bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geospatial modeling for planning an optimum and least-cost route to link three historical sites in El-Fayoum desert, Egypt
Authors: Effat Hala A. , El-Zeiny Ahmed , Sowilem M. , Mansour K. , Elwan Khaled
Published: August 2023

Improving the accessibility to archaeological sites in a desert is a crucial issue; it enhances the landscape value and helps in achieving sustainable tourism development. El-Fayoum Oasis and Governorate in Egypt, has a unique heterogenic environment that encompasses desert, lakes, agriculture lands, and  urban areas. It is quite rich in historical heritage reflected by abundant archaeological and cultural sites, many of which fall in desert zones. A main constraint is the poor or lack of accessibility to such sites. In this study, we designed a geospatial model for planning a sustainable least cost tourist route (path) to link and develop three archaeological sites namely; Madinet Madi, Watfa city and Ummal-Barijat ruins. Spatial multicriteria decision analysis was integrated with the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and the least cost path modules. Three cost criteria themes were created associated with economic, social and environmental costs. A cost surface and a least-cost path were created for each criterion and for each theme. The themes were combined using weighted linear combination to create four least cost scenarios for the path. Five preference criteria were used to compare the four route scenarios. Results show that the environmental scenario scored first scoring 0.69 while the economy path scores second 0.42, the equal weights path scores third 0.40 and finally the social path comes to be the last having a preference score 0.36. The method is flexible because priority can be changed and adapted according to specifications and site variances. It can be helpful for decision makers and planners in planning routes based on visual maps and priority visions.
Post-thaw quality assessment of testicular fragments as a source of spermatogonial cells for surrogate production in the flatfish Solea senegalensis
Authors: Cabrita Elsa , Pacchiarini Tiziana , Fatsini Elvira , Sarasquete Carmen , Herráez María Paz
Published: August 2023

Cryopreservation of germ cells would facilitate the availability of cells at any time allowing the selection of donors and maintaining quality control for further applications such as transplantation and germline recovery. In the present study, we analyzed the efficiency of four cryopreservation protocols applied either to isolated cell suspensions or to testes fragments from Senegalese sole. In testes fragments, the quality of cryopreserved germ cells was analyzed in vitro in terms of cell recovery, integrity and viability, DNA integrity (fragmentation and apoptosis), and lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde levels). Transplantation of cryopreserved germ cells was performed to check the capacity of cells to in vivo incorporate into the gonadal primordium of Senegalese sole early larval stages (6 days after hatching (dah), pelagic live), during metamorphosis (10 dah) and at post-metamorphic stages (16 dah and 20 dah, benthonic life). Protocols incorporating dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as a cryoprotectant showed higher number of recovered spermatogonia, especially in samples cryopreserved with L-15 + DMSO (0.39 ± 0.18 × 106 cells). Lipid peroxidation and DNA fragmentation were also significantly lower in this treatment compared with other treatments. An important increase in oxidation (MDA levels) was detected in samples containing glycerol as a cryoprotectant, reflected also in terms of DNA damage. Transplantation of L-15 + DMSO cryopreserved germ cells into larvae during early metamorphosis (10 dah, 5.2 mm) showed higher incorporation of cells (27.30 ± 5.27%) than other larval stages (lower than 11%). Cryopreservation of germ cells using testes fragments frozen with L-15 + DMSO was demonstrated to be a useful technique to store Senegalese sole germline.
Masculinity, Citizenship, and Demography: the Rise of Populism
Authors: Turner Bryan S.
Published: August 2023

The article examines the rise of contemporary populist movements in Europe and North America. These movements are driven primarily by working-class men who feel marginalized by developments in employment, work conditions, family life, and, in particular, by gender politics and the modern status of women. The growth of the service sector has created new opportunities for women. Demography, especially the decline in the fertility rate, has been neglected in sociological theories of the modern development of radical populism. With a declining and ageing population, the labor market depends increasingly on immigrant workers. These circumstances—feminism and migration—fuel the frustration of marginalized men who form the basis of radical populism.
The Relationship Between Autism and Pitch Perception is Modulated by Cognitive Abilities
Authors: Ong Jia Hoong , Zhao Chen , Bacon Alex , Leung Florence Yik Nam , Veic Anamarija , Wang Li , Jiang Cunmei , Liu Fang
Published: August 2023

