] vs 6 [IQR: 4–8] days; P < 0.001) compared with patients without malnutrition. Multivariate analysis indicated that GLIM‐defined malnutrition was an independent predictor of hospitalization costs, and severe malnutrition was an independent predictor of ICU admission.

Conclusion

GLIM criteria are applicable for diagnosing malnutrition in patients with acute abdomen. The prevalence of malnutrition was high in patients with acute abdomen. Malnutrition was associated with increased ICU admission and LOS, along with higher economic burden.
Combination Tonsillectomy and Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation for Sleep Apnea Patients With Oropharyngeal Lateral Wall Collapse
Authors: Huyett Phillip , Wellman Andrew , Caruso Victoria , Sumner Jeffrey , Aishah Atqiya , Azarbarzin Ali , Sands Scott , Vena Daniel
Published: August 2024

Objective

The efficacy of hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HGNS) therapy is limited by obstruction of the oropharyngeal lateral walls (OLWs). Our objective was to investigate the effect of palatine tonsillectomy on HGNS efficacy in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients with OLW collapse.

Study Design

Case‐control study of patients with moderate‐to‐severe OSA, complete‐or‐partial OLW collapse, and small tonsils (1 − 2+). Concomitant palatine tonsillectomy and HGNS (HGNS+T) were compared against a control group of patients who underwent HGNS alone.

Setting

Single academic institution.

Methods

Study outcomes were measures of HGNS efficacy defined as a %reduction in apnea‐hypopnea index (AHI) (primary) and successful treatment response (50% AHI reduction to <15/h, logistic regression), respectively. Regression analyses quantified the additional effect of tonsillectomy (HGNS+T vs HGNS alone, independent variable) on HGNS efficacy. Analyses were adjusted for OLW collapse severity (complete vs partial), tonsil size, age, sex, body mass index, and baseline AHI.

Results

Nineteen patients underwent HGNS+T and had follow‐up sleep testing for the current analysis. The control group (HGNS alone) consisted of 78 patients. Baseline demographics and OSA severity were similar between the groups, except HGNS+T group had increased prevalence of complete OLW collapse. Linear regression demonstrated that adding tonsillectomy resulted in an additional 22.9% [7.5, 35.2] reduction in AHI [95% confidence interval, CI] (P = .006), and 8.6 [1.7,43.4] (P = .010) greater odds [95% CI] of a successful treatment response with HGNS.

Conclusion

Compared to historically poorer outcomes of HGNS in patients with OLW collapse, these early results suggest combining tonsillectomy with HGNS may represent a promising strategy to improve success rates.
CeO2/SWCNT nanocomposite coating: A novel approach for corrosion application
Authors: Doğan Fatih
Published: August 2024

The coatings were prepared by blending different concentrations of SWCNTs and CeO2 particles with an epoxy resin by hydrothermal method, which was then applied to the substrate through the doctor blade technique. The mixtures were transferred into a 1‐L capacity autoclave with a teflon‐lined flange type and subjected to hydrothermal treatment at 100°C for 3 h. The surface coatings were applied using a doctor blade. Subsequently, the coated materials were placed in an oven and dried for 12 h at 50°C under vacuum conditions. The samples' structural analysis was examined through x‐ray diffraction (XRD). XRD analysis verified the CeO2/SWCNT composite coating, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was utilized to assess the presence of functional groups. Thermodynamic properties and thermal stability of composite coatings that were modified with SWCNTs and CeO2 particles were studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The impact of the CeO2/SWCNT composite on the anticorrosion capabilities of the epoxy coating was examined through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), Nyquist curve, and Tafel slope characterization. Corrosion tests were conducted on the CeO2/SWCNT composite coatings in a 3.5 wt% sodium chloride (NaCl) solution at 25°C to improve corrosion resistance. The concentration of 0.4 wt% CeO2 was found to be optimal for achieving effective corrosion resistance. The composite coating CNT0.6‐C0.4 exhibited significantly higher Ecorr (−426 V) and lower Icorr (2.96 × 10−6 A cm−2) values compared to samples from the CNT0, CNT0.2, and CNT0.6 groups. The paper presents a viable solution with CeO2/SWCNT composite coating for the engineering application of corrosive‐inhibiting coatings.
Simple and low‐cost preparation of functionalised graphene by microwave expansion combined with ball milling grafting
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyi , Wang Shuo , Bao Xuhao , Liu Zhanjun , Meng Qingshi
Published: August 2024

