bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Addressing the generalization of 3D registration methods with a featureless baseline and an unbiased benchmark
Authors: Bojanić David , Bartol Kristijan , Forest Josep , Petković Tomislav , Pribanić Tomislav
Published: March 2024

Recent 3D registration methods are mostly learning-based that either find correspondences in feature space and match them, or directly estimate the registration transformation from the given point cloud features. Therefore, these feature-based methods have difficulties with generalizing onto point clouds that differ substantially from their training data. This issue is not so apparent because of the problematic benchmark definitions that cannot provide any in-depth analysis and contain a bias toward similar data. Therefore, we propose a methodology to create a 3D registration benchmark, given a point cloud dataset, that provides a more informative evaluation of a method w.r.t. other benchmarks. Using this methodology, we create a novel FAUST-partial (FP) benchmark, based on the FAUST dataset, with several difficulty levels. The FP benchmark addresses the limitations of the current benchmarks: lack of data and parameter range variability, and allows to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of a 3D registration method w.r.t. a single registration parameter. Using the new FP benchmark, we provide a thorough analysis of the current state-of-the-art methods and observe that the current method still struggle to generalize onto severely different out-of-sample data. Therefore, we propose a simple featureless traditional 3D registration baseline method based on the weighted cross-correlation between two given point clouds. Our method achieves strong results on current benchmarking datasets, outperforming most deep learning methods. Our source code is available on github.com/DavidBoja/exhaustive-grid-search.
Energy absorption of PLA-based metamaterials manufactured by material extrusion: dynamic loads and shape recovery
Authors: Desole Maria Pia , Gisario Annamaria , Barletta Massimiliano
Published: March 2024

The objective of the study is to evaluate the performance of solid cellular structures in Polylactic Acid (PLA) by extrusion of material. The structures studied are Strut-Based, Triply Periodic Minimal Surfaces (TPMS) and Spinoidal. Impact tests allowed the identification of three categories of energy absorption (low, medium, high). The structures with lower deformation were subsequently subjected to cyclic impact tests, while the others were discarded from the analysis. Once the structures were deformed, they were immersed in a thermostat bath at 70 ºC, a temperature higher than the glass transition of PLA, necessary for the recovery of shape. TPMS structures display the best performance for high and medium impact energies, thanks to the presence of few internal defects. Spinoidal structures perform well at low impact energies but are less suitable for cyclic testing due to their geometric characteristics. Despite featuring the same density of TPMS structures, the strut based ones are not suitable for cyclic testing due to poor mechanical strength. The experimental findings are very promising as the best performing structures can be suitable for the fabrication of products with an increased life cycle, especially in the ever growing and flourishing market of technical items for impacts protection.
Shape-Programming in Hyperelasticity Through Differential Growth
Authors: Ortigosa-Martínez Rogelio , Martínez-Frutos Jesús , Mora-Corral Carlos , Pedregal Pablo , Periago Francisco
Published: March 2024

This paper is concerned with the growth-driven shape-programming problem, which involves determining a growth tensor that can produce a deformation on a hyperelastic body reaching a given target shape. We consider the two cases of globally compatible growth, where the growth tensor is a deformation gradient over the undeformed domain, and the incompatible one, which discards such hypothesis. We formulate the problem within the framework of optimal control theory in hyperelasticity. The Hausdorff distance is used to quantify dissimilarities between shapes; the complexity of the actuation is incorporated in the cost functional as well. Boundary conditions and external loads are allowed in the state law, thus extending previous works where the stress-free hypothesis turns out to be essential. A rigorous mathematical analysis is then carried out to prove the well-posedness of the problem. The numerical approximation is performed using gradient-based optimisation algorithms. Our main goal in this part is to show the possibility to apply inverse techniques for the numerical approximation of this problem, which allows us to address more generic situations than those covered by analytical approaches. Several numerical experiments for beam-like and shell-type geometries illustrate the performance of the proposed numerical scheme.
Spanish registry of hemoglobinopathies and rare anemias (REHem-AR): demographics, complications, and management of patients with β-thalassemia
Authors: Bardón-Cancho Eduardo J. , Marco-Sánchez José Manuel , Benéitez-Pastor David , Payán-Pernía Salvador , Llobet Anna Ruiz , Berrueco Rubén , García-Morin Marina , Beléndez Cristina , Senent Leonor , Acosta María José Ortega , Pleguezuelos Irene Peláez , Velasco Pablo , Collado Anna , Moreno-Carbonell Marta , Argilés Bienvenida , de Soto Inmaculada Pérez , del Mar Bermúdez María , Salido Fiérrez Eduardo J. , Blanco-Álvarez Adoración , Navarro Pablo González , Cela Elena
Published: March 2024

Introduction

The increase in the number of patients with hemoglobinopathies in Europe in recent decades highlights the need for more detailed epidemiological information in Spain. To fulfil this need, the Spanish Society of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology (SEHOP) sponsored the creation of a national registry of hemoglobinopathies known as REHem-AR (Spanish Registry of Hemoglobinopathies and Rare Anemias). Data from the transfusion-dependent (TDT) and non–transfusion-dependent (NTDT) β-thalassemia cohorts are described and analyzed.

