bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rapid detection of whole active ricin using a surface‐enhanced Raman scattering‐based sandwich immunoassay
Authors: Wang Jiang , Xu Hua , Luo Li , Li Nannan , Qiao Chunxia , Wu Jianfeng , Guo Lei , Xie Jianwei
Published: October 2022

Ricin is one of the most toxic proteins known, which has been listed as both chemical and biological warfare agent due to its unique properties. Rapid and sensitive method capable of detecting and distinguishing activity of the whole ricin has very important realistic significance in view of national security and defense. This study reports a reliable surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)‐based sandwich immunoassay for the detection and differentiation of active ricin from other homologous toxins. In the immunoassay design, magnetic bead conjugated with a monoclonal antibody (mAb) MIL50 that can recognize the ricin in its holotoxin form was used as a capture probe to separate ricin from complex matrix, whereas both Raman reporter molecule Nile blue A (NBA) and ricin‐specific mAb 14C12 were modified on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to form SERS nanoprobes. In the presence of ricin, SERS nanoprobes bound to the antigen‐captured magnetic beads and formed a sandwich immunocomplex to produce specific hot spots and then generated highly sensitive signals. As a result, the whole ricin could be detected as low as 1 and 5 ng/ml in phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS) and in plasma, respectively. Not only active and inactive ricin can be discriminated distinctly but also ricin from other type II ribosome‐inactivating proteins and their agglutinins. Furthermore, the proposed method made an application to practical samples from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) biotoxin exercise test, proving this SERS‐based sandwich immunoassay a promising assay for timely response of ricin‐related risk assessment in terrorist event and human intoxication.
Facile Synthesis of Fluorinated Polyacrylate Elastomer via Emulsion Polymerization Using Adjustable Amphiphilic Star Macro‐RAFT Agent as Surfactant
Authors: Liu Weiwei , Zhang Shuangkun , Luo Zhi , Zou Tao , Deng Pingye , Wu Zhanpeng , Wang Haiqiao
Published: October 2022

Novel thermoplastic fluorinated polyacrylate films possessing excellent mechanical performance are prepared by emulsion polymerization latex using adjustable amphiphilic star macro‐reversible addition‐fragmentation chain‐transfer (macro‐RAFT) agent as surfactants in this work. First, star macro‐RAFT agent equipped with six amphiphilic arms is synthesized via two‐step RAFT polymerization of acrylic acid (AA) and 2,2,2‐trifluoroethyl acrylate (TFEA) in the presence of hexa‐functional RAFT agents. The surface activities of the as‐synthesized amphiphilic star macro‐RAFT agents in aqueous solutions are studied. Subsequently, various fluorinated polyacrylate latexes are obtained by conducting emulsion polymerization of 2,2,3,4,4,4‐hexafluorobutyl acrylate (HFBA) and butyl acrylate (BA) using the amphiphilic star macro‐RAFT agents as both RAFT agents and surfactants. The latex particle morphologies are studied by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and particle size is measured by dynamic light scattering (DLS). The effects of PAA segment length, HFBA/BA mole ratio, and TFEA segment length on the surface morphologies of the fluorinated polyacrylate films are illustrated by investigating the surface properties using water contact angle test and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Finally, the elastomeric films obtained by directly casting the prepared fluorinated polyacrylate latexes show excellent comprehensive properties such as tensile strength over 4 MPa, elongation at break ≈700%, permanent deformation below 25%. Water absorption test is also provided as a reference.
A Pilot Trial of Dopamine Replacement for Dynamic Facial Expressions in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Schade Rachel N. , Springer Utaka , Mikos Ania , Gokcay Didem , Clark Alexandra , Sapienza Christine , Fernandez Hubert H. , Okun Michael S. , Bowers Dawn
Published: October 2022

Background

Current conflict exists regarding the potential beneficial effects of dopamine medications on facial expressivity in Parkinson's disease. Via digital video analysis software, we previously found reduced facial movement (entropy) and slower time to reach peak entropy in individuals with Parkinson's disease compared to controls.

Objectives

We aimed to determine whether levodopa medications improved parameters of dynamic facial expressions (amplitude, speed).

Methods

A total of 34 individuals with idiopathic Parkinson's disease were videotaped making voluntary facial expressions (happy, fear, anger, disgust) when “on” and “off” levodopa. Participants were 52 to 80 years old, early to mid‐stage disease, non‐demented, and included more men (65%). Expressions were digitized and analyzed using software that extracted three variables: two indices of movement change (total entropy, percent entropy change) and time to reach peak expression.

Results

Indices of facial movement (total entropy, peak entropy) and timing were significantly improved when patients were “on” vs “off” medication (all F's ≥ 3.00, P < 0.05). For total movement and time to reach peak entropy, levodopa‐related improvements were emotion nonspecific. Levodopa‐related improvement for peak entropy was driven primarily by happy expressions. There was no relationship between quantitative indices and clinical measures of mood (depression, anxiety) and motor disease severity.

