bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design and Analysis of a Cooling System for the REBCO Coil Based on GM/JT Cycle
Authors: Zheng Jingxin , Li Junjie
Published: February 2024

High‐field magnets have been used in a wide range of scientific and industrial areas. REBCO (REBa2Cu3Ox, where RE = Rare Earth) coated superconductors (CCs) have been gaining increasing interest due to the potentialities of using them in high‐field magnets. However, the thermal stability of the REBCO CCs coils is limited by longitudinal heat conduction inside the coils and bubbles generated by evaporating helium. So as to enhance the heat transfer in REBCO coil, a cooling system based on GM/JT cycle was designed. In this paper, the design, thermodynamic calculation, and analysis of the cooling system for the REBCO coil are provided systematically. It is found that when the mass flow rate is 0.75 g/s at a pressure of 10 bar, the cooling capacity of the system is up to 10.16 W. Meanwhile, the inlet pressure and counterflow heat exchangers efficiency are key factors for significantly improving the cooling capacity of the system. An open loop experiment also has been carried out and the cooling capacity of 0.79 W at 4.5 K is obtained finally when He mass flow rate is 0.1 g/s. © 2024 Institute of Electrical Engineer of Japan and Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Transfer Learning Using Musical Instrument Audio for Improving Automatic Singing Label Calibration
Authors: Fu Xiao , Rui Xijian , Deng Hangyu , Hu Jinglu
Published: February 2024

Automatic Singing Label Calibration (ASLC) aims to enhance the labeling accuracy of coarse singing labels through the analysis of raw audio. However, the ASLC model faces limitations due to the challenges and costs associated with generating or augmenting real‐world songs. To address this problem, we propose a novel approach to strengthen limited singing audio using easily available musical instrument audio. Directly using the musical instrument audio as a data augmentation for the singing audio is unreliable due to the distinct differences between vocal and instrumental sounds. Therefore, we employ transfer learning, which allows relevant knowledge to be transferred from one domain to another. In the pre‐training stage, the ASLC model learns to predict the accurate labels from the musical instrument audio. We then consider the vocal as a special musical instrument and fine‐tune the pretrained ASLC model using a singing annotation data set. Experimental results demonstrate that our transfer learning‐based approach outperforms the original ASLC model. By leveraging the readily available musical instrument audio, our method achieves improved performance in enhancing the labeling accuracy of singing audio. © 2024 Institute of Electrical Engineer of Japan and Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Measurement of Three‐Dimensional Bubble distributionVia Single‐Directional Capture Using a Light Field Camera
Authors: Kodama Manabu , Hirai Shuichiro
Published: February 2024

In water electrolysis, which converts electricity into hydrogen, the distribution of bubbles affects ion transport in the electrolyte. Therefore, measuring the three‐dimensional distribution of bubbles in the electrolysis cell can be effective in improving efficiency. However, the electrolysis cell contains electrodes and membranes, making it difficult to use conventional stereo photography to measure the three‐dimensional bubble distribution. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the measurement of the three‐dimensional distribution of bubbles in liquids using a light field camera that enables three‐dimensional imaging from one direction by using a microlens array. The study was conducted by performing imaging experiments of bubbles ejected from an axisymmetric nozzle using a light field camera and determining whether the measurement of the three‐dimensional distribution of bubbles was possible. As a result, we found that the axisymmetric bubble distribution can be measured in three dimensions and that a light field camera can be used for this measurement. © 2024 Institute of Electrical Engineer of Japan and Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Evaluation of racial and ethnic heterogeneity in the associations of sleep quality and sleep apnea risk with cognitive function and cognitive decline
Authors: Chen Ruijia , Wang Jingxuan , Pederson Annie M. , Prather Aric A. , Hirst Andrew K. , Ackley Sarah , Hokett Emily , George Kristen M. , Mungas Dan , Mayeda Elizabeth Rose , Gilsanz Paola , Haneuse Sebastien , Whitmer Rachel A. , Glymour M. Maria
Published: February 2024

INTRODUCTION

The prevalence of poor sleep quality and sleep apnea differs by race and ethnicity and may contribute to racial disparities in cognitive aging. We investigated whether sleep quality and sleep apnea risk were associated with cognitive function and decline and whether the associations differed by race/ethnicity.

METHODS

Participants from the Kaiser Healthy Aging and Diverse Life Experiences (KHANDLE; N = 1690; mean age: 75.7 years) study, a cohort of Asian, Black, Latino, and White participants, completed a modified Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index assessing subjective sleep quality, latency, duration, disturbances, sleep medication use, and daytime dysfunction. Sleep apnea risk was measured by questions about snoring, tiredness, and whether apnea was observed. Executive function and verbal episodic memory were assessed at three time points over an average of 2.7 years with the Spanish and English Neuropsychological Assessment Scale. We fit linear mixed‐effect models and stratified analyses by race/ethnicity.