Previous studies reported mixed findings on autistic individuals’ pitch perception relative to neurotypical (NT) individuals. We investigated whether this may be partly due to individual differences in cognitive abilities by comparing their performance on various pitch perception tasks on a large sample (n = 164) of autistic and NT children and adults. Our findings revealed that: (i) autistic individuals either showed similar or worse performance than NT individuals on the pitch tasks; (ii) cognitive abilities were associated with some pitch task performance; and (iii) cognitive abilities modulated the relationship between autism diagnosis and pitch perception on some tasks. Our findings highlight the importance of taking an individual differences approach to understand the strengths and weaknesses of pitch processing in autism.
Treatment Engagement as a Predictor of Therapy Outcome Following Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Autistic Children
Authors: Albaum Carly S. , Sellitto Teresa , Vashi Nisha , Bohr Yvonne , Weiss Jonathan A.
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Active engagement in one’s therapy is a key contributor to successful outcomes. Research on child engagement in cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) has largely focused on youth without autism. This longitudinal study examined multiple indicators of child engagement in relation to outcomes for autistic children who took part in CBT for emotion regulation. Method: Data were collected from 60 autistic children who were between 8 and 13 years of age (86.7% male; Mage = 9.58 years, SD = 1.44 years; 75% White). Indicators of child engagement included independent observer ratings of in-session involvement, as measured by the Child Involvement Rating Scale, and therapist ratings of the therapeutic relationship and homework completion using single-item measures. Indicators of engagement were measured at early (i.e., first third), middle (i.e., mid third), and late (i.e., final third) stages of treatment. Parent-reported emotion regulation was the primary treatment outcome, as measured by the Emotion Regulation Checklist. Results: After controlling for pre-treatment scores, in-session involvement significantly predicted some aspects of post-treatment emotion regulation, whereas therapeutic relationship and homework completion did not. Conclusions: Child in-session involvement throughout therapy may be particularly relevant for treatment change. Addressing issues related to in-session involvement early in treatment may help to promote therapeutic success for autistic children.
Entering the grey zone of aging between health and disease: a critical phenomenological account
Authors: Zeiler K. , Segernäs A. , Gunnarson M.
Published: August 2023

Phenomenological analyses of ageing and old age have examined themes such as alterity, finitude, and time, not seldom from the perspective of “healthy” aging. Phenomenologists have also offered detailed analyses of lived experiences of illness including lived experiences of dementia. This article offers a phenomenological account of what we label as entering the grey zone of aging between “healthy” aging and aging with a disease. This account is developed through a qualitative phenomenological philosophy analysis of elderly persons’ lived experiences of being tested for dementia through primary care in Sweden, i.e., within a cultural context where dementia commonly is understood as a frightening a loss of self even though this understanding also is questioned. To enter this grey zone of aging, we argue, does not dissolve dynamic self-becoming but can involve an experience of oneself as being old. Further, in the grey zone, the self experiences itself as neither fully healthy nor as having a disease, and as needing to negotiate and live this ambiguity. To enter this grey zone is to enter an affectively charged, sociocultural and medicalized zone, and while the self can still act in different ways within it, staying in the grey zone can result in a re-orientation in the self’s mode of being, in ways that are thoroughly beyond its control. To stay in the grey zone can have detrimental effects on the self, even though the self does not have a disease: the self can become “stuck” in a reflective mode of attending to embodiment, aging, health, and disease.
Oil radish, winter rye and crimson clover: root and shoot performance in cover crop mixtures
Authors: Kemper Roman , Döring Thomas F. , Legner Nicole , Meinen Catharina , Athmann Miriam
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The current knowledge of belowground interactions in intercropping systems is limited due to methodological constraints. The current study aimed to investigate cereal-brassica and cereal-legume-brassica cover crop mixtures regarding mixture effects on root and shoot biomass as well as root traits, vertical root niche differentiation, and complementarity.

Methods

Sole crops and two- and three-species-mixtures of winter rye (Secale cereale L.), crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.), and oil radish (Raphanus sativus L. var. oleiformis Pers.) were grown in Germany in a two-year organic field experiment. Root traits were analysed using the monolith method. For discrimination of species root mass Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used.

Results

Oil radish dominated mixtures above- and belowground. Oil radish and its mixtures had highest root length density (RLD) and root mass density (RMD) in subsoil. Rye had highest root biomass and RLD in topsoil. Clover was uncompetitive and had low RLD and RMD. Large but non-significant mixture effects occurred in the shoot, especially for shoot nutrient uptake. Mixture effects were positive for RLD and RMD in subsoil and positive for specific root length (SRL) throughout the whole profile. There was no clear evidence for vertical root niche differentiation and root mass complementarity.

Conclusion

Oil radish as a mixing partner increased rooting in subsoil. When comparing mixtures and sole crops, morphological changes, i.e. higher SRL in mixtures, were found. Contrary to expectations, changes in root allocation patterns, such as vertical niche differentiation or complementarity of root mass, were not observed.
Split Cycle: a new Condorcet-consistent voting method independent of clones and immune to spoilers
Authors: Holliday Wesley H. , Pacuit Eric
Published: August 2023

We propose a Condorcet-consistent voting method that we call Split Cycle. Split Cycle belongs to the small family of known voting methods satisfying the anti-vote-splitting criterion of independence of clones. In this family, only Split Cycle satisfies a new criterion we call immunity to spoilers, which concerns adding candidates to elections, as well as the known criteria of positive involvement and negative involvement, which concern adding voters to elections. Thus, in contrast to other clone-independent methods, Split Cycle mitigates both “spoiler effects” and “strong no show paradoxes.”
Corporate Leniency Programs for Antitrust: Past, Present, and Future
Authors: Hinloopen Jeroen , Onderstal Sander , Soetevent Adriaan
Published: August 2023