Conclusion

The effects of levodopa on Parkinson's disease voluntary facial movement and on timing were robust and consistent with those of levodopa on other intentional movements in Parkinson's disease. This improvement possibly occurred because of levodopa enhanced activation of face representation areas in fronto‐cortical regions or because of less movement‐based suppression.
Corporate diversification and debt financing: Do family shareholders protect their control rights?
Authors: Subramaniam Vasanthan , Hosen Mosharrof
Published: October 2022

The study explored the relationship between corporate diversification and the debt choice of listed 712 Malaysian family firms for the period from 2016 to 2020. Tobit regression results revealed that industrial diversified firms preferred debt financing, while geographically diversified firms rejected debt. With family control, firms that conducted both types of diversification activities rejected debt financing. Further, for the case of maturity structure of debt, family firms engaged in diversification activities tend to borrow short‐term debt, thereby reducing their ownership's risk of dilution and boosting their short‐term market goals by improving the creditors' short‐term monitoring function. Policy implications are discussed.
Single‐cell RNA‐sequencing of retrieved human oocytes and eggs in clinical practice and for human ovarian cell atlasing
Authors: Machlin Jordan H. , Shikanov Ariella
Published: October 2022

With the advancement of single‐cell separation techniques and high‐throughput sequencing platforms, single‐cell RNA‐sequencing (scRNA‐seq) has emerged as a vital technology for understanding tissue and organ systems at cellular resolution. Through transcriptional analysis, it is possible to characterize unique or rare cell types, interpret their interactions, and reveal novel functional states or shifts in developmental stages. As such, this technology is uniquely suited for studying the cells within the human ovary. The ovary is a cellularly heterogeneous organ that houses follicles, the reproductive and endocrine unit that consists of an oocyte surrounded by hormone‐producing support cells, as well as many other cell populations constituting stroma, vasculature, lymphatic, and immune components. Here we review studies that have utilized scRNA‐seq technology to analyze cells from healthy human ovaries and discuss the single‐cell isolation techniques used. We identified two overarching applications for scRNA‐seq in the human ovary. The first applies this technology to investigate transcriptional differences in oocytes/eggs from patients undergoing in vitro fertilization treatments to ultimately improve clinical outcomes. The second utilizes scRNA‐seq for the pursuit of creating a comprehensive single‐cell atlas of the human ovary. The knowledge gained from these studies underscores the importance of scRNA‐seq technologies in unlocking a new biological understanding of the human ovary.
Monastic meals: The role of birds in the diet of the Poor Clares at the Monastery of Santa Maria de Pedralbes (Barcelona, Spain) from medieval to modern periods (14th to 19th centuries AD)
Authors: Lloveras Lluís , Cruells Josep , Castellano‐Tresserra Anna , Riera Santiago , Nadal Jordi
Published: October 2022

Bird remains recovered from two trial pits and a rubbish dump dated from the 14th to 19th centuries AD at the Monastery of Santa Maria de Pedralbes in Barcelona (northeast Spain) are studied. The variety of avian taxa is low, with domestic fowl (Gallus gallusdomesticus) clearly dominating the assemblage. The age at death and the sex profile data suggest that both chickens and hens were preferably consumed. The analysis of body parts indicates a preponderance of the meaty parts of legs, breast, and wings. Chops and cuts also suggest an interest in these anatomical parts. In addition, eggshell remains were recovered, indicating that eggs also played a role in the kitchen of this monastic community. Finally, our data are contrasted with available documentary evidence on historical monastic dietary practices.
Surface modification of polycarbonate urethane by grafting polyethylene glycol and bivalirudin drug for improving hemocompatibility
Authors: Wakai Ibrahim Y. , Wang Qiulin , Zhao Jing , Wang Xiaoyu , Xia Shihai , Zhang Wencheng , Xu Wei , Feng Yakai
Published: October 2022

As the clinical demand for blood‐contacting materials increases, higher requirements are placed on their physicochemical properties, durability and hemocompatibility in vivo. In this work, a multiple functionalized material was developed through a facile modification process. Herein, polycarbonate urethane (PCU) surface was co‐modified with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and bivalirudin (BVLD). PCU provides excellent physical and mechanical properties, PEG and BVLD, especially BVLD, enable the surface with outstanding anticoagulant capacity. Specifically, PCU surface was first treated with hexamethylene diisocyanate to introduce active isocyanate groups onto the surface, followed by hydroxy‐PEG grafting to improve the hydrophilicity. Finally, BVLD was immobilized on the surface via Michael addition reaction to improve antithrombotic properties. Attenuated total reflection Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy and UV spectrophotometers were used to confirm the modified surfaces. The hydrophilicity was characterized by static water contact angle measurement, the morphology of the modified surfaces was observed by scanning electron microscopy. Blood compatibility of the modified surfaces was characterized by the hemolysis rate, platelet adhesion assay and cell culture test. The results showed that the BVLD immobilized surface has excellent anticoagulant properties, good fibrin‐bound thrombin inhibition, and good resistance against non‐specific adhesion of proteins. Hence, the co‐modification with PEG and BVLD was proved an encouraging strategy for improving hemocompatibility.
Estimation of the nutritive value of grasslands with the Yara N‐sensor field spectrometer
Authors: Morel Julien , Zhou Zhenjiang , Monteiro Leonardo , Parsons David
Published: October 2022

