bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of focal renal ischemia–reperfusion injury in a porcine model using hyperpolarized [1‐13C]pyruvate MRI
Authors: Kjærgaard Uffe , Bøgh Nikolaj , Hansen Esben Søvsø Szocska , Tougaard Rasmus Stilling , Bertelsen Lotte Bonde , Schulte Rolf F. , Laustsen Christoffer
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Ischemic injury in the kidney is a common pathophysiological event associated with both acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease; however, regional ischemia–reperfusion as seen in thromboembolic renal disease is often undetectable and thus subclinical. Here, we assessed the metabolic alterations following subclinical focal ischemia–reperfusion injury with hyperpolarized [1‐13C]pyruvate MRI in a porcine model.

Methods

Five pigs were subjected to 60 min of focal kidney ischemia. After 90 min of reperfusion, a multiparametric proton MRI protocol was performed on a clinical 3T scanner system. Metabolism was evaluated using 13C MRI following infusion of hyperpolarized [1‐13C]pyruvate. Ratios of pyruvate to its detectable metabolites (lactate, bicarbonate, and alanine) were used to quantify metabolism.

Results

The focal ischemia–reperfusion injury resulted in injured areas with a mean size of 0.971 cm3 (±1.019). Compared with the contralateral kidney, the injured areas demonstrated restricted diffusion (1269 ± 83.59 × 10−6 mm2/s vs. 1530 ± 52.73 × 10−6 mm2/s; p = 0.006) and decreased perfusion (158.8 ± 29.4 mL/100 mL/min vs. 274 ± 63.1 mL/100 mL/min; p = 0.014). In the metabolic assessment, the injured areas displayed increased lactate/pyruvate ratios compared with the entire ipsilateral and the contralateral kidney (0.35 ± 0.13 vs. 0.27 ± 0.1 vs. 0.25 ± 0.1; p = 0.0086). Alanine/pyruvate ratio was unaltered, and we were unable to quantify bicarbonate due to low signal.

Conclusion

MRI with hyperpolarized [1‐13C]pyruvate in a clinical setup is capable of detecting the acute, subtle, focal metabolic changes following ischemia. This may prove to be a valuable future addition to the renal MRI suite.
Clinical utility of intraoperative arterial spin labeling for resection control in brain tumor surgery at 3 T
Authors: Calvo‐Imirizaldu Marta , Aramendía‐Vidaurreta Verónica , Sánchez‐Albardíaz Carmen , Vidorreta Marta , García de Eulate Reyes , Domínguez Echávarri Pablo D. , Pfeuffer Josef , Bejarano Herruzo Bartolomé , Gonzalez‐Quarante Lain H. , Martinez‐Simon Antonio , Fernández‐Seara María A.
Published: March 2023

Resection control in brain tumor surgery can be achieved in real time with intraoperative MRI (iMRI). Arterial spin labeling (ASL), a technique that measures cerebral blood flow (CBF) non‐invasively without the use of intravenous contrast agents, can be performed intraoperatively, providing morpho‐physiological information. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, image quality and potential to depict residual tumor of a pseudo‐continuous ASL (PCASL) sequence at 3 T. Seventeen patients with brain tumors, primary (16) or metastatic (1), undergoing resection surgery with iMRI monitoring, were prospectively recruited (nine men, age 56 ± 16.6 years). A PCASL sequence with long labeling duration (3000 ms) and postlabeling delay (2000 ms) was added to the conventional protocol, which consisted of pre‐ and postcontrast 3D T1‐weighted (T1w) images, optional 3D‐FLAIR, and diffusion. Three observers independently assessed the image quality (four‐point scale) of PCASL‐derived CBF maps. In those with diagnostic quality (Scores 2–4) they evaluated the presence of residual tumor using the conventional sequences first, and the CBF maps afterwards (three‐point scale). Inter‐observer agreement for image quality and the presence of residual tumor was assessed using Fleiss kappa statistics. The intraoperative CBF ratio of the surgical margins (i.e., perilesional CBF values normalized to contralateral gray matter CBF) was compared with preoperative CBF ratio within the tumor (Wilcoxon's test). Diagnostic ASL image quality was observed in 94.1% of patients (interobserver Fleiss κ = 0.76). PCASL showed additional foci suggestive of high‐grade residual component in three patients, and a hyperperfused area extending outside the enhancing component in one patient. Interobserver agreement was almost perfect in the evaluation of residual tumor with the conventional sequences (Fleiss κ = 0.92) and substantial for PCASL (Fleiss κ = 0.80). No significant differences were found between pre and intraoperative CBF ratios (p = 0.578) in patients with residual tumor (n = 7). iMRI‐PCASL perfusion is feasible at 3 T and is useful for the intraoperative assessment of residual tumor, providing in some cases additional information to the conventional sequences.
Liquid Plasticine‐Based Electrokinetic Enrichment of Proteins
Authors: Zhou Yulin , Niu Jicheng , Zhou Yan , Li Fei
Published: March 2023

