bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Randomized controlled clinical trial on the efficacy of a novel antimicrobial chewing gum in reducing plaque and gingivitis in adolescent orthodontic patients
Authors: Weber Johanna , Scholz Konstantin J. , Schenke Isabelle M. , Pfab Florian , Cieplik Fabian , Hiller Karl-Anton , Buchalla Wolfgang , Sahm Camilla , Kirschneck Christian , Paddenberg-Schubert Eva
Published: April 2024

Objectives

Chewing gums containing antiseptics or other antimicrobial substances may be effective in reducing plaque and gingivitis. Therefore, the aim of this randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial was to investigate the efficacy of a novel antimicrobial chewing gum containing essential oils (cinnamon, lemon, peppermint) and extracts on reduction of dental plaque and gingivitis as well as on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in adolescent orthodontic patients.

Materials

52 patients (11-22 years of age) were randomly assigned to use a test chewing gum (COVIDGUM, Clevergum) or a commercially available control chewing gum over a period of 10 days. Approximal plaque index (API), papillary bleeding index (PBI) and an OHRQoL questionnaire for children (COHIP-G19) were assessed at baseline (BL), after 10 days (10d) and 30 days (30d). In addition, oral health and oral hygiene related questions of the COHIP-G19 questionnaire were evaluated separately in subscales at each timepoint. Data were analyzed using non-parametrical statistical procedures (α = 0.05).

Results

API and PBI decreased significantly over time from BL to 10d and from BL to 30d in both groups, without significant differences between the groups. In both groups, the COHIP-G19 score, oral health subscale and oral hygiene subscale decreased significantly over time. Regarding the oral hygiene subscale, the test group showed significantly better scores at 30d (p = 0.011).

Conclusion

Both chewing gums performed similarly effective in terms of reducing plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation and improving OHRQoL.

Clinical relevance

Chewing gums without antimicrobial ingredients may be sufficient to decrease plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation.
Template-assisted electrodeposition of freestanding antimony, tin, and antimony-tin nanowire arrays from an ionic liquid
Authors: Al Kiey Sherief A. , Farag H. K. , Abedin S. Zein El
Published: April 2024

In the present study, we show the electrochemical synthesis of Sb, Sn, and Sb-Sn nanowire arrays from the ionic liquid 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonate ([Py1,4]TfO) via templated-assisted approaches. Commercially available track etched polycarbonate template with a nominal pore diameter of 400 nm was utilized as a template. The nanowires were electrochemically deposited inside the pores of the template; then, a supporting copper layer was electrodeposited on the back side of the template. Subsequently, the template was dissolved with dichloromethane, and the structural morphology of the nanowire structures was explored by high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray (EDX). Freestanding, mechanically stable nanowire arrays of Sb, Sn, and Sb-Sn with an average pore diameter of 400 nm were obtained. The charge/discharge characteristics of the electrodeposited nanowire films were investigated to explore the Li storage capacity of the fabricated electrodes. The results revealed that the electrodeposited nanowire films are promising anode candidates for the future generation of Li-ion batteries.

Graphical abstract
Semantic features analysis for biomedical lexical answer type prediction using ensemble learning approach
Authors: Hussain Fiza Gulzar , Wasim Muhammad , Cheema Sehrish Munawar , Pires Ivan Miguel
Published: April 2024

Lexical answer type prediction is integral to biomedical question–answering systems. LAT prediction aims to predict the expected answer’s semantic type of a factoid or list-type biomedical question. It also aids in the answer processing stage of a QA system to assign a high score to the most relevant answers. Although considerable research efforts exist for LAT prediction in diverse domains, it remains a challenging biomedical problem. LAT prediction for the biomedical field is a multi-label classification problem, as one biomedical question might have more than one expected answer type. Achieving high performance on this task is challenging as biomedical questions have limited lexical features. One biomedical question must be assigned multiple labels given these limited lexical features. In this paper, we develop a novel feature set (lexical, noun concepts, verb concepts, protein–protein interactions, and biomedical entities) from these lexical features. Using ensemble learning with bagging, we use the label power set transformation technique to classify multi-label. We evaluate the integrity of our proposed methodology on the publicly available multi-label biomedical questions dataset (MLBioMedLAT) and compare it with twelve state-of-the-art multi-label classification algorithms. Our proposed method attains a micro-F1 score of 77%, outperforming the baseline model by 25.5%.
We are Building Gods: AI as the Anthropomorphised Authority of the Past
Authors: Öhman Carl
Published: April 2024

This article argues that large language models (LLMs) should be interpreted as a form of gods. In a theological sense, a god is an immortal being that exists beyond time and space. This is clearly nothing like LLMs. In an anthropological sense, however, a god is rather defined as the personified authority of a group through time—a conceptual tool that molds a collective of ancestors into a unified agent or voice. This is exactly what LLMs are. They are products of vast volumes of data, literally traces of past human (speech) acts, synthesized into a single agency that is (falsely) experienced by users as extra-human. This reconceptualization, I argue, opens up new avenues of critique of LLMs by allowing the mobilization of theoretical resources from centuries of religious critique. For illustration, I draw on the Marxian religious philosophy of Martin Hägglund. From this perspective, the danger of LLMs emerge not only as bias or unpredictability, but as a temptation to abdicate our spiritual and ultimately democratic freedom in favor of what I call a tyranny of the past.
The role of community pharmacists and pharmacies in physical activity promotion: an interdisciplinary e-Delphi study
Authors: Viegas Ruben , Guerreiro Mara Pereira , Duarte-Ramos Filipa , Mendes Romeu , da Costa Filipa Alves
Published: April 2024

