bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mirror activation pattern selection for energy efficient hexagonal QAM aided media‐based modulation
Authors: Ozden Burak Ahmet , Cogen Fatih , Aydin Erdogan
Published: May 2023

In this article, three mirror activation pattern (MAP) selection techniques are used to improve the performance of energy‐efficient hexagonal quadrature amplitude modulation (HQAM) aided media‐based modulation (MBM) system called HMBM. These three MAP selection (MS) aided HQAM techniques: (i) capacity‐optimized MS‐based HMBM (CMS‐HMBM) scheme, (ii) MAP correlation (MC) aided MS‐based HMBM (MMS‐HMBM) scheme, (iii) Euclidean distance (ED) based MS aided HMBM (EMS‐HMBM) scheme. MBM technique, one of the newest and most competitive candidates of the index modulation family, increases spectral efficiency linearly and significantly improves error performance. When MS techniques are integrated into telecommunication techniques, they significantly increase the performance of the system. Extensive computer simulations with Monte Carlo for the considered systems are performed on Rayleigh fading channels. The suggested system offers superior error performance than the conventional MBM scheme since it incorporates CMS, MMS, and EMS techniques. Additionally, the suggested new method offers greater energy efficiency than ‐QAM constellation schemes since HQAM constellation schemes are by their very nature high energy efficiency. It is shown that the proposed CMS‐HMBM, MMS‐HMBM, and EMS‐HMBM systems provide better error performance than capacity‐optimized antenna selection (COAS) aided hexagonal spatial modulation (COAS‐HSM), antenna correlation‐based AS aided HSM (ACAS‐HSM), Euclidean distance optimized AS aided HSM (EDAS‐HSM), SM, and MBM systems for the same spectral efficiency. The suggested systems are envisaged for usage in sixth‐generation and later wireless networks because of their high performance provided by the CMS, MMS, and EMS methods in the proposed system and the high spectral efficiency provided by the HMBM approach.
Tyrosine metabolic reprogramming coordinated with the tricarboxylic acid cycle to drive glioma immune evasion by regulating PD‐L1 expression
Authors: Wang Ji‐Yan , Dai Xin‐Tong , Gao Qing‐Le , Chang Hong‐Kai , Zhang Shuai , Shan Chang‐Liang , He Tao
Published: May 2023

Due to the existence of the blood–brain barrier in glioma, traditional drug therapy has a poor therapeutic outcome. Emerging immunotherapy has been shown to have satisfactory therapeutic effects in solid tumors, and it is clinically instructive to explore the possibility of immunotherapy in glioma. We performed a retrospective analysis of RNA‐seq data and clinical information in 1027 glioma patients, utilizing machine learning to explore the relationship between tyrosine metabolizing enzymes and clinical characteristics. In addition, we also assessed the role of tyrosine metabolizing enzymes in the immune microenvironment including immune infiltration and immune evasion. Highly expressed tyrosine metabolizing enzymes 4‐hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase, homogentisate 1,2‐dioxygenase, and fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase not only promote the malignant phenotype of glioma but are also closely related to poor prognosis. The expression of tyrosine metabolizing enzymes could distinguish the malignancy degree of glioma. More importantly, tyrosine metabolizing enzymes regulate the adaptive immune process in glioma. Mechanistically, multiple metabolic enzymes remodel fumarate metabolism, promote α‐ketoglutarate production, induce programmed death‐ligand 1 expression, and help glioma evade immune surveillance. Our data suggest that the metabolic subclass driven by tyrosine metabolism provides promising targets for the immunotherapy of glioma.
RNF182 induces p65 ubiquitination to affect PDL1 transcription and suppress immune evasion in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Zeng Xingdu , Tang Xiaoyuan , Chen Xingxiang , Wen Huilan
Published: May 2023

Background

The RING finger (RNF) proteins are a large group of ubiquitin ligases whose aberrant expression is often associated with disease progression. This study examines the function of RNF protein 182 (RNF182) in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) cells and its impact on p65 and programmed death ligand 1 (PDL1) regulation.

Methods

Expression of RNF182, p65, and PDL1 in LUAD tissues and cells was measured using immunohistochemistry, reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR), and/or western blot (WB) assays. LUAD cells were induced to overexpress RNF182 and p65, followed by cell counting kit‐8, colony formation, Transwell, and flow cytometry assays to evaluate the cells’ malignant phenotype. Coimmunoprecipitation and WB assays were used to verify RNF182's effect on p65 ubiquitination. Chromatin immunoprecipitation‐qPCR and luciferase assays were used to analyze p65's transcriptional regulation of PDL1. Coculture of LUAD with CD8+ cytotoxic T cells was performed to detect lactate dehydrogenase release and interferon‐γ and interleukin‐2 concentrations. LUAD cells were implanted in mice to analyze tumorigenicity.

Results

RNF182 was poorly expressed, while p65 and PDL1 were highly expressed in LUAD tissues and cells. RNF182 overexpression suppressed the malignant properties of LUAD cells, and it promoted p65 ubiquitination and protein degradation. p65 activated PDL1 transcription. Overexpression of RNF182 suppressed the PDL1 expression, increased the cytotoxicity in LUAD cells cocultured with CD8+ T cells, and suppressed the tumorigenesis of cancer cells in vivo. However, these tumor‐suppressive effects of RNF182 on LUAD cells were blocked by p65 restoration.

