bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
T-RAID: TEE-based Remote Attestation for IoT Devices
Authors: Nagy Roland , Bak Márton , Papp Dorottya , Buttyán Levente
Published: June 2022

The Internet of Things (IoT) consists of network-connected embedded devices that enable a multitude of new applications, but also create new risks. In particular, embedded IoT devices can be infected by malware. Operators of IoT systems not only need malware detection tools, but also scalable methods to reliably and remotely verify malware freedom of their IoT devices. In this paper, we address this problem by proposing T-RAID, a remote attestation scheme for IoT devices that takes advantage of the security guarantees provided by a Trusted Execution Environment running on each device.
Energy, QoS and Security Aware Edge Services
Authors: Gelenbe Erol , Nowak Mateusz P. , Frohlich Piotr , Fiolka Jerzy , Checinski Jacek
Published: June 2022

With the development of communication technologies and the increasing bandwidth of optical fibres and transmission speeds in current 5G and future 6G wireless networks, there is a growing demand for solutions organising traffic in such networks, taking into account both end-to-end transmissions and the possibility of data processing by edge services. The most pressing problems of today’s computer networks are not only bandwidth and transmission delays, but also security and energy consumption, which is becoming increasingly important in today’s climate. This paper presents a solution based on neural networks that organises network traffic taking into account the above criteria - quality of service (QoS), energy consumption and security.
Trajectories of housing affordability and mental health problems: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Dotsikas Kate , Osborn David , Walters Kate , Dykxhoorn Jennifer
Published: June 2022

Purpose

With housing costs increasing faster than incomes and a limited supply of social housing options, many households face unaffordable housing. Housing affordability problems may negatively impact mental health; however, longitudinal evidence is limited. This study investigates the association between trajectories of housing affordability problems and mental health.

Methods

We used data from 30,025 households from Understanding Society, a longitudinal household survey from the UK. Participants spending 30% or more of household income on housing were categorised as facing housing affordability problems. We estimated group-based trajectories of housing affordability problems from 9 waves of data (2009–2019). We used linear regression to calculate the association between the trajectories and mental health problems, as measured by General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) score in Wave 10 (2018–2020).

Results

We found six distinct trajectories of housing affordability problems. Those in the ‘stable low’ group had a consistently low probability of affordability problems, whilst those in ‘high falling’ group had a sustained high probability in the earlier waves of the study, subsequently decreasing over time. The adjusted analysis showed that trajectory group membership over the first nine waves of data predicted GHQ score in 2018–2020 (Wave 10). Compared to the ‘stable low’ group, those in the ‘high falling’ group had a GHQ score that was 1.06 (95% CI 0.53–1.58) points higher.

Conclusion

This study provides evidence that sustained exposure to housing affordability problems is associated with long-term worse mental health, even in the absence of more recent problems.
No kinematical difference between ultra-congruent and medial-congruent total knee arthroplasty when implanted with mechanical alignment: an in vivo dynamic RSA study
Authors: Alesi Domenico , Di Paolo Stefano , Bragonzoni Laura , Pizza Nicola , Zaffagnini Stefano , Zinno Raffaele , Marcheggiani Muccioli Giulio Maria
Published: June 2022

Purpose

To explore in vivo kinematical behavior of the same total knee arthroplasty (TKA) cruciate-retaining (CR) femoral design with either medial-congruent (MC) or ultra-congruent (UC) inlay using model-based dynamic radiostereometric analysis (RSA). The hypothesis was that there would be comparable kinematics between the two groups.

Methods

A cohort of 16 randomly selected patients (8 MC Persona Zimmer, 8 UC Persona Zimmer) was evaluated through dynamic radiostereometric analysis (RSA) at a minimum of 9 months after TKA, during the execution of a sit-to-stand. The antero-posterior (AP) translation of the femoral component and the AP translation of the low point of medial and lateral femoral compartments were compared through Student’s t test (p < 0.05).

Results

Both groups showed a medial pivot behavior, with a significantly greater anterior translation of the Low Point of the lateral compartment with respect to the medial compartment (MC medial range: 2.4 ± 2.4 mm; MC lateral range: 7.7 ± 3.0 mm; p < 0.001 – UC medial range: 3.3 ± 3.3 mm; UC lateral range: 8.0 ± 3.2 mm; p < 0.001). A statistically significant greater degree of flexion was clinically recorded at follow-up visit in the MC group respect to the UC group (126° vs 101°—p = 0.003).

Conclusion

The present study did not show difference in the medial pivot behavior between ultra-congruent and medial-congruent total knee arthroplasty when implanted with mechanical alignment; however, the MC group demonstrated a greater degree of flexion. The MC design examined is a valid alternative to the UC design, allowing to achieve a screw-home movement restoration combined with a high flexion.

