bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of adding different levels of fructooligosaccharide to diet on productive performance, egg quality traits, immune response and blood metabolites in commercial laying hens
Authors: Alsherify Salah Mahdi , Hassanabadi Ahmad
Published: August 2024

Background

A prebiotic is defined as an indigestible feed substance that beneficially affects the host by selectively stimulating the growth and/or activity of one or a limited number of bacteria in the large intestine, thereby improving host health and products.

Objectives

This study was conducted to determine the effects of supplementing prebiotic fructooligosaccharide (FOS) to the diets of Hy‐Line W‐36 laying hens.

Methods

A total of 168 Hy‐Line W‐36 laying hens were allocated to four dietary levels of FOS (0, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 g/kg diet), 6 replicates of 7 birds each during 63–74. The experiment was performed using a completely randomized design.

Results

Productive performance was not significantly affected by the FOS supplementation. Body weight gain was linearly decreased with increasing FOS levels in the diet (p < 0.01). However, eggshell strength, shell thickness and Ca and p percentages were not significantly affected, as were anti‐sheep red blood cell titres, blood parameters and blood metabolites. In the first period of the experiment (63–65 weeks), shape index and Haugh unit at the dose of 3.0 g/kg FOS were significantly increased and decreased in comparison with control, respectively (p < 0.05). In the third and fourth periods (69–71 and 72–74 weeks of age), the FOS had no significant effect on the internal egg quality traits. Furthermore, FOS had a linear decrease in the most saturated fatty acids (SFAs), including myristic, palmitic, margaric and stearic fatty acids; some of the mono‐un‐SFA (MUFA; palmitoleic and ginkgolic acids), and poly‐unsaturated fatty acids (γ‐linolenic and eicosatrienoic).

Conclusions

Supplementing different levels of FOS to the diet of commercial laying hens had no significant effect on the layers’ performance, immune response and blood parameters, whereas there was a significant effect on some of the internal egg quality traits and egg yolk fatty acid contents.
A generalized Allen–Cahn model with mass source and its Cahn–Hilliard limit
Authors: Shi Wei , Yang Xin‐Guang , Cui Lubin , Miranville Alain
Published: August 2024

The present paper is concerned with a fourth‐order Allen–Cahn model with logarithmic potential and mass source that describes the process of phase separation in two‐component systems accompanied by a flux of material. The existence of a global weak solution is obtained under appropriate hypotheses on the source term. Furthermore, we study its Cahn–Hilliard limit as a small parameter goes to zero. The main difficulty in the mathematical analysis of the model lies in the presence of the source term that leads to the nonconservation of mass, contrary to the original Cahn–Hilliard theory.
No time to derive: unraveling total time derivatives in in-in perturbation theory
Authors: Braglia Matteo , Pinol Lucas
Published: August 2024

Abstract

The in-in formalism provides a way to systematically organize the calculation of primordial correlation functions. Although its theoretical foundations are now firmly settled, the treatment of total time derivative interactions, incorrectly trivialized as “boundary terms”, has been the subject of intense discussions and conceptual mistakes. In this work, we demystify the use of total time derivatives — as well as terms proportional to the linear equations of motion — and show that they can lead to artificially large contributions cancelling at different orders of the in-in operator formalism. We discuss the treatment of total time derivative interactions in the Lagrangian path integral formulation of the in-in perturbation theory, and we showcase the importance of interaction terms proportional to linear equations of motion. We then provide a new route to the calculation of primordial correlation functions, which avoids the generation of total time derivatives, by working directly at the level of the full Hamiltonian in terms of phase-space variables. Instead of integrating by parts, we perform canonical transformations to simplify interactions. We explain how to retrieve correlation functions of the initial phase-space variables from the knowledge of the ones after canonical transformations. As an important first application, we find the explicit sizes of Hamiltonian cubic interactions in single-field inflation with canonical kinetic terms and for any background evolution, straight in terms of the primordial curvature perturbation and its canonical conjugate momentum, as well as the corresponding ones in the tensor sector, and the ones mixing scalars and tensors. We also briefly comment on quartic interactions. Our results are important for performing complete calculations of exchange diagrams in inflation, such as the (scalar and tensor) exchange trispectrum and the one-loop power spectrum. Being already written in a form amenable to characterize quantum properties of primordial fluctuations, they also promise to shed light on the non-linear dynamics of quantum states during inflation.
Spectral representation in Klein space: simplifying celestial leaf amplitudes
Authors: Duary Sarthak , Maji Sourav
Published: August 2024

Abstract

In this paper, we explore the spectral representation in Klein space, which is the split (2, 2) signature flat spacetime. The Klein space can be foliated into Lorentzian AdS3/ℤ slices, and its identity resolution has continuous and discrete parts. We calculate the identity resolution and the Plancherel measure in these slices. Using the foliation of Klein space into the slices, the identity resolution, and the Plancherel measure in each slice, we compute the spectral representation of the massive bulk-to-bulk propagator in Klein space. It can be expressed as the sum of the product of two massive (or tachyonic) conformal primary wavefunctions, with both continuous and discrete parts, and sharing a common boundary coordinate. An interesting point in Klein space is that, since the identity resolution has discrete and continuous parts, a new type of conformal primary wavefunction naturally arises for the massive (or tachyonic) case. For the conformal primary wavefunctions, both the discrete and continuous parts involve integrating over the common boundary coordinate and the real (or imaginary) mass. The conformal dimension is summed in the discrete part, whereas it is integrated in the continuous part. The spectral representation in Klein space is a computational tool to derive conformal block expansions for celestial amplitudes in Klein space and its building blocks, called celestial leaf amplitudes, by integrating the particle interaction vertex over a single slice of foliation.
Acyclic Reorientation Lattices and Their Lattice Quotients
Authors: Pilaud Vincent
Published: August 2024

