bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Pilot Study of Observation Poisoning on Selective Reincarnation in Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Putla Harsha , Patibandla Chanakya , Singh Krishna Pratap , Nagabhushan P
Published: May 2024

This research explores the vulnerability of selective reincarnation, a concept in Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning (MARL), in response to observation poisoning attacks. Observation poisoning is an adversarial strategy that subtly manipulates an agent’s observation space, potentially leading to a misdirection in its learning process. The primary aim of this paper is to systematically evaluate the robustness of selective reincarnation in MARL systems against the subtle yet potentially debilitating effects of observation poisoning attacks. Through assessing how manipulated observation data influences MARL agents, we seek to highlight potential vulnerabilities and inform the development of more resilient MARL systems. Our experimental testbed was the widely used HalfCheetah environment, utilizing the Independent Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient algorithm within a cooperative MARL setting. We introduced a series of triggers, namely Gaussian noise addition, observation reversal, random shuffling, and scaling, into the teacher dataset of the MARL system provided to the reincarnating agents of HalfCheetah. Here, the “teacher dataset” refers to the stored experiences from previous training sessions used to accelerate the learning of reincarnating agents in MARL. This approach enabled the observation of these triggers’ significant impact on reincarnation decisions. Specifically, the reversal technique showed the most pronounced negative effect for maximum returns, with an average decrease of 38.08% in Kendall’s tau values across all the agent combinations. With random shuffling, Kendall’s tau values decreased by 17.66%. On the other hand, noise addition and scaling aligned with the original ranking by only 21.42% and 32.66%, respectively. The results, quantified by Kendall’s tau metric, indicate the fragility of the selective reincarnation process under adversarial observation poisoning. Our findings also reveal that vulnerability to observation poisoning varies significantly among different agent combinations, with some exhibiting markedly higher susceptibility than others. This investigation elucidates our understanding of selective reincarnation’s robustness against observation poisoning attacks, which is crucial for developing more secure MARL systems and also for making informed decisions about agent reincarnation.
The effect of lateral thrust on the progressive slope failure under excavation and rainfall conditions
Authors: Yu Xiang , Zhao Tao , Gong Bin , Zhang Yongjun , Tang Chun’an , Luo Yu
Published: May 2024

Large landslides can involve the multiple failures of regional slopes. To understand the effect of lateral thrust caused by the failure of one slope on its surroundings, the failures of two adjacent highway slopes in Guangdong Province, China, were investigated in detail. The interactive failure processes and landslide morphological characteristics of the two slopes were first analyzed based on the on-site investigation. Then, a plane mechanical model of a large-scale slope was established to evaluate the significant influence of the lateral thrust generated by the west slope acting on the east excavated slope. Furthermore, the extrusion effect of the west slope was modelled under the alternate excavation disturbance and rainfall by transferring the thrust forces onto the interface elements, and the induced failure mechanism and instability mode of the east slope under lateral thrust were reproduced numerically. The results show that the compression-shear failure occurred at the middle and rear slope bodies because of the lateral thrust, which led to the formation of a thrust landslide and the final instability of the east slope.
Coconut-sourced MCT oil: its potential health benefits beyond traditional coconut oil
Authors: Duranova Hana , Kuzelova Lenka , Fialkova Veronika , Simora Veronika , Kovacikova Eva , Joanidis Patricia , Borotova Petra , Straka Dusan , Hoskin Roberta Targino , Moncada Marvin , de Medeiros Fábio Gonçalves Macêdo , Gabriny Lucia
Published: May 2024

Plant dietary lipids remain one of the most intriguing and complex classes of biological molecules. Among them, medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) have garnered recognition for their unique physico-chemical properties and potential health benefits. Despite their classification as saturated fats, they stand apart from other saturated fatty acids due to their distinctive characteristics, positioning them as a valuable component in nutrition. While traditional dietary fats primarily contain long-chain triglycerides (LCTs), MCTs consist of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), naturally found in coconut and palm oils. The structural dissimilarity grants MCTs advantageous attributes, encompassing rapid digestion and absorption, providing a swift source of energy. Importantly, MCT oil derived from coconuts surpasses traditional coconut oil in efficiency and speed of energy conversion due to its higher concentration of readily metabolizable MCTs, making it a superior choice in human nutrition. This comprehensive study delves deeply into the potential of coconut-derived MCT oil, illuminating its chemical constituents, production from coconut oil, distinctive physical and chemical properties, and metabolic characteristics. Additionally, it highlights a range of potential biological activities of the oil, including its efficacy in managing gastrointestinal disorders and promising roles in anticancer, neuroprotective, and antimicrobial effects. The report also discusses the extensive applications of MCT oil across diverse industrial and technological sectors, as well as its utilization in structured lipids, oleogels, and as a carrier for capsaicin. Addressing safety concerns and providing dosage guidelines, this paper emphasizes MCT oil as an alternative to coconut oil in various applications, offering a holistic perspective on its benefits.
Effect of intercropping maize and sunn hemp at different times and stand densities on soil properties and crop yield under in-field rainwater harvesting (IRWH) tillage in semi-arid South Africa
Authors: Dzvene Admire R. , Gura Isaac , Tesfuhuney Weldemichael , Walker Sue , Ceronio Gert
Published: May 2024

Background

Evidence suggests that manipulating intercropping timing and stand density within intercropping systems could enhance crop yields. However, our current understanding of the effects of intercropping a cover crop on soil chemical properties and moisture still needs to be improved. This study investigates the effects of intercropping sunn hemp with maize at different timings and stand densities on selected soil properties and crop yield.

