bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Notational Variants and Cognition: The Case of Dependency Grammar
Authors: Nefdt Ryan M. , Baggio Giosué
Published: January 2023

In recent years, dependency grammars have established themselves as valuable tools in theoretical and computational linguistics. To many linguists, dependency grammars and the more standard constituency-based formalisms are notational variants. We argue that, beyond considerations of formal equivalence, cognition may also serve as a background for a genuine comparison between these different views of syntax. In this paper, we review and evaluate some of the most common arguments and evidence employed to advocate for the cognitive or neural reality of dependency grammars in linguistics, psycholinguistics, or neurolinguistics. We then raise the possibility that the abilities to represent and track, alternatively or in parallel, constituency and dependency structures co-exist in human cognition and are constitutive of syntactic competence.
Changes in Students’ Mathematical Competencies at the Beginning of Higher Education Within the Last Decade at a German University
Authors: Büchele Stefan , Feudel Frank
Published: January 2023

Mathematics plays a significant role in many study programs. However, several studies show deficiencies and a decline in beginning undergraduates’ skills in mathematics in many content domains. However, it remains unclear whether they have improved in so-called process competencies like modeling, mathematical reasoning, or using different representations instead, because there has been a shift towards the acquisition of such in many recent curricula. We investigated this issue at a university in Germany based on data from a (non-standardized) mathematics entry test taken by 3076 economics students divided into different cohorts from 2012 to 2019. Using regression analyses, we found that, on the one hand, students’ ability to carry out symbolic calculations decreased. On the other hand, their performance increased in some test questions focusing on other process competencies like reasoning, mathematizing, or using different representations, which have become common tasks at school due to a stronger emphasis on these process competencies after a curriculum reform. Our data indicate that this reform might have had the desired effect.
Synthesized polymeric nanocomposites with enhanced optical and electrical properties based on gold nanoparticles for optoelectronic applications
Authors: Yassin A. Y.
Published: January 2023

In the present work, gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) were synthesized in two ways: plant extract and laser ablation techniques. Then, Au-NPs were added to (PVP/PVA/CMC) blend (TB) to produce novel nanocomposites using the solution casting technique. X-ray diffraction analysis, Ultraviolet and visible spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy provided conclusive evidence for preparing Au-NPs through the above methods. The optical, structural, and dielectric properties of the prepared samples were prudently investigated and confirmed their semicrystalline nature. TEM study concluded that Au-NPs are more uniformly distributed in the TB/AuNPs-biosynthesized (TBAu-B) matrix than in the TB/Au-NPs prepared by laser ablation (TBAu-L) matrix. The decrease in interatomic distances increases the refractive index with an enhancement in optical properties. The change in loss tangent provided a deeper discernment into the relaxation dynamics that arose inside the current films. The electric modulus formalism verified the non-Debye behavior of charge carriers inside the TB-based nanocomposite samples. It also demonstrated a remarkable capacitive feature of the nanocomposite films. The dielectric characteristics of the TBAu-B nanocomposite sample have improved, where AC electrical conductivity reached 1.58 × 10−3 S/cm. Because of this favorable enhancement, the TBAu-B nanocomposite has the potential to be utilized in optoelectronic applications such as sensors.
Symmetries and Zero Modes in Sample Path Large Deviations
Authors: Schorlepp Timo , Grafke Tobias , Grauer Rainer
Published: January 2023

Sharp large deviation estimates for stochastic differential equations with small noise, based on minimizing the Freidlin–Wentzell action functional under appropriate boundary conditions, can be obtained by integrating certain matrix Riccati differential equations along the large deviation minimizers or instantons, either forward or backward in time. Previous works in this direction often rely on the existence of isolated minimizers with positive definite second variation. By adopting techniques from field theory and explicitly evaluating the large deviation prefactors as functional determinant ratios using Forman’s theorem, we extend the approach to general systems where degenerate submanifolds of minimizers exist. The key technique for this is a boundary-type regularization of the second variation operator. This extension is particularly relevant if the system possesses continuous symmetries that are broken by the instantons. We find that removing the vanishing eigenvalues associated with the zero modes is possible within the Riccati formulation and amounts to modifying the initial or final conditions and evaluation of the Riccati matrices. We apply our results in multiple examples including a dynamical phase transition for the average surface height in short-time large deviations of the one-dimensional Kardar–Parisi–Zhang equation with flat initial profile.
A survey of mean-square destabilization of multidimensional linear stochastic differential systems with non-normal drift
Authors: Senosiain M.J. , Tocino A.
Published: January 2023

