bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison between dedicated MRI and symphyseal fluoroscopic guided contrast agent injection in the diagnosis of cleft sign in athletic groin pain and association with pelvic ring instability
Authors: Holl Norman , Gerhardt Judith Sarah , Tischer Thomas , Krüger Jens , Arevalo-Hernandez Andres , Lenz Robert , Weber Marc-André
Published: May 2023

Objective

To compare dedicated MRI with targeted fluoroscopic guided symphyseal contrast agent injection regarding the assessment of symphyseal cleft signs in men with athletic groin pain and assessment of radiographic pelvic ring instability.

Methods

Sixty-six athletic men were prospectively included after an initial clinical examination by an experienced surgeon using a standardized procedure. Diagnostic fluoroscopic symphyseal injection of a contrast agent was performed. Additionally, standing single-leg stance radiography and dedicated 3-Tesla MRI protocol were employed. The presence of cleft injuries (superior, secondary, combined, atypical) and osteitis pubis was recorded.

Results

Symphyseal bone marrow edema (BME) was present in 50 patients, bilaterally in 41 patients and in 28 with an asymmetrical distribution. Comparison of MRI and symphysography was as followed: no clefts: 14 cases (MRI) vs. 24 cases (symphysography), isolated superior cleft sign: 13 vs. 10, isolated secondary cleft sign: 15 vs. 21 cases and combined injuries: 18 vs. 11 cases. In 7 cases a combined cleft sign was observed in MRI but only an isolated secondary cleft sign was visible in symphysography. Anterior pelvic ring instability was observed in 25 patients and was linked to a cleft sign in 23 cases (7 superior cleft sign, 8 secondary cleft signs, 6 combined clefts, 2 atypical cleft injuries). Additional BME could be diagnosed in 18 of those 23.

Conclusion

Dedicated 3-Tesla MRI outmatches symphysography for purely diagnostic purposes of cleft injuries. Microtearing at the prepubic aponeurotic complex and the presence of BME is a prerequisite for the development of anterior pelvic ring instability.

Clinical relevance statement

For diagnostic of symphyseal cleft injuries dedicated 3-T MRI protocols outmatch fluoroscopic symphysography. Prior specific clinical examination is highly beneficial and additional flamingo view x-rays are recommended for assessment of pelvic ring instability in these patients.

Key Points

• Assessment of symphyseal cleft injuries is more accurate by use of dedicated MRI as compared to fluoroscopic symphysography.

• Additional fluoroscopy may be important for therapeutic injections.

• The presence of cleft injury might be a prerequisite for the development of pelvic ring instability.
Cortical involvement in essential tremor with and without rest tremor: a machine learning study
Authors: Bianco Maria Giovanna , Quattrone Andrea , Sarica Alessia , Aracri Federica , Calomino Camilla , Caligiuri Maria Eugenia , Novellino Fabiana , Nisticò Rita , Buonocore Jolanda , Crasà Marianna , Vaccaro Maria Grazia , Quattrone Aldo
Published: May 2023

Introduction

There is some debate on the relationship between essential tremor with rest tremor (rET) and the classic ET syndrome, and only few MRI studies compared ET and rET patients. This study aimed to explore structural cortical differences between ET and rET, to improve the knowledge of these tremor syndromes.

Methods

Thirty-three ET patients, 30 rET patients and 45 control subjects (HC) were enrolled. Several MR morphometric variables (thickness, surface area, volume, roughness, mean curvature) of brain cortical regions were extracted using Freesurfer on T1-weighted images and compared among groups. The performance of a machine learning approach (XGBoost) using the extracted morphometric features was tested in discriminating between ET and rET patients.

Results

rET patients showed increased roughness and mean curvature in some fronto-temporal areas compared with HC and ET, and these metrics significantly correlated with cognitive scores. Cortical volume in the left pars opercularis was also lower in rET than in ET patients. No differences were found between ET and HC. XGBoost discriminated between rET and ET with mean AUC of 0.86 ± 0.11 in cross-validation analysis, using a model based on cortical volume. Cortical volume in the left pars opercularis was the most informative feature for classification between the two ET groups.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated higher cortical involvement in fronto-temporal areas in rET than in ET patients, which may be linked to the cognitive status. A machine learning approach based on MR volumetric data demonstrated that these two ET subtypes can be distinguished using structural cortical features.
Effects on hemodynamic enhancement and discomfort of a new textile electrode integrated in a sock during calf neuromuscular electrical stimulation
Authors: Sundström C. , Juthberg R. , Flodin J. , Guo L. , Persson N.-K. , Ackermann P. W.
Published: May 2023

Purpose

To compare fixed transverse textile electrodes (TTE) knitted into a sock versus motor point placed standard gel electrodes (MPE) on peak venous velocity (PVV) and discomfort, during calf neuromuscular electrical stimulation (calf-NMES).

Methods

Ten healthy participants received calf-NMES with increasing intensity until plantar flexion (measurement level I = ML I), and an additional mean 4 mA intensity (ML II), utilizing TTE and MPE. PVV was measured with Doppler ultrasound in the popliteal and femoral veins at baseline, ML I and II. Discomfort was assessed with a numerical rating scale (NRS, 0–10). Significance was set to p < 0.05.

