bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Convenient Site Selection of a Floating PV Power Plant in Türkiye by using GIS-Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process
Authors: Karipoğlu Fatih , Koca Kemal , İlbahar Esra
Published: February 2024

Floating photovoltaics (FPVs) are appearing as a promising and an alternative renewable energy opinion in which PV panels are mounted on floating platforms in order to produce electricity from renewable energy on water such as seas, dams, rivers, oceans, canals, fish farms, and reservoirs. So far, such studies related to the body knowledge on financial, technical, and environmental aspects of installation of FPV have not been performed in Turkey while expanding steadily in other countries. In this study, suitable site selection for installation of FPV power plants on three lakes in Turkey was studied by performing geographic information system (GIS) and the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) as multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method. This detailed study revealed that the criterion of global horizontal irradiance (GHI) was determined as the most crucial criterion for the installation of FPV on Beysehir Lake, Lake of Tuz, and Van Lake. Additionally, it was clearly seen that the Beysehir Lake had the highest value approximately 52% among other lakes for installation, that is why Beysehir Lake is selected as the best option for installation of an FPV system with this multi-criteria approach.
Functional deterioration of vascular mitochondrial and glycolytic capacity in the aortic rings of aged mice
Authors: Karaś Agnieszka , Bar Anna , Pandian Kanchana , Jasztal Agnieszka , Kuryłowicz Zuzanna , Kutryb-Zając Barbara , Buczek Elżbieta , Rocchetti Stefano , Mohaissen Tasnim , Jędrzejewska Agata , Harms Amy C. , Kaczara Patrycja , Chłopicki Stefan
Published: February 2024

Vascular ageing is associated with increased arterial stiffness and cardiovascular mortality that might be linked to altered vascular energy metabolism. The aim of this study was to establish a Seahorse XFe96 Analyzer-based methodology for the reliable, functional assessment of mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis in single murine aortic rings and to validate this functional assay by characterising alterations in vascular energy metabolism in aged mice. Healthy young and old C57BL/6 mice were used for the analyses. An optimised setup consisting of the Seahorse XFe96 Analyzer and Seahorse Spheroid Microplates was applied for the mitochondrial stress test and the glycolysis stress test on the isolated murine aortic rings, supplemented with analysis of NAD content in the aorta. To confirm the age-dependent stiffness of the vasculature, pulse wave velocity was measured in vivo. In addition, the activity of vascular nitric oxide synthase and vascular wall morphology were analysed ex vivo. The vascular ageing phenotype in old mice was confirmed by increased aortic stiffness, vascular wall remodelling, and nitric oxide synthase activity impairment. The rings of the aorta taken from old mice showed changes in vascular energy metabolism, including impaired spare respiratory capacity, maximal respiration, glycolysis, and glycolytic capacity, as well as a fall in the NAD pool. In conclusion, optimised Seahorse XFe96-based analysis to study energy metabolism in single aortic rings of murine aorta revealed a robust impairment of functional vascular respiratory and glycolytic capacity in old mice linked to NAD deficiency that coincided with age-related aortic wall remodelling and stiffness.
The power of the “weak” and international organizations
Authors: Snidal Duncan , Hale Thomas , Jones Emily , Mertens Claas , Milewicz Karolina
Published: February 2024

By nearly every measure, power in the international system is concentrated, meaning that most states lack significant power resources. And yet international relations theory tends to focus on the behavior of great powers. This special issue instead explores the strategies that “weak” states use in the context of international organizations both to advance their interests and to resist pressure from stronger states. We define weakness as a relative lack of power across one or more dimensions. While the literature, to the extent it has focused on weak actors, has too often defined weakness solely in material terms, we adopt a broader conception that builds on the influential typology of power by Barnett and Duvall (Barnett and Duvall, 2005a, Barnett and Duvall, International Organization59, 39–75, 2005b). A multidimensional conceptualization of power allows analysts to show how actors that are weak in one dimension (often material power) may be stronger on other dimensions, giving them greater capacity for action than is often recognized. From this framework we create a typology of “strategies of the weak” that emphasizes the agency of weaker actors to make the most of their positions. The contributions to the special issue, summarized here, illuminate and substantiate many of these strategies across a diverse range of international organizations, understood as both forums and actors. As the articles show, these alternative theoretical mechanisms help explain how and why seemingly weak states sometimes fare better than a simplistic assessment of their material capabilities might suggest. By deepening our understanding of weakness and how it influences state behavior, the volume advances our theoretical understanding of how power is built, wielded, and resisted in and through international organization.
Re-irradiation spine stereotactic body radiotherapy following high-dose conventional radiotherapy for metastatic epidural spinal cord compression: a retrospective study
Authors: Koide Yutaro , Haimoto Shoichi , Shimizu Hidetoshi , Aoyama Takahiro , Kitagawa Tomoki , Shindo Yurika , Nagai Naoya , Hashimoto Shingo , Tachibana Hiroyuki , Kodaira Takeshi
Published: February 2024

Purpose

 We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of re-irradiation stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) in patients with metastatic epidural spinal cord compression (MESCC) following high-dose conventional radiotherapy.

