bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bananas of equal mass: any loop, any order in the dimensional regularisation parameter
Authors: Pögel Sebastian , Wang Xing , Weinzierl Stefan
Published: April 2023

Abstract

We describe a systematic approach to cast the differential equation for the l-loop equal mass banana integral into an ε-factorised form. With the known boundary value at a specific point we obtain systematically the term of order j in the expansion in the dimensional regularisation parameter ε for any loop l. The approach is based on properties of Calabi-Yau operators, and in particular on self-duality.
Barcoding Populations of Pseudomonas fluorescens SBW25
Authors: Theodosiou Loukas , Farr Andrew D. , Rainey Paul B.
Published: April 2023

In recent years, evolutionary biologists have developed an increasing interest in the use of barcoding strategies to study eco-evolutionary dynamics of lineages within evolving populations and communities. Although barcoded populations can deliver unprecedented insight into evolutionary change, barcoding microbes presents specific technical challenges. Here, strategies are described for barcoding populations of the model bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens SBW25, including the design and cloning of barcoded regions, preparation of libraries for amplicon sequencing, and quantification of resulting barcoded lineages. In so doing, we hope to aid the design and implementation of barcoding methodologies in a broad range of model and non-model organisms.
Optimization of an isolated photovoltaic water pumping system with technical–economic criteria in a water users association
Authors: Carricondo-Antón J. M. , Jiménez-Bello M. A. , Juárez J. Manzano , Tomas A. Royuela , González-Altozano P.
Published: April 2023

With proper management, the modernization of irrigation systems makes it possible to improve the efficiency of application and use of water at the cost of an increase in pumping needs and, therefore, an increment of the energy consumed. The recent drastic price increase for energy put the viability of many farms at risk. In this context, using photovoltaic solar energy to power pumping stations has become an increasingly attractive alternative and a cheap and reliable option. The dimensioning of pumping systems powered by photovoltaic solar energy must be done considering the variability of solar radiation to take advantage of the available photovoltaic energy, especially during periods of less irradiation. By investigating a particular case, this paper studies the effect of increasing the number of pumps in parallel while maintaining the total power, as well as the relationship between the installed photovoltaic capacity and the power of the pumping system, to meet pumping requirements throughout the year. The pumped volume increased as the number of pumps installed in parallel increased for the same photovoltaic power generator. Although this increment has a limit, beyond which no greater significant rise in volume is achieved, installation costs increase. In addition, for the same pumping power installed, the required photovoltaic generator power decreases as the number of pumps in parallel increases. In the case studied, a 27% increase in the annual pumped volume was achieved by incrementing the number of pumps in parallel from one to five, thus leading to a 44.1% reduction in the size of the photovoltaic generator and a 13.3% reduction in the cost of installation compared with a system with only one pump. The procedure used to determine the most appropriate number of pumps to install in parallel when pumping water between two tanks, which minimizes the photovoltaic generator's size while guaranteeing pumping requirements, is easily generalizable for sizing isolated photovoltaic water pumping systems.
Vancouver call for action to strengthen expertise in radiological protection worldwide
Authors: Rühm W. , Cho K. , Larsson C.-M. , Wojcik A. , Clement C. , Applegate K. , Bochud F. , Bouffler S. , Cool D. , Hirth G. , Kai M. , Laurier D. , Liu S. , Romanov S. , Schneider T.
Published: April 2023

Ionising radiation has been used for over a century for peaceful purposes, revolutionising health care and promoting well-being through its application in industry, science, and medicine. For almost as long, the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) has promoted understanding of health and environmental risks of ionising radiation and developed a protection system that enables the safe use of ionising radiation in justified and beneficial practices, providing protection from all sources of radiation. However, we are concerned that a shortage of investment in training, education, research, and infrastructure seen in many sectors and countries may compromise society’s ability to properly manage radiation risks, leading to unjustified exposure to or unwarranted fear of radiation, impacting the physical, mental, and social well-being of our peoples. This could unduly limit the potential for research and development in new radiation technologies (healthcare, energy, and the environment) for beneficial purposes. ICRP therefore calls for action to strengthen expertise in radiological protection worldwide through: (1) National governments and funding agencies strengthening resources for radiological protection research allocated by governments and international organisations, (2) National research laboratories and other institutions launching and sustaining long-term research programmes, (3) Universities developing undergraduate and graduate university programmes and making students aware of job opportunities in radiation-related fields, (4) Using plain language when interacting with the public and decision makers about radiological protection, and (5) Fostering general awareness of proper uses of radiation and radiological protection through education and training of information multipliers. The draft call was discussed with international organisations in formal relations with ICRP in October 2022 at the European Radiation Protection Week in Estoril, Portugal, and the final call announced at the 6th International Symposium on the System of Radiological Protection of ICRP in November 2022 in Vancouver, Canada.
Lévy-type solutions for the buckling analysis of unsymmetrically laminated plates with rotational restraints for various plate theories
Authors: Schreiber Philip , Mittelstedt Christian
Published: April 2023

