bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Third-Year Publication of the Open Access Book Series “Progress in Landslide Research and Technology”
Authors: Sassa Kyoji
Published: June 2024

The Kyoto 2020 Commitment for Global Promotion of Understanding and Reducing Landslide Disaster Risk (Kyoto Landslide Commitment 2020: KLC2020) was launched on 5 November 2020 by the adoption of 2020 Kyoto Declaration at the end of the launching session of the Kyoto Landslide Commitment 2020. The KLC2020 was signed by 90 worldwide partners. On 3 November 2021, during the fifth World Landslide Forum (WLF5) held in a hybrid mode (onsite, online-virtual, and pre-recorded modes) in Kyoto, Japan, the ICL and the KLC2020 partners launched the new open-access book series “Progress in Landslide Research and Technology” to promote the Kyoto Landslide Commitment 2020 for global promotion of understanding and reducing landslide disaster risk in 2022.

The KLC 2020 Secretariat called for the KLC2020 official promoters which promote the Kyoto Landslide Commitment 2020 and provide the financial support for the implementation of the KLC2020 activities including the Open Access Book Series “Progress in Landslide Research and Technology (P-LRT).” At the same time, the Secretariat called for contribution of articles and voluntary editors. Thanks to strong support and contribution, the P-LRT could publish and edit 4 issues and now we have entered in the third-year publication. This article is the report of founding two issues Volume 1, Issue 1 and Issue 2, and the progress report of Volume 2, Issue 1 and Issue 2 published in 2023, and introduce the collected articles for Vol. 3, Issue 1 published in 2024.
Centrifuge Modeling of Slopes Subjected to Groundwater Flow and Rainfall Infiltration
Authors: Jayakody S. H. S. , Uzuoka Ryosuke , Ueda Kyohei , Saito Kenta
Published: June 2024

Due to the severe harm that they cause to society and the economy, landslides have become an infamous topic. Certainly, rainfall is one of the most important external factors that lower soil suction and shear strength, which in turn leads to shallow landslides. Indeed, landslide early warning mechanisms mostly rely on predicted or actual rainfall. However, the absence of a more thorough hydrological process involving groundwater flow means that temporal predictability still poses a challenge. Therefore, understanding the complex hydromechanical process using physical modeling techniques is of utmost importance. This paper aims to confirm the performance of the newly developed centrifuge soil container that facilitates the simultaneous functioning of groundwater flow and rainfall infiltration. Upon the validation of the functioning of the centrifuge chamber, landslide characteristics of unsaturated slopes were examined under the integrated effect of groundwater flow and rainfall. The results show that distinctive characteristics compared to slopes fail under rainfall infiltration.
Sendai Framework Voluntary Commitments: Monitoring Landslide Stakeholders’ Contributions
Authors: Matsuoka Yuki
Published: June 2024

Disasters caused by landslides have continued to occur in recent years resulting in loss of lives and livelihoods around the world. To prevent such disasters and reduce landslide risk, it is crucial to share good practices from around the world and promote all-of-society engagement. The Sendai Framework Voluntary Commitments (SFVC) online platform continues to take stock and monitor non-state actors’ contributions to the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030. The platform not only keeps track of their contributions to the Sendai Framework’s global targets, but it also details the hazards each commitment is aiming to address, including landslides. As of 31 March 2023, a total of 116 voluntary commitments have been published on the SFVC online platform. This article provides a statistical analysis of these voluntary commitments, looking into their deliverables, budgets, participating organizations, Sendai Framework targets and Sustainable Development Goals covered, among other variables. The quantitative analysis involves descriptive statistics that provide insights on commitments that are addressing landslides in their disaster risk reduction activities. Additionally, the article presents case studies from the voluntary commitments that demonstrate noteworthy efforts by stakeholders in reducing risks from landslides. As of 31 March 2023, 64 percent of the voluntary commitments published by stakeholders are implementing activities to build resilience against landslides. Initial findings indicate that among the 17 hazards documented on the SFVC online platform, landslides rank as the third most frequently addressed hazard. Although most voluntary commitments address landslides, it would be beneficial to encourage more action and improve current activities specific to landslide risk reduction especially for countries more vulnerable to landslides. The SFVC online platform endeavors to mobilize more stakeholders to address landslides, striving for a world where landslide risks no longer threaten communities.
Regional Debris Flow Hazard Assessment of the Grdelica Gorge (Serbia)
Authors: Marjanović Miloš , Abolmasov Biljana , Krušić Jelka , Đurić Uroš
Published: June 2024