Conclusion

This research demonstrates that RNF182 induces p65 ubiquitination to suppress PDL1 transcription and immunosuppression in LUAD.
Lung lobe segmentation in computed tomography images based on multi‐feature fusion and ensemble learning framework
Authors: Peng Yuanyuan , Zhang Jiaxing
Published: May 2023

Lung lobe segmentation in computed tomography (CT) images can be regarded as essential supporting information for the diagnosis and treatment of lung diseases, yet it is a challenging uncertainty for the complex segmentation task due to the diverse structures like indistinguishable pulmonary arteries and veins, unpredictable pathological deformation and blurring pulmonary fissures. To circumvent these challenges, we present a productive deep learning network based on multi‐feature fusion and ensemble learning approach to highlight pulmonary fissure representation and suppress other structures for lung lobe segmentation in CT images. Considering that pulmonary fissures are the physical boundaries of lung lobes, a multi‐feature fusion approach is presented to integrate original images, enhanced fissure magnitude images, and enhanced fissure orientation images to highlight shape representation for semantic segmentation. In addition, a deep‐supervised ensemble learning network is employed to combine multiple inducers for lung lobe segmentation improvement. The performance of the proposed deep learning model is validated in experiments with an available dataset, it acquired a high IoU value and a low Hausdorff distance compared with manual references. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed computational model based on multi‐feature fusion and deep‐supervised ensemble learning framework has an improved predictive performance than many state‐of‐the‐art deep neural networks in lung lobe segmentation.
Analysis of stress/strain distribution in dental mini‐implants manufactured by additive manufacturing and machining
Authors: de Oliveira Thaisa Theodoro , Valente Mariana Lima da Costa , Simões Isadora Gazott , Batalha Rodolfo Lisboa , Macedo Ana Paula , Bolfarini Claudemiro , Pauly Simon , dos Reis Andréa Cândido
Published: May 2023

The study aimed to analyze the stress/strain distribution of new designs of mini‐implants manufactured by machining and additive manufacturing. Four designs were evaluated (Ø2.0 mm × 10 mm): Intra‐lock, helical, threaded machined (MN threaded) and threaded by additive manufacturing (AM threaded). Analysis of stress was performed through photoelastic analysis (100 N axial/oblique loads) and analysis of strain by digital image correlation (DIC) (250 N axial/100 N oblique load). Data distribution was verified using the Shapiro–Wilk test and a significance level of 5% was adopted. Quantitative data were analyzed using the non‐parametric Kruskal–Wallis test. In photoelastic analysis, the Intra‐lock mini‐implant showed the highest stresses in the cervical (104 kPa), middle (108 kPa), and apical (212 kPa) thirds. Higher stresses were observed in the oblique loading situation for all designs. For DIC analysis, axial loading, a significant difference was observed for the AM Threaded mini‐implants about the other designs in the cervical third (p = .04), with the highest strain value 47 με [10; 76]. In oblique loading, a significant difference between the mini‐implants was observed in the middle and apical thirds, with higher strains for the AM threaded design −185 με [−173; 162] (p = .009) and 242 με [87; 372] (p = .013), respectively. In general, the influence of different mini‐implant designs and the additive manufacturing method on the stress/strain was observed, in the photoelastic and DIC analysis. The evaluated designs demonstrated a lower concentration of stress/strain in the cervical region compared to the apical region, and higher stress/strain in situations of oblique load compared with axial load.
Collaboration in the management of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: A survey of joint working in UK clinical practice
Authors: Savage Laura , Kaul Arvind , Gorecki Patricia
Published: May 2023

Background

Treatment guidelines for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis consider all skin and joint domains and recommend collaborative multidisciplinary team (MDT) working. The uptake of joint working in clinical practice for psoriatic disease management has not been well studied.

Objectives

This United Kingdom (UK) study aimed to provide a better understanding of current working patterns and collaborating specialities, as well as benefits and challenges of combined clinics.

Methods

An online survey was emailed to dermatology and rheumatology healthcare professionals (HCPs) using professional networks.

Results

Responses were received between October 2020 and April 2021 (N = 80); 60.0% of respondents worked in dermatology and 40.0% in rheumatology. Use of combined clinics with dermatology was reported by 40.6% of rheumatology HCPs, including joint (25.0%), parallel (3.1%) and virtual clinics (6.3%), and MDT meetings (6.2%). Similarly, 50.1% of dermatology HCPs reported use of joint (25.0%), parallel (4.2%) and virtual clinics (2.1%), single visits (2.1%), and MDT meetings (16.7%) with rheumatology. Around one‐quarter of respondents collaborated via email, which was also the main method of collaboration with other specialists. Overall, one‐quarter of respondents reported no collaboration in psoriatic disease management. Perceived benefits of combined clinics included shared knowledge, improved patient outcomes and increased patient satisfaction. Challenges included difficulties in aligning clinician time and geographical location, as well as limited ‘buy‐in’ from senior management. Most respondents felt that the COVID‐19 pandemic had partially or significantly impacted combined clinics.