Materials and methods

 Twenty-one patients met the following eligibility criteria: with an irradiation history of 50 Gy2 equivalent dose in 2-Gy fractions (EQD2) or more, diagnosed MESCC in the cervical or thoracic spines, and treated with re-irradiation SBRT of 24 Gy in 2 fractions between April 2018 and March 2023. Prior treatment was radiotherapy alone, not including surgery. The primary endpoint was a 1-year local failure rate. Overall survival (OS) and treatment-related adverse events were assessed as the secondary endpoints. Since our cohort includes one treatment-related death (TRD) of esophageal perforation, the cumulative esophageal dose was evaluated to find the dose constraints related to severe toxicities.

Results

 The median age was 68, and 14 males were included. The primary tumor sites (esophagus/lung/head and neck/others) were 6/6/7/2, and the median initial radiotherapy dose was 60 Gy2 EQD2 (range: 50–105 Gy2, 60–70/ > 70 Gy2 were 11/4). Ten patients underwent surgery followed by SBRT and 11 SBRT alone. At the median follow-up time of 10.4 months, 17 patients died of systemic disease progression including one TRD. No radiation-induced myelopathy or nerve root injuries occurred. Local failure occurred in six patients, with a 1-year local failure rate of 29.3% and a 1-year OS of 55.0%. Other toxicities included five cases of vertebral compression fractures (23.8%) and one radiation pneumonitis. The cumulative esophageal dose was recommended as follows: Dmax < 203, D0.035 cc < 187, and D1cc < 167 (Gy3 in biological effective dose).

Conclusion

 Re-irradiation spine SBRT may be effective for selected patients with cervical or thoracic MESCC, even with high-dose irradiation histories. The cumulative dose assessment across the original and re-irradiated esophagus was recommended to decrease the risk of severe esophageal toxicities.
Establishment of a cloning-free CRISPR/Cas9 protocol to generate large deletions in the bovine MDBK cell line
Authors: Stojak Joanna , Rocha Dominique , Mörke Caroline , Kühn Christa , Blanquet Veronique , Taniguchi Hiroaki
Published: February 2024

The CRISPR/Cas9 technique applied to modify the cattle genome has value in increasing animal health and welfare. Here, we established a simple, fast, and efficient cloning-free CRISPR/Cas9 protocol for large deletions of genomic loci in the frequently used model bovine MDBK cell line. The main advantages of our protocol are as follows: (i) pre-screening of the sgRNA efficiency with a fast and simple cleavage assay, (ii) reliable detection of genomic edits primarily by PCR and confirmed by DNA sequencing, and (iii) single cell sorting with FACS providing specific genetic information from modified cells of interest. Therefore, our method could be successfully applied in different studies, including functional validation of any genetic or regulatory elements.
Exploring the boundaries of refill friction stir spot welding: influence of short welding times on joint performance
Authors: Draper Jonathan , Fritsche Sebastian , Garrick Andrew , Amancio-Filho Sergio T. , Toumpis Athanasios , Galloway Alexander
Published: February 2024

Refill friction stir spot welding is a solid-state spot-welding technique suited to lap joining of thin aluminium sheets, including difficult-to-weld 2xxx series alloys that are prone to hot cracking during fusion welding processes. Long welding time is an ongoing challenge that hinders industrial adoption of the process. To address this, the present study explores much shorter welding times than those previously reported in the literature and assesses the impact on joint quality. Joints of 1.8 mm thick AA2024-T3 sheet were produced with welding times from 3 s, down to 0.75 s and rotational speeds of 1000 rpm to 2500 rpm. Defect formations within the welds were studied with the aid of optical microscopy. The mechanical properties were evaluated using tensile lap shear testing and microhardness mapping, and failure modes were characterised using scanning electron microscopy. Various weld defects were found at all welding times and rotational speeds, and the defects enlarged with decreasing welding time and increasing RS. The highest lap shear strength of 9.21 kN was achieved with a welding time of 3 s and rotational speed of 2000 rpm; lap shear strengths of 7.02 kN and 6.37 kN were achieved for 1.5 s and 0.75 s welds, respectively.
Royal Antwerp and home-grown players: re-shaping sports governance and EU sports law and policy
Authors: Parrish Richard , Živić Luka
Published: February 2024

On 21 December 2023, the Court of Justice delivered judgments in ISU, Superleague and Royal Antwerp. This contribution considers the implications of Royal Antwerp on the use of home-grown player rules in European football, the effect on international sports governance more widely and how the judgment has altered the course of EU sports law and policy.
How Can Qualitative Methods Be Applied to Behavior Analytic Research: A Discussion and Suggestions for Implementation
Authors: Burney Victoria , Arnold-Saritepe Angela , McCann Clare M.
Published: February 2024