Road infrastructure development is currently very intensive in Serbia. One such example is the Grdelica Gorge, where a new highway was aligned and put into service in 2019. The Gorge has provided a very challenging engineering environment imposing high levels of several hazard types: floods; slides; debris flows; and rockfalls. In this work, the debris flow hazard for the first 15 km of the road route was in focus. The assessment included an expert-driven analysis for identifying potential source areas, coupled with deterministic modelling of the flowing process originating from these source areas, resulting in detailed simulations of the final runout distance, height of deposit, and flow velocity, which are all reliable parameters for mitigating the hazard across the road alignment. A combination of geomorphological criteria, processed in a GIS environment was used to narrow down the search of source areas containing loose, erodible material which easily mobilizes under saturated conditions. The criteria were calibrated by the outlines of the available inventory, acquired by remote sensing techniques. The Digital Terrain Model with 12.5 m resolution was used for running RApid Mass Movement Simulation (RAMMS), using estimated bulk density and friction coefficients as input parameters. Since there was no recent debris flow in the area for the appropriate back-analysis of these parameters, experience-and lab-based estimations were used. Several simulations have reached the road alignment, wherein a few imposed significant threats with respect to deposit height and velocity that require additional attention.
Assessment of the Structural Geological, Hydrogeological, and Geomorphological Relationships of the Athwelthota Landslide, Sri Lanka
Authors: Dissanayaka D. M. D. S. , Weerasinghe A. R. P. , Jayakody S. H. S. , Asano Shino , Bandara K. N.
Published: June 2024

Landslides pose a significant threat to Sri Lanka, causing loss of life and property damages. The Athwelthota landslide in Kalutara District, occurred on May 26, 2017, resulting in casualties and severe property destruction. This study focuses on understanding the relationship between structural geology, hydrogeology, and geomorphology in the Athwelthota landslide area to comprehend the causes of landslides. We conducted field surveys, geotechnical investigations, and seismic surveys to gather data on geological features, soil properties, and rainfall patterns. The findings reveal that slope instability is influenced by the shear strength of soil overburden, jointed bedrock, deformation, and highly weathered garnet biotite gneiss. Groundwater flow through geological discontinuities and intense rainfall during the Southwest Monsoon contribute to increased pore water pressure and reduced shear strength, triggering landslides.

The study emphasizes the importance of assessing these factors for hazard assessment, early warning systems, and sustainable development in landslide-prone regions. By understanding the geological and hydrological characteristics of the area, it is possible to identify vulnerable areas and implement appropriate mitigation measures. This research is part of a larger project aimed at developing an early warning technology for rain-induced rapid and long-traveling landslides. The insights gained from this study can help land-use planning, infrastructure development, and disaster management strategies in landslide-prone areas, ultimately contributing to the protection of lives, reduction of property damage, and the sustainable development of the region.
An Integration of the Fractal Method and the Statistical Index Method for Mapping Landslide Susceptibility
Authors: Van Duong Binh , Fomenko Igor K. , Gorobtsov Denis N. , Nguyen Kien Trung , Vu Dang Hong , Shubina Daria D. , Pham Ha Ngoc Thi
Published: June 2024

Appropriate land use planning and the sustainable development of residential communities play a crucial role in the development of mountainous provinces in Vietnam. Because these regions are especially prone to natural disasters, including landslides, landslide studies can provide valuable data for determining the evolution of the landslide process and assessing landslide risk. This study was conducted to assess landslide susceptibility in Muong Khoa commune, Son La province, Vietnam, using the Statistical Index method (SI) and the integration of the Fractal method and Statistical Index method (FSI). To produce landslide susceptibility zonation (LSZ) maps, eight causative factors, including elevation, slope aspect, slope, distance to roads, distance to drainage, distance to faults, distance to geological boundaries, and land use, were considered. Using SI and FSI models, two landslide susceptibility zonation maps (LSZ) were produced in ArcGIS, and the study territory was categorized into five susceptibility zones: very low, low, moderate, high, and very high. The area percentage of susceptibility zones predicted by the SI model is 10.11, 18.49, 29.71, 28.59, and 13.10%, respectively. Meanwhile, the susceptibility map generated by the FSI model divided the study area into zones with corresponding area proportions of 18.92, 18.71, 20.01, 22.94, and 19.42%. Using the ROC method, the prediction performance of the two models was determined to be AUC = 71.18% (SI model) and AUC = 75.18% (FSI model). The AUC > 70% indicated that the models established a good relationship between the spatial distribution of past landslides and causative factors. In addition, the two models accurately predicted the occurrence of landslides in the study area. The FSI model has improved prediction performance by identifying the role of each factor in the landslide occurrences in the study area and, therefore, may be effectively utilized in other regions and contribute to Vietnam’s landslide prevention strategy.
Procedures and Data Basis
Authors: Lang Frieder R. , Lessenich Stephan , Rothermund Klaus
Published: June 2024

The Ageing as Future project combined and used a variety of multidisciplinary, multicultural, multimethodological, and longitudinal approaches. The chapter provides an overview of the approach and the process of the surveys of the various subprojects in Germany, the USA, Hong Kong and also in Taiwan and the Czech Republic.
Future Action and Ageing Preparation
Authors: Lang Frieder R.
Published: June 2024