Conclusions

This study is one of the first to survey collaborative working in psoriatic disease management and the first in the UK. These findings demonstrate the variety of approaches used and a lack of collaborative working by one‐quarter of respondents. Despite the benefits, numerous challenges in establishing formal arrangements exist. More evidence is needed to demonstrate improved patient outcomes with collaborative working and to standardise best practice.
Improving spreading projection algorithm for rapid k‐space sampling trajectories through minimized off‐resonance effects and gridding of low frequencies
Authors: Giliyar Radhakrishna Chaithya , Daval‐Frérot Guillaume , Massire Aurélien , Vignaud Alexandre , Ciuciu Philippe
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Non‐Cartesian MRI with long arbitrary readout directions are susceptible to off‐resonance artifacts due to patient induced inhomogeneities. This results in degraded image quality with strong signal losses and blurring. Current solutions to address this issue involve correcting the off‐resonance artifacts during image reconstruction or reducing inhomogeneities through improved shimming.

Theory

The recently developed SPARKLING algorithm is extended to drastically diminish off‐resonance artifacts by generating temporally smooth k‐space sampling patterns. For doing so, the cost function which is optimized in SPARKLING is modified using a temporal weighting factor. Additionally, oversampling of the center of k‐space beyond the Nyquist criteria is prevented through the use of gridded sampling in the region, enforced with affine constraints.

Methods

Prospective k‐space data was acquired at 3 T on new trajectories, and we show robustness to inhomogeneities through in silico experiments by adding  through artificial degradation of system shimming. Later on, in vivo experiments were carried out to optimize parameters of the new improvements and benchmark the gain in performance.

Results

The improved trajectories allowed for the recovery of signal dropouts observed on original SPARKLING acquisitions at larger field inhomogeneities. Furthermore, imposing gridded sampling at the center of k‐space provided improved reconstructed image quality with limited artifacts.

Conclusion

These advancements allowed us for nearly shorter scan time compared to GRAPPA‐p4x1, allowing us to reach 600 µm isotropic resolution in 3D ‐w imaging in just 3.3 min at 3 T with negligible degradation in image quality.
Rigid‐body‐spring network model for failure simulation of reinforced‐concrete members under various loading rates
Authors: Choo Bonhwi , Hwang Young Kwang , Bolander John E. , Lim Yun Mook
Published: May 2023

A method was developed to simulate the failure of reinforced concrete (RC) subjected to high‐loading rates using a three‐dimensional (3D) rigid‐body‐spring network (RBSN) model. The viscoplastic damage (VPD) and viscoelastic damage (VED) models were used to consider the rate dependence of the concrete. The rate dependence of the reinforcing bars was expressed using an empirical formula. The reinforcing bars were represented by a computationally efficient, semi‐discrete method within the 3D RBSN that allowed for bar positioning, irrespective of the background mesh used to represent the concrete. The residual deformation of the RC structure was expressed based on considerations of the plastic strains of the reinforcing bars. Various simulations were conducted to verify the developed model, including four‐point bending test simulations of RC beams subjected to high loading rates. A comparison of the result to those of experiments and previous simulations demonstrated the importance of the rate dependence of the reinforcing bar behavior within the simulation framework. Furthermore, RC slabs subjected to high loading rates were simulated to verify that the crack patterns and residual deformation of the RC slabs, as well as the rate dependence of the reinforcing bars, were suitably expressed in comparison with experimental results.
The relationship between trust, belief and adherence among patients who complain of hypertension in Ghana
Authors: Konlan Kennedy Dodam , Konlan Kennedy Diema , Abdulai Juliana Asibi , Saah Joel Afram , Doat Abdul Razak , Amoah Roberta Mensima , Mohammed Iddrisu
Published: May 2023

Aim

We determined the relationship between trust, belief and adherence among patients who complain of hypertension in Ghana.

Design

A cross‐sectional design was used.

Method

We sampled 447 Ghanaians with hypertension receiving care at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. Data were collected using a pre‐tested self‐administered questionnaire. Data analyses were conducted with the aid of Stata 15.0.

Results

There is low belief and trust in the biomedical treatment for hypertension. Only 36.9% of the respondents said they adhered to treatment with females expressing higher level of adherence. Trust and belief in allopathic care were associated with adherence to treatment. It is recommended that health workers identify effective ways of improving patients' trust in the allopathic care for hypertension through teaching and re‐enforcement models to enhance treatment adherence and reduce the complications of hypertension.

