bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pharmacological activation of PIEZO1 in human red blood cells prevents Plasmodium falciparum invasion
Authors: Lohia Rakhee , Allegrini Benoit , Berry Laurence , Guizouarn Hélène , Cerdan Rachel , Abkarian Manouk , Douguet Dominique , Honoré Eric , Wengelnik Kai
Published: April 2023

An inherited gain-of-function variant (E756del) in the mechanosensitive cationic channel PIEZO1 was shown to confer a significant protection against severe malaria. Here, we demonstrate in vitro that human red blood cell (RBC) infection by Plasmodium falciparum is prevented by the pharmacological activation of PIEZO1. Yoda1 causes an increase in intracellular calcium associated with rapid echinocytosis that inhibits RBC invasion, without affecting parasite intraerythrocytic growth, division or egress. Notably, Yoda1 treatment significantly decreases merozoite attachment and subsequent RBC deformation. Intracellular Na+/K+ imbalance is unrelated to the mechanism of protection, although delayed RBC dehydration observed in the standard parasite culture medium RPMI/albumax further enhances the resistance to malaria conferred by Yoda1. The chemically unrelated Jedi2 PIEZO1 activator similarly causes echinocytosis and RBC dehydration associated with resistance to malaria invasion. Spiky outward membrane projections are anticipated to reduce the effective surface area required for both merozoite attachment and internalization upon pharmacological activation of PIEZO1. Globally, our findings indicate that the loss of the typical biconcave discoid shape of RBCs, together with an altered optimal surface to volume ratio, induced by PIEZO1 pharmacological activation prevent efficient P. falciparum invasion.
Alpine eclogite-facies modification of Li-Cs-Ta pegmatite from the Wolfsberg lithium deposit, Austria
Authors: Keyser William , Müller Axel , Steiner Ralf , Erambert Muriel , Kristoffersen Magnus , Unterweissacher Thomas
Published: April 2023

The Wolfsberg lithium deposit in Austria is one of the largest Li-Cs-Ta pegmatite resources in Europe. The deposit is part of the Austroalpine Unit Pegmatite Province in the Eastern Alps that formed during the high-temperature, low-pressure Permian extensional event and was subsequently overprinted by Cretaceous eclogite-facies metamorphism during the Alpine orogeny. The two pegmatite types distinguished at the deposit, amphibolite hosted-(AHP) and mica schist hosted-(MHP) pegmatite, consist of quartz, albite, K-feldspar, muscovite and spodumene with accessory apatite, beryl and columbite. Both pegmatite types have similar peraluminous granitic compositions and element distribution patterns. However, the AHP contains higher Li and Cs concentrations. Both pegmatite types display LREE-enriched/HREE-depleted chondrite-normalized REY patterns that suggest derivation from partial melting of basement mica schist during the Permian HT/LP extensional event. The Alpine metamorphism more strongly affected the MHP relative to the AHP, resulting in recrystallization of primary assemblages by metamorphic assemblages with lower rare-metal concentrations, and development of a strong foliation, during which (re)mobilized elements (e.g., Li, Cs) were concentrated along localized shear zones. Recognition of element remobilization in MHP associated with metamorphic overprinting may bear important implications towards mineral exploration for Li-Cs-Ta pegmatite in other strongly metamorphosed terranes.
Machine learning for optical chemical multi-analyte imaging
Authors: Zieger Silvia E. , Koren Klaus
Published: April 2023

Simultaneous sensing of metabolic analytes such as pH and O2 is critical in complex and heterogeneous biological environments where analytes often are interrelated. However, measuring all target analytes at the same time and position is often challenging. A major challenge preventing further progress occurs when sensor signals cannot be directly correlated to analyte concentrations due to additional effects, overshadowing and complicating the actual correlations. In fields related to optical sensing, machine learning has already shown its potential to overcome these challenges by solving nested and multidimensional correlations. Hence, we want to apply machine learning models to fluorescence-based optical chemical sensors to facilitate simultaneous imaging of multiple analytes in 2D. We present a proof-of-concept approach for simultaneous imaging of pH and dissolved O2 using an optical chemical sensor, a hyperspectral camera for image acquisition, and a multi-layered machine learning model based on a decision tree algorithm (XGBoost) for data analysis. Our model predicts dissolved O2 and pH with a mean absolute error of < 4.50·10−2 and < 1.96·10−1, respectively, and a root mean square error of < 2.12·10−1 and < 4.42·10−1, respectively. Besides the model-building process, we discuss the potentials of machine learning for optical chemical sensing, especially regarding multi-analyte imaging, and highlight risks of bias that can arise in machine learning-based data analysis.
Evaluation of lateral epicondylopathy, posterior interosseous nerve compression, and plica syndrome as co-existing causes of chronic tennis elbow
Authors: Bonczar Michał , Ostrowski Patryk , Dziedzic Martyna , Kasprzyk Marcin , Obuchowicz Rafał , Zacharias Tomasz , Marchewka Jakub , Walocha Jerzy , Koziej Mateusz
Published: April 2023

Purpose

A great number of patients that suffer from lateral epicondylitis, commonly called tennis elbow (TE), are not successfully treated, meaning, not getting adequate therapeutic effects and the main origin of the pain not being handled appropriately. The hypothesis of the present study is that the inefficiency of the treatment of the chronic TE may often be due to underdiagnosis of posterior interosseous nerve (PIN) entrapment or and plica syndrome, as the authors believe that those pathologies can often occur simultaneously.

