bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Three‐dimensional flower‐like SnS2 materials for dispersive solid‐phase extraction of endocrine‐disrupting phenols
Authors: Xu Ruozhu , Tao Yuan , Yao Wang , Qin Honglin , Qiao Lizhen
Published: October 2022

In this study, three‐dimensional flower‐like tin disulfide materials were prepared, and a highly efficient dispersive solid‐phase extraction method was developed using the obtained three‐dimensional tin disulfide adsorbents for the preconcentration and determination of six endocrine‐disrupting phenols in combination with high‐performance liquid chromatography‐ultraviolet detection. Several important experimental parameters influencing extraction efficiency were investigated, including the amount of adsorbent, ultrasound time, sample solution pH, sample volume, type of elution solvent, desorption time, and the number of desorption times. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the developed method showed good linearity with the determination coefficients of 0.993–0.998 in the linear range of 0.5–400 ng/ml and low limits of detection in the range of 0.15–1.0 ng/ml, as well as satisfactory intra‐day and inter‐day precisions with relative standard deviations of 0.1–9.8%. Finally, the proposed method was successfully applied for the enrichment and determination of trace endocrine‐disrupting phenols in milk, tea beverage, and plastic bottled water samples, and acceptable recoveries were obtained from 70.1% to 119.1% under four different spiked concentration levels. The results showed that the three‐dimensional tin disulfide materials had great potential for the extraction of endocrine‐disrupting phenols contaminants in environmental and food samples.
Color Doppler Ultrasound's Utility in Detecting Vesicoureteral Reflux Using the Ureteral Jet Angle
Authors: Zadeh Neda Enayati , Sadeghi‐Bojd Simin , Ansari‐Moghaddam Alireza , Mashhadi Amin , Zadehmir Mohadeseh
Published: October 2022

Objectives

This study hypothesizes using color Doppler ultrasound to measure ureteral jet angles (UJA) as a diagnostic screening tool for reflux.

Methods

The present prospective cohort study included 122 patients and 238 renal unit pediatric patients suspected of VUR who presented to our hospital between 2019 and 2021. All patients underwent ultrasonography and VCUG, and the UJA was measured color Doppler evaluation of the ureteral jet. The UJA was compared with the VCUG findings in patients with and without reflux. SPSS 26 was used to analyze the data.

Results

A total of 96 patients and 139 renal units exhibited reflux. The mean ureteral jet angle in refluxing units was 60.47 + 16.66 degrees, whereas, it was 42.59 + 13.26 degrees in non‐refluxing units, a significant difference between the two groups (P < .001). The mean ureteral jet angle was 42.59, 45.89, 60.32, 68.23, and 56.16, for reflux grading from 0 to 5 (except grade 1), respectively. The angle value in each reflux grade increased significantly except for grade 5. For reflux detection (grade I–V), a cut‐off angle of 50 degrees was associated with sensitivity and specificity of 70 and 79, respectively. Grade IV/V reflux can be diagnosed with a sensitivity of 70% and specificity of 84% using a cut‐off angle of 68 degrees or greater.

Conclusions

UJA detection via color Doppler ultrasound demonstrates high accuracy, is non‐invasive method can be utilized as an alternative primary diagnostic tool or in follow‐up cases of VUR in children.
Is COVID‐19 to Blame for Sensorineural Hearing Deterioration? A Pre/Post COVID‐19 Hearing Evaluation Study
Authors: Taitelbaum‐Swead Riki , Pinhas Adi , Cohen Tsemah Shiraz , Wechsler Hagar , Chordekar Shai
Published: October 2022

Objectives

Here, we aimed to (a) determine whether a clinically significant sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) change could be detected in post‐coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) hearing levels on comparing them with pre‐infection hearing levels after controlling for the effect of age and (b) to identify risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes, and smoking, which increase the likelihood of hearing loss in COVID‐19 patients.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed hearing thresholds in unvaccinated patient's pre‐ and post‐COVID‐19 infection. Thresholds were controlled for age and the duration between the pre‐ and post‐COVID‐19 hearing evaluations. Correlations between additional COVID‐19‐related symptoms, hypertension, diabetes, and smoking and hearing threshold changes were analyzed.

Results

A significant (but not clinical) threshold elevation was found post‐COVID‐19 infection. However, on controlling for age and the duration between the pre‐ and post‐COVID‐19 hearing evaluations, no significant threshold elevation was found. No significant correlation was found between hearing threshold changes and additional COVID‐19‐related symptoms, hypertension, diabetes, or smoking.