The stability behaviour of unsymmetrical laminated structures made of fibre-reinforced plastics is significantly influenced by bending–extension coupling and the comparatively low transverse shear stiffnesses. The aim of this work is to improve the analytical stability analysis of unsymmetrically laminated structures. With the discrete plate theory, the stability of laminated structures can be reduced to single laminated plates. The structure is divided into individual segments, and the surrounding structure is modelled by rotational elastic restraints. The governing equations for single plates under specific boundary conditions can be solved exactly with Lévy-type solutions. In this study, Lévy-type solutions for the mentioned boundary conditions under biaxial compressive load is described for the classical laminated plate theory, the first-order shear deformation theory and the third-order shear deformation theory (TSDT). In addition to transverse shear, bending–extension couplings of unsymmetrical cross-ply and antisymmetrical angle-ply laminates are considered. For the implementation of boundary conditions for the rotational restraints in the context of TSDT, a new set of conditions is formulated. The investigation shows very good agreement of the buckling load with comparative finite element analyses for different layups.
Role of interleukin 4 (IL4) and interleukin 6 (IL6) in the pathogenesis and prognosis of childhood primary immune thrombocytopenia
Authors: Zakaria Marwa , Beshir Mohamed , Hassan Tamer , Esh Asmaa , Abdelaziz Eman , Tayib Ridha , Nafea Alaa
Published: April 2023

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the breakdown of immune tolerance. Impairment of the cellular immunity is primarily evaluated by the levels of the cytokines which can help in predicting the course of ITP. We aimed to assess the levels of IL4 and IL6 in children with ITP and evaluate their role in the pathogenesis and prognosis of this disease. A prospective cohort study was carried on 60 children (15 patients with newly diagnosed ITP, 15 patients with persistent ITP, 15 patients with chronic ITP and 15 healthy children as a control group). Serum IL-4 and serum IL-6 were measured using Human IL-4 and IL-6 ELISA kit in patients and controls. Patients with newly diagnosed and persistent ITP had significantly higher levels of IL4 and IL6 compared to patients with chronic ITP and healthy controls (p < 0.001). The mean serum level of IL4 was 762.0, 741.0, 364.6 and 436.8 pg/ml, and the mean serum level of IL6 was 178.5, 164.4, 57.9 and 88.4 pg/ml for patients with newly diagnosed, persistent, chronic ITP and healthy controls respectively. Serum IL-4 was significantly higher in patients who achieved remission than those who did not improve on first line therapy.

Conclusion: Serum IL-4 and IL-6 may have a role in the pathogenesis of primary ITP. IL-4 seems to be a good predictor to treatment response.

What Is Known:• There is a delicate balance of specific cytokine levels in immune thrombocytopenia, which has an important role in the immune system and is known to be deregulated in autoimmune diseases. changes in IL-4 and IL-6 might be involved in the pathogenesis of newly diagnosed ITP in both paediatric and adult patients.• We conducted this research study to measure the serum level of IL-4 and IL-6, in newly diagnosed, persistent and chronic ITP patients and study their relation to disease pathogenesis as well as patient’s outcome.What Is New:• We found that IL4 seems to be a good predictor to treatment response and it was a very interesting observation in our study, and to the best of our knowledge, there is no published data about this finding.
Crossover-effects in technical skills between laparoscopy and robot-assisted surgery
Authors: Hardon Sem F. , Willuth E. , Rahimi A. Masie , Lang F. , Haney Caelan M. , Felinska Eleni A. , Kowalewski Karl-Friedrich , Müller-Stich Beat P. , van der Peet Donald L. , Daams Freek , Nickel F. , Horeman Tim
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Robot-assisted surgery is often performed by experienced laparoscopic surgeons. However, this technique requires a different set of technical skills and surgeons are expected to alternate between these approaches. The aim of this study is to investigate the crossover effects when switching between laparoscopic and robot-assisted surgery.

Methods

An international multicentre crossover study was conducted. Trainees with distinctly different levels of experience were divided into three groups (novice, intermediate, expert). Each trainee performed six trials of a standardized suturing task using a laparoscopic box trainer and six trials using the da Vinci surgical robot. Both systems were equipped with the ForceSense system, measuring five force-based parameters for objective assessment of tissue handling skills. Statistical comparison was done between the sixth and seventh trial to identify transition effects. Unexpected changes in parameter outcomes after the seventh trial were further investigated.

Results

A total of 720 trials, performed by 60 participants, were analysed. The expert group increased their tissue handling forces with 46% (maximum impulse 11.5 N/s to 16.8 N/s, p = 0.05), when switching from robot-assisted surgery to laparoscopy. When switching from laparoscopy to robot-assisted surgery, intermediates and experts significantly decreased in motion efficiency (time (sec), resp. 68 vs. 100, p = 0.05, and 44 vs. 84, p = 0.05). Further investigation between the seventh and ninth trial showed that the intermediate group increased their force exertion with 78% (5.1 N vs. 9.1 N, p = 0.04), when switching to robot-assisted surgery.