Protein analysis is an important approach for disease diagnosis, in which sample pretreatment is an essential step since protein samples are often complex and many protein biomarkers are of low abundance. Here, given the good openness and light transmission of liquid plasticine (LP), which is a liquid entity formed by SiO2 nanoparticles and encapsulated aqueous solution, we developed a LP‐based field‐amplified sample stacking (FASS) system for protein enrichment. The system was composed of a LP container, a sample solution and a Tris‐HCl solution containing hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC). The system design, mechanism investigation, optimization of experimental parameters and characterization of LP‐FASS performance for protein enrichment were well studied. Under the optimized experimental conditions of 1 % HEC, 100 mm Tris‐HCl and 100 V in the LP‐FASS system, a 40–80 times enrichment of proteins was obtained in 40 min using bovine hemoglobin (BHb) as the model protein using the constructed LP‐FASS system. The simultaneous enrichment of multiple proteins (phycocyanin, BHb and cytochrome C) was also realized using the system. The LP‐FASS system can serve as a new platform for protein enrichment which is easy to be combined with online and offline detections.
Social incentives foster cooperation through guilt aversion: An effect that diminishes with primary psychopathic traits
Authors: Wu Xiaoyan , Zhu Ruida , Gong Xu , Luo Yuejia , Liu Chao
Published: March 2023

The association between primary psychopathic traits and non‐cooperative behaviors is well‐identified. There is a lack of studies on how to motivate cooperative behaviors in individuals with primary psychopathic traits. This study investigated the effects of monetary incentives and social incentives on promoting cooperation in healthy adults with varying primary psychopathic traits. Participants played a one‐shot public goods game (PGG) with other anonymous players in three different contexts: a social incentives context where participants' decisions would be judged by others, a monetary incentives context where participants' decisions would result in winning or losing money depending on their contributions, and a control condition where no additional incentives were implemented. We found that, compared to the control condition, both monetary and social incentives significantly improved participants' contributions to the public project—an indicator of cooperative behavior. However, the association between higher primary psychopathic traits and less cooperation was only observed in the context of social incentives. Computational modeling further revealed that this effect can be explained by the diminishing guilt aversion when participants deliberately violated their inferred expectations of themselves from others' perspectives. This study found that social incentives can encourage cooperative behaviors in non‐clinical psychopathy, and identified the mental processes navigating this effect.
Using a brief web‐based, on demand training to improve preservice teacher knowledge of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Monteiro Elissa M. , Sims Wesley
Published: March 2023

Teachers play an essential role in supporting children with attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and are often responsible for implementing the classroom‐based interventions designed to bolster the academic and behavioral success, and the socio‐emotional development of children with ADHD in schools. Unfortunately, several studies suggest teachers are inadequately prepared to take on this role. Evidence suggests there are widespread gaps in teacher knowledge about the meaning of a diagnosis of ADHD and evidence‐based interventions used to support children with ADHD in schools. The main purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of a virtual, self‐paced professional development seminar for preservice teachers. The webinar will be aimed at improving preservice teacher knowledge about the diagnosis of ADHD, characteristics of students with ADHD in the classroom, and evidence‐based interventions that can be used to alleviate academic and behavioral problems often experienced by students with ADHD. The webinar also aims to increase preservice teachers' self‐efficacy as it relates to supporting children with ADHD.
Sb2Te3/TiTe2‐Heterostructure‐Based Phase Change Memory for Fast Set Speed and Low Reset Energy
Authors: Park Jaemin , Sung Hansang , Son Soomin , Ju Sucheol , Lee Heon
Published: March 2023

The phase change memory (PCM) device has spotlighted as a candidate group for storage class memory devices and neuromorphic devices. However, the conventional GST‐based PCM has problems of relatively slow set speed and high reset energy consumption. In this study, we fabricate an amorphous Sb2Te3/TiTe2 heterostructure using a sputtering process by inserting multiple TiTe2 nanolayers inside the Sb2Te3 layer. The fabricated amorphous Sb2Te3/TiTe2 heterostructure film is confirmed as a phase change material with excellent properties through temperature‐dependent crystallinity change and resistance change analysis. Also, the Sb2Te3/TiTe2 heterostructure is integrated into a conventional T‐shape phase change memory with a bottom electrode diameter of 200 nm to analyze electrical switching characteristics. The Sb2Te3/TiTe2 heterostructure‐based PCM exhibited a faster set speed (≈30 ns) than the conventional GST‐based PCM, and the reset energy consumption is also reduced by more than 80% compared with the GST‐based PCM. In addition, the resistance drift coefficient is also reduced to 1/10 to improve the resistance drift characteristics. This study confirmed the excellent characteristics of the Sb2Te3/TiTe2 heterostructure as a phase change material and as a next‐generation PCM.
Antioxidant and chemotherapeutic efficacies of seaweed‐derived phlorotannins in cancer treatment: A review regarding novel anticancer drugs
Authors: Pradhan Biswajita , Ki Jang‐Seu
Published: March 2023

The ineffectiveness of traditional cancer therapies due to drug resistance, nontargeted delivery, and chemotherapy‐associated adverse side effects has shifted attention to bioactive phytochemicals. Consequently, research efforts toward screening and identification of natural compounds with anticancer properties have increased in recent years. Marine seaweed‐derived bioactive compounds, such as polyphenolic compounds, have exhibited anticancer properties. Phlorotannins (PTs), a major group of seaweed‐derived polyphenolic compounds, have emerged as powerful chemopreventive and chemoprotective compounds, regulating apoptotic cell death pathways both in vitro and in vivo. In this context, this review focuses on the anticancer activity of polyphenols isolated from brown algae, with a special reference to PTs. Furthermore, we highlight the antioxidant effects of PTs and discuss how they can impact cell survival and tumor development and progression. Moreover, we discussed the potential therapeutic application of PTs as anticancer agents, having molecular mechanisms involving oxidative stress reduction. We have also discussed patents or patent applications that apply PTs as major components of antioxidant and antitumor products. With this review, researcher may gain new insights into the potential novel role of PTs, as well as uncover a novel cancer‐prevention mechanism and improve human health.
Misfits or misrecognition? Exploring STEMM degree students' concerns about non‐completion
Authors: Archer Louise , Godec Spela , Holmegaard Henriette Tolstrup
Published: March 2023