The preparation of functionalised graphene often involves consuming significant amounts of organic solvents, complicated steps, and expensive equipment. This study presented a simple, low‐cost, and efficient method for preparing well‐dispersed functionalised graphene. This method involved the microwave heating of commercial graphene precursors and ball milling of grafted expanded graphite, resulting in a short and straightforward preparation process without requiring large amounts of organic solvents. This process enabled the preparation of few‐layer graphene with a thickness of only 3.5 ± 0.5 nm. During this process, the majority of the surface oxygen‐containing groups were replaced by polyetheramine (D2000) at a grafting rate of up to 5.14%, which improved the interface adhesion strength between the graphene and the epoxy resin. The fabricated altered graphene notably enhanced the mechanical characteristics of the epoxy resin., that is, the toughening effect reached up to 171% with a graphene content of only 0.3 wt%, while the Young's modulus and tensile strength values increased by 54% and 39%, respectively. This process is cost‐effective, easy to operate, and highly efficient, making it suitable for the large‐scale production of well‐dispersed functionalised graphene.

Highlights

Pioneers mechanical chemical energy in graphene, a new materials science direction.

First ball milling on microwave graphene, merging milling benefits with graphene.

Ball milling cuts D2000 grafting time on graphene, boosting efficiency.

Reduces organic solvent use, cutting costs and environmental effects.

Ball milling lowers costs and impacts, aiding graphene material commercia‐lization.
Separation of astragaloside IV from Astragalus membranaceus based on high‐speed countercurrent chromatography in continuous injection mode
Authors: Zhao Yin‐Di , Su Qian‐Xia , Wang Ning‐Li , Pei Dong , Huang Xin‐Yi
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Astragaloside IV (AS‐IV) is an index for the quality evaluation of the traditional Chinese medicine Astragalus and an important material basis for Astragalus to exert its medicinal effects, and it is difficult to obtain a single AS‐IV by ordinary separation methods.

Objective

To find a new isolation method that can prepare AS‐IV quickly and efficiently.

Methodology

AS‐IV was isolated from Astragalus membranaceus extract by high‐speed countercurrent chromatography using a two‐phase solvent system consisting of ethyl acetate/n‐butanol/water (4.2:0.8:5, v/v) at a speed of 950 rpm at a flow rate of 2 mL/min using one of the high‐speed countercurrent chromatographic sequential injection models developed during the previous study.

Results

Compared with the common countercurrent chromatographic separation, this separation method increased the injection volume and yield by 4‐fold and 4.47‐fold, respectively, with only about 1.2‐fold increase in solvent consumption and separation time, and the purity was basically not reduced, and 55.9 mg of AS‐IV, with a purity of 96.95%, was finally prepared from 400 mg of the crude extract in 240 min.

Conclusion

The continuous injection mode of high‐speed countercurrent chromatography was able to successfully prepare a large amount of AS‐IV with high purity at one time.
Clinical evaluation of bispectral index‐guided closed‐loop infusion of propofol for preschool children: A multi‐center randomized controlled study
Authors: Hua Lei , Du Bin , Zuo Yunxia , Liu Huacheng , Zhang Jianmin
Published: August 2024

Importance

The closed‐loop infusion system can automatically adjust and maintain the depth of anesthesia by using the propofol target‐controlled infusion (TCI) model under the feedback guidance of the bispectral index (BIS).

Objective

To evaluate the safety and superiority of closed‐loop TCI of propofol guided by BIS during maintenance of generalized intravenous anesthesia for preschool children.

