bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electrolysis Visualization and Performance Evaluation Platform for Commercial-Sized Alkaline Water Electrolyzer
Authors: Wang Tao , Wang Jinyi , Wang Pengjie , Ren Zhibo , Peng Chao
Published: January 2024

Alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) is promising for large-scale commercial production of green hydrogen, but large overpotential hinders their promotion. In order to reduce energy consumption, structure design of bipolar plate is crucial, which calls for a deep understanding of the flow behavior such as flow distribution and product bubble motion inside of the electrolyzers, thus requiring electrolysis visualization and evaluation. But due to challenge of structure design and proper sealing performance, related system/devices for commercial-sized electrolyzer are rare. In the present work, we construct an electrolytic visualization and performance testing system by using 3D computer aided design. Using precision CNC machining of transparent electrolyzer, the internal flow of different structures can be visualized, and the performance of the electrolyzer can be tested simultaneously. Based on the system, two common structured electrolyzer design are investigated, namely concave and convex bipolar plate (CCBP) and metal mesh support electrolyzer. The results indicate that a better flow uniformity is crucial for lower overpotential and the inferior performance of mesh structured electrolyzer at large current density results from bubble impediment in the mesh structure. The current platform can be applied as a general tool for convenient multi-phase investigation and performance evaluation of different structure design components during water electrolysis at a low cost.
Design of Membrane Electrode Assembly with Non-precious Metal Catalyst for Self-humidifying Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell
Authors: Liu Jing , Zhang Tong
Published: January 2024

High cost is one of the key factors restricting the industrialization and commercialization of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). In this paper, a low-cost membrane electrode assembly (MEA) is prepared by using a self-made non-precious metal catalyst. Through the polarization curve test of fuel cell, the optimal loading of Fe-N-S-C catalyst and the optimal ratio with Nafion ionomer are studied. When the loading of Fe-N-S-C catalyst is 2.0 mg cm−2 and the ratio of Nafion ionomer to Fe-N-S-C catalyst is 3:7, the performance of the PEMFC is the best. The performance of MEA under different relative humidity (RH) and inlet pressure is also explored. The experimental results show that the MEA can still maintain good performance under the condition of 40% RH, which shows that this MEA has a certain self-humidifying ability. Because the non-precious metal catalyst layer is too thick, the performance of PEMFC can be improved by increasing the inlet pressure appropriately. The durability of MEA with non-precious metal catalyst is poor, and there is still a lot of work to be done to improve the stability and durability.
Capacity Optimization of a Renewable Energy System Coupled with Large-Scale Hydrogen Production and Storage
Authors: Zhang Sheng , Wang Xin , Li Bo , Dai Jianfeng , Zheng Jinyang
Published: January 2024

Hybrid renewable energy and hydrogen energy systems have been proved to be a reliable and cost competitive option for power generation and hydrogen supply. However, the inappropriate capacity of hydrogen production and storage may result in out-of-balance of the power supply side and the hydrogen consumption side. In this paper, a simplified mathematical modeling of the hybrid energy system, including power generation, hydrogen production and storage has been presented to optimize the capacity of alkaline electrolyzer and hydrogen storage tank. Multi-objective functions are adopted in the capacity optimization model, including abandoned rate of renewable power, hydrogen supply fluctuation, and utilization efficiency of electrolyzer and hydrogen storage tank. A meta-heuristic algorithm (i.e., improved multi-objective particle swarm optimization algorithm) is chosen to solve the model. A hybrid energy system with a distributed photovoltaic power station with the rated power of 7000 kW has been designed to satisfy the hydrogen demand of 720 kg/d of a chemical plant. The results reveal that the optimal capacity configuration of the hybrid energy system is 4971 kW for the alkaline electrolyzer and 937 Nm3 for hydrogen storage tank during a period of 8760 h. Compared with the empirical model and single-objective optimization model, the proposed multi-objective optimization model is found helpful to optimize the capacity of hybrid energy system and gives better results regarding renewable energy utilization rate, equipment usage rate, and hydrogen supply stability.
Enhancement of Acidic HER by Fe Doped CoP with Bimetallic Synergy
Authors: Gao Yuanfeng , Lv Hong , Sun Yongwen , Yao Han , Hu Ding , Zhang Cunman
Published: January 2024

Compared to single metal site catalysis, the bimetallic synergistic strategy can exploit the complementary ability of different active sites for active species uptake and desorption to develop excellent catalysts. Pure phase metal phosphides are a disadvantage as a promising electrocatalyst for platinum-free hydrogen precipitation with either too strong or too weak adsorption of hydrogen. Here, synthetic Fe-doped CoP particles anchored with MWCNTs, which exhibited excellent catalytic performance for HER, required an overpotential of 123 mV to reach 10 mA cm−2, with a Tafel slope of 58.8 mV dec−1. It was found experimentally that Fe doping improved the conductivity of the catalyst regulated the electronic structure of CoP, and optimized the overall hydrogen adsorption energy of the catalyst. The difference in hydrogen adsorption strength of Fe, Co is used to break the symmetry constraint of single active center and improve the intrinsic activity of the catalyst, a strategy that can be used to guide the preparation of inexpensive and high performance catalysts.
Development and Validation of a 100 kW-Class Fuel Cell System Controller for Passenger Cars
Authors: Liu Ze , Xu Sichuan , Zhang Baitao
Published: January 2024