Background

Physical activity has a key role in the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases. Community pharmacists are an accessible source to provide brief advice to people on how to be more physically active. Nonetheless, there is a limited understanding of stakeholders' perspectives on their role in promoting physical activity, to inform policy and practice. The present study addresses this gap.

Aim

To determine consensus from different health professionals on the role of pharmacists and pharmacies in brief physical activity counselling in Portugal.

Method

This cross-sectional study used a two-round e-Delphi panel. The questionnaire was organised into four domains of physical activity promotion and comprised 37 items. Interdisciplinary experts rated their level of agreement using a 5-point Likert scale. Consensus was set at the outset as 75% or more of participants scoring 4 or 5 (consensus “in”) or 1 or 2 (consensus “out”).

Results

Forty-two health professionals involved in promoting physical activity in the ambulatory setting in Portugal were selected through purposive quota sampling. Eighteen out of 37 items were consensual in the first round and five more achieved consensus after the second round (62.2%). Physical activity promotion was seen as the role of all healthcare workforce and pharmacies were considered as suitable spaces for service provision, regardless of remuneration.

Conclusion

This study endorses a set of roles for physical activity promotion in community pharmacy from an interdisciplinary perspective. Consensually established perspectives can inform policy making and practice, streamlining the coordination of pharmacies with the national health service.
Role of isotropic lipid phase in the fusion of photosystem II membranes
Authors: Böde Kinga , Javornik Uroš , Dlouhý Ondřej , Zsíros Ottó , Biswas Avratanu , Domonkos Ildikó , Šket Primož , Karlický Václav , Ughy Bettina , Lambrev Petar H. , Špunda Vladimír , Plavec Janez , Garab Győző
Published: April 2024

It has been thoroughly documented, by using 31P-NMR spectroscopy, that plant thylakoid membranes (TMs), in addition to the bilayer (or lamellar, L) phase, contain at least two isotropic (I) lipid phases and an inverted hexagonal (HII) phase. However, our knowledge concerning the structural and functional roles of the non-bilayer phases is still rudimentary. The objective of the present study is to elucidate the origin of I phases which have been hypothesized to arise, in part, from the fusion of TMs (Garab et al. 2022 Progr Lipid Res 101,163). We take advantage of the selectivity of wheat germ lipase (WGL) in eliminating the I phases of TMs (Dlouhý et al. 2022 Cells 11: 2681), and the tendency of the so-called BBY particles, stacked photosystem II (PSII) enriched membrane pairs of 300–500 nm in diameter, to form large laterally fused sheets (Dunahay et al. 1984 BBA 764: 179). Our 31P-NMR spectroscopy data show that BBY membranes contain L and I phases. Similar to TMs, WGL selectively eliminated the I phases, which at the same time exerted no effect on the molecular organization and functional activity of PSII membranes. As revealed by sucrose-density centrifugation, magnetic linear dichroism spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, WGL disassembled the large laterally fused sheets. These data provide direct experimental evidence on the involvement of I phase(s) in the fusion of stacked PSII membrane pairs, and strongly suggest the role of non-bilayer lipids in the self-assembly of the TM system.
Hydraulic breakthrough of clay smears due to technical and natural actions
Authors: Gudehus Gerd , Karcher Christian
Published: April 2024

We outlined earlier in this journal by means of finite element simulations how patterns of normal faults arise by a synsedimentary tectonic extension, and how clay smears evolve therein. In the present paper, we show how hydraulic breakthroughs of clay smears can arise so that water, gas and mud rise in faults. Mechanical properties of sand and clay are introduced first for the stable range and then for rupture and internal erosion. Our numerical simulations for the evolution of normal faults and clay smears are discussed in light of critical phenomena. Water assembled in an open-cast mine about 20 years ago as the critical hydraulic gradient in a clay smear dropped to the actual one due to the rapid excavation-induced deformation. The latter led to a critical point under an excavation the slope of which was parallel to a nearby normal fault. Clay smears can also break by earthquakes so that the critical hydraulic gradient drops to the actual one caused by methane with an excess pressure. This can lead to hydraulic breakthroughs and cold eruptions at outcrops of faults.
Long-term “memory” of extraordinary climatic seasons in the hysteretic seepage of an unsaturated infinite slope
Authors: Bianchi Diana , Gallipoli Domenico , Bovolenta Rossella , Leoni Martino
Published: April 2024