Methods

We performed an observational, multicenter, and ambispective study, which included patients of any age with TDT and NTDT, registered up to December 31, 2021.

Results

Among the 1741 patients included, 168 cases of thalassemia were identified (103 TDT and 65 NTDT-patients). Survival at 18 years was 93% for TDT and 100% for NTDT. Regarding management, 80 patients with TDT (77.7%) and 23 patients with NTDT (35.4%) started chelation treatment during follow-up, with deferasirox being the most widely used. A total of 76 patients within the TDT cohort presented at least 1 complication (73.8%), the most frequent being hemosiderosis and osteopenia-osteoporosis. Comparison of both cohorts revealed significant differences in the diagnosis of hepatic hemosiderosis (p = 0.00024), although these were not observed in the case of cardiac iron overload (p = 0.27).

Discussion

Our registry enabled us to describe the management of β thalassemia in Spain and to analyze the morbidity and mortality of the cohorts of patients with TDT and NTDT. Complications related to iron overload in TDT and NTDT account for most of the morbidity and mortality of the disease, which is associated with a considerable social, psychological, and economic impact, although cardiac, osteopathy and endocrinological complications requiring more attention. The convenience and simplicity of online registries make it possible to homogenize variables and periodically update data, thus providing valuable information on these diseases.
Illumination matters Part III: Impact of light obstruction on illuminance from flexible ureteroscopes — a comparative PEARLS analysis
Authors: Kwok Jia-Lun , Ventimiglia Eugenio , De Coninck Vincent , Sierra Alba , Panthier Frédéric , Corrales Mariela , Barghouthy Yazeed , Gauhar Vineet , Kranzbühler Benedikt , Schmid Florian Alexander , Poyet Cédric , Eberli Daniel , Traxer Olivier , Keller Etienne Xavier
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Artifacts from poor ureteroscopes’ light design with shadowing and dark areas in the field of view have been reported. The aim was to quantify effects of light obstruction in a kidney calyx model.

Methods

We evaluated a series of contemporary flexible ureteroscopes including the Storz Flex-Xc and Flex-X2s, Olympus V3 and P7, Pusen 7.5F and 9.2F, as well as OTU Wiscope using an enclosed 3D-printed pink in vitro kidney calyx model submerged in saline, where the field of light was intentionally partially obstructed alternatively at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock. A color spectrometer was used for illuminance measurements at a 45° opening position in the background of the model.

Results

Overall and mean background illuminance for each obstructive situation were significantly different between scopes for both 50% and 100% brightness settings (ANOVA p < 0.001). At 50% brightness setting, almost all scopes had their highest and lowest background illuminance with the 6 o’clock and 3 o’clock obstructive situation, respectively. At 100% brightness setting, these became 6 o’clock and 12 o’clock obstructive situations. Considering each obstructive situation individually, the Flex-Xc was consistently the scope with highest background illuminance and the Pusen 7.5F the lowest. Background illuminance for each obstructive situation varied significantly for each scope individually, with the greatest range of variability for Pusen 7.5F and V3.

Conclusions

Illuminance performance of ureteroscopes within an obstructed calyx model differ significantly for various obstructive situations. Urologists should be aware of this to help guide their choice of ureteroscope.
Investigation of central pattern generators in the spinal cord of chicken embryos
Authors: Gutiérrez-Ibáñez Cristián , Wylie Douglas R.
Published: March 2024

For most quadrupeds, locomotion involves alternating movements of the fore- and hindlimbs. In birds, however, while walking generally involves alternating movements of the legs, to generate lift and thrust, the wings are moved synchronously with each other. Neural circuits in the spinal cord, referred to as central pattern generators (CPGs), are the source of the basic locomotor rhythms and patterns. Given the differences in the patterns of movement of the wings and legs, it is likely that the neuronal components and connectivity of the CPG that coordinates wing movements differ from those that coordinate leg movements. In this study, we used in vitro preparations of embryonic chicken spinal cords (E11–E14) to compare the neural responses of spinal CPGs that control and coordinate wing flapping with those that control alternating leg movements. We found that in response to N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) or a combination of NMDA and serotonin (5-HT), the intact chicken spinal cord produced rhythmic outputs that were synchronous both bilaterally and between the wing and leg segments. Despite this, we found that this rhythmic output was disrupted by an antagonist of glycine receptors in the lumbosacral (legs), but not the brachial (wing) segments. Thus, our results provide evidence of differences between CPGs that control the wings and legs in the spinal cord of birds.
Exploring mitochondrial biomarkers for Friedreich's ataxia: a multifaceted approach
Authors: Stovickova Lucie , Hansikova Hana , Hanzalova Jitka , Musova Zuzana , Semjonov Valerij , Stovicek Pavel , Hadzic Haris , Novotna Ludmila , Simcik Martin , Strnad Pavel , Serbina Anastaziia , Karamazovova Simona , Schwabova Paulasova Jaroslava , Vyhnalek Martin , Krsek Pavel , Zumrova Alena
Published: March 2024

