bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Micro-watershed Planning using Prioritisation Approach Integrated with Geospatial Techniques and Compromise Programming: A Case Study of Bacchanshiv Gad (Alaknanda River), India
Authors: Kumar Atul , Chauhan Neha , Kumar Sonu , Patel Upendra Bhai , Pramanik Malay
Published: May 2023

A micro-watershed is the smallest hydrological unit with a unique type of common-pool resource, defined by hydrological linkages and requiring coordinated use of natural resources by all users for optimal management. However, the watersheds in the central Himalayan region are particularly vulnerable to land degradation since they are subject to various fluvial and denudation processes. As a result, the present study focused on the Bacchanshiv Gad watershed in the subtropical zone, where soil erosion is more prevalent due to various hydro-geomorphological causes. The analysis considered fourteen different areal, linear, shape, and landscape morphometric parameters by integrating spatial and compromise statistical programming techniques to prioritize 8 micro-watersheds. Moreover, the study gives comprehensive insight about the current land use land cover spatial distribution, lithological and pedan characteristics of the watershed that play a significant role in taking appropriate land and water conservation measures to prevent further soil degradation.
Petrogenesis and Evolution of Tharad Coals of Cambay Basin, Gujarat (Western India): An Insight
Authors: Ojha Sanjay , Singh Prakash K.
Published: May 2023

The present paper discusses the evolution of the coal bearing sequences of Tharad Formation of Cambay Basin (Gujarat) based on coal petrological and organic geochemical signatures. Cambay Basin is a craton margin rift basin of Late Cretaceous age which is narrow and elongated. This north-south trending graben hosts huge sub-surface lignite/coal deposits of Early to Middle Eocene age. These coals have been petrographically and geochemically characterized to understand the type of flora, coal facies, depositional environment and coalification. Thickening of seams with depth is towards central part. Vitrinite rich Cambay Basin coals contain a considerable amount of liptinite indicating their derivation from the forest type of vegetation that grew under humid tropical climate while its high resin content indicates growth of conifers and gum-producing plants. High collodetrinite relates to soft woody tissues from herbaceous/bushy plant sources. Abundance of bioclasts in the western flank of the Sanchore low occur in stack indicating poor transportation and abrupt drop in bathymetry under tidal flat environment. The palynofloral assemblages indicate tidal deposition. Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) studies indicate low amount of oleanane suggesting a terrestrial source. The microlithotypes suggest limnic and telmatic mixed environment with typical forest floral input with intermittently changing water table conditions. The maceral composition of the coals indicates terrestrial origin having high tree-density. Marine influence caused influx of calcium rich water promoting decomposition of organic matter due to high bacterial activity and high pH values with depth. The ground water flow index (GWI) values indicate ombrotrophic hydrological condition while the vegetation index (VI) values support herbaceous plants. The swamp, therefore, suffered oxic and anoxic condition alternatingly with influence of reed marshes favouring the growth of anaerobic bacteria in high bathymetric region. The depth of burial of coal seams in Sanchore is extrapolated to be 1350-1800m with a temperature range of 40-80°C.
Alginates as Green Flocculants for Metal Oxide Nanoparticles
Authors: Slabov Vladislav , Jain Garima , Chernyshova Irina , Kota Hanumantha Rao , Ertesvåg Helga
Published: May 2023

Flocculation is used for the removal or separation of colloids, e.g. in water treatment and mineral processing. Alginates are linear, anionic biopolymers composed of mannuronic (M) and guluronic (G) acids. The relative amount and distribution of M and G impact the ion-binding and gel-forming properties of the polymer, but still no one has yet addressed the impact of alginate composition on flocculation of nanoparticles or mineral particles. Our results showed that the distribution of G was important for flocculation, especially when Ca2+ was used as activating ion. With Ce3+ as activating ion, the shape and size of flocs were affected by alginate acetylation. This work expands the knowledge about the flocculation behavior of alginates and demonstrates that both bacteria- and algae-derived alginates can be potential biodegradable flocculants of ultrafine particles for mineral processing industry.
Targeting EFNA1 suppresses tumor progression via the cMYC-modulated cell cycle and autophagy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Jiang Houxiang , Wang Shaoxiang , Liu Ying , Zheng Chaopan , Chen Lipeng , Zheng Kai , Xu Zhenyu , Dai Yong , Jin Hongtao , Cheng Zhiqiang , Zou Chang , Fu Li , Liu Kaisheng , Ma Xiaoshi
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains one of the most common causes of cancer death due to the lack of effective therapeutic options. New targets and the targeted drugs are required to be identified and developed.

Methods

Highly expressed genes in ESCA were identified using the edgeR package from public datasets. Immunostaining assay verified the high expression level of EFNA1 in ESCC. CCK-8, colony formation and wound healing assays were performed to examine the role of EFNA1 and EPHA2 in ESCC progression. Cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry and autophagy activation was determined by autophagolysosome formation using transmission electron microscopy. The small molecule targeting to EFNA1 was identified by molecular docking and the anti-tumor effects were verified by in vitro and in vivo models with radiation treatment.