Conclusion

The crossover effects in technical skills between laparoscopic and robot-assisted surgery are highly depended on the prior experience with laparoscopic surgery. Where experts can alternate between approaches without impairment of technical skills, novices and intermediates should be aware of decay in efficiency of movement and tissue handling skills that could impact patient safety. Therefore, additional simulation training is advised to prevent from undesired events.
A modified Adam algorithm for deep neural network optimization
Authors: Reyad Mohamed , Sarhan Amany M. , Arafa M.
Published: April 2023

Deep Neural Networks (DNNs) are widely regarded as the most effective learning tool for dealing with large datasets, and they have been successfully used in thousands of applications in a variety of fields. Based on these large datasets, they are trained to learn the relationships between various variables. The adaptive moment estimation (Adam) algorithm, a highly efficient adaptive optimization algorithm, is widely used as a learning algorithm in various fields for training DNN models. However, it needs to improve its generalization performance, especially when training with large-scale datasets. Therefore, in this paper, we propose HN Adam, a modified version of the Adam Algorithm, to improve its accuracy and convergence speed. The HN_Adam algorithm is modified by automatically adjusting the step size of the parameter updates over the training epochs. This automatic adjustment is based on the norm value of the parameter update formula according to the gradient values obtained during the training epochs. Furthermore, a hybrid mechanism was created by combining the standard Adam algorithm and the AMSGrad algorithm. As a result of these changes, the HN_Adam algorithm, like the stochastic gradient descent (SGD) algorithm, has good generalization performance and achieves fast convergence like other adaptive algorithms. To test the proposed HN_Adam algorithm performance, it is evaluated to train a deep convolutional neural network (CNN) model that classifies images using two different standard datasets: MNIST and CIFAR-10. The algorithm results are compared to the basic Adam algorithm and the SGD algorithm, in addition to other five recent SGD adaptive algorithms. In most comparisons, the HN Adam algorithm outperforms the compared algorithms in terms of accuracy and convergence speed. AdaBelief is the most competitive of the compared algorithms. In terms of testing accuracy and convergence speed (represented by the consumed training time), the HN-Adam algorithm outperforms the AdaBelief algorithm by an improvement of 1.0% and 0.29% for the MNIST dataset, and 0.93% and 1.68% for the CIFAR-10 dataset, respectively.
A timeline of cognitive functioning in glioma patients who undergo awake brain tumor surgery
Authors: de Sain A.M. , Mantione M.H.M. , Wajer I.M.C. Huenges , van Zandvoort M.J.E. , Willems P.W.A. , Robe P.A. , Ruis C.
Published: April 2023

Background

The purpose of awake brain tumor surgery is to maximize the resection of the tumor and to minimize the risk of neurological and cognitive impairments. The aim of this study is to gain understanding of the development of possible postoperative cognitive deficits after awake brain tumor surgery in patients with suspected gliomas, by comparing preoperative, early postoperative, and late postoperative functioning. A more detailed timeline will be helpful in informing candidates for surgery about what to expect regarding their cognitive functioning.

Methods

Thirty-seven patients were included in this study. Cognitive functioning was measured by means of a broad cognitive screener preoperatively, days after surgery and months after surgery in patients who underwent awake brain tumor surgery with cognitive monitoring. The cognitive screener included tests for object naming, reading, attention span, working memory, inhibition, inhibition/switching, and visuoperception. We performed a Friedman ANOVA to analyze on group level.

Results

Overall, no significant differences were found between preoperative cognitive functioning, early postoperative cognitive functioning, and late postoperative cognitive functioning, except for performances on the inhibition task. Directly after surgery, patients were significantly slower on this task. However, in the following months after surgery, they returned to their preoperative level.

Conclusion

The timeline of cognitive functioning after awake tumor surgery appeared overall stable in the early and late postoperative phase, except for inhibition, which is more difficult in the first days after awake brain tumor surgery. This more detailed timeline of cognitive functioning, in combination with future research, can possibly be contributing in informing patients and caregivers what to expect after awake brain tumor surgery.
A methodology for data-driven modeling and prediction of the drag losses of wet clutches
Authors: Pointner-Gabriel Lukas , Voelkel Katharina , Pflaum Hermann , Stahl Karsten
Published: April 2023

