bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A scoping review of the use of visual tools and adapted easy-read approaches in Quality-of-Life instruments for adults
Authors: Milte Rachel , Jemere Digisie , Lay Kiri , Hutchinson Claire , Thomas Jolene , Murray Joanne , Ratcliffe Julie
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Self-Reporting using traditional text-based Quality-of-Life (QoL) instruments can be difficult for people living with sensory impairments, communication challenges or changes to their cognitive capacity. Adapted communication techniques, such as Easy-Read techniques, or use of pictures could remove barriers to participation for a wide range of people. This review aimed to identify published studies reporting adapted communication approaches for measuring QoL, the methodology used in their development and validation among adult populations.

Methods

A scoping review of the literature using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) extension for scoping reviews checklist was undertaken.

Results

The initial search strategy identified 13,275 articles for screening, with 264 articles identified for full text review. Of these 243 articles were excluded resulting in 21 studies for inclusion. The majority focused on the development of an instrument (12 studies) or a combination of development with some aspect of validation or psychometric testing (7 studies). Nineteen different instruments were identified by the review, thirteen were developed from previously developed generic or condition-specific quality of life instruments, predominantly aphasia (7 studies) and disability (4 studies). Most modified instruments included adaptations to both the original questions, as well as the response categories.

Conclusions

Studies identified in this scoping review demonstrate that several methods have been successfully applied e.g. with people living with aphasia post-stroke and people living with a disability, which potentially could be adapted for application with more diverse populations. A cohesive and interdisciplinary approach to the development and validation of communication accessible versions of QOL instruments, is needed to support widespread application, thereby reducing reliance on proxy assessors and promoting self-assessment of QOL across multiple consumer groups and sectors.
Round number reference points and irregular patterns in reported gross margins
Authors: Cedergren Matthew , Li Valerie
Published: June 2023

We find irregular patterns in the distribution of firms’ reported quarterly gross margin percentages. Specifically, there is significant bunching around percentage integers that are highly round (e.g., multiples of 10, such as 30%, 40%, etc.) or are neatly divisible (e.g., 25%, 75%), compared to what is predicted by counterfactual distributions. Further investigation reveals that highly round gross margin firms are smaller, exert higher effort, achieve higher productivity, have more difficult goals, and pay their CEOs with a higher portion of fixed income. We also find that highly round gross margins are associated with superior performance. Additionally, we do not find consistent evidence that highly round gross margin reference points are linked to external rewards. Collectively, our evidence is consistent with reference-dependent preferences for highly round gross margins likely being driven by intrinsic (rather than extrinsic) motivations.
The Role of Management Science in Forming Next Era Semantics
Authors: Neisig Margit
Published: June 2023

The author has previously in a social system theoretical perspective outlined a position for engaged scholarship in bridging the gulf between theorizing and practice. Partaking as “midwives” for shared semantics in a polycentric network was analyzed as one role for engaged scholars to assist. This paper, however, argues that for a shared semantic reservoir for “next era” leadership and management to form, one more layer of reflection is needed: how to manage “backwards” from the future. The paper also addresses geographic inclusion/exclusion, which seems to be reinforced as digitalization and abstract knowledge are gaining ground, even though bits and abstract knowledge should easily be detached from spatial limitations. Research programs targeting “grand challenges” and “grand solutions” is defined by megaprojects defined and financed by large foundations or other large-scale actors, and well-connected international research centers and research networks are needed to influence this agenda-setting. The paper argues that forming regional polycentric networks (including scientific research scholars) may to a greater extend bridge the global agendas with local and regional issues to not be excluded in a transition process.
Taking truth seriously: the case of generics
Authors: Gustafsson Martin
Published: June 2023

By discussing a large number of different examples, this paper argues that the class of so-called generic statements is much more heterogeneous that is usually recognized in the contemporary debate. It is claimed that the theoretical tendency towards overgeneralization or homogenization makes it impossible to adequately understand how generic statements function in language and to handle the dangers involved in generics that express and promote social stereotypes and prejudices. It is also argued that such overgeneralization involves what J. L. Austin described as the “fetishizing” of the true/false distinction. Several influential theories are criticized, including Sterken’s error theory, Leslie’s conception of weak generics, and the idea that generics involve loose talk.
Expert example but not negative example standards help learners accurately evaluate the quality of self-generated examples
Authors: Froese Linda , Roelle Julian
Published: June 2023

