bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prognosis of oral epithelial dysplasia in individuals with and without oral lichen planus
Authors: Pimolbutr Kununya , Lim Woei Tatt , Leeson Rachel , Hopper Colin , Kalavrezos Nicholas , Liew Colin , Schilling Clare , Sinha Deepti , Jay Amrita , Agrawal Reshma , Porter Stephen , Fedele Stefano
Published: January 2023

Objectives

To investigate the role of oral lichen planus (OLP) on the long‐term prognosis of oral epithelial dysplasia (OED).

Methods

Retrospective single‐centre cohort study using the 2007–2019 database of the Head and Neck Cancer and Oral Medicine units of University College London Hospital. The exposure of interest was the presence of OLP, and the prognostic outcomes included the development of new primary episodes of OED, progression to malignancy and mortality. Cox proportional hazard and Poisson regression models were performed.

Results

A total of 299 patients, of whom 144 had OED arising on the background of OLP (OLP/OED) and 155 had OED without underlying OLP (non‐OLP/OED), were included. A pre‐existing diagnosis of OLP was significantly associated with a twofold increased risk of subsequent primary OED events (HR = 2.02, p = 0.04), which also developed faster (1.46 vs. 2.96 years, p = 0.04) and with more involvement of non‐cancer‐prone sites (p = 0.001) than in the non‐OLP/OED group. There was no difference between groups in the progression to malignancy or mortality.

Conclusions

Oral lichen planus/OED patients are at higher risk of multiple episodes of primary OED, which can develop faster and at non‐cancer‐prone sites as compared to non‐OLP/OED individuals. Further research is needed to clarify the effects of OLP upon progression to OSCC and mortality.
A view from the clinic – Perspectives from Dutch patients and professionals on high myopia care
Authors: Ravenstijn Monica , du Bois Gerlof , Jansen Ritsert C. , Liu Chang , Luyten Gregorius P. M. , van Leeuwen Redmer , Dickman Mor M. , Reus Nic J. , Yzer Suzanne , Klaver Caroline C. W.
Published: January 2023

Purpose

To understand and compare perspectives of patients and professionals on current ophthalmologic care for high myopia, and to identify challenges and future opportunities.

Methods

Self‐reported data were collected through two online questionnaires. Patient perspective was obtained from highly myopic members of a patient organisation based in the Netherlands using a 17‐item questionnaire consisting of open and multiple‐choice questions regarding personal experience with myopia care. The ophthalmologist perspective was obtained from practising Dutch ophthalmologists with a 12‐item questionnaire of multiple‐choice questions on work‐related demographics, myopia care in daily practice and need for improvement. The response rate for patients was 27% (n = 136/500) and for ophthalmologists, 24% (n = 169/716).

Results

Patients were highly concerned about personal progressive loss of vision (69%) and feared their psychological well‐being (82%) in case this would happen. The quality of performance of care provided by ophthalmologists was rated as excellent or satisfactory by 64% of the patients. These ratings for multidisciplinary care and insurance reimbursement were as low as 28% and 18% respectively. The mean concern among ophthalmologists about the rise in high myopia was 6.9 (SEM 0.1) on a 10‐point scale. Sixty‐nine per cent of the ophthalmologists reported that asymptomatic myopic patients should not be examined regularly at outpatient clinics. Ophthalmologists urged the development of clinical guidelines (74%), but did report (95%) that they informed patients about risk factors and complications. This contrasted with the view of patients, of whom 42% were discontent with information provided by ophthalmologists.

Conclusions

These questionnaires demonstrated that the current clinical care delivered to highly myopic patients is in need of improvement. The expected higher demand for myopia care in the near future requires preferred practice patterns, professionals specifically trained to manage myopic pathology, accurate and comprehensive information exchange and collaboration of in‐ and out‐of‐hospital professionals across the full eye care chain.
Testing the success of palaeontological methods in the delimitation of clam shrimp (Crustacea, Branchiopoda) on extant species
Authors: Hethke Manja , Hartmann Kai , Alberti Matthias , Kutzner Theresa , Schwentner Martin
Published: January 2023

Fossil spinicaudatan taxonomy heavily relies on carapace features (size, shape, ornamentation) and palaeontologists have greatly refined methods to study and describe carapace variability. Whether carapace features alone are sufficient for distinguishing between species of a single genus has remained untested. In our study, we tested common palaeontological methods on 481 individuals of the extant Australian genus Ozestheria that have been previously assigned to ten species based on genetic analysis. All species are morphologically distinct based on geometric morphometrics (p ≤ 0.001), but they occupy overlapping regions in Ozestheria morphospace. Linear discriminant analysis of Fourier shape coefficients reaches a mean model performance of 93.8% correctly classified individuals over all possible 45 pairwise species comparisons. This can be further increased by combining the size and shape datasets. Nine of the ten examined species are clearly sexually dimorphic but male and female morphologies strongly overlap within species with little influence on model performance. Ornamentation is commonly species‐diagnostic; seven ornamentation types are distinguished of which six are species‐specific while one is shared by four species. A transformation of main ornamental features (e.g. from punctate to smooth) can occur among closely related species suggesting short evolutionary timescales. Our overall results support the taxonomic value of carapace features, which should also receive greater attention in the taxonomy of extant species. The extensive variation in carapace shape and ornamentation is noteworthy and several species would probably have been assigned to different genera or families if these had been fossils, bearing implications for the systematics of fossil Spinicaudata.
Truth and imprecision
Authors: Armstrong Josh
Published: January 2023