This study presents an in-depth analysis of mitochondrial enzyme activities in Friedreich's ataxia (FA) patients, focusing on the Electron Transport Chain complexes I, II, and IV, the Krebs Cycle enzyme Citrate Synthase, and Coenzyme Q10 levels. It examines a cohort of 34 FA patients, comparing their mitochondrial enzyme activities and clinical parameters, including disease duration and cardiac markers, with those of 17 healthy controls. The findings reveal marked reductions in complexes II and, specifically, IV, highlighting mitochondrial impairment in FA. Additionally, elevated Neurofilament Light Chain levels and cardiomarkers were observed in FA patients. This research enhances our understanding of FA pathophysiology and suggests potential biomarkers for monitoring disease progression. The study underscores the need for further clinical trials to validate these findings, emphasizing the critical role of mitochondrial dysfunction in FA assessment and treatment.
Xylem safety in relation to the stringency of plant water potential regulation of European beech, Norway spruce, and Douglas-fir trees during severe drought
Authors: Schumann Katja , Schuldt Bernhard , Fischer Miriam , Ammer Christian , Leuschner Christoph
Published: March 2024

Key message

Norway spruce operates with larger hydraulic safety margins (HSM) than beech and Douglas-fir despite the known drought sensitivity of spruce, questioning a pivotal role of HSM in drought tolerance.

The exceptional 2018/2019 drought exposed Central Europe’s forests to severe stress, highlighting the need to better understand stomatal regulation strategies and their relationship to xylem safety under extreme drought. We studied diurnal, seasonal, and inter-annual variation in stomatal conductance (gs) and leaf water potential (ΨLeaf) in co-occurring European beech (F. sylvatica), Norway spruce (P. abies), and Douglas-fir (P. menziesii) trees in the two summers and related them to hydraulic traits characterizing drought resistance. In 2018, F. sylvatica exhibited a continuous ΨLeaf decline from June to September, as is characteristic for an anisohydric strategy, while P. abies closed stomata early and reached the least negative ΨLeaf-values at the end of summer. P. menziesii showed low ΨLeaf-values close to P12 (the xylem pressure at onset of embolism) already in July. Both conifers closed stomata when approaching P12 and maintained low gs-levels throughout summer, indicative for isohydric regulation. In 2019, all three species showed a linear decline in ΨLeaf, but F. sylvatica crossed P12 in contrast to the conifers. The three species exhibited similar water potentials at turgor loss point (− 2.44 to − 2.51 MPa) and branch P50 (xylem pressure at 50% loss of hydraulic conductance; − 3.3 to − 3.8 MPa). Yet, F. sylvatica and P. menziesii operated with smaller hydraulic safety margins (HSM means: 0.79 and 0.77 MPa) than P. abies (1.28 MPa). F. sylvatica reduced leaf size and specific leaf area in 2019 and increased Huber value. Our species comparison during extreme drought contradicts the general assumption that conifers operate with larger HSMs than angiosperm trees. Contrary to expectation, P. abies appeared as hydraulically less vulnerable than Douglas-fir.
Optimal and typical $$L^2$$ discrepancy of 2-dimensional lattices
Authors: Borda Bence
Published: March 2024

We undertake a detailed study of the $$L^2$$

L
2

discrepancy of 2-dimensional Korobov lattices and their irrational analogues, either with or without symmetrization. We give a full characterization of such lattices with optimal $$L^2$$

L
2

discrepancy in terms of the continued fraction partial quotients, and compute the precise asymptotics whenever the continued fraction expansion is explicitly known, such as for quadratic irrationals or Euler’s number e. In the metric theory, we find the asymptotics of the $$L^2$$

L
2

discrepancy for almost every irrational, and the limit distribution for randomly chosen rational and irrational lattices.
Riparian buffer zones in production forests create unequal costs among forest owners
Authors: Bakx Tristan R. M. , Akselsson Cecilia , Droste Nils , Lidberg William , Trubins Renats
Published: March 2024

Riparian buffer zones (RBZs) are an important instrument for environmental policies for water and biodiversity protection in managed forests. We investigate the variation of the cost of implementing RBZs within different property size classes across the size range of non-industrial forest owner properties in Southern Sweden. Using the Heureka PlanWise decision support system, we quantified the cost of setting aside RBZs or applying alternative management in them, as the relative loss of harvest volume and of net present value per property. We did this for multiple simulated as well as real-world property distributions. The variation of cost distribution among small properties was 4.2–6.9 times higher than among large properties. The interproperty cost inequality decreased non-linearly with increasing property size and levelled off from around 200 ha. We conclude that RBZs, due to the irregular distribution of streams, cause highly unequal financial consequences for owners, with some small property owners bearing a disproportionally high cost. This adds to previous studies showing how environmental considerations differentially affect property owners. We recommend decision makers to stimulate the uptake of RBZs by alleviating these inequalities between forest owners by including appropriate cost sharing or compensation mechanisms in their design.
Yttrium and zirconium sorption on iron tin functionalized with silica: preparation, characterization, isotherm, and kinetic modelling
Authors: Mahrous Sara S. , Abou-Lilah R. A. , Abass M. R.
Published: March 2024