Materials and methods

A split-plot experiment was conducted under the in-field rainwater harvesting (IRWH) tillage. The trial had three intercropping times (simultaneously with maize planting, at V15 maize growth stage, and R1 maize growth stage) as the main plot factors and three stand densities (16, 32, and 48 plants m−2) as the subplot factors, with three replicates for both the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons. Changes in soil properties were assessed within the uppermost layer (0-30 cm). Soil moisture content was continuously monitored throughout the growing season and specific soil chemical properties were analyzed at harvest.

Results

The results showed that the interaction of sunn hemp intercropping period and stand densities did not significantly influence most of the measured soil properties. The early planting of sunn hemp had significantly 32.4% higher soil organic matter (SOM) than the last planting date at low stand density. After two growing seasons SOM, nitrogen, potassium, and manganese were significantly enhanced by 39.7%, 19.0%, 21% and 60.6% respectively. However, during the same period calcium, sodium and iron were significantly reduced by 13.4%, 46.1% and 78.0% respectively. The management of sunn hemp crop had significant effect on maize grain yield across the two seasons. The maize yields in the medium and high stand densities in the first season were significantly 15.3% and 34.3% higher than in the second season, respectively.

Conclusion

Due to the intercropping treatments, the retention of sunn hemp residues with varying quantities and qualities may have influenced the soil nutrient dynamics in the short-term. Significant changes in soil chemical properties and yield may need more time, and future research should be conducted out in agricultural regions with different soil mineral matrices.
Local News Reporting and Mass Attitudes on Infrastructure Investment
Authors: Trexler Andrew , Mullin Megan
Published: May 2024

A growing body of research documents how shrinking local newsrooms undermine political accountability and local fiscal and policy performance in the United States. We extend this work to examine political impacts from the level of information content in local news, which has been jeopardized by reductions in newsroom staffing. To understand how information content affects public response to news coverage of a local issue, we focus on the case of preventive spending on infrastructure maintenance and repair. Inefficiently low levels of infrastructure investment are often attributed to low public knowledge about the risk of failure events. In a preregistered survey experiment, we test how the level and type of information in a news article affect support for infrastructure investment across two different types of infrastructure risk (repeated nuisance versus catastrophic failure). For both types of risk, we find that more information-rich reporting, whether investigative or event-driven, increases public support for preventive spending and imposes accountability penalties on local leaders who fail to invest in prevention.
Indefinite q-integrals from a method using q-Riccati equations
Authors: Heragy Gamela E. , Mansour Zeinab S. I. , Oraby Karima M.
Published: May 2024

In an earlier work, a method was introduced for obtaining indefinite q-integrals of q-special functions from the second-order linear q-difference equations that define them. In this paper, we reformulate the method in terms of q-Riccati equations, which are nonlinear and first order. We derive q-integrals using fragments of these Riccati equations, and here only two specific fragment types are examined in detail. The results presented here are for the q-Airy function, the Ramanujan function, the discrete q-Hermite I and II polynomials, the q-hypergeometric functions, the q-Laguerre polynomials, the Stieltjes-Wigert polynomial, the little q-Legendre and the big q-Legendre polynomials.
Using Reference Publication Year Spectroscopy (RPYS) to analyze the research and publication culture in immunology
Authors: Wray K. Brad , Paludan Søren R. , Bornmann Lutz , Haunschild Robin
Published: May 2024

Reference Publication Year Spectroscopy (RPYS) is a method to reveal the historical roots and landmark papers of a research field based on cited references data. RPYS visualizes how frequently cited references occur in the cited reference lists of papers published in the research field. Previous RPYS studies revealed various historical aspects of the research and publication culture in various fields of study (e.g., economy and philosophy of science). Employing RPYS, we examine a dataset of citing publications in immunology. We identify and analyze 20 cited publications occurring very frequently in the cited reference lists of these citing papers. The 20 publications shed light on the epistemic culture and the development of the field of immunology. Whereas 65% of the publications were contributions to the theoretical and empirical understanding of immunology, 35% were contributions to methodology.
What is Legal Reasoning?
Authors: Siliquini-Cinelli Luca
Published: May 2024

Pursuant to the aims and scope of the Special Issue it is part of, this invited contribution seeks to shed new light on the nature and working logic of legal reasoning. It does so by engaging with two of the most authoritative views on the subject which have recently been put forward in the Common law world—namely, Lord Hoffmann’s, and Larry Alexander and Emily Sherwin’s. A key-concern of the Anglophone debate on legal reasoning is whether it is a specialistic type of reasoning requiring ad hoc education and training, or ordinary reasoning subject to ordinary rules of language (i.e. sentence construction, interpretation, etc.). The article argues that compelling though they are, these sorts of enquiries do not help to understand what legal reasoning really is and how it operates. In particular, it argues that if we are to understand what legal reasoning is and how it works, we ought to examine the propositions it aims to craft and support. In so arguing, the article further shows that exploring law’s nature and operations as an intellectual means for social ordering also helps to understand how law works as a regulatory phenomenon more generally.
Predicting Social Inequality in Poland Using Price Dispersion on the Real Estate Market
Authors: Stachurski Tomasz , Ża̧dło Tomasz , Wolny-Dominiak Alicja
Published: May 2024