This special issue marks the 25th anniversary of the introduction of a leniency program for antitrust in the EU and contains five original papers: Each paper examines the effects of design parameters of leniency programs on their performance. Before introducing each contribution separately, we put them in perspective by introducing readers to the existing theoretical, empirical, and experimental literature on corporate leniency programs for antitrust.
Realism and the point at infinity: The end of the line?
Authors: Parkinson-Coombs Oisín , Núñez Rafael
Published: August 2023

Philosophers of mathematics often rely on the historical progress of mathematics in support of mathematical realism. These histories typically build on formal semantic tools to evaluate the changes in mathematics, and on these bases present later mathematical concepts as refined versions of earlier concepts which are taken to be vague. Claiming that this view does not apply to mathematical concepts in general, we present a case-study concerning projective geometry, for which we apply the tools of cognitive linguistics to analyse the developmental trajectory of the domain. On the basis of this analysis, we argue for the existence of two conceptually incompatible inferential structures, occurring at distinct moments in history, both of which yield the same projective geometric theorems; the first invoked by the French mathematicians Girard Desargues (1591–1661) and Jean-Victor Poncelet (1788–1867), and the second characterising a specific modern mode. We demonstrate that neither of these inferential structures can be considered as a refinement of the other. This case of conceptual development presents an issue to the standard account of progress and its bearing on mathematical realism. Our analysis suggests that the features that distinguish the underlying conceptually incompatible inferential structures are invisible to the standard application of the tools of formal semantics. Thus this case-study stands as an example of the manner and necessity of linguistics—specifically cognitive linguistics—to inform the philosophy of mathematics.
Quantification in the interpretational theory of validity
Authors: Grossi Marco
Published: August 2023

According to the interpretational theory of logical validity (IR), logical validity is preservation of truth in all interpretations compatible with the intended meaning of logical expressions. IR suffers from a seemingly defeating objection, the so-called cardinality problem: any instance of the statement ‘There arenthings’ is true under all interpretations, since it can be written down using only logical expressions that are not to be reinterpreted; yet ‘There arenthings’ is not logically true. I argue that the cardinality problem is indeed a serious problem for IR, when understood in terms of ‘asymmetry of information’. I then argue that IR can be rehabilitated by making quantifiers context-sensitive: what we do not reinterpret is the Kaplanian character of a quantifier, rather than its content. ‘There arenthings’ is false in a context where fewer thannthings are relevant, so it is not logically true in IR. I finally discuss some objections and ramifications of my account: I discuss how to make space for the possibility of an explicitly absolutely general quantifier in my framework, how terms can be logical even though context-sensitive, and how to recapture classical logic within my framework.
Targeting MerTK decreases efferocytosis and increases anti-tumor immune infiltrate in prostate cancer
Authors: Myers Chen Kayla V. , de Groot Amber E. , Mendez Sabrina A. , Mallin Mikaela M. , Amend Sarah R. , Pienta Kenneth J.
Published: August 2023

The prostate cancer tumor microenvironment (TME) is comprised of many cell types that can contribute to and influence tumor progression. Some of the most abundant prostate cancer TME cells are macrophages, which can be modeled on a continuous spectrum of M1-like (anti-tumor macrophages) to M2-like (pro-tumor macrophages). A function of M2-like macrophages is efferocytosis, the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells. Based on literature from other models and contexts, efferocytosis further supports the M2-like macrophage phenotype. MerTK is a receptor tyrosine kinase that mediates efferocytosis by binding phosphatidylserine on apoptotic cells. We hypothesize efferocytosis in the prostate cancer TME is a tumor-promoting function of macrophages and that targeting MerTK-mediated efferocytosis will slow prostate cancer growth and promote an anti-tumor immune infiltrate. The aims of this study are to measure efferocytosis of prostate cancer cells by in vitro human M1/M2 macrophage models and assess changes in the M2-like, pro-tumor macrophage phenotype following prostate cancer efferocytosis. Additionally, this study aims to demonstrate that targeting MerTK decreases prostate cancer efferocytosis and promotes an anti-tumor immune infiltrate. We have developed methodology using flow cytometry to quantify efferocytosis of human prostate cancer cells using the LNCaP cell line. We observed that M2 macrophages efferocytose the LNCaP cell line more than M1 macrophages. Following efferocytosis of LNCaP cells by M2 human monocyte-derived macrophages (HMDMs), we observed an increase in the M2-like, pro-tumor phenotype by flow cytometry cell surface marker analysis. By qRT-PCR, flow cytometry, and Western blot, we detected greater MerTK expression in M2 than M1 macrophages. Targeting MerTK with antibody Mer590 decreased LNCaP efferocytosis by M2 HMDMs, establishing the role of MerTK in prostate cancer efferocytosis. In the prostate cancer mouse model hi-myc, Mertk KO increased anti-tumor immune infiltrate including CD8 T cells. These findings support targeting MerTK-mediated efferocytosis as a novel therapy for prostate cancer.
Are agricultural extension systems ready to scale up ecological intensification in East Africa? A literature review with particular attention to the Push-Pull Technology (PPT)
Authors: Isgren Ellinor , Clough Yann , Murage Alice , Andersson Elina
Published: August 2023