A central issue of the Ageing as Future project investigated the role of expectations, attitudes, and actions toward provision for old age. The chapter addresses how preparation for old age is organized within and across various life contexts, how preparation action depends on desires, worries, and wishes regarding future life, and what are the consequences of preparation activity.
Time Structures of Ageing: Acting Old Age Between Everyday Abundance of Time and Biographical Time Poverty
Authors: Lessenich Stephan
Published: June 2024

The qualitative interview study of Ageing as Future centered on time management and time agency in old age. The chapter presents the main findings concerning the guiding question of how retirees deal with the tension between increasing “free” time in everyday life and decreasing biographical time.
Building Scenarios for the Future of Manufacturing
Authors: Fornasiero Rosanna , Tolio Tullio A. M. , Demartini Melissa , Terkaj Walter , Tonelli Flavio
Published: June 2024

Forecasting future scenarios is an approach that enables companies, governments, and countries to interpolate the most important trends unfolding in a certain context to help tackle the uncertainties of a world that is changing ever more rapidly. The future outlook can be influenced by many different variables and it is reasonable to consider different possible scenarios. This chapter briefly describes the scenarios discussed and validated by the National Cluster of Intelligent Factories as some of the most promising to influence and change production systems. The work is based on the analysis of various trends from economic, social, technological, and environmental dimensions that have been clustered. The expected influence on the manufacturing sector has been discussed and validated with the support of a group of experts.
Strategic Action Line LI1: Personalised Production
Authors: Monti Marina , Auricchio Ferdinando , Ciarapica Filippo E. , Ghignone Antonello , Fornasiero Rosanna
Published: June 2024

The objective of this chapter is to describe the action line related to Personalised production (LI1). In particular, this chapter proposes research and innovation priorities aimed at promoting industrial systems and models for the efficient manufacture of customized products that can be reconfigured with fast turnarounds to meet specific requests fielded from individual customers or small groups, and that deliver a high level of integration with the customers in order to ensure they become the main actors of the resulting solution. These design and production systems must be conceived to have the capacity to be reconfigured for the manufacture of products that can be required in certain times of emergency (such as health emergencies) or in response to events that can cause a sudden shift in system priorities and require the industrial system to transfer its focus to different categories of products to those usually made. In this action line, it is important to research new supply chain management models and local manufacturing models as well as smart materials.
Strategic Action Line LI2: Industrial Sustainability
Authors: DeMartini Melissa , Colledani Marcello , Picone Nicoletta , Barberio Grazia , Parrini Mauro
Published: June 2024

Over the past 20 years, sustainability has become a central issue on the manufacturing and political agenda, and it has recently grown in importance in light of increasingly powerful and devastating climate events. In this chapter, a strategic action line to support companies is proposed to implement industrial sustainability (LI2) by means of strategies, methods and tools to implement sustainable production processes at an environmental, economic and social level, reducing dependence on the external supply of critical production resources or on resources penalized by the laws in force. Priority research actions proposed concern new solutions to reduce noxious or polluting emissions from production processes; methods and techniques for strategic product-process evaluation from a Life-Cycle-Thinking perspective; technologies and processes for the reuse, re-manufacturing and recycling of products, components and materials from used products or maintenance processes; systems and methods for measuring and implementing Sustainable Supply Chains and Closed-Loop Supply Chains.
Strategic Action Line LI3: Factories for Humans
Authors: Dondo Paolo , Viscardi Michele , Viscardi Mauro , Cardinali Fabrizio , Chiabert Paolo , D’Orazio Tiziana , Melchiorri Claudio , Pellicciari Marcello , Peruzzini Margherita , Scandelli Nadia
Published: June 2024

The objective of this chapter is to describe the strategic action line related to the factories for humans (LI3). In particular, this chapter proposes research and innovation priorities aimed at designing and developing new solutions to enhance the role of human resources and their skills, and contribute to their satisfaction and wellbeing; research and experimentation of new technologies for reducing physical exertion, cooperation with advanced support systems, with collaborative robots and with AI-powered technologies; mapping of knowledge generated on the job, especially implicit knowledge, in a way that is compatible with privacy requirements, introducing advantages both on the human wellbeing front—whether the individuals are users, operators or managers—and in terms of business strategies and procedures. In this regard, innovative factories will need to be increasingly inclusive, strongly geared towards the engagement and participation of individuals (users, operators and managers). These models must take a human-centric approach to look into/investigate new technologies and all the dimensions through which the new factory is defined.
Tilted biorthogonal ensembles, Grothendieck random partitions, and determinantal tests
Authors: Gavrilova Svetlana , Petrov Leonid
Published: June 2024

