bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Isolation, identification, molecular typing, and drug resistance of Escherichia coli from infected cattle and sheep in Xinjiang, China
Authors: Gu Xiaoxiao , Ma Xue , Wu Qin , Tao Qiaoxiaoci , Chai Yingjin , Zhou Xia , Han Mengli , Li Jie , Huang Xin , Wu Tongzhong , Zhang Xingxing , Zhong Fagang , Cao Yiheng , Zhang Liyuan
Published: March 2023

Background

Escherichia coli infections are common in Xinjiang, a major region of cattle and sheep breeding in China. Therefore, strategies are required to control E. coli. The aim of this study was to investigate the phylogenetic groups, virulence genes, and antibiotic resistance characteristics of E. coli isolates.

Methods

In this study, 116 tissue samples were collected from the organs of cattle and sheep that were suspected of having E. coli infections between 2015 and 2019. Bacteria in the samples were identified using a biochemical identification system and amplification of 16S rRNA, and the phylogenetic groupings of E. coli isolates were determined by multiplex polymerase chain reactions. In addition, PCR detection and analysis of virulence factors, antibiotic resistance genes, and drug‐resistant phenotypes of E. coli isolates were performed.

Results

A total of 116 pathogenic E. coli strains belonging to seven phylogenetic groups were isolated, with the majority of isolates in groups A and B1. Among the virulence genes, curli‐encoding crl had the highest detection rate of 97.4%, followed by hemolysin‐encoding hlyE with the detection rate of 94.82%. Antimicrobial susceptibility test results indicated that the isolates had the highest rates of resistance against streptomycin (81.9%).

Conclusion

These characteristics complicate the prevention and treatment of E. coli‐related diseases in Xinjiang.
Momentum space CFT correlators of non-conserved spinning operators
Authors: Marotta Raffaele , Skenderis Kostas , Verma Mritunjay
Published: March 2023

Abstract

We analyse the 3-point CFT correlators involving non-conserved spinning operators in momentum space. We derive a general expression for the conformal Ward identities defining the 3-point functions involving two generic spin s non-conserved operators and a spin 1 conserved current. We give explicit expressions for the 3-point function when the two non-conserved operators have spins 1 and 2 and generic conformal dimensions. We also systematically analyse the divergences appearing in these 3-point functions when the conformal dimensions of the two non-conserved operators coincide.
Regular black holes and horizonless ultra-compact objects in Lorentz-violating gravity
Authors: Mazza Jacopo , Liberati Stefano
Published: March 2023

Abstract

There is growing evidence that Hořava gravity may be a viable quantum theory of gravity. It is thus legitimate to expect that gravitational collapse in the full, non-projectable version of the theory should result in geometries that are free of space-time singularities. Previous analyses have shown that such geometries must belong to one of the following classes: simply connected regular black holes with inner horizons; non-connected black holes “hiding” a wormhole mouth (black bounces); simply connected or non-connected horizonless compact objects. Here, we consider a singular black hole in the low-energy limit of non-projectable Hořava gravity, i.e. khronometric theory, and describe examples of its possible “regularisations”, covering all of the viable classes. To our knowledge, these examples constitute the first instances of black holes with inner universal horizons, of black bounces and of stars with a de Sitter core in the context of Lorentz-violating theories of gravity.
Renormalisation group equations for BRST-restored chiral theory in dimensional renormalisation: application to two-loop chiral-QED
Authors: Bélusca-Maïto Hermès
Published: March 2023

Abstract

We discuss how renormalisation group equations can be consistently formulated using the algebraic renormalisation framework, in the context of a dimensionally-renormalised chiral field theory in the BMHV scheme, where the BRST symmetry, originally broken at the quantum level, is restored via finite counterterms. We compare it with the more standard multiplicative renormalisation approach, which application would be more cumbersome in this setting. Both procedures are applied and compared on the example of a massless chiral right-handed QED model, and beta-function and anomalous dimensions are evaluated up to two-loop orders.
The Lamb shift in the BTZ spacetime
Authors: Yu Yaqian , Zhang Jialin , Yu Hongwei
Published: March 2023

Abstract

We study the Lamb shift of a two-level atom arising from its coupling to the conformal massless scalar field, which satisfies the Dirichlet boundary condition, in the Hartle-Hawking vacuum in the BTZ spacetime, and find that the Lamb shift in the BTZ spacetime is structurally similar to that of a uniformly accelerated atom near a perfectly reflecting boundary in (2+1)-dimensional flat spacetime. Our results show that the Lamb shift is suppressed in the BTZ spacetime as compared to that in the flat spacetime as long as the transition wavelength of the atom is much larger than AdS radius of the BTZ spacetime while it can be either suppressed or enhanced if the transition wavelength of the atom is much less than AdS radius, depending on the location of the atom. In contrast, the Lamb shift is always suppressed very close to the horizon of the BTZ spacetime and remarkably it reduces to that in the flat spacetime as the horizon is approached although the local temperature blows up there.
Spin-3/2 and spin-2 charged massive states in a constant electromagnetic background
Authors: Benakli Karim , Daniel Cassiano A. , Ke Wenqi
Published: March 2023

