bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and economic losses associated with foetal wastage in abattoir
Authors: Nabasirye Stella , Baluka Sylvia Angubua , Sengooba Asuman
Published: January 2024

Background

Both male and female food animals are slaughtered for meat. Some cows, ewes and does  slaughtered are found with viable foetuses resulting in foetal wastage and loss of future replacement stock. Foetal wastage accounts for about 20%–25% of the decline in livestock numbers in sub‐Saharan Africa. Slaughter of pregnant cows, ewes and does results in economic losses and threatens food security with consequent decrease in available animal proteins to the fast growing human population. Protein requirement for healthy human development is inadequate in most developing countries including Uganda. The prevalence and economic losses associated with foetal wastage were assessed in an abattoir.

Objectives

The study was cnducted to assess the prevalence of feotal wastage at the study abattoir and estimate the associated economic losses.

Methods

The researchers supported by abattoir resident meat inspectors examined all slaughtered female animals during the study period. Gravid uteri obtained from slaughtered animals after dressing of carcasses were eviscerated using a sharp knife across the long axis to recover foetuses. The crown rump lengths (CRLs) of the recovered foetuses were measured using a tape measure, weighed on a scale and categorised into first, second and third trimesters. Prevalence of pregnant animals slaughtered was determined by calculating the percentage of pregnant animals over the total number of female animals slaughtered. Economic losses were estimated based on the monetary losses at birth, weaning, maturity, and carcass loss at weaning and maturity.

Results

The aggregate slaughters were bovine 604 (73.6%), caprine 169 (20.6%) and ovine 48 (5.9%). The overall prevalence of foetal wastage was 21.9%. The aggregate prevalence of foetal wastage by species include 160 (88.9%) cows, 8 (4.4%) heifers, 4 (2.2%) does and 8 (4.4%) ewes. Foetal wastage of cows by trimester included 62 (38.8%), 26 (16.25%) and 72 (45.0%) in first, second and third trimesters, respectively, translating into loss of US$13,055. Foetal wastage was high and the associated economic losses were substantial which undermines sustainability of the national herd. Farmers should be sensitised about the economic losses and long‐term impact associated with foetal wastage and dissuaded from this practice. A policy is needed to deter farmers from selling pregnant animals for slaughter.

Conclusions

A total of 168 bovine, 8 caprine and 12 ovine foetuses were wasted within 60 days study period. These foetal wastages translated to US$ 13,224 monetary losses at birth, US$ 31,849 monetary loss at weaning and US$ 57,0896 monetary loss at maturity.
Single‐cell mRNA sequencing of giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) seminoma reveals the cellular and molecular characteristics of tumour cells
Authors: Yijiao Chen , Junhui An , Rong Hou , Yuliang Liu , Donghui Wang , Songrui Liu , Tongying Feng
Published: January 2024

Testicular tumours are zoonoses that can occur in not only human, but other animals, include giant pandas. A middle‐aged male giant panda named Fufu was diagnosed with a testicular tumour and underwent surgery to remove the entire left testis. The testis was mainly composed of three substantive parts: normal tissue on the outside, tumour tissue in the middle, and necrosis in the centre. HE stains revealed that the tumour was a seminoma.

Single‐cell mRNA sequence was applied to characterise cellular states and molecular circuitries of giant panda testicular seminoma. Only germ cell markers expressed in nearly all tumour cells, and the tumour cells appeared to be the same subtype of seminoma cells.

We identified four clusters with unique genes expression. They were early apoptosis cells (EAC), inactive cells (IC), active cells subcluster 1 (AC‐1) and active cells subcluster 2 (AC‐2). We utilised monocle tools and found that IC cells was in the initiation stage, and EAC was one type of terminal stage, suggesting that tumour cells may undergo apoptosis in the future. AC‐2 was another type of terminal stage, representing a group of progressive cells.

Our study represents the first report to utilise scRNA‐seq to characterise the cellular states and molecular circuitries of a giant panda testicular tumour. This investigation proposes CD117 and CD30 as dependable markers for future pathologic diagnosis. Our findings also suggest that CTSV and other genes with unique expression patterns in active and progressive giant panda seminoma cells may act as early prognostic biomarkers.
Important role of pore‐filling mechanism in separating naproxen from water by micro‐mesoporous carbonaceous material
Authors: Arslan Yasin , Tomul Fatma , Kınaytürk Neslihan Kaya , Dong Nguyen Thanh , Trak Diğdem , Kabak Burcu , Tran Hai Nguyen
Published: January 2024

