bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Dynamic Cerebral Autoregulation During Long‐Term Exposure to High Altitude in Normal Subjects by Ultrasonography
Authors: Liang Yuan , Gao Zi Zhao , Chen Hong Yu , Gao Hong Kui , Qiang Xiao Peng , Wang Jia
Published: May 2024

Purpose

To evaluate changes in dynamic cerebral autoregulation (CA) during short‐term and long‐term exposure to high altitude with ultrasonography, and also study the sex differences in the response of CA to altitude.

Methods

We assessed the differences in dynamic CA and measured with Doppler ultrasound of the bilateral internal carotid artery (ICA), vertebral artery (VA), and middle cerebral artery (MCA) and the values of basic information within 48 hours and at 2 years after arrival at Tibet in 65 healthy Han young Chinese volunteers, meanwhile, we compared the resistance index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) of the right MCA at inhale oxygen 8 minutes when a newcomer with 2 years after arrival at Tibet.

Results

With 2 years of altitude exposure, the SaO2 of all subjects was above 90%, the mean PEF, DAP, and HR values decreased, HGB increased compared within 48 hours in same‐gender groups. Comparisons of cerebral hemodynamics between before 2 years and after 2 years within male and female groups, the mean RI and PI values of bilateral MCA after 2 years were significantly higher than before 2 years, at the same time, the mean RI and PI values of bilateral ICA were significant differences (P < .05) between male groups, with regard to female groups, showed that the mean RI and PI values of bilateral VA were significant differences (P < .05). Comparisons of Right MCA hemodynamics between after oxygen uptake 8 minutes and 2 years, the mean RI and PI values were no significant difference within male and female groups (P > .05).

Conclusions

Acute mountain sickness could result from an alteration of dynamic autoregulation of cerebral blood flow, but the impaired autoregulation may be corrected with the extension of time, furthermore, the response of CA to altitude in males and females are different.
Optimum Parameters in Ultrasound Coherent Plane Wave Compounding for High LPWV Estimation
Authors: Xiong Li , Zhang Yufeng , He Bingbing , Zhang Kexin , Zhu Jingying , Lang Xun
Published: May 2024

Objectives

The aim of this study is to determine the optimum and fine values of the number and transmission angles of tilted plane waves for coherent plane‐wave compounding (CPWC)‐based high local pulse wave velocity (LPWV) estimation.

Methods

A Verasonics system incorporating a linear array probe L14‐5/38 with 128 elements and a pulsatile pump, CompuFlow1000, were used to acquire radio frequency data of 3, 5, 7, and 9 tilted plane wave sequences with angle intervals from 0° to 12° with a coarse interval increment step of 1°, and the angle intervals from 0° to 2° with a fine interval increment step of 0.25° from a carotid vessel phantom with the LPWV of 13.42 ± 0.90 m/s. The mean value, standard deviation, and coefficients of variation (CV) of the estimated LPWVs were calculated to quantitatively assess the performance of different configurations for CPWC‐based LPWV estimation. Ten healthy human subjects of two age groups were recruited to assess the in vivo feasibility of the optimum parameter values.

Results

The CPWC technique with three plane waves (PRF of 12 kHz corresponding to a frame rate of 4000 Hz) with an interval of 0.75° had LPWVs of 13.52 ± 0.08 m/s with the lowest CV of 1.84% on the phantom, and 5.49 ± 1.46 m/s with the lowest CV of 12.35% on 10 subjects.

Conclusions

The optimum parameters determined in this study show the best repeatability of the LPWV measurements with a vessel phantom and 10 healthy subjects, which support further studies on larger datasets for potential applications.
Enhancing Protein and Vitamin A Intake Through the Addition of Bambara Groundnut and Ripe Plantain to Maize Porridge
Authors: Otoo Gifty Serwaa , Abano Ernest Ekow , Amoah Robert Sarpong , Agblemanyo Felix Edufia , Dadzie Rosemond Godbless , Kizzie‐Hayford Nazir , Seidu‐Larry Salifu , Ampofo‐Asiama Jerry
Published: May 2024

Protein deficiency, especially among children, is prevalent in most developing countries. One sustainable strategy proposed to tackle this deficiency is by incorporating locally available but underutilised staple foods that are rich in proteins such as Bambara groundnut into pre‐existing and popular diets such as porridge prepared from roasted maize flour. This strategy can also be used to tackle vitamin A deficiency which is common among children and pregnant women through the incorporation of ripe plantain—a vitamin A rich staple. In this study, the quality of composite flours prepared from roasted maize, Bambara groundnut and ripe plantain and the acceptability of porridge made thereof was investigated. Increasing the levels of Bambara groundnut and ripe plantain increased the protein and β‐carotene levels, respectively, without affecting the physicochemical quality. Increasing the content of ripe plantain increased the iron content; however, higher levels of the Bambara groundnut increased the tannin content. Flash profiling showed that flour composition influenced the attributes of the porridges; however, hedonic sensory scores showed no differences in acceptability with respect to the aroma, appearance, texture and taste.
Optical Information Encryption Based on Secret Sharing Liquid Crystal Elements with Spatial Dislocation
Authors: Xu Xin , Qiao Siyuan , Guo Yinghui , Zhang Qi , Fu Guoquan , Pu Mingbo , Fan Yulong , Li Xiaoyin , Zhang Fei , Xu Mingfeng , Duan Fei , Luo Xiangang
Published: May 2024

