bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Momordica foetida Inclusion on Feed Intake, Digestibility, Growth Performance and Economic Efficiency of Bonga Sheep Fed on Desho (Pedicellatium glocifolium) Grass Hay as a Basal Diet
Authors: Zeleke Muluken , Yebo Kochito Tegegn , Ejeta Taye Tolemariam , Wamatu Jane
Published: June 2023

This experiment examined the effect of feeding graded levels of Momordica foetida leaf (MFL) as a substitute for Noug Seed Cake (NSC) on feed intake, digestibility, growth performance, and economic efficiency. Forty-two yearling lambs (16.1±0.6 kg) were randomly allotted to six dietary treatment groups for 90 days feeding trial followed by ten days digestibility trial. Treatments were T1(Control) = adlibitum PG (Pennisetum glaucifolium) + 449.3gm WB (Wheat Bran), T2 = 449.3gm WB + 100% MFL; T3 = 449.3gm WB + 75% MFL + 25% NSC; T4 = 449.3gm WB + 50% MFL + 50% NSC; T5 = 449.3gm WB + 25% MFL + 75% NSC; T6 = PG + 449.3gm WB + 0% MFL + 100% NSC. Data were analyzed using SAS's General Linear Model (GLM) procedures (version 9.4, 2019). The result indicates that the increasing level of MFL had no significant effect on basal dry matter intake. The apparent digestibility of DM was higher (P<0.001) in T1 (60.5%) and T6 (62.5%); a higher (P<0.001) average daily gain was recorded for animals in T6 (171.0g/d). The cost-benefit analysis revealed that T5 has a good and optimum final body weight gain (30.5kg), 765.5 ET/head total return, and 381.1 ETB/head net return. It was concluded that 25% inclusion of MFL in the diet increases nutrient intake, weight gain and economic efficiency in Bonga sheep.
Comparing Life Expectancy Determinants between Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates from 1980-2020
Authors: Wirayuda Anak Agung Bagus , Al-Mahrezi Abdulaziz , Chan Moon Fai
Published: June 2023

Despite marked advancements, life expectancy (LE) growth in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has remained stagnant compared to other developed nations. This study aims to investigate the significant correlation between macroeconomic (ME), sociodemographic (SD), and health status-resources (HSR) factors and LE to formulate an explanatory model for Saudi Arabia and the UAE – a previously unexplored area. Utilizing an ecological, retrospective, time-series study design, we delved into secondary data on SD, ME, HSR, and LE of the UAE population spanning three decades (1980-2020). We employed the partial least squares-structural equation modeling for statistical analysis. Our analysis revealed significant direct impacts of HSR on LE for Saudi Arabia (Beta=0.958, p<0.001) and the UAE (Beta=0.716, p<0.001). Furthermore, we discerned a notable indirect influence of ME on LE, mediated through SD and HSR for Saudi Arabia (Beta=0.507, p<0.001) and UAE (Beta=0.509, p<0.001), along with a considerable indirect effect of SD on LE through HSR (Saudi Arabia: Beta=0.529, p<0.001; UAE: Beta=0.711, p<0.001). This study underscores the mediating role of a nexus of ME-SD-HSR factors on LE in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Consequently, these findings signal an imperative need for holistically policy interventions addressing ME, SD, and HSR factors, aiming to alter health behaviors and improve LE projections for Saudi Arabia and the UAE in the long run.
Ratio of Extracellular to Intracellular Water is Associated with Permanent Catheter Patency Survival in Patients Receiving Maintenance Hemodialysis
Authors: Kim Moo Jun , Jeon Jae-Wan , Kim Hae-Ri , Park Hyerim , Han Suyeon , Hwang Yunkyeong , Park Heewon , Park Kyungho , Lee Eu-Jin , Ham Young-rok , Na Ki Ryang , Lee Kang-Wook , Choi Dae Eun
Published: June 2023

Patients undergoing dialysis through a permanent catheter often experience infection or malfunction. However, few studies have clarified the predictors of permanent catheter patency survival in patients undergoing hemodialysis. We assessed the relationship between parameters of body composition monitoring (BCM) determined before the initiation of dialysis and the patency survival of the permanent catheters inserted in 179 patients who commenced hemodialysis between January 14, 2020 and August 31, 2021. The relationships between permanent catheter patency at 6 weeks and BCM parameters, laboratory tests, age, sex, comorbidities, and medications at baseline were studied using Kaplan–Meier survival curves. Permanent catheter patency was observed to be superior at high extracellular-to-intracellular (ECW/ICW) ratio (P<0.005). After adjustment for covariates, the ECW/ICW ratio remained an independent factor associated with permanent catheter patency survival. When patients with non-patent catheters were subdivided into infection and malfunction groups, and the associations of BCM parameters were evaluated in those groups, the ECW/ICW ratio was not significantly associated with permanent catheter patency survival in the infection group (P = 0.327); instead, a significant association was found for the lean tissue index (P<0.001). In the malfunction group, the ECW/ICW ratio remained significantly associated with permanent catheter patency survival (P < 0.001).
Promoting self-management and independent living of elders with chronic diseases through technology: A study of self-reported needs, priorities, and preferences.
Authors: Kalaitzaki Argyroula , Rovithis Michael , Dimitropoulos Alexios , Koukouli Sofia , Linardakis Manolis , Katsiri Elli , Rikos Nikos , Vasilopoulos George , Tsolas George , Papachristou Aikaterini , Dimitrantzou Anastasia , Katsiris Dimitrios , Stavropoulou Areti
Published: June 2023