Commercial micro‐mesoporous carbonaceous material (MCM; 56.8% mesopores) was applied for investigating the removal phenomenon of naproxen drug in aqueous solutions through batch adsorption experiments. Results demonstrated that the adsorption capacity of MCM to naproxen was slightly affected by different pHeq (2.0–11) and ionic strength (0–1 M NaCl). Adsorption kinetics, isotherms, thermodynamics, and mechanisms were evaluated at pH 7.0. Adsorption kinetics indicated the rate constants for adsorption (0.2 × 10−3 L/(mg × min) and desorption (0.076/min) and the adsorption equilibrium constant (2.6 × 10−3 L/mg). Adsorption isotherm showed that MCM exhibited a high‐affinity adsorption capacity to naproxen (even at low concentrations) and its Langmuir maximum adsorption capacity (Qmax) was 252.7 mg/g at 25°C. Adsorption thermodynamics proved that the adsorption process was endothermic and physisorption (ΔH° = 9.66 kJ/mol). The analysis result of pore size distribution demonstrated that the internal pore structure of MCM was appropriate for adsorbing naproxen molecules. Pore‐filing mechanism (pore diffusion phenomenon) was confirmed by a considerable decrease in BET‐surface area (585 m2/g) and total pore volume (0.417 cm3/g) of MCM after adsorbing naproxen (~1000 mg/L and pH 7.0) at 5 min (341 and 0.256), 60 min (191 and 0.205), 120 min (183 and 0.193), 360 min (144 and 0.175), and 24 h (71.6 m2/g and 0.123 cm3/g, respectively). The pore diffusion occurred rapidly (even at the initial adsorption period of 5 min). The FTIR technique was applied to identify the existence of C–H···π and n–π interaction. π–π interaction (evaluated through ID/IG ratio and C=C band) played a minor contribution in adsorption mechanisms. The ID/IG ratio (determined by the Raman technique) of MCM before adsorption (1.195) was similar to that after adsorption (1.190), and the wavenumber (C=C band; its FTIR spectrum) slightly shifted from 1638 to 1634 cm−1 after adsorption. A decrease in the Qmax value of MCM from 249 to 217 (H2O2‐oxidized MCM) or to 224 mg/g (HNO3‐oxidized MCM) confirmed the presence of π–π interaction. Electrostatic attraction was a minor contribution. MCM can serve as a promising material for removing naproxen from water environment through a pore‐filling mechanism.

Practitioner Points

Pore‐filling mechanism was proposed by comparing textural properties of MCM before and after adsorbing naproxen.

C–H···π and n–π interactions were identified via FTIR technique.

π–π interaction was observed by FTIR and Raman techniques.

Oxidation of MCM with HNO3 or H2O2 was a helpful method to explore π–π interaction.

Electrostatic attraction was explained through studies: effects of pH and NaCl along with desorption.
Ansätze zur Messung von Risikowahrnehmung und Risikoeinstellung: das Beispiel touristische Reiseabsicht während einer Pandemie
Authors: Hüsser Andreas Philippe , Ohnmacht Timo
Published: January 2024

In diesem Kapitel werden Ansätze und Messverfahren zur Erfassung der Risikowahrnehmung und der Risikoeinstellung erörtert. Aus methodischer Sicht wird das psychometrische Paradigma zur Messung der subjektiven Risikowahrnehmung vorgestellt und vom objektiven (bekannten) Risiko aus der vorherrschenden ökonomischen Entscheidungstheorie abgegrenzt. Dabei werden eigene empirische Befunde aus einer repräsentativen Bevölkerungsstudie zur Risikowahrnehmung und Reiseabsicht während der Coronapandemie aus psychometrischer Perspektive präsentiert. Dieses Forschungsprojekt wurde im Rahmen des Nationalen Forschungsprogramms „Covid-19“ (NFP 78) des Schweizerischen Nationalfonds (SNF) durchgeführt (Grant-N° 40784P_198336). Zum Schluss des Kapitels werden Ansatzpunkte für die evidenzbasierte Interventionsforschung für sicheres Reisen vorgestellt, die auf Theorien und Ergebnissen aus empirischen Studien gründen und denen somit Wirksamkeit attestiert werden kann.
Landau singularities of the 7-point ziggurat. Part II
Authors: Lippstreu Luke , Spradlin Marcus , Srikant Akshay Yelleshpur , Volovich Anastasia
Published: January 2024

Abstract

We solve the Landau equations to find the singularities of nine three-loop 7-point graphs that arise as relaxations of the graph studied in [22]. Along the way we establish that Y − ∆ equivalence fails for certain branches of solutions to the Landau equations. We find two graphs with singularities outside the heptagon symbol alphabet; in particular they are not cluster variables of Gr(4, 7). We compare maximal residues of scalar graphs exhibiting these singularities to those in $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 super-Yang-Mills theory in order to probe their cancellation from its amplitudes.
Boundary driven turbulence on string worldsheet
Authors: Ishii Takaaki , Murata Keiju , Yoshida Kentaroh
Published: January 2024

Abstract

We study the origin of turbulence on the string worldsheet with boundaries laid in anti de Sitter (AdS) spacetime. While the classical motion of a single closed string in AdS is integrable, it has recently been recognized that weak turbulence arises in the case of an open string suspended from the AdS boundary. In the open string case, it is necessary to impose boundary conditions on the worldsheet boundaries. We classify which boundary conditions preserve integrability. Based on this classification, we anticipate that turbulence may occur on the string worldsheet if integrability is not guaranteed by the boundary conditions. Numerical investigations of the classical open-string dynamics support that turbulence occurs when the boundary conditions are not integrable.
Linear power corrections to top quark pair production in hadron collisions
Authors: Makarov Sergei , Melnikov Kirill , Nason Paolo , Ozcelik Melih A.
Published: January 2024

Abstract

We compute, in the framework of renormalon calculus, the $$ \mathcal{O}\left({\Lambda}_{\textrm{QCD}}\right) $$
O