Optical encryption is an increasingly significant technique in the realm of information security. In the recent decade, there has been considerable interest in using planar optics elements for information encryption. However, information leakage possibly occurs due to limited encrytion channels available for single‐layer devices. To circumvent this problem, a novel encryption method is put forward using secret sharing cascaded liquid crystal (LC) elements with spatial dislocation, which can produce near‐field patterns and far‐field holographic images under different illumination conditions. Specifically, Malus's Law and its inherent one‐to‐four mapping of rotational degeneracy, along with the Pancharatnam‐Berry (PB) phase introduced by LC molecules, to achieve multi‐channel encryption are utilized. Therefore, each cascaded LC unit can manipulate the amplitude and phase imparted to output light independently, thus only by obtaining both LC devices can decryption be realized. To further enhance the encryption security, the author purposely divide each LC device into multiple regions and find that the encrypted patterns can only be recovered when the two LC elements align precisely with a specific dislocation. These experimental measurements agree well with the design, thus demonstrating the strong encryption capability and broad application prospects of the design approach in the field of optical encryption with high cost‐effectiveness.
Do Entangled Polymer Chains Reptate?
Authors: Ngai Kia L.
Published: May 2024

Neutron spin echo spectroscopy of entangled polymer melts [M. Zamponi, et al. J. Phys. Chem. B 2008, 112, 16220], and of tracer diffusion of short polymer chains in highly entangled polymer melt [M. Zamponi et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 2021, 126, 187801.] and [M. Kruteva et al. Macromolecules 2021, 54, 11384] found the center‐of‐mass mean‐square displacements at shorter times are subdiffusive, heterogeneous, non‐Gaussian, and cooperative. These properties contradict the assumption of reptation within the tube in the tube‐reptation (TR) model, but are in accord with the predictions from the many‐chain cooperative dynamics in the theory of Guenza. The inadequacy of the TR model revealed by the microscopic experiments and theory motivates the author to reexamine previously published data of diffusion of entangled polymer chains from experiments and simulations used to test the TR model. The results reported in this study lead to the conclusion that the key predictions of the TR model are at variance with experimental and simulation data. The cause lies in the reptation hypothesis contradicting the cooperative nature of entangled chain diffusion proven by its dynamics being isomorphic to cooperative diffusion in other materials. The Coupling Model has predictions consistent with the cooperative diffusion properties in interacting materials [Prog. Mater. Sci., 2023, 139, 101130.]. Applied to the entangled polymers, the predictions successfully explain the data, especially those contradicting the TR model. Thus, diffusion of entangled polymer chains is a cooperative many‐chain process in having the universal properties of many‐body cooperative diffusion established in many other interacting materials, and the reptation hypothesis is unwarranted.
RNA modifications in pulmonary diseases
Authors: Qian Weiwei , Yang Lvying , Li Tianlong , Li Wanlin , Zhou Jian , Xie Shenglong
Published: May 2024

Threatening public health, pulmonary disease (PD) encompasses diverse lung injuries like chronic obstructive PD, pulmonary fibrosis, asthma, pulmonary infections due to pathogen invasion, and fatal lung cancer. The crucial involvement of RNA epigenetic modifications in PD pathogenesis is underscored by robust evidence. These modifications not only shape cell fates but also finely modulate the expression of genes linked to disease progression, suggesting their utility as biomarkers and targets for therapeutic strategies. The critical RNA modifications implicated in PDs are summarized in this review, including N6‐methylation of adenosine, N1‐methylation of adenosine, 5‐methylcytosine, pseudouridine (5‐ribosyl uracil), 7‐methylguanosine, and adenosine to inosine editing, along with relevant regulatory mechanisms. By shedding light on the pathology of PDs, these summaries could spur the identification of new biomarkers and therapeutic strategies, ultimately paving the way for early PD diagnosis and treatment innovation.
Yogurt Prevents Colorectal Tumorigenesis in ApcMin/+ Mice
Authors: Li Xiaojing , Qian Jin , Liu Qinglong , Guo Min , Zhang Hao , Li Haitao , Chen Wei
Published: May 2024

Scope

Yogurt consumption is related to a decreased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC), but whether such association is causal remains unclear. Patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) are at increased risk of CRC development. Here, the study investigates the efficacy of yogurt for intestinal polyposis chemoprevention in ApcMin/+ mice, a preclinical model for human FAP.

Methods and results

A 10‐week yogurt supplementation (15 g kg−1) in ApcMin/+ mice significantly reduces the intestinal polyp number (6.50 ± 0.97 versus 1.80 ± 0.49; p < 0.001) compared to controls. 16S rRNA gene‐based microbiota analysis suggests that yogurt supplementation may greatly modulate the gut microbiome composition, especially in the relative abundance of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Importantly, the fecal concentration of d‐lactate (d‐Lac, 0.39 ± 0.04 µmol g−1 versus 8.14 ± 0.62 µmol g−1; p < 0.001) is boosted by yogurt, while oral administration with d‐Lac (125 or 250 mg kg−1) reduces the polyp number by 71.43% or 77.14% (p < 0.001), respectively. The study also observes that d‐Lac does not affect cell viability and anchorage‐independence in CRC cells, but it greatly suppresses epidermal growth factor (EGF) or 12‐O‐tetradecanoylphorbol‐13‐acetate (TPA)‐induced cell transformation in preneoplastic cells. Mechanistically, it demonstrates that d‐Lac may attenuate epithelial cell transformation by targeting PI3K/AKT/β‐catenin axis.