In acquiring new conceptual knowledge, learners often engage in the generation of examples that illustrate the to-be-learned principles and concepts. Learners are, however, bad at judging the quality of self-generated examples, which can result in suboptimal regulation decisions. A promising means to foster judgment accuracy in this context is providing external standards in form of expert examples after learners have generated own examples. Empirical evidence on this support measure, however, is scarce. Furthermore, it is unclear whether providing learners with poor examples, which include typical wrong illustrations, as negative example standards after they generated own examples would increase judgment accuracy as well. When they generated poor examples themselves, learners might realize similarities between their examples and the negative ones, which could result in more cautious and hence likely more accurate judgments concerning their own examples. Against this background, in a 2 × 2 factorial experiment we prompted N = 128 university students to generate examples that illustrate previously encountered concepts and self-evaluate these examples afterwards. During self-evaluation, we varied whether learners were provided with expert example standards (with vs. without) and negative example standards (with vs. without). In line with previous findings, expert example standards enhanced learners’ judgment accuracy. The newly developed negative example standards showed inconsistent and partly even detrimental effects regarding judgment accuracy. The results substantiate the notion that expert example standards can serve as a promising means to foster accurate self-evaluations in example generation tasks, whereas negative example standards should be treated with caution.
Multimodal analysis of interaction data from embodied education technologies
Authors: Walkington Candace , Nathan Mitchell J. , Huang Wen , Hunnicutt Jonathan , Washington Julianna
Published: June 2023

The emergence of immersive digital technologies, such as shared augmented reality (shAR), virtual reality (VR) and motion capture (MC) offers promising new opportunities to advance our understanding of human cognition and design innovative technology-enhanced learning experiences. Theoretical frameworks for embodied and extended cognition can guide novel ways in which learning in these environments can be understood and analyzed. This conceptual paper explores a research method in Educational Technology—multimodal analysis for embodied technologies—and provides examples from shAR, VR, and MC projects that use this approach. This analysis involves tracking learners’ gestures, actions on physical and virtual objects, whole body movements and positions, and their talk moves, in addition to other relevant modalities (e.g., written inscriptions), over time and across space. We show how this analysis allows for new considerations to arise relating to the design of educational technology to promote collaboration, to more fully capture students’ knowledge, and to understand and leverage the perspectives of learners.
Design, development, and evaluation of an individual digital study assistant for higher education students
Authors: Karrenbauer Christin , Brauner Tim , König Claudia M. , Breitner Michael H.
Published: June 2023

The growing number of students in higher education institutions, along with students’ diverse educational backgrounds, is driving demand for more individual study support. Furthermore, online lectures increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic and are expected to continue, further accelerating the need for self-regulated learning. Individual digital study assistants (IDSA) address these challenges via ubiquitous, easy, automatic online access. This Action Design Research-based study entailed designing, developing, and evaluating an IDSA that aims to support students’ self-regulated learning, study organization, and goal achievement for students in their early study phase with limited knowledge of higher education institutions. Therefore, data from 28 qualitative expert interviews, a quantitative survey of 570 students, and a literature review was used to derive seven general IDSA requirements, including functionalities, contact options, data-based responsiveness and individuality, a well-tested system, marketing strategies, data protection, and usability. The research team incorporated the identified requirements into an IDSA prototype, tested by more than 1000 students, that includes functionalities as recommending lectures based on individual interests and competencies, matching students, and providing feedback about strengths and weaknesses in learning behaviors. The results and findings compromise a knowledge base for academics, support IDSA theory building, and illustrate IDSA design and development to guide system developers and decision-makers in higher education. This knowledge can also be transferred to other higher education institutions to support implementing IDSAs with limited adaptations. Further, this research introduces a feasible functional system to support self-organization.
Modeling the combined effect of initial density and temperature on the soil–water characteristic curve of unsaturated soils
Authors: Pham Tuan A. , Sutman Melis
Published: June 2023

The soil–water characteristic curve (SWCC) plays an important role in solving the stability and deformation problems of unsaturated soils. In many practical situations, soils are usually experienced by both deformations and thermal conditions. In this interest, the paper proposes a simple and effective model to predict the combined effect of initial density and temperature on the SWCC and to be able to quantify the changes in thermal-hydro-mechanical behavior of unsaturated soils. In the first step, an initial density-dependent SWCC model is presented using the translation principle between particle-size distribution curve and soil–water characteristic curve. In the second part, a non-isothermal model is proposed to predict the effect of temperature on the SWCC. The key to the non-isothermal model is considering five different temperature-dependent functions, which are surface tension, contact angle, particle-size expansion, void ratio, and water density. On the basis of 22 data sets of thermal volume change, this study also developed further a theoretical correlation between void ratio and temperature that is directly related to soil plasticity. It was observed that the value of the thermal void ratio increases as soil plasticity increases, and there is a nonlinear relationship between the plasticity index and the void ratio. Because of this, soils with high plasticity are more susceptible to volume changes caused by temperature fluctuations than soils with low plasticity. A coupled mechanical–thermal model is then produced which is capable to predict separately or simultaneously the effect of temperature and initial density on SWCC. The proposed model is validated against several test data sets available in the literature. The results show that the proposed model has a good performance in predicting the variation in SWCC with arbitrary temperature and initial density.
Emotional Processing and Maltreatment During Childhood as Factors of Vulnerability to Alcohol Abuse in Young Adults
Authors: Rubio Gabriel , Gasparyan Ani , Duque Almudena , García-Gutiérrez María Salud , Navarrete Francisco , Navarro Daniela , Manzanares Jorge
Published: June 2023