Behavior analysts in research and clinical practice are interested in an ever-expanding array of topics. They are compelled to explore the social validity of the interventions they propose and the findings they generate. As the field moves in these important directions, qualitative methods are becoming increasingly relevant. Representing a departure from small-n design favored by behavior analysts, qualitative approaches provide analysts a unique set of tools to answer questions that prioritize voice, experience, and understandings in context. Despite recognition of the value of qualitative approaches in other disciplines, application of qualitative methods in behavior analysis remains limited. One likely explanation is that behavior analysts are not yet fluent in applying qualitative approaches within their clinical and research investigations. To address this issue, exploration of qualitative research approaches in behavior analytic literature is needed, alongside practical advice for analysts who are interested in using qualitative methods. This article briefly outlines qualitative literature which pertains to behavior analysts wanting to incorporate qualitative methods into their inquiries. Attention is primarily drawn to the need for coherence in designing and implementing a robust qualitative study that aligns with the behavior analyst’s aims and perspective on knowing. A set of guiding questions are provided to orient behavior analysts to considerations in qualitative research and outline how analysts can conceptualize a strong qualitative study. This article aims to support increased application of qualitative methods by behavior analysts, where these methods best address the function of the behavior analytic investigation.
Leveraging Semantic Information for Enhanced Community Search in Heterogeneous Graphs
Authors: Li Yuqi , Zang Guosheng , Song Chunyao , Yuan Xiaojie , Ge Tingjian
Published: February 2024

Community search (CS) is a vital research area in network science that focuses on discovering personalized communities for query vertices from graphs. However, existing CS methods mainly concentrate on homogeneous or simple attributed graphs, often disregarding complex semantic information and rich contents carried by entities in heterogeneous graphs (HGs). In this paper, we propose a novel problem, namely the “Semantic Network Oriented Community Search with Meta-Structures in Heterogeneous Graphs (SNCS),” which aims to find dense communities that contain the query vertex, with vertices of the same type sharing similar topics. In response to this new problem, we present a novel approach, also named SNCS, representing the first solution employing meta-structures and topic constraints to tackle community search, leveraging both topological and latent features. To overcome the high-time complexity challenge posed by searching through meta-structures, we introduce a unique graph reconstruction technique. Our proposed method’s superiority is validated through extensive evaluations on real-world datasets. The results demonstrate a significant improvement in the quality of the obtained communities, with increases of 3.5–4.4% in clustering coefficient and 5–11% in density while requiring only 4–46% of the running time when compared with the state-of-the-art methods.
3D-printed open-source sensor flow cells for microfluidic temperature, electrical conductivity, and pH value determination
Authors: Dinter Robin , Helwes Lennart , de Vries Stijn , Jegatheeswaran Kausik , Jibben Henning , Kockmann Norbert
Published: February 2024

Due to the miniaturization of equipment for flow chemistry and microprocess engineering, low-cost sensors and analytical devices are becoming increasingly important for automated inline process control and monitoring. The combination of 3D printing technology and open-source lab automation facilitates the creation of a microfluidic toolbox containing tailored actuators and sensors for flow chemistry, enabling a flexible and adaptable design and efficient processing and control based on the measured data. This contribution presents a set of 3D-printed microfluidic sensor flow cells for inline measurement of temperature, electrical conductivity (EC), and pH value, while compensating for the temperature dependence of EC and pH. The tailored sensor flow cells were tested using model reactions in a single-phase capillary flow system. They have an accuracy comparable to reference sensors in batch measurements. The sensor data can be used to monitor the reaction progress (conversion), determine the kinetic data (activation energy, pre-exponential factors) of saponification reactions, and identify titration characteristics (equivalence and isoelectric points) of neutralization reactions. Hence, the 3D-printed microfluidic sensor flow cells offer an attractive alternative to commercial analytical flow devices for open-source and low-cost lab automation.

Graphical abstract
Short physical performance battery is not associated with falls and injurious falls in older persons: longitudinal data of the SCOPE project
Authors: Freiberger Ellen , Fabbietti Paolo , Corsonello Andrea , Lattanzio Fabrizia , Sieber Cornel , Tap Lisanne , Mattace-Raso Francesco , Ärnlöv Johan , Carlsson Axel C. , Roller-Wirnsberger Regina , Wirnsberger Gerhard , Moreno-Gonzalez Rafael , Formiga Francesc , Martinez Sara Lainez , Gil Pedro , Kostka Tomasz , Guligowska Agnieszka , Yehoshua Ilan , Melzer Itshak , Kob Robert ,   the SCOPE investigators
Published: February 2024

Introduction

Falls and fall-related injuries in older persons are a major public health problem. Our objective was to study the predictive value of the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) in the cohort of the SCOPE project on falls, injurious falls, and possible difference of prediction between indoors and outdoors falls.

Methods

For this sub-study of the SCOPE project participants reporting no falls at baseline, and survey data on falls at the 12-month and 24-month follow-up were included. Participant´s characteristics were assessed during the baseline interview and medical examinations. Falls as well as injurious falls and fall circumstances were obtained self-reported. SPPB and its association with fallers vs. no fallers at 12 and at 24 months were studied with logistic regression models.

Results

The 1198 participants had a median age of 79 years (77–82), and a median SPPB of 10 (8–11), with a 52.5% of female. A total of 227 and 277 falls (12- and 24- month visits, respectively) were reported. In the crude model, the SPPB sum scores (p < 0.001) as well as most single item scores were significant different between fallers and non-fallers over time. However, the association was attenuated in models adjusted for age, sex, marital status, number of medications, quality of life, handgrip strength, and muscle mass [e.g., 12 months; OR 0.94 (0.87–1.02)]. While SPPB fails to differentiate between injurious and non-injurious falls (p = 0.48), a lower SPPB score was associated with falls at home (p < 0.01) after 24 months.