Results

TTE and MPE both induced significant increases in PVV from baseline to ML I and significantly higher increases to ML II, in both the popliteal and femoral veins (all p < 0.001). The popliteal increases of PVV from baseline to both ML I and II were significantly higher with TTE versus MPE (p < 0.05). The femoral increases of PVV from baseline to both ML I and II were not significantly different between TTE and MPE. TTE versus MPE resulted at ML I in higher mA and NRS (p < 0.001), and at ML II in higher mA (p = 0.005) while NRS was not significantly different.

Conclusion

TTE integrated in a sock produces intensity-dependent increases of popliteal and femoral hemodynamics comparable to MPE, but results in more discomfort at plantar flexion due to higher current required. TTE exhibits in the popliteal vein higher increases of PVV compared to MPE.

Trial registration

Trial_ID: ISRCTN49260430. Date: 11/01/2022. Retrospectively registered.
ESGO/ESTRO/ESP Guidelines for the management of patients with cervical cancer – Update 2023*
Authors: Cibula David , Raspollini Maria Rosaria , Planchamp François , Centeno Carlos , Chargari Cyrus , Felix Ana , Fischerová Daniela , Jahnn-Kuch Daniela , Joly Florence , Kohler Christhardt , Lax Sigurd , Lorusso Domenica , Mahantshetty Umesh , Mathevet Patrice , Naik Raj , Nout Remi A. , Oaknin Ana , Peccatori Fedro , Persson Jan , Querleu Denis , Bernabé Sandra Rubio , Schmid Maximilian P. , Stepanyan Artem , Svintsitskyi Valentyn , Tamussino Karl , Zapardiel Ignacio , Lindegaard Jacob
Published: May 2023

In 2018, the European Society of Gynecological Oncology (ESGO) jointly with the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) and the European Society of Pathology (ESP) published evidence-based guidelines for the management of patients with cervical cancer. Given the large body of new evidence addressing the management of cervical cancer, the three sister societies jointly decided to update these evidence-based guidelines. The update includes new topics to provide comprehensive guidelines on all relevant issues of diagnosis and treatment in cervical cancer.

To serve on the expert panel (27 experts across Europe) ESGO/ESTRO/ESP nominated practicing clinicians who are involved in managing patients with cervical cancer and have demonstrated leadership through their expertise in clinical care and research, national and international engagement, profile, and dedication to the topics addressed. To ensure the statements were evidence based, new data identified from a systematic search was reviewed and critically appraised. In the absence of any clear scientific evidence, judgment was based on the professional experience and consensus of the international development group. Before publication, the guidelines were reviewed by 155 independent international practitioners in cancer care delivery and patient representatives.

These updated guidelines are comprehensive and cover staging, management, follow-up, long-term survivorship, quality of life and palliative care. Management includes fertility sparing treatment, early and locally advanced cervical cancer, invasive cervical cancer diagnosed on a simple hysterectomy specimen, cervical cancer in pregnancy, rare tumors, recurrent and metastatic diseases. The management algorithms and the principles of radiotherapy and pathological evaluation are also defined.
Nutrient effects on drought responses vary across common temperate grassland species
Authors: Kiene Carola , Jung Eun-Young , Engelbrecht Bettina M. J.
Published: May 2023

Drought and nutrient input are two main global change drivers that threaten ecosystem function and services. Resolving the interactive effects of human-induced stressors on individual species is necessary to improve our understanding of community and ecosystem responses. This study comparatively assessed how different nutrient conditions affect whole-plant drought responses across 13 common temperate grassland species. We conducted a fully factorial drought-fertilization experiment to examine the effect of nutrient addition [nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and combined NP] on species' drought survival, and on drought resistance of growth as well as drought legacy effects. Drought had an overall negative effect on survival and growth, and the adverse drought effects extended into the next growing season. Neither drought resistance nor legacy effects exhibited an overall effect of nutrients. Instead, both the size and the direction of the effects differed strongly among species and between nutrient conditions. Consistently, species performance ranking under drought changed with nitrogen availability. The idiosyncratic responses of species to drought under different nutrient conditions may underlie the seemingly contradicting effects of drought in studies on grassland composition and productivity along nutrient and land-use gradients—ranging from amplifying to dampening. Differential species’ responses to combinations of nutrients and drought, as observed in our study, complicate predictions of community and ecosystem responses to climate and land-use changes. Moreover, they highlight the urgent need for an improved understanding of the mechanisms that render species more or less vulnerable to drought under different nutrients.
Explosive eruptions at Stromboli volcano (Italy): a comprehensive geochemical view on magma sources and intensity range
Authors: Voloschina Marija , Métrich Nicole , Bertagnini Antonella , Marianelli Paola , Aiuppa Alessandro , Ripepe Maurizio , Pistolesi Marco
Published: May 2023