Different studies suggest a strong association between childhood abuse and alcohol use disorders (AUDs). The modulation of the startle response has been used to assess emotional processing in AUDs. The main objective of the study was to investigate the startle reflex responses to different stimuli in young adults with varying types of childhood abuse in comparison with a control group according to their current alcohol consumption and the presence of a parent with alcohol dependence or not. A clinical sample of 606 adolescents, divided into five groups: no abuse, physical neglect, emotional neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse, and sexual abuse, were assessed on their pattern of alcohol consumption and their family history of alcoholism. The proportion of participants with at least one alcohol-dependent parent was higher in all types of abuse. The proportion of heavy drinkers and alcohol-dependent participants was higher in the groups with physical neglect and sexual abuse. Heavy drinkers and alcohol dependents showed a lower startle reflex response to emotional pictures, especially alcohol-related ones. Adolescents exposed to physical and sexual abuse during childhood showed a mitigated startle response to appetitive and alcohol-related pictures. The results of this exploratory study reveal that childhood maltreatment modulates emotional processing to alcohol-related stimuli during adolescence. The evaluation of these patients’ startle response could be considered a prognostic biomarker for establishing personalized preventive strategies during the adolescent stage to avoid, to a large extent, future problems derived from alcohol consumption.
The “Free Voters”: A Decent Alternative for Conservatives?
Authors: Wurthmann L. Constantin , Angenendt Michael , Thomeczek Jan Philipp
Published: June 2023

The Free Voters (Freie Wähler) party is becoming a more serious competitor in the German party system. It gained parliamentary representation in the Rhineland Palatine in 2021 and has been governing with the Christian Social Union in Bavaria since 2018. In addition, the Free Voters party now holds two of the 96 German parliamentary member positions in the European Parliament and is, at the federal level, the extraparliamentary opposition party with the greatest number of votes. Nevertheless, there has, to date, been no analysis examining people’s motives for voting for the Free Voters or exploring their future openness to voting for the party. This article addresses this oversight by identifying factors, based on population-representative data from the 2021 Bundestag elections, that favour openness and voting for this increasingly influential party. Our analysis shows that a more general dissatisfaction with democratic outputs, a conservative attitude, and low perceptions of spatial distance from the political positions of the Free Voters have significant positive effects.
Implementation of totally robotic right hemicolectomy: lessons learned from a prospective cohort
Authors: Meyer Jeremy , Wijsman Jan , Crolla Rogier , van der Schelling George
Published: June 2023

Robotics facilitates the realization of intra-corporeal anastomosis during right hemicolectomy and allows extracting the operative specimen through a C-section, offering potential benefits in terms of post-operative recovery and incidence of incisional hernia. Therefore, we progressively implemented robotic right hemicolectomy (robRHC) in our centre, and would like to report our initial experience with the technique. Consecutive patients who underwent robRHC within a single centre were prospectively included. Variables related to patients’ demographics, surgical procedures, post-operative recovery and pathological outcomes were collected. Sixty patients underwent robRHC in our centre. Indications for robRHC were colon cancer in 58 patients (96.7%) and polyps not amenable to endoscopic resection in 2 patients (3.3%). Fifty-eight patients underwent robRHC with D2 lymphadenectomy and central vessel ligation (96.7%), and two patients (3.3%) had robRHC associated with another procedure. All patients had intra-corporeal anastomosis. The mean ± operative time was of 200.4 ± 114.9 min. Two conversions (3.3%) to open surgery were performed. The mean ± SD length of stay was of 5.4 ± 3.8 days. Seven patients (11.7%) experienced a post-operative complication with a Clavien–Dindo score ≥ 2. Two patients (3.5%) had an anastomotic leak. The mean ± SD number of harvested lymph nodes was of 22.4 ± 7.6. All patients had negative pathological margins (R0 resection). To conclude, robotic RHC is a safe procedure, which can be implemented with satisfying peri- and post-operative outcomes. The potential benefits of the technique remain to be demonstrated by randomized controlled trials.
Multiple and Nodal Solutions for Parametric Dirichlet Equations Driven by the Double Phase Differential Operator
Authors: Cai Li , Papageorgiou Nikolaos S. , Rădulescu Vicenţiu D.
Published: June 2023