We prove that the acyclic reorientation poset of a directed acyclic graph D is a lattice if and only if the transitive reduction of any induced subgraph of D is a forest. We then show that the acyclic reorientation lattice is always congruence normal, semidistributive (thus congruence uniform) if and only if D is filled, and distributive if and only if D is a forest. When the acyclic reorientation lattice is semidistributive, we introduce the ropes of D that encode the join irreducible acyclic reorientations and exploit this combinatorial model in three directions. First, we describe the canonical join and meet representations of acyclic reorientations in terms of non-crossing rope diagrams. Second, we describe the congruences of the acyclic reorientation lattice in terms of lower ideals of a natural subrope order. Third, we use Minkowski sums of shard polytopes of ropes to construct a quotientope for any congruence of the acyclic reorientation lattice.
Bullöse Mycosis fungoides – ein klinischer Indikator für einen aggressiven Krankheitsverlauf
Authors: Gerdes Ana-Lee , Hyun Julia , Kreuter Alexander , Schaller Jörg , Hillen Uwe , Michalowitz Alena-Lioba , Müller Valentina
Published: August 2024

Die Mycosis fungoides (MF) ist das häufigste kutane T‑Zell-Lymphom (CTCL). Die bullöse Form gilt als eine ihrer zahlreichen Varianten. In der Literatur sind nur wenige Fälle dieser seltenen Entität beschrieben. Wir berichten von einem männlichen Patienten mit fulminantem Verlauf einer bullösen MF, die aufgrund der infausten septischen Gesamtkonstellation innerhalb weniger Wochen zum Exitus letalis führte.
Primärmedizinische Versorgung in Deutschland am Scheideweg
Authors: Schröter Thomas
Published: August 2024

Über die bestehenden sozialgesetzlichen Optionen zur ärztlich verantworteten Primärversorgung gesetzlich Krankenversicherter hinaus gibt es mehrere Vorhaben zur Erweiterung der Angebotsstrukturen: Gesundheitskioske, Primärversorgungszentren und Community Health Nursing sowie hausärztliche Institutsambulanzen an Krankenhäusern. Diese neuen Projekte laufen auf eine Institutionalisierung bisher praxisgebundener Angebote und teilweise auf die Verlagerung bisher ärztlich verantworteter Heilkunde in die Eigenverantwortung nichtärztlicher Fachberufe hinaus – mit zusätzlichen finanziellen Aufwänden, aber ohne Schaffung neuer Versorgungskapazitäten. Die betrachteten Konstrukte erscheinen nicht geeignet, einen relevanten Beitrag zur Kompensation der Lücke bei Hausärzten und medizinischem Fachpersonal in einer demografisch bis etwa 2036 prognostizierten Kapazitätsschwundphase zu leisten. Die Weiterentwicklung des deutschen Sozialrechts zur Primärversorgung sollte stattdessen auf eine Effizienzsteigerung der knapper werdenden Ressourcen durch einen nach medizinischen Kriterien gesteuerten und gestuften Arztzugang fokussiert werden.
Plantarer Fersenschmerz
Authors: Hirschmüller Anja , Weidermann Frances
Published: August 2024

Die Plantarfasziopathie ist ein häufiges Krankheitsbild, welches hauptsächlich bei Laufsportlern und übergewichtigen Menschen in stehenden und gehenden Berufen auftritt. Die Einschränkung der Lebensqualität ist zum Teil beträchtlich. Sonographisch kann die Verdickung der Faszieninsertion gut visualisiert werden. Differenzialdiagnostisch kommt vor allem die Irritation des Baxter-Nervs und das Tarsaltunnelsyndrom in Betracht. Die Basistherapie besteht in Patientenedukation und Dehnungsübungen für die Faszie, ggf. ergänzt durch Einlagenversorgung und Stoßwellentherapie. Sollte dies nicht zum gewünschten Effekt führen, können eine Nachtlagerungsschiene und Infiltrationen sinnvoll sein.
Entangled AI: artificial intelligence that serves the future
Authors: Köves Alexandra , Feher Katalin , Vicsek Lilla , Fischer Máté
Published: August 2024