Conclusion

Yogurt protects against intestinal polyposis in ApcMin/+ mice, and d‐Lac may partially account for the chemopreventive effects above.
The IAEA remote audit of small field dosimetry for testing the implementation of the TRS‐483 code of practice
Authors: Kazantsev Pavel , Wesolowska Paulina , Bokulic Tomislav , Falowska‐Pietrzak Olga , Repnin Kostiantyn , Dimitriadis Alexis , Swamidas Jamema , Izewska Joanna
Published: May 2024

Background

The TRS‑483, an IAEA/AAPM International Code of Practice on dosimetry of small static photon fields, underwent testing via an IAEA coordinated research project (CRP). Alongside small field output factors (OFs) measurements using active dosimeters by CRP participants, the IAEA Dosimetry Laboratory received a mandate to formulate a remote small field dosimetry audit method using its passive dosimetry systems.

Purpose

This work aimed to develop a small field dosimetry audit methodology employing radiophotoluminescent dosimeters (RPLDs) and radiochromic films. The methodology was subsequently evaluated through a multicenter pilot study with CRP participants.

Methods

The developments included designing and manufacturing a dosimeter holder set and the characterization of an RPLD system for measurements in small photon fields using the new holder. The audit included verification of small field OFs and lateral beam profiles for small fields. At first, treatment planning system (TPS) calculated OFs were checked against a reference data set that was available for conventional linacs. Second, calculated OFs were verified through the RPLD measurement of point doses in a machine‐specific reference field, 4 cm × 4 cm, 2 cm × 2 cm, and 1 cm × 1 cm, corresponding size circular fields or nearest achievable field sizes. Lastly, profile checks in in‐plane and cross‐plane directions were done for the two smallest fields by comparing film measurements with TPS calculations at 20%, 50%, and 80% isodose levels.

Results

RPLD correction factors for small field measurements were approximately unity. However, they influenced the dose determination's overall uncertainty in small fields, estimated at 2.30% (k = 1 level). Considering the previous experience in auditing reference beam output following the TRS‐398 Code of Practice, the acceptance limit of 5% for the ratio of the dose determined by RPLD to the dose calculated by TPS, DRPLD/DTPS, was considered adequate. The multicenter pilot study included 15 participants from 14 countries (39 beams). Consistent with the previous findings, the results of the OF check against the reference data confirmed that TPSs tend to overestimate OFs for the smallest fields included in this exercise. All except three RPLD measurement results were within the acceptance limit, and the spread of results increased for smaller field sizes. The differences between the film measured and TPS calculated dose profiles were within 3 mm for most of the beams checked; deviated results revealed problems with TPS commissioning and calibration of the treatment unit collimation systems.

Conclusion

The newly developed small field dosimetry audit methodology proved effective and successfully complemented the CRP OF measurements by participants with RPLD audit results.
Assessment of rheumatoid arthritis patients' knowledge about foot problems related to their illness and foot care practice
Authors: Ben Tekaya Aicha , Abid Yosr , Hannech Emna , Ben Dhia Siwar , Bouden Selma , Rouached Leila , Tekaya Rawdha , Mahmoud Ines , Saidane Olfa , Abdelmoula Leila
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Foot problems are very common in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Podiatric intervention through therapeutic education of RA patients on the different potential foot problems could improve patients' knowledge and management of their foot problems. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge of RA patients on podiatric problems related to their illness and foot care practices.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional study including patients diagnosed with RA and aged older than 18 years. Sociodemographic data, disease characteristics, and therapeutic data were collected. RA foot problems knowledge and foot care practice were assessed using a questionnaire combining questions developed from the literature search and a pretested validated questionnaire.

Results

Overall, 103 patients were included of whom 94 were female. The mean age was 56 years (±10 years) and the mean disease duration was 15 years (±10 years). Over 77% of patients reported never having received foot‐health‐related education. With regard to their knowledge about RA foot involvement, patients were aware that RA can affect the feet similarly to the hands (83%), lead to deformation of the foot (86%), lead to walking difficulties and falling (68%), and produce skin lesions of the foot (31%). Regarding participant's knowledge of appropriate footwear, 65% agreed that it would be beneficial to wear quality standard sports shoes. However, less than one‐third of patients know the podiatrist's skills.