Results

EFNA1 was highly expressed in esophageal cancer and significantly associated with poor prognosis. Downregulation of EFNA1 remarkably inhibited cell proliferation and migration. Furthermore, decreased EFNA1 significantly suppressed the expression of cMYC along with its representative downstream genes involved in cell cycle, and activated autophagy. Similar effects on ESCC progression were obtained from knockdown of the corresponding receptor, EPHA2. The potential small molecule targeting to EFNA1, salvianolic acid A (SAA), could significantly suppress ESCC progression and increase the sensitivity to radiotherapy.

Conclusion

We revealed that EFNA1 facilitated the ESCC progression via the possible mechanism of activating cMYC-modulated cell proliferation and suppressing autophagy, and identified SAA as a potential drug targeting EFNA1, providing new options for the future treatments for ESCC patients.
Mobile care app development process: using the ADDIE model to manage symptoms after breast cancer surgery (step 1)
Authors: Aydin Aydanur , Gürsoy Ayla , Karal Hasan
Published: May 2023

The use of mobile applications is widespread in patient monitoring or education today. This study aims to describe the design and development process of a mobile app that supports patient self-care after breast cancer surgery. We used the ADDIE model to develop and test the mobile app. ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation) is a systematic approach based on a standard instructional design model for creating training materials. The model consists of five phases, each with its own set of steps. Once the steps within each phase are completed, the model progresses to the next phase, ultimately resulting in a “usable” product. Different team collaborations were established within each phase, and support was obtained from multiple experts during the design process. Thanks to this model, the information that patients need was transformed into a technological product. This article, which explains the stages of the product design process for mobile applications, provides information that may be helpful to researchers working on similar products.
Innovative Activity of the Service Sector of the EU Member States
Authors: Decyk Kamil
Published: May 2023

Expenditures on innovative activities, including R&D, play a key role in introducing innovations and consequently in the level of innovativeness. The aim of the research was to assess the level of innovative activity in the service sector in the Member States of the European Union (EU), in terms of incurred expenditure and achieved effects. To achieve the given aim various methods were used, including: monographic method, analysis and criticism of the literature, index and statistical analyses. The implementation of the assumed goal was carried out on the basis of two groups of indicators — effects and expenditure incurred on innovative activities. The research procedure was carried out in three stages: detailed assessment of the indicators, identification of similarities within the studied countries and determination of correlations occurring in them, and assessment of the synthetic Perkal’s indicator regarding outlays and effects. The results of the research provided information on the level of the use of inputs in relation to the effects in the service sector of individual EU countries. Countries ranked high in the innovativeness ranking (Denmark, France) are characterized by higher outlays and the effects achieved as a result of them, as well as show favorable or neutral relations between them. A high level of effects in relation to the expenditure was also observed in Malta, Spain, and Croatia. The results of the research constitute valuable information on the effectiveness of the use of expenditure on innovative activities, especially significant from the point of view of service entities from countries with a low level of innovative activity. These enterprises should draw on good practices and experience and even try to cooperate in the creation of innovations with companies from countries with a high level of innovative activity. Consequently, such practices will contribute to a more dynamic and sustainable development of innovativeness in the service sector of all EU.
Family Violence Within LGBTQ Communities in Australia: Intersectional Experiences and Associations with Mental Health Outcomes
Authors: Amos Natalie , Hill Adam , Donovan Catherine , Carman Marina , Parsons Matthew , McNair Ruth , Lyons Anthony , Bourne Adam
Published: May 2023

Background

While prior research has documented intimate partner violence (IPV) and family of origin violence (FOV) experienced by LGBTQ communities at rates at least comparable to heterosexual and/or cisgender populations, little knowledge exists of how this experience occurs within intersections of these communities and who is most at risk.

Methods

This study utilised data from a from a large nationwide Australian survey of the health and wellbeing of 6835 LGBTQ adults aged 18 + years. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify individual factors associated with reporting ever having experienced FOV or IPV.

Results

In total, 2675 (43.18%) participants reported ever experiencing FOV and 3716 (60.7%) reported ever experiencing IPV. Non-binary people, cisgender women, and trans men were most likely to have experienced FOV. Non-binary people and cisgender women were most likely to experience IPV. Participants aged 55 + years (compared to 18–24 years) were less likely to have experienced FOV, while the likelihood of experiencing IPV increased with age. Education was associated with both FOV and IPV (highest among the non-university tertiary educated). Having a moderate or severe disability and ever experiencing homelessness were associated with a greater likelihood of experiencing FOV and IPV. Recent experiences of suicidal ideation, suicide attempt and high/very high psychological distress were associated with experiences of FOV and IPV.