Our ordinary assertions are often imprecise, insofar as the way we represent things as being only approximates how things are in the actual world. The phenomenon of assertoric imprecision raises a challenge to standard accounts of both the norm of assertion and the connection between semantics and the objects of assertion. After clarifying these problems in detail, I develop a framework for resolving them. Specifically, I argue that the phenomenon of assertoric imprecision motivates a rejection of the widely held belief that a semantic theory for a language associates a single semantic value with each of the simple and complex expressions of that language, relative to the contexts in which they occur. Instead, I propose that we adopt a framework I call semantic pluralism.
Bias, norms, introspection, and the bias blind spot1
Authors: Kelly Thomas
Published: January 2023

In this paper, I sketch a general framework for theorizing about bias and bias attributions. According to the account, paradigmatic cases of bias involve systematic departures from genuine norms. I attempt to show that the account illuminates a number of important psychological phenomena, including: the fact that accusations of bias frequently inspire not only denials but also countercharges of bias (“you only think that I'm biased because you're biased!”); the fact that we tend to see ourselves as less biased than our peers (the so‐called ‘bias blind spot’); and the fact that we tend to see people who share our views as less biased than people who don't. I explore the circumstances in which we're committed to believing that those who disagree with us are not only mistaken but also biased simply because they disagree with us in the way that they do. In addition, the account also sheds light on another notorious and well‐documented psychological phenomenon: the fact that introspection is an unreliable way of detecting our biases. On the account that I offer, the unreliability of introspection for this purpose isn't a contingent fact that depends on the finer details of human psychology but rather holds of necessity: even God could not have made us creatures who reliably detect our own biases by way of introspection.
Response of sorghum lines carrying recently identified brown midrib (bmr) mutations to stalk rot pathogens and water deficit
Authors: Funnell‐Harris Deanna L. , Sattler Scott E. , Toy John J. , O'Neill Patrick M. , Bernhardson Lois F.
Published: January 2023

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is drought‐tolerant and has diverse germplasm for food, feed, forage and bioenergy. However, stalk diseases reduce quality and yield of biomass and grain, especially under drought. Previously, brown midrib (bmr) mutations in monolignol biosynthesis were shown to reduce lignin content and alter composition but were not more susceptible to stalk diseases than wild‐type lines. Recently characterized bmr mutations were shown to affect flavonoid biosynthesis (chalcone isomerase; bmr30‐1) or 1‐carbon metabolism (folylpolyglutamate synthase; bmr19‐1107, bmr19‐1168 and bmr19‐1937). Two other mutations, bmr29‐1 and bmr31‐1, have not yet been characterized. The six mutations were incorporated into elite genetic backgrounds (RTx430, BTx623 and BWheatland) to develop near‐isogenic lines containing each mutation. Using peduncle inoculations with Fusarium thapsinum and F. proliferatum (Fusarium stalk rot) and Macrophomina phaseolina (charcoal rot) under well‐watered conditions, most bmr lines were at least as resistant as the corresponding wild type, except for RTx430 bmr19‐1937 that had significantly longer mean lesion lengths when inoculated with M. phaseolina. Based on significantly reduced lesion lengths following inoculations with F. proliferatum and F. thapsinum, respectively, bmr29‐1 and bmr31‐1 lines were screened using basal stalk inoculations under well‐watered and water‐deficit conditions. The bmr lines were at least as resistant as the corresponding wild‐type lines. Wild‐type BTx623 was highly susceptible to M. phaseolina under water deficit, but near‐isogenic bmr29‐1 and bmr31‐1 lines had significantly shorter mean lesion lengths. Incorporation of these mutations can increase resistance to stalk pathogens in cultivar and hybrid development for feed, bioenergy and production of biomass‐based green chemicals.
Comparing regulatory processes in genome editing and autonomous vehicles: How institutional environments shape sociotechnical imaginaries
Authors: Mukherjee Meghna , Posch Konrad , Molina Santiago J. , Taymor Ken , Keller Ann
Published: January 2023

This study compares the regulation of two emerging technologies, the CRISPR genome‐editing system and Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAV) in the United States. The study draws on 33 in‐depth interviews with innovation and governance experts to study the relationship between their regulatory environments and developing beliefs about these technologies. Using sociotechnical imaginaries as a framework, we explore how social actors envision technologically driven futures and the social order that enables them. These imaginaries are essential to emerging technologies, where experts build a framework of potentialities for innovation still underway. While scholarship has documented how sociotechnical imaginaries arise among policymakers, groups of scientists, state and local stakeholders, and public actors in different countries, less has been said about how regulatory organizations and their actors shape expectations around technologies that are in the early and middle stages of development. This article finds that regulatory institutions shape emerging imaginaries along three related axes: the distribution of authority, technological novelty, and risk. Interviewees negotiate these three contingencies differently based on relevant extant regulatory structures and ideologies, resulting in distinct imaginaries around each technology. CRISPR actors envision genome editing as largely diminishing biomedical harm and eventually suitable for health markets, while CAV actors diverge on whether self‐driving cars alleviate or exacerbate risk and how they may enter roads. That organizational structures and practices of regulation inform broadly held sociotechnical imaginaries bears significance for studies of innovation trajectories, suggesting regulators can take an active role in shaping how risks and benefits of emerging technology are defined.
The Riemann problem for a generalized Burgers equation with spatially decaying sound speed. I Large‐time asymptotics
Authors: Needham David J. , Meyer John C. , Billingham John , Drysdale Catherine
Published: January 2023