Λ
QCD

corrections to the production of $$ t\overline{t} $$
t

t
¯

pairs in hadron collisions under the assumption that $$ q\overline{q}\to t\overline{t} $$
q

q
¯

→
t

t
¯

is the dominant partonic channel. This assumption is not applicable to top quark pair production at the LHC but it is valid for the Tevatron where collisions of protons and anti-protons were studied. We show that the linear power correction to the total $$ t\overline{t} $$
t

t
¯

production cross section vanishes provided one uses a short-distance scheme for the top quark mass. We also derive relatively simple formulas for the power corrections to top quark kinematic distributions. Although small numerically, these power corrections exhibit interesting dependencies on top quark kinematics.
Prediction of neurocritical care intensity through automated infrared pupillometry and transcranial doppler in blunt traumatic brain injury: the NOPE study
Authors: Banco Pierluigi , Taccone Fabio Silvio , Sourd Dimitri , Privitera Claudio , Bosson Jean-Luc , Teixeira Thomas Luz , Adolle Anais , Payen Jean-François , Bouzat Pierre , Gauss Tobias
Published: January 2024

Purpose

This pilot study aimed to determine the capacity of automated infrared pupillometry (AIP) alone and in combination with transcranial doppler (TCD) on admission to rule out need for intense neuroAQ2 critical care (INCC) in severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Methods

In this observational pilot study clinicians performed AIP and TCD measurements on admission in blunt TBI patients with a Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) < 9 and/or motor score < 6. A Neurological Pupil index (NPi) < 3, Pulsatility Index (PI) > 1,4 or diastolic blood flow velocity (dV) of < 20 cm/s were used to rule out the need for INCC (exceeding the tier 0 Seattle Consensus Conference). The primary outcome was the negative likelihood ratio (nLR) of NPi < 3 alone or in combination with TCD to detect need for INCC.

Results

A total of 69 TBI patients were included from May 2019 to September 2020. Of those, 52/69 (75%) median age was 45 [28–67], median prehospital GCS of 7 [5–8], median Injury Severity Scale of 13.0 [6.5–25.5], median Marshall Score of 4 [3–5], the median Glasgow Outcome Scale at discharge was 3 [1–5]. NPi < 3 was an independent predictor of INCC. NPi demonstrated a nLR of 0,6 (95%CI 0.4–0.9; AUROC, 0.65, 95% CI 0.51–0.79), a combination of NPi and TCD showed a nLR of 0.6 (95% CI 0.4–1.0; AUROC 0.67 95% CI 0.52–0.83) to predict INCC.

Conclusion

This pilot study suggests a possible useful contribution of NPi to determine the need for INCC in severe blunt TBI patients on admission.
Arsenobetaine amide: a novel arsenic species detected in several mushroom species
Authors: Walenta Martin , Raab Andrea , Braeuer Simone , Steiner Lorenz , Borovička Jan , Goessler Walter
Published: January 2024

The total arsenic mass fraction as well as the arsenic speciation were studied in four different mushroom species with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, respectively. Arsenic mass fractions detected in the mushrooms were covering a range from 0.3 to 22 mg As kg−1 dry mass. For the arsenic speciation, species like arsenobetaine, inorganic arsenic, or dimethylarsinic acid were found, which are commonly detected in mushrooms, but it was also proven that the recently discovered novel compound homoarsenocholine is present in Amanita muscaria and Ramaria sanguinea. Moreover, a previously unidentified arsenic species was isolated from Ramaria sanguinea and identified as trimethylarsonioacetamide, or in short: arsenobetaine amide. This new arsenical was synthesized and verified by spiking experiments to be present in all investigated mushroom samples. Arsenobetaine amide could be an important intermediate to further elucidate the biotransformation pathways of arsenic in the environment.

Graphical Abstract
Evaluation of ABT-751, a novel anti-mitotic agent able to overcome multi-drug resistance, in melanoma cells
Authors: Mahgoub Thamir M. , Jordan Emmet J. , Mahdi Amira F. , Oettl Veronika , Huefner Stefanie , O’Donovan Norma , Crown John , Collins Denis M.
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Drug efflux transporter associated multi-drug resistance (MDR) is a potential limitation in the use of taxane chemotherapies for the treatment of metastatic melanoma. ABT-751 is an orally bioavailable microtubule-binding agent capable of overcoming MDR and proposed as an alternative to taxane-based therapies.

Methods

This study compares ABT-751 to taxanes in vitro, utilizing seven melanoma cell line models, publicly available gene expression and drug sensitivity databases, a lung cancer cell line model of MDR drug efflux transporter overexpression (DLKP-A), and drug efflux transporter ATPase assays.

Results

Melanoma cell lines exhibit a low but variable protein and RNA expression of drug efflux transporters P-gp, BCRP, and MDR3. Expression of P-gp and MDR3 correlates with sensitivity to taxanes, but not to ABT-751. The anti-proliferative IC50 profile of ABT-751 was higher than the taxanes docetaxel and paclitaxel in the melanoma cell line panel, but fell within clinically achievable parameters. ABT-751 IC50 was not impacted by P-gp-overexpression in DKLP-A cells, which display strong resistance to the P-gp substrate taxanes compared to DLKP parental controls. The addition of ABT-751 to paclitaxel treatment significantly decreased cell proliferation, suggesting some reversal of MDR. ATPase activity assays suggest that ABT-751 is a potential BCRP substrate, with the ability to inhibit P-gp ATPase activity.