A comprehensive understanding of the processes that occur during magmatic storage and pre-eruptive ascent—and of their associated timescales—is critical to identifying potential precursory signals, and to developing robust volcano early-warning systems. Stromboli’s persistent activity comprises continuous degassing and explosive activity that ranges from hourly, low-intensity “normal” activity to occasional, more violent, paroxysmal activity. While the magma source processes that drive normal and paroxysmal activity are reasonably constrained, eruptive activity intermediate in magnitude and intensity (i.e., major explosions) remains elusive in terms of classification, source region, and pre-eruptive timescales. Here, we investigate the 19 July 2020 major explosion that geophysical parameters place at the upper limit of the major explosions field, close to small-scale paroxysms such as the 2003 and 2007 events. The geochemical signatures of matrix glass, olivine, melt inclusions, and embayments—integrated with gas measurements—highlight important differences in eruption source, ascent behaviour, and pre-eruptive timescales of the studied event when compared to paroxysms. Melt inclusion volatile contents identify that magma rise begins from a slightly shallower source (~9.5 km below sea level, b.s.l.) than for paroxysms (11.4 km b.s.l.), with the activation of a shallower ponding zone at 5–6 km b.s.l.. This, in combination with intermediate matrix glass compositions, suggests complex ascent behaviour, characterised by CO2 buffering in the deep ponding region and magma self-mixing in the shallower zone. Fe–Mg-diffusion modelling in olivine indicates a system perturbation starting ~20–25 days before eruption onset, in agreement with the timescale of volcanic gas CO2/SO2 ratio changes observed in the plume, and significantly shorter than that observed prior to paroxysms (~4 months). The geochemical dataset provides insights into the processes controlling the steady-state conditions and the broad spectra in eruption magnitude and intensity at Stromboli and bears important implications for eruption forecasting.
Siamese neural networks in recommendation
Authors: Serrano Nicolás , Bellogín Alejandro
Published: May 2023

Recommender systems are widely adopted as an increasing research and development area, since they provide users with diverse and useful information tailored to their needs. Several strategies have been proposed, and in most of them some concept of similarity is used as a core part of the approach, either between items or between users. At the same time, Siamese Neural Networks are being used to capture the similarity of items in the image domain, as they are defined as a subtype of Artificial Neural Networks built with (at least two) identical networks that share their weights. In this review, we study the proposals done in the intersection of these two fields, that is, how Siamese Networks are being used for recommendation. We propose a classification that considers different recommendation problems and algorithmic approaches. Some research directions are pointed out to encourage future research. To the best of our knowledge, this paper is the first comprehensive survey that focuses on the usage of Siamese Neural Networks for Recommender Systems.
Analytic Semiroots for Plane Branches and Singular Foliations
Authors: Cano Felipe , Corral Nuria , Senovilla-Sanz David
Published: May 2023

The analytic moduli of equisingular plane branches has the semimodule of differential values as the most relevant system of discrete invariants. Focusing in the case of cusps, the minimal system of generators of this semimodule is reached by the differential values attached to the differential 1-forms of the so-called standard bases. We can complete a standard basis to an extended one by adding a last differential 1-form that has the considered cusp as invariant branch and the “correct” divisorial order. The elements of such extended standard bases have the “cuspidal” divisor as a “totally dicritical divisor” and hence they define packages of plane branches that are equisingular to the initial one. These are the analytic semiroots. In this paper we prove that the extended standard bases are well structured from this geometrical and foliated viewpoint, in the sense that the semimodules of differential values of the branches in the dicritical packages are described just by a truncation of the list of generators of the initial semimodule at the corresponding differential value. In particular they have all the same semimodule of differential values.
Early diagnosis of retinal neurovascular injury in diabetic patients without retinopathy by quantitative analysis of OCT and OCTA
Authors: Li Baohua , Li Wenwen , Guo Chaohong , Guo Chengwei , Chen Meirong
Published: May 2023

Aims

To quantitatively analyze and compare the differences in retinal neurovascular units (NVUs) between healthy individuals and patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) techniques and to determine the value of this technique for the early diagnosis of retinal neurovascular damage in patients with diabetes mellitus without retinopathy (NDR).

Methods

This observational case‒control study was conducted from July 1, 2022, to November 30, 2022, at the outpatient ophthalmology clinic of the Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. All subjects underwent baseline data entry and mean thickness of the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL), the thickness of each retinal layer in the macula 3 × 3 mm, and vascular density (VD) examination.

Results

The study included 35 healthy individuals and 48 patients with DM. The retinal VD as well as partial pRNFL, macular nerve fiber layer (NFL), and macular ganglion cell layer (GCL) thickness in DM patients exhibited significantly lower VD in the DM group than in the control group (p < 0.05). Age and disease duration of DM patients showed a negative trend with pRNFL thickness, macular NFL thickness, macular GCL thickness, and VD. However, a positive trend was observed between DM duration and partial inner nuclear layer (INL) thickness. Moreover, there was a positive correlation between macular NFL and GCL thickness and VD for the most part, while a negative correlation was shown between INL temporal thickness and DVC-VD. pRNFL-TI and GCL-superior thickness were screened as two variables in the analysis of the predictors of retinal damage in DM according to the presence or absence of DM. The AUCs were 0.765 and 0.673, respectively. By combining the two indicators for diagnosis, the model predicted prognosis with an AUC of 0.831. In the analysis of retinal damage indicators associated with the duration of DM, after regression logistic analysis according to the duration of DM within 5 years and more than 5 years, the model incorporated two indicators, DVC-VD and pRNFL-N thickness, and the AUCs were 0.764 and 0.852, respectively. Combining the two indicators for diagnosis, the AUC reached 0.925.