Conclusion

Our study showed an awareness of the repercussions of RA on feet but a lack of knowledge on proper foot care, thus identifying a need for foot health therapeutic education.
Modeling dynamic crack branching in unsaturated porous media through multi‐phase micro‐periporomechanics
Authors: Pashazad Hossein , Song Xiaoyu
Published: May 2024

Dynamic crack branching in unsaturated porous media holds significant relevance in various fields, including geotechnical engineering, geosciences, and petroleum engineering. This article presents a numerical investigation into dynamic crack branching in unsaturated porous media using a recently developed coupled micro‐periporomechanics (PPM) paradigm. This paradigm extends the PPM model by incorporating the micro‐rotation of the solid skeleton. Within this framework, each material point is equipped with three degrees of freedom: displacement, micro‐rotation, and fluid pressure. Consistent with the Cosserat continuum theory, a length scale associated with the micro‐rotation of material points is inherently integrated into the model. This study encompasses several key aspects: (1) Validation of the coupled micro‐PPM paradigm for effectively modeling crack branching in deformable porous media, (2) Examination of the transition from a single branch to multiple branches in porous media under drained conditions, (3) Simulation of single crack branching in unsaturated porous media under dynamic loading conditions, and (4) Investigation of multiple crack branching in unsaturated porous media under dynamic loading conditions. The numerical results obtained in this study are systematically analyzed to elucidate the factors that influence crack branching in porous media subjected to dynamic loading. Furthermore, the comprehensive numerical findings underscore the efficacy and robustness of the coupled micro‐PPM paradigm in accurately modeling dynamic crack branching in variably saturated porous media.
Otitis media with effusion in preschool children with adenoid hypertrophy: Risk factors and nursing care
Authors: Hu Runyi , Xia Lifang , Shi Chenchen , Zhou Ying , Guo Xiaowen
Published: May 2024

Aim

To evaluate the influencing factors of otitis media with effusion (OME) in children with adenoid hypertrophy and to provide evidence for clinical treatment and care of children with adenoid hypertrophy.

Design

A retrospective study.

Methods

Preschool children with adenoid hypertrophy treated in our hospital from 1 January 2021 to 30 July 2022 were included. We analysed the characteristics of OME and non‐OME children with adenoid hypertrophy. Pearson correlation analysis and logistic regression analysis were performed to evaluate the risk factors for OME in children with adenoid hypertrophy.

Conclusion

A total of 166 children with adenoid hypertrophy were included; the incidence of OME in children with adenoid hypertrophy was 34.94%. The incidence of OME decreased significantly with the increase in age (p = 0.014). Logistic regression analysis showed that age < 3 years (OR = 3.149, 95%CI: 2.812–3.807) and duration of adenoid hypertrophy ≥12 months (OR = 2.326, 95%CI: 2.066–2.612) were the risk factors of OME in children with adenoid hypertrophy (all p < 0.05).

Patient Contribution

The incidence of adenoid hypertrophy with OME is high in preschool children, and it is related to the age and duration of adenoid hypertrophy.
An efficient hybrid approach based design of photovoltaic fed grid integrated wireless electric vehicle battery charger
Authors: Kumar M. Jagadeesh , Rahul Kumar , Kumar Pappula Sampath , Chavda Jiten K.
Published: May 2024

This article proposes a Fire Hawk Optimizer (FHO) technique for photovoltaic fed grid connected wireless electric vehicle battery‐charger. The optimization issues are solved by the FHO across a countless endless exploring space. The main aim of the proposed technique is to enhance the efficiency, reduce energy demand, improve communication amid the receiver and transmitter sides of electric vehicle (EV) and reduce range anxiety. A photovoltaic (PV) panel, an energy storage unit (ESU), and electric vehicles are part of the proposed topology. Each unit is separately regulated, and the converter of energy storage unit uses a voltage‐regulation mechanism to guarantee that the direct current bus voltage is kept in nominal‐level when operating in various circumstances. An essential requirement for the quick commercialization of EVs is the ability to charge them. Moreover, the charging‐station smartly uses grid power in the event that the battery storage is empty and the generation of solar photovoltaic array is not available. The inverter is tuned using the proposed technique. The FHO method is done in MATLAB software and it evaluated their performance. The proposed methodology provides higher efficiency of 91% than the existing techniques.
Nitroxide mediated controlled radical polymerization of α‐Methylene‐γ‐Butyrolactone
Authors: Métafiot Adrien , Marić Milan
Published: May 2024

The controlled polymerization of α‐methylene‐γ‐butyrolactone (MBL, a naturally occurring sesquiterpene lactone found in tulips) was performed by nitroxide mediated polymerization (NMP) using the alkoxyamine Dispolreg 007 as the initiating system at 80 °C in 50 wt% DMSO. Features of a reversible‐deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP) were observed with a linear growth of the macro‐radical with conversion and a relatively low dispersity (Ð ≤ 1.45). The P(MBL) homopolymer chain ends were mostly re‐activatable as the chain extensions with styrene (S) and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) in DMSO were successful. Interestingly, the polymerization of MBL initiated by 2‐methyl‐2‐[N‐tert‐butyl‐N‐(1‐diethoxyphosphoryl‐2,2‐dimethylpropyl)‐aminoxy]‐N‐propionyloxysuccinimide (known as NHS‐BlocBuilder) under various experimental conditions did not produce well‐defined P(MBL), possibly due to an excessively high equilibrium constant. However, the bulk copolymerization of MBL with 10–21 mol% of β‐myrcene (Myr, another renewable monomer from the terpene family) initiated by NHS‐BlocBuilder at 100–110 °C led to all the features of a controlled system. The SG1 chain end fidelity of the resulting P(MBL‐co‐Myr) copolymer was confirmed via 31P NMR and by re‐initiating successfully the copolymer chains with a mixture of GMA and Myr monomers at 120 °C in DMSO.
Crystal structure of human Cep57 C‐terminal domain reveals the presence of leucine zipper and the potential microtubule binding region
Authors: Sukla Sanskrita , Dhakshinamoorthy Dhayanitha Ranganathan , Ramesh Arvind V. , Lew Scott , Su Min , Seetharaman Jayaraman
Published: May 2024