Methods

A total of 120 children aged 1–6 years were enrolled and were divided into a closed‐loop feedback group (Group C) and an open‐loop manual control group (Group O), with 60 participants in each group. For anesthesia maintenance, the propofol infusion rate was adjusted by the injection system under the guidance of BIS in Group C and was manually adjusted by anesthesiologists according to the BIS and clinical experience in Group O, to maintain a BIS level of 50. The time ratio of adequate anesthesia (40 ≤ BIS ≤ 60), light anesthesia (BIS > 60), and deep anesthesia (BIS < 40) were recorded.

Results

A total of 119 patients (59 in Group C and 60 in Group O) were enrolled in the study. Group C demonstrated a higher time ratio of adequate anesthesia (P = 0.014) compared to Group O. The time ratio of light anesthesia and the global score was lower in Group C than in Group O (P = 0.010, P = 0.015, respectively). The frequency of adjustment per unit of time was higher in Group C for propofol (P < 0.001), while it was lower for remifentanil (P = 0.010).

Interpretation

BIS‐guided closed‐loop infusion of propofol is safe and effective for preschool children. The depth of anesthesia is controlled more accurately and smoothly.
Crystallization, mechanical, and heat resistance performances of copolymer polypropylene modified by α nucleating agent
Authors: Ding Shubing , Jin Congcong , Li Zhuo , Dun Dongxing , Xue Yu , Leng Shengmin , Zhang Yan'e , Zhou Hongfu
Published: August 2024

Polypropylene (PP) was a very practical and important thermoplastic, which was widely used in various fields due to its low cost, universal, and corrosion resistance. However, the moderate mechanical and heat resistance properties of PP limited its application in some special fields. In this paper, nucleating agents NP‐657 were added to further improve its mechanical and heat resistance performances of PP (300H). Furthermore, the heterogeneous nucleation of NP‐657 reduced the crystal size and increased the crystal density of 300H. With the rise of NP‐657 content, the crystallization rate of different PP systems increased significantly, such as the t1/2 of 300H‐0.2 reduced by 31.9 min in comparison with that of 300H at 140°C. At the same time, the crystallinity of 300H‐0.05 with 0.05 wt.% NP‐657 increased by about 5.96% compared with 300H. In addition, 300H‐0.05 has the highest tensile strength (23.9 ± 0.6 MPa), flexural modulus (1273.3 ± 67.3 MPa), and the highest thermal deformation temperature (88.5 ± 7.7°C) in different PP systems. In general, this paper provided a reference for the fabrication of PP with satisfactory mechanical and heat resistance performances.

Highlights

300H‐0.05 had a maximum crystallinity of 40.8 ± 0.2% in different PP systems.

The flexural modulus of 300H‐0.05 was 434 MPa higher than that of 300H.

The tensile strength of 300H‐0.05 increased to 23.9 ± 0.6 MPa.

300H had the highest thermal deformation temperature of 88.5 ± 7.7°C.
Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Algerian Propolis: GC/MS Profiling, Protective Inclusion Complex, and In Silico Evaluation Against SARS‐CoV‐2 Main Proteases
Authors: Toutou Zahra , Fatmi Sofiane , Chibani Nacera , Pokajewicz Katarzyna , Skiba Mohamed , Wieczorek Piotr P. , Iguerouada Mokrane
Published: August 2024

Propolis, a bee product, is renowned globally for its diverse pharmacological activities attributed to its phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and terpenes. This study aims to identify the chemical compounds in Algerian raw propolis and evaluate the protective potential of its inclusion complex. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used for chemical characterization. Additionally, molecular docking against SARS‐COVID‐2 main proteases and ADMET profiling were conducted. The analysis revealed α‐pinene (25.29%–11.04%) and limonene (22.46%–12.88%) as the major components in raw propolis and its complex. DSC/TGA analysis demonstrated the protective effect of encapsulated molecules, with limonene and α‐pinene showing high activity against SARS‐COVID‐2 main proteases 7N5Z, 6LU7, and 7E6L, with docking scores of −5.71, −5.61, and −5.10 kcal/mol, respectively. This study highlights the potential of propolis constituents as drug candidates against the SARS‐COVID‐2 pandemic.
Regulating influencers' commercial communication: No legislation, hardly any self‐regulation and policy recommendations
Authors: González‐Díaz Cristina , Quintas‐Froufe Natalia
Published: August 2024

