bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Derivation of Plasma Propagation Velocity by Visual and Electrical Composite Analysis
Authors: Yambe Kiyoyuki , Maeda Hideyuki , Ishii Taisei
Published: October 2022

For the plasma generated as a stationary wave in a vacuum vessel, the propagation velocity of the plasma was derived by a simple composite analysis consisting of a plasma emission image and a time fluctuation of the plasma current. The propagation wavelength of the plasma was derived from the shading interval length of the plasma emission intensity obtained by the digital camera in the visual analysis, and the propagation frequency of the plasma was derived from the time variation of the plasma current measured by a current probe in the electrical analysis. © 2022 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
FemTech.dk Research Initiative
Authors: Bjørn Pernille , Menendez-Blanco Maria , Borsotti Valeria
Published: October 2022

FemTech.dk is situated in the Department of Computer Science at University of Copenhagen Denmark and has been an ongoing inquiry into the specific circumstances within computer science that produce gender imbalance and includes activities dedicated to making a change through design interventions. FemTech.dk was created in 2016 to engage with research within gender and diversity and to explore the role of gender equity as part of digital technology design and development. FemTech.dk considers how and why computer science as a field and profession in Denmark has such a distinct unbalanced gender representation in the twenty-first century. The focus was initially on the student base of the bachelor’s program in computer science, which from the 1980s until 2016 was remarkably smaller than for other science programs at the University of Copenhagen. In terms of numbers, only 15 women students entered the bachelor’s degree program in 2012 and 2013, and only 12 women students entered the program in 2014. In each of these 3 years, more than 160 students entered the program in total. Reviewing the 15-year period 2000–2014, the share of women students in the program was 7–9%, the lowest percentage of women in a study program across all of the University of Copenhagen. To compare, in 2016 the share of women students in the Math program was 30%, and in Physics was 25%.
Cyberbear & Cryptosphere: Sociomaterial-Design, Social Belonging, and Gender Representations
Authors: Bjørn Pernille , Menendez-Blanco Maria , Borsotti Valeria
Published: October 2022

As digital technologies are integrated into societies, questions about who participates in technology development become increasingly crucial. When in 2016 we began FemTech, we wanted to redefine the nature of computer science in a way to reach out to people who were not already within the field – and who did not consider or see themselves as potentially successful in technology development. To make such change through interventions, in some of our first initiatives, we sought ways to create design artefacts that manifested alternative narratives of computer science while meaningfully interlinking with people outside computer science. Thus, our interest was to strive for gender equity in computing with an impact not only on educational programs but also on the underlying structures and society, through opening educational programs in alternative ways.
Approach for Evaluating Changeable Production Systems in a Battery Module Production Use Case
Authors: Fries Christian , Hölscher Patricia , Brützel Oliver , Lanza Gisela , Bauernhansl Thomas
Published: October 2022

Volatile markets continue to complicate manufacturing companies’ production system design, leading to efficiency losses due to imperfect system setups. In such a market environment, a perfect system setup cannot be achieved. Therefore, changeable production systems that cope with immanent uncertainty gain interest in research and industry. For several decades, changeable production systems have been in the research and development stage. The advantages and disadvantages are well investigated. So far, however, they have gained only limited acceptance in industry. One of the reasons is the difficult evaluation of the benefits. Existing investment calculation methods either neglect many effects of changeability, such as easier adaptation to unpredictable events, or are too complex and therefore too time-consuming to become standard. Thus, a practical evaluation method is needed that considers these changeability aspects. This paper deviates the industry requirements regarding an evaluation method based on an industry survey and develops a practical approach for an evaluation method for a changeable production system considering monetary and non-monetary aspects. The approach is characterized by a calculation that is as accurate as possible considering the existing input factors. The method shows that changeable production systems excel in environments with frequent need for adaptation. The approach is applied to a battery module assembly in the ARENA2036 research campus.
Effect of Ultrasonic Burnishing Parameters on Burnished-Surface Quality of Stainless Steel After Heat Treatment
Authors: Ullah Rizwan , Fangnon Eric , Huuki Juha
Published: October 2022

Ultrasonic burnishing induces beneficial compressive stresses and high surface quality in components with contact as a functional requirement. It was observed in previous work that some burnishing parameters can hinder burnishability of stainless steels. In this research tangential misalignment angles (TMA) for burnishing were varied considering as-supplied and heat-treated stainless steel. Properties such as surface hardness and surface roughness were measured after burnishing process. Electron Backscatter Diffraction was performed to characterize microstructure using Matlab (MTEX) to calculate average grain areas. By changing burnishing parameters, i.e., shaft rotational speed and burnishing tool diameter, it was observed that burnishing was less successful. Nevertheless, significant improvement in burnished surface quality was observed after heat-treatment process. In addition, grain size characterization revealed mean grain area reduction from 26 µm2 for unburnished to 11 µm2 and 3 µm2 for burnished and heat-treated samples respectively. Most importantly this work reveals the enhanced possibility of burnishing stainless steels after heat-treatment with varying tangential misalignment angles.
Modelling and Simulation of Automated Hydraulic Press Brake
Authors: Daniyan Ilesanmi , Mpofu Khumbulani , Oladapo Bankole , Ajetomobi Rufus
Published: October 2022