We study probability measures on partitions based on symmetric Grothendieck polynomials. These deformations of Schur polynomials introduced in the K-theory of Grassmannians share many common properties. Our Grothendieck measures are analogs of the Schur measures on partitions introduced by Okounkov (Sel Math 7(1):57–81, 2001). Despite the similarity of determinantal formulas for the probability weights of Schur and Grothendieck measures, we demonstrate that Grothendieck measures are not determinantal point processes. This question is related to the principal minor assignment problem in algebraic geometry, and we employ a determinantal test first obtained by Nanson in 1897 for the $$4\times 4$$

4
×
4

problem. We also propose a procedure for getting Nanson-like determinantal tests for matrices of any size $$n\ge 4$$

n
≥
4

, which appear new for $$n\ge 5$$

n
≥
5

. By placing the Grothendieck measures into a new framework of tilted biorthogonal ensembles generalizing a rich class of determinantal processes introduced by Borodin (Nucl Phys B 536:704–732, 1998), we identify Grothendieck random partitions as a cross-section of a Schur process, a determinantal process in two dimensions. This identification expresses the correlation functions of Grothendieck measures through sums of Fredholm determinants, which are not immediately suitable for asymptotic analysis. A more direct approach allows us to obtain a limit shape result for the Grothendieck random partitions. The limit shape curve is not particularly explicit as it arises as a cross-section of the limit shape surface for the Schur process. The gradient of this surface is expressed through the argument of a complex root of a cubic equation.
The relationship between the attitudes of the use of AI and diversity awareness: comparisons between Japan, the US, Germany, and South Korea
Authors: Ikkatai Yuko , Itatsu Yuko , Hartwig Tilman , Noh Jooeun , Takanashi Naohiro , Yaguchi Yujin , Hayashi Kaori , Yokoyama Hiromi M.
Published: June 2024

Recent technological advances have accelerated the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the world. Public concerns over AI in ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI) may have been enhanced, but their awareness has not been fully examined between countries and cultures. We created four scenarios regarding the use of AI: “voice,” “recruiting,” “face,” and “immigration,” and compared public concerns in Japan, the US, Germany, and the Republic of Korea (hereafter Korea). Additionally, public ELSI concerns in respect of AI were measured using four items: ethics, tradition, law and social benefit. Respondents with AI knowledge tended to exhibit stronger concern about ELSI in various situations. In terms of law concerns, Japanese respondents displayed greater concerns. In contrast, the US, when compared Japan, expressed a relatively optimistic view of the current law landscape. Regarding social benefits, Korea, compared to Japan, exhibited a more positive outlook, whereas Germany, in comparison to Japan, expressed heightened concerns about it across different scenarios.
Studies on the mechanisms of action of MR33317
Authors: Neumann Joachim , Hesse C. , Yahiaoui S. , Dallemagne P. , Rochais C. , Hofmann B. , Gergs U.
Published: June 2024

MR33317 was synthesized as an acetylcholinesterase-inhibitor and an agonist at brain 5-HT4-receptors. MR33317 might be used to treat Morbus Alzheimer. This therapeutic action of MR33317 might be based on MR33317´s dual synergistic activity. We tested the hypothesis that MR33317 also stimulates 5-HT4-receptors in the heart. MR33317 (starting at 10 nM) increased force of contraction and beating rate in isolated atrial preparations from mice with cardiac confined overexpression of the human 5-HT4-serotonin receptor (5-HT4-TG) but was inactive in wild type mouse hearts (WT). Only in the presence of the phosphodiesterase III-inhibitor cilostamide, MR33317 raised force of contraction under isometric conditions in isolated paced (1 Hz) human right atrial preparations (HAP). This increase in force of contraction in human atrium by MR33317 was attenuated by 10 µM tropisetron or GR125487. These data suggest that MR33317 is an agonist at human 5-HT4-serotonin receptors in the human atrium. Clinically, one would predict that MR33317 may lead to atrial fibrillation.
Feminization of the Forehead: A Scoping Literature Review and Cohort Study of Transfeminine Patients
Authors: Khetpal Sumun , Dahoud Fadi , Elias Aura , Sasson Daniel C. , Wolfe Erin M. , Lee Justine C.
Published: June 2024

Background

Facial feminization may be performed to alleviate gender dysphoria among transfeminine patients. The upper third of the face has several characteristics, including hairline shape and position, brow position, and forehead protrusion, that may confer feminine identity. The purpose of this study is to conduct a scoping literature review of techniques performed for forehead feminization and to additionally study clinical outcomes within an institutional cohort.

Methods

A systematic literature review was conducted to review articles that discussed techniques and clinical outcomes associated with procedures performed for feminization of the upper third of the face. A retrospective review of patients undergoing such procedures by the senior author was then conducted. Variables collected included demographic factors, operative details, and postoperative outcomes such as complications, revisions, and re-operations.