Methods

A prospective cross sectional study was conducted. A total of 31 patients met the required criteria.

Results

Thirteen (40.7%) of the patients had more than one source of the lateral elbow pain. Five patients (15.6%) had all three examined pathologies. Six patients (18.8%) had TE and PIN syndrome. Two patients (6.3%) had TE and plica syndrome.

Conclusion

The present study demonstrated concomitant potential sources of lateral elbow pain in patients diagnosed with chronic TE. Our analysis shows how important it is to systematically diagnose patients that present with lateral elbow pain. The clinical characteristics of the three most common causes of chronic lateral elbow pain, meaning, TE, PIN compression, and plicae syndrome were also analyzed. Having adequate knowledge about the clinical aspects of these pathologies can help with a more effective differentiation of the etiology of chronic lateral elbow pain, and with that, a more efficient and cost-effective treatment plan.
An algebraic characterization of self-generating chemical reaction networks using semigroup models
Authors: Loutchko Dimitri
Published: April 2023

The ability of a chemical reaction network to generate itself by catalyzed reactions from constantly present environmental food sources is considered a fundamental property in origin-of-life research. Based on Kaufmann’s autocatalytic sets, Hordijk and Steel have constructed the versatile formalism of catalytic reaction systems (CRS) to model and to analyze such self-generating networks, which they named reflexively autocatalytic and food-generated. Recently, it was established that the subsequent and simultaenous catalytic functions of the chemicals of a CRS give rise to an algebraic structure, termed a semigroup model. The semigroup model allows to naturally consider the function of any subset of chemicals on the whole CRS. This gives rise to a generative dynamics by iteratively applying the function of a subset to the externally supplied food set. The fixed point of this dynamics yields the maximal self-generating set of chemicals. Moreover, the set of all functionally closed self-generating sets of chemicals is discussed and a structure theorem for this set is proven. It is also shown that a CRS which contains self-generating sets of chemicals cannot have a nilpotent semigroup model and thus a useful link to the combinatorial theory of finite semigroups is established. The main technical tool introduced and utilized in this work is the representation of the semigroup elements as decorated rooted trees, allowing to translate the generation of chemicals from a given set of resources into the semigroup language.
Fascinating study of elastic, FTIR, and antimicrobial properties of silver nanochromite at different annealing temperatures
Authors: Gamal W. M. , El-Bassuony Asmaa A. H. , Abdelsalam H. K.
Published: April 2023

In this work, Ag0.5Cr2.5O4 nanochromite is fabricated utilizing a simple process (flash technique) at various annealing temperatures (room and 900 °C). The particle sizes of the materials under study were shown to be in the nanoscale range by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis was performed to verify the fabrication of the examined nanosamples and evaluate the bands behavior. The tetrahedral A-site (622.9 cm−1 for room temperature, 630.6 cm−1 for 900 °C) and the octahedral B-site (557.3 cm−1 for room temperature, 563.1 cm−1 for 900 °C) were the two prominent bands measured by FTIR analysis. The elastic characteristics of Ag0.5Cr2.5O4 nanoparticles were examined using FTIR measurements, revealing that the interatomic bonding of the atoms at 900 °C is higher than at room temperature. In addition, the elastic characteristics may be understood by analyzing the transverse and longitudinal velocities. Both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were effectively inhibited by the samples evaluated for antibacterial properties; however, neither sample showed any antifungal activity. Therefore, it is highly suggested that the investigated samples could be used in different applications, particularly biological ones.
Effective removal of Pb(II) and Cu(II) from aqueous solutions using a hybrid composite of fuller's earth, aluminum silicate and chitosan
Authors: Kandil Heba , El-Wakeel Shaimaa T.
Published: April 2023

In this study, a highly effective hybrid adsorbent composite based on low-cost fuller’s earth (FE), aluminum silicate (AS) and chitosan (CS) was prepared using a facile method. The prepared composite was applied to adsorb lead (Pb2+) and copper (Cu2+) ions from aqueous solutions. Several analyses such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to characterize the composite. The adsorption efficiency of the prepared composite was investigated at different operating conditions. Moreover, the adsorption isotherm/kinetic models and adsorption thermodynamics of the composite were examined. The results showed that the pseudo-second-order kinetic model described well with the obtained data and the adsorption equilibrium can be better described by Langmuir isotherm model with maximum adsorption capacities of 305.5 and 284.2 mg/g for Pb2+ and Cu2+, respectively. The obtained data demonstrated that the prepared composite is an efficient and kinetically fast metal ion removal with high adsorption capacity and recovery efficiency.

