bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance analysis of full duplex and frequency reuse in NR‐V2X networks
Authors: Aslani Rojin , Saberinia Ebrahim
Published: November 2023

This paper employs full duplex (FD) and frequency reuse (FR) to improve the spectral efficiency while considering inter‐carrier interference (ICI) in 5G new radio vehicle‐to‐everything (NR‐V2X) networks. The quality of service of vehicle‐to‐vehicle (V2V) communications in such a system is affected by the self‐interference (SI) caused by FD, the co‐channel interference (CCI) caused by FR, and ICI caused by the Doppler effect. We present a performance analysis by proposing feasibility conditions for implementing FD and FR in NR‐V2X networks. We obtain a closed‐form expression for the maximum link distance between the transmitter and receiver of a link to provide reliable V2V communications. Our simulation results reveal the interplay between FD and FR technologies and demonstrate the performance gains of our proposed scheme compared to existing schemes in the literature.
A simplified protocol for the automated production of 2‐[18F]fluoro‐3‐[2‐((S)‐3‐pyrrolinyl)methoxy]pyridine ([18F]nifene) on an IBA Synthera® module
Authors: Bhuiyan Mohammed , Souris Jeffrey , Kucharski Anna , Freifelder Richard , Mukherjee Jogeshwar , Chen Chin‐Tu
Published: November 2023

The α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) ligand 2‐[18F]fluoro‐3‐[2‐((S)‐3‐pyrrolinyl)methoxy]pyridine ([18F]nifene) has been synthesized in 10% decay‐corrected radiochemical yield using the IBA Synthera® platform (IBA Cyclotron Solutions, Louvain‐la‐Neuve, Belgium) with an integrated fluidic processor (IFP). Boc‐nitronifene served as the precursor, and 20% trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) was used to deprotect the Boc‐group after radiolabeling. By omitting the solvent extraction step after radiolabeling, the process was simplified to a single step with no manual intervention. [18F]Nifene was obtained in decay‐corrected radiochemical yields of 10 ± 2% (n = 20) and radiochemical purity >99%. Typical specific radioactivities of 2700–4865 mCi/μmole (100–180 GBq/μmol) were measured at the end of synthesis; total synthesis times were about 1 h 40 min.
Compositional and Functional MRI of Skeletal Muscle: A Review
Authors: Hooijmans Melissa T. , Schlaffke Lara , Bolsterlee Bart , Schlaeger Sarah , Marty Benjamin , Mazzoli Valentina
Published: November 2023

Due to its exceptional sensitivity to soft tissues, MRI has been extensively utilized to assess anatomical muscle parameters such as muscle volume and cross‐sectional area. Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging (qMRI) adds to the capabilities of MRI, by providing information on muscle composition such as fat content, water content, microstructure, hypertrophy, atrophy, as well as muscle architecture. In addition to compositional changes, qMRI can also be used to assess function for example by measuring muscle quality or through characterization of muscle deformation during passive lengthening/shortening and active contractions. The overall aim of this review is to provide an updated overview of qMRI techniques that can quantitatively evaluate muscle structure and composition, provide insights into the underlying biological basis of the qMRI signal, and illustrate how qMRI biomarkers of muscle health relate to function in healthy and diseased/injured muscles. While some applications still require systematic clinical validation, qMRI is now established as a comprehensive technique, that can be used to characterize a wide variety of structural and compositional changes in healthy and diseased skeletal muscle. Taken together, multiparametric muscle MRI holds great potential in the diagnosis and monitoring of muscle conditions in research and clinical applications.

Evidence Level

5

Technical Efficacy

Stage 2
Epstein‐Barr virus and host cell 3D genome organization
Authors: Wang Chong , Zhao Bo
Published: November 2023

The human genome is organized in an extremely complexed yet ordered way within the nucleus. Genome organization plays a critical role in the regulation of gene expression. Viruses manipulate the host machinery to influence host genome organization to favor their survival and promote disease development. Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) is a common human virus, whose infection is associated with various diseases, including infectious mononucleosis, cancer, and autoimmune disorders. This review summarizes our current knowledge of how EBV uses different strategies to control the cellular 3D genome organization to affect cell gene expression to transform normal cells into lymphoblasts.
Development of a polyphenol‐enriched whole kiwifruit dietary supplement and its potential in ameliorating hyperlipidemia
Authors: Wang Xingnan , Ren Yaopeng , Li Shiqi , Guo Chunfeng , Gao Zhenpeng
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND

Kiwifruit pomace, which contains abundant phenolic compounds, is typically discarded during the juicing process, leading to wastage of valuable resources. To address this issue, various indicators (including total acidity, sugar/acid ratio, vitamin C, total polyphenols, polyphenol monomers, and soluble solids content) of 15 kiwifruit cultivars were evaluated and juiced. Then, a polyphenol‐concentrated solution from kiwifruit pomace was backfilled into kiwi juice to prepare whole nutritious compound kiwi juice, and its anti‐hyperlipidemic activity on obese model mice was then investigated.