RESULTS

Higher sleep apnea risk was associated with faster declines in verbal episodic memory (sleep apnea = −0.02, 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.04, −0.001) but not in executive function. Poorer sleep quality was associated with lower levels of and faster decline in executive function but not in verbal episodic memory. Race/ethnicity modified these associations: compared to estimated effects among White participants, poorer global sleep quality (sleep*time = −0.02, 95% CI, −0.02, −0.01) was associated with larger effects on decline in executive function among Black participants. Estimated effects of some individual sleep quality components were also modified by race/ethnicity; for example, sleep medication use was associated with faster declines in executive function (sleep*time = −0.05, 95% CI, −0.07, −0.03) and verbal episodic memory sleep*time = −0.04, 95% CI, −0.07, −0.02) among Black participants compared to White participants.

DISCUSSION

Observational evidence indicates sleep quality is a promising target for addressing racial/ethnic disparities in cognitive aging, especially among Black older adults.

Highlights

Sleep apnea risk was associated with faster declines in verbal episodic memory but not executive function among all participants.

Global sleep quality was associated with lower levels of and faster decline in executive function but not verbal episodic memory among all participants.

Black older adults were particularly susceptible to the estimated adverse cognitive impacts of global sleep quality, particularly the use of sleep medication.
Effective treatment of a severe neck wound in a greylag goose (Anser anser) using autologous thrombocyte‐rich plasma and xenogeneic fibrin mesh
Authors: Izeta Miño Erika Eleonora , Fenoy Ignacio Martin , Maruri Alejandro
Published: February 2024

This report details the successful treatment of a severe neck wound in a feral greylag goose (Anser anser) using autologous thrombocyte‐rich plasma and xenogeneic fibrin mesh from a domestic dog. The goose's thrombocyte‐rich plasma was obtained after collecting 5 mL of blood, mixing it with an acid‐citrate‐dextrose solution, and centrifuging at 200 × g for 10 minutes. The lower third of the plasma, along with the buffy coat, was collected. For xenogeneic fibrin mesh, canine blood was centrifugated at 553 × g for 10 minutes, and the clot was extracted and pressed between culture dishes for 10 minutes to create a mesh and harvest serum. After treatment with thrombocyte‐rich plasma and the fibrin mesh, there was a notable improvement within 1 week, leading to complete healing after 2 weeks. This outcome exemplifies the promising potential of thrombocyte‐rich plasma and xenogeneic fibrin meshes in treating wounds in avian species.
Prevalence of cannabis use disorder and perioperative outcomes in adult colectomy patients: A propensity score‐matched analysis
Authors: Lo Brian D. , Chen Sophia Y. , Stem Miloslawa , Papanikolaou Angelos , Gabre‐Kidan Alodia , Safar Bashar , Efron Jonathan E. , Atallah Chady
Published: February 2024

Background

The decriminalization of cannabis across the United States has led to an increased number of patients reporting cannabis use prior to surgery. However, it is unknown whether preoperative cannabis use disorder (CUD) increases the risk of postoperative complications among adult colectomy patients.

Methods

Adult patients undergoing an elective colectomy were retrospectively analyzed from the National Inpatient Sample database (2004–2018). To control for potential confounders, patients with CUD, defined using ICD‐9/10 codes, were propensity score matched to patients without CUD in a 1:1 ratio. The association between preoperative CUD and composite morbidity, the primary outcome of interest, was assessed. Subgroup analyses were performed after stratification by age (≥50 years).

Results

Among 432,018 adult colectomy patients, 816 (0.19%) reported preoperative CUD. The prevalence of CUD increased nearly three‐fold during the study period from 0.8/1000 patients in 2004 to 2.0/1000 patients in 2018 (P‐trend<0.001). After propensity score matching, patients with CUD exhibited similar rates of composite morbidity (140 of 816; 17.2%) as those without CUD (151 of 816; 18.5%) (p = 0.477). Patients with CUD also had similar anastomotic leak rates (CUD: 5.64% vs. No CUD: 6.25%; p = 0.601), hospital lengths of stay (CUD: 5 days, IQR 4–7 vs. No CUD: 5 days, IQR 4–7) (p = 0.415), and hospital charges as those without CUD. Similar findings were seen among patients aged ≥50 years in the subgroup analysis.

Conclusions

Though the prevalence of CUD has increased drastically over the past 15 years, preoperative CUD was not associated with an increased risk of composite morbidity among adult patients undergoing an elective colectomy.
Dissipative MHD flow of ternary‐hybrid nanofluid over an inclined stretching sheet with heat source and mass flux due to temperature gradient
Authors: Swain Bharat Keshari , Kar Satyabrat
Published: February 2024

An analysis has been made to illuminate the unsteady MHD slip flow of ternary‐hybrid nanofluid of water conveying spherical Cu, cylindrical Al2O3, and platelet Ag nanoparticles over an inclined stretching sheet. The above complex scenario explores how the presence of a magnetic field affects the behavior of ternary‐hybrid nanofluid over an inclined stretching surface. Understanding this interaction is crucial in advanced thermal systems like cooling mechanisms and energy generation technologies. The study can provide insights into optimizing heat transfer rates, enhancing thermal conductivity and improving efficiency in practical applications by manipulating the flow characteristics and temperature distribution in the system. The heat transfer has been analyzed incorporating Darcy dissipation and heat source in the presence of 1st order velocity slip. The presence of Soret effect makes the study more congenial. Using similarity transformation technique, the governing partial differential equations are converted into a system of ordinary differential equations. The reduced system is dealt with 4th order Runge–Kutta method with shooting technique. The comparison with earlier results gives a reliability of present results. The important findings are: velocity of the flow decelerates for higher values of 1st order slip parameter, velocity of the flow increases with increase in Soret number, increasing values of chemical reaction parameter lead to lower concentration in both the cases, that is, with or without velocity slip.
Topology and orientation optimization of multi-material hinge-free composite compliant mechanisms under multiple design-dependent loadings
Authors: Lu Yifu , Tong Liyong
Published: February 2024