Agricultural extension, or advisory services, have a key role to play in supporting farmers’ learning and adoption of new practices and technologies. This paper analyses gaps and needs which require addressing in order for extension systems to more effectively contribute to the upscaling of ecological intensification approaches in East African smallholder agriculture. Our starting point is the push-pull technology (PPT), a promising approach. PPT originated in East Africa and is being continuously improved through cycles of interdisciplinary and participatory experimentation. Despite well-documented benefits to farmers and the environment, more institutional support from agricultural extension systems (AES) is needed for PPT to realise significant impact on poverty reduction, food security, and sustainability. Departing from this assessment, we review literature on AES in five East African countries. After clarifying the AES characteristics that ecological intensification requires, emphasising the capacity to embrace complexity, we identify four thematic areas that are in urgent need of attention: first, widely recognised problems with access and inclusiveness have seen welcome innovation but remain substantial. Second, information and communication technologies provide many benefits and new possibilities, but expectations must be tempered. Third, pluralistic AES present coordination challenges that risk undermining and misdirecting extension. Finally, the political-economic underpinnings of extension require critical scrutiny and strategic interventions. While many challenges threaten extension effectiveness broadly, we highlight implications for ecological intensification approaches like PPT. Our insights thus speak to the broader question of how to design and implement extension for sustainable agricultural development in East Africa.
Application of item response theory modelling to measure an aggregate food security access score
Authors: Charamba Vonai , Kazembe Lawrence N. , Nickanor Ndeyapo
Published: August 2023

Food security measurement is of paramount importance as it guides governance, policy formulation and intervention projects targeting and monitoring and evaluation. The measurement of food insecurity has proven to be a difficult task owing to the multi-dimensionality of the construct and different measurements have been developed to measure different dimensions of food insecurity. However, it is difficult to apply the different measurements to a holistic food security measurement as their classification might not agree. The current study proposes a composite food insecurity indicator by aggregating items from Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS), Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) and Months of Inadequate Household Food Provision (MIHFP) for Windhoek households’ data into a single measure using the Rasch Testlet Response Model. The composite measure was internally validated against the HDDS, HFIAS and MIHFP and externally validated against household income and the Lived Poverty Index (LPI) using Spearman's Rank Correlation and Cohen's Kappa. The validation results suggest that the metric could be a promising measure of aggregate food insecurity worth further investigation and discussion. However, more research is needed in coming up with cut-points for categorizing households into food insecurity statuses. In addition, the metric has only been computed and tested on a single urban sample in the Global South and hence it is not generalizable to different setups. Other researchers who might want to use the index can try to estimate and validate the index in different scenarios and suggest ways the index can be improved.
Chemotherapy following immune checkpoint inhibitors in recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: clinical effectiveness and influence of inflammatory and nutritional factors
Authors: Sakai Akihiro , Ebisumoto Koji , Iijima Hiroaki , Yamauchi Mayu , Teramura Takanobu , Yamazaki Aritomo , Watanabe Takane , Inagi Toshihide , Maki Daisuke , Okami Kenji
Published: August 2023

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of chemotherapy following immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). The association between inflammatory and nutritional factors and prognosis has also been investigated.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (RMHNSCC) patients who received chemotherapy following ICI therapy. The response rate and survival after chemotherapy, and nutritional and inflammatory factors, were examined.

Results

The ICI before chemotherapy was nivolumab in 36 patients (70.6%) and pembrolizumab in 15 patients (29.4%). The chemotherapy regimens consisted of PTX in 32 patients (62.7%), PTX + Cmab in 9 (17.6%), and S1 in 10 (19.6%). The median overall survival (OS) was 20 months (95% CI 12–25), the estimated 12-month OS rate was 63.3%, the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 5 months (CI 4–6), and the 12-month PFS estimate was 8.9%. Univariate analysis significantly correlated Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), controlling nutritional status score (CONUT), and prognostic nutrition index (PNI) with OS and PFS. Additionally, these factors were significantly correlated with OS and PFS in the log-rank tests.

Conclusions

Chemotherapy following ICI is highly effective. There were no significant differences in the chemotherapy regimens. Inflammatory and nutritional factors may associate with patient prognosis after chemotherapy.
OSR1 downregulation indicates an unfavorable prognosis and activates the NF-κB pathway in ovarian cancer
Authors: Yu Zhong , Ouyang Ling
Published: August 2023

Background

Odd-skipped related 1 (OSR1) has been reported as a tumor suppressor gene in various malignant tumors. The mechanism through which OSR1 regulates ovarian cancer (OC) progression remains unclear.