While debate is heating up regarding the development of AI and its perceived impacts on human society, policymaking is struggling to catch up with the demand to exercise some regulatory control over its rapid advancement. This paper aims to introduce the concept of entangled AI that emerged from participatory backcasting research with an AI expert panel. The concept of entanglement has been adapted from quantum physics to effectively capture the envisioned form of artificial intelligence in which a strong interconnectedness between AI, humans, society, and nature is reflected. Entanglement assumes that AI should serve nature, social well-being, justice, and the resilience of this intertwined network simultaneously and promote a dynamic balance among these factors. This approach allows us to understand the pervasive role of this technology and the scope of human agency in its development. The study shows how such concepts seem to transcend the dominant discourses related to expectations, technological determinism, and humanism. An additional aim of this paper is to demonstrate how backcasting can contribute to generating useful understandings of the future of AI and fruitful insights for policymaking.
M-ARM: An automated systematic approach for generating new variant design options from an existing product family
Authors: Wong Foo Shing , Wynn David C.
Published: August 2024

Companies with established product families can meet emerging market needs by extending their product families over time, that is, by introducing new product variants sequentially. Starting points for each new design can be generated by integrating design solutions from existing products in the same family. This article introduces an automated systematic approach to derive all possible ways of combining existing designs to produce a new variant with a desired new combination of functionality, based on algorithmic analysis of product models. The approach considers the functions in existing products and how they are realised in specific CAD parts and the geometric features defining them. By automatically generating and evaluating all the options, the new approach helps identify the most efficient way to combine existing parts and features from a product family to generate a new product variant with distinct functionality. The approach has been applied to product families of mechanical and mechatronic consumer products. It was evaluated by manually implementing the automatically-generated redesign instructions in CAD for several product variants, which built confidence in the approach’s accuracy and performance. From the evaluation, opportunities for further work are suggested.
Prediction-based multi-objective optimization method for 3D printing resource consumption
Authors: Yang Jimeng , Wang Feibo , Dun Yiheng , Huang Zhipeng , Zhang Andi , Liu Ying
Published: August 2024

A prediction-based multi-objective optimization (PBMO) method is proposed in this paper to forecast and reduce 3D printing (3DP) resources on demand, including time, energy, and material. In the authors’ previous research work, a hybrid code-based and data-driven modeling (HCDM) scheme was proposed to customize the predictive models based on process parameters, material deposition paths, and machine behaviors. This study further utilizes the models as multi-objectives to be minimized, aiming at the appropriate solution of process parameters that consume the least resources. Non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II), one of the commonly used metaheuristic algorithms, is adopted to construct the PBMO framework, where the HCDM process is embedded in the fitness evaluation step. The corresponding computing program is compiled and then validated on two material extrusion (MEX) machines. Based on the optimization results, hypervolume, as a Lebesgue measure, is used to evaluate the superiorities of all near-optimal solutions, thereby recommending the best-performing solutions for real 3DP. Apart from the 3DP process, the proposed optimization method is adaptable to other mainstream computer numerical control (CNC) manufacturing processes and will guide process design to promote resource conservation for cleaner production.
Reconceiving Domestic Burning Controls: Air Quality Alerts, Behavioural Responsive Regulation, and Designing for Compliance
Authors: Heydon James , Chakraborty Rohit , Patel Vibhuti , Wood Chantelle , Wood Matthew , Bunce Caitlin
Published: August 2024

Domestic combustion emissions pose a growing risk to public health, especially in the UK. Existing responses are polarised, with government advocating use of lower emission fuels and stoves while clean air campaigners call for blanket bans on burning. However, each approach is limited in its ability to control these emissions. An alternative can be found in the U.S.A., where ‘burn alert’ systems require stove and fireplace users to avoid lighting during periods of actual or projected poor air quality. Given the effectiveness of these regimes, the current study designs and evaluates the effectiveness and acceptability of a burn alert system in the UK for the first time, drawing on the theoretical perspective of behavioural responsive regulation. Fifty participants were recruited to use the system over 2 weeks in winter. The findings illustrate that a voluntary burn alert system can dissuade burning among users. Of those in receipt of an alert, 74% reduced burning frequency or burned for a shorter duration. In total, the alert system prevented at least 178 hours of burning for this group. Qualitative findings show that the consistency of the behavioural response is influenced by technical, structural, and environmental factors, providing key insight into how UK-based burn alert systems could be modified to increase the consistency of compliance in future. The overall conclusion is that burn alerts could be introduced in the UK and beyond, as a means of reducing domestic combustion emissions and their associated public health risks.
Proprioceptors of the human pericardium
Authors: Piermaier Lea M. , Caspers Svenja , Herold Christina , Wolf-Vollenbröker Michael , Brzoska Patrick , Bechler Eric , Filler Timm J.
Published: August 2024

In the human organism, all functions are regulated and, therefore, require a feedback mechanism. This control involves a perception of the spatial tensile state of cardiac tissues. The presence and distribution of respective proprioceptive corpuscles have not been considered so far. Therefore, a comprehensive study of the entire human fibrous pericardium was conducted to describe the presence of proprioceptors, their density, and distribution patterns. Eight human pericardial specimens gained from our body donation program were used to create a three-dimensional map of proprioceptors in the pericardium based on their histological and immunohistochemical identification. The 3D map was generated as a volume-rendered 3D model based on magnetic resonance imaging of the pericardium, to which all identified receptors were mapped. To discover a systematic pattern in receptor distribution, statistical cluster analysis was conducted using the Scikit-learn library in Python. Ruffini-like corpuscles (RLCs) were found in all pericardia and assigned to three histological receptor localizations depending on the fibrous pericardium’s layering, with no other corpuscular proprioceptors identified. Cluster analysis revealed that RLCs exhibit a specific topographical arrangement. The highest receptor concentrations occur at the ventricular bulges, where their size reaches its maximum in terms of diameter, and at the perivascular pericardial turn-up. The findings suggest that the pericardium is subject to proprioceptive control. RLCs record lateral shearing between the pericardial sublayers, and their distribution pattern enables the detection of distinct dilatation of the heart. Therefore, the pericardium might have an undiscovered function as a sensor with the RLCs as its anatomical correlate.
(Re)integrating radioactive materials and waste into a global sustainable development context
Authors: Wimmers Alexander , Böse Fanny , Beppler Jasmin , Morawe Pauline , Weber Maximilian , von Hirschhausen Christian
Published: August 2024