Abstract

We develop in components the superspace action obtained in [1] describing the first massive level of the open charged superstring in a flat four-dimensional spacetime. In the absence of an electromagnetic background, we show how the Rarita-Schwinger and Fierz-Pauli Lagrangians are retrieved for spin-3/2 and 2, respectively. We then write different forms of the action in the presence of the electromagnetic background. The resulting equations of motion describe the propagation of fields of charged spin-3/2 and spin-1/2 on the one hand, and spin-2, 1 and 0 on the other.
Spectral Properties of Differential–Difference Symmetrized Operators
Authors: Stempak Krzysztof
Published: March 2023

We investigate some spectral properties of differential–difference operators, which are symmetrizations of differential operators of the form $$(\mathfrak {d}^\dagger \mathfrak {d})^k$$

(

d

†

d
)

k

and $$(\mathfrak {d}\mathfrak {d}^\dagger )^k$$

(
d

d

†

)

k

, $$k\geqslant 1$$

k
⩾
1

. Here, $$\mathfrak {d}=p\frac{d}{\textrm{d}x} +q$$

d
=
p

d

d
x

+
q

and $$\mathfrak {d}^\dagger $$

d

†

stands for the formal adjoint of $$\mathfrak {d}$$
d
on $$L^2((0,b),w\,\textrm{d}x)$$

L
2

(

(
0
,
b
)

,
w

d
x
)

. In the simpliest case $$k=1$$

k
=
1

, this symmetrization brings in the operator $$-\mathfrak {D}^2$$

-

D

2

, which can be seen as a ‘Laplacian’, and $$\mathfrak {D}f:=\mathfrak {D}_{\mathfrak {d}}f= \mathfrak {d}(f_{\text {even}})-\mathfrak {d}^\dagger (f_{\text {odd}})$$

D
f
:
=

D
d

f
=
d

(

f
even

)

-

d

†

(

f
odd

)

, a skew-symmetric operator in $$L^2(I,w\,\textrm{d}x)$$

L
2

(
I
,
w

d
x
)

, $$I=(-\,b,0)\cup (0,b)$$

I
=
(
-

b
,
0
)
∪
(
0
,
b
)

, is the symmetrization of $$\mathfrak {d}$$
d
. Investigated spectral properties include self-adjoint extensions, among them the Friedrichs extensions, of the symmetrized operators.
What is known about the RegentK regenerative treatment for ruptured anterior cruciate ligament? A scoping review
Authors: Tedeschi Roberto , Giorgi Federica
Published: March 2023

Background

Conservative/regenerative therapy for cruciate ligament ruptures can be considered as primary treatment. However, nowadays, the first option is almost always only surgical, although studies on the efficacy of intervention exist in the literature.

Objective

This scoping review aimed to map and summarize the literature to identify interventions with RegentK treatment available for cruciate ligament ruptures.

Methods

Four databases were searched until May 2022. Studies that considered anterior cruciate ruptures treated with the RegentK method could be included. All interventions and contexts were considered. No restrictions were applied regarding language, study design, or publication type. No grey literature and reference lists of included articles were identified. Results were presented in numerical and thematic form.

Results

From 245 initial records, 7 studies met the inclusion criteria. Most of the articles were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and considered sports patients with cruciate ligament ruptures. The authors discuss only one range of interventions: conservative (n = 7); specifically, the conservative/regenerative RegentK treatment.

Conclusion

This is the first scoping review that provides a comprehensive overview of the topic. The results revealed clear gaps in primary research, confirming that current management is based on surgery. This review may be useful for overall management and may provide a starting point for future research.
The effect of light emission spectrum on biohydrogen production by Rhodopseudomonas palustris
Authors: Bosman Catharine Elizabeth , Pott Robert William McClelland , Bradshaw Steven Martin
Published: March 2023

Photofermentative hydrogen production has gained increasing attention as a source of green energy. To make such photofermentation processes economically competitive, operating costs need to be reduced, possibly through outdoor operation. Because photofermentation processes are light dependent, the emission spectrum and intensity of light both have a significant influence on the hydrogen production and merit investigation. This study investigates the effect of light sources on the hydrogen production and growth of Rhodopseudomonas palustris, comparing the organism’s productivity under longer-wavelength light and light mimicking sunlight. Hydrogen production is enhanced under longer-wavelength light, producing 26.8% (± 7.3%) more hydrogen as compared to under light mimicking that of sunlight; however, R. palustris is still able to produce a considerable volume of hydrogen under light with a spectrum mimicking that of sunlight, providing a promising avenue for future research.
Interconnectivity of fear of progression and generalized anxiety – Network analysis among a sample of hematological cancer survivors
Authors: Göbel Philipp , Kuba Katharina , Götze Heide , Mehnert-Theuerkauf Anja , Spitzer Carsten , Hartung Tim , Esser Peter
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Fear of cancer progression and
recurrence (FoP) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) are syndromes commonly seen in cancer patients. This study applied network analysis to investigate how symptoms of both concepts are interconnected.