Reducing rates of degree non‐completion and widening participation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) are key international policy concerns. This paper analyzes open‐ended response survey data from 1886 degree students in England, focusing on the 27% (n = 136/501) STEM and high‐status medicine (STEMM) degree students and 26% (n = 367/1385) non‐STEMM students who expressed concerns that they might not complete their degree. Insights are supplemented with two illustrative longitudinal case studies of young women, interviewed from age 10 to 21, who withdrew from their respective STEM degree courses. Around a quarter of both STEMM and non‐STEMM students expressed concerns that they might not complete and reported similar types of concern, with academic concerns being of prime importance—but particularly so among STEMM students. The percentage of students expressing concerns varied between STEMM disciplines (from 18% of maths students to 37% of computing students) and by student demographics, with women, racially minoritized, and students from less affluent backgrounds appearing most likely to worry that they might not complete. A Bourdieusian lens is employed to interpret patterns in the findings, challenging human capital explanations of non‐completion as due to individual student deficit (“misfits”) with a sociostructural interpretation (“misrecognition”) that draws attention to the role of capital and symbolic violence in shaping differential risks of non‐completion. Calls are made for the value of understanding STEMM student non‐completion as a structural issue, not just individual “unprepared” students who do not “fit” their degree.
A Study on the Dye Fixation Mechanism of Waterborne Polyurethane
Authors: Wang Yuhang , Huang He
Published: March 2023

Waterborne polyurethane (WPU) has been widely used in the field of dye fixation and different fixation mechanisms have been proposed. However, questions on the impact of each fixation mechanism on dye fixation and the internal relationship between each mechanism remained. In this work, three cationic WPUs (CWPUs) and three non‐ionic WPUs (NWPUs) were first prepared to answer the question whether the fixation performance of non‐ionic WPU was necessarily worse than that of cationic WPU with similar composition. Two kinds of reactive CWPUs, including epoxy and isocyanate end groups, were prepared to investigate whether the reactive groups on WPU‐type dye fixing agent reacted with the groups on the fabric. A small molecular cationic dye fixing agent derived from the hydrophilic cationic chain extender of WPU was also synthesized, aiming to explore the relationship between the mechanisms of film formation and the formation of color lake.
Syntheses of 1,2‐Oxaphospholane 2‐Oxides and 1,2‐Oxaphosphole 2‐Oxides
Authors: Xu Jiaxi
Published: March 2023

1,2‐Oxaphospholane and 1,2‐oxaphosphole 2‐oxides, γ‐phosphonolactones and γ‐phosphinolactones, also called γ‐phostones and γ‐phostines, are important five‐membered 1,2‐oxaphosphaheterocycles and crucial motifs of some biologically active compounds. Various synthetic methods of these 1,2‐oxaphosphaheterocycles have been developed till now. They can be divided as cyclization, annulation, cycloaddition, ring expansion and contractions. The cyclizations mainly include intramolecular nucleophilic substitution of 3‐haloalkylphosphonic and phosphinic acid derivatives, esterification of 3‐hydroxyalkylphosphonic/phosphinic acids, transesterification of alkyl 3‐hydroxyalkylphosphonates/phosphinates, halocyclization of alkyl alk‐2/3‐enylphosphonates, halocyclization of allenylphosphonic acid derivatives, the transition metal‐catalyzed oxidative cyclizations of benzyl/2‐methylphenylphosphonic/phosphinic acids, and the Pd‐catalyzed cyclization of γ‐bromoalkyl phosphonates/phosphinates. The annulations covers [4+1] and [3+2] annulations. In this review, we have described various strategies and further development for the synthesis of 1,2‐oxaphospholane and 1,2‐oxaphosphole 2‐oxides.
Histidine‐Mediated Synthesis of Chiral Cobalt Oxide Nanoparticles for Enantiomeric Discrimination and Quantification
Authors: Liu Xing , Du Yanli , Wang Shenli , Huang Yu , Tian Yongzhi , García‐Lojo Daniel , Pérez‐Juste Ignacio , Pérez‐Juste Jorge , Pastoriza‐Santos Isabel , Zheng Guangchao
Published: March 2023