Patient or Public Contribution.
Identification of cuproptosis‐related subtypes and tumor microenvironment characteristics in colon cancer
Authors: Han Hao , Jin Ye , Yan Haihao , Liu Zheng
Published: May 2023

Cuproptosis is a form of regulated cell death, which is characterized by the lethal accumulation of excessive copper in cells. However, its role in colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) remains elusive. Our study aimed to decipher the biological function of cuproptosis‐related genes (CRGs) in patients with COAD. The expression data were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas, while the Gene Expression Omnibus database was used to verify the results. A total of eight differentially expressed CRGs were selected from patients with COAD. Subsequently, patients were stratified into three subtypes with distinct clinical and biological features. In view of the huge differences in the prognosis between subtypes A and C, we selected them for further study, including the variations in clinical progressions, oncogenic pathways, and immune cell infiltration. For the sake of better evaluation, we also established a cuproptosis index (CI) to quantify the heterogeneity of CRGs expression. Enrichment analysis showed that the high‐CI group was enriched in immune activation pathways. Meanwhile, the immunosuppressive cell infiltration and immune checkpoints were elevated in the high‐CI group. The CI we constructed had its predicting function in different clinical groups. Besides, we noticed that CRGs, especially CDKN2A, were closely related to the clinical progression in patients with COAD and immune cell infiltration in tumors. Moreover, CDKN2A could become a potential novel target for immunotherapy in the setting of COAD.
An architecture refactoring approach to reducing software hierarchy complexity
Authors: Zhao Yongxin , Wu Wenhan , Fei Yuan , Liu Zhihao , Li Yang , Yang Yilong , Shi Ling , Zhang Bo
Published: May 2023

Software complexity is the very essence of computer programming. As the complexity increases, the potential risks and defects of software systems will increase. This makes the software correctness analysis and the software quality improvement more difficult. In this paper, we present a quantitative metric to describe the complexity of a hierarchical software and a Complexity‐oriented Software Architecture Refactoring (CoSSR) approach to reduce the complexity. The main idea is to identify and then reassemble subcomponents into one hierarchical component, which achieves minimum complexity in terms of the solution algorithm. Moreover, our algorithm can be improved by introducing partition constraint, heuristic search strategy, and spectral clustering. We implement the proposed method as an automated refactoring tool and demonstrate our algorithm through a case study of battery management system (BMS). The results show that our approach is more efficient and effective to reduce the complexity of hierarchical software system.
Influence of Silicate Rock Glass Compositions on the Efficacy of Prebiotic RNA Polymerization Reactions: The Case of 3’,5’ Cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate
Authors: Šponer Judit E. , Kloužek Jaroslav , Výravský Jakub , Wunnava Sreekar , Scheu Bettina , Braun Dieter , Mojzsis Stephen J. , Palacký Jan , Vorlíčková Michaela , Šponer Jiří , Matyášek Roman , Kovařík Aleš
Published: May 2023

Silicate glasses are ubiquitous on terrestrial planets wherever molten rock – generated by volcanism or impacts – is quenched by air or water. Hence, they provided ready and abundant reactive solid surfaces for prebiotic chemistry on the early Earth. Here, we show that rock glass composition determines basicity, which in turn modulates the outcome of prebiotic synthetic processes such as the polymerization of 3’, 5’ cyclic guanosine monophosphate.
A Transnational, Translingual Lens on Curriculum: Supporting Children who are Immigrants and Refugees
Authors: Domke Lisa M. , Harden Jessica D.
Published: May 2023

One quarter of children in the United States live with at least one parent who is an immigrant. Immigrants have a variety of backgrounds and situations including families who are refugees from war‐torn countries, families living in the country for graduate school, and families who have lived in the US for multiple years. Immigrants’ diversity of experiences makes getting to know their backgrounds and incorporating them into instruction critical. In this article, we share our experiences and provide reflection questions and suggestions to help educators embrace and incorporate home languages, explain and expand educational practices, and consider literacy curriculum and instructional practices.
Determining the prevalence and risk factors for positive bacterial culture in canine discospondylitis: 120 cases
Authors: Pilkington Ed , Goncalves Rita , Henze Lea , Grapes Nick , Volk Holger , De Decker Steven
Published: May 2023

Background

Identification of the aetiologic agent in canine discospondylitis is infrequent; and risk factors for a positive bacterial culture have not previously been reported.

Methods

Medical records at three institutions were searched to identify clinical features of dogs with discospondylitis diagnosed via radiography or cross‐sectional imaging. Inclusion in this retrospective case–control study required culture of one or more samples. Multivariable binary logistic regression identified features associated with a positive culture.

Results

Fifty (42%) of 120 dogs had one or more positive culture results obtained from either urine (28/115), blood (25/78), intervertebral disc aspiration (10/34) or cerebrospinal fluid (1/18). A positive culture was associated with higher bodyweight (p = 0.002, odds ratio [OR] = 1.054, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.019–1.089), more sample types cultured (p = 0.037, OR = 1.806, 95% CI: 1.037–3.147) and institution (p = 0.021). The presence of possibly associated preceding events (e.g., surgery), pyrexia, number of disc sites affected and serum C‐reactive protein result, among other features, were not statistically significant.

Limitations

All isolates cultured were included since differentiation of true aetiologic agents from contaminants was not possible without histological confirmation and culture from surgical or postmortem biopsies.