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations, established in 2015, aim to achieve global sustainability by 2030 through the improvement of environmental, social, and economic parameters. However, unlike earlier concepts such as the Agenda 21 of 1992, the SDGs overlook radioactive waste management and related challenges of radiation itself. First, we investigate the historic consideration and unexplained disappearance of radioactive waste in earlier sustainability concepts. Then, we propose amending seven SDGs to address this gap. For SDGs 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), 14 (Life Below Water), and 15 (Life on Land), new or revised indicators should monitor the release of hazardous materials. SDGs 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) require additional targets and indicators to integrate international cooperation and social implications of nuclear facilities' operation. Redefining “hazardous waste” in SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and “environmentally sound technologies” in SDG 17 is necessary to encompass radioactive waste. Implementing these changes demands statistical efforts, but the existing monitoring infrastructure, particularly in Europe and North America, can facilitate this. As 2030 approaches, it is crucial to reintroduce radioactive waste management into sustainability agendas, whether within the SDGs themselves or in a subsequent framework.
Prediction of cardiac surgery associated acute kidney injury using response to loop diuretic and urine neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin
Authors: Sullivan Emily , Melink Katherine , Pettit Kevin , Goldstein Stuart L. , Zang Huiayu , Ollberding Nicholas J. , SooHoo Megan , Alten Jeffrey A. , Stanski Natalja L. , Gist Katja M.
Published: August 2024

Background

Cardiac surgery associated acute kidney injury (CS-AKI) is common. Urine response to loop diuretic and urine neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (uNGAL) are separately associated with CS-AKI. We aimed to determine whether urine response to loop diuretic and uNGAL together were associated with postoperative day 2–4 CS-AKI.

Methods

Two-center prospective observational study (ages 0–18 years). uNGAL (8–12 h after admission) (ng/mL) and urine response to loop diuretic (6 h for bolus furosemide and 12 h for infusion bumetanide) (mL/kg/hr) were measured. All diuretic doses were converted to furosemide equivalents. The primary outcome was day 2–4 CS-AKI. Patients were sub-phenotyped using a priori cutoffs (uNGAL +  ≥ 100 ng/mL and UOP +  < 1.5 mL/kg/hr) and optimal cutoffs (uNGAL +  ≥ 127 ng/mL and UOP +  ≤ 0.79 mL/kg/hr): 1) uNGAL–/UOP–, 2) uNGAL–/UOP + , 3) uNGAL + /UOP–, and 4) uNGAL + /UOP + . Multivariable regression was used to assess the association of uNGAL, UOP and each sub-phenotype with outcomes.

Results

476 patients were included. CS-AKI occurred in 52 (10.9%). uNGAL was associated with 2.59-fold greater odds (95%CI: 1.52–4.41) of CS-AKI. UOP was not associated with CS-AKI. Compared with uNGAL + alone, uNGAL + /UOP + improved prediction of CS-AKI using a priori and optimal cutoffs respectively (AUC 0.70 vs. 0.75). Both uNGAL + /UOP + (IQR OR:4.63, 95%CI: 1.74–12.32) and uNGAL + /UOP– (IQR OR:5.94, 95%CI: 2.09–16.84) were associated with CS-AKI when compared with uNGAL–/UOP–.

Conclusions

uNGAL is associated with CS-AKI. The sub-phenotype association was largely driven by uNGAL. Future studies standardizing diuretic dose and timing may be needed to refine the combined performance for clinical decision making.

Graphical abstract
Addressing healthcare vulnerabilities in nursing homes
Authors: Komorowski Arkadiusz , Demmer Theresa Rahel , Auer Marianne , Schulze Marianne , Fischer Gabriele
Published: August 2024

Background

Current demographic changes bear challenges for national care systems due to higher life expectancy of older citizens. Largely cut off from society, nursing home residents are at risk for violence, neglect, and other potential human rights violations. This study aimed to investigate healthcare vulnerabilities in nursing homes and evaluate the Austrian National Preventive Mechanism (NPM).

Methods

Between 2017 and 2019, 55 monitoring visits were conducted in 32 nursing homes. Study outcomes from two Austrian provinces included data on infrastructure, occupancy, staffing, resident’s demographics and medical conditions, as well as measures related to the functioning of the NPM.