In wet clutches, load-independent drag losses occur in the disengaged state and under differential speed due to fluid shearing. The drag torque of a wet clutch can be determined accurately and reliably by means of costly and time-consuming measurements. As an alternative, the drag losses can already be precisely calculated in the early development phase using computing-intensive CFD models. In contrast, simple analytical calculation models allow a rough but non-time-consuming estimation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a methodology that can be used to build a data-driven model for the prediction of the drag losses of wet clutches with low computational effort and, at the same time, sufficient accuracy under consideration of a high number of influencing parameters. For building the model, we use supervised machine learning algorithms. The methodology covers all relevant steps, from data generation to the validated prediction model as well as its usage. The methodology comprises six main steps. In Step 1, the data is generated on a suitable test rig. In Step 2, characteristic values of each measurement are evaluated to quantify the drag loss behavior. The characteristic values serve as target values to train the model. In Step 3, the structure and quality of the dataset are analyzed and, subsequently, the model input parameters are defined. In Step 4, the relationships between the investigated influencing parameters (model input) and the characteristic values (model output) are determined. Symbolic regression and Gaussian process regression have both been proven to be suitable for this task. Lastly, the model is used in Step 5 to predict the characteristic values. Based on the predictions, the drag torque can be predicted as a function of differential speed in Step 6, using an approximation function. The model allows a user-oriented prediction of the drag torque even for a high number of parameters with low computational effort and sufficient accuracy at the same time.
National implementation of an optimal standardised technique for right-sided colon cancer: protocol of an interventional sequential cohort study (Right study)
Authors: Grüter Alexander A. J. , Coblijn Usha K. , Toorenvliet Boudewijn R. , Tanis Pieter J. , Tuynman Jurriaan B. ,   the Right Collaborators Group, Aselmann Heiko , Belgers Eric H.J. , Belt Eric J.T. , Benz Stefan , Croner Roland S , van Duijvendijk Peter , Fletcher Jordan , Hoff Christiaan , Hompes Roel , Miskovic Danilo , Smits Anke B. , Stearns Adam T. , Storli Kristian E. , van de Ven Anthony W.H. , van Westreenen Henderik L.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Minimally invasive right hemicolectomy (MIRH) is the cornerstone of treatment for patients with right-sided colon cancer. This operation has evolved during recent decades, with many innovations and improvements but this has also resulted in high variability of uptake with subsequent substantial variableness. The aim of this ongoing study is to identify current surgical variations, determine the most optimal and standardised MIRH and nationally train and implement that technique to improve short-term clinical and long-term oncological outcomes.

Methods

The Right study is a national multicentre prospective interventional sequential cohort study. Firstly, current local practice was evaluated. Subsequently, a standardised surgical technique for right-sided colon cancer was determined using the Delphi consensus method, and this procedure was trained during hands-on courses. The standardised MIRH will be implemented with proctoring (implementation cohort), after which the performance will be monitored (consolidation cohort). Patients who will receive a minimally invasive (extended) right hemicolectomy for cT1-3N0-2M0 colon cancer will be included. The primary outcome is patient safety reflected in the 90-day overall complication rate according to the Clavien–Dindo classification. Secondary outcomes will include intraoperative complications, 90-day mortality rate, number of resected tumour-positive lymph nodes, completeness of mesocolic excision, surgical quality score, locoregional and distant recurrence and 5-year overall survival. A total number of 1095 patients (365 per cohort) will be included.

Discussion

The Right study is designed to safely implement the best surgical practice concerning patients with right-sided colon cancer aiming to standardise and improve the surgical quality of MIRH at a national level.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04889456, May 2021.
Characterization and adsorption of raw pomegranate peel powder for lead (II) ions removal
Authors: Hashem A. , Aniagor Chukwunonso O. , Fikry M. , Taha Ghada M. , Badawy Sayed M.
Published: April 2023

The adsorption potential of raw pomegranate peel powder (PMPP) for lead (Pb) ions was investigated via batch mode at varying initial adsorbate concentration, contact time, and adsorbent concentration. ThePMPPwas extensively characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy-dispersion X-ray (EDX), thermogravimetry (TG), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses. The instrumental characterization results confirmed the presence of important functional groups and surface texture/morphology that played key roles during the lead ion adsorption. Description of the experimental equilibrium data by nonlinear Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin–Radushkevich, and Temkin isotherm models was elaborately presented in the study. The experimental kinetic data were fitted to the Pseudo-first-order, Pseudo-second-order, Intra-particle diffusion, and Elovich models. The Temkin model satisfactorily predicted the isotherm data. Meanwhile, the intra-particle diffusion model was best at predicting the kinetic data at adsorbate concentration of 150 mg/L, while the Elovich model emerged as the best fit at 300 mg/L concentration. This study shows that lead ions could be efficiently removed using raw pomegranate peel powder.
Fracture behavior of short fiber-reinforced CAD/CAM inlay restorations after cyclic fatigue aging
Authors: Garoushi S. , Barlas D. , Vallittu P. K. , Uctasli M. B. , Lassila L.
Published: April 2023

