bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lorentzian Gromov–Hausdorff theory and finiteness results
Authors: Müller Olaf
Published: October 2022

Cheeger–Gromov finiteness results, asserting that there are only finitely many diffeomorphism types of manifolds satisfying certain geometric bounds, feature among the most prominent results in Riemannian geometry. To transplant those into Lorentzian geometry, one could use a functor between a Lorentzian and a Riemannian category, which, however, can be shown not to exist if the former contains Minkowski space and its isometries. Here, we construct a functor from a restricted category of Lorentzian manifolds-with-boundary (regions between two Cauchy surfaces) to a category of Riemannian manifolds-with-boundary that preserves geometric bounds and obtain, as a corollary, the first known Lorentzian Cheeger–Gromov type finiteness result.
Hysteretic behaviour of uniaxially thermoformed auxetic foams under 3-point bending low-frequency vibration
Authors: Zhang Qicheng , Yu Xindi , Scarpa Fabrizio , Barton David , Xia Yuying , Shaw Alexander , Zhu Yunpeng , Lang Zi-Qiang
Published: October 2022

The work describes experiments and models related to auxetic (negative Poisson’s ratio) foams subjected to low-frequency and variable amplitude 3-point bending loading. A custom 3-point bending vibration test rig is designed and used to perform the dynamic test of auxetic PU foam beams within low-frequency range (1–20 Hz) and 5 different displacement amplitudes. The auxetic foams tested in this work are manufactured using a simplified and relatively low-cost uniaxially thermoforming compression technique, which leads to the production of foams with transverse isotropic characteristics. Auxetic foam beam samples with two different cutting orientations and different thermoforming compression ratiosrc(20–80%) are tested and compared, also with the use of theoretical Euler–Bernoulli-based and finite element models. The dynamic modulus of the foams increases withrc, ranging between 0.5 and 5 MPa, while the dynamic loss factor is marginally affected by the compression ratio, with overall values between 0.2 and 0.3. The auxetic PU foam has a noticeable amplitude-dependent stiffness and loss factors, while the dynamic modulus increases but slightly decreases with the frequency. The dynamic modulus is also 20–40% larger than the quasi-static one, while the dynamic and static loss factors are quite close. A modified Bouc–Wen model is also further developed to capture the amplitude and frequency-dependent properties of the conventional and auxetic foams with different volumetric compression ratios. The model shows a good agreement with the experimental results.
Perron communicability and sensitivity of multilayer networks
Authors: El-Halouy Smahane , Noschese Silvia , Reichel Lothar
Published: October 2022

Modeling complex systems that consist of different types of objects leads to multilayer networks, where nodes in the different layers represent different kinds of objects. Nodes are connected by edges, which have positive weights. A multilayer network is associated with a supra-adjacency matrix. This paper investigates the sensitivity of the communicability in a multilayer network to perturbations of the network by studying the sensitivity of the Perron root of the supra-adjacency matrix. Our analysis sheds light on which edge weights to make larger to increase the communicability of the network, and which edge weights can be made smaller or set to zero without affecting the communicability significantly.
Single-cell protein production from purple non-sulphur bacteria-based wastewater treatment
Authors: Wada Ojima Z. , Vincent Annette Shoba , Mackey Hamish R.
Published: October 2022

Large-scale production of single-cell protein (SCP) has the potential not only to solve some of the food insecurity and water scarcity crises that plague a significant portion of our world today but also holds the promise to reduce the cost associated with the treatment of industrial and agricultural wastewater. Resource recovery of SCP from organic waste by microbes like yeast and microalgae is commonly documented. However, recently, a class of phototrophic bacteria, purple non-sulphur bacteria (PNSB), has emerged as a favourable option in terms of both wastewater treatment and resource recovery. PNSB are metabolically versatile and tolerant to a wide range of conditions, hence their ability to thrive in diverse waste streams. Besides its rich protein content, PNSB contains other nutritionally valuable bioproducts like carotenoids, coenzyme Q10, 5-aminolevulinic acid, and pantothenic acid. Recent evidence also indicates that PNSB-based aquafeed enhances growth and boosts immunity in certain aquaculture trials. It does not possess the same toxicity as most gram-negative bacteria due to its comparatively less potent lipopolysaccharide composition. With diverse promising prospects of PNSB-based SCP, it is critical to extensively examine the landscape from a holistic standpoint, highlighting the potential challenges large-scale SCP production may pose. Thus, this review explores the comparative advantages of utilizing PNSB for SCP production, essential components of PNSB-based SCP processing, and possible environmental and economic gains associated with the process. Current challenges with PNSB-based SCP production and future outlooks are also examined.
Undetected Minority-Polarity Flux as the Missing Link in Coronal Heating
Authors: Wang Y.-M.
Published: October 2022

