bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bayesian active learning for parameter calibration of landslide run-out models
Authors: Zhao Hu , Kowalski Julia
Published: April 2022

Landslide run-out modeling is a powerful model-based decision support tool for landslide hazard assessment and mitigation. Most landslide run-out models contain parameters that cannot be directly measured but rely on back-analysis of past landslide events. As field data on past landslide events come with a certain measurement error, the community developed probabilistic calibration techniques. However, probabilistic parameter calibration of landslide run-out models is often hindered by high computational costs resulting from the long run time of a single simulation and the large number of required model runs. To address this computational challenge, this work proposes an efficient probabilistic parameter calibration method by integrating landslide run-out modeling, Bayesian inference, Gaussian process emulation, and active learning. Here, we present an extensive synthetic case study. The results show that our new method can reduce the number of necessary simulation runs from thousands to a few hundreds owing to Gaussian process emulation and active learning. It is therefore expected to advance the current practice of parameter calibration of landslide run-out models.
A density estimation approach for detecting and explaining exceptional values in categorical data
Authors: Angiulli Fabrizio , Fassetti Fabio , Palopoli Luigi , Serrao Cristina
Published: April 2022

In this work we deal with the problem of detecting and explaining anomalous values in categorical datasets. We take the perspective of perceiving an attribute value as anomalous if its frequency is exceptional within the overall distribution of frequencies. As a first main contribution, we provide the notion offrequency occurrence. This measure can be thought of as a form of Kernel Density Estimation applied to the domain of frequency values. As a second contribution, we define anoutliernessmeasure for categorical values that leverages the cumulated frequency distribution of the frequency occurrence distribution. This measure is able to identify two kinds of anomalies, calledlower outliersandupper outliers, corresponding to exceptionally low or high frequent values. Moreover, we provide interpretableexplanationsfor anomalous data values. We point out that providing interpretable explanations for the knowledge mined is a desirable feature of any knowledge discovery technique, though most of the traditional outlier detection methods do not provide explanations. Considering that when dealing with explanations the user could be overwhelmed by a huge amount of redundant information, as a third main contribution, we define a mechanism that allows us to single outoutstanding explanations. The proposed technique isknowledge-centric, since we focus on explanation-property pairs and anomalous objects are a by-product of the mined knowledge. This clearly differentiates the proposed approach from traditional outlier detection approaches which instead areobject-centric. The experiments highlight that the method is scalable and also able to identify anomalies of a different nature from those detected by traditional techniques.
Darwin’s empirical claim and the janiform character of fitness proxies
Authors: Krohs Ulrich
Published: April 2022

Darwin’s claim about natural selection is reconstructed as an empirical claim about a causal connection leading from the match of the physiology of an individual and its environment to leaving surviving progeny. Variations in this match, Darwin claims, cause differences in the survival of the progeny. Modern concepts of fitness focus the survival side of this chain. Therefore, the assumption that evolutionary theory wants to explain reproductive success in terms of a modern concept of fitness has given rise to the so-called tautology problem. It is shown that the tautology problem reappears in the treatment of fitness proxies in today’s experimental evolutionary biology when these proxies are considered to indicate fitness only. Taking Darwin’s empirical claim seriously suggests, by contrast, that fitness proxies are first of all measures of the match between organism and environment, which I call the organism’s ‘fittedness’. At the same time, they are indeed related to reproductive success. Thus looking in both directions, at fitness and at fittedness, they are janiform. Acknowledging this situation not only allows for rejection of the tautology objection, but also for integration of Darwin’s argument into current evolutionary biology. It is suggested that this helps reframe and alleviate the dispute between the Modern Synthesis and the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis.
Fluvial levees in compound channels: a review on formation processes and the impact of bedforms and vegetation
Authors: Branß Till , Núñez-González Francisco , Aberle Jochen
Published: April 2022

Natural levees are wedge-shaped morphological features developing along the boundaries of mass flows. When they form in fluvial landscapes, they can have multiple implications for river management of trained inland rivers. This paper summarizes the present knowledge in regard to the formation and evolution of so-called fluvial levees of trained inland river sections and provides novel hypotheses in regard to the significance of bedforms and vegetation strips along the floodplain on levee formation, evolution, and characteristics. The hypotheses that (i) bedforms contribute to levee formation by altering the interface hydraulics between the main channel and the floodplain and enhancing entrainment of sediment into suspension and (ii) vegetation stripes along the floodplain additionally affect the interface hydraulics resulting in a changed levee geometry are supported by combining existing knowledge on bedform dynamics and flow-vegetation-sediment interaction with results reported in recent flume studies.
A genome-wide assessment of the genetic diversity, evolution and relationships with allied species of the clonally propagated crop Vanilla planifolia Jacks. ex Andrews
Authors: Favre Félicien , Jourda Cyril , Grisoni Michel , Piet Quentin , Rivallan Ronan , Dijoux Jean-Bernard , Hascoat Jérémy , Lepers-Andrzejewski Sandra , Besse Pascale , Charron Carine
Published: April 2022

