bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thermoelectric properties of hot‐pressed Ruddlesden‐Popper phases CaO(CaMnO3)m
Authors: Shi Yixuan , Sepahi Zahra , Macario Leilane R. , Sturm Cheryl , Mashmoushi Nour , Amouyal Yaron , Kleinke Holger
Published: June 2023

We investigated the Ruddlesden‐Popper series CaO(CaMnO3)m with m = 1, 2, 3, ∞, to study the impact of the varying amounts of CaO layers on their thermoelectric properties. Previous studies showed that highly dense samples are difficult to obtain due to the refractory nature of these materials. In this study, we managed to obtain dense pellets during a classical hot‐pressing step, if and only if the samples were subjected to extended ball‐milling prior to pressing, resulting in crystallite sizes of 30–35 nm after hot‐pressing. The sample with the largest amount of CaO layers (m = 1) had the lowest electrical and thermal conductivity, and the highest Seebeck coefficient, as predicted. Ultimately the perovskite CaMnO3 (m = ∞, no CaO layers) exhibited the best thermoelectric properties.
Statins and psoriasis: Position statement by the Psoriasis Task Force of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venerology
Authors: Gonzalez‐Cantero A. , Boehncke W. H. , De Sutter J. , Zamorano J. L. , Lambert J. , Puig L.
Published: June 2023

Background

Psoriasis is associated with an increased mortality risk, with cardiovascular disease being the leading excess cause (in a dose–response manner with psoriasis severity). Statins have demonstrated a reduction in all‐cause mortality with no excess of adverse events among the general population. The underuse of interventions in cardiovascular prevention, such as statins, for patients with psoriasis may be the result of an insufficient evaluation.

Objectives

To provide the dermatologist with a tool for systematizing the treatment of dyslipidemia in psoriasis, which generally escapes the scope of dermatological practice, and to facilitate decision‐making about the referral and treatment of patients.

Methods

The Psoriasis Task Force of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology performed this two‐phase study to achieve a consensus and create recommendations on the use of statin therapy in patients with psoriasis. The first phase included a systematic review to identify a list of outline concepts and recommendations according to guidelines. The second phase consisted in a two‐round Delphi study to evaluate those recommendations not literally taken from guidelines.

Results

A list of 47 concepts and recommendations to be followed by dermatologists involved in the treatment of patients with moderate–severe psoriasis was created. It included six main concepts about cardiovascular risk and psoriasis, six items related with the role of low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐c) and the benefits of statin treatment in psoriasis patients, eight recommendations about how cardiovascular risk should be assessed, three on the role of non‐invasive cardiovascular imaging, three on LDL‐c thresholds, eight key points related to statin prescription, 10 on statin treatment follow‐up and three on patient referral to another specialist.

Conclusions

The application of this position statement (close final list of concepts and recommendations) will help dermatologists to manage dyslipidemia and help psoriasis patients to reduce their cardiovascular risk.
Multiple paternity is related to adult sex ratio and sex determination system in reptiles
Authors: Pipoly Ivett , Duffy Robert , Mészáros Gábor , Bókony Veronika , Vági Balázs , Székely Tamás , Liker András
Published: June 2023

The adult sex ratio (ASR, the proportion of males in the adult population) is an emerging predictor of reproductive behaviour, and recent studies in birds and humans suggest it is a major driver of social mating systems and parental care. ASR may also influence genetic mating systems. For instance male-skewed ASRs are expected to increase the frequency of multiple paternity (defined here as a clutch or litter sired by two or more males) due to higher rates of coercive copulations by males, and/or due to females exploiting the opportunity of copulation with multiple males to increase genetic diversity of their offspring. Here, we evaluate this hypothesis in reptiles that often exhibit high frequency of multiple paternity although its ecological and life-history predictors have remained controversial. Using a comprehensive dataset of 81 species representing all four non-avian reptile orders, we show that increased frequency of multiple paternity is predicted by more male-skewed ASR, and this relationship is robust to simultaneous effects of several life-history predictors. Additionally, we show that the frequency of multiple paternity varies with the sex determination system: species with female heterogamety (ZZ/ZW sex chromosomes) exhibit higher levels of multiple paternity than species with male heterogamety (XY/XX) or temperature-dependent sex determination. Thus, our across-species comparative study provides the first evidence that genetic mating system depends on ASR in reptiles. We call for further investigations to uncover the complex evolutionary associations between mating systems, sex determination systems and ASR.

