bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fluoride retention kinetic and equilibrium studies on layered double hydroxides under ambient conditions: Implications on pond–stream–hot spring–well water remediation
Authors: Mahajan Tanuj , Paikaray Susanta
Published: October 2022

Fluoride deficiency and toxicity severely affect a large population globally. Hence, a low‐cost geosorbent is in demand to overcome fluorosis hazards where in situ retardation is prioritized over pilot‐scale waste water treatment. This study reports the fluoride removal potential of MgFe‐type layered double hydroxide (HT‐LDH) and its calcined form at 500 and 800°C for their usability for treatment of polluted streams, ponds, wells, and hot spring water. Rapid uptake with >33% removal in 24 h was found by the adsorptive method, whereas the co‐precipitation process removed >16 mg/L (>83%) in 1 h. The efficiency was further enhanced upon calcination at 500°C with >95% removal up to five times regeneration, unlike that at 800°C. It was demonstrated that multilayer sorption onto heterogeneous surface sites is majorly controlled by surface adsorptive and ion exchange mechanisms. Acidic pH, low aqueous
, and temperature >25°C favored greater uptake, whereas competitive anions slightly enhanced its potential in the order
in adsorptive removal. In the co‐precipitation process, competing anions slightly hindered
retention, whereas high temperature and low aqueous
led to greater
retention. No F‐bearing solid phases were evidenced upon its retention, except lowering the HT‐LDH crystallinity and rearrangement of
surface functional groups. The fluoride contents of natural water were lowered drastically up to 77% in 60 min upon precipitation of HT‐LDH by maintaining alkalinity and a di‐/trivalent cationic ratio of 2.0.

Practitioner Points

F^− uptake is rapid on heterogeneous surface sites with multilayer sorption mechanism

Greater F^− removed by coprecipitation technique compared with adsorptive pathway

Acidic medium and temperature >25°C favor greater F^− retention NO_3^−+PO_l4^(3−) slightly enhanced F^− uptake by adsorption but lowered in coprecipitation

Formation of LDH from natural waters lowered F^− content up to <77%
On the suitability of differential transform method for solving the self‐similar channel flow problems
Authors: Ali Kashif , Faridi Aftab Ahmed , Khan Nargis , Nisar Kottakkaran Sooppy , Ahmad Sohail
Published: October 2022

This article presents, for the first time, a comparative analysis of two different solution methodologies for the numerical investigation of flow and thermal behavior of Casson fluid through a channel having linearly extending lower wall while the upper wall is kept at rest. MHD Casson fluid boundary layer flow is supposed to be steady, laminar, viscous, and incompressible. We have taken into account the mixed convection effects, whereas the usual no slip condition has been imposed on both walls. The Navier–Stokes equations for the proposed model have been converted into nonlinear and coupled system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) by employing similarity variables, which are then solved by using the differential transform method (DTM) and the quasi‐linearization method (QLM). We note that the quasi‐linearization approach is better than the DTM, as the latter becomes inappropriate for the increasing values of the parameters involved. Moreover, the variation of the different parameters for velocity and temperature profiles has been analyzed graphically.
Current Knowledge and Conservation of the Wild Mammals of the Gulf of Guinea Oceanic Islands
Authors: Rainho Ana , Meyer Christoph F. J. , Thorsteinsdóttir Sólveig , Juste Javier , Palmeirim Jorge M.
Published: October 2022

Oceanic islands are usually difficult for mammals to colonize; consequently, the native mammal fauna is typically species-poor, often consisting of just a few species of bats. The oceanic islands of the Gulf of Guinea are no exception to this pattern. Still, the known mammal richness is relatively high for the small size of the islands. Out of a total of 13 native species, including 11 bats and 2 shrews, at least 7 species and 3 subspecies are single-island endemics. In addition to native species, at least 6 other wild mammals have been introduced to the islands purposely or accidentally by humans. Some of these are among the world’s most notorious invasive species and cause damage to native species, ecosystems, and humans. Predation by exotic species can threaten native island mammals, which are especially sensitive due to their small populations and limited ranges. These impacts are likely worsened by other threats, such as forest degradation and climate change, and a general lack of knowledge about the natural history of most species also hampers the implementation of conservation measures. Therefore, fostering further research on the endemic-rich mammal fauna of these islands is vital to ensure their persistence.
Biodiversity Conservation in the Gulf of Guinea Oceanic Islands: Recent Progress, Ongoing Challenges, and Future Directions
Authors: de Lima Ricardo F. , Deffontaines Jean-Baptiste , Madruga Luísa , Matilde Estrela , Nuno Ana , Vieira Sara
Published: October 2022