This paper presents a study of the hydraulic response of an infinite unsaturated slope exposed to a perturbation of the ordinary seasonal climatic cycle. The ground flow is modelled via a simplified one-dimensional finite difference scheme by decomposing the two-dimensional slope seepage into antisymmetric and symmetric parts. The numerical scheme incorporates two distinct hysteretic and non-hysteretic soil water retention laws, whose parameters have been selected after a preliminary sensitivity analysis. Results indicate that, in the hysteretic case, the “memory” of the perturbation takes a long time to fade, and the ordinary soil saturation cycle is only restored after several years of normal weather. Instead, in the non-hysteretic case, the recovery of the ordinary saturation regime is almost immediate after the perturbation. In contrast with the markedly different predictions of degree of saturation, both hysteretic and non-hysteretic slope models predict virtually identical evolutions of negative pore water pressures, with an almost immediate restoration of the ordinary cycle after the perturbation.
Compression brace for secondary pectus carinatum in infants and toddlers undergoing cardiac surgery with midline sternotomy
Authors: Konishi Hayato , Fujiwara Kenta , Okazaki Sayaka , Suzuki Akiyo , Suzuki Tatsuya , Katsumata Takahiro , Nagano Toru , Nemoto Shintaro
Published: April 2024

Purposes

This study aimed to retrospectively assess the response to a newly developed compression brace for improving the deformity of the secondary pectus carinatum in infants and toddlers undergoing cardiac surgery with midline sternotomy. Factors affecting the response to the brace were identified.

Methods

Fifty-one children were enrolled. Severity was expressed as the protrusion angle of the sternum obtained from chest X-ray. The patients were divided into two groups by positive or negative binary residuals of the relationship between the angle at the beginning and its percentage change after wearing the brace. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the influencing factors.

Results

Thirty patients (58.8%) showed zero and positive residuals to the relationship (good responders, Group G), whereas 21 patients showed negative residuals (poor responders, Group P). Male sex, severe cardiac anomaly, complex surgical procedure, multiple sternotomy, total duration, and self-discontinuation were associated with poor response to the brace by univariate analysis. The first three factors remained with high odds ratio for poor response by multivariate analysis. No adverse events occurred with the brace.

Conclusion

Our newly developed compression brace contributed, at least in part, to improve the deformity of the secondary pectus carinatum. Further studies are required to clarify the therapeutic efficacy of anterior chest compression for secondary pectus carinatum.
Evaluating Spatial Accessibility to COVID-19 Vaccination Sites based on Fine-Scale Population Distributions and Heterogeneous Travel Modes: A Case Study in Xiangtan, China
Authors: Yang Wentao , Wang Fengjie , You Yihan , Wan Xiafan , Cheng Sijie , Fang Zhixiong
Published: April 2024

Understanding the inequity in spatial accessibility to COVID-19 vaccination sites is beneficial for the government to optimize vaccine resources. Nevertheless, the result of evaluating spatial accessibility to COVID-19 vaccination sites may be directly affected by the lack of fine-scale and accurate population distribution information in both urban and rural areas. In addition, the choice of travel modes related to different age groups has not been incorporated into existing methods well. Consequently, this study proposes a framework to evaluate spatial accessibility to COVID-19 vaccination sites based on fine-scale population distributions and heterogeneous travel modes. A divide-and-conquer strategy is first presented to estimate the fine-scale populations in both urban and rural areas. A hybrid time distance considering heterogeneous travel modes and a population-weighted proximity indicator are then defined to evaluate spatial accessibility for each age group. The experimental results from Xiangtan, China, show that (1) the divide-and-conquer strategy can effectively predict the urban and rural populations. (2) Similar clustering patterns of spatial accessibility are observed for each age group. (3) Inequities have been confirmed at the county level. The main findings in this study can provide valuable information supporting the spatial optimization of existing COVID-19 vaccination sites.
Silver Nanoparticles Produced In Vitro by Berberis vulgaris Fruit and Their Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Ex Ovo Irritation Potential Study
Authors: Balážová Ľudmila , Bedlovičová Zdenka , Daneu Nina , Baláž Matej , Lukáčová Bujňáková Zdenka , Tkáčiková Ľudmila , Takáčová Martina , Jacková Adriána
Published: April 2024

Green synthesis was successfully used for silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) preparation using Berberis vulgaris aqueous extracts. The ultraviolet and visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, photon cross-correlation spectroscopy (PCCS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) techniques were used for characterization of the Ag NPs and confirmed the presence of Ag(0) in nanoparticles. The bimodal morphology was discovered, namely, the larger particles had elongated shape and size around 200 nm, while the smaller ones were spherical with a size of up to ten microns. All the nanoparticles (NPs) showed antioxidant activity against radical DPPH and ferric-reducing antioxidant power. The Ag NPs possess antibacterial effects against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus comparable to silver nitrate solution. In addition, also irritation potential of the produced Ag NPs has been investigated ex Ovo and no irritation of vessels and their surroundings was found, which shows the harmless character of the products.
Tight carbonate reservoir evaluation case study based on neural network assisted fracture identification and analytic hierarchy process
Authors: Zhang Jian-guo , Xia Yong , Zhao Chen-yang , He Yi-lin
Published: April 2024

