bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of varying retention times and feeding schemes on the performance of vertical constructed wetlands planted with vetiver grass in treating dairy wastewater in the Philippines
Authors: Velasco Perlie P. , Dala Paolo S. , Sundo Marloe B. , De Padua Viktor Mikael N. , Madlangbayan Marish S.
Published: September 2023

Adequate wastewater treatment from the dairy industry before disposal is still lacking in the Philippines, particularly in small‐scale sectors. This limitation is due to the high cost and expertise required from conventional wastewater treatment systems. One option is using constructed wetlands, a nature‐based solution with low cost, less specialized expertise and maintenance requirements and high wastewater treatment efficiency. To further evaluate the application of constructed wetlands in the Philippines, this paper studied the wastewater from the manufacturing processes of the Dairy Training Research Institute, University of the Philippines Los Baños (DTRI‐UPLB). It is a small dairy farm inside the University with economic constraints in using a conventional wastewater treatment system. The main aim of this study is to determine the effect of using vertical subsurface flow constructed wetlands (VSSFCW) planted with Vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides) in sand and gravel media to treat the DTRI‐UPLB effluent, using very low retention times (4 and 8 h), with daily and alternate days of wastewater feeding into the VSSFCW. The average removal efficiencies for total suspended solids (TSS), biological oxygen demand for (BOD5), total phosphorus (TP), and Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN) are 88.34%, 93.56%, 78.42%, and 94.63%, respectively. Moreover, alternate wastewater feeding provided a statistically significant increase in the performance of VSSFCW, while there is no statistical difference between the two retention times evaluated. Finally, it was observed that plant age significantly affects the performance of VSSFCW setup but should be explored further with longer operation times and additional nutrient uptake analysis.
World Health Organization's low‐intensity psychosocial interventions: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of the effects of Problem Management Plus andStep‐by‐Step
Authors: Schäfer Sarah K. , Thomas Lea M. , Lindner Saskia , Lieb Klaus
Published: September 2023

Many societies have been recently exposed to humanitarian and health emergencies, which have resulted in a large number of people experiencing significant distress and being at risk to develop mental disorders such as depression, anxiety and post‐traumatic stress disorder. The World Health Organization has released a series of scalable psychosocial interventions for people impaired by distress in communities exposed to adversities. Prominent among these is a low‐intensity transdiagnostic psychosocial intervention, Problem Management Plus (PM+), and its digital adaptation Step‐by‐Step (SbS). This systematic review is the first to summarize the available evidence on the effects of PM+ and SbS. Up to March 8, 2023, five databases were searched for randomized controlled trials examining the effects of PM+ or SbS on distress indicators (i.e., general distress; anxiety, depressive or post‐traumatic stress disorder symptoms; functional impairment, self‐identified problems) and positive mental health outcomes (i.e., well‐being, quality of life, social support/relationships). We performed random‐effects multilevel meta‐analyses on standardized mean differences (SMDs) at post‐intervention and short‐term follow‐up assessments. Our search yielded 23 eligible studies, including 5,298 participants. We found a small to medium favorable effect on distress indicators (SMD=–0.45, 95% CI: –0.56 to –0.34) and a small beneficial effect on positive mental health outcomes (SMD=0.31, 95% CI: 0.14‐0.47), which both remained significant at follow‐up assessment and were robust in sensitivity analyses. However, our analyses pointed to substantial between‐study heterogeneity, which was only partially explained by moderators, and the certainty of evidence was very low across all outcomes. These results provide evidence for the effectiveness of PM+ and SbS in reducing distress indicators and promoting positive mental health in populations exposed to adversities, but a larger high‐quality evidence base is needed, as well as research on participant‐level moderators of the effects of these interventions, their suitability for stepped‐care programs, and their cost‐effectiveness.
Quantification of elements in dietary supplements by total reflection x‐ray fluorescence and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry
Authors: Alov Nikolai V. , Danilov Dmitry V. , Sharanov Pavel Yu. , Semenov Valentin G. , Panchuk Vitaly V. , Savinov Sergey S. , Khaydukova Maria M.
Published: September 2023

The main purpose of this study was the comparison of the results of quantification obtained via different sample preparation approaches such as microwave‐assisted wet digestion (MAWD) and suspension preparation. Two total reflection x‐ray fluorescence (TXRF) spectrometers equipped with Mo x‐ray tubes were used to compare results obtained via two different paths of sample preparations which would further be compared to the conventional way of analysis by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP‐OES) including MAWD. Three dietary supplement samples with different sets and concentrations of elements were analyzed. The benefits and limitations of the simplified path of sample preparation were highlighted. A round‐robin test between TXRF and ICP‐OES was discussed. Accuracy as the percentage of recovery in all measurements ranged from 80 to 120. Precision for all results did not exceed 8% for TXRF and 5% for ICP‐OES. Limits of quantification by TXRF are ranged from 1 to 0.01 mg/pill for different elements. It was shown that suspension preparation of samples might be a useful response to increasing demand for quality control of dietary supplements since it is less time consuming and cost efficient.
Dualities of adjoint SQCD and supersymmetry enhancement
Authors: Maruyoshi Kazunobu , Nardoni Emily , Song Jaewon
Published: September 2023