Results

Initial review yielded sixty-seven articles. Title and abstract review followed by standardized application of inclusion and exclusion criteria resulted in a total of twenty-two studies for analysis. Priorities of forehead feminization entail frontal bossing reduction, frontonasal angle widening, orbital contouring, brow lifting, and hairline advancement. Eighty-five patients were included for analysis. The majority were of Caucasian race (56%) and had type 3 forehead classification (92%). The average planned setback of the anterior table was 4.12 mm.

Conclusions

The core tenets of the feminization of the forehead lie in the overall creation of a harmonic curvature of the forehead with other facial features. Our multi-pronged analysis presents an updated review of these principles, which may help plastic surgeons in performing procedures to feminize the upper third of the face.

Level of Evidence III

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these evidence-based medicine ratings, please refer to Table of Contents or online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.
Gaze-contingent adaptation of VR stereo parameters for cybersickness prevention
Authors: Terzioğlu Berkay , Celikcan Ufuk , Capin Tolga Kurtulus
Published: June 2024

Extended exposure to virtual reality displays has been linked to the emergence of cybersickness, characterized by symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and disruptions in eye movements. The main objective of our study is to examine the effects of real-time fine-tuning of stereo parameters and blurriness in virtual reality on the discomfort level of users who are experiencing motion sickness triggered by the display. Our hypothesis proposes that by dynamically correcting the rendering settings, the symptoms of motion sickness can be relieved and the overall VR user experience can be improved. Our methodology commences with a prediction model for the comfort level of the viewer based on their gaze parameters, such as pupil diameter, blink count, gaze position, and fixation duration. We then propose a method to dynamically adapt the stereoscopic rendering parameters by considering the predicted comfort level of the viewer.
Exploring the utility of retinal optical coherence tomography as a biomarker for idiopathic intracranial hypertension: a systematic review
Authors: Prem Senthil Mallika , Anand Saumya , Chakraborty Ranjay , Bordon Jose Estevez , Constable Paul A. , Brown Shannon , Al-Dasooqi Dalia , Simon Simu
Published: June 2024

This study aimed to examine the existing literature that investigated the effectiveness of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) as a biomarker for idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). Our search was conducted on January 17th, 2024, and included the databases, Medline, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS), International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN) registry, and the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP). Our final review included 84 articles. In 74 studies, OCT was utilized as the primary ocular imaging method, while OCT-A was employed in two studies including eight studies that utilized both modalities. Overall, the results indicated that IIH patients exhibited significant increases in retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, total retinal and macular thickness, optic nerve head volume, and height, optic disc diameter and area, rim area, and thickness compared to controls. A significant correlation was observed between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure and OCT parameters including RNFL thickness, total retinal thickness, macular thickness, optic nerve head volume, and optic nerve head height. Interventions aimed at lowering CSF pressure were associated with a substantial improvement in these parameters. Nevertheless, studies comparing peripapillary vessel density using OCT-A between IIH patients and controls yielded conflicting results. Our systematic review supports OCT as a powerful tool to accurately monitor retinal axonal and optic nerve head changes in patients with IIH. Future research is required to determine the utility of OCT-A in IIH.
Treadmill-walking impairs visual function in early glaucoma and elderly controls
Authors: Beyer Rosalie , Al-Nosairy Khaldoon O. , Freitag Constantin , Stolle Francie H. , Behrens Martin , Prabhakaran Gokulraj T. , Thieme Hagen , Schega Lutz , Hoffmann Michael B.
Published: June 2024

Aims

Impaired vision is an additional risk factor in elderly for falls. We investigated the hypothesis that treadmill (TM) walking affects visual function in both healthy elderly and those with early-moderate visual dysfunction due to glaucoma.

Methods

Thirty healthy controls (HC) aged 64–83 years and 18 glaucoma patients (GLA) aged 62–82 years participated in this cross-sectional study. The impact of TM-walking on visual function was assessed binocularly for (i) best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) with and without crowding effect, (ii) contrast sensitivity (CS), and (iii) and visual field (mean deviation, VF-MD). Visual function was tested while participants were standing or during TM-walking for 2 speed conditions: (i) fast walking at their preferred speed and (ii) walking at a fixed speed of 3.5 km/h.

Results

GLA, most with early-moderate VF loss, performed equally well as HC. Independent of GROUP, an impact of SPEED on visual functions was statistically evident with large statistical effect size for (i) both types of BCVA with a mean loss of 0.02–0.05 logMAR (η2 = 0.41) and (ii) VF-MD with mean loss of 1 dB (η2 = 0.70), but not for CS.