During the last few decades, the most widely favored models for coronal heating have involved the in situ dissipation of energy, with footpoint shuffling giving rise to multiple current sheets (the nanoflare model) or to Alfvén waves that leak into the corona and undergo dissipative interactions (the wave heating scenario). As has been recognized earlier, observations suggest instead that the energy deposition is concentrated at low heights, with the coronal loops being filled with hot, dense material from below, which accounts for their overdensities and flat temperature profiles. While an obvious mechanism for footpoint heating would be reconnection with small-scale fields, this possibility seems to have been widely ignored because magnetograms show almost no minority-polarity flux inside active-region (AR) plages. Here, we present further examples to support our earlier conclusions (1) that magnetograms greatly underrepresent the amount of minority-polarity flux inside plages and “unipolar” network, and (2) that small loops are a major constituent of Fe ix 17.1-nm moss. On the assumption that the emergence or churning rate of small-scale flux is the same inside plages as in mixed-polarity regions of the quiet Sun, we estimate the energy flux density associated with reconnection with the plage fields to be on the order of $10^{7}~\mbox{erg}\,\mbox{cm}^{-2}\,\mbox{s}^{-1}$

10

7

erg

cm

−
2

s

−
1

, sufficient to heat the AR corona.
Conceptualising morally permissible risk imposition without quantified individual risks
Authors: Burri Susanne
Published: October 2022

We frequently engage in activities that impose a risk of serious harm on innocent others in order to realise trivial benefits for ourselves or third parties. Many moral theories tie the evidence-relative permissibility of engaging in such activities to the size of the risk that an individual agent imposes. I argue that we should move away from such a reliance on quantified individual risks when conceptualising morally permissible risk imposition. Under most circumstances of interest, a conscientious reasoner will identify a gap between the factors they deem potentially relevant to the riskiness of an agent’s behaviour, and the factors they are reasonably able to quantify. This then leads a conscientious reasoner to conclude that they cannot, in good faith, come up with a quantitative risk estimate that is genuinely tailored to the agent’s particular situation. Based on this, I argue that principles of morally permissible risk imposition fail to provide us with practical guidance if they ask us to take into account our agent-specific risks in a quantified manner. I also argue that principles of permissible risk imposition which appeal to quantified individual risks implausibly imply that it is frequently indeterminate whether engaging in some risky activity is morally permissible. For both of these reasons, I contend that principles of morally permissible risk imposition should make no reference to quantified individual risks. They should instead acknowledge that any quantitative estimates that an agent might usefully be able to consider will likely not be tailored to the agent’s idiosyncratic situation.
Temporally guided articulated hand pose tracking in surgical videos
Authors: Louis Nathan , Zhou Luowei , Yule Steven J. , Dias Roger D. , Manojlovich Milisa , Pagani Francis D. , Likosky Donald S. , Corso Jason J.
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Articulated hand pose tracking is an under-explored problem that carries the potential for use in an extensive number of applications, especially in the medical domain. With a robust and accurate tracking system on surgical videos, the motion dynamics and movement patterns of the hands can be captured and analyzed for many rich tasks.

Methods

In this work, we propose a novel hand pose estimation model, CondPose, which improves detection and tracking accuracy by incorporating a pose prior into its prediction. We show improvements over state-of-the-art methods which provide frame-wise independent predictions, by following a temporally guided approach that effectively leverages past predictions.

Results

We collect Surgical Hands, the first dataset that provides multi-instance articulated hand pose annotations for videos. Our dataset provides over 8.1k annotated hand poses from publicly available surgical videos and bounding boxes, pose annotations, and tracking IDs to enable multi-instance tracking. When evaluated on Surgical Hands, we show our method outperforms the state-of-the-art approach using mean Average Precision, to measure pose estimation accuracy, and Multiple Object Tracking Accuracy, to assess pose tracking performance.

Conclusion

In comparison to a frame-wise independent strategy, we show greater performance in detecting and tracking hand poses and more substantial impact on localization accuracy. This has positive implications in generating more accurate representations of hands in the scene to be used for targeted downstream tasks.
Pareto robust optimization on Euclidean vector spaces
Authors: Adelhütte Dennis , Biefel Christian , Kuchlbauer Martina , Rolfes Jan
Published: October 2022

Pareto efficiency for robust linear programs was introduced by Iancu and Trichakis in [Manage Sci 60(1):130–147, 9]. We generalize their approach and theoretical results to robust optimization problems in Euclidean spaces with affine uncertainty. Additionally, we demonstrate the value of this approach in an exemplary manner in the area of robust semidefinite programming (SDP). In particular, we prove that computing a Pareto robustly optimal solution for a robust SDP is tractable and illustrate the benefit of such solutions at the example of the maximal eigenvalue problem. Furthermore, we modify the famous algorithm of Goemans and Williamson [Assoc Comput Mach 42(6):1115–1145, 8] in order to compute cuts for the robust max-cut problem that yield an improved approximation guarantee in non-worst-case scenarios.
Motivational climate in mathematics classrooms: teacher self-efficacy for student engagement, student- and teacher-reported emotional support and student interest
Authors: Hettinger Katharina , Lazarides Rebecca , Schiefele Ulrich
Published: October 2022