Forage crops are a cornerstone of the agricultural industry in Nordic countries. Economic and ecological performances are directly linked to adapted farming practices, which require timed and precise information on the nutritive value of the forage. Field spectrometers could offer an interesting alternative to time‐consuming laboratory measurements, as they provide near real time information. We used a handheld version of a field spectrometer already commercialized for cereal adjustable rate fertilization, to evaluate its potential for grassland nutritive quality estimation. Spectral data and samples were acquired over experimental fields and plots in four locations in Northern Sweden; samples were analyzed using wet chemistry to determine the crude protein concentration, the in vitro true digestibility, the neutral detergent fiber and the neutral detergent fiber digestibility. Grid‐based adjusted spectral indices, partial least squares, random forest and support vector machine were tested to link the spectral data to the nutritive traits. Partial least squares and support vector machine outperformed the adjusted spectral indices and random forest. Best predictions were obtained with partial least squares for in vitro true digestibility and neutral detergent fiber (R2 of 0.64 and 0.78 and normalized root mean square error [nRMSE] of 2.1 and 8.0%, respectively) and with support vector machine for crude protein and neutral detergent fiber digestibility (R2 of 0.49 and 0.65 and nRMSE of 13.0 and 3.8%, respectively). These results suggests that there is a potential for this affordable, industry‐ready spectrometer to be used as a practical farming tool, although more comprehensive datasets are needed to ensure that robust models are developed.
Developing a new water–energy–food‐greenhouse gases nexus tool for sustainable agricultural landscape management
Authors: Masaeli Hourieh , Gohari Alireza , Hasanzadeh Saray Marzieh , Torabi Haghighi Ali
Published: October 2022

A new comprehensive water, energy, food, greenhouse gas (WEFG) nexus index was developed to capture the interrelationships between them. A total of 11 indicators were applied to consider the interplay of resources consumption, productivity, economic issues, and carbon emission as one of the most critical issues regarding sustainable agricultural development. The proposed WEFG index was evaluated for crop pattern optimization. The results showed that the WEFG ranged from 0.162 to 0.658, which were calculated respectively for almonds and rice due to their energy consumption and carbon emission levels. The optimal cultivation pattern based on WEFG leads to 11% and 15.8% reductions in water and energy consumption, even with a 2.3% increase in cultivation area. The estimated profit for optimal pattern based on WEFG decreased by 13.67% due to lower cultivation levels of high‐yield crops such as onion and potatoes. However, the optimal cultivation pattern based on the WEFG index has decreased greenhouse gas emissions by 2%, leading to sustainable agricultural management. Therefore, the presented WEFG nexus index can be a practical metric for sustainable planning and management in the agriculture sector.
Valorizing Canadian Oat Cultivars to Obtain Non‐Conventional Starch: Pasting, Physicochemical, and Morphological Properties
Authors: Zhu Xiuling , Dai Qingyuan , Silveira Hornung Polyanna , Lopes Teixeira Gerson , Nkhata Malunga Lovemore , Ames Nancy , Beta Trust
Published: October 2022

Valorizing non‐conventional raw materials to obtain food products has become a crucial strategy of food processing industries for curbing the current depletion of natural resources worldwide. Thus, non‐conventional starches from protein extraction residues of Canadian oat cultivars are studied regarding their technological properties. Consequently, 29 variables are evaluated in starches originating from 18 oat grain samples harvested from nine locations in Canada. One‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) is used to analyze the effects of location, cultivar, and their interaction on the properties. Data are also processed using principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) to reduce the dataset's dimensionality. ANOVA reveals that the starches technological features are greatly affected by harvesting location. PCA and HCA grouped samples into three clusters, explaining >70% of the data variability. Cluster 1 shows the lowest means for each response variable. Cluster 2 presents the highest trough viscosity values, while cluster 3 shows a low swelling factor. For proximate analysis, significantly different values are found for ash and amylose contents. Structural and morphological studies indicate starches with low crystallinity and small, polygonal, and irregular starch granules.
Demography, management and outcomes of canine physeal fractures (103 cases)
Authors: Currie Alex J. , Meeson Richard
Published: October 2022

Background

This study is a retrospective review of the demography, management, complications and outcomes of canine physeal fractures.

Methods

Clinical records were reviewed for dogs with appendicular physeal fractures, and descriptive statistical analysis was applied to the data set.

Results

One hundred and three fractures were included, of which 68 had follow‐up. Fractures of the distal humerus were the most common (n= 57), followed by proximal tibial fractures (n= 16). Outcome was fair for most fractures at all locations, aside from the distal humerus, where most outcomes were good. At radiographic follow‐up, most physes were closed at all locations aside from the distal tibia. Implant removal to allow ongoing physeal growth was performed in only 3/18 (17%) fractures, in 15/18 (83%) implant removal related to complications.

Limitations

Only short‐term follow‐up data were present, and hence it is not possible to give a longer term indication of return to function.