The sorption of Zr(IV) and Y(III) was examined using an iron-tin silicate (FeSnSi) composite prepared by the co-precipitation technique. The analytical tools that characterize prepared composite are FT-IR, SEM, EDX, XRD, and XRF. The effects of temperature, pH, ion concentrations, and shaking time are all considered in the sorption studies conducted on Zr(IV) and Y(III). The sorption of studied metal ions depends on pH, and the pseudo-2nd-order model governs the kinetics of reactions. Negative Gibbs energy values confirmed the excellent feasibility and spontaneity of the sorption process. Positive enthalpy values indicate that this process was endothermic. Positive entropy values demonstrated that the disorder between the solid and liquid phases was enhanced during adsorption. Freundlich and Langmuir models are used to study isotherms. The results of the binary system verify that Zr(IV) may be separated from the Zr-Y system at various pHs. According to the findings, the produced composite may effectively remove Zr(IV) and Y(III) from aqueous solutions. It may also be viable for purifying wastewater contaminated with these metal ions.
Black-winged kite algorithm: a nature-inspired meta-heuristic for solving benchmark functions and engineering problems
Authors: Wang Jun , Wang Wen-chuan , Hu Xiao-xue , Qiu Lin , Zang Hong-fei
Published: March 2024

This paper innovatively proposes the Black Kite Algorithm (BKA), a meta-heuristic optimization algorithm inspired by the migratory and predatory behavior of the black kite. The BKA integrates the Cauchy mutation strategy and the Leader strategy to enhance the global search capability and the convergence speed of the algorithm. This novel combination achieves a good balance between exploring global solutions and utilizing local information. Against the standard test function sets of CEC-2022 and CEC-2017, as well as other complex functions, BKA attained the best performance in 66.7, 72.4 and 77.8% of the cases, respectively. The effectiveness of the algorithm is validated through detailed convergence analysis and statistical comparisons. Moreover, its application in solving five practical engineering design problems demonstrates its practical potential in addressing constrained challenges in the real world and indicates that it has significant competitive strength in comparison with existing optimization techniques. In summary, the BKA has proven its practical value and advantages in solving a variety of complex optimization problems due to its excellent performance. The source code of BKA is publicly available at https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/fileexchange/161401-black-winged-kite-algorithm-bka.
VeLeRo: an inflected verbal lexicon of standard Romanian and a quantitative analysis of morphological predictability
Authors: Herce Borja , Pricop Bogdan
Published: March 2024

This paper presents VeLeRo, an inflected lexicon of Standard Romanian which contains the full paradigm of 7297 verbs in phonological form. We explain the process by which the resource was compiled, and how stress, diphthongs and hiatus, consonant palatalization, and other relevant issues were handled in phonemization. On the basis of the most token-frequent verbs in VeLeRo, we also perform a quantitative analysis of morphological predictability in Romanian verbs, whose complexity patterns are presented within the broader Romance context.
Systems analysis for energy assets of Iraq influenced by water scarcity
Authors: Marcellin Megan C. , Pavur Gigi , Loose Davis C. , Cardenas John J. , Denehy David , Almashhadani Mustafa , Waheed Saddam Q. , Trump Benjamin D. , Polmateer Thomas L. , Linkov Igor , Lakshmi Venkataraman , Lambert James H.
Published: March 2024

Water security in arid and semi-arid Middle Eastern climates has been severely impacted by effects of climate change such as reduced precipitation, diminished storage, increased evapotranspiration, and prolonged heat waves. These climate effects are compounded in Iraq, where populations, agriculture, industry, and energy rely heavily on varying transboundary water flows to meet water demands. Iraq’s most profitable sector, energy, is especially threatened by insufficient water supply, which complicates government decision making in energy infrastructure development. The goal of this paper is to develop a scenario-based multi-criteria analysis framework to prioritize infrastructure investments in the context of climate change and scarcity of natural resources. Infrastructure facilities are evaluated against social, economic, climate, and hydrologic criteria across a set of disruptive climatological, economic, and social scenarios to identify robust initiatives and the most and least disruptive scenarios to the system. A particular innovation of this paper is the evaluation of hydrology data derived from satellites in determining water scarcity impact on individual energy facilities. The methods are demonstrated for a critical sector of Iraq’s economy: oil and natural gas. The demonstration includes 13 system-order criteria, 44 oil and gas initiatives within Iraq, and seven risk scenarios. The results include an accounting of the most and least disruptive scenarios to energy sector priorities and scenario-based system orderings to guide stakeholders in investment prioritization.
A Case Study on Advanced CPT Data Interpretation: From Stratification to Soil Parameters
Authors: Marzouk Islam , Granitzer Andreas-Nizar , Rauter Stefan , Tschuchnigg Franz
Published: March 2024