Measuring and predicting price dispersion on the real estate market is an important issue for both investors and policymakers. Price dispersion in the housing market can be seen as an additional dimension for measuring social inequality and one of the main goals of public policies that focus on life satisfaction and the accumulation of permanent wealth. The article considers the Polish real estate market and proposes the prediction methods of four measures of dispersion. They are based on quantiles and allow overall measurement of dispersion. In the prediction of dispersion measures the plug-in predictors utylizing longitudinal mixed models are proposed. Furthermore, the ex ante prediction accuracy measure called the quantile of absolute prediction errors (QAPE) is assessed using the residual bootstrap estimators. QAPE allows for a comprehensive description of the distribution of prediction errors, thus fostering discussion of possible various market scenarios.
Pattern matching algorithms in blockchain for network fees reduction
Authors: Susik Robert , Nowotniak Robert
Published: May 2024

Blockchain received a vast amount of attention in recent years and is still growing. The second generation of blockchain, such as Ethereum, allows execution of almost any program in EVM, making it a global protocol for distributed applications. The code deployment and each operation performed in EVM cost the network fee called gas, whose price varies and can be significant. That is why code optimization and well-chosen algorithms are crucial in programming on the blockchain. This paper evaluates the gas usage of several exact pattern matching algorithms on the EVM. We also propose an efficient implementation of the algorithms in the Solidity/YUL language. We evaluate the gas fees of all the algorithms for different parameters (such as pattern length, alphabet size, and text size). We show a significant gas fee and execution time reduction with up to 22-fold lower gas usage and 55-fold speed-up compared to StringUtils (a popular Solidity string library).
Effectiveness and safety in non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients switching from warfarin to direct oral anticoagulants in US healthcare claims
Authors: Lip Gregory Y. H. , Noxon Virginia , Kang Amiee , Luo Xuemei , Atreja Nipun , Han Stella , Cheng Dong , Jiang Jenny , Abramovitz Lisa , Deitelzweig Steven
Published: May 2024

Introduction

There is a paucity of real-world studies examining the risks of stroke/systemic embolism (SE) and major bleeding (MB) among non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients switching from warfarin to a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC). This retrospective study was conducted to compare the stroke/SE and MB risks between patients switched from warfarin to apixaban, dabigatran, or rivaroxaban in real-world clinical practice.

Materials and methods

This study used data from four United States commercial claims databases from January 1, 2012 to June 30, 2019. The study population included NVAF patients initially treated with warfarin and switched to apixaban, dabigatran, or rivaroxaban within 90 days of their warfarin prescription ending. Patients were matched 1:1 between the DOACs in each database using propensity scores and then pooled for the final analysis. Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate the risk of stroke/SE and MB.

Results and conclusions

The final population consisted of 2,611 apixaban-dabigatran, 12,165 apixaban-rivaroxaban, and 2,672 dabigatran-rivaroxaban pairs. Apixaban vs. dabigatran was associated with a lower risk of stroke/SE (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.61; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.39–0.96) and MB (HR: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.50–0.91). Apixaban vs. rivaroxaban was associated with a similar risk of stroke/SE (HR: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.73–1.07) and a lower risk of MB (HR: 0.60; 95% CI: 0.52–0.68). There was no significant difference in either risk between dabigatran and rivaroxaban. These results provide important insights into how the risks of stroke/SE and MB for NVAF patients vary when switching from warfarin to different DOACs.
Enhancing Microplastics Recovery from Complex Sludge Samples Using COD-Guided Pretreatment
Authors: Hatinoglu Dilara , Simsek Irem , Altuntas Oguzhan , Karakurt Ozan , Sanin F. Dilek
Published: May 2024

Given the society’s continuous reliance on plastic materials, large amounts of micron-sized plastic particles (i.e., microplastics, MPs) reach wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) every day. Despite their effective removal from influent wastewater, over 90% of MPs in WWTPs are accumulated in sludge. Yet, there is no universally accepted method for quantifying and identifying MPs, obscuring our understanding of this pollution’s extent. Therefore, this study aims to develop a chemical oxygen demand (COD) based repeatable method for MPs analysis in sludge, which is a very complex, MPs-laden by product of WWTPs. The developed method is unique in that it removes the organic substances interfering with polymer analysis by monitoring the COD of sludge. Upon 90% of organic matter removal, MPs are extracted from the medium by a two-step density-based separation, sieved, stained with Nile Red, and counted using fluorescence microscopy. Moreover, quality assurance and quality control strategies including blank preparation and spike-and-recovery test procedures are followed. The protocol ensures a minimum 80% recovery rate of various MPs from both waste activated sludge (WAS) and wastewater samples, aligning with recommended standards. Crucially, the method preserves the chemical identity of MPs. Application of the protocol revealed that urban WWTP WAS had 475 MPs/g TS; industrial influent and effluents wastewater had 73 and 26 MPs/L; and industrial secondary and dewatered sludge had 114 and 132 MPs/g TS, consistent with the literature. This demonstrates the method’s robustness by revealing MPs reduction within the WWTP process and sludge accumulation as treatment progresses.

