bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding the current and future usage of donor human milk in hospitals: An online survey of UK neonatal units
Authors: Shenker Natalie S. , Griffin Samantha , Hamill‐Keays Jonathan , Thomson Merran , Simpson Judith , Weaver Gillian
Published: July 2023

The use of donor human milk (DHM) where there is a shortfall of maternal milk can benefit both infant and maternal outcomes but DHM supply is not always assured. This study aimed to understand current DHM usage in UK neonatal units and potential future demand to inform service planning. An online survey was disseminated to all UK neonatal units using Smart Survey or by telephone between February and April 2022 after development alongside neonatal unit teams. Surveys were completed by 55.4% of units (108/195) from all 13 Operational Delivery Networks. Only four units reported not using DHM, and another two units only if infants are transferred on DHM feeds. There was marked diversity in DHM implementation and usage and unit protocols varied greatly. Five of six units with their own milk bank had needed to source milk from an external milk bank in the last year. Ninety units (84.9%) considered DHM was sometimes (n = 35) or always (n = 55) supportive of maternal breastfeeding, and three units (2.9%) responded that DHM was rarely supportive of breastfeeding. Usage was predicted to increase by 37 units (34.9%), and this drive was principally a result of parental preference, clinical trials and improved evidence. These findings support the assumption that UK hospital DHM demand will increase after updated recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the British Association of Perinatal Medicine. These data will assist service delivery planning, underpinned by an ongoing programme of implementation science and training development, to ensure future equity of access to DHM nationally.
The use of RNA interference for the management of arthropod pests in livestock farms
Authors: Bonina Valeria , Arpaia Salvatore
Published: July 2023

Pest management in farm animals is an important action to contain economic damage to livestock production and prevent transmission of severe diseases to the stock. The use of chemical insecticides is still the most common approach followed by farmers; however, avoiding possible toxic effects on animals is a fundamental task for pest control measures compatible with animal well‐being. Moreover, legal constraints and insurgence of resistance by target species to the available insecticidal compounds are increasingly complicating farmers' operations. Alternatives to chemical pesticides have been explored with some promising results in the area of biological control or the use of natural products as sprays. The application of RNA interference techniques has enabled the production of new means of pest control in agriculture, and it is opening a promising avenue for controlling arthropod pests of livestock. Transcript depletion of specific target genes of the recipient organisms is based on the action of double‐strand RNAs (dsRNA) capable of impairing the production of fundamental proteins. Their mode of action, based on the specific recognition of short genomic sequences, is expected to be highly selective towards non‐target organisms potentially exposed; in addition, there are physical and chemical barriers to dsRNA uptake by mammalian cells that render these products practically innocuous for higher animals. Summarising existing literature on gene silencing for main taxa of arthropod pests of livestock (Acarina, Diptera, Blattoidea), this review explores the perspectives of practical applications of dsRNA‐based pesticides against the main pests of farm animals. Knowledge gaps are summarised to stimulate additional research in this area.
Unveiling the mystery of Riehl's melanosis: An update from pathogenesis, diagnosis to treatment
Authors: Ding Yuecen , Xu Zhongyi , Xiang Leihong Flora , Zhang Chengfeng
Published: July 2023

Riehl's melanosis is a hyperpigmentation disorder that has a significant psychological and social impact on individuals. In the past 10 years, new categories have been developed, raising questions about how to classify Riehl's melanosis. The mechanism of this disease remains unclear, although the type IV hypersensitivity response caused by allergic sensitization, as well as genetic, ultraviolet radiation, and autoimmune factors, is to blame. Clinical manifestation, dermoscopy, reflectance confocal microscopy, patch/photopatch testing, histopathology, and a novel multimodality skin imaging system have been used for the diagnosis. A variety of therapies including topical skin‐lightening agents, oral tranexamic acid, glycyrrhizin compound, chemical peels, and lasers and light therapies (intense pulsed light, 1064‐nm Q‐Switched Nd: YAG laser, 755‐nm PicoWay laser, nonablative 1927‐nm fractional thulium fiber laser, new pulsed‐type microneedling radiofrequency), with improved effectiveness. The latest findings on possible biomarkers and their relationship to other autoimmune diseases were also summarized.
Casein as protein and hydrolysate: Biostimulant or nitrogen source for Nicotiana tabacum plants grown in vitro?
Authors: Bělonožníková Kateřina , Černý Martin , Hýsková Veronika , Synková Helena , Valcke Roland , Hodek Ondřej , Křížek Tomáš , Kavan Daniel , Vaňková Radomíra , Dobrev Petre , Haisel Daniel , Ryšlavá Helena
Published: July 2023