Chiral transition metal oxide nanoparticles (CTMOs) are attracting a lot of attention due to their fascinating properties. Nevertheless, elucidating the chirality induction mechanism often remains a major challenge. Herein, the synthesis of chiral cobalt oxide nanoparticles mediated by histidine (Co3O4@L‐His and Co3O4@D‐His for nanoparticles synthesized in the presence of L‐ and D‐histidine, respectively) is investigated. Interestingly, these CTMOs exhibit remarkable and tunable chiroptical properties. Their analysis by x‐ray photoelectron, Fourier transform infrared, and ultraviolet‐visible absorption spectroscopy indicates that the ratio of Co2+/Co3+ and their interactions with the imidazole groups of histidine are behind their chiral properties. In addition, the use of chiral Co3O4 nanoparticles for the development of sensitive, rapid, and enantioselective circular dichroism‐based sensors is demonstrated, allowing direct molecular detection and discrimination between cysteine or penicillamine enantiomers. The circular dichroism response of the chiral Co3O4 exhibits a limit of detection and discrimination of cysteine and penicillamine enantiomers as low as 10 µm. Theoretical calculations suggest that the ligand exchange and the coexistence of both species adsorbed on the oxide surface are responsible for the enantiomeric discrimination. This research will enrich the synthetic approaches to obtain CTMOs and enable the extension of the applications and the discovery of new chiroptical properties.
Metal Coordinated Polymer as Three‐Dimensional Network Binder for High Sulfur Loading Cathode of Lithium–Sulfur Battery
Authors: Gao Qiaomeng , Shen Zhengyuan , Guo Zhijie , Li Minggang , Wei Jun , He Jinling , Zhao Yong
Published: March 2023

The construction of high sulfur (S) loading cathode is one of the critical parameters to obtain lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries with high energy density, but the slow redox reaction rate of high S loading cathode limits the development process. In this paper, a metal coordinated polymer‐based three‐dimensional network binder, which can improve the reaction rate and stability of S electrode. Compared with traditional linear polymer binders, the metal coordinated polymer binder can not only increase the load amount of S through the three‐dimensional cross‐linking, but also promote the interconversion reactions between S and lithium sulfide (Li2S), avoiding the passivation of electrode and improving the stability of the positive electrode. At an S load of 4–5 mg cm−2 and an E/S ratio of 5.5 µL mg−1, the discharged voltage in the second platform is 2.04 V and the initial capacity is 938 mA h g−1 with metal coordinated polymer binder. Moreover, the capacity retention rate approaches 87% after 100 cycles. In comparison, the discharged voltage in the second platform is lost and the initial capacity is 347 mA h g−1 with PVDF binder. It demonstrates the advanced properties of metal‐coordinated polymer binders for improving the performance of Li–S batteries.
Variational inference on a Bayesian adaptive lasso Tobit quantile regression model
Authors: Wang Zhiqiang , Wu Ying , Cheng WeiLi
Published: March 2023

The Tobit quantile regression model is a useful tool for quantifying the relationship between response variables with limited values and the explanatory variables. Under the Bayesian framework, the Tobit quantile regression model is often simulated by an asymmetric Laplacian distribution (ALD), which can be reformulated as a hierarchical structure model. An adaptive lasso prior is used to address the selection of active explanatory variables. A mean‐field variational family is adopted, where the variables are assumed to be mutually independent with each being governed by a different factor in the variational density. A coordinate ascent variational inference (CAVI) algorithm is developed to iteratively optimize each factor, and the evidence lower bound (ELBO) is obtained. Parameter estimation and variable selection are simultaneously produced by the optimal variational density. Several simulation studies and an example are presented to illustrate the proposed methodologies.
Effect of fecal preservation method on captive southern white rhinoceros gut microbiome
Authors: Burnham Christina M. , McKenney Erin A. , Heugten Kimberly Ange‐van , Minter Larry J. , Trivedi Shweta
Published: March 2023

The southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum) faces an uncertain future in the wild due to increased poaching pressure and habitat fragmentation, thus the management of reproductively successful populations is of critical importance. Successful reproductive outcomes in rhinoceros may be mediated by diet and gut microbial diversity; therefore, understanding gut microbial dynamics within and between captive and wild populations may help improve conservation efforts. Accordingly, gut microbiome preservation methods are needed that are practical for in situ field sampling of wild populations. We evaluated the efficacy of 3 different preservation methods over 2 timepoints for stabilizing microbial communities in feces from southern white rhinoceros (n = 10) at the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro, North Carolina, USA, during July–September 2020 and January–March 2021. Samples were immediately frozen at −80°C, stored in PERFORMAbiome™·GUT (PB) tubes or stored in 95% ethanol at ambient temperatures (to simulate field conditions), and processed after 14 or 230 days post‐collection. We quantitatively compared alpha and beta diversity across microbial communities and identified taxa that were enriched in each treatment group. Samples preserved in 95% ethanol consistently harbored lower Shannon diversity index (SHDI) and Simpson's diversity (SDI) values compared to Frozen and PB samples. This trend was apparent in both Ethanol day‐14 samples (SHDI 4.94; SDI 0.98) versus Frozen day‐14 (SHDI 5.19; W = 518, P < 0.001; SDI 0.99; W = 476, P < 0.001) and PB day‐14 (SHDI 5.15; W = 430, P < 0.01; SDI 0.99; W = 1075, P = 1) samples, and in Ethanol day‐230 samples (SHDI 4.48; SDI 0.97) versus Frozen day‐230 (SHDI 5.18; W = 0, P < 0.05; SDI 0.99; W = 0, P = 0.032) and PB day‐230 (SHDI 5.23; W = 0, P < 0.05; SDI 0.99; W = 0, P = 0.032) samples. Ethanol day 230 samples differed (P < 0.05) from all other treatments in both alpha and beta diversity indices. Notably, frozen and PB preservation methods maintained compositionally similar microbial communities across both time points. Our results indicate that PB tubes stored at ambient temperatures perform similarly to freezing at −80°C, highlighting their utility for microbiome fieldwork applications. Identifying optimal and versatile microbiome preservation techniques will enable future studies of the gut microbiome in reproductively‐successful wild populations, an effort central to conservation efforts in the southern white rhinoceros and other threatened species.
Imaging techniques as tool in the characterization of the impact of silica nanofluid in Indiana limestone
Authors: de Araújo Olga M. O. , Sharma Keerti V. , dos Santos Caio M. S. F. F. , da Silva Marcus V. S. , dos Santos Ramon S. , Anjos Marcelino J. , Oliveira Davi F. , Machado Alessandra S. , Lopes Ricardo T.
Published: March 2023