Abstract

"Phylogenetic comparative analyses of 81 non-avian reptile species show that the frequency of multiple paternity in clutches is associated with adult sex ratio. Additionally, multiple paternity varies with the sex determination system of the species."
What we owe patients when fear undermines autonomy: Concretized emotions and the incapacity to deliberate
Authors: Halpern Jodi
Published: June 2023

Fear and anxiety can interfere profoundly with a person's ability to deliberate. Patients sometimes face critical medical decisions while subject to intense emotions which involve catastrophic (or wishful) convictions about the future. Medical teams, and even psychiatrists and bioethicists, lack a model for what to do in such cases. Philosophical accounts of autonomy and the clinical criteria for decision‐making capacity derived from them fail to address cases in which emotions do not merely skew judgment but rather block decision‐making capacity itself. This paper provides an account of when emotions undermine a person's freedom to deliberate, which is the basis of the capacity for autonomy. People subject to what I call ‘concretized emotions’ meet the cognitive criteria for decision‐making capacity. Yet their emotions dictate their views of reality and prevent them from meeting the basic conditions for deliberation. To deliberate one needs to be able to think through alternatives, and this thinking through alternatives needs to be responsive to evidence. With concretized fear, both the ability to think through alternatives and the ability to respond cognitively to evidence is undermined. The person can engage in apparent deliberation, but her thought processes regarding the feared matter are characterized by the rigid view that things are just as they seem from her emotional view. This paper develops a theoretical and clinical model for a more appropriate and nuanced approach to acting responsibly toward patients subject to intense fear and related emotional states that block their decision‐making capacity.
Determination of shrinkage characteristics of pumpkin discs during convection, microwave, and combined drying using computer‐aided technique: Image processing application
Authors: Sabanci Sercan , Türkoğlu Tuğçe , Dirim Safiye Nur
Published: June 2023

Image processing techniques are used in several fields and gained popularity in food processing. In this study the drying and shrinkage characteristics of pumpkin slices were determined by using thresholding method. A continuous measurement of the weight change and an imaging of the pumpkin slices to measure the area of the sample before and after drying were performed to define the shrinkage characteristics. The drying times of the pumpkin discs were between 8.5–9 and 55–65 minutes for 2 mm thick samples. Drying in the microwave oven resulted in 85% less time and lower values of water activity were obtained. The shrinkage rate of samples dried by microwave drying method (46–60%) was found to be statistically lower than samples prepared by convection drying method (58–73%) (p < 0.05). Non‐parametric Spearman correlation coefficient technique was used to evaluate the relationship between the moisture content and shrinkage for drying under different conditions.

Practical application

With the advancement of image processing technologies, there is significant potential for food safety and preservation. This research will lead to advancements in the fields of food quality and preservation analyses for food manufacturers. Furthermore, this technology can be employed in the food business for quick quality determination for mass production. This research indicates that image processing may be used to evaluate food shrinkage characterization. It is expected that the application of this technology will serve the food sector by optimizing process parameters and energy usage, saving time, and developing sustainable systems, particularly in the large‐scale food industry where mass manufacturing is carried out.
A systematic review on recent trends and perspectives of biosensors in food industries
Authors: Singh Poornima , Pandey Vinay Kumar , Srivastava Shivangi , Singh Rahul
Published: June 2023

The food industry has inappropriate techniques for process and quality control and requires techniques that can provide information on the physical and chemical properties of food quickly and affordably. Food applications mostly focus on the identification of contaminants, with a few significant analytes, such as sugars, alcohols, amino acids, flavors, and sweeteners, as exceptions. Biosensors can bring about an analytical revolution to address the problems facing the food and agriculture industries. Potential applications for biosensors include contaminant detection, product freshness monitoring, content verification, and raw material conversion monitoring. These studies are costly and time‐consuming due to the extraction or pre‐treatment of samples. This review gives an overview of biosensors with their classification and application in different food industries such as the fruits and vegetable industry, dairy, and meat industries. The application of biosensors in detection, quality assurance, and food safety is discussed in detail with their potential application.
Mutual association between family history of gastric and colorectal cancer and risk of gastric and colorectal cancer
Authors: Jung Yoon Suk , Tran Mai Thi Xuan , Park Boyoung , Moon Chang Mo
Published: June 2023

Background and Aim

We evaluated the associations between gastric cancer (GC) family history (FH) and colorectal cancer (CRC) risk and between CRC FH and GC/gastric adenoma risk.

Methods

We used data of participants who underwent national cancer screening between 2013 and 2014. Participants with GC or CRC FH in first‐degree relatives (n = 1 172 750) and those without cancer FH (n = 3 518 250) were matched 1:3 by age and gender.

Results

Of the 1 172 750 participants with a FH, 871 104, 264 040, and 37 606 had FHs of only GC, only CRC, and both GC and CRC, respectively. The median follow‐up time was 4.8 years. GC and CRC FHs were associated with increased GC and CRC risks, respectively. GC FH was associated with CRC risk (adjusted hazard ratio 1.05; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–1.10), whereas CRC FH was not associated with the risk of GC or gastric adenoma. However, gastric adenoma risk increased 1.62‐fold (95% CI 1.40–1.87) in participants with FHs of both GC and CRC, demonstrating a significant difference with the 1.39‐fold (95% CI 1.34–1.44) increase in participants with only GC FH. Furthermore, GC risk increased by 5.32 times (95% CI 1.74–16.24) in participants with FHs of both GC and CRC in both parents and siblings.

Conclusions

GC FH was significantly associated with a 5% increase in CRC risk. Although CRC FH did not increase GC risk, FH of both GC and CRC further increased the risk of gastric adenoma. FHs of GC and CRC may affect each other's neoplastic lesion risk.
Increased risk for microvascular outcomes in NAFLD—A nationwide, population‐based cohort study
Authors: Ebert Thomas , Widman Linnea , Stenvinkel Peter , Hagström Hannes
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered a multisystem disease, as it is bidirectionally linked to other cardiometabolic disorders, such as type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, the long‐term risk for microvascular outcomes in NAFLD is unclear.