In this study, a reconfigurable hydraulic press brake was designed using Solidworks and simulated on a hydraulic Automation Studio Fluidsim. The designed press brake comprises of the frame balance, conveyor rollers and support, belt, chuck, six hydraulic cylinders assembled with bolts and nuts. The buckling force was determined analytically and compared with the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) simulation to prevent distortion of length and section. The Von mises stress theory was used to determine the stress, resultant load and displacement. The results obtained from the FEA simulation were compared with the mechanical properties of the hydraulic press brake. The maximum stress induced is significantly lower than the tensile strength of the hydraulic press brake. Hence, the stress induced due to bending cannot cause the cast alloy to yield. Also, the buckling force significantly exceeds the resultant force giving no chances for buckling. The designed hydraulic press brake is flexible enough to control using hydraulic cylinders and enhances sufficient strength and rigidity during clamping and loading conditions.
Ergebnisse
Authors: Lorenz Sandro
Published: October 2022

Der jüngste Patient ist der Einschlusskriterien wegen 18 Jahre, der älteste 95 Jahre alt. Der Altersdurchschnitt liegt bei 48,3 Jahren, der Median bei 47. Die Standardabweichung weist einen Wert von 18,2 auf.
Arzt-Patienten-Beziehung im Bereich der Klinischen Anästhesie
Authors: Lorenz Sandro
Published: October 2022

Das Verhältnis zwischen Arzt und Patient ist und war auch immer ein Abbild der gesellschaftlichen Prozesse. Das Rollenverständnis des Arztes war im 19. und bis weit in das 20. Jahrhundert hinein von Überlegenheit in Wissen und Macht gegenüber dem Patienten geprägt [473].
Removal of conical singularities from rotating C-metrics and dual CFT entropy
Authors: Astorino Marco
Published: October 2022

Abstract

We show how to remove from the rotating C-metric spacetime, which describes accelerating Kerr black holes, both conical singularities. This can be done by embedding the metric into a swirling gravitational universe, through a proper Ehlers transformation. The spin-spin interaction between the external rotational background and the black hole provides the source of the acceleration without the need of rods or strings. The physical properties and entropy of the new solution are studied using near horizon and dual conformal techniques of the Kerr/CFT correspondence. The charged case is also analysed: accelerating Reissner-Nordstrom and Accelerating Kerr-Newman space-times embedded in a swirling universe are also generated.
On supersymmetric interface defects, brane parallel transport, order-disorder transition and homological mirror symmetry
Authors: Galakhov Dmitry
Published: October 2022

Abstract

We concentrate on a treatment of a Higgs-Coulomb duality as an absence of manifest phase transition between ordered and disordered phases of 2d $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= (2, 2) theories. We consider these examples of QFTs in the Schrödinger picture and identify Hilbert spaces of BPS states with morphisms in triangulated categories of D-brane boundary conditions. As a result of Higgs-Coulomb duality D-brane categories on IR vacuum moduli spaces are equivalent, this resembles an analog of homological mirror symmetry. Following construction ideas behind the Gaiotto-Moore-Witten algebra of the infrared one is able to introduce interface defects in these theories and associate them to D-brane parallel transport functors. We concentrate on surveying simple examples, analytic when possible calculations, numerical estimates and simple physical picture behind curtains of geometric objects. Categorification of hypergeometric series analytic continuation is derived as an Atiyah flop of the conifold. Finally we arrive to an interpretation of the braid group action on the derived category of coherent sheaves on cotangent bundles to flag varieties as a categorification of Berry connection on the Fayet-Illiopolous parameter space of a sigma-model with a quiver variety target space.
Prehospital predictors of the need for transfusion in patients with major trauma
Authors: Gaessler Holger , Helm Matthias , Kulla Martin , Hossfeld Bjoern , Riedel Julia , Kerschowski Juergen , Bretschneider Ingeborg
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Severe haemorrhage is a leading cause of early mortality following major trauma. By early identification of patients at risk, blood transfusion could already be initiated in the prehospital period. Aim of the study was to evaluate the extent to which prehospital lactate and base excess, which are known to be associated with trauma-induced coagulopathy, and additional clinical parameters are associated with the need for early transfusion.

Methods

In this prospective, single-centre observational study, trauma patients treated by a helicopter emergency medical service were included, regardless of the injury severity. Patients with coagulation-influencing drugs in long-term therapy were excluded. Blood samples obtained at the beginning of the prehospital treatment were analysed. Primary outcome was the association of lactate and base excess with the need for early transfusion (resuscitation room or immediate surgery). Receiver operating characteristic curves were created, and the area under the curve (AUROC) was calculated.

Results

Between 2015 and 2018, 21 out of 130 adult trauma patients received blood products during the early in-hospital treatment. Both prehospital lactate and base excess were associated with the transfusion (AUROC 0.731 and 0.798, respectively). The optimal calculated cut-off values were 4 mmol/l (lactate) and − 2.5 mmol/l (base excess). When circulatory instability and suspected relevant bleeding were included, the association further improved (AUROC 0.871 and 0.866, respectively).