Conclusions

Clinical features typically associated with infection were not identified as risk factors for positive culture in canine discospondylitis. The statistical significance of the institution suggests that standardisation of sampling protocols is necessary.
Vertical canal auricular cartilage malformation in a Keetso cat with concurrent chronic otitis externa
Authors: Sharp Callum A. T. , Ladlow Jane F.
Published: May 2023

A 7‐month‐old, male, neutered Keetso cat presented for assessment due to chronic recurrent otitis externa signs. Video otoscopic examination revealed corrugated stenosis of the vertical ear canal. A bilateral lateral wall resection was performed. Repeat examination 2 and 15 months after surgery showed no ongoing clinical signs. The Keetso cat is a new breed of cat with a small gene pool, with currently only two breeders worldwide. Significant features of the breed are polydactylism and externally curled pinnae (folded ears). The presence of cartilage malformation in the vertical ear canal may be associated with the chronic otitis externa and if occurring on a population level, presents a potential welfare concern for this breed.
Communicative Self-Harm: War, NHS and Social Work
Authors: Millard Chris
Published: May 2023

In 1944, Henderson’s and Gillespie’sTextbook of Psychiatrynotes the ‘remarkable progress that has occurred in psychiatry in recent years in the teeth of war conditions, and even, to a limited extent, because of them’.1The Second World War nurtures and catalyses a large number of reforms and innovations in the thought and practice of British psychiatry. Attending to the psychological casualties of the Second World War generates a huge number of interpersonally focused psychotherapeutic practices. The psychological significance of personal relationships, of adjustment to situations, of communication and social interaction become central to the linked aims of maintaining military and civilian morale on one hand, and returning psychological casualties to service as soon as possible on the other. The link between the social setting and psychological well-being is not generated by the war. However, the war does give an enormous boost to conceptions of what becomes known as the ‘psychosocial’.
Self-Harm as Self-Cutting: Inpatients and Internal Tension
Authors: Millard Chris
Published: May 2023

At the start of the 1970s, the number of people recorded as ‘self-poisoning as communication’ is still rising. Typical is a 1972 report from Dunfermline that claims acute ‘poisoning has reached epidemic proportions … [t]he number of poisoned patients increases year by year and there is no evidence that the trend is altering’.1 In the same year, a bleak study issues from Sheffield, entitled ‘Self-Poisoning with Drugs: A Worsening Situation’. This study claims that the rate of self-poisoning in Sheffield has doubled in the last decade and now accounts for almost one in ten medical admissions and one in five emergencies. Studies from Edinburgh, Oxford and Cardiff are cited as nationwide support for these truly alarming statistics.2 By the late 1970s however, it is reported from the Edinburgh RPTC that rates of self-poisoning are falling for men and levelling off for women. Keith Hawton and colleagues in Oxford report five years later that overall ‘the recent epidemic of deliberate self-poisoning may have reached a peak’ around 1973.3 Work on this phenomenon of self-poisoning, parasuicide or overdosing continues throughout the decade; clinicians marvel at the seemingly endless increase, and then wonder at the abrupt levelling-off. There are three major research centres for these studies: in Edinburgh, at the MRC Unit and Ward 3 of the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh; in Bristol, at the Accident Emergency Department of the Bristol Royal Infirmary; and in Oxford at the John Radcliffe (General) Hospital.
The ‘Shadow Pandemic’: Domestic and Family Violence During COVID-19
Authors: Pfitzner Naomi , Fitz-Gibbon Kate , Walklate Sandra , Meyer Silke , Segrave Marie
Published: May 2023

Since the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, advocates, policy makers, scholars and media commentators have sought to understand the impact that the global health emergency and associated public health restrictions have had, and will continue to have, on the prevalence of domestic and family violence (DFV) worldwide. For much of 2020, commentary was anticipatory in nature with data emerging towards the end of the first year of the pandemic. However, the picture remains unclear—with some countries reporting increases in prevalence while others report a decline in reporting of violence throughout this period. This chapter examines evidence on what is known quantitively about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on experiences of DFV at global and country-specific levels. To do so, it focuses on what is known about the prevalence of domestic family violence and femicide.
Shape memory performance assessment of FDM 3D printed PLA-TPU composites by Box-Behnken response surface methodology
Authors: Rahmatabadi Davood , Soltanmohammadi Kianoosh , Pahlavani Mostafa , Aberoumand Mohammad , Soleyman Elyas , Ghasemi Ismaeil , Baniassadi Majid , Abrinia Karen , Bodaghi Mahdi , Baghani Mostafa
Published: May 2023

In this paper, for the first time, the role of manufacturing parameters of fused deposition modeling (FDM) on the shape memory effect (SME) is investigated by design of experiments. PLA-TPU blend with a weight composition of 30:70% is processed by melt mixing and then extruded into 1.75 mm filaments for 3D printing via FDM. SEM images reveal that TPU droplets are distributed in the PLA matrix, and the immiscible matrix-droplet morphology is evident. Box-Behnken design (BBD), as an experimental design of the response surface method (RSM), is implemented to fit the model between variables and responses. The shell, infill density, and nozzle temperature are selected as variables, and their effects on loading stress, recovery stress, shape fixity, and shape recovery ratio are studied in detail. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) is applied to estimate the importance of each printing parameter on the output response and assess the fitness of the presented model. The ANOVA results reveal the high accuracy of the model and the importance of the parameters. Infill density and nozzle temperature had the greatest and least roles on shape memory properties, respectively. Also, the values of shape fixity and shape recovery were obtained in the ranges of 58–100% and 53–91%, respectively. Despite many researches on 4D printing of PLA, low ductility at room temperature and high stress relaxation rate are its weakness, which are covered by adding TPU in this research. Due to the lack of similar outcomes in the specialized literature, this paper is likely to fill the gap in the state-of-the-art problem and supply pertinent data that are instrumental for FDM 3D printing of functional shape memory polymers with less material consumption.
Mechanical properties of larval mouthparts of the antlion Euroleon nostras (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae) and their correlation with cuticular material composition
Authors: Krings Wencke , Gorb Stanislav N.
Published: May 2023