Fuel cell (FC) vehicle is an important technology route to achieve carbon neutrality in transportation. This paper examines the integration, system control, and performance test of a high-power self-humidifying fuel cell system for passenger cars. Firstly, a high specific power FC system integration scheme is designed, and a highly integrated 100 kW self-humidifying fuel cell system is realized based on the installation requirements of passenger cars. Then, the system controller application layer is developed using Matlab/Simulink and the controller rapid development prototype for complete closed-loop control of each subsystem, such as hydrogen supply, air supply, cooling, and electrical management. Finally, the performance dynamics experiment of the 100 kW FC system is conducted based on the developed system controller. The results show that the developed system controller provides high-quality control effects of operating parameters such as air flow and pressure, hydrogen supply pressure, and cooling water temperature for the stack to meet different operating requirements. The highest efficiency of the system reaches 62%, and the coefficient of variation (Cv) of the cell voltages is controlled to be less than 1%. This study contribute to accelerate the deployment and application of high-power FC systems in passenger cars.
Dual-Layer Characteristic Temperature Model for AWES Dynamic Thermal Detection Based on IR
Authors: Shangguan Zixuan , Zhang Cunman
Published: January 2024

With the increasing application of the AWES, the dynamic thermal detection of the electrolyzer inspires great interest. The dimension of dynamic thermal detection of the AWES is currently limited to only the inlet and outlet temperatures. This study proposes a dual-layer characteristics temperature model for AWES temperature monitoring. The DLCT model deals with the difficulty of extracting characteristic temperature with its first layer of multi gaussian distribution regression. The second layer model can clarify the disturbing signal using linear regression and provide a quantized temperature distribution pattern of the surface temperature. This DLCT model does not require additional modifications to the AWES, nor any temperature sensor inside or on its surface. With the DLCT model implemented during dynamic operation, the AWES can be more comprehensive monitored, and more insights can be gathered regarding the DLCT for better thermal uniformity.
Process Simulation of Green Ammonia Production Via Sorption-Enhanced Gasification of Biomass
Authors: Dziva Godknows , Zeng Liang
Published: January 2024

Ammonia is a crucial hydrogen carrier. This paper explores small-scale green ammonia production from two-stage sorption-enhanced gasification of biomass. ASPEN Plus was used to calculate the mass and energy balance of two novel process designs; configuration (a) employs fractional flue gas recycling to supply nitrogen for producing carbon-neutral ammonia without air separation, and configuration (b) uses air separation to produce carbon-negative ammonia by efficiently capturing CO2. The mass balance shows that the ammonia yield of configuration (a) is about 5% higher than that of configuration (b). The energy analysis shows that additional biomass fed to the combustor is the primary energy penalty in configuration (a), while the primary energy penalty in configuration (b) is from the electricity consumption by the ASU and CO2 compressor. The energy penalty for configuration (a) is considerably higher than that for configuration (b); hence, configuration (b) has lower energy consumption.(36.4 GJ/t NH3 vs. 40.2 GJ/t NH3). Overall, configuration (b) is superior to configuration (a) from a techno-environmental standpoint.
Landscape regulation of microbial use of terrestrial carbon in boreal streams
Authors: Bastias Elliot , Jonsson Micael
Published: January 2024

Microbes decomposing leaf litter in aquatic ecosystems are exposed to two major sources of carbon (C), namely, particulate organic C (POC) and dissolved organic C (DOC). The use of DOC relative to POC during litter decomposition likely depends on the availability of DOC, which in turn is regulated by the characteristics of the surrounding landscape, although this extrinsic indirect control of DOC use remains largely unexplored. We have investigated how variations in stream physical and chemical characteristics, distribution of major landscape elements (i.e., forest, mires, and lakes), and riparian vegetation community composition (i.e., relative cover of deciduous vs. coniferous tree species) influence DOC use by leaf-associated microbes (LAM). Specifically, in a boreal stream network of ten first- to third-order streams, we related in-stream characteristics, landscape elements, and riparian vegetation community composition to DOC/POC respiration ratios (i.e., the amount of CO2 produced by LAM respiration of DOC + POC divided by the amount of leaf C mass lost through decomposition). The results showed that DOC/POC respiration ratios were > 1 in most of the study sites, indicating that LAM use a substantial amount of DOC during leaf litter decomposition. This microbial reliance on DOC varied with in-stream DOC and nutrient concentrations, proportional mire and forest cover, and riparian vegetation community composition. In particular, high mire and coniferous cover increased DOC use by LAM. As such, landscape configuration and how it is modified by land use and climate change must be considered in order to understand microbial turnover of terrestrial C in boreal streams.
Acculturation and glycaemic control in Arab immigrants with type 2 diabetes in Australia
Authors: Alzubaidi Hamzah , Oliveira Vitor H. , Samorinha Catarina , Mc Namara Kevin , Shaw Jonathan E.
Published: January 2024

Aims/hypothesis

This study aimed to investigate acculturation’s direct and mediated effects on HbA1c levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes from Arabic-speaking countries that are members of the Arab League who have emigrated to Australia.