The aim of this study was to assess the fracture behavior of molar teeth restored with MOD inlays made of experimental short fiber-reinforced CAD/CAM composite block (SFRC CAD) before and after cyclic fatigue aging. Standardized MOD cavities were prepared on 60 intact mandibular molars. Three groups of CAD/CAM made inlay restorations (Cerasmart 270, Enamic, and SFRC CAD) were fabricated (n = 20/group). All restorations were luted with self-adhesive dual-cure resin cement (G-Cem One). Half of restored teeth per each group (n = 10) were quasi-statically loaded until fracture without aging. The other half underwent cyclic fatigue aging for 500,000 cycles (Fmax = 150 N) before being loaded quasi-statically until fracture. Then, the fracture type was visually inspected. The microstructure and elemental content of CAD/CAM materials were assessed using SEM and EDS. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to statistically examine the data, and it was followed by the Tukey HSD test (α = 0.05). ANOVA demonstrated that both material type and aging had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on the load-bearing capacity values of the restorations. Teeth restored with SFRC CAD showed significantly the highest (p < 0.05) load-bearing capacity (2535 ± 830 N) after fatigue aging among all groups. SEM images showed the ability of short fibers in SFRC CAD composite to redirect and hinder crack propagation. With regard to fracture mode, Enamic group revealed 85% of catastrophic failure (vs. 45% and 10% for Cerasmart 270 and SFRC CAD, respectively). Large MOD cavities on molar teeth were most favorably restored with SFRC CAD inlays, yielding the highest load-bearing capacity and more restorable failures.
Stratigraphical, microfacies, and ichnological characteristics and depositional environments of the Permo‒Carboniferous Aheimer Formation, western side of the Gulf of Suez, Egypt
Authors: El-Refaiy Ahmed A. , El-Sabbagh Ahmed M. , Hedeny Magdy M. El , Mansour Ahmed S. , El-Barkooky Ahmed N.
Published: April 2023

The palaeoenvironments of the upper Palaeozoic succession in the eastern foot slopes of the Northern Galala Plateau, west of the Gulf of Suez, Egypt, are interpreted based on a detailed study of the sequence-stratigraphic framework, sedimentary facies and trace fossils. The upper Carboniferous–lower Permian Aheimer Formation has been studied in its type section exposed in Wadi Aheimer. Three unconformities bound four 3rd-order depositional sequences, including the upper Carboniferous DS NG 1, and the lower Permian DS NG 2‒4. These sequences are correlated with their counterparts on the North African and Arabian plates. The sedimentary facies characteristics indicate palaeoenvironments ranging from fluvial, estuarine, intertidal, shallow subtidal, shoreface to offshore transitional settings. The abundant and diverse ichno-assemblages are composed of horizontal, vertical and sub-vertical traces. At least 26 ichnotaxa have been identified, representing suites of theGlossifungites, proximalCruziana, and proximal-archetypal Cruzianaichnofacies. Ichnofabric analysis revealed three distinct ichnofabrics:Tisoa,SchaubcylindrichnusandZoophycosichnofabrics. The trace and body fossil distribution and trophic structure of some of the recorded faunal assemblages confirm relatively stable and low-stress shallow-marine environments. In contrast, the trophic structure of some other assemblages indicates the influence of particular environmental parameters, including substrate consistency, bathymetry, water energy, productivity, rate of sedimentation, salinity and oxygen availability. The integrated results indicate that the sequences were formed during an interval dominated by different perturbations that resulted in a wide spectrum of depositional features. Moreover, evidence for Carboniferous–Permian glaciation is tentatively established in North Egypt but require further investigations.
Unblurring the Fuzzy Line Between Specialty and Data Protection in EU Mutual Legal Assistance After the European Investigation Order
Authors: Vermeulen Gert , Kusak Martyna
Published: April 2023

The purpose limitation principle takes a central place in data privacy law. The specialty principle plays a key role in international cooperation in criminal matters, including in the context of mutual legal assistance (MLA), which is aimed at the cross-border collection and use of information and evidence. Since the specialty principle also frames use limitations for information or evidence obtained through MLA and must therefore be considered a traditional MLA correlative of the purpose limitation principle in data privacy law, both concepts are clearly intertwined. However, since the entry into force of the European Investigation Order, and the EU Data Protection Directive 2016/680 for Police and Criminal Justice, it has become unclear how both principles interplay, and what that implies for the rights position of the data subject or person concerned. This paper unblurs the fuzzy line between specialty and data protection in the current EU MLA context. Based on historical and conceptual analysis, the paper unravels whether the new data protection provisions of the European Investigation Order and Directive 2,016,680 have speciality features and, if so, to which extent they effectively serve a specialty function. This paper does not only demonstrate that both principles do not fully equate with one another, but features an analysis of how they differ, both conceptually and functionally. It argues and concludes that only a fuller, generic specialty rule and data ownership principle have the potential to promote free movement of information and evidence, whilst equally enhancing the procedural rights position of persons concerned.
The underwhelming German life expectancy
Authors: Jasilionis Domantas , van Raalte Alyson A. , Klüsener Sebastian , Grigoriev Pavel
Published: April 2023