The biodiversity of the oceanic islands of the Gulf of Guinea is valued internationally for its uniqueness and locally for its contribution to human welfare, but it is under growing anthropogenic pressure. We provide an overview of recent progress, ongoing challenges, and future directions for terrestrial and marine conservation. The islands were colonized in the late fifteenth century and have since relied heavily on international markets. Nevertheless, the livelihoods of many islanders depend directly on local natural resources, and growing human populations and economies are intensifying the use of these resources, including timber, land, and fisheries. Here we summarize conservation initiatives on the islands, including pivotal projects and achievements, as well as the rise of civil society and governmental engagement. We also review species and site-based conservation priorities and highlight the need for continuous updating based on ongoing research. Engagement in conservation has increased steadily in recent decades but not fast enough to counteract the growth of anthropogenic pressure on biodiversity. Fostering capacity building, environmental awareness, and research is thus urgent to ensure a thriving future for the islands, able to reconcile economic development and biodiversity conservation.
Environmental Education in São Tomé and Príncipe: The Challenges of Owning a Unique Biodiversity
Authors: Ayres Roberta , Aragão José Carlos , Carvalho Mariana , Gouveia Francisco , Matilde Estrela , Panisi Martina , Sacramento Jormicilesa , Schmitt Vanessa
Published: October 2022

The islands of São Tomé and Príncipe host extraordinary biodiversity that evolved over millions of years without human presence. In the fifteenth century, the colonization of the islands created a society of migrants, associated with extensive land-use change and generally low knowledge and stewardship of autochthonous biodiversity. Formal education became widely accessible after the country’s independence but the curriculum has never been aligned with the natural heritage of the islands. Informal environmental education started in the 1990s alongside the pioneer conservation initiatives involving the scientific community. In the last decade, these efforts have multiplied, in line with the need to engage and involve local actors to promote stewardship and ensure the success of conservation efforts. Some changes were made recently at a formal level with the inclusion of environmental education curricula and new manuals. In addition, several initiatives and improvements are being developed in the private education sector. However, limited access to resources for educators reduces motivation and capacity to implement longer-term improvements. Most environmental education activities are still promoted by NGOs and mainly focus on endemic or threatened species and target school-age audiences. Other initiatives focusing on specific demographic groups have provided interesting results but are more intermittent and their impacts have largely not yet been evaluated. Improving formal assessments for current and future projects to assess impacts and refine future approaches will be essential moving forward. In addition, ensuring the involvement of local actors, coordination between different initiatives, and the use of diversified approaches will ensure that environmental education engages the widest possible audiences.
Unwinding a Legal and Ethical Ariadne’s Thread Out of the Twitter Scraping Maze
Authors: Rossi Arianna , Kumari Archana , Lenzini Gabriele
Published: October 2022

Social media data is a gold mine for research scientists, but such type of data carries unique legal and ethical implications while there is no checklist that can be followed to effortlessly comply with all the applicable rules and principles. On the contrary, academic researchers need to find their way in a maze of regulations, sectoral and institutional codes of conduct, interpretations and techniques of compliance. Taking an autoethnographic approach combined with desk research, we describe the path we have paved to find the answers to questions such as: what counts as personal data on Twitter and can it be anonymized? How may we inform Twitter users of an ongoing data collection? Is their informed consent necessary? This article reports practical insights on ethical, legal, and technical measures that we have adopted to scrape Twitter data and discusses some solutions that should be envisaged to make the task of compliance less daunting for academic researchers. The subject matter is relevant for any social computing research activity and, more in general, for all those that intend to gather data of EU social media users.
Onward Migration and Transnationalism: What Are the Interconnections?
Authors: Ahrens Jill , King Russell
Published: October 2022

This introductory chapter sets the scene for the book. It defines onward migration as a migration trajectory that involves extended stays in two or more destination countries and distinguishes it from competing and overlapping terms like stepwise and transit migration. Onward migration is a growing phenomenon within overall global migration dynamics, although statistics to document the scale and trends of this type of migration are scarce. The main aim of the chapter is to examine how onward migration and transnationalism are connected. This is achieved both by reference to a range of existing literature and by citing evidence from the succeeding chapters in the volume. We demonstrate both how transnationalism can shape onward migration and, the reverse, how different onward migration trajectories may result in different forms of transnationalism. In this latter context, we identify inter-generational, split, widening and re-routed transnationalism, again drawing on examples both from the book and from the wider literature. The final section of the chapter consists of a methodological discussion on the practicalities of researching onward migration and multi-sited transnationalism, in which the technique of multi-sited ethnography is discussed, critiqued and modified.
Bonds of Transnationalism and Freedom of Mobility: Intra-European Onward Migrants Before and After Brexit
Authors: Della Puppa Francesco , Sredanovic Djordje
Published: October 2022

While transnationalism and mobility are sometimes used as synonyms, the two concepts have different focuses: on attachments within different countries in transnationalism and on multiple and open-ended moves in the mobility approach. In this chapter, we explore how the two concepts intersect with onward migration in the context of Brexit. The loss of rights linked to EU freedom of movement that is part of the Brexit process increases the orientations towards further migration while, at the same time, limiting the opportunities for further migration. We use in-depth interviews with EU27 citizens in the UK, UK citizens in Belgium and Bangladeshis who have naturalised in Italy before moving to the UK. We show how the completed onward migration to the UK of the Italo-Bangladeshis has weakened transnational activities in relation to Bangladesh, including periodic returns and remittances. We further show how transnational links delimit the mobility orientation of EU citizens ‘by birth’, by focusing on the plans for return migration, rather than onward migration within the EU. Given these results, we reflect on whether transnationalism and mobility theory are simply convergent or if they describe phenomena that might actually be in partial opposition.
Big Science and Little Science in Open and Distance Digital Education
Authors: Kanuka Heather
Published: October 2022

