bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Timely Wildfire Perimeter Mapping for Unmanned Aerial Platforms
Authors: Rittenbach Andrew , Imes Connor , Walters John Paul
Published: December 2024

Wildfire perimeter mapping currently relies on deferred processing of data from manned and orbital platforms using hand-tuned physics-based models. We demonstrate real-time on-board multispectral data processing on cost-efficient unmanned aerial platforms using ML-based semantic segmentation.
Bringing spectroscopy to the people - Miniaturizing NIR spectroscopy towards consumer electronics
Authors: Müller Christian , Ögün Celal Mohan , Pröll Florian , Hermes Wilfried
Published: December 2024

TrinamiX is taking mobile near infrared spectroscopy to another level by miniaturizing the hardware and integrating the technology into consumer electronics. Therefore, a fully integrated spectrometer module including auto calibration and temperature compensation was developed.
A Large-scale Visible Light Communications Receiver based on Luminescent Solar Concentrator
Authors: Figueiredo Gonçalo , Sencadas Vítor , Fu Lianshe , André Paulo S , Ferreira Rute A S
Published: December 2024

We proposed a large dimension visible light communications receiver, achieving rates up to kps, through the utilization of luminescent solar concentrators. This solution addresses the challenges associated with directivity in uplink communications within indoor environments.
Ultrafast Phosphor Surface Heating Optical Thermometry (UP-SHOT) for Transient Thermal Environments
Authors: Collins Noelle M. , Klesko Joseph P. , Norden Tenzin , McClintok Luke , Winters Caroline A.
Published: December 2024

Ultrafast (GHz) thermometry requires considerations of signal-to-noise, heat conduction, and temperature sensitivity. Ultrafast Phosphor Surface Heating Optical Thermometry (UP-SHOT) exploits the sub-nanosecond excitonic response of zinc oxide. Time-resolved photoluminescence is presented.
Quantum Technologies: From Inspiration to Economic and Societal Value
Authors: Knight Peter
Published: December 2024

The journey from great research to practical realization is a difficult one, where building a collaborative ecosystem engaging researchers, entrepreneurs, investment capital, companies and government early adopters is essential. I will describe how such a committed ecosystem can be built, drawing together a diverse community, accelerating the journey from fundamental science to product.

Full-text article not available; see video presentation
AI in and for Optical System Design: A Lens Designer Point of View
Authors: Thibault Simon
Published: December 2024

In lens design, we've been talking about AI for 40 years, it's time to ask how we can optimize the use of these new opportunities in optical design at work and for teaching.

Full-text article not available; see video presentation
Instant 3D Worlds Through Split-Lohmann Displays
Authors: Qin Yingsi
Published: December 2024

We present a novel 3D display that can create high-quality 3D scenes in an instant. It can put individual pixel areas to different depths, fully supporting the native focusing ability of the human eye.

Full-text article not available; see video presentation
Optical Implementation of Denoising Diffusion Models for Efficient Image Generation
Authors: Oguz Ilker , Dinc Niyazi Ulas , Yildirim Mustafa , Ke Junjie , Yoo Innfarn , Wang Qifei , Yang Feng , Moser Christophe , Psaltis Demetri
Published: December 2024

Image generation with diffusion models requires many denoising steps, causing substantial latency in sampling on electronic hardware. To alleviate this problem, we demonstrate that passive modulation layers can perform image denoising and generation optically.

Full-text article not available; see video presentation
Neutral Atom Quantum Computing with Ytterbium in Tweezer Arrays
Authors: Zhang Bichen , Liu Genyue , Peng Pai , Ma Shuo , Horvath Sebastian , Thompson Jeff
Published: December 2024

Metastable qubits encoded with Yb convert a significant fraction of errors to erasures, leading to favorable error models for quantum error correction. I will discuss our experiments aimed at enhancing system performance through erasure conversion.

Full-text article not available; see video presentation
Enhancement of harmonic generation by an intense driving laser with high-order waveguide modes in a high-pressure gas-filled hollow waveguide
Authors: Li Baochang , Wang Kan , Tang Xiangyu , Wang Bincheng , Lin C. D. , Jin Cheng
Published: December 2024

High-order harmonics have been widely used as reliable tabletop coherent radiation sources recently, but their applications have often been limited by the available pulse energy. Here, we report that by using an overdriven intense laser in a long waveguide with high-pressure gas, phase matching can be achieved in three distinct “regimes”. In the third regime, favorable phase matching is achieved at near-axis positions to enhance harmonic yields. Our results are supported by a full theoretical analysis, and we demonstrate that coupling of the driving laser with the high-order waveguide modes (instead of the fundamental mode used in most prior experiments) is responsible for achieving phase matching. Furthermore, we establish that this phase matching (and harmonic enhancement) is robust, and a scaling relation is derived for the necessary waveguide and gas parameters, allowing our predictions to be tested immediately in any laboratory today.
RF photonic interference mitigation system using silicon nitride ring resonator network
Authors: Eijkel Maarten , Braamhaar Redlef , der Slot Peter van , Marpaung David
Published: December 2024