Conclusions

The management and demography of canine physeal fractures have evolved considerably from previous publications. Routine implant removal to allow ongoing growth was not regularly performed at all locations in this cohort.
Use of an ultrasound‐guided block of the radial, ulnar, median and musculocutaneous nerves in seven calves undergoing tenotomy or carpus arthrodesis surgery
Authors: Alonso Bruna , Casteleyn Christophe , Schauvliege Stijn
Published: October 2022

This report describes an ultrasound‐guided technique to block the radial, ulnar, median and musculocutaneous nerves in seven calves submitted for tenotomy of flexor tendons or carpus arthrodesis surgery. Surgery was performed under sedation and locoregional anaesthesia (n = 4) or under isoflurane inhalation and locoregional anaesthesia (n = 3). A block of the radial and ulnar, median and musculocutaneous nerves was performed at the lateral and medial aspect of the brachium, respectively, using a linear ultrasound probe positioned transversely to the mid‐humerus. A 19‐gauge spinal needle was introduced in‐plane through the triceps or transverse pectoral muscle until reaching the target nerves, where 5 ml of lidocaine 20 mg/ml or a mixture of lidocaine 20 mg/ml and detomidine 15 μg/ml was injected at each site. The calves’ cardiovascular parameters varied from baseline by less than 15% during surgery. Complications such as prolonged paralysis or haematoma/swelling at the injection site were not observed.
Chargenprüfung als wesentliche Säule der Versorgung mit sicheren und wirksamen Impfstoffen
Authors: Sediri-Schön Hanna , Lange Jeannette , Grabski Elena , Wagner Ralf , Hildt Eberhard
Published: October 2022

Das Paul-Ehrlich-Institut (PEI) spielt eine zentrale Rolle bei der Freigabe von Impfstoffen in Deutschland, aber auch in Europa. Die experimentelle Prüfung und Freigabe der Chargen erfolgt nach dem Verfahren und den Regelungen der Chargenfreigabe der offiziellen Kontrollbehörden (Official Control Authority Batch Release, OCABR) sowie dem § 32 des deutschen Arzneimittelgesetzes (AMG). Die unabhängige Prüfung zielt darauf ab, die Konformität der in der Zulassung festgelegten Qualitätskriterien für jede hergestellte Charge nachzuweisen. Dieser Beitrag beschreibt das Verfahren der Chargenfreigabe im Allgemeinen sowie speziell für die während der COVID-19-Pandemie neu entwickelten und zugelassenen COVID-19-Impfstoffe.
Aktuelle Entwicklungen in der Finanzierung von Offshore-Windparks
Authors: Balks Marita , Mann Lukas
Published: October 2022

Offshore-Windparks sind eine wichtige Säule für die erfolgreiche Umsetzung der Energiewende. Weltweit boomen der Ausbau und die Entwicklung dieser nachhaltigen Technologien mit unterschiedlichen nationalen Herausforderungen. Allen Projekten ist jedoch gemein, dass mit steigender Tendenz viel Kapital benötigt wird. Für die Finanzierung von Offshore-Windparks hat sich die Projektfinanzierung in Europa in den vergangenen Jahren zunehmend etabliert, allerdings haben sich die Vertragsbedingungen stark verändert. Anhand von qualitativen Experteninterviews werden die aktuellen Entwicklungen der Finanzierungsstrukturen für die Realisierung von europäischen Offshore-Windparks aufgezeigt.
Optionen und Herausforderungen für ein neues Strommarktdesign in der Krise
Authors: Ockenfels Axel
Published: October 2022

Die Politik scheint entschlossen, in die Gestaltung des Stromgroßhandelsmarktes einzugreifen, um Krisengewinne und -belastungen umzuverteilen. Einige Vorschläge in diese Richtung würden die Probleme jedoch verschärfen. Es werden Handlungsoptionen für ein neues Strommarktdesign aufgezeigt und die damit verbundenen Herausforderungen bei der Implementierung diskutiert.
Steuersenkungen oder direkte Transfers?
Authors: Färber Gisela
Published: October 2022

The article discusses financial aid and tax exemptions as means to fight against the economic distortions of the current energy crisis. Recent experiences have included not only general stabilisation instruments but also those compensating energy price increases for low-income households and preventing unemployment by helping companies to maintain their workforce during the crisis. The article discusses the efficiency, administrative burden and intergovernmental financial relations of the instruments.
The Making of Bikini Glass in Bida, Nigeria: Ethnography, Chemical Composition, and Archaeology
Authors: Lababidi Lesley , Babalola Abidemi Babatunde , Gratuze Bernard , Rolland Joëlle , Véron Emmanuel , Canizares Aurélien
Published: October 2022