RESULTS

Through grey relational analysis and the technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution (TOPSIS), Kuimi and Huayou were identified as the predominant varieties for juicing, with weighted relevance scores of 0.695 and 0.871 respectively and TOPSIS scores of 0.6509 and 0.8220 respectively. The polyphenol content of Cuixiang pomace was 43.97 mg g−1, making it the most suitable choice for polyphenol extraction. By backfilling a polyphenol‐concentrated solution derived from Cuixiang pomace into compound kiwi juice of Huayou and Kuimi, the whole nutritious compound kiwi juice with polyphenols was produced and exhibited superior bioactivities, including enhanced hepatic oxidative stress defense, and alleviated serum lipid abnormalities. Furthermore, whole nutritious compound kiwi juice with polyphenols ameliorated host intestinal microbiota dysbiosis by increasing the relative abundance of the phyla Bacteroidota and Verrucomicrobiota.

CONCLUSION

A hypolipidemic dietary supplement based on kiwifruit pomace polyphenols has been successfully developed, providing an effective solution for hyperlipidemia intervention. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Toward physically realistic vision in teleoperation: A user study with light‐field head mounted display and 6‐DoF head motion
Authors: Bechtel Nicolai , Weber Bernhard , Severin Pascal , Sancho Aragon Jaime , Van Bogaert Laurie , Panzirsch Michael
Published: November 2023

Besides haptics, the visual channel provides the most essential feedback to the operator in teleoperation setups. For optimal performance, the view on the remote scene must provide 3D information, be sharp, and of high resolution. Head‐mounted displays (HMD) are applied to improve the immersion of the operator into the remote environment. Still, so far, no near‐eye display technology was available that provides a natural view on objects within the typical manipulation distance (up to 1.2 m). The main limitation is a mismatch of the 3D distance and the focal distance of the visualized objects (vergence‐accommodation conflict) in displays with fixed focal distance. This conflict potentially leads to eye strain after extended use. Here, we apply a light‐field HMD providing close‐to‐continuous depth information to the user, thus avoiding the vergence‐accommodation conflict. Furthermore, we apply a time‐of‐flight sensor to generate a 2.5D environment model. The displayed content is processed with image‐based rendering allowing a 6 degree‐of‐freedom head motion in the visualized scene. The main objective of the presented study is evaluating the effects of view perspective and light‐field on performance and workload in a teleoperation setup. The reduction of visual effort for the user is confirmed in an abstract depth‐matching task.
Local SAR management strategies to use two‐channel RF shimming for fetal MRI at 3 T
Authors: Yetisir Filiz , Abaci Turk Esra , Adalsteinsson Elfar , Wald Lawrence Leroy , Grant Patricia Ellen
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This study evaluates the imaging performance of two‐channel RF‐shimming for fetal MRI at 3 T using four different local specific absorption rate (SAR) management strategies.

Methods

Due to the ambiguity of safe local SAR levels for fetal MRI, local SAR limits for RF shimming were determined based on either each individual's own SAR levels in standard imaging mode (CP mode) or the maximum SAR level observed across seven pregnant body models in CP mode. Local SAR was constrained either indirectly by further constraining the whole‐body SAR (wbSAR) or directly by using subject‐specific local SAR models. Each strategy was evaluated by the improvement of the transmit field efficiency (average |B1+|) and nonuniformity (|B1+| variation) inside the fetus compared with CP mode for the same wbSAR.

Results

Constraining wbSAR when using RF shimming decreases B1+ efficiency inside the fetus compared with CP mode (by 12%–30% on average), making it inefficient for SAR management. Using subject‐specific models with SAR limits based on each individual's own CP mode SAR value, B1+ efficiency and nonuniformity are improved on average by 6% and 13% across seven pregnant models. In contrast, using SAR limits based on maximum CP mode SAR values across seven models, B1+ efficiency and nonuniformity are improved by 13% and 25%, compared with the best achievable improvement without SAR constraints: 15% and 26%.

Conclusion

Two‐channel RF‐shimming can safely and significantly improve the transmit field inside the fetus when subject‐specific models are used with local SAR limits based on maximum CP mode SAR levels in the pregnant population.
Exploring biocompatible chemistry to create stapled and photoswitchable variants of the antimicrobial peptide aurein 1.2
Authors: Coram Alexandra E. , Morewood Richard , Voss Saan , Price Joshua L. , Nitsche Christoph
Published: November 2023

Antibiotic resistance is an escalating global health threat. Due to their diverse mechanisms of action and evasion of traditional resistance mechanisms, peptides hold promise as future antibiotics. Their ability to disrupt bacterial membranes presents a potential strategy to combat drug‐resistant infections and address the increasing need for effective antimicrobial treatments. Amphipathic α‐helical peptides possess a distinctive molecular structure with both charged/hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions that interact with the bacterial cell membrane, disrupting its structural integrity. The α‐helical amphipathic peptide aurein 1.2, secreted by the Australian frog Litoria aurea, is one of the shortest known antimicrobial peptides, spanning only 13 amino acids. The primary objective of this study was to investigate stapled and photoswitchable modifications of short helical peptides employing biocompatible chemistry, utilising aurein 1.2 as a model system. We developed various stapled versions of aurein 1.2 using biocompatible conjugation chemistry between dicyanopyridine and 1,2‐aminothiols. While the commonly employed stapling pattern for longer staples is i, i + 7, we observed superior helicity in peptides stapled at positions i, i + 8. Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed both stapling patterns to support an α‐helical peptide conformation. Additionally, we utilised a cysteine‐selective photosensitive staple, perfluoro azobenzene, to explore photoswitchable variants of aurein 1.2. A double‐cysteine variant stapled at i, i + 7 indeed exhibited a change in overall helicity induced by light. We further demonstrated the applicability of this staple to attach to cysteine residues in i, i + 7 positions of a helix in a model protein. While some of the stapled variants displayed substantial increase in helicity, minimal inhibitory concentration assays revealed that none of the stapled aurein 1.2 variants exhibited increased antimicrobial activity compared to the wildtype.
Pomegranate effects on the health aspects of women during peri‐ and postmenopause: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Moeini Reihaneh , Shirafkan Hoda , Gorji Narjes
Published: November 2023