Methods

We used cross-sectional data from hematological cancer survivors. A regularized Gaussian graphical model including symptoms of FoP (FoP-Q) and GAD (GAD-7) was estimated. We investigated (i) the overall network structure and (ii) tested on pre-selected items whether both syndromes could be differentiated based on their worry content (cancer related vs. generalized). For this purpose, we applied a metric named bridge expected influence (BEI). Lower values mean that an item is only weakly connected with the items of the other syndrome, which can be an indication of its distinctive characteristic.

Results

Out of 2001 eligible hematological cancer survivors, 922 (46%) participated. The mean age was 64 years and 53% were female. The mean partial correlation within each construct (GAD: r = .13; FoP: r = .07) was greater than between both (r = .01). BEI values among items supposed to discriminate between the constructs (e.g., worry about many things within GAD and fear not to endure treatment within FoP) were among the smallest so our assumptions were confirmed.

Conclusions

Our findings based on the network analysis support the hypothesis that FoP and GAD are different concepts within oncology. Our exploratory data needs to be validated in future longitudinal studies.
An improved parameterization procedure for NDDO-descendant semi-empirical methods
Authors: Ong Adrian Wee Wen , Cao Steve Yueran , Kwek Leong Chuan
Published: March 2023

Concept

MNDO-based semi-empirical methods in quantum chemistry have found widespread application in the modelling of large and complex systems. A method for the analytic evaluation of first and second derivatives of molecular properties against semi-empirical parameters in MNDO-based NDDO-descendant models is presented, and the resultant parameter Hessian is compared against the approximant currently used in parameterization for the PMx models.

Methods

As a proof of concept, the exact parameter Hessian is employed in a limited reparameterization of MNDO for the elements C, H, N, O and F using 1206 molecules for reference data (heats of formation, ionization energies, dipole moments and reference geometries). The correctness of our MNDO implementation was verified by comparing the calculated molecular properties with the MOPAC program.
There is a trade-off between forest productivity and animal biodiversity in Europe
Authors: Khamila C. N. , Groen T. A. , Toxopeus A. G. , Santini L. , Neumann M. , Van Swaay C. , Sierdsema H.
Published: March 2023

While forest productivity and biodiversity are expected to be correlated, prioritizing either forest productivity or biodiversity can result in different management. Spatial quantification of the congruence between areas suitable for either one can inform planning. Here we quantify the relationship between net primary productivity of European forests and biodiversity of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and butterflies both separately and in combination, and map their spatial congruence. We used richness maps obtained by stacking species distribution models for these animal species, and average net primary production from 2000 to 2012 using moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) data. We tested how biodiversity and primary productivity are correlated and quantified the spatial congruence of these two sources. We show the areas where high or low productivity co-occur with high or low biodiversity using a quantile-based overlay analysis. Productivity was positively correlated to overall biodiversity and mammal, herptile and butterfly biodiversity, but biodiversity of birds showed a weak negative correlation. There were no significant differences in the strength of relationship across species groups, while herptiles had stronger relationships with productivity compared to other groups. Overlap analysis revealed significant spatial overlap between productivity and biodiversity in all species groups, except for birds. High value areas for both productivity and biodiversity in all species groups, except birds, co-occurred in the Mediterranean and temperate regions. The areas with high biodiversity of birds are mainly found in the boreal areas of Europe, while for all other species groups these areas are mostly located on the Iberian Peninsula and the Balkan ranges. Based on the presented maps, areas where regulating wood production activities to conserve species can be identified. But the maps also help to identify areas where either biodiversity or productivity is high and focusing on just one aspect is more straightforward.
Long-Term and Meditation-Specific Modulations of Brain Connectivity Revealed Through Multivariate Pattern Analysis
Authors: Guidotti Roberto , D’Andrea Antea , Basti Alessio , Raffone Antonino , Pizzella Vittorio , Marzetti Laura
Published: March 2023

Neuroimaging studies have provided evidence that extensive meditation practice modifies the functional and structural properties of the human brain, such as large-scale brain region interplay. However, it remains unclear how different meditation styles are involved in the modulation of these large-scale brain networks. Here, using machine learning and fMRI functional connectivity, we investigated how focused attention and open monitoring meditation styles impact large-scale brain networks. Specifically, we trained a classifier to predict the meditation style in two groups of subjects: expert Theravada Buddhist monks and novice meditators. We showed that the classifier was able to discriminate the meditation style only in the expert group. Additionally, by inspecting the trained classifier, we observed that the Anterior Salience and the Default Mode networks were relevant for the classification, in line with their theorized involvement in emotion and self-related regulation in meditation. Interestingly, results also highlighted the role of specific couplings between areas crucial for regulating attention and self-awareness as well as areas related to processing and integrating somatosensory information. Finally, we observed a larger involvement of left inter-hemispheric connections in the classification. In conclusion, our work supports the evidence that extensive meditation practice modulates large-scale brain networks, and that the different meditation styles differentially affect connections that subserve style-specific functions.
Identification of Tomato mottle mosaic virus in historic seed accessions originating from France, the Netherlands and Spain, indicates a wider presence before its first description
Authors: Schoen Ruben , de Koning Pier , Oplaat Carla , Roenhorst Annelien , Westenberg Marcel , van der Gaag Dirk Jan , Barnhoorn Ruud , Koenraadt Harrie , van Dooijeweert Willem , Lievers Rik , Woudt Bert , Tavares Carla Pinto , Botermans Marleen
Published: March 2023