Level of evidence

IV.
The illusion of data-driven decision making – The mediating effect of digital orientation and controllers’ added value in explaining organizational implications of advanced analytics
Authors: Szukits Ágnes
Published: June 2022

This study extends existing research on the implications of advanced analytics. Drawing on organizational information processing theory (OIPT), hypotheses are developed for the relationships between information technology orientation, the use of advanced analytical techniques, the ability of information to be utilized in a decision context, and data-driven decision-making. Using survey data from 176 medium-sized and large firms, a mediator model was proposed and tested with structural equation modelling. The data show that the significant direct effect of technology orientation on analytical practice is greatly enhanced by the digital orientation of the firms. As suggested by OIPT, controllers are argued to act as integrators in the sense-making of data-centric mechanisms. The results of the model indicate that the added value of controllers mediates the effect of advanced analytics on the ability of analytical information to be utilized in a decision context. Importantly, the data did not corroborate any relationship between the extent to which available information is able to support decision making and reliance on this information in the decision-making process. It suggests that the strengthening of data-driven decision-making does not overshadow intuition, as assumed based on the expected opposite movement of the two variables. This finding shows the importance of a more detailed and theoretically grounded investigation on how advances in analytical capabilities are (not) changing managerial decision-making processes.
Less Than Subtotal Parathyroidectomy for Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 Primary Hyperparathyroidism: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Bouriez Damien , Gronnier Caroline , Haissaguerre Magalie , Tabarin Antoine , Najah Haythem
Published: June 2022

Background

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1)‐associated primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) is classically associated with an asymmetric and asynchronous parathyroid involvement. Subtotal parathyroidectomy (STP), which is currently the recommended surgical treatment, carries a high risk of permanent hypoparathyroidism. The results of less than subtotal parathyroidectomy (LSTP) are conflicting, and its place in this setting is still a matter of debate. The aim of this study was to identify the place of LSTP in the surgical management of patients with MEN‐associated pHPT.

Methods

A systematic literature review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines, for studies comparing STP and LSTP for MEN1‐associated pHPT. The results of the two techniques, regarding permanent hypoparathyroidism, persistent hyperparathyroidism and recurrent hyperparathyroidism were computed using pairwise random‐effect meta‐analysis.

Results

Twenty‐five studies comparing STP and LSTP qualified for inclusion in the quantitative synthesis. In total, 947 patients with MEN1‐associated pHPT were allocated to STP (n = 569) or LSTP (n = 378). LSTP reduces the risk of permanent hypoparathyroidism [odds ratio (OR) 0.29, confidence interval (CI) 95% 0.17–0.49)], but exposes to higher rates of persistent hyperparathyroidism [OR 4.60, 95% CI 2.66–7.97]. Rates of recurrent hyperparathyroidism were not significantly different between the two groups [OR 1.26, CI 95% 0.83–1.91].

Conclusions

LSTP should not be abandoned and should be considered as a suitable surgical option for selected patients with MEN1‐associated pHPT. The increased risk of persistent hyperparathyroidism could improve with the emergence of more efficient preoperative localization imaging techniques and a more adequate patients selection.
Role of steroids in conservative treatment of parapharyngeal and retropharyngeal abscess in children
Authors: Villanueva-Fernández Eva , Casanueva-Muruáis R. , Vivanco-Allende A. , Llorente J. L. , Coca-Pelaz A.
Published: June 2022

Purpose

To characterize the clinical features and outcomes of pediatric patients with retropharyngeal (RPA) or parapharyngeal abscesses (PPA) managed only with medical treatment and showing the importance of early symptoms and imaging studies in the diagnosis of deep neck space infections (DNIs) in children.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of all patients diagnosed with RPA and PPA between 2007 and 2017 was performed in Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias.

Results

30 children were identified, with 11 RPA and 19 PPA. 23 children (76.7%) were under 5 years old, and all were treated with intravenous amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and corticosteroids. Torticollis and fever were present in all patients. The mean length of hospital stay was 7.5 days. There were no complications associated.

Conclusion

DNIs can be treated in a conservative way, reserving the surgical drainage for cases with a complication associated (airway compromise, lack of response to antibiotic therapy, immunocompromised patients). Treatment with intravenous antibiotics and corticosteroids is a safe option, reducing the duration of symptoms and the length of hospital stay.
Surgical results and quality of life after subtotal petrosectomy
Authors: Geerse Simon , de Haan Rob J. , Ebbens Fenna A. , de Wolf Maarten J. F. , van Spronsen Erik
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Few data are available regarding subjective complaints and quality of life (QoL) after subtotal petrosectomy (STP). The purpose of our study was to assess long-term surgical results after STP, and to evaluate disease-specific, patient-reported outcomes including QoL and subjective hearing.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study, including a postal survey, was performed in the Amsterdam University Medical Centers (Amsterdam UMC) location Academic Medical Centre (AMC). All patients who underwent a STP between 1990 and 2018 were included. Patient characteristics, indication for surgery, adverse events, disease recidivism, and patient-reported health outcomes were evaluated.