Influencers are gaining remarkable ground. Their content‐creation abilities, their credibility and consumer identification all represent an added value in commercial communication. However, controversies have emerged regarding the contents they divulge, as it is not always easy to distinguish advertising communication in the contents they post. Standards and guidelines issued on the matter pursue such transparency. In the present article, we analyse the specific regulations, both of a legal and self‐regulatory nature, that exist today on influencer commercial communication in the Americas and Europe. A total of 35 documents (21 from the American continent and 14 from Europe) were analysed. The results suggest that both the standards and the consulted guidelines fulfil their function: they offer instructions and parameters that promote the transparency of commercial communication. Nevertheless, it was found that further advances were necessary regarding various issues: (1) a standard definition of the influencer term, to allow for its regulation; (2) an agreement among different countries on common parameters, given the borderless nature of this form of communication; and (3), the promotion of advertising literacy to raise consumer awareness of the cross‐divulgation of advertising and opinion.
A review on thermally induced phase separation technology in the fabrication of microporous polymer membrane devices for sustained‐repellent delivery: Crystallization and morphological studies
Authors: Mapossa António Benjamim , Tewo Robert Kimutai , Ray Suprakas Sinha , Mhike Washington , Sundararaj Uttandaraman
Published: August 2024

This article reports recent advances in thermally induced phase separation technology in fabricating microporous scaffold polymeric membranes as devices suitable for the controlled release of insect repellent. The key aspects, such as the crystallization behavior and morphological study of the polymeric membrane‐based repellent, were reported and discussed. Studies demonstrated that trapping of such repellents into microporous polymeric materials can be achieved by spinodal decomposition of the polymer/liquid repellent system. Usually, solubility is enhanced at elevated temperatures. Rapid cooling of such solution below the UCST leads to the formation of cocontinuous phase structures by decomposition. The polymer then forms an open‐cell structure with the repellent trapped inside. Approaches to forming such an open‐cell polymer structure containing mosquito repellent were successfully performed and confirmed with the SEM and POM techniques. It showed the structure of a polymer and liquid repellent prepared by spinodal decomposition, providing proof that thermally induced spinodal decomposition is a route to trap liquid mosquito repellent into a microporous polymer matrix. Additionally, the effects of polymer type, repellent nature, cooling conditions, and fillers on the morphology and performance of TIPS membranes are also discussed. Finally, challenges in developing microporous polymeric membrane‐based repellent using TIPS technology are addressed.
Event‐triggered tracking control for networked control systems under diversified attacks
Authors: Cao Jie , Yang Zeyu , Dai Shifang , Liu Jinliang , Zha Lijuan
Published: August 2024

This paper mainly concerns on the tracking control problem for event‐triggered networked control systems (NCSs) with diversified cyber‐attacks. An event‐triggered mechanism (ETM) is exploited to decrease the amount of redundant transmissions, thus saving communication resources. In addition, a novel tracking error model for NCSs is built with consideration of ETM and diversified cyber‐attacks, which involves deception attacks and Denial‐of‐Service (DoS) attacks. On the basis of Lyapunov stability theory and linear matrix inequalities (LMIs), the stability criterion of the tracking error system is constructed, and the controller is designed to ensure the tracking performance of the system. In the end, simulation examples are provided to testify the validity of the proposed method.
3D hybrid path planning for optimized coverage of agricultural fields: A novel approach for wheeled robots
Authors: Pour Arab Danial , Spisser Matthias , Essert Caroline
Published: August 2024