Conclusions

This new knowledge regarding the factors that identify LGBTQ people at greater risk of family or intimate partner violence can ensure the tailoring of family violence practice and policy to those most in need.
Comparative study on salinity removal methods: an evaluation-based stable isotopes signatures in ground and sea water
Authors: Falih Ali Hasan , Al Maliki Ali , Al-lami Ahmed Kadhim , Jasm Ali , Mohammed Amer , Mahmood Ansam , Abd Alameer Zainab Salah , Al-Ansari Nadhir , Yaseen Zaher Mundher
Published: May 2023

This research aims to attain the optimal method of removing the high salinity concentrations without its effect on the balance or accuracy of stable isotopes measurement of deuterium and oxygen-18 (δ18O, δ2H). Four treatment methods (i.e., distillation, vacuum distillation, electro dialysis and ion exchange) were applied for nine samples, which were obtained from different water sources (sea, groundwater, river).l Worth to notice that the samples have Electrical Conductivity (EC) ranged (1000–60,000 µs/cm). Liquid–Water Isotope Analyzer used to measure the isotope concentration of δ18O, δ2H. The research findings of the four applied methods revealed their effectiveness with various percentages (normal distillation: 92.37%; vacuum distillation: 88.31%; electro dialysis: 94.85%; ion exchange: 99.62%). In addition, the investigation was conducted a clear correspondence measurement of (δ18O, δ2H) isotopes before and after treatment. The four methods results indicated that samples with EC ranged (1000–5000 µs/cm) have no effect on stable isotope readings. Whereas, samples with EC higher than 10,000, have substantial influence on the stable isotope readings. Finally, vacuum distillation method attained the best results among the treatment methods for EC ranged (10,000–60,000 µs/cm) without affecting the isotopic content of (δ18O, δ2H). There is a clear correspondence of the stable isotopic measurements before and after treatment, for all the selected samples.
Exact simulation of the groundwater flow in anisotropic confined aquifer near time-varying streams by comprehensive new analytical solutions
Authors: Saeedpanah Iraj , Karimipour Ahmadreza
Published: May 2023

This paper presents some new analytical solutions to an accurate prediction of the behavior of the groundwater flow in aquifers in response to changes in surface water. The new analytical solutions are obtained using integral transforms. An anisotropic rectangular confined aquifer bounded with four time-varying streams is undertaken. The effects of anisotropy on groundwater head and flow rate near time-varying streams are investigated. Depending on the change rates of the streams level, an anisotropic aquifer may render either lower or higher hydraulic head than an isotropic aquifer. In addition, an anisotropic aquifer has provided less water exchange at the interfaces than an isotropic one. The sensitivity of the hydraulic head to change rate of the streams level in both isotropic and anisotropic aquifers is evaluated. It is shown that the aquifer response is more sensitive to change rate of the streams parallel to y-direction and less sensitive to change rate of the streams parallel to x-direction in an anisotropic aquifer and vice versa in an isotropic aquifer. The results of the present new analytical solutions are compared with numerical model of MODFLOW. The results obtained from the presented solutions showed good agreement with the results of MODFLOW. The results show that the presented new analytical solutions are accurate, robust and efficient. Therefore, the results indicate that the presented new analytical solutions are very effective in the simulation of the groundwater flow in river–aquifer systems. Furthermore, one of the advantages of the new analytical solutions is to investigate the sensitivity analysis of aquifer parameters, which has been carried out in this paper. Also, some other new analytical solutions for steady-state conditions and sudden fall in streams level are provided as well. Feasibility of the proposed new analytical solutions is presented via calculating and simulating the hydraulics of groundwater flow in river–aquifer systems by means of integral transforms.
MarLe: Markerless estimation of head pose for navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation
Authors: Matsuda Renan H. , Souza Victor H. , Kirsten Petrus N. , Ilmoniemi Risto J. , Baffa Oswaldo
Published: May 2023

Navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (nTMS) is a valuable tool for non-invasive brain stimulation. Currently, nTMS requires fixing of markers on the patient’s head. Head marker displacements lead to changes in coil placement and brain stimulation inaccuracy. A markerless neuronavigation method is needed to increase the reliability of nTMS and simplify the nTMS protocol. In this study, we introduce and release MarLe, a Python markerless head tracker neuronavigation software for TMS. This novel software uses computer-vision techniques combined with low-cost cameras to estimate the head pose for neuronavigation. A coregistration algorithm, based on a closed-form solution, was designed to track the patient’s head and the TMS coil referenced to the individual’s brain image. We show that MarLe can estimate head pose based on real-time video processing. An intuitive pipeline was developed to connect the MarLe and nTMS neuronavigation software. MarLe achieved acceptable accuracy and stability in a mockup nTMS experiment. MarLe allows real-time tracking of the patient’s head without any markers. The combination of face detection and a coregistration algorithm can overcome nTMS head marker displacement concerns. MarLe can improve reliability, simplify, and reduce the protocol time of brain intervention techniques such as nTMS.
Towards liveable cities: A review of ethnicity, public urban nature space and wellbeing
Authors: Wolf Isabelle D. , Waitt Gordon
Published: May 2023