Mathematics interest is highly relevant for students’ academical and emotional development in the domain of mathematics. Thus, it appears alarming that students’ mathematics interest decreases during the course of secondary school. Teacher self-efficacy is a central facet of teacher motivation and is assumed to be highly relevant for student mathematics interest. However, there is a paucity of research that investigates the longitudinal and indirect relations through which teacher self-efficacy relates to students’ interest through their teaching behaviors in mathematics classrooms. Therefore, in the present longitudinal study we aim to contribute to research by identifying how teacher self-efficacy for student engagement contributes to students’ mathematics interest in secondary classrooms through student- and teacher-reported support. We used a sample of mathematics teachers (n = 50) and their students (n = 959). Longitudinal data of three measurement waves collected from German ninth grade mathematics classrooms were included in the analysis. Results of latent-manifest multi-level analysis showed that teacher self-efficacy for student engagement at Time 1 (beginning of ninth grade) positively predicted student-perceived, but not teacher-perceived, teacher emotional support at Time 2 (beginning of tenth grade), which in turn positively predicted students’ mathematics interest at Time 3 (middle of tenth grade). A possible implication for mathematics teachers’ educational practice involves strengthening mathematics teachers’ self-efficacy for student engagement by means of direct interventions and in-servive training for mathematics teachers.
Residual finiteness of extensions of arithmetic subgroups of $${{\,\mathrm{SU}\,}}(d,1)$$ with cusps
Authors: Hill Richard M.
Published: October 2022

Let $$\Gamma$$
Γ
be an arithmetic subgroup of $${{\,\mathrm{SU}\,}}(d,1)$$

SU

(
d
,
1
)

with cusps, and let $$X_\Gamma$$

X
Γ

be the associated locally symmetric space. In this paper we investigate the pre-image of $$\Gamma$$
Γ
in the covering groups of $${{\,\mathrm{SU}\,}}(d,1)$$

SU

(
d
,
1
)

. Let $$H^\bullet _!(X_\Gamma ,\mathbb {C})$$

H
!
∙

(

X
Γ

,
C
)

be the inner cohomology, i.e. the image in $$H^\bullet (X_\Gamma ,\mathbb {C})$$

H
∙

(

X
Γ

,
C
)

of the compactly supported cohomology. We prove that if the first inner cohomology group $$H^1_!(X_\Gamma ,\mathbb {C})$$

H
!
1

(

X
Γ

,
C
)

is non-zero then the pre-image of $$\Gamma$$
Γ
in each connected cover of $${{\,\mathrm{SU}\,}}(d,1)$$

SU

(
d
,
1
)

is residually finite. At the end of the paper we give an example of an arithmetic subgroup $$\Gamma$$
Γ
satisfying the criterion $$H^1_!(X_\Gamma ,\mathbb {C}) \ne 0$$

H
!
1

(

X
Γ

,
C
)

≠
0

.
Clinical Trial-Ready Patient Cohorts for Multiple System Atrophy: Coupling Biospecimen and iPSC Banking to Longitudinal Deep-Phenotyping
Authors: Ndayisaba Alain , Pitaro Ariana T. , Willett Andrew S. , Jones Kristie A. , de Gusmao Claudio Melo , Olsen Abby L. , Kim Jisoo , Rissanen Eero , Woods Jared K. , Srinivasan Sharan R. , Nagy Anna , Nagy Amanda , Mesidor Merlyne , Cicero Steven , Patel Viharkumar , Oakley Derek H. , Tuncali Idil , Taglieri-Noble Katherine , Clark Emily C. , Paulson Jordan , Krolewski Richard C. , Ho Gary P. , Hung Albert Y. , Wills Anne-Marie , Hayes Michael T. , Macmore Jason P. , Warren Luigi , Bower Pamela G. , Langer Carol B. , Kellerman Lawrence R. , Humphreys Christopher W. , Glanz Bonnie I. , Dielubanza Elodi J. , Frosch Matthew P. , Freeman Roy L. , Gibbons Christopher H. , Stefanova Nadia , Chitnis Tanuja , Weiner Howard L. , Scherzer Clemens R. , Scholz Sonja W. , Vuzman Dana , Cox Laura M. , Wenning Gregor , Schmahmann Jeremy D. , Gupta Anoopum S. , Novak Peter , Young Geoffrey S. , Feany Mel B. , Singhal Tarun , Khurana Vikram
Published: October 2022

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease of unknown etiology characterized by widespread aggregation of the protein alpha-synuclein in neurons and glia. Its orphan status, biological relationship to Parkinson’s disease (PD), and rapid progression have sparked interest in drug development. One significant obstacle to therapeutics is disease heterogeneity. Here, we share our process of developing a clinical trial-ready cohort of MSA patients (69 patients in 2 years) within an outpatient clinical setting, and recruiting 20 of these patients into a longitudinal “n-of-few” clinical trial paradigm. First, we deeply phenotype our patients with clinical scales (UMSARS, BARS, MoCA, NMSS, and UPSIT) and tests designed to establish early differential diagnosis (including volumetric MRI, FDG-PET, MIBG scan, polysomnography, genetic testing, autonomic function tests, skin biopsy) or disease activity (PBR06-TSPO). Second, we longitudinally collect biospecimens (blood, CSF, stool) and clinical, biometric, and imaging data to generate antecedent disease-progression scores. Third, in our Mass General Brigham SCiN study (stem cells in neurodegeneration), we generate induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) models from our patients, matched to biospecimens, including postmortem brain. We present 38 iPSC lines derived from MSA patients and relevant disease controls (spinocerebellar ataxia and PD, including alpha-synuclein triplication cases), 22 matched to whole-genome sequenced postmortem brain. iPSC models may facilitate matching patients to appropriate therapies, particularly in heterogeneous diseases for which patient-specific biology may elude animal models. We anticipate that deeply phenotyped and genotyped patient cohorts matched to cellular models will increase the likelihood of success in clinical trials for MSA.
Population decline of Gulf pipefish (Syngnathus scovelli) in a subtropical estuary: ecosystem changes and habitat loss
Authors: Adams Douglas H. , Sebastian Agustin , Paperno Richard
Published: October 2022