Conclusion

Prehospital lactate and base excess could be used in combination with other clinical parameters as indicators of the need for early transfusion. This relationship has yet to be confirmed in the current validation study.

Trial registration

German Clinical Trials Register, www.drks.de (No. DRKS 00009559).
Efficient management of industrial electric vehicles by means of static and dynamic wireless power transfer systems
Authors: Faveto Alberto , Panza Luigi , Bruno Giulia , Cirimele Vincenzo , Furio Saverio Stefano , Lombardi Franco
Published: October 2022

Industrial companies are moving toward the electrification of equipment and processes, in line with the broader energy transition taking place across the economy. Particularly, the energy efficiency and, consequently, the reduction of environmental pollution of intralogistics activities have become a competitive element and are now an actual research and development objective. A wireless power transfer is a contactless electrical energy transmission technology based on the magnetic coupling between coils installable under the ground level and a coil mounted under the vehicle floor, and it represents an excellent solution to decrease the demand for batteries by reducing vehicle downtimes during the recharge. This work aims to define a methodology to determine the optimal positioning of wireless charging units across the warehouse, both for static and dynamic recharging. To this aim, firstly, a mathematical model of the warehouse is proposed to describe transfers and storage/retrieval operations executed by the forklifts. Then, an integer linear programming problem is applied to find the best possible layout of the charging infrastructures. The optimal solution respects the energetic requirements given by the customer and minimizes the overall system cost. The proposed approach was applied to optimize the installation in a real-size warehouse of a tire manufacturing company. Several scenarios were computer generated through discrete event simulation in order to test the optimizer in different warehouse conditions. The obtained results show that integrated dynamic and static WPT systems ensure a constant state of charge of the electric vehicles during their operations.
Hemidystonia secondary to pediatric thalamic glioblastoma: a case report
Authors: Wolff Fernandes Filipe , Saryyeva Assel , Ertl Philipp , Krauss Joachim Kurt
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Thalamic tumors are rare and uncommonly manifest as movement disorders, including hemidystonia. Despite this association, little is known about the evolution of hemidystonia.

Case description

We report on a 11-year-old boy who complained of hypaesthesia and fine motor problems in the left hand. A magnetic resonance imaging showed a large mass in the right thalamus. Stereotactic biopsy revealed a WHO grade 4 astrocytoma, and the patient underwent normofractioned radiochemotherapy with proton-beam radiation and temozolomide. Three months later, a spastic hemiparesis developed on the left side, which progressed over months. Over the following months, the hemiparesis slowly improved, but hemidystonia in the same side developed. This was accompanied with radiological evidence of tumor regression, showing a persistent lesion in the ventral posterolateral and the intralaminar thalamus.

Conclusion

This case illustrates the unusual and complex temporal course of appearance and disappearance of hemidystonia along with the regression and growth in glioblastoma involving the thalamus.
Signatures of midsummer droughts over Central America and Mexico
Authors: Zhao Zijie , Han Meng , Yang Kai , Holbrook Neil J.
Published: October 2022

The annual cycle of precipitation over most parts of Central America and southern Mexico is climatologically characterized by a robust bimodal distribution, normally termed as the midsummer drought (MSD), influencing a large range of agricultural economic and public insurances. Compared to studies focusing on mechanisms underpinning the MSD, less research has been undertaken related to its climatological signatures. This is due to a lack of generally accepted methods through which to detect and quantify the bimodal precipitation accurately. The present study focuses on characterizing the MSD climatological signatures over  Central America and Mexico using daily precipitation observations between 1979 and 2017, aiming to provide a comprehensive analysis of MSD in fine scale over this region. This was completed using a new method of detection. The signatures were analyzed from three aspects, namely (1) climatological mean states and variability; (2) connections with large scale modes of climate variability (El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO)); and (3) the potential afforded by statistical modelling. The development of MSDs across the region is attributed to changes of surface wind–pressure composites, characterized by anomalously negative (positive) surface pressure and onshore (offshore) winds during the peak (trough) of precipitation. ENSO’s modulation of MSDs is also shown by modifying the surface wind–pressure patterns through MSD periods, inducing the intensified North Atlantic Subtropical High and associated easterlies from the Caribbean region, which induce relatively weak precipitation at corresponding time points and subsequently intensify the MSD magnitude and extend the MSD period. Building on previous research which showed MSDs tend to start/end in MJO phases 1 and 8, a fourth–order polynomial was used here to statistically model the precipitation time series during the rainy season. We show that the strength of the bimodal precipitation can be well modelled by the coefficient of the polynomial terms, and the intra-seasonal variability is largely covered by the MJO indices. Using two complete MJO cycles and the polynomial, the bimodal precipitation during the rainy season over Central America and Mexico is synoptically explained, largely contributing to our understanding of the MJO’s modulation on the MSD.
Probabilistic Evaluation of Susceptibility to Fluid Injection-Induced Seismicity Based on Statistics of Fracture Criticality
Authors: Cao Wenzhuo , Durucan Sevket , Cai Wu , Shi Ji-Quan , Korre Anna , Ratouis Thomas , Hjörleifsdóttir Vala , Sigfússon Bergur
Published: October 2022