Tomato mottle mosaic virus (ToMMV) is a tobamovirus found in a Solanum lycopersicum sample collected in Mexico in 2009. To assess the possible presence of ToMMV in Europe, accessions from a historic seed collection were tested by real-time RT-PCR and Illumina sequencing. ToMMV was identified in historical seed accessions produced in France, the Netherlands and Spain. Three different near complete genome sequences were obtained, each corresponding to the country in which the seeds had been produced. Positive samples from France and Spain could be related to the same production location and year, respectively, while the identical genome sequences from the Netherlands were obtained from samples produced in different locations and years between 1981 and 2007. The latter could be due to the fact that the Dutch seed accessions had been repacked in the past at the same location and time as accessions with a relatively high virus load from 2007. This indicates that possibly only the seeds from 2007 originated from ToMMV-infected plants, while the detection of ToMMV in the older seed accessions resulted from cross contamination. This data shows that ToMMV has been around in Europe before its first description and is possibly more widespread than currently known.
The trade effects of product market regulation in global value chains: evidence from OECD and BRICS countries between 2000 and 2015
Authors: Böhmecke-Schwafert Moritz , Blind Knut
Published: March 2023

Global Value Chains (GVC) have reshaped the landscape of international trade. The quality and intensity of regulation significantly impacts firms' competitiveness and their ability to engage in GVC. Economic literature suggests that regulation of product market competition has a detrimental effect on trade by decreasing productivity, innovation, and economic growth. This paper expands existing knowledge on this relationship by examining the influence of product market regulation (PMR) on value-added trade flows in an augmented gravity model. We constructed a data panel with trade data from 40 OECD and BRICS countries in the period from 2000 to 2015 and combined it with an extensive multi-level indicator set on PMR developed by the OECD. By disentangling the PMR indicators, we account for the heterogeneity of regulation and potential different trade effects. Overall, our evidence suggests that PMR has a negative impact on trade. Further, our results indicate that the negative impact stems largely from barriers to trade and investment. For the BRICS, our results suggest the contrary: We observed an overall positive trade effect of PMR, mainly driven by barriers to trade and investment. Our results support identifying policy areas in which regulatory reform can improve the integration in GVC and emphasize different approaches to economic policy, particularly in emerging economies such as the BRICS. Moreover, the results underline the detrimental effects of increasing protectionism and tariff hikes, a phenomenon that we increasingly observe in recent years from the world’s largest economies, such as the United States and China.
Modeling Stakeholders’ Perceptions in Participatory Multi-risk Assessment on a Deltaic Environment Under Climate Change Conditions
Authors: Katirtzidou Margarita , Skoulikaris Charalampos , Makris Christos , Baltikas Vasilis , Latinopoulos Dionysis , Krestenitis Yannis
Published: March 2023

Modern concepts in water resources management and related risk assessment necessitate participatory approaches with stakeholders having a key role in the respective processes. The objective of the article is to (i) integrate stakeholders’ opinions and preferences on identified hazards, i.e., coastal flooding, water scarcity, and heat stress, derived by physically based numerical modeling under current and future climate change conditions and attributed in the form of an Integrated deltaic risk index (IDRI) at a specific case study area, and (ii) investigate whether and how the stakeholders’ opinions differentiate the initial outputs coming from the mathematical models. Doing so, stakeholders’ mapping was conducted in tandem with interviews for the detection of responsibilities, tasks, importance, and influence, followed by a structured questionnaire for registering the stakeholders’ perception on climate change impacts and relevant estimated hazards at the same deltaic case study area. Thereafter, a stakeholder-based risk assessment model was constructed based on two methods: (a) stakeholders’ opinion and answers about the impact of each identified hazard are equally taken into consideration, and (b) stakeholders are divided into groups and evaluated through multi-criteria analysis. Finally, the produced weights by the two methods are appropriately coupled with the identified hazards and resulted in the development of a Stakeholder Participatory multi-Risk Index (SPmRI) per method. The comparison of the produced SPmRIs with the IDRI, which was formulated without considering any stakeholders’ participation, reveals noticeable differentiation of modeled outputs especially in cases of high index values, corroborating the need for stakeholders’ opinion inclusion through the SPmRI approach. The proposed methodology fosters the interaction of stakeholders’ perception with modeling-based hazard assessment as a modern tool for decision-making processes.
Effect of corruption on green growth
Authors: Tawiah Vincent , Zakari Abdulrasheed , Alvarado Rafael
Published: March 2023

