bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association Between Changes in Sleep, Nap Duration and Bone Mineral Density in Mexican Adults
Authors: Meneses-León Joacim , Hernández-Salazar Sonia , Robles-Rivera Karina , Tamayo-Ortiz Marcela , Muciño-Sandoval Karla , Rivas-Ruiz Rodolfo , Denova-Gutiérrez Edgar , Tamayo-Orozco Juan A. , Velázquez-Cruz Rafael , Salmerón Jorge , Rivera-Paredez Berenice
Published: May 2024

Studies have found associations between sleep, nap duration, and bone mineral density (BMD). However, the longitudinal relationship between sleep, nap duration, and BMD has not been explored. We evaluated the association between the change in sleep and nap duration and BMD in Mexican adults. Data come from 1,337 adult participants of the Health Workers Cohort Study (341 were men and 996 were women, including 450 women < 45 years old and 546 ≥ 45 years old), with two study waves. At each wave, sleep and nap duration was assessed using self-administered questionnaires and BMD in g/cm2 was determined by dual X-ray absorptiometry. We used fixed-effect regression models stratified by sex and adjusted for BMI, diet, physical activity, vitamin supplements, and hormone replacement therapy. Women who changed from < 7 to ≥ 7 h/day of sleep from baseline to follow-up were associated with increases in the total hip (β = 0.012 g/cm2; 95% CI: 0.002, 0.022) and lumbar spine BMD (β = 0.024 g/cm2; 95% CI: 0.009, 0.039). Furthermore, most of these associations were observed in women ≥ 45 years. For women, a changing from 0 to > 60 min/day of napping was associated with a significant increase in total hip BMD of 0.012 g/cm2 (95% CI: 0.004, 0.024) and lumbar spine BMD of 0.027 g/cm2 (95% CI: 0.009, 0.045). No significant associations were observed for men. Our results suggest that increased sleep and nap duration are associated with gains in BMD in Mexican women, emphasizing sleep’s role in promoting bone health and supporting established recommendations.
Performance of AI to exclude normal chest radiographs to reduce radiologists’ workload
Authors: Schalekamp Steven , van Leeuwen Kicky , Calli Erdi , Murphy Keelin , Rutten Matthieu , Geurts Bram , Peters-Bax Liesbeth , van Ginneken Bram , Prokop Mathias
Published: May 2024

Introduction

This study investigates the performance of a commercially available artificial intelligence (AI) system to identify normal chest radiographs and its potential to reduce radiologist workload.

Methods

Retrospective analysis included consecutive chest radiographs from two medical centers between Oct 1, 2016 and Oct 14, 2016. Exclusions comprised follow-up exams within the inclusion period, bedside radiographs, incomplete images, imported radiographs, and pediatric radiographs. Three chest radiologists categorized findings into normal, clinically irrelevant, clinically relevant, urgent, and critical. A commercial AI system processed all radiographs, scoring 10 chest abnormalities on a 0–100 confidence scale. AI system performance was evaluated using the area under the ROC curve (AUC), assessing the detection of normal radiographs. Sensitivity was calculated for the default and a conservative operating point. the detection of negative predictive value (NPV) for urgent and critical findings, as well as the potential workload reduction, was calculated.

Results

A total of 2603 radiographs were acquired in 2141 unique patients. Post-exclusion, 1670 radiographs were analyzed. Categories included 479 normal, 332 clinically irrelevant, 339 clinically relevant, 501 urgent, and 19 critical findings. The AI system achieved an AUC of 0.92. Sensitivity for normal radiographs was 92% at default and 53% at the conservative operating point. At the conservative operating point, NPV was 98% for urgent and critical findings, and could result in a 15% workload reduction.

Conclusion

A commercially available AI system effectively identifies normal chest radiographs and holds the potential to lessen radiologists’ workload by omitting half of the normal exams from reporting.

Clinical relevance statement

The AI system is able to detect half of all normal chest radiographs at a clinically acceptable operating point, thereby potentially reducing the workload for the radiologists by 15%.

Key Points

The AI system reached an AUC of 0.92 for the detection of normal chest radiographs.

Fifty-three percent of normal chest radiographs were identified with a NPV of 98% for urgent findings. AI can reduce the workload of chest radiography reporting by 15%.
Moderne Strategien zur Lipidsenkung – die frühe Kombinationstherapie
Authors: Geiling Jens Arndt , Schulze P. Christian , Weingärtner Oliver
Published: May 2024

Herz-Kreislauf-Erkrankungen sind weltweit die häufigste Todesursache. Fettstoffwechselstörungen sind neben arterieller Hypertonie und Diabetes mellitus der wichtigste und am besten modifizierbare kardiovaskuläre Risikofaktor.  Durch Lebensstilmodifikation und eine am individuellen Zielwert orientierte medikamentöse Stufentherapie auf Basis von Statinen kann eine adäquate Senkung des LDL-Cholesterins erreicht werden. Die Therapie wird am effektivsten mit Atorvastatin oder Rosuvastatin in primärer Kombination mit Ezetimib begonnen. Wird der Zielwert nicht erreicht, erfolgt eine schrittweise Eskalation mit Bempedoinsäure und anschließend mit einem PCSK-9-Inhibitor (Evolocumab, Alirocumab, Inclisiran). Patienten nach aortokoronarer Bypass-Operation haben ein sehr hohes kardiovaskuläres Risiko. Für diese Patientenpopulation gilt ein Ziel-LDL-C < 1,4 mmol/l, vergleichbar mit Patienten nach akutem Myokardinfarkt.
An AI pipeline for garment price projection using computer vision
Authors: Rico Gómez Rodrigo , Lorentz Joe , Hartmann Thomas , Goknil Arda , Pal Singh Inder , Halaç Tayfun Gökmen , Boruzanlı Ekinci Gülnaz
Published: May 2024

