bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence, risk indicators, and clinical characteristics of peri‐implant mucositis and peri‐implantitis for an internal conical connection implant system: A multicenter cross‐sectional study
Authors: Apaza‐Bedoya Karin , Galarraga‐Vinueza Maria Elisa , Correa Bruna Barbosa , Schwarz Frank , Bianchini Marco Aurélio , Magalhães Benfatti Cesar Augusto
Published: October 2023

Background

Peri‐implant disease prevalence is associated with a multifactorial etiology and distinct clinical characteristics of inflammation.

Methods

The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of peri‐implant diseases, identify related risk indicators, and associate specific clinical characteristics to peri‐implant biological complications in the medium term. Peri‐implant diseases were classified according to established case criteria. Patients’ data, implant and/or prosthetic features, and maintenance records were collected. Clinical characteristics such as bleeding on probing (BOP), suppuration (SUPP), keratinized mucosa (KM), probing depth (PD), marginal recession (MR), and modified plaque index (mPI) were recorded.

Results

Ninety‐nine patients with 266 implants with a mean functional duration of 30.26 months were evaluated. Peri‐implant mucositis and peri‐implantitis prevalence totaled to 49.5% and 15.15% (patient level), respectively. Peri‐implant mucositis was associated with osteoporosis (odds ratio [OR] 6.09), age (OR 0.97), diabetes mellitus (OR 3.09), cemented‐retained prosthesis (OR 3.81), and partial prosthesis (OR 2.21). Peri‐implantitis was associated with osteoporosis (OR 7.74) and periodontitis (OR 2.74), cemented prosthesis (OR 10.12), partial and full arch prostheses (OR 12.35 and 19.86), implant diameter (OR 3.64), abutment transmucosal height (OR 3.39), and hygiene difficulty (OR 3.14). Furthermore, mPI score 3 (OR 3.27) and PD scores (OR 1.64) were associated with peri‐implant mucositis, while mPI score 3 (OR 16.42), KM (OR 1.53), PD (OR 1.81), MR (OR 2.61), and the relationship between KM and PD (OR 0.63) were associated with peri‐implantitis.

Conclusion

In the medium term, peri‐implant diseases were correlated with factors inherent to the patient's conditions, presurgical treatment plan, and hygiene maintenance care. The knowledge of the mentioned factors and featured clinical characteristics can be crucial for disease prevention and establishment of a superior implant therapy prognosis.
Pulsed light treatment enhances starch hydrolysis and improves starch physicochemical properties of germinated brown rice
Authors: Zhang Guangchen , Hua Dong , Xu Jiaxin , Yang Lina , Zhou Dayu , He Yutang , Liu Youhong , Tang Ao , Lu Bingxuan , Liu He
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUND

Recently, germinated brown rice (GBR) has gained substantial attention as a functional food because of its nutritional attributes. Notably, pulsed light technology (PLT) has emerged as a promising tool for enhancing rice germination and, consequently, has improved the nutritional and functional qualities of GBR‐derived products. However, further research is required to comprehensively understand the impact of PLT on GBR physicochemical properties. The present study aimed to investigate the stimulating effects of PLT on starch hydrolysis, starch structure and functional properties of GBR.

RESULTS

The PLT substantially boosted α‐amylase activity during brown rice germination, leading to a 10.9% reduction in total starch content and a 17.3% increase in reducing sugar content, accompanied by elevated free water levels. Structural analysis indicated no changes in starch crystalline types, whereas gelatinization temperature slightly increased. Pasting properties exhibited a significant drop in peak viscosity. Scanning electron microscopy showed surface erosion of starch granules with microstructural changes. Furthermore, correlation analysis established positive links between α‐amylase activity, reducing sugar accumulation, starch structure and functional properties in GBR.

CONCLUSION

The present study demonstrates that PLT enhanced the physicochemical properties of GBR starch, significantly improving the stability of GBR products, thereby contributing to expanded applicability of rice starch in the food industry. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Rate coefficients for the gas‐phase OH + furan (C4H4O) reaction between 273 and 353 K
Authors: Angelaki Maria E. , Romanias Manolis N. , Burkholder James B. , Papadimitriou Vassileios C.
Published: October 2023

Rate coefficients, k1, for the gas‐phase OH radical reaction with the heterocyclic ether C4H4O (1,4‐epoxybuta‐1,3‐diene, furan) were measured over the temperature range 273–353 K at 760 Torr (syn. air). Experiments were performed using: (i) the photochemical smog chamber THALAMOS (thermally regulated atmospheric simulation chamber, IMT NE, Douai‐France) equipped with Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Selected Ion Flow Tube Mass Spectrometry (SIFT‐MS) detection methods and (ii) a photochemical reactor coupled with FTIR spectroscopy (PCR, University of Crete, Greece). k1(273–353 K) was measured using a relative rate (RR) method, in which the loss of furan was measured relative to the loss of reference compounds with well‐established OH reaction rate coefficients. k1(273–353 K) was found to be well represented by the Arrhenius expression (1.30 ± 0.12) × 10−11 exp[(336 ± 20)/T] cm3 molecule−1 s−1, with k1(296 K) measured to be (4.07 ± 0.32) × 10−11 cm3 molecule−1 s−1. The k1(296 K) and pre‐exponential quoted error limits are 2σ and include estimated systematic errors in the reference rate coefficients. The observed negative temperature dependence is consistent with a reaction mechanism involving the OH radical association to a furan double bond. Quantum mechanical molecular calculations show that OH addition to the α‐carbon (ΔHr(296 K) = −121.5 kJ mol−1) is thermochemically favored over the β‐carbon (ΔHr(296 K) = −52.9 kJ mol−1) addition. The OH‐furan adduct was found to be stable over the temperature range of the present measurements. Maleic anhydride (C4H2O3) was identified as a minor reaction product, 3% lower‐limit yield, demonstrating a non‐ring‐opening active reaction channel. The present results are critically compared with results from previous studies of the OH + furan reaction rate coefficient. The infrared spectrum of furan was measured as part of this study and its estimated climate metrics are reported.
Lignin/Poly(vinylpyrrolidone) Multifilament Fibers Dry‐Spun from Water as Carbon Fiber Precursors
Authors: Kreis Philipp , Frank Erik , Clauß Bernd , Bauch Volker , Stolpmann Heiko , Kuske Lisa , Schneck Tanja , König Simon , Buchmeiser Michael R.
Published: October 2023