This chapter provides a discussion of big science and little science. An overview of the definitions and uses of each is provided, as well as data collection and analysis practices, inclusive of a range of digital data analysis tools for research projects in open, distance, and digital education. A discussion is also provided on the promises, opportunities, controversies, and complications of big data and little data, as well as the possibilities of working with both forms of data collection. Insights based on the literature are highlighted, providing suggestions for practice when working with big data and/or little data. The chapter concludes with questions and suggestions for further research and implications for open, distance, and digital education that arise from the literature.
Refining the cutoff 3d gravity/$$ T\overline{T} $$ correspondence
Authors: Kraus Per , Monten Ruben , Roumpedakis Konstantinos
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Pure gravity in AdS3 is a theory of boundary excitations, most simply expressed as a constrained free scalar with an improved stress tensor that is needed to match the Brown-Henneaux central charge. Excising a finite part of AdS gives rise to a static gauge Nambu-Goto action for the boundary graviton. We show that this is the $$ T\overline{T} $$
T

T
¯

deformation of the infinite volume theory, as the effect of the improvement term on the deformed action can be absorbed into a field redefinition. The classical gravitational stress tensor is reproduced order by order by the $$ T\overline{T} $$
T

T
¯

trace equation. We calculate the finite volume energy spectrum in static gauge and find that the trace equation imposes sufficient constraints on the ordering ambiguities to guarantee agreement with the light-cone gauge prediction. The correlation functions, however, are not completely fixed by the trace equation. We show how both the gravitational action and the $$ T\overline{T} $$
T

T
¯

deformation allow for finite improvement terms, and we match these to the undetermined total derivative terms in Zamolodchikov’s point splitting definition of the $$ T\overline{T} $$
T

T
¯

operator.
High-Frequency Estimates on Boundary Integral Operators for the Helmholtz Exterior Neumann Problem
Authors: Galkowski J. , Marchand P. , Spence E. A.
Published: October 2022

We study a commonly-used second-kind boundary-integral equation for solving the Helmholtz exterior Neumann problem at high frequency, where, writing$$\Gamma $$Γfor the boundary of the obstacle, the relevant integral operators map$$L^2(\Gamma )$$L2(Γ)to itself. We prove new frequency-explicit bounds on the norms of both the integral operator and its inverse. The bounds on the norm are valid for piecewise-smooth$$\Gamma $$Γand are sharp up to factors of$$\log k$$logk(wherekis the wavenumber), and the bounds on the norm of the inverse are valid for smooth$$\Gamma $$Γand are observed to be sharp at least when$$\Gamma $$Γis smooth with strictly-positive curvature. Together, these results give bounds on the condition number of the operator on$$L^2(\Gamma )$$L2(Γ); this is the first time$$L^2(\Gamma )$$L2(Γ)condition-number bounds have been proved for this operator for obstacles other than balls.
Operative Therapie der Arthrofibrose des Kniegelenks
Authors: Jagodzinski Michael , Traut Philipp
Published: October 2022

Die Arthrofibrose des Kniegelenks ist eine schwerwiegende Komplikation nach Trauma und Operation, da die Funktion des Gelenks häufig dauerhaft beeinträchtigt wird. Es werden nach wie vor frühzeitige Mobilisierungstechniken und die Anästhesie eingesetzt, ohne dass die zugrunde liegenden Prozesse ausreichend aufgeklärt wurden. Während die Frühphase der Arthrofibrose gut auf konservative Maßnahmen zur Schmerzreduktion und zur Wundheilungsregulation anspricht, ist in der Spätphase häufig straffes kollagenes Narbengewebe vorhanden, das die Beweglichkeit dauerhaft einschränkt. In dieser Phase ist eine Verbesserung der Beweglichkeit ohne chirurgische Maßnahmen in der Mehrzahl der Fälle aussichtslos. Bei einer chirurgischen Therapie sollte zwischen der lokalisierten (zumeist sekundären) Arthrofibrose (z. B. Kreuzbandoperation) und einer generalisierten Arthrofibrose (primär, in der Mehrzahl der Fälle nach einer Knietotalendoprothese [Knie-TEP]) unterschieden und die Behandlung entsprechend geplant werden. Begleitende pathologische Veränderungen (Transplantatposition, Instabilität der TEP, Implantatverschleiß, „Low-grade“-Infektion, patellofemorale Instabilität oder „maltracking“, Patella baja) müssen bei der Behandlung berücksichtigt werden. Eine multimodale Begleitbehandlung (Physiotherapie, Schmerztherapie, Psychosomatik) ist zur Sicherung des Behandlungserfolgs notwendig.
Comparison of the prognostic value of early-phase proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy and diffusion tensor imaging with serum neuron-specific enolase at 72 h in comatose survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest—a substudy of the XeHypotheca trial
Authors: Koskensalo Kalle , Virtanen Sami , Saunavaara Jani , Parkkola Riitta , Laitio Ruut , Arola Olli , Hynninen Marja , Silvasti Päivi , Nukarinen Eija , Martola Juha , Silvennoinen Heli M. , Tiainen Marjaana , Roine Risto O. , Scheinin Harry , Saraste Antti , Maze Mervyn , Vahlberg Tero , Laitio Timo T. ,   for the XeHYPOTHECA Research Group
Published: October 2022

Purpose

We compared the predictive accuracy of early-phase brain diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS), and serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE) against the motor score and epileptic seizures (ES) for poor neurological outcome after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).