Mean-square stability analysis of linear stochastic differential systems obtained perturbing ordinary systems by linear terms driven by independent Wiener processes is investigated. The so obtained stochastic regions are contractions of the asymptotic stability domain of the linear ordinary system. In this work, the mean-square stability regions exact shape is provided by means of necessary and sufficient conditions in terms of the eigenvalues of the drift and the intensities of the noises. Special attention is paid to how different structures of the perturbation affect the mean-square stability of systems with non-normal drifts. In each case, the obtained explicit stability condition reveals the role played by the parameter that controls the non-normality.
The role of actors' issue and sector specialization for policy integration in the parliamentary arena: an analysis of Swiss biodiversity policy using text as data
Authors: Reber Ueli , Ingold Karin , Fischer Manuel
Published: January 2023

The role of the parliamentary arena and members of parliament (MPs) therein for both mainstreaming and cross-sectoral policy integration is largely unknown. Studying the case of Switzerland, this paper analyzes the integration of the biodiversity issue into policies of 20 different policy sectors over a period of 19 years to assess how two specific actor attributes—issue and sector specialization—increase the chances of MPs of engaging in both biodiversity mainstreaming and its cross-sectoral integration. The results based on a comprehensive collection of political documents from the parliamentary arena, and multilevel regression models show that an increase in MPs' sector specialization is associated with both a decrease in mainstreaming and a decrease in cross-sectoral integration activities. By contrast, an increase in issue specialization typically translates into biodiversity-related activity in a larger number of sectors. In the parliamentary arena, therefore, it is primarily a small group of “issue specialists” who take responsibility for the integration of crosscutting issues, such as biodiversity, into critical sectoral policies.
PROMIS-29 and EORTC QLQ-C30: an empirical investigation towards a common conception of health
Authors: Hartmann Claudia , Fischer Felix , Klapproth Christoph P. , Röhle Robert , Rose Matthias , Karsten Maria M.
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) measured via patient-reported outcomes (PROs) is a key component in clinical trials and increasingly used in clinical routine worldwide. Two PRO measures (PROMs) that share the same definition of health and report outcomes on a comparable T-metric anchored to general population samples are the PROMIS-29 and the EORTC QLQ-C30. In this study, we investigate the empirical agreement of these underlying concepts.

Methods

We collected PROMIS-29 and EORTC QLQ-C30 data from 1,478 female patients at a breast cancer outpatient centre. We calculated descriptive statistics and correlations between the subscales of both instruments. We performed exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) in randomly split subsamples in order to assess the underlying psychometric structure of both instruments.

Results

The cohort (mean age = 47.4, ± 14.49) reported comparable mean HRQOL scores between the corresponding subscales of both instruments similar to general population reference values. Correlation between the corresponding subscales of both instruments ranged between 0.59 (Social Role) and 0.78 (Physical Functioning). Both an exploratory and a theoretically driven confirmatory factor analysis provided further support for conceptual agreement of the scales.

Conclusion

EORTC QLQ-C30 and PROMIS-29 showed similar scores and satisfactory agreement in conceptional and statistical analysis. This suggests that the underlying conceptualization of health is reasonably close. Hence, the development of score transformation algorithms or calibration of both instruments on common scales could prospectively increase the comparability of clinical and research PRO data collected with either instrument.
Clinicopathological features and prognosis of primary membranous nephropathy in combination with crescent
Authors: Pan Yan , Liu Lei , Chen Weidong , Yang Huijuan , Zhang Jiqiang , Wang Ying
Published: January 2023

Objective

The incidence of primary membranous nephropathy with crescentic bodies is low, but the specificity of its clinical presentation, pathology and prognosis is of great interest. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathological and prognostic characteristics of patients with crescentic MN in our hospital over the past 4 years.

Methods

Ten patients with combined crescentic primary membranous nephropathy diagnosed by renal biopsy at our hospital from 2018 to 2021 were retrospectively analysed and compared with 39 patients with PMN (simple random sample) during the same period for clinicopathological and prognostic comparisons.

Results

The 10 patients had higher 24 h urine protein quantification, creatinine levels on renal biopsy, interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy, and interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration than the control group (P < 0.05); there were no significant differences in anti-PLA2R antibodies and PLA2R staining of renal tissue (P > 0.05); At follow-up, the poor outcome of crescentic MN treatment and the low clinical remission rate were found, with the percentage of crescentic bodies being a factor in patient prognosis (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Crescentic MN has a low prevalence and maybe a specific type of PMN; it has more severe clinical symptoms and pathology than PMN, and the crescentic proportion is strongly associated with renal prognosis. Intensive treatment is recommended for these patients.
Philanthropy and Socio-economic Development: The Role of Large Indigenous Voluntary Organizations in Bridging Social Divides in Pakistan
Authors: Khan Muhammad Saad Masud , Harvey Charles , Price Michael , Maclean Mairi
Published: January 2023