Coastal lagoons and other estuarine habitats are increasingly exposed to the negative effects of growing human populations with associated intensifications in nutrient loading, harmful algal blooms, pollution, and habitat degradation. We examined population dynamics of Gulf pipefish Syngnathus scovelli in estuarine waters of the Indian River Lagoon, on the Atlantic coast of Florida. Substantial declines in abundance of this sentinel species were concurrent with significant losses of seagrass habitat associated with ongoing harmful algal blooms, and other perturbations during the study period spanning from 1998 to 2018. Moderate declines in S. scovelli were observed with early downward trends in seagrasses ahead of the onset of the precipitous seagrass reductions observed. The massive decline of seagrass habitats in the Indian River Lagoon in recent years had negative influences and was directly linked to population declines we observed in the S. scovelli population. Lack of seagrass habitat essential to this and related syngnathid species may reduce optimum seagrass-associated prey, increase predation by lack of appropriate cover, and increase energetic costs which may be realized through reduced growth rates and potential reproductive impairment. Identification and monitoring of population trends of S. scovelli and related sentinel fish species allow for early implementation of management actions that reduce the impact of anthropogenic pressures on the services that estuarine systems provide to the fishes and fisheries they support.
Multiple orthogonal polynomials: Pearson equations and Christoffel formulas
Authors: Branquinho Amílcar , Foulquié-Moreno Ana , Mañas Manuel
Published: October 2022

Multiple orthogonal polynomials with respect to two weights on the step-line are considered. A connection between different dual spectral matrices, one banded (recursion matrix) and one Hessenberg, respectively, and the Gauss–Borel factorization of the moment matrix is given. It is shown a hidden freedom exhibited by the spectral system related to the multiple orthogonal polynomials. Pearson equations are discussed, a Laguerre–Freud matrix is considered, and differential equations for type I and II multiple orthogonal polynomials, as well as for the corresponding linear forms are given. The Jacobi–Piñeiro multiple orthogonal polynomials of type I and type II are used as an illustrating case and the corresponding differential relations are presented. A permuting Christoffel transformation is discussed, finding the connection between the different families of multiple orthogonal polynomials. The Jacobi–Piñeiro case provides a convenient illustration of these symmetries, giving linear relations between different polynomials with shifted and permuted parameters. We also present the general theory for the perturbation of each weight by a different polynomial or rational function aka called Christoffel and Geronimus transformations. The connections formulas between the type II multiple orthogonal polynomials, the type I linear forms, as well as the vector Stieltjes–Markov vector functions is also presented. We illustrate these findings by analyzing the special case of modification by an even polynomial.
Preparing the Patient for ICU Transfer: What Is the Anesthesiologist’s Role?
Authors: László István , Végh Tamás , Szántó Dorottya , Juhász Marianna , Molnár Csilla , Fülesdi Béla
Published: October 2022

Purpose of Review

This review summarizes the anesthesiologist’s role in transferring critically ill surgical patients at different phases of care.

Recent Findings

Early recognition of patients at high intraoperative and postoperative risk is one of the most important first steps, followed by preoperative and intraoperative stabilization measures depending on the individual needs. It mainly is the anesthesiologist’s responsibility to decide on postoperative ICU admission. The transfer of the critically ill should be planned; the ICU staff has to be informed as early as possible. Locally developed checklists should be used during the preparation of patient transport. Trained, dedicated staff should be made available in every institution. A detailed handover using dedicated institutional flowcharts should ensure patient safety upon arrival to the ICU.

Transfer of critically ill patients from the OR to the ICU is an interdisciplinary task with a high probability of eventual incidents. Anesthesiologists should play a key role in all phases of the procedure to improve patient outcomes.
A review on the synthesis of bio-based surfactants using green chemistry principles
Authors: Stubbs Shea , Yousaf Sakib , Khan Iftikhar
Published: October 2022

Objectives

With increasing awareness of the potential adverse impact of conventional surfactants on the environment and human health, there is mounting interest in the development of bio-based surfactants (which are deemed to be safer, more affordable, are in abundance, are biodegradable, biocompatible and possess scalability, mildness and performance in formulation) in personal care products.

