bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ensemble Learning-Based Fuzzy Aggregation Functions and Their Application in TSK Neural Networks
Authors: Wang Tao , Gault Richard , Greer Desmond
Published: September 2024

Takagi–Sugeno–Kang fuzzy neural networks (TSKFNN) are powerful tools to model vague or imprecise information. Regression is one of the most important tasks commonly tackled by supervised learning techniques. TSKFNNs are considered suitable models to deal with regression problems on account of their simplicity and flexibility. Aggregation methods play an important role in combining various fuzzy rules from a TSKFNN rule base to obtain a model prediction. However, many current aggregation methods rely on expert experience and human knowledge, which may be hard to acquire and could bring human bias. This paper proposes data-driven aggregation functions for rules aggregation based on ensemble learning, namely AdaBoost and bagging, which can achieve superior generalizability in testing compared with the existing rule aggregation methods. Furthermore, they can also provide insights into the importance of each rule in the model’s decision making, thus, helping to improve the interpretability of the model. Extensive experiments on 11 commonly used benchmark datasets with various sizes and dimensionalities validated the superiority of the proposed ensemble learning-based fuzzy aggregation functions compared with existing state-of-the-art TSKFNNs.
Unravelling the European food security puzzle: exploring determinants and constructing a comprehensive measure
Authors: Palkovič Jozef
Published: September 2024

The main objective of the presented paper is to show the current level of food security conditions in Europe and identify its determinants. The paper presents the development of the food security situation in Europe in the period 2001–2020. It shows in detail conditions in the year 2020 which were influenced by the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic across the continent. The analysis used the definition of food security and its pillars according to FAO. It used available data from FAOstat for 12 variables in 4 pillars of food security from 2001 to 2020 for 38 European countries to produce composite indicators using Data envelopment analysis. This was used as the dependent variable in panel models with five explanatory factors: added value in agriculture, fishing and forestry, trade openness, gross capital formation, urbanization, and temperature change obtained from the World Bank database. Relationship between variables was estimated using Fixed effects, Random effects, and Pooled mean group model. The analysis found that food security in Europe increased until 2014, then followed a decline which was not compensated until 2020. The weakest regions were identified in the South-eastern and Eastern parts of Europe. The most key factors in the long run were the gross capital formation, added value of agriculture and trade openness. The impact of urbanization and gross capital formation was more important in the short run than in the long run. The effect of temperature change was positive in the short run in most of the analyzed countries, despite its negative long-run influence. The added value of the presented paper in the theoretical field is its methodology, from a practical point of view the paper offers information which could be used in further addressing food security problem solutions.
Glass serviceability limits: new evidence from human-centred studies
Authors: Hassen Mohammed , de la Barra Pedro , Oke Sagar , Overend Mauro , Bilow Marcel , Luna-Navarro Alessandra
Published: September 2024

The performance of the building envelope is crucial for minimizing operational carbon emissions of buildings and maintaining indoor comfort. Contemporary building envelopes, such as engineered glazed façades, achieve high performance levels but often add a significant amount of embodied carbon. There is therefore an incentive to reduce the thickness of the glass panels, but the minimum thickness possible is often not governed by strength or manufacturing limits but rather by the deflection (serviceability) limits. Despite objective criteria guiding serviceability limits, user acceptance of deformation remains unexplored, leading to conservative designs. This paper introduces a novel method for measuring user satisfaction with glass deformations, aiming to establish acceptance thresholds comparable to objective criteria. The study involves a novel experimental campaign to assess volunteers' levels of perception and acceptance of various glass deformations. The glass was deformed using a bespoke electro-pneumatic system at levels corresponding to below, above, and at the current serviceability limit. The results demonstrate the feasibility of measuring human responses to deformations in the glazing and provide essential data for setting serviceability limits. The experiments and corresponding user satisfaction feedback indicate that the current serviceability limit of L/50, may be relaxed, thereby presenting opportunities for material efficiency, such as the adoption of thinner glass in facades. The methodology effectively captures human responses, revealing that changes in reflection were the primary reason for the perception of movement; leading to a higher perception of glazing movement and a lower acceptance at night. Overall, participants felt safe regardless of their prior knowledge on glass properties, and providing this information to participants did not improve acceptance, which was already sufficiently high. The findings from this research fill an important knowledge gap in understanding user acceptance of glass deformations, crucial for comprehensive user satisfaction assessments and evidence-based reductions in glazing thickness.
Rare Tumors in Pregnancy: A Case Report of Ewing’s Sarcoma and Systematic Review
Authors: La Verde Marco , Marrapodi Maria Maddalena , Iavarone Irene , Morlando Maddalena , Lettieri Davide , Tesorone Marina , Cianci Stefano , Vastarella Maria Giovanna , Ronsini Carlo , De Franciscis Pasquale
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Ewing’s sarcoma during pregnancy is a rare tumor that poses significant challenges in terms of early diagnosis and proper management. The early symptoms are often nonspecific. Management requires a tailored approach that considers multiple factors.

Methods

PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library and EMBASE were screened from the first record appearing up to January 2023, through Mesh Items which were related both to pregnancy and Ewing’s sarcoma. Reviewers extracted data, in accordance with PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) Statement.