The Vanilla genus is a complex taxonomic group characterized by a vegetative reproduction mode combined with intra- and inter-specific hybridizations, and polyploidy events. These factors strongly impact the diversification of the genus and complicate the delimitation of taxa. Among the hundred Vanilla species, Vanilla planifolia Jacks. ex Andrews and Vanilla × tahitensis J. W. Moore are the main cultivated aromatic species. We applied Genotyping-by-Sequencing to explore the genetic diversity of these two cultivated vanilla species, seven closely related species and nineteen interspecific hybrids. The inter- and intra-specific relationships of 133 vanilla accessions were examined based on 2004 filtered SNPs. Our results showed a strong genetic structuring between the nine species studied, with wild species showing much lower heterozygosity levels than cultivated ones. Moreover, using Bayesian clustering analyses, the kinship of several hybrids could be verified. We evidenced in particular that Vanilla sotoarenasii and Vanilla odorata C.Presl may be the parental species of V. x tahitensis. The analysis of 1129 SNPs for 84 V. planifolia accessions showed a clear genetic demarcation between the vegetatively propagated traditional vanilla cultivars compared to the accessions derived from sexual reproduction, and a higher genetic diversity and lower heterozygosity of the latter (Ho = 0.206) compared to the former (Ho = 0.362). Our data are consistent with a single-step domestication for V. planifolia in accordance with the recent history of its cultivation. It also opens avenues to breed new V. planifolia varieties adapted to biotic and abiotic constraints and to reduce mutational load induced by clonal propagation.
Silymarin constrains diacetyl-prompted oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in rats: involvements of Dyn/GDNF and MAPK signaling pathway
Authors: Tabaa Manar Mohammed El , Aboalazm Hamdi M. , Shaalan Mohamed , Khedr Naglaa Fathy
Published: April 2022

Neuroinflammation, a major component of many CNS disorders, has been suggested to be associated with diacetyl (DA) exposure. DA is commonly used as a food flavoring additive and condiment. Lately, silymarin (Sily) has shown protective and therapeutic effects on neuronal inflammation. The study aimed to explore the role of Sily in protecting and/or treating DA-induced neuroinflammation. Neuroinflammation was induced in rats by administering DA (25 mg/kg) orally. Results revealed that Sily (50 mg/kg) obviously maintained cognitive and behavioral functions, alleviated brain antioxidant status, and inhibited microglial activation. Sily enhanced IL-10, GDNF and Dyn levels, reduced IFN-γ, TNFα, and IL-1β levels, and down-regulated the MAPK pathway. Immunohistochemical investigation of EGFR and GFAP declared that Sily could conserve neurons from inflammatory damage. However, with continuing DA exposure during Sily treatment, oxidative stress and neuroinflammation were less mitigated. These findings point to a novel mechanism involving the Dyn/GDNF and MAPK pathway through which Sily might prevent and treat DA-induced neuroinflammation.
Anterior segment structures in dark iris Chinese patients with unilateral Fuchs’ uveitis syndrome
Authors: Cai Yajing , Wu Wenjie , Wang Yingbin , Xiao Suzhen , Huang Yue
Published: April 2022

Purpose

To compare binocular anterior segment structures in Chinese patients with dark iris and unilateral Fuchs’ uveitis syndrome (FUS).

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study including 34 phakic eyes (17 patients) with unilateral FUS. Anterior segment parameters were measured by rotating Scheimpflug imaging camera, noncontact specular microscopy, and anterior segment optical coherence tomography.

Results

Corneal volume was higher in FUS eyes compared to unaffected eyes (p < 0.05). The iridocorneal angles were larger in FUS eyes compared to contralateral eyes (p < 0.05). Mean endothelial cell density (ECD) was lower, and the coefficient of variation in endothelial cell size and average cell area of endothelial cells (ACA) were higher, in FUS eyes (p < 0.05). Mean densitometry values of the midstromal cornea (zones with a diameter of 0–2, 2–6, or 10–12 mm), posterior (0–2, 2–6, 10–12, or 0–12 mm), or total thickness (0–2 or 2–6 mm) were higher in FUS eyes compared with unaffected eyes (p < 0.05). ECD, percentage of hexagonal cells, and ACA were strongly related to densitometry values of the midstromal and posterior cornea in the FUS eyes (p < 0.05). Smoothness index of iris was lager in affected eyes (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

In Chinese patients with unilateral FUS, loss of endothelial cells, wider iridocorneal angle, thicker cornea, higher corneal densitometry of midstromal and posterior layer, and smoother iris were observed in affected eyes compared to contralateral eyes. These data can help to elucidate anterior segment characteristics of unilateral FUS in this population.
Disentangling Capabilities for Industry 4.0 - an Information Systems Capability Perspective
Authors: Huber Rocco , Oberländer Anna Maria , Faisst Ulrich , Röglinger Maximilian
Published: April 2022