Method

A comprehensive literature review around alkyl polyglucosides (APGs) and sucrose esters (SEs) as bio-based surfactants, through the lens of the 12 green chemistry principles was conducted. An overview of the use of bio-based surfactants in personal care products was also provided.

Results

Bio-based surfactants are derived primarily from natural sources (i.e. both the head and tail molecular group). One of the more common types of bio-based surfactants are those with carbohydrate head groups, where alkyl polyglucosides (APGs) and sucrose esters (SEs) lead this sub-category. As global regulations and user mandate for sustainability and safety increase, evidence to further support these bio-based surfactants as alternatives to their petrochemical counterparts is advantageous. Use of the green chemistry framework is a suitable way to do this. While many of the discussed principles are enforced industrially, others have only yet been applied at a laboratory scale or are not apparent in literature.

Conclusion

Many of the principles of green chemistry are currently used in the synthesis of APGs and SEs. These and other bio-based surfactants should, therefore, be considered suitable and sustainable alternatives to conventional surfactants. To further encourage the use of these novel surfactants, industry must make an effort to implement and improve the use of the remaining principles at a commercial level.

Graphical abstract
Breaking Boundaries: Interdisciplinary Workshops to Write Integrated Medical School Assessments
Authors: Harvey Maresa , Dimmers Petra , Rashid Mohammed Ahmed
Published: October 2022

Although integrated medical school curricula have been widely adopted and examined, there has been comparatively less attention on the challenges associated with developing integrated assessments. Working with medical schools around the world, we have developed a writing workshop format that unites teachers from different disciplines to produce integrated assessment items.
Non-Axisymmetric Modelling of Moving Heat Source for Spatial and Temporal Investigation of Temperature in Railway Vehicles Disc Brake
Authors: Deressa Kejela Temesgen , Ambie Demiss Alemu
Published: October 2022

Railway disc brake is vulnerable to surface damages including fade, wear, squeal, thermal cracks and fatigue being just few of them. To counteract these negative consequences, reliable thermal model that can accommodate space and time variables is essential. The aim of this study is to develop new non-axisymmetric moving heat source and compare its efficiency with pre-existing traditional models. Factors responsible for temperature spatial and temporal variation are identified first and then programmed in ANSYS APDL similar capability to a FORTRAN. Heat flux and convection coefficients are calculated by empirical equations and stored in parameters and arrays for later use, based on small time and pad angular increment. The modelling is to successfully solve the problems in traditional models by estimating surface temperature difference as high as 49 °C, within acceptable computation time. Besides, its consideration of radial distance reported variations from traditional models as high as 10% and 60% in moving heat source and axisymmetric, respectively. And, it is also verified with the literature within acceptable variation. Finally, it is suggested that the model can be applied in conducting pad geometry optimization, thermal stress and fatigue life of disc brake.
Can Organic P Inputs Alleviate P Limitation Effects on Nutrient Uptake and Biological N2-Fixing Capacity of Hairy Vetch (Vicia villosa)?
Authors: Said-Pullicino Daniel , Lizcano Toledo Rodolfo , Lerda Cristina , Martin Maria , Fornasier Flavio , Fernandez-Ondoño Emilia , Celi Luisella
Published: October 2022

Phosphorus (P) is a limiting nutrient in many agroecosystems and, apart from affecting plant growth, can also limit biological N2 fixation (BNF) by leguminous plants. Thus, increasing P supply can have a positive effect on BNF particularly in P-deficient soils. Here, we provide new insights into the response of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa), widely adopted as a legume cover crop, to P limitations, by comparing the effects of inorganic (Pi) and organic (Po) P supply on plant growth and BNF capacity. This was achieved by means of a greenhouse experiment in which rhizobia-inoculated hairy vetch was grown in a P-limited agricultural soil and changes in plant growth, nitrogen (N) and P uptake, BNF capacity, and soil phosphatases activities were evaluated as a function of Pi and Po inputs, in the form of orthophosphate or phytic acid, respectively. When compared to P-deficient conditions where BNF was primarily limited by plant growth rather than directly due to the high P costs of symbiotic N fixation, Pi addition substantially enhanced plant growth (threefold), nodule formation (16-fold), P acquisition (sixfold), and BNF efficiency (sevenfold). In contrast, even with the addition of the highest dose of Po, the increase in plant growth, nodule formation, P acquisition, and BNF capacity (1.7, 3.5, 2.4 and 2.1-fold, respectively) was much less expressed, indicating that hairy vetch could only minimally access Po sources over the growth period in order to alleviate the P limitation effect on N2 fixation in under P-deficient conditions. These findings suggest that hairy vetch will not be able to provide sufficient BNF for improving soil N inputs in low-fertility cropping systems that rely on organic inputs.
Groundwater and agriculture potential mapping of Mewat District, Haryana, India
Authors: Pradeep Gokul , Krishan Gopal
Published: October 2022