This paper discusses the process, prospects, and challenges of makingbikiniglass in Bida (Nupeland), central Nigeria. The Masagá glassmakers of Bida provide the ideal case study for investigating the production ofbikini. Nineteenth-century Arab and European writings have described glassmaking in Nupeland; however, with the exception of the study carried out by Peter Robertshaw and his colleagues in 2009, there is no work that identifies the raw materials and formula used to producebikiniglass. Our recent ethnographic work at Bida provided the opportunities to collect raw glass, beads, and unfused raw material forbikiniglass as well as vitrified furnace wall fragments for analysis. We present results of binocular observation and chemical compositional analysis conducted on the raw materials, glass products, and furnace remains to understand the mineralogical and chemical characteristics of various materials connected with the production ofbikini. From the manufacture of glass to that of glass ornaments, bracelets, and beads, the documentation of the work of Masagá glassmakers provides new data for the history of glass and its techniques. This information is relevant for understanding glassworking in the past. The paper also addresses issues relating to migration, technology transfer, and culture contact between Nupeland and its neighbors in the Lower Niger region. It argues that the investigation of the production ofbikiniglass in Bida is essential for expanding our knowledge of the archaeology of glassmaking and glassworking in Sub-Saharan Africa and beyond.
BMSCs improve TNBS-induced colitis in rats by inducing Treg differentiation by expressing PD-L1
Authors: Gao Fei , Cui Dandan , Zuo Dongmei , Shou Zhexing , Yang Jia , Yu Ting , Liu Yujin , Chu Si , Zhu Feng , Wei Chunzhu
Published: October 2022

Objectives

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) show promise in treating inflammatory bowel disease. We tested if BMSCs improve Trinitro-benzene-sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis by inducing Treg differentiation by modulating programmed cell death 1 ligand 1(PD-L1).

Results

BMSCs were isolated and transfected with PD-L1 siRNA. Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: normal, model, BMSC control, and PD-L1 siRNA BMSC. Colitis was induced by TNBS, except in the normal group. On d4, the BMSC control and PD-L1 siRNA BMSC groups were intravenously injected with BMSCs at a dose of 5 × 106 cells in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS; volume matched). BMSCs were later verified to have reached the colon tissue. BMSC control showed significantly better clinical symptoms and reduced histopathological colitis severity; PD-L1 siRNA BMSC group showed no difference. PD-L1 siRNA reduced: spleen and mesenteric lymph node Tregs, PD-L1, interleukin-10 (IL10), phosphate and tension homology deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN); colon p-Akt and p-mTOR were increased.

Conclusions

We found that BMSCs can induce Treg differentiation by inhibiting the Akt/mTOR pathway via PD-L1; this significantly improved symptoms and pathology in our ulcerative colitis rat models.
Optical properties of dissolved organic matter in throughfall and stemflow vary across tree species and season in a temperate headwater forest
Authors: Ryan Kevin A. , Adler Thomas , Chalmers Ann T. , Perdrial Julia , Sebestyen Stephen , Shanley James B. , Stubbins Aron
Published: October 2022

Tree-derived dissolved organic matter (DOM) comprises a significant carbon flux within forested watersheds. Few studies have assessed the optical properties of tree-derived DOM. To increase understanding of the factors controlling tree-derived DOM quality, we measured DOM optical properties, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and calcium concentrations in throughfall and stemflow for 17 individual rain events during summer and fall in a temperate deciduous forest in Vermont, United States. DOC and calcium fluxes in throughfall and stemflow were enriched on average 4 to 70 times incident fluxes in rain. A multiway model was developed using absorbance and fluorescence spectroscopy to further characterize DOM optical properties. Throughfall contained a higher percentage of protein-like DOM fluorescence than stemflow while stemflow was characterized by a higher percentage of humic-like DOM fluorescence. DOM absorbance spectral slopes in yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis) stemflow were significantly higher than in sugar maple (Acer saccharum) stemflow. DOM optical metrics were not influenced by rainfall volume, but percent protein-like fluorescence increased in throughfall during autumn when leaves senesced. Given the potential influence of tree-derived DOM fluxes on receiving soils and downstream ecosystems, future modeling of DOM transport and soil biogeochemistry should represent the influence of differing DOM quality in throughfall and stemflow across tree species and seasons.
Modulation of flash ERGs by dynamic backgrounds
Authors: Kremers Jan , Aher Avinash J. , Huchzermeyer Cord
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The aim of this study was to characterize the signal processing mechanisms that lead to an ERG response and to use this characterization for obtaining more robust responses in patients who display feeble responses with standard recordings. We studied the influence of sinusoidally modulating backgrounds on flash ERGs and the relationship between the ERG components’ amplitudes and the momentary Weber fraction of the flash stimulus.

Methods

ERG recordings were performed in nine healthy subjects and three RP patients. In four normal subjects, we measured the response to flashes (500 cd/m2, 1 ms duration) on a steady background (50 cd/m2) and on a sine wave (50 cd/m2 mean luminance) modulating background at 1, 5, 10, and 25 Hz temporal frequencies. The flashes were delivered at eight different phases (0–315° in a step of 45°) during the modulating background sine wave. The responses to the backgrounds were also recorded and subtracted from the responses to flash plus modulating backgrounds to obtain the flash ERGs at the different phases. The recordings in the remaining five normal subjects and the RP patients were performed with a subset of these stimuli.

Results

The flash ERGs were strongly modulated by the backgrounds particularly at low frequencies and were enhanced when the momentary Weber fraction was large. The amplitudes of the components could be described by the Weber fraction plus a saturating nonlinearity and a delay in the processing of background luminance. The strength of the modulation decreased with increasing peak time of the component. Furthermore the background luminance delay was positively correlated with the peak time. The effect was also present in RP patients.