We experimentally demonstrate what we believe to be a novel RF interference mitigation technique using a network of low-loss silicon nitride ring resonators. The rings are used for complex (phase and amplitude) line-by-line shaping of higher-order sidebands from an electro-optic modulator to discriminate large and small RF signal input, thereby achieving strong (30 dB) mitigation of a large signal and virtually no mitigation for small signals.
Volume Bragg grating with tunable reflectivity and the bandwidth assisted Fabry-Pérot cavity
Authors: Wang Hejin , Chen Jiamin , Wen Feng , Zheng Zhixuan , Han Huan , Zheng Yongqiu , Xue Chenyang
Published: December 2024

The rigid Fabry-Pérot (F-P) cavity has emerged as the preferred core sensing component for optical pressure, vibration, and acoustic sensing in harsh environments, owing to its high reliability and structural stability. However, due to the inadequate temperature resistance of the optical dielectric film, maintaining a high level of precision in the rigid F-P cavity at elevated temperatures proves to be challenging. Volume Bragg grating (VBG) is a three-dimensional optical element modified by a femtosecond laser within a transparent glass medium to create a periodic refractive index distribution. Based on its structure's similarity to fiber grating and optical film, the VBG was proposed as a reflection component for a fully rigid F-P cavity, and its structure and reflection properties were researched and analyzed. The results indicate that the reflectivity and reflective bandwidth of the VBG are primarily influenced by the variation of single or double parameters among the four key parameters: grating period, grating linewidth, number of layers, and refractive index change. These analytical results can assist in selecting appropriate parameters based on application requirements during the preparation of the VBG and provide data support for its practical measurement.
High-efficiency analysis of electromagnetic-thermal effects for absorbing honeycomb based on transformation optics
Authors: Wang Yun , Wen Kaihuai , Yue Xiuli , Chen Peiyan , Han Tiancheng , Zhou Peiheng , Liang Difei , Deng Longjiang
Published: December 2024

Wave-absorbing honeycombs have garnered widespread attention due to their high-efficiency absorption, ultra-wideband absorption, lightweight nature, and high load-carrying capacity. However, as electromagnetic radiation power increases, the temperature of the absorbing honeycomb increases rapidly, even leading to burning. Therefore, it is significant to possess an efficient and accurate assessment of the thermal effects of absorbing honeycombs under electromagnetic radiation. However, the complex thin-walled structure of the honeycomb increases computational complexity, resulting in time-consuming, resource-intensive, and occasionally unsolvable actions. To address this issue, we implement transformation optics to expand the thin-walled structure and reconstruct the transformed electromagnetic and thermal property parameters. The transformed electromagnetic-thermal coupling simulation results were highly consistent with the actual model. Specially, the mesh count dropped from 272,717 to 17,621, the simulation time decreased from 15,792s to 242s, and the efficiency was improved by 65 times. The proposed methodology overcomes analysis difficulties on multi-scale complex structures, making it possible to analyze the honeycomb structures that traditional methods cannot handle.
Time-shifted Pseudonoise Multibeam Lidar Array using Acousto-optic Deflectors
Authors: Ting Kai-Ting , Wagner Kelvin
Published: December 2024

We present a new multibeam lidar system that simultaneously transmits an array of K low-crosstalk codes and detects the backscattered returns from all directions on a single large-area high-speed detector. We generate a series of long, time-shifted, self-synchronizing maximum-length pseudo-noise (PN) codes in the form of an array of K intensity-modulated beams from a single aperture using only two traveling-wave acousto-optic deflectors (AODs). The cascaded AODs driven by counter-propagating acoustic waves are imaged onto each other, and the diffracted fields are imaged onto the far-field target where the interferometric product between two Binary-Phase-Shift Keying (BPSK) encoded ML sequences generates time-permuted versions of the PN-code as an array of K beams highly identifiable as well-separated peaks in the cross-correlation. The time delay of the various beams are optimized to be well separated across the multibeam array and are delayed by many milliseconds even though the acoustic propagation time is only a few microseconds. This relies on the shift-and-add property of ML codes to produce time-shifted versions of a PN-code from the bitwise mod-2 addition (XOR) of 2 relatively delayed copies of the code, where XOR is instead implemented as the interferometric product between BPSK bipolar PN-codes. This PN-encoded interferometry enables a new type of multibeam lidar imaging system that does not require scanning mirrors at the transmitter or multi-pixel wideband detector arrays at the focal plane of the receiver. A preliminary experimental demonstration of a 32-beam array parallel ranging using a N=2¹⁵−1 maximal length code shows how a single cross-correlator computationally identifies the different time-shifted beams and their time-of-flight (TOF) range delays.
Simulating diffusion and repulsion of charges in single photon semiconductor detectors
Authors: Ballester Manuel , Kaspar Jaromir , Massanés Francesc , Vija Alexander Hans , Katsaggelos Aggelos K.
Published: December 2024