Conclusion

SBPP was not able to significantly predict the risk of falling as well as experiencing an injurious fall.

Trial registration

This study was registered prospectively on 25th February 2016 at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02691546).
The value of preoperative diagnostic testing and geriatric assessment in frail institutionalized elderly with a hip fracture; a secondary analysis of the FRAIL-HIP study
Authors: Zeelenberg Miliaan L. , Den Hartog Dennis , Van Lieshout Esther M. M. , Wijnen Hugo H. , Willems Hanna C. , Gosens Taco , Steens Jeroen , Van Balen Romke , Zuurmond Rutger G. , Loggers Sverre A. I. , Joosse Pieter , Verhofstad Michael H. J. ,   FRAIL-HIP Investigator Group
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive overview of (preoperative and geriatric) diagnostic testing, abnormal diagnostic tests and their subsequent interventions, and clinical relevance in frail older adults with a hip fracture.

Methods

Data on clinical consultations, radiological, laboratory, and microbiological diagnostics were extracted from the medical files of all patients included in the FRAIL-HIP study (inclusion criteria: hip fracture, > 70 years, living in a nursing home with malnourishment/cachexia and/or impaired mobility and/or severe co-morbidity). Data were evaluated until hospital discharge in nonoperatively treated patients and until surgery in operatively treated patients.

Results

A total of 172 patients (88 nonoperative and 84 operative) were included, of whom 156 (91%) underwent laboratory diagnostics, 126 (73%) chest X-rays, and 23 (13%) CT-scans. In 153/156 (98%) patients at least one abnormal result was found in laboratory diagnostics. In 82/153 (50%) patients this did not result in any additional diagnostics or (pharmacological) intervention. Abnormal test results were mentioned as one of the deciding arguments for operative delay (> 24 h) for 10/84 (12%) patients and as a factor in the decision between nonoperative and operative treatment in 7/172 (4%) patients.

Conclusion

A large number and variety of diagnostics were performed in this patient population. Abnormal test results in laboratory diagnostics were found for almost all patients and, in majority, appear to have no direct clinical consequences. To prevent unnecessary diagnostics, prospective research is required to evaluate the clinical consequences and added value of the separate elements of preoperative diagnostic testing and geriatric assessment in frail hip fracture patients.
A case vignette study to refine the target group of an intermediate care model: the Acute Geriatric Community Hospital
Authors: Kroeze Eline D. , de Groot Aafke J. , Smorenburg Susanne M. , Mac Neil Vroomen Janet L. , van Vught Anneke J. A. H. , Buurman Bianca M.
Published: February 2024

Purpose

To refine the admission criteria of the Acute Geriatric Community Hospital (AGCH) by defining its target group boundaries with (geriatric) hospital care and other bed-based intermediate care models in the Netherlands.

Methods

A qualitative study consisting of a three-phase refinement procedure with case vignettes. Physicians, medical specialists, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants in hospitals (n = 10) or intermediate care facilities (n = 10) in the Netherlands participated. They collected case vignettes from clinical practice (phase one). The referral considerations and decisions for each case were then documented through surveys (phase two) and two focus groups (phase 3). For thematic data analysis, inductive and deductive approaches were used.

Results

The combination of medical specialist care (MSC) and medical generalist care (MGC), is unique for the AGCH compared to other intermediate care models in the Netherlands. Compared to (geriatric) hospital care, the AGCH offers a more limited scope of MSC. Based on these findings, 13 refined admission criteria were developed such as ‘The required diagnostic tests to monitor the effectiveness of treatment are available at the AGCH’. Besides admission criteria, additional clinical and organizational considerations played a role in referral decision-making; 10 themes were identified.

Conclusion

This case vignette study defined the target group boundaries between the AGCH and other care models, allowing us to refine the AGCH admission criteria. Our findings may help to determine the required competencies of the interdisciplinary AGCH team and to develop triage instruments. The identified consideration themes can be used as conceptual framework in further research. The findings may also be of interests for healthcare systems outside the Netherlands who aspire to design integrated care for older people closer to home.
A network security situation assessment method based on fusion model
Authors: Yu Yunhao
Published: February 2024

This research introduces an innovative network security situation assessment (NSSA) model, designed to overcome the shortcomings in feature extraction quality and efficiency observed in existing methods. At the core of this model is a fusion model (FM), which uniquely combines an attention mechanism with a bi-directional gated recurrent unit (BiGRU). This FM framework is adept at extracting pivotal information pertinent to various cyber threats. It employs the attention mechanism to assign appropriate weights to these crucial features, thereby elevating the model’s precision. The BiGRU, in synergy with newly proposed quantitative indicators, is responsible for generating the final evaluation results, offering a more refined measure of the cybersecurity stance. Comparative threat detection experiments reveal that the FM model exhibits superior performance across multiple evaluation metrics, marking a significant advancement in the field of network security assessment.
Ecology of Nepenthes on Mount Talang, West Sumatra, Indonesia
Authors: Mansur Muhammad , Salamah Andi , Mirmanto Edi , Brearley Francis Q.
Published: February 2024