This article contributes to the discussion on the determinants of diverging life expectancy in high-income countries, with a focus on Germany. To date, much of this discourse has centered around the social determinants of health, issues of healthcare equity, poverty and income inequality, and new epidemics of opioids and violence. Yet despite doing well on all of these metrics and having numerous advantages such as comparatively strong economic performance, generous social security, and an equitable and well-resourced health care system, Germany has been a long-time life expectancy laggard among the high-income countries. Using aggregated population-level mortality data for Germany and selected six high-income countries (Switzerland, France, Japan, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States) from the Human Mortality Database and WHO Mortality Database, we find that the German longevity shortfall is mainly explained by a longstanding disadvantage in survival among older adults and adults nearing statutory retirement age, which mainly stems from sustained excess cardiovascular disease mortality, even when compared to other laggard countries such as the US and the UK. Patchy contextual data suggests that the unfavorable pattern of cardiovascular mortality may be driven by underperforming primary care and disease prevention. More systematic and representative data on risk factors are needed to strengthen the evidence base on the determinants of the controversial and long-standing health gap between more successful countries and Germany. The German example calls for broader narratives of population health that embed the variety of epidemiological challenges populations face around the globe.
Analysing the factors that influence social media adoption among SMEs in developing countries
Authors: Solomon Offiong Helen , Allen Tom , Wangombe Wangari
Published: April 2023

Social media penetration is on the rise in developing countries and is an important channel of growth for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Many SMEs in developing countries use social media to connect their customers to their products and services. However, the factors that have led the existing SMEs in Africa to adopt or reject social media need to be clarified to understand the key contributing factors and influences at play. This paper adopts the learning-by-doing concept from economic theory to explore the factors that influence the adoption of social media. A primary survey follows this to examine the use of social media among firms in the commercial districts of Kenya and Nigeria. The preliminary surveys in both countries were combined into a single dataset to analyse the relationship between social media use and learning-by-doing.

The results show that while small SMEs are limited in their social media capacity, medium size firms tend to invest in their social media presence, and larger-size firms still rely on traditional marketing channels.
Stress Responses Among Individuals with Spiritual Struggles in Hungary: An Experimental Study
Authors: Kéri Szabolcs
Published: April 2023

Individuals with a Religious or Spiritual Problem (RSP), as defined in the DSM-5, experience distress associated with faith-related moral dilemmas, existential meaning, and transpersonal attitudes toward other people. It is unclear whether a RSP reflects a generally heightened stress reactivity or whether the stress response is confined to religious and spiritual contexts. To elucidate this issue, we measured behavioral and physiological responses during social-evaluative stress (public speaking—Trier Social Stress Test) and in religious/spiritual contexts (Bible reading and listening to sacred music) in 35 individuals with RSP and 35 matched participants. We found no stress reduction in the religious/spiritual context in RSP, as indicated by increased heart rate, saliva cortisol, and relatively higher left than right frontal activity. Religious stimuli evoked physiological stress responses in RSP. Contrary to the physiological parameters, participants with RSP reported less anxiety in the religious/spiritual context. Religious individuals with and without RSP showed similar stress responses during public speaking. Religious individuals without RSP displayed reduced stress responses in the religious/spiritual context. These results indicate that specific physiological distress in religious/spiritual contexts should be considered in the psychological care of RSP.
An experimental procedure for the identification of the dynamic parameters for the rigid-ring tyre model
Authors: Massaro Matteo , Mottola Matteo , Bonisoli Elvio , Lisitano Domenico
Published: April 2023

Several approaches have been developed over the years for the modelling of the tyre behaviour in vehicle-dynamic applications. The so-called ‘rigid-ring’ models are among the classics for the modelling of the belt dynamics. Although there are several works dealing with the vibrating properties of tyres, the problem of the identification of the related rigid-ring model parameters has not been described other than qualitatively or partially. The aim of this work is thus to fill this gap and to devise a procedure for the experimental characterisation of such parameters, namely the frequency and damping of the in-plane and out-of-plane belt vibration modes as well as the associated masses and inertias. An experimental modal analysis (EMA) approach is employed, which involves an instrumented hammer combined with three-axial accelerometers roving on 16 stations equally spaced along the tyre circumference. The method is numerically demonstrated on the finite-element models of a motorcycle tyre and a car tyre. The approach is also experimentally validated on a real tyre. The rigid-ring vibration modes of the motorcycle tyre are in the range 70–220 Hz, while those of the car tyre are in the range 51–85 Hz. The ratios of the mass/inertia of the rigid ring to the mass/inertia of the tyre are in the range 40–87% and 68–74% for the motorcycle and car respectively.
Sameness beyond numerical identity. A defence of the One Object View of Kant´s transcendental idealism
Authors: Riccardi Mattia
Published: April 2023