Indiana limestone is composed mainly of calcite and aragonite minerals, which are different crystalline forms of calcium carbonate. Due to its composition of almost pure calcium carbonate (around 97%), it is widely used in the petroleum industry as a standard porous media for laboratory experiments with a huge scope in industrial applications. A method to improve oil recovery is associated with the use of nanoparticles (NP). One of the most promising is presented to be that of silica (Si) NP, because of their compatibility with the reservoir and subsurface abundance. In this work, we applied Si NP at a concentration of 0.5%, prepared in a base fluid of 1000 ppm in crude oil, injected in Indiana limestone and tested them with microtomography (microCT) and micro x‐ray fluorescence (microXRF) techniques to evaluate the impact of the treatment. Combining morphological results with the mapping of the elements, a more complete characterization of the sample is possible for a better understanding of these interactions applied in oil field industries.
Natural convective MHD nanofluid flow past a vertical plate embedded in a porous medium with thermal diffusion and hall current
Authors: Gohain Dipunja , Taid Bijoy Krishna , Ahmed Nazibuddin
Published: March 2023

In the present study, we explore MHD water‐based nanofluid flow past an impulsively started infinite vertical plate embedded in a porous medium, including ramped velocity and concentration in the presence of Hall effect, thermal radiation, chemical reaction, heat source/sink and thermal diffusion. The set of non‐dimensional governing equations is computed utilising the Laplace transform method. The effect of different embedded parameters on velocity, temperature and concentration profiles have been plotted and graphically deliberated through physical interpretation. Variations of the Nusselt number, Sherwood number and skin friction are also studied. It is established that for higher values of nanoparticle volume fraction, the primary and secondary velocities and concentration of the fluid reduce. The temperature enhances by increasing the nanoparticle volume fraction. The thermal diffusion upsurges the fluid concentration. The rate of momentum transfer falls as Hall current parameter increases.
Backcrossing as a species restoration technique
Authors: Wharton Dan
Published: March 2023

An investigation was conducted on the phenotypic results of mouse hybridization and seven generations of backcrossing, observing reciprocal F1 hybrids and backcrosses of Mus spretus and a laboratory strain of Mus domesticus C57BL/6J. F1 hybrids, backcrosses, and pure control specimens were measured for 6 body characteristics, 4 pelage coloration characteristics, 14 behaviors, and reproduction as reflected in litter size. Backcrossing was pursued for seven generations to FBC7 (i.e., “Backcross 7” or seven generations from commencement of backcrossing from an F1 hybrid female) where species restoration is mathematically calculated to be at 99.7%. Except for a minority of FBC7 M. spretus specimens failing to conform completely to one pelage characteristic, FBC7 specimens were indistinguishable from controls both subjectively and in all areas of measurement. The M. spretus backcross line was followed generation by generation and was largely conforming to controls by FBC4 at latest. The same effect was observed in the reciprocal M. domesticus backcross line. Fertility was negatively affected in F1 hybrids but restored or improved in backcross generations. Discussion is offered on hybridization and backcrossing as it occurs in nature and how it has been used or could be used as an additional ex situ tool in wildlife conservation efforts. It is concluded that conservation‐oriented backcrossing is a practical species/subspecies restoration technique and has the potential to make genetic rescue feasible with minimal gene flow at the binomial level. Backcrossing is most applicable in closely monitored ex situ settings (1) where only one sex remains of a given taxon; and (2) where inbreeding depression seriously threatens a remnant taxon's ability to recover, and the only gene flow option is from another distinct species.
Advanced Topics
Authors: Esuli Andrea , Fabris Alessandro , Moreo Alejandro , Sebastiani Fabrizio
Published: March 2023

In this chapter we look at a number of “advanced” (or niche) topics in quantification, including quantification for ordinal data, “regression quantification” (the task that stands to regression as “standard” quantification stands to classification), cross-lingual quantification for textual data, quantification for networked data, and quantification for streaming data. The chapter ends with a discussion on how to derive confidence intervals for the class prevalence estimates returned by quantification systems.
The Quantification Landscape
Authors: Esuli Andrea , Fabris Alessandro , Moreo Alejandro , Sebastiani Fabrizio
Published: March 2023

This chapter looks at other aspects of the “quantification landscape” that have not been covered in the previous chapters, and discusses the evolution of quantification research, from its beginnings to the most recent quantification-based “shared tasks”; the landscape of quantification-based, publicly available software libraries; visualization tools specifically oriented to displaying the results of quantification-based experiments; and other tasks in data science that present important similarities with quantification. This chapter also presents the results of experiments, that we have carried out ourselves, in which we compare many of the methods discussed in Chapter2on a common testing infrastructure.
Tunnel Linings
Authors: Neu Gerrit Emanuel , Christ Florian , Iskhakov Tagir , Krikelis Christina , Petraroia Diego Nicolás , Plückelmann Sven , Schoen Maximilian , Breitenbücher Rolf , Lavasan Arash Alimardani , Mark Peter , Meschke Günther , Timothy Jithender J.
Published: March 2023