Extant research has focused on the role of philanthropy in the socio-economic development of western countries, but little is known about the role of indigenous voluntary organisations in bridging social divides in the developing world. To help redress this imbalance, we present findings on the motivations, strategies, methods, and impact of five large philanthropically funded voluntary organizations in Pakistan. We ask how and why such organizations are formed and gain traction to provide valuable services for large numbers of poor people in a society riddled with inequalities. Although differing considerably in their relations to markets and philanthropy, we find that success in all cases followed from commitment to Islamic philanthropy and the ideal of social inclusion, social innovation, exploitation of social capital, and scaling-up. Our contribution is to demonstrate how in developing countries philanthropy and social entrepreneurship together can play a decisive role in realizing a more just society.
Prediction of rock mass class ahead of TBM excavation face by ML and DL algorithms with Bayesian TPE optimization and SHAP feature analysis
Authors: Chen Cheng , Seo Hyungjoon
Published: January 2023

In this paper, field construction data from the Singapore Metro Line project were used to study the mapping relationship and establish the prediction model between TBM operation data and the ground condition ahead of the excavation face. The study presents a multi-classifier competition mechanism to construct ten separate classifiers, including logistic regression, support vector machine, random forest, extremely randomized trees, adaptive boosting machine, extreme gradient boosting (Xgboost), light gradient boosting (LightGBM), categorical boosting, long short-term memory and convolutional neural network. The acquired data were used to select 28 key TBM operating parameters by a correlation-based feature selection method, and the selected parameters in the stabilization phase after removing the outliers were calculated as the input to the classifier, and a relatively balanced training set was obtained by the synthetic minority oversampling technique. The hyperparameters of each classifier were optimized using tree Parzen estimator Bayesian optimization. The prediction results show that LightGBM presents the best results among ten different machine and deep learning algorithms with an accuracy of 96.22%, precision of 96.94%, recall of 97.33% and F1-score of 97.33%. In addition, the effect of the input parameters of the LightGBM model on the prediction accuracy of the model was analyzed using Shapley additive explanations, and the effect of sample imbalance on the prediction performance was discussed.
Is there a need for a technical certification system for gynecological robotic surgery? Questionnaire survey of members of the Japan Society of Gynecologic and Obstetric Endoscopy and Minimally Invasive Therapy
Authors: Komatsu Hiroaki , Hiraike Osamu , Fukuhara Rie , Yokoyama Yoshihito , Takahashi Nobutaka , Nishi Hirotaka , Baba Tsukasa , Fujii Takuma , Kitawaki Jo , Kobayashi Hiroaki , Mandai Masaki ,   Technical Certification System for Gynecological Robotic Surgery Task Force of the Japan Society of Gynecologic, Obstetric Endoscopy, Minimally Invasive Therapy
Published: January 2023

The Japan Society of Gynecologic and Obstetric Endoscopy and Minimally Invasive Therapy (JSGOE) introduced a system for the certification of laparoscopic surgeons in 2002 and a system for the certification of facilities in 2014. We examined the opinions of the members of the Japan Society of Gynecologic and Obstetric Endoscopy and Minimally Invasive Therapy (JSGOE) regarding the necessity of a certification training system and a technical certification system for robotic surgery skills in Japan. Members of the JSGOE were surveyed with two questionnaires. Overall, 870 and 519 participants responded to the first and second questionnaires, respectively. Half of the respondents indicated that both systems were necessary. The breakdown by age and qualifications showed that this was especially true for the younger generation and respondents with more experience with robotic surgery. Overall, 40% of the respondents judged that a certification system for robotic surgery alone (with or without certification in laparoscopic surgery but with a requirement of experience in laparoscopic surgery) would be necessary. The opinions of the JSGOE members on making a certification system for robotic surgery were split into two clear-cut camps. Thus, we must further seek the extent of public demand for using a public survey so that a final decision can be made on whether to establish this system.
Investigating measurement invariance of the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire-8 (ERQ-8) across 29 countries
Authors: Burghart Matthias , Sahm Alexander H. J. , Mier Daniela
Published: January 2023

The widely used Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ) measures the habitual use of cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression. Recently, a more economical 8-item version of the ERQ was proposed that showed good model fit. We assessed whether the latent constructs of the ERQ-8 are generalizable across different countries and cultures. To this end, we used data from the COVIDiSTRESS survey and investigated measurement invariance of the ERQ-8 in a large sample that included 11,288 individuals from 29 countries with diverse cultural backgrounds. Our analyses revealed configural and metric invariance of the ERQ-8 in 14 countries. The results suggest that emotion regulation strategies may not readily converge across all cultures. This underscores the importance of testing measurement invariance before interpreting observed differences and similarities between countries.
Dynamical Tropicalisation
Authors: Babaee Farhad
Published: January 2023

We analyse the dynamics of the pullback of the map $$z \longmapsto z^m$$

z
⟼

z
m

on the complex tori and toric varieties. We will observe that tropical objects naturally appear in the limit, and review several theorems in tropical geometry.
Symmetric Spaces Rolling on Flat Spaces
Authors: Jurdjevic V. , Markina I. , Silva Leite F.
Published: January 2023

