bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ASL lexicon and reporting recommendations: A consensus report from the ISMRM Open Science Initiative for Perfusion Imaging (OSIPI)
Authors: Suzuki Yuriko , Clement Patricia , Dai Weiying , Dolui Sudipto , Fernández‐Seara Maria A. , Lindner Thomas , Mutsaerts Henk J. M. M. , Petr Jan , Shao Xingfeng , Taso Manuel , Thomas David L. ,   ISMRM Perfusion Study Group
Published: October 2023

The 2015 consensus statement published by the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM) Perfusion Study Group and the European Cooperation in Science and Technology ( COST) Action ASL in Dementia aimed to encourage the implementation of robust arterial spin labeling (ASL) perfusion MRI for clinical applications and promote consistency across scanner types, sites, and studies. Subsequently, the recommended 3D pseudo‐continuous ASL sequence has been implemented by most major MRI manufacturers. However, ASL remains a rapidly and widely developing field, leading inevitably to further divergence of the technique and its associated terminology, which could cause confusion and hamper research reproducibility.

On behalf of the ISMRM Perfusion Study Group, and as part of the ISMRM Open Science Initiative for Perfusion Imaging (OSIPI), the ASL Lexicon Task Force has been working on the development of an ASL Lexicon and Reporting Recommendations for perfusion imaging and analysis, aiming to (1) develop standardized, consensus nomenclature and terminology for the broad range of ASL imaging techniques and parameters, as well as for the physiological constants required for quantitative analysis; and (2) provide a community‐endorsed recommendation of the imaging parameters that we encourage authors to include when describing ASL methods in scientific reports/papers.

In this paper, the sequences and parameters in (pseudo‐)continuous ASL, pulsed ASL, velocity‐selective ASL, and multi‐timepoint ASL for brain perfusion imaging are included. However, the content of the lexicon is not intended to be limited to these techniques, and this paper provides the foundation for a growing online inventory that will be extended by the community as further methods and improvements are developed and established.
A database for MR‐based electrical properties tomography with in silico brain data—ADEPT
Authors: Meerbothe T. G. , Meliado E. F. , Stijnman P. R. S. , van den Berg C. A. T. , Mandija S.
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Several reconstruction methods for MR‐based electrical properties tomography (EPT) have been developed. However, the lack of common data makes it difficult to objectively compare their performances. This is, however, a necessary precursor for standardizing and introducing this technique in the clinical setting. To enable objective comparison of the performances of reconstruction methods and provide common data for their training and testing, we created ADEPT, a database of simulated data for brain MR‐EPT reconstructions.

Methods

ADEPT is a database containing in silico data for brain EPT reconstructions. This database was created from 25 different brain models, with and without tumors. Rigid geometric augmentations were applied, and different electrical properties were assigned to white matter, gray matter, CSF, and tumors to generate 120 different brain models. These models were used as input for finite‐difference time‐domain simulations in Sim4Life, used to compute the electromagnetic fields needed for MR‐EPT reconstructions.

Results

Electromagnetic fields from 84 healthy and 36 tumor brain models were simulated. The simulated fields relevant for MR‐EPT reconstructions (transmit and receive RF fields and transceive phase) and their ground‐truth electrical properties are made publicly available through ADEPT. Additionally, nonattainable fields such as the total magnetic field and the electric field are available upon request.

Conclusion

ADEPT will serve as reference database for objective comparisons of reconstruction methods and will be a first step toward standardization of MR‐EPT reconstructions. Furthermore, it provides a large amount of data that can be exploited to train data‐driven methods. It can be accessed from 
https://doi.org/10.34894/V0HBJ8.
A test of the New Coimbra method of recording entheseal changes as applied to the foot skeleton
Authors: Albee Malorie E.
Published: October 2023

Prior studies have indicated that entheseal changes throughout the skeleton are largely reflective of age and body mass with mixed results concerning activity patterns. To add to this debate, this study tests the effectiveness of employing the New Coimbra method to record entheseal changes of the calcaneus (Calcaneal tendon enthesis), hallucal metatarsal (Peroneus longus m. tendon, and Tibialis anterior m. tendon entheses), and fifth metatarsal (Peroneus brevis m. tendon enthesis) to understand past activity patterns. Presence and severity of entheseal changes were scored for 71 white adults from the William M. Bass Donated Skeletal Collection, and these scores were contrasted according to age, sex, stature, body mass (BMI), and occupation. Spearman's rank correlations show that age has the greatest impact on changes for the Calcaneal tendon enthesis, the Peroneus brevis m. tendon enthesis, and the Tibialis anterior m. tendon enthesis. For all of these entheses, entheseal scores increase as age increases. Stature is the largest contributing factor to changes in the Peroneus longus m. tendon enthesis, and this relationship is negative: entheseal scores decrease as stature increases. BMI has a limited effect on entheseal changes in the foot skeleton, and this relationship may instead be mediated by gait differences related to stature. No statistically significant relationships between entheseal changes and occupational standing ranks were found, although this may be related to the ways in which occupations were recorded and ranked. It is possible that statistically significant effects of physical activity patterns on the expression of entheseal changes could be documented using other measurements of activity patterns beyond occupational standing. These findings support prior studies that established age as a major contributor to entheseal changes but show that stature also contributes to enthesis formation in the foot.
A natural death assemblage of fishes from an early modern archeological context in Antwerp (Belgium)
Authors: Wouters Wim , Van Neer Wim , Celis Daan
Published: October 2023