In this chapter, important research results for the development of a robust and damage-tolerant multimaterial tunnel lining are presented. This includes the production, design and optimization of fiber-reinforced hybrid segmental lining systems based on numerical models and experimental investigations under tunneling loads. In addition, novel tail void grouting materials are developed and optimized regarding their infiltration and hardening behavior while taking the interaction with the surrounding ground into account. In order to expand the applicability of mechanized tunneling regarding soils characterized by significant swelling potential due to water uptake by clay minerals, a deformable segmental lining system is presented. The risk of damage due to high localized loads is reduced by the integration of additional radial protective layers on the lining segments and a compressible annular gap grout, which protect the tunnel structure by undergoing high deformations after reaching a certain yielding load. However, the deformability of such support systems affects the distribution of the stresses around the tunnel which governs the magnitude and buildup of the swelling pressure in the soil. Therefore, the development of damage tolerant lining systems requires a material and structural design which ensures an optimal soil-structure interaction through a synergy of computational and experimental techniques.
The Cultures Framework
Authors: Stephenson Janet
Published: March 2023

This chapter introduces the cultures framework, which offers a conceptual structure for visualising and analysing the relationship between culture and sustainability. It has been extensively tested through research on a wide range of sustainability problems. The core of the framework—which conveys the interactions between motivators, activities and materiality, together called the cultural ensemble—reflects widely shared understandings of culture’s features and dynamics as discussed in Chapter 3. The framework also incorporates conceptual elements from other fields of knowledge. From systems theory, it takes understandings of system dynamics and system boundaries. From structuration, it adopts the concept of agency and applies it to circumscribe actors’ cultures. Contextual pressures on culture are drawn into consideration as external influences. Sustainability outcomes are the tangible effects of how these variables work through actors’ cultures. These ideas are visually represented in a model which is applicable to cultural analysis at any scale.
Conclusion: Records, Bodies and Contested Justice
Authors: McCulloch Jock , Miller Pavla
Published: March 2023

The conclusion draws together the main themes of the book and brings the story of the miners’ class action up to date.

For most of the twentieth century, gold mining dominated South Africa’s economy. Through their extensive use of migrant labour, the industry helped shape the economies—and populations—of the southern half of the continent. The mines led the world in the use of science, provisions for compensating occupational injury and state oversight of the industry. Yet their reputation for excellence was undeserved. Rather, the collusion between the state and the industry in suppressing the knowledge of risk, the publication of misleading data and the use of publicity is best characterised as the manufacture of ignorance. In particular, the systematic failure to collect health statistics and employment records impeded the accumulation of comparable data, prevented the consolidation of epidemiological evidence and so played a significant part in hiding an epidemic of occupational lung disease.

In the first half of the twentieth century, the South African gold mining industry helped shape and consolidate apartheid. The gradual dismantling of this system in the 1990s presented both the industry and social justice advocates with far-reaching challenges. The recent settlement of the miners’ class action and establishment of the Tshiamiso Trust coincided with sharp decline of the gold mining industry and struggling ODMWA compensation system. Lack of administrative capacity, patchy employment records, difficulties in diagnosing silicosis and TB and shortages of medical staff have been exacerbated by the COVID pandemic. These and other issues have become the focus of a Justice for Miners campaign. The chapter concludes by noting that those who support miners injured in South Africa’s process of wealth accumulation—propose solutions to practical problems, conduct research into occupational diseases and mobilise local communities—make a double contribution to social justice. They assist miners and their families receive compensation, and help heal longstanding injuries to the region’s civil society.
Lifting the Ban on the Recruitment of Tropical Labour: 1933–1945
Authors: McCulloch Jock , Miller Pavla
Published: March 2023

The ban on the recruitment of Tropical labour, imposed in 1913, was arguably the single most important state intervention in the mines’ history. It was the only intervention aimed specifically at protecting migrant labour—and it was strongly opposed by the industry. To have the ban lifted, the Chamber commissioned the international experts Almroth Wright, William Gorgas and Lyle Cummins to find a solution to deaths on the mines. Wright failed to develop an effective vaccine, and the expert recommendations of Gorgas and Cummins were largely ignored. Improved conditions on the mines did lead to a reduction of deaths from infectious pneumonia. What proved most effective in lifting the ban, however, was relentless lobbying, led by the company actuary William Gemmill and the Chief Medical Officer of Rand Mines, Dr A.J. Orenstein. Despite persistent evidence to the contrary, by 1938 the Chamber of Mines succeeded in persuading the South African government, the Colonial Office and the ILO that conditions on the mines were safe and that oscillating migration was beneficial to labour.
Tuberculosis, Malnutrition and Mining in South Africa: 1903–1960
Authors: McCulloch Jock , Miller Pavla
Published: March 2023