Results

181 patients (183 ears) underwent a STP for several indications. The main indication was chronic otitis media (COM) with or without cholesteatoma (69%). In the total cohort, 8 residual cholesteatoma (5%) and 6 inclusion cholesteatoma 4% were detected. Postoperative (functional) health outcomes showed a significant negative impact on QoL in the STP cohort compared to normative data. Compared to patients without ear problems, the postoperative STP patients scored worse on almost all domains of the Chronic Ear Survey (CES) (p < 0.001). SF-36 scores of postoperative STP data showed negative Z-scores in almost all subscales, indicating lower levels of QoL compared to Dutch reference values. Most subscales of the Amsterdam Inventory for Auditory Disability and Handicap (AIADH) demonstrate a large-effect size in disadvantage of the STP cohort when compared to Dutch reference values.

Conclusion

STP is a suitable technique to tackle severe ear disease. Despite its favourable surgical results, STP has a negative impact on several domains of patient’s QoL.
Pseudomonas phaseolicola preferentially modulates genes encoding leucine-rich repeat and malectin domains in the bean landrace G2333
Authors: Oblessuc Paula Rodrigues , Bridges David F. , Melotto Maeli
Published: June 2022

Main conclusion

Candidate resistance genes encoding malectin-like and LRR domains mapped to halo blight resistance loci throughout the common bean genome are co-expressed to fight a range ofPphraces.

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgarisL.) is an important crop both as a source of protein and other nutrients for human nutrition and as a nitrogen fixer that benefits sustainable agriculture. This crop is affected by halo blight disease, caused by the bacteriumPseudomonas syringaepv.phaseolicola(Pph), which can lead to 45% yield losses. Common bean resistance toPphis conferred by six loci (Pse-1toPse-6) and minor-effect quantitative trait loci (QTLs); however, information is lacking on the molecular mechanisms implicated in this resistance. Here, we describe an in-depth RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis of the tolerant G2333 bean line in response to thePphstrain NPS3121. We identified 275 upregulated and 357 downregulated common bean genes in response toPphinfection. These differentially expressed genes were mapped to all 11 chromosomes ofP. vulgaris. The upregulated genes were primarily components of plant immune responses and negative regulation of photosynthesis, with enrichment for leucine-rich repeat (LRRs) and/or malectin-like carbohydrate-binding domains. Interestingly, LRRs and malectin genes mapped to the same location as previously identifiedPphresistance loci or QTLs. For instance, the major lociPse-6/HB4.2 involved in broad-resistance to manyPphraces co-located with induced LRR-encoding genes on Pv04. These findings indicate a coordinated modulation of genes involved in pathogen perception and signal transduction. In addition, the results further support these LRR/malectin loci as resistance genes in response to halo blight. Thus, these genes are potential targets for future genetic manipulation, enabling the introduction of resistance toPphinto elite cultivars of common bean.
The hyaluronan-related genes HAS2, HYAL1-4, PH20 and HYALP1 are associated with prognosis, cell viability and spheroid formation capacity in ovarian cancer
Authors: Riecks Jette , Parnigoni Arianna , Győrffy Balázs , Kiesel Ludwig , Passi Alberto , Vigetti Davide , Götte Martin
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Hyaluronan modulates tumour progression, including cell adhesion, cohesion, proliferation and invasion, and the cancer stem cell phenotype. In ovarian cancer, high levels of stromal hyaluronan are associated with poor prognosis. In this work, hyaluronan synthases (HAS1-3) and hyaluronidases (HYAL1-4, PH-20, HYALP1) were examined with regard to different levels of gene expression and its influence on ovarian cancer patients’ survival. The impact of a siRNA depletion of HAS2 was investigated in vitro.

Methods

Using the Kaplan–Meier Plotter tool, we investigated the influence of hyaluronic synthases and hyaluronidases on the survival of a collective of 1435 ovarian cancer patients. Differences in gene expression between normal (n = 46) and cancerous (n = 744) ovarian tissue were examined using the TNMplot database. Following an evaluation of hyaluronan-related gene expression in the ATCC ovarian cancer panel, we studied SKOV3 and SW 626 ovarian cancer cells subjected to HAS2 siRNA or control siRNA treatment in terms of HAS1-3, HYAL2 and HYAL3 mRNA expression. We investigated the ability to form spheroids using the Hanging Drop method and the response to chemotherapy at different concentrations using the MTT Assay. By STRING analysis, interactions within the enzymes of the hyaluronic acid system and with binding partners were visualized.

Results

HAS1, HYAL1 and HYAL4 mRNA expression is significantly upregulated, whereas HAS2, HYAL2 and HYAL3 mRNA expression is significantly downregulated in ovarian cancer tissue compared to controls. HAS2 improves cell viability, the capability to form tumour spheroids and has a negative prognostic value regarding overall survival. Lower HAS2 expression and high expression of HYAL2 and HYAL3 favours the survival of ovarian cancer patients. HAS2 knockdown cells and control cells showed a moderate response to combinatorial in vitro chemotherapy with taxol and cisplatin.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our study shows that the hyaluronic acid system has a relevant influence on the survival of ovarian cancer patients and could therefore be considered as a possible prognostic factor.
Fast and Simple Compact Hashing via Bucketing
Authors: Köppl Dominik , Puglisi Simon J. , Raman Rajeev
Published: June 2022

Compact hash tables store a set S of n key-value pairs, where the keys are from the universe $$U = \{0,\ldots ,u-1\}$$