Some Kant scholars argue that appearances and things in themselves are distinct things (Two Objects View). Others argue that they are the same things (One Object View). This last view is often understood as the claim that appearances and things in themselves are numerically identical (Numerical Identity). However, Walker (2010) and Stang (2014) show that Numerical Identity clashes against Kant’s claim that we lack knowledge of things in themselves (Noumenal Ignorance). I propose a weaker version of the One Object View that is not couched in terms of Numerical Identity and, consequently, avoids the problem raised by Walker and Stang. My case is based on a sustained analogy with perceptual experience that aims at showing that appearances and things in themselves are the same things in the following sense: the very same things can be presented under the mode of sensory intuition or (possibly) under the mode of intellectual intuition. Those things presented under the mode of sensory intuition are appearances; presented under the (possible) mode of intellectual intuition are things in themselves. This way of construing appearances and things in themselves preserves the core insight of the One Object View. At the same time, as it does not entail any isomorphism between appearances and things in themselves, it does not clash against Noumenal Ignorance.
Assessment of the correlation between the nutrient load from migratory bird excrement and water quality by principal component analysis in a freshwater habitat
Authors: Tóth Piroska , Tarcsay Bálint Levente , Kovács Zsófia , Ionescu Dan Traian , Németh Sándor , Domokos Endre
Published: April 2023

Waterbirds depend on a dispersed network of wetlands for their annual life cycle during migration. Climate and land use changes raise new concerns about the sustainability of these habitat networks, as water scarcity triggers ecological and socioeconomic impacts threatening wetland availability and quality. During the migration period, birds can be present in large enough numbers to influence water quality themselves linking them and water management in efforts to conserve habitats for endangered populations. Despite this, the guidelines within laws do not properly account for the annual change of water quality due to natural factors such as the migration periods of birds. Principal component analysis and principal component regression was used to analyze the correlations between the presence of a multitude of migratory waterbird communities and water quality metrics based on a dataset collected over four years in the Dumbrăvița section of the Homoród stream in Transylvania. The results reveal a correlation between the presence and numbers of various bird species and the seasonal changes in water quality. Piscivorous birds tended to increase the phosphorus load, herbivorous waterbirds the nitrogen load, while benthivorous duck species influenced a variety of parameters. The established PCR water quality prediction model showed accurate prediction capabilities for the water quality index of the observed region. For the tested data set, the method provided an R2 value of 0.81 and a mean squared prediction error of 0.17.
Electricity accounting in life cycle assessment: the challenge of double counting
Authors: Holzapfel Peter , Bach Vanessa , Finkbeiner Matthias
Published: April 2023

Purpose

In grid electricity consumption models, the location-based method uses regional average emission factors to account for environmental impacts. The market-based method is based on contractual agreements, verifying the exclusive claim on electricity from specific energy sources. An inconsistent application of these methods in life cycle assessment (LCA) and GHG accounting can lead to double counting. Especially, double counting electricity associated with rather low environmental impacts, such as renewable energy, might lead to impact underestimations. The aim of this paper is to identify, describe and propose solutions to double counting challenges.

Methods

A four-step procedure is carried out. First, the specifications on grid electricity mix selection in frequently applied standards for LCA and GHG accounting are analysed. Besides the ISO norms for LCA (14040/44) and carbon footprinting (14064/67), the GHG Protocol and the Product and Organizational Environmental Footprint (PEF/OEF) are considered. Based on this analysis, challenges of double counting electricity from specific sources are identified. In the third step, potential solutions for avoiding double counting are proposed. The last research step consists of an illustrative case study to demonstrate the calculation of market-based electricity mixes and identify potential adjustments necessities for LCA application.

Results and discussion

A parallel application of the location-based and the market-based method poses the main double-counting challenge. Thus, avoiding double counting demands consistent method application throughout the whole life cycle. Whereas this is relatively straightforward for the location-based method, consistent market-based method application is more challenging. LCAs rely on average life cycle inventory processes, which mostly include location-based electricity mixes. However, for consistent market-based method application throughout the life cycle, electricity-related environmental impacts in the inventory system also need to be market-based. This would demand a partial recalculation of LCI datasets using market-based residual electricity mixes. Besides illustrating the calculation of market-based electricity mixes, the case study is used to identify and propose solutions for two main challenges for residual mix application in LCA: countries without residual mix and electricity under a double marketing ban.