Digital technologies revolutionise the manufacturing industry by connecting the physical and digital worlds. The resulting paradigm shift, referred to as Industry 4.0, impacts manufacturing processes and business models. While the ‘why’ and ‘what’ of Industry 4.0 have been extensively researched, the ‘how’ remains poorly understood. Manufacturers struggle with exploiting Industry 4.0’s full potential as a holistic understanding of required Information Systems (IS) capabilities is missing. To foster such understanding, we present a holistic IS capability framework for Industry 4.0, including primary and support capabilities. After developing the framework based on a structured literature review, we refined and evaluated it with ten Industry 4.0 experts from research and practice. We demonstrated its use with a German machinery manufacturer. In sum, we contribute to understanding and analysing IS capabilities for Industry 4.0. Our work serves as a foundation for further theorising on Industry 4.0 and for deriving theory-led design recommendations for manufacturers.
Formal sector enforcement and welfare
Authors: Liu-Evans Gareth , Mitra Shalini
Published: April 2022

Higher tax enforcement is consistently associated with lower informality in the literature, whereas the evidence is mixed for other factors affecting informality. We review the literature on the effect of tax enforcement on informality and provide further evidence in the form of subsample tests of the effect of tax enforcement identified in Liu-Evans and Mitra (Econ Lett 182:122–125, 2019). We find Rule of Law, the most commonly used proxy for tax enforcement, has a significant and robust negative effect on informality according to the continuous treatment test due to Belloni et al. (Rev Econ Stud 81:608–650, 2014). Using a stylized general equilibrium model for developing economies, with credit constrained formal and informal firms, we conduct numerical simulations to study the enforcement-welfare relationship for varying levels of enforcement costs. We show that tax-enforcement is only desirable as a policy tool for reducing informality when, contrary to evidence for developing economies in the literature, enforcement costs are very low (almost zero).
Electrochemical routes for environmentally friendly recycling of rare-earth-based (Sm–Co) permanent magnets
Authors: Xu Xuan , Khoshsima Sina , Karajic Milana , Balderman Jan , Markovic Katarina , Scancar Janez , Samardzija Zoran , Sturm Saso , Rozman Kristina Zuzek
Published: April 2022

The consumption of critical raw materials, especially those in permanent magnets of Nd–Fe–B and Sm–Co-type, has significantly grown in the past decade. With predictions on further electrification growing exponentially the demand for these materials will even increase. This implies that efforts in assuring sustainability must involve recycling from secondary resources. In recent years the electrochemical approaches in recycling have been extensively investigated and applied owing to their advantages of high efficiency and selectivity, easy operation, low energy consumption, and environmental friendliness. In this paper, we investigate the Sm2(Co,Fe,Cu,Zr)17 permanent magnet leaching process using the anodic oxidation to be paired with the metal deposition on the cathode. Linear sweep voltammetry was performed from − 0.15 to 1 V versus Pt quasi reference electrode that indicated current peaks that would correspond to some preferential leaching of the crystal phases contained in the magnet. The latter was confirmed using the SEM/EDXS analysis. The continuous leaching of the Sm2(Co,Fe,Cu,Zr)17 magnet was performed at a direct current density of 2, 4 and 8 mA cm−2 at the time period of 0–240, 240–480 and 480–720 min, respectively. The ICP-MS results confirmed the leaching of all the metals from the original Sm2(Co,Fe,Cu,Zr)17 permanent magnet. The concentration of Sm3+, Cu2+, Fe2+ and Zr2+ increases linearly along with the leaching time. Reversely the concentration of Co2+ decreases linearly due to its consumption by electrodeposition of Co, Fe and Cu on the cathode. The presented paired electrochemical process could serve as a starting point for the recycling and recovery of critical raw materials without any acid usage and waste generation.

Graphical abstract
Model predictive force control in milling based on an ensemble Kalman filter
Authors: Schwenzer Max , Stemmler Sebastian , Ay Muzaffer , Rüppel Adrian Karl , Bergs Thomas , Abel Dirk
Published: April 2022

Process force determines productivity, quality, and safety in milling. Current approaches of process design often focus on a priori optimization. In order to enable online optimization, the establishment of active force controllers is required. Due to fast-changing engagement conditions of the tool in conjunction with the slower machine dynamics, classic control is not suited. A promising approach is the application of model predictive control (MPC) for force control, which is proposed in this contribution. The model predictive force controller (MPFC) explicitly takes into account a model to predict the immediate future. It consists of a model of the machine tool and a separate model of the process. The process model describes the relation between feed velocity of the tool, force, and geometric properties of the tool, such as the radial deviation, and of the tool/workpiece engagement. The feedback loop of the controller is closed by an online identification of the process model to account changes in the material properties or of the tool wear state. For this identification an ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) is applied. The MPFC solves an optimization problem on the future behavior in each sampling step to determine the optimal controller output enabling high dynamic control. The proposed control system is validated experimentally and compared with a conventionally designed process with constant feed. It can be shown that the manufacturing time is reduced by 50%. The system enables a paradigm shift in the design of milling processes operating the manufacturing process at its technological limit.
An Energy-Based Summation-by-Parts Finite Difference Method For the Wave Equation in Second Order Form
Authors: Wang Siyang , Appelö Daniel , Kreiss Gunilla
Published: April 2022