Abstract

We propose a new dual description of four-dimensional $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 SU(N) gauge theory with one adjoint (X) and Nf fundamental matters with a superpotential W = TrXp+1. The dual theory consists of the $$ \mathcal{D} $$
D
p[SU(N)] Argyres-Douglas theory coupled to SU(N) gauge theory and Nf fundamentals with a superpotential deformation. We study renormalization group fixed points of the Argyres-Douglas dual theories with and without superpotential deformations, and identify the conditions for them to be dual to the fixed points of adjoint SQCD. We check our proposal via matching central charges, chiral operators and superconformal indices. We find that when Nf = 2N and p = 2, the dual theory flows to $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 SU(N) superconformal QCD with 2N flavors upon suitable superpotential deformation, exhibiting supersymmetry enhancement.
A MGT thermoelastic problem with two relaxation parameters
Authors: Bazarra Noelia , Fernández José R. , Quintanilla Ramón
Published: September 2023

In this paper, we consider, from both analytical and numerical viewpoints, a thermoelastic problem. The so-called MGT model, with two different relaxation parameters, is used for both the displacements and the thermal displacement, leading to a linear coupled system made by two third-order in time partial differential equations. Then, using the theory of linear semi-groups the existence and uniqueness to this problem is proved. If we restrict ourselves to the one-dimensional case, the exponential decay of the energy is obtained assuming some conditions on the constitutive parameters. Then, using the classical finite element method and the implicit Euler scheme, we introduce a fully discrete approximation of a variational formulation of the thermomechanical problem. A main a priori error estimates result is shown, from which we conclude the linear convergence under suitable additional regularity conditions. Finally, we present some one-dimensional numerical simulations to demonstrate the convergence of the fully discrete approximation, the behavior of the discrete energy decay and the dependence on a coupling parameter.
Endpoint Entropy Fefferman–Stein Bounds for Commutators
Authors: Muller Pamela A. , Rivera-Ríos Israel P.
Published: September 2023

In this paper endpoint entropy Fefferman–Stein bounds for Calderón–Zygmund operators introduced by Rahm (J Math Anal Appl 504(1):Paper No. 125372, 2021) are extended to iterated Coifman–Rochberg–Weiss commutators.
Usability and usefulness of (electronic) patient identification systems—A cross-sectional evaluation in German-speaking radiation oncology departments
Authors: Baehr Andrea , Grohmann Maximilian , Guberina Maja , Schulze Katrin , Lange Tim , Nestle Ursula , Ernst Philipp ,   DEGRO Working Group for Patient Safety
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Patient misidentification in radiation oncology (RO) is a significant concern due to the potential harm to patient health and the burden on healthcare systems. Electronic patient identification systems (ePIS) are increasingly being used as an alternative or supplement to organizational systems (oPIS). The objective of this study was to assess the usability and usefulness of ePIS and oPIS in German-speaking countries.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was designed by a group of experts from various professional backgrounds in RO. The survey consisted of 38 questions encompassing quantitative and qualitative data on usability, user experience, and usefulness of PIS. It was available between August and October 2022.

Results

Of 118 eligible participants, 37% had implemented some kind of ePIS. Overall, 22% of participants who use an oPIS vs. 10% of participants who use an ePIS reported adverse events in terms of patients’ misidentification in the past 5 years. Frequent or very frequent drop-outs of electronic systems were reported by 31% of ePIS users. Users of ePIS significantly more often affirmed a positive cost–benefit ratio of ePIS as well as an improvement of workflow, whereas users of oPIS more frequently apprehended a decrease in staffs’ attention through ePIS. The response rate was 8%.

Conclusion

The implementation of ePIS can contribute to efficient PI and improved processes. Apprehensions by oPIS users and assessments of ePIS users differ significantly in aspects of the perceived usefulness of ePIS. However, technical problems need to be addressed to ensure the reliability of ePIS. Further research is needed to assess the impact of different PIS on patient safety in RO.
Agomelatine improves memory and learning impairments in a rat model of LPS-induced neurotoxicity by modulating the ERK/SorLA/BDNF/TrkB pathway
Authors: Abdelaziz Mahmoud , Mohamed Ahmed F. , Zaki Hala F. , Gad Sameh S.
Published: September 2023