Graphical abstract
Four-factor risk score for the prediction of interstitial lung disease in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Koduri Gouri Mani , Podlasek Anna , Pattapola Shyanthi , Zhang Jufen , Laila Deena , Nandagudi Anupama , Dubey Shirish , Kelly Clive
Published: April 2023

Objective

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is one of the commonest systemic complications in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and carries a significant morbidity and mortality burden. We aimed to identify key variables to risk-stratify RA patients in order to identify those at increased risk of developing ILD. We propose a probability score based on the identification of these variables.

Methods

A retrospective, multicentre study using clinical data collected between 2010 and 2020, across 20 centres.

Results

A total of 430 RA (210 with ILD confirmed on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT)) patients were evaluated. We explored several independent variables for the risk of developing ILD in RA and found that the key significant variables were smoking (past or present), older age and positive rheumatoid factor/anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to form a scoring system for categorising patients into high and low risk on a scale of 0–9 points and a cut-off score of 5, based on the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.76 (CI 95% 0.71–0.82). This yielded a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 58%. High-risk patients should be considered for investigation with HRCT and monitored closely.

Conclusion

We have proposed a new model for identifying RA patients at risk of developing ILD. This approach identified four simple clinical variables: age, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies, Rheumatoid factor and smoking, which allowed development of a predictive scoring system for the presence of ILD in patients with RA.
Multi-parametric MRI in the diagnosis and scoring of gastrointestinal acute graft-versus-host disease
Authors: Maccioni Francesca , La Rocca Ursula , Milanese Alberto , Busato Ludovica , Cleri Arianna , Lopez Mariangela , Manganaro Lucia , De Felice Carlo , Di Gioia Cira , Vestri Anna Rita , Catalano Carlo , Iori Anna Paola
Published: April 2023

Objectives

Acute gastrointestinal graft-versus-host disease (GI-aGVHD) is a severe complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Diagnosis relies on clinical, endoscopic, and pathological investigations. Our purpose is to assess the value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis, staging, and prediction of GI-aGVHD-related mortality.

Methods

Twenty-one hematological patients who underwent MRI for clinical suspicion of acute GI-GVHD were retrospectively selected. Three independent radiologists, blinded to the clinical findings, reanalyzed MRI images. The GI tract was evaluated from stomach to rectum by analyzing fifteen MRI signs suggestive of intestinal and peritoneal inflammation. All selected patients underwent colonoscopy with biopsies. Disease severity was determined on the basis of clinical criteria, identifying 4 stages of increasing severity. Disease-related mortality was also assessed.

Results

The diagnosis of GI-aGVHD was histologically confirmed with biopsy in 13 patients (61.9%). Using 6 major signs (diagnostic score), MRI showed 84.6% sensitivity and 100% specificity in identifying GI-aGVHD (AUC = 0.962; 95% confidence interval 0.891–1). The proximal, middle, and distal ileum were the segments most frequently affected by the disease (84.6%). Using all 15 signs of inflammation (severity score), MRI showed 100% sensitivity and 90% specificity for 1-month related mortality. No correlation with the clinical score was found.

Conclusion

MRI has proved to be an effective tool for diagnosing and scoring GI-aGVHD, with a high prognostic value. If larger studies will confirm these results, MRI could partly replace endoscopy, thus becoming the primary diagnostic tool for GI-aGVHD, being more complete, less invasive, and more easily repeatable.

Key Points

• We have developed a new promising MRI diagnostic score for GI-aGVHD with a sensitivity of 84.6% and specificity of 100%; results are to be confirmed by larger multicentric studies.

• This MRI diagnostic score is based on the six MRI signs most frequently associated with GI-aGVHD: small-bowel inflammatory involvement, bowel wall stratification on T2-w images, wall stratification on post-contrast T1-w images, ascites, and edema of retroperitoneal fat and declivous soft tissues.

• A broader MRI severity score based on 15 MRI signs showed no correlation with clinical staging but high prognostic value (100% sensitivity, 90% specificity for 1-month related mortality); these results also need to be confirmed by larger studies.
Reproducibility of a combined artificial intelligence and optimal-surface graph-cut method to automate bronchial parameter extraction
Authors: Dudurych Ivan , Garcia-Uceda Antonio , Petersen Jens , Du Yihui , Vliegenthart Rozemarijn , de Bruijne Marleen
Published: April 2023

Objectives

Computed tomography (CT)–based bronchial parameters correlate with disease status. Segmentation and measurement of the bronchial lumen and walls usually require significant manpower. We evaluate the reproducibility of a deep learning and optimal-surface graph-cut method to automatically segment the airway lumen and wall, and calculate bronchial parameters.

Methods

A deep-learning airway segmentation model was newly trained on 24 Imaging in Lifelines (ImaLife) low-dose chest CT scans. This model was combined with an optimal-surface graph-cut for airway wall segmentation. These tools were used to calculate bronchial parameters in CT scans of 188 ImaLife participants with two scans an average of 3 months apart. Bronchial parameters were compared for reproducibility assessment, assuming no change between scans.