Compliant mechanisms with multiple input loads and output ports are commonly applied in micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), while compliant mechanisms under design-dependent pressure loadings (such as pneumatic or hydraulic) can generate smooth and compatible deformations. Combining these two types of problems, we propose the design problem of compliant mechanisms under multiple design-dependent loadings. To potentially improve the structural performances, fiber-reinforced composite materials are introduced, and multi-material topology optimization and material orientation optimization are considered simultaneously, which enables the materials to be anisotropic and heterogeneous. Since compliant mechanisms utilize elastic deformation to transmit input forces or displacements to output forces or displacements, anisotropic and heterogeneous material can increase the freedoms in displacement and force transmissions compared to conventional homogeneous isotropic material. The topology optimization is implemented via an extended moving iso-surface threshold (MIST) method for multi-material, in which a novel element-based searching scheme is employed for tracking multiple fluid–structure interfaces. The orientation optimization is achieved via an analytical solution derived for fully anisotropic materials and multi-input-multi-output compliant mechanisms. Numerical examples are presented to show the validity of the present MIST method to design multi-material hinge-free compliant mechanisms under multiple design-dependent loadings.
A novel ionospheric TEC mapping function with azimuth parameters and its application to the Chinese region
Authors: Huo Xingliang , Long Yuanliang , Liu Haojie , Yuan Yunbin , Liu Qi , Li Ying , Liu Mingming , Liu Yanwen , Sun Weihong
Published: February 2024

The ionospheric mapping function (MF) for Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), a mutual projection method for the slant total electron content (STEC) and vertical total electron content, is one of the significant factors affecting the performance of ionospheric models. The commonly used MF assumes isotropic TEC variations and takes into account only the satellite elevation angle, which may result in significant ionospheric projection errors, especially at low elevation angles. Based on the single-layer model, we propose an additional azimuth parameter mapping function (APMF). The APMF was estimated and evaluated by the NeQuick model during the periods of January 2014 and January 2022 from the aspect of simulation and measured STEC during the periods of 2014 and 2022 from the aspect of actual measurements over China, respectively. Compared to the modified single-layer model mapping function (MSLM-MF), the experimental results indicate that (1) The APMF can significantly reduce the ionospheric projection error, and the fluctuation in errors with different azimuth angles is small. (2) According to the evaluation based on the NeQuick simulation during the TEC peak time, when the ionosphere is quite active, the upper and lower quartiles of the absolute projection error boxplot of the APMF relative to the MSLM-MF in January 2014 are reduced by 56.1% and 60.0%, respectively, and in January 2022, they are reduced by 67.7% and 65.2%, respectively. Similarly, the upper whiskers in the boxplot are reduced by 54.7% and 67.5% in January 2014 and January 2022, respectively; the APMF performance in terms of the root mean square error (RMSE) is improved by 47.0% in January 2014 and 58.3% in January 2022. (3) According to the evaluation based on the measured STEC from GNSS raw data during the TEC peak time, the upper and lower quartiles of the absolute mapping error boxplot of the APMF relative to the MSLM-MF in 2014 are reduced by 48.9% and 46.9%, respectively, while in 2022, they are reduced by 48.3% and 41.2%, respectively. The upper whiskers in the boxplot are reduced by 41.8% and 35.2% in 2014 and 2022, respectively; the APMF performance in terms of RMSE is improved by 44.6% in 2014 and 39.2% in 2022.
Quantitative estimates for bounded holomorphic semigroups
Authors: Hytönen Tuomas , Lappas Stefanos
Published: February 2024

We revisit the theory of one-parameter semigroups of linear operators on Banach spaces in order to prove quantitative bounds for bounded holomorphic semigroups. Subsequently, relying on these bounds we obtain new quantitative versions of two recent results of Xu related to the vector-valued Littlewood–Paley–Stein theory for symmetric diffusion semigroups.
Prevalence of burnout among German radiologists: a call to action
Authors: Bastian Moritz B. , Fröhlich Laureen , Wessendorf Joel , Scheschenja Michael , König Alexander M. , Jedelska Jarmila , Mahnken Andreas H.
Published: February 2024

Objectives

In the presence of escalating global concerns regarding physician burnout, this study aims to analyze the prevalence and associated factors of burnout among radiologists in Germany.

Methods

A comprehensive online survey, inclusive of 73 targeted questions including a German-modified version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory, was distributed among all members of the German Radiological Society and the German Interventional Radiological Society between May and August 2023. The survey encompassed aspects of employment, workload, well-being, and coping mechanisms. Data from 172 completed surveys were analyzed, with correlations explored via crosstabs and the Pearson-chi-square test.