The mutual interplay between neuroinflammation, synaptic plasticity, and autophagy has piqued researchers’ interest, particularly when it comes to linking their impact and relationship to cognitive deficits. Being able to reduce inflammation and apoptosis, melatonin has shown to have positive neuroprotective effects; that is why we thought to check the possible role of agomelatine (AGO) as a promising candidate that could have a positive impact on cognitive deficits. In the current study, AGO (40 mg/kg/day, p.o., 7 days) successfully ameliorated the cognitive and learning disabilities caused by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in rats (250 μg/kg/day, i.p., 7 days). This positive impact was supported by improved histopathological findings and improved spatial memory as assessed using Morris water maze. AGO showed a strong ability to control BACE1 activity and to rein in the hippocampal amyloid beta (Aβ) deposition. Also, it improved neuronal survival, neuroplasticity, and neurogenesis by boosting BDNF levels and promoting its advantageous effects and by reinforcing the pTrkB expression. In addition, it upregulated the pre- and postsynaptic neuroplasticity biomarkers resembled in synapsin I, synaptophysin, and PSD-95. Furthermore, AGO showed a modulatory action on Sortilin-related receptor with A-type repeats (SorLA) pathway and adjusted autophagy. It is noteworthy that all of these actions were abolished by administering PD98059 a MEK/ERK pathway inhibitor (0.3 mg/kg/day, i.p., 7 days). In conclusion, AGO administration significantly improves memory and learning disabilities associated with LPS administration by modulating the ERK/SorLA/BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway parallel to its capacity to adjust the autophagic process.
Nanoparticles as a younger member of the trace element species family — a food perspective
Authors: Gajdosechova Zuzana , Loeschner Katrin
Published: September 2023

Speciation analysis plays a key role in understanding the biological activity and toxicity of an element. So far, classical speciation analysis focused only on the dissolved fraction of an elemental species, whereas nanoparticle forms of analytes are being widely found in consumer and industrial products. A significant contributor to human exposure to nanoparticles is through food into which nanoparticles can be incorporated from endogenous sources or they may be formed naturally in the living organisms. Nanoparticles often undergo changes in the food matrices and upon consumption, in the gastrointestinal tract, which present a significant challenge to their characterisation. Therefore, a combination of both classical and nanoparticle speciation analytical techniques is needed for the characterisation of both dissolved and particulate forms of the chemical species. This article presents and discusses the current trends in analysis of nanoparticle behaviour in the gastrointestinal tract and formation and characterisation of biogenic nanoparticles.

Graphical Abstract
Experimental variation of perceived predation risk does not affect coordination of parental care in long-tailed tits
Authors: Halliwell Chay , Biddiscombe Sarah J. , Hatchwell Ben J.
Published: September 2023

To maximise fitness, parents should optimise their investment in each breeding attempt. When there are multiple carers, the optimal strategy may also depend on the relative timing of their investment, with coordination of care hypothesised to maximise its efficiency and reduce predation risk. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that carers coordinate provisioning as an antipredator measure that reduces the time that a brood’s location is advertised to predators (‘predation hypothesis’). We presented predatory and non-predatory model birds to provisioning long-tailed tit Aegithalos caudatus parents and helpers, predicting that coordination would increase, and carer activity near the nest would decrease following predator presentation, relative to controls. First, carers reduced provisioning rates and took longer to resume provisioning following the predator presentation. Second, contrary to predictions, we found no significant change in any metric of coordination following predator presentations, relative to controls. Moreover, following predator presentation carers spent more time near the nest, resulting in greater near-nest activity compared to controls. In conclusion, although provisioning long-tailed tits are sensitive to perceived predation risk, our findings do not support the prediction of the predation hypothesis that carers adjust coordination behaviour in response to that threat.

Significance statement

Parental care improves offspring condition and is often necessary for their survival but may also confer risk. In birds, provisioning a brood may advertise its location to predators. When multiple individuals provision the same brood, they are hypothesised to coordinate their visits to limit the time that a brood’s location is advertised. This hypothesis has not yet been experimentally tested, so in this study, we investigated whether carers increase their level of provisioning coordination in response to elevated brood predation risk by presenting predatory and non-predatory model birds near 22 long-tailed tit Aegithalos caudatus nests. As anticipated, carers stopped provisioning during predator presentation. However, contrary to expectations, carers did not coordinate more in watches following predator presentation, but instead spent longer near the nest before provisioning, suggesting an increase in risk aversion or vigilance behaviour.
Development and internal validation of a screening tool for chronic prostatitis (S-CP)
Authors: Tohi Yoichiro , Hijikata Yasukazu , Sugimoto Mikio , Kuroda Hideya , Takei Mineo , Matsuki Takakazu , Kamitani Tsukasa , Kakehi Yoshiyuki , Fukuhara Shunichi , Yamamoto Yosuke
Published: September 2023

Purpose

We developed a simple self-checkable screening tool for chronic prostatitis (S-CP) and internally validated it to encourage men (in the general population) with possible chronic prostatitis to consult urologists.

Methods

The expert panel proposed the S-CP, which comprises three domains: Area of pain or discomfort (6 components), accompanying Symptom (6 components), and Trigger for symptom flares (4 components). We employed logistic regression to predict chronic prostatitis prevalence with the S-CP. We evaluated the predictive performance using data from a representative national survey of Japanese men aged 20 to 84. We calculated the optimism-adjusted area under the curve using bootstrapping. We assessed sensitivity/specificity, likelihood ratio, and predictive value for each cutoff of the S-CP.