Results

Of 376 CT scans, 374 (99%) were successfully measured. Segmented airway trees contained a mean of 10 generations and 250 branches. The coefficient of determination (R2) for the luminal area (LA) ranged from 0.93 at the trachea to 0.68 at the 6th generation, decreasing to 0.51 at the 8th generation. Corresponding values for Wall Area Percentage (WAP) were 0.86, 0.67, and 0.42, respectively. Bland–Altman analysis of LA and WAP per generation demonstrated mean differences close to 0; limits of agreement (LoA) were narrow for WAP and Pi10 (± 3.7% of mean) and wider for LA (± 16.4–22.8% for 2–6th generations). From the 7th generation onwards, there was a sharp decrease in reproducibility and a widening LoA.

Conclusion

The outlined approach for automatic bronchial parameter measurement on low-dose chest CT scans is a reliable way to assess the airway tree down to the 6th generation.

Statement on clinical relevance

This reliable and fully automatic pipeline for bronchial parameter measurement on low-dose CT scans has potential applications in screening for early disease and clinical tasks such as virtual bronchoscopy or surgical planning, while also enabling the exploration of bronchial parameters in large datasets.

Key Points

• Deep learning combined with optimal-surface graph-cut provides accurate airway lumen and wall segmentations on low-dose CT scans.

• Analysis of repeat scans showed that the automated tools had moderate-to-good reproducibility of bronchial measurements down to the 6thgeneration airway.

• Automated measurement of bronchial parameters enables the assessment of large datasets with less man-hours.
Study of the development of a boundary layer using the remote microphone probe technique
Authors: Botero-Bolívar Laura , dos Santos Fernanda L. , Venner Cornelis H. , de Santana Leandro D.
Published: April 2023

The experimental identification of the transition region and the different flow structures inside the boundary layer is still a challenge. For the first time, this research uses the remote microphone probe technique to experimentally evaluate the boundary layer development, the transition process, and the type of flow structures. The remote microphone probe technique is an effective and accurate experimental method to measure wall-pressure fluctuations. The development of the boundary layer was evaluated under natural and forced transition for different inflow velocities and angles of attack. Results of the wall-pressure spectrum, spanwise coherence at different chord positions, and the spanwise correlation length close to the trailing edge are presented. Furthermore, boundary layer and far-field noise measurements at several conditions are also shown. This paper shows the growth of the turbulent structures that contain most of the turbulent energy along the airfoil chord. Further, it is demonstrated that the spanwise correlation length increases with the inflow velocity. Results for the no forced transition cases form a complete database to determine the different transition stages, which were linked with different components of the wall-pressure spectra. The primary and secondary instability mechanisms leading the transition process appear in the wall-pressure spectrum as peaks and a hump, respectively. The two- and three-dimensional nature of the boundary layer structures is also discussed by analyzing the spanwise coherence. Finally, it is shown that when two-dimensional structures reach the airfoil trailing edge, a feedback loop between the acoustic waves at the airfoil trailing edge and a point upstream in the airfoil surface is generated. This feedback loop influences the wall-pressure fluctuations along the entire airfoil chord.

Graphical abstract
Episodic memory deficit in HIV infection: common phenotype with Parkinson’s disease, different neural substrates
Authors: Fama Rosemary , Müller-Oehring Eva M. , Levine Taylor F. , Sullivan Edith V. , Sassoon Stephanie A. , Asok Priya , Brontë-Stewart Helen M. , Poston Kathleen L. , Pohl Kilian M. , Pfefferbaum Adolf , Schulte Tilman
Published: April 2023

Episodic memory deficits occur in people living with HIV (PLWH) and individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Given known effects of HIV and PD on frontolimbic systems, episodic memory deficits are often attributed to executive dysfunction. Although executive dysfunction, evidenced as retrieval deficits, is relevant to mnemonic deficits, learning deficits may also contribute. Here, the California Verbal Learning Test-II, administered to 42 PLWH, 41 PD participants, and 37 controls, assessed learning and retrieval using measures of free recall, cued recall, and recognition. Executive function was assessed with a composite score comprising Stroop Color-Word Reading and Backward Digit Spans. Neurostructural correlates were examined with MRI of frontal (precentral, superior, orbital, middle, inferior, supplemental motor, medial) and limbic (hippocampus, thalamus) volumes. HIV and PD groups were impaired relative to controls on learning and free and cued recall trials but did not differ on recognition or retention of learned material. In no case did executive functioning solely account for the observed mnemonic deficits or brain-performance relations. Critically, the shared learning and retrieval deficits in HIV and PD were related to different substrates of frontolimbic mnemonic neurocircuitry. Specifically, diminished learning and poorer free and cued recall were related to smaller orbitofrontal volume in PLWH but not PD, whereas diminished learning in PD but not PLWH was related to smaller frontal superior volume. In PD, poorer recognition correlated with smaller thalamic volume and poorer retention to hippocampal volume. Although memory deficits were similar, the neural correlates in HIV and PD suggest different pathogenic mechanisms.
Diseases associated with prematurity in correlation with N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels during the early postnatal life
Authors: Fritz Agnes-Sophie , Keller Titus , Kribs Angela , Hünseler Christoph
Published: April 2023