The objective of the current paper is essentially twofold. Firstly, to make clear the difference between two notions of rolling a Riemannian manifold over another, using a language accessible to a wider audience, in particular to readers with interest in applications. Secondly, we concentrate on rolling an important class of Riemannian manifolds. In the first part of the paper, the relation between intrinsic and extrinsic rollings is explained in detail, while in the second part we address rollings of symmetric spaces on flat spaces and complement the theoretical results with illustrative examples.
Unique mutation spectrum of progressive pseudorheumatoid dysplasia in the Chinese population: a retrospective genotype–phenotype analysis of 105 patients
Authors: Wang Wei , Gao Si-Hao , Wei Min , Zhong Lin-Qing , Liu Wei , Jian Shan , Xiao Juan , Zhang Cai-Hui , Zhang Jian-Guo , Zeng Xiao-Feng , Xia Wei-Bo , Qiu Zheng-Qing , Song Hong-Mei
Published: January 2023

Background

Progressive pseudorheumatoid dysplasia (PPRD) is a rare genetic disease with autosomal recessive inheritance. There was a lack of genotype–phenotype correlation data from the Chinese population. This study aimed to identify the genotype and phenotype characteristics of Chinese PPRD patients and to conduct a genotype–phenotype analysis of Chinese PPRD patients.

Methods

Genetic analysis was performed for suspected PPRD patients from Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Medical records were collected from the electronic medical record system and patient-held portable health records. Published Chinese PPRD cases were gathered from both international and Chinese local databases. We collected demographic information, genetic variants, clinical manifestations, and imaging characteristics for further analysis.

Results

We included 105 Chinese PPRD patients in the current study. Thirty-three variants, including nine novels and five hotspot variants, were identified, with 26/33 (79%) variants exclusively seen in the Chinese population. Chinese PPRD patients share a phenotype similar to that in international reports. Joint involvement may progress with age (R2 = 0.2541). Long bone shortening and severe deformities occur in three patients with biallelic null variants, of which at least one variant is located in exon 2. Among hotspot variants, c.624dupA (p.C209Mfs*21) were associated with later onset and more involved joints. Elbow joints were more likely to be affected in patients carrying c.624dupA (p.C209Mfs*21) and c.866dupA (p.S209Efs*13). Shoulder joints are more likely to be involved in patients with biallelic null variants (P = 0.027).

Conclusions

Chinese PPRD patients share a unique mutation spectrum. Among the five hotspot variants, c.624dupA is associated with later onset of disease, more extensive joint involvement, and a tendency to affect elbow joints. Biallelic null variants with at least one variant in exon 2 could be a likely cause of long bone shortening and severe deformities.
Multiple solutions for nonlinear boundary value problems of Kirchhoff type on a double phase setting
Authors: Fiscella Alessio , Marino Greta , Pinamonti Andrea , Verzellesi Simone
Published: January 2023

This paper deals with some classes of Kirchhoff type problems on a double phase setting and with nonlinear boundary conditions. Under general assumptions, we provide multiplicity results for such problems in the case when the perturbations exhibit a suitable behavior in the origin and at infinity, or when they do not necessarily satisfy the Ambrosetti–Rabinowitz condition. To this aim, we combine variational methods, truncation arguments and topological tools.
Resistance Training Induces Improvements in Range of Motion: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Alizadeh Shahab , Daneshjoo Abdolhamid , Zahiri Ali , Anvar Saman Hadjizadeh , Goudini Reza , Hicks Jared P. , Konrad Andreas , Behm David George
Published: January 2023

Background

Although it is known that resistance training can be as effective as stretch training to increase joint range of motion, to date no comprehensive meta-analysis has investigated the effects of resistance training on range of motion with all its potential affecting variables.

Objective

The objective of this systematic review with meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect of chronic resistance training on range of motion compared either to a control condition or stretch training or to a combination of resistance training and stretch training to stretch training, while assessing moderating variables.

Design

For the main analysis, a random-effect meta-analysis was used and for the subgroup analysis a mixed-effect model was implemented. Whilst subgroup analyses included sex and participants’ activity levels, meta-regression included age, frequency, and duration of resistance training.

Data Sources

Following the systematic search in four databases (PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science) and reference lists, 55 studies were found to be eligible.

Eligibility Criteria

Controlled or randomized controlled trials that separately compared the training effects of resistance training exercises with either a control group, stretching group, or combined stretch and resistance training group on range of motion in healthy participants.

Results

Resistance training increased range of motion (effect size [ES] = 0.73; p < 0.001) with the exception of no significant range of motion improvement with resistance training using only body mass. There were no significant differences between resistance training versus stretch training (ES = 0.08; p = 0.79) or between resistance training and stretch training versus stretch training alone (ES = − 0.001; p = 0.99). Although “trained or active people” increased range of motion (ES = 0.43; p < 0.001) “untrained and sedentary” individuals had significantly (p = 0.005) higher magnitude range of motion changes (ES = 1.042; p < 0.001). There were no detected differences between sex and contraction type. Meta-regression showed no effect of age, training duration, or frequency.