Conclusion

Our study confirms that ABT-751 is active against melanoma cell lines and models of MDR at physiologically relevant concentrations, it inhibits P-gp ATPase activity, and it may be a BCRP and/or MDR3 substrate. ABT-751 warrants further investigation alone or in tandem with other drug efflux transporter inhibitors for hard-to-treat MDR melanoma.
A study on the dark and illuminated operation of Al/Si3N4/p-Si Schottky photodiodes: optoelectronic insights
Authors: Surucu Ozge , Yıldız Dilber Esra , Yıldırım Murat
Published: January 2024

This work extensively investigates the operation of an Al/ Si3N4/p-Si Schottky-type photodiode under dark and varying illumination intensities. The photodiode is fabricated by employing the metal–organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) method. A thorough electrical characterization is performed at room temperature, encompassing measurements of current–voltage (I–V), current–time (I–t), capacitance–time (C–t), and conductance time (G–t). The photodiode’s rectification factor and reverse bias area increased under illumination. The relationship between light power density, barrier height, and diode ideality factor is found. The study also found a strong correlation between light intensity and applied voltage on series resistance (Rs) and shunt resistance (Rsh). Rs values are calculated using Cheung’s functions, revealing the diode’s resistance behavior. The study also examines the photodiode’s photoconductivity and photoconductance, finding a non-linear relationship between photocurrent and illumination intensity, suggesting bimolecular recombination. Calculated photosensitivity (K), responsivity (R), and detectivity (D*) values show the device’s light response effectiveness, but efficiency decreases at higher illumination intensities. Transient experiments indicate stable and reproducible photocurrent characteristics, revealing photogenerated charge temporal evolution. This study provides a complete understanding of the Al/Si3N4/p-Si Schottky photodiode’s behavior under different illumination intensities. The findings advance optoelectronic device knowledge and enable their use in advanced technologies.
Post-prandial muscle protein synthesis rates following the ingestion of pea-derived protein do not differ from ingesting an equivalent amount of milk-derived protein in healthy, young males
Authors: Pinckaers Philippe J. M. , Smeets Joey S. J. , Kouw Imre W. K. , Goessens Joy P. B. , Gijsen Annemarie P. B. , de Groot Lisette C. P. G. M. , Verdijk Lex. B. , van Loon Luc J. C. , Snijders Tim
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Plant-derived proteins have received considerable attention as an alternative to animal-derived proteins. However, plant-derived proteins are considered to have less anabolic properties when compared with animal-derived proteins. The lower muscle protein synthesis rates following ingestion of plant- compared with animal-derived protein have been attributed to the lower essential amino acid content of plant-derived proteins and/or their specific amino acid deficiencies. This study aimed to compare post-prandial muscle protein synthesis rates following the ingestion of 30 g pea-derived protein with 30 g milk-derived protein in healthy, young males.

Methods

In a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group design, 24 young males (24 ± 3 y) received a primed continuous L-[ring-13C6]-phenylalanine infusion after which they ingested 30 g pea (PEA) or 30 g milk-derived protein (MILK). Blood and muscle biopsies were collected frequently for 5 h to assess post-prandial plasma amino acid profiles and subsequent post-prandial muscle protein synthesis rates.

Results

MILK increased plasma essential amino acid concentrations more than PEA over the 5 h post-prandial period (incremental area under curve 151 ± 31 vs 102 ± 15 mmol∙300 min∙L−1, respectively; P < 0.001). Ingestion of both MILK and PEA showed a robust muscle protein synthetic response with no significant differences between treatments (0.053 ± 0.013 and 0.053 ± 0.017%∙h−1, respectively; P = 0.96).

Conclusion

Post-prandial muscle protein synthesis rates following the ingestion of 30 g pea-derived protein do not differ from the response following ingestion of an equivalent amount of milk-derived protein. International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (NTR6548; 27–06-2017).
Design parameters comparison of bubble column, airlift and stirred tank photobioreactors for microalgae production
Authors: Uyar Basar , Ali Moussa Djibrine , Uyar Gülsüm Ebru Ozer
Published: January 2024

Microalgae are the most propitious feedstock for biofuel production due to their lipid and fatty acid content. Microalgae cultivation shares many features with bioreactors, such as thermal and pH regulation, feeding procedures, and mixing to enhance heat and mass transfers. Aeration and stirring speeds are important parameters to reduce the costs of producing microalgae. In this study, three different photobioreactor types (stirred tank, airlift, bubble column) were characterized and compared for microalgae production. Hydrodynamics, mass transfer, and power consumption were determined for various aeration rates (0.9, 1.2, 1.5 L/min), and stirring speeds (100, 200 rpm), and Chlorella sorokiniana growth performance was compared under the conditions that provided the highest volumetric mass transfer and the lowest mixing time. Photo-bioreactor homogenization was good as indicated by low mixing times (< 10 s). Bubble column had the highest volumetric mass transfer due to its sparger design. Gas holdup and volumetric mass transfer coefficient were found to increase with the air flow rate and stirring speed. For stirred tank, bubble column, and airlift photobioreactors, maximum specific growth rates of C. sorokiniana were 0.053, 0.061, 0.057 h−1, and biomass productivities were 0.064, 0.097, 0.072 gdw/L.day, respectively. Under the conditions tested, growth was limited by the volumetric mass transfer in the airlift and stirred tank and bubble column was the best option for producing microalgae. These findings pave way for more extensive use of these systems in producing microalgae and provide a basis to compare photobioreactors of different designs.
Not just a game: the effect of active versus passive virtual reality experiences on anxiety and sadness
Authors: Shchory Sal`it , Nitzan Keren , Harpaz Gal , Doron Ravid
Published: January 2024