Materials and methods

Immunohistochemistry was utilized to evaluate OSR1 expression in patients with ovarian cancer. We investigated the association between clinicopathological parameters and OSR1 expression in OC patients and the influence of OSR1 expression on patient survival and prognosis. OC cells with OSR1 overexpression or knockdown were established and validated using Western blot and Quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The influence of OSR1 on the NF-κB pathway was examined by analyzing the p-IκBα, IκBα, p65, and p-p65 protein expression. In vitro assays, such as cell cycle assay, Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), transwell invasion assay, wound healing migration assay, enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA), and Annexin V/PI flow cytometry apoptosis assay, were conducted to explore the effect of OSR1 knockdown or dual inhibition of OSR1 and the NF-κB pathway on OC malignant biological behavior.

Results

OSR1 expression was downregulated in OC tissues, with significant associations observed between its expression and The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage and tissue differentiation. Low OSR1 expression in OC patients correlated with reduced overall survival (OS) rates and poor prognosis. In vitro, experiments confirmed a negative correlation between OSR1 expression and NF-κB pathway activity. OSR1 knockdown facilitated OC cell malignant biological behavior, while the NF-κB pathway inhibitor (Bay 11-0782) reversed the impacts of OSR1 knockdown on cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that OSR1 is downregulated and associated with OC prognosis. OSR1 suppresses NF-κB pathway activity and inhibits OC progression by targeting the NF-κB pathway.
Effect of geometry and hydraulic parameters on the bed morphology in a confluence using numerical approach
Authors: Pourvahedi Milad , Hosseini Khosrow , Mousavi Sayed-Farhad , Geranmayeh Kiarash
Published: August 2023

The confluence of rivers is an important phenomenon that is really vital for irrigation and water transmission networks. Investigation on bed morphology at the junction of two streams is of great importance. Flow complexity at confluences, as well as being at risks of rising water levels and flooding, interfering with the use of bridges, filling the inlets of the ponds and reducing the efficiency of water transport are resulted by this phenomenon. The purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of geometric and hydraulic parameters, such as junction angle, width ratio of two intersected canals, and Froude number on the bed morphology at intersection, using SSIIM2. Validation of the results of numerical model in terms of hydraulic and morphology parameters indicated good correlations coefficients of 0.9 and 0.68, respectively. In the next step, the effect of intersection angle (45, 60, 75, 90 and 105 degrees) on the scour depth was investigated. By decreasing the junction angle from 105° to 45°, the maximum scour depth reduced to about 96% and the scour hole dimensions were smaller and moved toward the confluence shore. Furthermore, the results showed that by increasing the width ratio from 0.5 to 1, and also, decreasing the Froude number ratio of tributary to main channel from 3 to 0.68, maximum scour depth decreased by 25% and 30%, respectively.
Benefitting Nonhuman Animals with AI: Why Going Beyond “Do No Harm” Is Important
Authors: Bossert Leonie N.
Published: August 2023

AI technologies affect not only humans in many ways but also sentient animals. When investigating the impact of AI on other animals, it is important to consider how these technologies can harm them. However, it is equally important to explore how they can be used to enable animals to live good lives and improve their wellbeing. In this article, I present the rationale for this claim (Section 1), highlight applications through which AI systems are or can be used to benefit nonhuman animals, and show how these benefits can be classified in terms of the harm framework proposed by Coghlan and Parker (Philosophy & Technology 36:25, 2023; Section 2). Finally, I identify open research questions that need to be addressed next (Section 3).
Public Biological Databases and the Sui Generis Database Right
Authors: Bernier Alexander , Busse Christian , Bubela Tania
Published: August 2023

The sui generis database right is an intellectual property right created in the European Union to stimulate investment in the curation of databases. Since its inception, communities engaged in research and development efforts have questioned its potential to incentivise database production, and posit that it stifles productive downstream uses of existing datasets. European courts have restricted the right’s ambit through a restrictive interpretation of the circumstances in which it applies, which we argue, enables downstream use of biological databases. Nonetheless, residual ambiguities about potential infringement of the right exist. The prospect of unintentional infringement can frustrate downstream innovation. These ambiguities are compounded because the criteria that determine whether or not the right applies are reliant on information that is not available to the prospective downstream users of public datasets. Repealing the sui generis database right is recommended. Legislatures are advised to refrain from the implementation of broad novel intellectual property rights in the future, without first adopting safeguards that mitigate the potential for such rights to frustrate the reuse of available intangibles to the detriment of pro-social innovation.
Magnetohydrodynamic-based Internal Cooling System for a Ceramic Cutting Tool: Concept Design, Numerical Study, and Experimental Validation
Authors: O’Hara John , Fang Fengzhou
Published: August 2023