We consider a nonlinear parametric Dirichlet problem driven by the double phase differential operator. Using variational tools combined with critical groups, we show that for all small values of the parameter, the problem has at least three nontrivial bounded solutions which are ordered and we provide the sign information for all of them. Two solutions are of constant sign and the third one is nodal. Finally, we determine the asymptotic behavior of the nodal solution as the parameter converges to zero.
Impact of the gall-inducing fly Polymorphomyia basilica Snow (Diptera: Tephritidae) on the growth and reproduction of Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M.King & H.Rob (Asteraceae) in the laboratory
Authors: Mahlobo Thandeka , Dube Nontembeko , Zachariades Costas , Munyai Thinandavha Caswell
Published: June 2023

Gall-inducing insects are a classic example of how insects can impact the morphology and physiology of their host plants by forming galls which act as nutrient sinks. An 8-months laboratory study was conducted to determine the impact of the galls induced by Polymorphomyia basilica oviposition and or the subsequent larval feedingon the growth and reproduction of Chromolaena odorata. Three treatment levels were used, viz. control: 0% of the shoots were exposed, low infestation: 50% of shoots were exposed, and high infestation, where 100% of the shoots were exposed for P. basilica to oviposit for 48 h each month. Results showed that P. basilica oviposition and or the subsequent feeding by larvae reduced the height and flower production of C. odorata plants but promoted lateral growth by increasing the number of shoot tips. Basal stem diameter was not affected by the presence of the galls. The presence of galls also decreased the leaf and root dry biomass on the treated plants but had no significant impact on stem biomass. The difference between the low- and high-infestation treatments was only significant for root biomass, suggesting that more galls are required for the roots to be affected. Overall, the study showed that P. basilica meets the requirements of an effective biocontrol agent against C. odorata in South Africa. Its release should complement the already released agents in reducing the fitness and productivity of C. odorata.
Micro-coopetition: conceptualizing and operationalizing coopetitive managerial decision-making over time—a game theoretic approach
Authors: Gelei Andrea , Dobos Imre
Published: June 2023

The purpose of the paper is to provide a conceptualization and an aligned game-theoretic operationalization of the dynamic coopetitive managerial decision-making process. The proposed two-step sequential game uses existing game theoretical constructs but combines them in a unique way. One of its important positive features is its capacity to make the performance implications of all potential coopetitive decisions in a relationship episode explicit, together with the interplay among them. The lack of such a feature has been recognized as a severe limitation of extant literature, hampering further theoretical and methodological development. The proposed solution gives insights into how moment-by-moment managerial decisions unfold over time and possibly result in disequilibrium states, generating tension. Managerial attributes play a key role in effectively managing such moments, it is suggested. Based on the proposed operationalization, behavioral experiments can be designed through which future empirical research can develop appropriate data sets and test the widely hypothesized roles of these attributes, which can result in more reliable and generalizable research results. Besides the theoretical and empirical value of the proposed conceptualization and operationalization, the paper is of value to decision makers, as it makes the internal complexity of the coopetitive strategizing and its inherent interdependencies explicit, providing practical insights into this complex phenomenon.
Emergency Medical Management of Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Authors: Vergouwen Mervyn D. I. , Rinkel Gabriel J. E.
Published: June 2023

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is a medical emergency that necessitates direct transfer to a tertiary referral center specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of this condition. The initial hours after aneurysmal rupture are critical for patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, both in terms of rebleeding and combating the effect of early brain injury. No good treatment options are available to reduce the risk of rebleeding before aneurysm occlusion. Lowering the blood pressure may reduce the risk of rebleeding but carries a risk of inducing delayed cerebral ischemia or aggravating the consequences of early brain injury. Early brain injury after aneurysmal rupture has an important effect on final clinical outcome. Proper cerebral perfusion is pivotal in these initial hours after aneurysmal rupture but threatened by complications such as neurogenic pulmonary edema and cardiac stunning, or by acute hydrocephalus, which may necessitate early drainage of cerebrospinal fluid.
Fallopian Canal Meningocele Causing Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhoea
Authors: Saro-Buendía Miguel , Torres-García Lidia , Almanzo Santiago , Mora Aristizabal Daniel Felipe , de Paula Vernetta Carlos , Armengot Carceller Miguel
Published: June 2023

Fallopian canal meningocele is an extremely rare cause of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhoea. Also, due to complex anatomical relations and a lack of experience, its management remains a challenge. Here we report a case focusing on its clinical course, radiological features, and management.
Relapsed Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Sidhu Jasmeet , Gogoi Manash Pratim , Krishnan Shekhar , Saha Vaskar
Published: June 2023