U
=
{
0
,
…
,
u
-
1
}

, and the values are $$v$$
v
-bit integers, in close to $${{\mathcal {B}}(u, n)} + nv$$

B
(
u
,
n
)

+
n
v

bits of space, where $${{\mathcal {B}}(u, n)} = \log _2 {{u} \atopwithdelims (){n}}$$

B
(
u
,
n
)

=

log
2

u
n

is the information-theoretic lower bound for representing the set of keys in S, and support operations insert, delete and lookup on S. Compact hash tables have received significant attention in recent years, and approaches dating back to Cleary [IEEE T. Comput, 1984], as well as more recent ones have been implemented and used in a number of applications. However, the wins on space usage of these approaches are outweighed by their slowness relative to conventional hash tables. In this paper, we demonstrate that compact hash tables based upon a simple idea of bucketing practically outperform existing compact hash table implementations in terms of memory usage and construction time, and existing fast hash table implementations in terms of memory usage (and sometimes also in terms of construction time), while having competitive query times. A related notion is that of a compact hash ID map, which stores a set $${\hat{S}}$$

S
^

of n keys from U, and implicitly associates each key in $${\hat{S}}$$

S
^

with a unique value (its ID), chosen by the data structure itself, which is an integer of magnitude O(n), and supports inserts and lookups on $${\hat{S}}$$

S
^

, while using space close to $${{\mathcal {B}}(u,n)}$$

B
(
u
,
n
)

bits. One of our approaches is suitable for use as a compact hash ID map.
Material Legacies and Environmental Constraints Underlie Fire Resilience of a Dominant Boreal Forest Type
Authors: Day Nicola J. , Johnstone Jill F. , Reid Kirsten A. , Cumming Steven G. , Mack Michelle C. , Turetsky Merritt R. , Walker Xanthe J. , Baltzer Jennifer L.
Published: June 2022

Resilience of plant communities to disturbance is supported by multiple mechanisms, including ecological legacies affecting propagule availability, species’ environmental tolerances, and biotic interactions. Understanding the relative importance of these mechanisms for plant community resilience supports predictions of where and how resilience will be altered with disturbance. We tested mechanisms underlying resilience of forests dominated by black spruce (Picea mariana) to fire disturbance across a heterogeneous forest landscape in the Northwest Territories, Canada. We combined surveys of naturally regenerating seedlings at 219 burned plots with experimental manipulations of ecological legacies via seed addition of four tree species and vertebrate exclosures to limit granivory and herbivory at 30 plots varying in moisture and fire severity. Black spruce recovery was greatest where it dominated pre-fire, at wet sites with deep residual soil organic layers, and fire conditions of low soil or canopy combustion and longer return intervals. Experimental addition of seed indicated all species were seed-limited, emphasizing the importance of propagule legacies. Black spruce and birch (Betula papyrifera) recruitment were enhanced with vertebrate exclusion. Our combination of observational and experimental studies demonstrates black spruce is vulnerable to effects of increased fire activity that erode ecological legacies. Moreover, black spruce relies on wet areas with deep soil organic layers where other species are less competitive. However, other species can colonize these areas if enough seed is available or soil moisture is altered by climate change. Testing mechanisms underlying species’ resilience to disturbance aids predictions of where vegetation will transform with effects of climate change.
Performance of artificial intelligence for biventricular cardiovascular magnetic resonance volumetric analysis in the clinical setting
Authors: Hatipoglu Suzan , Mohiaddin Raad H. , Gatehouse Peter , Alpendurada Francisco , Baksi A. John , Izgi Cemil , Prasad Sanjay K. , Pennell Dudley J. , Krupickova Sylvia
Published: June 2022

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) derived ventricular volumes and function guide clinical decision-making for various cardiac pathologies. We aimed to evaluate the efficiency and clinical applicability of a commercially available artificial intelligence (AI) method for performing biventricular volumetric analysis. Three-hundred CMR studies (100 with normal CMR findings, 50 dilated cardiomyopathy, 50 hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, 50 ischaemic heart disease and 50 congenital or valvular heart disease) were randomly selected from database. Manual biventricular volumetric analysis (CMRtools) results were derived from clinical reports and automated volumetric analyses were performed using short axis volumetry AI function of CircleCVI42 v5.12 software. For 20 studies, a combined method of manually adjusted AI contours was tested and all three methods were timed. Clinicians` confidence in AI method was assessed using an online survey. Although agreement was better for left ventricle than right ventricle, AI analysis results were comparable to manual method. Manual adjustment of AI contours further improved agreement: within subject coefficient of variation decreased from 5.0% to 4.5% for left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) and from 9.9% to 7.1% for right ventricular EF. Twenty manual analyses were performed in 250 min 12 s whereas same task took 5 min 48 s using AI method. Clinicians were open to adopt AI but concerns about accuracy and validity were raised. The AI method provides clinically valid outcomes and saves significant time. To address concerns raised by survey participants and overcome shortcomings of the automated myocardial segmentation, visual assessment of contours and performing manual corrections where necessary appears to be a practical approach.
From polyps to pixels: understanding coral reef resilience to local and global change across scales
Authors: Donovan Mary K. , Alves Catherine , Burns John , Drury Crawford , Meier Ouida W. , Ritson-Williams Raphael , Cunning Ross , Dunn Robert P. , Goodbody-Gringley Gretchen , Henderson Leslie M. , Knapp Ingrid S. S. , Levy Joshua , Logan Cheryl A. , Mudge Laura , Sullivan Chris , Gates Ruth D. , Asner Gregory P.
Published: June 2022