Methods

Using the outpatient part of the nationwide Swedish Patient Register in the time period between 01/01/2002 and 12/31/2019, we identified all individuals with a first NAFLD diagnosis (N = 6785) and matched these (age, sex, and municipality) with up to 10 reference individuals from the general population (N = 61,136). Using population‐based registers, we ascertained the development of microvascular diseases. The primary outcome was defined as a composite outcome of any diagnosis representative of microvascular disease (chronic kidney disease, retinopathy, or neuropathy). As secondary outcomes, we separately examined the risk of each specific microvascular outcome. Hazard ratios (aHR, adjusted for cirrhosis and time‐varying T2D, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia) for the outcomes were calculated by Cox proportional‐hazards models.

Results

Median follow‐up was 5.7 years. The incidence rate of microvascular diseases was >twofold higher in patients with NAFLD (10.8 per 1000 person‐years [95% confidence interval (CI) = 9.9–11.8]) versus reference individuals (4.7 per 1000 person‐years [95%CI = 4.5–4.9]). NAFLD was independently and positively associated with the development of microvascular diseases compared to non‐NAFLD subjects (aHR = 1.45 [95%CI = 1.28–1.63]). When stratifying the analysis by follow‐up time, sex, or age categories, results remain virtually unchanged.

Conclusions

NAFLD is positively and independently associated with the development of microvascular diseases. The risk for development of microvascular diseases should be taken into account in the personalized risk assessment of individuals with NAFLD.
Parallel testing of liquid biopsy (ctDNA) and tissue biopsy samples reveals a higher frequency of EZH2 mutations in follicular lymphoma
Authors: Nagy Ákos , Bátai Bence , Kiss Laura , Gróf Stefánia , Király Péter Attila , Jóna Ádám , Demeter Judit , Sánta Hermina , Bátai Árpád , Pettendi Piroska , Szendrei Tamás , Plander Márk , Körösmezey Gábor , Alizadeh Hussain , Kajtár Béla , Méhes Gábor , Krenács László , Timár Botond , Csomor Judit , Tóth Erika , Schneider Tamás , Mikala Gábor , Matolcsy András , Alpár Donát , Masszi András , Bödör Csaba
Published: June 2023

Background

Recent genomic studies revealed enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) gain‐of‐function mutations, representing novel therapeutic targets in follicular lymphoma (FL) in around one quarter of patients. However, these analyses relied on single‐site tissue biopsies and did not investigate the spatial heterogeneity and temporal dynamics of these alterations.

Objectives

We aimed to perform a systematic analysis of EZH2 mutations using paired tissue (tumor biopsies [TB]) and liquid biopsies (LB) collected prior to treatment within the framework of a nationwide multicentric study.

Methods

Pretreatment LB and TB samples were collected from 123 patients. Among these, 114 had paired TB and LB, with 39 patients characterized with paired diagnostic and relapse samples available. The EZH2 mutation status and allele burden were assessed using an in‐house‐designed, highly sensitive multiplex droplet digital PCR assay.

Results

EZH2 mutation frequency was found to be 41.5% in the entire cohort. In patients with paired TB and LB samples, EZH2 mutations were identified in 37.8% of the patients with mutations exclusively found in 5.3% and 7.9% of TB and LB samples, respectively. EZH2 mutation status switch was documented in 35.9% of the patients with paired diagnostic and relapse samples. We also found that EZH2 wild‐type clones may infiltrate the bone marrow more frequently compared to the EZH2 mutant ones.

Conclusion

The in‐depth spatio‐temporal analysis identified EZH2 mutations in a considerably higher proportion of patients than previously reported. This expands the subset of FL patients who most likely would benefit from EZH2 inhibitor therapy.
Respiratory muscle training for obstructive sleep apnea: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Silva de Sousa André , Pereira da Rocha Aline , Brandão Tavares Daniela Regina , Frazão Okazaki Jane Érika , de Andrade Santana Márcia Valéria , Fernandes Moça Trevisani Virgínia , Pereira Nunes Pinto Ana Carolina
Published: June 2023