Outcomes for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have improved worldwide to >85%. For those who relapse, outcomes have remained static at ~50% making relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia one of the leading causes of death in childhood cancers. Those relapsing within 18 mo in the bone marrow have a particularly dismal outcome. The mainstay of treatment is chemotherapy, local radiotherapy with or without hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Improved biological understanding of mechanisms of relapse and drug resistance, use of innovative strategies to identify the most effective and least toxic treatment regimens and global partnerships are needed to improve outcomes in these patients. Over the last decade, new therapeutic options and strategies have been developed for relapsed ALL including immunotherapies and cellular therapies. It is imperative to understand how and when to use these newer approaches in relapsed ALL. Increasingly, integrated precision oncology strategies are being used to individualize treatment of patients with relapsed ALL, especially in patients with poor response disease.
An integrated analysis of microRNAs regulating DNA damage response in triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Kuthethur Raviprasad , Jerome Maria Sona , Subbannayya Yashwanth , Chakrabarty Sanjiban
Published: June 2023

Background

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains a clinical challenge due to its aggressive phenotype and limited treatment options for the patients. Many TNBC patients show an inherent defect in the DNA repair capacity primarily by acquiring germline mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes leading to Homologous Recombination Deficiency (HRD). Epigenetic modifications such as BRCA1 promoter methylation and miRNA expression targeting DNA repair pathway genes have contributed to the HRD phenotype in TNBC. Hence, we aimed to identify microRNAs that are associated with HRD status in the TCGA-BRCA project.

Materials and methods

We implemented a miRNA prediction strategy for identifying miRNAs targeting HR pathway genes using an in silico predicted and experimentally validated list from published literature for their association with genomic instability and factors affecting HRD. In silico analysis was performed to study miRNA expression patterns regulated by DNA methylation and TMB status in the TNBC patients from TCGA-BRCA project. Finally, we analysed selected miRNA expression with immune cell infiltration pattern in the TNBC patient cohort.

Results

Our study identified miRNAs associated with HRD, tumour mutation burden (TMB), and immune cell infiltration. Identified miRNA signatures were associated with the miR-17 ~ 92 cluster, miR-106b ~ 25 cluster, and miR-200b ~ 429 cluster. Pathway analysis of selected miRNAs suggested their association with altered immune cell infiltration in TNBC.

Conclusion

Our study identified 6 ‘HRD associated miRNAs’ such as miR-106b, miR-93, miR-17, miR-20a, miR-200b, and miR-429 as novel miRNA-based signatures associated with HR deficiency in TNBC.
Optimal segmented efficiency in hydrosystem area equivalents to capture real production peaks
Authors: Blom Evelin , Söder Lennart
Published: June 2023

Modeling large energy systems requires different forms of simplifications and aggregations. This is especially true for large hydropower systems. One way to simplify the modeling of hydropower as a part of large scale energy systems is to utilize so-called Equivalent models. The hydropower Equivalent model is a simplified hydropower area model with only one (or a few stations) which aims to mimic the behavior of an Original more detailed model containing all stations in a specific area. However, one drawback has been that the Equivalent model fails to match the highest production peaks of the real Original system. Methods to increase the maximum peaks in the Equivalent model have so far resulted in overall lower performance, where the production during lower peaks instead would be overestimated. Thus, in this paper, a method for computing hydrosystem area Equivalent models that not only have good average performance but also can capture the production peaks of the real hydropower system is developed. The new method allows for optimal partition and efficiency of different segments in the hydropower marginal production function.
A review of how we study coastal and marine conflicts: is social science taking a broad enough view?
Authors: Dahlet Lol Iana , Selim Samiya A. , van Putten Ingrid
Published: June 2023

Conflict in the marine environment is of increasing relevance as blue growth boundaries are pushed and resource access and use are in dispute. Social science disciplines have a long history and a wide range of approaches for studying conflict. However, understanding the approaches used to study marine conflict is challenging since the literature is large, broad, difficult to navigate, and there is little connection between conflict themes and the associated methods used to analyze these conflicts. In the present study, we take a first step to address this by systematically reviewing 109 peer-reviewed articles that employ empirical social science methods to study marine conflict. We find that studies on marine conflicts have centered on disputed space, mainly at local scale, and natural resources, such as fish. The main parties at the center of the conflicts are small-scale fisheries and public authorities, although with a growing presence of blue growth sectors. Most studies employed qualitative approaches to study marine conflicts. Current gaps in the understanding of marine conflict include gaps in understanding relational interactions and historical causal events. The need for social science research into marine conflict and the application of multiple social science methods is ongoing as different constellations of conflict actors emerge and as disputed ocean spaces expand beyond EEZs, to include polar regions, and the sea floor.
Competitiveness Through Development of Strategic Talent Management and Agile Management Ecosystems
Authors: Rožman Maja , Tominc Polona , Štrukelj Tjaša
Published: June 2023