Background and Objectives: Elders’ needs are rarely examined beforehand, and thus, although technology-based tools can enhance self-management, acceptability rates are still low. This study aimed to examine and compare self-reported needs, priorities, and preferences of elders with heart failure (HF), diabetes mellitus (DM), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) toward technology use to enhance self-management. Materials and Methods: A convenience sample of 473 participants over 60s (60.5% females), diagnosed with HF (N=156), DM (N=164), or COPD (N=153) was recruited. They were administered a questionnaire about the usefulness of technology in general and in specific areas of disease management. Results: Most participants (84.7%) admitted that technology is needed for better disease management. This was equally recognized across the three groups both for the overall and specific areas of disease management (in order of priority: ‘Information’, ‘Communication with Physicians & Caregivers’, and ‘Quality of Life & Wellbeing’). Sociodemographic differences were found. Cell phones and PCs were the devices of preference. The four common features prioritized by all three groups were related to ‘information about disease management’ (i.e., monitoring symptoms, reminders for medication intake, management and prevention of complications), whereas the fifth one was related to ‘communication with physicians and caregivers (i.e., in case of abnormal or critical signs). The top disease-specific feature was also monitoring systems (of respiratory rate or blood sugar or blood pressure, oxygen), whereas other disease-specific features followed (i.e., maintaining normal weight for HF patients, adjusting insulin dose for DM patients, and training on breathing exercises for COPD patients). Conclusions: Elders in these three samples seem receptive to technology in disease management. mHealth tools, incorporating both common and disease-specific features and addressing different chronic patients, and being personalized at the same time, could be cost-saving and useful adjuncts in routine clinical care to improve self-management.
Purpose and Mattering as Dimensions of Meaning for Adolescents in Residential Care from Romania
Authors: Bunea Ovidiu , Cojocaru Daniela
Published: June 2023

The study follows the interaction between the individual and the social context regarding the development of adolescents protected in residential houses from the child protection system in Iasi County, Romania. Starting from the evidence that in situations of providing relatively identical material and social resources, the results obtained by these children vary greatly, we examine how the meaning (understood mainly as purpose and mattering) can constitute a developmental resource. Considering theoretical models and previous research, the study aims to describe, through a qualitative approach, how these young people see themselves and the external environment (family and residential care), how they project their future (their purpose and objectives), and how these constructions and perceptions can influence their quality of life and social integration. We conducted three focus groups with 35 adolescents and young people (the ages 13-21) protected in and for different periods in residential houses (period 1-20 years). The results highlighted that a specific meaning is reconfigured as compensatory when affected by a trauma or adverse external event and thus can be a resource for resilience. On the other hand, the research highlighted that only the existence of goals alone is insufficient to generate action, and the unrealistic meanings given to own persons, experiences, and resources can be dangerous.
Pengembangan Media Pembelajaran Fisika Berbasis Aplikasi Apper Dengan Model Discovery Learning Pada Materi Hukum Newton
Authors: Katyagni Elsi Prisma , Ekawati Elvin Yusliana , Budiharti Rini
Published: June 2023

This study aims to: (1) Describe the characteristics of the Apper application-based Physics learning media with the discovery learning model on Newton's Law material, (2) To find out how experts evaluate Apper application-based Physics learning media with discovery learning models on Newton's Law material based on material aspects , media design and language. The research method used is research and development with the ADDIE research model only in three stages, namely analysis, design and development. Sources of research data were obtained through the results of assessments by 2 supervisors as expert validators, 3 students as peer reviewers, 6 teachers as reviewers, and 72 students. This research was conducted in 2 senior high schools (SMA), namely SMA Negeri 1 Karanganyar and SMA Negeri Kebakkramat. Data types are divided into Qualitative Data and Quantitative Data. Qualitative data obtained from the results of the assessment of suggestions, input and criticism. Quantitative data were obtained from the validation stage, one-on-one trials, small group trials, and large group trials. Data collection techniques using questionnaires. Data analysis was carried out qualitatively and quantitatively based on Azwar's research. The conclusions of this study are: (1) The characteristics of Apper application-based Physics learning media with discovery learning models on Newton's Law material use features such as Guidelines, Competence, Newton I, Newton II, Newton III, Friction, Application, Evaluation , and Information. The application is 167 kB in size and can only be accessed online via a smartphone with a minimum operating system Android 5.0 Lollipop and iOS 8.1, (2) Expert assessment of the Apper application-based Physics learning media with the discovery learning model on Newton's Law material meets the very good category based on material aspects, media design and language.
Pengembangan Perangkat Pembelajaran Problem Based Learning dengan Konsep Assesment for Learning Berbantuan Articulate Storyline 3
Authors: Yuniar Nurisma Siti , Ekawati Elvin Yusliana , Sukarmin Sukarmin
Published: June 2023