The fashion industry’s traditional price-setting methods, based on historical sales and Fashion Week trends, are inadequate in the digital era. Rapid changes in collections and consumer preferences necessitate advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques. These AI methods should analyze data from various sources, including social media and e-commerce, to predict future fashion trends and prices. In this paper, we propose, apply, and assess a data analytics approach, i.e., FashionXpert, employing several image processing and machine learning techniques in an AI pipeline for garment price prediction. It integrates various heterogeneous data sources (e.g., textual and image data from e-stores, brand websites, and social media) to obtain more consistent, accurate, and beneficial information. We evaluated its effectiveness with an industrial data set obtained by a fashion search tool from the electronic commerce sites of clothing brands. FashionXpert predicted garment prices with an average Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 15.31 EUR on a data set that has a standard deviation of 72.99 EUR.
Towards retrospective motion correction and reconstruction for clinical 3D brain MRI protocols with a reference contrast
Authors: Rizzuti Gabrio , Schakel Tim , Huttinga Niek R. F. , Dankbaar Jan Willem , van Leeuwen Tristan , Sbrizzi Alessandro
Published: May 2024

Object

In a typical MR session, several contrasts are acquired. Due to the sequential nature of the data acquisition process, the patient may experience some discomfort at some point during the session, and start moving. Hence, it is quite common to have MR sessions where some contrasts are well-resolved, while other contrasts exhibit motion artifacts. Instead of repeating the scans that are corrupted by motion, we introduce a reference-guided retrospective motion correction scheme that takes advantage of the motion-free scans, based on a generalized rigid registration routine.

Materials and methods

We focus on various existing clinical 3D brain protocols at 1.5 Tesla MRI based on Cartesian sampling. Controlled experiments with three healthy volunteers and three levels of motion are performed.

Results

Radiological inspection confirms that the proposed method consistently ameliorates the corrupted scans. Furthermore, for the set of specific motion tests performed in this study, the quality indexes based on PSNR and SSIM shows only a modest decrease in correction quality as a function of motion complexity.

Discussion

While the results on controlled experiments are positive, future applications to patient data will ultimately clarify whether the proposed correction scheme satisfies the radiological requirements.
Selecting Feasible Trajectories for Robot-Based X-ray Tomography by Varying Focus-Detector-Distance in Space Restricted Environments
Authors: Linde Maximilian , Wiest Wolfram , Trauth Anna , Sause Markus G. R.
Published: May 2024

Computed tomography has evolved as an essential tool for non-destructive testing within the automotive industry. The application of robot-based computed tomography enables high-resolution CT inspections of components exceeding the dimensions accommodated by conventional systems. However, large-scale components, e.g. vehicle bodies, often exhibit trajectory-limiting elements. The utilization of conventional trajectories with constant Focus-Detector-Distances can lead to anisotropy in image data due to the inaccessibility of some angular directions. In this work, we introduce two approaches that are able to select suitable acquisitions point sets in scans of challenging to access regions through the integration of projections with varying Focus-Detector-Distances. The variable distances of the X-ray hardware enable the capability to navigate around collision structures, thus facilitating the scanning of absent angular directions. The initial approach incorporates collision-free viewpoints along a spherical trajectory, preserving the field of view by maintaining a constant ratio between the Focus-Object-Distance and the Object-Detector-Distance, while discreetly extending the Focus-Detector-Distance. The second methodology represents a more straightforward approach, enabling the scanning of angular sectors that were previously inaccessible on the conventional circular trajectory by circumventing the X-ray source around these collision elements. Both the qualitative and quantitative evaluations, contrasting classical trajectories characterized by constant Focus-Detector-Distances with the proposed techniques employing variable Focus-Detector-Distances, indicate that the developed methods improve the object structure interpretability for scans of limited accessibility.
Trajectory optimization of unmanned aerial vehicles in the electromagnetic environment
Authors: Atayev Anvarbek , Fliege Jörg , Zemkoho Alain
Published: May 2024

We consider a type of routing problems common in defence and security, in which we control a fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that have to reach one or more target locations without being detected by an adversary. Detection can be carried out by a variety of sensors (radio receivers, cameras, personnel, etc) placed by the adversary around the target sites. We model the act of detecting a UAV from first principles by noting that sensors work by monitoring frequencies in the electromagnetic spectrum for signals or noise emitted. By this, we are able to provide a flexible and versatile nonlinear optimisation framework in which the problem is modeled as a novel trajectory optimisation problem with paths of the UAVs as continuous arcs in an Euclidean space. The flexibility of our approach is exhibited by the fact that we can easily consider various relevant objectives, among them minimising the overall probability of detection and maximising the location error that the adversary experiences when trying to locate our UAVs. Our model is also versatile enough to consider the act of jamming, in which one or more of our UAVs intentionally send out signals to interfere with the operations of the adversary’s sensors. Numerical results show the flexibility of our framework, and that we can solve realistic instances of this problem type.
Singular control of (reflected) Brownian motion: a computational method suitable for queueing applications
Authors: Ata Baris , Harrison J. Michael , Si Nian
Published: May 2024