Comprehensive evaluation of reservoirs is an important link in gas reservoir exploration and development. The evaluation of tight carbonate reservoirs often focuses on the characteristics of porosity and permeability, ignoring the important factor of fractures, also the quantitative evaluation of reservoirs is relatively few. It is difficult to identify fractures and evaluate the reservoir factors qualitatively and quantitatively. Herein, the sedimentary microfacies and microporosity of the tight carbonate reservoir of the Ma55 submember in the eastern Sulige area are comprehensively studied by casting thin section, rock physical property, and capillary pressure test data. The backpropagation (BP) neural network algorithm is used to identify and predict fractures. Finally, through the analytic hierarchy process, the above reservoir influencing factors are modeled and quantitatively analyzed for reservoir evaluation. The results show that the highest probability of fracture development in the central and northwest areas of the study area can reach 0.92. The accuracy of the BP neural network model in identifying cracks can reach 80%, which is reliable and effective compared with the conventional logging identification method. Reservoirs can be classified into four types according to their quality. The synthetic weights of porosity, permeability and fracture development probability are 0.2, 0.2 and 0.216 respectively, which are the three most important evaluation parameters. This study improves the accuracy of fracture identification and prediction of tight reservoirs in comprehensive reservoir evaluation, which provides guidance and scheme for more detailed exploration and development of tight carbonate reservoirs.
Toward a new paradigm of care: a surgical leaders’ Delphi consensus on the organizational factors of the new pancreas units (E-AHPBA PUECOF study)
Authors: Cobianchi Lorenzo , Dal Mas Francesca , Abu Hilal Mohammad , Adham Mustapha , Alfieri Sergio , Balzano Gianpaolo , Barauskas Giedrius , Bassi Claudio , Besselink Marc G. , Bockhorn Maximilian , Boggi Ugo , Conlon Kevin C. , Coppola Roberto , Dervenis Christos , Dokmak Safi , Falconi Massimo , Fusai Giuseppe Kito , Gumbs Andrew A. , Ivanecz Arpad , Memeo Riccardo , Radenković Dejan , Ramia Jose M. , Rangelova Elena , Salvia Roberto , Sauvanet Alain , Serrablo Alejandro , Siriwardena Ajith K. , Stättner Stefan , Strobel Oliver , Zerbi Alessandro , Malleo Giuseppe , Butturini Giovanni , Frigerio Isabella
Published: April 2024

Pancreas units represent new organizational models of care that are now at the center of the European debate. The PUECOF study, endorsed by the European–African Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association (E-AHPBA), aims to reach an expert consensus by enquiring surgical leaders about the Pancreas Units’ most relevant organizational factors, with 30 surgical leaders from 14 countries participating in the Delphi survey. Results underline that surgeons believe in the need to organize multidisciplinary meetings, nurture team leadership, and create metrics. Clinical professionals and patients are considered the most relevant stakeholders, while the debate is open when considering different subjects like industry leaders and patient associations. Non-technical skills such as ethics, teamwork, professionalism, and leadership are highly considered, with mentoring, clinical cases, and training as the most appreciated facilitating factors. Surgeons show trust in functional leaders, key performance indicators, and the facilitating role played by nurse navigators and case managers. Pancreas units have a high potential to improve patients' outcomes. While the pancreas unit model of care will not change the technical content of pancreatic surgery, it may bring surgeons several benefits, including more cases, professional development, easier coordination, less stress, and opportunities to create fruitful connections with research institutions and industry leaders.
Comparative assessment of food consumption, longevity, thermoregulation, and molecular health markers in mite-resistant and Italian honey bee stocks
Authors: Meikle William G. , Weiss Milagra , Adjaye Daniela , Ricigliano Vincent A.
Published: April 2024

Identifying traits for adaptation to different management and environmental regimes is key to maintaining robust honey bee populations under global climate change. We compared mite-resistant (Pol-line and Russian) and Italian honey bee stocks in variable-temperature cage experiments (200 bees per cage) with respect to food consumption, thermoregulation, gene expression, and lifespan, in 3 experiments over 2 years. The Italian stock bees consumed more syrup and pollen on average than the mite-resistant stocks, but the mite-resistant stocks maintained higher cluster temperatures and had median lifespans 8 days longer, consistent with the increased expression of vitellogenin relative to Italian stock. Model results indicated that, to maintain the same colony size as the mite-resistant stocks, Italian stock colonies would need about 13% more sealed brood to offset reduced worker lifespans. These differences among bee stocks likely influence colony-level productivity and health, and showed the importance of experimental replication.
Biocompatibility and acid resistance of preformed crowns in children: an in vitro study
Authors: Hogerheyde T. , Coates D. , Walsh L. , Zafar S.
Published: April 2024

Purpose

To investigate the in vitro biocompatibility of human gingival fibroblasts with preformed paediatric crowns and resistance to acid exposure at levels that simulate the oral environment.

Methods

This laboratory study investigated primary HGFs viability, metabolic activity, cytotoxicity, and apoptotic events on preformed metal crown discs, composite resin-coated wells, and monolithic zirconia fragments at 24, 48, and 72 h using the ApoTox-Glo Triplex assay. The PPCs were also immersed in 0.1% lactic acid, 0.2% phosphoric acid, or 10% citric acid for 7 days at 37 °C to reproduce conditions associated with dietary intake or gastric reflux. Samples were then subject to inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry to quantitate the release of ions.