Conclusions

A sine wave background of about 1 Hz can be used to enhance ERG responses. Weber fraction of the flashes is an adequate quantification of stimulus for describing the amplitudes of the ERGs. The data provide basic information on how background luminance is processed in ERG generating mechanisms. The response enhancement can be used in clinical applications to obtain a more robust comparison between normal and patient data.
Option-Implied Skewness and the Value of Financial Intermediaries
Authors: Bressan Silvia , Weissensteiner Alex
Published: October 2022

In this paper, we analyze the relationship among skewness, value, and stock returns for US financial intermediaries. Further, we compare skewness based on past returns to risk-neutral skewness based on options. We find that the option-implied skewness has a significantly higher explanatory power. In line with the strand of literature on investors exploiting mispriced stocks through option trading, we find that a higher ex ante skewness indicates a low valuation that predicts higher returns. We investigate the relationship between skewness and value for each segment of intermediaries, and we show that the link is strongest for financial technology firms.
Strategic directions in the what and how of learning and teaching innovation—a fifty-year synopsis
Authors: Ellis R. A.
Published: October 2022

Student
learning experiences at university are constantly evolving; new disciplinary discoveries, new knowledge, interdisciplinary synergies and new exigencies make learning a dynamic experience for students, teachers and researchers alike; and that is just the what of learning. Add to this, changes in the how of learning, new pedagogies and new technologies, new partners in the provision of learning, as well as new configurations of where learning takes place, such as on campus, at home, in the workplace and online; and it is not hard to make the case that learning experiences of students enrolled in a degree are relatively more complex today than they were even 20 years ago. Much of this change has been captured over the last five decades in the journal Higher Education. The ongoing challenge of these changes is the complexity that accompanies them. How do we improve the student experience of learning in a complex context? What should the outcomes of a higher education degree be? What learning processes are likely to lead better outcomes? How do you assess the quality of learning that may occur in small groups on campus or online, or in large groups in both places, or in laboratories or the workplace? What is the role of material objects in these experiences and do they contribute to outcomes? This manuscript will consider such questions and where the journal is pointing researchers towards new avenues that are developing in learning and teaching internationally.
Maximal Mixed-Drove Co-occurrence Patterns
Authors: Andrzejewski Witold , Boinski Pawel
Published: October 2022

One of the interesting types of spatio-temporal patterns is the Mixed-Drove Co-occurrence Pattern (MDCOP), which represents types of objects frequently located together in both space and time. To discover such patterns, methods based on the well-known Apriori strategy are widely used. They involve determining multi-element MDCOPs by building them up iteratively starting with the two-element patterns and then successively adding another element in each iteration. This approach can be very costly, particularly when the data is dense enough to form patterns of significant size. In this paper, we introduce a definition of a new pattern type called a Maximal Mixed-Drove Co-occurrence Pattern. We also propose a new algorithm MAXMDCOP-Miner, which resigns from popular Apriori strategy of generating candidates and, therefore, can discover long pattern without processing all their subsets. Experiments performed on synthetic and real datasets show that MAXMDCOP-Miner has high performance, in particular for dense datasets or tasks with low user-defined thresholds of spatial or time prevalence.
Liquidity creation, investment, and growth
Authors: Beck Thorsten , Döttling Robin , Lambert Thomas , van Dijk Mathijs
Published: October 2022

Using panel analysis for a large cross-section of countries, we find that liquidity creation by banks is positively associated with economic growth at country and industry levels. Liquidity creation boosts tangible, but not intangible investment and does not contribute to growth in countries with a high share of industries reliant on intangible assets. These findings are consistent with a theoretical model in which liquidity creation fosters investment only if it is sufficiently tangible. Our results shed light on important heterogeneities in the role of banks in the economic development process and their limited role in countries’ transition to knowledge economies.
Attacking neural machine translations via hybrid attention learning
Authors: Ni Mingze , Wang Ce , Zhu Tianqing , Yu Shui , Liu Wei
Published: October 2022

Deep-learning based natural language processing (NLP) models are proven vulnerable to adversarial attacks. However, there is currently insufficient research that studies attacks to neural machine translations (NMTs) and examines the robustness of deep-learning based NMTs. In this paper, we aim to fill this critical research gap. When generating word-level adversarial examples in NLP attacks, there is a conventional trade-off in existing methods between the attacking performance and the amount of perturbations. Although some literature has studied such a trade-off and successfully generated adversarial examples with a reasonable amount of perturbations, it is still challenging to generate highly successful translation attacks while concealing the changes to the texts. To this end, we propose a novel Hybrid Attentive Attack method to locate language-specific and sequence-focused words, and make semantic-aware substitutions to attack NMTs. We evaluate the effectiveness of our attack strategy by attacking three high-performing translation models. The experimental results show that our method achieves the highest attacking performance compared with other existing attacking strategies.
“It’s the Seeing and Feeling”: How Embodied and Conceptual Knowledges Relate in Pipeline Engineering Work
Authors: Maslen Sarah , Hayes Jan
Published: October 2022