We introduce a novel Monte Carlo approach for simulating charge propagation in semiconductor detectors, accounting for Coulomb repulsion and diffusion over time.
A Taybi-Linder syndrome-related RTTN variant impedes neural rosette formation in human cortical organoids
Authors: Guguin Justine , Chen Ting-Yu , Cuinat Silvestre , Besson Alicia , Bertiaux Eloïse , Boutaud Lucile , Ardito Nolan , Imaz Murguiondo Miren , Cabet Sara , Hamel Virginie , Thomas Sophie , Pain Bertrand , Edery Patrick , Putoux Audrey , Tang Tang K. , Mazoyer Sylvie , Delous Marion
Published: December 2024

Taybi-Linder syndrome (TALS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by severe microcephaly with abnormal gyral pattern, severe growth retardation and bone abnormalities. It is caused by pathogenic variants in the RNU4ATAC gene. Its transcript, the small nuclear RNA U4atac, is involved in the excision of ~850 minor introns. Here, we report a patient presenting with TALS features but no pathogenic variants were found in RNU4ATAC, instead the homozygous RTTN c.2953A>G variant was detected by whole-exome sequencing. After deciphering the impact of the variant on the RTTN protein function at centrosome in engineered RTTN-depleted RPE1 cells and patient fibroblasts, we analysed neural stem cells (NSC) derived from CRISPR/Cas9-edited induced pluripotent stem cells and revealed major cell cycle and mitotic abnormalities, leading to aneuploidy, cell cycle arrest and cell death. In cortical organoids, we discovered an additional function of RTTN in the self-organisation of NSC into neural rosettes, by observing delayed apico-basal polarization of NSC. Altogether, these defects contributed to a marked delay of rosette formation in RTTN-mutated organoids, thus impeding their overall growth and shedding light on mechanisms leading to microcephaly.
Socio-economic factors associated with cancer stigma among apparently healthy women in two selected municipalities Nepal
Authors: Paneru Bandana , Karmacharya Aerona , Makaju Soniya , Kafle Diksha , Poudel Lisasha , Mali Sushmita , Timsina Priyanka , Shrestha Namuna , Timalsena Dinesh , Chaudhary Kalpana , Bhandari Niroj , Rai Prasanna , Shakya Sunila , Spiegelman Donna , Sheth Sangini S. , Stangl Anne , Eastment McKenna C. , Shrestha Archana
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Cancer is the primary cause of death globally, and despite the significant advancements in treatment and survival rates, it is still stigmatized in many parts of the world. However, there is limited public health research on cancer stigma among the general female population in Nepal. Therefore, this study aims to determine the prevalence of cancer stigma and its associated factors in this group.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study among 426 healthy women aged 30 to 60 years who were residents of Dhulikhel and Banepa in central Nepal. We measured cancer stigma using the Cancer Stigma Scale (CASS). CASS measures cancer stigma in six domains (awkwardness, avoidance, severity, personal responsibility, policy opposition, financial discrimination) on a 6-point Likert scale (strongly disagree to agree strongly) with higher mean stigma scores correlating with higher levels of stigma. We utilized Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) with multivariable linear regression to identify the socio-demographic factors associated with the CASS score.

Results

Overall, the level of cancer stigma was low, with a mean stigma score of 2.6 (0.6), but it was still present among participants. Stigma related to personal responsibility had the highest levels, with a mean score of 3.9 (1.3), followed by severity with a mean score of 3.2 (1.3), and financial discrimination with a mean score of 2.9 (1.6). There was a significant association between the mean CASS score and older age (mean difference in stigma score: 0.11 points; 95% CI: 0.02–0.20) as well as lower education (difference: -0.02 points; 95% CI: -0.03 to -0.003), after adjusting for age, ethnicity, education, marital status, religion, occupation, and parity.

Conclusion

While overall cancer stigma was low, some domains of stigma were higher among women in a suburban area in central Nepal; thus, indicating that cancer stigma persists in this region despite its low overall prevalence.
Laboratory validation of a simplified DNA extraction protocol followed by a portable qPCR detection of M. tuberculosis DNA suitable for point of care settings
Authors: Soares Tainá dos Santos , Bello Graziele Lima , dos Santos Petry Ianca Moraes , Nicola Maria Rita Castilho , Vitoria da Silva Larissa , Barcellos Regina Bones , Silvestri Joana Morez , Rossetti Maria Lucia , Costa Alexandre Dias Tavares
Published: December 2024

Tuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is a treatable and curable disease, and yet remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Diagnosis is essential to reducing the number of cases and starting treatment, but costly tests and equipments that require complex infrastructure hamper their widespread use as a tool to contain the disease in vulnerable populations as well countries lacking resources. Therefore, it becomes necessary to develop new technological approaches to molecular methods as well as screening tests that can be rapidly conducted among people presenting to a health facility to differentiate those who should have further diagnostic evaluation for TB from those who should undergo further investigation for non-TB diagnoses. The present study aimed to evaluate two experimental DNA extraction methods from clinical samples (FTA card versus sonication) followed by analysis in a portable qPCR instrument (the Q3-plus). The FTA card-based protocol showed 100% sensitivity and specificity, while the sonication protocol showed 80% sensitivity and 89% specificity when compared to the traditional gold standard culture. The portable protocol, comprised by the FTA card method and the portable instrument Q3-Plus, showed sensitivity and specificity of 92% and 61%, respectively, when compared to culture, and 75% and 81%, respectively, when compared to the standard TB case classification. The ROC curve showed an AUC of 0.78 (p<0.001) for the portable protocol and 0.93 (p<0.001) for the GeneXpert Ultra. The limit of detection (LOD) for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (H37Rv strain) detection in spiked samples obtained using the portable protocol (FTA card and Q3-Plus) was 19.3 CFU/mL. As an added benefit, using the FTA card facilitates sample handling, transport, and storage. It is concluded that the use of the FTA card protocol and the Q3-Plus yields similar sensitivity and specificity as the gold standard diagnostic tests and case classification. We suggest that the platform is suitable to use as a point of care tool, assisting in the screening of tuberculosis in hard-to-reach or resource-limited areas.
Overseas residency rights of Chinese listed firms’ controllers: Impacts on R&D and public welfare donations
Authors: Zhu Haicheng , Tian Yule , Yang Ke , Wei Saite , Yin Yufei
Published: December 2024

By developing an intertemporal decision-making model, this paper investigates the impact of the acquisition of overseas residency by a firm’s beneficial owner on the firm’s intertemporal decision-making. By incorporating a discount rate in the model, the paper finds that obtaining foreign residency alters the temporal distributional characteristics of the utility of the beneficial owner, weakening its preference for intertemporal investment behaviors such as R&D and donations. We then conduct an empirical analysis using the propensity score matching method for Chinese listed firms. The results show that firms with overseas residency have significantly lower R&D investment and an increase in philanthropic donation intensity than other firms. This study provides some practical benefit and relevance to government public policymaking: for developing countries such as China, public policies that take into account incentive compatibility will be more conducive to R&D investments and charitable donations by companies that obtain overseas residency rights, thus enhancing their brand value and social well-being.
Effects of a nutrition education intervention on food-provision managerial decisions in Catalan old age nursing homes
Authors: Rodríguez-Sánchez Beatriz , Aranda-Reneo Isaac , Mora Toni
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Existing research does not provide definitive conclusions on the most effective initiatives for preventing malnutrition among older adult residents in nursing homes.

Objective

We aimed to assess whether a nutrition education intervention provided to nursing home managers can improve dietary managerial decisions within nursing homes.

Methods

We performed a multicenter study, where each center was randomized to an intervention or a control group. To ensure homogeneous group representation, we stratified the sample based on the facility size and the availability of kitchen equipment. The baseline survey contained questions related to center characteristics, kitchen size and availability of cooking tools, availability of different daily menu options and the staff working in the kitchen. The follow-up survey included questions about the staff responsible for making nutritional decisions, the degree of food handling, the availability of texture-modification tools, and the residents’ satisfaction. We use ordered probit regression models to estimate the effect of the educational intervention on decisions around food management.

Results

From the 238 nursing homes that responded to the initial survey, 176 were followed-up; 56 were allocated to the intervention group and 120 to the control group. There were 53.32 residents per center among the treated group and 40.82 residents in the non-treated institutions. The intervention increased by 24% the nursing homes’ probability of increasing their stock of texture-modification tools, which rose to 26% after controlling for the effect of receiving specific training on textures or presentation, compared to the control group.

Conclusions

The intervention improved managerial decisions in nursing homes concerning meal presentation through an increase in the number of cooking tools. Incorporating structured and comprehensive sessions to improve food texture and presentation could help fight the risk of residents’ malnutrition.
Heterologous expression, purification, and biochemical characterization of protease 3075 from Cohnella sp. A01
Authors: Hashemi Shahraki Fatemeh , Evazzadeh Narges , Aminzadeh Saeed
Published: December 2024

Proteases as one of the most significant categories of commercial enzymes, serve nowadays as the key ingredients in detergent formulations. Therefore, identifying detergent-compatible proteases with better properties is a continuous exercise. Accordingly, we were interested in the recombinant production and characterization of protease 3075 as a novel enzyme from thermophilic indigenous Cohnella sp. A01. The biochemical and structural features of the protease were probed by employing bioinformatic methods and in vitro studies. The bioinformatics analysis discovered that protease 3075 belongs to the C56—PfpI superfamily. The protease 3075 gene was cloned and heterologous expressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli) BL21. It was found that the enzyme contains 175 amino acids and 525 bp with a molecular weight of 19 kDa. Protease 3075 revealed acceptable activity in the range of 40–80°C and pH 5.5–8. The optimum activity of the enzyme was observed at 70°C and pH 6. The activity of protease 3075 increased about 4-fold in the presence of Tween 80 and acetone, while its activity attenuated in the presence of iodoacetic acid and iodoacetamide. Docking analyses revealed the dominant interaction between Tween 80 and protease 3075, mediated by hydrogen bonds and Van der Waals forces. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulations (MDS) showed that Tween 80 increased the stability of the protease 3075 structure. Altogether, our data provided a novel enzyme by genetic manipulation process that could have significant industrial applications.
Examining the influence of knowledge transfer and dynamic capabilities on enterprise digital transformation
Authors: Xiong Xiaofang
Published: December 2024