Results

Data were collected for 5,010 men—71 (1.4%) had a chronic prostatitis diagnosis. The apparent and adjusted area under the curve for the S-CP was 0.765 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.702, 0.829] and 0.761 (0.696, 0.819), respectively. When the cutoff was two of the three domains being positive, sensitivity and specificity were 62.0% (95% CI 49.7, 73.2) and 85.4% (95% CI 84.4, 86.4), respectively. The positive/negative likelihood ratios were 4.2 (95% CI 3.5, 5.2) and 0.45 (95% CI 0.33, 0.60), respectively. The positive/negative predictive values were 5.7 (95% CI 4.2, 7.6) and 99.4 (95% CI 99.1, 99.6), respectively.

Conclusion

The reasonable predictive performance of the S-CP indicated that patients (in the general population) with chronic prostatitis were screened as a first step. Further research would develop another tool for diagnostic support in actual clinical settings.
Theta burst stimulation add on to dialectical behavioral therapy in borderline-personality-disorder: methods and design of a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial
Authors: Kujovic Milenko , Benz Daniel , Riesbeck Mathias , Bahr Christian , Kriegs Christian , Reinermann Dirk , Jänner Michaela , Neufang Susanne , Margittai Zsofia , Kamp Daniel , Plewnia Christian , Meisenzahl Eva
Published: September 2023

Specialized psychotherapeutic treatments like dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) are recommended as first treatment for borderline personality disorder (BPD). In recent years, studies have emerged that focus on repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in BPD. Both have independently demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of BPD. Intermitted theta burst stimulation (iTBS), a modified design of rTMS, is thought to increase the excitability of neurons and could be a supplement to psychotherapy in addition to being a standalone treatment. However, no studies to date have investigated the combination of DBT and rTMS/iTBS. This study protocol describes the methods and design of a randomized, single-blinded, sham-controlled clinical pilot study in which BPD patients will be randomly assigned to either iTBS or sham during four consecutive weeks (20 sessions in total) in addition to standardized DBT treatment. The stimulation will focus on the unilateral stimulation of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), which plays an important role in the control of impulsivity and risk-taking. Primary outcome is the difference in borderline symptomatology, while secondary target criteria are depressive symptoms, general functional level, impulsivity and self-compassion. Statistical analysis of therapy response will be conducted by Mixed Model Repeated Measurement using a 2 × 2-factorial between-subjects design with the between-subject factor stimulation (TMS vs. Sham) and the within-subject factor time (T0 vs. T1). Furthermore, structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) will be conducted and analyzed. The study will provide evidence and insight on whether iTBS has an enhancing effect as add-on to DBT in BPD.

Trial registration: drks.de (DRKS00020413) registered 13/01/2020.
Development of the prosencephalic structures, ganglionic eminence, basal ganglia and thalamus at 11 + 3 to 13 + 6 gestational weeks on 3D transvaginal ultrasound including normative data
Authors: Altmann R. , Rechberger T. , Altmann C. , Hirtler L. , Scharnreitner I. , Stelzl P. , Enengl S.
Published: September 2023

Objectives

To show the development of ganglionic eminence, basal ganglia and thalamus/hypothalamus in week 11 + 3 to 13 + 6 by transvaginal 3D ultrasound.

Methods

To visualize the prosencephalic structures surrounding the 3rd ventricle, 285 three-dimensional ultrasound volume blocks from 402 fetuses examined were selected in a prospective transvaginal 3D study to compare ultrasound images of ganglionic eminence, basal ganglia, thalamus/hypothalamus with embryological sections. In addition, measurements of the described structures were made in 104 fetuses to quantify the embryological development.

Results

The sonomorphologic characteristics of ganglionic eminence, basal ganglia and thalamus/hypothalamus are described in 71% of the fetuses examined. Measurements of the structures in 57% of the fetuses, show the following results: axGE ap = 0.17 + 0.112*CRL; axGE/I = 0.888 + 0.048*CRL; axGE/BG = 0.569 + 0.041*CRL; coGE/BG = 0.381 + 0.048*CRL; coTh lat = − 0.002 + 0.135*CRL; coTh/HyT = 3.68 + 0.059*CRL; co3.V lat = 0.54 + 0.008*CRL.

Conclusion

Transvaginal 3D neurosonography allows visualization and measurement of normal structures in the fetal prosencephalon at 11 + 3 to 13 + 6 weeks of gestation (GW) including details of ganglionic eminence (GE), basal ganglia (BG), and thalamus/hypothalamus (Th/HyT). Further scientific work is needed before using the results to decide on pathological changes in patients.
Thyroid dysfunction induced by anti-PD-1 therapy is associated with a better progression-free survival in patients with advanced carcinoma
Authors: Lu Yiran , Li Qingchen , Xu Lusi , Zheng Yanqing , Wang Yanchao , Liu Ying , Zhang Rui , Liao Lin , Dong Jianjun
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Thyroid dysfunction is the most common immune-related adverse event during anti-programmed cell death 1 (anti-PD-1) therapy. In this study, we monitored patients with advanced malignant tumors who received anti-PD-1 therapy to observe the characteristic of anti-PD-1 therapy-induced thyroid dysfunction and its correlation with prognosis.