Pomegranate is widely used to preserve human health and help prevent many kinds of diseases. This study aims to review and assess the effects of pomegranate on women's health during and after menopause. PubMed, Web of science, Cochrane, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched up to the end of 2022 with no language or study type restriction. All types of clinical research studies (randomized clinical trial [RCT], pre–post, case report, and case series) were included. The Cochrane RoB 2.0 tool was used for quality assessment of RCTs. A summary of intervention's effects for each study was provided by calculating standardized mean differences and accompanying 95% confidence interval using random effect model. Weighted mean differences and heterogeneity between studies were assessed using Hedges's method and Cochran's Q test, respectively. Pomegranate can significantly improve hot flashes severity and menopause symptoms and decrease FSH. It significantly improves high‐density lipoprotein but not low‐density lipoprotein, body mass index, and weight. Most of our results are inconclusive, and the small sample sizes and the lack of blinding and randomization have led to an increased risk of bias. Pomegranate can decrease menopause symptoms, but more well‐designed studies, with bigger sample sizes are needed to establish its other clinical benefits for menopausal women.
Temperature‐Dependent Color‐Tunable Afterglow in Zirconium‐Doped CsCdCl3 Perovskite for Advanced Anti‐Counterfeiting and Thermal Distribution Detection
Authors: Zhu Xuanyu , Gu Tingxiang , Zhao Lei , Gao Wei , Liu Haozhe , Nie Lin , Zhao Feng , Yue Yang , He Qingshan , An Xin , Hao Puyan , Yakovlev Alexey Nikolaevich , Hu Tingting , Yu Siufung , Xu Xuhui , Yu Xue , Wang Ting
Published: November 2023

Persistent luminescence (PersL) materials exhibit thermal‐favored optical behavior, enabling their unique applications in security night vision signage, in vivo bioimaging, and optical anti‐counterfeiting. Therefore, developing efficient and color‐tunable PersL materials is significantly crucial in promoting advanced practical use. In this study, hexagonal Zr4+‐doped CsCdCl3 perovskite is synthesized via a hydrothermal reaction with a tunable photoluminescent (PL) behavior through heterovalent substitution. Moreover, the incorporation of Zr4+ ions result in an extra blue emission band, originating from the enhanced excitonic recombination in D3d octahedrons. Furthermore, the afterglow performances of the samples are dramatically improved, along with the noticeable temperature‐dependent PersL as well as the thermo‐luminescence with tunable color output. Detailed analysis reveals that the unique temperature‐dependent PersL and thermo‐luminescence color change are attributed to the presence of multiple luminous centers and abundant traps. Overall, this work facilitates the development of optical intelligence platforms and novel thermal distribution probes with the as‐developed halides perovskite for its superior explored PersL characteristic.
An Intrinsic Stable Layered Oxide Cathode for Practical Sodium‐Ion Battery: Solid Solution Reaction, Near‐Zero‐Strain and Marvelous Water Stability
Authors: Li Hong‐Wei , Li Jia‐Yang , Dong Hang‐Hang , Zhu Yan‐Fang , Su Yu , Wang Jing‐Qiang , Liu Ya‐Ning , Wen Chu‐Yao , Wang Zheng‐Jun , Chen Shuang‐Qiang , Zhang Zhi‐Jia , Wang Jia‐Zhao , Jiang Yong , Chou Shu‐Lei , Xiao Yao
Published: November 2023

Non‐aqueous solvents, in particular N,N‐dimethylaniline (NMP), are widely applied for electrode fabrication since most sodium layered oxide cathode materials are readily damaged by water molecules. However, the expensive price and poisonousness of NMP unquestionably increase the cost of preparation and post‐processing. Therefore, developing an intrinsically stable cathode material that can implement the water‐soluble binder to fabricate an electrode is urgent. Herein, a stable nanosheet‐like Mn‐based cathode material is synthesized as a prototype to verify its practical applicability in sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs). The as‐prepared material displays excellent electrochemical performance and remarkable water stability, and it still maintains a satisfactory performance of 79.6% capacity retention after 500 cycles even after water treatment. The in situ X‐ray diffraction (XRD) demonstrates that the synthesized material shows an absolute solid‐solution reaction mechanism and near‐zero‐strain. Moreover, the electrochemical performance of the electrode fabricated with a water‐soluble binder shows excellent long‐cycling stability (67.9% capacity retention after 500 cycles). This work may offer new insights into the rational design of marvelous water stability cathode materials for practical SIBs.
Usefulness of open domain model for identifying missing software requirements concepts
Authors: Zhao Ziyan , Zhang Li , Lian Xiaoli
Published: November 2023