Results

Fifteen papers with 15 pregnant women were included. Eleven patients were young nulliparous. The mean gestational age at diagnosis was 26 weeks. The primary sites of tumor involvement were bone, kidney and uterine cervix. One patient underwent external-beam radiation therapy (EBRT) during pregnancy. Four patients received prepartum chemotherapy (CT), resulting in healthy deliveries, except for one case of fetal death. Cesarean sections were the primary delivery method in 50% of cases, but vaginal delivery was possible in three patients (25%). Maternal mortality analysis revealed that 4 over 13 patients (30.8%) died during postpartum follow-up (FU). One patient experienced recurrence (7.7%), and eight showed no evidence of disease (61.5%). Fetal survival was 72.7%. One study reported intrauterine fetal death (9.1% of fetal mortality), whereas two patients performed induced abortion (18.2%).

Conclusion

The limited available data indicate that the prognosis for Ewing’s sarcoma during pregnancy is poor, with high maternal mortality. Further research is needed to understand the complex interactions between pregnancy and Ewing’s sarcoma.
Using Positive Psychology to Uplift Minority Youth: The Importance of Sound Conceptualization and Contextualization
Authors: Balkaya-Ince Merve , Tahseen Madiha , Schnitker Sarah A.
Published: September 2024

As addressed in the critiques related to theory, measurement, and contextualization identified in Van Zyl et al.’s (J Posit Psychol 1–30, 2023) systematic review, positive psychology has failed to robustly conceptualize and assess the contextually nuanced character and virtue development of non-WEIRD samples, particularly ethnic-racial and religious minority youth, such as Muslim American adolescents. The purpose of this commentary was to provide a conceptually sound and contextualized approach to studying virtue development that uplifts minority youth’s lived experiences and does not undermine their development. We presented potential solutions for criticisms of positive psychology related to theoretical underpinnings, measurement, and decontextualized approach and illustrated the utility of these solutions with concrete examples within the context of Muslim American adolescents as an example of a non-WEIRD population. The paper concluded with recommendations for how these strategies could be similarly applied to uplift other ethnic-racial and religious minority youth populations.
Country on the Move: Comparing the Impacts of Service Provision During the Waves of Displacement Before and After Full-Scale Aggression Against Ukraine
Authors: Buchko Kateryna , Connon Irena L. C. , Dominelli Lena
Published: September 2024

The ongoing war in Ukraine demands a comprehensive and holistic state-level and social work response. This should address the psychosocial, economic, relational, and family reintegration aspects of the crisis and the needs and human rights of those affected by war-related displacement and migration. While the current global media has primarily focused on refugees leaving Ukraine, the severity of the impact of this conflict on those displaced within the Ukrainian nation’s borders has been largely overlooked. This study explores Ukrainian responses to internally displaced people during the first and second waves of war-induced displacement and internal migration in Ukraine, which took place after the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and after the full-scale invasion of 2022. It also critically examines the UK’s response to Ukrainian refugees arriving in the UK. Analysis of a review of the existing literature reveals significant differences in Ukraine’s support provision for internally displaced people (IDPs) during each wave, as well as key strengths and limitations in UK support for externally displaced Ukrainian refugees (EDPs). During the first wave, the Ukrainian state failed to fully address the needs of IDPs and protect their human rights. Although Ukrainian support for internally displaced persons has improved with the second wave, significant limitations in the provision of support remain alongside weaknesses in the UK provision of support for externally displaced Ukrainian refugees. The article concludes that incorporation of the lessons learned from the experiences of Ukrainian IDPs and EDPs is essential for improving the provision of services both in Ukraine and in receiving countries.
Slow (Bio)archaeology: Recovering Stories of Irish Immigrant Lives in the Huntington Anatomical Collection
Authors: Warner-Smith Alanna L.
Published: September 2024

I consider the power of “slow archaeology” in a study of the Huntington Anatomical Collection, focusing on Irish immigrants who lived and worked in New York City over the course of the 19th and early 20th centuries. I argue that normative bioarchaeological categories and methods cannot fully account for the varied life histories of persons in the collection. Instead, I turn to the tenets of slow archaeology to move between scales of analysis and material traces. With a slow approach, embodied experiences of labor are highlighted and discourses about laborers are challenged. A slow approach seeks to recover the lived experiences of individuals exploited in life and made anonymous in death and is one potential way toward a more ethical bioarchaeology.
What if … there were no special schools?
Authors: Ebenbeck Nikola , Koch Jakob , Ebenbeck Jakob , Gebhardt Markus
Published: September 2024