Results

In total, 76.7% of participating radiologists were identified to be burnt out. The prevalence was significantly associated with increased workload, reduced sleep quality, suboptimal working conditions, reduced job satisfaction, and the negative interplay between work, family life, and health. Median work satisfaction was described as “satisfied” while median workload was assessed as “frequently overwhelming of work.” A total of 41.9% of respondents noted facing daily time pressure. Radiologists’ concerns about work interfering with private family life were voiced by approximately 70%, and 73.3% highlighted the perceived negative effects on their health.

Conclusion

The pronounced prevalence of burnout among German radiologists demonstrates an urgent, unmet need for comprehensive interventions and systemic changes. Our findings act as a catalyst for initiating targeted, multifaceted strategies and dialogs, essential for fostering a resilient and effective healthcare ecosystem. Further large-scale systematic studies should follow to analyze the findings in broad.

Clinical relevance statement

Consistent with other countries, there is a high prevalence of burnout among radiologists in Germany. A call for further investigation is recommended to help mitigate adverse outcomes associated with physician burnout.

Key Points

• The prevalence of burnout has yet not been evaluated for German radiologists.

• German radiologists have a high prevalence of burnout.

• Steps must be implemented to engage this problem to prevent worsening.

Graphical abstract
The niche matters: origin, function and fate of CNS-associated macrophages during health and disease
Authors: Dalmau Gasull Adrià , Glavan Martina , Samawar Sai K. Reddy , Kapupara Kishan , Kelk Joe , Rubio Marina , Fumagalli Stefano , Sorokin Lydia , Vivien Denis , Prinz Marco
Published: February 2024

There are several cellular and acellular structural barriers associated with the brain interfaces, which include the dura, the leptomeninges, the perivascular space and the choroid plexus epithelium. Each structure is enriched by distinct myeloid populations, which mainly originate from erythromyeloid precursors (EMP) in the embryonic yolk sac and seed the CNS during embryogenesis. However, depending on the precise microanatomical environment, resident myeloid cells differ in their marker profile, turnover and the extent to which they can be replenished by blood-derived cells. While some EMP-derived cells seed the parenchyma to become microglia, others engraft the meninges and become CNS-associated macrophages (CAMs), also referred to as border-associated macrophages (BAMs), e.g., leptomeningeal macrophages (MnMΦ). Recent data revealed that MnMΦ migrate into perivascular spaces postnatally where they differentiate into perivascular macrophages (PvMΦ). Under homeostatic conditions in pathogen-free mice, there is virtually no contribution of bone marrow-derived cells to MnMΦ and PvMΦ, but rather to macrophages of the choroid plexus and dura. In neuropathological conditions in which the blood–brain barrier is compromised, however, an influx of bone marrow-derived cells into the CNS can occur, potentially contributing to the pool of CNS myeloid cells. Simultaneously, resident CAMs may also proliferate and undergo transcriptional and proteomic changes, thereby, contributing to the disease outcome. Thus, both resident and infiltrating myeloid cells together act within their microenvironmental niche, but both populations play crucial roles in the overall disease course. Here, we summarize the current understanding of the sources and fates of resident CAMs in health and disease, and the role of the microenvironment in influencing their maintenance and function.
Switching of biological therapy to dupilumab in comorbid patients with severe asthma and CRSwNP
Authors: Rosso Cecilia , De Corso Eugenio , Conti Valerio , Nitro Letizia , Saibene Alberto Maria , Parazzini Elena , Rinaldo Rocco , De Pascalis Sabrina , Arnone Flavio , Centanni Stefano , Montuori Claudio , D’Auria Leandro Maria , Felisati Giovanni , Pipolo Carlotta
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Nowadays, several efficacious biologic drugs are used for severe asthma with or without chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). However, it has been observed that not all comorbid patients (asthma/CRSwNP) receiving biologic treatment for asthma experience satisfactory control of both conditions equally.

Methods

We selected 20 patients who had both severe asthma and comorbid CRSwNP under biological treatment with benralizumab, omalizumab or mepolizumab with adequate control of asthma but inadequate control of nasal symptoms. Patients were switched to dupilumab and outcomes were evaluated at baseline (T0), at 3 months (T1), at 6 months (T2), at 12 months (T3) and finally at 18 months (T4). Data were collected at each time point including blood tests measuring eosinophil levels and total IgE, SNOT22, ACT, NPS score, rhinomanometry, olfactory testing, and nasal cytology.

Results

The results showed an overall improvement in all the outcomes. Peripheral eosinophilia was observed consistently with existing literature. All patients registered an improvement in sinonasal outcomes, while only one patient had a worsening of asthma. Three patients interrupted the therapy due to various causes: poor asthma control, onset of psoriasis and thrombocytopenia.