Motivated by applications in queueing theory, we consider a class of singular stochastic control problems whose state space is the d-dimensional positive orthant. The original problem is approximated by a drift control problem, to which we apply a recently developed computational method that is feasible for dimensions up to $$d=30$$

d
=
30

or more. To show that nearly optimal solutions are obtainable using this method, we present computational results for a variety of examples, including queueing network examples that have appeared previously in the literature.
Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Fish Sludge Originating from a Recirculating Aquaculture System
Authors: Netshivhumbe Rudzani , Faloye Funmilayo , Tolessa Amsalu , Görgens Johann , Goosen Neill
Published: May 2024

Anaerobic co-digestion (AcoD) of fish sludge (FS) with food waste (FW), and fruit and vegetable waste (FVW) for biogas and methane production was optimised in small-scale bioreactors, and batch and semi-continuous pilot-scale digesters, under mesophilic (37 ℃) conditions. An experimental mixture design was first applied to small-scale biomethane potential (BMP) tests, to determine the optimal mixture proportions of the AcoD of FS, FW, and FVW that maximise the specific methane yield (SMY in NmLCH4 gVS−1). The optimal mixture proportion was 67%FS:18%FW:19%FVW (w/w), producing 401 mLCH4 gVS−1, which was 8 times higher than the SMY when FS was mono-digested (48 mLCH4 gVS−1). The SMY achieved in batch pilot-scale digesters were 70–82% of methane yields obtained in BMP tests under the same operating conditions, with stable biogas production and no apparent inhibition during the batch run. Semi-continuous operation of the pilot-scale digester was undertaken with organic loading rates (OLRs) of 1, 2, and 3 $$gVS{L}^{-1}{d}^{-1}$$

g
V
S

L

-
1

d

-
1

, provided intermittently. However, the digester did not achieve stable biogas production at all of the evaluated OLRs, due to the intermittent feeding and accumulation of volatile fatty acids (VFAs): Improved process stability was achieved at an OLR of 2 $$gVS{L}^{-1}{d}^{-1}$$

g
V
S

L

-
1

d

-
1

, compared to OLRs of 1 and 3 $$gVS{L}^{-1}{d}^{-1}$$

g
V
S

L

-
1

d

-
1

. Optimisation of the AcoD process resulted in attractive biomethane yields from FS with FW and FVW co-feeds, indicating that producing biogas from co-digestion of FS with relevant substrates is a valuable managing tool for FS, while simultaneously providing renewable energy. The work provides novel data that elucidated optimal proportions in which to combine FS, FW and FVW to obtain optimal biogas production, and provided important new information relevant for the scale up and continuous operation of an AD process for treating FS.

Graphical Abstract
Altered States of Consciousness are Prevalent and Insufficiently Supported Clinically: A Population Survey
Authors: Wright Malcolm J. , Galante Julieta , Corneille Jessica S. , Grabovac Andrea , Ingram Daniel M. , Sacchet Matthew D.
Published: May 2024

Objectives

Adoption of potentially consciousness-altering practices may be leading to a rise in emergent phenomena (EP): sudden unusual mental or somatic experiences often interpreted as spiritual, mystical, energetic, or magical in nature. It is unclear how frequently these altered states of consciousness occur and what the clinical implications may be. Anecdotal accounts and prior literature suggest that EP may be common, under-reported, and followed by either positive or negative changes to well-being. We sought to supplement prior evidence on the prevalence and effects of EP among general populations with large-scale quantitative measurements.

Method

We measured the prevalence of EP, while not on mind-altering substances, through completion of online surveys by representative samples from three international communities (n = 3135). The communities sampled were UK Qualtrics online panelists, US-based MTurk workers, and the readers of a popular rationalist blog. Samples were broadly representative of underlying populations.

Results

Forty-five percent of participants reported experiencing non-pharmacologically induced EP at least once in their lives, including derealization (17%), unitive experiences (15%), ecstatic thrills (15%), vivid perceptions (11%), changes in perceived size (10%), bodily heat or electricity (9%), out-of-body experiences (8%), and perception of non-physical lights (5%). Respondents reported a mix of positive and negative well-being outcomes following EP, with 13% claiming moderate or greater suffering and 1.1% claiming life-threatening suffering. Of those who experienced suffering, 63% did not seek help.

Conclusions

EP are widespread among the studied populations with potential for both positive and negative outcomes, the latter of which do not appear to be adequately addressed through recourse to clinical practice.
Promoting Teachers’ Wellbeing Using a Compassionate Mind Training Intervention: Exploring Mechanisms of Change
Authors: Matos Marcela , Galhardo Ana , Palmeira Lara , Albuquerque Isabel , Cunha Marina , Lima Margarida Pedroso , Maratos Frances A. , Gilbert Paul
Published: May 2024

Objectives

The current study aimed to examine the mechanisms of change of a compassionate mind training intervention for teachers (CMT-T). In particular, we examined whether changes in the three flows of compassion, fears of compassion, and emotions at work (safe, drive, and threat) mediated the effects of the CMT-T in burnout, depression, anxiety, and stress, and in overall positive affect.