The effective removal of the heat generated during mechanical cutting processes is crucial to enhancing tool life and producing workpieces with superior surface finish. The internal cooling systems used in cutting inserts employ a liquid water-based solvent as the primary medium to transport the excess thermal energy generated during the cutting process. The limitations of this approach are the low thermal conductivity of water and the need for a mechanical input to circulate the coolant around the inner chamber of the cutting tool. In this context, this paper proposes an alternative method in which liquid gallium is used as the coolant in combination with a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) pump, which avoids the need for an external power source. Using computational fluid dynamics, we created a numerical model of an internal cooling system and then solved it under conditions in which a magnetic field was applied to the liquid metal. This was followed by a simulation study performed to evaluate the effectiveness of liquid gallium over liquid water. The results of experiments conducted under non-cooling and liquid gallium cooling conditions were analyzed and compared in terms of the tool wear rate. The results showed that after six machining cycles at a cutting speed Vc = 250 m min −1, the corner wear VBc rate was 75 µm with the coolant off and 48 µm with the MHD-based coolant on, representing a decrease of 36% in tool wear. At Vc = 900 m min−1, the corner wear VBc rate was 75 µm with the coolant off and 246 µm with the MHD-based coolant on, representing a decrease of 31% in tool wear. When external cooling using liquid water was added, the results showed at Vc = 250 m min−1, the difference between the tool wear rate reduction with the internal liquid gallium coolant relative to the external coolant was 29%. When the cutting speed was increased to Vc = 900 m min−1, the difference observed between the internal liquid gallium coolant relative to the external coolant was 16%. The study proves the feasibility of using liquid gallium as a coolant to effectively remove thermal energy through internally fabricated cooling channels in cutting inserts.
Feasibility of nitrate adsorption from aqueous solution by nitrogen and oxygen-modified pine bark biochar: experimental and computational approach
Authors: Kasera Nitesh , Gillikin Elizabeth , Kolar Praveen , Hall Steven G.
Published: August 2023

Efficient and economical wastewater treatment has presented itself as a global challenge. In this context, adsorption is one of the most effective methods to remove contaminants from wastewater. The present study evaluated the feasibility of chemically modified pine bark biochar’s nitrate adsorption ability. Pine bark biochar was modified with urea and sulfuric acid to remove nitrate from an aqueous solution. The physicochemical properties of the biochar samples, such as pH, pH at point of zero charges, surface atomic composition, surface morphology, and surface area, were evaluated. The equilibrium adsorption data were fitted to the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The kinetic data were fitted to different kinetic models (pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order, intraparticle diffusion, and Elovich). The adsorption data fitted well with the Langmuir and pseudo-first order models. The maximum nitrate adsorption capacity was found to be 1.548 mg g−1. Mass transfer studies were conducted to identify the rate-limiting step, values of the external mass transfer coefficient, and diffusion coefficient in the nitrate adsorption process by the modified biochar. The external mass transfer coefficients were in the range of 2.2 × 10–11–2.86 × 10–10 m s−1. The intraparticle diffusion coefficient ranged from 6.53 × 10–10 to 1.78 × 10–9 m2 s−1. The Biot number value less than 100 indicated that the adsorption was controlled by film diffusion. Interaction energies between nitrate ions and model biochar structures were calculated DFT-based quantum chemical software (Gaussian). The positive interaction energy values (2.3485–2.485 eV) suggested nitrate adsorption on model biochar structures was thermodynamically not feasible.

Graphical Abstract
Idecomp: imbalance-aware decomposition for class-decomposed classification using conditional GANs
Authors: Buczek Patryk , Zidan Usama , Gaber Mohamed Medhat , Abdelsamea Mohammed M.
Published: August 2023

Medical image classification tasks frequently encounter challenges associated with class imbalance, resulting in biased model training and suboptimal classification performance. To address this issue, the combination of class decomposition and transfer learning has proven to be effective in classifying imbalanced medical imaging datasets. Nevertheless, in order to further augment the performance gains achieved through the utilisation of class decomposition within deep learning frameworks, we propose a novel model coined imbalance-Aware Decomposition for Class-Decomposed Classification (iDeComp) model. By incorporating a conditional Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) model, iDeComp is capable of generating additional samples specifically tailored to underrepresented decomposed subclasses. This paper investigates the application of iDeComp using two different medical imaging datasets. iDeComp selects underrepresented samples from the training set of the sublevel classes within each dataset, which are then employed to train separate conditional Deep Convolutional GAN (DCGAN) models and verification models. The conditional DCGAN model is responsible for generating additional samples, while the verification model critically evaluates the appropriateness of the synthesised images. Subsequently, the resulting augmented samples are utilized to train the classification model. To assess the effectiveness of iDeComp, we employ various evaluation metrics including accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score. The results obtained from our experiments clearly indicate that iDeComp outperforms existing approaches in terms of classifying both imbalanced datasets.
Advances and perspectives in collaborative robotics: a review of key technologies and emerging trends
Authors: Patil Swapnil , Vasu V. , Srinadh K. V. S.
Published: August 2023

This review paper provides a literature survey of collaborative robots, or cobots, and their use in various industries. Cobots have gained popularity due to their ability to work with humans in a safe manner. The paper covers different aspects of cobots, including their design, control strategies, safety features, and human–robot interaction. The paper starts with a brief history and evolution of cobots, followed by a review of different control strategies and Safety features such as collision detection and avoidance, and safety-rated sensors are also examined. Further to this, a systematic review of Ergonomics is also taken into account. Additionally, the paper explores the challenges and opportunities presented by cobot’s technology, including the need for standards and regulations, the impact on employment, and the potential benefits to industry. The latest research in human–robot interaction is also discussed. Finally, the paper highlights current limitations of cobot’s technology and the need for further research to address technical and ethical challenges. This synthesis document is an invaluable resource for both academics and professionals interested while developing and application of cobot’s technology.
Explanation and the Right to Explanation
Authors: TAYLOR ELANOR
Published: August 2023