Over the last few decades, the agricultural industry has made significant advances in autonomous systems, such as wheeled robots, with the primary objective of improving efficiency while reducing the impact on the environment. In this context, determining a path for the robot that optimizes coverage while taking into account topography, robot characteristics, and operational requirements, is critical. In this paper, we present H‐CCPP, a novel hybrid method that combines the comprehensive coverage benefits of our previous approach O‐CCPP with the computational efficiency of the Fields2Cover algorithm. Besides optimizing coverage area, overlaps, and overall travel time, it significantly improves the computation process, and enhances the flexibility of trajectory generation. H‐CCPP also considers terrain inclination to address soil erosion and energy consumption. In an effort to support this innovative approach, we have also created and made available a public data set that includes both 2D and 3D representations of 30 agricultural fields. This resource not only allows us to illustrate the effectiveness of our approach but also provides invaluable data for future research in complete coverage path planning (CCPP) for modern agriculture.
CyberCortex.AI: An AI‐based operating system for autonomous robotics and complex automation
Authors: Grigorescu Sorin , Zaha Mihai
Published: August 2024

The underlying framework for controlling autonomous robots and complex automation applications is Operating Systems (OS) capable of scheduling perception‐and‐control tasks, as well as providing real‐time data communication to other robotic peers and remote cloud computers. In this paper, we introduce CyberCortex.AI, a robotics OS designed to enable heterogeneous AI‐based robotics and complex automation applications. CyberCortex.AI is a decentralized distributed OS which enables robots to talk to each other, as well as to High Performance Computers (HPC) in the cloud. Sensory and control data from the robots is streamed toward HPC systems with the purpose of training AI algorithms, which are afterwards deployed on the robots. Each functionality of a robot (e.g., sensory data acquisition, path planning, motion control, etc.) is executed within a so‐called DataBlock of Filters shared through the internet, where each filter is computed either locally on the robot itself or remotely on a different robotic system. The data is stored and accessed via a so‐called Temporal Addressable Memory (TAM), which acts as a gateway between each filter's input and output. CyberCortex.AI has two main components: (i) the CyberCortex.AI.inference system, which is a real‐time implementation of the DataBlock running on the robots' embedded hardware, and (ii) the CyberCortex.AI.dojo, which runs on an HPC computer in the cloud, and it is used to design, train and deploy AI algorithms. We present a quantitative and qualitative performance analysis of the proposed approach using two collaborative robotics applications: (i) a forest fires prevention system based on an Unitree A1 legged robot and an Anafi Parrot 4K drone, as well as (ii) an autonomous driving system which uses CyberCortex.AI for collaborative perception and motion control.
Core–Shell Structured Cobalt Sulfide/C. I. Pigment Yellow 53 Photocatalysts with Abundant Sulfur Vacancies for Efficient Photocatalytic Co‐Production of Xylonic Acid and CO
Authors: Zhang Jia , Ma Jiliang , Zhang Junqiang , Cui Rui , Liu Zhendong , Li Xinze , Sun Runcang
Published: August 2024

Photocatalytic biorefinery has been gaining increasing attention as a promising method for utilizing biomass and solar energy, yet it still faces the key challenge of designing stable, efficient, and cost‐effective photocatalysts. In this study, cobalt sulfide/ C. I. Pigment Yellow 53 composite photocatalysts (CoS/PY53‐CSx) with a core–shell structure, which has abundant sulfur (S) vacancies, are developed using a simple hydrothermal method. The CoS nanocage with S vacancies not only offers numerous active sites but also enhances the light‐trapping performance of PY53. Moreover, the internal electric field within the core–shell CoS/PY53‐CSx further enhances charge separation/transfer efficiency while reducing electron transfer resistance, thereby boosting photocatalytic activity. Remarkably, 75.2% of xylonic acid and 22.8 µmol of CO from xylose are obtained using CoS/PY53‐CS0.1 in an air atmosphere. Recycling experiments demonstrate that CoS/PY53‐CS0.1 exhibits excellent recyclability due to the strong bonding force between the core and shell. In addition, electron spin resonance characterization combined with poisoning experiments suggests that h+ and ·O2− serve as the main oxidation active species during this system. This work presents a simple and cost‐effective method for efficient photocatalytic biorefinery.
Population viability analysis of Chihuahua Chub in the Mimbres River, New Mexico
Authors: Del Piccolo Giulio , Klein Zachary B. , Zeigler Matthew P.
Published: August 2024

Objective

The Chihuahua Chub Gila nigrescens is a species of conservation concern throughout its distribution. The species is threatened by habitat degradation, nonnative species, and stochastic events (e.g., wildfire and drought). Although conservation efforts are ongoing, it is unclear how Chihuahua Chub in the Mimbres River, New Mexico, respond to conservation actions and stochastic events.