Results

Accessibility with mobility aids was sufficient in 87%, but assistance for persons with visual or hearing impairments solely in 20–40% of the institutions. An understaffing with nursing assistants (−5.2 full-time equivalents in Carinthia) and home helpers (−1.6 in Carinthia and Styria) was present. Less than 20% of the personnel received advanced training related to dementia and neuropsychiatric care. While 50% of the residents were diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder, approximately 36% received support from an appointed legal guardian. Of the monitoring visits 58.1% were conducted due to anonymous complaints and urgent referrals. The median processing times of the NPM and the provincial governments exceeded 250 days.

Conclusion

Human rights monitoring reveals critical aspects in nursing home care, including insufficient accessibility, understaffing and inadequate training. Although the authorities’ handling times hinder prompt responses, the NPM may foster systemic improvements and accountability within nursing homes.
From text to multimodal: a survey of adversarial example generation in question answering systems
Authors: Yigit Gulsum , Amasyali Mehmet Fatih
Published: August 2024

Integrating adversarial machine learning with question answering (QA) systems has emerged as a critical area for understanding the vulnerabilities and robustness of these systems. This article aims to review adversarial example-generation techniques in the QA field, including textual and multimodal contexts. We examine the techniques employed through systematic categorization, providing a structured review. Beginning with an overview of traditional QA models, we traverse the adversarial example generation by exploring rule-based perturbations and advanced generative models. We then extend our research to include multimodal QA systems, analyze them across various methods, and examine generative models, seq2seq architectures, and hybrid methodologies. Our research grows to different defense strategies, adversarial datasets, and evaluation metrics and illustrates the literature on adversarial QA. Finally, the paper considers the future landscape of adversarial question generation, highlighting potential research directions that can advance textual and multimodal QA systems in the context of adversarial challenges.
Route patterns of the collateral venous pathway in patients with tumors invading the superior sagittal sinus: an angiographic study and clinical applications
Authors: Jirawisan Pawit , Nunta-aree Sarun , Sitthinamsuwan Bunpot , Chankaew Ekawut
Published: August 2024

Chronic occlusion of the superior sagittal sinus (SSS) by tumors in the midsagittal region causes the collateral venous pathway (CVP). Understanding common patterns of CVP is helpful in reducing surgical complications. This study aimed to investigate the CVP found in patients with SSS-invading tumors, and to provide information on the prevention of operative venous complications. From January 2015 to December 2022, this retrospective study collected patients with tumors that invaded the SSS and underwent digital subtraction angiography of intracranial vessels. Data collected included sex, age, tumor pathology, tumor location along the SSS, tumor side, degree of obstruction of the SSS, types and route patterns of the CVP, and the distance between the tumor and the diploic vein (DV). Twenty patients (6 males, 14 females) were recruited. The prevalence of CVP types was 90% for DV, 35% for end-to-end anastomosis of superficial cortical vein, 15% for meningeal vein, and 20% for other types of CVP. The pteriofrontoparietal and occipitoparietal diploic routes were found on the cerebral hemisphere contralateral to the tumor significantly more than in the cerebral hemisphere ipsilateral to the tumor. Of all patients with presence of collateral DV, 61% had a very close (less than 1 cm) distance between the nearest DV and tumor attachment in the SSS. DV in the cerebral hemisphere contralateral to the tumor was the most common type of CVP found in patients with tumor-induced SSS obstruction. Most of the collateral DV was located very close to the SSS tumor attachment. Neurosurgeons should realize these findings when planning a craniotomy.
Potential of blue light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to disturb whiteflies on the crop: a new push–pull strategy?
Authors: Athanasiadou Maria , Seger Robin , Meyhöfer Rainer
Published: August 2024

Mass trapping can be a crucial component of a push–pull strategy, which involves deterrence of pests from a crop (push), while luring them toward an attractive source e.g., a trap (pull). In this study, we explored the effect of blue and blue + UV LEDs on the dispersal of greenhouse whiteflies settled on tomato plants (“push” factor) and the contribution of a yellow sticky trap (YST) and a green LED-enhanced YST (green LED trap) on their recapture after take-off (“pull” factor), in controlled conditions. In following scaling-up experiments in the greenhouse, we tested the effect of different blue spotlight arrangements and intensities on whitefly dispersal, in the presence of a green LED trap. Number of dispersed and trapped whiteflies was counted and the results revealed that blue and blue + UV LEDs increased the dispersed whiteflies by twofold compared to the control without deterrent LEDs and 87–90% of them were captured on a green LED trap. In the greenhouse, high-intensity blue spotlights (186 μmol/m2/s) deterred nearly 50% of whiteflies from the plants and more than half of them were recaptured, regardless the different arrangement of the blue spotlights. The green LED trap was at least twice as attractive as the YST, and in the greenhouse, it captured nearly 12 times more whiteflies in the presence of high-intensity deterrent blue spotlights, compared to the control. These findings provide significant implications for improving targeted whitefly control techniques and can lead to the development of new push–pull strategies.
Measurements of diffusion coefficient and kinetic diameter of acetone vapor via molecular tagging
Authors: Zhang Zongwei , Fratantonio Dominique , Barrot Lattes Christine , Rojas-Cardenas Marcos , Colin Stéphane
Published: August 2024