We develop a new finite difference method for the wave equation in second order form. The finite difference operators satisfy a summation-by-parts (SBP) property. With boundary conditions and material interface conditions imposed weakly by the simultaneous-approximation-term (SAT) method, we derive energy estimates for the semi-discretization. In addition, error estimates are derived by the normal mode analysis. The proposed method is termed as energy-based because of its similarity with the energy-based discontinuous Galerkin method. When imposing the Dirichlet boundary condition and material interface conditions, the traditional SBP-SAT discretization uses a penalty term with a mesh-dependent parameter, which is not needed in our method. Furthermore, numerical dissipation can be added to the discretization through the boundary and interface conditions. We present numerical experiments that verify convergence and robustness of the proposed method.
Les devinettes des Adevineaux amoureux: hypothèses généalogiques et stratégies editoriales
Authors: Barale Elisabetta
Published: April 2022

This article studies from a philological point of view the textual tradition of the riddles of the Adevineaux amoureux, a collection of verbal games published in Bruges by Colard Mansion in the last decades of the fifteenth century. The investigation provides two results. On the one hand, it is possible to retrace the genealogy of the witnesses of the Adevineaux (two printed editions and the manuscript Torino, BNU, L V 1) and to describe their relations with two comparable collections of riddles (Chantilly, Mus. Condé, 654; Wolfenbüttel, HAB, Cod. Guelf. 84.7 Aug. 2°). On the other hand, some hypotheses can be formulated on the strategies employed by the compiler of the Adevineaux to adapt these popular texts to the expectations of the public. Macro-structural interventions—such as the introduction of prologues—and micro-structural ones—such as repetitions, lexical substitutions, and omissions—aim at building a new socio-narrative architecture in which the aggressive dynamics of oral performances are replaced by the search for a textual coherence intended to ensure the active participation of the readers in the construction of meaning.
Riparian fungal communities respond to land-use mediated changes in soil properties and vegetation structure
Authors: Waymouth Vicky , Miller Rebecca E. , Kasel Sabine , Ede Fiona , Bissett Andrew , Aponte Cristina
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Owing to their topographic location and nutrient rich soils, riparian forests are often converted to pastures for grazing. In recent decades, remnant riparian forests cleared for grazing pastures have been restored with native species. The impacts of such land-use changes on soil fungal communities are unclear, despite the central roles that soil fungi play in key ecosystem processes. We investigated how soil fungal taxonomic and functional composition are affected by land-use change at different depths, and if variation in soil fungal communities is related to edaphic properties and extant vegetation.

Methods

The study was conducted in six waterways in south-eastern Australia, each comprising three land-use types: remnant riparian forest, cleared forest converted to pasture, and pastures restored with native plants. We surveyed three strata of vegetation and sampled top-soil and sub-soil to characterise physicochemical properties and soil fungal communities. ITS1 region sequences were used to assign soil fungal taxonomic and functional composition.

Results

Fungal taxonomic and functional composition infrequently varied with land-use change or soil depth. Overall, environmental properties (soil and vegetation) explained 35–36% of variation in both fungal taxonomic and functional composition. Soil fungal taxonomic composition was related to soil fertility (N, P, K, pH and Ca) and ground cover characteristics, whereas functional composition was related to clay content, sub-canopy cover and tree basal area.

Conclusion

Across the six studied waterways, fungal taxonomic and functional composition were more strongly associated with land-use mediated changes in site-scale soil physicochemical properties and vegetation structure than broad-scale classes of land-use type.
Perceptions of personal and public risk: Dissociable effects on behavior and well-being
Authors: Globig Laura K. , Blain Bastien , Sharot Tali
Published: April 2022

When faced with a global threat peoples’ perception of risk guides their response. When danger is to the self as well as to others two risk estimates are generated—to the self and to others. Here, we set out to examine how people’s perceptions of health risk to the self and others are related to their psychological well-being and behavioral response. To that end, we surveyed a large representative sample of Americans facing the COVID-19 pandemic at two times (N1 = 1145, N2 = 683). We found that people perceived their own risk to be relatively low, while estimating the risk to others as relatively high. These risk estimates were differentially associated with psychological well-being and behavior. In particular, perceived personal but not public risk was associated with people’s happiness, while both were predictive of anxiety. In contrast, the tendency to engage in protective behaviors were predicted by peoples’ estimated risk to the population, but not to themselves. This raises the possibility that people were predominantly engaging in protective behaviors for the benefit of others. The findings can inform public policy aimed at protecting people’s psychological well-being and physical health during global threats.
Is There a Residual and Hidden Potential for Small and Micro Hydropower in Europe? A Screening-Level Regional Assessment
Authors: Quaranta Emanuele , Bódis Katalin , Kasiulis Egidijus , McNabola Aonghus , Pistocchi Alberto
Published: April 2022