Cep57, a vital centrosome‐associated protein, recruits essential regulatory enzymes for centriole duplication. Its dysfunction leads to anomalies, including reduced centrioles and mosaic‐variegated aneuploidy syndrome. Despite functional investigations, understanding structural aspects and their correlation with functions is partial till date. We present the structure of human Cep57 C‐terminal microtubule binding (MT‐BD) domain, revealing conserved motifs ensuring functional preservation across evolution. A leucine zipper, with an adjacent possible microtubule‐binding region, potentially forms a stabilizing scaffold for microtubule nucleation—accommodating pulling and tension from growing microtubules. This study highlights conserved structural features of Cep57 protein, compares them with other analogous proteins, and explores how protein function is maintained across diverse organisms.
Risk communication and large language models
Authors: Sledge Daniel , Thomas Herschel F.
Published: May 2024

The widespread embrace of Large Language Models (LLMs) integrated with chatbot interfaces, such as ChatGPT, represents a potentially critical moment in the development of risk communication and management. In this article, we consider the implications of the current wave of LLM‐based chat programs for risk communication. We examine ChatGPT‐generated responses to 24 different hazard situations. We compare these responses to guidelines published for public consumption on the US Department of Homeland Security's Ready.gov website. We find that, although ChatGPT did not generate false or misleading responses, ChatGPT responses were typically less than optimal in terms of their similarity to guidances from the federal government. While delivered in an authoritative tone, these responses at times omitted important information and contained points of emphasis that were substantially different than those from Ready.gov. Moving forward, it is critical that researchers and public officials both seek to harness the power of LLMs to inform the public and acknowledge the challenges represented by a potential shift in information flows away from public officials and experts and towards individuals.
An improved inverse kinematics solution method for the hyper‐redundant manipulator with end‐link pose constraint
Authors: Wang Zhe , Hu Dean , Wan Detao , Liu Chang
Published: May 2024

Hyper‐redundant manipulators have strong flexibility that benefits from their redundant limb structure. However, a large number of redundant degrees of freedom will also lead the solution of inverse kinematics much more difficult, which restricts their motion performance to some extent. Inspired by the FABRIK (Forward and Backward Reaching Inverse Kinematics) method, an improved inverse kinematics solution method for the hyper‐redundant manipulator is proposed. Based on the space vector method, the kinematic model of the manipulator is established to dynamically acquire its endpoint position, and the workspace is further obtained by using the Monte Carlo method. The original search method is optimized, the include angle decoupling mechanism between adjacent links is established to obtain the rotation angles of each joint, and the joint angle limitation is introduced to meet the actual manipulator structural restriction. On this basis, the pose constraint mechanism is established to realize the control of the end‐link pose, and the linear degree of freedom is introduced to realize the solution after the directional expansion of the manipulator's workspace. A series of simulation experiments are carried out. In the experiments, the position error of the manipulator's endpoint is always less than 10−6 mm. Meanwhile, the comparative experimental results show that compared with the original method, the proposed method exhibits higher position accuracy under the condition that the computation time is almost the same. In addition, in the end‐link pose constraint experiment and path motion experiments, the pose error of the end‐link is always less than 10−7°, indicating that the end‐link pose can also meet the high accuracy requirements under the premise of ensuring high position accuracy. Finally, the prototype experiment further verifies its performance.
Stacking nitrogen management practices: Combining double‐slot fertilizer injection with urease and nitrification inhibitors improves yields and reduces ammonia and nitrous oxide emissions
Authors: Drury Craig F. , Agomoh Ikechukwu V. , Yang Xueming , Phillips Lori A. , Reynolds W. Dan , Helmers Matthew J. , Calder Wayne , Hedge Tyler
Published: May 2024

Ammonia loss following nitrogen fertilization can degrade air quality and impact human health, whereas nitrous oxide (N2O) can contribute to global warming and climate change. Mitigation practices that target only one N‐loss pathway can lead to pollution swamping; hence, practices targeting both N‐losses are required. A 3‐year field study examined fertilizer N‐placement (broadcast urea, single‐slot injection of urea ammonium nitrate [UAN], double‐slot UAN injection) and N‐metabolization inhibitors (with/without urease and nitrification inhibitors) impacts on NH3 and N2O losses and corn yields. Ammonia volatilization was reduced (p < 0.05) by 26% with single‐slot UAN injection (10.6 kg N ha−1) and by 63% with double‐slot UAN injection (5.32 kg N ha−1) compared to broadcast urea (14.3 kg N ha−1). Dual urease and nitrification inhibitors reduced NH3 volatilization (0.84–3.86 kg N ha−1) by 57%–92% compared to no inhibitors (5.32–14.3 kg N ha−1). When no inhibitors were applied, N2O emissions from slot injection (6.43–7.62 kg N ha−1) were 2.6–3.1 times greater than from broadcast urea (2.43 kg N ha−1). Dual inhibitors reduced N2O emissions by 43% from 6.43 to 3.66 kg N ha−1 with double‐slot injection. Double‐slot UAN injection increased corn grain yields (9.73 t ha−1) by 12%–13% compared to single‐slot UAN injection (8.71 t ha−1) and broadcast urea (8.6 t ha−1). Double‐slot UAN injection effectively decreased NH3 losses and increased corn grain yields, but dual N inhibitors were required to also reduce N2O. Hence, combined productivity and environmental benefits were accrued only when fertilizer containing urease and nitrification inhibitors was combined with double‐slot injection.
The Formation and Transformation of Low‐Dimensional Carbon Nanomaterials by Electron Irradiation
Authors: Banhart Florian
Published: May 2024