An unusual concentration of tens of thousands small fish remains discovered during rescue excavations in the town of Antwerp, Belgium, is described. The material was found in a small depression with no associated archeological material but could be dated to the first half of the 16th century based on its stratigraphic position. About 3500 freshwater fish were found in articulating position and it is shown that they died naturally during a single depositional event after an exceptional flood. The species spectrum and the reconstructed fish lengths make it possible to document the season when the catastrophic mortality occurred. This assemblage differs from the few assemblages of natural mortality reported in the literature, which are all of the attritional type.
Photosynthetic and transcriptome responses to fluctuating light in Arabidopsis thylakoid ion transport triple mutant
Authors: Gollan Peter J. , Grebe Steffen , Roling Lena , Grimm Bernhard , Spetea Cornelia , Aro Eva‐Mari
Published: October 2023

Fluctuating light intensity challenges fluent photosynthetic electron transport in plants, inducing photoprotection while diminishing carbon assimilation and growth, and also influencing photosynthetic signaling for regulation of gene expression. Here, we employed in vivo chlorophyll‐a fluorescence and P700 difference absorption measurements to demonstrate the enhancement of photoprotective energy dissipation of both photosystems in wild‐type Arabidopsis thaliana after 6 h exposure to fluctuating light as compared with constant light conditions. This acclimation response to fluctuating light was hampered in a triple mutant lacking the thylakoid ion transport proteins KEA3, VCCN1, and CLCe, leading to photoinhibition of photosystem I. Transcriptome analysis revealed upregulation of genes involved in biotic stress and defense responses in both genotypes after exposure to fluctuating as compared with constant light, yet these responses were demonstrated to be largely upregulated in triple mutant already under constant light conditions compared with wild type. The current study illustrates the rapid acclimation of plants to fluctuating light, including photosynthetic, transcriptomic, and metabolic adjustments, and highlights the connection among thylakoid ion transport, photosynthetic energy balance, and cell signaling.
Topographical effect of high embankments on resistivity investigation of the underlying permafrost table
Authors: You Yanhui , Pan Xicai , Fu Wei , Wang Yun , Yu Qihao , Guo Lei , Wang Xinbin
Published: October 2023

Investigation of resistivity has been effectively used in assessing the risks of embankmentation and failure. A two‐dimensional (2D) approximation of the surveyed object is commonly assumed for a survey line on the road surface. However, this approximation may not be met when resistivity investigations are conducted over a raised high embankment; under these conditions, regular inversions might yield erroneous results. This study explored the topographical effect of a high embankment on resistivity measurements by forward and inverse modeling of a 3D high embankment model. The results show that a 2D approximation of the survey lines on the road surface significantly increases the apparent resistivity within the depth of the raised embankment. Maximum relative errors reached 21% and 11% for the road shoulder and midline survey lines, respectively. The biased apparent resistivity resulted in an inverted resistivity that was higher than the true values, although resistivity contrasts can still identify interfaces between layers. A geometric factor was used to correct the biased apparent resistivity to eliminate the high embankment topographical effect. Inversion results of the corrected apparent resistivity agreed well with the forward model. The method was then verified by field application. The apparent resistivity of the field data collected on a high embankment in permafrost regions on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau was corrected before inversion. The permafrost table derived from the inverted resistivity was verified based on borehole temperatures. These findings indicate that the topographical influence of high embankments on resistivity measurements needs to be considered. Correction of the apparent resistivity is indispensable for quantitative interpretation of the inverted resistivity.
Carbon Dot‐Based Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) Systems for Biomedical, Sensing, and Imaging Applications
Authors: Gopal Abhilash Raj , Joy Francis , Dutta Vishal , Devasia Jyothis , Dateer Ramesh , Nizam Aatika
Published: October 2023

Carbon dots (CDs) emerge as a potential group of photo‐luminescent nano‐materials due to their excellent optical, electrical, and chemical properties, as well as their competence in a wide range of environmental applications. CDs have unique and appealing properties such as excellent stability, low toxicity, water solubility, and derivability. When coupled with CDs, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) results in the development of highly sensitive ratiometric fluorescence sensor probes with potential applications in bio‐imaging, metal sensing, membrane dynamics, and environmental sensing. In this review, the progress and recent developments in CDs based FRET systems utilized for various environmental applications are conferred. An in‐depth description is provided regarding the numerous donor/acceptor systems which when integrated with CDs generate efficient FRET systems. The review enables researchers to identify and develop specific systems which can be utilized to generate a FRET pair with potential physico–chemical properties that aid the development of the same for various applications.
Bilateral pulmonary sequestrations: Distinct types sharing a common celiac artery origin, presented with pneumonia and associated findings in a pediatric case
Authors: Tekinhatun Muhammed , Alver Kadir Han
Published: October 2023