Conclusions

Here, we introduce a paradigm for the assessment of visual function during walking. We provide proof-of-concept that our approach allows for the identification of walking induced visual function loss, i.e., a deterioration of BCVA and VF-sensitivity during TM-walking in both groups. It is therefore of promise for the investigation of the relation of vision impairment and mobility, ultimately the increased frequency of falls in advanced glaucoma.
Uncovering the neural control of laryngeal activity and subglottic pressure in anaesthetized rats: insights from mesencephalic regions
Authors: González-García M. , Carrillo-Franco L. , Morales-Luque C. , Ponce-Velasco M. , Gago B. , Dawid-Milner M. S. , López-González M. V.
Published: June 2024

To assess the possible interactions between the dorsolateral periaqueductal gray matter (dlPAG) and the different domains of the nucleus ambiguus (nA), we have examined the pattern of double-staining c-Fos/FoxP2 protein immunoreactivity (c-Fos-ir/FoxP2-ir) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) throughout the rostrocaudal extent of nA in spontaneously breathing anaesthetised male Sprague–Dawley rats during dlPAG electrical stimulation. Activation of the dlPAG elicited a selective increase in c-Fos-ir with an ipsilateral predominance in the somatas of the loose (p < 0.05) and compact formation (p < 0.01) within the nA and confirmed the expression of FoxP2 bilaterally in all the domains within the nA. A second group of experiments was made to examine the importance of the dlPAG in modulating the laryngeal response evoked after electrical or chemical (glutamate) dlPAG stimulations. Both electrical and chemical stimulations evoked a significant decrease in laryngeal resistance (subglottal pressure) (p < 0.001) accompanied with an increase in respiratory rate together with a pressor and tachycardic response. The results of our study contribute to new data on the role of the mesencephalic neuronal circuits in the control mechanisms of subglottic pressure and laryngeal activity.
Assessing volumes of tephra fallout deposits: a simplified method for data scarcity cases
Authors: Sulpizio Roberto , Costa Antonio , Massaro Silvia , Selva Jacopo , Billotta Elisabetta
Published: June 2024

A new method for assessing volumes of tephra deposits based on only two thickness data is presented. It is based on the assumptions of elliptical shape for isopachs, a statistical characterization of their eccentricity, and an empirical relationship between their deposit thinning length scale and volumes. The method can be applied if the pair of thickness data are sufficiently distant from the volcano source, with a minimum distance ratio larger than 2. The method was tested against about 40 published volumes, from both equatorial belt and mid-latitude volcanoes. The results are statistically consistent with the published results, demonstrating the usefulness of the method. When applied in forward, the model allowed us to calculate the volume for some important tephra layers in the Mediterranean tephrostratigraphy, providing, for the first time, an assessment of the size of these eruptions or layers.
Feeling of pulsations in artificial arteries with a real time haptic feedback laparoscopic grasper: a validation study
Authors: Vleugels Michel P. H. , Rahimi Masie
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Despite the advancements in technology and organized training for surgeons in laparoscopic surgery, the persistent challenge of not being able to feel the resistance and characteristics of the tissue, including pulsations, remains unmet. A recently developed grasper (Optigrip®) with real time haptic feedback, based on photonic technology, aims to address this issue by restoring the tactile sensation for surgeons. The key question is whether pulsations can be detected and at what minimal size level they become clinical significant.

Methods

To simulate arterial conditions during laparoscopic procedures, four different silicone tubes were created, representing the most prevalent arteries. These tubes were connected to a validated pressure system, generating a natural pulse ranging between 80 and 120 mm Hg. One control tube without pressure was added. The surgeons had to grasp these tubes blindly with the conventional grasper or the haptic feedback grasper in a randomized order. They then indicated whether they felt the pressure or not and the percentage of correct answers was calculated.

Results

The haptic grasper successfully detected 96% of all pulsations, while the conventional grasper could only detect 6%. When considering the size of the arteries, the Optigrip® identified pulsations in 100% the 4 and 5 mm arteries and 92% of the smallest arteries. The conventional grasper was only able to feel the smallest arteries in 8%. These differences were highly significant (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that the newly developed haptic feedback grasper enables detection of arterial pulsations during laparoscopy, filling an important absence in tactile perception within laparoscopic surgery.
Numerical Modelling of the Influence of Tidal Stresses on Fracture Patterns on the Surface of Europa
Authors: Walding John C. , Paluszny Adriana , Zimmerman Robert W.
Published: June 2024