The objectives of this development research were to: (1) develop problem-based learning tools with the concept of assessment for learning assisted by articulate storyline 3 on temperature and heat material; (2) analyzing the product evaluation criteria for problem-based learning devices with the concept of assessment for learning assisted by articulate storyline 3 on temperature and heat material. This study uses the Research & Development (R&D) model with 3 stages, namely analysis, design, and development. The data needed are qualitative data and quantitative data. Data analysis was obtained from the assessment of two lecturers, two teachers, five colleagues, and readability by class XI students, totaling 32 students. The research school used was SMA N 5 Surakarta. Data analysis was guided by Azwar's assessment criteria. As for the knowledge assessment instrument, analysis was carried out using Anbuso and IBM SPPS Statistics. Data collection was carried out by distributing questionnaires, tests and interviews. The conclusions obtained based on research are: (1) The development of learning tools is prepared using a problem based learning model by inserting the concept of assessment for learning, namely the Learning Implementation Plan (RPP), Student Worksheets and knowledge assessment instruments. The device is prepared by adjusting the learning media assisted by articulate storyline 3. The learning media is divided into three parts, namely temperature media and the concept of heat, expansion media, and heat transfer media. (2) The results of the data analysis that has been carried out show that the lesson plans and worksheets have very good criteria and the knowledge assessment instruments are accepted with high reliability.
Physiological activities of cocoa trees induced by soil and foliar applications of boron fertilizer
Authors: Dewi HS Endang Sri , Yudono Prapto , Susilaputra Eka Tarwaca , Purwanto Benito Heru
Published: June 2023

This study investigates the impact of boron fertilizer on physiological activities of cocoa trees, specifically focusing on boron content, nitrogen content, nitrate reductase activity, chlorophyll content, and photosynthesis rate in cocoa plant leaves. This research was arranged in a randomized complete block design with two treatment factors, which were the type of boron fertilizer application (soil and foliar fertilizer), and the dose of boron fertilizer (1.5, 3, 4.5, and 6 g plant−1 with 0 g plant−1 as a control). Data were then analyzed for variance differences (ANOVA) with α = 5%, followed by the Tukey test, and contrast orthogonal for comparing treated and control plants. The results showed that the dose of boron fertilizer and the type of fertilizer application used have a significant effect on the physiological activity of the cocoa plant. The dose of boron with soil application affects physiological activity in a linear pattern where each additional dose of boron will increase the activity of nitrate reductase, chlorophyll content, and photosynthetic rate. The dose of boron with foliar application affects physiological activity in a quadratic pattern, where the dose of boron in the range of 3 g plant−1 is the optimum dose that gives maximum results on nitrate reductase activity, chlorophyll content, and photosynthetic rate in the cocoa leaves. Therefore, it is considered that the application of boron fertilizer at a dose of 3 g plants−1 with the foliar application is more efficient in increasing physiological activity compared to the dose of boron with soil application.
Sweet potato is a strategic root crop in Oceania: A synthesis of the past research and future direction
Authors: Michael Patrick S. , Peter Topas M.
Published: June 2023

Sweet potato is an important food, industrial, and pharmaceutical crop worldwide and highly adapted to adverse ranges of agroclimatic conditions, making it one of the strategic crops under climate change. Despite the importance, sustainable crop production continues to be an issue because of the pressure put on land, the decline in soil fertility, the buildup of pests and diseases, and no standardized production practices. Production is highly mechanized in temperate regions, whereas, in the tropics, it is still a subsistence crop confined to subsistence farming systems. These issues are compounded by a lack of generically and agronomically improved genotypes adapted to wider agroecological zones with adaptive tolerance to existing and new stresses. In the recent past, significant progress has been made worldwide; however, the outcomes tend to be locality-specific, and cannot be extrapolated, needing decentralization of the current approaches. This review points out that the crop is a critical strategic crop in the Oceania region because of its ability to grow under adverse ranges of agroclimatic conditions and can produce a reasonable yield. The paper continues to emphasize the current trends in emerging modern technology that can be used to efficiently improve and enhance traits of agronomic importance and wider adaptivity. In addition, land use plans, farming systems, and cultural production practices need to be changed for sustainable production. The need for these is further strengthened by pointing out alternative strategies, e.g., using organic matter as a relatively cheap and readily available source of soil nutrients compared to inorganic fertilizers.
Comparison of the quantitation of heavy metals in soil using handheld LIBS, XRFS, and ICP-OES
Authors: Bishop Megan , Clausen Jay , Beal Samuel , Sims Patrick
Published: June 2023

Handheld laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is an emerging analytical technique that shows the potential to replace X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRFS) in the field characterization of soils containing heavy metals. This study explored the accuracy and precision of handheld LIBS for analyzing soils containing copper and zinc to support LIBS as a re-placement for XRFS technology in situ. Success was defined by handheld LIBS results that could be replicated across field analyzers and verified by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). A total of 108 soil samples from eight military installations were pressed into 13 mm pellets and then analyzed by XRFS and LIBS. Handheld LIBS has a spot-size area 100-fold smaller than that of XRFS, and though it provided accurate measurements for NIST-certified reference materials, it was not able to measure unknown soils of varying soil texture with high particle size variability, regardless of sample size. Thus, soil sample particle size heterogeneity hindered the ability to provide accurate results and replicate quantitation results across LIBS and XRFS. Increasing the number of particles encountered by each shot through particle size reduction improved both field-analyzer correlation and the correlation between handheld LIBS and ICP-OES from weak (<15%) to strong (>80%).
Chemical Prevention of Corrosion-Induced Premature Well Failures Using a Novel Lubricity Mitigation Strategy
Authors: Kisel Jason , Seher Leanne , Heath Garett , Okesanya Temi
Published: June 2023

The sucker rod systems and tubing strings play a crucial role in the mechanical oil recovery process; their stability and reliability are desirable factors in optimizing oil production from a well. Although durable, these metallic downhole tools and equipment can experience failure during oil recovery. These failures usually stem from accumulated fatigue induced by corrosion or associated mechanisms. The dilapidation of these costly crucial pumping components often leads to expensive downtimes, lost production, and unnecessary maintenance costs, which can all be exacerbated by frequent failures. While such downhole equipment failures have traditionally and simplistically been prevented using conventional corrosion inhibitors, this approach has proved ineffective in high-failure frequency wells, instigating the use of ancillary production chemicals to address other issues that are symptomatic of observed corrosion mechanisms. It is imperative to develop a mitigation strategy to extend the run life of wells and occlude premature downhole equipment failures, thereby providing increased production time and cost savings for production companies.