Conclusions

The response to a biologic treatment for CRSwNP control may be heterogenous and it seems that patients may benefit from switching improving control in equal measure in the upper and lower airway. Further studies to explore the endotype/phenotype which best fits with each biologic are mandatory to personalize the therapy.
Comparative epigenomics indicate a common origin of ectopic and intrasellar corticotroph pituitary neuroendocrine tumors/adenomas: a case report
Authors: Barrantes-Freer Alonso , Braune Max , Sandner Benjamin , Dottermusch Matthias , Lindner Dirk
Published: February 2024

Ectopic pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNET)/adenomas are rare and diagnostically challenging extra-sellar tumors. Previous studies have demonstrated the impact of epigenomic analyses in the diagnostics of sellar neoplasms and characterized the close relationship of epigenomic signatures and cellular origins of PitNET/adenomas. As of today, little is known about the pathogenesis of ectopic PitNET/adenomas, and epigenomic analyses have not been performed in these rare tumors. We report on the clinical course of an 81-year-old patient with sphenoid ectopic sparsely granulated corticotroph PitNET/adenoma and deploy genome-wide DNA methylation analysis to compare its methylation profile to a reference cohort of sellar neoplasms. Genome-wide methylation analysis revealed an epigenomic profile analogous to reference sellar corticotroph PitNET/adenomas, and the copy number variation profile showed loss of chromosomes 18 and 22. The methylation profile shows concordance with sellar corticotroph PitNET/adenomas suggesting a common cellular origin and confirming the reliability of methylation analyses as a diagnostic method in these rare tumors. This is the first data suggesting that epigenetic profiles of ectopic PitNET/adenoma do not differ from their sellar counterparts.
Screening for functional gastrointestinal disorders in preterm infants up to 12 months of corrected age: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Aydemir Yusuf , Aydemir Ozge , Dinleyici Meltem , Saglik Adviye Cakil , Cam Demet , Kaya Tugba Barsan , Canpolat Fuat Emre
Published: February 2024

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are characterized by a variety of symptoms that are frequently age-dependent, chronic, or recurrent and are not explained by structural or biochemical abnormalities. There are studies in the literature reporting different results regarding the relationship between prematurity and FGIDs. The main objective of this study was to compare the frequency of FGIDs between preterm and term infants. The secondary objective was to evaluate whether there was any association between neonatal characteristics and development of FGIDs. A multicenter prospective cohort study that included preterm infants born before 37 weeks of gestation and healthy term infants was carried out. At 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, and 12 months of age, infants were assessed for the presence of FGIDs using the Rome IV criteria. In preterm infants, an additional follow-up visit was made at 12 months corrected age. 134 preterm and 104 term infants were enrolled in the study. Infantile colic, rumination syndrome, functional constipation, and infant dyschezia were more common in preterm infants. Incidence of other FGIDs (infant regurgitation, functional diarrhea and cyclic vomiting syndrome) were similar among preterm and term infants. Preterm infants who are exclusively breastfeed in the first 6 months of life have a lower incidence of infantile colic (18.8% vs 52.1%, p = 0.025). In terms of chronological age, FGIDs symptoms started later in preterm infants; this difference was statistically significant for infantile colic and regurgitation (median age 2 months vs 1 month, p < 0.001).

   Conclusions: Preterm infants have a higher prevalence of FGIDs compared with term controls. Therefore, especially if they have gastrointestinal complaints, they should be screened for FGIDs. Possibly due to maturational differences, the time of occurrence of FGIDs may differ in preterm infants. Infantile colic incidence decreases with exclusive breastfeeding.

What is Known:• The functional gastrointestinal disorders are a very common in infancy.• Data on preterm infants with FGIDs are currently very limited.

What is New:• Preterm infants have a higher incidence of infantile colic, rumination syndrome, functional constipation and infant dyschezia when compared to term infants.• Preterm infants who are exclusively breastfed during the first 6 months of life experience a lower incidence of infantile colic.
Optimizing long-short-term memory models via metaheuristics for decomposition aided wind energy generation forecasting
Authors: Pavlov-Kagadejev Marijana , Jovanovic Luka , Bacanin Nebojsa , Deveci Muhammet , Zivkovic Miodrag , Tuba Milan , Strumberger Ivana , Pedrycz Witold
Published: February 2024

Power supply from renewable energy is an important part of modern power grids. Robust methods for predicting production are required to balance production and demand to avoid losses. This study proposed an approach that incorporates signal decomposition techniques with Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural networks tuned via a modified metaheuristic algorithm used for wind power generation forecasting. LSTM networks perform notably well when addressing time-series prediction, and further hyperparameter tuning by a modified version of the reptile search algorithm (RSA) can help improve performance. The modified RSA was first evaluated against standard CEC2019 benchmark instances before being applied to the practical challenge. The proposed tuned LSTM model has been tested against two wind production datasets with hourly resolutions. The predictions were executed without and with decomposition for one, two, and three steps ahead. Simulation outcomes have been compared to LSTM networks tuned by other cutting-edge metaheuristics. It was observed that the introduced methodology notably exceed other contenders, as was later confirmed by the statistical analysis. Finally, this study also provides interpretations of the best-performing models on both observed datasets, accompanied by the analysis of the importance and impact each feature has on the predictions.
Elk herd optimizer: a novel nature-inspired metaheuristic algorithm
Authors: Al-Betar Mohammed Azmi , Awadallah Mohammed A. , Braik Malik Shehadeh , Makhadmeh Sharif , Doush Iyad Abu
Published: February 2024