Inclusive education is a human right that involves restructuring the school system and closing special schools. However, there is uncertainty about whether all or only some students in an inclusive system should attend regular primary schools and whether all or only some special schools should be closed. This question is usually only discussed in terms of the best possible care and education and the challenge of transportation to school and travel distances is neglected. This article attempts to take both into account. The federal state of Bavaria in Germany does not yet have a fully developed inclusive school system. Using school statistics data for the entire Bavarian primary school population in 2020 (N > 445,000) and geographical data, we simulate deterministically what the Bavarian primary school system could look like with various underlying inclusion models. We analyse the resulting student numbers, support rates of primary schools and school travel distances of former special school students in an urban-rural comparison in four different simulated inclusion models. The results show that all models are potentially feasible. The student numbers at each primary school resulting from the closure of special schools would in most cases not change significantly, whereas the support rate (i.e., the percentage of students with SEN per primary school) would. Schooling close to home favours students in rural areas in particular and significantly reduces their journeys to school by up to 30 km, while for students in urban areas, all inclusive models would be possible. The pedagogical and systemic consequences of the simulated inclusion models are discussed.
Schulkomposition und Lernbedingungen: die Perspektive von Schulleitungen zu Qualitätsmerkmalen an Grundschulen
Authors: Kürzinger Anja , Seiderer Sonja , Funk Martina , Schult Johannes , Immerfall Stefan
Published: September 2024

Mit Blick auf den wachsenden Kompetenzrückgang in der Primarstufe werden im Beitrag Lernbedingungen an unterschiedlich zusammengesetzten Grundschulen untersucht.

Die Analyse stützt sich auf eine Befragung von 152 Schulleitungen an Grundschulen, die mit VERA 3‑Daten zur Komposition von 5553 Schüler*innen in Klasse 3 kombiniert wurde.

Latente Profilanalysen deuten auf drei Schulprofile, die sich in Abhängigkeit von der Leseleistung, des kulturellen Kapitals sowie der Alltagsmehrsprachigkeit der Lernenden als (1) sozial privilegierte, (2) sozial benachteiligte und (3) moderate Grundschulen charakterisieren lassen. Hinsichtlich der Lernbedingungen unterscheiden sich die Profile aus Sicht der Schulleitungen insbesondere im Bildungsklima und dem Umgang mit Anforderungen im Distanzunterricht während der Pandemie. So werden der akademische Fokus, die Fähigkeiten der Lehrkräfte und das Vertrauen in die Eltern an sozial benachteiligten Grundschulen tendenziell geringer eingeschätzt. Schulleitungen dieses Grundschulprofils scheinen im Distanzunterricht auch eher Anforderungen reduziert zu haben und von dem Einfluss familiärer Determinanten auf den Bildungserfolg überzeugt zu sein. Ebenso ist der von den Schulleitungen eingeschätzte Lehrkräftemangel an sozial benachteiligten Grundschulen signifikant höher als bei privilegierteren Schulen.
Rule breakers achieve successful shoulder balance: unraveling the myth of upper instrumented vertebrae selection criteria
Authors: Drake Luke C. , D’Amore Peter W. , Fontenot Bailli , Tetreault Tyler A. , Younis Manaf , Leonardi Claudia , Valenzuela-Moss Jaquelyn , Andras Lindsay M. , Heffernan Michael J.
Published: September 2024

Purpose

This study compared shoulder balance outcomes in “rule breakers” (RB) vs. “rule followers” (RF) based on commonly utilized upper instrumented vertebrae (UIV) selection guidelines.

Methods

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients (Lenke 1–4) who underwent posterior spine fusion (PSF) with minimum 2-year follow-up had radiographic measurement of shoulder balance including first rib angle (FRA), T1 tilt, coracoid process height difference (CPHD), and clavicle angle (CA) at preop, postop, 6-month, 1-year, and 2-year timepoints. Postoperative outcomes were compared between RB and RF groups defined based on the UIV selection guidelines of Rose and Lenke.

Results

Among 88 patients (43 RF, 45 RB), age, gender, preoperative T1 tilt, FRA, CA, and CPHD were not significantly different between groups (p > 0.05). Immediately post-surgery, the RF group had more balanced shoulders (CPHD: 11.6 mm vs. 15.7 mm, p = 0.033; CA: 2.8° vs. 3.6°, p = 0.045; FRA: 3.4° vs. 5.1°, p = 0.009; T1 tilt: 4.7° vs. 6.1°, p = 0.045). At 2 years, no difference was observed between RF vs. RB in CA (2.3 vs. 2.2°, p = 0.857) and CPHD (8.5 vs. 8.1 mm, p = 0.791). FRA and T1 tilt were higher in RB vs. RF (FRA: 4.6 vs. 2.9°, p = 0.002; T1 tilt: 5.6 vs. 3.9, p = 0.008). Shoulder balance (CPHD < 1 cm) was achieved in 73.1% of RB and 69.9% of RF at 2-year follow-up (p = 0.216).

Conclusion

Adherence to commonly accepted UIV selection guidelines did not predict better shoulder balance. The RB group had worse shoulder balance immediately post-surgery, but also improved more over time. These results suggest the need to refine current UIV selection and management.

Level of evidence

III.
Systematic Review of Construction Waste Management Scenarios: Informing Life Cycle Sustainability Analysis
Authors: Balasbaneh Ali Tighnavard , Sher Willy , Li Jingnan , Ashour Ashraf
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Construction and demolition waste (CDW) is increasing due to rapid urbanization. An estimated 35% of CDW is disposed of in landfills worldwide. Thus all available strategies for minimizing the environmental and economic impacts of CDW are explored. This study reviews the use of recycled construction and demolition waste as substitutes for primary materials as well as strategies for the reuse of materials that lead to the circular economy. The aim of this study is to analyse previous literature on CDW that use life cycle analysis and contribute to the circular economy.