The use of virtual reality (VR) technology is becoming more common and can be harnessed as a tool to improve various emotional and psychological aspects. The present research explored whether different kinds of VR experience (i.e., active versus passive) would differently affect people’s mood, anxiety and sadness. Undergraduate students (n = 133) were randomly assigned to three study conditions: active game VR experience, passive VR experience and control 2D passive viewing and filled out a battery of questionnaires before and after manipulation. The results show that following both VR exposures (but not following the control condition), participants’ moods improved, and the degree of anxiety was reduced. The degree of sadness was reduced only following the active game VR experience. Regarding self-efficacy, it was higher in the passive VR experience but lower following the active game VR experience (and not affected by the control condition). In conclusion, the results indicate that short VR experiences could provide a suitable alternative for the lack of accessible treatments to improve mood and to alleviate levels of anxiety and sadness, although further research is needed to tailor and refine the exact VR experience that would best improve each specific psychological aspect.
How ‘Outlaws’ React: a Case Study on the Reactions to the Dutch Approach to Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs
Authors: van Ruitenburg Teun , van Deuren Sjoukje , Roks Robby
Published: January 2024

The impact of organized crime measures remains largely unknown. Moreover, for practical and ethical reasons, the perspectives of the individuals who are subjected to organized crime policies are often not included in research. Based on semi-structured interviews with 24 current members of the Dutch Hells Angels Motorcycle Club (HAMC), this study fills this knowledge gap by examining how HAMC members reacted to the multi-agency approach to outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMCGs) in the Netherlands. The results of this study illustrate that the reactions of HAMC members can be divided into four categories: (1) conforming, (2) adapting, (3) resisting, and (4) continuing. The analysis furthermore shows that a variety of different reactions to the OMCG approach coexist within the same club, charter, and even within the same individual member. These findings indicate that crime policies can spark different, sometimes contradicting reactions, within a group that from the outside appears to be a uniform and top-down coordinated organization. Future evaluation studies should take the multifaceted nature of reactions to crime policies into consideration.
Chemical composition and physicochemical properties of natural therapeutic mud of Kazakhstan salt lakes: a review
Authors: Akimzhanova Khafiza , Sabitova Alfira , Mussabayeva Binur , Kairbekov Zhaksyntay , Bayakhmetova Bulbul , Proch Jędrzej
Published: January 2024

In recent years, interest in natural therapeutic mud has been growing all over the world. This natural product has a positive therapeutic effect on the skin and has fewer side effects on the human body. There are more than 40 thousand salt lakes in Kazakhstan. Most of them have natural mud sources, the potential of which has not yet been fully explored. The review presents an analysis of the available information on the physical and chemical properties of the main sources of natural mud from salt lakes in Kazakhstan and Kazakh sanatoriums that use natural mud in the treatment. All available publications, presenting the systematic studies, were used for data analysis. A comparative analysis of the mineralization of water, brine, and silt in one reservoir shows that the mineralization of water is not always the least. The available data indicate a point and partial nature of peloid studies, e.g., inorganic composition of natural muds from Western and Southern Kazakhstan is well described in the literature. In turn, there is a lack of these data from Northern and Eastern Kazakhstan. Studies of peloids in these regions seem to be a promising direction of the future research for both local and world scientists. What is more, there is also a big gap in the analysis of organic matter of muds from the Kazakh lakes. Comparing the state of the art, i.e., the studies from other parts of Asia and Europe, the identification of the organic part of muds is another desirable direction as a potential source of biologically active compounds of natural origin.
A Godunov-type stabilization scheme for the Boltzmann transport equation of III-V devices with a 3D k-space
Authors: Leenders Hendrik , Luckner Paul , Linn Tobias , Jungemann Christoph
Published: January 2024

This paper presents a deterministic approach for solving the Boltzmann transport equation (BTE) together with the Poisson equation (PE) for III-V semiconductor devices with a three-dimensional $${\textbf {k}}$$
k
-space. The BTE is stabilized using Godunov’s scheme, whose linearity in the distribution function simplifies the application of the Newton–Raphson method to the coupled discrete BTE and PE. The formulation of the discrete equations ensures the nonnegativity of the distribution function regardless of the scattering rate, which can include the Pauli exclusion principle, and exhibits excellent numerical stability under steady state as well as transient conditions. In the latter case, both implicit and explicit time integration methods can be used and even slow processes (e.g., recombination) can be handled using this approach. In addition, the direct solution of the BTE can be easily extended to the small-signal case for arbitrary frequencies. Exemplary BTE results are shown for a GaAs $${\textrm{N}}^{+}{\textrm{NN}}^{+}$$

N

+

NN

+

-structure, revealing, inter alia, that the approximations of the drift-diffusion model can fail for large built-in fields in III-V devices.
Multimodal Interaction Strategies for Walker-Assisted Gait: A Case Study for Rehabilitation in Post-Stroke Patients
Authors: Jimenez Mario F. , Mello Ricardo C. , Loterio Flavia , Frizera-Neto Anselmo
Published: January 2024