Fault reactivation and associated microseismicity pose a potential threat to industrial processes involving fluid injection into the subsurface. In this research, fracture criticality, defined as the gradient of critical fluid pressure change to trigger seismicity (Δpc/h), is proposed as a novel reservoir depth-independent metric of fault slip susceptibility. Based on statistics of the fracture criticality, a probabilistic evaluation framework for susceptibility to injection-induced seismicity was developed by integrating seismic observations and hydrogeological modelling of fluid injection operations for faulted reservoirs. The proposed seismic susceptibility evaluation method considers the injection-driven fluid pressure increase, the variability of fracture criticality, and regional fracture density. Utilising this methodology, the probabilistic distribution of fracture criticality was obtained to evaluate the potential for injection-induced seismicity in both fault and off-fault zones at the Hellisheiði geothermal site, Iceland. It has been found that the fracture criticality within both fault and off-fault zones shows natural variability (mostly ranging between 0.001 and 2.0 bar/km), and that fault zones tend to be characterised by larger fracture criticality values than the off-faut zones. Fracture criticality values estimated within each zone roughly follow a Gaussian distribution. Fault zones around five geothermal fluid re-injection wells at the site were estimated to have relatively high probability of seismic event occurrence, and these regions experienced high levels of induced seismicity over the microseismic monitoring period. The seismotectonic state estimated for each zone is generally consistent with the forecasted susceptibility to seismicity based on statistics of fracture criticality.
Speed of convergence of Weyl sums over Kronecker sequences
Authors: Colzani Leonardo
Published: October 2022

We study the speed of convergence in the numerical integration with Weyl sums over Kronecker sequences in the torus, $$\begin{aligned} \dfrac{1}{N}\sum _{n=1}^{N}f\left( x+n\alpha \right) -\int _{\mathbb {T}^{d} }f(y)dy. \end{aligned}$$

1
N

∑

n
=
1

N

f

x
+
n
α

-

∫

T

d

f

(
y
)

d
y
.
Quantile regression for count data: jittering versus regression coefficients modelling in the analysis of credits earned by university students after remote teaching
Authors: Carcaiso Viviana , Grilli Leonardo
Published: October 2022

The extension of quantile regression to count data raises several issues. We compare the traditional approach, based on transforming the count variable using jittering, with a recently proposed approach in which the coefficients of quantile regression are modelled by parametric functions. We exploit both methods to analyse university students’ data to evaluate the effect of emergency remote teaching due to COVID-19 on the number of credits earned by the students. The coefficients modelling approach performs a smoothing that is especially convenient in the tails of the distribution, preventing abrupt changes in the point estimates and increasing precision. Nonetheless, model selection is challenging because of the wide range of options and the limited availability of diagnostic tools. Thus the jittering approach remains fundamental to guide the choice of the parametric functions.
Discovering a cohesive football team through players’ attributed collaboration networks
Authors: Yu Shenbao , Zeng Yifeng , Pan Yinghui , Chen Bilian
Published: October 2022

The process of team composition in multiplayer sports such as football has been a main area of interest within the field of the science of teamwork, which is important for improving competition results and game experience. Recent algorithms for the football team composition problem take into account the skill proficiency of players but not the interactions between players that contribute to winning the championship. To automate the composition of a cohesive team, we consider the internal collaborations among football players. Specifically, we propose a Team Composition based on the Football Players’ Attributed Collaboration Network (TC-FPACN) model, aiming to identify a cohesive football team by maximizing football players’ capabilities and their collaborations via three network metrics, namely, network ability, network density and network heterogeneity&homogeneity. Solving the optimization problem is NP-hard; we develop an approximation method based on greedy algorithms and then improve the method through pruning strategies given a budget limit. We conduct experiments on two popular football simulation platforms. The experimental results show that our proposed approach can form effective teams that dominate others in the majority of simulated competitions.
Physicochemical aspects of the tumour microenvironment as drivers of vasculogenic mimicry
Authors: Andreucci Elena , Peppicelli Silvia , Ruzzolini Jessica , Bianchini Francesca , Calorini Lido
Published: October 2022

Tumour vascularisation is vital for cancer sustainment representing not only the main source of nutrients and oxygen supply but also an escape route for single or clustered cancer cells that, once detached from the primary mass, enter the blood circulation and disseminate to distant organs. Among the mechanisms identified to contribute to tumour vascularisation, vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is gaining increasing interest in the scientific community representing an intriguing target for cancer treatment. VM indeed associates with highly aggressive tumour phenotypes and strongly impairs patient outcomes. Differently from vessels of healthy tissues, tumour vasculature is extremely heterogeneous and tortuous, impeding efficient chemotherapy delivery, and at the meantime hyperpermeable and thus extremely accessible to metastasising cancer cells. Moreover, tumour vessel disorganisation creates a self-reinforcing vicious circle fuelling cancer malignancy and progression. Because of the inefficient oxygen delivery and metabolic waste removal from tumour vessels, many cells within the tumour mass indeed experience hypoxia and acidosis, now considered hallmarks of cancer. Being strong inducers of vascularisation, therapy resistance, inflammation and metastasis, hypoxia and acidosis create a permissive microenvironment for cancer progression and dissemination. Along with these considerations, we decided to focus our attention on the relationship between hypoxia/acidosis and VM. Indeed, besides tumour angiogenesis, VM is strongly influenced by both hypoxia and acidosis, which could potentiate each other and fuel this vicious circle. Thus, targeting hypoxia and acidosis may represent a potential target to treat VM to impair tumour perfusion and cancer cell sustainment.
Cellulose nanocrystal-based enhancement of ultrasound microbubbles for increased tolerance of mechanical index values
Authors: Wang Yiwei , Li Na , Duan Shaobo , Zhang Ye , Wang Yuzhou , Zhang Beibei , Ren Shanshan , Zhang Lianzhong
Published: October 2022