Graphical Abstract
Cannabinoids and healthy ageing: the potential for extending healthspan and lifespan in preclinical models with an emphasis on Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Wang Zhizhen , Arnold Jonathon C.
Published: May 2024

There is a significant global upsurge in the number and proportion of older persons in the population. With this comes an increasing prevalence of age-related conditions which pose a major challenge to healthcare systems. The development of anti-ageing treatments may help meet this challenge by targeting the ageing process which is a common denominator to many health problems. Cannabis-like compounds (cannabinoids) are reported to improve quality of life and general well-being in human trials, and there is increasing preclinical research highlighting that they have anti-ageing activity. Moreover, preclinical evidence suggests that endogenous cannabinoids regulate ageing processes. Here, we review the anti-ageing effects of the cannabinoids in various model systems, including the most extensively studied nematode model, Caenorhabditis elegans. These studies highlight that the cannabinoids lengthen healthspan and lifespan, with emerging evidence that they may also hinder the development of cellular senescence. The non-psychoactive cannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) shows particular promise, with mechanistic studies demonstrating it may work through autophagy induction and activation of antioxidative systems. Furthermore, CBD improves healthspan parameters such as diminishing age-related behavioural dysfunction in models of both healthy and accelerated ageing. Translation into mammalian systems provides an important next step. Moreover, looking beyond CBD, future studies could probe the multitude of other cannabis constituents for their anti-ageing activity.
Effectiveness of Very Brief Advice on Tobacco Cessation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Cheng Christopher Chi Wai , He Wan Jia Aaron , Gouda Hebe , Zhang Min Jin , Luk Tzu Tsun , Wang Man Ping , Lam Tai Hing , Chan Sophia Siu Chee , Cheung Yee Tak Derek
Published: May 2024

Background

Very brief advice (VBA; ≤ 3 min) on quitting is practical and scalable during brief medical interactions with patients who smoke. This study aims to synthesize the effectiveness of VBA for smoking cessation and summarize the implementation strategies.

Methods

We searched randomized controlled trials aiming at tobacco abstinence and comparing VBA versus no smoking advice or no contact from Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, PsycInfo databases, six Chinese databases, two trial registries ClinicalTrials.gov and WHO-ICTRP from inception to September 30, 2023. Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations framework was used to assess the certainty of the evidence of the meta-analytic findings. The outcomes were self-reported long-term tobacco abstinence at least 6 months after treatment initiation, earlier than 6 months after treatment initiation, and quit attempts. Effect sizes were computed as risk ratio (RR) with 95% CI using frequentist random-effect models.

Data Synthesis

Thirteen randomized controlled trials from 15 articles (n = 26,437) were included. There was moderate-certainty evidence that VBA significantly increased self-reported tobacco abstinence at ≥ 6 months in the adjusted model (adjusted risk ratio ARR 1.17, 95% CI: 1.07–1.27) compared with controls. The sensitivity analysis showed similar results when abstinence was verified by biochemical validation (n = 6 studies, RR 1.53, 95% CI 0.98–2.40). There was high-certainty evidence that VBA significantly increased abstinence at < 6 months (ARR 1.22, 95% CI: 1.01–1.47). Evidence of effect on quit attempts (ARR 1.03, 95% CI 0.97–1.08) was of very low certainty.

Discussion

VBA delivered in a clinical setting is effective in increasing self-reported tobacco abstinence, which provides support for wider adoption in clinical practice.
Die Vergegenwärtigung des späten DDR-Rundfunks. Eine Interviewstudie aus Ostberlin
Authors: Löblich Maria , Pollack Elisa
Published: May 2024

Mehr als 30 Jahre nach der Wende scheint der Deutungskampf um das Ende des DDR-Rundfunks nicht beigelegt zu sein. Einerseits werden die mangelnden Einflussmöglichkeiten Ostdeutscher bei der Gestaltung des Rundfunks nach 1989 kritisiert. Andererseits wird die Eingliederung in das westdeutsche Rundfunksystem als Erfolg gefeiert, wobei die verschiedenen Identifikationsmöglichkeiten hervorgehoben werden, die die neu gegründeten Landessender von Anfang an boten. Dieser Beitrag fragt, wie Ostdeutsche den DDR-Rundfunk und seine Abwicklung heute erinnern. Gestützt auf die Strukturations- und Identitätstheorie von Anthony Giddens und auf der Basis von 37 biographischen Interviews wird ein Spektrum von Deutungen aufgezeigt, die Menschen aus Ostberlin rückblickend mit dem Medienstrukturumbruch verbinden. Die Studie zeigt, dass neben einer Gruppe von Befragten, die den späten DDR-Rundfunk kaum oder gar nicht in ihre Selbsterzählungen eingebunden haben, die Vergegenwärtigung dieser Einrichtung über unterschiedliche Biographien hinweg im Modus einer Selbstvergewisserung stattfindet. Dabei werden Zuordnungen und Abgrenzungen zur DDR-Herkunft vorgenommen. Die DDR-Rundfunkgeschichte wird mit Identität aufgeladen, was zum einen auf die medial dominanten DDR- und Ost-Diskurse zurückzuführen ist, zum anderen auf die verschiedenen (Kollektiv‑)Erfahrungen und Lebensbedingungen der Ostdeutschen nach 1989.
Olearia dibrachiata (Compositae: Astereae: Hinterhuberinae): a taxonomic note. Contributions to the Flora of Mount Jaya, XXII
Authors: Hind D. J. Nicholas
Published: May 2024