Detecting missing requirements during software development is crucial to avoid unexpected consequences. However, this task is challenging due to limited domain knowledge of requirements analysts and the dynamic nature of software requirements. Previous studies have shown that requirement‐oriented domain models can help identify omissions in requirements, but they are often incomplete for many domains. Meanwhile, domain models constructed from other artifacts are available online. This raises the question: Can these domain models be useful in identifying missing functional information in requirement specifications? To address this question, we conducted a study to measure the overlap between entities in domain models and requirements. We analyzed the occurrence of overlapped entities, considering four distribution characteristics: the type of entities in the domain model, the distribution of mapped entities in the domain model, the family belonging of the mapped entities in the domain model, and the distribution of mapped entities in the requirements. Based on our findings, we proposed recommendations for missing requirements. Additionally, we performed experiments, including the use of the proposed metric “ancestors of the highest level with the most mapped entities” (AHME). The results showed significant improvements with gains of 146% and 223% in the two domains, highlighting the benefits of these distribution characteristics.
Evidenzlevel klinischer Interventionsstudien – Mind the biases
Authors: Deichsel Adrian , Günther Daniel , Mathis Dominic T. , Schüttler Karl F. , Wafaisade Arasch , Ackermann Jakob , Laky Brenda , Eggeling Lena , Kopf Sebastian , Herbst Elmar ,   Research-Komitee der Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Arthroskopie (AGA)
Published: November 2023

Bei der Interpretation klinischer Studien sollten Verzerrungen (sog. Bias) berücksichtigt werden. Ein solcher Bias kann in sämtlichen klinischen Studien vorkommen und die Ergebnisse der Untersuchung auf relevante Art und Weise beeinflussen. Diese Verzerrungen können durch die Auswahl der Studienpatienten, die Untersucher, die Art sowie die Analyse der Daten auftreten. Das Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es, häufig auftretende Verzerrungen in klinischen Interventionsstudien zu beschreiben und Hinweise zu geben, wie diese erkannt werden können, um so die Bewertung von Literatur zu erleichtern.
The effect of high-pressure cutting fluid supply on the chip breakability of lead-free brass alloys
Authors: Müller Magdalena Susanne , Brans Kilian , Meurer Markus , Sørby Knut , Bergs Thomas
Published: November 2023

To improve machinability and in particular chip breakability, brass alloys are usually alloyed with small quantities of lead. Due to environmental and health concerns, the use of lead has been restricted in the last years. As lead-free brass alloys are progressively implemented in the industry, challenges arise due to their differing properties from traditional leaded brass alloys. One of the main challenges in automated continuous cutting processes is the worse chip breakability of lead-free brass alloys leading to longer and tangled chips. Hence, the impact of a high-pressure cutting fluid supply, as well as the impact of a chip-breaking geometry and the combined effect of both, has been investigated at different feeds. The three brass alloys CuZn37 (CW508L), CuZn38As (CW511L), and CuZn42 (CW510L) were studied at varying cutting fluid supply pressure levels and feed rates in a radial cutting operation. Cutting forces were measured, and chips were analyzed. No overall systematic impact of the cutting fluid supply pressure on the cutting forces was observed. In conclusion, increased pressure levels, a chip-breaking geometry, and an increased feed rate enhance the chip breakability of the investigated alloys.
Coherent Springer theory and the categorical Deligne-Langlands correspondence
Authors: Ben-Zvi David , Chen Harrison , Helm David , Nadler David
Published: November 2023

Kazhdan and Lusztig identified the affine Hecke algebra ℋ with an equivariant $K$
K
-group of the Steinberg variety, and applied this to prove the Deligne-Langlands conjecture, i.e., the local Langlands parametrization of irreducible representations of reductive groups over nonarchimedean local fields $F$
F
with an Iwahori-fixed vector. We apply techniques from derived algebraic geometry to pass from $K$
K
-theory to Hochschild homology and thereby identify ℋ with the endomorphisms of a coherent sheaf on the stack of unipotent Langlands parameters, the coherent Springer sheaf. As a result the derived category of ℋ-modules is realized as a full subcategory of coherent sheaves on this stack, confirming expectations from strong forms of the local Langlands correspondence (including recent conjectures of Fargues-Scholze, Hellmann and Zhu).

In the case of the general linear group our result allows us to lift the local Langlands classification of irreducible representations to a categorical statement: we construct a full embedding of the derived category of smooth representations of $\mathrm{GL}_{n}(F)$

GL
n

(
F
)
into coherent sheaves on the stack of Langlands parameters.
Photovoltaic ZnO/SnSx heterostructures obtained by “electrochemical deposition-successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction” approach
Authors: Bogomazova Natalia V. , Kharytonau Dzmitry S. , Zharskii Ivan M. , Socha Robert P.
Published: November 2023

In this work, ZnO/SnS/indium tin oxide (ITO)/glass functional heterostructures have been developed using a combined approach of electrodeposition of a SnSx layer and successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) of the ZnO layer. The high-quality 400 nm-thick orthorhombic SnS0.9–0.95 films were formed on the ITO substrates with a thickness of 130 nm and an electrical conductivity of less than 40 Ω/□. Chemical deposition of ZnO thin films by the SILAR method allowed to deposit hexagonal films with a thickness of about 200 nm. The morphology, elemental and phase composition of the films were characterized by Scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The band gap (1.4 eV for SnSx and 3.3 eV for ZnO), as well as the high light absorption coefficient of SnSx films (1–2) × 104 cm–1 were determined. The obtained ZnO/SnSx/ITO heterostructures formed by the electrodeposition–SILAR cycle showed a photoEMF value of 198 mV. These properties make ZnO/SnS heterostructure promising for low-cost solar cells based on affordable materials.
Die Genetik von Vorhofflimmern – auf dem Weg in die Präzisionsmedizin
Authors: Kany Shinwan , Schnabel Renate B.
Published: November 2023