Context

Coral reef resilience is the product of multiple interacting processes that occur across various interacting scales. This complexity presents challenges for identifying solutions to the ongoing worldwide decline of coral reef ecosystems that are threatened by both local and global human stressors.

Objectives

We highlight how coral reef resilience is studied at spatial, temporal, and functional scales, and explore emerging technologies that are bringing new insights to our understanding of reef resilience. We then provide a framework for integrating insights across scales by using new and existing technological and analytical tools. We also discuss the implications of scale on both the ecological processes that lead to declines of reefs, and how we study those mechanisms.

Methods

To illustrate, we present a case study from Kāneʻohe Bay, Hawaiʻi, USA, linking remotely sensed hyperspectral imagery to within-colony symbiont communities that show differential responses to stress.

Results

In doing so, we transform the scale at which we can study coral resilience from a few individuals to entire ecosystems.

Conclusions

Together, these perspectives guide best practices for designing management solutions that scale from individuals to ecosystems by integrating multiple levels of biological organization from cellular processes to global patterns of coral degradation and resilience.
Anticipatory Grief in Dementia: An Ethnographic Study of Loss and Connection
Authors: Lemos Dekker Natashe
Published: June 2022

In this article, I address the experiences of family members of people with dementia, as they expressed the sensation of gradually losing the person with dementia. Based on ethnographic fieldwork in nursing homes in the Netherlands, and contributing to the anthropology of grief, I explore the co-existence of experiences of anticipatory grief and manifestations of care to maintain meaningful relations. I show how my interlocutors adapted to changing circumstances as the disease progressed, and in so doing found new ways to relate, as well as prepared for future losses and the expected end of life. I argue that anticipatory grief is temporal and relational, encompassing both present and future losses, and involving a continuous negotiation between the loss and the continuing relationship. I underscore the entanglement of loss and connection, showing how both exist parallel to, and may emerge from one another, and demonstrating how an anthropological approach to anticipatory grief can reveal the nuanced and equivocal character of experiences of illness and at the end of life.
Cholinergic Senescence in the Ts65Dn Mouse Model for Down Syndrome
Authors: Kirstein Martina , Cambrils Alba , Segarra Ana , Melero Ana , Varea Emilio
Published: June 2022

Down syndrome (DS) induces a variable phenotype including intellectual disabilities and early development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Moreover, individuals with DS display accelerated aging that affects diverse organs, among them the brain. The Ts65Dn mouse is the most widely used model to study DS. Progressive loss of cholinergic neurons is one of the hallmarks of AD present in DS and in the Ts65Dn model. In this study, we quantify the number of cholinergic neurons in control and Ts65Dn mice, observing a general reduction in their number with age but in particular, a greater loss in old Ts65Dn mice. Increased expression of the m1 muscarinic receptor in the hippocampus counteracts this loss. Cholinergic neurons in the Ts65Dn mice display overexpression of the early expression gene c-fos and an increase in the expression of β-galactosidase, a marker of senescence. A possible mechanism for senescence induction could be phosphorylation of the transcription factor FOXO1 and its retention in the cytoplasm, which we are able to confirm in the Ts65Dn model. In our study, using Ts65Dn mice, we observe increased cholinergic activity, which induces a process of early senescence that culminates in the loss of these neurons.
Measures of state capacity: so similar, yet so different
Authors: Vaccaro Andrea
Published: June 2022

This study provides a systematic comparative analysis of seven common cross-national measures of state capacity by focusing on three measurement issues: convergent validity, interchangeability, and case-specific disagreement. The author finds that the convergent validity of the measures is high, but the interchangeability of the measures is low. This means that even highly correlated measures of state capacity can lead to completely different statistical inferences. The cause of this puzzling finding lies in strikingly large disagreements on some of the country scores. The author shows that these disagreements depend on two factors: differences in underlying components and the level of state capacity. Considering the findings of this study, users of measures of state capacity must not assume that any highly correlated indicator is appropriate. They should instead look at what the indicators actually measure and ensure that a given definition of state capacity matches the chosen indicator.
Economic analysis of smallholder dairy cattle enterprises in Senegal
Authors: Malenje Evaristo Mukunda , Missohou Ayao , Tebug Stanly Fon , König Emelie Zonabend , Jung’a Joseph Owino , Bett Rawlynce Cheruiyot , Marshall Karen
Published: June 2022