Methods

In this multicentre cross-sectional study, we recruited 382 Arabic-speaking immigrants who were born in any of the 22 countries of the Arab League and who had type 2 diabetes from different healthcare settings in Australia. HbA1c levels were retrieved from medical records. A validated self-report questionnaire was used to assess behavioural and psychosocial outcomes. Acculturation was measured using the General Acculturation Index and the Adherence to Traditional Values tool. We used structural equation modelling to test mediation hypotheses.

Results

Participants had a mean HbA1c value of 63.9 mmol/mol (8.0%), a low acculturation level (mean±SD: 1.9±0.6; range: 1–5) and highly adhered to traditional values (mean General Acculturation Index value: 3.7±0.7; range: 1–5). Higher HbA1c was associated with lower acculturation levels (Pearson correlation coefficient [r] = −0.32, p<0.01) and higher adherence to traditional values (r=0.35, p<0.01). Self-efficacy, health literacy and self-care activities partially mediated the relationship between acculturation and HbA1c.

Conclusions/interpretation

Among Arab immigrants in Australia with type 2 diabetes, the degree of acculturation is related to glycaemic control, suggesting possible avenues for new interventions.

Graphical Abstract
A new peucemycin derivative and impacts of peuR and bldA on peucemycin biosynthesis in Streptomyces peucetius
Authors: Magar Rubin Thapa , Pham Van Thuy Thi , Poudel Purna Bahadur , Bridget Adzemye Fovennso , Sohng Jae Kyung
Published: January 2024

Streptomyces peucetius ATCC 27952 is known to produce a variety of secondary metabolites, including two important antitumor anthracyclines: daunorubicin and doxorubicin. Identification of peucemycin and 25-hydroxy peucemycin (peucemycin A), as well as their biosynthetic pathway, has expanded its biosynthetic potential. In this study, we isolated a new peucemycin derivative and identified it as 19-hydroxy peucemycin (peucemycin B). Its antibacterial activity was lower than those of peucemycin and peucemycin A. On the other hand, this newly identified peucemycin derivative had higher anticancer activity than the other two compounds for MKN45, NCI-H1650, and MDA-MB-231 cancer cell lines with IC50 values of 76.97 µM, 99.68 µM, and 135.2 µM, respectively. Peucemycin biosynthetic gene cluster revealed the presence of a SARP regulator named PeuR whose role was unknown. The presence of the TTA codon in the peuR and the absence of global regulator BldA in S. peucetius reduced its ability to regulate the peucemycin biosynthetic gene cluster. Hence, different mutants harboring these genes were prepared. S. peucetius bldA25 harboring bldA produced 1.75 times and 1.77 times more peucemycin A (11.8 mg/L) and peucemycin B (21.2 mg/L), respectively, than the wild type. On the other hand, S. peucetius R25 harboring peuR produced 1.86 and 1.79 times more peucemycin A (12.5 mg/L) and peucemycin B (21.5 mg/L), respectively, than the wild type. Finally, strain S. peucetius bldAR25 carrying bldA and peuR produced roughly 3.52 and 2.63 times more peucemycin A (23.8 mg/L) and peucemycin B (31.5 mg/L), respectively, than the wild type.

Key points

• This study identifies a new peucemycin derivative, 19-hydroxy peucemycin (peucemycin B).

• The SARP regulator (PeuR) acts as a positive regulator of the peucemycin biosynthetic gene cluster.

• The overexpression of peuR and heterologous expression of bldA increase the production of peucemycin derivatives.
Analysis of neural networks for routine classification of sixteen ultrasound upper abdominal cross sections
Authors: Lawley Alistair , Hampson Rory , Worrall Kevin , Dobie Gordon
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Abdominal ultrasound screening requires the capture of multiple standardized plane views as per clinical guidelines. Currently, the extent of adherence to such guidelines is dependent entirely on the skills of the sonographer. The use of neural network classification has the potential to better standardize captured plane views and streamline plane capture reducing the time burden on operators by combatting operator variability.

Methods

A dataset consisting of 16 routine upper abdominal ultrasound scans from 64 patients was used to test the classification accuracy of 9 neural networks. These networks were tested on both a small, idealised subset of 800 samples as well as full video sweeps of the region of interest using stratified sampling and transfer learning.

Results

The highest validation accuracy attained by both GoogLeNet and InceptionV3 is 83.9% using transfer learning and the large sample set of 26,294 images. A top-2 accuracy of 95.1% was achieved using InceptionV3. Alexnet attained the highest accuracy of 79.5% (top-2 of 91.5%) for the smaller sample set of 800 images. The neural networks evaluated during this study were also successfully able to identify problematic individual cross sections such as between kidneys, with right and left kidney being accurately identified 78.6% and 89.7%, respectively.