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common sleep disorder. This review aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of respiratory muscle training in the treatment of patients with obstructive sleep apnea. The study protocol was registered in Prospero Platform (CRD42018096980). We performed searches in the main databases: Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE) via Pubmed; Excerpta Medica dataBASE (Embase) via Elsevier; Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) via Cochrane Library; Latin American and Caribbean Literature on Health Sciences (LILACS) through the Portal of the Virtual Health Library and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) for all randomised–controlled trials published before July 2022. The randomised–controlled trials were assessed for risk of bias and certainty of evidence. Thirteen randomised–controlled trials were included. All studies had an overall high risk of bias. Inspiratory muscle training probably improves systolic blood pressure and sleepiness when compared with sham. However, inspiratory muscle training probably does not improve diastolic blood pressure and maximum expiratory pressure, and may not be superior to sham for apnea–hypopnea index, forced expiratory volume in 1 s, forced vital capacity, sleep quality and quality of life. In addition, it is uncertain whether there is any effect of inspiratory muscle training on maximum inspiratory pressure and physical capacity. Inspiratory muscle training may also improve maximum inspiratory pressure and maximum expiratory pressure compared with oropharyngeal exercises. However, it may not be superior for apnea–hypopnea index, sleep quality, sleepiness, quality of life and functional capacity. When associated with physical exercise, inspiratory muscle training may not be superior to physical exercise alone for maximum inspiratory pressure, maximum expiratory pressure, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and functional capacity. At the same time, when associated with cardiac rehabilitation exercises, inspiratory muscle training may reduce apnea–hypopnea index, improve inspiratory muscle strength, sleepiness and sleep quality compared with cardiac rehabilitation alone. However, it may not be superior for improving quality of life. Regarding expiratory muscle training, it may improve expiratory muscle strength and sleep quality, but not sleepiness when compared with sham. The evidence on the effects of expiratory muscle training in apnea–hypopnea index is very uncertain.
The analysis of semi‐competing risks data using Archimedean copula models
Authors: Wang Antai , Guo Ziyan , Zhang Yilong , Wu Jihua
Published: June 2023

In this paper, we derive the copula‐graphic estimator (Zheng and Klein) for marginal survival functions using Archimedean copula models based on competing risks data subject to univariate right censoring and prove its uniform consistency and asymptotic properties. We then propose a novel parameter estimation method based on the semi‐competing risks data using Archimedean copula models. Based on our estimation strategy, we propose a new model selection procedure. We also describe an easy way to accommodate possible covariates in data analysis using our strategies. Simulation studies have shown that our parameter estimate outperforms the estimator proposed by Lakhal, Rivest and Abdous for the Hougaard model and the model selection procedure works quite well. We fit a leukemia dataset using our model and end our paper with some discussion.
Contextualizing the Diorama Concept in the Development of Time‐Geography
Authors: Ellegård Kajsa
Published: June 2023

In its early days, Hägerstrand's time‐geography met critique for being physicalistic and not sufficiently considering social aspects. In his article “Diorama, path and project”, Hägerstrand shows that the social dimension is embedded in time‐geography and underlines its ecological ambitions by introducing the “diorama” concept. This reflective article follows the development of the time‐geographic concepts “path” and “project”, both deepening the social dimension. The diorama concept was introduced to contextualize situations wherein humans, animals, plants and things coexist in the time–space, thereby increasing the understanding of how humans and individuals from other populations depend on each other, and how their interaction influence the ecological outcome. Today, the social dimension is integrated in time‐geography. The ecological view deepened in Hägerstrand's research over time and he found that the diorama concept insufficiently captured the time dimension and suggested the concepts “pocket of local order” and “processual landscape”, both setting the diorama in motion.
Valuation of socio‐economic indicators for progressing urban sustainability under distinctive rubrics
Authors: Ghalib Ambreen , Mirza Sahar , Raza Danish , Rafi Ainnee , Ali Farhan
Published: June 2023

The key objective of the study is to collect the factors which play an important role in the city's sustainability and implementation advantages for the development of cities in future. This article develops an urban sustainability assessment framework by giving GIS‐based decision support tools to guide cities toward sustainability. Multicriteria analysis was used as the decision support system and provides an analytical framework for assessing differences in the level of criteria and ranking decision options. It has the capability for assessment of urban sustainability because it brings sustainability criteria from three pillars of sustainability, environmental, social, and economic, which provide an integrated approach for assessment of urban sustainability. The GIS‐based multicriteria analysis serves as a sustainability support system that maps urban sustainability and the underlying environmental, social, and economic conditions. The results from the study show that the four cities ‐ Faisalabad, Lahore, Gujranwala, and Multan ‐ have better economic conditions while only Lahore and Faisalabad showed social progress and the remaining cities showed less suitability. For the environmental index, none of the cities attained high suitability. Lahore, Faisalabad, and Rawalpindi showed better conditions than Gujranwala and Multan. It is demonstrated that Punjab cities have made progress in economic condition and improvement in social condition but have poor environmental condition. In the study, the environmental dimension has indicators which have more impact on the urban sustainability. Environmental degradation is observed in all selected regions and not a single region showed suitability toward its environmental condition and due to this none of the cities gained suitable scores for urban sustainability. Consequently, urban sustainability is a multidimensional and dynamic process that needs regular evaluation and monitoring. Thus, this article contends that the tools help to highlight and emphasize those areas that need guidance in achieving urban sustainability.
Integrating nutrition assessments and seasonal malaria chemoprevention: Results from a mixed‐methods feasibility study in Guinea
Authors: Keita Mamadou Sitan , Camara Alioune , Daffe Mamady , Fofana Aissata , Balde Mamadou , Diallo Thierno , Barry Hamidou , Fitch Elizabeth , Taton Jean‐Luc , Bangoura Lamine , Mbounga Eliane , Reithinger Richard
Published: June 2023

Background

Seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) has become a critical intervention for malaria prevention and control. There is a growing interest to generate evidence that health campaigns such as SMC can be leveraged for integration or co‐administration of other health efforts such as nutritional supplements, immunizations, or vitamin A.

Objective

We conducted a pilot study to assess whether nutrition assessments could be integrated into existing SMC programming in two districts in Guinea.