In contrast to inorganic nitrogen (N) assimilation, the role of organic N forms, such as proteins and peptides, as sources of N and their impact on plant metabolism remains unclear. Simultaneously, organic biostimulants are used as priming agents to improve plant defense response. Here, we analysed the metabolic response of tobacco plants grown in vitro with casein hydrolysate or protein. As the sole source of N, casein hydrolysate enabled tobacco growth, while protein casein was used only to a limited extent. Free amino acids were detected in the roots of tobacco plants grown with protein casein but not in the plants grown with no source of N. Combining hydrolysate with inorganic N had beneficial effects on growth, root N uptake and protein content. The metabolism of casein‐supplemented plants shifted to aromatic (Trp), branched‐chain (Ile, Leu, Val) and basic (Arg, His, Lys) amino acids, suggesting their preferential uptake and/or alterations in their metabolic pathways. Complementarily, proteomic analysis of tobacco roots identified peptidase C1A and peptidase S10 families as potential key players in casein degradation and response to N starvation. Moreover, amidases were significantly upregulated, most likely for their role in ammonia release and impact on auxin synthesis. In phytohormonal analysis, both forms of casein influenced phenylacetic acid and cytokinin contents, suggesting a root system response to scarce N availability. In turn, metabolomics highlighted the stimulation of some plant defense mechanisms under such growth conditions, that is, the high concentrations of secondary metabolites (e.g., ferulic acid) and heat shock proteins.
From model minority to yellow peril: How threat perceptions and disgust predict anti‐Asian prejudice during COVID‐19
Authors: Wu Deborah J. , Syropoulos Stylianos , Rivera‐Rodriguez Adrian , Dasgupta Nilanjana
Published: July 2023

During the COVID‐19 pandemic, hate crimes against Asians sharply increased in the United States. We investigated whether the threat of contracting COVID‐19 and specific negative emotions (disgust, anxiety, fear, and anger) regarding COVID‐19 predicted anti‐Asian prejudice in a 3‐wave longitudinal study of non‐Asian American adults (N = 486) in the early days of the pandemic in 2020. In all 3 timepoints, participants who believed that they may have already contracted COVID and those who expressed greater disgust reported more anti‐Asian attitudes, evaluated Asians as less than human, tolerated anti‐Asian prejudice, and blamed Asians for spreading COVID‐19. In a well‐fitting longitudinal path model, we found longitudinal evidence for these associations, such that the belief that one had already contracted COVID‐19 in March 2020 predicted greater disgust one month later, in April 2020, which in turn predicted greater anti‐Asian prejudice in May 2020.
Extracorporeal photopheresis and the cellular mechanisms: Effects of 8‐methoxypsoralen and UVA treatment on red blood cells, platelets and reactive oxygen species
Authors: Budde Holger , Mohr Lea , Bogeski Ivan , Riggert Joachim , Legler Tobias J.
Published: July 2023

Background and Objectives

Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is a widespread cellular therapy for graft‐versus‐host disease, autoimmune diseases and Sézary disease. One of the main effects of ECP is the apoptosis of leukocytes, but the therapeutic mechanisms are not completely known. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects on red blood cells, platelets and the induction of reactive oxygen species.

Materials and Methods

We used human cells from healthy blood donors to simulate in vitro the composition in an apheresis bag. Cells were treated with 8‐methoxypsoralen (8‐MOP) and UVA. Red blood cell stability, platelet activity and induction of reactive oxygen species were analysed.

Results

After 8‐MOP and UVA treatment, the red blood cells showed high cell integrity with low levels of eryptosis and no increase of free haemoglobin or red blood cell distribution width (RDW). Red blood cell immune‐associated antigens CD59 and CD147 were hardly affected by the treatment. Platelet glycoproteins CD41, CD62P and CD63 indicated strong platelet activation after 8‐MOP and UVA treatment. Reactive oxygen species were slightly but not significantly induced by the treatment.

Conclusion

The effect of the ECP therapy is probably not exclusively mediated by leukocytes. Platelet activation is another striking effect caused by the treatment of the apheresis product with 8‐MOP/UVA. However, since we could hardly identify any evidence for eryptosis or haemolysis, it is unlikely that red blood cell eryptosis is part of the therapeutic mechanism. Further research on this topic seems to be promising.
Molecular phylogeny and systematics of the South Asian freshwater‐fish genus Puntius (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)
Authors: Sudasinghe Hiranya , Rüber Lukas , Meegaskumbura Madhava
Published: July 2023

During the past decade, the ca 120 species of small, colourful tropical Asian freshwater fishes previously referred to the cyprinid genus Puntius have been shown to consist of multiple morphologically distinct evolutionary lineages that resolve as monophyletic groups in molecular studies. Many of these clades have been allocated to new genera such as Dawkinsia, Desmopuntius, Haludaria, Oliotius, Pethia, Puntigrus, Sahyadria, Striuntius and Waikhomia. Others have been assigned to existing but previously poorly delineated genera such as Barbodes and Systomus, while some 40 species remain in Puntius. The divergent morphology of several species retained in Puntius suggests, however, that the systematics of this group requires further attention. Here, based on a phylogeny incorporating newly generated data from the mitochondrial cytochrome b (cytb), mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1), nuclear recombination activating protein 1 (rag1), and interphotoreceptor retinoid‐binding protein (irbp) gene markers, we investigate the interrelationships of the species of Puntius in Sri Lanka in the wider context of their Indian and Southeast Asian congeners. We identify three well‐supported monophyletic groups that warrant recognition as new genera: Rohanella (type species Puntius titteya), Plesiopuntius (type species Gnathopogon bimaculatus) and Bhava (type species Puntius vittatus). The first of these is endemic to rainforest streams in Sri Lanka's perhumid southwestern wet zone, whereas the latter two are widely distributed in both Sri Lanka and southern India, including the Western Ghats. Our study highlights the presence of distinct evolutionary lineages among several widespread species.
Digital Transformation Challenges for Government Sector
Authors: Elsafty Ashraf , Yehia Amal
Published: July 2023