Smallholder dairy production in Senegal is important to both livelihoods and food and nutrition security. Here, we examine the economic performance of smallholder dairy cattle enterprises in Senegal, using data from longitudinal monitoring of 113 households. The mean (and standard deviation) of the net returns (NR) per cow per annum (pcpa) was 21.7 (202.9) USD, whilst the NR per household herd per annum (phpa) was 106.1 (1740.3) USD. Only about half (52.2%) of the dairy cattle enterprise had a positive NR. The most significant income components were milk sale followed by animal sale, whilst the most significant cost components were animal feed followed by animal purchase. When households were grouped by ranking on NRpcpa, an interesting trend was observed: whilst the mean NRpcpa showed a fairly linear increase from the lowest to highest NR groups, income and cost did not. Income and costs were both higher for the lowest and highest NR groups, in comparison to the intermediate NR groups. The mean NRs of households grouped by the main breed type they kept were not significantly different from each other, due to large variances within the breed groups. However, the mean total income and costs were significantly higher for households mainly keeping improved dairy breeds (Bos taurus or Zebu × Bos taurus crosses) in comparison to those keeping indigenous Zebu or Zebu by Guzerat crosses. This study highlights the highly variable (and often low) profitability of smallholder dairy cattle enterprise in Senegal. Further actions to address this are strongly recommended.
Features extraction using encoded local binary pattern for detection and grading diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Berbar Mohamed A.
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Reliable computer diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy (DR) is needed to rescue many with diabetes who may be under threat of blindness. This research aims to detect the presence of diabetic retinopathy in fundus images and grade the disease severity without lesion segmentation.

Methods

To ensure that the fundus images are in a standard state of brightness, a series of preprocessing steps have been applied to the green channel image using histogram matching and a median filter. Then, contrast-limited adaptive histogram equalisation is performed, followed by the unsharp filter. The preprocessed image is divided into small blocks, and then each block is processed to extract uniform local binary patterns (LBPs) features. The extracted features are encoded, and the feature size is reduced to 3.5 percent of its original size. Classifiers like Support Vector Machine (SVM) and a proposed CNN model were used to classify retinal fundus images. The classification is abnormal or normal and to grade the severity of DR.

Results

Our feature extraction method was tested on a binary classifier and resulted in an accuracy of 98.37% and 98.84% on the Messidor2 and EyePACS databases, respectively. The proposed system could grade DR severity into three grades (0: no DR, 1: mild DR, and 5: moderate, severe NPDR, and PDR). It obtains an F1-score of 0.9617 and an accuracy of 95.37% on the EyePACS database, and an F1-score of 0.9860 and an accuracy of 97.57% on the Messidor2 database. The resultant values are dependent on the selection of (neighbours, radius) pairs during the extraction of LBP features.

Conclusions

This study’s results proved that the preprocessing steps are significant and had a great effect on highlighting image features. The novel method of stacking and encoding the LBP values in the feature vector greatly affects results when using SVM or CNN for classification. The proposed system outperforms the state of the artwork. The proposed CNN model performs better than SVM.
Maximizing the mechanical performance of Ti3AlC2-based MAX phases with aid of machine learning
Authors: Duan Xingjun , Fang Zhi , Yang Tao , Guo Chunyu , Han Zhongkang , Sarker Debalaya , Hou Xinmei , Wang Enhui
Published: June 2022

Mechanical properties consisting of the bulk modulus, shear modulus, Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio, etc., are key factors in determining the practical applications of MAX phases. These mechanical properties are mainly dependent on the strength of M-X and M-A bonds. In this study, a novel strategy based on the crystal graph convolution neural network (CGCNN) model has been successfully employed to tune these mechanical properties of Ti3AlC2-based MAX phases via the A-site substitution (Ti3(Al1−xAx)C2). The structure—property correlation between the A-site substitution and mechanical properties of Ti3(Al1−xAx)C2 is established. The results show that the thermodynamic stability of Ti3(Al1−xAx)C2 is enhanced with substitutions A = Ga, Si, Sn, Ge, Te, As, or Sb. The stiffness of Ti3AlC2 increases with the substitution concentration of Si or As increasing, and the higher thermal shock resistance is closely associated with the substitution of Sn or Te. In addition, the plasticity of Ti3AlC2 can be greatly improved when As, Sn, or Ge is used as a substitution. The findings and understandings demonstrated herein can provide universal guidance for the individual synthesis of high-performance MAX phases for various applications.
On stochastic control for time changed Lévy dynamics
Authors: di Nunno Giulia
Published: June 2022

Controlled stochastic differential equations driven by time changed Lévy noises do not enjoy the Markov property in general, but can be treated in the framework of general martingales. From the modelling point of view, time changed noises constitute a feasible way to include time dependencies at noise level and still keep a reasonably simple structure. Furthermore, they are easy to simulate, with the result that time change Lévy dynamics attract attention in various fields of application. In this work we survey an approach to stochastic control via maximum principle for time changed Lévy dynamics. We emphasise the role and use of different information flows in tackling the various control problems. We show how these techniques can be extended to include Volterra type dynamics and the control of forward–backward systems of equations. Our techniques make use of the stochastic non-anticipating (NA) derivative in a general martingale framework.
Laboratory animal strain mobilities: handling with care for animal sentience and biosecurity
Authors: Peres Sara , Roe Emma
Published: June 2022