Methods

The predictive accuracy of DTI, 1H-MRS, and NSE along with motor score at 72 h and ES for the poor neurological outcome (modified Rankin Scale, mRS, 3 − 6) in 92 comatose OHCA patients at 6 months was assessed by area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). Combined models of the variables were included as exploratory.

Results

The predictive accuracy of fractional anisotropy (FA) of DTI (AUROC 0.73, 95% CI 0.62–0.84), total N-acetyl aspartate/total creatine (tNAA/tCr) of 1H-MRS (0.78 (0.68 − 0.88)), or NSE at 72 h (0.85 (0.76 − 0.93)) was not significantly better than motor score at 72 h (0.88 (95% CI 0.80–0.96)). The addition of FA and tNAA/tCr to a combination of NSE, motor score, and ES provided a small but statistically significant improvement in predictive accuracy (AUROC 0.92 (0.85–0.98) vs 0.98 (0.96–1.00), p = 0.037).

Conclusion

None of the variables (FA, tNAA/tCr, ES, NSE at 72 h, and motor score at 72 h) differed significantly in predicting poor outcomes in this patient group. Early-phase quantitative neuroimaging provided a statistically significant improvement for the predictive value when combined with ES and motor score with or without NSE. However, in clinical practice, the additional value is small, and considering the costs and challenges of imaging in this patient group, early-phase DTI/MRS cannot be recommended for routine use.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00879892, April 13, 2009.
Mortality prediction of the frailty syndrome in patients with severe mitral regurgitation
Authors: Shamekhi Jasmin , Al-Kassou Baravan , Weber Marcel , Goody Philip Roger , Zimmer Sebastian , Germeroth Jana , Gillrath Jana , Feldmann Katharina , Lohde Luisa , Sedaghat Alexander , Nickenig Georg , Sinning Jan-Malte
Published: October 2022

In this prospective observational study, we investigated the impact of geriatric syndromes and frailty on mortality and evaluated the prognostic value of different frailty, nutritional, and geriatric assessment tools in high-risk patients with severe mitral valve regurgitation (MR) who were evaluated for mitral valve therapies including surgical, interventional, and conservative treatment options. We prospectively assessed multiple parameters including the CONUT Score, the Katz Index of independence in activities of daily living (ADL), the Fried Frailty Phenotype (FFP), and the Essential Frailty Toolset (EFT) Score in 127 patients with severe symptomatic MR requiring surgical/interventional treatment versus conservative monitoring. We compared their predictive value on mortality including multivariate regression analysis to identify the most suitable tool to predict outcomes in these patient groups. The frailty syndrome as assessed with the CONUT Score, Katz Index, EFT Score, and FFP was associated with higher rates of comorbidities, significantly higher risk scores such as logistic EuroSCORE, EuroSCORE II, and STS-PROM, and significantly higher mortality rates. The EFT Score and FFP were independent predictors of one-year all-cause mortality in our study cohort (EFT Score: HR 1.9, 95% CI 1.2 to 3.2; p = 0.01; FFP: HR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1 to 3.1; p = 0.015). Geriatric syndromes and frailty are associated with increased mortality in high-risk patients with symptomatic severe MR. The EFT Score and the FFP were independent predictors of one-year all-cause mortality.
Prevalence and prediction of dropout during depression treatment in routine outpatient care: an observational study
Authors: van Dijk D. A. , Deen M. L. , van den Boogaard Th. M. , Ruhé H. G. , Spijker J. , Peeters F. P. M. L.
Published: October 2022

Efficacious treatments are available for major depressive disorder (MDD), but treatment dropout is common and decreases their effectiveness. However, knowledge about prevalence of treatment dropout and its risk factors in routine care is limited. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for dropout in a large outpatient sample. In this retrospective cohort analysis, routinely collected data from 2235 outpatients with MDD who had a diagnostic work-up between 2014 and 2016 were examined. Dropout was defined as treatment termination without achieving remission before the fourth session within six months after its start. Total and item scores on the Dutch Measure for Quantification of Treatment Resistance in Depression (DM-TRD) at baseline, and demographic variables were analyzed for their association with dropout using logistic regression and elastic net analyses. Data of 987 subjects who started routine outpatient depression treatment were included in the analyses of which 143 (14.5%) dropped out. Higher DM-TRD-scores were predictive for lower dropout odds [OR = 0.78, 95% CI = (0.70–0.86),p < 0.001]. The elastic net analysis revealed several clinical variables predictive for dropout. Higher SES, higher depression severity, comorbid personality pathology and a comorbid anxiety disorder were significantly associated with less dropout in the sample. In this observational study, treatment dropout was relatively low. The DM-TRD, an easy-to-use clinical instrument, revealed several variables associated with less dropout. When applied in daily practice and combined with demographical information, this instrument may help to reduce dropout and increase treatment effectiveness.
Improved generalization performance of convolutional neural networks with LossDA
Authors: Liu Juncheng , Zhao Yili
Published: October 2022