A 14‐year‐old boy presented with shortness of breath, cough, and mild chest pain, with a history of intermittent milder symptoms. Physical examination and initial tests showed mild iron deficiency anemia, elevated C‐reactive protein, and normal vital signs. Chest radiograph revealed abnormalities in the left lower zone, leading to contrast‐enhanced chest CT. The CT scan revealed bilateral intrapulmonary sequestrations, both deriving blood supply from a common trunk originating from the celiac artery. The patient's symptoms initially attributed to a pulmonary infection improved with antibiotic therapy. Pulmonary sequestration is a congenital anomaly characterized by aberrant lung tissue lacking connections to bronchial tree or pulmonary arteries. It can lead to recurrent pulmonary infections and postinfectious sequelae. This case presented a unique bilateral sequestration, both originating from the celiac artery. Radiologists should be aware of sequestration types and associated anomalies, even in atypical locations. Blood supply can originate from various arteries, not just the aorta.
Rapid optimization method of solid rocket motor propellant with structural strength
Authors: Guo Zongtao , Xu Jinsheng , Chen Xiong , Wang Chenyu , Li Hui
Published: October 2023

To design a solid rocket motor with a high mass ratio, it is necessary to find out the parameters of the grain shape to meet the structural strength under volume loading fraction and initial burning areas conditions. A rapid optimization method for complex grain of solid rocket motors based on parametric modelling and GA‐BP is proposed. Through the sensitivity analysis of the geometric parameters related to the grain, the sensitive parameters are determined. 30 groups of parameters are determined by the mixed horizontal orthogonal test and the learning samples of the neural network are obtained by FEA. The artificial neural network is established based on the FEA results, and the accuracy of the network is verified by 10 groups of test data sampled by the LHS method. The comparison results show that the prediction error of the maximum Von Mises strain is 5.09 %, the prediction error of the volume loading fraction is 0.16 %, and the prediction error of the initial burning surface is 0.865 %. Based on this, the neural network prediction results are optimized as a function of fitness in GA, and the optimization results show that the maximum strain is reduced by 20.41 % while the constraints are satisfied.
Kernel Cox partially linear regression: Building predictive models for cancer patients' survival
Authors: Rong Yaohua , Zhao Sihai Dave , Zheng Xia , Li Yi
Published: October 2023

Wide heterogeneity exists in cancer patients' survival, ranging from a few months to several decades. To accurately predict clinical outcomes, it is vital to build an accurate predictive model that relates the patients' molecular profiles with the patients' survival. With complex relationships between survival and high‐dimensional molecular predictors, it is challenging to conduct nonparametric modeling and irrelevant predictors removing simultaneously. In this article, we build a kernel Cox proportional hazards semi‐parametric model and propose a novel regularized garrotized kernel machine (RegGKM) method to fit the model. We use the kernel machine method to describe the complex relationship between survival and predictors, while automatically removing irrelevant parametric and nonparametric predictors through a LASSO penalty. An efficient high‐dimensional algorithm is developed for the proposed method. Comparison with other competing methods in simulation shows that the proposed method always has better predictive accuracy. We apply this method to analyze a multiple myeloma dataset and predict the patients' death burden based on their gene expressions. Our results can help classify patients into groups with different death risks, facilitating treatment for better clinical outcomes.
Half‐Metallic PN2 Monolayer as High‐performance Anode Material for Metal Ion (Li, Na and K) Batteries: A First‐Principles Study
Authors: Lin Xun , Lin He , Huang Yong
Published: October 2023

Searching for an appropriate anode material with desirable electrochemical performance is crucial in the development of metal ion batteries. In this work, based on the extensive first‐principles computations, we have systemically assessed the potential of an emerging PN2 monolayer as an anode material for lithium (LIBs), sodium (NIBs) and potassium (KIBs) ion batteries. The PN2 monolayer possesses excellent thermal, dynamical and mechanical stability, and it is half‐metallic with two energy bands crossing over the Fermi level in the spin‐down channel. Moreover, the diffusion barriers of Li, Na and K atoms on the PN2 are as low as 0.11, 0.09 and 0.05 eV, showing a high ionic mobility. The storage capacities of PN2 anode are predicted to be 2725.53, 1413.24, and 908.51 mAh/g for LIBs, NIBs and KIBs. Importantly, the PN2 anode exhibits strong affinity towards metal atoms and negligible structural distortion during the whole intercalation process, which is of importance to improve the cyclability and prevent the metallic dendrite formation. All the encouraging findings demonstrate that the PN2 anode holds great promise in the high‐performance metal ion battery application.
The Effects of Black Phosphorus‐Based Composites on Foodborne Pathogen Growth and Biofilm
Authors: Aksoy Çekceoğlu İlknur , Demirbaş Ayşe , Kurt Hacer , Eroğlu Zafer , Metin Önder , Hatay Patir Imren
Published: October 2023