The global distribution of laboratory mouse strains is valued for ensuring the continuity, validity and accessibility of model organisms. Mouse strains are therefore assumed mobile and able to travel. We draw on the concept of ‘animal mobilities’ (Hodgetts and Lorimer 2019) to explain how attending to laboratory mice as living animal, commodity and scientific tool is shaping how they are transported through contemporary scientific infrastructures and communities. Our paper is framed around exploring how animalstrainstravel, rather than animals, as we show that it is only through understanding strain mobility that we can explain how and why live animal movement can be replaced by germinal products. The research is based on qualitative fieldwork in 2018 and 2019 that included 2 weeks ethnography and interviews with key informants involved in the movement of laboratory animals. The empirical analysis discusses practices that relate to managing biosecurity and animal welfare concerns when moving laboratory animal strains. In closing we reflect more broadly on the contemporary ‘ethico-onto-epistemological’ (Barad, 2014) entanglement that shapes who or what travels to support laboratory science data-making practices, and the intensity of care ‘tinkering’ practices (Mol and Law 2010) that facilitate the movement. We explain how a laboratory animal strain exceeds its value solely as a mobile and thus exchangeable commodity, illustrated in how values that relate to animal sentience and infection-risk supports its material transformation. Consequently, it is becoming increasingly common for non-sentient germinal products – embryos and gametes - to replace live sentient animals when being moved.
Capitalism, Jacobinism and International Relations
Authors: Duzgun Eren
Published: June 2022

This book offers a radical reinterpretation of the development of the modern world through the concept of Jacobinism. It argues that the French Revolution was not just another step in the construction of capitalist modernity, but produced an alternative (geo)political economy – that is, 'Jacobinism.' Furthermore, Jacobinism provided a blueprint for other modernization projects, thereby profoundly impacting the content and tempo of global modernity in and beyond Europe. The book traces the journey of Jacobinism in the Ottoman Empire and Turkey. It contends that until the 1950s, the Ottoman/Turkish experiment with modernity was not marked by capitalism, but by a historically specific Jacobinism. Asserting this Jacobin legacy then leads to a novel interpretation of the subsequent transition to and authoritarian consolidation of capitalism in contemporary Turkey. As such, by tracing the world historical trajectory of Jacobinism, the book establishes a new way of understanding the origins and development of global modernity.
Environmental Justice “Light”? Transnational Tort Litigation in the Corporate Anthropocene
Authors: Bertram Daniel
Published: June 2022

Corporations are notoriously powerful actors in the current configuration of our globalized economy. Their activities play a key role in shaping a new age of ecological precarity—the Anthropocene. Much of this environmental damage occurs in cross-border settings, hampering victims’ access to legal remedies due to widespread corporate impunity and institutional hurdles in host states. Several transnational lawsuits have recently tested the willingness of European home state judiciaries to adjudicate the extraterritorial conduct of domestic corporations. To contribute to a more nuanced understanding of this novel phenomenon, this article analyzes three legal sagas from a comparative perspective: Vedanta v. Lungowe (England & Wales), Dooh v. Shell (The Netherlands) and Lliuya v. RWE (Germany). It argues that transnational tort suits remain a problematic vehicle for the attainment of procedural and substantial environmental justice. The inherent limitations of tort law, extra-legal hurdles to transnational litigation, and the socio-cultural contingency of legal institutions severely circumscribe the space for legal contestations of the corporate Anthropocene.
Transatlantic Divergencies in the Regulation of Uncertain Risks: Co-Production, Normative Frames and Ideal Evidence-Based and Socially Acceptable Risk Approaches
Authors: Leonelli Giulia Claudia
Published: June 2022

This article analyses the US and the EU systems of risk regulation through the lens of two ideal models: evidence-based and socially acceptable risk approaches. The examination is conducted against the backdrop of these ideal regulatory paradigms, which broadly inform US and EU risk governance. The article employs an analysis of transatlantic divergencies in the regulation of pesticides and agricultural biotechnologies to illustrate that neither approach can lay claim to neutrality and objectivity; non-scientific normative frames are always at stake in the field of risk regulation. Through these case studies, the article thus challenges the narrative that transatlantic divergencies result from a focus on “risks” or “hazards,” “science” or “politics.” The US and the EU systems reflect different approaches to scientific uncertainty, the pursuit of different levels of protection, and consideration of different non-scientific factors. They also have very different implications. The conclusive section of the article sketches out some final considerations on the strategic vision of the Biden administration. Environmental and public health protection are high on President Biden’s agenda; further, public interest litigation is thriving in the US. Will this be sufficient to break regulatory path dependency and lay the foundations for a paradigm shift in US risk governance?
Quasi-equilibrium states for helical vortices with swirl
Authors: Xu Yonghui , Delbende Ivan , Rossi Maurice
Published: June 2022