Jupiter’s satellite Europa is covered by an ice shell exhibiting many surface features, including linear structures called lineae, which in this work are treated as fractures. A three-dimensional finite-element simulator is used to numerically model fracture nucleation, growth, and interaction, assuming the ice is an isotropic, linear elastic medium. Tidal stresses are exerted upon the ice through the Jovian orbital relationship. These stresses are calculated using a closed-form model derived from first principles. The fractures grow in response to stress concentration around their tips, and a damage criterion models the weakening of the ice matrix. Three-dimensional non-planar multiple fracture growth is modelled as a function of geometric multi-modal stress intensity factors computed at the fracture tips. Fracturing is evaluated over multi-scale periods, from days to millions of years, thus capturing multiple tidal effects. Fracture behaviour is modelled across the Europan surface in one domain. The patterns are dense clusters of lineae about the stress maxima with diffuse fracturing in outlying regions. Fractures are also modelled in the vicinity of subsurface meltwater lenses, where fractures form parallel to the surface in contrast to the usual perpendicular orientation. The resultant fracture patterns are qualitatively compared against images from NASA’s Galileo mission. This work contributes to the understanding of Europan lineae by illustrating how they behave in a fracture mechanics framework, and suggests interesting results regarding lineae interaction with meltwater lenses. This work is also a proof of concept for this modelling approach, and will serve as the framework for future work.
Understanding the coupling of non-metallic heteroatoms to CO2 from a Conceptual DFT perspective
Authors: Ferrer Maxime , Elguero José , Alkorta Ibon , Azofra Luis Miguel
Published: June 2024

Context

A Conceptual DFT (CDFT) study has been carry out to analyse the coupling reactions of the simplest amine (CH3NH2), alcohol (CH3OH), and thiol (CH3SH) compounds with CO2 to form the corresponding adducts CH3NHCO2H, CH3OCO2H, and CH3SCO2H. The reaction mechanism takes place in a single step comprising two chemical events: nucleophilic attack of the non-metallic heteroatoms to CO2 followed by hydrogen atom transfer (HAT). According to our calculations, the participation of an additional nucleophilic molecule as HAT assistant entails important decreases in activation electronic energies. In such cases, the formation of a six-membered ring in the transition state (TS) reduces the angular stress with respect to the non-assisted paths, characterised by four-membered ring TSs. Through the analysis of the energy and reaction force profiles along the intrinsic reaction coordinate (IRC), the ratio of structural reorganisation and electronic rearrangement for both activation and relaxation energies has been computed. In addition, the analysis of the electronic chemical potential and reaction electronic flux profiles confirms that the highest electronic activity as well as their changes take place in the TS region. Finally, the distortion/interaction model using an energy decomposition scheme based on the electron density along the reaction coordinate has been carried out and the relative energy gradient (REG) method has been applied to identify the most important components associated to the barriers.

Methods

The theoretical calculation were performed with Gaussian-16 scientific program. The B3LYP-D3(BJ)/aug-cc-pVDZ level was used for optimization of the minima and TSs. IRC calculations has also been carried out connecting the TS with the associated minima. Conceptual-DFT (CDFT) calculations have been carried out with the Eyringpy program and in-house code. The distortion/interaction model along the reaction coordinate have used the decomposition scheme of Mandado et al. and the analysis of the importance of each components have been done with the relative energy gradient (REG) method.
Oral quinolones versus intravenous β-lactam for the treatment of acute focal bacterial nephritis: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Aceituno L. , Nuñez-Conde A. , Serra-Pladevall J. , Viñado B. , Castella E. , Escolà-Vergé Laura , Pigrau C. , Falcó V. , Len y O.
Published: June 2024

Background

Evidence regarding the best antibiotic regimen and the route of administration to treat acute focal bacterial nephritis (AFBN) is scarce. The aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of intravenous (IV) β-lactam antibiotics versus oral quinolones.

Methods

This is a retrospective single centre study of patients diagnosed with AFBN between January 2017 and December 2018 in Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Barcelona (Spain). Patients were identified from the diagnostic codifications database. Patients treated with oral quinolones were compared with those treated with IV β-lactam antibiotics. Therapeutic failure was defined as death, relapse, or evolution to abscess within the first 30 days.

Results

A total of 264 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Of those, 103 patients (39%) received oral ciprofloxacin, and 70 (26.5%) IV β-lactam. The most common isolated microorganism was Escherichia coli (149, 73.8%) followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (26, 12.9%). Mean duration of treatment was 21.3 days (SD 7.9). There were no statistical differences regarding therapeutic failure between oral quinolones and IV β-lactam treatment (6.6% vs. 8.7%, p = 0.6). Out of the 66 patients treated with intravenous antibiotics, 4 (6.1%) experienced an episode of phlebitis and 1 patient (1.5%) an episode of catheter-related bacteraemia.

Conclusions

When susceptible, treatment of AFBN with oral quinolones is as effective as IV β-lactam treatment with fewer adverse events.
Do we really apply evidence-based-recommendations to spine surgery? Results of an international survey
Authors: Bozkurt Ismail , Holt Matthew W. , Robinson Eric C. , Chaurasia Bipin , Zileli Mehmet
Published: June 2024

Objective

This international survey investigated Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) in spine surgery by measuring its acceptance among spine surgeons. It assessed their understanding of EBM and how they apply it in practice by analyzing responses to various clinical scenarios..