Digital transformation is a crucial strategy for enterprises to navigate the digital economy, leading to a growing number of organizations actively engaging in this process. However, the high failure rates in digital transformation initiatives have pushed both academia and industry to identify effective approaches. Key challenges include a lack of relevant knowledge and capabilities as well as the need for coordinated resource utilization. Knowledge is vital for developing new business models, selecting appropriate digital technologies, and strategizing their use; knowledge transfer is a central component of this transformation. To address these challenges, this study reviews the literature on knowledge transfer, dynamic capabilities, and digital transformation and proposes a theoretical model that connects these elements. Empirical research through questionnaire surveys and structural equation modeling reveals that knowledge transfer significantly enhances digital transformation and positively impacts enterprises’ ability to perceive, capture, and reconstruct knowledge. These abilities also serve as partial mediators between knowledge transfers and digital transformations. This study innovatively integrates knowledge transfer and digital transformation into a unified model, thereby contributing to the theoretical exploration of digital transformation pathways. Moreover, it enhances the understanding of dynamic capabilities in this context, providing valuable insights and practical implications for Chinese enterprises aiming to improve their digital transformation efforts through effective knowledge transfer and cultivation of dynamic capabilities.
The challenge of preventing extinctions: Lessons from managing threatened land snails on Norfolk Island
Authors: Hyman Isabel T. , Van Sluys Monique , Foon Junn Kitt , Macgregor Nicholas A. , Anderson Alexandra H. , Patel Tara , Williams Clow Tarryn , Wilson Melinda , Daly Andrew , Bennison Kerrie , Bonson Parnee , Brown Simon , Christian Brendon , Finlayson Brett , Greenup Nigel , King Lilli-Unna , Köhler Frank
Published: December 2024

Norfolk Island, situated between Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia, has a rich, narrowly endemic land snail fauna, which has suffered considerably from habitat loss and introduced predators. Eleven species (Stylommatophora, Microcystidae) are currently listed by the IUCN and/or Australia’s EPBC Act 1999 as Endangered, Critically Endangered or Extinct. Based on targeted surveys undertaken since 2020, we re-assess the threat status of these taxa. For three species assessed to be at imminent risk of extinction, we report on the implementation of in-situ and ex-situ conservation actions and assess their effectiveness after a three-year period. We document current distributions and abundances of these species and describe experimental conservation methods, such as increased predator control, the erection of predator-proof exclosures, and the establishment of an ex-situ breeding population. We found that the relative abundance of one subspecies, Advena campbellii campbellii, was strongly correlated with monthly rainfalls. Trials of predator-proof exclosures that retain adults but allow juveniles to disperse indicated that snails can be successfully secured from predation. Increased efforts in predator control led to the killing of more rodents and chickens; however, the impact on the snail population is unclear. The ex-situ breeding population had high birth rates initially followed by high adult mortality. Adjustments in husbandry conditions reduced stress levels leading to sustainable birth rates and increased survivorship with the result of rapid population growth. We determined that the ovoviviparous A. campbellii campbellii matures at the age of 3–4 months and has a lifespan of 10–12 months in captivity. We conclude that focused predation studies are needed to determine the impact of introduced predators. The use of exclosures requires further refinement especially regarding feeding schedules. In-situ breeding requires significant time for establishment but can be implemented successfully. We assess three endemic species as Extinct, four as Critically Endangered and two as Vulnerable.
Unveiling the mediating role of cultural trade and domestic identity in Chinese consumer engagement with foreign films and TV series
Authors: Yuan Sheng , Huang Wei-Lun , Chen Zhihan , Yin Hengbin
Published: December 2024

The research adopts a comprehensive methodological framework to investigate the influence of foreign films and TV series on the behavior of Chinese consumers. Rooted in a thorough review of existing literature, the study implements questionnaire surveys to gather primary data from 786 meticulously selected respondents. Initial data analysis through descriptive methods is subsequently refined via Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling to elucidate complex interrelationships among the variables under consideration. The findings of the study indicate a growing consumer inclination towards foreign films and TV series in China. Notably, the cultural construct labeled ’Misunderstood’ emerges as a critical determinant, underscoring the significance of cultural literacy in the consumption patterns of foreign films and TV series. Furthermore, the research highlights the mediating effect of domestic cultural identity on consumer preferences, which are further influenced by demographic factors such as age, gender, education, occupation, and income. By integrating economic theories of consumer choice with trade theories related to cultural exchange, the study offers an in-depth analysis of the market dynamics governing foreign films and TV series consumption in China. The implications point to substantial opportunities for content that is culturally resonant, providing valuable strategic insights for marketers and content creators operating within this complex and evolving landscape.
Design dimensions of electrocutaneous warning stimulation patterns in workplace safety devices
Authors: Dölker Eva-Maria , Lau Stephan , Bernhard Maria Anne , Haueisen Jens
Published: December 2024