Enhancements in the echo intensity and mechanical index (MI) tolerance of ideal ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) are urgently needed to realize precise clinical ultrasound (US). Solid cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) have the advantages of imparting strong sound wave propagation and echo intensity when irradiated by US. This study aimed to fabricate improved UCAs via CNC-modified SonoVue ultrasound microbubbles (MBs), characterize the resulting SonoVue@CNC MBs, and evaluate the performance of the SonoVue@CNC MBs in US imaging in vitro and in vivo. SonoVue@CNC MBs were successfully prepared by incorporating CNCs into SonoVue MBs via self-assembly. The SonoVue@CNC MBs were spherical in shape with mean particle sizes of (5.50 ± 1.60) μm. The CNCs were mainly distributed on the polymeric shells of the SonoVue@CNC MBs. When the MI was 0.4, the echo intensity of the SonoVue@CNC MBs was 1.5-fold greater than that of the SonoVue MBs in vitro. The CNC concentration regulated the quality of SonoVue@CNC-promoted contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) images. Enhanced US images of both the livers and kidneys of Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats showed that the CNC-loaded UCA led to a higher echo intensity than SonoVue. In CCK-8 assays using MCF-10A cells, both SonoVue@CNC MBs and CNCs exhibited weak toxicities against MCF-10A cells. Ultimately, the spherical SonoVue@CNC MBs with a uniform particle size displayed an enhanced safety profile and improved the imaging quality of US in vivo and in vitro. Next, drugs and targeting moieties will be loaded onto the SonoVue@CNC MBs via the CNCs to develop UCA-based selective ultrasonic theranostic methods.

Graphical abstract

As shown in the graphical abstract, the white bubble in the left-middle position symbolized SonoVue microbubble (MB), the green rod-like particle signified CNC nanorod. The big white bubble decorated with green rod-like nanorod next to the mouse was SonoVue@CNC MB which was successfully prepared by incorporating CNCs into SonoVue MB via self-assembly. The purple square frame on the upper left displayed CNC, SonoVue MB, SonoVue@CNC MB and their relative diagrammatic drawings. Picture (I) displayed the transmission electron microscopy results for CNCs (a) and SonoVue@CNC MBs (b, c and d) of morphological study. Picture (II) displayed the in vitro ultrasound (US) imaging of SonoVue (a) MB and SonoVue@CNC (b, c and d) MBs with different CNCs concentrations. Picture (III and IV) displayed the in vivo US imaging of SonoVue (a) and SonoVue@CNC (b, c and d) MBs with different CNCs concentrations for SD mouse liver and kidney, respectively.
A large scale analysis of mHealth app user reviews
Authors: Haggag Omar , Grundy John , Abdelrazek Mohamed , Haggag Sherif
Published: October 2022

The global mHealth app market is rapidly expanding, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. However, many of these mHealth apps have serious issues, as reported in their user reviews. Better understanding their key user concerns would help app developers improve their apps’ quality and uptake. While app reviews have been used to study user feedback in many prior studies, many are limited in scope, size and/or analysis. In this paper, we introduce a very large-scale study and analysis of mHealth app reviews. We extracted and translated over 5 million user reviews for 278 mHealth apps. These reviews were then classified into 14 different aspects/categories of issues reported. Several mHealth app subcategories were examined to reveal differences in significant areas of user concerns, and to investigate the impact of different aspects of mhealth apps on their ratings. Based on our findings, women’s health apps had the highest satisfaction ratings. Fitness activity tracking apps received the lowest and most unfavourable ratings from users. Over half of users who reported troubles leading them to uninstall mHealth apps gave a 1-star rating. Half of users gave the account and logging aspect only one star due to faults and issues encountered while registering or logging in. Over a third of users who expressed privacy concerns gave the app a 1-star rating. However, only 6% of users gave apps a one-star rating due to UI/UX concerns. 20% of users reported issues with handling of user requests and internationalisation concerns. We validated our findings by manually analysing a sample of 1,000 user reviews from each investigated aspect/category. We developed a list of recommendations for mHealth apps developers based on our user review analysis.
Can Algorithms be Embodied? A Phenomenological Perspective on the Relationship Between Algorithimic Thinking and the Life-World
Authors: Buongiorno Federica
Published: October 2022