Conclusion

Dataset size proved a more important factor in determining accuracy than network selection with more complex neural networks providing higher accuracy as dataset size increases and simpler linear neural networks providing better results where the dataset is small.
An unusual presentation of de novo RAC3 variation in prenatal diagnosis
Authors: Meunier Colombine , Cassart Marie , Kostyla Karole , Simonis Nicolas , Monestier Olivier , Tessier Aude
Published: January 2024

Pathogenic variants in RAC3 cause a neurodevelopmental disorder with brain malformations and craniofacial dysmorphism, called NEDBAF. This gene encodes a small GTPase, which plays a critical role in neurogenesis and neuronal migration. We report a 31 weeks of gestation fetus with triventricular dilatation, and temporal and perisylvian polymicrogyria, without cerebellar, brainstem, or callosal anomalies. Trio whole exome sequencing identified a RAC3 (NM_005052.3, GRCh38) probably pathogenic de novo variant c.276 T>A p.(Asn92Lys). Eighteen patients harboring 13 different and essentially de novo missense RAC3 variants were previously reported. All the patients presented with corpus callosum malformations. Gyration disorders, ventriculomegaly (VM), and brainstem and cerebellar malformations have frequently been described. The only previous prenatal case associated with RAC3 variant presented with complex brain malformations, mainly consisting of midline and posterior fossa anomalies. We report the second prenatal case of NEDBAF presenting an undescribed pattern of cerebral anomalies, including VM and polymicrogyria, without callosal, cerebellar, or brainstem malformations. All neuroimaging data were reviewed to clarify the spectrum of cerebral malformations.
Advantages of single-site laparoscopic orchiopexy for palpable undescended testes in children: a prospective comparison study
Authors: Yang Zhilin , He Yingying , Chen Pengyu , Zhang Tiejun , Ke Zhicong , Sun Fenghao , Zhou Guanglun , Zhao Weiguang , Li Shoulin
Published: January 2024

Purpose

To evaluate the feasibility of single-site laparoscopic orchiopexy for palpable undescended testes in children.

Methods

We prospectively studied patients with undescended testes between July 2021 and June 2022. In total, 223 patients were included in our study: 105 underwent single-site laparoscopic orchiopexy and 118 underwent conventional laparoscopic orchiopexy. During single-site laparoscopic orchiopexy, 3 ports were inserted within the umbilicus.

Results

No differences were observed between the groups in terms of age and laterality. For unilateral undescended testes, the operating time was longer in the single site group than in the conventional group at the early stages (55.31 ± 12.04 min vs. 48.14 ± 14.39 min, P = 0.007), but it was similar to the conventional group at the later stages (48.82 ± 13.49 min vs. 48.14 ± 14.39 min, P = 0.78). Testicular ascent occurred in one patient from each group. There was no significant difference in the success rate between the single-site group and the conventional group (99.0% vs. 99.2%, P = 0.93). In the single-site group, no visible abdominal scarring was observed, while in the conventional group, there were two noticeable scars on the abdomen.

Conclusion

Single-site laparoscopic orchiopexy offers superior cosmetic results and comparable success rates compared to conventional laparoscopic orchiopexy for palpable undescended testes.
Bayesian joint longitudinal models for assessing the exploitation rates of sardine stock in the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Calvo Gabriel , Armero Carmen , Spezia Luigi , Pennino Maria Grazia
Published: January 2024

The European sardine is a pelagic species of great ecological importance for the conservation of the Mediterranean Sea as well as economic importance for the Mediterranean countries. Its fishing has suffered a significant decline in recent years due to various economic, cultural and ecological reasons. This paper focuses on the evolution of sardine catches in the Mediterranean Sea from 1985 to 2018 according to the fishing Mediterranean country and the type of fishing practised, artisanal and industrial. We propose three Bayesian longitudinal linear mixed models to assess differences in the temporal evolution of artisanal and industrial fisheries between and within countries. Overall results confirm that Mediterranean fishery time series are highly diverse along their dynamics and this heterogeneity is persistent throughout the time. Furthermore, our results highlight a positive correlation between artisanal and industrial fishing. Finally, the study observes a consistent decreasing time trend in the quantity of fish landings. Although the causes of this feature could be also linked to economic motivations (such as a reduction in demand or the reorientation of fleets towards more commercially beneficial species), it may indicate a potential risk to the stock of this species in the Mediterranean Sea.
Sensitivity analysis in the wavelet domain: a comparison study
Authors: Chiogna Gabriele , Marcolini Giorgia , Engel Michael , Wohlmuth Barbara
Published: January 2024