The preparation of lignin‐based carbon fibers by dry spinning from aqueous solution followed by stabilization and continuous carbonization to endless yarns is reported. The influence of carbonization temperature and draw ratio on the morphology and mechanical properties of the final carbon fibers is investigated by single‐fiber testing, wide‐angle X‐ray scattering, scanning electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. A draw ratio of 5% (1.05) with a carbonization temperature of 1400 °C leads to the best mechanical properties. The resulting multifilament carbon fibers have an average diameter between 10–12 µm, an average tensile strength of 1.30 ± 0.32 GPa, a Young's modulus of 101 ± 18 GPa, and an elongation at break of 1.31 ± 0.23%. The maximum Weibull strength (𝜎0) is 1.04 GPa with a Weibull modulus (m) of 5.1. The use of a water‐soluble system is economically advantageous; also, unlike melt‐spun lignin fibers, the dry‐spun precursor fibers can be thermally converted without any additional crosslinking step.
Dahlberg degeneracy for homogeneous Besov and Triebel–Lizorkin spaces
Authors: Bourdaud Gérard , Moussai Madani
Published: October 2023

We consider the composition operators acting on the real‐valued homogeneous Besov or Triebel–Lizorkin spaces, realized as dilation invariant subspaces of , denoted as . If and , then any function acting by composition on is necessarily linear. The above conditions are optimal: (i) in case , (Besov space), (Triebel–Lizorkin space), is a quasi‐Banach algebra for the pointwise product, (ii) in case , , , any function such that is a finite measure, and , acts by composition on .
Monoaminergic Degeneration and Ocular Motor Abnormalities in De Novo Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Woo Kyung Ah , Joun Joo Hong , Yoon Eun Jin , Lee Chan Young , Jeon Beomseok , Kim Yu Kyeong , Lee Jee‐Young
Published: October 2023

Background

Evaluating eye movements in Parkinson's disease (PD) provides valuable insights into the underlying pathophysiological changes.

Objective

The aim was to investigate the relationship between monoaminergic degeneration and ocular motor abnormalities in de novo PD.

Methods

Drug‐naive PD patients who underwentN‐(3‐[18F]fluoropropyl)‐2‐carbomethoxy‐3‐(4‐iodophenyl) nortropane positron emission tomography scans and video‐oculography at diagnosis were eligible. Measurements of saccadic accuracy, latency, and smooth pursuit gain and square wave jerk frequency were collected. Patients underwent Movement Disorders Society–Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS‐UPDRS) and detailed cognitive tests. We investigated the associations between ocular motor measurements and specific tracer uptake ratios (SUR) in the caudate nucleus, anterior and posterior putamen, thalamus, and dorsal raphe nuclei, along with motor and cognitive symptoms.

Results

One‐hundred twenty‐four subjects were included in this study. Saccadic accuracy was positively associated with parkinsonian motor severity expressed as Hoehn and Yahr stages, MDS‐UPDRS Part III scores, and subscores for bradykinesia and rigidity but not with tremor scores (PFDR < 0.05). Saccadic accuracy correlated with poor performances in the Rey‐Complex‐Figure copy, and latency with the Digit Symbol Coding and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores (PFDR < 0.05). Prolonged saccadic latency correlated with reduced thalamic SUR, whereas decreased saccadic accuracy correlated with reduced SUR in the anterior and posterior putamen (PFDR < 0.05). Reduced smooth pursuit gain showed associations with reduced SUR in the dorsal raphe, a serotonin‐predominant region, but did not correlate with parkinsonism severity scores.