This article investigates the possibility to question the difference between artificial and human intelligence by assuming that the latter can incorporate artificial, external components just as artificial intelligence can simulate human responses, and by exploring human embodiment in its technically and digitally augmented dimension. The idea that digital processes do not merely imply a detachment from the body, a dematerialization or disembodiment, is supported by many researchers, starting already from those who—back in the 1980s—reacted to cyberpunk narratives and their tendency to posit a new mind–body dualism. Yet, here I would like to frame this thesis not within the post-human context but in a phenomenological perspective, and in doing so I will employ specific conceptual tools. I will particularly (1) rely on Katherine Hayles’ distinction between incorporating and inscribing practices; (2) refer to Maturana and Varela’s notion of structural coupling; (3) analyze algorithmic thinking and its temporal structure.
An evidence-based study mapping the decline in freshwater ponds in the Severn Vale catchment in the UK between 1900 and 2019
Authors: Smith Lucy P. , Clarke Lucy E. , Weldon Laura , Robson Hannah J.
Published: October 2022

Freshwater ponds have long been an overlooked biodiversity store and changing types of land use and the land management practices has led to a steady decline in pond numbers. Establishing the regional extent of pond loss is the first step in identifying key areas for conservation action. This study calculated pond loss in the Severn Vale catchment UK since 1900. Identification of pond location and surrounding land use on historic and contemporary maps enabled a comparison of total number, density and distance between present day and historic ponds. 57.7% of ponds present in 1900 were lost and pond density declined from 7.3 to 4.5 ponds km−2 between 1900 and 2019. This resulted in a 24.6 m increase in the average distance between contemporary ponds. Land use was an important factor in determining pond loss. Although in 2019 the highest density of ponds are in rural areas, 62.3% of ponds lost were from agricultural settings (arable or pasture). Our results highlight the significant pond loss experienced in the Severn Vale since 1900 and provide a valuable baseline for pondscape restoration. The methods described are widely applicable to other regions either with a history of ponds or an environment that could sustain them.
Changes in refraction after cataract phacoemulsification surgery
Authors: Lee Natalie Si-Yi , Ong Keith
Published: October 2022

Purpose

After cataract phacoemulsification surgery, spherical equivalent refraction (SER) may be affected by factors including corneal curvature, effective lens position and axial length. While refractive outcomes have been assessed in the immediate post-operative period, longer-term changes in refraction have not been reported. The purpose of this study was to investigate the timeline changes in refraction after cataract surgery over a period of 3 years.

Methods

This was a retrospective observational study that included 344 eyes of 204 patients who underwent cataract emulsification surgery between 1 January and 31 December 2018 at two private hospitals. Keratometry, anterior chamber depth (ACD), central corneal thickness (CCT) and axial length were measured at baseline and post-operatively at 1 month, 1 year, 2 years and 3 years. Changes in SER and ocular parameters were assessed at each post-operative timepoint.

Results

Between 1 month and 3 years post-operatively, an overall myopic shift (0.32 ± 0.21 D, p < 0.001) occurred in 33.6% of eyes and a hypermetropic shift in 45.2% of eyes (0.35 ± 0.22 D, p < 0.001). In 21.2% of eyes, there was no reported change in SER between 1 month and 3 years. Significant changes in ACD (p = 0.04) and CCT (p < 0.001) occurred during the first year after surgery.

Conclusion

The 3-year timeline changes in SER after cataract surgery were evaluated. As hypermetropic shift was the most common refractive change observed, it may be beneficial to aim for a more myopic post-operative refraction target. Patients should be advised of the potential for refractive changes after surgery.
Measurements of Spontaneous Communication Initiations in Children with Autism in Preschool through Third Grade Classrooms
Authors: Birkeneder Sandy Luong , Sparapani Nicole
Published: October 2022

We utilized classroom video observations to examine the frequency and function of spontaneous communication in 112 preschool–3rd grade children with autism within 57 classrooms. Children initiated 7.53 instances (SD = 9.42) of spontaneous communication on average within a 12-minute sample, a rate of 0.69 initiations per minute. Autism features, receptive and expressive language, and adaptive functioning were associated with communication rate. A 4-factor model of spontaneous communication functions exhibited the best relative and absolute fit to the data. Findings highlight, and begin to explain, variability in spontaneous communication children used in classrooms, link individual developmental characteristics to communicative initiations, and provide evidence for conceptualizing and measuring spontaneous communication in learners with autism across classroom activities. Implications and future directions are discussed.
Improving analysis of the vaginal microbiota of women undergoing assisted reproduction using nanopore sequencing
Authors: Lüth Theresa , Graspeuntner Simon , Neumann Kay , Kirchhoff Laura , Masuch Antonia , Schaake Susen , Lupatsii Mariia , Tse Ronnie , Griesinger Georg , Trinh Joanne , Rupp Jan
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Subclinical alterations of the vaginal microbiome have been described to be associated with female infertility and may serve as predictors for failure of in vitro fertilization treatment. While large prospective studies to delineate the role of microbial composition are warranted, integrating microbiome information into clinical management depends on economical and practical feasibility, specifically on a short duration from sampling to final results. The currently most used method for microbiota analysis is either metagenomics sequencing or amplicon-based microbiota analysis using second-generation methods such as sequencing-by-synthesis approaches (Illumina), which is both expensive and time-consuming. Thus, additional approaches are warranted to accelerate the usability of the microbiome as a marker in clinical praxis.