The aim of this observational study was to investigate the influence of different typical preterm diseases on NT-proBNP serum levels in the early postnatal period of life of a preterm infant. NT-proBNP levels of 118 preterm infants born ≤ 31 weeks GA were determined at the first week of life, after 4 ± 1 weeks of life, and at a corrected gestational age of 36 + 2 weeks. Relevant complications with a possible influence on NT-proBNP values in the first week of life such as early neonatal infection, hemodynamically significant PDA (hsPDA), early pulmonary hypertension (early PH), and intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) were evaluated; at 4 ± 1 weeks of life, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), BPD-related pulmonary hypertension (BPD-associated PH), late infection, IVH, and intestinal complications were evaluated. At a corrected gestational age of 36 ± 2 weeks, we examined the effect of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), BPD, BPD-associated PH, and late infection on NT-proBNP levels. In the first days of life, only the isolated occurrence of hsPDA resulted in significantly increased NT-proBNP levels. In multiple linear regression analysis, early infection remained independently associated with NT-proBNP levels. At 4 ± 1 weeks of age, the isolated presence of BPD and BPD-related PH resulted in increased levels, and the effect remained significant in the multiple regression analysis. At a corrected gestational age of 36 ± 2 weeks, infants with relevant complications at this final evaluation time tended to have lower NT-proBNP values than our exploratory reference values.

   Conlusion: NT-proBNP in the first week of life seems to be mainly influenced by an hsPDA and infection or inflammation. BPD and BPD-related PH are the most important factors influencing NT-proBNP serum levels in the first month of life. When preterm infants reach a corrected GA of 36 ± 2 weeks, chronological age rather than complications of prematurity must be considered when interpreting NT-proBNP levels.

What is Known:• Several complications associated with prematurity, such as hemodynamically significant PDA, pulmonary hypertension, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and retinopathy of prematurity, have been shown to influence NT-proBNP levels in preterm infants in their early postnatal life.

What is New:• Hemodynamically relevant PDA is a major factor in the increase of NT-proBNP levels in the first week of life.• Bronchopulmonary dysplasia and pulmonary hypertension associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia are important factors in the increase in NT-proBNP levels in preterm infants at approximately 1 month of age.
Unveiling the impact of managerial traits on investor decision prediction: ANFIS approach
Authors: Asemi Asefeh , Asemi Adeleh , Ko Andrea
Published: April 2023

Investment decisions are influenced by various factors, including personal characteristics and managerial issues. In this research, we aimed to investigate the impact of managerial traits on investment decisions by using adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) to develop a personalized investment recommendation system. We collected data from potential investors through a survey, which included questions on investment-types, investment habits, and managerial traits. The survey data were used to create an ANFIS model, which is a hybrid model that combines the strengths of both artificial neural networks and fuzzy logic systems. The ANFIS model was trained using 1542 survey data pairs, and the model's performance was evaluated using a validation set. The results of the ANFIS model showed that the model had a minimal training root mean square error of 0.837341. The ANFIS model was able to effectively capture the relationship between managerial traits and investment decisions and was able to make personalized investment recommendations based on the input data. The results of this research provide valuable insights into the impact of managerial traits on investment decisions and demonstrate the potential of ANFIS in developing personalized investment recommendation systems. In conclusion, this research aimed to investigate the impact of managerial traits on investment decisions using ANFIS. The results of this study demonstrate the potential of ANFIS to personalize investment recommendations based on the input data. This research can be used as a foundation for future research in the field of investment recommendations and can be helpful to investors to take their decision-making.
An analysis of one-to-one matching algorithms for entity resolution
Authors: Papadakis George , Efthymiou Vasilis , Thanos Emmanouil , Hassanzadeh Oktie , Christen Peter
Published: April 2023

Entity resolution (ER) is the task of finding records that refer to the same real-world entities. A common scenario, which we refer to as Clean-Clean ER, is to resolve records across two clean sources (i.e., they are duplicate-free and contain one record per entity). Matching algorithms for Clean-Clean ER yield bipartite graphs, which are further processed by clustering algorithms to produce the end result. In this paper, we perform an extensive empirical evaluation of eight bipartite graph matching algorithms that take as input a bipartite similarity graph and provide as output a set of matched records. We consider a wide range of matching algorithms, including algorithms that have not previously been applied to ER, or have been evaluated only in other ER settings. We assess the relative performance of these algorithms with respect to accuracy and time efficiency over ten established real-world data sets, from which we generated over 700 different similarity graphs. Our results provide insights into the relative performance of these algorithms and guidelines for choosing the best one, depending on the data at hand.
Discriminative estimation of probabilistic context-free grammars for mathematical expression recognition and retrieval
Authors: Noya Ernesto , Benedí José Miguel , Sánchez Joan Andreu , Anitei Dan
Published: April 2023