Gunung (Mount) Talang is an active volcano in West Sumatra that has a number of Nepenthes species, including the endemic N. talangensis, but their ecology has been little been studied. This study found five species of Nepenthes growing in the protected forest area of Gunung Talang, namely N. bongso, N. inermis, N. pectinata, N. spathulata and N. talangensis. The population of N. talangensis is very small (23 individuals) and it grows sympatrically with N. bongso and N. inermis forming natural hybrids. Lithocarpus conocarpus, Camellia lanceolata, Syzygium acuminatissimum, Adinandra dumosa and Dehaasia sp. are the five most dominant tree species found in the Nepenthes habitat, while L. conocarpus and Podocarpus neriifolius had strong positive associations with N. talangensis. Growth rates of the five Nepenthes species were not significantly different, neither were foliar nitrogen (mean = 1.14%) or phosphorus concentrations (mean = 0.11%). We suggest that N. talangensis should be considered as Critically Endangered and outline some possible conservation actions.
Ultraschall des Darms
Authors: Rogler Gerhard
Published: February 2024

Der Ultraschall des Darms ist eine vielseitig einsetzbare bildgebende Untersuchung in Notfallsituationen, aber auch zum Monitoring des Therapieerfolgs bei chronisch-entzündlichen Darmerkrankungen. Der Vorteil des Darmultraschalls ist seine einfache Verfügbarkeit. Zudem ist keine Vorbereitung der Patient(inn)en notwendig. Zur Beurteilung der Darmwand ist es sogar von Vorteil, wenn die Patient(inn)en nicht nüchtern sind. Notfallsituationen, in denen eine Darmultraschalluntersuchung sinnvoll ist, sind z. B. der Verdacht auf Appendizitis, der Verdacht auf eine Divertikulitis oder eine infektiöse Kolitis. Darüber hinaus wird der Darmultraschall zunehmend zum Monitoring der Therapieantwort bei chronisch-entzündlichen Darmerkrankungen und zur Erkennung von Komplikationen eingesetzt. Die Vermessung der Darmwanddicke ist objektiv und reproduzierbar, was die immer wiederkehrende Kritik der Subjektivität des Darmultraschalls widerlegt. Die Beurteilung der Vaskularisation erlaubt zudem eine Einschätzung der Schwere einer Entzündung im Bereich des Darms. Der Darmultraschall sollte zu den Standard-Untersuchungsmethoden des gastroenterologisch interessierten Internisten oder Gastroenterologen und Hepatologen gehören.
WFSS: weighted fusion of spectral transformer and spatial self-attention for robust hyperspectral image classification against adversarial attacks
Authors: Tang Lichun , Yin Zhaoxia , Su Hang , Lyu Wanli , Luo Bin
Published: February 2024

The emergence of adversarial examples poses a significant challenge to hyperspectral image (HSI) classification, as they can attack deep neural network-based models. Recent adversarial defense research tends to establish global connections of spatial pixels to resist adversarial attacks. However, it cannot yield satisfactory results when only spatial pixel information is used. Starting from the premise that the spectral band is equally important for HSI classification, this paper explores the impact of spectral information on model robustness. We aim to discover potential relationships between different spectral bands and establish global connections to resist adversarial attacks. We design a spectral transformer based on the transformer structure to model long-distance dependency relationships among spectral bands. Additionally, we use a self-attention mechanism in the spatial domain to develop global relationships among spatial pixels. Based on the above framework, we further explore the influence of both spectral and spatial domains on the robustness of the model against adversarial attacks. Specifically, a weighted fusion of spectral transformer and spatial self-attention (WFSS) is designed to achieve the multi-scale fusion of spectral and spatial connections, which further improves the model’s robustness. Comprehensive experiments on three benchmarks show that the WFSS framework has superior defensive capabilities compared to state-of-the-art HSI classification methods.
Attitude modelling and real-time robust control of a 3-DoF quadcopter UAV test bench
Authors: Ahmad S.M. , Fareed S.
Published: February 2024

In this work, a three degrees-of-freedom (3-DoF) static quadcopter unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) test-rig of a pendulum-type configuration is custom-designed, developed, instrumented, and interfaced with a PC. The rig serves as a test bed to develop high-fidelity mathematical models as well as to investigate autopilot designs and real-time closed-loop controllers’ performances. The Simulink Desktop Real-Time software is employed for the quadcopter’s attitude signals acquisition and real-time implementation of closed-loop controllers on a target microcontroller hardware. The mathematical models for pitch, roll, and yaw axes are derived via the first principle and validated with the experimental linear system identification (SI) techniques. Subsequently, employing the multi-parameter root contour technique, the classical proportional integral derivative (PID) controllers are designed and implemented in real-time on the quadcopter UAV test rig. This served as a benchmark controller for comparing it with an integral-based linear quadratic regulator (LQR) controller. Further, to improve the transient response of the LQR controller, a novel robust integral-based LQR controller with a feedforward term (LQR-FF) is implemented, which shows much superior performance than the benchmark and basic LQR controller. This work thus will act as a precursor for a more complex 3-DoF autopilot design of an untethered quadcopter.
The War on Crime and the War on Rape: The LEAA and Philadelphia WOAR, 1974–1984
Authors: Wiesner Caitlin Reed
Published: February 2024