Low‐dimensional materials based on graphene or graphite show a large variety of phenomena when they are subjected to irradiation with energetic electrons. Since the 1990s, electron microscopy studies, where a certain irradiation dose is unavoidable, have witnessed unexpected structural transformations of graphitic nanoparticles. It is recognized that electron irradiation is not only detrimental but also bears considerable potential in the formation of new graphitic structures. With the availability of aberration‐corrected electron microscopes and the discovery of techniques to produce monolayers of graphene, detailed insight into the atomic processes occurring during electron irradiation became possible. Threshold energies for atom displacements are determined and models of different types of lattice vacancies are confirmed experimentally. However, experimental evidence for the configuration of interstitial atoms in graphite or adatoms on graphene remained indirect, and the understanding of defect dynamics still depends on theoretical concepts. This article reviews irradiation phenomena in graphene‐ or graphite‐based nanomaterials from the scale of single atoms to tens of nanometers. Observations from the 1990s can now be explained on the basis of new results. The evolution of the understanding during three decades of research is presented, and the remaining problems are pointed out.
A Biomineralized Bifunctional Patient‐Friendly Nanosystem for Sustained Glucose Monitoring and Control in Diabetes
Authors: Yang Zhe , Chan Yuen‐Man , Chan Daniel Shiu‐Hin , Wu Chengnan , Wang Zimeng , Jiang Yuxin , Liu Danyong , Xia Zhengyuan , Zhang Li , Cai Yin , Wong Chun‐Yuen
Published: May 2024

Regular blood glucose monitoring and control is necessary for people with type 1 or advanced type 2 diabetes, yet diagnosing and treating patients with diabetes in an accurate, sustained and patient‐friendly manner remains limited. Here, a glucose‐responsive bifunctional nanosystem (PGOxMns) is constructed via one‐pot biomineralisation of manganese dioxide with glucose oxidase and ε‐poly‐L‐lysine. Under hyperglycaemic conditions, the cascade reactions that occur when glucose interacts with PGOxMns can trigger the production of Mn(II), which enhances the magnetic resonance imaging signal. Simultaneously, manganese dioxide catalyses the decomposition of toxic hydrogen peroxide into oxygen, which also maintains glucose oxidase (GOx) activity. In an in vivo model of diabetes, PGOxMns is used to monitor glucose levels (0–20 mm) and allowed identification of diabetic mice via T1‐weighted MRI. Furthermore, PGOxMns is found to have a high insulin‐loading capacity (83.6%), likely due to its positive charge. A single subcutaneous injection of insulin‐loaded nanosystem (Ins‐PGOxMns) into diabetic mice resulted in a rapid and efficient response to a glucose challenge and prolonged blood glucose level control (< 200 mg dL−1) for up to 50 h. Overall, this proof‐of‐concept study demonstrates the feasibility of using biomineralised nanosystems to develop patient‐friendly strategies for glucose monitoring and control.
Intelligent crack identification method for high‐rise buildings aided by synthetic environments
Authors: Yao Ziluo , Jiang Sheng , Wang Shuo , Wang Jingjing , Liu Hai , Narazaki Yasutaka , Cui Jie , Spencer Billie F.
Published: May 2024

Cracks can develop in high‐rise buildings because of long‐term environmental changes and extreme loading events such as strong winds or earthquakes. Although deep learning‐based identification methods can efficiently identify cracks, the accuracy of crack identification in high‐rise buildings needs to be improved due to the lack of crack datasets specifically related to high‐rise structures. Moreover, the number of available images of cracks in high‐rise is limited. To this end, this paper establishes an intelligent crack identification method based on a photorealistic synthetic modeling technique. First, a computer graphics (CG) model of a high‐rise building with assumed damage is constructed. Subsequently, the CG model is utilized to generate a dataset that includes photorealistic images of the high‐rise building as well as corresponding labels for various components and types of damage. The generated dataset is then used to train a DeepLabv3 + neural network for structural component and damage identification, followed by validation by employing images of both synthetic and full‐scale high‐rise buildings. The trained network can accurately identify different components in images of the full‐scale, high‐rise building and identify cracks that are intentionally synthesized in those images. The results show that the synthetic dataset generated by the CG model not only allows for fast and efficient labeling for the purpose of neural network training but also outperforms methods that do not consider any application‐specific context in crack identification.
Is it pain, or is it behaviour?
Authors: Pearson Gemma
Published: May 2024