Corruption as a social and cultural epidemic is likely to influence the environmental sustainability and quality of the world we live in, where climate change threatens our survival, both now and in the future. Therefore, in this paper, we use large panel data of 123 countries between 2000 and 2017 to examine the environmental effect of corruption on green growth. Consistent with prior studies and due to the slow-changing nature of corruption, we used the pooled ordinary least square as the primary estimator. We also employ the System-Generalised Method of Moments and Two-Stage Least Square Instrumental Variable analysis to control country-specific effects and simultaneity bias caused by potential endogeneity. The results show a negative and significant relationship between corruption and green growth, suggesting that highly corrupt countries are less likely to improve the environmental consequences of rapid economic growth. Quantitatively, ceteris paribus, a 1% increase in corruption (control of corruption), given its standard deviation, leads to a 15.47% decrease in green growth. This is equivalent to about 0.912 US dollars per kilogram decrease in green growth. In further analyses, we find that the relationship between corruption and green growth is similar in both developed and developing countries implying that no country is immune from the environmental effect of corruption. The findings highlight the need to control corruption to achieve sustainable economic and environmentally friendly development, especially as Agenda 2030 fast approaches.
Signing on: A Contractarian Understanding of How Public History is Used for Civic Inclusion
Authors: Abrahams Daniel
Published: March 2023

What makes public history more than just another hill to fight over in culture war politics? In this paper I propose a novel way of understanding the political significance of how public history creates and shapes identities: a contractarian one. I argue that public history can be sensibly understood as representing groups as a society’s contracting parties. One particular value of the contractarian approach is that it helps to elucidate the phenomenon of “signing on,” where a marginalized or oppressed group is offered membership in a society without the social order being meaningfully changed.
Industrial Robots and Regional Fertility in European Countries
Authors: Matysiak Anna , Bellani Daniela , Bogusz Honorata
Published: March 2023

In this study, we examine whether the long-term structural changes in the labour market, driven by automation, affect fertility. The adoption of industrial robots is used as a proxy for these changes. It has tripled since the mid-1990s in the EU, tremendously changing the conditions of participating in the labour market. On the one hand, new jobs are created, benefitting largely the highly skilled workers. On the other hand, the growing turnover in the labour market and changing content of jobs induce fears of job displacement and make workers continuously adjust to new requirements (reskill, upskill, increase work efforts). The consequences of these changes are particularly strong for the employment and earning prospects of low and middle-educated workers. Our focus is on six European countries: Czechia, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and the UK. We link regional data on fertility and employment structures by industry from Eurostat (NUTS-2) with data on robot adoption from the International Federation of Robotics. We estimate fixed effects linear models with instrumental variables in order to account for the external shocks which may affect fertility and robot adoption in parallel. Our findings suggest robots tend to exert a negative impact on fertility in highly industrialised regions, regions with relatively low educated populations and those which are technologically less advanced. At the same time, better educated and prospering regions may even experience fertility improvements as a result of technological change. The family and labour market institutions of the country may further moderate these effects.
Global guidance for local generalization in model checking
Authors: Vediramana Krishnan Hari Govind , Chen YuTing , Shoham Sharon , Gurfinkel Arie
Published: March 2023

SMT-based model checkers, especially IC3-style ones, are currently the most effective techniques for verification of infinite state systems. They infer global inductive invariants via local reasoning about a single step of the transition relation of a system, while employing SMT-based procedures, such as interpolation, to mitigate the limitations of local reasoning and allow for better generalization. Unfortunately, these mitigations intertwine model checking with heuristics of the underlying SMT-solver, negatively affecting stability of model checking. In this paper, we propose to tackle the limitations of locality in a systematic manner. We introduce explicit global guidance into the local reasoning performed by IC3-style algorithms. To this end, we extend the SMT-IC3 paradigm with three novel rules, designed to mitigate fundamental sources of failure that stem from locality. We instantiate these rules for Linear Integer Arithmetic and Linear Rational Aritmetic and implement them on top of Spacer solver in Z3. Our empirical results show that GSpacer, Spacer extended with global guidance, is significantly more effective than both Spacer and sole global reasoning, and, furthermore, is insensitive to interpolation.
An examination of the influence of drained peatlands on regional stream water chemistry
Authors: Pschenyckyj Catharine , Donahue Thomas , Kelly-Quinn Mary , O’Driscoll Connie , Renou-Wilson Florence
Published: March 2023

Currently, 50% of Irish rivers do not meet water quality standards, with many declining due to numerous pressures, including peatland degradation. This study examines stream water quality in the Irish midlands, a region where raised bogs have been all historically disturbed to various extent and the majority drained for industrial or domestic peat extraction. For the first time, we provide in-depth analysis of stream water chemistry within a heavily modified bog landscape. Small streams from degraded bogs exhibited greater levels of pollutants, in particular: total dissolved nitrogen (0.48 mg/l) and sulphate (18.49 mg/l) as well as higher electrical conductivity (mean: 334 μS/cm) compared to similar bog streams in near-natural bogs. Except for site-specific nitrogen pollution in certain streams surrounding degraded peatlands, the chemical composition of the receiving streams did not significantly differ between near-natural and degraded sites, reflecting the spatio-temporal scales of disturbance in this complex peat-scape. Dissolved organic carbon concentrations in all the receiving streams were high (27.2 mg/l) compared to other Irish streams, even within other peatland catchments. The region is experiencing overall a widespread loss of fluvial nitrogen and carbon calling for (a) the development of management instruments at site-level (water treatment) and landscape-level (rewetting) to assist with meeting water quality standards in the region, and (b) the routine monitoring of water chemistry as part of current and future peatland management activities.
Mathematical modeling, parameter identification, and electrical performance of a DSSC based on nature-inspired optimization techniques
Authors: Atia Doaa M. , Ahmed Ninet M.
Published: March 2023