Methods

As part of a two-arm randomized controlled trial and a stepped-wedge design, the study included all participants who completed the 8-week CMT-T intervention either at Time 1 or at Time 2 (n = 103). At pre- and post-intervention, participants completed measures of compassion, fears of compassion, emotional climate in the workplace, burnout, psychopathological symptoms, and positive affect.

Results

Mediation analyses revealed that increases in the flows of compassion and reductions in fears of compassion from others mediated the effects of CMT-T on teachers' depression, anxiety, stress, and burnout levels. In the case of the reduction in stress symptoms from pre- to post-intervention, compassion for self, fears of self-compassion, and fears of receiving compassion from others emerged as significant mediators of this change. The three flows of compassion and fears of compassion (for self and from others) were significant mediators of the impact of CMT-T on changes in teachers’ anxiety levels from baseline to post-intervention. A decrease in fears of compassion from others and an increase in drive emotions mediated changes in depressive symptoms following CMT-T. Concerning burnout, all flows of compassion and fear of compassion from others mediated the changes from baseline to post-intervention. Changes in positive affect following CMT-T were mediated by increases in the flows of compassion, and emotions related to soothing-safeness and drive systems in the workplace. Serial mediational models showed that the effect of CMT-T on teachers’ burnout was partially mediated by reductions in fears of compassion (for self and from others) and stress.

Conclusions

CMT-T effectively improves teachers’ wellbeing and reduces burnout and psychological distress through the cultivation of their ability to experience, direct, and be open to compassion, and the strengthening of the soothing-safeness and the drive systems in the school context.

Preregistration

The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: identifier, NCT05107323; Compassionate Schools: Feasibility and Effectiveness Study of a Compassionate Mind Training Program to Promote Teachers Wellbeing.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Health Insurance Coverage: If, How, and When? An Integrated Knowledge Translation (iKT) Delphi Key Informant Analysis
Authors: Frank Hannah E. , Albanese Ariana , Sun Shufang , Saadeh Frances , Johnson Blair T. , Elwy A. Rani , Loucks Eric B.
Published: May 2024

Objectives

Hundreds of trials have evaluated Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), but in the United States, it is generally not covered by health insurance. Consequently, the aims were to identify the following: (1) key questions to make decisions about if, how, and when MBSR should be covered by health insurance; (2a) barriers and (2b) facilitators to understand and resolve for MBSR to be covered by health insurance; and (3) highest priority evidence needed to inform health insurance coverage decisions.

Methods

Key informants (n = 26) included health insurers, healthcare administrators, policymakers, clinicians, MBSR instructors, and MBSR students. An initial pool of items related to the study aims was generated through qualitative interviews. Through the Delphi process, participants rated, discussed, and re-rated each item’s relevance. Items were required to reach a consensus of ≥ 80% agreement to be retained for final inclusion.

Results

Of the original 149 items, 42 (28.2%) met the ≥ 80% agreement criterion and were retained for final inclusion. The most highly rated items informing whether MBSR should be covered by health insurance included research demonstrating that MBSR works and that it is not harmful. The most highly rated barriers to coverage were that MBSR is not a medical treatment and patient barriers to attendance. Highly rated facilitators included the potential of MBSR to address common mental health and psychosomatic problems. Finally, understanding what conditions are effectively treated with MBSR and the impact of MBSR on stress were rated as the highest priority evidence needed to inform health insurance coverage decisions.

Conclusions

Findings highlight priorities for future research and policy efforts to advance health insurance coverage of MBSR in the United States.
The Role of China’s Standards of English Language Ability (CSE) Assessment Literacy in Promoting Teachers’ Language Assessment Literacy Profiles: Evidence from Chinese University EFL Teachers
Authors: Yin Tingting , Fang Xiucai
Published: May 2024

Released in 2018, China’s Standards of English Language Ability (CSE) set a benchmark for language education and assessment in China, integrating with international standards. This study investigates whether CSE assessment literacy (understanding and applying CSE standards in assessment practice) enhances Language Assessment Literacy (LAL) among 233 university EFL teachers in China. Using a self-designed questionnaire assessing current LAL and CSE assessment literacy, the findings indicate that the teachers’ self-assessed LAL, classified into high, moderate, and low LAL profiles, was generally unsatisfactory. Awareness of the principles was highest in teachers with a moderate LAL profile and was minimal in teachers with a low profile. Proficiency in “CSE Background,” “Competence Classification,” and “Table Scales” was closely linked to elevated LAL profiles. Specifically, “CSE Background” improved LAL across low and moderate profiles, while “Competence Classification” and “Table Scales” mainly benefited the moderate profile, informing effective LAL and CSE training strategies.
G-solid rational surfaces
Authors: Pinardin Antoine
Published: May 2024

We classify G-solid rational surfaces over the field of complex numbers for finite group actions.
Fuelling the Future with Safe Hydrogen Transportation Through Natural Gas Pipelines: A Quantitative Risk Assessment Approach
Authors: Amer Mohamed Omar , Hoseyni Seyed Mojtaba , Cordiner Joan
Published: May 2024