In recent years, convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have been used in many fields. Nowadays, CNNs have a high learning capability, and this learning capability is accompanied by a more complex model architecture. Complex model architectures allow CNNs to learn more data features, but such a learning process tends to reduce the training model’s ability to generalize to unknown data, and may be associated with problems of overfitting. Although many regularization methods have been proposed, such as data augmentation, batch normalization, and Dropout, research on improving generalization performance is still a common concern in the training process of robust CNNs. In this paper, we propose a dynamically controllable adjustment method, which we call LossDA, that embeds a disturbance variable in the fully-connected layer. The trend of this variable is kept consistent with the training loss, while the magnitude of the variable can be preset to adapt to the training process of different models. Through this dynamic adjustment, the training process of CNNs can be adaptively adjusted. The whole regularization process can improve the generalization performance of CNNs while helping to suppress overfitting. To evaluate this method, this paper conducts comparative experiments on MNIST, FashionMNIST, CIFAR-10, Cats_vs_Dogs, and miniImagenet datasets. The experimental results show that the method can improve the model performance of Light CNNs and Transfer CNNs (InceptionResNet, VGG19, ResNet50, and InceptionV3). The average maximum improvement in accuracy of Light CNNs is 4.62%, F1 is 3.99%, and Recall is 4.69%. The average maximum improvement accuracy of Transfer CNNs is 4.17%, F1 is 5.64%, and Recall is 4.05%.
Search, save and share: family historians’ engagement practices with digital platforms
Authors: Roued Henriette , Castenbrandt Helene , Revuelta-Eugercios Bárbara Ana
Published: October 2022

Alongside established heritage institutions, family historians are central figures in the ecosystem of digital heritage, both as contributors to and users of digitized historical sources. With that in mind, this research aims for a wide examination of family historians' engagement with the broader selection of available digital platforms, providing knowledge about how and why they choose to use one platform over another. This knowledge is important for the future development of sustainable digital platforms in the heritage sector. With a large variety of digitized source providers, many with free access platforms, Denmark and Danish family historians make an excellent case for this study. Through both a questionnaire and focus group interviews, using a grounded theory approach, this study has developed a model of engagement with digital platforms, referred to as a buffet model. This model illustrates how family historians pick and choose from a selection of digital platforms throughout their search and management of information as well as their community interaction. Moreover, through the lens of the Serious Leisure Perspective we find that family history is often a life-long leisure activity and family historians’ usage of digital platforms support this finding.
What is a fish? The life and legend of David L.G. Noakes
Authors: Bouvier Lynn D. , Baylis Jeffrey R. , Klemetsen Anders , Kristjánsson Bjarni K. , Li Judith L. , Magnan Pierre , McLaughlin Robert L. , Muir Andrew M. , Sakakura Yoshitaka , Skúlason Skúli
Published: October 2022

David Lloyd George Noakes (1942–2020) is best known for his insatiable curiosity, his quick wit and dry sense of humor, his scientific contributions to the field of animal behaviour, and his ability to form and maintain long-lasting connections. His research interests were vast but remained grounded in early life history, behaviour, social behaviour, the evolution of behaviour, behavioural genetics, and evolutionary ecology. David had a remarkable ability to establish and maintain strong connections within the international academic community. David was also internationally recognized for his numerous contributions as a scientific editor, promoting accessibility to the international community that he served. We memorialize David’s legacy in this tribute article, ensuring that his accomplishments and the momentous impact he had on the scientific community are not soon forgotten.
An MMC-Based Temperature Control System for a Long-Term Data Collection
Authors: Woo K. R. , Kim H. B. , Kim H. L. , Kim Y. H. , Kwon D. H. , Lee D. Y. , Lee H. J. , Lee S. H. , Lee Y. C. , Lim H. S.
Published: October 2022

We developed a two-stage temperature control system for a long-term stable measurement of AMoRE neutrinoless double beta decay experiment using a dilution refrigerator. The first-stage control was made with a standard PID system using an AC bridge with a ruthenium oxide thermometer as the main thermometer of the mixing chamber plate. The second-stage control was obtained with a magnetic microcalorimeter (MMC) that is configured as a sensitive thermometer for a detector tower, the main experiment. Under single-stage temperature control on the temperature of the mixing chamber plate only with the RuO2 thermometer, the MMC recorded temperature stability of the detector plate of 9 μK rms over 100 min. Under two-stage temperature control, with the first-stage of the mixing chamber plate at 11 mK via the RuO2 thermometer and the second-stage of the detector plate at 12 mK via the MMC, the MMC recorded a temperature stability of 0.5 μK rms over 100 min. Moreover, the heat channels of the AMoRE experiment obtained considerable improvement in energy resolutions when switching from single-stage (RuO2) to two-stage (RuO2 + MMC) control.
Promoting Child Development During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Parental Perceptions of Tele-Home Visits in Early Head Start Programs
Authors: Vicente Delia , Venegas Melanie , Coker Tumaini R. , Guerrero Alma D.
Published: October 2022

Objective

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted families to receive Early Head Start (EHS) home-based services virtually. This qualitative study evaluated parental perceptions of EHS tele-home visits.