In this review, we synthesise the results of studies that examine how the relationships between public urban nature spaces and wellbeing vary by ethnicity in cities of the Global North. We searched for articles that reported on the relationships between public urban nature spaces, ethnicity and wellbeing. We found 65 articles that met our inclusion criteria. From our review, we found positive and negative relationships between public urban nature spaces, ethnicity and wellbeing in four interrelated domains: integration/relationship building, therapy, safety and capabilities/competency building. The findings of this review inform park management by offering twelve wellbeing pathways to design urban nature spaces that are more inclusive to all residents.
Expression in skin biopsies supports genetic evidence linking CAMKK2, P2X7R and P2X4R with HIV-associated sensory neuropathy
Authors: Gaff Jessica , Octaviana Fitri , Jackaman Connie , Kamerman Peter , Papadimitriou John , Lee Silvia , Mountford Jenjira , Price Patricia
Published: May 2023

HIV-associated sensory neuropathy (HIV-SN) affects 14–38% of HIV+ individuals stable on therapy with no neurotoxic drugs. Polymorphisms in CAMKK2, P2X7R and P2X4R associated with altered risk of HIV-SN in Indonesian and South African patients. The role of CaMKK2 in neuronal repair makes this an attractive candidate, but a direct role for any protein is predicated on expression in affected tissues. Here, we describe expression of CaMKK2, P2X7R and P2X4R proteins in skin biopsies from the lower legs of HIV+ Indonesians with and without HIV-SN, and healthy controls (HC). HIV-SN was diagnosed using the Brief Peripheral Neuropathy Screen. Biopsies were stained to detect protein gene product 9.5 on nerve fibres and CaMKK2, P2X7R or P2X4R, and were examined using 3-colour sequential scanning confocal microscopy. Intraepidermal nerve fibre densities (IENFD) were lower in HIV+ donors than HC and correlated directly with nadir CD4 T-cell counts (r = 0.69, p = 0.004). However, IENFD counts were similar in HIV-SN+ and HIV-SN− donors (p = 0.19) and so did not define neuropathy. CaMKK2+ cells were located close to dermal and epidermal nerve fibres and were rare in HC and HIV-SN− donors, consistent with a role for the protein in nerve damage and/or repair. P2X7R was expressed by cells in blood vessels of HIV-SN− donors, but rarely in HC or HIV-SN+ donors. P2X4R expression by cells in the epidermal basal layer appeared greatest in HIV-SN+ donors. Overall, the differential expression of CaMKK2, P2X7R and P2X4R supports the genetic evidence of a role for these proteins in HIV-SN.
Validation of the SACOV-19 score for identifying patients at risk of complicated or more severe COVID-19: a prospective study
Authors: Mahajan Ujjwal Mukund , Erber Johanna , Shamsrizi Parichehr , Voit Florian , Vielhauer Jakob , Johlke Anna-Lena , Benesch Christopher , Khaled Najib Ben , Reinecke Felix , Rudi Wolf-Stephan , Klein Matthias , Jakob Carolin , Oswald Marcus , König Rainer , Schulz Christian , Mayerle Julia , Stubbe Hans Christian
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Identification of patients at risk of complicated or more severe COVID-19 is of pivotal importance, since these patients might require monitoring, antiviral treatment, and hospitalization. In this study, we prospectively evaluated the SACOV-19 score for its ability to predict complicated or more severe COVID-19.

Methods

In this prospective multicenter study, we included 124 adult patients with acute COVID-19 in three German hospitals, who were diagnosed in an early, uncomplicated stage of COVID-19 within 72 h of inclusion. We determined the SACOV-19 score at baseline and performed a follow-up at 30 days.

Results

The SACOV-19 score’s AUC was 0.816. At a cutoff of > 3, it predicted deterioration to complicated or more severe COVID-19 with a sensitivity of 94% and a specificity of 55%. It performed significantly better in predicting complicated COVID-19 than the random tree-based SACOV-19 predictive model, the CURB-65, 4C mortality, or qCSI scores.

Conclusion

The SACOV-19 score is a feasible tool to aid decision making in acute COVID-19.
Spectroscopic Determination of Acetylcholine (ACh): A Representative Review
Authors: Świt Paweł , Pollap Aleksandra , Orzeł Joanna
Published: May 2023

Acetylcholine (ACh) is one of the most crucial neurotransmitters of the cholinergic system found in vertebrates and invertebrates and is responsible for many processes in living organisms. Disturbances in ACh transmission are closely related to dementia in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. ACh in biological samples is most often determined using chromatographic techniques, radioenzymatic assays, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), or potentiometric methods. An alternative way to detect and determine acetylcholine is applying spectroscopic techniques, due to low limits of detection and quantification, which is not possible with the methods mentioned above. In this review article, we described a detailed overview of different spectroscopic methods used to determine ACh with a collection of validation parameters as a perspective tool for routine analysis, especially in basic research on animal models on central nervous system. In addition, there is a discussion of examples of other biological materials from clinical and preclinical studies to give the whole spectrum of spectroscopic methods application. Descriptions of the developed chemical sensors, as well as the use of flow technology, were also presented. It is worth emphasizing the inclusion in the article of multi-component analysis referring to other neurotransmitters, as well as the description of the tested biological samples and extraction procedures. The motivation to use spectroscopic techniques to conduct this type of analysis and future perspectives in this field are briefly discussed.