Methodology

A bibliometric analysis and systematic critical review is presented to investigate the contribution of construction materials to life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA). The Scopus database was the main source of data reviewed. The geographical distribution, main research sources, and keywords co-occurrence were analyzed for 69 peer-reviewed articles and conference papers.

Findings

Most studies compared the life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle cost (LCC) of alternative concrete recycling methods or using waste instead of aggregates in concrete. Recycling or reuse of concrete, bricks, wood, gypsum, and steel are the most common materials studied in previous research. A knowledge gap is proposed for future research.

Originality

The knowledge gaps identified focus on wood waste and concrete. Currently it is not clear which of the options proposed is the most sustainable.
How Many Times Should I Use My Reusable Packaging? Exploring the Role of an Environmental Break-Even Point in Shaping Consumers’ Intention to Reuse
Authors: Miao Xueqing , Magnier Lise , Mugge Ruth
Published: September 2024

With growing awareness of packaging waste and pollution, reusable packaging systems (RPSs) appear to be a solution to mitigate the environmental impact of single-use packaging. Nevertheless, RPSs only become less environmentally harmful than single-use after each packaging is reused a minimum number of times, which is defined as the environmental break-even point (e-BEP). A lack of knowledge regarding this critical threshold may lead consumers to be overly optimistic about their reuse behaviour, resulting in insufficient reuse. Communicating e-BEPs can motivate conscious reuse but may also have drawbacks. We used a mixed-method approach consisting of an experiment (N = 276) with four e-BEP conditions (absent, low, medium and high) followed by open-ended questions. The quantitative findings showed that regardless of the e-BEP level, consumers neglected the efforts it implied and consistently exhibited positive perceptions. Nevertheless, the qualitative findings revealed several misperceptions of e-BEPs due to limited understanding. In a subsequent post-test (N = 208), we uncovered the role of consumers’ prior experience with reusable packaging on their evaluations and behavioural intentions. Experienced consumers who have used reusable packaging seem to be more aware of specific challenges in reuse. They exhibited heightened green scepticism and reduced perceived consumer effectiveness in response to high (versus low) e-BEPs. Conversely, inexperienced consumers appeared unaffected by e-BEP conditions. Based on these results, we proposed the potential effect of e-BEPs on consumer evaluations and derived theoretical and practical implications to encourage sustained reuse behaviour in the long run.
Innovative Pathways for the use of Excavation Materials in the Frame of the Future Circular Collider Project
Authors: Hauzinger Elisabeth , Ulrici Luisa , Gutleber Johannes , Galler Robert , Schneider Daniel , Haas Maximilian , Benedikt Michael , Pillet Mathieu , Voiron Jérémy , Boillon Pierre , Denot Agathe , Paciello Julie , D‘Aloia Laetitia , Machinet Gaylord , Deep-Collet Maha
Published: September 2024

Based a recommendation of the European strategy of particle physics of 2020 due to the great research success of the last decade CERN is planning a new circular collider with a circumference of approximately 91 km. To start construction in the middle 2030s a feasibility study is underway which includes scientific and financial components as well as territorial aspects such as geology, environment, technical infrastructure and civil engineering. One important factor is the management of the approximately 8 Mio. m3 of excavation materials, which consists mostly of molassic sediments of the Geneva Basin. In order to ensure that as much of the material as possible is put to high quality use in accordance with local regulations, the international contest “Mining the Future®” was launched. For this task geotechnical, mineralogical and geochemical tests were carried out on a large number of samples from across the study area. Based on the results, various utilization options were designed, which are primarily oriented towards alternative building materials with a low carbon footprint as well as agricultural use. The resulting concept of these sustainable strategies not only has a positive impact on the construction industry, but also play a major socio-economic role, as they improve social acceptance as well as responsibility in relation to large-scale projects.
Normativity and AI moral agency
Authors: Zafar Mandy
Published: September 2024

The meanings of the concepts of moral agency in application to AI technologies differ vastly from the ones we use for human agents. Minimal definitions of AI moral agency are often connected with other normative agency-related concepts, such as rationality or intelligence, autonomy, or responsibility. This paper discusses the problematic application of minimal concepts of moral agency to AI. I explore why any comprehensive account of AI moral agency has to consider the interconnections to other normative agency-related concepts and beware of four basic detrimental mistakes in the current debate. The results of the analysis are: (1) speaking about AI agency may lead to serious demarcation problems and confusing assumptions about the abilities and prospects of AI technologies; (2) the talk of AI moral agency is based on confusing assumptions and turns out to be senseless in the current prevalent versions. As one possible solution, I propose to replace the concept of AI agency with the concept of AI automated performance (AIAP).
Mathematical Models of Drug Delivery via a Contact Lens During Wear
Authors: Anderson Daniel M. , Luke Rayanne A.
Published: September 2024