Olearia exilis S.Moore var. subacuta J.Kost. is considered conspecific with Olearia dibrachiata D.J.N.Hind & R.J.Johns following a re-examination of both Koster’s protologue diagnosis and its type (and paratype) material.
A Dynamic Model for GMP Compliance and Regulatory Science
Authors: Bao Yiyi , Buhay Nicholas , Zheng Qiang
Published: May 2024

Purpose

To propose a dynamic model designed to investigate the underlying principles of regulatory science and assess the effectiveness of pharmaceutical GMP regulation.

Methods

A dynamic model for the state of compliance of a pharmaceutical manufacturing firm is constructed by using a generalized Ornstein-Uhlenbeck equation. The model is based on quantitative characterization of principles of proportionality, transparency and consistency, and regulatory effectiveness as measured by efficiency, cost and quality. The dynamic model is solved by numerical simulation.

Results

The dynamic model is capable of characterizing a wide range of compliance behaviors and regulatory actions, including the regression and heightening of compliance vigilance, and the scheduling of frequency and concurrency of regulatory actions. Quantitative relationships are established between the principles of proportionality, transparency and consistency, and the basic measures of regulatory effectiveness in terms of efficiency, cost and quality.

Conclusions

The compliance behaviors and the regulatory actions can be quantitatively characterized by a dynamic model, and this in turn suggests that proportionality, transparency and consistency can serve as fundamental concepts, and efficiency, cost and quality can serve as basic measures for regulatory science.
Multiple mycotoxins associated with maize (Zea mays L.) grains harvested from subsistence farmers’ fields in southwestern Ethiopia
Authors: Atnafu Birhane , Garbaba Chemeda Abedeta , Lemessa Fikre , Migheli Quirico , Sulyok Michael , Chala Alemayehu
Published: May 2024

Fifty-four maize grain samples freshly harvested from subsistence farmers’ fields in southwestern Ethiopia were analyzed for multiple mycotoxins using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) method following extraction by acetonitrile/water/acetic acid on a rotary shaker. The grain samples were contaminated with a total of 164 metabolites, of which Fusarium and Penicillium metabolites were the most prevalent accounting for 27 and 30%, respectively. All the major mycotoxins and derivatives except one (citrinin) were of Fusarium origin. Zearalenone was the most frequent major mycotoxin occurring in 74% of the samples at concentrations of 0.32–1310 µg/kg. It was followed by nivalenol (63%), zearalenone-sulfate (44%), and fumonisin B1 (41%). Nivalenol, nivalenol glucoside, and fusarenon-X were detected at unusually high levels of 8–1700 µg/kg, 21–184 µg/kg, and 33–149 µg/kg, respectively. Deoxynivalenol and DON-3 glucoside contaminated 32% of the samples, each at levels of 15.9–5140 µg/kg and 10–583 µg/kg, respectively. Moniliformin and W493B occurred in 96 and 22% samples at levels of 3.27–4410 µg/kg and 3–652 µg/kg, respectively. Fumonisins were also detected in the samples at levels of 9–6770 µg/kg (B1), 16–1830 µg/kg (B2), 9.5–808 µg/kg (B3), and 1.3–128 µg/kg (A1). This study confirmed the presence of an array of mycotoxins contaminating maize grains right from the field. The effect of the co-occurring mycotoxins on consumers’ health should be investigated along with that of the newly emerging ones. Results of the current study call for application of pre-harvest mycotoxin mitigation strategies to safeguard maize-based food and feed.
Identification of a pyroptosis-immune-related lncRNA signature for prognostic and immune landscape prediction in bladder cancer patients
Authors: Zhao Fuguang , Jia Zhibo , Xie Hui
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Individualized medicine has become increasingly important in bladder cancer treatment, whereas useful biomarkers for prognostic prediction are still lacking. The current study, therefore, constructed a novel risk model based on pyroptosis- and immune-related long noncoding RNAs (Pyro-Imm lncRNAs) to evaluate the potential prognosis of bladder cancer.

Methods

Corresponding data of bladder cancer patients were downloaded from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The univariate Cox regression analysis, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis, and multivariate Cox regression analysis were employed to establish a predictive signature, which was evaluated by receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis and Kaplan–Meier analysis. Furthermore, the immune infiltration, immune checkpoints, and responses to chemotherapeutic drugs were analyzed with this model.