Tuberculosis became a notifiable disease in the Cape in 1907, and throughout the South African Union under the Public Health Act of 1919. The Act, which was designed to limit infection among whites, introduced programmes for early diagnosis, treatment and notification, as well as improved housing, sanitation and education. It also established dispensaries, sanatoria and farm colonies. There was no parallel programme for the majority of South Africans. By mid-twentieth century, the tuberculosis death rate among whites in South Africa was lower than in most European countries and was falling. However, the limited data suggested that the death rates among non-Europeans were disturbingly high. Over several decades, a range of medical officers and commissions of enquiry warned about a looming tuberculosis crisis, but there was no public health response, whether in the form of programmes to tackle malnutrition, diagnosing and treating those infected with tuberculosis or collecting relevant statistics. Effective treatment of tuberculosis, which should have—but did not—completely changed the management of the disease on the mines, became available in the 1950s. The failure to take advantage of the new drugs made the mines’ determination to externalise costs even more visible.
Tuberculosis and Migrant Labour in the High Commission Territories: Bechuanaland: 1885–1998
Authors: McCulloch Jock , Miller Pavla
Published: March 2023

Britain acquired the High Commission Territories (HCTs) of Bechuanaland, Basutoland and Swaziland largely as a result of conflict with the Boer Republics around the turn of the twentieth century. The Territories were poor, had dispersed rural populations and few natural resources. Britain administered the HCTs on the principle that expenditure should not exceed the revenue obtained through taxation and made little investment in basic services and infrastructure. Generating sufficient revenue was a constant problem. The HCTs were starved of funds for essential services, and they soon became dependent upon the revenue from contracting labour to the gold mines. Selling migrant labour, however, came at a cost. From as early as 1912, the annual medical reports from the three Territories suggested that the mines were spreading tuberculosis into vulnerable populations. Medical repatriations were one of the obvious costs of a system in which a physical elite travelled south and, having served their contracts, returned home seriously ill. This chapter examines the interplay between colonial taxation, oscillating migration to the gold mines, the poverty of local communities and the emergent TB epidemic in Bechuanaland. The imposition and subsequent lifting of the ban on the recruitment of tropical labour and continuing tensions over recruiting at local and governmental levels are then linked to the developments of the medical system and compensation regimes.
Luminescent Mechanochromism and the Photosalient Effect of Aryl Gold(I) Isocyanide Complexes
Authors: Seki Tomohiro , Ito Hajime
Published: March 2023

A study of stimuli-responsive molecules that can change their physical properties or external shape owing to variations in the external environment has attracted much attention owing to potential application in sensors and actuators. Our group has intensively studied aryl gold(I) isocyanide complexes to develop stimuli-responsive molecular crystals that can show luminescent mechanochromism and crystal jumping through phase transitions induced by mechanical stimulation or photoirradiation. Interestingly, some of our gold(I) isocyanide complexes have crystalline or even single crystalline characteristic both before and after mechano-induced emission color changes or photoinduced crystal jump. Based on the detailed information on molecular arrangements of the aryl gold(I) isocyanide complexes, the underlying mechanism of the responses can be clearly identified. In the Sect. 5.2 of this chapter, we review luminescent mechanochromic aryl gold(I) isocyanide complexes that has unique characteristic such as multiple emission colors, infrared emission, and noncentrosymmetry/centrosymmetry switching. Section 5.3 describes the mechano-induced single-crystal-to-single-crystal phase transitions of aryl gold(I) isocyanide complexes with red- and blue-shifted emission color changes or reversibility. In Sect. 5.4, the photoinduced phase transition of a gold(I) complex which accompanied by mechanical motion, i.e., crystal jump is described.
Spectral curves and W-representations of matrix models
Authors: Mironov A. , Morozov A.
Published: March 2023

Abstract

We explain how the spectral curve can be extracted from the$$ \mathcal{W} $$W-representation of a matrix model. It emerges from the part of the$$ \mathcal{W} $$W-operator, which is linear in time-variables. A possibility of extracting the spectral curve in this way is important because there are models where matrix integrals are not yet available, and still they possess all their important features. We apply this reasoning to the family of WLZZ models and discuss additional peculiarities which appear for the non-negative value of the family parametern, when the model depends on additional couplings (dual times). In this case, the relation between topological and 1/Nexpansions is broken. On the other hand, all the WLZZ partition functions areτ-functions of the Toda lattice hierarchy, and these models also celebrate the superintegrability properties.
Parton distributions with scale uncertainties: a Monte Carlo sampling approach
Authors: Kassabov Zahari , Ubiali Maria , Voisey Cameron
Published: March 2023

Abstract

We present the MCscales approach for incorporating scale uncertainties in parton distribution functions (PDFs). The new methodology builds on the Monte Carlo sampling for propagating experimental uncertainties into the PDF space that underlies the NNPDF approach, but it extends it to the space of factorisation and renomalisation scales. A prior probability is assigned to each scale combinations set in the theoretical predictions used to obtain each PDF replica in the Monte Carlo ensemble and a posterior probability is obtained by selecting replicas that satisfy fit-quality criteria. Our approach allows one to exactly match the scale variations in the PDFs with those in the computation of the partonic cross sections, thus accounting for the full correlations between the two. We illustrate the opportunities for phenomenological exploration made possible by our methodology for a variety of LHC observables. Sets of PDFs enriched with scale information are provided, along with a set of tools to use them.
A Proposal for a Parametric 3D City Model Semantic Format
Authors: La Russa Federico Mario
Published: March 2023

This research concerns the development of a parametric format for the semantic description of 3D city models. Following a brief review of the state of the art, the case study is introduced (an historical city block in Catania) whose geometries will be semantically organised through the VPL Grasshopper.
An Algorithmic Approach to Palladio’s Design of Stairs
Authors: Giovannini Elisabetta Caterina
Published: March 2023