The global transition to clean and sustainable energy sources has sparked interest in hydrogen as a potential solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Efficient and safe transportation of hydrogen is crucial for its integration into the energy network. One approach is utilizing existing natural gas infrastructure, but it introduces unique challenges. Hydrogen has distinct characteristics that pose potential hazards, requiring careful consideration for safe transportation through natural gas pipelines. Moreover, the absence of field data on component failure rates adds to the existing uncertainty in Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) for hydrogen transportation. QRA plays a vital role in enabling the safe deployment of hydrogen transportation through existing pipelines and is increasingly integrated into the permitting process. The lack of data impedes the comprehensive understanding of risks associated with hydrogen transportation. This paper aims not only to analyse the effects of hydrogen blending ratios on gas dispersion, release rates, jet fires, and explosions in natural gas pipelines, but also highlight the disparities in leak frequencies currently used for hydrogen or blended hydrogen. A QRA for hydrogen blending in natural gas pipelines is novel and timely because the behaviour of hydrogen in natural gas pipelines, a novel process with potential hazards, is not fully understood. Conducting a thorough QRA on hydrogen blending in gas pipelines, our study reveals innovative insights: higher blending ratios reduce release rates, impact safe distances, and maintain stable flame lengths. Despite an elevated explosion risk, scenarios remained below lethal overpressure values. This paper offers unique contributions to safety considerations in hydrogen transportation, guiding stakeholders toward informed decisions for a secure and sustainable energy future.
Solving QUBO problems with cP systems
Authors: Ciencialová Lucie , Dinneen Michael J. , Nicolescu Radu , Cienciala Luděk
Published: May 2024

P systems with compound terms (cP systems) have been proposed by Radu Nicolescu in 2018. These expressive cP systems have been used to solve well-known NP-complete problems efficiently, such as the Hamiltonian path, traveling salesman, 3-coloring, and software verification problems. In this paper, we use cP systems to provide an efficient parallel solution to the integer-valued quadratic unconstrained Boolean optimization (QUBO) problem.
In-situ reinforcement of AA6063/Al2O3 hybrid composite: comparative wear and hardness evaluation of Manihot esculenta and green Plantago major particulates
Authors: Ben Festus , Olubambi Peter A.
Published: May 2024

The AA6063 alloy, renowned for its resistance against corrosion and favourable mechanical properties, has limited applications within the automotive and aerospace sectors owing to its reduced hardness and wear properties. Manihot esculenta and Plantago major are essential food crops contributing to environmental pollution. This study repurposes the Manihot esculenta peel ash (MEPA) and Plantago major peel ash (PMPA) as innovative reinforcements for the in-situ fabrication of Al2O3/AA6063 hybrid and monolithic composites (HMCs) using the two-step stir casting method. MEPA/Al2O3/AA6063 and PMPA/Al2O3/AA6063 HMCs, fabricated with novel weight percentage variations of 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10%, underwent mechanical and tribological investigations. Although previous studies have examined the physio-mechanical properties of MEPA and PMPA in hybrid composites, their tribological performance remains unexplored. Additionally, using MEPA and PMPA as reinforcing elements in a monolithic aluminium matrix is novel. Oxide compositions and chemical constituents in MEPA and PMPA powders were determined, with fabricated MHCs characterized for SEM and energy-dispersive X-ray studies. Results revealed the presence of hard particulates, including SiO2 (44%), Al2O3 (16%), K2O (13%), CaO (12%), and Fe2O3 (8%) in MEPA powders, while PMPA powders were dominated by K2O (81%). Morphological studies showed uniform dispersion of reinforcements within the matrix. Composite hardness and wear resistance improved with rising MEPA weight ratios, contrasting with decreasing trends in PMPA particulates. Comparatively, MEPA showed a superior impact on the hardness and tribological performance of Al2O3/AA6063 HMCs compared to PMPA These findings highlight MEPA and PMPA as sustainable engineering solutions for aluminium matrix reinforcement.
Evaluating Return on Investment for Cyberinfrastructure Using the International Integrated Reporting  Framework
Authors: Snapp-Childs Winona G. , Hart David L. , Costa Claudia M. , Wernert Julie A. , Jankowski Harmony E. , Towns John W. , Stewart Craig A.
Published: May 2024

This paper investigates the return on investment (ROI) in cyberinfrastructure (CI) facilities and services by comparing the value of end products created to the cost of operations. We assessed the cost of a US CI facility called XSEDE and the value of the end products created using this facility, categorizing end products according to the International Integrated Reporting Framework. The US federal government invested approximately $0.3B in operating the XSEDE ecosystem from 2016–2022. The estimated value of end products facilitated by XSEDE ranges from around $4.7B to $22.7B or more. Credit for the majority of these end products is shared among various contributors, including the XSEDE ecosystem. Granting the XSEDE ecosystem a seemingly reasonable percentage of credit for its contributions to end product creation suggests that the return on federal investment in the XSEDE ecosystem, in terms of value of end products created, was greater than one and possibly far greater than one. The Framework proved useful for addressing this question. Earlier work showed that the value of services provided by XSEDE was significantly greater than the cost of those services to the US federal government—a positive return on investment for delivery of services. Analyzing the financial efficiency of operations and the financial value of end products are two means for assessing the success of CI facilities in financial terms. Financial analyses should be used as one of many approaches for evaluating the success of CI facilities.
Design of Cost Efficient VBIR Technique Using ICA and IVCA
Authors: Pradeep Kumar B. P. , Srinidhi N. N. , Shiva Darshan S. L. , Naresh E.
Published: May 2024