Conclusion

COVID‐19 did not lead to a significant hearing threshold elevation in our cohort, even among patients with additional COVID‐19 symptoms, hypertension, or diabetes mellitus or among those who smoked.

Level of Evidence

3. nonrandomized controlled cohort, follow‐up study Laryngoscope, 133:1976–1981, 2023
Spatial–temporal pattern of vegetation carbon sequestration and its response to rocky desertification control measures in a karst area, in Guangxi Province, China
Authors: Wang Lei , Wu Xiuqin , Guo Jianbin , Zhou Jinxing , He Liang
Published: October 2022

The terrestrial ecosystem in southwestern China has been a long‐term carbon sink, but its spatial–temporal pattern during the previous two decades and its response to karst rocky desertification control measures (KRDC) still merit further quantification, particularly where higher levels of carbon capture by vegetation are proposed in the context of a ‘carbon neutrality’ goal. Satellite datasets, field data from previous studies, and the geostatistical soil respiration model enabled a focus on the karst landscape in Guangxi Province in Southwest China, to probe the spatial–temporal pattern of the ability to capture carbon during 2001–2020 and assess its response to KRDC. The results showed that the interannual variation in the average net ecosystem productivity (NEP) exhibited a remarkable tendency to increase at a rate of 4.15 g C m−2 yr−1 (p < 0.01). A major period of increase was identified from 2006 to 2011, which represented the second stage of the KRDC. The terrestrial ecosystems of karst area have always acted as carbon sinks. Human activity was the dominant factor in the development of NEP and covered an area of 79.30%. The karst area offers climate change characteristics of ‘wetness’ and ‘light stress,’ which can promote the ability of vegetation carbon to serve as a carbon sink (0.18 g C m−2 yr−1). Furthermore, the closing mountains for afforestation is the most effective way to artificially increase the carbon sink. Quantifying vegetation ecosystem carbon sinks and sources in this study is highly significant for understanding regional carbon dynamics and guiding carbon capture policies to design and mitigate land degradation.
On admissible singular drifts of symmetric α‐stable process
Authors: Kinzebulatov Damir , Madou Kodjo Raphaël
Published: October 2022

We consider the problem of existence of a (unique) weak solution to the SDE describing symmetric α‐stable process with a locally unbounded drift , , . In this paper, b belongs to the class of weakly form‐bounded vector fields, the class providing the L2 theory of the non‐local operator behind the SDE, i.e. . It contains as proper sub‐classes other classes of singular vector fields studied in the literature in connection with this operator, such as the Kato class, the weak class and the Campanato–Morrey class (in general, such b makes invalid the standard heat kernel estimates in terms of the heat kernel of the fractional Laplacian). We show that the operator with weakly form‐bounded b admits a realization as (minus) Feller generator, and that the probability measures determined by the Feller semigroup (uniquely in appropriate sense) admit description as weak solutions to the corresponding SDE. The proof is based on detailed regularity theory of in , .
Cystine Induced‐mTORC2 Activation through Promoting Sin1 Phosphorylation to Suppress Cancer Cell Ferroptosis
Authors: Wang GuoYan , Chen Lei , Qin SenLin , Zheng YiNing , Xia Chao , Yao JunHu , Wang Ping , Deng Lu
Published: October 2022

Scope

Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) serves as a central signaling node in the coordination of cell growth and metabolism, and it functions via two distinct complexes, namely, mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and mTORC2. mTORC1 plays a crucial role in sensing amino acids, whereas mTORC2 involves in sensing growth factors. However, it remains largely unclear whether mTORC2 can sense amino acids and the mechanism by which amino acids regulate mTORC2 has not been studied.

Methods and results

After treating cells with indicated concentration of amino acids for different time, it is found that the mTORC2 activation is significantly increased in response to amino acids stimulation, especially cystine. Particularly, knockdown solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) by siRNA shows that SLC7A11‐mediated cystine uptake is responsible for activating mTORC2. Mechanistically, the study finds that p38 is activated in response to cystine stimulation, and co‐immunoprecipitation (Co‐IP) experiments suggest that p38 regulates the assembly of components within mTORC2 by mediating the phosphorylation of the mTORC2 subunit mitogen‐activated protein kinase‐interacting protein 1 (Sin1) in a cystine‐dependent manner. Finally, combined with inducers and inhibitors of ferroptosis and cell viability assay, the study observes that cystine‐mediated regulation of the p38‐Sin1‐mTOR‐AKT pathway induces resistance to ferroptosis.