Foodborne infections are one of the most important problems in the protection of human health. Bacillus cereus and Salmonella enteritidis as the most common foodborne pathogens are the main cause of food poisoning. Due to the inadequacy of traditional antibiotics, biofilm formation and increase in resistant species, the control of the pathogen growth is a quite challenging issue. Recently, Black Phosphorus (BP) nanosheets as a rising star 2D semiconductor, has attracted great attention due to their specific surface interface interactions. Photo‐activated BP‐based nanocomposites could trigger the release of inorganic nanoparticles, creating superior antibacterial functions. In this work, NIR light‐induced antibacterial activities of pristine BP nanosheets, BP/Ag and BP/Au nanocomposites were tested on Bacillus cereus and Salmonella enteritidis and both of BP/Au or BP/Ag exhibited superior growth inhibition efficiencies compared to pristine BP nanosheets due to the active sites for physical contact with bacterial membranes as well as production of ROS. SEM analysis proved that BP‐based nanocomposites create physical membrane damages. Antibiofilm activities of the nanocomposites were also examined, which is higher than BP nanosheets alone. Accordingly, due to the sharp edges, NIR‐triggered photothermal effect and Schottky interaction of nanocomposites the biofilm structure was mechanically damaged. This work provides an idea to control the growth of bacteria by BP‐based nanocomposites, which have the potential to be used in large‐scale approaches as an alternative to antibiotics.
A Review of Antithrombolytic, Anticoagulant, and Antiplatelet Activities of Biosynthesized Metallic Nanostructured Multifunctional Materials
Authors: Emmanuel Stephen Sunday , Adesibikan Ademidun Adeola , Olusola Olawoyin Christopher , Bayode Ajibola A.
Published: October 2023

The continuous upsurge in drug resistance, the proliferation of life‐threatening aliment, and the advent of the utilization of biogenic extract for bio‐fabrication of metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) are unequivocally accidental. This review generously gathers the efficacy remarks of numerous biosynthesized MNPs concerning their antithrombolytic activity, Anticoagulant activity, and antiplatelet activity to give fresh thought to researchers on what to improve as per the architectural design of the biosynthesized MNPs, and selection of biogenic extract for better activities. In this work, efforts were made to provide mechanistic insight into the antithrombolytic, Anticoagulant, and antiplatelet activities of different biogenic MNPs. This work revealed that the biogenic extract used in synthesizing the green MNPs confers on them an improved biological activity compared to the physically and chemically synthesized MNP owing to the enormous phytochemicals present in the biological entities. Notably, it was also observed that phytogenically synthesized MNPs performed better than mycogenically synthesized MNPs and this might be ascribed to a large volume of the phytochemical present in plants that can easily be leached compared to microorganisms. Comparatively, the biogenic MNPs synergistically outperformed the ordinary biological extract and MNPs when used individually. Conclusively, from this review, the biosynthesized MNPs is a promising candidate for combating inflammation, the spread of infectious agents, retarded wound‐healing process, thrombosis, blood coagulation, ulcer, internal and external bleeding during injury with an average remarkable efficacy >70, and infinitesimal toxicity.
Determination of Digoxin in Biological Samples and Medicinal Plants by Electrochemical and Chromatographic Methods
Authors: Hassanpoor Shahed , Tamri Elham , Hasanpour Mostafa
Published: October 2023

In this study, the nanocomposite with FeS2 nanoparticles and sulfur‐doped reduced graphene oxide (SRGO) were synthesized and characterized with appropriate spectroscopic, crystallographic and morphological methods. The FeS2‐SRGO nanocomposite was coated on a glass‐carbon (GC) electrode as working electrode for the electrochemical determination of digoxin. The method was linear in the range of 3–25 μgL−1 with the detection limit of the method is 0.54 μgL−1. The plant‘s active ingredient was extracted from Leonurus cardiac and Valeriana officinalis. Three important types of real samples including plants extracted and urine samples were selected to measure the amounts of digoxin. The electrochemical sensing results were evaluated by studying the amount of spiked recovery and statistical test with comparison to the high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method results and the accuracy and precision of the method for digoxin determination in real samples were confirmed. The results show the plant extracted contained a significant amount of digoxin. The presence of digoxin in valerian was investigated for the first time in this study.
Ultrahigh Enzyme Loading Metal–Organic Frameworks for Deep Tissue Pancreatic Cancer Photoimmunotherapy
Authors: Liu Qian , Wang Li , Su Yitan , Dong Wang , Wang Huiru , Liu Yang , Liu Hang , Liu Lianxin , Wang Yucai
Published: October 2023