Methods

Of 106,480 children under 5 years of age (CU5) who received sulfadoxine‐pyrimethamine plus amodiaquine as part of SMC by community drug distributors (CDDs), 2210 had their mid‐upper arm circumference (MUAC) assessed by CDD supervisors.

Results

Of these, 177 (8.0%) had a MUAC < 125 mm and were therefore classified as acutely malnourished; 161 CU5 were referred to health facilities for follow‐up. Importantly, no drop in SMC programmatic coverage was observed in districts conducting MUAC on top of SMC. Key informant interviews with district officials and focus group discussions with CDD supervisors showed a generally positive effect of integrating MUAC into SMC, although CDD supervisors had concerns about workload with added responsibilities of MUAC assessments.

Conclusion

Integrating other health interventions with SMC is accepted—and indeed welcomed—by the population and health workers, and does not result in a drop in SMC programmatic coverage.
COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS ANALYSIS ON OVERWEIGHT SLEEP APNEA PATIENT UNDER VARIOUS BREATHING FLOW PATTERNS
Authors: Che Yaakob Muhammad Nooramin , Faizal W.M. , Khor C.Y.
Published: June 2023

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a breathing disorder that occurs during sleep. This syndrome affects numerous people, especially those with abnormal body fat composition parameters such as body mass index (BMI) of more than 25 kg/m2 (overweight & obesity). OSA ensues when the tongue and soft palate muscles in a relaxed condition move towards gravity when the patient is in a supine position; this causes narrowing and blockage on the upper airway affecting breathing. There are several treatments for OSA, including upper airway surgery. A better understanding of airflow characteristics will assist ENT surgeons in identifying the blockage area. This paper examines airflow characteristics of the upper airway for overweight sleep apnea patients. The narrow and blockage area on the respiratory tract causes turbulence formation that is evaluated using Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) based on an actual parameter of the 3D model obtained by CT scan image result. Reynold’s averaged Navier-Stoke (RANS) equation and turbulent model, k-ω shear stress transport (SST), were applied. Airflow fluctuation was characterized by crucial parameters such as velocity, pressure, and turbulent kinetic energy (TKE). The result shows that the narrow cross-sectional area of the airway causes accretion of the velocity and pressure in the pharyngeal airway. The increasing airflow parameter results in high turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) that will determine the severity level of OSA patients. Investigating airflow characteristics in overweight OSA patients will help the medical practitioner validate the narrow and blockage area for the surgery.
MODELLING OF CO-AXIAL AND TRI-AXIAL MILLI-FLUIDIC DEVICES FOR CO-EXTRUSION OF SEMI-SOLID SOLIDS
Authors: Al-Sharai Abdo Ali , Soon Chin Fhong , See Chan Hwang , Yee See Khee , Tee Kian Sek , Abdul Wahab Mohammed
Published: June 2023

With the use of a milli-fluidics device, it is possible to manipulate small amounts of fluid in the millimeter range with pinpoint accuracy. The milli-fluidics are currently lacking in studies of the relationship between fluid viscosity, output velocity and output pressure. Thus, this study examines the effects of viscosity on fluid dynamics in the co-axial and tri-axial milli-fluidics. This geometry of the co-axial and tri-axial milli-fluidics consist of single outlet, two inlets and three inlets, respectively. The tri-axial milli-fluidics is 46 mm long and 11.31 mm wide, while, the coaxial milli-fluidic is 64.73 mm long and 9.2 mm wide. The co-axial milli-fluidics constituted of 775 domain elements and 147 boundary elements, while, the tri-axial milli-fluidics mesh constituted of 1518 domain elements and 178 boundary elements.  Laminar flow was observed for the flow of the materials through the channels. When the dynamic viscosity approaches 5 mPa.s, the simulation reveals that the flow rate is inversely proportional to the dynamic viscosity for co-axial milli-fluidics. It was difficult to combine fluids with different viscosities with small volume of water in a narrow boundary, thus the parallel flow of material was observed. When using the one outlet channel for the tri-axial milli-fluidics, the assemble pressure at the three inlets was decreased compared with co-axial milli-fluidic. Even when the dynamic velocity of the fluid at outlet 1 increased, its velocity remained consistent. An extruder using tri-axial milli-fluidics can be used if the interfacial tension for intake 1 is higher than for inlet 2 and the dynamic viscosity of fluid 1 is above 2 mPas, according to the volumetric fraction model. The tri-axial milli-fluidic was found to be suitable for producing cladding of material with the balanced pressure from the two side channels.
UTILIZATION OF SYNTHESIS GAS GENERATED FROM AGRICULTURAL WASTE AS CLEAN SUSTAINABLE FUEL
Authors: Rahim Muhammad Roslan , Trisasongko Annisa Palupi , Ab Wahid Mastura , Mohd. Jaafar Mohammad Nazri , Othman Norazila , Said Mazlan , Elham Puad , Sarif@Mohd Ali Mahanim
Published: June 2023