Conclusions

Retinal NVU may have been compromised in patients with DM without retinopathy. Basic clinical information and rapid noninvasive OCT and OCTA techniques are useful for the quantitative assessment of retinal NVU prognosis in patients with DM without retinopathy.
Real Characters in Nilpotent Blocks
Authors: Sambale Benjamin
Published: May 2023

We prove that the number of irreducible real characters in a nilpotent block of a finite group is locally determined. We further conjecture that the Frobenius–Schur indicators of those characters can be computed for $$p=2$$

p
=
2

in terms of the extended defect group. We derive this from a more general conjecture on the Frobenius–Schur indicator of projective indecomposable characters of 2-blocks with one simple module. This extends results of Murray on 2-blocks with cyclic and dihedral defect groups.
Multi-index Sequential Monte Carlo Ratio Estimators for Bayesian Inverse problems
Authors: Jasra Ajay , Law Kody J. H. , Walton Neil , Yang Shangda
Published: May 2023

We consider the problem of estimating expectations with respect to a target distribution with an unknown normalising constant, and where even the un-normalised target needs to be approximated at finite resolution. This setting is ubiquitous across science and engineering applications, for example in the context of Bayesian inference where a physics-based model governed by an intractable partial differential equation (PDE) appears in the likelihood. A multi-index sequential Monte Carlo (MISMC) method is used to construct ratio estimators which provably enjoy the complexity improvements of multi-index Monte Carlo (MIMC) as well as the efficiency of sequential Monte Carlo (SMC) for inference. In particular, the proposed method provably achieves the canonical complexity of $$\hbox {MSE}^{-1}$$

MSE

-
1

, while single-level methods require $$\hbox {MSE}^{-\xi }$$

MSE

-
ξ

for $$\xi >1$$

ξ
>
1

. This is illustrated on examples of Bayesian inverse problems with an elliptic PDE forward model in 1 and 2 spatial dimensions, where $$\xi =5/4$$

ξ
=
5
/
4

and $$\xi =3/2$$

ξ
=
3
/
2

, respectively. It is also illustrated on more challenging log-Gaussian process models, where single-level complexity is approximately $$\xi =9/4$$

ξ
=
9
/
4

and multilevel Monte Carlo (or MIMC with an inappropriate index set) gives $$\xi = 5/4 + \omega $$

ξ
=
5
/
4
+
ω

, for any $$\omega > 0$$

ω
>
0

, whereas our method is again canonical. We also provide novel theoretical verification of the product-form convergence results which MIMC requires for Gaussian processes built in spaces of mixed regularity defined in the spectral domain, which facilitates acceleration with fast Fourier transform methods via a cumulant embedding strategy, and may be of independent interest in the context of spatial statistics and machine learning.
Periodontal diseases in Thai schoolchildren. Clinical and microbiological observations
Authors: Piwat Supacharin , Basic Amina , Pahumunto Nuntiya , Teanpaisan Rawee , Dahlen Gunnar
Published: May 2023

The prevalence of periodontitis among Thai schoolchildren is unknown. In a cross-sectional study, the prevalence and severity of periodontal diseases, in a group of Thai schoolchildren, along with the presence and numbers of bacterial species commonly associated with periodontitis were investigated. A consent form was sent out to 192 schoolchildren in one school (Chanachanupathom School) in Chana, Southern Thailand (in the age range of 12–18 years) and 119 attended for a clinical and microbiological examination. Clinical recordings included number of teeth present, DMFT, plaque index, bleeding index, clinical attachment loss (CAL), and probing pocket depth (PPD). Pooled plaque samples were analyzed with culture and qPCR against bacteria associated with periodontitis. The children had low caries experience (DMFT = 3.2 ± 2.3), poor oral hygiene, high bleeding scores, and 67 (56.3%) had at least one interproximal site with CAL ≥ 1 mm. Thirty-seven (31.1%) of the children were diagnosed with periodontitis stage I, and sixteen (13.4%) were classified as periodontitis Stage II. Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans was sparsely found in all but the healthy clinical groups (gingivitis, periodontitis Stage I and II), while the groups showed a high prevalence of Fusobacterium spp., Prevotella intermedia/nigrescens, and Campylobacter species as well as of the periodontitis-associated species Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, and Tannerella forsythia. Thai schoolchildren have poor oral hygiene with abundant amounts of plaque and high presence of bleeding. Early onset periodontitis is common but mostly in its mild form and is not associated with the presence of A. actinomycetemcomitans.
„Carbon sequestration“ durch Humusanreicherung in Obstanlagen?
Authors: Blanke Michael , Kunz Achim
Published: May 2023