Graphical Abstract
Innovation in Times of Crisis: How Civil Protection Organizations in Europe Coped and Adapted During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Roth Florian , Kaluza Benjamin , Pfeffer Katharina , Rümelin Esther , Kirchner Joel , Overmeyer Maike , Neisser Florian , Jackwerth-Rice Thomas , Kilicaslan Aleyna , Sautter Johannes
Published: May 2023

This explorative study provides insights into how civil protection organizations can learn, be innovative, and develop their capabilities toward achieving greater organizational resilience. After the enormous impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, civil protection organizations had to actively shape crisis-related learning processes, particularly concerning workflows and organizational structures, collaboration with stakeholders, preparedness, risk analysis, digitalization, and the political framework. Empirical findings collected in Europe during and between the main pandemic peaks of 2020 and 2021 were analyzed for implications for policymakers and civil protection organizations. Key findings illustrate how important it is for civil protection organizations to respond quickly and adapt flexibly in times of crisis. In interviews with civil protection experts, respondents highlight the benefits of a partner network and the need for digital capabilities and data infrastructure. Other relevant factors in dealing with a crisis were found to be self-evaluation and the ability to recover from a previous wave while preparing for and responding to the next.
Zwerge auf den Schultern von Riesen
Authors: Knapp Fritz Peter
Published: May 2023

Die hier vertretenen Hauptthesen lauten: Die mittelalterliche Literatur ruht auf den Stützen der Weltanschauung und Literaturtheorie von Antike und Christentum, auch wo sie nicht mehr lateinisch, sondern volkssprachlich ist. Sie ist traditionsgebunden, nicht zuletzt in der Festlegung auf übergeordnete Gattungen, insbesondere auf fabula und historia im Bereich der Erzählung. Der moderne ›Fiktionalitätsvertrag‹ von Autor und Leser existiert noch nicht. Die lateinische Tradition erreicht die germanischen Literaturen entweder direkt oder über die romanischen. Diesen Weg muss auch die Forschung gehen, statt die alten Texte mit Methoden zu erschließen, die an neuzeitlichen historischen Befunden erstmals erprobt wurden.
Incidence and pathogenicity of Phytophthora species in beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) stands in Slovakia
Authors: Tkaczyk Miłosz , Sikora Katarzyna , Galko Juraj , Kunca Andrej
Published: May 2023

The common beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) is the main forest-forming species in Slovakia and its share accounts for over 31% of the total forest area in this country. Recently, there are more and more reports of the deterioration of the health of this species in Europe, incl. as a result of the action of pathogens of the genus Phytophthora. The aim of this study is to confirm the presence of pathogens of the genus Phytophthora in beech forests in Slovakia. Ten plots in central and western Slovakia were selected for the study. The presence of: P. x cambivora, P. cactorum, P. plurivora, Globisporangium macrosporum, and G. heterothallicum was confirmed in the samples taken. A pathogenicity test was performed to confirm Koch’s postulates. After three months, the plants were gently taken out, and then: the pathogen was reisolated from the roots to confirm its presence in the tissues, the root systems were scanned and the image was analyzed with WinRhizo software, and finally the roots were dried to obtaining dry biomass. Additionally, during the course of the experiment, the degree of infection of the plants was assessed weekly in order to calculate the area under the disease-progress curve. The conducted research showed the greatest threat from P. x cambivora. In this variant, the symptoms of plant dieback were observed the fastest, as well as the pathogen, compared to the control variant, significantly damaged the root systems.
Agility performance in healthy older adults is associated with handgrip strength and force development: results from a 1-year randomized controlled trial
Authors: Labott Berit K. , Donath Lars
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Handgrip strength is considered as important indicator for general fitness in older adults. However, it does not notably reflect adaptations from whole-body training but may reflect adaptions of multicomponent exercise training. These approaches seem to be more functional and related to relevant daily tasks. Effects of multicomponent agility training on handgrip strength are analysed.

Methods

Healthy older adults (N = 79, 69.3 ± 4.4 years, 64% female) were randomly assigned to an intervention (IG) or control group (CG). IG took part in a twice weekly 60 min multicomponent agility training for 12 months. Adherence rate of the participants was 75
± 10 %.

Results

Neither maximum handgrip strength (Fmax) differed between groups (IG: 318 ± 97 N, CG: 302 ± 92 N) nor did it change after the intervention (IG: 315 ± 90 N, CG: 301 ± 97 N). Mixed ANOVA for Fmax (F(1,49) = 0.018, p = 0.893) revealed no significant group × time interaction with an effect size of $$\eta^2 \leq 0.001$$

η
2

≤
0.001

. Similar results were observed for rate of force development (RFD) (F(1,49) = 0.038, p = 0.847) with an effect size $$\eta^2 = 0.001$$

η
2

=
0.001

. RFD did not differ between groups in pre (IG: 876 ± 585 N/s, CG: 712 ± 303 N/s) and post (IG: 890 ± 424 N/s, CG: 702 ± 368 N/s) measurements. Correlation for ACE and Fmax (r(64) = − 0.367, p = 0.005) and for RFD (r(64) = − 0.487, p < 0.001) was found to be negative.