Protein drugs hold promise in treating multiple complex diseases, including cancer. The priority of protein drug application is precise delivery of substantial bioactive protein into tumor site. Metal–organic‐framework (MOF) is widely considered as a promising carrier to encapsulate protein drug owing to the noncovalent interaction between carrier and protein. However, limited loading efficiency and potential toxicity of metal ion in MOF restrict its application in clinical research. Herein, a tumor targeted collagenase‐encapsulating MOF via protein‐metal ion‐organic ligand coordination (PMOCol) for refining deep tissue pancreatic cancer photoimmunotherapy is developed. By an expedient method in which the ratio of metal ion, histidine residues of protein and ligand is precisely controlled, PMOCol is constructed with ultrahigh encapsulation efficiency (80.3 wt%) and can release collagenase with high enzymatic activity for tumor extracellular matrix (ECM) regulation after reaching tumor microenvironment (TME). Moreover, PMOcol exhibits intensively poorer toxicity than the zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 biomineralized protein. After treatment, the pancreatic tumor with abundant ECM shows enhanced immunocyte infiltration owing to extracellular matrix degradation that improves suppressive TME. By integrating hyperthermia agent with strong near‐infrared absorption (1064 nm), PMOCol can induce acute immunogenicity to host immunity activation and systemic immune memory production to prevent tumor development and recurrence.
Unterkonstruktionen für vorgehängte hinterlüftete Fassaden aus feuerverzinktem Stahl – Teil 2
Authors: Weimar Thorsten , Reißaus Henrik , Hachul Helmut , Ridder‐Weßels Daniela , Tekinbas Yesim
Published: October 2023

Die vorgehängte hinterlüftete Fassade (VHF) stellt in der modernen Architektur eine bewährte Fassadenkonstruktion dar, die durch die technische Trennung von Witterungs‐ und Wärmeschutz bauphysikalische Vorteile verbunden mit hervorragenden Eigenschaften bei Rückbau und Rezyklierung zeigt. Nachteilig auf die Energieeinsparung wirken sich die Wärmebrücken aus, die durch die Wandhalter in der Dämmebene gebildet werden. Die Reduzierung der Wärmeverluste von vorgehängten hinterlüfteten Fassaden hängt insbesondere von der Gestaltung der Wandhalter ab, die bereits in Teil 1 dieses Aufsatzes vorgestellt werden. Die numerische Simulation der mechanischen und der thermischen Eigenschaften für Wandhalter aus feuerverzinktem Stahl im vorliegenden Teil 2 des Aufsatzes zeigt, dass aus beiden Bereichen unterschiedliche Anforderungen resultieren. Mit einem kombinierten Ansatz, der über die erforderliche Anzahl der Wandhalter die Wärmeverluste über die Fassade für eine definierte Last bestimmt, lassen sich grundsätzliche Aussagen für die günstigste Gestaltung treffen.
Starch‐Based Biodegradable Film from Fruit and Vegetable Waste and Its Standardization Modules Based on Neural Networks and Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Sarma Mausumi , Chakraborty Sourav , Kesavan Radhakrishnan , Dash Kshirod Kumar , Nayak Prakash Kumar
Published: October 2023

Fruits and vegetable waste‐based starch has numerous applications for use as a biodegradable film in food packaging materials. This study reviews fruit and vegetable waste‐based non‐commercial starches that can be utilized as an alternatives for commercial starches in biodegradable film growth. Circular economy, sustainable manufacturing goals, recycling waste and by‐products, and new basic concepts drive the hunt for alternative starch sources. Starches from unusual and abandoned fruits and vegetables offer stronger research potential. The characteristics of starch extracted from these sources and their use as a biodegradable film are emerging trends in the field of packaging technology. Further, millet starch, for example, is made from the waste of underused crops or other fruits and vegetables and presents a wealth of new avenues for biodegradable film study. In order to cease throwing away valuable carbohydrates, especially starch, these sources must incorporate into the concept of “circularity” and work toward more sustainable manufacturing practices. Besides, optimizing the biodegradable film composition to improve barrier and shelf life is also crucial. Thus, an additional study may apply response surface‐based hybrid optimization, neural networks, or deep learning‐oriented models to optimize biodegradable film composition and intelligent monitoring of the materials under the packing systems.
Damping approaches in nonlinear seismic time history analysis for large mobile equipment with uplift
Authors: Kloos née Groß Mirjam , Sadegh‐Azar Hamid
Published: October 2023

In large mobile equipment in seismically active regions, seismic stability is often a decisive design criterion, and the behaviour of this large equipment, which is characterised by uplift, tilting and rocking, can only be calculated by means of nonlinear time history analyses. Here, the model damping approach has a significant influence on the results of these analyses but there are no scientific approaches for large mobile equipment with nonlinear behaviour such as uplift. In this paper, possible theoretical damping approaches for nonlinear time history analysis of structures with uplift such as large mobile equipment are discussed and numerical studies are conducted to investigate the influence of damping in the model on the concise results of the typical behaviour of large mobile equipment under seismic excitation. A suitable new approach is to be developed and a way of practical implementation is being prepared. Experimental studies on real typical bucket wheel machines will identify and validate important natural frequencies and associated damping for the numerical approach. These can be applied in numerical models using the damping approach engineered in the theoretical part. Thus, realistic results of the numerical models under nonlinear seismic time history analyses can be expected and more precise conclusions on the distinctive behaviour of large mobile equipment with uplift can be drawn.
Compressive strength prediction of sustainable concrete containing waste foundry sand using metaheuristic optimization‐based hybrid artificial neural network
Authors: Kazemi Ramin , Golafshani Emadaldin Mohammadi , Behnood Ali
Published: October 2023