In this paper, we consider the classical Riemann problem for a generalized Burgers equation,
with a spatially dependent, nonlinear sound speed, with , which decays algebraically with increasing distance from a fixed spatial origin. When , this reduces to the classical Burgers equation. In this first part of a pair of papers, we focus attention on the large‐time structure of the associated Riemann problem, and obtain its detailed structure, as , via the method of matched asymptotic coordinate expansions (this uses the classical method of matched asymptotic expansions, with the asymptotic parameters being the independent coordinates in the evolution problem; this approach is developed in detail in the monograph of Leach and Needham, as referenced in the text), over all parameter ranges. We identify a significant bifurcation in structure at .
Outcomes and clinical features associated with surgically excised canine salivary gland carcinoma: Amulti‐institutional, retrospective, Veterinary Society of Surgical Oncology study
Authors: Bush Kaleigh M. , Grimes Janet A. , Linden Daniel S. , Plavec Tanja , Kessler Martin , Rossanese Matteo , Bennett Barbara , Chadsey Laura , Coggeshall Whitney S. , Matz Brad M.
Published: January 2023

Objective

The objective of this study was to describe the clinical features, prognostic factors, and outcomes in dogs with surgically treated salivary gland carcinoma.

Study design

Multi‐institutional retrospective case series.

Animals

Seventy‐two client‐owned dogs from 16 institutions with surgically excised salivary gland carcinoma.

Methods

Medical records of dogs undergoing sialoadenectomy from January 1, 2000 to January 1, 2020 were reviewed for signalment, clinical signs, preoperative staging results, preoperative mass evaluation, complications, histopathologic diagnosis, local recurrence, metastatic disease, and survival times. Survival functions were estimated using the Kaplan‐Meier estimator. Factors related to survival were individually tested using the log‐rank test.

Results

The overall median survival time (MST) associated with salivary carcinoma was 1886 days. Local recurrence occurred in 29/69 (42%) dogs with an overall disease‐free interval (DFI) of 191 days. Metastatic disease occurred in 22/69 (31.9%) dogs, with an overall DFI of 299 days. Lymph node metastasis was present at the time of surgery in 11/38 (28.9%) dogs in which lymphadenectomy was performed at the time of surgery; these dogs had a shorter DFI at 98 days (P = .03) and MST at 248 days (P < .001).

Conclusion

The prognosis for dogs with salivary gland carcinoma treated surgically was more favorable than previously reported. Nodal metastasis was a negative prognostic factor for canine salivary gland carcinoma.

Clinical significance

Surgical intervention should be considered for dogs with salivary carcinoma.
Large‐gap peripheral nerve repair using xenogeneic transplants in rhesus macaques
Authors: Holzer Paul , Chang Elizabeth J. , Rogers Kaitlyn , Tarlton Jamie , Lu Diana , Gillespie Natasha , Adkins Jon , Metea Monica , LaRochelle Alan , Wicks Joan , Onel Buket , Gullans Steve , Doloff Joshua C. , Scobie Linda , Cetrulo Curtis L. , Monroy Rod
Published: January 2023

Surgical intervention is required to successfully treat severe, large‐gap (≥4 cm) peripheral nerve injuries. However, all existing treatments have shortcomings and an alternative to the use of autologous nerves is needed. Human and porcine nerves are physiologically similar, with comparable dimensions and architecture, presence and distribution of Schwann cells, and conserved features of the extracellular matrix (ECM). We report the repair of fully transected radial nerves in 10 Rhesus Macaques using viable, whole sciatic nerve from genetically engineered (GalT‐KO), designated pathogen free (DPF) porcine donors. This resulted in the regeneration of the transected nerve, and importantly, recovery of wrist extension function, distal muscle reinnervation, and recovery of nerve conduction velocities and compound muscle action potentials similar to autologous controls. We also demonstrate the absence of immune rejection, systemic porcine cell migration, and detectable residual porcine material. Our preliminary findings support the safety and efficacy of viable porcine nerve transplants, suggest the interchangeable therapeutic use of cross‐species cells, and highlight the broader clinical potential of xenotransplantation.
Differential graded Koszul duality: An introductory survey
Authors: Positselski Leonid
Published: January 2023