Conclusion

Defective dopaminergic and nondopaminergic neural systems may discretely influence ocular motor function in de novo PD patients. © 2023 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Structure‐preserving invariant interpolation schemes for invertible second‐order tensors
Authors: Satheesh Abhiroop , Schmidt Christoph P. , Wall Wolfgang A. , Meier Christoph
Published: October 2023

Tensor interpolation is an essential step for tensor data analysis in various fields of application and scientific disciplines. In the present work, novel interpolation schemes for general, that is, symmetric or non‐symmetric, invertible square tensors are proposed. Critically, the proposed schemes rely on a combined polar and spectral decomposition of the tensor data , followed by an individual interpolation of the two rotation tensors  and  and the positive definite diagonal eigenvalue tensor  resulting from this decomposition. Two different schemes are considered for a consistent rotation interpolation within the special orthogonal group , either based on relative rotation vectors or quaternions. For eigenvalue interpolation, three different schemes, either based on the logarithmic weighted average, moving least squares or logarithmic moving least squares, are considered. It is demonstrated that the proposed interpolation procedure preserves the structure of a tensor, that is,  and  remain orthogonal tensors and  remains a positive definite diagonal tensor during interpolation, as well as scaling and rotational invariance (objectivity). Based on selected numerical examples considering the interpolation of either symmetric or non‐symmetric tensors, the proposed schemes are compared to existing approaches such as Euclidean, Log‐Euclidean, Cholesky and Log‐Cholesky interpolation. In contrast to these existing methods, the proposed interpolation schemes result in smooth and monotonic evolutions of tensor invariants such as determinant, trace, fractional anisotropy (FA), and Hilbert's anisotropy (HA). Moreover, a consistent spatial convergence behavior is confirmed for first‐ and second‐order realizations of the proposed schemes. The present work is mainly motivated by the frequently occurring necessity for remeshing or mesh adaptivity when applying the finite element method to complex problems of nonlinear continuum mechanics with inelastic constitutive behavior, which requires the consistent interpolation of tensor‐valued history data for the transfer between different meshes. However, the proposed schemes are very general in nature and suitable for the interpolation of general invertible second‐order square tensors independent of the specific application.
Gadolinium‐based contrast media does not improve the staging of neuroblastoma image‐defined risk factors at diagnosis
Authors: Morin Cara E. , Hasweh Reem , Anton Chris , Dillman Jonathan R. , Orscheln Emily , Smith Ethan A. , Kotagal Meera , Weiss Brian D. , Ouyang Jiarong , Zhang Bin , Trout Andrew T. , Towbin Alexander J.
Published: October 2023

Background

Neuroblastoma risk stratification relies on prognostic risk factors and image‐defined risk factors (IDRFs). Evaluating neuroblastoma typically involves magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with gadolinium‐based contrast media (GBCM, “contrast”). However, there are concerns regarding adverse effects and cost of GBCM. We aimed to assess the impact of intravenous GBCM on interobserver agreement for neuroblastoma staging on baseline MRI.

Procedure

We reviewed baseline MRI scans of 50 children with abdominopelvic neuroblastomas confirmed by histopathology. Duplicate sets of images were created, with post‐contrast T1‐weighted sequences removed from one set. Four pediatric radiologists independently analyzed the scans in a randomized manner. They recorded primary tumor size, presence of IDRFs, and metastatic lesions. Agreement among the reviewers was measured using kappa and Fleiss kappa statistics.

Results

Mean age of included children was 3.3 years (range: 0.01–14.9 years), and 20 [40%] were females. Mean tumor size was 5.7 cm in greatest axial diameter. Pre‐contrast versus post‐contrast MRI showed excellent agreement for tumor measurement. Overlapping confidence intervals (CIs) were seen in nearly all categories of interobserver agreement on the presence or absence of individual IDRFs, with agreement ranging from poor to substantial, regardless of the presence of contrast. The overall interobserver agreement on the presence of at least one IDRF was substantial with contrast (kappa = .63; 95% CI: .52–.75) and moderate without contrast (kappa = .5; 95% CI: .39–.61); although the overlapping CIs suggest a lack of meaningful difference. Similarly, interobserver agreement on the presence or absence of individual sites of metastatic disease ranged from poor to substantial. The interobserver agreement on the overall determination of presence of metastatic disease was fair with contrast (kappa = .49; 95% CI: .38–.61) and moderate without contrast (kappa = .71; 95% CI: .59–.826).

Conclusions

Contrast does not improve tumor size measurement or radiologist agreement on the presence or absence of IDRFs or metastatic disease in children with newly diagnosed neuroblastoma.
Energy band gap modulation and photoinduced electron transfer fluorescence sensing properties of D–A conjugated polymers containing benzotriazole
Authors: Luo Haoyue , Xu Jinyao , Chen Xinai , Wan Jiayi , Lei Hong , Chen Yinshuang , Feng Juhua , Liu Kuan
Published: October 2023

Two new conjugated polymers containing benzotriazole were synthesized via Suzuki coupling reaction, and the polymer with lower energy band gap was created by designing the structure of the acceptor unit by introducing thiophene unit at both ends of the benzotriazole. Surprisingly, the fluorescence emission of D–A conjugated polymer with modified unit shifted from blue to yellow light, and the polymer had a higher fluorescence quantum efficiency. In addition, thiophen benzimidazole was introduced as the side chain unit for the study of photoinduced electron transfer (PET) mechanism. The addition of Fe3+ and Cu2+ caused significant quenching of fluorescence of polymers, and the polymer with high energy band gap exhibited higher fluorescence quenching ability. Moreover, when exploring the fluorescence sensing of [P‐Fe3+] complex in the presence of anion, it was observed that the PO43− competed with [P‐Fe3+] complex for Fe3+, interrupting the fluorescence sensing mechanism eventually leading to the recovery of fluorescence. The design approach utilized in this survey for D–A conjugated polymer paves the way for a novel mean of functional control of fluorescence sensor based on PET fluorescence sensing.
Resolution in cryogenic solid state NMR: Challenges and solutions
Authors: Sergeyev Ivan V. , Fritzsching Keith , Rogawski Rivkah , McDermott Ann
Published: October 2023