Small hydropower plants (installed power below 10 MW) are generally considered less impacting than larger plants, and this has stimulated their rapid spread, with a developing potential that is not exhausted yet. However, since they can cause environmental impacts, especially in case of cascade installations, there is the need to operate them in a more sustainable way, e.g. considering ecosystem needs and by developing low-impacting technologies. In this paper, an assessment was conducted to estimate how the environmental flow and the plant spatial density affect the small hydropower potential (considering run-of-river schemes, diversion type, DROR) in the European Union. The potential of DROR is 79 TWh/y under the strictest environmental constraints considered, and 1,710 TWh/y under the laxest constraints. The potential of low-impacting micro technologies (< 100 kW) was also assessed, showing that the economic potential of hydrokinetic turbines in rivers is 1.2 TWh/y, that of water wheels in old mills is 1.6 TWh/y, and the hydropower potential of water and wastewater networks is 3.1 TWh/y, at an average investment cost of 5,000 €/kW.
Clinical impact of manual scoring of peripheral arterial tonometry in patients with sleep apnea
Authors: Tschopp Samuel , Borner Urs , Wimmer Wilhelm , Caversaccio Marco , Tschopp Kurt
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The objective was to analyze the clinical implications of manual scoring of sleep studies using peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT) and to compare the manual and automated scoring algorithms.

Methods

Patients with suspected sleep-disordered breathing underwent sleep studies using PAT. The recordings were analyzed using a validated automated computer-based scoring and a novel manual scoring algorithm. The two methods were compared regarding sleep stages and respiratory events.

Results

Recordings of 130 patients were compared. The sleep stages and time were not significantly different between the scoring methods. PAT-derived apnea-hypopnea index (pAHI) was on average 8.4 events/h lower in the manually scored data (27.5±17.4/h vs.19.1±15.2/h, p<0.001). The OSA severity classification decreased in 66 (51%) of 130 recordings. A similar effect was found for the PAT-derived respiratory disturbance index with a reduction from 31.2±16.5/h to 21.7±14.4/h (p<0.001), for automated and manual scoring, respectively. A lower pAHI for manual scoring was found in all body positions and sleep stages and was independent of gender and body mass index. The absolute difference of pAHI increased with sleep apnea severity, while the relative difference decreased. Pearson’s correlation coefficient between pAHI and oxygen desaturation index (ODI) significantly improved from 0.89 to 0.94 with manual scoring (p<0.001).

Conclusions

Manual scoring results in a lower pAHI while improving the correlation to ODI. With manual scoring, the OSA category decreases in a clinically relevant proportion of patients. Sleep stages and time do not change significantly with manual scoring. In the authors’ opinion, manual oversight is recommended if clinical decisions are likely to change.
Vessel Wall MRI: clinical implementation in cerebrovascular disorders—technical aspects
Authors: Cirillo Luigi , Rustici Arianna , Toni Francesco , Zoli Matteo , Bartiromo Fiorina , Gramegna Laura Ludovica , Cicala Domenico , Tonon Caterina , Caranci Ferdinando , Lodi Raffaele
Published: April 2022

Vessel Wall MRI (VW-MRI) is an emerging MR sequence used for diagnosis, characterization, and treatment planning of cerebrovascular diseases. Although VW-MRI is not yet routinely used, most papers have emphasized its role in several aspects of the management of cerebrovascular diseases. Nowadays, no VW-MRI sequence optimized for the intracranial imaging is commercially available, thus the Spin Echo sequences are the more effective sequences for this purpose. Moreover, as one of the principal technical requirements for intracranial VW-MR imaging is to achieve both the suppression of blood in vessel lumen and of the outer cerebrospinal fluid, different suppression techniques have been developed. This short report provides the technical parameters of our VW-MR sequence developed over 3-years’ experience.
Incidence of hip fracture in Saudi Arabia and the development of a FRAX model
Authors: Saleh Yousef A. L. , Sulimani Riad A. , Alomary Shaker , Alnajjar Yassmeen I. , Vandenput Liesbeth , Liu Enwu , Lorentzon Mattias , Harvey Nicholas C. , McCloskey Eugene V. , Johansson Helena , Kanis John A. ,   the Saudi FRAX Study Group, Al-Daghri Nasser M. , Jamo Abdelgadier Ibrahim , Hawsawi Abdullah Ahmed , Mohamed Fatima Ali , Khojah Talha Mohammedsaeed , Sheshah Eman Abdulrahman , Hashem Waleed A. , Hijazi Abdulgani Omar , Kanani Samer Merei , Alfagih Ashwag Saleh , Albouri Kamil Muslim , Alsobyhy Osama Fawaz , Almutairi Mohammed Zayed , Almalki Mussa Hussain , Kassem Nadia Abd Elhamid , Ali Mutaz Mohamed , Alamri Fahad A. , Alshahrani Fahad Mohammed , AlRayes Hanan Mohammed , Sadat-Ali Mir , Alharbi Mohammed Abdulrahman , AlShaker Mohammed , Fouda Mona A. , Alaidarous Salwa Berlian , Almohaya Mohammed , Saleh Najla Alfateh , Saleh Soad
Published: April 2022

Summary

A prospective hospital-based survey in representative regions of Saudi Arabia determined the incidence of fractures at the hip. The hip fracture rates were used to create a FRAX® model to facilitate fracture risk assessment in Saudi Arabia.

Objective

This paper describes the incidence of hip fracture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that was used to characterize the current and future burden of hip fracture, to develop a country-specific FRAX® tool for fracture prediction and to compare fracture probabilities with neighbouring countries.