Stroke has been considered the main cause of neuromuscular damages worldwide and one of the most common causes of walking disabilities, with approximately 60% of the individuals suffering from persistent problems in walking. These patients generally use technical aids for walking to achieve independent gait, however, when cognitive impairments are also present, conventional assistive devices such as walkers could be difficult to handle. By leveraging multimodal interfaces, smart walkers can offer natural and intuitive human-robot interaction. In this work, we present two multimodal interaction strategies for smart walkers focusing on guiding post-stroke patients through their environment. These strategies leverage different communication channels and provide distinct levels of guidance: one strategy uses haptic feedback and a visual interface to indicate the desired path to the user, while the other strategy uses haptic feedback and a virtual torque to maintain the user on path. We also present two case studies with post-stroke patients to preliminarily validate these interaction strategies with their target population and to collect valuable insight as to how multimodal strategies for smart walkers can be enhanced to deal with the characteristic asymmetries of post-stroke patients. Our results show that both strategies can guide the volunteers, however, the first one demands more effort from the volunteer and is more suited for patients with increased levels of independence. The second interaction strategy allows for higher linear velocity (Volunteer 1, $$\varvec{0.18}$$

0.18

$$\varvec{\pm 0.026}$$

±
0.026

$$\varvec{m/s}$$

m
/
s

; Volunteer 2, $$\varvec{0.22}$$

0.22

$$\varvec{\pm 0.0283}$$

±
0.0283

$$\varvec{m/s}$$

m
/
s

) than the first one (Volunteer 1, $$\varvec{0.10}$$

0.10

$$\varvec{\pm 0.031}$$

±
0.031

$$\varvec{m/s}$$

m
/
s

; Volunteer 2, $$\varvec{0.20}$$

0.20

$$\varvec{\pm 0.012}$$

±
0.012

$$\varvec{m/s}$$

m
/
s

), suggesting improved guidance.
Understanding imbalanced data: XAI & interpretable ML framework
Authors: Dablain Damien , Bellinger Colin , Krawczyk Bartosz , Aha David W. , Chawla Nitesh
Published: January 2024

There is a gap between current methods that explain deep learning models that work on imbalanced image data and the needs of the imbalanced learning community. Existing methods that explain imbalanced data are geared toward binary classification, single layer machine learning models and low dimensional data. Current eXplainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) techniques for vision data mainly focus on mapping predictions of specific instances to inputs, instead of examining global data properties and complexities of entire classes. Therefore, there is a need for a framework that is tailored to modern deep networks, that incorporates large, high dimensional, multi-class datasets, and uncovers data complexities commonly found in imbalanced data. We propose a set of techniques that can be used by both deep learning model users to identify, visualize and understand class prototypes, sub-concepts and outlier instances; and by imbalanced learning algorithm developers to detect features and class exemplars that are key to model performance. The components of our framework can be applied sequentially in their entirety or individually, making it fully flexible to the user’s specific needs (https://github.com/dd1github/XAI_for_Imbalanced_Learning).
Joint Attention: Normativity and Sensory Modalities
Authors: Scarafone Antonio
Published: January 2024

Joint attention is typically conceptualized as a robust psychological phenomenon. In philosophy, this apparently innocuous assumption leads to the problem of accounting for the “openness” of joint attention. In psychology, it leads to the problem of justifying alternative operationalizations of joint attention, since there does not seem to be much which is psychologically uniform across different joint attentional engagements. Contrary to the received wisdom, I argue that joint attention is a social relationship which normatively regulates the attentional states of two or more individuals. This social account of joint attention leans on Bart Geurts’ view of communication as commitment sharing. Its promises are: (i) to explain the role of joint attention in wider joint activities, including communicative interactions; (ii) to account for how playing this role requires individuals to deploy different psychological resources on different occasions; and (iii) to identify the rationale behind alternative operationalizations of joint attention.
Gamification enhances student intrinsic motivation, perceptions of autonomy and relatedness, but minimal impact on competency: a meta-analysis and systematic review
Authors: Li Liuyufeng , Hew Khe Foon , Du Jiahui
Published: January 2024

Although many studies in recent years have examined the use of gamification as a motivational strategy in education, evidence regarding its effects on intrinsic motivation is inconsistent. To make the case for or against the adoption of gamification in education, this study examines its effects on students’ intrinsic motivation and the underlying motivational factors: perceived competence, autonomy, and relatedness. In this review, we analyzed the results of studies comparing gamified learning with non-gamified learning published between 2011 and 2022. The results of our meta-analysis of 35 independent interventions (involving 2500 participants) indicated an overall significant but small effect size favoring gamified learning over learning without gamification (Hedges’g = 0.257, 95% CI [0.043, 0.471],p = .019) with no evidence of publication bias. Gamification also exerted a positive and significant effect on the students’ perceptions of autonomy (Hedges’g = 0.638, 95% CI [0.139, 1.136],p = .012) and relatedness (Hedges’g = 1.776, 95% CI [0.737, 2.814],p = .001), but minimal impact on competence (Hedges’g = 0.277, 95% CI [0.001, 0.553],p = .049). To further investigate the possible reasons for the small impact on intrinsic motivation, a systematic review of 31 studies was conducted. The findings revealed two major challenges encountered in the adoption of gamification to increase students’ intrinsic motivation: students’ lack of perceived competence and lack of perceived autonomy in gamified classes.
Disentangling trust of patients with rare cancer in their healthcare professionals and the healthcare system: a qualitative interview study
Authors: Simons Barbara C. R. , Hillen Marij A. , Aarts Johanna W. M. , Tromp Jacqueline M. , de Heus Eline , Duijts Saskia F. A.
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Patients with a rare cancer face challenges, e.g., delayed diagnosis, that may affect trust in the healthcare system and the healthcare professionals (HCPs) involved. This study aimed to explore trust of patients with a rare cancer in their HCPs and the healthcare system.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 purposively sampled patients with a rare cancer. The interview guide included topics related to trust, including level, development, barriers and facilitators, importance, and trust dimensions. Thematic analysis was conducted with use of Atlas.ti.