Results

Three Pyro-Imm lncRNAs (MAFG-DT, AC024060.1, AC116914.2) were finally identified. Patients in the low-risk group demonstrated a significant survival advantage. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) at 1, 3, and 5 years was 0.694, 0.709, and 0.736 respectively in the entire cohort. KEGG and GO analyses showed that the Wnt pathway plays a crucial role in the high-risk group. The risk score was significantly related to the degree of infiltration of different immune cells, the expression of multiple immune checkpoint genes, and the sensitivity of various chemotherapeutic drugs.

Conclusion

This novel signature provides a theoretical basis for cancer immunology and chemotherapy, which might help develop individualized therapy.
Experimental evaluation of alternative ceiling-based ventilation systems for long-range passenger aircraft
Authors: Dehne Tobias , Lange Pascal , Schmeling Daniel , Gores Ingo
Published: May 2024

Alternative ventilation technology bricks, such as ceiling-based, sidewall-based or floor-based ventilation, are of high interest in terms of manufacturing and customization benefits for passenger aircraft. Two novel ventilation systems and state-of-the-art Mixing Ventilation (MV) were experimentally investigated under static conditions in a ground-based research facility. In case of Micro-Jet Ventilation, a perforated ceiling brings the air into the cabin as localized micro-jets with high momentum. Further, Low-Momentum Ceiling Ventilation characterized by a low-momentum air supply through planar and large-surface inlets is investigated. The measurement techniques and the test matrix were designed in order to quantify and evaluate thermal comfort, local air quality and energy efficiency of the ventilation concept. The results proved that there is not one single ventilation concept which optimizes all challenges: air quality, thermal comfort and energy efficiency. Both advantages and disadvantages were found for each ventilation system. In terms of technology bricks, the following main results were found: The average local age-of-air was between 5 and 14%, depending on the boundary conditions. It was lower for the ceiling-based concepts compared to state-of-the-art MV. At the same time the average CO2 concentration decreased by 7–14% for the ceiling-based concepts compared to MV. The local velocities in the vicinity of the passengers were similar for cruise conditions, whereas they decreased by up to 38% in case of hot-day-on-ground conditions for ceiling-based ventilation compared to MV. On the other hand, the heat removal efficiency was low for all concepts and the temperature stratification increased in case of ceiling-based ventilation.
Archaeology and ecology of acavus snails in Sri Lanka’s semi-arid to intermediate zones: uncovering holocene microclimatic changes
Authors: Siriwardana Thilanka M. , Manusinghe Pramuditha P.
Published: May 2024

This study presents a discovery of Acavus haemastoma, wet-humid favouring arboreal land snails from Semi-Arid coastal lagoon habitat during the late Holocene period in Southern Sri Lanka, occurring around the mid-4th millennium BP. These findings challenge established notions regarding palaeoecological conditions within the Semi-Arid and Transitional Zones (SATZ), prompting a re-evaluation of prevailing archaeological assumptions. We propose that the presence of Acavus sp. in the SATZ is primarily attributed to their natural behaviours rather than anthropogenic influences. In conjunction with an examination of early archaeological literature, we explore the implications of humid phases within the SATZ, aligning these phases with Acavus snails’ distribution patterns and climatic fluctuations and proposing the value of land snails in Sri Lanka as a potential proxy for small scale micro-climatic conditions.
Test case prioritization based on fault sensitivity analysis using ranked NSGA-2
Authors: Garg Kamal , Shekhar Shashi
Published: May 2024

This paper discusses regression testing in software maintenance, focusing on test case prioritization to verify modifications to software functionality efficiently. The primary goal is to rank test cases, prioritizing those covering more code or faults with minimal execution time. The challenge lies in prioritizing numerous test cases generated during development and maintenance. Various algorithms, including greedy approaches and meta-heuristic techniques, address this challenge. The paper introduces a ranking-based non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-2) for test case prioritization, emphasizing cases sensitive to faults caused by modifications or new functionality. Historical data is prioritized, with key objectives including the sensitive index, execution cost, and average percentage of fault detection (APFD). The proposed model is tested on handcrafted and benchmark Java-based applications, comparing its performance to state-of-the-art algorithms in test case prioritization.
Evidenzorientierung weiter denken: Vorschläge zur Erweiterung der Forschungsperspektiven zum evidenzorientierten Denken und Handeln von Lehrkräften
Authors: Hartmann Ulrike , Schellenbach-Zell Judith
Published: May 2024