Warning of workers in dangerous situations is crucial. With the aim of deriving practical parameters for an electrocutaneous warning stimulation, we explore the design dimensions of pulse intervals, amplitudes, and locations of electrocutaneous stimulation in a study on healthy volunteers. Using biphasic rectangular current pulses on the upper right arm of 81 healthy participants, they evaluated temporal perception with varying intervals, ranging from 200 ms down to 0.5 ms, categorizing it as ’Individual pulses’, ’Pulsating’, ’Vibrating’, or ’Continuous’. Next, we tested nine amplitude levels. Participants rated the perceived amplitude on a scale from 1 to 9 after a training phase. Finally, we presented five consecutive stimulation pulses in a pseudo-random order at eight electrode pair positions, asking participants to report the stimulated electrode pair. Participants perceived electrocutaneous pulses as ’Individual pulses’ for median intervals above 74 ms, as ’Pulsating’ between 44 ms and 74 ms, as ’Vibrating’ between 12 ms and 44 ms, and as ’Continuous’ below 12 ms. Pulse intervals below about 1 ms were perceived as weak and at about 5 ms as inconvenient, rendering these intervals less suitable for the design of a warning pattern. The median reported amplitudes [25%-75%-percentile] for presented amplitudes 1 to 9 are: 1[1–1], 2[2–3], 3[2–4], 3[3–4], 4[3–5], 5[4–6], 6[4–7], 7[5–8] and 7.5 [6–8] indicating a linear relationship between presented and perceived amplitude. These results suggest that the stimulation amplitude may be incorporated into a structured stimulation pattern. The majority of the electrode pair locations were reported correctly (64.3%–86.6%) or within the two neighboring electrode pairs (98%–99.7%). We conclude that the determined pulse intervals combined with the differentiability of locations offer the basis for designing a warning signal. Our research lays the groundwork for developing suitable signals for wearable electric warning devices.
Critical factors influencing cost estimators’ judgements on cost contingencies in highway construction projects: An empirical study in the UK
Authors: Zhao Lilin , Wang Jinpeng , Zhang Shang
Published: December 2024

Unforeseen additional costs are major sources of cost overruns for the UK’s highway projects. General contractors normally allocate cost contingencies in their tender prices to cover these costs, primarily based on the judgements of their cost estimators. However, cost contingencies allocated to the same risk by different cost estimators can vary significantly. Although objective factors influencing the estimation of cost contingencies have been extensively investigated, subjective factors remain underexplored. Therefore, this paper aims to address this gap by investigating the subjective factors influencing cost estimators’ judgements through a qualitative study. Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted with experienced cost estimators working for general contractors in the UK’s construction industry. A follow-up focus group study was also conducted with seven experienced cost estimators in the UK’s construction industry to validate the interview results. The findings reveal that there are thirteen influencing factors affecting cost estimators’ judgements on cost contingencies in highway construction projects. Seven of them, namely cost estimators’ ability to effectively communicate with stakeholders, self-reflection on previous practice, open-mindedness to project uniqueness, previous project experiences, risk attitude, assumption of the controllability of risks, and perceived quality of tender documents were identified as critical ones. They were grouped into two categories, including expertise-related factors and personal factors. The findings contribute to the lack of research on the subjective factors influencing cost estimators’ judgement-making process in highway construction projects in developed countries. The results also provide new practical insights for general contractors to develop more focused strategies and training programs to enhance the reliability of cost estimators’ judgements on cost contingencies, which can effectively reduce the probability of cost overruns.
Why partner? Harnessing value from collaborative sustainable business models to restore coral reefs at scale
Authors: Kong Taryn M. , Taylor Bruce , Graham Victoria
Published: December 2024

Tropical coral reefs provide a wide range of ecosystem services that benefit millions worldwide. However, the current scale of coral reef restoration is a long way from matching the extent needed to protect coral reefs globally, and this implementation gap presents a complex challenge to overcome. Cross-sectoral collaborative sustainable business models (CSBMs) present an interesting opportunity to scale up coral restoration, though this area is yet to be explored in the literature. In this paper, we use the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program in the Great Barrier Reef as a case study to examine potential collaborators, their roles, and what benefits motivate them to partner for scaling coral restoration. We identified a diverse range of potential collaborators from 10 sectors offering different combinations of physical, human and organisational capitals. Participants described nine roles they could play in such a partnership, and many of these roles relate to ecosystem growth scaling strategies. Benefits that motivate collaboration fall into seven categories: environmental benefit, business opportunity and value, employment opportunity, knowledge and technology, innovation, hope, and reputation. Our findings contribute to designing CSBMs for coral restoration by enriching our understanding of collaborators, value creation and their potential roles in alternative pathways to scale up coral restoration beyond reducing unit cost and increasing funding.
Interleukin 1 β suppresses bile acid-induced BSEP expression via a CXCR2-dependent feedback mechanism
Authors: Angendohr Carolin , Missing Leah , Ehlting Christian , Wolf Stephanie D. , Lang Karl S. , Vucur Mihael , Luedde Tom , Bode Johannes G.
Published: December 2024