Methods

Herein, we used a set of ten selected vaginal swabs from women undergoing assisted reproduction, comparing and performing critical optimization of nanopore-based microbiota analysis with the results from MiSeq-based data as a quality reference.

Results

The analyzed samples carried varying community compositions, as shown by amplicon-based analysis of the V3V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene by MiSeq sequencing. Using a stepwise procedure to optimize adaptation, we show that a close approximation of the microbial composition can be achieved within a reduced time frame and at a minimum of costs using nanopore sequencing.

Conclusions

Our work highlights the potential of a nanopore-based methodical setup to support the feasibility of interventional studies and contribute to the development of microbiome-based clinical decision-making in assisted reproduction.
Machine learning in industrial control system (ICS) security: current landscape, opportunities and challenges
Authors: Koay Abigail M. Y. , Ko Ryan K. L , Hettema Hinne , Radke Kenneth
Published: October 2022

The advent of Industry 4.0 has led to a rapid increase in cyber attacks on industrial systems and processes, particularly on Industrial Control Systems (ICS). These systems are increasingly becoming prime targets for cyber criminals and nation-states looking to extort large ransoms or cause disruptions due to their ability to cause devastating impact whenever they cease working or malfunction. Although myriads of cyber attack detection systems have been proposed and developed, these detection systems still face many challenges that are typically not found in traditional detection systems. Motivated by the need to better understand these challenges to improve current approaches, this paper aims to (1) understand the current vulnerability landscape in ICS, (2) survey current advancements of Machine Learning (ML) based methods with respect to the usage of ML base classifiers (3) provide insights to benefits and limitations of recent advancement with respect to two performance vectors; detection accuracy and attack variety. Based on our findings, we present key open challenges which will represent exciting research opportunities for the research community.
Room temperature ferromagnetism and dielectric enhancement in nanocomposites ZnO doped with iron
Authors: Elsheikh Nora Y. , Battisha Inas K. , Abo Arais Ahmed , Shams M. S.
Published: October 2022

Pure and iron with different concentrations (0.2, 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 Mol. %) doped zinc oxide, symbolic as Zn: (0.2, 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 Fe Mol. %) were synthesized using the self-modified sol–gel technique in powder form. Structural and morphological properties of the samples were studied comparatively by (XRD), (XPS), (FESEM), and (HRTEM), which revealed that the used samples adapted the hexagonal wurtzite structure. Some structural parameters such as strain, crystalline size, and dislocation density, were calculated to have accurate investigation giving rise to the nanostructure phase. The Laser-based Raman micro-spectroscopy presents the homogenous distribution of the iron oxide. The sensing performance of the samples toward the effect of increasing the temperature (from 25 to 150 °C) on the dielectric high-frequency range between 1 MHz up and 1 GHz was investigated with the help of a network impedance analyser (KEYSIGHT-E4991B). The mentioned increase in temperature record ε′ increases values while, it decreases by increasing the frequency, indicating a Debye-type dielectric dispersion. Compared to pure zinc oxide, an enhancement in both (σac) and the impedance real part Z′ was observed in the nanocomposite Z0.2F sample at higher dielectric temperature up to 130 °C. In contrast to pure ZnO, the area of the hysteresis loop against iron concentration for the doped samples increases with an increase in iron concentration. This behavior enhances ferromagnetism in Fe-doped ZnO nanostructure material.
Current Transition Practice for Primary Immunodeficiencies and Autoinflammatory Diseases in Europe: a RITA-ERN Survey
Authors: Israni Muskan , Nicholson Bethany , Mahlaoui Nizar , Obici Laura , Rossi-Semerano Linda , Lachmann Helen , Hayward Georgia , Avramovič Mojca Zajc , Guffroy Aurelien , Dalm Virgil , Rimmer Rachel , Solis Leire , Villar Carlotta , Gennery Andrew R. , Skeffington Stephanie , Nordin Julia , Warnatz Klaus , Korganow Anne-Sophie , Antón Jordi , Cattalini Marco , Amin Tania , Berg Stephan , Soler-Palacin Pere , Burns Siobhan O. , Campbell Mari ,   RITA-ERN Transition Working Group Consortium, Wouters C. , Meyts I. , van der Werff ten Bosch J. E. , Goffin L. , Ogunjimi B. , Gilliaux O. , Kelecic J. , Jelusic M. , Fingerhutová Š. , Sediva A. , Herlin T. , Seppänen Mikko R. J. , Aalto K. , Ritterbusch H. , Insalaco A. , Moschese V. , Plebani A. , Cimaz R. , Canessa C. , Dellepiane R. M. , Carrabba M. , Barzaghi F. , van Laar J. A. M. , Wulffraat N. M. , Marques L. , Carreras C. , Sánchez-Manubens J. , Alsina L. , Seoane Reula M. E. , Mendez-Echevarria A. , Gonzales-Granado L. I. , Santamaria M. , Neth O. , Ekwall O. , Brodszki O. , Hague H. , Devlin L. A. , Brogan P. , Arkwright P. D. , Riordan A. , McCann L. , McDermott E. , Faust S. N. , Carne E.
Published: October 2022

Background

Due to the absence of curative treatments for inborn errors of immunity (IEI), children born with IEI require long-term follow-up for disease manifestations and related complications that occur over the lifespan. Effective transition from pediatric to adult services is known to significantly improve adherence to treatment and long-term outcomes. It is currently not known what transition services are available for young people with IEI in Europe.