Vorhofflimmern (VHF) ist eine verbreitete Herzkrankheit mit komplexer genetischer Grundlage. Trotz der Fortschritte in der Behandlung bleibt die Sterblichkeit bei VHF-Patienten hoch. Diese Übersichtsarbeit diskutiert die genetische Basis von VHF und ihre Auswirkungen auf Diagnose und Therapie. Während seit Langem eine hereditäre Komponente bei VHF bekannt war, wurden die ersten mit VHF assoziierten Gene in den frühen 2000er Jahren identifiziert. Mit Hilfe von genomweiten Assoziationsstudien (GWAS) wurden weitere Gene und zahlreiche genetische Varianten, die mit VHF in Verbindung stehen, identifiziert. Diese Studien haben fast 140 verschiedene, mit VHF assoziierte Regionen in der DNA aufgezeigt. Neben häufigen Varianten wurden auch seltene Varianten mit großen Auswirkungen identifiziert. Die Integration dieser genetischen Erkenntnisse in die klinische Praxis verspricht, die Diagnose und Behandlung von VHF zu verbessern und uns der Präzisionsmedizin näherzubringen. Es bleiben jedoch viele Herausforderungen, insbesondere besteht eine Diskrepanz für genetische Daten von Menschen mit nichteuropäischer Abstammung und an genetischen Analysen des therapeutischen Ansprechens.
Incorporating coarse and fine recycled aggregates into concrete mixes: mechanical characterization and environmental impact
Authors: Younes Ammar , Elbeltagi Emad , Diab Aboelkasim , Tarsi Giulia , Saeed Fam , Sangiorgi Cesare
Published: November 2023

Concrete waste (CW) recycling stands as a promising strategy to promote sustainable construction practices. This research aims to assess the feasibility of using recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) as a surrogate for natural aggregates (NA) in concrete applications and reduce the environmental impact associated with the depletion of natural resources and landfill space. To achieve these objectives, CW was segregated from debris mixes of construction and demolition waste (CDW), collected, crushed, and graded to generate RCA. Thirty-two concrete samples were prepared and categorized into four distinct groups with 0% (reference), 50%, 75%, and 100% substitution levels for both coarse RCA (CRCA) and fine RCA (FRCA), all utilized simultaneously. Concurrently, the environmental impacts of producing 1 m3 of concrete were evaluated using a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach, (cradle-to-gate) covering three phases, the raw material supply (A1), transportation (A2) and concrete production (A3). At the 50% replacement level, the mechanical properties of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) demonstrated a 20.0% increase in splitting tensile strength, accompanied by marginal decrease in workability (15.0%) and compressive strength (6.0%). In addition, at that percentage, the average environmental effects were reduced by 31.3%, with specific reductions of 34.7% for A1, 40.3% for A2, and no change in A3.
Implicit Sexual Cognitions in Women with Ambiphilic Sexual Attractions: A Comparison to Androphilic and Gynephilic Women
Authors: Snowden Robert J. , Gray Nicola S. , Uzzell Katie S.
Published: November 2023

Previous research using indirect cognitive measures (sometimes referred to as implicit measures) of sexual attraction have shown that women who are attracted to men (androphilic women) show category non-specific responses, whereas those who are attracted to women (gynephilic) show a category-specific bias to women. The purpose of the present study was to examine whether women who explicitly report approximately equal attraction to men and women (ambiphilic) would show similar non-category specific attraction at this implicit level or whether their responses would be more similar to those of gynephilic women. An implicit association task and a priming task were given to 169 women alongside measures of their self-labelled sexual orientation and an explicit measure of their sexual attraction to men and women. The results replicated previous findings of little bias towards either gender in androphilic women and of a strong bias towards females in gynephilic women. The ambiphilic women also showed a strong bias towards females. The findings clearly show that early automatic associations to sex are biased towards females in ambiphilic women and are not consistent with their explicit statements of preference.
Individual and area level factors associated with the breast cancer diagnostic-treatment interval in Queensland, Australia
Authors: Retell James D. , Cameron Jessica K. , Aitken Joanne F. , Youl Philippa , Pyke Chris , Dunn Jeff , Chambers Suzanne , Baade Peter D.
Published: November 2023

Background

Delays to breast cancer treatment can lead to more aggressive and extensive treatments, increased expenses, increased psychological distress, and poorer survival. We explored the individual and area level factors associated with the interval between diagnosis and first treatment in a population-based cohort in Queensland, Australia.

Methods

Data from 3216 Queensland women aged 20 to 79, diagnosed with invasive breast cancer (ICD-O-3 C50) between March 2010 and June 2013 were analysed. Diagnostic dates were sourced from the Queensland Cancer Registry and treatment dates were collected via self-report. Diagnostics-treatment intervals were modelled using flexible parametric survival methods.