Organizations thrive on attaining and sustaining competitiveness because of the turbulent, rapidly changing business environment. The research shows that it is possible to improve organizations’ competitiveness by considering the multidimensional model viewpoints, which include the strategic talent management ecosystem viewpoints and the strategic agile management ecosystem viewpoints. The multidimensional model includes the essential constructs for developing strategic talent management, i.e., acquiring talented employees, target development of talented employees, designing talent teams, and talent leadership, as well as the following essential constructs for developing strategic agile management, i.e., designing agile teams, agile leadership, and support agile management culture. The research was implemented on 532 owners/managers in organizations. Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypotheses. Results show that developing a strategic talent management ecosystem positively affects developing a strategic agile management ecosystem and leads to higher organization competitiveness. A developed multidimensional model will help owners and managers comprehensively embrace and implement agility in their organization to increase competitiveness.
Forward Action to Stabilize multiple Time-Delays MIMO Systems
Authors: Bucolo Maide , Buscarino Arturo , Fortuna Luigi , Frasca Mattia
Published: June 2023

In this paper, the problem of closed-loop stability of linear time-invariant systems with multiple time-delays is studied. We prove that stability of closed-loop configurations of such systems with unitary feedback can be guaranteed by means of a forward control action. The case of single-input single-output (SISO) systems is first considered, and then, an extension to the more general case of multi-input multi-output (MIMO) systems with multiple time-delays is dealt with. Numerical examples illustrating the theoretical results are also discussed.
Autobiographical memory specificity and restrained eating: examining the influence of priming with images of healthy and unhealthy foods
Authors: Wallis Deborah J. , Moss Jessica , Varnam Bethany , Dritschel Barbara , Ridout Nathan
Published: June 2023

Background

Dietary restraint has been linked to deficits in the ability to recall detailed memories of personally experienced events (referred to as autobiographical memory specificity). As priming with healthy foods increases the salience of restraint it would be expected to lead to greater deficits in memory specificity.

Objective

To determine if priming word cues with images of healthy or unhealthy foods would influence the specificity of memory retrieval, and if deficits in memory specificity would be more evident in those reporting higher levels of dietary restraint, or currently dieting.

Methods

Sixty female undergraduates self-reported if they were currently dieting and completed measures of mood, restraint, and disinhibition, and a modified version of the autobiographical memory task. Participants were presented with positive and negative words (unrelated to eating concerns) and asked to retrieve a specific memory in response to each cue. A food image was shown prior to each word cue; half of the participants were primed with images of healthy foods and half with images of unhealthy foods.

Results

As expected, participants primed with healthy foods retrieved fewer specific memories than did those primed with unhealthy foods. However, neither restraint nor current dieting behaviour was associated with memory specificity.

Conclusions

Differences in memory specificity between the priming conditions cannot be explained in terms of increased salience of restraint. However, it is plausible that unhealthy images led to an increase in positive affect, which in turn improved memory specificity.

Level of evidence

Level I: Evidence obtained from: at least one properly designed experimental study.
Relationship between monounsaturated fatty acids and sarcopenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies
Authors: Ali Sawan , Corbi Graziamaria , Medoro Alessandro , Intrieri Mariano , Scapagnini Giovanni , Davinelli Sergio
Published: June 2023

Accumulating evidence suggests that fatty acids (FAs) play an essential role in regulating skeletal muscle mass and function throughout life. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to examine the relationship between dietary or circulatory levels of monounsaturated FAs (MUFAs) and sarcopenia in observational studies. A comprehensive literature search was performed in three databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) from inception until August 2022. Of 414 records, a total of 12 observational studies were identified for this review. Ten studies were meta-analysed, comprising a total of 3704 participants. The results revealed that MUFA intake is inversely associated with sarcopenia (standardized mean difference = − 0.28, 95% CI − 0.46 to − 0.11; p < 0.01). Despite the limited number of studies, our results suggest that lower MUFA intake is associated with a higher risk of sarcopenia. However, the available evidence is still insufficient and further investigations are needed to demonstrate this relationship.
Impact-Pose Estimation Using ArUco Markers in Structural Dynamics
Authors: Čepon G. , Ocepek D. , Kodrič M. , Demšar M. , Bregar T. , Boltežar M.
Published: June 2023