This is an overview on derived nonhomogeneous Koszul duality over a field, mostly based on the author's memoir L. Positselski, Memoirs of the American Math. Society 212 (2011), no. 996, vi+133. The paper is intended to serve as a pedagogical introduction and a summary of the covariant duality between DG‐algebras and curved DG‐coalgebras, as well as the triality between DG‐modules, CDG‐comodules, and CDG‐contramodules. Some personal reminiscences are included as a part of historical discussion.
Global Product Design Platforming: A Comparison of Two Equilibrium Solution Methods
Authors: Case Sarah , Michalek Jeremy J. , Whitefoot Kate S.
Published: January 2023

Global product platforms can reduce production costs through economies of scale and learning but may decrease revenues by restricting the ability to customize for each market. We model the global platforming problem as a Nash equilibrium among oligopolistic competing firms, each maximizing its profit across markets with respect to its pricing, design, and platforming decisions. We develop and compare two methods to identify Nash equilibria: (1) a sequential iterative optimization (SIO) algorithm, in which each firm solves a mixed-integer nonlinear programming problem globally, with firms iterating until convergence; and (2) a mathematical program with equilibrium constraints (MPEC) that solves the Karush Kuhn Tucker conditions for all firms simultaneously. The algorithms’ performance and results are compared in a case study of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles where firms choose optimal battery capacity and whether to platform or differentiate battery capacity across the US and Chinese markets. We examine a variety of scenarios for (1) learning rate and (2) consumer willingness to pay (WTP) for range in each market. For the case of two firms, both approaches find the Nash equilibrium in all scenarios. On average, the SIO approach solves 200 times faster than the MPEC approach, and the MPEC approach is more sensitive to the starting point. Results show that the optimum for each firm is to platform when learning rates are high or the difference between consumer willingness to pay for range in each market is relatively small. Otherwise, the PHEVs are differentiated with low-range for China and high-range for the US.
Ship detection and tracking from single ocean-bottom seismic and hydroacoustic stations
Authors: Trabattoni Alister , Barruol Guilhem , Dréo Richard , Boudraa Abdel
Published: January 2023

We report in this study how ocean-bottom seismometers (OBS) can be used as passive sonars to automatically detect, localize, and track moving acoustic sources at the ocean surface. We developed single-station methods based on direction of arrival and on multi-path interference measurements capable of handling continuous erratic signals emitted by ships. Based on a Bayesian mathematical framework, we developed an azimuthal detector and a radial detector and combined them into a fully automatic tracker. We tested the developed algorithm on seismic and hydroacoustic data recorded in the Indian Ocean by an OBS deployed at 4300 m depth, 200 km west of La Réunion Island. We quantified the performances using archives of commercial-vessel trajectories in the area provided by the Automatic Identification System. Detectors demonstrate capabilities in the detection range up to 100 km from the OBS with azimuthal accuracies of a few degrees and with distance accuracies of a few hundred of meters. We expect the method to be easily transposed to any other kind of sources (such as marine mammals).
Cues to reduce modulation informational masking
Authors: Conroy Christopher , Buss Emily , Kidd Gerald
Published: January 2023

The detectability of target amplitude modulation (AM) can be reduced by masker AM in the same carrier-frequency region. It can be reduced even further, however, if the masker-AM rate is uncertain [Conroy and Kidd, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 149, 3665–3673 (2021)]. This study examined the effectiveness of contextual cues in reducing this latter, uncertainty-related effect (modulation informational masking). Observers were tasked with detecting fixed-rate target sinusoidal amplitude modulation (SAM) in the presence of masker SAM applied simultaneously to the same broadband-noise carrier. A single-interval, two-alternative forced-choice detection procedure was used to measure sensitivity for the target SAM; masker-AM-rate uncertainty was created by randomly selecting the AM rate of the masker SAM on each trial. Relative to an uncued condition, a pretrial cue to the masker SAM significantly improved sensitivity for the target SAM; a cue to the target SAM, however, did not. The delay between the cue-interval offset and trial-interval onset did not affect the size of the masker-cue benefit, suggesting that adaptation of the masker SAM was not responsible. A simple model of within-AM-channel masking captured important trends in the psychophysical data, suggesting that reduced masker-AM-rate uncertainty may have played a relatively minor role in the masker-cue benefit.
Prelanding Knee Kinematics and Landing Kinetics During Single-Leg and Double-Leg Landings in Male and Female Recreational Athletes
Authors: Li Ling , Song Yu , Jenkins Maddy , Dai Boyi
Published: January 2023

Biomechanical behavior prior to landing likely contributes to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries during jump-landing tasks. This study examined prelanding knee kinematics and landing ground reaction forces (GRFs) during single-leg and double-leg landings in males and females. Participants performed landings with the dominant leg or both legs while kinematic and GRF data were collected. Single-leg landings demonstrated less time between prelanding minimal knee flexion and initial ground contact, decreased prelanding and early-landing knee flexion angles and velocities, and increased peak vertical and posterior GRFs compared with double-leg landings. Increased prelanding knee flexion velocities and knee flexion excursion correlated with decreased peak posterior GRFs during both double-leg and single-leg landings. No significant differences were observed between males and females. Prelanding knee kinematics may contribute to the increased risk of ACL injuries in single-leg landings compared with double-leg landings. Future studies are encouraged to incorporate prelanding knee mechanics to understand ACL injury mechanisms and predict future ACL injury risks. Studies of the feasibility of increasing prelanding knee flexion are needed to understand the potential role of prelanding kinematics in decreasing ACL injury risk.
The Stryd Foot Pod Is a Valid Measure of Stepping Cadence During Treadmill Walking and Running
Authors: Shivgulam Madeline E. , Petterson Jennifer L. , Pellerine Liam P. , Kimmerly Derek S. , O’Brien Myles W.
Published: January 2023