Um die Möglichkeit der Humusanreicherung und CO2-Speicherung („carbon sequestration“) in Obstanlagen zu untersuchen, wurden Bodenanalysen aus dem 1968 angelegten Dauerdüngungsversuch auf dem Campus Klein-Altendorf der Universität Bonn ausgewertet. Das Klima ist dort mild atlantisch geprägt mit 600 mm Jahresniederschlag bei einer Durchschnittstemperatur von 9,6 °C. Die fruchtbare Parabraunerde auf mehreren Metern alluvialem Löß hat eine Bodenzahl von ca. 90 und ist zur Zeit mit Kirschen auf Gisela-Unterlage bepflanzt – mit Grasmulchwirtschaft; Schnittholz verbleibt in der Anlage. Die 4 ausgewählten Düngevarianten mit je 40 Bäumen sind 1) Kontrolle ohne Düngung, 2) Kalken (1 t/ha CaO alle 10 Jahre) – zur pH-Stabilisierung, 3) Kalken und organische Düngung (anfangs mit Stallmist, dann Grünkompost) und 4) Kalken mit anorganischer NPK-Düngung (40 kg N/ha und Jahr); alle Behandlungen erfolgten ausschließlich auf den Baumstreifen mit folgenden Ergebnissen:

1) Auf diesem fruchtbaren Boden entwickelten sich die Obstkulturen auch ohne zusätzliche Düngung gut. Die Kontrollbäume wiesen weder Nährstoffmangel noch Ertragsdepressionen auf und profitierten von der Grasmulchwirtschaft und geschreddertem Schnittholz.

2) Gelegentliche Kalkung über 50 Jahre erhöhte den pH-Wert von 6,3 auf 6,7 ins pH-Optimum für Steinobst und Verfügbarkeit der meisten Nährstoffe; in der ungedüngten Kontrolle sank der pH-Wert auf 5,7–5,9 und bestätigt damit die in der Literatur beschriebene langsame Versauerung des Bodens bei langjährigem Herbizideinsatz.

3) Kalken und organische Düngung – in Form von Stallmist (ca. 3 t TM/ha und Jahr) in den ersten 30 und Grünkompost mit ø 10 t TM/ha und Jahr in den letzten 10 Jahren – erhöhte den Humusgehalt um das 2,5fache von 1,8 % in 1968 auf 4,3 % Humus in 2021; dies entspricht einer Humusanreicherung von ø 0,03 % Humus pro Jahr.

4) Die Verdoppelung des organischen Kohlenstoffs (SOC) von ca. 1 % auf ca. 2,5 % entspricht etwa einer Speicherung von 37,5 t CO2/ha über 53 Jahre im Boden bzw. ca. 0,7 t CO2/ha und Jahr bei ausschließlich organischer Düngung und Kalkung.

5) Kalken und anorganische NPK-Düngung erhöhten den pH-Wert und Nährstoffgehalt des Bodens. Die Ergebnisse werden diskutiert bezüglich der Möglichkeit einer Doppelnutzung von Obstproduktion und Klimawirkung als Kohlenstoffspeicher; diese wurde unter den Meckenheimer Klima- und Bodenbedingungen jedoch nur dann erreicht, wenn langfristig und regelmäßig organischer Dünger und Kalk zur Erhaltung des pH-Werts verabreicht wurde – und nicht bei ausschließlichem Kalken oder anorganischer NPK-Düngung, wobei überhöhte Nährstoff- und Humusgehalte negative Folgen auf die Kultur haben können.
An algorithmic debugging approach for belief-desire-intention agents
Authors: Ahlbrecht Tobias
Published: May 2023

Debugging agent systems can be rather difficult. It is often noted as one of the most time-consuming tasks during the development of cognitive agents. Algorithmic (or declarative) debugging is a semi-automatic technique, where the developer is asked questions by the debugger in order to locate the source of an error. We present how this can be applied in the context of a BDI agent language, demonstrate how it can speed up or simplify the debugging process and reflect on its advantages and limitations.
Catch me if you can: capturing microbial community transformation by extracellular DNA using Hi-C sequencing
Authors: Calderón-Franco David , van Loosdrecht Mark C. M. , Abeel Thomas , Weissbrodt David G.
Published: May 2023

The transformation of environmental microorganisms by extracellular DNA is an overlooked mechanism of horizontal gene transfer and evolution. It initiates the acquisition of exogenous genes and propagates antimicrobial resistance alongside vertical and conjugative transfers. We combined mixed-culture biotechnology and Hi-C sequencing to elucidate the transformation of wastewater microorganisms with a synthetic plasmid encoding GFP and kanamycin resistance genes, in the mixed culture of chemostats exposed to kanamycin at concentrations representing wastewater, gut and polluted environments (0.01–2.5–50–100 mg L−1). We found that the phylogenetically distant Gram-negative Runella (102 Hi-C links), Bosea (35), Gemmobacter (33) and Zoogloea (24) spp., and Gram-positive Microbacterium sp. (90) were transformed by the foreign plasmid, under high antibiotic exposure (50 mg L−1). In addition, the antibiotic pressure shifted the origin of aminoglycoside resistance genes from genomic DNA to mobile genetic elements on plasmids accumulating in microorganisms. These results reveal the power of Hi-C sequencing to catch and surveil the transfer of xenogenetic elements inside microbiomes.
Dynamic Mode Decomposition for the Comparison of Engine In-Cylinder Flow Fields from Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) Simulations
Authors: Baker Samuel , Fang Xiaohang , Shen Li , Willman Christopher , Fernandes Jason , Leach Felix , Davy Martin
Published: May 2023