Results

The median interval between breast cancer diagnosis and first treatment was 15 days, with an interquartile range of 9–26 days. Longer diagnostic-treatment intervals were associated with a lack of private health coverage, lower pre-diagnostic income, first treatments other than breast conserving surgery, and residence outside a major city. The model explained a modest 13.7% of the variance in the diagnostic-treatment interval $$\left( {R_{D}^{2} } \right)$$

R

D

2

. Sauerbrei’s D was 0.82, demonstrating low to moderate discrimination performance.

Conclusion

Whilst this study identified several individual- and area-level factors associated with the time between breast cancer diagnosis and first treatment, much of the variation remained unexplained. Increased socioeconomic disadvantage appears to predict longer diagnostic-treatment intervals. Though some of the differences are small, many of the same factors have also been linked to screening and diagnostic delay. Given the potential for accumulation of delay at multiple stages along the diagnostic and treatment pathway, identifying and applying effective strategies address barriers to timely health care faced by socioeconomically disadvantaged women remains a priority.
Investigating the moderating effects of social good and confidence on teachers' intention to prepare school students for artificial intelligence education
Authors: Sanusi Ismaila Temitayo , Ayanwale Musa Adekunle , Chiu Thomas K. F.
Published: November 2023

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has triggered profound reforms across industries, including education. These developments necessitate the inclusion of AI as a subject in K-12 classrooms. However, the need for students to learn AI demands that educators pay increasing attention, believe in its relevance and intend to promote it among their students and colleagues. This paper aimed to explore teachers' perceptions of and behavioral intention to teach AI. We specifically considered the association of AI anxiety, perceived usefulness, attitude towards AI, AI relevance, AI readiness, and behavioral intention factors. This research further aims to examine the moderator effect of AI for social good and confidence on the relationship in our hypothesized research model. To address this purpose, a quantitative methodology with the use of structural equation modeling was utilized. Data were retrieved through an online questionnaire from 320 lower and upper secondary school in-service teachers, mostly in STEM-related fields. Our findings reveal that teacher perceptions of AI for social good and confidence will affect most relationships in the model. Teacher professional programs should include the benefits and risks of AI and good practice sharing.
Validation of detection efficiency-based corrections implemented in the k0-INRIM software
Authors: Di Luzio Marco , D’Agostino Giancarlo
Published: November 2023

The k0-INRIM is a software implemented at the Italian Metrology Institute (INRIM) to aid users elaborating data to obtain results including uncertainty budgets for Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA). The code relies on the efficiency evaluation based on an experimental characterization of the gamma detection system to calculate efficiency-based corrections. In order to validate the models adopted for these corrections in most demanding experimental conditions, an experiment is performed to collect data from point-like and extended-sources counted far from and near to the end-cap of two gamma detectors having different relative efficiency. The results comparing the experimentally evaluated and the calculated corrections are reported with detailed uncertainty estimation.
Balancing policy constraint and ensemble size in uncertainty-based offline reinforcement learning
Authors: Beeson Alex , Montana Giovanni
Published: November 2023

Offline reinforcement learning agents seek optimal policies from fixed data sets. With environmental interaction prohibited, agents face significant challenges in preventing errors in value estimates from compounding and subsequently causing the learning process to collapse. Uncertainty estimation using ensembles compensates for this by penalising high-variance value estimates, allowing agents to learn robust policies based on data-driven actions. However, the requirement for large ensembles to facilitate sufficient penalisation results in significant computational overhead. In this work, we examine the role of policy constraints as a mechanism for regulating uncertainty, and the corresponding balance between level of constraint and ensemble size. By incorporating behavioural cloning into policy updates, we show empirically that sufficient penalisation can be achieved with a much smaller ensemble size, substantially reducing computational demand while retaining state-of-the-art performance on benchmarking tasks. Furthermore, we show how such an approach can facilitate stable online fine tuning, allowing for continued policy improvement while avoiding severe performance drops.
Pore Pressure Uncertainty Characterization Coupling Machine Learning and Geostatistical Modelling
Authors: Soares Amílcar , Nunes Rúben , Salvadoretti Paulo , Costa João Felipe , Martins Teresa , Santos Mario , Azevedo Leonardo
Published: November 2023

Pore pressure prediction is fundamental when drilling deep and geologically complex reservoirs. Even in relatively well-characterized hydrocarbon reservoir fields, with a considerable number of drilled wells, when located in challenging geological environments, poor prediction of abnormal pore pressure might result in catastrophic events that can cause harm to human lives and infrastructures. To better quantify drilling risks, the uncertainty associated with the pore pressure prediction should be integrated within the geo-modelling workflow. Leveraging a challenging real case from the Brazilian pre-salt, the work presented herein proposes a seismic-driven gradient pore pressure modelling workflow, which combines machine learning and geostatistical co-simulation to predict high-resolution gradient pore pressure volumes. First, existing angle-dependent seismic reflection data are inverted for P- and S-wave velocity and density. Then, K-nearest neighbor is used to create a regression model between pore pressure gradient and P- and S-wave velocity, density and depth based on the well log information. The trained model is applied to predict a three-dimensional gradient pore pressure model from the models obtained from geostatistical seismic inversion. This gradient pore pressure model is a smooth representation of the highly variable subsurface and is used as secondary variable in stochastic sequential co-simulation with joint probability distributions to generate multiple high-resolution realizations of gradient pore pressure. The ensemble of co-simulated models can be used to assess the spatial uncertainty about the gradient pore pressure predictions. The results of the application example show the ability of the method to reproduce the spatial patterns observed in the seismic data and to reproduce existing gradient pore pressure well logs at two blind well locations, which were not used to condition the gradient pore pressure predictions.
The semiclassical limit of a quantum Zeno dynamics
Authors: Cunden Fabio Deelan , Facchi Paolo , Ligabò Marilena
Published: November 2023