Methods

Patients with advanced carcinoma treated with anti-PD-1 therapy were evaluated for thyroid function at baseline and after treatment initiation from August 2020 to March 2022. Seventy-three patients were finally included in the study.

Results

Among these patients, 19 (26.03%) developed thyroid dysfunction after receiving anti-PD-1 therapy. Primary hypothyroidism and thyrotoxicosis were the most common clinical manifestation. Anti-PD-1-induced thyroid dysfunction occurred 63 (26–131) days after administration; thyrotoxicosis appeared earlier than primary hypothyroidism. In Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, the progression-free survival (PFS) of the thyroid dysfunction group was better than that of the no thyroid dysfunction group (227 (95% confidence interval (CI) 50.85–403.15) days vs 164 (95% CI 77.76–250.24) days, p = 0.026). Male patients had better PFS than female patients (213 (95% CI 157.74–268.26) days vs 74 (95% CI 41.23–106.77) days, p = 0.031). In cox proportional hazards regression model, anti-PD-1-induced thyroid dysfunction remained an independent predictor of better PFS (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.339(0.136–0.848), p = 0.021).

Conclusion

Thyroid dysfunction is a common immune-related adverse events in advanced cancer patients treated with anti-PD-1 therapy and predicts a better prognosis.

Trial registration

This study was retrospectively registered with Trial ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05593744) on October 25, 2022.
Line-tension limits for line singularities and application to the mixed-growth case
Authors: Conti Sergio , Garroni Adriana , Marziani Roberta
Published: September 2023

We study variational models for dislocations in three dimensions in the line-tension scaling. We present a unified approach which allows to treat energies with subquadratic growth at infinity and other regularizations of the singularity near the dislocation lines. We show that the asymptotics via Gamma convergence is independent of the specific choice of the energy and of the regularization procedure.
Diverse magma evolution recorded in trace element composition of zircon from Permo-Carboniferous rhyolites (NE German Basin, NW Polish Basin)
Authors: Słodczyk Elżbieta , Przybyło Arkadiusz , Pietranik Anna , Lukács Réka
Published: September 2023

Permo-Carboniferous rhyolitic rocks are widespread in the NE German Basin and NW Polish Basin. Hafnium (Hf) and oxygen (O) isotopes analysed in zircon from these rocks suggest diverse sources and processes involved in the formation of rhyolitic magmas. In this study, detailed core-to-rim trace element compositions were analyzed in zircon from four localities that were previously analyzed for Hf and O isotopes. The trace element analyses, in particular Hf concentrations as well as Eu/Eu*, Ce/U, Yb/Gd, and Th/U ratios, are consistent with prolonged magma evolution in three localities from the NE German Basin (Fehmarn, Slazwedel and Penkun). The fourth locality within the NW Polish Basin (Wysoka Kamieńska) is consistent with a shorter period of magma evolution. Similar stages were distinguished in zircon from the three NE German Basin localities that include: early crystallization followed by rejuvenation with more primitive magma (stage A), subsequent fractional crystallization (stage B) and finally late crystallization in a saturated system or alternatively late rejuvenation with a more primitive magma (stage C). Interestingly magmatic rims on inherited zircon grains have compositions typical for late stage B and stage C, which is consistent with their late addition to evolving rhyolitic magma, most probably during assimilation and not during source melting. The zircon from the fourth, NW Polish Basin locality shows limited compositional variability consistent with the eruption of hot magma not long after the zircon started crystallizing. Thus trace element analyses in zircon provide a record of magmatic processes complementary to that of Hf and O isotope analysis, in that, a detailed analyses of core-to-rim compositional variations are particularly useful in distinguishing respective stages of magma evolution and can pinpoint the relative timing of inherited grains being incorporated into magma.
Competency-based assessment of pilots’ manual flight performance during instrument flight training
Authors: Sun Hong , Zhou Xin , Zhang Peiwen , Liu Xin , Lu Yunsong , Huang Hong , Song Wuyang
Published: September 2023

A pilot's control behavior has a direct impact on aviation safety. To adapt to new flight training reforms, a competency-based assessment method is proposed in this paper. First, assessment scenarios, key competencies and observable behaviours were determined. Then, observable behavior assessment indexes were developed based on standard operating procedures and practical examination standards. Flight training data were analyzed based on curve similarity theory and a time series fast retrieval algorithm, and the assessment indexes were scored. The competency assessment method was established by quantifying “HOW MANY” and “HOW OFTEN” observable behaviors according to the assessment indexes score results. Finally, the fuzzy C-means clustering algorithm was used to classify the assessment values, and assessment results were obtained. A teardrop pattern procedure was used to test the reliability of the assessment method. The results indicate that the correlation coefficient between the model evaluation and the expert evaluation is 0.947 with a significance level of 0.01, reliably and objectively quantifying manual flight performance and improving the scientific nature of manual flight performance assessment methods. Flight training institutions can use this method to establish diverse assessment scenarios and formulate corresponding assessment indexes based on the characteristics of each pilot to reasonably evaluate the manual flight performance of pilot. Targeted training methods can then be adopted for pilot with different performance levels to improve their competency.
Reliability of the Colombian version of the Kidscreen-52 for a child and adolescent student population
Authors: Rodríguez Martha J. , Camargo Diana M. , Orozco Luis C.
Published: September 2023

Aim

To assess the reliability of the Colombian version of the Kidscreen-52 in school children and adolescents ages 8 to 18 in the city of Bucaramanga, Colombia.