Conclusion

A 1-year multicomponent agility training does not affect handgrip strength in healthy older adults. However, handgrip strength (Fmax and RFD) is associated with agility, thus both handgrip strength indicators and agility might serve as local and functional vitality surrogates.
Dynamic Response Analysis of High-Speed Maglev-Guideway System
Authors: Dai Jian , Lim Joshua Guan Yi , Ang Kok Keng
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Maglev train travel is an efficient, modern and unconventional mode of transportation of passengers that has many advantages over the conventional railway transportation. In practice, maglev trains are primarily used for city transportation and connection with the airports. They often travel on elevated guideway bridges. This paper is concerned with developing a computationally efficient and accurate numerical method for the dynamic response of a maglev train traversing an “infinitely” long multi-span guideway bridge.

Methods

This study is based on numerical analysis in the time domain. Each guideway span is modelled as a simply supported beam with rotational springs connecting to the adjacent spans. The maglev vehicle is modelled by employing the multi-body system. The vehicle and the guideway are coupled via the electromagnetic force. In the numerical analysis, a computational scheme in conjunction with the MEM is proposed for the global time-domain simulations.

Results

The accuracy of the proposed computational model is validated by comparison with available data for a maglev test line in the literature. Thereafter, parametric studies are conducted to examine the effects of train speed, stiffness of the suspension system and the coupling connection between adjacent guideway beams, and guideway irregularity on the dynamic response of the train. Results show that a stiffer guideway coupling connection helps to reduce the vertical acceleration of the car body and the vertical displacement of the guideway for the parameters considered in the study.

Conclusions

The computational model presented in this study in conjunction with the moving element method has the advantage of computationally efficient analysis and accurate prediction of the dynamic responses of a maglev train traversing an “infinitely” long multi-span guideway bridge over the conventional finite-element method, especially when the train is travelling at high speeds. The method can be extended to further consider more complex and practical cases.
A novel parallel unsupervised texture segmentation approach
Authors: Ge Guangtao
Published: May 2023

This study presents a new idea for unsupervised texture segmentation from the angle of bionics. According to this idea, a novel approach called “side-by-side superposition unsupervised texture segmentation (SSUTS)” is designed. When doing texture segmentation in this paper, the traditional time–frequency analysis-based methods are improved by introducing the analytic phase theory and the Bi-dimensional Empirical mode decomposition (BEMD) theory. Experiments prove that the SSUTS approach is effective in texture segmentation of different styles.

Article Highlights

From the angle of bionics, an effective approach called “side-by-side superposition unsupervised texture segmentation (SSUTS)” is proposed in this paper.

To get reasonable choice of texture segmentation tool for the approach of SSUTS, some classic texture segmentation methods are analyzed and compared in this paper.

This paper shows and explains the improvements in texture segmentation, when the Bi-dimensional Empirical Mode Decomposition (BEMD) theory and the two-dimensional analytic phase theory are applied in some classic texture segmentation methods.
Oil spill vulnerable areas in Arzew Gulf: a study case
Authors: Chabi Nacira , Houma Bachari Fouzia , Bachari Nour El-Islam , Bouda Abderrahmane
Published: May 2023

This study focuses on the Gulf of Arzew in Oran, an important area of the Algerian economy and the first Algerian port in terms of hydrocarbon exports. Oil spills in this area represent a severe risk that can disrupt the marine and coastal ecosystem. Therefore, the aim is to estimate marine waters’ vulnerability to oil pollution, which has become a significant problem worldwide. Predictive simulations of oil slick drift, which may occur in the coastal area of Arzew in Oran, northwest Algeria, were carried out to study, prevent and map the spread of an oil spill in the context of a hypothetical oil spill. For this purpose, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s general operational oil modeling environment and the Automated Data Inquiry for Oil Spills were also used. The results show that approximately 29.7 km of shoreline could potentially be impacted by oil during the winter season, with an evaporation rate of more than 74.6% of the spilled amount. In addition, the simulation results indicate that the area could be affected in distinct ways depending on the season, with completely different oil slick trajectories. It is important to note that no oil slick modeling work has been done in this area to date, although oil spills represent a serious risk that can disrupt coastal resources such as fisheries, tourism, aquatic life, and shoreline physical resources. The mapping results propose a new transposable approach to coastal risk and could serve as a decision-making tool.
Complete sets in normed linear spaces
Authors: He Chan , Martini Horst , Wu Senlin
Published: May 2023