Stepping cadence is an important determinant of activity intensity, with faster stepping associated with the most health benefits. The Stryd monitor provides real-time feedback on stepping cadence. The limited existing literature has neither validated the Stryd across slow walking to fast running speeds nor strictly followed statistical guidelines for monitor validation studies. We assessed the criterion validity of the Stryd monitor to detect stepping cadence across multiple walking and jogging/running speeds. It was hypothesized that the Stryd monitor would be an accurate measure of stepping cadence across all measured speeds. Forty-six participants (23 ± 5 years, 26 females) wore the Stryd monitor on their shoelaces during a 10-stage progressive treadmill walking (Speeds 1–5) and jogging/running (Speeds 6–10) protocol (criterion: manually counted video-recorded cadence; total stages: 438). Standardized guidelines for physical activity monitor statistical analyses were followed. A two-way repeated-measure analysis of variance revealed the Stryd monitor recorded a slightly higher cadence (<1 steps/min difference, all p < .001) at 2 miles/hr (92.1 ± 6.2 steps/min vs. 91.5 ± 6.4 steps/min, p < .001), 2.5 miles/hr (101.3 ± 6.1 steps/min vs. 100.7 ± 6.4 steps/min), and 3.5 miles/hr (117.4 ± 5.9 steps/min vs. 117.0 ± 6.0 steps/min). However, equivalence testing demonstrated high equivalence of the Stryd and manually counted cadence (equivalence zone required: ≤± 2.6%) across all speeds. The Stryd activity monitor is a valid measure of stepping cadence across walking, jogging, and running speeds. By providing real-time cadence feedback, the Stryd monitor has strong potential to help guide the general public monitor their stepping intensity to promote more habitual activity at faster cadences.
A check on the immunological synapse
Authors: Foley John F.
Published: January 2023

Blocking Nogo receptor 1 on natural killer cells enhances cell killing by stabilizing contact with target cells.
An Overlooked and Underrated Endemic Mycosis—Talaromycosis and the Pathogenic Fungus Talaromyces marneffei
Authors: Wang Fang , Han RunHua , Chen Shi
Published: January 2023

Talaromycosis is an invasive mycosis endemic in tropical and subtropical Asia and is caused by the pathogenic fungus
Talaromyces marneffei
. Approximately 17,300 cases of
T. marneffei
infection are diagnosed annually, and the reported mortality rate is extremely high (~1/3).
Unique Habitat of Karst Tiankengs Changes the Taxonomy and Potential Metabolism of Soil Microbial Communities
Authors: Jiang Cong , Zeng Hui
Published: January 2023

Constrained by the trapped terrain, a unique ecosystem has formed in karst tiankeng. Soil microorganisms are essential for the formation and maintenance of ecosystems, but soil microbial ecology research in karst tiankeng is still lacking.
Effect of particle size and particle size distribution on critical state loci of granular soils
Authors: Manmatharajan Mathan V. , Gill Sartaj , Liu Wei , Ingabire Edouardine-Pascale , Sy Alex , Ghafghazi Mason
Published: January 2023

The critical state soil mechanics captures a wide range of stress–strain behaviour in an understandable context. It provides a conceptual framework for predicting soil behaviour and that is why the critical state is a central part of most advanced constitutive models. This study aims at quantifying the effects of both particle size, and particle size distribution on the critical state loci. Two soils, a natural soil and a tailings, were selected and CSLs were identified for twelve uniform and well graded particle size distributions. Mineralogy and particle shapes were rigorously quantified to ensure other factors are not influencing the results. Particle size has a small influence on the CSL in the sand to gravel range, but silts can have a significantly different CSL. In both natural soil and tailings, particle size distribution appears to have a significant influence on the CSL in e − log p′space and little influence in q − p′ space. Well graded soils have lower CSLs compared to uniform ones, that are generally parallel to the CSLs of their dominant constituent, with the exception of convex distributions where progressively finer particles in larger proportions can form structures noticeably less compressible than any of their constituents.
Keyboard Layout Optimization and Adaptation
Authors: Nivasch Keren , Azaria Amos
Published: January 2023

Since the keyboard is the most common method for text input on computers today, the design of the keyboard layout is very significant. Despite the fact that the QWERTY keyboard layout was designed more than 100 years ago, it is still the predominant layout in use today. There have been several attempts to design better layouts, both manually and automatically. In this paper we improve on previous works on automatic keyboard layout optimization, by using a deep neural network to assist in a genetic search algorithm, which enables the use of a sophisticated keyboard evaluation function that would otherwise take a prohibitive amount of time. We also show that a better choice of crossover routine greatly improves the genetic search. Finally, in order to test how users with different levels of experience adapt to new keyboard layouts, we conduct some layout adaptation experiments with 300 participants to examine how users adapt to new keyboard layouts.
Eager Equality for Rational Number Arithmetic
Authors: Bergstra Jan A. , Tucker John V.
Published: January 2023