Conclusions

As resistance training with external loads can improve range of motion, stretching prior to or after resistance training may not be necessary to enhance flexibility.
Lithium Hexamethyldisilazide Endows Li||NCM811 Battery with Superior Performance
Authors: Huang Junda , Yang Yaxiong , Liu Yanxia , Ma Jianmin
Published: January 2023

The construction of stable cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI) is the key to improve the NCM811 particle structure and interfacial stability via electrolyte engineering. In He’s work, lithium hexamethyldisilazide (LiHMDS) as the electrolyte additive is proposed to facilitate the generation of stable CEI on NCM811 cathode surface and eliminate H2O and HF in the electrolyte at the same time, which boosts the cycling performance of Li||NCM811 battery up to 1000 or 500 cycles with 4.5 V cut-off voltage at 25 or 60 °C.
Geochemistry of Precambrian black shales from Ossa-Morena Zone (Portugal): depositional environment and possible source of metals
Authors: Laranjeira V. , Ribeiro J. , Moreira N. , Nogueira P. , Flores D.
Published: January 2023

The paleodepositional environments related to Ediacaran black shales from the Série Negra succession in Ossa-Morena tectonostratigraphic zone were investigated using their geochemical composition to identify the sedimentary sources and depositional conditions. Their potential for assisting the genesis of metal deposits was also discussed. The sedimentary sources of the black shales are related to the break up of a Cadomian magmatic-arc developed in the North Gondwana realm, where the Ossa-Morena Zone was located during late Ediacaran times, showing acidic to mixed signatures. Some ratios were calculated based on redox sensitive elements, indicating both anoxic and oxic paleoenvironmental conditions. The anoxic conditions were predominant and they were identified on samples with higher organic carbon content, emphasizing that the redox conditions favored organic matter preservation and the accumulation of selected metals. Considering the mode of occurrence, the elements Ag, Cd, Cu, Pb and Se are assumed to be preferentially associated with sulfides, whereas Mo and U are preferentially organically bound. The results reveal that the black shales from the Série Negra succession in Ossa-Morena Zone might represent a source of metals, which were probably remobilized during Variscan events.
Magnetohydrodynamic mixed convection of TiO2–Cu/water between the double lid-driven cavity and a central heat source surrounding by a wavy tilted domain of porous medium under local thermal non-equilibrium
Authors: Mansour M. A. , Bakier M. A. Y.
Published: January 2023

The magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) mixed convection of heat and mass transfer is carried out using finite difference method applied inside a tilted porous cavity saturated with a hybrid nanofluid due to the presence of the double-moving lid and the heat sources. In contrast to the earlier research, various effects which are recognized by heat generation in the local thermal non-equilibrium case at the extended Brinkman Darcy model subjected to inclined magnetic field are thoroughly examined numerically. For instance, unusual observations of the cold mass surrounding the heat source emphasize that the maximum fluid temperature highly depends on the forced convection. Additionally, solid-phase temperature acts in accordance to the heat source location while fluid temperature is agitated by the moveable sides which points up the disparity at the thermal energy transportation. However, the transfer of heat and mass at the model requires a specific conduct due to the existence of damping factors. The magnetic field, for example, suppresses the fluid flow. Moreover, the thermal non-equilibrium condition deteriorates the global heat generation.
Stories and Empathy in a Time of Crisis: An African Viewpoint
Authors: Quayson Ato
Published: January 2023

This Presidential Lecture explores the ways in which African orality provides the means for a sentimental education in an era of crisis. Quayson notes how the essentially polysemic character of the genres of orality have influenced the ways he understands both literature and the African city, two areas of keen interest. After tracing the texture of Accra’s trotro (passenger vehicle) slogans and the continuity of sentimental education from orality to social media, Quayson concludes by calling for a new interdisciplinary paradigm that would explore the polysemy of African orality alongside the hypertextual algorithms behind today’s social media and the internet.
What can long-termin situmonitoring data tell us about our coastlines?
Authors: Banno Masayuki
Published: January 2023

Long-termin situmonitoring of beach morphology is indispensable for capturing the processes of foreshore morphological changes, and thus many beach monitoring campaigns have been conducted globally. Here, we review the various foreshore beach processes attributable to cross-shore sediment transport, which have been elucidated through long-term beach monitoring. Historicalin situbeach monitoring has revealed many daily–annual-scale cyclic foreshore beach morphological changes and shoreline changes; however, many shorter- and longer-term processes remain unresolved, for example, the short-term response to tidal fluctuations and the long-term response to sea level rise. The cost per area surveyed of state-of-the-art equipment will gradually decrease over time, and the accuracy, resolution, and volume of information obtained from the monitoring methods, which are still in the early stages of development, will improve as research progresses. Continued long-term monitoring and acquisition of previously unmeasured monitoring data through the development of monitoring methods are expected to help elucidate unresolved beach processes.
Multi-resolution dynamic mode decomposition for damage detection in wind turbine gearboxes
Authors: Climaco Paolo , Garcke Jochen , Iza-Teran Rodrigo
Published: January 2023