Results

The viability of HGFs on stainless steel and CR significantly declined at 48 and 72 h, representing potential cytotoxicity (p < 0.05). Cytotoxicity of HGFs was also higher for stainless steel and ZR compared to control (p < 0.05). PMCs and ZR crowns gave minimal ion release. Meanwhile, significant quantities of metallic ions, including copper (Cu), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn), were present in eluates from veneered-preformed metal crowns.

Conclusion

As PPCs can be exposed to highly acidic environments for many years, thus the release of metallic ions from V-PMCs should form the further investigation in future studies.
Rational Design of Cost-Effective Metal-Doped ZrO2 for Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Zhang Yuefeng , Wang Tianyi , Mei Liang , Yang Ruijie , Guo Weiwei , Li Hao , Zeng Zhiyuan
Published: April 2024

The design of cost-effective electrocatalysts is an open challenging for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) due to the “stable-or-active” dilemma. Zirconium dioxide (ZrO2), a versatile and low-cost material that can be stable under OER operating conditions, exhibits inherently poor OER activity from experimental observations. Herein, we doped a series of metal elements to regulate the ZrO2 catalytic activity in OER via spin-polarized density functional theory calculations with van der Waals interactions. Microkinetic modeling as a function of the OER activity descriptor (GO*-GHO*) displays that 16 metal dopants enable to enhance OER activities over a thermodynamically stable ZrO2 surface, among which Fe and Rh (in the form of single-atom dopant) reach the volcano peak (i.e. the optimal activity of OER under the potential of interest), indicating excellent OER performance. Free energy diagram calculations, density of states, and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations further showed that Fe and Rh are the effective dopants for ZrO2, leading to low OER overpotential, high conductivity, and good stability. Considering cost-effectiveness, single-atom Fe doped ZrO2 emerged as the most promising catalyst for OER. This finding offers a valuable perspective and reference for experimental researchers to design cost-effective catalysts for the industrial-scale OER production.
Finite Element Analysis of Percutaneous Anterograde and Retrograde Screws in the Treatment of Superior Rami Pubis Fracture
Authors: Lu Hui , Han Shuo , Lian Zheng , Liu Rong , Ma Xuexiao
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate the biomechanical characteristics of percutaneous antegrade and retrograde screws in treating superior pubic rami fractures in zone II, employing finite element analysis. It provides a theoretical basis for the treatment of the superior rami of pubis zone II fracture.

Methods

The software of Mimics and 3-Matic were utilized for reconstructing a fracture model of the superior pubic rami in zone II. Percutaneous screw implantation was simulated for treatment. Material properties were assigned using Mimics, and Ansys software was employed to simulate forces on the S1 vertebral endplate under a 500 N load in a standing posture. Mechanical stability was assessed by comparing these simulations.

Results

(1) Displacement and stress variations in the pubic bone and screws were consistent across the model and on the fracture site, whether the fracture was in zone I or zone II. However, in zone III, the displacement and stress experienced by the screws were markedly higher than those in zones I and II. (2) When employing an antegrade screw to simulate treatment of a superior pubic rami fracture in zone II, the maximum displacement and stress recorded were 0.88 mm and 15.53 MPa, respectively. Conversely, the use of a retrograde screw for treating a superior pubic rami fracture yielded a maximum displacement of 0.59 mm and stress of 5.51 MPa.

Conclusion

The biomechanical analysis suggests that for zone II superior pubic rami fractures, where the fracture line is no more than 70 mm from the insertion point (encompassing zones I and II fractures), the use of retrograde screw implantation is preferable.
Unraveling the Sequences of Risk Factors Underlying the Development of Criminal Behavior
Authors: Basto-Pereira Miguel , Farrington David P. , Maciel Laura
Published: April 2024

This work aims to investigate the role of sequences of risk factors from childhood to young adulthood in predicting subsequent criminal convictions. This study uses the Cambridge Study in Delinquent Development (CSDD) dataset, a prospective longitudinal research study that followed 411 males from South London from the age of 8 to 61 years. Temporal sequences of risk factors at ages 8–10, 12–14, and 16–18 were analyzed as predictors of subsequent criminal convictions up to the age of 61. Risk factors related to poverty, parenting problems, and children’s risk-taking predisposition at ages 8–10 emerged as prevalent starting points for the most highly predictive developmental sequences leading to convictions. The risk of a criminal conviction significantly increased if these risk factors were followed by low IQ scores or association with delinquent friends at ages 12–14, and by school and professional problems or drug addiction during late adolescence (ages 16–18). At each developmental stage, specific risk factors intricately combine to form chains of risk during development, subsequently predicting criminal convictions. A trajectory-of-risk-need-responsivity approach that identifies and breaks chains of risk factors that generate and enhance favorable conditions for criminal convictions is discussed.
Development and characterization of 3D-printed electroconductive pHEMA-co-MAA NP-laden hydrogels for tissue engineering
Authors: De Nitto Sara , Serafin Aleksandra , Karadimou Alexandra , Schmalenberger Achim , Mulvihill John J. E. , Collins Maurice N.
Published: April 2024