This study seeks to present a sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI) framework to model the compressive strength () of concrete containing waste foundry sand (WFS), with the aim of minimizing the need for time‐consuming laboratory tests and skilled technicians. For this purpose, artificial neural network (ANN) is hybridized with two metaheuristic algorithms—particle swarm optimization (PSO) and ant colony optimization (ACO) to predict the of 340 samples containing WFS collected from the literature. Results indicated that the ACO + ANN model showed the best performance with the Pearson coefficient of 0.9971, mean absolute error of 0.0221 MPa, and root mean squared error of 0.7473 MPa. The values of prediction errors exhibited that more than 90% of them in the ACO + ANN model fall within the range of (−1.5 MPa, 1.5 MPa), while this range for the PSO + ANN and traditional ANN models was obtained as (−3 MPa, 3 MPa) and (−4 MPa, 4 MPa), respectively. Furthermore, the proposed ACO + ANN model predicted the in the range of 5.24–54.48 MPa. Besides, the results indicated that the water‐to‐cement ratio, cement strength class, and cement content had the most significant impact on the of WFS‐containing concrete. Finally, a comparison was made between the proposed ACO + ANN model and four other AI models recently proposed in the literature, in which the performance criteria demonstrated that the proposed ACO + ANN model outperformed the models in the literature.
Molecular identification and environmental DNA detection of gill lice ectoparasites associated with Brook Trout declines
Authors: Katz Aron D. , Tetzlaff Sasha J. , Johnson Mark D. , Noble John D. , Rood Steven , Maki Derek , Sperry Jinelle H.
Published: October 2023

Objective

Gill lice Salmincola spp. are among the most widely reported parasites of freshwater salmonids and have been associated with recent declines in native Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis populations. Effective gill lice surveillance is vital for salmonid conservation success, but current survey approaches are often inadequate or problematic. We developed an environmental DNA (eDNA)-based approach to detect the gill louse Salmincola edwardsii and explored the viability of this approach as a management tool for rapid, large-scale gill lice surveillance at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, USA.

Methods

Reference sequences were generated from gill lice specimens collected at Fort McCoy to confirm their identify as S. edwardsii and used to design a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay that targets S. edwardsii mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI). Assay validation included in silico and in vitro sensitivity and nontarget specificity testing, and assay performance was validated in situ by sampling eDNA at sites characterized via electrofishing.

Result

Molecular analysis of reference sequences confirmed S. edwardsii identity while also providing the first multi-population assessment of genetic variation for North American Salmincola and the most taxonomically comprehensive molecular phylogeny of Lernaeopodidae to date. Salmincola edwardsii eDNA was detected at 14 of 38 sites, including 12 of 14 sites with known active infestations, with no evidence that the odds of detecting gill lice via electrofishing was greater than the odds of detections from eDNA analysis. Brook Trout presence was highly predictive of gill lice eDNA site occupancy, concordant with S. edwardsii being an obligate parasite of Salvelinus fishes. However, by expanding survey coverage via eDNA analysis, we were able to identify an isolated drainage with Brook Trout where S. edwardsii is apparently absent, confirming electrofishing observations.

Conclusion

These results suggest that eDNA analysis is equivalent to electrofishing for detecting gill lice in terms of performance yet offers substantial gains in survey efficiency. Further, this study demonstrates how eDNA analysis can provide valuable intel for directing management efforts, especially when used to expand survey coverage and prioritize follow-up conventional surveys to assess host–parasite abundance, demographics, and status.
Biological characteristics of inland Lake Whitefish populations in Ontario
Authors: Haxton Tim
Published: October 2023

Objective

To assess the biological characteristics of Lake Whitefish Coregonus clupeaformis within inland lakes in Ontario at multiple scales and test whether there have been any changes in relative abundance, measured by catch per unit effort, spatially and temporally over 15 years.

Methods

A Broad-scale Monitoring Program, which uses a standardized random sample of the fish assemblage, has been conducted within inland lakes in Ontario since 2008 in roughly 5-year cycles on about 750 lakes. Lake Whitefish attribute and catch per unit effort data were used to assess variation in characteristics across the landscape.

Result

From 2008 to 2022, 54,941 Lake Whitefish were sampled among 524 different water bodies. Lake Whitefish relative abundance varied among fisheries management zones (FMZs), but not across cycles within or among FMZs. Relative abundance of Lake Whitefish was greater in lakes with lower large-bodied fish species diversity, greater Secchi depth, mean depth, and higher levels of hypolimnetic dissolved oxygen. Their relative abundance was greatest in the 12–35-m depth strata. Growth potential, age, and length at 50% maturity were similar between the sexes at the provincial and FMZ scales. Mean annual survival for populations with at least 50 Lake Whitefish sampled was 87%.