Wir freuen uns über die Möglichkeit, im Rahmen des Weiterdenkheftes die bisherigen Überlegungen von Bauer und Kollar (2023) im Jubiläumsheft der Unterrichtswissenschaft aufgreifen und weiterführen zu dürfen. Die vorgeschlagenen Erweiterungen zielen darauf ab, die Relevanz der Erkenntnisse für die Verbesserung des unterrichtsbezogenen Lehr- und Lerngeschehens zu erhöhen und evidenzorientiertes Denken und Handeln als Teil einer kontinuierlichen Professionalisierung von Lehrkräften zu etablieren. Im ersten Schritt argumentieren wir für eine stärkere Berücksichtigung der komplexen Integrationsprozesse, wie sie sich in unterschiedlichen weitergehenden Professionstheorien finden lassen. Wir stellen dazu Möglichkeiten zur Erweiterung der Perspektiven im Hinblick auf das Professionalisierungsziel sowie im Hinblick auf die Wissensbasis vor. Im zweiten Kapitel sprechen wir uns dafür aus, die Forschung zu evidenzorientiertem Handeln auch auf komplexe Unterrichtssituationen, also Handeln in situ, auszuweiten und loten dazu Potenziale zur Anschlussfähigkeit aktueller Forschungsansätze aus. Das letzte Kapitel beschäftigt sich mit der Erweiterung von evidenzorientiertem Handeln auf unterschiedliche berufsbiographische Phasen der Professionalisierung und bindet auch hier viable Forschungsansätze an. Somit zeigen wir auf, an welchen Stellen sich Forschung zum evidenzorientierten Handeln und Zugänge aus internationaler Lehrkräftebildungsforschung gegenseitig bereichern können, insbesondere auch, um attraktive Visionen für die Lehrkräftebildung zu gewinnen, die den vielfältigen aktuellen Herausforderungen in diesem Bereich begegnen können.
Ammonia combustion and emissions in practical applications: a review
Authors: Alnajideen Mohammad , Shi Hao , Northrop William , Emberson David , Kane Seamus , Czyzewski Pawel , Alnaeli Mustafa , Mashruk Syed , Rouwenhorst Kevin , Yu Chunkan , Eckart Sven , Valera-Medina Agustin
Published: May 2024

Ammonia is emerging as a viable alternative to fossil fuels in combustion systems, aiding in the reduction of carbon emissions. However, its use faces challenges, including NOx emissions and low flame speed. Innovative approaches and technologies have significantly advanced the development and implementation of ammonia as a zero-carbon fuel. This review explores current advancements in using ammonia as a fuel substitute, highlighting the complexities that various systems need to overcome before reaching full commercial maturity in support of practical decarbonising global strategies. Different from other reviews, this article incorporates insights of various industrial partners currently working towards green ammonia technologies. The work further addresses fundamental complexities of ammonia combustion, crucial for its practical and industrial implementation in various types of equipment.
Sustainability of heritage buildings reuse between competition and integration case study (Fuwwah and Rosetta)
Authors: Elbelkasy Mohamed Ibrahim
Published: May 2024

Urban development in historic cities frequently faces the dilemma of balancing preserving cultural heritage with meeting economic competition and modernization requirements. This study investigates the long-term viability of repurposing heritage buildings in the urban areas of Fuwwah and Rosetta, Egypt. It specifically examines the intricate relationship between competition and integration in achieving sustainability. This study examines the present condition of heritage conservation in these cities by analyzing the factors that impact the sustainability of repurposing buildings and evaluating the effectiveness of strategies that balance the pressures of urban competition with the need to incorporate heritage into the changing urban environment. The research examines the practices and difficulties associated with repurposing heritage buildings in Fuwwah and Rosetta. Examine the economic, social, and environmental factors that impact the long-term viability of heritage preservation. Assess the equilibrium between urban development influenced by competition and the inclusive methods of repurposing heritage buildings. The research methodology comprises two approaches: the first involves conducting a literature review on heritage building reuse, sustainability in heritage conservation, and competition and integration in urban development. The analysis approach focuses on assessing heritage conservation in case studies by examining competition and integrating investment in heritage buildings. The ultimate goal is to draw conclusions and determine the results of these assessments.
Strategic environmental assessment and SDG integration: enhancing sustainable development in Egypt
Authors: Hegazy Ibrahim Rizk , Tohlob Ahmed Alhussein
Published: May 2024

This research delves into the integration and alignment between strategic environmental assessment (SEA) practices and Egypt's united nations sustainable development goals (SDGs), with a focus on incorporating environmental, social, and economic considerations into policies, plans, and programs. The study assesses Egypt's strategic environmental assessment framework, identifying its strengths, weaknesses, challenges, and gaps in sustainable development. It critically analyzes institutional coordination, stakeholder engagement, monitoring, reporting, and evaluation (MRE) frameworks, and policy coherence. The key findings underscore the commendable emphasis on environmental integrity in SEA practices, while also highlighting significant deficiencies in integrating broader sustainability criteria and aligning with the SDGs. The research concludes with policy implications, practice recommendations, and future research directions that aim to bolster the effectiveness of strategic environmental assessment in contributing to sustainable development in Egypt.
Exploring the influence of human values on perceptions of immigration: an experimental approach
Authors: Pathak Prachi , Jia Fanli
Published: May 2024

Researchers have explored human values can effectively induce changes in attitudes and behaviors toward immigrants. This study compared the impact of different human values (self-transcendence and self-enhancement) on individuals' perceptions toward immigrants. A total of 250 participants were included in the study. Each participant was randomly assigned to one of the following conditions: control condition, priming condition on universalism, benevolence, power, or achievement. All participants completed a Scrambled Sentences Task to prime the value saliency, a Short Schwartz’s Value Survey for the manipulation check, and a questionnaire assessing their perceptions of threat toward immigrants. One-way ANOVAs were conducted between each value priming condition (achievement, benevolence, power, and universalism) and the control condition, along with planned contrasts. The results did not reveal any statistically significant differences between the conditions across the composite scale and subscales (realistic and symbolic threat). Post Hoc tests indicated that individuals who identified as White were more likely to perceive immigrants as threats compared to Blacks and Hispanics, suggesting racial and ethnic background differences in perception. Across all groups, negative correlations were found between threat perceptions and self-transcendent values, while positive correlations were found between threat perceptions and self-enhancement values. Although experimental evidence using Scrambled Sentences Tak for priming human values was not found, the study supports the correlational associations between human values and attitude toward immigrants.
Le recours aux modes alternatifs de règlement des conflits : une exploration au prisme d’une analyse des coûts humains et financiers de la justice
Authors: Gesualdi-Fecteau Dalia , Visotzky-Charlebois Maxine , Clouet Johanne , Leclerc Chloé , Morin-Aubut Arianne
Published: May 2024