The diversity of insects can be explained by their ability to fill various ecological niches, which includes the foraging from diverse sources. The cuticle-based feeding structures interact with the food and show adaptations in shape, material composition and mechanical properties to it. In this study, we focus on the mouthparts of a very prominent ambush predator, the antlion larvae of Euroleon nostras. By nanoindentation, we tested the hardness and the Young’s modulus of the mouthparts, which are significantly harder and stiffer than other insect cuticle structures. To gain insight into the origins of the high values, we studied the degree of tanning using confocal laser scanning microscopy. Additionally, we determined the content of transition and alkaline earth metals by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. We found that the proportions of Zn, Mn, Fe, Cu, Ca, Mg, and Si correlate with the mechanical property values. We also conducted experiments on the breaking stress, the puncturing and biomechanical behaviour of the jaws, which highlighted their extraordinary strength. These findings are not only valuable for biologists, but also for material scientists, as they contribute to our understanding of the origins of mechanical property heterogeneities in insect cuticle.
Uniqueness of global weak solutions for the general Ericksen–Leslie system with Ginzburg–Landau penalization in $${\mathbb {T}}^2$$
Authors: De Anna Francesco , Wu Hao
Published: May 2023

The Ericksen–Leslie system is a fundamental hydrodynamic model that describes the evolution of incompressible liquid crystal flows of nematic type. In this paper, we prove the uniqueness of global weak solutions to the general Ericksen–Leslie system with a Ginzburg–Landau type approximation in a two dimensional periodic domain. The proof is based on some delicate energy estimates for the difference of two weak solutions within a suitable functional framework that is less regular than the usual one at the natural energy level, combined with the Osgood lemma involving a specific double-logarithmic type modulus of continuity. We overcome the essential mathematical difficulties arising from those highly nonlinear terms in the Leslie stress tensor and in particular, the lack of maximum principle for the director equation due to the stretching effect of the fluid on the director field. Our argument makes full use of the coupling structure as well as the dissipative nature of the system, and relies on some techniques from harmonic analysis and paradifferential calculus in the periodic setting.
Experimental research on compressibility characteristics of recycled concrete aggregate: recycled tire waste mixtures
Authors: Gabryś Katarzyna
Published: May 2023

The utilization of processed rubber and construction waste in lieu of soil as a substrate could improve significantly seismic performance, while addressing the pressing environmental issue of how to reutilize and dispose of, i.e., automotive tires and demolition by-products. In this study, a series of laboratory tests explore the influence of recycled tire waste (RTW) and recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) fine particles on the compressibility parameters of RCA–RTW mixtures. The results revealed that the addition of rubber waste to RCA causes an increase in its compressibility and consolidation index (cv) while prompting a power law decrease in the associated void ratio. It is found that all RCA–RTW mixtures are characterized by higher values of the compression (CC) and swelling (CS) indexes when compared to the pure RCA specimens while presenting a primary and secondary constrained modulus of fewer than 42 MPa and 96 MPa, respectively.
InterpolatiON of InSAR Time series for the dEtection of ground deforMatiOn eVEnts (ONtheMOVE): application to slow-moving landslides
Authors: Pedretti Laura , Bordoni Massimiliano , Vivaldi Valerio , Figini Silvia , Parnigoni Matteo , Grossi Alessandra , Lanteri Luca , Tararbra Mauro , Negro Nicoletta , Meisina Claudia
Published: May 2023

The aim of this work is to develop an innovative methodology to analyse the time series (TS) of interferometric satellite data. TS are important tools for the ground displacement monitoring, mostly in areas in which in situ instruments are scarce. The proposed methodology allows to classify the trend of TS in three classes (uncorrelated, linear, non-linear) and to obtain the parameters of non-linear time series to characterise the magnitude and timing of changes of ground instabilities. These parameters are the beginning and end of the non-linear deformation break(s), the length of the event(s) in days, and the quantification of the cumulative displacement in mm. The methodology was tested on two Sentinel-1 datasets (2014–2020) covering the Alpine and Apennine sectors of the Piemonte region, an area prone to slow-moving slope instabilities. The results were validated at the basin scale (Pellice-Chisone and Piota basin) and at a local scale (Brenvetto, Champlas du Col and Casaleggio Boiro landslides) comparing with in situ monitoring system measurements, possible triggering factors (rainfall, snow) and already-collected events of the territory. The good correlation of the results has proven that the methodology can be a useful tool to local and regional authorities for risk planning and management of the area, also in terms of near real-time monitoring of the territory both at local and regional scale.
Quantification of aquatic unicellular diazotrophs by immunolabeled flow cytometry
Authors: Geisler Eyal , Siebner Hagar , Rahav Eyal , Bar-Zeev Edo
Published: May 2023