A bounded subset of a (finite or infinite dimensional) normed linear space is said to be complete (or diametrically complete) if it cannot be enlarged without increasing its diameter. Any bounded subsetAof a normed linear space is contained in a complete set having the same diameter, which is called a completion ofA. We survey characterizations, basic properties, facts about structure of the interior and boundary, and the asymmetry of complete sets. Different methods to obtain completions of bounded sets are presented. Moreover, the structure of the space of complete sets endowed with the Hausdorff metric and relations of this set family to related set families and notions are discussed. For example, we mean here sets of constant width, balls, reduced sets, sets of constant diameter, and sets of constant radius.
Through the labyrinth: women in the public universities of Pakistan
Authors: Lashari Maryam Nawaz
Published: May 2023

The purpose of this study is to find out how women negotiate their path to leadership; the barriers and facilitators and how they navigated them to reach the top. An inductive, qualitative approach has been used to systematically analyze the in-depth open-ended responses of female leaders in public higher education institutions and note emergent themes. Women face various endogenous and exogenous challenges in their journey to the top. The major emergent themes turned out to be personal cognizance, individual development, breaking gender stereotypes, and embracing and translating gynandrous leadership by women leaders. Familial support and women-friendly organizational policies were regarded as the most significant enablers. The major barriers turned out to be a lack of institutional support and grit among women. The metaphor of the labyrinth turned out to be an apt metaphor for studying the journeys of women. This research is limited by survivor bias as it only studies women who successfully navigated the labyrinth to the top but not those who got lost in the labyrinth. This study examines the leadership journeys of women leaders in public higher education in Pakistan by extending the metaphor of a labyrinth in the public sector in academia. It also proposes a conceptual model of how women navigate the labyrinth.
Hybrid theory of corporate legal personhood and its application to artificial intelligence
Authors: Raskulla Siina
Published: May 2023

Artificial intelligence (AI) is often compared to corporations in legal studies when discussing AI legal personhood. This article also uses this analogy between AI and companies to study AI legal personhood but contributes to the discussion by utilizing the hybrid model of corporate legal personhood. The hybrid model simultaneously applies the real entity, aggregate entity, and artificial entity models. This article adopts a legalistic position, in which anything can be a legal person. However, there might be strong pragmatic reasons not to confer legal personhood on non-human entities. The article recognizes that artificial intelligence is autonomous by definition and has greater de facto autonomy than corporations and, consequently, greater potential for de jure autonomy. Therefore, AI has a strong attribute to be a real entity. Nevertheless, the article argues that AI has key characteristics from the aggregate entity and artificial entity models. Therefore, the hybrid entity model is more applicable to AI legal personhood than any single model alone. The discussion recognises that AI might be too autonomous for legal personhood. Still, it concludes that the hybrid model is a useful analytical framework as it incorporates legal persons with different levels of de jure and de facto autonomy.
Use of a simple passive monitoring system to assess detention basin stormwater
Authors: Riley Jesse , Hargiss Christina , Norland Jack
Published: May 2023

The ability to monitor stormwater quality while in detention basins would be useful for stormwater managers. A simple passive method of monitoring vertical elevations of pooled stormwater in detention basins was developed. The simple method used plastic buckets with holes drilled into them to collect water as stormwater filled the basin from first flush to peak. The method was installed at three different detention basins and stormwater was collected using the simple passive system at different vertical pool elevations for three storm events. Total suspended solids were found to decline from first flush in keeping with other studies on stormwater. In addition, total phosphorous and E. coli were found to differ among storm events and pool elevations. The simple passive vertical water quality assessment system was found to produce reliable results similar to what others have found. The advantages of this assessment method were that it reduced exposure of personnel to hazardous conditions, was low cost, and was a simple, uncomplicated way to sample stormwater.
Discrepancies of remote techno-tolerance due to COVID-19 pandemic within Arab middle-east countries
Authors: Abu-Hashem Muhannad A. , Gutub Adnan , Salem Osama , Shambour Mohd Khaled , Shambour Qusai , Shehab Mohammad , Izzat Ahmad , Alrawashdeh Mufda J.
Published: May 2023

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) changed the world’s lifestyle switching many techno-services to be provided remotely instead of direct usual physical interactions between people. This study focused on university students’ perceptions of this virtual technology-engineering change as discrepancies to be analyzed. The research surveyed 777 different students from four Arab middle-east neighboring countries, with related demographics and specifications, expressing full remarkable experiences of e-technology in virtual as well as traditional performances helping reveal overall tolerance possibilities. The study adopted examination technology via ANOVA to test discrepancies within students' perceptions for overall multi-factors deep analysis classification. The exploration highlighted an interesting range of pros and cons remarks including feminism and economic effect as well as other cultural and engineering interaction issues, raising signals to essentially consider and mutually benefit from adequate future generation e-techno adaptation within the region.
Monocular Based Navigation System for Autonomous Ground Robots Using Multiple Deep Learning Models
Authors: Machkour Zakariae , Ortiz-Arroyo Daniel , Durdevic Petar
Published: May 2023

In recent years, the development of ground robots with human-like perception capabilities has led to the use of multiple sensors, including cameras, lidars, and radars, along with deep learning techniques for detecting and recognizing objects and estimating distances. This paper proposes a computer vision-based navigation system that integrates object detection, segmentation, and monocular depth estimation using deep neural networks to identify predefined target objects and navigate towards them with a single monocular camera as a sensor. Our experiments include different sensitivity analyses to evaluate the impact of monocular cues on distance estimation. We show that this system can provide a ground robot with the perception capabilities needed for autonomous navigation in unknown indoor environments without the need for prior mapping or external positioning systems. This technique provides an efficient and cost-effective means of navigation, overcoming the limitations of other navigation techniques such as GPS-based and SLAM-based navigation.