Methods

To address these uncertainties, we collected population demographic and dynamics data on Chihuahua Chub in the Mimbres River and used the data to construct an age-structured, female-based population model. The model was used to evaluate the response of Chihuahua Chub to (1) habitat improvement, (2) conservation stocking, and (3) stochastic events. Habitat improvements were modeled as a 50% increase in current abundance. Conservation stocking was represented by two stocking regimes: annual “maintenance” stocking of 200 fish or “catastrophe” stocking of 400–1500 fish for two consecutive years after a stochastic event. The effects of stochastic events were represented by 20–95% reductions in annual survival. Each scenario was simulated for 5000 iterations over 25 years.

Result

In the absence of conservation actions, the Chihuahua Chub population was projected to decline due to stochastic events. However, stocking and habitat improvement decreased the risk of extirpation. When stochastic events resulted in a 95% decline in annual survival, catastrophe stocking reduced population declines in abundance by 47–58% relative to no conservation stocking. When stochastic events caused a 20% reduction in annual survival, habitat improvement increased the median population size after 25 years by almost 50% relative to no habitat improvements.

Conclusion

Collectively, our results suggest that an increase in habitat and conservation stocking efforts is likely the most effective approach for conserving Chihuahua Chub in the face of future stochastic events.
The Global Clash of Civilizations on Homosexuality and the Threat of Hate Crimes Against LGBTQ+ Communities as Documented by International Organizations and NGOs
Authors: Tausch Arno
Published: August 2024

This chapter documents some of the analyses of the perspectives of LGBTQ+ people around the world by national governments, bureaucracies, international organisations and NGOs we highlight among others the analysis of the European Union's Fundamental Rights Agency, which has spoken out against discrimination against the LGBTQ plus community, and which states in its 2020 report analysed in detail in our chapter, that more lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people are now open about who they are, but that they are afraid and face violence and discrimination. We also highlight Europol 2023 report that terrorist and violent extremist groups and individuals continue to use platforms for recruitment purposes and to disseminate propaganda against the community. Our chapter also analyses the data contained in the OSCE's 2023 report on discrimination and hate crimes in the OSCE region. Our new statistical analysis of the data provided by the OSCE shows that 300 of the 600 hate crimes against the community were committed in Orthodox Christian majority OSCE member states, i.e. in descending order of the absolute number of crimes—in the Russian Federation, Armenia, Ukraine, Georgia, Serbia, Greece, Belarus, Cyprus, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Bulgaria and Romania. We draw our readers' attention to the data provided by EQUALDEX, an important think tank working in this field, and also provide an overview of the recent Austrian study published by the Austrian Security Research Programme KIRAS. In the second part of our chapter, we briefly analyse the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, the Orthodox Churches and we highlight homophobia in the Muslim world.
Perspectives and Conclusions from This Study
Authors: Tausch Arno
Published: August 2024

This chapter further evaluates our findings and presents materials on homonegativity and tolerance, and social gender norms in multicultural Western democracies. The chapter then considers policy measures to strengthen the rights of the LGBTQ+ communities, and suggests that on the positive side policy interventions on the following will lead to more tolerant gender norms, and support for democracy: gender empowerment and closing the gender gap, labour force participation of migrants, rule of law, corruption avoidance, world class universities, social security spending, public education expenditure on the negative side, we found that structures of civil and political liberty violations, the carbon dependent economy and support for Putinism all are not conducive to a climate of tolerant gender norms and support for democracy.
Establishing a Human Rights-Based Approach to Climate Change-Induced Internal Displacement in the Regime of Bangladesh: Challenges and Way Forward
Authors: Khan Md. Abdul Awal
Published: August 2024