Conclusion

The demographics and relative abundance of Lake Whitefish throughout inland lakes in Ontario was indicative of limited exploitation on these populations at a landscape scale.
Identification of robust yield quantitative trait loci derived from cultivated emmer for durum wheat improvement
Authors: Peters Haugrud Amanda R. , Sharma Jyoti Saini , Zhang Qijun , Green Andrew J. , Xu Steven S. , Faris Justin D.
Published: October 2023

Durum wheat (Triticum turgidum ssp. durum L.) is an important world food crop used to make pasta products. Compared to bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), fewer studies have been conducted to identify genetic loci governing yield‐component traits in durum wheat. A potential source of diversity for durum is its immediate progenitor, cultivated emmer (T. turgidum ssp. dicoccum). We evaluated two biparental populations of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from crosses between the durum lines Ben and Rusty and the cultivated emmer wheat accessions PI 41025 and PI 193883, referred to as the Ben × PI 41025 (BP025) and Rusty × PI 193883 (RP883) RIL populations, respectively. Both populations were evaluated under field conditions in three seasons with an aim to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with yield components and seed morphology that were expressed in multiple environments. A total of 44 and 34 multi‐environment QTLs were identified in the BP025 and RP883 populations, respectively. As expected, genetic loci known to govern domestication and development were associated with some of the QTLs, but novel QTLs derived from the cultivated emmer parents and associated with yield components including spikelet number, grain weight, and grain size were identified. These QTLs offer new target loci for durum wheat improvement, and toward that goal, we identified five RILs with increased grain weight and size compared to the durum parents. These materials along with the knowledge of stable QTLs and associated markers can help to expedite the development of superior durum varieties.
The geological evolution of the Silala River basin, Central Andes
Authors: Blanco Nicolás , Polanco Edmundo
Published: October 2023

Improved understanding of the geology and stratigraphic architecture of the Silala River basin and its evolution, reviewed here, has been important in providing scientific evidence to an international dispute between Chile and Bolivia on the nature and origin of the waters of the Silala River. The dispute was submitted in 2016 to International Court of Justice (ICJ), which issued its judgment in 2022. The Silala River has evolved within an active volcanic chain, in the western region of the Andean plateau. Various volcanic structures, at different stages of their evolution, have determined the basin's development. The first evidence of alluvial drainage associated with the Silala fluvial system appeared in the Lower Pleistocene (ca. 2.6–1.6 Ma), a record of alluvial deposits with paleoflow directions toward the Southwest and South‐Southwest. These deposits had an important role in forming a highly permeable horizon, confined between two pyroclastic deposits (the Cabana and Silala Ignimbrites) which comprise the main regional aquifer in the basin, although there are other minor locally important aquifers. The second stage in the evolution of the river system occurred in the late Upper Pleistocene‐Lower Holocene (ca. 11–8.5 ka BP), when an erosive period carved the current trans‐boundary ravine in the Silala Ignimbrite. Morphological evidence clearly shows that the ravine was carved by fluvial action. The only documented tectonic activity during the development of the Silala River basin is the Cabana reverse fault and associated normal faults, representing an East–West shortening, which occurred between 2.6 and 1.6 Ma.

This article is categorized under:

Science of Water > Water and Environmental Change

Science of Water > Hydrological Processes

Water and Life > Nature of Freshwater Ecosystems

Human Water > Water Governance
Advances and gaps in the science and practice of impact‐based forecasting of droughts
Authors: Shyrokaya Anastasiya , Pappenberger Florian , Pechlivanidis Ilias , Messori Gabriele , Khatami Sina , Mazzoleni Maurizio , Di Baldassarre Giuliano
Published: October 2023

Advances in impact modeling and numerical weather forecasting have allowed accurate drought monitoring and skilful forecasts that can drive decisions at the regional scale. State‐of‐the‐art drought early‐warning systems are currently based on statistical drought indicators, which do not account for dynamic regional vulnerabilities, and hence neglect the socio‐economic impact for initiating actions. The transition from conventional physical forecasts of droughts toward impact‐based forecasting (IbF) is a recent paradigm shift in early warning services, to ultimately bridge the gap between science and action. The demand to generate predictions of “what the weather will do” underpins the rising interest in drought IbF across all weather‐sensitive sectors. Despite the large expected socio‐economic benefits, migrating to this new paradigm presents myriad challenges. In this article, we provide a comprehensive overview of drought IbF, outlining the progress made in the field. Additionally, we present a road map highlighting current challenges and limitations in the science and practice of drought IbF and possible ways forward. We identify seven scientific and practical challenges/limitations: the contextual challenge (inadequate accounting for the spatio‐sectoral dynamics of vulnerability and exposure), the human‐water feedbacks challenge (neglecting how human activities influence the propagation of drought), the typology challenge (oversimplifying drought typology to meteorological), the model challenge (reliance on mainstream machine learning models), and the data challenge (mainly textual) with the linked sectoral and geographical limitations. Our vision is to facilitate the progress of drought IbF and its use in making informed and timely decisions on mitigation measures, thus minimizing the drought impacts globally.