In structural dynamics a structure’s dynamic properties are often determined from its frequency-response functions (FRFs). Commonly, FRFs are determined by measuring a structure’s response while it is subjected to controlled excitation. Impact excitation performed by hand is a popular way to perform this step, as it enables rapid FRF acquisition for each individual excitation location. On the other hand, the precise location of impacts performed by hand is difficult to estimate and relies mainly on the experimentalist’s skills. Furthermore, deviations in the impact’s location and direction affect the FRFs across the entire frequency range. This paper proposes the use of ArUco markers for an impact-pose estimation for the use in FRF acquisition campaign. The approach relies on two dodecahedrons with markers on each face, one mounted on the impact hammer and another at a known location on the structure. An experimental setup with an analog trigger is suggested, recording an image at the exact time of the impact. A camera with a fixed aperture is used to capture the images, from which the impact pose is estimated in the structure’s coordinate system. Finally, a procedure to compensate for the location error is presented. This relies on the linear dependency of the FRFs in relation to the impact offset.
Towards Improving Motor Imagery Brain–Computer Interface Using Multimodal Speech Imagery
Authors: Tong Jigang , Xing Zhengxing , Wei Xiaoying , Yue Chao , Dong Enzeng , Du Shengzhi , Sun Zhe , Solé-Casals Jordi , Caiafa Cesar F.
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The brain–computer interface (BCI) based on motor imagery (MI) has attracted extensive interest due to its spontaneity and convenience. However, the traditional MI paradigm is limited by weak features in evoked EEG signal, which often leads to lower classification performance.

Methods

In this paper, a novel paradigm is proposed to improve the BCI performance, by the speech imaginary combined with silent reading (SR) and writing imagery (WI), instead of imagining the body movements. In this multimodal (imaginary voices and movements) paradigm, the subjects silently read Chinese Pinyin (pronunciation) and imaginarily write the Chinese characters, according to a cue.

Results

Eight subjects participated in binary classification tasks, by carrying out the traditional MI and the proposed paradigm in different experiments for comparison. 77.03% average classification accuracy was obtained by the new paradigm versus 68.96% by the traditional paradigm.

Conclusion

The results of experiments show that the proposed paradigm evokes stronger features, which benefits the classification. This work opens a new view on evoking stronger EEG features by multimodal activities/stimuli using specific paradigms for BCI.
The effect of climate change on groundwater resources availability: a case study in the city of Brescia, northern Italy
Authors: Faquseh Hamzah , Grossi Giovanna
Published: June 2023

The impact of climate change on water availability is alarming, both globally and locally. The city of Brescia has a large reserve of water deriving from the aquifer, the presence of springs and numerous streams, for a water supply system serving 200,000 inhabitants. The aim of this study was to project Brescia’s spring discharge for two future periods 2040–2060 and 2080–2100. Observed climate components of precipitation and temperature for 20 years 2000–2020 with future data from regional climate model RCM runs on CORDEX database for three Representative Concentration Pathway RCP (RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP8.5) were analyzed. The future scenarios show an increment of temperature with an increment of winter’s precipitation and a decrement for summer’s precipitation. This future change in climate components will impact the water balance that impacts the runoff, evapotranspiration, and groundwater recharge. The two main springs of the city of Brescia are Mompiano and Cogozzo used to supply 50% of the water demand of the city in the past while it is occupied about 14% now. This drop was due to the growth of water needs, urbanization that affects the groundwater recharge and climate change. In the future, based on the study carried out, the results show a few impacts on water discharge from Mompiano and Cogozzo springs for the two periods and its clearer under RCP4.5 for period 2040–2060 that shows a decrease of about 7.8% and 3.94% respectively. This shows the importance of having a proper water resources management system to satisfy the water demand.
Differential network analysis between sex of the genes related to comorbidities of type 2 mellitus diabetes
Authors: Guzzi Pietro Hiram , Cortese Francesca , Mannino Gaia Chiara , Pedace Elisabetta , Succurro Elena , Andreozzi Francesco , Veltri Pierangelo
Published: June 2023

Background

Some phenotypical changes may be related to changes in the associations among genes. The set of such associations is referred to as gene interaction (or association) networks. An association network represents the set of associations among genes in a given condition. Given two experimental conditions, Differential network analysis (DNA) algorithms analyse these differences by deriving a novel network representing the differences. Such algorithms receive as input experimental gene-expression data of two different conditions (e.g. healthy vs. diseased), then they derive experimental networks of associations among genes and, finally, they analyse differences among networks using statistical approaches. We explore the possibility to study possible rewiring due to sex factors, differently from classical approaches.

Methods

We apply DNA methods to evidence possible sex based differences on genes responsible for comorbidities of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Results

Our analysis evidences the presence of differential networks in tissues that may explain the difference in the insurgence of comorbidities between males and females.