NMR at cryogenic temperatures has the potential to provide rich site‐specific details regarding biopolymer structure, function, and mechanistic intermediates. Broad spectral lines compared with room temperature NMR can sometimes present practical challenges. A number of hypotheses regarding the origins of line broadening are explored. One frequently considered explanation is the presence of inhomogeneous conformational distributions. Possibly these arise when the facile characteristic motions that occur near room temperature become dramatically slower or “frozen out” at temperatures below the solvent phase change. Recent studies of low temperature spectra harness the distributions in properties in these low temperature spectra to uncover information regarding the conformational ensembles that drive biological function.
Robotic‐assisted appendiceal onlay flap ureteroplasty combined with ureteral reimplantation for multifocal ureteral strictures: Case report and technical description
Authors: Xiao Xingyuan , Zhou Yuancheng , Chai Shuaishuai , Cheng Gong , Li Bing
Published: October 2023

Background

To describe the surgical technique of robotic‐assisted appendiceal onlay flap ureteroplasty combined with ureteral reimplantation to repair unilateral multifocal ureteral strictures in one stage and report 9‐month follow‐up outcomes.

Method

A longitudinal ventral incision of proximal ureter strictures No. 1 and 2 was performed, and the appendix was detubularised along its antimesenteric border. Then, the appendiceal onlay flap was anastomosed with the spatulated ureter in an onlay fashion. To manage the distal ureteral stricture No. 3, ureteral reimplantation was performed in a tension‐free manner.

Results

Voiding cystourethrography and antegrade urography showed urine regurgitation into the ureter without dilation and no obstruction of the reconstructed ureteral segment 7 weeks after surgery. No postoperative complications occurred during the 9‐month follow‐up.

Conclusions

Robotic‐assisted appendiceal onlay flap ureteroplasty combined with ureteral reimplantation appears to be a safe and effective surgical method for repairing the unilateral multifocal ureteral strictures.
Surface Modification of ZnO Nanorods using Stearic Acid and their Self‐cleaning and Photocatalytic Applications
Authors: Narwal Monika , Jeevanandam Pethaiyan
Published: October 2023

In the current study, a cost‐effective simple strategy has been developed for the surface modification of ZnO nanorods (NRs). The ZnO NRs were surface modified using stearic acid. The ZnO NRs and stearic modified ZnO NRs were characterized using various analytical techniques. FT‐IR, TGA, and CHO analyses prove successful surface modification of ZnO NRs with stearic acid. FE‐SEM and TEM analyses show no change in morphology of ZnO NRs before and after the surface modification. The stearic acid modified ZnO NRs show water contact angle greater than 90° which suggests their hydrophobic nature. XPS analysis shows presence of Zn2+and O2−in pure ZnO and the stearic acid modified ZnO NRs. The stearic acid modified ZnO NRs were explored for self‐cleaning and they were also tested as catalyst for photocatalytic degradation of crystal violet in an aqueous solution. Kinetics and recyclability studies were also carried out for the photodegradation of crystal violet using the stearic acid modified ZnO NRs.
Synergistic Interactions in Sequential Process Doping of Polymer/Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposites for Enhanced n‐Type Thermoelectric Performance
Authors: Lin Po‐Shen , Lin Jhih‐Min , Tung Shih‐Huang , Higashihara Tomoya , Liu Cheng‐Liang
Published: October 2023

This study focuses on the fabrication of nanocomposite thermoelectric devices by blending either a naphthalene‐diimide (NDI)‐based conjugated polymer (NDI‐T1 or NDI‐T2), or an isoindigo (IID)‐based conjugated polymer (IID‐T2), with single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). This is followed by sequential process doping method with the small molecule 4‐(2,3‐dihydro‐1,3‐dimethyl‐1H‐benzimidazol‐2‐yl)‐N,N‐dimethylbenzenamine (N‐DMBI) to provide the nanocomposite with n‐type thermoelectric properties. Experiments in which the concentrations of the N‐DMBI dopant are varied demonstrate the successful conversion of all three polymer/SWCNT nanocomposites from p‐type to n‐type behavior. Comprehensive spectroscopic, microstructural, and morphological analyses of the pristine polymers and the various N‐DMBI‐doped polymer/SWCNT nanocomposites are performed in order to gain insights into the effects of various interactions between the polymers and SWCNTs on the doping outcomes. Among the obtained nanocomposites, the NDI‐T1/SWCNT exhibits the highest n‐type Seebeck coefficient and power factor of −57.7 µV K−1 and 240.6 µW m−1 K−2, respectively. However, because the undoped NDI‐T2/SWCNT exhibits a slightly higher p‐type performance, an integral p–n thermoelectric generator is fabricated using the doped and undoped NDI‐T2/SWCNT nanocomposite. This device is shown to provide an output power of 27.2 nW at a temperature difference of 20 K.
Natural Extracts for Antibacterial Applications
Authors: Chen Cuihong , Chen Lin , Mao Congyang , Jin Liguo , Wu Shuilin , Zheng Yufeng , Cui Zhenduo , Li Zhaoyang , Zhang Yu , Zhu Shengli , Jiang Hui , Liu Xiangmei
Published: October 2023