The Molecular Tagging (MT) technique is a promising methodology for locally measuring velocity and temperature fields in rarefied gas flows. Recently, Molecular Tagging Velocimetry (MTV) has been successfully applied to gas flows in mini-channels in the continuum regime at high pressure and early slip-flow regime at lower pressure. As the operating pressure decreases, diffusion effects become more pronounced, and in MTV, they hinder the extraction of the correct velocity profile by simply dividing the displacement profile of the tagged molecular line by time of flight. To address this issue, a reconstruction method that considers Taylor dispersion was previously developed to extract the velocity profile, considering the diffusion effects of the tracer molecules within the carrier gas. This reconstruction method successfully extracted the correct velocity profile in the continuum flow regime. However, the method still faces challenges in the slip-flow regime. Since there is currently no consensus in the literature regarding the kinetic diameter value of acetone vapor, the diffusion coefficient estimation is uncertain especially at low pressures. This is why, in this study, we propose an original optical method to measure the diffusion coefficient of acetone vapor. This is achieved by linking the temporal evolution of the spatial photoluminescence distribution of acetone vapor to the diffusion coefficient via the Chapman-Enskog theory. Our research provides measurements of these parameters for a wide range of pressures (0.5–10 kPa) at ambient temperature.
A review of evaluation approaches for explainable AI with applications in cardiology
Authors: Salih Ahmed M. , Galazzo Ilaria Boscolo , Gkontra Polyxeni , Rauseo Elisa , Lee Aaron Mark , Lekadir Karim , Radeva Petia , Petersen Steffen E. , Menegaz Gloria
Published: August 2024

Explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) elucidates the decision-making process of complex AI models and is important in building trust in model predictions. XAI explanations themselves require evaluation as to accuracy and reasonableness and in the context of use of the underlying AI model. This review details the evaluation of XAI in cardiac AI applications and has found that, of the studies examined, 37% evaluated XAI quality using literature results, 11% used clinicians as domain-experts, 11% used proxies or statistical analysis, with the remaining 43% not assessing the XAI used at all. We aim to inspire additional studies within healthcare, urging researchers not only to apply XAI methods but to systematically assess the resulting explanations, as a step towards developing trustworthy and safe models.
A hybrid potential flow model for shedding flow around a circular cylinder
Authors: Matheswaran Vijay , Miller L. Scott
Published: August 2024

A Hybrid Potential Flow (HPF) model for flow around a circular cylinder in the subcritical Reynolds number range ($$300 \le Re \le 3\times 10^5$$

300
≤
R
e
≤
3
×

10
5

) is developed using a combination of elementary flow solutions and empirical data. By joining this developed near-body solution with von Karman’s model for the vortex wake, a complete solution for flow around a circular cylinder is calculated. Results for oscillatory forces, including the transverse lift force, due to vortex shedding as well as shedding frequencies are then calculated and presented. With the complete solution for flow around a cylinder calculated, the HPF model can be used as a step to calculate the flow around other bluff bodies using conformal mapping, an approach that has been developed and presented by the authors in a related paper.
Usefulness of empiric superior vena cava isolation in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation ablation: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials
Authors: Mariani Marco Valerio , Palombi Marta , Jabbour Jean Pierre , Pierucci Nicola , Cipollone Pietro , Piro Agostino , Chimenti Cristina , Miraldi Fabio , Vizza Carmine Dario , Lavalle Carlo
Published: August 2024

Background

The long-term success rate of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is suboptimal due to the presence of non-pulmonary vein (PV) foci that can trigger atrial fibrillation (AF) in up to 11%. Among non-PV triggers, the superior vena cava (SVC) is a major site of origin of ectopic beats initiating AF.

Objective

To compare data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing PVI + empiric SVC isolation (SVCI) versus PVI alone in terms of AF recurrence, procedure-related complications, and fluoroscopic and procedural times.

Methods

A search of online scientific libraries (from inception to April 1, 2024) was performed. Four RCTs were considered eligible for the meta-analysis totaling 600 patients of whom 287 receiving PVI + SVCI and 313 receiving PVI alone.

Results

In the overall population, SVCI + PVI was associated with a non-significant reduction of AF recurrence at follow-up (0.66 [0.43;1.00], p = 0.05, I
2 0%). In patients with paroxysmal AF (PAF), a significant reduction of AF recurrence was related to SVCI + PVI (11.7%) as compared to PVI alone (19.9%) (0.54 [0.32;0.92], p = 0.02, I
2 0%). No statistical differences were found among the groups in terms of fluoroscopic (3.31 [− 0.8;7.41], p = 0.11, I
2 = 91%), procedural times (5.69 [− 9.78;21.16], p = 0.47, I
2 = 81%), and complications (1.06 [0.33;3.44], p = 0.92, I
2 = 0%).

Conclusion

The addition of SVCI to PVI in patients in PAF is associated with a significant lower rate of AF recurrence at follow-up, without increasing complication rates and procedural and fluoroscopy times.