This paper proposes a novel nature-inspired swarm-based optimization algorithm called elk herd optimizer (EHO). It is inspired by the breeding process of the elk herd. Elks have two main breeding seasons: rutting and calving. In the rutting season, the elk herd splits into different families of various sizes. This division is based on fighting for dominance between bulls, where the stronger bull can form a family with large numbers of harems. In the calving season, each family breeds new calves from its bull and harems. This inspiration is set in an optimization context where the optimization loop consists of three operators: rutting season, calving season, and selection season. During the selection season, all families are merged, including bulls, harems, and calves. The fittest elk herd will be selected for use in the upcoming rutting and calving seasons. In simple words, EHO divides the population into a set of groups, each with one leader and several followers in the rutting season. The number of followers is determined based on the fitness value of its leader group. Each group will generate new solutions based on its leader and followers in the calving season. The members of all groups including leaders, followers, and new solutions are combined and the fittest population is selected in the selection season. The performance of EHO is assessed using 29 benchmark optimization problems utilized in the CEC-2017 special sessions on real-parameter optimization and four traditional real-world engineering design problems. The comparative results were conducted against ten well-established metaheuristic algorithms and showed that the proposed EHO yielded the best results for almost all the benchmark functions used. Statistical testing using Friedman’s test post-hocked by Holm’s test function confirms the superiority of the proposed EHO when compared to other methods. In a nutshell, EHO is an efficient nature-inspired swarm-based optimization algorithm that can be used to tackle several optimization problems.
Diverging responses to natural and anthropogenic habitats in aftrotropical birds and butterflies
Authors: Habel Jan Christian , Mulwa Moses , Wagner Laura , Schmitt Thomas , Teucher Mike , Ulrich Werner
Published: February 2024

Species respond differently to landscape structures and environmental changes. In nature conservation, however, responses of a few indicator groups are often generalised to the ecosystem level. In this study, we analyse how birds and butterflies respond to identical landscape structures and environmental gradients across a habitat mosaic in southern Kenya. The study area represents natural coastal forest (forest interior and forest edge) as well as different agro-environments (such as orchards and pastures), which partly may also be suitable surrogate habitats for forest species. We assessed birds and butterflies during the same time along identical line transects, covering the dry and the rainy season. The obtained results indicate that both species groups depict habitat types in some aspects similarly but in others in somewhat different ways. Thus, strongest differences in community similarity were visible between forest interior and the open landscape like pastures for both taxa. The forest community strongly overlapped with orchards for birds but less so for butterflies. Thus, orchards in close geographic proximity to natural forests might be a possible surrogate habitat for certain forest bird species, but less so for more sedentary forest butterfly species. The temporal variation in species richness, abundances, and community structures was much stronger for butterflies compared to birds. Thus, seasonality in tropical ecosystems has to be considered especially when interpreting community structures of butterflies, but much less so in birds. In general, birds and butterflies proved to be suitable indicator groups to evaluate ecologically landscape structures in East Africa, with birds more representing the landscape level and butterflies more the fine-grained habitat scale.
Heavy metals in biological samples of cancer patients: a systematic literature review
Authors: Coradduzza Donatella , Congiargiu Antonella , Azara Emanuela , Mammani Ismaeil Mohammed Abulkahar , De Miglio Maria Rosaria , Zinellu Angelo , Carru Ciriaco , Medici Serenella
Published: February 2024

The majority of the so-called heavy metals are suspected to be involved in a number of pathologies and play a role in human carcinogenesis. Some of them (i.e. arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg) and nickel (Ni)) have been defined as carcinogens, increasing the susceptibility of tumor development and progression in humans. Moreover, Ni, Cr, Cd, Hg, and Pb together with zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe), may be capable of stimulating the progression of breast cancer and reducing a patient’s sensitivity to treatment through alterations to DNA methylation. In patients with gastric cancers, levels of various heavy metals are augmented and hypothesized to amplify the expression of the human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 gene. Cd may increase the risk of lung cancer development and have a negative impact on the overall survival of lung cancer patients. To investigate the relation between heavy metals in biological samples and risk, occurrence and survival cancer individuals, a comprehensive review work was performed, with a focus on breast, lung, prostate and gastric cancers. An extensive search strategy was devised to ensure relevant literature could be identified, with the PECO framework being adopted to facilitate this and identify key search terms. As evidenced in this review, there is substantial data to support the hypothesis that heavy metals influence tumor development and progression. Unluckily the number of papers dealing with the determination of metals directly in samples from cancer tissues is still rather limited, so we decided to expand the scope of this review also to analyses carried out on other biological samples, as urine, plasma, hair, nail, etc. The studies reviewed showed that several limitations and current knowledge gaps are present in the literature that require further investigation to improve our comprehension of the impact of different heavy metals on tumorigenesis.

Graphical abstract
Three-body periodic collisionless equal-mass free-fall orbits revisited
Authors: Hristov Ivan , Hristova Radoslava , Dmitrašinović Veljko , Tanikawa Kiyotaka
Published: February 2024

Li and Liao announced (New Astron 70:22–26, 2019, arXiv:1805.07980v1) discovery of 313 periodic collisionless orbits’ initial conditions (i.c.s), 30 of which have equal masses, and 18 of these 30 orbits have physical periods (scale-invariant periods) $$T^{*}<80$$

T

∗

<
80

. We revisited this work with the intention to improve both, its logical consistency and the numerical efficiency of the method. We have conducted a new search for periodic free-fall orbits, limited to the equal-mass case. Our search produced 24,582 i.c.s of equal-mass periodic orbits with scale-invariant period $$T^{*}<80$$