This article is categorized under:

Science of Water > Water Extremes

Science of Water > Methods

Science of Water > Water and Environmental Change
The metaverse—Not a new frontier for crime
Authors: Marshall Angus McKenzie , Tompsett Brian Charles
Published: October 2023

Law enforcement co‐ordination agencies have recently issued position/guidance documents relating to the potential for VR environments (the “Metaverse”) to become new environment for criminal activity, and calling for additional work to enhance investigative capability. By reviewing the historic development of VR and comparing it with the appearance of the WWW, the authors propose that the situation is not as dire as the issued documents may suggest, but represents an evolutionary rather than revolutionary step in online experiences. They conclude, therefore, that while ability to examine VR presentation/interaction devices may be useful, continued development of ability to examine online systems remains essential.

This article is categorized under:

Digital and Multimedia Science > Multimedia Forensics

Digital and Multimedia Science > Cybercrime Investigation

Digital and Multimedia Science > Artificial Intelligence
Hauptteil
Authors: Landscheidt Dr. jur. Fabian
Published: October 2023

Bei Daten im patentrechtlichen Sinne handelt es sich um maschinenlesbar codierte Informationen, die in Form elektrischer Spannungen auf einem physischen Träger gespeichert werden können. Aufgrund ihrer funktionalen Vergleichbarkeit mit Computerprogrammen lassen sich Daten als Unterkategorie des Programmbegriffs i.S.d. § 1 Abs. 3 Nr. 3 PatG / Art. 52 Abs. 2 lit. c EPÜ einordnen.  Daten weisen dann die für die Begründung des derivaten Verfahrenserzeugnisschutz notwendige sachlich-technische Prägung auf, wenn sie computerimplementiert sind und einen technischen Effekt erzeugen und/oder wenn die ihnen zugrundeliegende Information – unabhängig vom konkreten Bedeutungsgehalt – zu einer ergonomischeren Mensch-Computer-Kommunikation führt. Mit den „Computerimplementierten Daten“ einerseits und den „Mensch-Computer-Informationen“ andererseits lassen sich zwei Fallgruppen bilden, denen zur Folge Daten eine direkte und Information eine indirekte technische Wirkung auf ein technisches Mittel haben können, um somit im Rahmen der erfinderischen Tätigkeit Berücksichtigung zu finden. Ist der konkrete Bedeutungsinhalt der Informationen austausch- oder ersetzbar, besteht keine Gefahr, dass einzelne Informationen durch den patentrechtlichen Schutz monopolisiert werden. Dagegen lässt sich der Sachpatentschutz von Daten weder mit der Übertragung der zum Verfahrenserzeugnisschutz entwickelten Grundsätze noch im Sinne einer Analogie zum pbp-Anspruch oder gar der Substitution des Körperlichkeitskriteriums durch technische Überlegungen einer sog. KI rechtfertigen.
Recent Advance of Alignment Inference Stage
Authors: Zhao Xiang , Zeng Weixin , Tang Jiuyang
Published: October 2023

In this chapter, we introduce recent progress of the alignment inference stage.
Weakly Supervised Entity Alignment
Authors: Zhao Xiang , Zeng Weixin , Tang Jiuyang
Published: October 2023

The majority of state-of-the-art entity alignment solutions heavily rely on the labeled data, which are difficult to obtain in practice. Therefore, it calls for the study of EA with scarce supervision. To resolve this issue, we put forward a reinforced active entity alignment framework to select the entities to be manually labeled with the aim of enhancing alignment performance with minimal labeling efforts. Under this framework, we further devise an unsupervised contrastive loss to contrast different views of entity representations and augment the limited supervision signals by exploiting the vast unlabeled data. We empirically evaluate our proposal on eight popular KG pairs, and the results demonstrate that our proposed model and its components consistently boost the alignment performance under scarce supervision.
The emergence proposal and the emergent string
Authors: Blumenhagen Ralph , Gligovic Aleksandar , Paraskevopoulou Antonia
Published: October 2023

Abstract

We explore the Emergence Proposal for the moduli metric and the gauge couplings in a concrete model with 7 saxionic and 7 axionic moduli fields, namely the compactification of the type IIA superstring on a 6-dimensional toroidal orbifold. We show that consistency requires integrating out precisely the 12 towers of light particle species arising from KK and string/brane winding modes and one asymptotically tensionless string up to the species scale. After pointing out an issue with the correct definition of the species scale in the presence of string towers, we carry out the emergence computation and find that the KK and winding modes indeed impose the classical moduli dependence on the one-loop corrections, while the emergent string induces moduli dependent logarithmic suppressions. The interpretation of these results for the Emergence Proposal are discussed revealing a couple of new and still not completely settled aspects.