This year BVA Live will, for the first time, feature farm animal and equine CPD. Among the varied topics on offer, Gemma Pearson will be presenting an introduction to equine behavioural medicine, examining the link between emotional and physical health in horses.
Are pets replacing children?
Authors: Loeb Josh
Published: May 2024

Josh Loeb reports from a conference which tackled the topic of whether pet ownership is leading to falling birth rates and, if so, is this such a bad thing?
MTTLA‐DLW: Multi‐task TCN‐Bi‐LSTM transfer learning approach with dynamic loss weights based on feature correlations of the training samples for short‐term wind power prediction
Authors: Song Jifeng , Peng Xiaosheng , Song Jiajiong , Yang Zimin , Wang Bo , Che Jianfeng
Published: May 2024

Wind power prediction for newly built wind farms is usually faced with the problem of no sufficient historical data. To efficiently extract the useful features from related wind farms, a novel transfer learning method based on temporal convolutional network (TCN)‐Bi‐long short‐term memory (LSTM) with dynamic loss weights is proposed. Firstly, a novel multi‐task TCN‐Bi‐LSTM model is designed to extract common features. The separate TCNs, and common Bi‐LSTM layers of the proposed model are designed to extract the temporal features from related wind farms. Secondly, in the pre‐training stage, to optimize the training process of the neural networks, a dynamic loss‐weighting strategy is proposed for multi‐task learning (MTL) to select the most related features, which increase the prediction accuracy by providing a suitable optimization object. Thirdly, the multi‐task TCN‐Bi‐LSTM model is re‐trained based on the samples from the target wind farm. Finally, a dataset of seven wind farms was employed to evaluate the efficiency of the proposed MTL structure and the dynamic loss‐weighting strategy. The result shows that the root mean squared error of the 12‐h short‐term prediction can be decreased by 4.19% compared with the traditional single‐task learning model, which verifies the validity of the proposed multi‐task transfer learning method.
Integrating climate change, food safety, nutrition, and health outcomes in food systems policies and programs in Africa
Authors: Assoua Joe E. , Bomdzele Eric , Omosehin Olanrewaju , Binuomote Samuel O. , Osabuohien Evans , Enwa Sarah , Okunade Solomon O.
Published: May 2024

Integrating climate change, food safety, nutrition, and health outcomes in food systems policies and programs is crucial for addressing the multifaceted challenges African countries encounter. Climate change significantly impacts food production, food safety, and the provision of nutritious and healthy diets. Existing interventionist policies in Africa have not taken a comprehensive approach to addressing the bidirectional relationships among climate change, food safety, nutrition, and health outcomes. This hinders the formulation of comprehensive policies and programs that effectively address these interconnected issues. Also, limited evidence supports understanding the interplay among climate change, food safety, nutrition, and health outcomes within the African context. Thus, the study explores the pathways of interlinkages and complementarities among these factors and identifies the barriers to their effective implementation. In achieving its objective, this study adopts a food systems approach to examine the interrelaionships among climate change, food safety, nutrition, and health programs and policies. The study uses a comprehensive analysis of existing literature and empirical data to better understand these interrelationships within the food system. By identifying the interdependencies, the study is relevant for the development of integrative policies and programs that address these interconnected issues.Á
Variation in prevalence and intensity of macroparasites in moose and their interactions with winter tick load in eastern Canada
Authors: Pouchet Catherine , Fernandez‐Prada Christopher , Dussault Christian , Leclerc Martin , Tremblay Jean‐Pierre , Côté Steeve D.
Published: May 2024

Wild animals are infected with a large diversity and abundance of parasites that can affect their behavior, growth, body condition, and ultimately their survival. Although the adverse effects of parasites and the mechanisms involved in the interactions between a host and its parasites are generally well studied, much less is known about the additive or synergistic effects of multiple parasite species on a host. Moose populations in eastern Canada are infected by several species of endoparasites. In the last decades, the intensity of infestations by winter ticks, an ectoparasite, on moose have increased as a result of increased moose densities and favorable weather conditions that benefit winter tick survival. We aimed to document the diversity, intensity, prevalence, and distribution of different parasite species of moose in southern Quebec, Canada. We then evaluated the potential interaction between winter tick and endoparasites of moose, and we evaluated the effect of the simultaneous presence of ticks and endoparasites on moose body condition. To do so, we collected organs to identify and count endoparasite species, estimate winter tick abundance, and measure subcutaneous fat thickness from 174 hunted moose in fall 2019 in 8 regions of Quebec. Our results showed that the prevalence and intensity of winter tick and gastrointestinal parasites differed among regions, as well as the prevalence of the heart parasite Taenia krabbei and the intensity of lung parasite Echinoccocus granulosus. Moose body condition, however, was not influenced by the simultaneous presence of winter tick and endoparasites. The documentation of the interactive effects of multiple parasite species on a host is fundamental given that future environmental conditions in temperate climate will favor the reproduction, development, and survival of several parasite species, which could affect parasite diversity and abundance in the environment and modify host–parasite dynamics.
Do wolves control their own numbers? Understanding and updating the long debate
Authors: Smith Douglas W. , Cassidy Brenna J.
Published: May 2024