Methods

During a 2-year (2017/2018) prospective survey in 15 hospitals with a defined catchment population, hip fractures in Saudi citizens were prospectively identified from hospital registers. The number of hip fractures and future burden was determined from national demography. Age- and sex-specific incidence of hip fracture and national mortality rates were incorporated into a FRAX model for Saudi Arabia. Fracture probabilities were compared with those from Kuwait and Abu Dhabi.

Results

The incidence of hip fracture applied nationally suggested that the estimated number of hip fractures nationwide in persons over the age of 50 years for 2015 was 2,949 and is predicted to increase nearly sevenfold to 20,328 in 2050. Hip fracture rates were comparable with estimates from Abu Dhabi and Kuwait. By contrast, probabilities of a major osteoporotic fracture or hip fracture from the age of 70 years were much lower than those seen in Abu Dhabi and Kuwait due to higher mortality estimates for Saudi Arabia.

Conclusion

A country-specific FRAX tool for fracture prediction has been developed for Saudi Arabia which is expected to help guide decisions about treatment.
Mapping cognitive deficits in cancer patients after chemotherapy: An Activation Likelihood Estimation meta-analysis of task-related fMRI studies
Authors: Saward Jacqueline B. , Ellis Elizabeth G. , Cobden Annalee L. , Caeyenberghs Karen
Published: April 2022

Recent neuroimaging studies have reported alterations in brain activation during cognitive tasks in cancer patients who have undergone chemotherapy treatment. However, the location of these altered brain activation patterns after chemotherapy varies considerably across studies. The aim of the present meta-analysis was to quantitatively synthesise this body of evidence using Activation Likelihood Estimation to identify reliable regions of altered brain activation in cancer patients treated with chemotherapy, compared to healthy controls and no chemotherapy controls. Our systematic search identified 12 studies that adopted task-related fMRI on non-central nervous system cancer patients who received chemotherapy relative to controls. All studies were included in the analyses and were grouped into four contrasts. Cancer patients treated with chemotherapy showed reduced activation in the left superior parietal lobe/precuneus (family-wise error corrected p < .05) compared to no chemotherapy controls. No significant clusters were found in three of our contrasts. The majority of studies did not support an association between altered brain activation and cognitive performance after chemotherapy. Findings point towards a possible chemotherapy-induced alteration, which could inform targeted treatment strategies. With continued work in this field using homogenous task-related protocols and cancer populations, fMRI may be used as a biomarker of cognitive deficits in the future.
Evaluation of methods for measuring tool-chip contact length in wet machining using different approaches (microtextured tool, in-situ visualization and restricted contact tool)
Authors: Ellersiek Lars , Menze Christian , Sauer Florian , Denkena Berend , Möhring Hans-Christian , Schulze Volker
Published: April 2022

The contact length is one of the most important factors to evaluate the chip formation process and the mechanical loads in metal cutting. Over the years, several methods to identify the contact length were developed. However, especially for wet cutting processes the determination of the contact length is still challenging. In this paper, three methods to identify the contact length for dry and wet processes in cutting of Ti6Al4V and AISI4140 + QT are presented, discussed and analyzed. The first approach uses tools with a microtextured rake face. By evaluating the microstructures on the chip, a new method to identify the contact length is established. The second approach applies high speed recordings to identify the contact length. The challenge is thereby the application of high-speed recordings under wet conditions. In the third approach, tools with restricted contact length are used. It is shown that with all three methods the contact length is reduced using metal working fluid.
Knowledge Retention and Changes in Licensed Chainsaw Workers’ risk awareness
Authors: Häggström Carola , Edlund Björn
Published: April 2022

Work with chainsaws is hazardous and felling trees is the activity with the highest risks for injuries and fatalities. While industrial forestry is increasingly mechanized, manual felling is still the main work method for private, small-scale forest owners. During this work, the workers’ safety heavily depends on their skill and safe practice, so training is presumably important for preventing injuries and reducing fatalities. Unfortunately, private forest owners have been difficult to reach with this kind of safety intervention. Moreover, target chainsaw users are not likely to repeat the training very frequently. Hence, the training must both be effective and be so for many years to come. This paper addresses the knowledge retention and self-reported changes in behaviour of 682 chainsaw users who passed the exam for the Swedish chainsaw licence 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9 years previously. Acquisition of the licence resulted in a strong increase in 98% of the participants’ risk awareness and safe work practices. Less than half (45%) of the participants passed a re-test equivalent to the theoretical examination for the chainsaw licence. Private forest owners performed somewhat better than employees did. The main indicator of retained knowledge of safe chainsaw handling was frequency of practice the previous year. After one year, the test results did not deteriorate with additional time. Based on those results, the best practice is to ensure regular usage of the chainsaw and refresher training when the chainsaw has not been used for a year.
Triplet Therapy in Melanoma — Combined BRAF/MEK Inhibitors and Anti-PD-(L)1 Antibodies
Authors: Dixon-Douglas Julia R. , Patel Riyaben P. , Somasundram Pretashini M. , McArthur Grant A.
Published: April 2022

Purpose of Review

We provide an updated review of clinical trials evaluating the combination of BRAF/MEK inhibitors with anti-PD-(L)1 therapy (triplet therapy) for patients with advanced BRAF-mutant melanoma, accompanied by a summary of the biological evidence supporting this combination.