Motivated by a quantum Zeno dynamics in a cavity quantum electrodynamics setting, we study the asymptotics of a family of symbols corresponding to a truncated momentum operator, in the semiclassical limit of vanishing Planck constant $$\hbar \rightarrow 0$$

ħ
→
0

and large quantum number $$N\rightarrow \infty $$

N
→
∞

, with $$\hbar N$$

ħ
N

kept fixed. In a suitable topology, the limit is the discontinuous symbol $$p\chi _D(x,p)$$

p

χ
D

(
x
,
p
)

where $$\chi _D$$

χ
D

is the characteristic function of the classically permitted region D in phase space. A refined analysis shows that the symbol is asymptotically close to the function $$p\chi _D^{(N)}(x,p)$$

p

χ
D

(
N
)

(
x
,
p
)

, where $$\chi _D^{(N)}$$

χ
D

(
N
)

is a smooth version of $$\chi _D$$

χ
D

related to the integrated Airy function. We also discuss the limit from a dynamical point of view.
The “Free lunches” index for assessing academics: a not entirely serious proposal
Authors: Scanff Alexandre , Mauhe Nicolas , Taburet Marion , Savourat Pierre-Etienne , Clément Thomas , Bastian Benjamin , Cristea Ioana , Braillon Alain , Carayol Nicolas , Naudet Florian
Published: November 2023

Background

Evaluating academics is a challenge, and the use of indicators such as scientific impact (i.e. number of published papers and their citation rate) is complex and poorly validated. We propose a new indicator for academic medical research: the “Free lunches” index (fl-index), computed from the sum of gifts from the industry. The fl-index provides a direct and straightforward measure of industry investment consisting in regaling a clinical researcher with rewards like a leisurely meal in a Michelin-starred restaurant or a relaxing stay in a high-end resort hotel.

Methods and findings

3,936 French academics were included in this observational and satirical retrospective study using the French database registering gifts received by medical doctors and Web of Science, over the years 2014–2019. Pearson’s correlation coefficients explored the associations between the fl-index and in the h-index (the maximum number of published papers h that have each been cited at least h times) increase over the period 2014–2019. The diagnostic properties and optimal thresholds of the fl-index for detecting high scientific productivity were explored. High scientific productivity was defined as ranking in the top 25% scientists in terms of increase in the h-index. To detect possible differences according to medical disciplines, subgroup analyses were performed. The correlation coefficient between the fl-index and the increase in the h-index was 0.31 (95% CI 0.29 to 0.34). The optimal threshold was 7,700 € for the fl-index, giving a sensitivity of 65% (95% CI 61 to 67%), a specificity of 59% (95% CI 57 to 61%). However, there were considerable differences across medical disciplines, with correlations ranging from 0.12 (Morphology and morphogenesis) to 0.51 (Internal medicine, geriatrics, general surgery and general medicine), and the median fl-index ranging from 37 € (Public health, environment and society) to 30 404 € (Cardiorespiratory and vascular pathologies). Importantly, the highest correlations and values for the fl-index were observed for clinical disciplines.

Conclusions

Overall, the correlation between the fl-index and an increase in the h-index was modest so that the fl-index cannot be used as a surrogate for academic success as gauged by productivity-based metrics. However, future residents could use these results to complement the usual metrics in order to choose (or avoid) certain specialties, depending on whether they are more eager to produce scientific articles or to enjoy an affluent lifestyle that they consider well-deserved.

Registration

osf.io/7d4bk.
Reduced fibrin clot permeability on admission and elevated E-selectin at 3 months as novel risk factors of residual pulmonary vascular obstruction in patients with acute pulmonary embolism
Authors: Stępień Konrad , Ząbczyk Michał , Kopytek Magdalena , Natorska Joanna , Zalewski Jarosław , Undas Anetta
Published: November 2023

Background

Residual pulmonary vascular obstruction (RPVO) is common following pulmonary embolism (PE) but its association with fibrin clot properties is poorly understood. We investigated whether prothrombotic state and hypofibrinolysis markers can identify patients with RPVO.

Methods

In 79 normotensive noncancer patients (aged 56 ± 13.3 years) with acute PE, we determined fibrin clot permeability (Ks), clot lysis time (CLT), endogenous thrombin potential (ETP), fibrinolysis proteins, oxidative stress markers, and E-selectin on admission before initiation of anticoagulant therapy, after 5–7 days, and 3 months of anticoagulation. RPVO was diagnosed using computed tomography angiography 3–6 months since PE.

Results

Patients with RPVO (n = 23, 29.1%) had at baseline higher simplified Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (sPESI) (P = 0.004), higher N-terminal brain natriuretic propeptide (P = 0.006) and higher D-dimer (P = 0.044). Patients with versus without RPVO had lower Ks (P < 0.001) and longer CLT (P < 0.05), both at baseline and 5–7 days since admission, but not at 3 months. Patients with RPVO showed 40.6% higher E-selectin (P < 0.001) solely at 3 months. By multivariable logistic regression, baseline Ks (odds ratio [OR] 0.010, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.001–0.837, P = 0.042, per 10− 9 cm2), baseline D-dimer (OR 1.105, 95% CI 1.000-1.221, P = 0.049, per 100 ng/ml), and E-selectin levels after 3 months (OR 3.874, 95% CI 1.239–12.116, P = 0.020, per 1 ng/ml) were associated with RPVO.