Subject and methods

An evaluation of diagnostic technology was performed with 121 children and adolescents who completed the Colombian version of Kidscreen-52. The population was selected by cluster sampling in five public schools. Age, sex, socioeconomic condition, school grade, and the 10 dimensions of Kidscreen-52 were analyzed. The internal consistency of the responses was estimated via Cronbach’s alpha coefficient as a measure of the reliability of the Kidscreen scores; the test–retest reproducibility was evaluated calculating the intraclass correlation coefficient and the Bland–Altman limits of agreement method after the students completed the questionnaire twice.

Results

The mean age was 11.9 ± 2.5 years, and 67 (55.4%) were girls. Cronbach’s alpha ranged from 0.61 to 0.89 and intraclass correlation coefficient from 0.70 to 0.90. The mean difference was close to zero (–4.5) with narrow limits of agreement (–27.0 to 18.1). The Colombian version of the Kidscreen-52 showed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.95).

Conclusion

The values for test–retest reproducibility were similar by sex, but the intraclass correlation coefficient was lower in the age 8 to 11 group compared to the age 12 to 18 group.
Bayer digestion maintenance optimisation with lazy constraints and Benders decomposition
Authors: Spiers Sandy , Bui Hoa T. , Loxton Ryan , Mansour Moussa Reda , Hollins Kylie , Francis Richard , Martindale Christopher , Pimpale Yogesh
Published: September 2023

This paper describes a maintenance scheduling model for digester banks. Digester banks are network-connected assets that lie on the critical path of the Bayer process, a chemical refinement process that converts bauxite ore into alumina. The banks require different maintenance activities at different due times. Furthermore, the maintenance schedule is subject to production-related constraints and resource limitations. Given the complexity of scheduling maintenance for large fleets of digester banks, a continuous-time, mixed-integer linear program is formulated to find the cost-minimising maintenance schedule that satisfies all required constraints. A solution approach that employs lazy constraints and Benders decomposition is proposed to solve the model. Unlike generic implementations of Benders decomposition, we show that the subproblems can be solved explicitly using a specialist algorithm. We solve the scheduling model for realistic scenarios involving two Bayer refineries based in Western Australia.
Cuprotosis clusters predict prognosis and immunotherapy response in low-grade glioma
Authors: Zhu Wenjun , Chen Ziqi , Fu Min , Li Qianxia , Chen Xin , Li Xiaoyu , Luo Na , Tang Wenhua , Yang Feng , Zhang Yiling , Zhang Yuanyuan , Peng Xiaohong , Hu Guangyuan
Published: September 2023

Cuprotosis, an emerging mode of cell death, has recently caught the attention of researchers worldwide. However, its impact on low-grade glioma (LGG) patients has not been fully explored. To gain a deeper insight into the relationship between cuprotosis and LGG patients’ prognosis, we conducted this study in which LGG patients were divided into two clusters based on the expression of 18 cuprotosis-related genes. We found that LGG patients in cluster A had better prognosis than those in cluster B. The two clusters also differed in terms of immune cell infiltration and biological functions. Moreover, we identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the two clusters and developed a cuprotosis-related prognostic signature through the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) analysis in the TCGA training cohort. This signature divided LGG patients into high- and low-risk groups, with the high-risk group having significantly shorter overall survival (OS) time than the low-risk group. Its predictive reliability for prognosis in LGG patients was confirmed by the TCGA internal validation cohort, CGGA325 cohort and CGGA693 cohort. Additionally, a nomogram was used to predict the 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates of each patient. The analysis of immune checkpoints and tumor mutation burden (TMB) has revealed that individuals belonging to high-risk groups have a greater chance of benefiting from immunotherapy. Functional experiments confirmed that interfering with the signature gene TNFRSF11B inhibited LGG cell proliferation and migration. Overall, this study shed light on the importance of cuprotosis in LGG patient prognosis. The cuprotosis-related prognostic signature is a reliable predictor for patient outcomes and immunotherapeutic response and can help to develop new therapies for LGG.
Endogenous preferences: a challenge to constitutional political economy’s normative foundation?
Authors: Dold Malte
Published: September 2023