Groundwater is one of the most valuable natural resources on the planet, sustaining all human activity. It is necessary not just for human survival, but also for a region’s economic and social advancement. Also, agriculture and allied businesses provide a living for more than half of India’s population. Long-term advantages from sustainable agriculture will be necessary to achieve sustainable resource development and management. For successful agricultural and groundwater management, it is vital to assess the groundwater and agricultural potential of an area. This research work may contribute to optimizing the choice of location for future drilling and increase the chances to take water from productive structures which will satisfy the ever-increasing water demand of the local population, especially for agriculture. The current study is an attempt to assess the groundwater and agriculture potential zones in Haryana’s southern region of Mewat district. In order to achieve the objectives, thematic layers such as geology, geomorphology, lineament density, slope, drainage density, soil, and land use/land cover of the research region are prepared for the mapping of groundwater potential zones. For agriculture potential thematic layers such as Digital Elevation Model (DEM), Slope, Rainfall, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Land Surface Temperature (LST), and Soil Moisture Index (SMI) were prepared. To combine all thematic layers, an analytical hierarchy process (AHP) assessment approach is applied. Individual themes and their accompanying categories are awarded a knowledge base weightage ranging from 1 to 5 according to their suitability to hold groundwater and potential for agriculture. All thematic maps are combined into a composite groundwater potential and agriculture potential map of the research region using the weighted overlay function. The groundwater potential map and the agriculture potential map were further subdivided into four categories, ranging from very low to excellent potential zones. It has been found that 69% and 60% of the area has moderate to good groundwater and agriculture potential, respectively, and 20% and 22% of the area has excellent and agriculture potential, respectively. This groundwater and agriculture potential information will help identify acceptable places for water extraction and efficient farming practices.
Factors associated with poor quality of life of transgender people
Authors: Coswosck Kaio H. C. , Moreira Juliana A. , Navarro Joel H. N. , Guandalini Valdete R. , Marques-Rocha Jose L.
Published: October 2022

Background

The term transgender (TRANS) may be used for people whose gender identity differs from the one assigned at birth. A large part of this population segment faces social (lack of social support, discrimination, rejection, transphobia) and psychological (anxiety, depression) challenges. These factors, in turn, may negatively impact the quality of life (QoL) of these individuals. In this context, the aim of this study is to identify the factors associated with QoL of TRANS people.

Methods

Cross-sectional study with non-probability sample, conducted with TRANS and cisgender (CIS) adults living in a southeastern Brazilian state. The research questionnaire was accessed electronically and comprised sociodemographic, health, and QoL information. QoL was assessed through the Short-Form 6 dimensions (SF-6D) instrument. Multivariable linear regression analysis (forward method) was applied to determine the influence of independent variables on QoL (outcome variable). All variables that presented p < 0.10 in the bivariate analyses were included. The analyses were carried out in the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS)® software, version 22.0, with a significance level of 5%.

Results

The sample included 65 TRANS individuals and 78 CIS individuals. The CIS group showed a predominance of people with higher education (p = 0.002) and higher income (p = 0.000) when compared with the TRANS sample. TRANS participants had worse QoL score (p = 0.014) and the same was observed when QoL was assessed by all dimensions (p ≤ 0.05). In addition, the place of residence and the report of recent prejudice remained associated with QoL even after adjusting for age, gender identity, occupation, and follow-up by a health professional (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The TRANS population showed worse QoL when compared with the CIS population. Moreover, living in the state’s capital and having suffered episodes of prejudice were the factors remain statistically associated with the QoL among TRANS individuals.
Comorbidities in Clinical and Polysomnographic Features of Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Single Tertiary Care Center Experience
Authors: Al-Jahdali Hamdan , Ahmed Anwar E. , Abdullah Al-Harbi , Ayaz Khan , Ahmed Almuttari , Majed ALGamedi , Sami Alyami , Amirah Almuhayshir , Bassam Dahman
Published: October 2022

Background

Research on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is inadequate in Saudi Arabia, particularly among patients with comorbidities. This study investigates comorbidities in patients with different severity of apnea based on the Apnea–Hypopnea Index (AHI).

Methods

The retrospective charts review that included a cohort of 4391 patients who underwent polysomnography (PSG) between 2003 and 2019. The AHI is classified into four ordinal groups: normal, mild, moderate, and severe. Ordinal logistic regression was used to model proportional odds of a higher AHI category.

Results

Gender was distributed equally in the study sample. The average age was 49.6 ± 14.8 years and the average AHI was 16.1 ± 22 per hour. Hypertension (43.2%) and diabetes mellitus (37.3%) were the most common comorbidities: Mild OSA 28.9%, Moderate OSA 15.6%, and severe 16.4%. The severity of apnea increased with age and BMI classes. The prevalence of hypertension increased with the severity of apnea: 42.9% in mild, 47.4% in moderate, and 54.6% in severe AHI. The prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD), congestive heart failure (CHF), and diabetes mellitus (DM) increased with the severity of apnea. Comorbidities was more among OSA patients with excessive sleepiness. After adjustment for age and gender, greater proportional odds of severe AHI were observed in males (aOR = 1.8), 30–59 years (aOR = 2.064), 60 years or above (aOR = 2.873), obese class II (aOR = 2.016), obese class III (aOR = 2.527), and in patients with hypertension (aOR = 1.272).