Graphical Abstract
Markers of Allusion in Archaic Greek Poetry
Authors: Nelson Thomas J.
Published: May 2023

Challenging many established narratives of literary history, this book investigates how the earliest known Greek poets (seventh to fifth centuries BCE) signposted their debts to their predecessors and prior traditions – placing markers in their works for audiences to recognise (much like the 'Easter eggs' of modern cinema). Within antiquity, such signposting has often been considered the preserve of later literary cultures, closely linked with the development of libraries, literacy and writing. In this wide-ranging new study, Thomas Nelson shows that these devices were already deeply ingrained in oral archaic Greek poetry, deconstructing the artificial boundary between a supposedly 'primal' archaic literature and a supposedly 'sophisticated' book culture of Hellenistic Alexandria and Rome. In three interlocking case studies, he highlights how poets from Homer to Pindar employed the language of hearsay, memory and time to index their allusive relationships, as they variously embraced, reworked and challenged their inherited tradition.
The Workplace Reimagined
Authors: Porter Nicole Buonocore
Published: May 2023

In the wake of the pandemic, many employers continue to allow their employees to work from home, but much of the workplace remains governed by strict structural norms such as shifts, schedules, attendance, and leave-of-absence policies that determine when and where work is performed. In The Workplace Reimagined, Nicole Buonocore Porter explores how these workplace norms marginalize people with disabilities and workers with caregiving responsibilities. Using COVID-19 as a lens to illustrate how entrenched workplace norms are often not inevitable or necessary, Porter theoretically and practically reconceptualizes the workplace to end the stigmatization of these employees and helps readers understand the value of accommodating all workers. The Workplace Reimagined is timely, eye-opening, and will help us realize a workplace in which we account for the reality, the precarity, and the diversity of all our lives and bodies.
The Materiality of Numbers
Authors: Overmann Karenleigh A. , Wynn Tom
Published: May 2023

This is a book about numbers – what they are as concepts and how and why they originate – as viewed through the material devices used to represent and manipulate them. Fingers, tallies, tokens, and written notations, invented in both ancestral and contemporary societies, explain what numbers are, why they are the way they are, and how we get them. Overmann is the first to explore how material devices contribute to numerical thinking, initially by helping us to visualize and manipulate the perceptual experience of quantity that we share with other species. She explores how and why numbers are conceptualized and then elaborated, as well as the central role that material objects play in both processes. Overmann's volume thus offers a view of numerical cognition that is based on an alternative set of assumptions about numbers, their material component, and the nature of the human mind and thinking.
Data Science for Complex Systems
Authors: Chakrabarti Anindya S. , Bakar K. Shuvo , Chakraborti Anirban
Published: May 2023

Many real-life systems are dynamic, evolving, and intertwined. Examples of such systems displaying 'complexity', can be found in a wide variety of contexts ranging from economics to biology, to the environmental and physical sciences. The study of complex systems involves analysis and interpretation of vast quantities of data, which necessitates the application of many classical and modern tools and techniques from statistics, network science, machine learning, and agent-based modelling. Drawing from the latest research, this self-contained and pedagogical text describes some of the most important and widely used methods, emphasising both empirical and theoretical approaches. More broadly, this book provides an accessible guide to a data-driven toolkit for scientists, engineers, and social scientists who require effective analysis of large quantities of data, whether that be related to social networks, financial markets, economies or other types of complex systems.
The role of social affiliation in incitement: A social semiotic approach to far-right terrorists’ incitement to violence
Authors: Etaywe Awni , Zappavigna Michele
Published: May 2023

One key aspect of threat in terrorists’ language is incitement to violence. Contributing to a fuller understanding of how terrorists use language to encourage people to join their cause, this article examines the role of evaluative language in incitement strategies used by a far-rightist to align with and alienate particular social groups. The Affiliation framework (Knight 2010a; Zappavigna 2011; Etaywe & Zappavigna 2021; Etaywe 2022a), as grounded in systemic functional linguistics, is used to understand how values and social bonds are leveraged in the process of incitement, as explored in a manifesto published online by Brenton Tarrant, preceding his 2019 terrorist attack on two mosques in New Zealand. The findings reveal two main affiliation strategies used for incitement: communion (forging solidarity and alignments) and alienation. These strategies function to construct opposing social groups in discourse, with the condemned groups positioned as a threat, hostility legitimated as morally reasonable, and violence as warranted. (Far-right extremism, incitement, hate crimes, affiliation, morality of terrorism, forensic linguistics, conspiracy theory discourse)