The rise of global temperature and climate change creates multiple adverse impacts on the life and livelihood of human beings, as well as on the environment and non-human biodiversity. One of the significant effects of climate change is that the sea level will rise and submerge substantial parts of low-lying countries, which is one of the significant reasons for being displaced internally. Bangladesh’s marginalised and displaced population is perhaps one of the worst victims of climate change. Despite the given fact, establishing a legal relationship between climate change and human rights law remains one of the daunting tasks of policymakers. There is numerous research on Disaster Risk Reduction and disaster management adaptation in Bangladesh to identify normative gaps for protecting internal climate-displaced people in Bangladesh. Despite significant developments in law and policy measures, the normative gaps and lack of protection mechanisms and durable solutions to address climate change-induced internal displacement still exist significantly in Bangladesh. This paper primarily revisits the current policy framework to understand the challenges of applying a human rights-based approach in national law and policy framework in Bangladesh. Secondly, the chapter identifies the shortcomings and barriers of prevention and preparedness mechanisms for displacement and recommends durable solutions that are most needed to protect climate change-induced displaced populations.
Audiologisches Ergebnis bimodal versorgter CI-Träger:innen im zeitlichen Verlauf und in Abhängigkeit unterschiedlicher Einflussfaktoren
Authors: Schlegel Hanna , Hartmann S. , Kreikemeier S. , Dalhoff E. , Löwenheim H. , Tropitzsch A.
Published: August 2024

Hintergrund

Hörgeschädigte Menschen mit asymmetrischem Hörverlust und einseitiger Indikation für ein Cochleaimplantat (CI) profitieren in aller Regel deutlich von einer bimodalen Hörversorgung. Der Einfluss dieser Versorgungsart auf das Sprachverstehen (SV) im zeitlichen Verlauf ist bislang nicht hinreichend untersucht. Die vorliegende Studie untersucht den Einfluss einer bimodalen Versorgung auf das SV postlingual ertaubter, bimodal versorgter CI-Träger:innen nach einer Tragedauer von mindestens 36 Monaten und analysiert dabei mögliche Einflussfaktoren.

Methode

Es wurden 54 bimodal versorgte lautsprachkompetente CI-Träger:innen mit einer CI-Erfahrung von mindestens 36 Monaten in diese retrospektive Längsschnittstudie eingeschlossen. Audiometrische Daten von diesen CI-Träger:innen wurden im zeitlichen Verlauf verglichen.

Ergebnisse

Die Veränderung der Ergebnisse im Freiburger Einsilbertest (FBE) im Verlauf der 36 Monate war für die Ertaubungsgruppe < 10 Jahre sowohl für den Pegel 65 dB „sound pressure level“ (SPL) als auch für 80 dB SPL signifikant und für die Ertaubungsgruppe ≥ 10 Jahre für 65 dB SPL signifikant (p < 5 %). Beim Oldenburger Satztest (OlSa) ergab sich für die Konfigurationen S0, S0N0 und S0NCI eine hochsignifikante Veränderung (p < 0,1 %). und für S0NHG (HG: Hörgerät) eine sehr signifikante Veränderung (p < 1 %). Das Alter bei Versorgung als möglicher Einflussfaktor konnte durch den FBE nicht bestätigt werden. Die Ertaubungsdauer stellte dagegen einen negativen Einflussfaktor für das SV mit dem CI dar, wobei eine längere Ertaubungsdauer mit schlechteren Ergebnissen beim FBE assoziiert ist. Der Grad der Schwerhörigkeit des mit HG versorgten Ohrs beeinflusste das SV nicht. Im Median betrug der bimodale Nutzen (Differenz aus dem SV mit bimodaler Versorgung gegenüber einseitiger HG-Versorgung beim FBE für 65 dB SPL) über die gesamte Untersuchungszeit 10 %. Für im Median 79 % der Versuchspersonen war der bimodale Nutzen über den gesamten Zeitverlauf von 36 Monaten nachweisbar.