Eager equality for algebraic expressions over partial algebras distinguishes or separates terms only if both have defined values and they are different. We consider arithmetical algebras with division as a partial operator, called meadows, and focus on algebras of rational numbers. To study eager equality, we use common meadows, which are totalisations of partial meadows by means of absorptive elements. An axiomatisation of common meadows is the basis of an axiomatisation of eager equality as a predicate on a common meadow. Applied to the rational numbers, we prove completeness and decidability of the equational theory of eager equality. To situate eager equality theoretically, we consider two other partial equalities of increasing strictness: Kleene equality, which is equivalent to the native equality of common meadows, and one we call cautious equality. Our methods of analysis for eager equality are quite general, and so we apply them to these two other partial equalities; and, in addition to common meadows, we use three other kinds of algebra designed to totalise division. In summary, we are able to compare 13 forms of equality for the partial meadow of rational numbers. We focus on the decidability of the equational theories of these equalities. We show that for the four total algebras, eager and cautious equality are decidable. We also show that for others the Diophantine Problem over the rationals is one-one computably reducible to their equational theories. The Diophantine Problem for rationals is a longstanding open problem. Thus, eager equality has substantially less complex semantics.
Risk of Stochastic Systems for Temporal Logic Specifications
Authors: Lindemann Lars , Jiang Lejun , Matni Nikolai , Pappas George J.
Published: January 2023

The wide availability of data coupled with the computational advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning promise to enable many future technologies such as autonomous driving. While there has been a variety of successful demonstrations of these technologies, critical system failures have repeatedly been reported. Even if rare, such system failures pose a serious barrier to adoption without a rigorous risk assessment. This article presents a framework for the
systematic and rigorous risk verification
of systems. We consider a wide range of system specifications formulated in signal temporal logic (STL) and model the system as a stochastic process, permitting discrete-time and continuous-time stochastic processes. We then define the STL robustness risk as
the risk of lacking robustness against failure
. This definition is motivated as system failures are often caused by missing robustness to modeling errors, system disturbances, and distribution shifts in the underlying data generating process. Within the definition, we permit general classes of risk measures and focus on tail risk measures such as the value-at-risk and the conditional value-at-risk. While the STL robustness risk is in general hard to compute, we propose the approximate STL robustness risk as a more tractable notion that upper bounds the STL robustness risk. We show how the approximate STL robustness risk can accurately be estimated from system trajectory data. For discrete-time stochastic processes, we show under which conditions the approximate STL robustness risk can even be computed exactly. We illustrate our verification algorithm in the autonomous driving simulator CARLA and show how a least risky controller can be selected among four neural network lane-keeping controllers for five meaningful system specifications.
Morphometric Characteristics, Length-Weight Relationships, and Condition Factors of Five Indigenous Fish Species from the River Ganga in Bihar, India
Authors: Ahirwal Surendra Kumar , Singh Jaspreet , Sarma Kamal , Kumar Tarkeshwar , Bharti Vivekanand , Kumar Amrendra
Published: January 2023

Morphometric characteristics, length-weight relationships (LWRs), and condition factors (K) were studied for five indigenous fish species belonging to five different families (Barilius barila Hamilton, Cirrhinus reba Hamilton, Chanda nama Hamilton, Mystus bleekeri Day, and Clupisoma garua Hamilton), from the River Ganga in Bihar, India. A total of 557 fish individuals were collected seasonally from September 2021 to August 2022 using a monofilament drift gill net and a conical trap net Khairel jal. In morphometric analysis, the highest degree of correlation was observed between the total length and the standard length for all species (except C. garua). The estimated exponent value b varies from 2.920 to 3.214, where the slopes of regression lines among the species have significant differences (p<0.0001). The b value indicated that three species (B. barila, C. nama, and C. garua) follow positive allometric growth, whereas M. bleekeri shows isometric growth and C. reba exhibits negative allometric growth. The condition factor value for these fishes ranged from 0.67 to 0.98, which indicated that the population of C. reba was robust compared to all other species (p<0.0001). A new maximum length (146.8 mm) was obtained for B. barila from India. The present study gives baseline biological information on five commercially important indigenous fish species found in the River Ganga, Bihar. As the population of these species has been dwindling in recent times, these data will be important for the conservation and sustainable utilization of these important species in the long run.
A Controller for Delta Parallel Robot Based on Hedge Algebras Method
Authors: Bui Thanh-Lam , Nguyen Thanh-Hung , Nguyen Xuan-Thuan
Published: January 2023

Based on the Hedge Algebras (HA) methodology, this paper presents a method for managing the trajectory of a delta robot. This technique is easily applied to existing devices in the process control domain. In the proposed control method, the semantically quantitative mapping may replace the verbal values of the fundamental rule in an analogous manner (SQM). Consequently, the basic rule may be represented as a three-dimensional numerical grid with linear interpolations. Compared to the Fuzzy Logic controller, it reduces the controller’s complexity. In addition, when the control strategy is applied in reality, the system’s response time is decreased. The simulation results indicate that the proposed technique is more exact than previous approaches. The experimental results reveal that the proposed technique is effective for robot trajectory tracking difficulties.
SWIPT-Based Cooperative NOMA for Two-Way Relay Communications: PSR versus TSR
Authors: Tran Huu Q. , Vien Quoc-Tuan
Published: January 2023