We introduce an approach for damage detection in gearboxes based on the analysis of sensor data with the multi-resolution dynamic mode decomposition (mrDMD). The application focus is the condition monitoring of wind turbine gearboxes under varying load conditions, in particular irregular and stochastic wind fluctuations. We analyze data stemming from a simulated vibration response of a simple nonlinear gearbox model in a healthy and damaged scenario and under different wind conditions. With mrDMD applied on time-delay snapshots of the sensor data, we can extract components in these vibration signals that highlight features related to damage and enable its identification. A comparison with Fourier analysis, time synchronous averaging, and empirical mode decomposition shows the advantages of the proposed mrDMD-based data analysis approach for damage detection.
Droplet size distribution in a swirl airstream using in-line holography technique
Authors: Ade Someshwar Sanjay , Kirar Pavan Kumar , Chandrala Lakshmana Dora , Sahu Kirti Chandra
Published: January 2023

We investigate the morphology and size distribution of satellite droplets resulting from the interaction of a freely falling water droplet with a swirling airstream of different strengths by employing shadowgraphy and deep-learning-based digital in-line holography techniques. We found that the droplet exhibits vibrational, retracting bag and normal breakup phenomena for the no swirl, low and high swirl strengths for the same aerodynamic field. In the high-swirl scenario, the disintegrations of the nodes, rim and bag-film contribute to the number mean diameter, resulting in smaller satellite droplets. In contrast, in the low-swirl case, the breakup of the rim and nodes only contributes to the size distribution, resulting in larger droplets. The temporal variation of the Sauter mean diameter reveals that for a given aerodynamic force, a high swirl strength produces more surface area and surface energy than a low swirl strength. The theoretical prediction of the number-mean probability density of tiny satellite droplets under swirl conditions agrees with experimental data. However, for the low swirl, the predictions differ from the experimental results, particularly due to the presence of large satellite droplets. Our results reveal that the volume-weighted droplet size distribution exhibits two (bi-modal) and three (multi-model) peaks for low and high swirl strengths, respectively. The analytical model that takes into account various mechanisms, such as the nodes, rim and bag breakups, accurately predicts the shape and characteristic sizes of each mode for the case of high swirl strength.
Exact solutions for steadily travelling water waves with submerged point vortices
Authors: Crowdy Darren G.
Published: January 2023

This paper presents a novel theoretical framework, based on the concept of the Schwarz function of a wave, for understanding water waves with vorticity in the absence of gravity and capillarity. The framework leads naturally to a taxonomy of three subcases, herein referred to as cases 1, 2 and 3, into which fall three existing studies of water waves incorporating uniform vorticity and submerged point vortices. This provides a theoretical unification of several seemingly unrelated results in the literature. It also provides a route to finding new exact solutions with this paper focussing on new solutions falling within the case 2 category. Among several presented here are a submerged point vortex pair cotravelling with a solitary deep-water wave, von Kármán point vortex streets cotravelling with a periodic deep-water wave and a point vortex row cotravelling with a wave in water of finite depth. Some other more exotic waveforms are also constructed. All these new solutions generalize those of Crowdy & Roenby (Fluid Dyn. Res., vol. 46, 2014) who found steady waves in deep water cotravelling with a submerged point vortex row for which the free surface shapes turn out to coincide with those of pure capillary waves on deep water found by Crapper (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 2, 1957). The new exact solutions are likely to provide a useful basis for asymptotic or numerical studies when additional effects such as gravity and capillarity are incorporated.
Mid-stage nitrogen compensation timing affects the yield formation and grain quality of japonica rice in the lower reaches of Yangtze River, China
Authors: Hu Q. , Zhu H. B. , Lu X. Z. , Jiang W. Q. , Gao H. , Zhang H. C. , Wei H. Y.
Published: January 2023

In the present study, we investigated the influence of different mid-stage N compensation timings on agronomic and physiological traits associated with grain yield and quality in field experiments. Two japonica rice cultivars with a good tasting quality (Nangeng 9108 and Nangeng 5055) were examined under eight N compensation timings (N1–N6: one-time N compensation at 7-2 weeks before heading; N7: split N compensation at 5 and 3 weeks before heading; N8: split N compensation at 4 and 2 weeks before heading) and a control with no N compensation. The highest yield was obtained with N7, followed by N3. The yield advantage is mainly attributable to the improved population structure (higher productive tiller rate with a stable number of effective panicles), higher total number of spikelets per unit area (large panicles with more grains per panicle), larger leaf area index in the late period and higher photosynthetic production capacity (more dry matter accumulation and transportation in the middle and late periods). Delaying N compensation timing improved the processing and nutritional quality of rice, but decreased the quality of appearance and cooking/eating traits. Our results suggest that, from the perspective of achieving relative coordination between high yield and high quality of japonica rice, the optimal N compensation should be divided equally at 5 and 3 weeks before heading. However, if simplifying the number of operations and the pursuit of eating quality were considered, one-time N compensation should be conducted at 5 weeks before heading.
Incorporating covariate into mean and covariance function estimation of functional data under a general weighing scheme
Authors: Yan Xingyu , Wang Hao , Sun Hong , Zhao Peng
Published: January 2023