We present a discriminative learning algorithm for the probabilistic estimation of two-dimensional probabilistic context-free grammars (2D-PCFG) for mathematical expressions recognition and retrieval. This algorithm is based on a generalization of the H-criterion as the objective function and the growth transformations as the optimization method. For the development of the discriminative estimation algorithm, the N-best interpretations provided by the 2D-PCFG have been considered. Experimental results are reported on two available datasets: Im2Latex and IBEM. The first experiment compares the proposed discriminative estimation method with the classic Viterbi-based estimation method. The second one studies the performance of the estimated models depending on the length of the mathematical expressions and the number of admissible errors in the metric used.
Physico-chemical characterization of walnut shell biochar from uncontrolled pyrolysis in a garden oven and surface modification by ex-situ chemical magnetization
Authors: Nair Rahul Ramesh , Schaate Andreas , Klepzig Lars Frederik , Turcios Ariel E. , Lecinski Jacek , Shamsuyeva Madina , Endres Hans-Josef , Papenbrock Jutta , Behrens Peter , Weichgrebe Dirk
Published: April 2023

The shells of walnuts (WS) are major refuse in the global fruits and nuts trade. This, otherwise discarded, lignin-rich material can be carbonized to biochar—a value-added product with environmental applications such as carbon sequestration, soil amelioration, and pollutant adsorption. These applications are dictated by structural and chemical characteristics of the biochar carbon. Conventional controlled pyrolysis (CPy) of biomass is cost-intensive and technically too complex for widespread adoption, especially in emerging economies. Here, walnut shell biochar (BWS0) is derived through uncontrolled pyrolysis (UCPy) in a pyrolysis oven and further hybridized as magnetic biochar through ex-situ chemical co-precipitation. The physico-chemical characteristics of biochar and its water-extractable fractions are comprehensively investigated to understand their carbon structure and environmental applicability. The sp2 amorphous carbon sequestered in BWS0 is 0.84 kgCO2/kgbiomass with a BET (N2) surface area of 292 m2/g and is comparable to biochar from CPy in terms of carbon structure. The polyaromatic hydrocarbons present are only trace amounts of naphthalene, biphenyl, and phenanthrene. The magnetization decreases porosity of BWS0 while greatly facilitating its separation from aqueous media. BWS0 is suitable for adsorption of cations (between pH 2.8 and 9.45) and hydrophobic pollutants with only 19 mg L−1 fouling from their intrinsic dissolved organic carbon. In combination with fast-release N, P fertilizers, BWS0 (C/N of 24.8) is suitable for application in hydrophilic soils at higher loading rates. The results suggest an avenue where WS biochar can also be prepared via UCPy for direct environmental applications. Future investigations into soil incubation and adsorption tests are recommended.

Graphical abstract
The effect of combination treatment of CO2-laser irradiation and tetracalcium phosphate/dicalcium phosphate anhydrate on dentinal tubules blockage: an in vitro study
Authors: Laky Markus , Egelja Mane , Kurzmann Christoph , Laky Brenda , Arslan Muazzez , Shokoohi-Tabrizi Hassan , Rausch-Fan Xiaohui , Moritz Andreas
Published: April 2023

The aim of this study was the evaluation of the in vitro efficacy of a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser, a tetracalcium phosphate/dicalcium phosphate anhydrate (TP/DP) desensitizer and the combination of the desensitizer and additional CO2 laser irradiation as a treatment modality for cervical dentin hypersensitivity. A total of 48 dental specimens, prepared from extracted human premolars and molars, were divided into four groups: a control group, a TP/DP desensitizer paste group, a CO2 laser (10.600-nm wavelength) group, and a paste and laser group. The specimens were coated with nail varnish except in the marked area and were then immersed in 2% methylene blue dye for 1 h. The specimens were then washed, dried, and cut longitudinally. Thereafter, photos of 40 dentin specimens were taken and evaluated. The area of penetration was assessed and reported as percentage of the dentin surface area. Additionally eight dental specimens were examined with the aid of a scanning electron microscope and evaluated. Significant differences in the penetration depth were found for all experimental groups compared to the control group. The lowest penetration area was detected in the paste-laser group (16.5%), followed by the laser (23.7%), the paste (48.5%), and the control group (86.2%). The combined treatment of the CO2 laser and a TP/DP desensitizer was efficient in sealing the dentinal surface and could be a treatment option for cervical dentin hypersensitivity.
A New Approach to Handle Curved Meshes in the Hybrid High-Order Method
Authors: Yemm Liam
Published: April 2023