Increased energy source demand has been the current driver of Malaysia’s economic growth. Renewable energy is therefore included in Malaysia’s energy policy to diversify its energy resources. With 77% of Malaysia’s land directed for agriculture – particularly for palm oil plantation, biomass from agriculture industries is thus considered as a viable energy resource. In addition to palm oil plantation, 18.56 million hectares of Malaysia’s tropical forest contributed substantial wood waste from logging activity. Through gasification, these resources can produce syngas. This paper aims to demonstrate the potential of palm kernel shells (PKS) and wood waste (WW) to generate syngas using a downdraft fixed bed gasifier, which has a suitable oxidation zone temperature to support syngas production. Results showed that PKS and WW syngas consisted of 94.93% and 97.92% carbon monoxide (CO) respectively with low hydrogen (H2) gas contents. The lower heating values (LHV) from PKS and WW are 10.68 MJ/kg and 10.26 MJ/kg, respectively. It can be concluded that agricultural wastes such as PKS and WW had shown high potential to become an alternative source of energy in the form of syngas.
Extensions of Veech groups I: A hyperbolic action
Authors: Dowdall Spencer , Durham Matthew G. , Leininger Christopher J. , Sisto Alessandro
Published: June 2023

Given a lattice Veech group in the mapping class group of a closed surface , this paper investigates the geometry of , the associated ‐extension group. We prove that is the fundamental group of a bundle with a singular Euclidean‐by‐hyperbolic geometry. Our main result is that collapsing “obvious” product regions of the universal cover produces an action of on a hyperbolic space, retaining most of the geometry of . This action is a key ingredient in the sequel where we show that is hierarchically hyperbolic and quasi‐isometrically rigid.
Analyzing the Evolution of China-Africa Economic Integration: A Wavelet Approach
Authors: Ngundu Marvellous , Ngalawa Harold
Published: June 2023

This study analyzes the evolution of Africa's degree of economic integration with China from 1993 to 2019. The study period encompasses a number of China-Africa bilateral economic treaties, which the literature claims are prolific and have significantly strengthened Africa's degree of economic integration with China. We develop a theoretical argument that, if this assertion holds, the integration indicator must reflect a long-run upward trend that is less obstructed by noise. To validate this argument, we use a wavelet approach and find no evidence necessitating failure to reject the null hypothesis of no periodicity, suggesting that the integration indicator was statistically noisy over the study period. This finding suggests that interpreting the evolution of China-Africa economic integration primarily through bilateral economic pacts can be deceptive. The interpretation should instead be exploratory in nature to unpack some hidden motivations associated with this integration. Our preliminary investigation revealed that the Angola Model is primarily driving China-Africa economic integration. Therefore, it is plausible to argue that China-Africa economic integration is perpetuated to exploit natural resources rather than to enhance hard infrastructure development in Africa, as purported in the literature.
The Role of Economic Freedom in the Relationship between Foreign Direct Investment and Economic Growth: Evidence from Former Socialist Countries
Authors: Shokhrukh Ochilov , Ikboljon Kasimov , Zamon Xaldarov
Published: June 2023

This study investigates the role of economic freedom in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and its impact on economic growth in 15 former socialist countries from 2000 to 2021 through the Generalized Method of Moments estimation method. Our findings suggest that higher economic freedom helps countries attract additional foreign investment. Furthermore, we found that a one-unit increase in the economic freedom index increases the real gross domestic product per capita by 0.019%. The findings also reveal that a 1% increase in FDI leads to a 0.585% surge in real income per capita, whereas trade openness surges income by 1.24%. These results reveal that FDI has a positive impact on economic growth, suggesting that FDI is an important factor driving economic development in former socialist countries. This study also provides policy recommendations based on the findings, highlighting the importance of promoting free and healthy competition, transparency, accountability, and investment in education and infrastructure.
“I Can See Your Password”: A Case Study About Cybersecurity Risks in Mid-Air Interactions of Mixed Reality-Based Smart Manufacturing Applications
Authors: Yang Wenhao , Dengxiong Xiwen , Wang Xueting , Hu Yidan , Zhang Yunbo
Published: June 2023

This paper aims to present a potential cybersecurity risk existing in mixed reality (MR)-based smart manufacturing applications that decipher digital passwords through a single RGB camera to capture the user’s mid-air gestures. We first created a test bed, which is an MR-based smart factory management system consisting of mid-air gesture-based user interfaces (UIs) on a video see-through MR head-mounted display. To interact with UIs and input information, the user’s hand movements and gestures are tracked by the MR system. We setup the experiment to be the estimation of the password input by users through mid-air hand gestures on a virtual numeric keypad. To achieve this goal, we developed a lightweight machine learning-based hand position tracking and gesture recognition method. This method takes either video streaming or recorded video clips (taken by a single RGB camera in front of the user) as input, where the videos record the users’ hand movements and gestures but not the virtual UIs. With the assumption of the known size, position, and layout of the keypad, the machine learning method estimates the password through hand gesture recognition and finger position detection. The evaluation result indicates the effectiveness of the proposed method, with a high accuracy of 97.03%, 94.06%, and 83.83% for 2-digit, 4-digit, and 6-digit passwords, respectively, using real-time video streaming as input with known length condition. Under the unknown length condition, the proposed method reaches 85.50%, 76.15%, and 77.89% accuracy for 2-digit, 4-digit, and 6-digit passwords, respectively.
Adherence to a Ketogenic Low-Carbohydrate, High-Fat Diet Is Associated With Diminished Training Quality in Elite Racewalkers
Authors: McKay Alannah K.A. , Ross Megan L.R. , Tee Nicolin , Sharma Avish P. , Leckey Jill J. , Burke Louise M.
Published: June 2023