Digital transformation in Egypt became government trend supporting by political leader starting in services places like civil registry, real estate center, traffic department and many ministries do their best to apply digital transformation. In the public sector, digital transformation refers to the digitization of government activities, such as delivering a better and easier customer experience, enacting regulations that allow for a distributed workforce, and upgrading and optimizing processes to save money and resources. Employee behavior is a basic element that can affect positively or negatively, positive effect will lead to fasting transformation and increasing services so the upper management can achieve their plans. At the opposite direction if negative impact where employee become obstacle and problem for this transformation the plans will take more time, and this will harm all the systems and prevent integrity between them. Some factors will affect employee behavior education, skills, work culture, leadership, job responsibility and effective communication. Also, we cannot ignore training, and finance. No one denies the impact of digital transformation on the economy of countries, and that is why the obstacles that face digital transformation need to more explored and manipulated in different techniques according to the material and moral needs to achieve complete digital transformation.The study utilized a quantitative approach by administering a self-administered questionnaire to government officials in the public sector of Egypt. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS. The results of the analysis confirmed the relationship between various factors and the implementation of digital transformation in the Egyptian public sector. These factors include financial capabilities, availability of infrastructure and communication systems, organizational culture, cooperation between government, business, higher education, and civil society, employee experience and skillset, selection of senior leaders, employee-centered organization, and diversity management.
Motion Simulation Analysis and Experimental Verification of Drill String Rotation Controller
Authors: Tian Jialin , Song Haolin , Yang Yinglin , Mao Lanhui
Published: July 2023

Conventional directional drilling mainly relies on the sliding of screw motor and drill string to realize the change of wellbore trajectory, so the friction force is large. The use of friction reduction tools that generate axial force to change the friction state can only achieve partial friction reduction, and drill string is still in a sliding state during directional drilling. These problems are solved by using rotary steerable drilling system, which can achieve directional drilling when drill string rotates. But its use cost is high. Considering the principle of high efficiency and economy, a new friction reduction tool called drill string rotation controller is proposed, which is also used to reduce friction during directional drilling through drill string rotation. By adjusting the pump pressure, the meshing state of spline module of drill string rotation controller is changed to realize the conversion of drilling mode. In rotary drilling mode, upper drill string, drill string rotation controller, and bottom hole assembly rotate together. In directional drilling mode, upper drill string rotates and drill string rotation controller slides with bottom hole assembly. The function of the tool is verified by field experiment, and motion simulation of the tool is carried out. The results show that when the driving torque is set to 25,000 N · m, more reverse torque can be overcome in the directional drilling mode, and the drilling fluid pressure is set to 25 MPa, which can be converted to the rotary drilling mode faster.
Simulation of Air Ingestion in a Mechanical Seal With Inward Pumping Spiral Grooves
Authors: Medjahed Abdel-Salem , Blouin Antoinette , Pap Balint , Brunetière Noël
Published: July 2023

Inward pumping spiral groove seals are used in many applications, such as transmission gearboxes or electric vehicles, as they can provide zero leakage and very low operating friction. The spiral grooves are connected to the low pressure side (typically atmosphere) and pump the fluid inward that is to say toward the high pressure side (inlet). If the rotational speed is high enough, the low pressure fluid (air) completely occupies the sealing area and is used as a low friction lubricant. However, for lower operating speeds or higher fluid pressures, the seal can be lubricated by both fluids simultaneously. This occurs particularly during start-up and shutdown. In this work, a numerical simulation of the two phases in the sealing gap of an upstream pumping spiral groove seal during start-up is performed. The establishment of the film is analyzed and the effect of the rotational speed and operating pressure on the fluid composition (air and liquid) in the sealing interface is studied. For the analyzed seal, it is shown that the amount of air pumped in the sealing area is controlled by the duty parameter.
Data-Driven Model of the Distribution Lubrication on Water-Lubricated Bearing Under Severe Operating Conditions
Authors: Ouyang Wu , Liu Qilin , Liang Xingxin , Zhang Xueqin , Wang Wenjing
Published: July 2023