Sensitivity analysis plays a pivotal role for the development and calibration of hydrological models, since they are often affected by equifinality. Despite a lot of effort has been placed for the development of effective sensitivity analysis methods, hydrological models remain over parametrized. We take advantage of the evidence that hydrological processes can be described as the superposition of effects occurring at different temporal scales (e.g., seasonal precipitation patterns, seasonal and daily snow and glacier melt, seasonal, daily and sub-daily water management operations) to develop a new framework to perform sensitivity analysis. We apply discrete and continuous wavelet transforms to disentangle hydrological signals occurring at different temporal scales and we take advantage of the different information stored at different temporal scales of the wavelet spectrum to perform a scale-dependent sensitivity analysis. This approach aims to increase the number of identifiable model parameters in comparison to standard sensitivity analysis performed in the time domain. As an exemplary problem, we apply the methodology to synthetic data describing surface water-groundwater interaction in rivers affected by hydropeaking (i.e., sudden fluctuations in the river stage due to hydropower production). The method could be applied also to other models displaying the superposition of processes with different intensities at different temporal scales such as ocean tide propagation in aquifers as well as snow and glacier melt models. The results indicate that considering multiple temporal scales allows us to increase the number of parameters that can be identified and hence calibrated with only a little increase in the computational effort.
The first steps in the development of a cancer-specific patient-reported experience measure item bank (PREM-item bank): towards dynamic evaluation of experiences
Authors: van Hof Kira S. , Dulfer Karolijn , Sewnaik Aniel , Baatenburg de Jong Robert J. , Offerman Marinella P. J.
Published: January 2024

Objective

Since the implementation of value-based healthcare, there has been a growing emphasis on utilizing patient-reported experience measures (PREMs) to enhance the quality of care. However, the current PREMs are primarily generic and static, whereas healthcare is constantly evolving and encompasses a wide variety of aspects that impact care quality. To continuously improve care requires a dynamic PREM. The aim of this study was to propose an item bank for the establishment of a dynamic and care-specific patient-reported evaluation.

Methods

In co-creation with patients, a mixed methods study was conducted involving: (1) an explorative review of the literature, (2) a focus group analysis with (ex-)patients, (3) qualitative analyses to formulate themes, and (4) a quantitative selection of items by patients and experts through prioritization.

Results

Eight existing PREMs were evaluated. After removing duplicates, 141 items were identified. Through qualitative analyses of the focus group in which the patient journey was discussed, eight themes were formulated: “Organization of healthcare,” “Competence of healthcare professionals,” “Communication,” “Information & services,” “Patient empowerment,” “Continuity & informal care,” “Environment,” and “Technology.” Seven patients and eleven professionals were asked to prioritize what they considered the most important items. From this, an item bank with 76 items was proposed.

Conclusion

In collaboration with patients and healthcare professionals, we have proposed a PREM-item bank to evaluate the experiences of patients’ receiving cancer care in an outpatient clinic. This item bank is the first step to dynamically assess the quality of cancer care provided in an outpatient setting.
Postpartum symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress: differential relationships to women’s cortisol profiles
Authors: Weiss Sandra J. , Xu Ling
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Women are at high risk of stress, anxiety, and depression during the postpartum but the ways in which these different types of psychological distress are related to cortisol regulation is not clear. We examined the distinct association of each type of distress with women’s average cortisol level, cortisol awakening response (CAR), cortisol decline across the day (diurnal slope), and overall amount of cortisol secretion across the day (AUCG).

Methods

At 6 months postpartum, a diverse group of 58 women completed measures of depression, anxiety, perceived stress, and life stressors. Each woman provided 4 salivary samples for cortisol assay from waking to bedtime on each of 2 consecutive days. Linear regressions were used to examine associations of stress, anxiety and depression to each of the 4 cortisol measures, controlling for number of stressful life events.

Results

Depressive symptoms were associated with less of a rise in the CAR (β = -.46, p = 0.01), steeper diurnal slope (β = .51, p = 0.006), and higher average cortisol level (β = .42, p = .01). Women who met the clinical cutoff for an anxiety disorder had lower overall cortisol output (β = -.29, p = 0.03). Stress was not related to any cortisol metric.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that stress is less associated with cortisol alterations in the postpartum than are more severe types of psychological distress. Anxiety and depression may have distinct and opposite profiles of cortisol dysregulation. Results indicate that mental health assessment is critical even in the later postpartum so that interventions can be initiated to reduce emotional suffering and the risk of impaired cortisol regulation.
Assessing the validity of VR as a training tool for medical students
Authors: Pedram Shiva , Kennedy Grace , Sanzone Sal
Published: January 2024