The population dynamics of animals involve a complex interplay between intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Intrinsic regulation, characterized as population self‐regulation, encompasses mechanisms that moderate growth rates before reaching maximum food‐dependent densities. Conversely, extrinsically regulated populations are constrained by environmental variables such as food availability, predation, and disease. What regulates wolf populations has been debated for decades, with most publications concluding that wolves are extrinsically regulated, despite evidence of intrinsic mechanisms. This paper summarizes one perspective from a debate at the 'Wolves Across Borders' conference in Stockholm, Sweden in May 2023. Since this paper is a summary of a public debate, the paper is neither a review nor research paper, rather a research history and a recommendation on how the long‐term disagreement might be resolved. Wolf population regulation is likely an interplay between both intrinsic and extrinsic factors which is best studied longitudinally by monitoring one population through time.
From Preschool to Vocational Training and Tertiary Education—Study Design of the BiKS-3-18 Study
Authors: Homuth Christoph , Lehrl Simone , Volodina Anna , Weinert Sabine , Rossbach Hans-Günther
Published: May 2024

The educational development and achievements of children depend on individual prerequisites as well as on familial and institutional learning contexts. Data from the study BiKS-3-18 (Educational Processes, Competence Development, and Formation of Educational Decisions in Preschool and School Age) enables educational research on mechanisms and long-term effects of early child development and different learning environments in Germany. This contribution provides an overview of the study design, sampling procedures and sizes, contents, and research potential of the BiKS-3-18 study. Starting in 2005, the study followed preschool children from Bavaria and Hesse from the age of three over fifteen years, from preschool through primary and secondary school, including their educational and vocational career paths beyond compulsory schooling into the labor market or tertiary education. The study comprehensively assessed children’s competencies and their familial and institutional learning environments particularly across preschool and primary school (ten assessment waves). Additionally, children’s parents and teachers were interviewed. The initial sample consisted of 547 preschool children and added 528 of their classmates in primary school after enrollment. Furthermore, both after the transition from primary to secondary education and after the transition from secondary education to vocational or tertiary education, children and their parents were again tested and interviewed until the children were 18 years old (three additional assessment waves).
Quality of Learning Environments in Early Childhood
Authors: Rossbach Hans-Günther , Blaurock Sabine , Grosse Christiane , Kluczniok Katharina , Kuger Susanne , Lehrl Simone , Smidt Wilfried
Published: May 2024

Young children experience different learning environments in early childhood that influence their development in many ways. The following paper considers the quality of the family, preschool, and primary school early learning environments with a special focus on the process quality in these environments. What is innovative in this study is that it draws together three research literatures that are traditionally studied in isolation. By creating a shared lens for assessing environmental quality across different contexts, the BiKS study revealed the relevant factors that shape development over time at home and in (pre)school. First, an overview is given on the research instruments used in BiKS-3-18, followed by a description of the level and stability of quality within these environments over time. Next, the relations between process quality and structural conditions within these environments are presented. The paper ends with a discussion of the results. Some policy implications of the findings from BiKS are made throughout the paper, especially in the discussion.
From Primary School to Vocational Training and Tertiary Education—Study Design of BiKS-8-18
Authors: Homuth Christoph , Schmitt Monja , Pfost Maximilian
Published: May 2024

This article provides an overview of the study design, the sampling procedure, the applied instruments, and the research potential of BiKS-8-18 “Educational Processes, Competence Development, and Formation of Educational Decisions in Preschool and School Age”). BiKS-8-18 is a panel study, which followed students in the German federal states of Bavaria and Hesse from 2006 through 2016 to trace their educational trajectories and competence developments. One of the major aims of the study was to gather suitable longitudinal data to explain previous findings of international large-scale assessments such as PISA, e.g., on the importance of social origin for educational achievements. The study is characterized by an interdisciplinary approach that includes pedagogical, psychological, and sociological perspectives. The study followed students from primary school over their educational career until their transitions from general education into tertiary education or vocational education when they were around 18–19 years old. During their time in primary school and secondary school, the study assessed children’s competencies and their familial and institutional learning environments. Additionally, children’s parents and teachers were interviewed. The initial sample consisted of 2,395 children in Grade 3. In Grade 5, the sample was expanded by further 879 secondary school students within BiKS-8-18 study classes.
Non-linearities in cosmological bubble wall dynamics
Authors: De Curtis Stefania , Rose Luigi Delle , Guiggiani Andrea , Muyor Ángel Gil , Panico Giuliano
Published: May 2024

Abstract

A precise modelling of the dynamics of bubbles nucleated during first-order phase transitions in the early Universe is pivotal for a quantitative determination of various cosmic relics, including the stochastic background of gravitational waves. The equation of motion of the bubble front is affected by the out-of-equilibrium distributions of particle species in the plasma which, in turn, are described by the corresponding Boltzmann equations. In this work we provide a solution to these equations by thoroughly incorporating the non-linearities arising from the population factors. Moreover, our methodology relies on a spectral decomposition that leverages the rotational properties of the collision integral within the Boltzmann equations. This novel approach allows for an efficient and robust computation of both the bubble speed and profile. We also refine our analysis by including the contributions from the electroweak gauge bosons. We find that their impact is dominated by the infrared modes and proves to be non-negligible, contrary to the naive expectations.