To resolve the contradiction between the method used to design bearings based on traditional lubrication theory and the actual state of service of water-lubricated bearings (WLBs), this paper proposes a data-driven method for the model of the distribution of lubrication on WLBs. A full-sized WLB test bench featuring multi-sectional pressure due to the film of water and a system to measure the axis of the orbit was built to perform tests under severe operating conditions (75 kN, 25–220 rpm). A dataset of the operating parameters of the bearings was obtained based on the results of tests under varying operating conditions. An artificial neural network algorithm was applied to train the proposed model, and its capabilities of prediction and extrapolation were systematically analyzed by using samples with different ranges of values. The proposed model was then used to examine the distributed characteristics of lubrication of the WLB to investigate the effects of variations in speed and elevation on bearing performance. The results showed that it has satisfactory capabilities of prediction and extrapolation under the same elevation and variation in speed. Under severe operating conditions, two significant peaks of pressure of the film of water appeared at both ends of the WLB, and variations in the speed of the shaft and the elevation of the bearings had prominent effects on the state of distributed lubrication of the bearings. The results reported here provide a new approach to designing and optimizing the structure of WLB.
Design of a Nonlinear Model of a Pseudomorphic 0.15 μm рHEMT AlGaAs/InGaAs/GaAs Transistor
Authors: Tsunvaza D. , Ryzhuk R. V. , Vasil’evskii I. S. , Kargin N. I. , Klokov V. A.
Published: July 2023

This paper studies the design of a nonlinear model of AlGaAs/InGaAs/GaAs рHEMT microwave-frequency range transistors with a gate length of 0.15 µm using parametric analysis methods. In the calculations, not only nonlinear current sources but also the dependences of the nonlinear gate-source and gate-drain capacitances on voltages are studied. It is shown that the proposed model makes it possible to describe the IV characteristics of the studied device adequately in the range of drain currents from 0 to 100 mA and the frequency range from 5 to 45 GHz. The error of the model does not exceed 3%.
Methodology of Airborne Gravimetry Surveying and Strapdown Gravimeter Data Processing
Authors: Golovan A. A. , Vyazmin V. S.
Published: July 2023

The paper presents a methodology of preparing and conducting airborne gravimetry survey using an inertial measuring unit (IMU) or strapdown inertial navigation system as airborne gravimeter. We also discuss the key aspects of developing appropriate postprocessing algorithms and software and their application to gravimeter raw data processing. Solving the strapdown inertial airborne gravimetry problem, we use readings of the IMU sensors (accelerometers and gyroscopes) as primary information. The second equally important source of information is raw (pseudorange, Doppler pseudorange rate, and carrier phase) measurements from the GNSS receivers on board the aircraft and on the ground. The developed methodology, algorithms, and practical recommendations presented in the paper are based on the authors’ long-term experience in airborne gravimetry.
Diabetes detection in women with gestational diabetes and polycystic ovarian syndrome
Authors: Hanna Fahmy , Wu Pensee , Heald Adrian , Fryer Anthony
Published: July 2023

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) represent two of the highest risk factors for development of type 2 diabetes mellitus in young women. As these increasingly common conditions generally affect younger women, early detection of dysglycemia is key if preventative measures are to be effective. While international guidance recommends screening for type 2 diabetes, current screening strategies suffer from significant challenges.

First, guidance lacks consensus in defining which tests to use and frequency of monitoring, thereby sending mixed messages to healthcare professionals.

Second, conformity to guidance is poor, with only a minority of women having tests at the recommended frequency (where specified). Approaches to improve conformity have focused on healthcare related factors (largely technology driven reminder systems), but patient factors such as convenience and clear messaging around risk have been neglected.

Third, and most critically, current screening strategies are too generic and rely on tests that become abnormal far too late in the trajectory towards dysglycemia to offer opportunities for effective preventative measures. Risk factors show wide interindividual variation, and insulin sensitivity and β cell function are often abnormal during pre-diabetes stage, well before frank diabetes.

New, consistent, targeted screening strategies are required that incorporate early, prevention focused testing and personalised risk stratification.
Multivalent tyrosine kinase inhibition promotes T cell recruitment to immune-desert gastric cancers by restricting epithelial-mesenchymal transition via tumour-intrinsic IFN-γ signalling
Authors: Cao Long Long , Lu Heng , Soutto Mohammed , Bhat Nadeem , Chen Zheng , Peng Dunfa , Gomaa Ahmed , Wang Jia Bin , Xie Jian Wei , Li Ping , Zheng Chao Hui , Nomura Sachiyo , Datta Jashodeep , Merchant Nipun , Chen Zhi Bin , Villarino Alejandro , Zaika Alexander , Huang Chang Ming , El-Rifai Wael
Published: July 2023

Objective

Gastric cancer (GC) ranks fifth in incidence and fourth for mortality worldwide. The response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy in GC is heterogeneous due to tumour-intrinsic and acquired immunotherapy resistance. We developed an immunophenotype-based subtyping of human GC based on immune cells infiltration to develop a novel treatment option.

Design

A algorithm was developed to reclassify GC into immune inflamed, excluded and desert subtypes. Bioinformatics, human and mouse GC cell lines, syngeneic murine gastric tumour model, and CTLA4 blockade were used to investigate the immunotherapeutic effects by restricting receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signalling in immune desert (ICB-resistant) type GC.