With an emphasis on early-stage contrast agent transit through tumour vasculature, this study presents Adaptive Complex Independent Components Analysis (ACICA) as a unique method for evaluating intravascular responsiveness in prostatic tissue. Furthermore, a new SVM clustering method is introduced that outperforms the conventional k-means clustering for image retrieval based on vision. The study emphasises how dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) may be improved in conjunction with quantitative analysis. Within the field of DCE-MRI, ACICA stands out as a unique intravascular attention measurer. Utilising the spatial independence of extravascular and intravascular magnetic resonance imaging (MR) data, ACICA offers a strong foundation for DCE-MRI image analysis. It incorporates pharmacokinetic modelling to optimise the time lag, especially useful for arterial curves, and a reference region (RR)-based technique to adjust the intravascular concentration curve. The model's evaluation yields outstanding results, with recall and accuracy ranging from 83 to 99% and 82.8% to 99.6%, respectively. The average recall and precision across datasets are 92.86% and 92.82%).All things considered, this study demonstrates the effectiveness of ACICA in evaluating intravascular responsiveness and presents viable paths for enhancing clinical results and diagnostic precision in the treatment of prostate cancer.
Euthanasia as Privileged Compassion
Authors: Buijsen Martin
Published: May 2024

This Element overviews developments and issues in Dutch euthanasia practice. Following an outline of the history of the Dutch Euthanasia Act and a survey of the most critical trends and figures, some current issues are explored in depth: euthanasia and incompetency, euthanasia by nonphysicians, and euthanasia for those who consider their lives completed. This Element is intended for a general readership, including undergraduate students in law, medicine, or ethics. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.
Comparison of Sleep Apnea Questionnaires and Reported Diagnosis in Neurological Disorders of Aging
Authors: Gomes Teresa , Benedetti Andrea , Postuma Ron , Rizzo Dorrie , Baltzan Marc , Kimoff Richard John , Kaminska Marta
Published: May 2024

Background:

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with worse outcomes in stroke, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD), but diagnosis is challenging in these groups. We aimed to compare the prevalence of high risk of OSA based on commonly used questionnaires and self-reported OSA diagnosis: 1. within groups with stroke, AD, PD and the general population (GP); 2. Between neurological groups and GP.

Methods:

Individuals with stroke, PD and AD were identified in the Canadian Longitudinal Study of Aging (CLSA) by survey. STOP, STOP-BAG, STOP-B28 and GOAL screening tools and OSA self-report were compared by the Chi-squared test. Logistic regression was used to compare high risk/self-report of OSA, in neurological conditions vs. GP, adjusted for confounders.

Results:

We studied 30,097 participants with mean age of 62.3 years (SD 10.3) (stroke n = 1791; PD n = 175; AD n = 125). In all groups, a positive GOAL was the most prevalent, while positive STOP was least prevalent among questionnaires. Significant variations in high-risk OSA were observed between different questionnaires across all groups. Under 1.5% of individuals self-reported OSA. While all questionnaires suggested a higher prevalence of OSA in stroke than the GP, for PD and AD, there was heterogeneity depending on questionnaire.

Conclusions:

The wide range of prevalences of high risk of OSA resulting from commonly used screening tools underscores the importance of validating them in older adults with neurological disorders. OSA was self-reported in disproportionately small numbers across groups, suggesting that OSA is underdiagnosed in older adults or underreported by patients, which is concerning given its increasingly recognized impact on brain health.
Quasimaps to moduli spaces of sheaves on a surface
Authors: Nesterov Denis
Published: May 2024

In this article, we study quasimaps to moduli spaces of sheaves on a

$K3$

surface S. We construct a surjective cosection of the obstruction theory of moduli spaces of

$\epsilon $

-stable quasimaps. We then establish reduced wall-crossing formulas which relate the reduced Gromov–Witten theory of moduli spaces of sheaves on S and the reduced Donaldson–Thomas theory of

$S\times C$

, where C is a nodal curve. As applications, we prove the Hilbert-schemes part of the Igusa cusp form conjecture; higher-rank/rank-one Donaldson–Thomas correspondence with relative insertions on

$S\times C$

, if

$g(C)\leq 1$

; Donaldson–Thomas/Pandharipande–Thomas correspondence with relative insertions on