The advances in Virtual Reality technologies, increased availability and reducing hardware costs have diminished many of the early challenges in the adoption of VR. However, a commonly identified gap in immersive Virtual Reality-Head Mounded Display (VR-HMD) training for medical education is the confidence in the long-term validity of the applications, in particular, the acceleration of the learning curve efficacy of learning outcomes over time and actual skills translation into real environments. Research shows a wide range of ad hoc applications, with superficial evaluations often conducted by technology vendors, based on assumed environments and tasks, envisaged (as opposed to actual) users and effectiveness of learning outcomes underpinned with little or no research focusing on a requirements-driven validation approach. This presents decision-making challenges for those seeking to adopt, implement and embed such systems in teaching practice. The current paper aims to (i) determine whether medical VR training improves the skill acquisition of training candidates, (ii) determine the factors affecting the acquisition of skills and (iii) validate the VR-based training using requirement-driven approach. In this paper, we used within- and between-subject design approaches to assess the validity of VR-based surgical training platform developed by Vantari VR against requirements which have been identified to have impact on learning processes and outcomes in VR-based training. First, study and control groups were compared based on their level of skill acquisitions. Then, by tailoring a requirements framework, the system was validated against the appropriate requirements. In total, 74 out of 109 requirements were investigated and evaluated against survey, observer and stakeholder workshop data. The training scenario covered the topic of Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) collection for second-year university medical students. In total 44 students volunteered to participate in this study, having been randomly assigned to either the study or control group. Students exposed to VR training (the study group) outperformed the control group in practical clinical skills training tasks and also adhered to better safety and hygiene practices. The study group also had a greater procedural completion rate over the control group. Students showed increased self-efficacy and knowledge scores immediately post-VR training. Prior ABG training did not impact on VR training outcomes. Low levels of simulation sickness, physical strain and stress, coupled with high levels of enjoyability, engagement, presence and fidelity were identified as factors affecting the overall training experience. In terms of learning, high scores were recorded for active learning, cognitive benefit and reflective thinking. Lastly, by validating the system against 74 system requirements, the study found a user acceptance level of 75%. This enabled the identification of weaknesses of the current system and possible future directions.
Detection of hypoplastic left heart syndrome anatomy from cardiovascular magnetic resonance images using machine learning
Authors: Gabbert Dominik Daniel , Petersen Lennart , Burleigh Abigail , Grazioli Simona Boroni , Krupickova Sylvia , Koch Reinhard , Uebing Anselm Sebastian , Santarossa Monty , Voges Inga
Published: January 2024

Objective

The prospect of being able to gain relevant information from cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) image analysis automatically opens up new potential to assist the evaluating physician. For machine-learning-based classification of complex congenital heart disease, only few studies have used CMR.

Materials and methods

This study presents a tailor-made neural network architecture for detection of 7 distinctive anatomic landmarks in CMR images of patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) in Fontan circulation or healthy controls and demonstrates the potential of the spatial arrangement of the landmarks to identify HLHS. The method was applied to the axial SSFP CMR scans of 46 patients with HLHS and 33 healthy controls.

Results

The displacement between predicted and annotated landmark had a standard deviation of 8–17 mm and was larger than the interobserver variability by a factor of 1.1–2.0. A high overall classification accuracy of 98.7% was achieved.

Discussion

Decoupling the identification of clinically meaningful anatomic landmarks from the actual classification improved transparency of classification results. Information from such automated analysis could be used to quickly jump to anatomic positions and guide the physician more efficiently through the analysis depending on the detected condition, which may ultimately improve work flow and save analysis time.
Exploring the potential of federated learning in mental health research: a systematic literature review
Authors: Khalil Samar Samir , Tawfik Noha S. , Spruit Marco
Published: January 2024

The rapid advancement of technology has created new opportunities to improve the accuracy and efficiency of medical diagnoses, treatments, and overall patient care in several medical domains, including mental health. One promising novel approach is federated learning, a machine learning approach that allows multiple devices to train a shared model without exchanging raw data. Instead of centralizing the data in one location, each device or machine holds a portion of the data and collaborates with other devices to update the shared model. In this way, federated learning enables training on more extensive and diverse datasets than would be possible with centralized training while preserving the privacy and security of individual data. In the mental health domain, federated learning has the potential to improve mental disorders’ detection, diagnosis, and treatment. By pooling data from multiple sources while maintaining patient privacy by keeping data secure and ensuring that they are not used for unauthorized purposes. This literature survey reviews recent studies that have exploited federated learning in the psychiatric domain, covering multiple data resources and different machine-learning techniques. Furthermore, we formulate the gap in the current methodologies and propose new research directions.
Early generation clonal selection of sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) using an accelerated breeding scheme
Authors: Naidoo Sónia I. M. , Laurie Sunette M. , Booyse Mardé , Shimelis Hussein , Laing Mark D. , Mphela Whelma M.
Published: January 2024