We present here a novel approach to handling curved meshes in polytopal methods within the framework of hybrid high-order methods. The hybrid high-order method is a modern numerical scheme for the approximation of elliptic PDEs. An extension to curved meshes allows for the strong enforcement of boundary conditions on curved domains and for the capture of curved geometries that appear internally in the domain e.g. discontinuities in a diffusion coefficient. The method makes use of non-polynomial functions on the curved faces and does not require any mappings between reference elements/faces. Such an approach does not require the faces to be polynomial and has a strict upper bound on the number of degrees of freedom on a curved face for a given polynomial degree. Moreover, this approach of enriching the space of unknowns on the curved faces with non-polynomial functions should extend naturally to other polytopal methods. We show the method to be stable and consistent on curved meshes and derive optimal error estimates in $$L^2$$

L
2

and energy norms. We present numerical examples of the method on a domain with curved boundary and for a diffusion problem such that the diffusion tensor is discontinuous along a curved arc.
A compositional analysis of systemic risk in European financial institutions
Authors: Fiori Anna Maria , Porro Francesco
Published: April 2023

Systemic risk is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that needs to be addressed from different perspectives. In this work we propose a Compositional Data (CoDa) approach to analyze the distribution of relative contributions to systemic risk associated with major European countries during the period 2008–2021. We represent systemic risk measures corresponding to those countries as percentage shares, or parts, of a compositional dataset and we perform a multivariate statistical analysis using specific CoDa procedures. The proposed approach sheds new light on some variability patterns and cross-country relationships that appear to be linked to the composition of systemic risk parts in the system.
A practical method for integrating community priorities in planning and implementing cancer control programs
Authors: Bilenduke Emily , Dwyer Andrea J. , Staples Elsa S. , Kilbourn Kristin , Valverde Patricia A. , Fernández Maria E. , Risendal Betsy C.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Community engagement is essential in effective public health programs. This paper illustrates the methods used to engage community in the development of a multi-level implementation intervention to address cancer disparities related to hereditary cancer syndromes.

Methods

Implementation Mapping (IM), was used to guide the co-creation of an intervention. Key partners were recruited to a 13-member statewide community advisory board (CAB) representing healthcare and community-based organizations. As part of a needs assessment, a 3-round modified Delphi method with the CAB was used to identify implementation outcomes to use in later steps of IM. An anonymous online survey of a validated community engagement measure assessed CAB members’ satisfaction with the process.

Results

Using a modified Delphi method as part of the needs assessment of IM, the CAB identified three broad categories of strategies: Changing infrastructure using patient navigation; training and educating patients, navigators and providers; and supporting clinicians in case identification and management. Self-reported satisfaction with the IM and Delphi process was high.

Conclusions

Implementation Mapping facilitated the use of available evidence, new data, and community engagement to identify strategies to improve the delivery of programs to reduce hereditary cancer disparities. The modified Delphi method was easy to administer in a virtual environment and may be a useful for others in community-engaged research.
The phase-space architecture in extrasolar systems with two planets in orbits of high mutual inclination
Authors: Mastroianni Rita , Efthymiopoulos Christos
Published: April 2023

We revisit the secular 3D planetary three-body problem, aiming to provide a unified formalism representing all basic phenomena in the phase space as the mutual inclination between the planetary orbits increases. We propose a ‘book-keeping’ technique allowing to decompose the Hamiltonian as $$\mathcal {H}_\textrm{sec}=\mathcal {H}_\textrm{planar}+\mathcal {H}_\textrm{space}$$

H
sec

=

H
planar

+

H
space

, with $$\mathcal {H}_\textrm{space}$$

H
space

collecting all terms depending on the planets mutual inclination $$i_\textrm{mut}$$

i
mut

. We numerically compare several models obtained by multipole (Legendre) or Laplace–Lagrange expansions of $$\mathcal {H}_\textrm{sec}$$

H
sec

, aiming to define suitable truncation orders for these models. We explore the transition, as $$i_\textrm{mut}$$

i
mut

increases, from a ‘planar-like’ to a ‘Lidov–Kozai’ regime. Using a numerical example far from hierarchical limits, we find that the structure of the phase portraits of the (integrable) planar case is reproduced to a large extent also in the 3D case. A semi-analytical criterion allows to estimate the level of $$i_\textrm{mut}$$

i
mut

up to which the dynamics remains nearly integrable. We propose a normal form method to compute the basic periodic orbits (apsidal corotation orbits A and B) in this regime. We explore the sequence of saddle-node and pitchfork bifurcations by which the A and B families are connected to the highly inclined periodic orbits of the Lidov–Kozai regime. Finally, we perform a numerical study of phase portraits for different planetary mass and distance ratios and qualitatively describe the approach to the corresponding hierarchical limits.
The persistence of the critically endangered Asiatic cheetah relies upon urgent connectivity protection: a landscape genetics perspective
Authors: Khalatbari Leili , Godinho Raquel , Abolghasemi Hamed , Hakimi Ehsan , Ghadirian Taher , Jowkar Houman , Breitenmoser Urs , Brito José Carlos
Published: April 2023