Schlussfolgerung

Im zeitlichen Verlauf verbessert sich das SV mit dem CI der bimodalen Versuchspersonen signifikant. Die untersuchten Einflussfaktoren (Alter, Ertaubungsdauer und Grad der Schwerhörigkeit des Gegenohrs) unterstützen die leitliniengerechte Indikationsstellung einer bimodalen Versorgung in Deutschland – unabhängig von Alter, Ertaubungsdauer und Hörfähigkeit des Gegenohrs – eine Cochleaimplantation durchzuführen.
Operative Zugangswege und Implantatwahl im Bereich des Klavikulaschafts
Authors: Lecoultre Yannic , van de Wall Bryan J. M. , Beeres Frank J. P. , Babst Reto
Published: August 2024

Hintergrund

Klavikulafrakturen gehören zu den häufigsten Verletzungen des Schultergürtels. Nichtdislozierte Frakturen werden i. Allg. konservativ behandelt, während dislozierte Frakturen eine chirurgische Versorgung erfordern. Hierfür stehen verschiedene Implantate und Operationstechniken mit zuverlässigen Ergebnissen zur Verfügung. Hauptnachteil sind die häufigen Materialirritationen mit entsprechend hohen Zweiteingriffsraten zur Materialentfernung.

Ziel der Arbeit

Es werden die verschiedenen Operationstechniken für Klavikulaschaftfrakturen mit ihren spezifischen Anwendungsgebieten sowie Vor- und Nachteilen vorgestellt. Diese Übersicht bietet eine Entscheidungshilfe, welche Operationstechnik aufgrund der jeweiligen morphologischen Frakturmerkmale am besten geeignet ist. Darüber hinaus wird ein Überblick über die aktuellen Forschungsaktivitäten gegeben. Ein besonderer Schwerpunkt liegt auf neuen Implantaten, die dazu beitragen könnten, Implantatirritationen zu verringern.

Ergebnisse und Schlussfolgerungen

Die offene superiore und die anteroinferiore Plattenosteosynthese zeigen jeweils ähnliche zuverlässige Ergebnisse. Die Technik der minimalinvasiven Plattenosteosynthese (MIPO) bietet eine Alternative für multifragmentäre Frakturen; hier weist sie im Vergleich zum offenen Verfahren eine geringere Komplikationsrate auf. Die Doppelplattenosteosynthese mit Minifragmentplatten erzielt vielversprechende Ergebnisse in Bezug auf die implantatbedingten Irritationen. Größere prospektive Studien stehen noch aus. Die Marknagelung ist eine gute Alternative, v. a., wenn ohnehin eine Materialentfernung geplant ist, z. B. im pädiatrischen Setting.
Area-level factors associated with variation in involuntary psychiatric hospitalisation across England: a cross-sectional, ecological study
Authors: Minchin Matilda , Christiansen Colette , Maconick Lucy , Johnson Sonia
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Involuntary hospitalisations for mental health care are rising in many high income countries, including England. Looking at variation between areas can help us understand why rates are rising and how this might be reversed. This cross-sectional, ecological study aimed to better understand variation in involuntary hospitalisations across England.

Method

The unit of analysis was Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), NHS bodies responsible for delivering healthcare to local areas in England. 205 CCGs were included in the analysis. Demographic, clinical, and socioeconomic variables at CCG-level were extracted from national, open access data bases. The outcome variable was the rate of involuntary hospitalisation for psychiatric care under the 1983 Mental Health Act in 2021/22.

Results

There was a four-fold difference between the CCGs with the highest and lowest involuntary hospitalisations. In an adjusted analysis, CCGs with a higher percentage of severe mental illness in the population, higher percentage of male population, and higher community and outpatient mental health care use showed a higher rate of involuntary hospitalisation. Depression, urbanicity, deprivation, ethnicity, and age were not strongly associated with involuntary hospitalisation after adjustment. These variables explained 10.68% of the variation in involuntary hospitalisations across CCGs.

Conclusion

Some demographic and clinical variables explained variation in involuntary hospitalisation between areas in England, however, most of the variance was unexplained. Complex relationships between urbanicity, deprivation, age, and ethnicity need to be further explored. The role of other influences, such as variation in service organisation or clinical practice, also need to be better understood.