This paper starts with the observation from behavioral economics that preferences are endogenous, i.e., they are unstable, context-dependent, and open to processes of adaptation. It then asks whether welfare analysis and normative economics are still possible in a world populated by people with endogenous preferences. In particular, it looks at recent proposals by Viktor Vanberg and Carl Christian von Weizsäcker. In highlighting an institutional perspective, both can be seen as proponents of modern ordoliberalism and both claim that their approaches can deal with the issue of endogenous preferences in a more coherent way than approaches that remain within the mind frame of traditional welfare economics. The paper argues that in mainly highlighting the importance of information provision for individual autonomy, Vanberg’s approach of constitutional political economy (CPE) underestimates the complexity of preference endogeneity. While von Weizsäcker’s approach is a refinement of the CPE framework, the paper argues that it focuses too much on external structural conditions (viz., competition among interpersonal influences) and neglects a discussion of the necessary internal agentic capabilities for individual autonomy. The paper argues that a more intricate discussion of decision autonomy leads to a twin concern for outcome and process freedom in normative economics. Outcome freedom allows individuals to satisfy their evolving preferences and process freedom enables them to critically reflect upon their preferences and surroundings.
For Whom and What Does Cognitive Reappraisal Help? A Prospective Study
Authors: Dawel Amy , Mewton Paige , Gulliver Amelia , Farrer Louise M. , Calear Alison L. , Newman Eryn , Cherbuin Nicolas
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Recent literature highlights that no emotion regulation strategy is universally helpful or harmful. The present study aimed to build understanding of for whom and what cognitive reappraisal is helpful, by testing the influential hypothesis that reappraisal is most helpful when there is good individual or situational capacity to apply this strategy effectively.

Methods

The present study tested how eight variables theorised to be associated with the effectiveness of reappraisal moderated the link between reappraisal use and changes in depression, anxiety, loneliness, functional impairment, and wellbeing in a nationally representative sample, over three (n = 752) and twelve month (n = 512) periods.

Results

Contrary to our hypothesis, we found reappraisal was most beneficial for individuals or in situations characterised by additional vulnerabilities (e.g., average or high levels of stress, neuroticism, difficulty identifying feelings, or poor self-efficacy). Results also support prior evidence that reappraisal can be more helpful for improving wellbeing than reducing mental health symptoms.

Conclusions

Altogether, our findings provide new insight into the complex nature of relationships between reappraisal and psychological outcomes. A key clinical implication is that reappraisal may be particularly helpful for people with stable vulnerabilities (e.g., neuroticism).
Site Characterisation, Deep Basement Support, Construction, and Deformation Control
Authors: Haundi Tiyamike , Nangulama Horris K. , Mbewe Vincent R.
Published: September 2023

Deep basement construction is characterised by a deformation challenge for the excavation pit and adjacent structures. Basement construction is an unavoidable problem in urban areas. A case is found in a Triumph Unit building block project, where a 14 m basement will be constructed near the existing structures. Conducting a site survey engineering analysis before the deep basement excavation is essential to guarantee safety during basement construction. Site survey engineering analysis is vital in recommending a suitable support structure for the basement pit during excavation. Therefore, this paper takes the Triumph Unit high-rise building basement excavation project as a practical application of site survey engineering analysis on the actual construction site. Geotechnical and groundwater characterisation were achieved through field and laboratory tests. The study revealed that the site was suitable for construction of bored piles as enclosure structure. It also recommended application of steel bracing material enhanced with a hydraulic servo system as basement excavation internal support structure. The recommended support structure is applied to the actual excavation. The excavation-induced deformation with respect to the recommended support structure application is strictly monitored and controlled. The measured project site results show the effectiveness of site survey engineering analysis in recommending a suitable deep basement excavation support system that controls the excavation-induced deformation desirably.
Fluorescence Naphthalene Cationic Schiff Base Reusable Paper as a Sensitive and Selective for Heavy Metals Cations Sensor: RSM, Optimization, and DFT Modelling
Authors: Tawfik Salah M. , Farag Ahmed A. , Abd-Elaal Ali A.
Published: September 2023

Heavy metals are particularly damaging contaminants in the environment, and even trace concentrations represent a risk to human health due to their toxicity. To detect the heavy metals of Mn2+ and Co2+ ions, a novel selective reusable paper-based Fluorescence naked-eye sensor based on naphthalene cationic Schiff base (NCSB) was synthesized and confirmed using FT-IR, 1 H-NMR, and MS tools. Based on a blue to colorless color change in the aqueous solution, the NCSB sensor is utilized to Mn2+ and Co2+ cations selectively among other metal ions (Fe2+, Cu2+, Mg2+, Ni2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, Hg2+, Pb2+, Sn2+ and Cr3+). In the aqueous medium, the NCSB sensor displayed high sensitivity, with limits of detection (LOD) values of 0.014 µM (14.08 nM) and 0.041 µM (41.47 nM) for Mn2+ and Co2+ cations, respectively. The paper-based sensor naked-eye detected Mn2+ and Co2+ cations in water at concentrations as low as 0.65 µM (65 nM) and 0.086 µM (86 nM), respectively. It was discovered that 5 min of incubation time and a pH range of 7 to 11 were optimal for the complexation reaction between the Mn2+ and Co2+ ions and the NCSB sensor. Through a static quenching process, the interaction of the different metal ions with the Schiff base group in the NCSB molecule results in the development of a ground-state non-fluorescent complex. NCSB sensor was also successfully applied in analysis of Mn2+ and Co2+ in environmental water with good recoveries of 94.8–105.9%. The theoretical calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) studies are in support of experimental interpretations. The links between the input factors and the anticipated response were evaluated using the quadratic model of the response surface methodology (RSM) modeling.
Premeditated, Organized and Impactful: Dating Violence as a Method of Committing Hate Crimes Against LGBTQ People in Russia
Authors: Katsuba Sergei
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The purpose of the research is to identify and analyze the cases of dating violence among the hate crimes against LGBTQ people in Russia. Dating violence (attacks on LGBTQ people with the use of dating services) became a common method of committing hate crimes in Russia in the late 2010s and was enabled by the discriminatory policies of the state.