T

∗

<
80

, corresponding to 12,409 distinct solutions, 236 of which are self-dual.
Self-Perceived Infertility is Not Always Associated with Having Fewer Children: Evidence from German Panel Data
Authors: Greil Arthur L. , Wallace Desmond D. , Passet-Wittig Jasmin , McQuillan Julia , Bujard Martin , Lowry Michele H.
Published: February 2024

Proximate determinants theory considers infertility rates a risk factor for lower fertility rates, but the assumption that people who perceive infertility will have fewer children has not been tested. This study investigates the association of self-perceived infertility with the number of children people have had after 11 years. Infertility implies reduced chances of conception (rather than sterility), but people do not always consistently perceive infertility over time. If people who think they are infertile at one time can later report no infertility, then does self-perceived infertility necessarily lead to having fewer children? We answer this question by analyzing 11 waves of the German family panel (pairfam) data using negative binomial growth curve models for eight core demographic subgroups created by combinations of gender (men/women), parity (0/1+children), and initial age groups (25–27 and 35–37). Those who repeatedly perceived themselves to be infertile (three times or more) had fewer children than those who perceived themselves to be infertile once or twice in only four of eight gender by initial parity by age groups. Only in four groups did people who perceived themselves to be infertile once or twice have fewer children than those who never perceived themselves to be infertile in both the unadjusted and adjusted models. Thus, self-perceived infertility does not necessarily result in fewer children. Rather, the association depends upon life course context and gender.
The comparison of corneal densitometry in cases with glaucoma following childhood cataract surgery and juvenile glaucoma
Authors: Elgin Ufuk , Simsek Mert , Sen Emine , Hondur Gozde , Bayraktar Serdar , Acar Atakan
Published: February 2024

Purpose

To compare the corneal densitometry (CD) in pediatric cases with glaucoma following childhood cataract surgery and juvenile open-angle glaucoma (JOAG).

Methods

This prospective comparative study involved 13 eyes with JOAG, 12 eyes with pseudophakic glaucoma, 13 eyes with aphakic glaucoma, and 15 control subjects. Pentacam HR Scheimpflug corneal topography was employed to evaluate corneal thickness (CCT) and CD values.

Results

The mean intraocular pressure (IOP) and CCT were significantly higher in aphakic glaucoma cases than the other groups (p = 0.001). In aphakic eyes, the mean CD values were higher in most of the anterior, center, and posterior layers of 0–2 mm, 2–6 mm, 6–10 mm, and total zones (p < 0.001 for all). In pseudophakic eyes, the mean CD values were statistically similar with that of aphakic eyes and higher than that of JOAG and control eyes in all layers of 0–2 mm zone and in anterior layer of 10–12 mm and anterior and total layers of 2–6 mm zones (p < 0.05 for all). The CD values demonstrated significant correlations with CCT values in both aphakic and pseudophakic eyes. However, a significant correlation of CD values with IOP was only demonstrated in aphakic eyes (p = 0.01 for all).

Conclusion

The probable effects of childhood cataract surgery especially aphakia might cause corneal backscatter of light and increased CD in all layers in all zones of the cornea. Increased CD values and its correlation with CCT and IOP in aphakic glaucoma eyes may be of importance in clinical management.
Heavy metal decontamination by ion exchange polymers for water purification: counterintuitive cation removal by an anion exchange polymer
Authors: Sgreccia Emanuela , Rogalska Celina , Gallardo Gonzalez Francia Sarhaly , Prosposito Paolo , Burratti Luca , Knauth Philippe , Di Vona Maria Luisa
Published: February 2024

Ion exchange polymers were used for mercury and lead ions removal in water. The heavy metal ion concentration was analyzed by two independent methods: inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and gravimetry. The studied cation exchange polymer (CEP) was sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK), and the anion exchange polymer (AEP) was poly(sulfone trimethylammonium) chloride (PSU-TMA). The removal capacity was connected with the ion exchange capacity (IEC) equal to 1.6 meq/g for both polymers. The concentration ranges were 0.15–0.006 mM for Hg2+ and 10.8–1.0 mM for Pb2+. SPEEK achieved 100% removal efficiency for mercury and lead if the concentration was below the maximum sorption capacity (Qmax), which was about 210 mg/g for Pb2+ with SPEEK. For PSU-TMA, the surprising removal efficiency of 100% for Hg2+, which seemed incompatible with ion exchange, was related to the formation of very stable complex anions that can be sorbed by an AEP. Langmuir adsorption theory was applied for the thermodynamic description of lead removal by SPEEK. A second-order law was effective to describe the kinetics of the process.
Determination of 93Zr, 237Np and Th radionuclides in radioactive waste and mineral samples: extension of the method for determination of actinides
Authors: Papp István , Vajda Nóra , Bokori Edit , Molnár Zsuzsa
Published: February 2024