Results

The mean age of patients was 50 years, 60% were female, and 70% were highly educated. Three themes were constructed: (1) “Confirmed expertise is a prerequisite of trust.” Patients need confirmation of their HCPs’ expertise, as it could not be assumed due to the rarity of their cancer; (2) “Trust depends on the adequacy of information and how it is provided.” Limited information about rare cancer reduced patients’ trust in health care, whereas interpersonal trust was mainly affected by how HCPs provided information; and (3) “Trust is built on properly coordinated and supportive care.” Proper organization and cooperation within and between hospitals, and integration of supportive care, enhanced trust.

Conclusion

Patients with a rare cancer experience challenges that influence trust in HCPs and the healthcare system. Further research should examine trust among subgroups of patients with a rare cancer, to enable development of tailored interventions.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

HCPs may improve trust by focusing on expertise, effective information provision, proper coordination of care, and provision of adequate supportive care.
Genetic parameters, trends, and inbreeding in a honeybee breeding program for royal jelly production and behavioral traits
Authors: Basso Benjamin , Kistler Tristan , Phocas Florence
Published: January 2024

An economically sustainable production of royal jelly (RJ) requires the use of genetics specifically improved for this very demanding trait. The French Royal Jelly Association has developed since 2010 a selection plan for that purpose, based on a collective data recording system and the initial seedstock of five French beekeepers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of this collective breeding program, a decade after its concrete start. We considered three different genetic models to describe the phenotypes, hereafter named the Colony, Worker, and Queen Models. We showed that when the size and the structure of the dataset are insufficient to fit a Colony Model, fitting a Queen Model gives more understandable results for practical use of the estimated breeding values than the Worker Model. Regarding genetic parameters, we estimated moderate to high heritability values for all traits, regardless of the genetic model. Under a Queen Model, heritability estimates of RJ production were 0.19 ± 0.09 and 0.35 ± 0.13 for first and second harvests, respectively; the estimates were 0.76 ± 0.08, 0.29 ± 0.09, and 0.22 ± 0.08, respectively, for the calmness, gentleness, and spring development of the colony. We also proved that the breeding program is efficient, increasing the production at second harvest of 3.5% per year on average. Attention must, however, be paid to the evolution of inbreeding in this very small breeding population. Few genetic correlations were significantly different from zero between the traits, due to large standard errors of our estimates. It is, however, worth to note that the trends were generally favorable between all traits, which appears encouraging to improve production and behavioral traits jointly in the breeding program.
Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia: Integrating Genetics into Clinical Practice
Authors: Cant Erin , Shoemark Amelia , Chalmers James D.
Published: January 2024

Purpose of Review

Advances in molecular genetics have improved our understanding of primary ciliary dyskinesia. The purpose of this review is to describe the integration of genetics into clinical practice.

Recent Findings

This review describes > 50 genes which have been identified to cause multiple motile ciliopathies. Known genotype–phenotype relationships are explored, including genes associated with worse prognosis (CCDC39, CCDC40, CCNO). Features which indicate referral for genetic testing such as a family history, situs defects and lifelong chronic upper and lower respiratory tract disease are described along with how genetics fits into current guidelines for diagnostic algorithms, and the potential challenges and advantages.

As we move forward, the growing genomic knowledge about primary ciliary dyskinesia will aid diagnosis, understanding of prognosis and the establishment of future therapeutic trials.
A technical survey on mechanism and influence factors for asphalt pavement skid-resistance
Authors: Liu Xiyin , Luo Haoyuan , Chen Can , Zhu Leyi , Chen Siyu , Ma Tao , Huang Xiaoming
Published: January 2024

To explore the research status on mechanism of the skid-resistance for asphalt pavement, the related achievements of the rubber friction, the tire–road contact, and the influence factors were reviewed. The rubber friction was reviewed from the mechanism and rubber friction model. The tire-road contact was studied from the modeling methods, the evaluation methods, and the skid-resistance mechanisms at different conditions. The influence factors of skid-resistance were summarized from different designing processes. This review showed that the appropriate contact or evaluation model should be selected according to the required parameters. Although the finite element method is widely used, the accuracy of the model, the boundary conditions, and the load cases need to be further improved. The optimized aggregates and asphalt binders, reasonable gradation, reasonable geometric design, and strict construction quality control are necessary for good initial skid-resistance. Pavement texture as an important factor affecting skid-resistance should be considered in pavement gradation design, especially for wearing layer technology.
Robust and optimal alignment of high-dimensional data using maximum likelihood estimation through a random sample consensus framework
Authors: Watts Adam , Harvey Dustin
Published: January 2024