This paper presents a field-proven methodology that was used to extend the run life of high-failure frequency wells in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin (WCSB), involving the continuous application of lubricious corrosion inhibitors. The corrosion inhibitors’ Coefficient of Friction (CoF) was quantified using the Bruker UMT tribology tester. This bifurcate study focuses on two major aspects: a root cause analysis of the high-frequency failures and the corresponding chemical mitigation strategy to address these rampant failures. The scientific root cause analysis showed that wellbore configuration has a substantial and consistent effect on downhole equipment failures and hints at the inimical role of friction in inducing rampant failures, prompting the need to incorporate lubricity in the chemical mitigation strategy, especially for complex directional wells.

This successful approach has been implemented in over 3000 wells and has eliminated frequent pumping component failures and extended the run-life of wells in some cases from about three months to up to three years in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin (WCSB), resulting in up to $250,000.00 in cost savings on each well from reduced production chemicals usage and lower well-servicing costs. The results from this data-backed study provide a more validated rationale and mitigation approach to dealing with premature well failures.

This paper showcases and elucidates an economical and pragmatic chemical mitigation strategy to address frequent well failures and optimize oil production while providing operational recommendations during drilling that are key to improving a well's long-term productivity.
Conflicting data fusion method based on differences between fuzzy information of the single subset of focal elements
Authors: Xu Lin , Xu Xiangyang , Wang Xin
Published: June 2023

The diversity of information, the complexity of environment and the limitations of sensors generally make information sources with strong uncertainty and high conflict. However, in Dempster-Shafer (D-S) evidence theory, the conflict coefficient k cannot effectively measure the degree of conflict between two bodies of evidence (BoEs). This paper quantifies the conflict in terms of the difference in ambiguity information between single subset focal elements. A novel fuzzy Chi-Square distance is proposed, in which the differences of elements in both the belief and plausibility are comprehensively considered to avoid the problem of missing information. The metric properties (boundedness, symmetry, nondegeneracy, and triangle inequality) of the fuzzy Chi-Square distance are proved in detail. And this paper investigates the resistance to disturbance of the new conflict metric Next, a new conflicting data fusion method is derived, which can obtain more accurate data fusion results and have strong robustness. Finally, the analysis of numerical examples and practical applications verifies the effectiveness and superiority of the method proposed in this paper.
A Trust and Optimal Energy Efficient Data Aggregation Scheme for Wireless Sensor Networks Using Qgaoa
Authors: kumar Nandha , Srimanc P.
Published: June 2023

In recent years, Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) have become a key technology for monitoring and tracking applications in a wide application range. A wireless sensor network (WSN) senses the environment, collects data, and sends it to a base station (BS) for analysis. A fundamental challenge in designing WSNs is maximizing their lifetimes, especially when energy is limited. Managing trust in the WSN is also a difficult task because trust is used when collaboration is critical to achieving reliable communication. As a result, this paper proposed a secure and energy-aware data aggregation and optimal routing scheme for WSNs based on the Quantum behaviour and Gaussian Mutation based Archimedes Optimization Algorithm (QGAOA). The proposed system comprises three parts: cluster formation, cluster heads (CHs) selection, and optimal routing. Initially, clusters are formed using the Voronoi-included K-means clustering algorithm (VKMCA). Then CHs are selected, and optimal routing is selected using QGAOA. Simulations are carried out to analyze the performance effectiveness of the proposed system with existing related techniques. The results revealed that the proposed system outperformed existing techniques regarding network lifetime (NLT), energy consumption (ECP), throughput, delay, and packet delivery rate (PDR) factors.
Anaplerotic nutrient stress drives synergy of angiogenesis inhibitors with therapeutics targeting tumor metabolism
Authors: Khadka Sunada , Lin Yu-Hsi , Ackroyd Jeffrey , Chen Yi-An , Sheng Yanghui , Qian Wubin , Guo Sheng , Chen Yining , Behr Eliot , Barekatain Yasaman , Uddin Md. Nasir , Arthur Kenisha , Yan Victoria , Chang Qing , Poral Anton , Tran Theresa , Hsu Wen-Hao , Chaurasiya Surendra , Georgiou Dimitra , Asara John , Barthel Floris , Millward Steven , DePinho Ronald , Muller Florian
Published: June 2023

Tumor angiogenesis is a cancer hallmark, and its therapeutic inhibition has provided meaningful, albeit limited, clinical benefit. While anti-angiogenesis inhibitors deprive the tumor of oxygen and essential nutrients, cancer cells activate metabolic adaptations to diminish therapeutic response. Despite these adaptations, angiogenesis inhibition incurs extensive metabolic stress, prompting us to consider such metabolic stress as an induced vulnerability to therapies targeting cancer metabolism. Metabolomic profiling of angiogenesis-inhibited intracranial xenografts showed universal decrease in tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates, corroborating a state of anaplerotic nutrient deficit or stress. Accordingly, we show strong synergy between angiogenesis inhibitors (Avastin, Tivozanib) and inhibitors of glycolysis or oxidative phosphorylation through exacerbation of anaplerotic nutrient stress in intracranial orthotopic xenografted gliomas. Our findings were recapitulated in GBM xenografts that do not have genetically predisposed metabolic vulnerabilities at baseline. Thus, our findings cement the central importance of the tricarboxylic acid cycle as the nexus of metabolic vulnerabilities and suggest clinical path hypothesis combining angiogenesis inhibitors with pharmacological cancer interventions targeting tumor metabolism for GBM tumors.
Protocol for Alberta Innovative Disabilities Program (AIDP): Community-based Acupuncture Services Model to Meet the Recovery-oriented Needs of Persons with Disabilities
Authors: Lu Mingshan , Sharmin Sumaiya , Cong Yingying , Feng Shengkung , Li Yang , Tao Yong , Wang Helen , Xia Meng , Xia Xin , Xu Ning , Peng Laura , Xu Bentong
Published: June 2023