Inflammation-induced cholestasis is a common problem in septic patients and results from cytokine-mediated inhibition of bile acid export including impaired expression of the bile salt export pump (BSEP) with a consecutive increase in intracellular bile acids mediating cell damage. The present study focuses on the mechanisms by which interleukin 1 β (IL-1β), as a critical mediator of sepsis-induced cholestasis, controls the expression of BSEP in hepatocytes. Notably, the treatment of hepatocytes with IL-1β leads to the upregulation of a broad chemokine pattern. Thereby, the IL-1β -induced expression of in particular the CXCR2 ligands CXCL1 and 2 is further enhanced by bile acids, whereas the FXR-mediated upregulation of BSEP induced by bile acids is inhibited by IL-1β. In this context, it is interesting to note that inhibitor studies indicate that IL-1β mediates its inhibitory effects on bile acid-induced expression of BSEP indirectly via CXCR2 ligands. Consistently, inhibition of CXCR2 with the inhibitor SB225002 significantly attenuated of the inhibitory effect of IL-1β on BSEP expression. These data suggest that part of the cholestasis-inducing effect of IL-1β is mediated via a CXCR2-dependent feedback mechanism.
Spatiotemporal dynamics of grassland aboveground biomass in northern China and the alpine region: Impacts of climate change and human activities
Authors: Wang Xinyun , Zhu Ji , Pan Peipei
Published: December 2024

Grassland plays a crucial role in the global cycles of matter, energy, water and, climate regulation. Biomass serves as one of the fundamental indicators for evaluating the ecological status of grassland. This study utilized the Carnegie-Ames-Stanford Approach (CASA) model to estimate Net Primary Productivity (NPP) from meteorological data and the Global Inventory Monitoring and Modeling System (GIMMS) Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) remote sensing data for northern China’s temperate and alpine grasslands from 1981 to 2015. NPP was subsequently converted into aboveground biomass (AGB). The dynamic changes in grassland AGB were analyzed, and the influence of climate change was examined. The results indicate strong agreement between AGB estimations from the CASA model and Gill method based on field-measured AGB, confirming the model’s reliability for these regions. The dynamic changes in AGB exhibited a significant increasing trend of 1.31 g/m2. Grazing intensity (GI), soil moisture, and mean annual precipitation are identified as key factors influencing changes in grassland AGB. Our findings indicate that precipitation and soil moisture are the primary drivers of AGB accumulation during the growing season (spring, summer, and autumn), while temperature plays a critical role in supporting biomass accumulation during winter. Higher temperatures in winter contributes to increased AGB in the following spring, particularly in desert steppe and alpine meadow ecosystems. These insights highlight the complex interaction between climate factors and human activities in shaping grassland productivity across different seasons.
Psycho-physical interactions in Parkinson’s Disease: Protocol for a prospective observational cohort study
Authors: Hodgson Philip , Jordan Alastair , Sinani Charikleia , Charura Divine
Published: December 2024

Background

Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) often experience not only physical symptoms but also a higher prevalence of psychological issues, including depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and psychotic symptoms, compared to the general population. The relationship between these physical and psychological symptoms remains poorly understood, particularly in relation to commonly used measures of physical function and a wider variety of psychological symptoms. Investigating this link is essential for optimising patient care. This cohort study is registered with OSF (https://osf.io/c7tvd).

Objective

The primary aim of this study is to investigate the association between physical and psychological symptoms in PD. We will focus specifically on measures of physical function such as balance and mobility, assess the similarities between physiotherapist and participant-rated measures, and monitor changes over time.

Methods

This cohort study plans to recruit 30 participants with PD, who will be monitored over a 12-month period. Data will be collected at baseline and completion, providing two data points per participant. Selected outcome measures will include physical function (objective measures), non-motor symptoms, participants perceived function, and engagement in physical activity. Correlations between outcomes will be analysed, and multivariate regression modelling may be employed for time-series analysis to evaluate how relationships change over time. Descriptive summaries of all outcomes will be presented in tables.

Results

Ethical approval for this study was obtained on 15th July 2024, with participant recruitment scheduled to begin in October 2024. Data collection is expected to conclude by August 2026, with final results anticipated within six months of study completion.