Results

Our algorithm restratified subtypes of human GC in public databases and showed that immune desert-type and excluded-type tumours are ICB-resistant compared with immune-inflamed GC. Moreover, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) signalling was highly enriched in immune desert-type GC, and syngeneic murine tumours exhibiting mesenchymal-like, compared with epithelial-like, properties are T cell-excluded and resistant to CTLA4 blockade. Our analysis further identified a panel of RTKs as potential druggable targets in the immune desert-type GC. Dovitinib, an inhibitor of multiple RTKs, strikingly repressed EMT programming in mesenchymal-like immune desert syngeneic GC models. Dovitinib activated the tumour-intrinsic SNAI1/2-IFN-γ signalling axis and impeded the EMT programme, converting immune desert-type tumours to immune inflamed-type tumours, sensitising these mesenchymal-like ‘cold’ tumours to CTLA4 blockade.

Conclusion

Our findings identified potential druggable targets relevant to patient groups, especially for refractory immune desert-type/ ‘cold’ GC. Dovitinib, an RTK inhibitor, sensitised desert-type immune-cold GC to CTLA4 blockade by restricting EMT and recruiting T cells.
Nivolumab and ipilimumab with concurrent stereotactic radiosurgery for intracranial metastases from non-small cell lung cancer: analysis of the safety cohort for non-randomized, open-label, phase I/II trial
Authors: Altan Mehmet , Wang Yan , Song Juhee , Welsh James , Tang Chad , Guha-Thakurta Nandita , Blumenschein George R , Carter Brett W , Wefel Jeffrey S , Ghia Amol J , Yeboa Debra N , McAleer Mary Frances , Chung Caroline , Woodhouse Kristina D , McGovern Susan L , Wang Chenyang , Kim Betty Y S , Weinberg Jeffrey S , Briere Tina M , Elamin Yasir Y , Le Xiuning , Cascone Tina , Negrao Marcelo V , Skoulidis Ferdinandos , Ferrarotto Renata , Heymach John V , Li Jing
Published: July 2023

Background

Up to 20% of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) develop brain metastasis (BM), for which the current standard of care is radiation therapy with or without surgery. There are no prospective data on the safety of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) concurrent with immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy for BM. This is the safety cohort of the phase I/II investigator-initiated trial of SRS with nivolumab and ipilimumab for patients with BM from NSCLC.

Patients and methods

This single-institution study included patients with NSCLC with active BM amenable to SRS. Brain SRS and systemic therapy with nivolumab and ipilimumab were delivered concurrently (within 7 days). The endpoints were safety and 4-month intracranial progression-free survival (PFS).

Results

Thirteen patients were enrolled in the safety cohort, 10 of whom were evaluable for dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs). Median follow-up was 23 months (range 9.7–24.3 months). The median interval between systemic therapy and radiation therapy was 3 days. Only one patient had a DLT; hence, predefined stopping criteria were not met. In addition to the patient with DLT, three patients had treatment-related grade ≥3 adverse events, including elevated liver function tests, fatigue, nausea, adrenal insufficiency, and myocarditis. One patient had a confirmed influenza infection 7 months after initiation of protocol treatment (outside the DLT assessment window), leading to pneumonia and subsequent death from hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. The estimated 4-month intracranial PFS rate was 70.7%.

Conclusion

Concurrent brain SRS with nivolumab/ipilimumab was safe for patients with active NSCLC BM. Preliminary analyses of treatment efficacy were encouraging for intracranial treatment response.
Longitudinal healing flow diverting stents with phosphorylcholine surface modification
Authors: Zoppo Christopher T , Epshtein Mark , Gounis Matthew J , Anagnostakou Vania , King Robert M
Published: July 2023

Background

Flow diversion has become a standard treatment for cerebral aneurysms. However, major drawbacks include the need for dual antiplatelet therapy after implant and delayed complete occlusion of the aneurysm, which occurs when new tissue growth excludes the aneurysm from the parent artery. Biomimetic surface modifications such as the phosphorylcholine polymer (Shield surface modification) represent major advances in reducing thrombogenicity of these devices. However, in vitro studies have raised concerns that this modification may also delay endothelialization of flow diverters.

Methods

Bare metal Pipeline, Pipeline Shield, and Vantage with Shield devices were implanted in the common carotid arteries (CCAs) of 10 rabbits (two in the left CCA, one in the right CCA). Following implant and at 5, 10, 15, and 30 days, the devices were imaged with high-frequency optical coherence tomography and conventional angiography to evaluate tissue growth. At 30 days the devices were explanted and their endothelial growth was assessed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) at five locations along their length using a semi-quantitative score.

Results

The average tissue growth thickness (ATGT) was not different between the three devices. Neointima was apparent at 5 days and all devices demonstrated similar ATGT at each time point. On SEM, no difference was found in the endothelium scores between the device types.