In this work we develop and investigate mathematical and computational models that describe drug delivery from a contact lens during wear. Our models are designed to predict the dynamics of drug release from the contact lens and subsequent transport into the adjacent pre-lens tear film and post-lens tear film as well as into the ocular tissue (e.g. cornea), into the eyelid, and out of these regions. These processes are modeled by one dimensional diffusion out of the lens coupled to compartment-type models for drug concentrations in the various accompanying regions. In addition to numerical solutions that are compared with experimental data on drug release in an in vitro eye model, we also identify a large diffusion limit model for which analytical solutions can be written down for all quantities of interest, such as cumulative release of the drug from the contact lens. We use our models to make assessments about possible mechanisms and drug transport pathways through the pre-lens and post-lens tear films and provide interpretation of experimental observations. We discuss successes and limitations of our models as well as their potential to guide further research to help understand the dynamics of ophthalmic drug delivery via drug-eluting contact lenses.
Health survey on anxiety, depression, and stress in Afghanistan: A large-scale cross-sectional study amid ongoing challenges
Authors: Neyazi Ahmad , Mohammadi Abdul Qadim , Razaqi Nosaibah , Rahimi Bilal Ahmad , Sifat Sifatullah , Rahimy Najeebullah , Tareen Zarghoon , Mehmood Qasim , Satapathy Prakasini , Griffiths Mark D.
Published: September 2024

Background

One of the most significant events in recent Afghan history is the rise of the Taliban and the war that followed, which had profound impacts on the lives of Afghans. The present study examined the mental health of Afghans living under the Taliban government.

Methods

Between June 5, 2023 and February 12, 2024, a cross-sectional study was conducted among the Afghan population in three key regions of Afghanistan. Data were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. The 21-item Depression, Anxiety and Stress scale (DASS-21) was utilized to assess depression, anxiety and stress of the Afghan population. Ethical permission for this study was granted by the Afghanistan Center for Epidemiological Studies (ACES). Logistic regression models were employed to explore the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics and depression, anxiety, and stress among 2,698 participants.

Results

The prevalence of depression was 72.05%, anxiety was 71.94%, and stress was 66.49%. Multiple regression analysis indicated that gender (being female), economic status (being poor), residency (living in rural areas), education level (being illiterate), being a cigarette smoker, and having experienced a bad event during the past month were significantly associated with depression, anxiety and stress.

Conclusion

The findings of the present study show very high levels of anxiety, depression, and stress, most likely reflecting the profound impact of recent political, social, and economic changes. Notably, a significant majority of participants, particularly females and individuals above 35 years of age, reported severe to extremely severe mental health symptoms. The mental health crisis in Afghanistan is a complex and urgent issue that requires a comprehensive and compassionate response.
Regulation of autophagy by protein lipidation
Authors: Shao Yuqian , Hu Junchao , Li Huihui , Lu Kefeng
Published: September 2024

Autophagy is a conserved catabolic recycling pathway that can eliminate cytosolic materials to maintain homeostasis and organelle functions. Many studies over the past few decades have demonstrated that abnormal autophagy is associated with a variety of diseases. Protein lipidation plays an important role in the regulation of autophagy by affecting protein trafficking, localization, stability, interactions and signal transduction. Here, we review recent advances in the understanding of the role of lipidation in autophagy, including S-palmitoylation, N-myristoylation, S-prenylation, glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor modification and cholesterylation. We comprehensively review the enzymes and catalytic mechanisms of lipidation and discuss the relationship between lipidation and autophagy, aiming to deepen the understanding of lipidation and promote the discovery of drug targets for the treatment of autophagy-related diseases.
Residents’ pro-environmental behaviors in marine environmental protection
Authors: Xu Zhihua , Lin Yue , Li Shuqin , Huang Yiming
Published: September 2024

Guiding the public to implement pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs) is an important tool in protecting the marine environment. Based on a survey of 418 citizens in Qingdao, the public’s behavioral attitudes and media concerns are introduced to expand the traditional norm activation model (NAM) to understand the public’s PEBs to give references in constructing an effective public participation mechanism in marine environmental protection. The results reveal that most residents express a strong willingness to implement all types of PEBs, with a notable preference for recycling behaviors, followed by accommodating, public, and consuming behaviors. The extended NAM is found to be particularly effective in explaining accommodating and public behaviors. Personal norms can affect PEBs directly, whereas perceived responsibility and media concerns exert indirect effects on PEBs. Meanwhile, there are some differences in the formation mechanism among different behaviors. This research is conducive to understanding the public’s PEBs and thereby improving public participation in marine environmental protection.
Intra-individual variability of markers of skeletal and heart muscle damage after two full distance Ironman: the Iron(WO)man study
Authors: Danielsson Tom , Bergman Patrick , Carlsson Jörg
Published: September 2024

Purpose

To examine the tracking, i.e., the stability, of response in biomarkers signaling cardiac- and skeletal muscle damage after two full distance Ironman races separated by one year.