We present a family of exact equilibrium solutions of the Euler equations consisting of a single helical vortex with an axial flow component along the vortex core. Relations between vorticity, velocity and streamfunction are analytically derived in the inviscid framework and constitute a generalization of relations valid for vortex rings (Batchelor, 1967 An Introduction to Fluid Dynamics. Cambridge University Press). Through Navier–Stokes simulations, it is shown that these relations hold for quasi-steady viscous solutions and become independent of the Reynolds number when sufficiently large. We also elaborate a procedure which generates a quasi-equilibrium with prescribed characteristics (circulation, helix radius, helical pitch, vortex core size, swirl level) and compare the obtained state with the results of an asymptotic theory. Finally, we illustrate how a strong axial flow jeopardizes such an evolution towards a quasi-equilibrium.
Creating and Comparing Dictionary, Word Embedding, and Transformer-Based Models to Measure Discrete Emotions in German Political Text
Authors: Widmann Tobias , Wich Maximilian
Published: June 2022

Previous research on emotional language relied heavily on off-the-shelf sentiment dictionaries that focus on negative and positive tone. These dictionaries are often tailored to nonpolitical domains and use bag-of-words approaches which come with a series of disadvantages. This paper creates, validates, and compares the performance of (1) a novel emotional dictionary specifically for political text, (2) locally trained word embedding models combined with simple neural network classifiers, and (3) transformer-based models which overcome limitations of the dictionary approach. All tools can measure emotional appeals associated with eight discrete emotions. The different approaches are validated on different sets of crowd-coded sentences. Encouragingly, the results highlight the strengths of novel transformer-based models, which come with easily available pretrained language models. Furthermore, all customized approaches outperform widely used off-the-shelf dictionaries in measuring emotional language in German political discourse.
Ironic Geography in Ariosto'sOrlando furioso
Authors: Leisawitz Daniel
Published: June 2022

Critics of the “Orlando furioso” have analyzed at length the poem's darker veins, lying just beneath its ostensibly sunny surface, where Ariosto comments on the violence and political, intellectual, and religious upheavals of the early sixteenth century, often through allegory and irony. Readers have also noted the text's meticulously curated geography that lends to the story world of the “Furioso” extraordinary breadth of scale and specificity of detail. This study identifies the poem's geography as an important locus of irony, both in service to larger allegorical programs and as a means of remarking on the contemporary revolution in geographic knowledge and cartographic practice.
Species detection framework using automated recording units: a case study of the Critically Endangered Jerdon's courser
Authors: Arvind Chiti , Joshi Viral , Charif Russell , Jeganathan Panchapakesan , Robin V. V.
Published: June 2022

With the advent of automated recording units, bioacoustic monitoring has become a popular tool for the collection of long-term data across extensive landscapes. Such methods involve two main components: hardware for audio data acquisition and software for analysis. In the acoustic monitoring of threatened species, a species-specific framework is often essential. Jerdon's courser Rhinoptilus bitorquatus is a Critically Endangered nocturnal bird endemic to a small region of the Eastern Ghats of India, last reported in 2008. Here we describe a reproducible and scalable acoustic detection framework for the species, comparing several commonly available hardware and detection methods and using existing software. We tested this protocol by collecting 24,349 h of data during 5 months. We analysed the data with two commercially available sound analysis programmes, following an analysis pipeline created for this species. Although we did not detect vocalizations of Jerdon's courser, this study provides a framework using a combination of hardware and software for future research that other conservation practitioners can implement. Vocal mimicry can aid or confound in detection and we highlight the potential role of mimicry in the detection of such threatened species. This species-specific acoustic detection framework can be scaled and tailored to monitor other species.
Positive experiences in dementia care-giving: findings from the IDEAL programme
Authors: Quinn Catherine , Toms Gill , Rippon Isla , Nelis Sharon M. , Henderson Catherine , Morris Robin G. , Rusted Jennifer M. , Thom Jeanette M. , van den Heuvel Eleanor , Victor Christina , Clare Linda
Published: June 2022

There is a growing evidence base that identifying positive experiences in providing care can have a beneficial influence on carer wellbeing. However, there is a need to better understand what carers identify as the positive aspects of care-giving. The aim of this study is to explore the satisfying aspects of providing care to people with dementia. This study utilised Time 1 data from 1,277 carers of people in the mild-to-moderate stages of dementia taking part in the IDEAL (Improving the experience of Dementia and Enhancing Active Life) cohort study. Responses from 900 carers who answered the open-ended question ‘What is your greatest satisfaction in caring for your relative/friend?’ were analysed using thematic analysis. From the responses, 839 carers detailed satisfactions. Eight themes were identified, pertaining to three groups of beneficiaries: carers, people with dementia and the dyad. Perceived benefits for carers included identifying aspects of personal growth, seeing glimpses of the person, feeling they were making a difference and doing their duty. For the person with dementia, these included retaining independence, receiving good quality care and being happy. Dyadic benefits concerned the continuation of the relationship between carer and person with dementia. The findings highlight the need to take a dyadic approach when conceptualising positive experiences in providing care. Further research is needed to understand the role these positive experiences play and to develop interventions. Professionals working with carers should identify and validate these experiences.