Background
The provision of proper care for persons with disabilities is critical to their overall well-being and social inclusion. However, people with disabilities often encounter various challenges, including access to healthcare and employment opportunities. Traditional Chinese medicine, such as acupuncture, has shown promising results in improving the symptoms associated with developmental disabilities and chronic pain. To support individuals with disabilities in Alberta, we propose the Alberta Innovative Disabilities Program (AIDP). AIDP offers evidence-based acupuncture services, free of charge, to individuals with various disabilities. The program aims to enhance the employability and re-employment of individuals with disabilities by improving their overall wellness, function, self-esteem, resilience, and social inclusion.
Methods
This study aims to investigate the impact of acupuncture treatments on the physical and mental well-being of individuals with disabilities in Alberta. Participants who have not received acupuncture treatments within the last 3 months and are comfortable taking this treatment will be recruited using posters, flyers, and outreach strategies. The intervention will include up to 12 free acupuncture treatments tailored to each participant's needs to improve their overall health and quality of life. Validated survey instruments will be used to collect comprehensive data on the participants' mental and physical well-being at the first consultation session, after the 6th and 12th treatment sessions, and three and six-months post-treatment. The primary outcome variables include patients' pain, quality of sleep, mental health, quality of life, and productivity. The secondary outcome variables include patients' general health care utilization.
Discussion
This program has the potential to enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities by catering to their physical, mental, and emotional needs. The study could also make significant contributions to healthcare policy and decision-making by providing valuable insights and a foundation for future research.
Trial Registration
The AIDP study, which involves human participants, has received ethical clearance from the Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board (CHREB) at the University of Calgary (UofC) with ethics ID: REB 21-2050.
Use, applicability and, dissemination of patient versions of clinical practice guidelines in oncology in Germany: A qualitative interview study with healthcare providers
Authors: Wahlen Sarah , Breuing Jessica , Becker Monika , Bühn Stefanie , Hauprich Julia , Könsgen Nadja , Meyer Nora , Blödt Susanne , Carl Günther , Follmann Markus , Frenz Stefanie , Langer Thomas , Nothacker Monika , Schaefer Corinna , Pieper Dawid
Published: June 2023

Background
People with cancer have high information needs; however, they are often inadequately met. Patient versions of clinical practice guidelines (PVGs), a special form of evidence-based information, translate patient-relevant recommendations from clinical practice guidelines into lay language. To date, little is known about the experience of PVGs from healthcare providers’ perspective in healthcare.
Methods
Twenty semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with oncological healthcare providers in Germany between October and December 2021. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Mayring’s qualitative content analysis with MAXQDA software was utilised to analyse the data.
Results
A total of 20 healthcare providers (14 female, 6 male), mainly working as psychotherapists/psycho-oncologists and physicians, participated. Most participants (75%) were aware of the existence of PVGs. The content was predominantly perceived as comprehensible and relevant, whereas opinions on the design and format were mixed. The perceived lack of up-to-date information limited participants' trust in the content. Most felt that PVGs positively impact healthcare owing to the fact that they improve patients’ knowledge about their disease. Additionally, PVGs served as a guide and helped healthcare providers structure physician–patient talks. Healthcare provider’s unawareness of the existence of PVGs was cited as an obstructive factor to its dissemination to patients.
Conclusion
Limited knowledge of the existence of PVGs among healthcare providers, coupled with alternative patient information, hinders the use and dissemination of PVGs in healthcare. However, the applicability of PVGs seemed to be acceptable owing to their content and good comprehensibility, especially with respect to physician–patient communication.
A framework for creating systems capable of adapting and dealing with norms based on software agents
Authors: Viana Marx , Alencar Paulo , Cowan Donald , Lucena Carlos
Published: June 2023

The software for distributed intelligent systems, also known as Multi-agent Systems (MASs), must possess the capability to comply with environmental constraints, such as norms, and exhibit self-adaptive mechanisms to autonomously modify their behavior in response to contextual changes and handle adverse situations independently. However, there is a lack of comprehensive understanding of the concepts of self-adaptation and normative systems, as well as their behavior and interactions, which is often not adequately supported by software tools. This research introduces an extension to the Framework for Normative Agent Java Simulation (JSAN), enabling implement normative adaptive agents based on an architecture capable of dealing with norms through self-adaptation. The extended framework provides support for the key properties, namely self-adaptation, norms, and normative reasoning. To validate the efficacy of this approach, a virtual marketplace study case is presented, showcasing the agents' ability to adapt to norms while facilitating user transactions and product purchases.
Noncontact human-machine interaction for air-writing with ultrasound technology
Authors: Lv Dongze , Qu Mengjiao , Shi Linjin , Wu Kaifan , Zhou Jie , Fu Yongqing , Xie Jin
Published: June 2023