Methods

EHS parents who had transitioned to tele-home visits using any video-chat platform were recruited to participate in a Spanish or English virtual focus group that assessed their perceptions of tele-home visits. Using an iterative, consensus-seeking inductive content analysis approach, themes and subthemes were identified.

Results

Thirty-five mothers of children newborn to 3-years-old, where the majority were Latino and Spanish-speaking, participated in four focus groups. Several patterns pertaining to technology, child engagement, child learning and development, and parent-home visitor relationship emerged in the qualitative analysis. Mothers revealed varying degrees of digital proficiency, device preference, and technology challenges. Mothers reported variability in child engagement and concerns with missed socialization opportunities for children as a results of tele-home visits, but also reported increased self-efficacy in supporting child development, positive relationships with their home visitor, and overall satisfaction with services.

Conclusion

Parents revealed tele-home visits have the potential to be a viable service delivery method for EHS home-based programs. While parents perceived increased engagement and an uncompromised parent-home visitor relationship, they revealed areas of needed support that would optimize the use of tele-home visits.
COVID-19 Vaccination is not a Sufficient Public Policy to face Crisis Management of next Pandemic Threats
Authors: Coccia Mario
Published: October 2022

This study reveals that a vast vaccination campaign is a necessary but not sufficient public policy to reduce the negative impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic crisis because manifold factors guide the spread of this new infectious disease and related mortality in society. Statistical evidence here, based on a worldwide sample of countries, shows a positive correlation between people fully vaccinated and COVID-19 mortality (r = + 0.65, p-value < 0.01). Multivariate regression, controlling income per capita, confirms this finding. Results suggest that the increasing share of people vaccinated against COVID-19 seems to be a necessary but not sufficient health policy to reduce mortality of COVID-19. The findings here can be explained with the role of Peltzman effect, new variants, environmental and socioeconomic factors that affect the diffusion and negative impact of COVID-19 pandemic in society. This study extends the knowledge in this research field to design effective public policies of crisis management for facing next pandemic threats.
Evaluating the online impact of reporting guidelines for randomised trial reports and protocols: a cross-sectional web-based data analysis of CONSORT and SPIRIT initiatives
Authors: Orduña-Malea Enrique , Alonso-Arroyo Adolfo , Ontalba-Ruipérez José-Antonio , Catalá-López Ferrán
Published: October 2022

Reporting guidelines are tools to help improve the transparency, completeness, and clarity of published articles in health research. Specifically, the CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) and SPIRIT (Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials) statements provide evidence-based guidance on what to include in randomised trial articles and protocols to guarantee the efficacy of interventions. These guidelines are subsequently described and discussed in journal articles and used to produce checklists. Determining the online impact (i.e., number and type of links received) of these articles can provide insights into the dissemination of reporting guidelines in broader environments (web-at-large) than simply that of the scientific publications that cite them. To address the technical limitations of link analysis, here the Debug-Validate-Access-Find (DVAF) method is designed and implemented to measure different facets of the guidelines’ online impact. A total of 65 articles related to 38 reporting guidelines are taken as a baseline, providing 240,128 URL citations, which are then refined, analysed, and categorised using the DVAF method. A total of 15,582 links to journal articles related to the CONSORT and SPIRIT initiatives were identified. CONSORT 2010 and SPIRIT 2013 were the reporting guidelines that received most links (URL citations) from other online objects (5328 and 2190, respectively). Overall, the online impact obtained is scattered (URL citations are received by different article URL IDs, mainly from link-based DOIs), narrow (limited number of linking domain names, half of articles are linked from fewer than 29 domain names), concentrated (links come from just a few academic publishers, around 60% from publishers), non-reputed (84% of links come from dubious websites and fake domain names) and highly decayed (89% of linking domain names were not accessible at the time of the analysis). In light of these results, it is concluded that the online impact of these guidelines could be improved, and a set of recommendations are proposed to this end.
A Review of the Extended EUV Corona Observed by the Sun Watcher with Active Pixels and Image Processing (SWAP) Instrument
Authors: West Matthew J. , Seaton Daniel B. , D’Huys Elke , Mierla Marilena , Laurenza Monica , Meyer Karen A. , Berghmans David , Rachmeler Laurel R. , Rodriguez Luciano , Stegen Koen
Published: October 2022