Method

This research is part of a bigger project on anti-LGBTQ violence. The project generated a database of more than 1000 cases of such violence between 2010 and 2020 using court rulings as a primary source of data The current research is a continuation of this effort, it is looking into a specific category of hate crime – premeditated attacks in order to analyze the cases of dating violence.

Results

The research established that most of the cases in the category of premeditated attacks are cases of dating violence (239 out of 347). Most of those crimes (209) are cases of collective violence (committed by different anti-LGBTQ hate groups). There is evidence of the community impact in the incidents and in the agendas of the hate groups.

Conclusions

The research adds to the theoretical model of the progression of prejudice and argues that dating violence represents a more developed form of violence against LGBTQ people. This is due to the three distinguishing features (premeditation, collective form, and community impact) that are present in the cases.
Local ecological knowledge and wise use of ephemeral wetlands: the case of the Cowal system, Australia
Authors: Liu Xiaoying , Watts Robyn J. , Allan Catherine
Published: September 2023

Ephemeral wetlands are important ecologically but are often jurisdictionally complex and under-studied. Forms of local knowledge, including local ecological knowledge (LEK) and farmer knowledge, are increasingly recognised as able to complement other scientific knowledge for planning and management. This paper contributes to the discussion on the value and potential use of local knowledge by considering the Cowal system, an ephemeral wetland in dryland Australia. The Cowal system’s hydrological regime is highly variable, with drying and wetting cycles influenced by distant rainfall events. There is limited historical scientific data available for the system. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with local landholders who privately own the land within the Cowal system. The aggregated results showcase their knowledge and understanding of the ecological functions of the Cowal system, highlight some current ephemeral wetland management activities and indicate their concerns for the future. LEK is shown to be a valuable source of historical and planning data. For example, their combined memories and family records of the Cowal system provide the only historical record of the timeline of the wetland’s filling and drying, and support their concerns about the alteration of the natural hydrological regime because of developments in the catchment area. The research suggests that LEK should be actively sought by scientists, managers, and planners of wetlands, especially where baseline and systems information is scant.
An Investigation into the Free Vibration of Intact and Cracked FGM Plates
Authors: Shehab Mohamed B. , Taima Moustafa S. , Sayed Hussein , El-Sayed Tamer A.
Published: September 2023

In this study, the linear free vibration of intact and cracked functionally graded material plates is investigated numerically and experimentally. The experimental work is limited to the isotropic materials. The numerical work is based on finite element, where a code is developed to obtain the natural frequencies of intact plates based on the first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT) using MATLAB software. Also, a model of through-cracked FGM plate is developed using ANSYS Workbench with the help of APDL coding. The material properties of the plates under study are graded in one, two, and three directions. The novelty of this study emerges through its examination of the synergistic impacts resulting from variations in FGM material properties, crack length, crack orientation, and crack location. These effects are comprehensively discussed in the results section. The result of the present model shows that the use of three-directional FGM reduces the natural frequency compared with the other cases of two-directional and unidirectional FGM. Also, the results show that the effect of FGM gradient on the frequency of intact and cracked plate is high when the gradient index$$n < 3 .$$n<3.The present paper results are useful for the design of FGM plates especially when cracks exist.
Everyday Resistance in the U.K.’s National Health Service
Authors: Essex Ryan , Dillard-Wright Jess , Aitchison Guy , Aked Hil
Published: September 2023

Resistance is a concept understudied in the context of health and healthcare. This is in part because visible forms of social protest are sometimes understood as incongruent with professional identity, leading healthcare workers to separate their visible actions from their working life. Resistance takes many forms, however, and focusing exclusively on the visible means more subtle forms of everyday resistance are likely to be missed. The overarching aim of this study was to explore how resistance was enacted within the workplace amongst a sample of twelve healthcare workers, based in the United Kingdom; exploring the forms that such action took and how this intersected with health and healthcare. In depth-interviews were conducted and results were analysed utilizing Lilja’s framework (2022). Our findings suggest that resistance took a number of forms, from more direct confrontational acts, to those which sought to avoid power or which sought to create alternative or prefigurative practices or norms. These findings speak to the complexities, ambiguities, and contradictions of resistance, as carried out by healthcare workers in the workplace. While many acts had clear political motives, with issues like climate change in mind for example, participants also described how the act of providing care itself could be an act of resistance. While saying something about our participants, this also said something about the healthcare systems in which they worked. These findings also raise a range of normative issues. Perhaps needless to say, there appears to be substantial scope to expand and interrogate our findings and apply the idea of resistance to health and healthcare.