Validation of Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) simulation results against experimental data such as flow measurements from particle image velocimetry (PIV) remains a challenge for the development of thermal propulsion systems. This is partly due to cycle-to-cycle variations (CCVs) in the air motion and partly due to uncertainties in the PIV measurement technique, complicating the question of what constitutes a fair validation target for the RANS model. Indeed, an inappropriate validation target can misguide subsequent adjustments of a RANS model. In this work, the ensemble-averaged PIV field is first investigated for its suitability as a validation target for RANS simulations. The relevance index and the velocity histogram distance are used as quantitative metrics to assess the similarity of the ensemble-averaged field to the full dataset of individual PIV cycles. While a high similarity is seen between the average PIV flow field and the individual cycles on the tumble plane, the similarity is lower and more variable on the cross-tumble plane, where there are significant CCVs. Standard (space-only, phase-dependent) proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) is employed as an alternative method of data processing with the aim of providing a fairer comparison to RANS simulations. The cycle-dependence of the standard POD modes is shown to be an aspect that results in many validation targets and an excessively broad validation range, limiting its utility in this context. Dynamic mode decomposition (DMD) and sparsity-promoting dynamic mode decomposition (SPDMD) are then proposed as alternative solutions, capable of extracting flow structures at specific frequencies. The background 0 Hz SPDMD modes exhibit an ability to produce more realistic flow fields with velocity magnitudes that are significantly closer to the individual cycles.
Individual Differences in How Desirable People Think They Are as a Mate
Authors: Csajbók Zsófia , Štěrbová Zuzana , Brewer Gayle , Cândea Cristina A. , De Backer Charlotte J. S. , Fernández Ana Maria , Fisher Maryanne L. , Garcia Justin R. , Kruger Daniel J. , Massar Karlijn , Oberzaucher Elisabeth , Quintelier Katinka J. P. , van Geffen Renske E. , Valentova Jaroslava Varella , Varella Marco Antonio Correa , Jonason Peter K.
Published: May 2023

Mate value is an important concept in mate choice research although its operationalization and understanding are limited. Here, we reviewed and evaluated previously established conceptual and methodological approaches measuring mate value and presented original research using individual differences in how people view themselves as a face-valid proxy for mate value in long- and short-term contexts. In data from 41 nations (N = 3895, Mage = 24.71, 63% women, 47% single), we tested sex, age, and relationship status effects on self-perceived mate desirability, along with individual differences in the Dark Triad traits, life history strategies, peer-based comparison of desirability, and self-reported mating success. Both sexes indicated more short-term than long-term mate desirability; however, men reported more long-term mate desirability than women, whereas women reported more short-term mate desirability than men. Further, individuals who were in a committed relationship felt more desirable than those who were not. Concerning the cross-sectional stability of mate desirability across the lifespan, in men, short- and long-term desirability rose to the age of 40 and 50, respectively, and decreased afterward. In women, short-term desirability rose to the age of 38 and decreased afterward, whereas long-term desirability remained stable over time. Our results suggest that measuring long- and short-term self-perceived mate desirability reveals predictable correlates.
Uncertainties in the effectiveness of biological control of stem borers under different climate change scenarios in Eastern Africa
Authors: Jendritzki Ines , Tonnang Henri E. Z. , Calatayud Paul-André , Borgemeister Christian , Johansson Tino , Biber-Freudenberger Lisa
Published: May 2023

Climate change (CC) is expected to significantly affect biodiversity and ecosystem services. Adverse impacts from CC in the Global South are likely to be exacerbated by limited capacities to take adequate adaptation measures and existing developmental challenges. Insect pests today are already causing considerable yield losses in agricultural crop production in East Africa. Studies have shown that insects are strongly responding to CC by proliferation, shift in distribution, and by altering their phenology, which is why an impact on agriculture can be expected. Biological control (BC) has been proposed as an alternative measure to sustainably contain insect pests, but few studies predict its efficacy under future CC. Using the species maximum entropy modeling (Maxent) approach, we predict the current and future distribution of three important lepidopteran stem borer pests of maize in Eastern Africa, i.e., Busseola fusca (Fuller, 1901), Chilo partellus (Swinhoe, 1885), and Sesamia calamistis (Hampson, 1910), and two parasitoids that are currently used for BC, i.e., Cotesia flavipes (Cameron, 1891) and Cotesia sesamiae (Cameron, 1906). Based on these potential distributions and data collected during household surveys with local farmers in Kenya and Tanzania, also future maize yield losses are predicted for a business-as-usual scenario and a sustainable development scenario. We found that BC of the stem borer pests by C. flavipes and C. sesamiae will be less effective under more severe CC resulting in a reduced ability to curb maize yield losses caused by the stem borers. These results highlight the need to adapt BC measures to future CC to maintain its potential for environmentally friendly pest management strategies. The findings of this research are thus of particular relevance to policymakers, extension officers, and farmers in the region and will aid the adaptation of smallholder agricultural practices to the impacts of CC.
‘Is This a Hate Speech?’ The Difficulty in Combating Radicalisation in Coded Communications on Social media Platforms
Authors: Farrand Benjamin
Published: May 2023