$S\times \mathbb {P}^1$

.
Impedance spectra of soft ionics
Authors: Hill Reghan J.
Published: May 2024

Impedance spectroscopy is widely adopted for probing the charge and charge mobility of soft ion-conducting media, such as synthetic membranes and biological tissue. The spectra exhibit a variety of distinctive signatures, but the physical basis of these is not well understood, e.g. models have not previously accounted for viscoelasticity, hydrodynamics or microstructural heterogeneity. This study explores a physically grounded continuum model that captures how these factors shape conductivity spectra. Nonlinear thermodynamics and linearised dynamics of a viscous electrolyte and compressible, elastic polymer network are coupled under the forcing of an oscillatory electric field. The model is solved in a one-dimensional spatially periodic unit cell, reporting conductivity and dielectric permittivity spectra, including Nyquist representations. Whereas rigid microstructures exhibit ion-diffusion-controlled relaxation, which manifests as a low-frequency dielectric ‘constant’, hydrodynamic and elastic forces contribute to a strongly diverging dielectric permittivity at low frequencies for heterogeneous anionic microstructures. The model also captures distinctive characteristics of experimentally reported impedance spectra for films bearing alternating layers of cationic and anionic charge, again highlighting the role of coupled hydrodynamic, elastic and electrical forces. Sufficiently thin and highly charged bilayers exhibit a notably low high-frequency conductivity. This is explained by strong low-frequency electrostatic polarisation and counter-ion release. The one-dimensional solutions computed herein provide a foundation for much more challenging computations in two and three dimensions.
Do Minorities Feel Welcome in Politics? A Cross-Cultural Study of the United States and Sweden
Authors: Lajevardi Nazita , Mårtensson Moa , Vernby Kåre
Published: May 2024

Racial and ethnic minorities are underrepresented in most Western democracies. This article investigates one potential root cause behind this pattern: minority and majority citizens might expect to feel discriminated against if they enter politics. Using data from three large-scale surveys, we find that minorities in both the United States and Sweden are less likely to expect to feel welcome than the majority population. These discrepancies in expected discrimination persist, even after controlling for other factors. Moreover, expected discrimination is not without political consequences: those who expect to feel less welcome are less likely to indicate an interest in running for political office. Finally, these results do not differ for politically engaged citizens who constitute a more realistic pool of potential candidates. We conclude by discussing what expectations of discrimination can tell us about the fairness of the political system and how these attitudes shape political ambition among minorities.
Public Preferences Over Changes to the Composition of Government Tax Revenue
Authors: Barnes Lucy , de Romémont Julia , Lauderdale Benjamin E.
Published: May 2024

How governments raise tax revenue is at the core of domestic political conflict. Public opinion towards taxation is measured generally and qualitatively by many surveys, but previous research has not closely linked public preferences to the budget problem faced by governments regarding how best to raise or cut a marginal quantity of revenue. We present results from a novel tax preference experiment in which UK respondents are given choices over different tax ‘levers’ that are expected to raise or cut equal revenue. We find that while different tax levers vary substantially in their popularity, there is a ‘hidden consensus’ regarding different tax levers across income levels and partisanship of the respondents.
Factors influencing the variation in canopy light extinction coefficient (k) among pisifera parents of two oil palm origins
Authors: Breure Cornelis J.
Published: May 2024

The canopy light extinction coefficient (k) is defined as the exponential decline in the amount of light passing through the leaf layers as a function of leaf area index (LAI). This definition is standard in oil palm breeding trials and models of canopy photosynthesis, where k is sometimes assumed to have a fixed value. The present experiment aims to validate the alleged constancy of k. Therefore, k was inferred from the fractional transmission of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and LAI, as obtained from dura x pisifera test crosses of Nigeria and Ghana pisifera origins. The palms were planted at two densities (135 and 160 palms ha−1) in North Sumatra in 2010. At the age of 7.5 years after planting, the area of newly opened leaves approached a maximum. Transmission of PAR remained very low and was only weakly related to k. By contrast, LAI exerted a strong negative effect on k, which generated, under both densities, considerable differences in k between both origins and among pisifera within an origin. The assumption of applying a fixed k value for a certain genotype or palm density, as obtained during leaf expansion at closed canopy, may therefore not be realistic. The present study suggests that the relationship of k with LAI over time merits further investigation, starting just before canopy closure.
A pragmatics-cognitive approach to the opposition relations lexicalized in Chinese
Authors: Zuo Baiyao
Published: May 2024

Contrast, adversative and corrective can all be represented by er in Classical Chinese, but they are lexicalized respectively by er, danshi and ershi in Modern Chinese. The two lexicalization systems suggest that the opposition relations have commonalities as well as differences. In the framework of relevance theory and ‘three domains’, this study argues that the three opposition relations are in different cognitive domains, at different representational levels, and trigger different inferences, which accounts for their diverse lexicalizations in Modern Chinese. The opposition relations also have cognitive or metaphorical connections with each other, which justifies their unified actualization in Classical Chinese. The pragmatics-cognitive framework could also account for interlinguistic data.
Age and growth of bigfin reef squid, Sepioteuthis lessoniana (Cephalopoda: Loliginidae), in Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve, Indian Ocean
Authors: Kavitha Mookaiah , Sasikumar Geetha , Linga Prabu Dhanasekaran , Laxmilatha Pappurajam , Sajikumar Kurichithara K.
Published: May 2024