With rapid development of internet of things and virtual reality (VR), sensors based on human-machine interaction (HMI) are crucially required to have attributes of natural and intuitive operation experience using various adaptable and hygienic noncontact techniques. In this study, we develop a real-time noncontact HMI system for air-writing based on piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducers (pMUTs), which have great advantages including easy integration, miniaturization, low power consumption, and less influences by environmental factors such as light or sound. However, pMUTs have problems of weak signals and limited measurement range for complex gesture recognitions. To address these issues, we propose a machine learning algorithm which effectively fuses multiple features of time-of-flight, voltage amplitude, and echo energy and significantly increase the detection range and accuracy of pMUTs for arbitrary gesture recognition. We demonstrate real-time computer control to search and browse websites simply using only one finger air-writing with a recognition accuracy of 96.62% for 16 gestures of characters (including numbers, letters, and symbols) within a distance range of 15 cm. We believe our method revolutionize functionalities and adaptabilities of noncontact HMI in VR, smart home and vehicle, smart cities, and healthcare.
Learning pharmacometric covariate model structures with symbolic regression networks
Authors: Wahlquist Ylva , Sundell Jesper , Soltesz Kristian
Published: June 2023

Efficiently finding covariate model structures that minimize the need for random effects to describe pharmacological data is challenging. The standard approach focuses on identification of relevant covariates, and present methodology lacks tools for automatic identification of covariate model structures. Although neural networks could potentially be used to approximate covariate-parameter relationships, such approximations are not human-readable and come at the risk of poor generalizability due to high model complexity.
In the present study, a novel methodology for simultaneous selection of covariate model structure and optimization of its parameters is proposed. It is based on symbolic regression, posed as an optimization problem with smooth loss function. This enables training the model through back-propagation using efficient gradient computations.
Feasibility and effectiveness is demonstrated by application to a clinical pharmacokinetic data set for propofol, containing infusion and blood sample time series from 1,031 individuals. The resulting model is compared to a published state-of-the-art model for the same data set. Our methodology finds a covariate model structure and corresponding parameter values with a slightly better fit, while relying on notably fewer covariates than the state-of the-art model. Unlike contemporary practice, finding the covariate model structure is achieved without an iterative procedure involving manual interactions.
Reachability of Koopman Linearized Systems Using Explicit Kernel Approximation and Polynomial Zonotope Refinement
Authors: Bak Stanley , Bogomolov Sergiy , Hencey Brandon , Kochdumper Niklas , Lew Ethan , Potomkin Kostiantyn
Published: June 2023

Koopman operator linearization approximates nonlinear systems of differential equations with higher-dimensional linear systems. For formal verification using reachability analysis, this is an attractive conversion, as highly scalable methods exist to compute reachable sets for linear systems. However, two main challenges are present with this approach, both of which are addressed in this work. First, the approximation must be sufficiently accurate for the result to be meaningful, which is controlled by the choice of observable functions during Koopman operator linearization. We formulate a more systematic approach for observables generation for black box systems using a two explicit kernel approximation methods: random Fourier features and Gaussian quadrature features. We also utilize a data-dependent reweighting to reduce the number of features by roughly 2-3 times, consequently speeding up reachability analysis while maintaining comparable accuracy. Second, although the dynamics of the higher-dimensional system is linear, simple convex initial sets in the original space can become complex non-convex initial sets in the linear system due to the nonlinear observable functions. We overcome this using a combination of Taylor model arithmetic and polynomial zonotope refinement. Compared with prior work, the result is more efficient, more systematic, and more accurate.
Semi-analytical estimates for the chaotic diffusion in the Second Fundamental Model of Resonance. Application to Earth's navigation satellites
Authors: Legnaro Edoardo , Efthymiopoulos Christos , Harsoula Maria
Published: June 2023

We discuss the applicability of the Melnikov and Landau-Teller theories in obtaining semi-analytical estimates of the speed of chaotic diffusion in systems driven by the separatrix-like stochastic layers of a resonance belonging to the `second fundamental model' SFM2. Stemming from the analytic solution for the SFM in terms of Weierstrass elliptic functions, we introduce stochastic Melnikov and Landau-Teller models allowing to locally approximate chaotic diffusion as a sequence of uncorrelated `jumps' observed in the time series yielding the slow evolution of an ensemble of trajectories in the space of the adiabatic actions of the system. Such jumps occur in steps of one per homoclinic loop. We show how a semi-analytical determination of the probability distribution of the size of the jumps can be arrived at by the Melnikov and Landau-Teller approximate theories. Computing also the mean time required per homoclinic loop, we arrive at estimates of the chaotic diffusion coefficient in such systems. As a concrete example, we refer to the long-term diffusion of a small object (e.g. Earth navigation satellite or space debris) within the chaotic layers of the so-called 2g + h lunisolar resonance, which is of the SFM type. After a suitable normal form reduction of the Hamiltonian, we compute estimates of the speed of diffusion of these objects, which compare well with the results of numerical experiments.
Über die Bestandszunahme des Amerikanischen Flußkrebses Orconectes limosus (Rafinesque 1817) in der Möhnetalsperre
Authors: Grünwald Hans
Published: June 2023