Conclusion

These results indicate that cystine‐induced activation of the p38‐Sin1‐mTORC2‐AKT pathway suppresses ferroptosis.
Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopic analysis of Nafion and graft‐type polymer electrolyte membranes for fuel cell application
Authors: Long Tran Hoang , Hieu Dinh Tran Trong , Hao Lam Hoang , Cuong Nguyen Tien , Loan Truong Thi Hong , Van Man Tran , Tap Tran Duy
Published: October 2022

The subnano free‐volume hole features of Nafion‐212 and poly(styrene sulfonic acid) grafted poly(ethylene‐co‐tetrafluoroethylene) polymer electrolyte membranes are investigated by using the positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopic analyses with three‐ and four‐component models (i.e., one‐ and two‐ortho‐positronium [o‐Ps] components). The four‐component model provides a more adequate description of free‐volume hole features for both membranes, in which the longer o‐Ps lifetime is assigned to the larger free volume hole sizes in the mobile side chains, while the shorter o‐Ps lifetime is associated with the smaller free volume hole sizes within the backbones (the rigid amorphous fractions and the crystalline‐amorphous interfaces) and the interfaces between the main chains and the side chains. The o‐Ps annihilation is found to occur primarily in the side chains. The subnano volume hole features revealed by the positron annihilation lifetime (PAL) spectra suggest the primary water uptake and conductance in the side chains and the possible presence of water molecules in the rigid amorphous fractions and the interfaces. Note that the three‐component model as usually reported in the literature may underestimate the lifetime and intensity of ortho‐positronium annihilation.
iBench: A ground truth approach for advanced validation of mass spectrometry identification method
Authors: Cormican John A. , Soh Wai Tuck , Mishto Michele , Liepe Juliane
Published: October 2022

The discovery of many noncanonical peptides detectable with sensitive mass spectrometry inside, outside, and on cells shepherded the development of novel methods for their identification, often not supported by a systematic benchmarking with other methods. We here propose iBench, a bioinformatic tool that can construct ground truth proteomics datasets and cognate databases, thereby generating a training court wherein methods, search engines, and proteomics strategies can be tested, and their performances estimated by the same tool. iBench can be coupled to the main database search engines, allows the selection of customized features of mass spectrometry spectra and peptides, provides standard benchmarking outputs, and is open source. The proof‐of‐concept application to tryptic proteome digestions, immunopeptidomes, and synthetic peptide libraries dissected the impact that noncanonical peptides could have on the identification of canonical peptides by Mascot search with rescoring via Percolator (Mascot+Percolator).
Phase III dose selection of marzeptacog alfa (activated) informed by population pharmacokinetic modeling: A novel hemostatic drug
Authors: Faraj Alan , Knudsen Tom , Desai Shraddha , Neuman Linda , Blouse Grant E. , Simonsson Ulrika S. H.
Published: October 2022

Marzeptacog alfa (activated) (MarzAA) is an activated recombinant human FVII (rFVIIa) variant developed as subcutaneous (s.c.) administration for the treatment or prevention of bleeding episodes in patients with hemophilia A (HA) or hemophilia B (HB) with inhibitors and other rare bleeding disorders. Population pharmacokinetic (PK) modeling was applied for dose selection for a pivotal phase III clinical trial evaluating s.c. MarzAA for episodic treatment of spontaneous or traumatic bleeding episodes. The population PK model used MarzAA intravenous and s.c. data from previously completed clinical trials in patients with HA/HB with or without inhibitors. Based on the model, clinical trial simulations were performed to predict MarzAA exposure after different dosing regimens. The exposure target was identified using an exposure‐matching strategy with a wild‐type rFVIIa but adjusting for the difference in potency between the two compounds. Simulations demonstrated a sufficient absorption rate and prolonged exposure following a single 60 μg/kg dose leading to 51% and 70% of the population reaching levels above the target after 3 and 6 h, respectively. According to the phase III protocol, if a second dose was required after 3 h because of a lack of efficacy, 90% of the population was observed to be above target 6 h after the initial dose. The model‐informed drug development approach integrated information from several trials and guided dose selection in the pivotal phase III clinical trial for episodic treatment of an acute bleeding event in individuals with HA or HB with inhibitors without the execution of a phase II trial for that indication.
Splitting tensile strength of recycled tire steel fiber‐reinforced alkali‐activated slag concrete designed by Taguchi method
Authors: Eskandarinia Milad , Esmailzade Mina , Aslani Farhad
Published: October 2022