Tissue engineering (TE) continues to be widely explored as a potential solution to meet critical clinical needs for diseased tissue replacement and tissue regeneration. In this study, we developed a poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid) (pHEMA-co-MAA) based hydrogel loaded with newly synthesized conductive poly(3,4-ethylene-dioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and polypyrrole (PPy) nanoparticles (NPs), and subsequently processed these hydrogels into tissue engineered constructs via three-dimensional (3D) printing. The presence of the NPs was critical as they altered the rheological properties during printing. However, all samples exhibited suitable shear thinning properties, allowing for the development of an optimized processing window for 3D printing. Samples were 3D printed into pre-determined disk-shaped configurations of 2 and 10 mm in height and diameter, respectively. We observed that the NPs disrupted the gel crosslinking efficiencies, leading to shorter degradation times and compressive mechanical properties ranging between 450 and 550 kPa. The conductivity of the printed hydrogels increased along with the NP concentration to (5.10±0.37)×10−7 S/cm. In vitro studies with cortical astrocyte cell cultures demonstrated that exposure to the pHEMA-co-MAA NP hydrogels yielded high cellular viability and proliferation rates. Finally, hydrogel antimicrobial studies with staphylococcus epidermidis bacteria revealed that the developed hydrogels affected bacterial growth. Taken together, these materials show promise for various TE strategies.

Graphic abstract
Boosting enabled efficient machine learning technique for accurate prediction of crop yield towards precision agriculture
Authors: Nagesh O. Sri , Budaraju Raja Rao , Kulkarni Shriram S. , Vinay M. , Ajibade Samuel-Soma M. , Chopra Meenu , Jawarneh Malik , Kaliyaperumal Karthikeyan
Published: April 2024

Due to the limited availability of natural resources, it is essential that agricultural productivity keep pace with population growth. Despite unfavorable weather circumstances, this project's major objective is to boost production. As a consequence of technological advancements in agriculture, precision farming as a way for enhancing crop yields is gaining appeal and becoming more prevalent. When it comes to predicting future data, machine learning employs a number of methods, including the creation of models and the acquisition of prediction rules based on past data. In this manuscript, we examine various techniques to machine learning, as well as an automated agricultural yield projection model based on selecting the most relevant features. For the purpose of selecting features, the Grey Level Co-occurrence Matrix method is utilised. For classification, we make use of the AdaBoost Decision Tree, Artificial Neural Network (ANN), and K-Nearest Neighbour (KNN) algorithms. The data set that was used in this study is simply a compilation of information about a variety of topics, including yield, pesticide use, rainfall, and average temperature. This data collection consists of 33 characteristics or qualities in total. The crops soya beans, maze, potato, rice, paddy, wheat, and sorghum are included in this data collection. This data collection was made possible through the collaboration of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Data Bank, both of which make their data available to the public. The AdaBoost decision tree has achieved the highest level of accuracy possible when used to anticipate agricultural yield. Both the accuracy rate and the recall rate are quite high at 99 percent.
Algorithmic Thinking for the Legal Writing: The Case of Italian Election Law
Authors: Crafa Silvia
Published: April 2024

We examine the Italian election law as a case study to illustrate how the algorithmic thinking can productively interoperate with the legal language to increase the transparency of the legal text, and to enable better reasoning about the procedural content of the law. The effort to rephrase the text of the law in algorithmic terms revealed that the election procedure is under-specified, so that the allocation of seats between constituencies may differ depending on the actual sequence of ballot operations performed by the scrutineers. This may lead to legal uncertainty in a critical section of the election law that one would expect to be fully determined. We then discuss the difference between algorithm and software in the legal context, illustrating how the algorithmic language acts as an interface between the textual description of a legal procedure and its mathematical or computational formalization. Hence we put forward the concept of algorithmic normativity, that is the power of the algorithmic language (different from software’s code) to legally express procedures at an appropriate abstraction level, balancing transparency with scientific precision.
Tracking student progress through graduate programs
Authors: Young Michael E. , Miller Megan , Urban Christopher , Petrescu Claudia
Published: April 2024

Higher education is awash with data that, when refined, facilitates data-informed decisions. Such decision-making is much more prevalent in support of undergraduate education given the much larger number of undergraduates pursuing higher education in contrast to the much smaller proportion of graduate students. A simple extension of current undergraduate-focused tools to the population of graduate students risks ignoring large differences in the students, processes, and policies that are unique to graduate education. Graduate education is more decentralized, less grade-focused and more milestone-focused (e.g., passing preliminary exams, defending a thesis), graduate admissions is driven by department-level processes and criteria, expected products vary across programs (e.g., performances, journal articles, books), and curricular specialization is the norm. Consequently, local contextual variables predominate. This article describes the development of a milestones dashboard to support programs in their pursuit of graduate education excellence by creating data transparency at the student level, visualizing student progress through milestones, allowing benchmarking against other programs at the university, and empowering college and university administrators to identify trends and to ask questions when unusual data arise.
The Philosophy of Theoretical Linguistics
Authors: Nefdt Ryan M.
Published: April 2024