In response to widespread use of automated decision-making technology, some have considered a right to explanation. In this article, I draw on insights from philosophical work on explanation to present a series of challenges to this idea, showing that the normative motivations for access to such explanations ask for something difficult, if not impossible, to extract from automated systems. I consider an alternative, outcomes-focused approach to the normative evaluation of automated decision making and recommend it as a way to pursue the goods originally associated with explainability.
New seeds?
Authors: Dade-Robertson Martyn
Published: August 2023

Biotechnology Design is a question-led journal. All our contributions should relate to and help answer one of our questions. But how do we know if we are asking the right questions? What if we are missing a new piece of science, new concept, new challenge, or a new biotechnology idea that does not match one of our questions. Could this new idea lead to new questions? This is the space for these new ideas. We especially welcome contributions from early-stage research which combines early experimentation and scientific data with a new idea, challenge of application domain. These papers may ultimately be seeds for new questions, contributions to our non-peer review ‘Community Section’ which will develop over time to become full papers. As with all contributions to Biotechnology Design these contributions should be question-led and, as contributions to our ‘New Seeds?’ theme do not connect to an existing question, the question being answered should be clearly stated.
Disease Progression and Sphingolipids and Neurofilament Light Chain in Early Idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Couto Blas , Sousa Mario , Gonzalez-Latapi Paulina , McArthur Eric , Lang Anthony , Chen-Plotkin Alice , Marras Connie
Published: August 2023

Parkinson’s disease(PD) lacks a biomarker for disease progression. To analyze how cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), glucosylceramide (GlcCer), sphingomyelin (SM), or serum neurofilament light chain (NfL) associate with progression of PD in a retrospective cohort, we used linear mixed-model regressions between baseline biomarkers and change in dopamine transporter brain-imaging (DaTscan©), Montreal cognitive assesment (MoCA), or global composite outcome (GCO) score. In 191 PD patients, biomarkers were not associated with DaTscan or MoCA change over 2.1 years. Higher baseline GlcCer/SM ratio and serum-NfL nonsignificantly associated with increase in GCO score. Results do not support a role for CSF-sphingolipid/serum-NfL to predict cognitive and DaTscan progression in early-PD. Potential prediction of global clinical change warrants further study.
The Impact of Pollutants and Deforestation on the Spread of Monkeypox: An Unintended Consequence of Progress
Authors: Singh Ajeet , Shaikh Bisma
Published: August 2023

Monkeypox (MPX) is a rare zoonotic illness, like smallpox, caused by the monkeypox virus, which is a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus of the Chordopoxvirinae subfamily that falls under the classification of the Poxviridae family. MPX is clinically characterized by a wide variety of symptoms and signs, including fever, sore throat, headache, myalgia, lymphadenopathy, and rashes. As the world is undergoing progressive industrialization over time, there is a corresponding increase in environmental pollutants and deforestation. Previous studies have found a correlation between exposure to environmental contaminants and the incidence of MPX. Additionally, it has been hypothesized that deforestation may also have played a role in the disease’s resurgence or in its ability to spread. Habitat loss and ecological instability brought on by environmental contaminants and deforestation may increase human-infected animal interaction and hasten the spread. The likely connection should be known by health authorities and doctors, as well as government officials, to help fund further investigations and craft strategies to combat the risk of an increasing prevalence of MPX in the world, especially in densely populated underdeveloped regions of Asia and Africa, where containment of MPX poses greater challenges. In this article, we have provided an important real-world perspective and suggested future recommendations to halt the further spread of MPX to new places.
Need for living wages in India: Case studies of agricultural workers in rural Madhya Pradesh
Authors: Kaicker Nidhi , Mamkoottam Kuriakose
Published: August 2023

The present study discusses the current wage situation in India and the need for living wages as workers and employees grapple with the cost of living crisis. A case study of two districts of Madhya Pradesh (MP) state is presented to demonstrate how the living wage benchmarks based on the Anker Methodology compare with existing minimum wage fixations and other development indicators. The living wage benchmarking is based on field surveys conducted in Ratlam and Chhindwara districts in October–December 2021, and a rigorous analysis of nationally representative consumption and expenditure surveys conducted by the National Sample Survey Organisation and the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy. Our living wage estimates are 1.8 times the minimum wages for agricultural labourers and 43% more than those earned by non-agricultural unskilled labourers. Moreover, the actual wages reported are less than half of the estimated living wages, indicating that the current incomes and wages for workers and farmers of rural MP are far from adequate to lead a decent life.
Competition among the two-plasmon decay of backscattered light, filamentation of the electron-plasma wave and side stimulated Raman scattering
Authors: Pan K. Q. , Li Z. C. , Guo L. , Gong T. , Li S. W. , Yang D. , Zheng C. Y. , Zhang B. H. , He X. T.
Published: August 2023