Methods

Thirteen individuals (7 females) who participated in two Ironman races in Sweden year 2015 and 2016 and had been included in the Iron(WO)man study were investigated. Blood samples were drawn immediately after the race and were analyzed for cardiac troponin T, N-terminal of the prohormone brain natriuretic peptide, myoglobin, creatine kinase and serum creatinine. Stability of the biomarker response between the year-to-year was estimated by calculating tracking coefficients using Spearman correlation.

Results

There were no intra-individual differences in the post-race values in any of the studied biomarkers (all p > 0.05). All tracking coefficients showed a substantial stability (rho = 0.60–0.77).

Conclusion

It appears that there are individuals who are at particular risk of getting high levels of biomarkers signaling cardiac and skeletal muscle damage. However, this secondary analysis was neither designed nor powered to give definite answers and could not rule out the possibility that higher markers in fact represent occult heart disease.
Scales and inferences
Authors: Orr Shirly , Ariel Mira , Shetreet Einat
Published: September 2024

Scalar inferences (SIs) are upper-bounding inferences associated with the use of semantically lower-bounded scalar expressions. One of the current debates regarding these inferences concerns their inferential pattern, specifically whether SIs are uniform or diverse across scales. This study follows the work on scalar diversity yet introduces two changes: First, we reexamine, from a different perspective, two structural properties of scales identified as accounting for SI diversity (boundedness and distance). Second, we analyze our data using both traditional regression analysis and complementary cluster analysis. The regression analysis demonstrates that our reexamination of the structural properties provides a more effective model, which also emphasizes the relationship between boundedness and distance. Specifically, we propose that boundedness fixes distance. The cluster analysis demonstrates two scale types: given-scales, which have an entrenched scalar construal, trigger SIs robustly; and volatile-scales, which have a fluctuant scalar construal, trigger SIs inconsistently. Building on these two scale types, we propose a necessary distinction between the conceptualization of a scale, which is diverse across different scales, and the actual derivation of the SI, which is uniform for all scales, once a scale has been construed. This distinction, we propose, explains how diversity can coexist alongside uniformity.
QUASI-HEREDITARY SKEW GROUP ALGEBRAS
Authors: RODRIGUEZ RASMUSSEN ANNA
Published: September 2024

Given an algebra and a finite group acting on it via automorphisms, a natural object of study is the associated skew group algebra. In this article, we study the relationship between quasi-hereditary structures on the original algebra and on the corresponding skew group algebra. Assuming a natural compatibility condition on the partial order, we show that the skew group algebra is quasi-hereditary if and only if the original algebra is. Moreover, we show that in this setting an exact Borel subalgebra of the original algebra which is invariant as a set under the group action gives rise to an exact Borel subalgebra of the skew group algebra and that under this construction, properties such as normality and regularity of the exact Borel subalgebra are preserved.
Word learning in the wild: App-based evidence for valence and concreteness effects
Authors: Wild Heather Ann , Kuperman Victor
Published: September 2024

Second language (L2) learners need to acquire large vocabularies to approach native-like proficiency. Many controlled experiments have investigated the factors facilitating and hindering word learning; however, few studies have validated these findings in real-world learning scenarios. We use data from the language learning app Lingvist to explore how L2 word learning is affected by valence (positivity/negativity) and concreteness of target words and their linguistic contexts. We found that valence, but not concreteness, affects learning. Users learned positive and negative words better than neutral ones. Moreover, positive words are learned best in positive contexts and negative words in more negative contexts. Word and context valence effects are strongest on the learner’s second encounter with the target word and diminish across subsequent encounters. These findings provide support for theories of embodied cognition and the lexical quality hypothesis and point to the linguistic factors that make learning words, and by extension languages, faster.
Ongoing and emerging issues for residential long-term care in the context of Covid-19
Authors: Latzke Markus , Braun Alexander , Pferzinger Manfred , Schönthaler Adelheid
Published: September 2024

Abstract: Background: Long-term care facilities have been confronted with various workforce challenges, including a poor image within the nursing profession, a shortage of staff, and a growing demand for long-term care. Furthermore, these facilities have been significantly impacted by the pandemic and the respective measures with detrimental effects on residents, staff, and their family members. Aim: This study explored issues in working in residential long-term care from the perspective of nurses and their perception on amplifying and additional effects of Covid-19. Methods: It applied a qualitative design focusing on experiences and views of 25 LTC nurses working in Austrian long term care facilities during the pandemic. Data were collected by conducting in-depth interviews either virtually or in presence. The data analysis was conducted by applying a thematic analysis. Results: The four identified themes are: (1) Work motivation, (2) Dealing with vulnerability, (3) Human Resource Planning and (4) External view on long-term care. For each theme it was delineated which aspects have been present in the pre-Covid-19 situation and which became more visible or arose additionally. Conclusions: Nurturing connection between LTC nurses and with residents and relatives as well as signaling the positive aspects of LTC such as relationships, challenge and responsibility may allow to tackle Human Resource Planning issues.
Which Encoding Techniques Facilitate Comprehension?
Authors: Tran Sophia H. N. , Fernandes Myra A.
Published: September 2024