Decreasing genetic diversity, gene flow rates and population connectivity can increase inbreeding rates and extinction risks. Asiatic cheetah is a critically endangered mammal with large home range that suffered from extreme range reduction and population decline. Their population is now fragmented into two subpopulations. We used genetic markers to estimate genetic diversity, relatedness, minimum effective population size and gene flow, and to assess population structure. Putative corridors connecting subpopulations were inferred using connectivity models based on topography, land cover and human footprints resistance variables. Individual pairwise genetic relatedness was compared with resistance values obtained from these models and with Euclidean distances between samples to assess the most important factors shaping the current genetic structure. The estimated effective population size was extremely low (Ne = 11 to 17). Both Northern and Southern Subpopulations exhibited low genetic diversity and high relatedness. Several signatures of gene flow and movement of individuals between subpopulations were observed suggesting that inferred corridors potentially connecting subpopulations are functional. However, no traces of gene flow were observed for the latest generations, maybe due to a decrease of functional connectivity in recent years. The resistance model including all variables was best related to genetic relatedness, whereas population differentiation is mostly driven by isolation by distance. The very low estimated effective population size, decreased genetic diversity, and high relatedness of Asiatic cheetah suggests that population reinforcement, removing obstacles to connectivity and boosting prey population conservation in stepping stones are urgently needed to prevent the imminent extinction of iconic biodiversity.
Making Crime Visible in the Digital Age: The Ethnomethods of Data Policing
Authors: Buscariolli André
Published: April 2023

As digitalization advances, police officers can rely on data traces to expand their capacity to infer suspicion. Despite reasonably warning about the potentially intrusive and prejudicial character of data-driven policing techniques, criminal justice scholars have yet to engage with the epistemological bases by which officers make deductions from data, including concerning legal admissibility. This article proposes that examining data policing using thick descriptive accounts of lived police work provides insights into police officers’ judgments of what constitutes “reasonably objective” crime analysis. Drawing from ethnomethodology’s contributions to police work and technological practices, I examine how the symbolic processes by which officers highlight criminologically relevant phenomena from seemingly decontextualized data points reproduce and reshape long-established methodical police work.
The role of live transcripts in synchronous online L2 classrooms: Learning outcomes and learner perceptions
Authors: Qiao Wang , Yijun Chen
Published: April 2023

This study explored the role of live transcripts in online synchronous academic English classrooms by focusing on how automatically generated live transcripts influence the learning outcomes of lower-proficiency and higher-proficiency learners and on their perceptions towards live transcripts. The study adop ted a 2 × 2 factorial design, with the two factors being learner proficiency (high vs. low) and availability of live transcription (presence and absence). The participants were 129 second-year Japanese university students from four synchronous classes taught on Zoom by the same teacher under an academic English reading course. Learning outcomes in this study were evaluated according to the course syllabus through grades and participation in class activities. A questionnaire consisting of nine Likert-scale questions and a comment box was administered to explore participants’ perceived usefulness of, perceived ease of use of, and perceived reliance on live transcripts. Results showed that contrary to previous studies reporting the effectiveness of captioned audiovisual materials in L2 learning, live transcripts as a special type of captions were not effective in promoting the grades of learners of either proficiency. However, it significantly improved the activity participation of lower-proficiency learners, but not that of higher-proficiency learners. Questionnaire results showed that there were no significant differences between learners of two proficiencies in their perceptions towards live transcription, which contradicts previous findings that lower-proficiency learners tend to rely more on captions. Besides enhancement of lecture comprehension, participants reported innovative uses of live transcripts such as screenshots with transcripts for notetaking purposes and transcripts downloaded for later review.
A new hazard assessment workflow to assess soil contamination from large and artisanal scale gold mining
Authors: Thiombane Matar , De Vivo Benedetto , Niane Birane , Watts Michael J. , Marriott Andrew L. , Di Bonito Marcello
Published: April 2023

Gold mining activities are undertaken both at large and artisanal scale, often resulting in serious ‘collateral’ environmental issues, including environmental pollution and hazard to human and ecosystem health. Furthermore, some of these activities are poorly regulated, which can produce long-lasting damage to the environment and local livelihoods. The aim of this study was to identify a new workflow model to discriminate anthropogenic versus geogenic enrichment in soils of gold mining regions. The Kedougou region (Senegal, West Africa) was used as a case study. Ninety-four soil samples (76 topsoils and 18 bottom soils) were collected over an area of 6,742 km2 and analysed for 53 chemical elements. Robust spatial mapping, compositional and geostatistical models were employed to evaluate sources and elemental footprint associated with geology and mining activities. Multivariate approaches highlighted anomalies in arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg) distribution in several areas. However, further interpretation with enrichment factor (EFs) and index of geoaccumulation (IGeo) emphasised high contamination levels in areas approximately coinciding with the ones where artisanal and small scale mining (ASGM) activities occur, and robust compositional contamination index (RCCI) isolated potentially harmful elements (PHE) contamination levels in very specific areas of the Kedougou mining region. The study underlined the importance of complementary approaches to identify anomalies and, more significantly, contamination by hazardous material. In particular, the analyses helped to identify discrete areas that would require to be surveyed in more detail to allow a comprehensive and thorough risk assessment, to investigate potential impacts to both human and ecosystem health.