The use of the Internet for the purposes of radicalisation is well understood. The use of social media platforms to spread messages of hate and intolerance has become mainstreamed, both as a means of communication and a focus of academic attention. The purpose of this paper is to focus on the complications in addressing these radicalisation efforts where the means of communication is through Internet memes, in which humour and coded language are used as means of radicalising an audience. While existing legal frameworks provide for online platforms to tackle this problem through a combination of assuring immunity from liability for taking action when content is brought to a platforms attention, as well as engaging in voluntary proactive measures, this paper explores the difficulty of addressing content that is more borderline in nature and where arguments concerning humour and freedom of expression may be raised by those spreading these messages in a system providing for significant discretion on the part of online platforms. Considering developments under the Digital Services Act, and an increased focusing on the algorithmic control of content, this article will argue that even these new measures may find the countering of radicalising content conveyed through humour quite difficult.
Assessing teachers’ digital competence in primary and secondary education: Applying a new instrument to integrate pedagogical and professional elements for digital education
Authors: Tzafilkou Katerina , Perifanou Maria , Economides Anastasios A.
Published: May 2023

Teachers’ digital competence (DC) is an important condition for the effective application of technology in education. Although several DC tools have been designed, adjustments to digital education and pedagogical or professional components are still scarce. Therefore, this study aims at developing a new instrument for assessing teachers’ DC regarding their pedagogical and professional activities in the context of digital school and digital education. The study also examines the teachers’ total DC scores and explores the differences between teacher profiles on a sample of 845 teachers in primary and secondary education in Greece. The final instrument comprises 20 items allocated in six components: 1) Teaching preparation; 2) Teaching delivery & students’ support; 3) Teaching evaluation & revision; 4) Professional development; 5) School’s development; and 6) Innovating education. The PLS-SEM analysis indicated the validity and reliability of the model in respect to its factorial structure, internal consistency, convergence validity, and model fitness. The results revealed DC inefficiency among teachers in Greece. Primary school teachers reported significantly lower scores in Professional development and Teaching delivery & students support. Female teachers reported significantly lower scores in Innovating education and School's development, but they reported higher scores in Professional development. The contribution and practical implications are discussed in the paper.
Sustainable mobility learning: Technological acceptance model for gamified experience with ClassCraft in primary school
Authors: Sipone Silvia , Abella Victor , Rojo Marta , Moura José Luis
Published: May 2023

The concept of sustainable mobility is related to the fulfilment of certain conditions that consider environmental, economic and social factors when making decisions on transport activity. The recognition of the role of education as a key factor for sustainable development and sustainable mobility has been growing. Therefore, the development of training schemes aimed at sustainable mobility education as a tool for a better future for the generations to come is of fundamental importance. This study analyses the factors affecting the adoption of the ClassCraft platform in activities related to sustainable mobility. The proposed experience involved children aged 10–11 years old, a total of 75 pupils. This experience was the basis for analyzing the pupils' perception of the gamification-based methodology. A mixed method has been used, combining qualitative results from a Focus Group (FG) with 6 students, and quantitative results through a questionnaire based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) with all the 75 students. The results reflect that all students consider this methodology as an opportunity for a change in the school experience to make classroom activities more enjoyable. Our research contributes to the application of a mixed methods approach that addresses an educational challenge, considering the voice of the children when applying new teaching–learning strategies.
Upstream movement of juvenile eels (Anguilla anguilla L.) in a southwestern European river
Authors: Monteiro Rui M. , Domingos Isabel , Almeida Pedro R. , Costa José L. , Pereira Esmeralda , Belo Ana F. , Portela Teresa , Telhado Ana , Quintella Bernardo R.
Published: May 2023

The upstream movement of juvenile eels (median total length (TL) = 138 mm) in the Mondego River, Portugal, was analysed between January 2017 and August 2019. A total of 12,019 individuals (TL ranging from 60 to 287 mm) were counted and measured on an eel ladder at Coimbra weir, 44 km upstream from the river mouth, during their upstream movements. Although eels were counted throughout the year, a clear seasonal peak was detected in spring and late summer, with 93% of total movements occurring between April and September. No differences were found in the total length of individuals moving upstream between years. Generalised additive models, with an explained deviance of 83% and an adjusted R2 of 0.88, identified minimum water temperature as the main environmental variable explaining these movements, with a threshold of 13 °C triggering the onset of movements, and a peak between 15 and 19 °C, which corresponds to the spring and summer periods. Other predictors such as photoperiod, precipitation and river flow also contributed as explanatory variables in the model but less importantly. The present results may contribute to the management of this endangered species in the southern region of its distribution range by defining adequate temporal windows to monitor and promote the movement of juvenile European eels through obstacles to migration.
Electrochemical impedance response of the nanostructured Ti–6Al–4V surface in the presence of S. aureus and E. coli
Authors: Fojt Jaroslav , Průchová Eva , Hybášek Vojtěch
Published: May 2023