Conclusion

In vivo, neither the Shield surface modification nor the device design (Vantage) altered the longitudinal healing of the flow diverter.
Choosing the best apple: counselling leaflets and technologies of communication in the history of reproduction
Authors: Nemec Birgit
Published: July 2023

Historians have shown how the establishment of human genetic counselling in West Germany was characterised by several sociohistorical factors, in particular the impact of the legacies of Nazi biopolitics. These accounts have reconstructed continuities on an intellectual level which delayed a turn towards non-directive approaches, emphasising individual (emotional) well-being and voluntariness, and instead have prolonged a discourse that defined disability as an economic and social burden. However, while the distinct legacies of eugenics and racial hygienics are well researched, other factors that constituted counselling encounters, such as the ways of communicating reproduction and material objects’ roles in transformations of concepts, actors and their relations, have not been examined in detail. Drawing on the archives of a Marburg-based charity, this paper aimed to reconstruct these factors at the example of the production and circulation of a major family planning leaflet,Our Child Shall Be Healthy, developed ca 1977. In doing so, I want to suggest that connections between science, politics and economy were a key element in technologies of communicating reproduction. This essay approaches counselling as a communicative practice that was in continual productive engagement with different concepts of reproductive health. First, it argues that the communicative and paper technologies used in counselling interactions in West Germany changed in the aftermath of the worldwide thalidomide tragedy. Second, it argues that a novel approach to reproductive health emerged that focused on individual decision making as the basis of prosperity and emotional well-being. Taking a family planning leaflet as a site for reconstructing how people of different organisations, with different stakes and expertise converged in the design of a counselling encounter, this paper targets the crossroads of economic, political and scientific activities in the history of communicating reproductive health and reproductive risks.
Marketing claims on the websites of leading e-cigarette brands in England
Authors: Nottage Matilda Kim , Taylor Eve Violet , Kim Yebin , Soh Nicole , Hammond David , Simonavicius Erikas , McNeill Ann , Arnott Deborah , East Katherine
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Exposure to electronic cigarette (EC) marketing is associated with EC use, particularly among youth. In England, the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations and Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) regulate EC marketing to reduce appeal to youth; however, there are little published data on EC marketing claims used online. This study therefore provides an overview of marketing claims present on the websites of EC brands popular in England.

Methods

From January to February 2022, a content analysis of 10 of England’s most popular EC brand websites was conducted, including violation of CAP codes.

Results

Of the 10 websites, all presented ECs as an alternative to smoking, 8 as a smoking cessation aid and 6 as less harmful than smoking. Four websites presented ECs as risk-free. All mentioned product quality, modernity, convenience, sensory experiences and vendor promotions. Nine featured claims about flavours, colours, customisability and nicotine salts. Seven featured claims concerning social benefits, personal identity, sustainability, secondhand smoke and nicotine strength. Six featured claims about fire safety. Some claimed ECs are cheaper than tobacco (n=5), cited health professionals (n=4) or featured collaborations with brands/icons (n=4). All were assessed by the research team to violate one or more CAP code(s) by featuring medicinal claims (n=8), contents which may appeal to non-smokers (n=7), associations with youth culture (n=6), depictions of youth using ECs (n=6) or media targeting youth (n=5).

Conclusion

Among 10 top EC brand websites in England, marketing elements that might appeal to youth were commonly identified and CAP code compliance was low.
Stability of slope corners: a displacement-based FEM study
Authors: Timchenko Anna , Briaud Jean-Louis
Published: July 2023

The stability of slopes is typically evaluated by two-dimensional plane strain analysis. However, many slopes exhibit three-dimensional (3D) geometries, including slope corners. Several researchers have studied the stability of slope corners but found that the factor of safety (FS) was close to the FS for the plane strain case. The results of a new series of 3D finite element method (FEM) simulating slope corners, including slope angle, plan view angle, radius of curvature, and slope height are presented. They confirm that the FS does not vary much for corners compared to the plane strain case. However, 220 cases using an elastic-perfectly plastic soil model together with the FEM shear strength reduction method show that the displacement field is very different at the corners compared to plane strain with differences reaching over 100%. The displacement ratio between corners and plane strain is presented as a function of the plan view angle of the corner. Often failure is defined at a chosen large displacement, as in the ultimate load of foundation elements. If this concept is carried over to slope stability, it would indicate that the FS of corners should be very different from the plane strain case. A possible explanation is discussed.
Curvature and quantized Arnold strangeness
Authors: Ito Noboru
Published: July 2023

There are three well-known Arnold’s invariants [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and St (Arnold strangeness) for plane curves. Two of them, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], have been successfully quantized. However, the quantization of the Arnold strangeness St remained unrealized. In this paper, we will express a quantization of St by integrating curvatures multiplied by nontrivial densities. The key here is a partition function by Shumakovitch which reformulates the Arnold strangeness. Our quantized Arnold strangeness includes the rotation number, the original Arnold strangeness, and the Tabachnikov invariants as coefficients in its Taylor expansion.
Axiomatic foundations of physical theories
Authors: Bellucci Stefano , Cardone Fabio
Published: July 2023

In this paper, we give a contribution to the taxonomy of physical theories. We provide here a thorough description of the axiomatic foundations of the most relevant physical theories, Mechanics, Special Relativity, General Relativity and Quantum Mechanics. The corresponding interactions will be dealt with as well, i.e. Gravity in the Minkowskian limit, Electricity without quantized energy, Gravity without quantized energy and Electricity with quantized energy. We pose the problem of whether the extension of the principle of solidarity to all interactions can impose to consider all variables as dynamic.
Doctors Versus YOLO: Comparison Between YOLO Algorithm, Orthopedic and Traumatology Resident Doctors and General Practitioners on Detection of Proximal Femoral Fractures on X-ray Images with Multi Methods
Authors: Zeren Muhammed Taha , Arslankaya Seher , Altuntaş Yusuf , Cam Necmi , Kırelli Yasin , Özdemir Mustafa Hacı
Published: July 2023

In the 1950s, the concept of artificial intelligence emerged, suggesting that machines could possess the ability to think and learn. In the 21st century, with advancements in GPUs and CPUs, deep learning has become an integral part of human life.