Statolith growth increments were analysed in the bigfin reef squid, Sepioteuthis lessoniana lineage B, for estimating the age and growth in the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve (GOM), southeast coast of India. The identification of S. lessoniana lineage B was determined by mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I gene sequence. The statolith increment age analysis indicated that the wild-captured squid population of S. lessoniana in the study area undergoes rapid growth. The age of S. lessoniana in males ranged from 61 (95 mm dorsal mantle length (DML)) to 220 d (390 mm DML), while it was 64 (98 mm DML) to 199 d (340 mm DML) in females. The average daily growth rate in males and females was 1.63 and 1.55 mm DML d−1, respectively. The instantaneous growth rate varied from 0.85 (210 d) to 4.1% (110 d) for males and 0.65 (190 d) to 3.7% (110 d) for females. The age at first maturity was 114 and 120 d for males and females, respectively. Back-calculated hatching dates and the attainment of maturity in females suggested that the reproduction of S. lessoniana is year-round, with two distinct spawning peaks during July–August and February months; accordingly, the hatching dates were spread throughout the year, with the presence of two cohorts. Based on the statolith data, it can be concluded that S. lessoniana lineage B in the GOM has a potential lifespan of up to 7 months. This finding contradicts the previous growth estimates based on length-frequency data, which underestimated the true growth potential of this species.
A new species of the congrid eel genus Ariosoma (Teleostei: Anguilliformes: Congridae) from the Southeast coast of India, Bay of Bengal
Authors: Kodeeswaran Paramasivam , Kathirvelpandian A. , Mohapatra Anil , Ajith Kumar T. T.
Published: May 2024

A new species of congrid eel genus, Ariosoma is described here based on two mature female specimens collected from trawl by-catch landings at Thoothukudi fishing harbour, off Thoothukudi, Bay of Bengal. The new species can be easily distinguished from its congeners in having pre-anal length 48.7–49.1% TL; dorsal-fin origin just before pectoral-fin insertion; body bicoloured, pale brown dorsally and silvery white ventrally; preopercular portion dark; pectoral fin reddish with dark spot at the base; SO canal with six pores; pre-dorsal vertebrae 10–11; pre-anal vertebrae 61–64; total vertebrae 162–163. Further, the new species differs from all the congeners of Indian waters in having more total vertebrae, except A. albimaculatum (162–163 vs 129–153 in others; 161–164 in A. albimaculatum). The new species identity was also supported by molecular analyses using the mitochondrial COI gene and the result revealed that the new species is closely related to Ariosoma maurostigma and Ariosoma albimaculatum with a pair-wise genetic distance of 11.4% and 11.6% followed by A. melanospilos with 16.8%.
Neural responses to facial emotions and subsequent clinical outcomes in difficult-to-treat depression
Authors: Fennema Diede , Barker Gareth J. , O'Daly Owen , Duan Suqian , Godlewska Beata R. , Goldsmith Kimberley , Young Allan H. , Moll Jorge , Zahn Roland
Published: May 2024

Background

Amygdala and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex responses to facial emotions have shown promise in predicting treatment response in medication-free major depressive disorder (MDD). Here, we examined their role in the pathophysiology of clinical outcomes in more chronic, difficult-to-treat forms of MDD.

Methods

Forty-five people with current MDD who had not responded to ⩾2 serotonergic antidepressants (n = 42, meeting pre-defined fMRI minimum quality thresholds) were enrolled and followed up over four months of standard primary care. Prior to medication review, subliminal facial emotion fMRI was used to extract blood-oxygen level-dependent effects for sad v. happy faces from two pre-registered a priori defined regions: bilateral amygdala and dorsal/pregenual anterior cingulate cortex. Clinical outcome was the percentage change on the self-reported Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (16-item).

Results

We corroborated our pre-registered hypothesis (NCT04342299) that lower bilateral amygdala activation for sad v. happy faces predicted favorable clinical outcomes (rs[38] = 0.40, p = 0.01). In contrast, there was no effect for dorsal/pregenual anterior cingulate cortex activation (rs[38] = 0.18, p = 0.29), nor when using voxel-based whole-brain analyses (voxel-based Family-Wise Error-corrected p < 0.05). Predictive effects were mainly driven by the right amygdala whose response to happy faces was reduced in patients with higher anxiety levels.

Conclusions

We confirmed the prediction that a lower amygdala response to negative v. positive facial expressions might be an adaptive neural signature, which predicts subsequent symptom improvement also in difficult-to-treat MDD. Anxiety reduced adaptive amygdala responses.
Childhood anhedonia symptoms and stressful life events predict the development of reward-related brain activity across adolescence
Authors: Szenczy A.K. , Adams E.M. , Hawes M.T. , Anatala J. , Gair K. , Klein D.N. , Hajcak G. , Nelson B.D.
Published: May 2024

The reward positivity (RewP) is an event-related potential that indexes reinforcement learning and reward system activation. The RewP has been shown to increase across adolescence; however, most studies have examined the RewP across two assessments, and no studies have examined within-person changes across adolescence into young adulthood. Moreover, the RewP has been identified as a neurobiological risk factor for adolescent-onset depression, but it is unclear whether childhood psychosocial risk factors might predict RewP development across adolescence. In a sample of 317 8- to 14-year-old girls (Mage = 12.4, SD = 1.8), the present study examined self-report measures of depression symptoms and stressful life events at baseline and the ΔRewP during the doors guessing task across three timepoints. Growth modeling indicated that, across all participants, the ΔRewP did not demonstrate linear change across adolescence. However, baseline anhedonia symptoms predicted within-person changes in the ΔRewP, such that individuals with low anhedonia symptoms demonstrated a linear increase in the ΔRewP, but individuals with high anhedonia symptoms had no change in the ΔRewP across adolescence. Similar patterns were observed for stressful life events. The present study suggests that childhood risk factors impact the development of reward-related brain activity, which might subsequently increase risk for psychopathology.