The breeding stages of a clonally propagated crop entails several steps and can take more than five years from hybridisation till cultivar release. The Accelerated Breeding Scheme (ABS) in sweetpotato relies on the use of multiple locations at the early breeding stages to reduce the years required for field evaluation. The aim of the study was to select the best progenies based on the ABS in sweetpotato towards the development of genotypes that combine high protein content with other important agronomic traits. Botanical seeds were generated from crosses between two diverse sets of parents, crossed using a North Carolina II design. F1-progenies (n = 363) were planted in a lattice design at three distinct locations during the 2017/18 planting season. Parameters recorded included pest and disease infestation, storage root traits and yield components, root protein content and nutrient related traits. Nutrient content was determined by near-infrared spectrometry. Analysis of variance and multiple t-distribution test and best test grouping were performed. There were significant differences (p < 0.001) among the genotypes for total number of roots, total root yield, marketable number of roots and marketable yield. The severity of Alternaria blight was significantly higher at Jozini. Forty progenies were selected (12.8% selection pressure) based on agronomic performance. Using the nutrient content results, four promising orange-fleshed clones (NC12-9, NC53-11, NC55-8, NC55-2) and one cream-fleshed clone (NC51-1) were identified with high storage root protein, iron and zinc contents. NC51-1 and NC55-2 produce promising storage root yields. The ABS approach is resource-demanding in the first phase but advances progenies rapidly to the subsequent breeding phases for cultivar release.
Behavioral Phenotypes and Comorbidity in 3q29 Deletion Syndrome: Results from the 3q29 Registry
Authors: Pollak Rebecca M. , Mortillo Michael , Murphy Melissa M. , Mulle Jennifer G.
Published: January 2024

3q29 deletion syndrome (3q29del) is associated with a significantly increased risk for neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. However, the full spectrum of behavioral phenotypes associated with 3q29del is still evolving. Individuals with 3q29del (n = 96, 60.42% male) or their guardian completed the Achenbach Child or Adult Behavior Checklist (CBCL/ABCL) via the online 3q29 registry (3q29deletion.org). Typically developing controls (n = 57, 49.12% male) were ascertained as a comparison group. We analyzed mean performance on the CBCL/ABCL for individuals with 3q29del and controls across composite, DSM-keyed, and developmental scales; and the relationship between CBCL/ABCL performance and clinical and developmental phenotypes for individuals with 3q29del. Individuals with 3q29del showed significantly elevated behavioral and developmental impairment relative to controls across CBCL/ABCL domains. A substantial proportion of study participants with 3q29del scored in the Borderline or Clinical range for composite and DSM-keyed scales, indicating significant behavioral problems that may require clinical evaluation. We found that the preschool CBCL DSM-keyed autism spectrum problems scale is a potential screening tool for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) for individuals with 3q29del; CBCL/ABCL DSM-keyed scales were not accurate screeners for anxiety disorders or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in our study sample. We identified a high degree of psychiatric comorbidity in individuals with 3q29del, with 60.42% (n = 58) of individuals with 3q29del scoring in the Borderline or Clinical range on two or more DSM-keyed CBCL/ABCL scales. Finally, we found that the degree of developmental delay in participants with 3q29del does not explain the increased behavioral problems observed on the CBCL/ABCL. The CBCL/ABCL can be used as screening tools in populations such as 3q29del, even in the presence of substantial psychiatric comorbidity. These results expand our understanding of the phenotypic spectrum of 3q29del and demonstrate an effective method for recruiting and phenotyping a large sample of individuals with a rare genetic disorder.
Towards scalability for resource reconfiguration in robotic assembly line balancing problems using a modified genetic algorithm
Authors: Albus Marcel , Hornek Timothée , Kraus Werner , Huber Marco F.
Published: January 2024

Assembly lines are still one of the most used manufacturing systems in modern-day production. Most research affects the building of new lines and, less frequently, the reconfiguration of existing lines. However, the first is insufficient to meet the reconfigurable production paradigm required by volatile market demands. Consequent reconfiguration of resources by production requests affects companies’ competitiveness. This paper introduces a problem-specific genetic algorithm for optimizing the reconfiguration of a Robotic Assembly Line Balancing Problem with Task Types, including additional company constraints. First, we present the greenfield and brownfield optimization objectives, then a mathematical problem formulation and the composition of the genetic algorithm. We evaluate our model against an Integer Programming baseline on a reconfiguration dataset with multiple equipment alternatives. The results demonstrate the capabilities of the genetic algorithm for the greenfield case and showcase the possibilities in the brownfield case. With a scalability improvement through computation time decrease of up to

$$\sim $$

∼

2.75

$$\times $$

×

, reduced number of equipment and workstations, but worse objective values, the genetic algorithm holds the potential for reconfiguring assembly lines. However, the genetic algorithm has to be further optimized for the reconfiguration to leverage its full potential.
Let’s Talk About Sex! Perspectives from People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Caregivers in Residential Institutions in Greenland
Authors: Nørtoft Kamilla , Rubin Sofie Emma
Published: January 2024

This study explores how attitudes toward talking about sex and sexual matters influence practices regarding sexuality, sexual rights, and sexual abuse in residential institutions for people with disabilities in Greenland. 16 residents aged 17–62 and 29 managers and staff from 8 residential institutions have been interviewed about the ways sexual needs and rights are treated and discussed as well as how sexual harassment and violations are prevented or handled. The results of the study show that there are great variations between the residential institutions regarding meeting residents’ sexual needs, talking about sex, sex education, and knowledge of rules and policies in the area. While some managers and staff are quite comfortable talking to residents and each other about sex, boundaries, and the body, others find it extremely difficult and some even reject the thought of sex as a relevant topic for the residents. Regardless of the level of openness about sexual matters in the residential institutions, staff and managers express a need for more sex education with a focus on how they can best help, guide, and protect residents, but guidance about sex is much more available for residents when staff feel comfortable talking about sex. Sexual violations and illegal sexual contact might take place in residential institutions regardless of the local practices regarding sex and sex education. However, openness about sexual matters might help detect overstepped sexual boundaries and stop sexual harassment and violations earlier.
Effect of oligomeric lactic acid plasticizer on the mechanical recycling of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)
Authors: Bernabé Ignacio , Amarilla Erika , de la Orden María Ulagares , Martínez Urreaga Joaquín , Beltrán Freddys R.
Published: January 2024