The aim of this research is to achieve the highest efficiency for a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) before the fabrication process. For DSSC efficiency improvement, six different optimization algorithms are used for the DSSC parameter extraction. The algorithms used are the genetic algorithm, grey wolf algorithm, dragonfly algorithm, moth flame algorithm, ant-lion algorithm, and whale algorithm, developed based on MATLAB coding. The physical parameters for the DSSC are the electron lifetime, electrode thickness, ideality factor, absorption coefficient, and diffusion coefficient. A comparative study is carried out among the six algorithms based on the highest efficiency and computational speed. Finally, a sensitivity analysis of environmental conditions (solar irradiance and temperature) and physical parameters is implemented and analyzed to simulate the DSSC performance for different values of these parameters. The DSSC parameters studied are short-circuit current density, open-circuit voltage, fill factor, and efficiency. The optimal electron lifetime is 100 ms, and the optimal thickness of the photoanode layer is 1 μm, reaching maximum efficiency equal to 11.79%.
ProtoSimi: label correction for fine-grained visual categorization
Authors: Shen Jialiang , Yao Yu , Huang Shaoli , Wang Zhiyong , Zhang Jing , Wang Ruxing , Yu Jun , Liu Tongliang
Published: March 2023

Deep models trained by using clean data have achieved tremendous success in fine-grained image classification. Yet, they generally suffer from significant performance degradation when encountering noisy labels. Existing approaches to handle label noise, though proved to be effective for generic object recognition, usually fail on fine-grained data. The reason is that, on fine-grained data, the category difference is subtle and the training sample size is small. Then deep models could easily overfit the noisy labels. To improve the robustness of deep models on noisy data for fine-grained visual categorization, in this paper, we propose a novel learning framework named ProtoSimi. Our method employs an adaptive label correction strategy, ensuring effective learning on limited data. Specifically, our approach considers the criteria of exploring the effectiveness of both global class-prototype and part class-prototype similarities in identifying and correcting labels of samples. We evaluate our method on three standard benchmarks of fine-grained recognition. Experimental results show that our method outperforms the existing label noisy methods by a large margin. In ablation studies, we also verify that our method is non-sensitive to hyper-parameters selection and can be integrated with other FGVC methods to increase the generalization performance.
Fabrication of electrodes by deposition of lead clusters from the Matrix Assembly Cluster Source (MACS) into porous carbon paper for electrocatalysis
Authors: Kazimierska E. , Niu Y. , McCormack J. , Tizaoui C. , Cobley Richard J. , Palmer R. E.
Published: March 2023

The scaling up of the intensity of beams of atomic clusters (nanoparticle beams) creates a new route to the fabrication of functional nanostructured materials. A challenge is to present, to the directed beam, high surface areas of the desired support material, for decoration by the clusters at local sub-monolayer densities. Then, the clusters and their properties can be preserved. Here we employ the Matrix Assembly Cluster Source (MACS) to demonstrate and characterise the deposition of lead clusters, with size of order 2 nm, into planar sheets of porous carbon paper, a material employed in electrode fabrication. We find that clusters are deposited to a depth comparable with the pore size of the carbon, ~ 50 μm, giving rise to a metal loading of ~ 0.05 mg cm−2 of carbon paper. The functionality of the nanocomposite film so created is demonstrated by its use as an electrode for the electrochemical generation of oxidising species suitable for water purification.
The patients’ experience of neuroimaging of primary brain tumors: a cross-sectional survey study
Authors: Wamelink Ivar J. H. G. , Hempel Hugo L. , van de Giessen Elsmarieke , Vries Mark H. M. , De Witt Hamer Philip , Barkhof Frederik , Keil Vera C.
Published: March 2023

Purpose

To gain insight into how patients with primary brain tumors experience MRI, follow-up protocols, and gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) use.

Methods

Primary brain tumor patients answered a survey after their MRI exam. Questions were analyzed to determine trends in patients’ experience regarding the scan itself, follow-up frequency, and the use of GBCAs. Subgroup analysis was performed on sex, lesion grade, age, and the number of scans. Subgroup comparison was made using the Pearson chi-square test and the Mann–Whitney U-test for categorical and ordinal questions, respectively.