Purpose:To examine the effects of a high-carbohydrate diet (HCHO), periodized-carbohydrate (CHO) diet (PCHO), and ketogenic low-CHO high-fat diet (LCHF) on training capacity.Methods:Elite male racewalkers completed 3 weeks of periodic training while adhering to their dietary intervention. Twenty-nine data sets were collected from 21 athletes. Each week, 6 mandatory training sessions were completed, with additional sessions performed at the athlete’s discretion. Mandatory sessions included an interval session (10 × 1-km efforts on a 6-min cycle), tempo session (14 km with a 450-m elevation gain), 2 long walks (25–40 km), and 2 easy walks (8–12 km) where “sleep-low” and “train-low” dietary strategies were employed for PCHO. Racewalking speed, heart rate, rating of perceived exhaustion, and blood metabolites were collected around key sessions.Results:LCHF covered less total distance than HCHO and PCHO (P < .001); however, no differences in training load between groups were evident (P = .285). During the interval sessions, walking speed was slower in LCHF (P = .001), equating to a 2.8% and 5.6% faster speed in HCHO and PCHO, respectively. LCHF was also 3.2% slower in completing the tempo session than HCHO and PCHO (P = .001). Heart rate was higher (P = .002) and lactate concentrations were lower (P < .001) in LCHF compared to other groups, despite slower walking speeds during the interval session. No between-groups differences in rating of perceived exhaustion were evident (P = .077).Conclusion:Athletes adhering to an LCHF diet showed impaired training capacity relative to their high-CHO-supported counterparts, completing lower training volumes at slower speeds, with higher heart rates.
Body-based units of measure in cultural evolution
Authors: Kaaronen Roope O. , Manninen Mikael A. , Eronen Jussi T.
Published: June 2023

Measurement systems are important drivers of cultural and technological evolution. However, the evolution of measurement is still insufficiently understood. Many early standardized measurement systems evolved from body-based units of measure, such as the cubit and fathom, but researchers have rarely studied how or why body-based measurement has been used. We documented body-based units of measure in 186 cultures, illustrating how body-based measurement is an activity common to cultures around the world. Here, we describe the cultural and technological domains these units are used in. We argue that body-based units have had, and may still have, advantages over standardized systems, such as in the design of ergonomic technologies. This helps explain the persistence of body-based measurement centuries after the first standardized measurement systems emerged.
Tracking C–H activation with orbital resolution
Authors: Jay Raphael M. , Banerjee Ambar , Leitner Torsten , Wang Ru-Pan , Harich Jessica , Stefanuik Robert , Wikmark Hampus , Coates Michael R. , Beale Emma V. , Kabanova Victoria , Kahraman Abdullah , Wach Anna , Ozerov Dmitry , Arrell Christopher , Johnson Philip J. M. , Borca Camelia N. , Cirelli Claudio , Bacellar Camila , Milne Christopher , Huse Nils , Smolentsev Grigory , Huthwelker Thomas , Odelius Michael , Wernet Philippe
Published: June 2023

Transition metal reactivity toward carbon–hydrogen (C–H) bonds hinges on the interplay of electron donation and withdrawal at the metal center. Manipulating this reactivity in a controlled way is difficult because the hypothesized metal-alkane charge-transfer interactions are challenging to access experimentally. Using time-resolved x-ray spectroscopy, we track the charge-transfer interactions during C–H activation of octane by a cyclopentadienyl rhodium carbonyl complex. Changes in oxidation state as well as valence-orbital energies and character emerge in the data on a femtosecond to nanosecond timescale. The x-ray spectroscopic signatures reflect how alkane-to-metal donation determines metal-alkane complex stability and how metal-to-alkane back-donation facilitates C–H bond cleavage by oxidative addition. The ability to dissect charge-transfer interactions on an orbital level provides opportunities for manipulating C–H reactivity at transition metals.
Ocean drillers exhume a bounty of mantle rocks
Authors: Voosen Paul
Published: June 2023

Deep cores fulfill 60-year-old quest and could yield science bonanza
Diagnostic Performance and Clinical Impact of Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing for Pediatric Infectious Diseases
Authors: Zhu Yunqian , Gan Mingyu , Ge Mengmeng , Dong Xinran , Yan Gangfeng , Zhou Qinhua , Yu Hui , Wang Xiaochuan , Cao Yun , Lu Guoping , Wu Bingbing , Zhou Wenhao
Published: June 2023

Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) has shown promise in the diagnosis of infectious diseases in adults, while its efficacy in pediatric infections remains uncertain. We performed a retrospective analysis of 1,493 mNGS samples from pediatric patients with blood, central nervous system, and lower respiratory tract infections.
Deconstructed Plastic Substrate Preferences of Microbial Populations from the Natural Environment
Authors: Putman Lindsay I. , Schaerer Laura G. , Wu Ruochen , Kulas Daniel G. , Zolghadr Ali , Ong Rebecca G. , Shonnard David R. , Techtmann Stephen M.
Published: June 2023