The cone penetration test (CPT) is considered as one of the most reliable in-situ tests and has found numerous applications in the geotechnical engineering field. Traditional CPT interpretation includes, but are not limited to the identification of the soil stratification and the determination of soil parameters. This paper presents a case study concerning a test site located in Salzburg, Austria, in which we focus on the interpretation of CPTs from different perspectives. The manuscript is divided into three main sections dealing with three different aspects of CPT interpretation, namely stratification, ground variability and soil parameters. The first strategy introduces a machine learning based stratification identification strategy to detect soil layer boundaries from CPT measurements. A comparison with reference solutions demonstrates relative merits of this approach to classical filter algorithms based on empirical CPT classifications. The second strategy introduces an intuitive approach to evaluate the ground variability. This is achieved by calculating the level of fluctuation on the basis of CPT measurements and could be used as a data-driven decision-making tool for the improved design of CPT investigation layouts. The third strategy is embedded in an ongoing research project that aims to determine constitutive model parameters from in-situ tests using a graph-based methodology. In the present work, the developed automated parameter determination framework is applied to evaluate the soil parameters of one selected soil layer identified from the CPT interpretations. Potential lines of research in the context of CPT interpretation are explored throughout this work and may serve as valuable reference in future research.
A DfT Strategy for Guaranteeing ReRAM’s Quality after Manufacturing
Authors: Copetti T. S. , Fieback M. , Gemmeke T. , Hamdioui S. , Poehls L. M. Bolzani
Published: March 2024

Memristive devices have become promising candidates to complement the CMOS technology, due to their CMOS manufacturing process compatibility, zero standby power consumption, high scalability, as well as their capability to implement high-density memories and new computing paradigms. Despite these advantages, memristive devices are susceptible to manufacturing defects that may cause faulty behaviors not observed in CMOS technology, significantly increasing the challenge of testing these novel devices after manufacturing. This work proposes an optimized Design-for-Testability (DfT) strategy based on the introduction of a DfT circuitry that measures the current consumption of Resistive Random Access Memory (ReRAM) cells to detect not only traditional but also unique faults. The new DfT circuitry was validated using a case study composed of a 3x3 word-based ReRAM with peripheral circuitry implemented based on a 130 nm Predictive Technology Model (PTM) library. The obtained results demonstrate the fault detection capability of the proposed strategy with respect to traditional and unique faults. In addition, this paper evaluates the impact related to the DfT circuitry’s introduced overheads as well as the impact of process variation on the resolution of the proposed DfT circuitry.
Cut vs. fire: a comparative study of the temporal effects of timber harvest and wildfire on ecological indicators of the boreal forest
Authors: Best Ian N. , Brown Leonie , Elkin Che , Finnegan Laura , McClelland Cameron J. R. , Johnson Chris J.
Published: March 2024

Context

Large-scale natural disturbances are crucial drivers of ecosystem function and composition for many forested ecosystems. In the last century, the prevalence of anthropogenic disturbances has increased across Canada’s boreal forest. Habitat disturbance from timber harvest and wildfire is linked to declines of boreal species, including woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou).

Objectives

We tested how disturbances influenced the recovery trajectory of ecological indicators of timber, biodiversity, and wildlife habitat through time following timber harvest and wildfire across the boreal forest of Alberta, Canada.

Methods

During 2021 and 2022, we collected field data from 251 timber harvested and 264 burned stands (0–40 years since disturbance), as well as 256 older forest stands used by caribou (> 40 years since disturbance). Field data included metrics of stand attributes (e.g., basal area, stems per hectare), coarse woody debris (CWD), and abundance of forage for caribou, moose (Alces americanus), and bears (black bear: Ursus americanus, grizzly bear: Ursus arctos).

Results

Basal area of trees and stems per hectare recovered more quickly in timber harvest sites when compared to wildfire sites, but as time since disturbance increased there were no differences in these attributes among timber harvest, wildfire, and caribou use sites. CWD was greatest in recently burned sites, but declined over time to be similar in quantity as in harvested stands and older forest stands. Terrestrial lichens, important forage for caribou, were most abundant in the older caribou use sites, whereas forage for moose and bears, including shrubs, was most abundant in younger timber harvest and wildfire sites.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that timber harvesting may result in a quicker development of timber volume when compared to wildfire. However, this anthropogenic disturbance is less advantageous for the development of caribou habitat.
The geometry of the equilibrium of forces and moments in shells
Authors: Adiels Emil , Williams Chris J. K.
Published: March 2024

We demonstrate that the internal forces and moments in a shell structure can be described by 4 vectors in 3 dimensional space which could be used to express the equilibrium of a shell graphically. The internal forces and moments described by 2 of the 4 vectors actively carry imposed loads and imposed couples, while the other 2 describe ‘redundant’ internal forces and moments that are purely in equilibrium with themselves. Nevertheless redundant stresses and moments are important in controlling internal stresses and satisfying boundary conditions. We show that forces and moments ‘flow’ across a shell in exactly the same way that fluid flows, with a combination of irrotational flow and incompressible flow. The aim is that these ideas can help in the initial design of those shell structures which have to rely on bending moments in addition to membrane action in supporting loads, and also in the interpretation of results from an analysis using the finite element method. We demonstrate the use of the technique for the design of an umbrella structure like those built by Amancio Williams.
A novel method for helical gear modeling with an experimental validation
Authors: Cohen Roee , Bachar Lior , Matania Omri , Klein Renata , Bortman Jacob
Published: March 2024