Conclusion

Main contributions of this work are (1) the definition of a novel framework of analysis able to shed light on the differences between males and females; (2) the identification of differential networks related to diabetes comorbidities.
High-energy nuclear physics meets machine learning
Authors: He Wan-Bing , Ma Yu-Gang , Pang Long-Gang , Song Hui-Chao , Zhou Kai
Published: June 2023

Although seemingly disparate, high-energy nuclear physics (HENP) and machine learning (ML) have begun to merge in the last few years, yielding interesting results. It is worthy to raise the profile of utilizing this novel mindset from ML in HENP, to help interested readers see the breadth of activities around this intersection. The aim of this mini-review is to inform the community of the current status and present an overview of the application of ML to HENP. From different aspects and using examples, we examine how scientific questions involving HENP can be answered using ML.
Isotope effect of transport and key physics in the isotope mixture plasmas
Authors: Ida Katsumi
Published: June 2023

The isotope effect of transport and key physics in isotope mixture plasmas is reviewed. Experiment, simulation, and theory discuss isotope mass dependence on confinement, transport, and turbulence. Experimental observation shows a wide variety of isotope mass dependence, due to the complicated process of determining the plasma confinement and transport and far from the simple mass dependence predicted by the gyro-Bohm model. The isotope effect directly influences the growth rate of instability and thermal diffusivity and indirectly influences confinement and transport property through other parameters. The isotope mixing is also described as key physics of isotope mixture plasma, essential to optimize fusion power in deuterium and tritium plasma.
Examinations of Biases by Model Misspecification and Parameter Reliability of Reinforcement Learning Models
Authors: Toyama Asako , Katahira Kentaro , Kunisato Yoshihiko
Published: June 2023

Reinforcement learning models have the potential to clarify meaningful individual differences in the decision-making process. This study focused on two aspects regarding the nature of a reinforcement learning model and its parameters: the problems of model misspecification and reliability. Online participants, N = 453, completed self-report measures and a probabilistic learning task twice 1.5 months apart, and data from the task were fitted using several reinforcement learning models. To address the problem of model misspecification, we compared the models with and without the influence of choice history, or perseveration. Results showed that the lack of a perseveration term in the model led to a decrease in learning rates for win and loss outcomes, with slightly different influences depending on outcome volatility, and increases in inverse temperature. We also conducted simulations to examine the mechanism of the observed biases and revealed that failure to incorporate perseveration directly affected the estimation bias in the learning rate and indirectly affected that in inverse temperature. Furthermore, in both model fittings and model simulations, the lack of perseveration caused win-stay probability underestimation and loss-shift probability overestimation. We also assessed the parameter reliability. Test–retest reliabilities were poor (learning rates) to moderate (inverse temperature and perseveration magnitude). A learning effect was noted in the inverse temperature and perseveration magnitude parameters, showing an increment of the estimates in the second session. We discuss possible misinterpretations of results and limitations considering the estimation biases and parameter reliability.
Metal oxides and their roles in heterogeneous catalysis: special emphasis on synthesis protocols, intrinsic properties, and their influence in transfer hydrogenation reactions
Authors: Mabate Tafadzwa Precious , Maqunga Nomathamsanqa Prudence , Ntshibongo Sinemihlali , Maumela Mulisa , Bingwa Ndzondelelo
Published: June 2023

This review emphasizes La-based metal oxides of the perovskite form and their application in heterogeneous catalytic transfer hydrogenation (CTH) reactions from year 2013. Perovskites are potential alternatives to noble metals. The possibility of induced-synergy between two cations in the ABO3 or multicationic perovskites makes them attractive for hydrogenation reactions. Herein, we look at recent developments in their synthesis protocols, and how the various physicochemical properties derived from the individual synthesis protocols affect the catalytic performances of perovskite oxides in transfer hydrogenation reactions. Furthermore, we review different type of perovskite-based catalysts and the mechanisms of the surface catalyzed transfer hydrogenation reactions.
Development and security in the twenty-first century: China and America
Authors: Overholt William H.
Published: June 2023

Most of the literature on Sino-American relations focuses on conflicting policies (for instance, over the South China Sea or intellectual property) or on characteristics of the international system (such as multipolarity, hegemony, or the Thucydides Trap). But conflicts also arise because domestic problems become internationalized. In particular, while economic development typically leads eventually to domestic stability, geopolitical influence, and mutual benefits with other countries, it also creates difficult challenges. The U.S. economy is shifting from a manufacturing workforce to a services workforce, mainly because of technological advance. But U.S. politicians of both parties have found it more convenient to blame China for the decline of manufacturing jobs than to make difficult decisions at home. Likewise, as China develops, its originally simpler economy and society become complex and it faces predictable economic problems and political challenges. Beijing has sought to suppress the ramifications of social differentiation rather than accommodate them. This results in ever tighter political controls at the cost of future economic growth. Political leaders can find it convenient to blame the resultant stresses on foreigners. Misidentification of the problems leads to exaggerated fear of potential nearby color revolutions and to a mistaken sense that Russia shares the same problems as China. When China was poor and weak, as with other poor, weak countries, the developed world tolerated intellectual property theft, predatory industrial subsidies, and denial of market access. Now, China’s economy is very large and these same behaviors create massive global distortions. Meanwhile, the U.S. overreacts to the emergence of new and challenging powers, exaggerating their prospects and the dangers they pose. This exaggerated status anxiety and fear typified the U.S. response to the Soviet Union and Japan and now typifies its response to China.