What is the remit of theoretical linguistics? How are human languages different from animal calls or artificial languages? What philosophical insights about language can be gleaned from phonology, pragmatics, probabilistic linguistics, and deep learning? This book addresses the current philosophical issues at the heart of theoretical linguistics, which are widely debated not only by linguists, but also philosophers, psychologists, and computer scientists. It delves into hitherto uncharted territory, putting philosophy in direct conversation with phonology, sign language studies, supersemantics, computational linguistics, and language evolution. A range of theoretical positions are covered, from optimality theory and autosegmental phonology to generative syntax, dynamic semantics, and natural language processing with deep learning techniques. By both unwinding the complexities of natural language and delving into the nature of the science that studies it, this book ultimately improves our tools of discovery aimed at one of the most essential features of our humanity, our language.
A landscape assessment of CTSA evaluators and their work in the CTSA consortium, 2021 survey findings
Authors: Hoyo Verónica , Nehl Eric , Dozier Ann , Harvey Jillian , Kane Cathleen , Perry Anna , Samuels Elias , Schmidt Susanne , Hunt Joe
Published: April 2024

This article presents a landscape assessment of the findings from the 2021 Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Evaluators Survey. This survey was the most recent iteration of a well established, national, peer-led systematic snapshot of the CTSA evaluators, their skillsets, listed evaluation resources, preferred methods, and identified best practices. Three questions guided our study: who are the CTSA evaluators, what competencies do they share and how is their work used within hubs. We describe our survey process (logistics of development, deployment, and differences in historical context with prior instruments); and present its main findings. We provide specific recommendations for evaluation practice in two main categories (National vs Group-level) including, among others, the need for a national, strategic plan for evaluation as well as enhanced mentoring and training of the next generation of evaluators. Although based on the challenges and opportunities currently within the CTSA Consortium, takeaways from this study constitute important lessons with potential for application in other large evaluation consortia. To our knowledge, this is the first time 2021 survey findings are disseminated widely, to increase transparency of the CTSA evaluators' work and to motivate conversations within hub and beyond, as to how best to leverage existent evaluative capacity.
Roles of TRP and PIEZO receptors in autoimmune diseases
Authors: Yang Baoqi , Ma Dan , Zhu Xueqing , Wu Zewen , An Qi , Zhao Jingwen , Gao Xinnan , Zhang Liyun
Published: April 2024

Autoimmune diseases are pathological autoimmune reactions in the body caused by various factors, which can lead to tissue damage and organ dysfunction. They can be divided into organ-specific and systemic autoimmune diseases. These diseases usually involve various body systems, including the blood, muscles, bones, joints and soft tissues. The transient receptor potential (TRP) and PIEZO receptors, which resulted in David Julius and Ardem Patapoutian winning the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2021, attracted people's attention. Most current studies on TRP and PIEZO receptors in autoimmune diseases have been carried out on animal model, only few clinical studies have been conducted. Therefore, this study aimed to review existing studies on TRP and PIEZO to understand the roles of these receptors in autoimmune diseases, which may help elucidate novel treatment strategies.
Implementation of point-of-care molecular testing for respiratory viruses in congregate living settings
Authors: Tan Charlie , Chan Christina K. , Ofner Marianna , O’Brien Jaclyn , Thomas Neethu R. , Callahan James , Pascual Brigitte , Palmer Shawn J. , Serapion Victoria , Fabro Hannah , Kozak Robert A. , Candon Heather , Chan Adrienne K. , Powis Jeff E. , Leis Jerome A.
Published: April 2024

Objective:

To implement and evaluate a point-of-care (POC) molecular testing platform for respiratory viruses in congregate living settings (CLS).

Design:

Prospective quality improvement study.

Setting:

Seven CLS, including three nursing homes and four independent-living facilities.

Participants:

Residents of CLS.

Methods:

A POC platform for COVID-19, influenza A and B, and respiratory syncytial virus was implemented at participating CLS from December 1, 2022 to April 15, 2023. Residents with respiratory symptoms underwent paired testing, with respiratory specimens tested first with the POC platform and then delivered to an off-site laboratory for multiplex respiratory virus panel (MRVP) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as per standard protocol. Turn-around time and diagnostic accuracy of the POC platform were compared against MRVP PCR. In an exploratory analysis, time to outbreak declaration among participating CLS was compared against a convenience sample of 19 CLS that did not use the POC platform.

Results:

A total of 290 specimens that underwent paired testing were included. Turn-around time to result was significantly shorter with the POC platform compared to MRVP PCR, with median difference of 36.2 hours (interquartile range 21.8–46.4 hours). The POC platform had excellent diagnostic accuracy compared to MRVP PCR, with area under the curve statistic of .96. Time to outbreak declaration was shorter in CLS that used the POC platform compared to CLS that did not.

Conclusion:

Rapid POC testing platforms for respiratory viruses can be implemented in CLS, with high diagnostic accuracy, expedited turn-around times, and shorter time to outbreak declaration.
A case series of interventions and outcomes in patients with laryngeal squamous cell cancer
Authors: Townsley Richard , Tan Jiak Ying , Edy Elbert , Lim Alison , McMahon Jeremy
Published: April 2024

Objective

The larynx is the second most prevalent subsite for head and neck cancer. Over half of head and neck cancer patients present with advanced disease. We report our regional practices for palliative intent laryngeal squamous cell cancer (SCC).