Bacteria‐induced epidemics and infectious diseases are seriously threatening the health of people around the world. In addition, antibiotic therapy has been inducing increasingly more serious bacterial resistance, which makes it urgent to develop new treatment strategies to combat bacteria, including multidrug‐resistant bacteria. Natural extracts displaying antibacterial activity and good biocompatibility have attracted much attention due to greater concerns about the safety of synthetic chemicals and emerging drug resistance. These antibacterial components can be isolated and utilized as antimicrobials, as well as transformed, combined, or wrapped with other substances by using modern assistive technologies to fight bacteria synergistically. This review summarizes recent advances in natural extracts from three kinds of sources—plants, animals, and microorganisms—for antibacterial applications. This work discusses the corresponding antibacterial mechanisms and the future development of natural extracts in antibacterial fields.
Business Models in 5G/6G Mobile Communications
Authors: Ahokangas Petri , Aagaard Annabeth , Atkova Irina , Yrjölä Seppo , Matinmikko-Blue Marja
Published: October 2023

Business models in mobile communication have remained surprisingly stable up to 4G. 5G and beyond generations will bring a fundamental change to how mobile connectivity is deployed and commercialized. This chapter explores value capture on 5G and 6G by looking at the business opportunities, business models, and changing platform-based business ecosystems of the future that extend beyond traditional company boundaries. Combining technology and strategy perspectives, six baseline business models are presented for 5G: General bit-pipe, Segmented specialized service, Wholesale service local operator, Retail service local operator, Vertical service operator, and Context service local operator. Additionally, 6GMNO, OTT operator, Edge operator, Telco broker, and Service-flow business models are envisioned for 6G. The chapter concludes by characterizing the future mobile communications business models as vertically, horizontally, or obliquely structured ecosystems.
Series Acceleration via Negative Binomial Probabilities
Authors: Adell José A.
Published: October 2023

Many special functions and analytic constants allow for a probabilistic representation in terms of inverse moments of [0, 1]-valued random variables. Under this assumption, we give fast computations of them with an explicit upper bound for the remainder term. One of the main features of the method is that the coefficients of the main term of the approximation always contain negative binomial probabilities which, in turn, can be precomputed and stored. Applications to the arctangent function, Dirichlet functions and their nth derivatives, and the Catalan, Gompertz, and Stieltjes constants are provided.
The local bisection hypothesis for twisted groupoid C*-algebras
Authors: Armstrong Becky , Brown Jonathan H. , Clark Lisa Orloff , Courtney Kristin , Lin Ying-Fen , McCormick Kathryn , Ramagge Jacqui
Published: October 2023

In this note, we present criteria that are equivalent to a locally compact Hausdorff groupoid G being effective. One of these conditions is that G satisfies the C*-algebraic local bisection hypothesis; that is, that every normaliser in the reduced twisted groupoid C*-algebra is supported on an open bisection. The semigroup of normalisers plays a fundamental role in our proof, as does the semigroup of normalisers in cyclic group C*-algebras.
Projected changes in sitting and physical activity among midlife and older men and women in Finland
Authors: Wennman Heini , Borodulin Katja , Jousilahti Pekka , Laatikainen Tiina , Mäki-Opas Tomi , Männistö Satu , Tolonen Hanna , Valkeinen Heli , Härkänen Tommi
Published: October 2023

Aim

Population-based projections of sitting and physical activity (PA) help to guide PA programs. We aimed to project total and context specific sitting and PA until year 2028 in adults aged 46–74 years in Finland.

Subject and methods

The population based DILGOM Study in 2007 and 2014 provided longitudinal data on self-reported weekday sitting in five contexts (work, vehicle, at home in front of TV, at home by computer, elsewhere), total sitting, and PA in three domains (occupational, commuting and leisure time). Projections until 2028 were generated using a Markovian multistate model and multiple imputation techniques by gender, age and education.

Results

Total weekday sitting was projected to increase until 2028 only in the 64–74-year-olds and the low educated (+ 24 and + 32 min/day, p < 0.05, respectively). Sitting at home by computer was projected to increase on average 30 min/weekday (p < 0.05) and occupational PA decrease by 8 to 20%-units (p < 0.05) in all midlife and older adults. Further, sitting at home by TV and sitting elsewhere were projected to decrease in many, although not all groups.

Conclusion

Projected changes suggest increase in sitting by computer and decrease in occupational PA, which indicate the growing importance of leisure-time as the potential mean to increase PA.
Characterizing Head Acceleration Events in Law Enforcement Cadets During Subject Control Technique Training
Authors: Smith Carly R. , Onate James A. , Edwards Nathan A. , Hagen Joshua A. , Kolba Chris , Paur Scott , Walters Joshua , Caccese Jaclyn B.
Published: October 2023