Graphical Abstract
Personal Growth Initiative: Relation to Coping Styles, Strategies, and Self-Efficacy
Authors: Weigold Ingrid K. , Weigold Arne , Dykema Stephanie A. , Drakeford Naomi M. , Ethridge Emily T.
Published: August 2024

Personal growth initiative (PGI) refers to active and intentional participation in the growth process. PGI includes behavioral and cognitive skills and attitudes that are captured by four factors: Readiness for Change, Planfulness, Using Resources, and Intentional Behavior. There is substantial evidence supporting the positive relations between PGI and various domains of well-being. However, a lack of nuance regarding how the four facets of PGI differentially relate to other aspects of optimal functioning, such as coping, persists. Additionally, PGI has been theoretically tied to coping, but there is limited empirical evidence substantiating this link. Thus, the current study examined the relations between PGI and coping styles, strategies, and self-efficacy in a sample of 789 college students through a series of three canonical correlations. The findings indicated different combinations of the four aspects of PGI related significantly to 13 coping styles, three coping strategies, and three forms of coping self-efficacy. These findings have implications for both the theory and operationalization of PGI, such as the viability of the four separate aspects of PGI, as well as for the application of PGI and coping in college settings, including the development of trainings to increase PGI and adaptive aspects of coping.
Endometabolic profiling of pigmented glacier ice algae: the impact of sample processing
Authors: Peter Elisa K. , Jaeger Carsten , Lisec Jan , Peters R. Sven , Mourot Rey , Rossel Pamela E. , Tranter Martyn , Anesio Alexandre M. , Benning Liane G.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Glacier ice algae, mainly Ancylonema alaskanum and Ancylonema nordenskiöldi, bloom on Greenland Ice Sheet bare ice surfaces. They significantly decrease surface albedo due to their purple-brown pigmentation, thus increasing melt. Little is known about their metabolic adaptation and factors controlling algal growth dynamics and pigment formation. A challenge in obtaining such data is the necessity of melting samples, which delays preservation and introduces bias to metabolomic analysis. There is a need to evaluate the physiological response of algae to melting and establish consistent sample processing strategies for metabolomics of ice microbial communities.

Objectives

To address the impact of sample melting procedure on metabolic characterization and establish a processing and analytical workflow for endometabolic profiling of glacier ice algae.

Methods

We employed untargeted, high-resolution mass spectrometry and tested the effect of sample melt temperature (10, 15, 20 °C) and processing delay (up to 49 h) on the metabolome and lipidome, and complemented this approach with cell counts (FlowCam), photophysiological analysis (PAM) and diversity characterization.

Results and Conclusion

We putatively identified 804 metabolites, with glycerolipids, glycerophospholipids and fatty acyls being the most prominent superclasses (> 50% of identified metabolites). Among the polar metabolome, carbohydrates and amino acid-derivatives were the most abundant. We show that 8% of the metabolome is affected by melt duration, with a pronounced decrease in betaine membrane lipids and pigment precursors, and an increase in phospholipids. Controlled fast melting at 10 °C resulted in the highest consistency, and is our recommendation for future supraglacial metabolomics studies.
Metacrime and Cybercrime: Exploring the Convergence and Divergence in Digital Criminality
Authors: Zhou You , Tiwari Milind , Bernot Ausma , Lin Kai
Published: August 2024

The advent of the metaverse has given rise to metacrime, a novel category of criminal activities occurring in the metaverse, which not only challenges conventional digital criminality but existing law enforcement frameworks. To address the scholarship vacancy, this study examines the intersections and distinctions between metacrime and conventional cybercrime by employing a multi-disciplinary literature review and comparative analysis. We identified five shared characteristics between these two crime types: crime classification, continuous evolution, hyper-spatial-temporality (global reach), anonymity, and governance challenges. Crucially, our research highlights the distinct epistemological aspects of metacrime through its criminogenic, victimogenic, etiological, ethical, and regulatory dimensions, exemplified by virtual-to-physical attacks, immersive virtual reality attacks, victimization superrealism, complexities of human-avatar interactivity, excessive misuse of biometric data, increasingly vulnerable populations, and avatars’ liability. Our findings underscore the imperative need for tailored and forward-thinking regulatory responses to address the intricate challenges of metacrime, thereby ensuring the security and integrity of evolving digital environments.
In vivo assessment of the nephrotoxic effects of the synthetic cannabinoid AB-FUBINACA
Authors: Alzu’bi Ayman , Abu-El-Rub Ejlal , Al-Trad Bahaa , Alzoubi Hiba , Abu-El-Rub Hadeel , Albals Dima , Abdelhady Gamal T. , Bader Noor S. , Almazari Rawan , Al-Zoubi Raed M.
Published: August 2024

Background

The widespread misuse of synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) has led to a notable increase in reported adverse effects, raising significant health concerns. SCs use has been particularly associated with acute kidney injury (AKI). However, the pathogenesis of SCs-induced AKI is not well-understood.

Methods

We investigated the nephrotoxic effect of acute administration of N-[(1S)- 1-(aminocarbonyl)-2-methylpropyl]-1-[(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide (AB-FUBINKA) (3 mg/kg for 5 days) in mice. Various parameters of oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis have been quantified. The expressions of mitochondrial complexes (I–V) in renal tissues were also assessed.