The Sun Watcher with Active Pixels and Image Processing (SWAP) instrument onboard ESA’s PRoject for On Board Autonomy 2 (PROBA2) has provided the first uncompressed, high-cadence, continuous, large field-of-view observations of the extended extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) corona for over a complete solar cycle. It has helped shape our understanding of this previously understudied region, and pioneered research into the middle corona. In this article, we present a review of all publications that have utilized these observations to explore the extended EUV corona, highlighting the unique contributions made by SWAP. The review is broadly divided into three main sections of SWAP-based studies about: i) long-lived phenomena, such as streamers, pseudo-streamers, and coronal fans; ii) dynamic phenomena, such as eruptions, jets, EUV waves, and shocks; iii) coronal EUV emission generation. We also highlight SWAP’s imaging capabilities, techniques that have been applied to observations to enhance the off-limb observations and its legacy.
$$\pi $$VAE: a stochastic process prior for Bayesian deep learning with MCMC
Authors: Mishra Swapnil , Flaxman Seth , Berah Tresnia , Zhu Harrison , Pakkanen Mikko , Bhatt Samir
Published: October 2022

Stochastic processes provide a mathematically elegant way to model complex data. In theory, they provide flexible priors over function classes that can encode a wide range of interesting assumptions. However, in practice efficient inference by optimisation or marginalisation is difficult, a problem further exacerbated with big data and high dimensional input spaces. We propose a novel variational autoencoder (VAE) called the prior encoding variational autoencoder ($$\pi $$
π
VAE). $$\pi $$
π
VAE is a new continuous stochastic process. We use $$\pi $$
π
VAE to learn low dimensional embeddings of function classes by combining a trainable feature mapping with generative model using a VAE. We show that our framework can accurately learn expressive function classes such as Gaussian processes, but also properties of functions such as their integrals. For popular tasks, such as spatial interpolation, $$\pi $$
π
VAE achieves state-of-the-art performance both in terms of accuracy and computational efficiency. Perhaps most usefully, we demonstrate an elegant and scalable means of performing fully Bayesian inference for stochastic processes within probabilistic programming languages such as Stan.
The role of digital technologies for the LCA empowerment towards circular economy goals: a scenario analysis for the agri-food system
Authors: Sica Daniela , Esposito Benedetta , Malandrino Ornella , Supino Stefania
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to develop a scenario analysis on the experts’ perceptions of benefits and barriers related to adopting digital technologies for the life cycle assessment (LCA) to catalyse a circular economy transition in the agri-food system.

Methods

A literature review was performed to identify LCA’s digital technologies that can be implemented within the agri-food system. Furthermore, an in-depth interview with a panel of senior researchers was conducted to establish a set of items and assess the perceived benefits and barriers associated with an “empowered LCA”, i.e. a future-oriented LCA based on digital technologies. To this end, a two-stage exploratory factor analysis relying on the principal component analysis technique was carried out to refine the set of items. Finally, a covariance-based structural equation model was performed, built on a confirmatory factor analysis, to test the measurement model.

Results and discussion

The study’s findings provide five constructs to explore the potential benefits and barriers related to adopting a digital technologies-based LCA (empowered LCA) for a circular economy transition in the agri-food system. More specifically, the benefits can be assessed using the following constructs: “benefits for the data collection and analysis”, “benefits for the LCA analysts”, “benefits for the management” and “benefits for traceability”. In addition, the barriers have been evaluated using a single construct labelled “general barriers”.

Conclusions

The study highlights the relevance of digital technologies for a circular economy transition to develop a more reliable LCA, enhancing legislative compliance and supporting the traceability processes in the agri-food system. The associated implications for LCA experts, agri-food managers and policymakers are presented. Furthermore, limitations and future research directions are also discussed.
Exopolysaccharide production from Alkalibacillus sp. w3: statistical optimization and biological activity
Authors: Arayes Mervat A. , Mabrouk Mona E. M. , Sabry Soraya A. , Abdella Bahaa
Published: October 2022

Microbial exopolysaccharides (EPS) provide a broad range of applications. Thus, there is an increasing interest in the production, characterization, and use of EPS derived from various microorganisms. Extremophile polysaccharides have unique properties and applications due to its unique structures. The importance of exopolysaccharides synthesized by a new bacterial strain, Alkalibacillus sp. w3, was highlighted in this study. Alkalibacillus sp. w3, a haloalkalitolerant firmicute that was recovered from a salt lake, was optimized for EPS production, and its biological activities were studied. Exopolysaccharide synthesis was observed in Horikoshi I broth medium. The optimal culture conditions for achieving the highest exopolysaccharide production were a 7-day incubation period, pH 10, and 250 g/L of NaCl. The most effective carbon and nitrogen sources for EPS production were glucose and a combination of yeast extract and peptone. Additionally, Plackett-statistical Burman’s design showed that all factors tested had a favorable impact, with glucose having the greatest significance on the production of EPS. The model’s best predictions for culture conditions resulted in a two-fold improvement in EPS production compared to the original yield before optimization. The recovered EPS contained 65.13% carbohydrates, 30.89% proteins, and 3.98% lipids. Moreover, EPS produced by Alkalibacillus sp. w3 demonstrated anticancer activity against hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) and human colon carcinoma (HCT-116) cell lines, with IC50 values as low as 11.8 and 15.5 µg/mL, respectively, besides antibacterial activity against various Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria, and yeast. Based on these results, EPS made by Alkalibacillus sp. w3 has many useful properties, which make it suitable for use in the medical field.
Non-functioning pituitary microadenoma in children and adolescents: Is follow-up with diagnostic imaging necessary?
Authors: Borghammar Camilla , Tamaddon Ashkan , Erfurth Eva-Marie , Sundgren Pia C. , Siesjö Peter , Elfving Maria , Nilsson Margareta
Published: October 2022

Purpose

No consensus exists regarding follow-up recommendations for suspected pituitary microadenoma in children. To address this knowledge gap, we investigated the growth potential of pituitary solid and cystic lesions <10 mm in children and evaluated the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements.