Dynamic models are important for developing gear diagnostics methods since they allow physical phenomena occurring during operation to be studied in a relatively simple environment. The main challenge in gear modeling is the calculation of the time-variant gear mesh stiffness, and this challenge is even greater in helical gears. The mechanism of helical gears is more complex than in spur gears; the helix angle both adds an axial component to the contact force and also makes the contact line three-dimensional. This study suggests a novel dynamic model for helical gear vibrations that combines an existing validated dynamic model for spur gears with a unique extension for helical gears. The extension is based on a common method called “multi-slice”, according to which the helical tooth width is divided into infinitesimal slices, and each slice is treated as spur tooth. The suggested model introduces a novel implementation of the multi-slice method that overcomes the aforementioned challenges with only few parameters and calculations, depends on the tooth geometry. Furthermore, for the first time in helical gear modeling, the manufacturing profile errors are integrated to the model to generate scatter in the data that can better reflect the reality. The model is validated experimentally and for two different test-rigs by a qualitative comparison of the RMS of the vibration signal. The simulations and the measured data show similar behavior at different ranges of rotational speed and applied load, emphasizing the potential inherent in the model for future work on gear fault diagnosis.
Rhythm and the embodied aesthetics of infant-caregiver dialogue: insights from phenomenology
Authors: Levin Kasper , Gratier Maya
Published: March 2024

This paper explores how phenomenological notions of rhythm might accommodate a richer description of preverbal infant-caregiver dialogue. Developmental psychologists have theorized a crucial link between rhythm and intercorporeality in the emergence of intersubjectivity and self. Drawing on the descriptions of rhythm in the phenomenology of Maurice Merleau-Ponty, Erwin Straus, Henri Maldiney and Maxine Sheets-Johnstone, the paper emphasizes the role of art and aesthetic processes proposing that they not only be considered as metaphorical or representational aspects of rhythm but as primary resources that can enrich and deepen our understanding of self-emergence and intercorporeality in preverbal infant-caregiver dialogue.
Entropically secure encryption with faster key expansion
Authors: Temel Mehmet Hüseyin , Škorić Boris
Published: March 2024

Entropically secure encryption is a way to encrypt a large plaintext with a small key and still have information-theoretic security, thus in a certain sense circumventing Shannon’s result that perfect encryption requires the key to be at least as long as the entropy of the plaintext. Entropically secure encryption is possible when a lower bound is known on the entropy of the plaintext from the adversary’s point of view. The typical implementation is to expand the short key to the size of the plaintext, e.g. by multiplication with a public random string, and then use one-time pad encryption. This works in the classical as well as the quantum setting. In this paper, we introduce a new key expansion method that is faster than existing ones. We prove that it achieves the same security. The speed gain is most notable when the key length is a sizeable fraction of the message length. In particular, a factor of 2 is gained in the case of approximate randomization of quantum states. In the classical case, we obtain a reduction of the ciphertext size.
Newform Eisenstein congruences of local origin
Authors: Fretwell Dan , Roberts Jenny
Published: March 2024

We give a general conjecture concerning the existence of Eisenstein congruences between weight $$k\ge 3$$

k
≥
3

newforms of square-free level NM and weight k new Eisenstein series of square-free level N. Our conjecture allows the forms to have arbitrary character $$\chi $$
χ
of conductor N. The special cases $$M=1$$

M
=
1

and $$M=p$$

M
=
p

prime are fully proved, with partial results given in general. We also consider the relation with the Bloch–Kato conjecture, and finish with computational examples demonstrating cases of our conjecture that have resisted proof.
The relationships among working memory, state anxiety, and academic performance in Chinese undergraduates with SLD
Authors: Wang Li-Chih , Chung Kevin Kien-Hoa , Jhuo Rong-An
Published: March 2024

Processing efficiency theory can explain the relationship between anxiety and academic success; however, its application to adults with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) remains unclear, especially in a nonalphabetic language, such as Chinese. This study investigated the effects of working memory and processing speed on the relationships between state anxiety and academic performance of university students with and without SLD in Chinese. A sample of 223 s-year undergraduate students was recruited from universities in southern Taiwan; 123 were typical learners, while the remaining 100 were identified as having SLD. We found distinct profiles in the relationships between state anxiety, working memory, processing speed, and academic performance. The interaction between state anxiety and working memory was also predictive of the academic performance of university students with SLD, highlighting the negative impact of state anxiety on those students who performed poorly in working memory tasks. Our findings emphasize the importance of cognitive and psychological factors in contributing to the learning of students with SLD. Furthermore, the effects of working memory and state anxiety on academic performance, particularly in students with SLD, could inform the design of teaching materials and procedures, especially regarding the levels of difficulty and volumes of learning.
What Led to the Decline of Child Labour in the European Periphery? A Cointegration Approach with Long Historical Data
Authors: Goulart Pedro V. , Sobreira Nuno , Ferrittu Gianluca , Bedi Arjun S.
Published: March 2024