Results

Of the 100 patients, 93 had a histopathologically confirmed diagnosis, and seven were considered to have a slow-growing low-grade tumor after multidisciplinary assessment and follow-up. 61/100 patients were male, with a mean age ± standard deviation of 44 ± 14 years and 46 ± 13 years for the females. Fifty-nine patients had low-grade tumors. Patients consistently underestimated the number of their previous scans. 92% of primary brain tumor patients did not experience the MRI as bothering and 78% would not change the number of follow-up MRIs. 63% of the patients would prefer GBCA-free MRI scans if diagnostically equally accurate. Women found the MRI and receiving intravenous cannulas significantly more uncomfortable than men (p = 0.003). Age, diagnosis, and the number of previous scans had no relevant impact on the patient experience.

Conclusion

Patients with primary brain tumors experienced current neuro-oncological MRI practice as positive. Especially women would, however, prefer GBCA-free imaging if diagnostically equally accurate. Patient knowledge of GBCAs was limited, indicating improvable patient information.
Congestion aware ant colony optimisation algorithm for routing and spectrum assignment in flexi-grid optical burst switching networks
Authors: Oladipo Joshua , du Plessis Mathys C. , Gibbon Tim
Published: March 2023

This paper presents an improved distributed ant colony optimisation algorithm for routing and spectrum assignment (RSA) on optical burst switched (OBS), flexible spectrum networks, with the spectrum continuity constraint imposed. The improved algorithm incorporates a distributed method for monitoring the congestion along the links and using this information to determine what route-spectrum combination should be selected to minimise the burst loss probability (BLP). Evaluations were performed on an optical burst switching simulator to determine the effect on BLP when a dynamic route congestion measure is considered as opposed to the use of the static route length measure. The evaluations, considering the effects of optical impairments, were made on different network topologies, with multiple spectrum widths provisioned on the network, and with different loads. The incorporation of congestion measures into the algorithm showed improvements in BLP over previous work in the range of 2–32% depending on the evaluation conditions.
In-Flight Performance of the ICON EUV Spectrograph
Authors: Korpela Eric J. , Sirk Martin M. , Edelstein Jerry , McPhate Jason B. , Tuminello Richard M. , Stephan Andrew W. , England Scott L. , Immel Thomas J.
Published: March 2023

We present in-flight performance measurements of the Ionospheric Connection Explorer EUV spectrometer, ICON EUV, a wide field ($17^{\circ} \times 12^{\circ} $

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) extreme ultraviolet (EUV) imaging spectrograph designed to observe the lower ionosphere at tangent altitudes between 100 and 500 km. The primary targets of the spectrometer, which has a spectral range of 54–88 nm, are the Oii emission lines at 61.6 nmand 83.4 nm. In flight calibration and performance measurement has shown that the instrument has met all of the science performance requirements. We discuss the observed and expected changes in the instrument performance due to microchannel plate charge depletion, and how these changes were tracked over the first two years of flight. This paper shows raw data products from this instrument. A parallel paper (Stephan et al. in Space Sci. Rev. 218:63, 2022) in this volume discusses the use of these raw products to determine O+ density profiles versus altitude.
Sleep apnea pathophysiology
Authors: Andrisani Giovanni , Andrisani Giorgia
Published: March 2023

Objective

The purpose of this study is to examine the pathophysiology underlying sleep apnea (SA).

Background

We consider several critical features of SA including the roles played by the ascending reticular activating system (ARAS) that controls vegetative functions and electroencephalographic findings associated with both SA and normal sleep. We evaluate this knowledge together with our current understanding of the anatomy, histology, and physiology of the mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus (MTN) and mechanisms that contribute directly to normal and disordered sleep. MTN neurons express γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors which activate them (make chlorine come out of the cells) and that can be activated by GABA released from the hypothalamic preoptic area.

Method

We reviewed the published literature focused on sleep apnea (SA) reported in Google Scholar, Scopus, and PubMed databases.

Results

The MTN neurons respond to the hypothalamic GABA release by releasing glutamate that activates neurons in the ARAS. Based on these findings, we conclude that a dysfunctional MTN may be incapable of activating neurons in the ARAS, notably those in the parabrachial nucleus, and that this will ultimately lead to SA. Despite its name, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is not caused by an airway obstruction that prevents breathing.

Conclusions

While obstruction may contribute to the overall pathology, the primary factor involved in this scenario is the lack of neurotransmitters.
A spatial econometric analysis of the environment Kuznets curve and pollution haven hypothesis in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Jeetoo Jamiil , Chinyanga Earnest Rungano
Published: March 2023

The aim of this study is to test the environment Kuznets curve (EKC) and pollution haven (PH) hypotheses in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). An important methodological point that has been over-looked by many studies is that environmental quality is not only correlated in time but also in space. For this purpose, the study applies spatial panel econometric analysis using a balanced panel of 35 SSA nations from 2002 to 2015 to examine the EKC and PH hypotheses. Both spatial interdependence and individual heterogeneity are accounted for through the application of the spatial Durbin model (SDM) so as to avoid potential bias and inefficiencies in parameter estimates. As proxies for environmental quality, panel data aggregates on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and the depletion of natural resources are utilised. The findings offer proof for the EKC theory about the depletion of natural resources in SSA. The EKC theory, however, does not apply to CO2 emissions. Moreover, the study finds that the positive scale effect of trade outweighs the negative technique effect of trade, which indicates that trade liberalisation has a negative effect on both environmental quality indices. This discovery supports the PH theory. The study also demonstrates positive spatial spill-over for natural resource depletion between neighbouring countries and negative spatial spill-over for carbon dioxide emission between close countries.
Tool management optimisation through traceability and tool wear prediction in the aviation industry
Authors: Schreiber Markus , Weisbrod Nik , Ziegenbein Amina , Metternich Joachim
Published: March 2023