Book I of Andrea Palladio's I quattro libri dell’architettura, contains the rules of Palladio's design. Over the years, many scholars have investigated how to make explicit the reasoning behind the theory of architectural proportions in Palladio. The study addresses the parametric analysis for Stairs described in Chapter XXVIII.
Deep Learning-based Assessment of Internal Carotid Artery Anatomy to Predict Difficult Intracranial Access in Endovascular Recanalization of Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Nageler Gregor , Gergel Ingmar , Fangerau Markus , Breckwoldt Michael , Seker Fatih , Bendszus Martin , Möhlenbruch Markus , Neuberger Ulf
Published: March 2023

Background

Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) duration is an important predictor for neurological outcome. Recently it was shown that an angle of ≤ 90° of the internal carotid artery (ICA) is predictive for longer EVT duration. As manual angle measurement is not trivial and time-consuming, deep learning (DL) could help identifying difficult EVT cases in advance.

Methods

We included 379 CT angiographies (CTA) of patients who underwent EVT between January 2016 and December 2020. Manual segmentation of 121 CTAs was performed for the aortic arch, common carotid artery (CCA) and ICA. These were used to train a nnUNet. The remaining 258 CTAs were segmented using the trained nnUNet with manual verification afterwards. Angles of left and right ICAs were measured resulting in two classes: acute angle ≤ 90° and > 90°. The segmentations together with angle measurements were used to train a convolutional neural network (CNN) determining the ICA angle. The performance was evaluated using Dice scores. The classification was evaluated using AUC and accuracy. Associations of ICA angle and procedural times was explored using median and Whitney‑U test.

Results

Median EVT duration for cases with ICA angle > 90° was 48 min and with ≤ 90° was 64 min (p = 0.001). Segmentation evaluation showed Dice scores of 0.94 for the aorta and 0.86 for CCA/ICA, respectively. Evaluation of ICA angle determination resulted in an AUC of 0.92 and accuracy of 0.85.

Conclusion

The association between ICA angle and EVT duration could be verified and a DL-based method for semi-automatic assessment with the potential for full automation was developed. More anatomical features of interest could be examined in a similar fashion.
Validierung eines Modells zur Vorhersage des Sprachverstehens nach Cochleaimplantation
Authors: Hoppe Ulrich , Hast Anne , Hocke Thomas
Published: March 2023

Hintergrund

Wird mit konventionellen Hörsystemen kein ausreichendes Sprachverstehen mehr erreicht, ist eine audiologische Indikation für eine Versorgung mit einem Cochleaimplantat (CI) gegeben. Für die CI-Versorgung gibt es bisher jedoch keine etablierten Zielkriterien für das zu erreichende Sprachverstehen. Ziel dieser Studie ist es, ein bereits bestehendes Vorhersagemodell für das Sprachverstehen nach CI-Versorgung zu validieren. Dieses wird auf verschiedene Patientengruppen angewendet.

Material und Methoden

In die prospektive Studie wurden 124 postlingual ertaubte erwachsene Patienten eingeschlossen. Das auf präoperativem maximalem Einsilberverstehen, dem Einsilberverstehen mit Hörgerät bei 65 dBSPL und Lebensalter zum Zeitpunkt der Versorgung basierende Modell wurde hinsichtlich der Vorhersagegenauigkeit für das Einsilberverstehen mit CI nach 6 Monaten untersucht.

Ergebnisse

Das Sprachverstehen verbesserte sich im Mittel nach 6 Monaten von 10 % mit Hörgerät auf 65 % mit CI, einhergehend mit einer statistisch signifikanten Verbesserung für 93 % der Fälle. Eine Verschlechterung des versorgten unilateralen Sprachverstehens wurde nicht beobachtet. Der mittlere Vorhersagefehler lag in den Fällen mit präoperativem residualem Einsilberverstehen bei 11,5 Prozentpunkten und in allen anderen Fällen bei 23,2 Prozentpunkten.

Schlussfolgerung

Auch bei Patienten mit mittel- bis hochgradiger Schwerhörigkeit und unzureichendem Sprachverstehen mit Hörgerät ist die CI-Versorgung eine Therapieoption. Das auf präoperativ erhobenen Daten basierende Modell zur Vorhersage des Sprachverstehens mit CI kann bei der präoperativen Beratung und im Rahmen der postoperativen Qualitätssicherung genutzt werden.
A triaxial reference ellipsoid for the Earth
Authors: Hu Xuanyu , Shum C. K. , Bevis Michael
Published: March 2023

We present a new, physically motivated triaxial reference ellipsoid for the Earth. It is an equipotential surface in the gravity field and closely approximates the geoid, akin to the conventional reference ellipsoid of revolution. According to Burša and Fialová (Studia Geophysica et Geodaetica 37(1):1–13, 1993), the triaxial reference ellipsoid is uniquely, but not exclusively, specified by the body’s total mass, the dynamic form factors of polar and equatorial flattening, the longitude of the equatorial major axis, the rotation rate, and the designated surface potential. We model the gravity field using triaxial ellipsoidal harmonics. While they are rarely considered practical for near-spherical planets, we leverage an intrinsic property that ellipsoidal harmonics yield an exact expression for the constant potential on a triaxial ellipsoid. A practical procedure is proposed to solve for the ellipsoidal parameters that converge iteratively to fulfill the exact condition of equipotentiality. We present the solution for the Earth Gravitational Model 2008.