Les modes alternatifs de règlement des conflits s’inscrivent dans une volonté de transformation de l’organisation de la justice en cherchant à régler « autrement » les litiges judiciarisés. L’émergence de ces modes répond également aux impératifs de la nouvelle gouvernance publique, où les questions de l’efficacité et de la célérité de la justice deviennent cardinales. Ces modes alternatifs exigent que les parties y participent volontairement. Or, les justiciables composent avec certaines contraintes subjectives qui se répercutent sur leur motivation à s’engager sur la voie d’un mode alternatif de règlement des conflits. À partir de données empiriques, ce texte présente de quelle façon les coûts humains et financiers qu’assument les justiciables sont susceptibles de se répercuter sur leur décision de s’engager sur une telle voie, laquelle découle généralement de l’atteinte d’un point de rupture par rapport à ces coûts. Cette recherche, effectuée au Québec, fait état de la situation en droit civil, en droit criminel et en droit administratif.
Manufacturing the Illusion of Epistemic Trustworthiness
Authors: Porter Tyler
Published: May 2024

There are epistemic manipulators in the world. These people are actively attempting to sacrifice epistemic goods for personal gain. In doing so, manipulators have led many competent epistemic agents into believing contrarian theories that go against well-established knowledge. In this paper, I explore one mechanism by which manipulators get epistemic agents to believe contrarian theories. I do so by looking at a prominent empirical model of trustworthiness. This model identifies three major factors that epistemic agents look for when trying to determine who is trustworthy. These are (i) ability, (ii) benevolence, and (iii) moral integrity. I then show how manipulators can manufacture the illusion that they possess these factors. This leads epistemic agents to view manipulators as trustworthy sources of information. Additionally, I argue that fact-checking will be an ineffective – or even harmful – practice when correcting the beliefs of epistemic agents who have been tricked by this illusion of epistemic trustworthiness. I suggest that in such cases we should use an alternative correction, which I call trust undercutting.
Impact of cigarette smoking on gut microbial dysbiosis: a structured literature review
Authors: Imade Emmanuel Edoghogho , Obayagbona Nosa Omoregbe
Published: May 2024

The gut microbiota (GM) comprises microorganisms in the human gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Lifestyle choices like smoking lead to gut dysbiosis. This review assessed the effect of cigarette smoke (CS) on gut microbial dysbiosis (GMD) in active smokers compared to non-smokers, as well as the resulting public health implications. A comprehensive search was conducted using the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Medline, and PubMed. The search result was reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) tool was used to evaluate the recruited studies. There were 468 articles found, with 17 of them qualifying for full-text screening. Five of these studies were included in the review. Smoke harmed gut microbe proportions; smokers had more Bacteroidetes and less Firmicutes than non-smokers, affecting their Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (Fir/Bac) ratio. This has significant public health implications. Organisms enriched in the smokers such as Bacteroidales eggerthii (B. eggerthii), Bacteroidales bacterium (B. bacterium) pH 8, Ruminococcus bromii (R. bromii), and Ruminococcus albus (R. albus) were found to be positively correlated with inflammatory biomarkers. Other organisms, such as Eubacterium eligens (E. eligens), Eubacterium ramulus (E. ramulus), Eubacterium rectale (E. rectale), Eubacterium ventriosum (E. ventriosum), Roseburia hominis (R. hominis), Ruminococcus torques (R. torques), and Roseburia inulinivorans (R. inulinivorans), were negatively correlated with inflammatory markers and were more in non-smokers.
Vortex-induced rotation of a square cylinder under the influence of Reynolds number and density ratio
Authors: Mou Rui-Yong , Huang Wei-Xi , Huang Xing-Rong , Fang Le
Published: May 2024

Numerical simulations are carried out on the vortex-induced rotations of a freely rotatable rigid square cylinder in a two-dimensional uniform cross-flow. A range of Reynolds numbers between 40 and 150 and density ratios between 0.1 and 10 are considered. Results show eight different characteristic regimes, expanding the classification of Ryu & Iaccarino (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 813, 2017, pp. 482–507). New regimes include the transition and wavy rotation regimes; in the

${\rm \pi}$

-limited oscillation regime we observe multipeak subregimes. Moment-generating mechanisms of these regimes and subregimes are further elucidated. A phenomenon related to the influence of density ratio is the tooth-like shape of the

${\rm \pi} /2$

-limit oscillation regime observed in the regime map, which is explained as a result of the imbalance relation between the main frequencies of rotation response and the vortex shedding frequency. In addition, existence of multiple regimes and multistable states are discussed, indicating multiple stable attractive structures in phase space.