Recent Findings

Resistance to BRAF/MEK inhibition and comparatively low response rates to immune checkpoint inhibitors remain clinical challenges in the treatment of melanoma. Preclinical data demonstrates that targeted therapy is immune-modulatory and synergises with immune checkpoint inhibition. Several randomised controlled trials have evaluated the combination of targeted therapy with immune checkpoint inhibition.

Triplet therapy has shown improvements in progression-free survival and durability of response compared to BRAF/MEK inhibition alone; however, questions remain regarding the best clinical scenario for implementation of this regimen in the era of front-line immunotherapy.
Antifungal Activity of Endophytic Aspergillus terreus Extract Against Some Fungi Causing Mucormycosis: Ultrastructural Study
Authors: Hashem Amr H. , Shehabeldine Amr M. , Abdelaziz Amer M. , Amin Basma H. , Sharaf Mohamed H.
Published: April 2022

Endophytes fungi are applied as favorable safe antifungal agents as well as natural bioactive compounds reservoir. In the current study, the inhibitory effect of endophytic fungus was explained by direct antifungal activity against fungi causing mucormycosis, ultrastructural, and determination of active compounds in fungal extract. EndophyticAspergillus terreuswas isolated from healthyMoringa oleiferaleaves and identified morphologically and genetically, and was recorded in gene bank with accession number MW444551.1. Phytochemical analysis and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC–MS) of ethyl acetate crude extract (EACE) ofA. terreuswere performed. GC–MS results of EACE ofA. terreusrevealed that fungal extract contains 16 major bioactive compounds with extensive pharmaceutical activities. Furthermore, EACE ofA. terreusrevealed a promising antifungal activity against fungi causing mucormycosis asRhizopus oryzae,Mucor racemosus,and Syncephalastrum racemosum, where inhibition zones of EACE (10 mg/ml) were 20, 37, and 18 mm, respectively. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of EACE was 0.3125 towardM. racemosus, while 1.25 and 2.5 mg/ml againstR. oryzae and S. racemosum, respectively. In the same context, treatedR. oryzae,M. racemosus,and S. racemosumwith EACE ofA. terreusrevealed elevation of membrane lipid peroxidation which approves membrane leakage. Furthermore, ultrastructure changes were observed which established alteration in both sporangium and hyphal structures; cell membrane and cytoplasm leakage. In conclusion, endophyticA. terreushas an outstanding antifungal activity against fungi causing mucormycosis.
Research on fish identification in tropical waters under unconstrained environment based on transfer learning
Authors: Zhang Shan , Liu Weifang , Zhu Yupeng , Han Wei , Huang Yi , Li Jianqiang
Published: April 2022

Seafloor unconstrained environment video is shot in uncontrolled open sea area. There are multiple backgrounds, complex illumination and weather changes, and rapid growth of algae and attached lenses, which affect the stability of video shooting quality, resulting in difficulty in image recognition. At present, there is still no algorithm that is superior to other methods generally, and it is necessary to build a model combined with specific scenes and applications. In this paper, a fish identification method in tropical waters based on transfer learning under unconstrained environment is proposed. Firstly, the image is pre-processed by affine transformation to realize data enhancement. Furthermore, RestNet50 deep convolutional neural network is constructed based on transfer learning to compare the effect of fish recognition before and after transfer learning. The results show that, the accuracy and loss indicators are better than those of non-transfer learning when the trained model of imagenet is introduced as the initial weight of the network. When the model is trained to 150 epochs, the indicators begin to converge, which can better complete the fish identification task in tropical waters under unconstrained environment.
Successful storage of Trichomonas gallinae on Whatman FTA cards following culture
Authors: Thomas Rebecca C. , Dunn Jenny C. , Orsman Chris J. , Morris Antony J. , Hipperson Helen , Grice Philip V. , Hamer Keith C. , Goodman Simon J.
Published: April 2022

Logistical constraints concerning parasite sample storage can hinder progress with the discovery of genetic variation on a global scale. New storage methods are being developed to address this, but require testing in order to understand how widely applicable these methods are. Whatman FTA cards have been tested previously under laboratory conditions for storing low-concentration Trichomonas gallinae isolates with the conclusion that they are not suitable, but have not been tested under field conditions. Here, we conducted a field-test, comparing FTA cards with storage in ethanol for T. gallinae samples collected and cultured from wild Columbiformes in Africa using standard field methods, before transportation to the UK. After 6 months storage, both methods resulted in an overall prevalence of 100% following PCR amplification (n = 59), suggesting that FTA cards are suitable for estimation of T. gallinae prevalence. However, samples stored in ethanol produced more, and longer, sequences than those stored on FTA cards. These data suggest storage in ethanol is preferable for the acquisition of high quality genetic strain data, but that FTA cards can be used successfully to ascertain infection prevalence and identify parasite strains under field conditions.
An Ambiguous Role for Fever in Worsening Outcome After Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Liddle Lane J. , Dirks Christine A. , Almekhlafi Mohammed , Colbourne Frederick
Published: April 2022