Methods

Retrospective analysis of patients with laryngeal SCC treated with palliative intent, discussed at the regional head and neck multidisciplinary team meeting from July 2010 to June 2016.

Results

A total of 65 patients were included, of whom 45 per cent had potentially curable disease but were not fit for curative treatment. Nine patients (14 per cent) underwent tracheostomy, with mean survival and hospital stay of 278 and 48 days, respectively. Four patients (6 per cent) underwent debulking surgery with mean survival and hospital stay of 214 and 1 days, respectively.

Conclusion

All palliative treatment measures offered to patients can have an impact on survival and quality of life. Patients should be at the centre of the decision-making process and counselled on the potential impact of interventions.
Modelling of the fluid flow in a thin domain with injection through permeable boundary
Authors: Marušić-Paloka Eduard , Pažanin Igor
Published: April 2024

In this paper, we derive the effective model describing a thin-domain flow with permeable boundary through which the fluid is injected into the domain. We start with incompressible Stokes system and perform the rigorous asymptotic analysis. Choosing the appropriate scaling for the injection leads to a compressible effective model. In this paper, we derive the effective model describing a thin-domain flow with permeable boundary through which the fluid is injected into the domain. We start with incompressible Stokes system and perform the rigorous asymptotic analysis. Choosing the appropriate scaling for the injection leads to a compressible effective model.
Cross-linguistic effects of form overlap in aural recognition of Spanish–English cognates
Authors: Garrido-Pozú Juan J.
Published: April 2024

This study investigated the effect of cross-linguistic overlap in L1 and L2 auditory recognition of Spanish–English cognates. The study examined the correlation between objective and subjective measures of overlap and analyzed how these measures predict patterns in auditory recognition. 62 Spanish-speaking learners of English and 63 English-speaking learners of Spanish completed two auditory lexical decision tasks in Spanish and English and a rating task, where they rated the perceived phonological similarity of cognates. The results revealed moderate correlations between subjective and objective measures of overlap. While orthographic overlap had no effect, increased phonological overlap facilitated recognition in L1 and L2 Spanish and English and had larger effects in L2 recognition. Perceived similarity was the best predictor among the measures of overlap. The findings support models suggesting that cross-linguistic co-activation is facilitated by increased form similarity and studies reporting modality dependent effects of cross-linguistic form overlap in lexical recognition.
RF and microwave metrology for quantum computing – recent developments at the UK’s National Physical Laboratory
Authors: Stanley Manoj , Shang Xiaobang , Celep Murat , Salter Martin , de Graaf Sebastian , Lindstrom Tobias , Shin Sang-Hee , Skinner James , Singh Dilbagh , Stokes Daniel , Acharya Manognya , Ridler Nick
Published: April 2024

Development of large-scale quantum computing systems will require radio frequency (RF) and microwave technologies operating reliably at cryogenic temperatures down to tens of milli-Kelvin (mK). The quantum bits in the most promising quantum computing technologies such as the superconducting quantum computing are designed using principles of microwave engineering and operated using microwave signals. The control, readout, and coupling of qubits are implemented using a network of microwave components operating at various temperature stages. To ensure reliable operation of quantum computing systems, it is critical to ensure optimal performance of these microwave components and qubits at their respective operating temperatures, which can be as low as mK temperatures. It is, therefore, critical to understand the microwave characteristics of waveforms, components, circuits, networks, and systems at cryogenic temperatures. The UK’s National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is focussed on developing new microwave measurement capabilities through the UK’s National Quantum Technologies Programme to address various microwave test and measurement challenges in quantum computing. This includes the development of various measurement capabilities to characterize the microwave performance of quantum and microwave devices and substrate materials at cryogenic temperatures. This paper summarizes the roadmap of activities at NPL to address these microwave metrology challenges in quantum computing.
Water‐Wave‐Induced OBS Noise: Theories, Observations, and Potential Applications
Authors: Zhang Chun , An Chao
Published: April 2024

The horizontal records of ocean‐bottom seismometers (OBS) are usually highly noisy, generally due to ocean‐bottom currents tilting the instrument, which greatly limits their practical usage in ocean‐bottom seismology. In shallow water, water waves with energy concentration around 0.07 Hz induce additional noise on OBSs. Such noise is not well understood. In this article, we propose a noise model to explain the horizontal noise around 0.07 Hz. The noise model consists of three types of noise, that is, water‐wave‐induced noise, current noise with a relatively constant orientation, and background random noise. The wave‐induced horizontal acceleration is theoretically shown to be proportional to the time derivative of ocean‐bottom pressure. We validate the noise model and related theories using realistic observations. Results are potentially applicable to determine the propagation direction of water waves nearshore, and also provide constraints on the underlying Earth structure. The results can also be applied to the removal of wave‐induced noise, achieving a typical maximum improvement in the signal‐to‐noise ratio of 10–20 dB for time periods with strong wave noise.