Conclusion

Double counting of electricity from specific energy sources is a challenge, since it can lead to under- or overestimations of environmental impacts. Both the location-based and market-based method can avoid double counting. However, parallel or inconsistent applications of both methods lead to double counting. In order to avoid double counting, there is a need to enable and use consistent electricity accounting rules in LCA and GHG accounting.
Multi-stage warm started optimal motion planning for over-actuated mobile platforms
Authors: Paz-Delgado Gonzalo J. , Pérez-del-Pulgar Carlos J. , Azkarate Martin , Kirchner Frank , García-Cerezo Alfonso
Published: April 2023

This work presents a computationally lightweight motion planner for over-actuated platforms. For this purpose, a general state-space model for mobile platforms with several kinematic chains is defined, which considers dynamics, nonlinearities and constraints. The proposed motion planner is based on a sequential multi-stage approach that takes advantage of the warm start on each step. Firstly, a globally optimal and smooth 2D/3D trajectory is generated using the Fast Marching Method. This trajectory is fed as a warm start to a sequential linear quadratic regulator that is able to generate an optimal motion plan without constraints for all the platform actuators. Finally, a feasible motion plan is generated considering the constraints defined in the model. In this respect, the sequential linear quadratic regulator is employed again, taking the previously generated unconstrained motion plan as a warm start. The motion planner has been deployed into the Exomars Testing Rover of the European Space Agency. This rover is an Ackermann-capable planetary exploration testbed that is equipped with a robotic arm. Several experiments were carried out demonstrating that the proposed approach speeds up the computation time and increases the success ratio for a martian sample retrieval mission, which can be considered as a representative use case of goal-constrained trajectory generation for an over-actuated mobile platform.
Emphasizing the Crosstalk Between Inflammatory and Neural Signaling in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Authors: Govindula Anusha , Ranadive Niraja , Nampoothiri Madhavan , Rao C Mallikarjuna , Arora Devinder , Mudgal Jayesh
Published: April 2023

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a chronic incapacitating condition with recurrent experience of trauma-related memories, negative mood, altered cognition, and hypervigilance. Agglomeration of preclinical and clinical evidence in recent years specified that alterations in neural networks favor certain characteristics of PTSD. Besides the disruption of hypothalamus-pituitary-axis (HPA) axis, intensified immune status with elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines and arachidonic metabolites of COX-2 such as PGE2 creates a putative scenario in worsening the neurobehavioral facet of PTSD. This review aims to link the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorders (DSM-V) symptomology to major neural mechanisms that are supposed to underpin the transition from acute stress reactions to the development of PTSD. Also, to demonstrate how these intertwined processes can be applied to probable early intervention strategies followed by a description of the evidence supporting the proposed mechanisms. Hence in this review, several neural network mechanisms were postulated concerning the HPA axis, COX-2, PGE2, NLRP3, and sirtuins to unravel possible complex neuroinflammatory mechanisms that are obscured in PTSD condition.
On meromorphic functions which are Brody curves
Authors: Winkelmann Jörg
Published: April 2023

We discuss meromorphic functions on the complex plane which are Brody curves regarded as holomorphic maps to $${{\mathbb {P}}}_1$$

P
1

, i.e., which have bounded spherical derivative. For some special classes we gave explicit criteria which functions are Brody. We also discuss which divisors of very slow growth may occur as zero divisor of a Brody function and show that there are transcendental entire functions of arbitrarily slow growth which are not Brody.
On proper minimality in set optimization
Authors: Huerga L. , Miglierina E. , Molho E. , Novo V.
Published: April 2023

The aim of this paper is to extend some notions of proper minimality from vector optimization to set optimization. In particular, we focus our attention on the concepts of Henig and Geoffrion proper minimality, which are well-known in vector optimization. We introduce a generalization of both of them in set optimization with finite dimensional spaces, by considering also a special class of polyhedral ordering cone. In this framework, we prove that these two notions are equivalent, as it happens in the vector optimization context, where this property is well-known. Then, we study a characterization of these proper minimal points through nonlinear scalarization, without considering convexity hypotheses.
Empirical and Computational-Based Phase Predictions of Thermal Sprayed High-Entropy Alloys
Authors: Bosi Ecio , Meghwal Ashok , Singh Surinder , Munroe Paul , Berndt Christopher C. , Ang Andrew Siao Ming
Published: April 2023

Due to the wide range of compositional possibilities in the high-entropy alloy (HEA) field, empirical models and the CALPHAD method have been implemented to efficiently design HEAs. Although most design strategies have been tested on as-cast alloys, their validation for thermal sprayed HEA coatings is lacking. In this work, empirical models and the CALPHAD method under equilibrium and non-equilibrium conditions are assessed for phase prediction in five HEAs in the as-cast, laser clad and thermal sprayed conditions. High-velocity oxygen fuel coatings were prepared for these five HEAs, and their phases were identified by the x-ray diffraction analysis. These processes, even though their cooling rates vary significantly, show similar phase formation as indicated by a literature review and the current experimental study. The CALPHAD equilibrium calculation predicted most of the phases at specified temperatures. Furthermore, the CALPHAD-based non-equilibrium simulations correctly predicted the major phases present in the HEA coatings. The empirical models also show good prediction capability, but the intermetallic sigma phase is problematic for the parameter-based models. Therefore, the CALPHAD method can be used to efficiently design and develop HEAs prepared under conditions that encompass rapid cooling, such as occurring during thermal spray processes.