Unicellular diazotrophs are recognized as important contributors to the aquatic nitrogen cycle. Yet, quantifying the number of aquatic diazotrophs, especially the unicellular fraction, is highly challenging and relies mostly on microscopical and molecular approaches. In this study, a new flow cytometry-based method was developed to quantify unicellular diazotrophs by immunolabeling the nitrogenase enzyme. The quantification method was initially developed using a diazotrophic monoculture (Vibrio natriegens) and verified by different controls as well as various auxiliary approaches such as N2 fixation and confocal laser scanning microscopy. It was evident that only 15–20% of the total number of V. natriegens cells synthesized the nitrogenase enzyme, even though the media was N-limited and anaerobic. This approach was further tested on field samples collected from marine and freshwater environments. Overall, the number of unicellular diazotrophs measured in various aquatic environments ranged from 1 to 6 × 107 cells L−1. However, the fraction of these diazotrophs compared to total bacteria was significantly lower in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea (0.1%) than that collected along the Jordan River (4.7%). Nevertheless, N2 fixation rates per cell were highest in the Mediterranean Sea (~ 90 attomole N cell−1d−1), while lower in the lake and the river measured herein (1.4 to 0.3 attomole N cell−1 d−1, respectively). Following the above, this direct quantification approach can provide new insights on the number and specific contribution of unicellular diazotrophs to total N2 fixation in marine and freshwater environments.
Asymptotically exact a posteriori error estimates for the BDM finite element approximation of mixed Laplace eigenvalue problems
Authors: Lederer Philip L.
Published: May 2023

We derive optimal and asymptotically exact a posteriori error estimates for the approximation of the eigenfunction of the Laplace eigenvalue problem. To do so, we combine two results from the literature. First, we use the hypercircle techniques developed for mixed eigenvalue approximations with Raviart-Thomas finite elements. In addition, we use the post-processings introduced for the eigenvalue and eigenfunction based on mixed approximations with the Brezzi-Douglas-Marini finite element. To combine these approaches, we define a novel additional local post-processing for the fluxes that appropriately modifies the divergence without compromising the approximation properties. Consequently, the new flux can be used to derive optimal and asymptotically exact upper bounds for the eigenfunction, and optimal upper bounds for the corresponding eigenvalue. Numerical examples validate the theory and motivate the use of an adaptive mesh refinement.
Developing Artificial Human-Like Arithmetical Intelligence (and Why)
Authors: Pantsar Markus
Published: May 2023

Why would we want to develop artificial human-like arithmetical intelligence, when computers already outperform humans in arithmetical calculations? Aside from arithmetic consisting of much more than mere calculations, one suggested reason is that AI research can help us explain the development of human arithmetical cognition. Here I argue that this question needs to be studied already in the context of basic, non-symbolic, numerical cognition. Analyzing recent machine learning research on artificial neural networks, I show how AI studies could potentially shed light on the development of human numerical abilities, from the proto-arithmetical abilities of subitizing and estimating to counting procedures. Although the current results are far from conclusive and much more work is needed, I argue that AI research should be included in the interdisciplinary toolbox when we try to explain the development and character of numerical cognition and arithmetical intelligence. This makes it relevant also for the epistemology of mathematics.
Understanding public service supply chain management: a systematic literature review
Authors: Sienkiewicz-Małyjurek Katarzyna , Szymczak Maciej
Published: May 2023

The complexity of delivering public services under dynamically changing operating conditions causes uncertainty in those processes. Economic and social crises, pandemics, natural and technological threats and local armed conflicts add more layers of complexity and force governments to seek ways to ensure the continuous supply of these services. Therefore, researchers indicate that a supply chain management approach could increase the efficiency and quality of public service implementation processes. However, the scattered research that exists on this topic occurs in limited areas of public governance. Therefore, this paper aims to understand the importance of supply chain management in public service delivery processes, develop the public service supply chain model, analyse the evolution of the research and identify research streams in this exploratory area. A systematic literature review based on the PRISMA methodology serves to achieve this purpose. The paper defines public service supply chain management as a synchronised process of co-creating value in public networks with its basis in relationship management, in which each actor can be both a supplier and an end-user. This paper also presents a bibliographic visualisation of research issues in public service supply chain management (PSSCM) and identifies eight major research streams in this area.
Treatment of obstructive sleep apnea with a simple CPAP device
Authors: Qiu Zhi-Hui , Liang Shan-Feng , Deng Xiao-Bin , Wei Qi-Shan , Luo Ying-Mei , Wang Lu , Wu Ying-Xin , Steier Joerg , McEvoy R. D. , Luo Yuan-Ming
Published: May 2023

Purpose

CPAP is the “gold standard” treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Current CPAP models have developed additional functions including automatic CPAP and pressure relief. However, CPAP adherence has not improved over the last three decades. Many patients in low-income countries cannot afford these CPAP devices. A novel simple CPAP device with a fixed pressure without pressure controller was developed.