Abstract: Previous work suggests that similar cognitive processes contribute to memory and comprehension. This is unsurprising as both begin with a common process: encoding. Despite this, the investigation of techniques that benefit memory and comprehension has proceeded separately. In the current study, we compared the robust memory techniques of production and drawing to a similarly effective comprehension strategy known as paraphrasing. Depending on the group, participants were asked to either engage in one of the encoding types (read aloud, draw, or paraphrase) or to silently read 20 term–definition pairs (randomly intermixed and counterbalanced). The encoding techniques of drawing and paraphrasing resulted in better performance on a multiple-choice test of concept comprehension, relative to silently reading. By contrast, reading aloud at encoding did not lead to any benefit relative to silently reading. The results suggest that techniques that invoke transformation of the to-be-remembered text into another format, be it into a picture (drawing) or personally relevant summary (paraphrasing), are particularly effective at improving comprehension. By contrast, encoding techniques that mainly provide a perceptual repetition (production and silent reading) are less effective.
The TβRI promotes migration and metastasis through thrombospondin 1 and ITGAV in prostate cancer cells
Authors: Mu Yabing , Wallenius Anders , Zang Guangxiang , Zhu Shaochun , Rudolfsson Stina , Aripaka Karthik , Bergh Anders , Mateus André , Landström Maréne
Published: September 2024

TGFβ potently modifies the extracellular matrix (ECM), which is thought to favor tumor cell invasion. However, the mechanism whereby the cancer cells employ the ECM proteins to facilitate their motility is largely unknown. In this study we used RNA-seq and proteomic analysis to examine the proteins secreted by castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) cells upon TGFβ treatment and found that thrombospondin 1 (THBS1) was observed to be one of the predominant proteins. The CRISPR Cas9, or siRNA techniques was used to downregulate TGFβ type I receptor (TβRI) to interfere with TGFβ signaling in various cancer cells in vitro. The interaction of ECM proteins with the TβRI in the migratory prostate cancer cells in response to TGFβ1 was demonstrated by several different techniques to reveal that THBS1 mediates cell migration by interacting with integrin subunit alpha V (ITGAV) and TβRI. Deletion of TβRI or THBS1 in cancer cells prevented their migration and invasion. THBS1 belongs to a group of tumorigenic ECM proteins induced via TGFβ signaling in CRPC cells, and high expression of THBS1 in human prostate cancer tissues correlated with the degree of malignancy. TGFβ-induced production of THBS1 through TβRI facilitates the invasion and metastasis of CRPC cells as shown in vivo xenograft animal experiments.
Learning long sequences in spiking neural networks
Authors: Stan Matei-Ioan , Rhodes Oliver
Published: September 2024

Spiking neural networks (SNNs) take inspiration from the brain to enable energy-efficient computations. Since the advent of Transformers, SNNs have struggled to compete with artificial networks on modern sequential tasks, as they inherit limitations from recurrent neural networks (RNNs), with the added challenge of training with non-differentiable binary spiking activations. However, a recent renewed interest in efficient alternatives to Transformers has given rise to state-of-the-art recurrent architectures named state space models (SSMs). This work systematically investigates, for the first time, the intersection of state-of-the-art SSMs with SNNs for long-range sequence modelling. Results suggest that SSM-based SNNs can outperform the Transformer on all tasks of a well-established long-range sequence modelling benchmark. It is also shown that SSM-based SNNs can outperform current state-of-the-art SNNs with fewer parameters on sequential image classification. Finally, a novel feature mixing layer is introduced, improving SNN accuracy while challenging assumptions about the role of binary activations in SNNs. This work paves the way for deploying powerful SSM-based architectures, such as large language models, to neuromorphic hardware for energy-efficient long-range sequence modelling.
A combined trade-off strategy of battery degradation, charge retention, and driveability for electric vehicles
Authors: Tawfik Mohammed I. , Ali Ahmed , Asfoor Mostafa
Published: September 2024

Electric vehicles are considered as an emerging solution to mitigate the environmental footprint of transportation sector. Therefore, researchers and automotive developers devote significant efforts to enhance the performance of electric vehicles to promote broader adoption of such technology. One of the critical challenges of the electric vehicle is limited battery lifetime and entailed range anxiety. In his context, development of counter-aging control strategies based on precise battery modeling is regarded as an emerging approach that has a significant potential to address battery degradation challenges. This paper presents a combined trade-off strategy to minimize battery degradation while maintaining acceptable driving performance and charge retention in electric vehicles. A battery aging model has been developed and integrated into a full vehicle model. An optimal control problem has been formulated to tackle the afore-mentioned challenges. Non-dominant sorting genetic algorithms have been implemented to yield the optimal solution through the Pareto-front of three contending objectives, based upon which an online simulation has been conducted considering three standard driving cycles. The results reveal the ability of the proposed strategy to prolong the life cycle of the battery and extend the driving range by 25 % and 8 % respectively with minimal influence of 0.6 % on the driveability.
Cervical cancer microbiome analysis: comparing HPV 16 and 18 with other HPV types
Authors: Hidjo Maire , Mukhedkar Dhananjay , Masimirembwa Collen , Lei Jiayao , Arroyo Mühr Laila Sara
Published: September 2024