Spectrum and energy efficiency with simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) to prolong the lifetime of power-constrained wireless devices in cooperative relaying nonorthogonal multiple access (CR-NOMA) has received great attention in the last decade. This paper investigates a two-way relay channel in a CR-NOMA system where two users exchange data with the assistance of a relay. Power-splitting relaying (PSR) and time-switching relaying (TSR) protocols are employed at the relay to harvest RF energy and process information from two users. We firstly derive the exact expressions of outage probability (OP) and system throughput (ST). The impacts of signal quality, energy coefficients, the distance of the nodes, and the data rate of two users on these performance metrics are then evaluated through several system settings to reflect practical network scenarios. It is shown that the OP and ST of the TSR are superior to that of the PSR protocol. Specifically, numerical results indicate that a higher throughput of up to 8% can be achieved with the TSR when compared to the PSR. It is further revealed that the OP and ST of the PSR are strongly affected by energy harvesting (EH) coefficients, while the performance obtained with the TSR is nearly independent of the EH capability at the relay.
Migration and Release Mechanism of Methane Microseepage Based on Dawanqi Field Work and Physical Simulations
Authors: Ji Weiwei , Wang Guojian , Pu Caixin , Ke Zhourong , Tang Junhong , Chen Xufeng , Wang Haoqi , Wang Chunhui
Published: January 2023

Methane (CH4) microseepage from petroleum basins is a significant contributor to the atmospheric CH4 budget. However, research about CH4 migration and release mechanism is still very limited. This work seeks to theorize and verify the migration and release mechanism of CH4 microseepage via field measurement and physical simulation, which, to the best of our knowledge, has not been reported in literature. Fluxes of CH4 microseepage from Dawanqi oilfield were measured, and three manifestations of release were observed, namely, continuous, flat, and episodic. Based on field observations, bench-scale physical simulation of CH4 migration through geological features of the oilfield was further conducted for 290 days. The results show that CH4 migration is mainly driven by buoyancy and diffusion. In continuous release, CH4 migration is mainly driven by buoyancy. In flat release, CH4 migration is dominated by diffusion. At low pressure, CH4 migrates upward slowly. As buoyancy increases, CH4 eventually break through the capillary pressure of the pore throat, causing spikes in CH4 concentrations in the layers above and reproducing episodic release observed during field measurement. Via field observation and verification by physical simulation, this work theorizes the migration mechanism of CH4 microseepage and its correlation with release types observed and confirms that counterbalance of buoyancy force and capillary pressure plays a critical role in episodic release of CH4 from oilfield. The findings of this study shed light on the migration mechanism and release manifestations of CH4 microseepage under different geological conditions and improve accuracy of estimating the flux of CH4 microseepage into atmosphere.
Efficient Removal of Basic Fuchsin from Synthetic Medical Wastewater and Competitive Adsorption in the Mixture
Authors: Ahmed Harez , Salihi Kareem , Kaufhold Stephan , Aziz Bakhtyar , Radha Musa Hama , Karim Lava , Nooralddin Hevi
Published: January 2023

The Ziehl-Neelsen stain is a mixture of Basic Fuchsin (BF), phenol (Ph), and methylene blue. It is used to stain the cell walls of Mycobacterium species. In this study, Basic Fuchsin was efficiently removed from synthetic wastewater using natural clay of Gankawa (GC) from Sulaimanyah city, and the effect of the presence of high concentrations of phenol in the adsorption mixture is demonstrated. In addition, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), N2 gas adsorption analyzer, and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) were used to characterize the natural clay. The clay was found to be mostly calcite, with a minor percentage of smectite, and contaminated with low percentages of illite. The adsorption kinetics show a relatively fast equilibration time (60-70 minutes). A second-order pseudokinetic model better fits the experimental kinetic data. The effect of the initial pH of the solution mixture was negligible at the experimental concentration range of the study. Freundlich and Langmuir’s adsorption isotherm models were applied to the equilibrium experimental data using nonlinear regression curve fitting. Both kinetics and isotherm studies point to a chemical adsorption mechanism for the process. For adsorption in the mixture, phenol molecules were found to compete with BF molecules for the active adsorption sites, while a synergetic effect of BF exists on phenol adsorption. As a naturally abundant cheap material, GC shows a superior adsorption capacity toward BF (287.0 mg g-1) over all natural materials and most of the synthetic or modified materials found in the literature.
Chemometric Methods for Simultaneous Determination of Candesartan Cilexetil and Hydrochlorothiazide in Binary Combinations
Authors: Ali Diyar Salahuddin
Published: January 2023