This article uses Philadelphia Women Organized Against Rape (WOAR) as a case study to examine the intertwining of the feminist movement against sexual violence and state crime control agencies during the 1970s “war on crime.” Law Enforcement Assistant Administration (LEAA) officials expected the anti-rape organizers they subsidized to promote police reporting to the victims they served. This sharply contracted the terrain of feminist anti-rape activism, particularly for women of color who declined police reporting. Lynn Moncrief, a self-described “Black radical feminist” hired by Philadelphia WOAR using LEAA funds, rejected the mandate to increase police reporting rates. Instead, she devoted her energies to remaking WOAR's praxis with Black women and girls at the center. While LEAA funding tethered the anti-rape movement to the rapidly expanding carceral state of the late twentieth century, the example of Lynn Moncrief and the Third World Caucus of Philadelphia WOAR shows that cooptation was never total.
Milk proteomic analysis reveals differentially expressed proteins in high-yielding and low-yielding Guanzhong dairy goats at peak lactation
Authors: Qu Yingxin , Chen Lu , Ren Xinyang , Shari Akang , Yuan Yuxin , Yu Mengqi , Xiao Haoqi , Li Guang
Published: February 2024

The aim of this experiment was to investigate the differential proteomic characteristics of milk from high- and low-yielding Guanzhong dairy goats during the peak lactation period under the same feeding conditions. Nine Guanzhong dairy goats with high yield (H: 3.5 ± 0.17 kg/d) and nine with low yield (L:1.2 ± 0.25 kg/d) were selected for milk proteomic analysis using tandem mass tag technology. A total of 78 differentially expressed proteins were identified. Compared with L, 50 proteins including HK3, HSPB1 and ANXA2 were significantly upregulated in H milk, while 28 proteins including LALBA and XDH were significantly downregulated. Bioinformatics analysis of the differentially expressed proteins showed that galactose metabolism, purine metabolism, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, MAPK signaling pathway, regulation of actin cytoskeleton and other pathways were closely related to milk yield. HK3, HSPB1, ANXA2, LALBA and XDH were important candidate proteins associated with the milk production characteristics of Guanzhong dairy goats. Our data provide relevant biomarkers and a theoretical basis for improving milk production in Guanzhong dairy goats.
Transdiagnostic dimensions of symptoms and experiences associated with immune proteins in the continuity of psychosis
Authors: Corsi-Zuelli Fabiana , Quattrone Diego , Ragazzi Taciana Cristina Carvalho , Loureiro Camila Marcelino , Shuhama Rosana , Menezes Paulo Rossi , Louzada-Junior Paulo , Del-Ben Cristina Marta
Published: February 2024

Background

There is limited evidence as to whether the immune protein profile is associated with a particular symptomatology pattern across the psychosis continuum.

Methods

We estimated two bifactor models of general and specific dimensions of psychotic experiences in unaffected siblings of patients (n = 52) and community controls (n = 200), and of psychotic symptoms in first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients (n = 110). We evaluated associations between these transdiagnostic dimensions and trait (TNF-α, IFN-γ), state (IL-6, IL-1β), and regulatory (TGF-β, IL-10, IL-4) cytokines. We explored whether schizophrenia genetic liability (schizophrenia polygenic risk score; SZ-PRS) modified the associations.

Results

High levels of trait marker IFN-γ were associated with the severity of general psychosis dimension in the unaffected siblings and community controls, expanding to the depressive dimension in siblings and to the manic dimension in FEP. High TNF-α levels were associated with more positive psychotic experiences in unaffected siblings and manic symptoms in FEP. Low levels of state markers IL-6 and IL-1β were observed in unaffected siblings presenting more depressive experiences. Still, high levels of IL-6 and IL-1β were associated with the severity of the depressive and negative symptom dimensions at FEP. The severity of transdiagnostic dimension scores across the three groups was associated with lower regulatory cytokines. Exploratory analysis suggested that a high SZ-PRS contributed mostly to associations with psychotic dimensions.

Conclusions

IFN-γ mapped onto the multidimensional expression of psychosis, reinforcing the trait concept. State markers IL-6 and IL-1β may fluctuate along the spectrum. Dysfunction in the regulatory arm may disinhibit the inflammatory system. Associations with psychotic dimensions may be more prone to SZ-PRS susceptibility.
Changes in evening-shifted loss of control eating severity following treatment for binge-eating disorder
Authors: Bottera Angeline R. , Dougherty Elizabeth N. , Forester Glen , Peterson Carol B. , Crosby Ross D. , Engel Scott G. , Crow Scott J. , Wildes Jennifer E. , Wonderlich Stephen A.
Published: February 2024

Background

Loss of control eating is more likely to occur in the evening and is uniquely associated with distress. No studies have examined the effect of treatment on within-day timing of loss of control eating severity. We examined whether time of day differentially predicted loss of control eating severity at baseline (i.e. pretreatment), end-of-treatment, and 6-month follow-up for individuals with binge-eating disorder (BED), hypothesizing that loss of control eating severity would increase throughout the day pretreatment and that this pattern would be less pronounced following treatment. We explored differential treatment effects of cognitive-behavioral guided self-help (CBTgsh) and Integrative Cognitive-Affective Therapy (ICAT).