The aviation industry is characterised by high manufacturing requirements of products with difficult-to-machine materials to ensure quality and safety. Standardised and secured processes and transparency in resource and material flows within production are important requirements for meeting these safety and quality standards while staying competitive on the market. Those requirements also apply to a companies’ tool management and are to be met with an optimised tool change strategy considering economic aspects at the same time. The article presents a use case of a company belonging to the aviation industry striving to achieve goals concerning costs, quality, and time in their tool management. To realise potential improvements a retrofitting traceability solution is illustrated enabling data-based maintenance strategies in the use case. The traceability solution aims to provide transparency about tool inventory, the location of tools on the shop floor and functions as data acquisition system to realise the individual tracking of used tools. Using the individual tracking data of tools and matching them with relevant machining data enables the application of data-based maintenance strategies pointing out possibilities to indicate the tools’ wear state. This approach offers benefits such as reducing the scrap rate or machining down times with a direct impact on quality, costs, or lead times of customer orders.
Language as a resource for teachers describing mathematics classroom teaching and learning: a comparative approach
Authors: Artigue Michèle , Knipping Christine , Novotná Jarmila , Specht Birte
Published: March 2023

Describing mathematics classroom teaching and learning is part of a professional expertise. Comparing ‘our distinct stories’ and ‘our professional languages’ about teaching and learning in mathematics classes around the world, reveals cultural and linguistic underpinnings of our ‘stories’ and ‘languages’. Analysing and understanding these ‘stories’ and ‘languages’ in the form of narratives of classroom lessons, is a methodological approach that allows us to study and compare language as a resource across different cultural and linguistic contexts. We based our approach on results of the Lexicon Project, which set out to document the terms and the professional vocabulary that teachers use for describing the phenomena of middle school mathematics classrooms around the world, but enlarged this approach by narratives and a narrative methodology. Our cultural comparative approach based on these narratives revealed not only technical terms that define and make explicit didactical intentions, techniques and approaches, but also offered narrative descriptions of the enactment of the didactic intentions and techniques in situ. This approach provides a deeper understanding of the potential of language and turned out to be valuable for understanding how language orients teachers’ visions and analyses of mathematics classrooms.
Exercise to Prevent and Manage Frailty and Fragility Fractures
Authors: Dent Elsa , Daly Robin M. , Hoogendijk Emiel O. , Scott David
Published: March 2023

Purpose of Review

This review identifies exercise-based recommendations to prevent and manage frailty and fragility fractures from current clinical practice guidelines. We also critically assess recently published literature in relation to exercise interventions to mitigate frailty and fragility fractures.

Recent Findings

Most guidelines presented similar recommendations that included the prescription of individually tailored, multicomponent exercise programs, discouragement of prolonged sitting and inactivity, and combining exercise with optimal nutrition. To target frailty, guidelines recommend supervised progressive resistance training (PRT). For osteoporosis and fragility fractures, exercise should include weight-bearing impact activities and PRT to target bone mineral density (BMD) at the hip and spine, and also incorporate balance and mobility training, posture exercises, and functional exercise relevant to activities of daily living to reduce falls risk. Walking as a singular intervention has limited benefits for frailty and fragility fracture prevention and management.

Current evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for frailty, osteoporosis, and fracture prevention recommend a multifaceted and targeted approach to optimise muscle mass, strength, power, and functional mobility as well as BMD.
Photocatalytic and Electrocatalytic Generation of Hydrogen Peroxide: Principles, Catalyst Design and Performance
Authors: Guo Yan , Tong Xili , Yang Nianjun
Published: March 2023

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a high-demand organic chemical reagent and has been widely used in various modern industrial applications. Currently, the prominent method for the preparation of H2O2 is the anthraquinone oxidation. Unfortunately, it is not conducive to economic and sustainable development since it is a complex process and involves unfriendly environment and potential hazards. In this context, numerous approaches have been developed to synthesize H2O2. Among them, photo/electro-catalytic ones are considered as two of the most promising manners for on-site synthesis of H2O2. These alternatives are sustainable in that only water or O2 is required. Namely, water oxidation (WOR) or oxygen reduction (ORR) reactions can be further coupled with clean and sustainable energy. For photo/electro-catalytic reactions for H2O2 generation, the design of the catalysts is extremely important and has been extensively conducted with an aim to obtain ultimate catalytic performance. This article overviews the basic principles of WOR and ORR, followed by the summary of recent progresses and achievements on the design and performance of various photo/electro-catalysts for H2O2 generation. The related mechanisms for these approaches are highlighted from theoretical and experimental aspects. Scientific challenges and opportunities of engineering photo/electro-catalysts for H2O2 generation are also outlined and discussed.