Es wird einleitend auf die Ausbreitung von Orconectes limosus (Raf.) hingewiesen, speziell auch in Nordrhein-Westfalen. Es wird über zahlreiche Funde an den Ufern der Möhnetalsperre berichtet. Biometrische Daten werden mitgeteilt und die Farbvarianten der Flußkrebse kurz beschrieben. Schließlich wird angeregt, nach nunmehr erfolgter Ausbreitung von Orconectes limosus auch in Nordrhein-Westfalen mit wissenschaftlich gezielten Versuchen die Einbürgerung des nordamerikanischen Pacifastacus leniusculus (Dana) zu erproben.
Paläontologie und Biostratigrafie des Tertiärs im Neuwieder Becken
Authors: Kadolsky Dietrich
Published: June 2023

us dem Neuwieder Becken und dem südlich davon gelegenen Maifeld werden Fundpunkte tertiärer Mollusken und 10 Molluskenarten beschrieben und ihre stratigrafischen und faziellen Aussagen diskutiert. Es treten eine limnische und eine brackische Fauna auf, die beide in das untere Oligozän gestellt werden [die etwas jüngere brackische Fauna mit Nystia duchasteli (Nyst) und Polymesoda convexa (Brongniart) könnte auch noch mitteloligozän sein]. Hierdurch ist der enge zeitliche Zusammenhang zwischen den bereits als unteroligozän bis obereozän datierten Sedimenten (Vallendarer Schotter, div. Tone mit Braunkohlen) und den bisher als oberoligozänen Cyrenenmergel angesehenen brackischen Schichten nachgewiesen, für die der Ausdruck Maifeld-Schichten in einer neuen Definition vorgeschlagen wird. Ungeklärt bleibt die stratigrafische Stellung der Arenberger Schotter, über die in der Literatur widersprüchliche Angaben gemacht werden und deren vermutete Äquivalente palynologisch als Oberoligozän (Pflug 1959) datiert werden.
Beitrag zur Hochmoor-Spinnenfauna des Hohen Venns (Hautes Fagnes) zwischen Nordeifel und Ardennen
Authors: Casemir Herbert
Published: June 2023

In den Jahren 1954 bis 1964 wurde die Zusammensetzung der Spinnenfauna in den Hochmoorbiotopen des Hohen Venns der Eifel auf belgischem und deutschem Gebiet (NN+500 bis 692 m) untersucht und dabei das Vorkommen von 230 Arten an Echten Spinnen (Araneae) festgestellt. Diese Arten erfahren eine Einordnung in die drei großen Pflanzengesellschaften des Hohen Venns: in die vegetationsarmen, typischen Pflanzengesellschaften des Sphagnion europaeum, in die hochgelegenen, atlantischen Ginster- und Reiserheiden (Calluneto-Genistetum boreo-euatlanticum) und in die sphagnumreichen, lichten Moorbirkenwälder (Betuletum pubescentis). Die Untersuchungen erbringen außerdem Ergebnisse und Erkenntnisse zur Autökologie, Phänologie und geographischen Verbreitung der einzelnen Arten und liefern einen Beitrag zur Charakterisierung der Spinnenfauna eines von Menschenhand verhältnismäßig wenig veränderten, atlantischen Mittelgebirgs-Hochmoores.
Isopoden und Diplopoden des Naturparks Siebengebirge
Authors: Brocksieper Ilka
Published: June 2023

Im Naturpark Siebengebirge bei Bonn wurde 1971/72 die Isopoden- und Diplopodenfauna repräsentativer Probeareale mit unterschiedlichen Vegetationstypen untersucht. Die ökologischen Ansprüche der einzelnen Arten werden diskutiert.
Springschrecken (Saltatoria) des Naturparks Siebengebirge und des Naturschutzgebietes Rodderberg bei Bonn
Authors: Brocksieper Rolf
Published: June 2023

Die Arbeit gibt einen Überblick über die Laubheuschrecken, Grillen und Feldheuschrecken des Naturparks Siebengebirge und des Naturschutzgebietes Rodderberg bei Bonn. Die Artenliste wird ergänzt durch autökologische Angaben und Hinweise auf die Saltatorien-Gesellschaften.
Edelkrebs Astacus astacus (Linné 1785) in Nordrhein-Westfalen
Authors: Grünwald Hans
Published: June 2023

Die Arbeit ist eine Initiativuntersuchung zur Bestandsaufnahme von Astacus astacus (L.) in Nordrhein-Westfalen. Zu Beginn werden Untersuchungsergebnisse einiger benachbarter Länder wiedergegeben. Dann werden die Untersuchungsgebiete in NRW genannt und die Ergebnisse der Ermittlungen zum Vorkommen der Art mitgeteilt. Schließlich wird auf die Ursachen der Bestandsverminderung eingegangen. Weiterführende Untersuchungen und Analysen werden angeregt.
Verbreitungsgrenze der Brandmaus, Apodemus agrarius (Pallas 1771) (Rodentia: Muridae) im östlichen Hessen
Authors: Pelz Hans-Joachim
Published: June 2023

Nach Angaben der ländlichen Bevölkerung wurde die westliche Verbreitungsgrenze von Apodemus agrarius im östlichen Hessen in einer Länge von ca. 100 km bestimmt. Das westlichste Vorkommen liegt danach bei 9° 16' östlicher Länge (Hartmannshain). Aus dem Verlauf der Verbreitungsgrenze ist zumindest kleinräumig keine allgemeine Ursache für ihr Zustandekommen erkennbar. Schlagfallenfänge im gesamten Untersuchungsgebiet sowie in einem speziellen Biotop geben Aufschluß über Biotopwahl, Alters- und Gewichtsstruktur, Geschlechterverhältnis sowie Populationsdichte und Häufigkeit von Apodemus agrarius am Rande seines Verbreitungsareals.
Über die Ciliatenfauna zweier mitteleuropäischer Bodenstandorte (Protozoa; Ciliata)
Authors: Buitenkamp Ulrich
Published: June 2023