This paper develops the estimation method of mean and covariance functions of functional data with additional covariate information. With the strength of both local linear smoothing modeling and general weighing scheme, we are able to explicitly characterize the mean and covariance functions with incorporating covariate for irregularly spaced and sparsely observed longitudinal data, as typically encountered in engineering technology or biomedical studies, as well as for functional data which are densely measured. Theoretically, we establish the uniform convergence rates of the estimators in the general weighing scheme. Monte Carlo simulation is conducted to investigate the finite-sample performance of the proposed approach. Two applications including the children growth data and white matter tract dataset obtained from Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative study are also provided.
Scrutinizing LLAMA D as a measure of implicit learning aptitude
Authors: Iizuka Takehiro , DeKeyser Robert
Published: January 2023

Since Gisela Granena’s influential work, LLAMA D v2, a sound recognition subtest of LLAMA aptitude tests, has been used as a measure of implicit learning aptitude in second language acquisition research. The validity of this test, however, is little known and the results of studies with this instrument have been somewhat inconsistent. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that researchers’ variable test instructions are the source of the inconsistent results. One hundred fourteen English monolinguals were randomly assigned to take LLAMA D v2 under one of three test instruction conditions. They also completed two implicit aptitude tests, three explicit aptitude tests, and a sound discrimination test. The results showed that, regardless of the type of test instructions, LLAMA D scores did not align with implicit aptitude test scores, indicating no clear evidence of the test being implicit. On the contrary, LLAMA D scores were negatively associated with scores on one implicit aptitude test, the Serial Reaction Time (SRT) task, but only in the condition where the instructions drew participants’ focal attention to the stimuli. This negative association was interpreted as focal attention working against learning in the SRT task. Implicit learning aptitude may be the degree to which one is able to process input without focal attention.
The nightlife of a Ross seal: diving and haul-out behaviour from the eastern Weddell Sea
Authors: Wege Mia , Bornemann Horst , Bester Marthán Nieuwoudt
Published: January 2023

Ross seals (Ommatophoca rossii) travel away from the pack ice and spend most of their year foraging pelagically. Here, we augment the few existing records of Ross seal diving and haul-out behaviour, providing novel insights into how these are influenced diurnally and seasonally. We used biologging devices that recorded the dive behaviour (n = 5) and/or haul-out behaviour (n = 9) of Ross seals in the eastern Weddell Sea (2016–2019). Ross seals mostly dived between 100 and 200 m deep, often > 300 m, and for 5–12 min in duration, often > 20 min. During March–July, when Ross seals forage pelagically, diving metrics varied diurnally. The seals dived deeper during twilight and shallowest at night, while the number of dives and diving duration did not follow a clear diurnal pattern. Consequently, diving effort was highest during the night. Ross seals preferentially hauled out in the middle of the day during September, October, February and December, but not during the rest of the year. Three females that entered the pack ice during breeding season were hauled out continuously for 5–7 days, punctuated by water entries for 1–3 h during and/or after such continuous haul-outs over the breeding season. This behaviour might suggest that Ross seals alternate between capital and facultative income breeding.
Z property for the shuffling calculus
Authors: Nakazawa Koji , Fujita Ken-etsu , Imagawa Yuta
Published: January 2023

This paper gives a new proof of confluence for Carraro and Guerrieri’s call-by-value lambda calculus λvσ with permutation rules. We adapt the compositional Z theorem to λvσ.
The effect of air pollution on China's internal migration
Authors: Li Wenbo
Published: January 2023

Have people in China moved from more polluted cities to less polluted ones? We merge city-level air pollution data from 2003 to 2016 with migration data from a nationally representative sample. We estimate a linear model and a conditional logit model, and employ air pollution from distant sources carried by the wind as an instrument for local air pollution to address the potential concern that air pollution is endogenous to local economic activities. We make a distinction between out-migration that left some family members behind and whole-household out-migration, and discover that the former was more responsive to air pollution than the latter. The decline in net in-migration in response to an increase in air pollution was driven by both a decrease in gross in-migration and an increase in gross out-migration. We find suggestive evidence that out-migrants brought their children with them, but some aged parents were left behind.
Iranian primary health care network: challenges and ways forward
Authors: Doshmangir Leila , Shirjang Ahmad , Assan Abraham , Gordeev Vladimir Sergeevich
Published: January 2023

Aim:

This study aimed to explore the current challenges of Iran’s Iranian Primary Health Care (PHC) network and possible ways forward.