This paper examines the relationship between conceptual and embodied reasoning in engineering work. In the last decade across multiple research projects on pipeline engineering, we have observed only a few times when engineers have expressed embodied or sensory aspects of their practice, as if the activity itself is disembodied. Yet, they also often speak about the importance of field experience. In this paper, we look at engineers’ accounts of the value of field experience showing how it works on their sense of what the technology that they are designing looks, feels, and sounds like in practice, and so what this means for construction and operation, and the management of risk. We show how office-based pipeline engineering work is an exercise in embodied imagination that humanizes the socio-technical system as it manifests in the technical artifacts that they work with. Engineers take the role of the other to reason through the practicability of their designs and risk acceptability.
Steam Degradation of Ytterbium Disilicate Environmental Barrier Coatings: Effect of Composition, Microstructure and Temperature
Authors: Tejero-Martin Daniel , Bai Mingwen , Rincon Romero Acacio , Wellman Richard G. , Hussain Tanvir
Published: October 2022

Recession of environmental barrier coatings (EBC) in environments containing steam is a pressing concern that requires further research before their implementation in gas turbine engines can be realized. In this work, free-standing plasma-sprayed Yb2Si2O7 coatings were exposed to flowing steam at 1350 and 1400 °C for 96 h. Three samples were investigated, one coating with a low porosity level ( < 3%) and 1 wt.% Al2O3 representing traditional EBCs porosity levels; and two coatings with higher porosity levels (~ 20%) representing abradable EBCs. Phase composition and microstructural evolution were studied in order to reveal the underlying mechanism for the interaction between high temperature steam and ytterbium disilicate. The results show depletion of Yb2SiO5 near the surface and formation of ytterbium garnet (Yb3Al5O12) on top of all three coatings due to the reaction with gaseous Al-containing impurities coming from the alumina furnace tubes. The 1 wt.% Al2O3 added to the EBC sample exacerbated the formation of garnet at 1400 °C compared to the abradable samples, which presented lower quantities of garnet. Additionally, inter-splat boundaries were visible after exposure, indicating preferential ingress of gaseous Al-containing impurities through the splat boundaries.
A Critical Review of a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)-Based Explosion Numerical Analysis of Offshore Facilities
Authors: Kang KiYeob , Wang Xiangyu , Wang Jun , Shi Weixiang , Sun Yanhui , Chen Mengcheng
Published: October 2022

In oil and gas industries, the explosive hazards receive lots of attention to achieve a safety design of relevant facilities. As a part of the robust design for offshore structures, an explosion risk analysis is normally conducted to examine the potential hazards and the influence of them on structural members in a real explosion situation. Explosion accidents in the oil and gas industries are related to lots of parameters through complex interaction. Hence, lots of research and industrial projects have been carried out to understand physical mechanism of explosion accidents. Computational fluid dynamics-based explosion risk analysis method is frequently used to identify contributing factors and their interactions to understand such accidents. It is an effective method when modelled explosion phenomena including detailed geometrical features. This study presents a detailed review and analysis of Computational Fluid Dynamics-based explosion risk analysis that used in the offshore industries. The underlying issues of this method and current limitation are identified and analysed. This study also reviewed potential preventative measures to eliminate such limitation. Additionally, this study proposes the prospective research topic regarding computational fluid dynamics-based explosion risk analysis.
Middle Pleistocene hominin teeth from Biache-Saint-Vaast, France
Authors: Martín-Francés Laura , de Castro José María Bermúdez , de Pinillos Marina Martínez , Martinón-Torres María , Arsuaga Juan Luis , Bertrand Benoît , Vialet Amélie
Published: October 2022

The study of dental morphology can be a very useful tool to understand the origin and evolution of Neanderthals in Europe during the Middle Pleistocene (MP). At present, the earliest evidence, ca. 430 ka, of a pre-Neanderthal population in Europe is the hominin sample from Atapuerca-Sima de los Huesos (SH) that present clear dental affinities with Neanderthals while other penecontemporaneous populations, such as Arago or Mala Balanica, exhibit less Neanderthal traits. We present the morphometric study of the external and internal dental structures of eleven hominin dental remains recovered from the MP, ca. 240 ka, French site of Biache-Saint-Vaast (BSV). Our analyses place the BSV hominins within the MP group, together with SH, Fontana Ranuccio, Visogliano, Steinheim or Montmaurin, that show greater morphological affinities with Neanderthals. Moreover, we identified interpopulation variability in the expression of the enamel thickness trait, with BSV hominins sharing the unique combination of thin and thick pattern in the premolars and molars with the SH population. These results further support the coexistence of two or more populations in Europe during the MP that reflect the population and settlement of human groups suggested by the Central Area of Dispersals of Eurasia (CADE) and sink and source model.
The role of design patterns in the development and legal assessment of lawful technologies
Authors: Dickhaut Ernestine , Li Mahei Manhai , Janson Andreas , Leimeister Jan Marco
Published: October 2022

Novel technologies such as smart personal assistants integrate digital services into everyday life. These services use personal data to offer personalized services. While they are subject to special data protection regulations at the time of development, there are few guidelines describing the transition from legal requirements to implementation. To reduce risks, services depend on external legal assessments. With developers and legal experts often missing either legal or technical knowledge, the challenge lies in bridging this gap. We observe that design patterns support both developers and legal experts, and we present an approach in which design patterns are leveraged to provide twofold value for both developers and legal experts when dealing with novel technologies. We conducted a revelatory case study for smart personal assistants and scaffolded the case interpretation through cognitive fit theory. On the basis of the findings, we develop a theoretical model to explain and predict the twofold value of design patterns to develop and assess lawful technologies.
Rice plant disease diagnosing using machine learning techniques: a comprehensive review
Authors: Udayananda G. K. V. L. , Shyalika Chathurangi , Kumara P. P. N. V.
Published: October 2022