Differences in the cervicovaginal microbiome may influence the persistence of HPV and therefore, the progression to cervical cancer. We aimed to analyze and compare the metatranscriptome of cervical cancers positive for HPV 16 and 18 with those positive for other HPV types to understand the microbiome’s influence on oncogenicity. RNA sequencing data from a total of 222 invasive cervical cancer cases (HPV16/18 positive (n=42) and HPV “Other types” (n=180)) were subjected to taxonomy classification (Kraken 2) including bacteria, virus and fungi to the level of species. With a median depth of 288,080.5 reads per sample, up to 107 species (38 bacterial, 16 viral and 53 fungal) were identified. Diversity analyses revealed no significant differences in viral or fungal species between HPV16/18 and other HPV types. Bacterial alpha diversity was significantly higher in the "Other HPV types" group for the Observed index (p=0.0074) (but not for Shannon). Cumulative species curves revealed greater species diversity in the “Other HPV types” group compared to “HPV16/18 but no significant differences in species abundance were found between HPV groups. The study did not detect strong significant microbiome differences between HPV 16/18 and other HPV types in cervical cancers. Further research is necessary to explore potential factors influencing the oncogenicity of different HPV types and their interaction with the cervical microbiome.
Privacy-preserving large language models for structured medical information retrieval
Authors: Wiest Isabella Catharina , Ferber Dyke , Zhu Jiefu , van Treeck Marko , Meyer Sonja K. , Juglan Radhika , Carrero Zunamys I. , Paech Daniel , Kleesiek Jens , Ebert Matthias P. , Truhn Daniel , Kather Jakob Nikolas
Published: September 2024

Most clinical information is encoded as free text, not accessible for quantitative analysis. This study presents an open-source pipeline using the local large language model (LLM) “Llama 2” to extract quantitative information from clinical text and evaluates its performance in identifying features of decompensated liver cirrhosis. The LLM identified five key clinical features in a zero- and one-shot manner from 500 patient medical histories in the MIMIC IV dataset. We compared LLMs of three sizes and various prompt engineering approaches, with predictions compared against ground truth from three blinded medical experts. Our pipeline achieved high accuracy, detecting liver cirrhosis with 100% sensitivity and 96% specificity. High sensitivities and specificities were also yielded for detecting ascites (95%, 95%), confusion (76%, 94%), abdominal pain (84%, 97%), and shortness of breath (87%, 97%) using the 70 billion parameter model, which outperformed smaller versions. Our study successfully demonstrates the capability of locally deployed LLMs to extract clinical information from free text with low hardware requirements.
Biodiversity impacts of recent land-use change driven by increases in agri-food imports
Authors: Cabernard Livia , Pfister Stephan , Hellweg Stefanie
Published: September 2024

Land-use change such as the conversion of natural habitat to agricultural land has been a major driver of global biodiversity loss, prompting efforts at biodiversity restoration. However, restoration measures in certain areas can shift the detrimental biodiversity impacts elsewhere through the outsourcing of agri-food supply chains to biodiverse regions. This study examines the link between biodiversity impacts from land-use change and shifts in global supply chains from 1995 to 2022 by introducing a marginal allocation into multiregional input–output analysis. Almost 80% of recent global land-use change impacts were associated with increased agri-food exports from Latin America, Africa and Southeast Asia + Pacific (excluding China). Conversely, increased imports to China, the United States, Europe and the Middle East accounted for almost 60% of recent global land-use change impacts from a consumption perspective, despite decreasing domestic impacts through restoration. Decreasing biodiversity impacts in temperate and arid regions have been partially achieved by outsourcing agri-food supply to tropical biodiversity hotspots. This results in a cumulated global extinction rate (1.4% global potential species loss since 1995), exceeding the planetary boundary by about fifty times, thus highlighting the need for policies incentivizing habitat protection in tropical regions and sustainable sourcing in agri-food supply chains.
Carbon encapsulated nanoparticles: materials science and energy applications
Authors: Guo Kun , Bao Lipiao , Yu Zhixin , Lu Xing
Published: September 2024

This systematic and comprehensive review summarizes the synthetic strategies, structural/compositional features, physicochemical properties, and energy applications of carbon encapsulated nanoparticles as efficient electrocatalysts and electrodes.
Automatic detection of fluorescent droplets for droplet digital PCR: a device capable of processing multiple microscope images
Authors: Mao Kaihao , Tao Ye , Guo Wenshang , Yang Qisheng , Zhao Meiying , Meng Xiangyu , Zhang Yinghao , Ren Yukun
Published: September 2024

An automated microscope image detection device (A-MMD) is designed to detect fluorescent droplets in droplet digital PCR images captured by multiple microscopes.
Collectively optimized Pt–O bond and morphology engineering of structurally ordered Pt3Zn intermetallic for high-efficiency zinc–air devices
Authors: Wu Chenzhong , Wang Qingmei
Published: September 2024

A structurally ordered Pt3Zn intermetallic catalyst was fabricated for highly efficient zinc–air devices, precisely modulating the Pt–O binding energy and featuring a unique nanocube morphology.