Conclusion

Hypertension and obesity were highly prevalent in the study cohort and were associated with greater proportional odds of severe AHI.
Experimental investigation of an external discharge very low anode power (< 20 W) hall thruster
Authors: Hamo Omri , Lev Dan R. , Rubanovich Maxim , Kapulkin Alexander , Lefkowitz Joseph
Published: October 2022

A sub 20 W wall-less Hall Effect Thruster (HET) was developed at the Asher Space Research Institute (ASRI), Technion. In this work, an initial study of the thruster performance and underlying physics was conducted. It was found that the anode efficiency of the thruster was low (~ 1%), mainly due to the low mass utilization efficiency. Typical performance figures are 90 $$\mu N$$

μ
N

of thrust, specific impulse of 90 s and anode efficiency of ~ 1% at 3–4 W anode power. The thruster far-field plume was analyzed using a retarding potential analyzer. It was found that the beam divergence was relatively low at $$57.7^\circ$$

57
.

7
∘

(for 95% of the beam current) compared to other wall-less HETs. The voltage utilization efficiency was 38% for a discharge voltage of 1 kV and a mass flow rate of 1 sccm xenon. We speculate that the leading driver to the low mass utilization efficiency is the small ionization fraction associated with these very low power wall-less devices. It was found that the beam efficiency can be over 90% at discharge power levels < 3 W, and decreases with power down to less than 50%.
Data science for pedestrian and high street retailing as a framework for advancing urban informatics to individual scales
Authors: Torrens Paul M.
Published: October 2022

Background

In this paper, we consider the applicability of the customer journey framework from retailing as a driver for urban informatics at individual scales within urban science. The customer journey considers shopper experiences in the context of shopping paths, retail service spaces, and touch-points that draw them into contact. Around this framework, retailers have developed sophisticated data science for observation, identification, and measurement of customers in the context of their shopping behavior. This knowledge supports broad data-driven understanding of customer experiences in physical spaces, economic spaces of decision and choice, persuasive spaces of advertising and branding, and inter-personal spaces of customer-staff interaction.

Method

We review the literature on pedestrian and high street retailing, and on urban informatics. We investigate whether the customer journey could be usefully repurposed for urban applications. Specifically, we explore the potential use of the customer journey framework for producing new insight into pedestrian behavior, where a sort of empirical hyperopia has long abounded because data are always in short supply.

Results

Our review addresses how the customer journey might be used as a structure for examining how urban walkers come into contact with the built environment, how people actively and passively sense and perceive ambient city life as they move, how pedestrians make sense of urban context, and how they use this knowledge to build cognition of city streetscapes. Each of these topics has relevance to walking studies specifically, but also to urban science more generally. We consider how retailing might reciprocally benefit from urban science perspectives, especially in extending the reach of retailers' insight beyond store walls, into the retail high streets from which they draw custom.

Conclusion

We conclude that a broad set of theoretical frameworks, data collection schemes, and analytical methodologies that have advanced retail data science closer and closer to individual-level acumen might be usefully applied to accomplish the same in urban informatics. However, we caution that differences between retailers’ and urban scientists’ viewpoints on privacy presents potential controversy.
Applications and classifications of unmanned aerial vehicles: A literature review with focus on multi-rotors
Authors: Sabour M.H. , Jafary P. , Nematiyan S.
Published: October 2022

During the past two decades, with the advancement of avionics, control systems, design, product methods, and communication systems, UAVs have gained more interest from both civil and military customers. Hence, more researchers have dedicated their time to developing new applications for drones and improving their performance. In this study, a literature review on drone applications is conducted. It is explained that they can be more effective and beneficial when merged with preexisting systems, and thus making a system of systems. Further, we have classified UAV applications more comprehensively. This classification can be very useful for providing insights when designing new UAVs. Finally, previous works are discussed thoroughly and diagrams are developed to show the research focus in this field. These statistical diagrams can also be used as a gap analysis tool.
The Federal Constitution of Malaysia: A Kelsenian Perspective
Authors: Chng Stephanie
Published: October 2022

This article examines the Federal Constitution of Malaysia through the lens of Hans Kelsen's Pure Theory of Law. It first demonstrates the utility of the Grundnorm in explaining the supremacy of the Federal Constitution within the Malaysian legal system. In particular, this article establishes that despite Malaysia's colonial past, the Federal Constitution is the Kelsenian ‘historically first constitution’ of the present Malaysian legal system because of the Kelsenian ‘revolution’ that had occurred when the Federation of Malaya attained independence from the British in 1957, as well as the absence of a Kelsenian ‘revolution’ during the formation of Malaysia in 1963. The Grundnorm of the Malaysian legal system can thus be expressed as ‘one ought to obey the prescriptions of the Federal Constitution’. However, this article also argues, using the example of the basic structure doctrine controversy in Malaysia, that while the Pure Theory succeeds in elucidating a measure of legal validity for legal norms, it fails to provide any helpful insight when a constitutional dispute relates to the content of a norm rather than the interaction between hierarchically distinct norms.
Relationship building in pediatric research recruitment: Insights from qualitative interviews with research staff
Authors: Kraft Stephanie A. , Porter Kathryn M. , Sullivan Tara R. , Anderson Emily E. , Garrison Nanibaa’ A. , Baker Laura , Smith Jodi M. , Weiss Elliott M.
Published: October 2022

Introduction:

Clinical research staff play a critical role in recruiting families for pediatric research, but their views are not well described. We aimed to describe how pediatric research staff build trusting research relationships with patients and their families.