The “traditional view” on the historical decline of child labour has emphasised the role of the approval of effective child labour (minimum working age) laws. Since then, the importance of alternative key driving factors such as schooling, demography, household income or technology has been highlighted. While historically leading countries such as England and industrial labour have been studied, peripheral Europe and a full participation rate also including agriculture and services have received limited research attention. The contribution of this paper is to provide a first empirical explanation for the child labour decline observed in a European peripheral country like Portugal using long historical yearly data. For doing so, we use long series of Portugal’s child labour participation rate and several candidate explanatory factors. We implement cointegration techniques to relate child labour with its main drivers. We find that not only factors related to the “traditional view” were important for the Portuguese case. In fact, a mixture of legislation, schooling, demography, income, and technological factors seem to have contributed to the sustainable fall of Portugal’s child labour. Hence, explanations for observed child labour decline seem to differ by country and context, introducing a more nuanced view of the existing literature.
Shear strength recovery of sand with self-healing polymeric capsules
Authors: Qi Rui , Chen Ke , Lin Hongjie , Kanellopoulos Antonios , Deyun Liu , Leung Anthony Kwan , Lourenço Sérgio D. N.
Published: March 2024

Self-healing approaches are increasingly being explored in various fields as a potential method to recover damaged material properties. By self-recovering without external intervention, self-healing techniques emerge as a potential solution to arrest or prevent the development of large strains problems in soils (e.g., landslides) and other ground effects that influence the serviceability of structures (e.g., differential settlement). In this study, a microcapsule-based self-healing sand was developed, and its performance during mixing and compaction, shearing, and recovery of shear strength was demonstrated. The cargo used for sand improvement, a hardening oil, tung oil, was encapsulated in calcium alginate capsules by the ionic gelation method. The surface properties, internal structure, thermal stability and molecular structure of the capsules were evaluated by advanced material characterization techniques. The survivability of capsules during mixing and compaction was assessed by measuring the content of tung oil released into the sand, while their influence on sand shear strength and its recovery was assessed with shear box tests. The results showed that the capsules could rupture due to movement of the sand particles, releasing the tung oil cargo, leading to its hardening and minimizing its strain-softening response and enhancing up to 76% of the sand shear strength (at a normal stress of 10 kPa and capsules content of 4%). This study demonstrates the potential of a capsules-based self-healing system to provide ‘smart’ autonomous soil strength recovery and thus with potential to actively control the large strain behavior of soils.
Barriers to endocrine therapy adherence: perspectives of Black breast cancer survivors and their providers
Authors: Lee Kimberley T. , Gonzalez Brian D. , Geiss Carley , Fulton Hayden J. , Charles Dannelle , Vadaparampil Susan T. , Henry N. Lynn , Jim Heather S. L. , Hershman Dawn L. , Tworoger Shelley S. , Gwede Clement K.
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Adherence to oral endocrine therapy (ET) remains an issue for up to half of women prescribed these medications. There is emerging data that Black breast cancer survivors (BCS) have lower rates of ET adherence. Given the disparities in breast cancer recurrence and survival for Black BCS compared to their White counterparts, the goal of this study is to better understand barriers to ET adherence among Black BCS from the patient and provider perspectives.

Methods

In this qualitative study, we conducted semi-structured interviews between October 29, 2021, and March 1, 2023. Interviews were recorded and transcribed, and coded data were organized into primary and secondary themes. Participants were recruited from a single academic cancer center. A convenience sample of 24 Black BCS and 9 medical oncology providers was included. Eligible BCS were 18 years or older, English-speaking, diagnosed with stage I–III hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, who had initiated ET.

Results

Mean age of the BCS was 55 years (interquartile range, IQR 17 years). About one-fourth had a high school diploma or less (26.1%) and 47% completed a college education or higher. Approximately one-third of participants had annual household incomes of $40,000 or less (30.4%) or more than $100,000 (30.4%). Forty-three percent of the patient participants had private insurance; 11% were insured through Medicaid or the federal healthcare exchange; 26.1% had Medicare; and 13% were uninsured. Of the 9 medical oncology providers interviewed, 2 were advanced practice providers, and 7 were medical oncologists.

We found 3 major themes: (1) Black BCS often had concerns about ET before initiation; (2) after initiation, both BCS and providers reported side effects as the most impactful barrier to ET adherence; and (3) survivors experienced challenges with managing ET side effects.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that multifaceted support interventions for managing ET-related symptoms may lead to improved adherence to ET among Black women and may reduce disparities in outcomes.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