Materials and methods

Following the CHERRIES guidelines, an e-survey was distributed to multiple social media forums for neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Telegram and circulated further through email via the authors’ network. Three hundred participants from Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceania completed the survey.

Results

Our study revealed that 67.7% (n = 203) of respondents used EBM in their practice, and 97.3% (n = 292) believed training in research methodology and EBM was necessary for the practice of spine surgery. Despite this endorsement of using EBM in spine surgery, we observed varied responses to how EBM is applied in practice based on example scenarios. The responders who had additional training tended to obey EBM guidelines more than those who had no additional training. Most surgeons responded as always or sometimes prescribing methylprednisolone to patients with acute spinal cord injury. Other significant differences were identified between geographical regions, training, practice settings, and other factors.

Conclusions

Most respondents used EBM in practice and believed training in research methodology and EBM is necessary for spine surgery; however, there were significant variations on how to use them per case. Thus, the appropriate application of EBM in clinical settings for spinal surgery must be further studied.
Exponential expansions for approximation of probability distributions
Authors: Gambaro Anna Maria
Published: June 2024

This work analyses expansions of exponential form for approximating probability density functions, through the utilization of diverse orthogonal polynomial bases. Notably, exponential expansions ensure the maintenance of positive probabilities regardless of the degree of skewness and kurtosis inherent in the true density function. In particular, we introduce novel findings concerning the convergence of this series towards the true density function, employing mathematical tools of functional statistics. In particular, we show that the exponential expansion is a Fourier series of the true probability with respect to a given orthonormal basis of the so called Bayesian Hilbert space. Furthermore, we present a numerical technique for estimating the coefficients of the expansion, based on the first n exact moments of the corresponding true distribution. Finally, we provide numerical examples that effectively demonstrate the efficiency and straightforward implementability of our proposed approach.
ModelXGlue: a benchmarking framework for ML tools in MDE
Authors: López José Antonio Hernández , Cuadrado Jesús Sánchez , Rubei Riccardo , Di Ruscio Davide
Published: June 2024

The integration of machine learning (ML) into model-driven engineering (MDE) holds the potential to enhance the efficiency of modelers and elevate the quality of modeling tools. However, a consensus is yet to be reached on which MDE tasks can derive substantial benefits from ML and how progress in these tasks should be measured. This paper introduces ModelXGlue , a dedicated benchmarking framework to empower researchers when constructing benchmarks for evaluating the application of ML to address MDE tasks. A benchmark is built by referencing datasets and ML models provided by other researchers, and by selecting an evaluation strategy and a set of metrics. ModelXGlue is designed with automation in mind and each component operates in an isolated execution environment (via Docker containers or Python environments), which allows the execution of approaches implemented with diverse technologies like Java, Python, R, etc. We used ModelXGlue to build reference benchmarks for three distinct MDE tasks: model classification, clustering, and feature name recommendation. To build the benchmarks we integrated existing third-party approaches in ModelXGlue . This shows that ModelXGlue is able to accommodate heterogeneous ML models, MDE tasks and different technological requirements. Moreover, we have obtained, for the first time, comparable results for these tasks. Altogether, it emerges that ModelXGlue is a valuable tool for advancing the understanding and evaluation of ML tools within the context of MDE.
Using reactive links to propagate changes across engineering models
Authors: Raţiu Cosmina-Cristina , Assunção Wesley K. G. , Herac Edvin , Haas Rainer , Lauwerys Christophe , Egyed Alexander
Published: June 2024

Collaborative model-driven development is ade factopractice to create software-intensive systems in several domains (e.g., aerospace, automotive, and robotics). However, when multiple engineers work concurrently, keeping all model artifacts synchronized and consistent is difficult. This is even harder when the engineering process relies on a myriad of tools and domains (e.g., mechanic, electronic, and software). Existing work tries to solve this issue from different perspectives, such as using trace links between different artifacts or computing change propagation paths. However, these solutions mainly provide additional information to engineers, still requiring manual work for propagating changes. Yet, most modeling tools are limited regarding the traceability between different domains, while also lacking the efficiency and granularity required during the development of software-intensive systems. Motivated by these limitations, in this work, we present a solution based on what we call “reactive links”, which are highly granular trace links that propagate change between property values across models in different domains, managed in different tools. Differently from traditional “passive links”, reactive links automatically propagate changes when engineers modify models, assuring the synchronization and consistency of the artifacts. The feasibility, performance, and flexibility of our solution were evaluated in three practical scenarios, from two partner organizations. Our solution is able to resolve all cases in which change propagation among models were required. We observed a great improvement of efficiency when compared to the same propagation if done manually. The contribution of this work is to enhance the engineering of software-intensive systems by reducing the burden of manually keeping models synchronized and avoiding inconsistencies that potentially can originate from collaborative engineering in a variety of tool from different domains.