A novel method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of difficult-to-measure (DTM) nuclides 93Zr, 237Np, 232Th, 230Th and 228Th using a DGA resin® (containing N,N,N′,N′-tetra-n-octyl-diglycolamide) column for simultaneous separation of Zr and actinides followed by purification of Zr, Np and Th on a TEVA resin® (containing Aliquat 336) column. Samples are destroyed by fusion with sodium hydroxide or by acid destruction using HNO3, HCl and HF. Pre-concentration procedure tailored to the extraction chromatography is based on co-precipitation of Zr and actinides and removal of alumina, silica, iron and calcium. The concentrations of 93Zr, 237Np and Th nuclides are determined by ICP-MS and α spectrometry, respectively. High chemical recoveries (≥ 73%) and separation factors were obtained for Zr, Np and Th both in evaporation concentrates of an NPP and various samples of mineral origin such as soil and concrete. The procedure can be easily combined with the simultaneous separation of other actinides (Pu, Am, U) using the same DGA column that has been described in our previous papers (Cassette et al. in Appl Radiat Isot 68:122–130, 2010 and Groska et al. in J Radioanal Nucl Chem 309(3):1145–1158, 2016).
Don’t stop it now: functional and structural habitat connectivity assessment suggests further expansion in Southern Europe for the Eurasian beaver
Authors: Serva Davide , Biondi Maurizio , Mantoni Cristina , Iannella Mattia
Published: February 2024

Context

After being close to extinction, the Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) is now recovering throughout Europe. The Eurasian beaver is a keystone species, and an ecosystem engineer, capable of modifying ecosystems at multiple levels. In the last years, the species reappeared in Italy due to natural recolonization and illegal reintroductions, while in Spain, after being confined to the Ebro basin, the beaver has been recently reported at the border with Portugal.

Objectives

In this study, we evaluated both functional and structural connectivity for the Eurasian beaver in Italy and in the Iberian Peninsulas, to deepen the understanding of its expansion process, and to prioritize the barriers that occur in the areas where the species is reported, and that could limit this expansion.

Methods

We generated resistance layers for each study area, based on key variables for the target species. Circuit theory was applied to evaluate functional connectivity, summarizing it at the basin and protected areas (PAs) level. We applied different fluvial connectivity indices to characterize, at-reach-scale, structural connectivity, and identify barriers within each hydrographic network.

Results

In both study areas, there are several corridors mainly linked to rivers with high tree cover that occur in flat areas, like the valleys in the Apennines and the Cantabrian mountain systems. Despite the distances and the extant barriers, the occurrences in Central Italy and Spain are respectively well-connected. In general, in each hydrographic network, only a few barriers impede connectivity, with the Iberian Peninsula more impacted, especially in the Douro basin. In the Ebro basin, several barriers contribute to fragmentation, especially in the northern area considering the Population Connectivity Indices; however, high connectivity is found within the protected areas.

Conclusions

The recent return of the Eurasian beaver in Italy, and its recent expansion in the Iberian Peninsula, could continue in the near future, considering both the fair habitat connectivity and the adaptability of the species. Although both areas are impacted by man-made dams, only a specific set possibly limits the Eurasian beavers’ expansion. In general, the current PAs arrangement does not protect the areas important for the beaver connectivity, with some of them impacted by man-made dams.
A study of Bianchi type I spacetime according to their Ricci collineations
Authors: Akhtar Sumaira Saleem , Ahmad Israr , Shakeel Mehnaz , Zahir Hina , Inc Mustafa
Published: February 2024

Rici collineations (RCs) have been used in this research to study the locally rotationally symmetric (LRS) Bianchi type I spacetimes. To accomplish our objectives, the RC equations are typically integrated for both situations of the Ricci tensor, degenerate and non-degenerate. Throughout this work, a number of situations occur that provide various finite and infinite dimensional Lie algebras of RCs.
Quality of life, cognitive and behavioural impairment in people with motor neuron disease: a systematic review
Authors: Radakovic Ratko , Radakovic Chelsea , Abrahams Sharon , Simmons Zachary , Carroll Amy
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Motor neuron disease (MND) is a neurodegenerative disease, progressively impacting function and self-perceived quality of life (QoL). Up to 50% of people with MND can present with cognitive and behavioural impairment, with an associated increase in caregiver burden or strain. However, there has been no systematic exploration of the relationship between QoL and cognitive or behavioural impairment in MND. The aim was to determine if there is a relationship between QoL and cognitive/behavioural impairment in MND, while also supplementarily looking to determine the types of cognitive/behavioural and QoL measures utilised in these studies.

Methods

A systematic search was performed across multiple databases (PsychINFO, Embase, Medline, AMED) for research published up to the date of February 22, 2023. Studies utilising quantitative methods of measuring QoL, cognitive/behavioural functioning/impairment were included. Findings examining relationships between QoL-cognitive/behavioural impairment were extracted and synthesised.

Results

A total of 488 studies were identified, with 14 studies included in the systematic review. All 14 studies were observational (11 cross-sectional, 3 longitudinal). 13 studies utilised MND non-specific measures, particularly in relation to QoL and cognitive impairment. Of 8 studies measuring behavioural impairment 62.5% (N = 5) found either a lower QoL difference or association. Only 33.3% (N = 4) of 12 studies measuring cognitive impairment found a lower QoL difference or association.

Conclusions

This systematic review shows that behavioural impairment may have an impact on QoL in MND. There is variability in types of assessments used to measure QoL and also cognitive/behavioural impairment, most of which are disease-non-specific. Recommendations for future research are to use comprehensive disease-specific, multidomain measures to further elucidate the QoL-cognitive/behavioural impairment relationship.