Conclusions

RPVO patients despite anticoagulation characterize with the formation of denser fibrin clots on admission and higher E-selectin at 3 months. Those parameters could be the potential novel RPVO risk factors that warrant further evaluation in an independent cohort.

Graphical Abstract
To Belong: Feeling “At Home” and Support for Democracy
Authors: Fitzgerald Jennifer , Schauer Kathryn , O’Neal Rachel Janie , Bačovský Pavel
Published: November 2023

What explains support for democracy? We ask this question in the context of scholarly assertions that democratic values are weakening among citizens of long-time democracies, most notably among young people. We leverage a panel survey of young Swedes to explore the development of pro-democratic sentiments over time. Investigating whether belonging—specifically, feeling “at home” in Sweden, the municipality, and the neighborhood—strengthens support for democracy, we find that it does positively influence principled support for democracy. In relative terms, we find the impact of belonging to be stronger than that of well-known predictors such as socio-economic status and social capital. Our analysis stands to inform scholarship on democratic values and to illuminate the implications of belonging for political behavior. It also offers insight into the ways that societal integration in the form of belonging can develop among young democratic citizens: through feeling integrated into a range of social communities.
Removal of reactive blue 19 from simulated wastewater using Solanum melongena stalk/MWCNTs: thermodynamics, kinetic, equilibrium and regeneration potentials
Authors: Amaku James Friday , Taziwa Raymond
Published: November 2023

In the present study, a nanocomposite was prepared for the removal of dye from the aqueous phase. In this regard, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were anchored on the stalk of Solanum melongena (SMB) to obtain a robust adsorbent with the capacity to eliminate reactive blue 19 (RB19) using the batch adsorptive processes. Solanum melongena stalk decorated with MWCNTs (SMC) and SMB were characterized using Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. With the exception of solution pH, an increase in contact time, adsorbent dose, initial RB19 concentration, and solution temperature were noticed to elevate the uptake potential of SMB and SMC. Kinetic experimental data for SMB and SMC were consistent with the pseudo-second-order and Elovich model, respectively. The experimental isotherm data obtained for SMB and SMC were best expressed by Freundlich and Langmuir models, respectively. After the fifth adsorption–desorption cycle, SMC exhibited 52% of adsorption efficiency. Hence, SMC can be an auspicious candidate for the efficient adsorption of RB19.
Innovative Combined Technology with Encapsulated EVOO and Infrared Processing Against Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes in Breaded Poultry Products
Authors: Barón-Yusty Marta , Martínez-Hernández Ginés Benito , Ros-Chumillas María , López-Gómez Antonio
Published: November 2023

The high Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes risk in poultry products reinforces the urgent need for new technologies with high antimicrobial effects. In that sense, a combined technology consisting of encapsulated extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) during chicken nugget breading combined with infrared processing was hereby studied at three levels (experiments). The high in vitro EVOO antimicrobial activity (up to 74%), which was 1.2-fold higher against L. monocytogenes than Salmonella, was enhanced after encapsulation (α-cyclodextrin) by 1.5–2.0 and 1.2–1.6-fold, respectively (experiment 1). Oil-free processing (infrared and convection ovens) combined with encapsulated EVOO (2.5 and 1.6% EVOO doses) even enhanced the high in vitro antimicrobial activity of encapsulated EVOO (experiment 2). In the in vivo study (experiment 3), infrared (180 °C, 6.4 min) + convection air (120 °C, 10 min) processing combined with encapsulated EVOO (1.6 and 2.5%) within chicken nugget breading of the chicken nuggets achieved in vivo antimicrobial reductions of 60 and 80% against Salmonella and L. monocytogenes, respectively. In conclusion, this new technology including encapsulated EVOO (1.6–2.5%) within the breading of chicken nuggets and innovative oil-free processing may ensure the food safety of these poultry products very susceptible to the incidence of Salmonella and L. monocytogenes.
In situ X-ray phase contrast imaging of the melt and vapor capillary behavior during the welding regime transition on aluminum with limited material thickness
Authors: Chung W.-S. , Hummel M. , Spurk C. , Häusler A. , Olowinsky A. , Häfner C. , Beckmann F. , Moosmann J.
Published: November 2023

The X-ray phase contrast imaging is a powerful method to understand the fundamental behavior of the melt and keyhole during the laser beam welding process. In this paper, the keyhole-induced vapor capillary formation in the melt pool is investigated by using an adjustable laser beam source. For this purpose, the aluminum A1050 specimen with a thickness of 0.5 mm is molten only with the heat conduction welding regime by using the ring-mode laser beam. Once the specimen is molten through, the core multi-mode laser beam is then applied to vaporize the melt and a transition to keyhole welding regime occurs. Therefore, the core multi-mode laser beam with an intensity value of 33.3 MW/cm2 is investigated. The correlation between the keyhole-induced vapor capillary and the melt behavior is further investigated in this paper which was recorded with a high sampling rate of 19 kHz. In addition, a theoretical calculation about the keyhole depth is discussed in this paper.