Results

Our findings showed that AB-FUBINACA induced substantial impairment in the renal function that is accompanied by elevated expression of renal tubular damage markers; KIM-1 and NGAL. Administration of AB-FUBINACA was found to be associated with a significant increase in the expression of oxidative stress markers (iNOS, NOX4, NOX2, NOS3) and the level of lipid peroxidation in the kidney. The expression of pro-inflammatory markers (IL-6, TNF-alpha, NF-kB) was also enhanced following exposure to AB-FUBINACA. These findings were also correlated with increased expression of major apoptosis regulatory markers (Bax, caspase-9, caspase-3) and reduced expression of mitochondrial complexes I, III, and IV.

Conclusion

These results indicate that AB-FUBINACA can trigger oxidative stress and inflammation, and activate caspase-dependent apoptosis in the kidney, with these processes being possibly linked to disruption of mitochondrial complexes and could be an underlying mechanism of SCs-induced nephrotoxicity.
The prostate-gland asymmetry affects the 3- and 12-month continence recovery after RARP in patients with small prostate glands: a single center study
Authors: Di Bello Francesco , Morra Simone , Fraia Agostino , Pezone Gabriele , Polverino Federico , Granata Giuliano , Collà Ruvolo Claudia , Napolitano Luigi , Ponsiglione Andrea , Stanzione Arnaldo , La Rocca Roberto , Balsamo Raffaele , Creta Massimiliano , Imbriaco Massimo , Imbimbo Ciro , Longo Nicola , Califano Gianluigi
Published: August 2024

To test the impact of the prostate-gland asymmetry on continence rates, namely 3- and 12-month continence recovery, in prostate cancer (PCa) patients who underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). Within our institutional database, RARP patients with complete preoperative MRI features and 12 months follow-up were enrolled (2021–2023). The population has been stratified according to the presence or absence of prostate-gland asymmetry (defined as the presence of median lobe or side lobe dominance). Multivariable logistic regression models (LRMs) predicting the continence rate at 3 and 12 months after RARP were fitted in the overall population. Subsequently, the LRMs were repeated in two subgroup analyses based on prostate size (≤ 40 vs > 40 ml). Overall, 248 consecutive RARP patients were included in the analyses. The rate of continence at 3 and 12 months was 69 and 72%, respectively. After multivariable LRM the bladder neck sparing approach (OR 3.15, 95% CI 1.68–6.09, p value < 0.001) and BMI (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.82–0.97, p = 0.006) were independent predictors of recovery continence at 3 months. The prostate-gland asymmetry independently predicted lower continence rates at 3 (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.13–0.83, p = 0.02) and 12 months (OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.10–0.90, p = 0.03) in patients with prostate size ≤ 40 ml. The presence of prostate lobe asymmetry negatively affected the recovery of 3- and 12-months continence in prostate glands ≤ 40 mL. These observations should be considered in the preoperative planning and counseling of RARP patients.
Manual and automatic assignment of two different Aβ40 amyloid fibril polymorphs using MAS solid-state NMR spectroscopy
Authors: Rodina Natalia , Sarkar Riddhiman , Tsakalos Dimitrios , Suladze Saba , Niu Zheng , Reif Bernd
Published: August 2024

Amyloid fibrils from Alzheimer’s amyloid-beta peptides (Aβ) are found to be polymorphic. So far, 14 Aβ40 fibril structures have been determined. The mechanism of why one particular protein sequence adopts so many different three-dimensional structures is yet not understood. In this work, we describe the assignment of the NMR chemical shifts of two Alzheimer’s disease fibril polymorphs, P1 and P2, which are formed by the amyloid-beta peptide Aβ40. The assignment is based on 13C-detected 3D NCACX and NCOCX experiments MAS solid-state NMR experiments. The fibril samples are prepared using an extensive seeding protocol in the absence and presence of the small heat shock protein αB-crystallin. In addition to manual assignments, we obtain chemical shift assignments using the automation software ARTINA. We present an analysis of the secondary chemical shifts and a discussion on the differences between the manual and automated assignment strategies.
LandslideSegNet: an effective deep learning network for landslide segmentation using remote sensing imagery
Authors: Şener Abdullah , Ergen Burhan
Published: August 2024

In recent years, remote sensing technologies have played a crucial role in the detection and management of natural disasters. In this context, deep learning models are of great importance for the early detection of natural disasters such as landslides. Landslide segmentation is a fundamental tool for the development of geographic information systems, natural disaster management and risk mitigation strategies. In this study, we propose a new semantic segmentation model called LandslideSegNet to improve early intervention capabilities for potential landslide scenarios. LandslideSegNet incorporates an encoder-decoder architecture that integrates local and contextual information, advanced encoder-decoder residual blocks and Efficient Hybrid Attentional Atrous Convolution. Thanks to this structure, the model is able to extract high-resolution feature maps from remote sensing imagery, accurately delineate the landslide areas and minimize the loss of contextual information. The developed LandslideSegNet model has shown significantly higher accuracy rates with fewer parameters compared to existing image segmentation models. The model was trained and tested using the Landslide4Sense dataset specially prepared for landslide detection. LandslideSegNet achieved an accuracy of 97.60% and 73.65% mean Intersection over Union of 73.65 on this dataset, demonstrating its efficiency. These results indicate the potential usability of the model in landslide detection and related disaster management applications.