Der Artenbestand der bodenbewohnenden Ciliaten aus zwei mitteleuropäischen Standorten (Viehweide und Mischwald bei Bonn) wurde ermittelt. Dabei wurden insgesamt 34 Ciliatenarten registriert, von denen viele Kosmopoliten sind. Einige sind auch als Formen des freien Süßwassers bekannt. 5 neue Arten werden beschrieben: Colpoda acuta n. spec., Oxytricha rubra n. spec., Paraurostyla pulchra n. spec., Paraurostyla terricola n. spec. und Uroleptus kahli n. spec. Spathidium atypicum Buitkamp & Wilbert 1974 wird umbenannt in S. longicaudatum n. nom. Im Rahmen einer Revision der Gattung Trachelostyla wird für die Art Trachelostyla (Gonostomum) affine (Stein) n. comb, die Liste der synonymen Formen zusammengestellt. Die Infraciliatur der neuen Arten wurde nach Protargolimprägnation ermittelt und zeichnerisch dargestellt.
Beitrag zur Kenntnis der Plecopteren der Eifel (Insecta: Plecoptera)
Authors: Caspers Norbert , Stiers Helmut
Published: June 2023

An den Fließgewässern der Eifel wurden nach 3jähriger Sammeltätigkeit (1974-1976) vorläufig 40 Plecopteren-Arten - davon 7 Erstnachweise für das Untersuchungsgebiet - festgestellt. Verbreitung und Phänologie der einzelnen Arten werden unter Heranziehung limnochemischer und saprobiologischer Daten kommentiert. Die listenmäßige Zusammenstellung der Funde (Tab. 4) ermöglicht einen Vergleich mit früheren Untersuchungen im gleichen Gebiet und in benachbarten Mittelgebirgen.
Sukzessionsuntersuchungen im Oppenweher Moor
Authors: Runge Fritz
Published: June 2023

Achtjährige Dauerquadratuntersuchungen im entwässerten Oppenweher Moor, Kreis Minden-Lübbecke, ergaben folgendes: Nach dem Schlag der im Moor wachsenden Birken breitete sich das Scheiden-Wollgras (Eriophorum vaginatum) zunächst infolge der Auflichtung aus. Die Zahl der Wollgras-Bulten nahm später aber infolge der Austrocknung des Bodens ab. Aus demselben Grunde gingen weitere Arten des nassen Hochmoores (Oxycoccus palustris, Erica tetralix, Eriophorum angustifolium) zurück. Andererseits tauchten Pflanzen des trockenen Bodens (junge Birken, Calluna vulgaris, Rumex acetosella und Flechten) auf und vermehrten sich. Aus den mit Hilfe chemischer Mittel abgetöteten Birkenstümpfen schossen keine Stockausschläge mehr hervor. Auf den Stümpfen siedelten sich aber sofort grüne Algen, später auch Moose, Flechten und sogar höhere Pflanzen an. Der Einsatz einer Schafherde, das Verspritzen von chemischen Abtötungsmitteln und der Schlag der immer wieder anfliegenden Birken bewirkt zwar eine vorübergehende Baum- und Strauchlosigkeit des Hochmoores, aber nicht die Rückkehr der Hochmoorvegetation. Zum Wiederaufleben des Hochmoores führt nur die Anhebung des Wasserspiegels durch Zuschütten der Entwässerungsgräben.
Faunistisch-ökologische Untersuchung der Carabiden (Coleoptera: Carabidae) im Gebiet der Siegmündung
Authors: Lehmacher Hermann
Published: June 2023

Im Frühjahr und Sommer 1976 wurde die Carabidenfauna fünf verschiedener Standorte des Auenbereichs der Siegmündung mit Hilfe von Barber-Fallen untersucht. Die Zusammensetzung der einzelnen Carabidengesellschaften wird in Abhängigkeit von den biotischen und abiotischen Umweltfaktoren diskutiert. Besondere Aufmerksamkeit wird auf die ökologische Bedeutung des Hochwassers und die Verteilung der Carabiden innerhalb einzelner Untersuchungsflächen gelegt.
Ökologische und faunistische Untersuchungen an Schnecken der Eifel (Mollusca: Gastropoda)
Authors: Knecht Heinz-Josef
Published: June 2023

In der Zeit vom 5.9.1975 bis zum 22.8.1976 wurde die Schneckenfauna von 5 Kalktrockenrasen und 7 Waldstandorten im Bereich der Sötenicher Kalkmulde (TK 50 Nordeifel) untersucht. Die Trockenrasen und fünf Waldstandorte auf Kalkboden zeigen eine reichhaltige Molluskenfauna, zwei Wälder auf kalkfreiem Boden dagegen sind fast unbesiedelt.
Zweiter Nachtrag zur Käferfauna der Rheinprovinz
Authors: Koch Klaus
Published: June 2023

Die Erforschung der ehemaligen Preußischen Rheinprovinz durch die Arbeitsgemeinschaft Rheinischer Coleopterologen führte auch in den letzten Jahren zu beachtlichen Erfolgen. Seit dem Erscheinen des „Ersten Nachtrages zur Käferfauna der Rheinprovinz“ (Koch 1974) konnten für unser Untersuchungsgebiet wieder 36 Arten neu nachgewiesen werden. Außerdem wurden unsere Kenntnisse über die Verbreitung seltener Käfer beträchtlich erweitert. Die Käferfauna der Rheinprovinz umfaßt nunmehr 4392 Arten sowie 20 Subspezies bzw. Variationen. Davon konnten allerdings 262 Arten seit über 50 Jahren nicht mehr in unserem Gebiet festgestellt werden.