Simple, accurate, precise, and cost-effective chemometric techniques for the measurement of candesartan cilexetil and hydrochlorothiazide in synthetic mixtures were improved and validated. H-point standard addition, Q-absorption ratio, and correction absorbance spectrophotometric techniques were utilized for the simultaneous determination of both medicines in real pharmaceutical formulations. A new calibration approach was implemented based on chemical H-point standards. This approach was developed to resolve significantly overlapping spectra of two analytes and provide direct correction of both proportional and constant errors caused by the matrix of the sample. The first method of simultaneous determination of candesartan cilexetil and hydrochlorothiazide was carried out using the H-point standard addition method at wavelengths 239 and 283. For the ratio of the absorption at two selected wavelengths, one of which is the isoabsorptive point and the other being the maximum of one of the two components, the second method absorption ratio method was utilized. In distilled water, the isoabsorptive point of candesartan cilexetil and hydrochlorothiazide occurs at 258 nm. λmax of hydrochlorothiazide is 273 nm, which is the second wavelength used. Lastly, the absorbance correction method was implemented. This approach is based on absorbance correction equations and uses distilled water as the solvent for the examination of both medicines. In NaOH/EtOH solvent, the absorbance maxima of candesartan cilexetil and hydrochlorothiazide are 250 nm and 340 nm, respectively. For both wavelengths, candesartan cilexetil and hydrochlorothiazide exhibited linearity over a concentration range of 1–46 μg/ml and 1–44 μg/ml, respectively, for H-point standard addition. The Q-absorption ratio approach provides linearity over the concentration ranges of 1–46 μg/ml at 273 nm for candesartan cilexetil and 1–29 μg/ml for hydrochlorothiazide, 1–46 μg/ml at 258 nm for candesartan cilexetil, and 1–44 μg/ml for hydrochlorothiazide. For hydrochlorothiazide, the linearity for the correction absorbance method was obtained throughout a concentration range of 1–46 μg/ml at wavelengths 250 and 340 nm and 1–44 μg/ml at wavelength 250 nm. The results of the analysis have been statistically and empirically supported by recovery studies. All methods yielded recoveries in the range of 96 ̶102% for both medications. The LOD ranged from 0.46 ̶0.94 μg/mL for hydrochlorothiazide and from 1.26 ̶2.40 μg/mL for candesartan cilexetil. The approaches were then used to quantify candesartan cilexetil and hydrochlorothiazide in pharmaceutical tablets.
Preconcentration of Pb(II) by Magnetic Metal-Organic Frameworks and Analysis Using Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy
Authors: Sharifi Arman , Hallaj Rahman , Bahar Soleiman
Published: January 2023

In this study, a magnetic metal-organic framework (MOF) was synthesized based on magnetic Fe3O4, Cu(II), and benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid (Cu-BTC) as a sorbent for solid phase extraction (SPE) of trace amounts of Pb(II) in water and lettuce samples. Pb(II) ion was adsorbed on the magnetic MOF and easily separated by a magnet; therefore, no filtration or centrifugation was necessary. The analyte ions were eluted by HCl 0.5 mol·L−1 and analyzed via graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy. The prepared sorbent was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Under optimal experimental conditions, the method had a linear range of 0.1–50 μg·L−1. The limits of detection and quantitation for lead were found to be 0.026 and 0.08 μg·L−1, respectively. The results showed that the prepared sorbent has high selectivity for Pb2+ even in the presence of other interfering metal ions.
Antihypertensive Effects of Esaxerenone in Older Patients with Primary Aldosteronism
Authors: Fujimoto Masanori , Watanabe Suzuka , Igarashi Katsushi , Ruike Yutaro , Ishiwata Kazuki , Naito Kumiko , Ishida Akiko , Koshizaka Masaya , Suzuki Sawako , Shiko Yuki , Koide Hisashi , Yokote Koutaro
Published: January 2023

Context. Esaxerenone is a new mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA). It is an oral nonsteroidal MRA with high MR-binding specificity and antihypertensive effects in patients with essential hypertension and primary aldosteronism (PA). This study aimed to investigate the underlying characteristics of PA patients who responded best to an esaxerenone treatment. Design. Retrospective cohort study. Patients. The data was obtained from a total of 87 PA patients treated with esaxerenone. The treatment group comprised 33 patients who received esaxerenone as first-line therapy and 54 patients that switched from another MRA to esaxerenone. Measurements. Blood pressure (BP), plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC), plasma renin activity (PRA), serum potassium level, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR), and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) were assessed before and after treatment with esaxerenone. Patients with overall reductions in their systolic or diastolic BP by 10 mmHg, or more, were considered responders. Unpaired t-tests of the biochemical and personal parameters between responders and nonresponders were run to find the most influencing characteristic for treatment success. Results. BP overall decreased after treatment with esaxerenone (systolic BP:

P
=
0.025

, diastolic BP:

P
=
0.096

). Serum potassium levels increased, while eGFR decreased (

P
=
0.047

and 0.043, respectively). No patients needed a dose reduction or treatment discontinuation of esaxerenone based on the serum potassium and eGFR criteria. UACR and BNP decreased insignificantly. The responders were significantly older than the nonresponders of the esaxerenone treatment (

P
=
0.0035

). Conclusions. Esaxerenone was effective in older patients with primary aldosteronism.