Multifaceted support interventions for managing ET-related symptoms may lead to improved adherence to ET among Black breast cancer survivors.
Predictors of stress among nursing home staff during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Navarro-Prados Ana Belén , Jiménez García-Tizón Sara , Meléndez Juan Carlos , López Javier
Published: March 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed immense strain on nursing home staff, necessitating a closer examination of factors contributing to their stress levels. This study investigates predictors of stress among nursing home workers during the pandemic, focusing on psychological constructs such as burnout, sense of coherence (SOC), psychological flexibility, and cognitive fusion. A total of 170 nursing home professionals participated, completing questionnaires assessing various dimensions of burnout, SOC, experiential avoidance, anxious feelings and thoughts, and perceived stress. Results reveal significant correlations between perceived stress and emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, personal accomplishment, SOC comprehensibility, manageability, meaningfulness, experiential avoidance, and anxious feelings and thoughts. Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrates that experiential avoidance, anxious feelings and thoughts, emotional exhaustion, SOC comprehensibility, and personal accomplishment significantly predict perceived stress levels. These findings underscore the importance of addressing maladaptive coping mechanisms and promoting factors such as SOC and personal accomplishment to mitigate stress and burnout among nursing home professionals. Targeted interventions aimed at enhancing psychological flexibility and coping strategies are crucial for supporting the well-being of nursing home staff and ensuring high-quality care for residents amidst the ongoing pandemic challenges.
Post-marketing surveillance of the safety and effectiveness of nivolumab for classic Hodgkin lymphoma in Japan
Authors: Kawasaki Akira , Hatake Kiyohiko , Matsumura Itaru , Izutsu Koji , Hoshino Tomohiro , Akamatsu Ayumi , Kakuuchi Akito , Tobinai Kensei
Published: March 2024

Nivolumab was approved for relapsed/refractory classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) in Japan in 2016. After its approval, a prospective, non-interventional, observational post-marketing surveillance was initiated to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of nivolumab treatment for up to 12 months in patients with relapsed/refractory cHL. Of 304 registered patients, 288 were included in safety analyses and 282 in effectiveness analyses. There were 191 (66.3%) male patients, median age was 64.0 years, and 54 patients (18.8%) had performance status ≥ 2. Treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were reported in 183 (63.5%) patients, with grade 3–5 TRAEs in 86 (29.9%). The most common TRAEs were infusion reaction (14.6%), hepatic function abnormal (5.9%), interstitial lung disease (ILD) (5.6%), and hypothyroidism (5.2%). TRAEs of special interest in ≥ 5% of patients were infusion reaction (15.6%), hepatic failure/hepatic dysfunction/hepatitis/cholangitis sclerosing (13.2%), thyroid dysfunction (9.7%), and ILD (7.3%). In multivariable analyses, prior allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation was a risk factor for hepatic failure/hepatic dysfunction/hepatitis/cholangitis sclerosing, and prior thyroid gland disorders was a risk factor for thyroid dysfunction. The overall response rate was 61.7%. In conclusion, nivolumab showed a similar safety profile and comparable effectiveness to that reported in clinical trials for relapsed/refractory cHL (CheckMate 205, ONO-4538-15).
Human Health Impact Based on Adult European Consumers’ Dietary Exposure to Chemical Contaminants and Consumption of Unprocessed Red Meat, Processed Meat, and Legumes
Authors: Mihalache Octavian Augustin , Elliott Christopher , Dall’Asta Chiara
Published: March 2024

In this study we assessed the human health impact based on dietary trends for adult consumers in Europe. The risk of ten illnesses was estimated based on dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic, lead, cadmium, aflatoxin B1, and pesticides and consumption of unprocessed red meat, processed meat, and legumes (reference scenario (RS)) and a simulated alternative scenario of legumes consumption only (AS). Nutrient adequacy per each diet was estimated for vitamin B12, zinc, iron, and selenium. The burden of disease was quantified using Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). The potential health risk and DALYs differ when comparing the burden due to exposure to chemical contaminants and the burden from the consumption of food, the former favoring the RS, while the latter favors the AS. The burden of disease due to exposure to chemical contaminants was between 672,410–1,215,875 DALYs in the RS, while in the AS it was between 964,132–1,084,229 DALYs. Consumption of processed meat added up to 1,813,338 DALYs, while legume intake averted 364,973 DALYs. However, the AS also indicated lower nutrient intakes potentially increasing the risk of nutrient inadequacy. A balanced diet made up of a variety of different foods is essential to prevent potentially higher dietary exposures to a range of chemical contaminants and assure adequate micronutrient intake. Greater importance should be given to food consumption trends and cross-referenced to existing and new natural toxin legislation and risk assessments in view of the ubiquitous and growing occurrence of heavy metals and mycotoxins in our food. The impacts of climate change, and the growing tendency toward plant-based diets are two factors which will drive further increases in human exposure to toxic contaminants.

Graphical Abstract
Periodic Solutions in Kolmogorov-Type Predator–Prey Systems
Authors: Fečkan Michal , Pačuta Július , Susanto Hadi
Published: March 2024

We consider a class of prey-predator models, i.e., a Kolmogorov-type system. We are interested in their dynamics when a certain parameter (that can be viewed as the death rate of the predator) changes from zero value to positive. By utilizing alternative but simple techniques, including a sub- and super-solutions method, we establish the existence of periodic solutions when some conditions are satisfied. We also prove that the solutions are bounded by a non-periodic trajectory when the parameter vanishes. We give an example to illustrate our results.