Methods

The children included were <18 years at first pituitary MRI and radiologically diagnosed with a non-functioning microadenoma or cyst <10 mm. Lesion size at first and latest MRI as well as all individual MRI examinations were re-evaluated.

Results

In total, 74 children, median age 12 years (range 3–17), had a non-functioning microadenoma, probable microadenoma, or cyst. Of these, 55 underwent repeated MRI (median 3, range 2–7) with a median follow-up of 37 months (range 4–189). None of the pituitary lesions without hormonal disturbances increased significantly during follow-up. Two radiologists agreed that no lesion could be identified in 38/269 (14%) MRI examinations, and in 51/231 (22%) they disagreed about lesion location. In 34/460 (7%) MRI measurements size differed >2 mm, which had been considered significant progression.

Conclusion

Non-functioning pituitary microadenoma in children has small size variations, often below the spatial resolution of the scanners. We suggest lesions <4 mm only for clinical follow-up, lesions 4–6 mm for MRI after 2 years and ≥7 mm MRI after 1 and 3 years, with clinical follow-up in between. If no progression, further MRI should only be performed after new clinical symptoms or hormonal disturbances.
Expanding the Phenotypic Spectrum of APMR4 Syndrome Caused by a Novel Variant in LSS Gene
Authors: Elaraby Nesma M. , Ahmed Hoda A. , Ashaat Neveen A. , Tawfik Sameh , Ahmed Mahmoud K. H. , Hassib Nehal F. , Ashaat Engy A.
Published: October 2022

Alopecia intellectual disability syndromes 4 (APMR4) is a very rare autosomal recessive condition caused by a mutation in the LSS gene present on chromosome 21. This syndrome has a clinical heterogeneity mainly exhibited with variable degrees of intellectual disability (ID) and congenital alopecia, as well. Eight families with 13 cases have been previously reported. Herein, we provide a report on an Egyptian family with two affected siblings and one affected fetus who was diagnosed prenatally. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) revealed a novel pathogenic missense variant (c.1609G > T; p.Val537Leu) in the lanosterol synthase gene (LSS) related to the examined patients. The detected variant was confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Segregation analyses confirmed that the parents were heterozygous. Our patient was presented with typical clinical manifestations of the disease in addition to new phenotypic features which included some dysmorphic facies as frontal bossing and bilateral large ears, as well as bilateral hyperextensibility of the fingers and wrist joints, short stature, umbilical hernia, and teeth mineralization defect. This study is the first study in Egypt and the 9th molecularly proven family to date. The aim is to expand the clinical and mutational spectrum of the syndrome. Moreover, the report gives a hint on the importance of prenatal testing and the proper genetic counseling to help the parents to take their own decision based on their beliefs.
Further exploration of the psychometric properties of the revised version of the Italian smartphone addiction scale – short version (SAS-SV)
Authors: Servidio Rocco , Griffiths Mark D. , Di Nuovo Santo , Sinatra Maria , Monacis Lucia
Published: October 2022

Problematic smartphone use (PSU) is an emerging public and social issue, potentially connected to the significant increase in smartphone applications. Different scales have been designed and developed to identify the risk of smartphone addiction, and the 10-item Smartphone Addiction Scale - Short Version (SAS-SV) is one of the most used instruments to assess the risk of PSU. The main objective of the present study was to provide further psychometric properties of the Italian version of the SAS-SV. The study was conducted with a convenience sample of 858 Italian university students. Parallel and confirmatory factor analyses were performed to confirm if the one-factor structure fitted the data well. In addition, because previous studies have emphasised gender and age differences in the SAS-SV, measurement invariance was also tested. Network analysis, predictive validity, and convergent validity were also explored. The parallel analysis results suggested removing Item 3 (feeling pain) because its factor loading was low, resulting in a nine-item SAS-SV. The measurement invariance showed that the SAS-SV performed similarly for gender and age. However, partial scalar invariance across gender and age was observed. Furthermore, gender differences indicated that more females than males scored higher on SAS-SV. No significant age differences were found. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve results indicated a cut-off of 29 points as the best for the SAS-SV (AUC = 0.85). Moreover, among males, the cut-off was 25 (AUC = 0.84), and among females, the cut-off was 30 (AUC = 0.84). The SAS-SV showed a strong association with problematic social media use (PSMU) and other variables related to smartphone use (e.g., time spent on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp). Overall, the present study results indicate that the nine-item SAS-SV appears to be a valid and reliable instrument to assess PSU risk among Italian university students.