The impact of rice plant diseases has led to a 37% annual drop in rice production. It may happen basically due to the lack of knowledge in identifying and controlling rice plant diseases, but still there isn’t any proper application has been developed which is capable enough to identify these rice plant diseases accurately and control those diseases. In order to identify rice plant disease by an application itself, Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) can be used. Many of researchers have used CNNs for plant disease identification because of their accuracy in image identification and classification. But, there’s still a handful researches have been conducted regarding the identification of rice plant diseases. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of current rice plant illnesses as well as the Deep Learning approaches used to detect such diseases. It also analyzes several kinds of techniques that have been employed in the literature by analyzing all of them with their benefits and drawbacks. It has discovered the most accurate ways in all levels of the image identification procedure as a consequence of this research, that will be valuable in recognizing rice plant illnesses.
When Environmental Protection and Human Rights Collide
Authors: Petersmann Marie-Catherine
Published: October 2022

Conflicts between environmental protection laws and human rights present delicate trade-offs when concerns for social and ecological justice are increasingly intertwined. This book retraces how the legal ordering of environmental protection evolved over time and progressively merged with human rights concerns, thereby leading to a synergistic framing of their relation. It explores the world-making effects this framing performed by establishing how 'human' ought to relate to 'nature', and examines the role played by legislators, experts and adjudicators in (re)producing it. While it questions, contextualises and problematises how and why this dominant framing was construed, it also reveals how the conflicts that underpin this relationship - and the victims they affect - mainly remained unseen. The analysis critically evaluates the argumentative tropes and adjudicative strategies used in the environmental case-law of regional courts to understand how these conflicts are judicially mediated, thereby opening space for new modes of politics, legal imagination and representation.
Valuation of Genomic-Enhanced Expected Progeny Differences in Bull Purchasing
Authors: Thompson Taylor , Boyer Christopher N. , Martinez Charles C. , Rowan Troy N. , Rhinehart Justin
Published: October 2022

We estimate a hedonic pricing model to determine producers’ value for bull expected progeny differences (EPDs), genomic-enhanced EPDs, and phenotypic traits. Birth weight EPD, ribeye area EPD, sale weight, age, frame score, and other factors had a statistically significant impact on bull prices. GE-EPDs were not associated with a change in the bull sales prices expect for weaned calf value and birth weight EPDs. Including weaned calf value and GE-EPDs in a bull hedonic pricing model provides a unique contribution. The results from this work will inform educational programming for bull purchasers on using new economic selection indices and GE-EPDs.
Engaging with Science, Values, and Society: Introduction
Authors: Brigandt Ingo
Published: October 2022

Philosophical work on science and values has come to engage with the concerns of society and of stakeholders affected by science and policy, leading to socially relevant philosophy of science and socially engaged philosophy of science. This special issue showcases instances of socially relevant philosophy of science, featuring contributions on a diversity of topics by Janet Kourany, Andrew Schroeder, Alison Wylie, Kristen Intemann, Joyce Havstad, Justin Biddle, Kevin Elliott, and Ingo Brigandt.
The spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) via staff work and household networks in residential aged-care services in Victoria, Australia, May–October 2020
Authors: Sullivan Sheena G. , Sadewo Giovanni Radhitio P. , Brotherton Julia M. , Kaufman Claire , Goldsmith Jessie J. , Whiting Sarah , Wu Logan , Canevari Jose T. , Lusher Dean
Published: October 2022

Objective:

Morbidity and mortality from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been significant among elderly residents of residential aged-care services (RACS). To prevent incursions of COVID-19 in RACS in Australia, visitors were banned and aged-care workers were encouraged to work at a single site. We conducted a review of case notes and a social network analysis to understand how workplace and social networks enabled the spread of severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) among RACS.

Design:

Retrospective outbreak review.

Setting and participants:

Staff involved in COVID-19 outbreaks in RACS in Victoria, Australia, May–October 2020.

Methods:

The Victorian Department of Health COVID-19 case and contact data were reviewed to construct 2 social networks: (1) a work network connecting RACS through workers and (2) a household network connecting to RACS through households. Probable index cases were reviewed to estimate the number and size (number of resident cases and deaths) of outbreaks likely initiated by multisite work versus transmission via households.

Results:

Among 2,033 cases linked to an outbreak as staff, 91 (4.5%) were multisite staff cases. Forty-three outbreaks were attributed to multisite work and 35 were deemed potentially preventable had staff worked at a single site. In addition, 99 staff cases were linked to another RACS outbreak through their household contacts, and 21 outbreaks were attributed to staff–household transmission.

Conclusions:

Limiting worker mobility through single-site policies could reduce the chances of SARS-CoV-2 spreading from one RACS to another. However, initiatives that reduce the chance of transmission via household networks would also be needed.