Law enforcement cadets (LECs) complete weeks of subject control technique training. Similar sport-related combat training has been shown to expose participants to head acceleration events (HAEs) that have potential to result in short- and long-term impairments. The purpose of this study was to describe the number and magnitude of HAEs in LECs throughout their training. 37 LECs (7 females; age = 30.6 ± 8.8 years; BMI = 30.0 ± 6.0) were recruited from a law enforcement organization. Participants wore instrumented mouthguards, which recorded all HAEs exceeding a resultant 5 g threshold for training sessions with the potential for HAEs. Participants completed three defensive tactics (DT) training sessions, a DT skill assessment (DTA), and three boxing sessions. Outcome measures included the number of HAEs, peak linear acceleration (PLA), and peak rotational velocity (PRV). There were 2758 true-positive HAEs recorded across the duration of the study. Boxing sessions accounted for 63.7% of all true-positive HAEs, while DT accounted for 31.4% and DTA accounted for 4.9%. Boxing sessions resulted in a higher number of HAEs per session (F2,28 = 48.588, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.776), and higher median PLA (F2,28 = 8.609, p = 0.001, ηp2 = 0.381) and median PRV (F2,28 = 11.297, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.447) than DT and DTA. The LECs experience a high number of HAEs, particularly during boxing sessions. Although this training is necessary for job duties, HAE monitoring may lead to modifications in training structure to improve participant safety and enhance recovery.
Sand dam contributions to year-round water security monitored through telemetered handpump data
Authors: Ritchie Hannah , Holman Ian , Parker Alison , Chan Joanna
Published: October 2023

Sand dams are a form of rainwater harvesting, prolific in arid and semi-arid lands. Water is provided partly via handpumps, which, as the only improved method of abstraction from sand dams, are important for drinking water security. Accelerometers and cellular transmitters were fitted to 30 handpumps by the Africa Sand Dam Foundation (ASDF) in 2019 to monitor the use and reliability of the handpumps by recording hourly water volume abstracted. Data from April 2019 to October 2021 for 26 of these sites, alongside qualitative data, were analysed and each handpump’s contribution to year-round water security was explored, focusing on the long dry season when water supply from other sources is compromised. Abstraction was over 20 times higher in the long dry season than in any other season, and at sites with higher salinity, higher livestock use, and larger dam wall area. At 21 wells, abstraction was still being recorded at the end of at least one long dry season; however, high spatial and temporal heterogeneity between pumps and seasons means that not all sand dams deliver reliable water supply year-round. Quantifying the contribution that sand dams make to water security is crucial for understanding their resilience against a changing climate and can aid decision makers when choosing the most appropriate water management technique. Knowledge of temporal and site heterogeneity in abstraction can inform when other water sources need increasing and can help with sand dam design optimisation. Overall, our results indicate the positive contribution that sand dams make to year-round water security through the water that is abstracted through handpumps.
Understanding Active Region Origins and Emergence on the Sun and Other Cool Stars
Authors: Weber Maria A. , Schunker Hannah , Jouve Laurène , Işık Emre
Published: October 2023

The emergence of active regions on the Sun is an integral feature of the solar dynamo mechanism. However, details about the generation of active-region-scale magnetism and the journey of this magnetic flux from the interior to the photosphere are still in question. Shifting paradigms are now developing for the source depth of the Sun’s large-scale magnetism, the organization of this magnetism into fibril flux tubes, and the role of convection in shaping active-region observables. Here we review the landscape of flux emergence theories and simulations, highlight the role flux emergence plays in the global dynamo process, and make connections between flux emergence on the Sun and other cool stars. As longer-term and higher fidelity observations of both solar active regions and their associated flows are amassed, it is now possible to place new constraints on models of emerging flux. We discuss the outcomes of statistical studies which provide observational evidence that flux emergence may be a more passive process (at least in the upper convection zone); dominated to a greater extent by the influence of convection and to a lesser extent by buoyancy and the Coriolis force acting on rising magnetic flux tubes than previously thought. We also discuss how the relationship between stellar rotation, fractional convection zone depth, and magnetic activity on other stars can help us better understand the flux emergence processes. Looking forward, we identify open questions regarding magnetic flux emergence that we anticipate can be addressed in the next decade with further observations and simulations.
The sensitivity of health impact assessments of PM2.5 from South African coal-fired power stations
Authors: Simelane Siyabonga P. , Langerman Kristy E.
Published: October 2023

Unabated emissions of precursor gases from coal-fired power stations in South Africa greatly contribute to ambient PM2.5 concentration in the region, but estimates of the number of associated premature mortalities vary vastly. The application of the exposure-response function is one of the reasons for the differences in estimates of premature mortalities; since the relationship between mortality and PM2.5 exposure flattens out at higher PM2.5 concentrations, a smaller number of premature mortalities is calculated if a reduction in PM2.5 concentration occurs at the actual ambient concentration (“avoidable deaths”), while a greater number of mortalities is calculated if other sources are not considered (at low ambient concentrations) (“single-source deaths”). It is more appropriate to attribute deaths to a source in proportion to the contribution made by the source to ambient PM2.5 levels (“attributable deaths”). Total ambient PM2.5 concentrations are extrapolated from 38 ambient monitoring stations in the north-eastern region of South Africa using a regression model based on household socio-economic factors, and PM2.5 concentrations derived from power station emissions are estimated using a reduced-form intake fraction model. It is estimated that there are around 800 attributable premature mortalities per year due to PM2.5 from coal-fired power station emissions in South Africa. The number of premature mortalities is 44% higher when calculating single-source deaths and 53% lower when calculating avoidable deaths. Using the attributable death approach is particularly important in highly polluted areas such as low-income residential areas where households use solid and liquid fuels.
Prediction model of no-response before the first transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma: TACF score
Authors: Zhong Jia-Wei , Nie Dan-Dan , Huang Ji-Lan , Luo Rong-Guang , Cheng Qing-He , Du Qiao-Ting , Guo Gui-Hai , Bai Liang-Liang , Guo Xue-Yun , Chen Yan , Chen Si-Hai
Published: October 2023