Proximal femoral fractures are known to be one of the leading causes of mortality and injuries among the elderly population. This study aims to detect proximal femoral fractures in X-ray images and compare the success of using the YOLOv4 algorithm and provide decision support system within the diagnosis. To retrain the algorithm, more than 500 patients’ X-ray images were examined. Through data augmentation techniques, the initial set of 410 patients’ femur proximal fracture X-ray images was expanded to 820 images.

After retraining the YOLO algorithm, two different groups were included for comparing the algorithm’s performance: orthopedic specialists and general practitioners. The results from these three groups were evaluated using specific criteria. The YOLOv4 model demonstrated an accuracy of 90.33%. In comparison, orthopedic and traumatology resident doctors achieved an accuracy of 91.42%, while the general practitioner group achieved an accuracy of 81.30%.
MICRO-GROOVING OF ALUMINUM-BASED COMPOSITES USING Nd:YAG LASER MACHINING
Authors: KUMARAN S. THIRUMALAI , UTHAYAKUMAR M. , WYSZYŃSKI DOMINIK , MAJID M. S. ABDUL
Published: July 2023

This paper describes the pulsed Nd:YAG laser machining characteristics on 6351 aluminum reinforced with silicon carbide (SiC) and boron carbide (B4C) particles. The composites are prepared using stir casting route by varying the weight percentage of B4C (0, 5, and 10 wt.%). During experimentation, the traverse speed (5, 15, and 30 mm/s) and the laser pulse frequency (5, 9, and 15 kHz) are considered to evaluate the groove width. The results reveal that the lower pulse frequency produced poor groove surface quality. Higher thermal energy dissipation at lower traverse speed may also result in the formation of recast layer and heat-affected zone. This is evident from the microscopic image and the EDS analysis. Thus, the optimum condition (composite with 10 wt.% B4C machined at 30 mm/s and 15 kHz) to achieve minimum grove width with improved surface morphology is identified by desirability analysis. Additionally, the regression model is developed to predict future values ([Formula: see text]2 at 91.86% and [Formula: see text]2 (adj) at 87.55%). Finally, the probability plot confirms the effectiveness of the proposed model at 95% confidence level.
INVESTIGATION AND OPTIMIZATION OF TRIBO-MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF SQUEEZE CASTED AL-Si PISTON ALLOY-BASED METAL MATRIX COMPOSITE USING RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY AND NEURAL NETWORK
Authors: PRATHEESH K. , MONIKANDAN V. V.
Published: July 2023

The piston in the automobile engine must withstand high stress and temperatures and also have low weight. The alloy of Al-Si is the most commonly used in the piston. The reinforcement using ceramics, fibres or nanoparticles will increase the properties of the piston alloy. In this work, the piston alloy is fabricated as a metal matrix composite of Al-Si reinforced by TiC-MoS2 using the squeeze casting method. The squeeze casting effect on the matrix and the reinforcement is studied using tensile testing and microstructure analysis. The strength hardness obtained from the experimentation gives the highest tensile strength of 330 MPa and the hardness of 110HBN. The fractography and morphology are investigated using SEM (scanning electron microscope), resulting in the lowest porosity of 3.21% obtained in the composite material. The tribological behavior was also investigated at the condition of dry Sliding using pin on disc tribometer gives the lowest coefficient friction of 0.31 and the wear rate of 0.0051 mm3/m. The experiment is numerically designed and optimized using the response surface methodology (RSM). The obtained value is predicted and validated using a hybrid approach of deep belief network-reptile swarm algorithm (DBN-RSA). The regression of the parameters is about 99.97% showing that the model is very accurate to the experimental results. The RMSE of the proposed method implies less error and shows the accuracy level of the parameters. The result shows that the designed model is best fitted for the tribological and mechanical properties investigation of metal matrix composite.
BEATING A CONSTANT WEIGHT BENCHMARK: EASIER DONE THAN SAID
Authors: FORSYTH PETER A. , VAN STADEN PIETER M. , LI YUYING
Published: July 2023

We determine a simple dynamic benchmark for asset allocation by solving an optimal stochastic control problem for outperforming the traditional constant proportion benchmark. An objective function based on a time averaged quadratic deviation from an elevated benchmark is proposed. We argue that this objective function combines the best features of tracking error and tracking difference. Assuming parametric models of the stock and bond processes, a closed form solution for the optimal control is obtained. The closed form optimal control is then clipped to prevent use of excessive leverage, and to prevent trading if insolvent. Monte Carlo computations using this clipped control are presented which show that for modest levels of outperformance (i.e. 80–170[Formula: see text]bps per year), this easily implementable strategy outperforms the traditional constant proportion benchmark with high probability. We advocate this clipped optimal strategy as a suitable benchmark for active asset allocation.
Vibration Characteristics of Mistuned Blisk with Chordwise Variable Thickness Blades Subjected to Aerodynamic Prestress
Authors: Song Renduo , Yao Minghui , Niu Yan , Wu Qiliang
Published: July 2023