Bioplastics such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) emerge as an interesting alternative to conventional fossil fuel-based plastics and as part of the solution their associated environmental issues. Nevertheless, end-of-life scenarios are still a major concern, especially within a circular economy framework. When feasible, mechanical recycling appears as the best alternative, since it saves raw materials and energy. However, the viability of mechanical recycling can be compromised by the degradation of the plastic during its use and during the recycling process and by the presence of certain additives. Consequently, the main objective of this work is to study the effect of accelerated ageing and mechanical recycling on the structure and properties of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV)-based formulations. The obtained results suggest that accelerated ageing and mechanical recycling led only to a slight degradation of the pure PHBV material, along with small variations in the thermal and mechanical properties. However, the plasticized PHBV formulations showed a more severe degradation and increased thermal stability and stiffness, which could be result of the elimination of the plasticizer during the recycling. Overall, mechanical recycling seems to be an interesting valorization strategy for PHBV wastes, although especial attention should be paid to the additives present in the materials.
How do energy consumption, globalization, and income inequality affect environmental quality across growth regimes?
Authors: Çatık Abdurrahman Nazif , Bucak Çağla , Ballı Esra , Manga Muge , Destek Mehmet Akif
Published: January 2024

This paper investigates the impacts of renewable and nonrenewable energy consumption, income inequality, and globalization on the ecological footprints of 49 countries for the period of 1995–2018. Panel cointegration test reveals a long-run relationship between the variables. Long-run parameter estimates derived from AMG and CCEMG, increasing income and nonrenewable energy consumption, have a significant positive impact on the ecological footprint, while countries that consume more renewable energy have seen an improvement in the quality of the environment. Conversely, neither income inequality nor globalization has a significant effect on national EFs. Evidence from the estimation of the panel threshold error correction model, where GDP growth is used as the transition variable, indicates a significant threshold effect, which supports a nonlinear relationship among the variables by identifying two distinct growth regimes: lower and upper. For the estimation sample, the positive and significant parameter estimates for economic growth in both growth regimes do not support the EKC hypothesis. The results indicate that renewable and nonrenewable energy consumption has a larger impact on the EF in the upper than lower growth regime. The threshold estimates are in line with the linear long-run estimates that do not indicate that income inequality has a significant impact on ecological footprint. However, globalization appears to negatively affect environmental quality in the lower growth regime.
High Child Mortality and Interventions Coverage in the City of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: Are the Poorest Paying an Urban Penalty?
Authors: Kagoye Sophia , Minja Jacqueline , Ricardo Luiza , Shabani Josephine , Bajaria Shraddha , Msuya Sia , Hanson Claudia , Mahundi Masoud , Msuya Ibrahim , Simba Daudi , Ismail Habib , Boerma Ties , Masanja Honorati
Published: January 2024

The ‘urban penalty’ in health refers to the loss of a presumed survival advantage due to adverse consequences of urban life. This study investigated the levels and trends in neonatal, post-neonatal and under-5 mortality rate and key determinants of child survival using data from Tanzania Demographic and Health Surveys (TDHS) (2004/05, 2010 and 2015/16), AIDS Indicator Survey (AIS), Malaria Indicator survey (MIS) and health facility data in Tanzania mainland. We compared Dar es Salaam results with other urban and rural areas in Tanzania mainland, and between the poorest and richest wealth tertiles within Dar es Salaam. Under-5 mortality declined by 41% between TDHS 2004/05 and 2015/2016 from 132 to 78 deaths per 1000 live births, with a greater decline in rural areas compared to Dar es Salaam and other urban areas. Neonatal mortality rate was consistently higher in Dar es Salaam during the same period, with the widest gap (> 50%) between Dar es Salaam and rural areas in TDHS 2015/2016. Coverage of maternal, new-born and child health interventions as well as living conditions were generally better in Dar es Salaam than elsewhere. Within the city, neonatal mortality was 63 and 44 per 1000 live births in the poorest 33% and richest 33%, respectively. The poorest had higher rates of stunting, more overcrowding, inadequate sanitation and lower coverage of institutional deliveries and C-section rate, compared to richest tertile. Children in Dar es Salaam do not have improved survival chances compared to rural children, despite better living conditions and higher coverage of essential health interventions. This urban penalty is higher among children of the poorest households which could only partly be explained by the available indicators of coverage of services and living conditions. Further research is urgently needed to understand the reasons for the urban penalty, including quality of care, health behaviours and environmental conditions.