Competition among the two-plasmon decay (TPD) of backscattered light of stimulated Raman scattering (SRS), filamentation of the electron-plasma wave (EPW) and forward side SRS is investigated by two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations. Our previous work [K. Q. Pan et al., Nucl. Fusion 58, 096035 (2018)] showed that in a plasma with the density near 1/10 of the critical density, the backscattered light would excite the TPD, which results in suppression of the backward SRS. However, this work further shows that when the laser intensity is so high (

$>{10}^{16}$

W/cm2) that the backward SRS cannot be totally suppressed, filamentation of the EPW and forward side SRS will be excited. Then the TPD of the backscattered light only occurs in the early stage and is suppressed in the latter stage. Electron distribution functions further show that trapped-particle-modulation instability should be responsible for filamentation of the EPW. This research can promote the understanding of hot-electron generation and SRS saturation in inertial confinement fusion experiments.
Resting energy metabolism and sweet taste preference during the menstrual cycle in healthy women
Authors: Malo-Vintimilla Lorena , Aguirre Carolina , Vergara Angie , Fernández-Verdejo Rodrigo , Galgani Jose E.
Published: August 2023

Differences in blood concentration of sex hormones in the follicular (FP) and luteal (LP) phases may influence energy metabolism in women. We compared fasting energy metabolism and sweet taste preference on a representative day of the FP and LP in twenty healthy women (25·3 (sd 5·1) years, BMI: 22·2 (sd 2·2) kg/m2) with regular self-reported menses and without the use of hormonal contraceptives. From the self-reported duration of the three prior menstrual cycles, the predicted FP and LP visits were scheduled for days 5–12 and 20–25 after menses, respectively. The order of the FP and LP visits was randomly assigned. On each visit, RMR and RQ by indirect calorimetry, sweet taste preference by the Monell two-series forced-choice tracking procedure, serum fibroblast growth factor 21 by a commercial ELISA (FGF21, a liver-derived protein with action in energy balance, fuel oxidation and sugar preference) and dietary food intake by a 24-h dietary recall were determined. Serum progesterone and oestradiol concentrations displayed the expected differences between phases. RMR was lower in the FP v. LP (5042 (sd 460) v. 5197 (sd 490) kJ/d, respectively; P = 0·04; Cohen effect size, drm = 0·33), while RQ showed borderline significant higher values (0·84 (sd 0·05) v. 0·81 (sd 0·05), respectively; P = 0·07; drm = 0·62). Also, in the FP v. LP, sweet taste preference was lower (12 (sd 8) v. 16 (sd 9) %; P = 0·04; drm = 0·47) concomitant with higher serum FGF21 concentration (294 (sd 164) v. 197 (sd 104) pg/ml; P < 0·01; drm = 0·66). The menstrual cycle is associated with changes in energy expenditure, sweet taste preference and oxidative fuel partitioning.
Improving prediction of psychosis in youth at clinical high-risk: pre-baseline symptom duration and cortical thinning as moderators of the NAPLS2 risk calculator
Authors: Worthington Michelle A. , Collins Meghan A. , Addington Jean , Bearden Carrie E. , Cadenhead Kristin S. , Cornblatt Barbara A. , Keshavan Matcheri , Mathalon Daniel H. , Perkins Diana O. , Stone William S. , Walker Elaine F. , Woods Scott W. , Cannon Tyrone D.
Published: August 2023

Background

Clinical implementation of risk calculator models in the clinical high-risk for psychosis (CHR-P) population has been hindered by heterogeneous risk distributions across study cohorts which could be attributed to pre-ascertainment illness progression. To examine this, we tested whether the duration of attenuated psychotic symptom (APS) worsening prior to baseline moderated performance of the North American prodrome longitudinal study 2 (NAPLS2) risk calculator. We also examined whether rates of cortical thinning, another marker of illness progression, bolstered clinical prediction models.

Methods

Participants from both the NAPLS2 and NAPLS3 samples were classified as either ‘long’ or ‘short’ symptom duration based on time since APS increase prior to baseline. The NAPLS2 risk calculator model was applied to each of these groups. In a subset of NAPLS3 participants who completed follow-up magnetic resonance imaging scans, change in cortical thickness was combined with the individual risk score to predict conversion to psychosis.

Results

The risk calculator models achieved similar performance across the combined NAPLS2/NAPLS3 sample [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.69], the long duration group (AUC = 0.71), and the short duration group (AUC = 0.71). The shorter duration group was younger and had higher baseline APS than the longer duration group. The addition of cortical thinning improved the prediction of conversion significantly for the short duration group (AUC = 0.84), with a moderate improvement in prediction for the longer duration group (AUC = 0.78).

Conclusions

These results suggest that early illness progression differs among CHR-P patients, is detectable with both clinical and neuroimaging measures, and could play an essential role in the prediction of clinical outcomes.