Correcting spatial orientations of groups of high-dimensional data sets such that they are all in a consistent coordinate system is often a time-consuming and error-prone process. Automation of this process can be accomplished by using Generalized Procrustes Analysis to estimate the relative orientations among a population of high-dimensional data sets. A least squares Procrustes solution is applied through a maximum likelihood estimation and random sample consensus framework for robustness. The likelihood model is comprised of a mixture distribution where inliers are modeled using t-distribution and outliers from a uniform distribution. Applications will focus on a synthetic data set that emulates triaxial acceleration data and also real shock data from a population of triaxial accelerometers. Outliers represent either non-rigid body responses, environmental noise, and/or sensor and data acquisition issues. The intended application for the methodology is to robustly automate the rotation of populations of experimentally collected triaxial accelerometer data sets to a single global coordinate system.
Wheat Yield Response to Chemical Nitrogen Fertilizer Application in Africa and China: A Meta-analysis
Authors: Feyisa Derara Sori , Jiao Xiaoqiang , Mojo Dagne
Published: January 2024

Sustainable food production and feeding a growing population are among the main challenges in the world nowadays. Studies suggest that improving nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is among the key strategies for sustainable crop production. However, yield response to chemical nitrogen fertilizer use (N use) and the NUE was not fully investigated both in China and Africa. The purpose of this article was, therefore, to investigate the findings of different nitrogen fertilization rate experiments and thereby identify a potential approach that could be used to improve wheat yield and NUE in Africa and China. In addition, we aimed to evaluate the effects of soil characteristics, such as pH and soil organic matter (SOM) on wheat yield responses to N uses. A meta-analysis was conducted to systematically assess the results of previous studies published in peer-reviewed journal articles. We identified and used 65 studies conducted in different African countries and 154 in different provinces of China. The articles were obtained from Tylor, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases. The result indicated that the mean yield response to chemical nitrogen fertilizers use (N use) in Africa was far lower than that in China, implying the presence of higher wheat yield gaps in Africa than in China. In addition, the wheat yield responses to N uses showed different patterns in both regions. That is, while it was increasing with N application in Africa, it increased and reached a peak at 200 kg ha−1 in China, indicating the existence of nitrogen accumulation in the provinces of China. The findings also showed significant influences of soil organic matter (SOM), pH, and precipitations on wheat yield responses to N uses. The higher yield gap in Africa can be improved by increasing nitrogen use to the optimum nitrogen fertilizer rate level, which can also increase nitrogen use efficiency and yield response. In Africa, the high yield response to N use was accompanied by N depletion, while in China it was with a high N surplus in the soil. The effects of pH, SOM, and precipitation were generally more pronounced in Africa than in China.
Discovery of new 2,4-diaminopyrimidines derivatives as EGFRT790M kinase inhibitors: a structure-based approach with DFT calculation, drug-likeness, ADME-toxicity properties evaluation and MD simulation
Authors: Ibrahim Muhammad Tukur , Tabti Kamal , Abdulsalam Safiya , Tahir Abdulsalam Salisu , Mahmoud Abdulhamid , Danmallam Aisha Muhammad
Published: January 2024

Cancer of the lung is known to be the principal cause of tumour-linked mortality worldwide. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common and lethal type of lung cancer with close to 2.0 million reported cases and a survival rate of not less than 20% at all stages in every 5 years of diagnosis. Despite the progress made in the treatment processes, there was no significant improvement in patients with NSCLC. As such, this research aims to design (utilizing a structure-based approach) potential EGFRT790M kinase inhibitors with their DFT calculations, Drug-likeness, ADME-Toxicity properties evaluation and MD simulation. A structure-based approach was employed to design potential EGFRT790M kinase inhibitors. The DFT calculations, Drug-likeness and ADME-Toxicity properties of the newly designed potential EGFRT790M kinase inhibitors were evaluated. MD simulation of the best newly designed compound was further studied. The virtual screening performed on the investigated EGFRT790M Kinase inhibitors has identified compound 8 with the highest mole dock score of − 136.377 kcal/mol as the best hit. The structure-based strategy was adopted to design six new compounds with better affinity (between − 138.255 to − 140.552 kcal/mol) towards the EGFRT790M Kinase enzyme (3IKA). The newly designed EGFR mutant inhibitors were seen to possess better mole dock scores than AZD9291 (− 118.872 kcal/mol). Based on the predicted drug-likeness and ADMET properties, the newly designed compounds are orally bioavailable with a bioavailability score of 0.55, can be synthesized easily in the wet lab (based on their synthetic accessibility score) and possess good pharmacokinetic profiles. The MD simulation performed at 150 ns provides insight into the stability of the S2D3 compound in the binding pocket of the 3IKA target protein. The total binding free energy calculation of the studied S2D3-3IKA complex suggested that van der Waals interactions and electrostatic interactions provided the general powerful force for the binding process. The designed compound S2D3 being stable with higher affinity and best pharmacokinetic properties is therefore recommended to be synthesized in the wet lab as potential NSCLC agents.