Previous clinic models for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) receiving transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) mainly focused on the overall survival, whereas a simple-to-use tool for predicting the response to the first TACE and the management of risk classification before TACE are lacking. Our aim was to develop a scoring system calculated manually for these patients. A total of 437 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who underwent TACE treatment were carefully selected for analysis. They were then randomly divided into two groups: a training group comprising 350 patients and a validation group comprising 77 patients. Furthermore, 45 HCC patients who had recently undergone TACE treatment been included in the study to validate the model’s efficacy and applicability. The factors selected for the predictive model were comprehensively based on the results of the LASSO, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. The discrimination, calibration ability and clinic utility of models were evaluated in both the training and validation groups. A prediction model incorporated 3 objective imaging characteristics and 2 indicators of liver function. The model showed good discrimination, with AUROCs of 0.735, 0.706 and 0.884 and in the training group and validation groups, and good calibration. The model classified the patients into three groups based on the calculated score, including low risk, median risk and high-risk groups, with rates of no response to TACE of 26.3%, 40.2% and 76.8%, respectively. We derived and validated a model for predicting the response of patients with HCC before receiving the first TACE that had adequate performance and utility. This model may be a useful and layered management tool for patients with HCC undergoing TACE.
Effect of dam construction on changes in river's environmental flow (case study: Gorganrood river in the south of the Caspian Sea)
Authors: Zargari Ali , Salarijazi Meysam , Ghorbani Khalil , Ahmad Dehghani Amir
Published: October 2023

Human activities such as dam construction can lead to significant river flow regime changes and, consequently, river environments and habitats. Different approaches for estimating the environmental flow have developed to improve the river ecosystem's environmental and habitat conditions. The hydrological approach is considered in many studies to estimate environmental flows considering its advantages.Vimba vimba persais an economically and ecologically valuable species in the Caspian Sea that spawns and reproduces naturally in the Gorganrood River downstream in April–May. After the construction of the Voshmgir dam on the Gorganrood River, the fish population has drastically reduced in recent decades. In this study, to investigate the effect of constructing the Voshmgir dam on the environmental flow of Gorganrood River, a wide range of hydrological methods, including Tennant, Tessman, Arkansas, Aquatic Base Flow, Flow Duration Curve, High Flow-Low Flow, and FDC Shifting have been used. Comparing the correlation between the mean monthly flow time series before and after the Voshmgir dam demonstrates remarkable changes, including Pearson (0.95 to 0.86), Spearman's rho (0.93 to 0.78), and Kendall's τ (0.78 to 0.61) as a consequence of dam construction. The results indicate that estimated environmental flow from Tennant (1.1, 3.4 to 1.3, 3.8 cms) and Aquatic Base Flow (0.5 to 1.8 cms) methods have led to inadequate estimation due to significant changes in flow in different months. The amount of environmental flow during April–May estimated from investigated methods indicates the dam negatively affected water allocation to meet the river downstream's ecological and environmental needs. The flow duration curve analysis confirms that the dam construction has caused the river flow to fluctuate significantly within the year. The dam construction has dramatically reduced the flow in April–May, a critical environmental and ecological season. The April–May period coincides with the river's flood season. The construction of the Voshmgir dam has caused the components of high flow in the environmental flow to face severe shortages.
Promoting statistical thinking in year 12 multilingual classrooms: a collaborative study
Authors: Sharma Sashi
Published: October 2023

There are challenges making connections between language use and mathematics in mathematics education. A lack of connections between the two domains can have negative consequences on student learning and performance. The challenges in statistics classrooms, where language and contexts are important as a medium of instruction, have received little scrutiny. This article reports on collaborative research carried out in three largely Pasifika-dominated year 12 classes. Specifically, we explored the language resources and strategies that appear to enhance the statistical understanding of Pasifika students. Findings from the teacher reflection aspect of the study indicated that some strategies to incorporate student language and communicative resources in their learning worked better than others. Teachers may need to re-evaluate their teaching practices, especially if part of their population is learning English as a second language.
Application of sensor technology in grasping and preprocessing of network hotspot information propagation
Authors: Yang Chao
Published: October 2023

The rapid dissemination of hot information on the Internet has become a common phenomenon in today's society. Traditional methods of information capture and preprocessing often require a lot of manpower and material resources, and the captured information has low timeliness and accuracy. The purpose of this paper was to use sensor technology to find and locate network hotspots in time. By collecting user generated content, social media data, news reports, etc., the data is analyzed and mined to identify popular topics and events. In terms of information capture, sensor technology can monitor and understand user activities, the popularity of posts, emotional tendencies, user attention, user interaction, etc., through information monitoring. Network data was collected, such as network latency, data loss rate, and bandwidth utilization. Sensor technology was used to collect social media data to understand the level of public attention to hot events. In information preprocessing, sensor technology was used to remove noise and redundant information in data to ensure data quality. The data were labeled and classified, and the information dissemination rules of network hotspot were analyzed in depth. The average capture accuracy of Method 1 for Hotspot 1, Hotspot 2, and Hotspot 3 was 72.11%, 71.81%, and 72.54%, respectively. The average capture accuracy of Method 2 for Hotspot 1, Hotspot 2, and Hotspot 3 was 82.55%, 83.14%, and 82.91%, respectively. When the data was 40, 80, and 120, the preprocessing times of Method 1 for Post 1 were 8.81 s, 15.47 s, and 18.77 s, respectively. The preprocessing times of Method 2 for Post 1 were 5.97 s, 7.80 s, and 9.25 s, respectively. The application of sensor technology in the capture and preprocessing of network hot information dissemination has brought a variety of innovations, including multi-modal data acquisition, real-time monitoring and analysis, user behavior analysis, data cleaning and integration, anomaly detection and early warning, intelligent recommendation and personalized service, etc., thus improving the accuracy, real-time and personalized degree of information acquisition.
A Sustainable Translational Sheep Model for Planned Cesarean Delivery of Contraction-Free Ewes
Authors: Paping Alexander , Ehrlich Loreen , Melchior Kerstin , Ziska Thomas , Wippermann Wolf , Starke Alexander , Heinichen Karin , Henrich Wolfgang , Braun Thorsten
Published: October 2023