Methods

Individuals with BED (N = 112) were randomized to receive CBTgsh or ICAT and completed a 1-week ecological momentary assessment protocol at baseline, end-of-treatment, and 6-month follow-up to assess loss of control eating severity. We used multilevel models to assess within-day slope trajectories of loss of control eating severity across assessment periods and treatment type.

Results

Within-day increases in loss of control eating severity were reduced at end-of-treatment and 6-month follow-up relative to baseline. Evening acceleration of loss of control eating severity was greater at 6-month follow-up relative to end-of-treatment. Within-day increases in loss of control severity did not differ between treatments at end-of-treatment; however, evening loss of control severity intensified for individuals who received CBTgsh relative to those who received ICAT at 6-month follow-up.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that treatment reduces evening-shifted loss of control eating severity, and that this effect may be more durable following ICAT relative to CBTgsh.
Transculturation and the porosity of cultures: Fernando Ortiz
Authors: Bernasconi Robert
Published: February 2024

Fernando Ortiz introduced his account of transculturation to replace Melville Herskovits’s notion of acculturation as a way of describing the historical contact between cultures. Ortiz understood the idea of acculturation to be promoting a kind of assimilationist model very different from what he witnessed in his native Cuba. Transculturation conforms neither to the model of cosmopolitanism promoted by Kant’s universal history, nor to the kind of multiculturalism that is rooted in Herder’s rival approach to history. Instead, it presents a concept of cultural contact and cultural transformation that highlights the way the material and economic conditions of social existence shape the institutions in which cultures more narrowly conceived are embedded and relate to each other. By bringing transculturation into dialogue with the idea of the porosity of cultures initially promoted in 1925 by Walter Benjamin in his essay on Naples, we find a way to free transculturation from Ortiz’s tendency to lapse into biological metaphors with the danger of retaining a reference to cultural purity that he would not endorse. Transculturation, thus revised, recommends itself as a term helpful for thinking about a world shaped by mass migration and the new technological forms of ever more rapid cultural exchange. Properly understood, it promotes a future where openness and sharing are valued over ownership and preservation.
Social Security, Gender and Class: The impacts of the Universal Credit Conditionality Regime on Unpaid Care and Paid Work
Authors: Andersen Kate
Published: February 2024

The introduction of Universal Credit, a new means-tested benefit for working-aged people in the UK, entails a significant expansion of welfare conditionality. Due to mothers’ disproportionate responsibility for unpaid care, women are particularly affected by the new conditionality regime for parents who have the primary responsibility for the care of dependent children. This article draws upon qualitative longitudinal research with twenty-four mothers subject to the new conditionality regime to analyse the gendered impacts of this new policy and whether there is variation in experiences according to social class. The analysis demonstrates that the new conditionality regime devalues unpaid care and is of limited efficacy in improving sustained moves into paid work. It also shows that the negative gendered impacts of the conditionality within Universal Credit are at times exacerbated for working-class mothers.
Benchmark-driven investment for DC pension plans
Authors: Pelsser Antoon , Yang Li
Published: February 2024

We investigate whether a benchmark and non-constant risk aversion affect the probability density distribution of optimal wealth at retirement. We maximize the expected utility of the ratio of pension wealth at retirement to an inflation-indexed benchmark. Together with a threshold and a lower bound, we are able to generate closed-form solutions. We find that this non-constant risk aversion type of utility could shift the probability density distribution of optimal wealth more towards the benchmark, and that the probability of achieving a certain percentage of the desired benchmark could be increased. The probability density distribution generated under constant relative risk aversion (CRRA) risk preference is more widely spread along the benchmark.
Nuclear SSR-based genetic diversity and STRUCTURE analysis of Greek tomato landraces and the Greek Tomato Database (GTD)
Authors: Bibi Androniki C. , Marountas John , Katsarou Konstantina , Kollias Anastasios , Pavlidis Pavlos , Goumenaki Eleni , Kafetzopoulos Dimitris
Published: February 2024

Tomato has been cultivated in Greece for more than 200 years, even though is not native to the country. Greece with a favourable environment all-round the year, has become a major competitor in tomato production around Europe. However, there is an increasing demand to improve tomato crop, to withstand harsh environmental conditions (extreme temperatures, salinity, etc.), and to develop high-quality final products. People have devoted a significant effort to crop improvement through phenotypic screening resulting in a large number of tomato landraces. An increasing demand to clarify the relationships among local tomato landraces and hybrids utilizing the most preferred molecular markers the simple sequence repeats (SSR-markers) is the main objective of this study. Twenty-seven tomato landraces and two tomato hybrids cultivated in Crete, Greece, were genotyped utilizing eleven simple sequence repeats (SSR) along with the Structure analysis of the germplasm. A neighbour-joining dendrogram of the 27 landraces and the two hybrids was produced. The Structure analysis indicated that nine ancestral populations are hidden inside the group of all the genotypes tested, using Evanno's method. The final objective was to make these data publicly available through the first Greek relational database (Greek Tomato Database-GTD). GTD was developed allowing the users to update and enrich the database, with new and supplemental information. This work is the first molecular fingerprint of the 27 landraces of Greece which is documented along with the phenotypic information in the GTD.
Mental Disorders in Chronic Pain Patients Seeking Treatment at a	Tertiary Pain Hospital
Authors: Thomas Mirjam V. , van Ryckeghem Dimitri M. L. , Schulz André , Müller Ruta , Lambracht Kai , Adermann Jens , Vögele Claus
Published: February 2024