Conclusions

This study will be the first to monitor this specific set of physical and psychological outcomes over time in individuals with PD. The findings are expected to provide valuable insights into the relationship between these symptoms, informing future research and potentially leading to larger-scale, multi-site studies conducted over extended assessment periods.
Study on the mechanical behavior and rupture characteristics of coal after thermal damage
Authors: Li Chuan , Zhang Yiping , Bu Haijiao , Lan Hong , Heng Xianwei
Published: December 2024

High temperature is a critical safety concern that poses challenges to the safe and efficient operation of coal mines. To explore the mechanical behavior and fracture mechanisms of coal exposed to high temperatures, coal samples were subjected to various thermal treatments. After cooling, uniaxial compression tests were performed using an electronic universal testing machine to assess their macroscopic properties. A discrete element numerical model, reflecting the same mineral composition, was then developed to investigate the microscopic fracture behavior of thermally treated coal under uniaxial compression. The results indicate that at high temperatures, thermal motion becomes more pronounced, leading to increased particle displacement and a transition in coal failure from brittle to ductile behavior. High temperatures intensify thermal damage, generating numerous thermal cracks, which prolong the crack closure phase and delay the onset of the elastic deformation stage. Furthermore, the formation and propagation of these thermal cracks significantly influence macroscopic mechanical properties. Peak stress and elastic modulus decrease with rising temperature, with the most pronounced reductions occurring between 200°C and 300°C, where the thermal damage factor peaks at 0.72. As the temperature increases, the proportion of tensile cracks decreases, while shear cracks become more prevalent. Under heat treatment, tensile failure dominates, whereas shear failure is predominant during uniaxial compression. These findings provide valuable insights for improving safety protocols in high-temperature coal mining environments.
Barriers and enablers for implementation of clinical practice guidelines in maternity and neonatal settings: A rapid review
Authors: Raghunathan Kalpana , East Christine , Poudel Kritika
Published: December 2024

Background

Maternity and neonatal services are rapidly changing in Australia because of evolving needs of the community and patient population. Clinical practice guidelines focused on early interventions and prevention strategies can decrease risk for preventable negative health outcomes in this population. However, despite the existence of several clinical practice guidelines, their translation into practice remains problematic for healthcare services.

Aim

To identify barriers and enablers for the implementation and adoption of clinical practice guidelines in maternal and neonatal settings.

Methods

A rapid review was conducted according to Cochrane and World Health Organization guidelines. Systematic reviews, qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods studies related to clinical guidelines in maternal and neonatal settings published in English Language between 2010 and 2023 meeting study eligibility criteria were identified using PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, EMBASE, and CINAHL databases.

Findings

Forty-eight studies originating from 35 countries were reviewed, representing practice guidelines associated with maternal and neonatal care. Identified barriers and enablers aligned to five main themes related to the contextual level of impact: (i) healthcare system and systemic factors, (ii) patient and population, (iii) guidelines and standards, (iv) organisational capacity, and (v) health professional practice.

Discussion and conclusion

Findings from this review shed light on the challenges and opportunities associated with introducing clinical practice guidelines in maternal and neonatal care settings. Implementation of guidelines into practice is complex, with different factors affecting their adoption and their use within healthcare settings. Addressing the multifaceted challenges associated with the implementation of clinical practice guidelines in maternal and neonatal care demands a comprehensive and collaborative strategy. Successful adoption of guidelines requires the involvement of stakeholders at all levels, supported by ongoing evaluation, feedback, and dedication to evidence-based practices.
Feature derivation and classification of auditory-motor coupling dynamics in healthy and neurologically impaired adults
Authors: Fayyad Muhammad Bergas Nur , Verbiest Joeri R. , Ivanova Anna , Manto Mario , Moumdjian Lousin
Published: December 2024

The use of auditory stimuli in rehabilitation to target walking has been evidenced in persons with neurological conditions. The methodologies focus on the synchronisation of persons’ steps to auditory stimuli showing that the type of stimuli and tempi significantly affect the synchronisation. However, the dynamic of the interaction over time between the motor system and the auditory stimuli, i.e., when steps are aligned (termed as locking) and not aligned (termed as unlocking) to the beat of the stimuli, remains unclear. Quantifying these dynamics would assist in the development of personalised rehabilitation. Nevertheless, it is currently challenging given the variability of responses per individual over time. We propose a methodological solution to quantify the dynamics of the step-to-beat coupling over time within an experimental paradigm where healthy (n = 7) and neurological impaired (n = 6) participants walk three minutes to music and metronomes at various tempi. We applied window partitioning within the time series to account for the changing pattern. To classify data into locked and unlocked events, features of fluctuation and trend were derived on which two statistical tests (circular statistical test and slope test) were done, respectively. Based on the ground truth, the performance of our proposed method yielded high accuracy (91%), precision (90%) and recall (97%). The standard deviation of the inter-step intervals was then modelled across the label and experimental factors. The proposed method is suitable for quantifying fine-grained observation of the dynamics of auditory-motor coupling in adult healthy and neurological impaired participants, with the potential of designing personalised rehabilitation.