In this paper, the influence of aerodynamic prestress on vibration characteristics of mistuned blisk is investigated by comparative study considering one-way fluid–structure interaction. It is found that the aerodynamic prestress changes twisted angle of the blade, increases natural frequencies of the mistuned blisk and affects the sensitivity of natural frequency to rotational velocity. To facilitate the mechanism study of these phenomena, a simplified blade model with chordwise variable thickness is established. The effects of Young’s modulus, rotational velocity and pre-twisted angle on natural frequency are investigated by the first-order shear deformation plate theory and Chebyshev–Ritz method. The results show that the natural frequency of the blade is positively correlated with the rotational velocity and pre-twisted angle. For different twisted angles, the same rotational velocity change can cause different natural frequency increments. In addition, the aerodynamic prestress can suppress the effect of Young’s modulus mistuning on natural frequency.
Holographic description of F(R) gravity coupled with axion dark matter
Authors: D’Onofrio Simone
Published: July 2023

In this work, we study the autonomous dynamical system of different [Formula: see text] models in the formalism of holographic dark energy using the generalized Nojiri–Odintsov cut-off. We explicitly give the expression of the fixed points as functions of the infrared cut-off for vacuum [Formula: see text] gravity in flat and non-flat FRW background and for [Formula: see text] coupling axion dark matter. Each fixed point component can be taken as a condition on the cut-off and on the expression of [Formula: see text], leading to physically interesting constraints on these functions.
A Spatially Explicit Hydro-Economic Modeling Procedure to Design Cost-Effective Agri-Environment Schemes for Mitigating Water Pollution from Cropland
Authors: Hao Zhengzheng , Wätzold Frank , Sturm Astrid
Published: July 2023

Agricultural intensification is a key driver of water pollution in many parts of the world. A frequent policy response is to implement mitigation measures in the context of agri-environmental schemes (AESs). We develop a hydro-economic modeling procedure to design cost-effective AESs to mitigate water pollution from nitrogen and phosphorus from cropland. Our procedure considers spatial heterogeneity of mitigation impacts and of costs of cropland management measures. It further takes into account in the optimization that AES participation is voluntary and farmers who may participate in an AES will select between different cropland management measures. We demonstrate how the procedure works by applying it to the Baishahe watershed in Shanxi Province, China. As a result, we obtain a cost-effective AES with a set of cropland management measures and the associated payment levels that are able to achieve weighted minimized nitrogen and phosphorus loads in the watershed for different budgets. We find, for example, that a cost-effective AES for a budget of 100,000[Formula: see text]RMB consists of the two measures of implementing a filter strip of 5[Formula: see text]m and reducing chemical fertilizers by 25% for which the farmers receive payments of 134[Formula: see text]RMB and 88[Formula: see text]RMB, respectively, which induces the reduction of nitrogen by 6.9% and phosphorus by 7.8%.
Challenges and Perspectives of Information and Control Technology for Cislunar Space Exploration and Development
Authors: Bao Weimin , Qi Zhenqiang
Published: July 2023

Cislunar space, as the first station for mankind to go into space, will be the main destination and outpost of space missions for a long period of time in the future. During the course of the cislunar space exploration and development, information and control technology will play an important role. In view of the object scope and mission background of cislunar space exploration and development, this paper firstly summarizes the mission characteristics, i.e. farther, longer, more and complex, and then analyzes the requirements and challenges for information and control technology. After that, the strategy including intelligent algorithm, open architecture, cloud-enabled information and reliable flight is proposed. Finally, several prospectives are given to deal with some issues in future large-scale cislunar space exploration and development.
A Systematic Review of Automated Query Reformulations in Source Code Search
Authors: Rahman Mohammad Masudur , Roy Chanchal K.
Published: July 2023

Fixing software bugs and adding new features are two of the major maintenance tasks. Software bugs and features are reported as change requests. Developers consult these requests and often choose a few keywords from them as an ad hoc query. Then they execute the query with a search engine to find the exact locations within software code that need to be changed. Unfortunately, even experienced developers often fail to choose appropriate queries, which leads to costly trials and errors during a code search. Over the years, many studies have attempted to reformulate the ad hoc queries from developers to support them. In this systematic literature review, we carefully select 70 primary studies on query reformulations from 2,970 candidate studies, perform an in-depth qualitative analysis (e.g., Grounded Theory), and then answer seven research questions with major findings. First, to date, eight major methodologies (e.g., term weighting, term co-occurrence analysis, thesaurus lookup) have been adopted to reformulate queries. Second, the existing studies suffer from several major limitations (e.g., lack of generalizability, the vocabulary mismatch problem, subjective bias) that might prevent their wide adoption. Finally, we discuss the best practices and future opportunities to advance the state of research in search query reformulations.