Abstract: Background: The high co-occurrence of chronic pain and mental disorders is well-established. Yet, an up-to-date account of the prevalence of mental disorders according to revised diagnostic criteria is lacking. Aims: The present study investigated the point and lifetime prevalence of a broad range of mental disorders according to DSM-5 in patients with chronic pain and examined associations of current mental health comorbidity with pain catastrophizing and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Method: In this cross-sectional, observational study, patients with self-reported chronic pain receiving inpatient treatment at a specialized tertiary hospital were recruited for participation. Structured clinical interviews were conducted to assess current and lifetime diagnoses of mental disorders. Pain catastrophizing and HRQoL were assessed via questionnaires. Results: 145 patients (63.5% female; Mage = 54.9 years) participated in the study. 57.2% of the sample met the criteria for any current and 77.9% for any lifetime mental disorder. The most prevalent diagnostic groups of current mental disorders were substance-related and addictive disorders (26.2%), somatic symptom and related disorders (17.9%), depressive disorders (17.2%), and anxiety disorders (15.9%). Current mental health comorbidity was significantly associated with increased levels of pain catastrophizing and poorer HRQoL outcomes. Limitations: Chronic pain was only assessed by self-report, and no data regarding the exact medical diagnoses of the participants were collected. Conclusion: Comorbid mental disorders are highly prevalent in patients with chronic pain. Given the adverse effects of this comorbidity, the findings emphasize the need for addressing comorbid mental disorders in the management of chronic pain.
A Stereo Camera Simulator for Large‐Eddy Simulations of Continental Shallow Cumulus Clouds Based on Three‐Dimensional Path‐Tracing
Authors: Burchart Yannick , Beekmans Christoph , Neggers Roel
Published: February 2024

The complex spatial and temporal structure of cumulus clouds complicates their representation in weather and climate models. Classic meteorological instrumentation struggles to fully capture these features. Networks of multiple high‐resolution hemispheric cameras are increasingly used to fill this data gap, and provide information on this missing multi‐dimensional spatial information. In this study, a path‐tracing algorithm is used to generate virtual camera images of resolved clouds in large‐eddy simulations (LES). These images are then used as a camera network simulator, allowing reconstructions of three‐dimensional cloud edges from the model output. Because the actual LES cloud field is fully known, the combined path‐tracing and reconstruction method can be statistically analyzed. The method is applied to LES realizations of summertime shallow cumulus at the Jülich Observatory for Cloud Evolution (JOYCE), Germany, which also routinely operates a camera network. We find that the path‐tracing method allows accurate reconstruction of up to 70% of the visible cloud edges. Additional sensitivity tests show that the method is robust for changes in its hyperparameters. The sensitivity to cloud optical thickness is also investigated, finding a cloud boundary placement error of approximately 182 m. This error can be considered typical for cloud boundary reconstruction using real stereo camera imagery. The results provide proof of principle for future use of the method for evaluating LES clouds against camera network imagery, and for further optimizing the configuration of such camera networks.
Anomalous Adsorption of PFAS at the Thin‐Water‐Film Air‐Water Interface in Water‐Unsaturated Porous Media
Authors: Zhang Wenqian , Guo Bo
Published: February 2024

Per‐ and poly‐fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are interfacially‐active contaminants that adsorb at air‐water interfaces (AWIs). Water‐unsaturated soils have abundant AWIs, which generally consist of two types: one is associated with the pendular rings of water between soil grains (i.e., bulk AWI) and the other arises from the thin water films covering the soil grains. To date, the two types of AWIs have been treated the same when modeling PFAS retention in vadose zones. However, the presence of electrical double layers of soil grain surfaces and the subsequently modified chemical potential of PFAS at the AWI may significantly change the PFAS adsorption at the thin‐water‐film AWI relative to that at the bulk AWI. Given that thin water films contribute to over 90% of AWIs in the vadose zone under many field‐relevant wetting conditions, it is critical to quantify the potential anomalous adsorption of PFAS at the thin‐water‐film AWI. We develop a thermodynamic‐based mathematical model to quantify this anomalous adsorption. The model couples the chemical equilibrium of PFAS with the Poisson‐Boltzmann equation that governs the distribution of electrical potential in a thin water film. Our model analyses suggest that PFAS adsorption at thin‐water‐film AWI can deviate significantly (up to 82%) from that at bulk AWIs. The deviation increases for lower porewater ionic strength, thinner water film, and higher soil grain surface charge. These results highlight the importance of accounting for the anomalous adsorption of PFAS at the thin‐water‐film AWI when modeling PFAS fate and transport in the vadose zone.