Objective

To understand the prevalence and practice of transition services in Europe for young people with IEI, encompassing both primary immunodeficiencies (PID) and systemic autoinflammatory disorders (AID).

Methods

A survey was generated by the European Reference Network on immunodeficiency, autoinflammatory, and autoimmune diseases Transition Working Group and electronically circulated, through professional networks, to pediatric centers across Europe looking after children with IEI.

Results

Seventy-six responses were received from 52 centers, in 45 cities across 17 different countries. All services transitioned patients to adult services, mainly to specialist PID or AID centers, typically transferring up to ten patients to adult care each year. The transition process started at a median age of 16–18 years with transfer to the adult center occurring at a median age of 18–20 years. 75% of PID and 68% of AID centers held at least one joint appointment with pediatric and adult services prior to the transfer of care. Approximately 75% of PID and AID services reported having a defined transition process, but few centers reported national disease-specific transition guidelines to refer to.

Conclusions

Transition services for children with IEI in Europe are available in many countries but lack standardized guidelines to promote best practice.
3-Point block backward differentiation formula with an off-step point for the solutions of stiff chemical reaction problems
Authors: Soomro Hira , Zainuddin Nooraini , Daud Hanita , Sunday Joshua , Jamaludin Noraini , Abdullah Abdullah , Mulono Apriyanto , Kadir Evizal Abdul
Published: October 2022

A major challenge in simulating chemical reaction processes is integrating the stiff systems of Ordinary Differential Equations (ODEs) describing the chemical reactions due to stiffness. Thus, it would be of interest to search systematically for stiff solvers that are close to optimal for such problems. This paper presents an implicit 3-Point Block Backward Differentiation Formula with one off-step point (3POBBDF) for the solutions of first-order stiff chemical reaction problems. In deriving the method, the Lagrange polynomial was adopted as the basis function. The paper further analyses the basic properties of the 3POBBDF which include order of accuracy, consistence, zero-stability, and convergence. The stability region as well as the interval of instability of the method was also computed. To demonstrate the accuracy of the proposed approach, some famous stiff chemical reaction problems such as Robertson problem and Chemical AKZO were solved, and the results obtained were compared with those of some existing methods. The results obtained clearly show that the 3POBBDF performs better than the existing methods with which we compared our results.
Re-envisioning, Retooling, and Rebuilding Prevention Science Methods to Address Structural and Systemic Racism and Promote Health Equity
Authors: Murry Velma McBride , Bradley Cory , Cruden Gracelyn , Brown C. Hendricks , Howe George W. , Sepùlveda Martín-Josè , Beardslee William , Hannah Nanette , Warne Donald
Published: October 2022

The historic momentum from national conversations on the roots and current impacts of racism in the USA presents an incredible window of opportunity for prevention scientists to revisit how common theories, measurement tools, methodologies, and interventions can be radically re-envisioned, retooled, and rebuilt to dismantle racism and promote equitable health for minoritized communities. Recognizing this opportunity, the NIH-funded Prevention Science and Methodology Group (PSMG) launched a series of presentations focused on the role of Prevention Science to address racism and discrimination guided by a commitment to social justice and health equity. The current manuscript aims to advance the field of Prevention Science by summarizing key issues raised during the series’ presentations and proposing concrete research priorities and steps that hold promise for promoting health equity by addressing systemic racism. Being anti-racist is an active practice for all of us, whether we identify as methodologists, interventionists, practitioners, funders, community members, or an intersection of these identities. We implore prevention scientists and methodologists to take on these conversations with us to promote science and practice that offers every life the right to live in a just and equitable world.
The weak Gram law for Hecke $$ L $$-functions
Authors: Weishäupl Sebastian
Published: October 2022

We generalize a theorem by Titchmarsh about the mean value of Hardy’s $$Z$$
Z
-function at the Gram points to the Hecke $$L$$
L
-functions, which in turn implies the weak Gram law for them. Instead of proceeding analogously to Titchmarsh with an approximate functional equation we employ a different method using contour integration.
The exponential-type generating function of the Riemann zeta-function revisited
Authors: Noda Takumi
Published: October 2022

Dirichlet series associated with the Poincaré series attached to $$\mathrm{SL}(2,{{\mathbb {Z}}})$$

SL
(
2
,
Z
)

are introduced. Integral representations and transformation formulas are given, which describe the Voronoï-type summation formula for the exponential-type generating function of the Riemann zeta-function. As an application, a new proof of the Fourier series expansion of holomorphic Poincaré series is given.