Methods

Manual CPAP pressure titration was performed in 127 patients with OSA. Six patients with a titration pressure higher than 11 cmH2O and 14 patients who could not tolerate CPAP were excluded, leaving 107 participating in the following 2 studies. In study one, 54 of 107 patients were treated by both conventional fixed CPAP and simple CPAP in random order. In the second study, another 53 patients were treated by both autoCPAP in automatic function and simple CPAP in random order. Simple CPAP was fixed at 10 cmH2O, 8 cmH2O, and 6 cmH2O for patients whose titration pressure was between 9–10, 7–8, and ≤ 6 cmH2O, respectively. Conventional fixed CPAP device was set exactly the same as manual titration pressure.

Results

All patients whose manual titration pressure ≤ 10 cmH2O were effectively treated by simple CPAP (AHI 40.7 ± 2.3 events/h before vs 2.5 ± 0.3 events/h after, p < 0.001). Patients expressed similar preferences for simple CPAP, autoCPAP, and conventional fixed CPAP (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

We conclude that a novel simple CPAP is an alternative treatment for most patients with OSA, which may widen access to CPAP therapy in the developing countries because of its low cost.
Unique trans-kingdom microbiome structural and functional signatures predict cognitive decline in older adults
Authors: Chaudhari Diptaraj S. , Jain Shalini , Yata Vinod K. , Mishra Sidharth P. , Kumar Ambuj , Fraser Amoy , Kociolek Judyta , Dangiolo Mariana , Smith Amanda , Golden Adam , Masternak Michal M. , Holland Peter , Agronin Marc , White-Williams Cynthia , Arikawa Andrea Y. , Labyak Corinne A. , Yadav Hariom
Published: May 2023

The prevalence of age-related cognitive disorders/dementia is increasing, and effective prevention and treatment interventions are lacking due to an incomplete understanding of aging neuropathophysiology. Emerging evidence suggests that abnormalities in gut microbiome are linked with age-related cognitive decline and getting acceptance as one of the pillars of the Geroscience hypothesis. However, the potential clinical importance of gut microbiome abnormalities in predicting the risk of cognitive decline in older adults is unclear. Till now the majority of clinical studies were done using 16S rRNA sequencing which only accounts for analyzing bacterial abundance, while lacking an understanding of other crucial microbial kingdoms, such as viruses, fungi, archaea, and the functional profiling of the microbiome community. Utilizing data and samples of older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI; n = 23) and cognitively healthy controls (n = 25). Our whole-genome metagenomic sequencing revealed that the gut of older adults with MCI harbors a less diverse microbiome with a specific increase in total viruses and a decrease in bacterial abundance compared with controls. The virome, bacteriome, and microbial metabolic signatures were significantly distinct in subjects with MCI versus controls. Selected bacteriome signatures show high predictive potential of cognitive dysfunction than virome signatures while combining virome and metabolic signatures with bacteriome boosts the prediction power. Altogether, the results from our pilot study indicate that trans-kingdom microbiome signatures are significantly distinct in MCI gut compared with controls and may have utility for predicting the risk of developing cognitive decline and dementia- debilitating public health problems in older adults.
The Effect of Minimum Unit Pricing for Alcohol on Prescriptions for Treatment of Alcohol Dependence: A Controlled Interrupted Time Series Analysis
Authors: Manca Francesco , Zhang Lisong , Fitzgerald Niamh , Mackay Daniel , McAuley Andrew , Sharp Clare , Lewsey Jim
Published: May 2023

In 2018, Scotland introduced a minimum unit price (MUP) for alcohol to reduce alcohol-related harms. We aimed to study the association between MUP introduction and the volume of prescriptions to treat alcohol dependence, and volume of new patients receiving such prescriptions. We also examined whether effects varied across different socio-economic groups. A controlled interrupted time series was used to examine variations of our two outcomes. The same prescriptions in England and prescriptions for methadone in Scotland were used as controls. There was no evidence of an association between MUP implementation and the volume of prescriptions for alcohol dependence (immediate change: 2.74%, 95% CI: -0.068 0.014; slope change: 0% 95%CI: -0.001 0.000). A small, significant increase in slope in number of new patients receiving prescriptions was observed (0.2% 95%CI: 0.001 0.003). However, no significant results were confirmed after robustness checks. We found also no variation across different socioeconomic groups.
Work Addiction and Stimulant Use: Latent Profile Analysis in a Representative Population Study
Authors: Kun Bernadette , Fetahu Dardana , Mervó Barbara , Magi Anna , Eisinger Andrea , Paksi Borbála , Demetrovics Zsolt
Published: May 2023

Individuals with work addiction (WA) are characterized by low self-esteem, high obsessiveness, and impulsiveness; they are overloaded with tasks and show sleep problems. These characteristics suggest that workaholics might be prone to use psychostimulant substances; however, this relationship has never been investigated. The present study aimed to explore the prevalence of psychostimulant use among individuals with WA in a representative sample (N = 3076). Lifetime, last year, and last month prevalence of licit and illicit stimulant use were explored. Bergen Work Addiction Scale and the 18-item version of the Brief Symptom Inventory were applied for assessing WA and psychopathological symptoms. Addictive workers showed significantly higher prevalence of smoking, energy drink consumption, amphetamine, NPS, and cocaine use than non-addictive workers. Moreover, they also reported more psychopathological symptoms. Since addictive workers have a higher vulnerability to potentially risky stimulant use, workplace mental health programs should address screening and prevention of WA.