We evaluated whether the sheep constitutes a useful translational model to evaluate anatomical and surgical aspects of cesarean delivery (CD) from a human medical perspective with the aim of both maternal and neonatal well-being. Our hypothesis was that CD in contraction-free ewes is not associated with major complications. Primary endpoint was the transferability of anatomical conditions and surgical techniques of CD from the ewe to the human. Secondary endpoints were maternal and fetal survival, occurrence of retained fetal membranes, metritis, mastitis, or wound infections. Forty-eight Merino ewes were delivered by CD after 95% gestation (142–144 days). Both ewes and newborn lambs were cared for intensively after the delivery. Ovine uterine anatomy during CD appeared slightly different but comparable to the human uterus. Uterine incisions were mostly performed in the uterine horns, not in the uterine corpus. The ovine uterine wall is thinner than in humans. All ewes survived without any major complications. Seventy-seven (88.5%) out of 87 live-born lambs survived without any complications. The contraction-free ewe constitutes an appropriate and safe model to evaluate anatomical and surgical aspects of CD from a human medical perspective. We present a step-by-step manual for successfully planned cesarean delivery for sheep including the perioperative management illustrated with photographs and a five-minute video. With adequate planning and a reasonable number of staff, it is possible to safeguard both maternal and neonatal survival. This sustainable translational medicine model offers additional potential for the offspring to be used for further research studies (e.g., transgenerational inheritance research).
Cue Brexit: Performing Global Britain at the UN Security Council
Authors: Rogers Lauren
Published: October 2023

The role of performance in ontological security seeking is underdeveloped, despite the fact that many elements of such behaviour – narratives, rituals, routinised meetings – carry a distinctive performative quality. Drawing on Butlerian performance theory, this article makes the case that performances are essential to re-establishing coherence and a sense of self following ontologically critical situations. The reproduction of the self, especially while directly addressing fundamental existential questions, is an important way to overcome critical situations. At the state level, this reproduction of self also includes a reproduction of the international system, a task which is best enacted in everyday diplomatic practice. To explore this theory, I use Brexit as an illustrative case study. Brexit was a moment of profound crisis for the United Kingdom (UK) and an ontologically critical situation. It forced the UK to reposition itself on the world stage and confront significant challenges to its self-understanding. In Westminster, these efforts centred on ‘Global Britain’ – a narrative shift that bridged the identity gap and provided a thin framework for foreign policy. At the same time, British diplomats were tasked with international realignment post-Brexit. In this way, everyday diplomatic practice became Brexit performances.
Rainbow spanning structures in graph and hypergraph systems
Authors: Cheng Yangyang , Han Jie , Wang Bin , Wang Guanghui
Published: October 2023

We study the following rainbow version of subgraph containment problems in a family of (hyper)graphs, which generalizes the classical subgraph containment problems in a single host graph. For a collection

$\mathit {\mathbf {G}}=\{G_1, G_2,\ldots , G_{m}\}$

of not necessarily distinct k-graphs on the same vertex set

$[n]$

, a (sub)graph H on

$[n]$

is rainbow if there exists an injection

$\varphi : E(H)\rightarrow [m]$

, such that

$e\in E(G_{\varphi (e)})$

for each

$e\in E(H)$

. Note that if

$|E(H)|=m$

, then

$\varphi $

is a bijection, and thus H contains exactly one edge from each

$G_i$

.

Our main results focus on rainbow clique-factors in (hyper)graph systems with minimum d-degree conditions. Specifically, we establish the following:

(1)

A rainbow analogue of an asymptotical version of the Hajnal–Szemerédi theorem, namely, if

$t\mid n$

and

$\delta (G_i)\geq (1-\frac {1}{t}+\varepsilon )n$

for each

$i\in [\frac {n}{t}\binom {t}{2}]$

, then

$\mathit {\mathbf {G}}$

contains a rainbow

$K_t$

-factor;

(2)

Essentially, a minimum d-degree condition forcing a perfect matching in a k-graph also forces rainbow perfect matchings in k-graph systems for

$d\in [k-1]$

.

The degree assumptions in both results are asymptotically best possible (although the minimum d-degree condition forcing a perfect matching in a k-graph is in general unknown). For (1), we also discuss two directed versions and a multipartite version. Finally, to establish these results, we in fact provide a general framework to attack this type of problem, which reduces it to subproblems with finitely many colors.