Methods:

We interviewed research staff at one pediatric research institution and its affiliated academic medical center between November 2020 and February 2021. Staff were eligible if they conducted participant recruitment, consent, and/or enrollment for clinical research. We developed our semi-structured interview guide based on a framework for trusting researcher-community partnerships.

Results:

We interviewed 28 research staff, with a median age of 28 years (range 22–50) and a median of 5 years of experience (range 1–29). Interviewees identified factors relevant to relationship building across three levels: the individual staff member, the relational interaction with the family, and the institutional or other structural backdrop. Individual factors included how staff developed recruitment skills, their perceived roles, and their personal motivations. Relational factors spanned four stages of recruitment: before the approach, forming an initial connection with a family, building the connection, and following up. Structural factors were related to access and diversity, clinical interactions, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusions:

Research staff discussed tensions and supports with various actors, challenges with the integration of research and clinical care, the importance of voluntariness for building trust, and multiple contributors to inequities in research. These findings reveal the importance of ensuring research staff have a voice in institutional policies and are supported to advocate for patients and families.
Simple bladeless mixer with liquid–gas interface
Authors: Watanabe Daiki , Goto Susumu
Published: October 2022

A constantly rotating spherical container sustains turbulence of a fluid partially filling it. This simple turbulence generator has the potential for wide engineering applications as a bladeless mixer. Using the coupled level-set and volume of fluid method and the boundary data immersion method, we conduct direct numerical simulations of liquid–gas flow in a spherical container rotating about a horizontal axis to investigate the driving mechanism of turbulence, flow dependence on the filling rate

$\varPsi$

and the mixing ability of the sustained turbulence. Even if the Froude number

$Fr$

is small enough (

$Fr\lesssim 10^{-3}$

) for the liquid–gas interface to be undeformed, if the Reynolds number

$Re$

is large enough (

$Re\gtrsim 10^3$

), small-scale turbulent eddies are sustained by being stretched in shear flow around a counter-rotating pair of container-size vortices, whose swirling directions depend on

$\varPsi$

. We clarify that the angle of flow near the solid wall colliding with the interface controls the swirling direction of these container-size vortices. Furthermore, we track fluid particles in the liquid phase to quantify mixing properties to show that almost perfect mixing occurs after approximately 10 spins of the container for lower

$\varPsi$

(

$\lesssim 0.5$

), whereas the mixing requires less energy consumption for higher

$\varPsi$

(

$\gtrsim 0.7$

) at the examined

$Re=O(10^3)$

.
Temporal and spatial auxin responsive networks in maize primary roots
Authors: McReynolds Maxwell R. , Dash Linkan , Montes Christian , Draves Melissa A. , Lang Michelle G. , Walley Justin W. , Kelley Dior R.
Published: October 2022

Auxin is a key regulator of root morphogenesis across angiosperms. To better understand auxin-regulated networks underlying maize root development, we have characterized auxin-responsive transcription across two time points (30 and 120 min) and four regions of the primary root: the meristematic zone, elongation zone, cortex and stele. Hundreds of auxin-regulated genes involved in diverse biological processes were quantified in these different root regions. In general, most auxin-regulated genes are region unique and are predominantly observed in differentiated tissues compared with the root meristem. Auxin gene regulatory networks were reconstructed with these data to identify key transcription factors that may underlie auxin responses in maize roots. Additionally, Auxin-Response Factor subnetworks were generated to identify target genes that exhibit tissue or temporal specificity in response to auxin. These networks describe novel molecular connections underlying maize root development and provide a foundation for functional genomic studies in a key crop.
Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosis of post-operative paediatric cholesteatoma
Authors: McCallum R , Coleman H , Pervaiz H , Irwin G , McAllister K
Published: October 2022

Objectives

High rates of recidivism are reported after paediatric cholesteatoma surgery. Our practice has adapted to include non-echoplanar diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging for the diagnosis of residual or recurrent cholesteatoma. This audit aimed to evaluate the performance of non-echoplanar diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in our paediatric population.

Methods

A retrospective review was conducted of non-echoplanar diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging scans performed to detect residual disease or recurrence after surgery for cholesteatoma in children from 1 January 2012 to 30 November 2017 in our centre. Follow-up diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging scans were reviewed to 16 August 2019.

Results

Thirty-four diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging scans were included. The sensitivity and specificity values of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging for detecting post-operative cholesteatoma were 81 per cent and 72 per cent, respectively. Positive predictive and negative predictive values were 72 per cent and 81 per cent, respectively.

Conclusion

Use of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging is recommended as a replacement for routine second-look surgical procedures in the paediatric population. However, we would caution that patients require close follow up after negative diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging findings.