Implant infections associated with biofilm are a significant problem in current healthcare. Early detection of the development of bacterial infection would allow the deployment of antibiotic treatment to suppress complications. Biofilm detection can be based on the changes in the electrochemical response of a metal oxide sensor. The nanostructured surface of titanium alloys provides a large active/geometric surface area ratio and may respond to the presence of bacteria by changing its behaviour. In this work, the changes in impedance response of nanostructured Ti–6Al–4V alloy surface in the presence of E. coli and S. aureus were studied. The nanostructures were prepared by anodic oxidation in a fluoride ions-containing environment. The change in impedance spectra and open circuit potential of the prepared surfaces was monitored for 48 h. Furthermore, a series of measurements in model systems were carried out to help identify the processes leading to the change in the electrochemical behaviour of the surface. The measurements showed significant changes in the surface impedance response over a wide range of frequencies and for both bacterial strains. Based on the results, the implantable sensor based on the nanotubular titanium oxide seems to be a possible and simple way how to detect bacterial infection.

Graphical Abstract
Data-driven indirect punch wear monitoring in sheet-metal stamping processes
Authors: Unterberg Martin , Becker Marco , Niemietz Philipp , Bergs Thomas
Published: May 2023

The wear state of the punch in sheet-metal stamping processes cannot be directly observed, necessitating the use of indirect methods to infer its condition. Past research approaches utilized a plethora of machine learning models to infer the punch wear state from suitable process signals, but have been limited by the lack of industrial-grade process setups and sample sizes as well as their insufficient interpretability. This work seeks to address these limitations by proposing the sheared surface of the scrap web as a proxy for the punch wear and modeling its quality from acoustic emission signals. The experimental work was carried out in an industrial-grade fine blanking process setting. Evaluation of the model performances suggests that the utilized regression models are capable of modeling the relationship between acoustic emission signal features and sheared surface quality of the scrap webs. Subsequent model inference suggests adhesive wear on the punch as a root cause for the sheared surface impairment of the scrap webs. This work represents the most extensive modeling effort on indirect punch wear monitoring in sheet-metal stamping both from a model prediction and model inference perspective known to the authors.
Non-equilibrium Stationary Solutions for Multicomponent Coagulation Systems with Injection
Authors: Ferreira Marina A. , Lukkarinen Jani , Nota Alessia , Velázquez Juan J. L.
Published: May 2023

The existence and non-existence of stationary solutions of multicomponent coagulation equations with a constant flux of mass towards large sizes is investigated. The flux may be induced by a source of small clusters or by a flux boundary condition at the origin of the composition space, and the coagulation kernel can be very general, merely satisfying certain power law asymptotic bounds in terms of the total number of monomers in a cluster. Our set-up, including an appropriate definition of multicomponent flux, allows a sharp classification of the existence of stationary solutions. In particular, this analysis extends previous results for one-component systems to a larger class of kernels.
Exploring how disturbance and light availability shape the elevation ranges of multiple mountain tree and shrub species in the tropics
Authors: Muñoz Mazon Miguel , Klanderud Kari , Sheil Douglas
Published: May 2023

Context

Tropical mountains are hotspots of plant diversity, with a remarkable density of narrow ranged and endemic species. To develop effective in situ strategies for the conservation of species under changing climatic conditions we need to understand the mechanisms that shape their distributions.

Objectives

We explore how disturbance shapes the elevation ranges of two shrubs and eight tree species (Hypericum irazuense,Vacciunium consanguineum,Escallonia myrtilloides,Schefflera rodriguesiana,Weinmannia pinnata,Rhamnus(Frangula)oreodendron,Styrax argenteus,Podocarpus oleifolius,Prumnopitys standleyi,Magnolia poasana) characteristic of the paramos and cloud forest of the Talamanca Mountains, Costa Rica.

Methods

We used distance sampling transects along a 1400 m elevation range and “density surface models” to explore how the distribution of the selected species responds to changes in basal area and light availability after disturbance, across their elevation range.

Results

The legacies of disturbance on forest structure and light availability clearly shaped the elevation ranges of seven species.H. irazuensehad a clear light demanding strategy, only occurring at well-lit sites throughout their range.V. consanguineum,E. myrtilloidesandS. rodriguesianashifted from a shade tolerant to strictly light demanding distribution between their upper and lower range limit, showing a context dependent role of light availability along their elevation range.R. oreodendron,S. argenteusandW. pinnataoccurred mainly under shaded and crowded conditions. The density ofM. poasana,P. oleifoliusandP. standleyispecies was related only to elevation.

Conclusions

Our study illustrates how light availability and disturbance are key to understand the elevation range dynamics of high elevation tropical trees and shrubs. Canopy openings after disturbances provide habitat for paramo and high elevation woody plant species to persist under warmer conditions. These findings can inform conservation efforts aimed at preserving high elevation plants species in the future.