The durability and impermeable nature of plastics have made them a popular material for numerous applications, but these same qualities make plastics difficult to dispose of, resulting in massive amounts of accumulated plastic waste in landfills and the natural environment. Since plastic use and disposal are projected to increase in the future, novel methods to effectively break down and dispose of current and future plastic waste are desperately needed.
Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibition as a Target for Antibiotic Synergy in Enterococci
Authors: Chilambi Gayatri Shankar , Wang Yu-Hao , Wallace Nathan R. , Obiwuma Chetachukwu , Evans Kirsten M. , Li Yanhong , Shalaby Menna-Allah W. , Flaherty Daniel P. , Shields Ryan K. , Doi Yohei , Van Tyne Daria
Published: June 2023

Enterococcal infections can be difficult to treat, and new therapeutic approaches are needed. In studying an
E. faecalis
clinical strain from an infected patient, we found that the bacteria were rendered hypersusceptible to aminoglycoside antibiotics through a mutation that disrupted the α-CA.
Escherichia coli ST2797 Is Abundant in Wastewater and Might Be a Novel Emerging Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase E. coli
Authors: Paulshus Erik , Colque Patricia , Kühn Inger , Tauhid Tamanna , Hu Yue O. O. , Zhou Yingshun , Thorell Kaisa , Möllby Roland , Sørum Henning , Sjöling Åsa , Joffré Enrique
Published: June 2023

The incidence of drug-resistant bacteria found in the environment is increasing together with the levels of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that cause infections. The COVID-19 pandemic has shed new light on the importance of monitoring emerging threats and finding early warning systems.
Performance and symmetry measures during vertical jump testing at return to sport after ACL reconstruction
Authors: Kotsifaki Roula , Sideris Vasileios , King Enda , Bahr Roald , Whiteley Rod
Published: June 2023

Objective

Vertical jump tests are more sensitive in revealing asymmetries in performance metrics at the time of return to sport after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) than horizontal hop tests. However, it remains unclear which vertical tests (bilateral or unilateral) and which metrics (kinetics or performance) are most effective in informing the rehabilitation status and readiness for return to sport. We aimed to investigate the status of athletes during vertical jump testing at return to sport after ACLR.

Methods

A dual force platform system was used to evaluate jumping performance of 126 recreational and professional athletes at the time of return to sport after ACLR, as well as 532 healthy control participants. Performance and kinetic metrics were collected during four jump tests: double-leg countermovement jump, single-leg countermovement jump, double-leg 30 cm drop jump and single-leg 15 cm drop jump. Between-limb and between-group differences were explored using mixed models analyses.

Results

At the time of return to sport after ACLR, athletes still presented significant differences favouring the uninvolved side, particularly in the symmetry of the concentric impulse (p<0.001) in all jumps compared with the control group. Peak landing force asymmetry was greater in the ACLR group than the controls during the countermovement (p<0.001, MD=−11.6; 95% CI –15.4 to –7.9) and the double-leg drop jump (p=0.023, MD=−8.9; 95% CI –14.9 to –2.8). The eccentric impulse asymmetry was significantly greater (p=0.018, MD=−3.8; 95% CI −5.8 to –1.7) in the ACLR group during the single-leg drop jump only. Jump height was significantly lower (p<0001) in the ACLR group compared with controls in all tests except the double-leg drop jump.

Conclusion

At the time of return to sport after ACLR, despite passing the traditional discharge criteria, athletes remained asymmetrical during all vertical jump tests, in the concentric (push-off) phase, during landing from bilateral jumps and for most performance metrics. Clinicians should aim to restore not only symmetry in ground reaction forces but also absolute performance metrics such as jump height, reactive strength index and contact times, to potentially reduce injury risk and improve overall athletic performance.
Documenting the challenges of conducting research on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of persons with disabilities in a low-and-middle income country setting: lessons from Bangladesh
Authors: Amin Amina , Das Adity Shayontony , Kaiser Adrita , Azmi Raia , Rashid Sabina Faiz , Hasan Md Tanvir
Published: June 2023

Research has shown that persons with disabilities require greater sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care and services than persons without disabilities. However, this need is often neglected in most of the low-and-middle-income countries including Bangladesh. There is also a dearth of research and data relevant to this issue. A nationwide mixed-methods research has been conducted to explore persons with disabilities’ specific sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) needs, health seeking behaviour related to SRH and barriers in accessing SRH services, along with the associated factors that influence their SRH outcomes. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the challenges encountered by the researchers while conducting this research and the strategies adopted to resolve those challenges. Some of the challenges experienced by the researchers include development of appropriate tools with questions on sensitive SRHR topics, obtaining informed consent, difficulty to maintain privacy while exploring sensitive SRHR issues and communication difficulties when interviewing individuals with intellectual and sensory impairments. The mitigation strategies include iterative revisions of all tools based on multiple pretests in different filed sites and expert feedback, strategic rapport building and maintaining appropriate contextual etiquette while conducting the interviews. The reflections discussed in this paper will assist future researchers in understanding potential field challenges they might encounter in similar low resource settings while conducting research on SRHR and similar sensitive issues among marginalised population groups, such as persons with disabilities.