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) accounts for 10–15% of all strokes and leaves most survivors with impairments. Fever, a rise in the thermoregulatory set point, complicates ICH. This review summarizes ICH fever studies and employs meta-analytic techniques to explore the relationship between fever and ICH. We discuss methodological considerations for future studies and provide an overview of mechanisms by which fever, and its treatment, may impact ICH. We searched the PubMed database using the following terms: ((fever OR hyperthermia) AND (intracerebral hemorrhage OR intraparenchymal hemorrhage OR intracerebral haemorrhage OR intraparenchymal haemorrhage)). Our search returned 727 studies, of which 21 were included in our final analysis, consisting of 19 clinical, and two preclinical, studies. We conducted a meta-analysis on the clinical data to quantify how fever is related to mortality, functional outcomes, and intraventricular hemorrhage. Analysis of clinical studies suggested that fever causes an increased risk of mortality but does not appear to be associated with poor outcomes among survivors, making it difficult to ascertain the extent of harm caused by post-ICH fever or the benefits of its treatment. Perhaps these inconsistencies stem from variable fever definitions, and temperature measurement and fever treatment protocols. Additionally, the lack of mechanistic data in clinical studies coupled with preclinical studies showing no harmful effects of moderate bouts of hyperthermia raise concerns about the direct contribution of hyperthermia and fever in post ICH outcome. Overall, the significance of temperature increases after ICH is unclear, making this an important area for future research.
Efficient use of data for LSTM mortality forecasting
Authors: Lindholm M. , Palmborg L.
Published: April 2022

We consider a simple long short-term memory (LSTM) neural network extension of the Poisson Lee-Carter model, with a particular focus on different procedures for how to use training data efficiently, combined with ensembling to stabilise the predictive performance. We compare the standard approach of withholding the last fraction of observations for validation, with two other approaches: sampling a fraction of observations randomly in time; and splitting the population into two parts by sampling individual life histories. We provide empirical and theoretical support for using these alternative approaches. Furthermore, to improve the stability of long-term predictions, we consider boosted versions of the Poisson Lee-Carter LSTM. In the numerical illustrations it is seen that even in situations where mortality rates are essentially log-linear as a function of calendar time, the boosted model does not perform significantly worse than a simple random walk with drift, and when non-linearities are present the predictive performance is improved. Moreover, boosting allows us to obtain reasonable model calibrations based on as few data points as 20 years.
Indole alkaloids of Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br. alleviated nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in mice fed with high-fat diet
Authors: Sun Shui-Fen , Zhong Hui-Jie , Zhao Yun-Li , Ma Xiu-Ying , Luo Jin-Bo , Zhu Ling , Zhang Yu-Ting , Wang Wen-Xue , Luo Xiao-Dong , Geng Jia-Wei
Published: April 2022

Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br (Apocynaceae) is a well-documented medicinal plant for treating respiratory diseases, liver diseases and diabetes traditionally. The current study aimed to investigate the effects of TA on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). A NAFLD model was established using mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) and administered with TA (7.5, 15 and 30 mg/kg) orally for 6 weeks. The biochemical parameters, expressions of lipid metabolism-related genes or proteins were analyzed. Furthermore, histopathological examinations were evaluated with Hematoxylin–Eosin and MASSON staining. TA treatment significantly decreased the bodyweight of HFD mice. The concentrations of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglyceride (TG), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were also decreased significantly in TA-treated mice group, accompanied by an increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Furthermore, TA alleviated hepatic steatosis injury and lipid droplet accumulation of liver tissues. The liver mRNA levels involved in hepatic lipid synthesis such as sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1C (SREBP-1C), regulators of liver X receptor α (LXRα), peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR)γ, acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC1) and stearyl coenzyme A dehydrogenase-1 (SCD1), were markedly decreased, while the expressions involved in the regulation of fatty acid oxidation, PPARα, carnitine palmitoyl transterase 1 (CPT1A), and acyl coenzyme A oxidase 1 (ACOX1) were increased in TA-treated mice. TA might attenuate NAFLD by regulating hepatic lipogenesis and fatty acid oxidation.
Insights on Chemical and Natech Risk Management in Japan and South Korea: A Review of Current Practices
Authors: Park Hyejeong , Cruz Ana Maria
Published: April 2022

A growing number of natural hazard-triggered technological accidents (Natech) has been reported by several researchers, and this trend is expected to continue due to climate change. As a result, some governments have initiated direct efforts to manage Natech risks, particularly in the United States and Europe. However, two surveys conducted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 2009 and 2017 found that there was a lack of proper risk management and risk governance for Natech among OECD member states, including Japan and South Korea. This study aimed to identify relevant regulations and practical considerations for chemical and Natech risk management from government perspectives in Japan and South Korea. The article provides a review of the current state of risk management, emergency response, and risk communication on chemical and Natech risk management in the two countries, and concludes with a discussion of some of the issues that require improvement of the current chemical risk management. Current practices for chemical risk management in Japan and South Korea point to the possibility of improvements in dealing with the Natech risks. These practical lessons will be valuable for improving the capacity for dealing with challenges in chemical and Natech risk management.