Background:

PHC network was established in 1985. It remains a core instrument of health care delivery. However, it faces several challenges that can threaten its effective functioning.

Methods:

We conducted face-to-face semi-structured interviews with 26 key stakeholders. We used the deductive content analysis approach. World Health Organization’s health system framework guided our analyses. Data were analysed using MAXQDA software. To enhance data triangulation, we reviewed PHC national related plans, bylaws, and national and international published reports.

Findings:

PHC network experiences financial challenges and fails to respond fully to the emerging population’s needs due to unfair distribution of resources and a lack of community health workers for PHC and a sustainable financing model for PHC. Furthermore, the insurance package is not well integrated into the PHC network system. Policy interests and resource commitments for innovative, preventive, and health promotion initiatives are lacking. Innovative, preventive, and health promotion initiatives should become the highest priority for policymakers. Well-trained community health professionals, active community participation, private sector engagements and active involvement of non-government organisations are fundamental for a well-functioning PHC network in Iran, especially to foster the delivery of evidence-based initiatives.
Particle motion determines the types of bioaerosol particles in the stratosphere
Authors: Miki Kenji
Published: January 2023

Bioaerosol particles in the stratosphere are topics of interest for aerobiological and astrobiological studies. Although various studies have succeeded in sampling bioaerosol particles in the stratosphere, limited research has been conducted to evaluate how and why these bioaerosol particles can lift up to as high as the stratospheric level. This study tested different driving forces acting on particles in the stratosphere in order to simulate the motion of particles with various bioaerosol characteristics. The findings show that small pollen-sized particles can scarcely levitate in the stratosphere, although spore-sized and dust particles attached to microorganisms such as bacteria or fungus might be able to do so.
The potential impact of proxy reports for symptom experience and care quality and experience in advanced cancer
Authors: Roydhouse Jessica , Gutman Roee , Teno Joan M.
Published: January 2023

Objectives

As the US tests models of care for the seriously ill, patient perceptions of the quality of care are important. Proxies are often needed for this group. We sought to understand the potential impact of proxy reports for the assessment of care quality and experience in cancer.

Methods

Secondary data analysis of a deidentified prospective study that included surveys of perceived care quality, including symptom management, from patients with advanced cancer receiving chemotherapy and their caregivers. Surveys were administered at diagnosis (time 1) and treatment (time 2), with top-box scoring used for analysis. Overall concordance was assessed using metrics including Gwet’s AC1. The proportion of the highest scores by respondent type within 2 subgroups were examined: (1) symptom burden and (2) practice setting.

Results

Data from 83 dyads were analyzed. Proxies and patients frequently reported the highest scores for quality (time 1: proxies: 77% and patients: 80%). At time 1, 14% of proxies and 10% of patients reported an unmet need for symptom palliation. Most patients reporting an unmet need gave the top score for quality (75%), but fewer proxies did so (45%). Proxy and patient reports were similar within practice settings. Concordance was at least moderate (nearly all outcomes >0.5 and some >0.8) by Gwet’s AC1.

Significance of results

Findings of at least moderate concordance and similar experience outcomes within subgroups suggest the use of proxies may not change estimates substantially. However, consideration should be taken when evaluating symptom management, particularly if such evaluations inform assessment of provider performance.
The Early Pliocene small mammals (Eulipotyphla, Rodentia, Lagomorpha) from Berești and Mălușteni (eastern Romania): a fresh look at old collections
Authors: CRESPO Vicente D. , VASILE Ștefan , PETCULESCU Alexandru , RĂȚOI Bogdan G. , HAIDUC Bogdan S.
Published: January 2023

The neighbouring sites of Berești and Mălușteni (Eastern Carpathian Foreland, eastern Romania) have yielded the most abundant and taxonomically diverse Pliocene vertebrate assemblages described so far from the entire country. Some of the small mammals found here were described as new taxa, and occasionally reassessed during the past one hundred years, but most of the material collected initially remained unrevised. Here, we provide a taxonomic revision of all the small mammal material (insectivores, rodents, and lagomorphs) that could be found in three main collections. The studied specimens were assigned to the insectivore families Desmanidae (Desmana verestchagini and Talpa sp.), and Erinaceidae (Erinaceus sp.); to the rodent families Muridae (Mimomys sp. or Promimomys sp.; Allocricetus sp.), Sciuridae (Spermophilus cf. nogaici), Spalacidae (Pliospalax macoveii), and Castoridae (Trogontherium minus, Castor fiber); and to the lagomorph families Leporidae (Trischizolagus dumitrescuae) and Ochotonidae (Ochotona ursui). Compared to the faunal assemblages described from Central-Eastern Europe, the identified taxa (some confirmed, others reassessed as synonyms) support an Early Pliocene age for the vertebrate assemblages from Berești and Mălușteni. Both faunal assemblages are assigned to the Ruscinian, with the faunas from Berești being considered geologically slightly older than the ones from Mălușteni.