Despite offering several benefits in terms of environment and economics, few studies were conducted on the ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) based alkali‐activated concrete reinforced with recycled tire steel fibers (RTSFs). Therefore, this paper employed the Taguchi method to investigate and optimize the influence of GGBFS content, the alkaline solution to GGBFS content ratio, sodium hydroxide solution concentration, and RTSF volume fraction on splitting tensile strength (STS) of recycled tire steel fiber‐reinforced alkali‐activated slag concrete (RTSFR‐AASC). The microstructural evaluation was done through scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses. The results indicated that the fiber content, the most efficient parameter on STS, led to a considerable enhancement in the performance characteristic. Microstructural analysis proved the variations in formation of C–S–H gel. The results of the confirmation experiment on the proposed optimized RTSFR‐AASC mixture with the highest 28‐day STS (7.11 MPa) confirmed the effectiveness of the Taguchi method.
Tetrachlorobisphenol A and bisphenol AF induced cell migration by activating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway via G protein‐coupled estrogen receptor 1 in SK‐BR‐3 cells
Authors: Yu Mengjie , Xu Lanbing , Lei Bingli , Sun Su , Yang Yingxin
Published: October 2022

Different subtypes of breast cancer express positively G protein‐coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1). Our previous studies found that tetrachlorobisphenol A (TCBPA) and bisphenol AF (BPAF) significantly promoted SK‐BR‐3 cell proliferation by activating GPER1‐regulated signals. The present study further investigated the effects of TCBPA and BPAF on the migration of SK‐BR‐3 cells and examined the role of phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase‐protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) and its downstream signal targets in this process. We found that low‐concentration BPAF and TCBPA markedly accelerated the migration of SK‐BR‐3 cells and elevated the mRNA levels of target genes associated with PI3K/Akt and mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signals. TCBPA‐ and BPAF‐induced upregulation of target genes was significantly reduced by GPER1 inhibitor G15, the PI3K/Akt inhibitor wortmannin (WM), and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor ZD1839 (ZD). G15 and WM also decreased cell migration induced by TCBPA and BPAF. The findings revealed that TCBPA and BPAF promoted SK‐BR‐3 cell migration ability by activating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway via GPER1‐EGFR.
Autobiographical memory and the self: A transition theory perspective
Authors: Brown Norman R.
Published: October 2022

In contrast to much theoretical work on the topic, Transition Theory (Brown, 2016, 2021) attempts to account for important aspects of autobiographical memory in a way that emphasizes the structure of experience, rather than the relation between personal‐event memories and the Self. This article provides the rationale for adopting this minimalist stance. Here it is argued that: (a) an all‐inclusive notion of the Self is of little utility to the study of autobiographical memory because virtually all sentient goal‐directed activities can be seen as reflecting the Self, hence, adopting this view provides no bias for predicting event memorability; (b) although some event memories are clearly Self‐relevant (e.g., life‐story events, turning points, self‐defining memories), most are not; (c) the formation of and access to Self‐knowledge typically does not depend on the availability of specific autobiographical memories; rather, (d) Self‐knowledge is generally derived from massive amounts of readily forgotten role‐relevant experience.

This article is categorized under:

Philosophy > Representation

Philosophy > Knowledge and Belief

Psychology > Memory
Digital Divide and Digital Inclusion: Juxtaposed Realities and eInclusive Prospects for Older Persons
Authors: Hoffman Jaco , Roos Vera
Published: October 2022

The digital divide within and across generations is often explained by older persons’ exclusion from, or limited access to technologies, as well as reluctant uptake on their part. However, given the interdependencies between young and old in the developing world, cell phones offer potential for people to connect across and within generations. This chapter considers the body of main transferable themes emerging from the present study in terms of eInclusion of older persons beyond the temporal and particular. We highlight in particular the value of taking an intergenerational approach; utilizing the intergenerational contact zones (IZCs) generated around and through the cell phone; using planned intergenerational programming (IP) for eInclusion; and older-user-centric participation in any development and implementation of technologies. The bottom line to aim for is a person-relevant and technology/environment fit to enhance the lives of all older adults and to benefit society as a whole.
Developing a Questionnaire to Investigate Older Individuals’ Cell Phone Use and Age-Inclusive Implementation through Technology
Authors: Erasmus Mianda , Bothma Elizabeth , Roos Vera
Published: October 2022

No questionnaires to obtain information about older South Africans’ cell phone use were available. This chapter details the development of three new questionnaires for this purpose. The iGNiTe questionnaire (Version 1) addressed the need for information about older persons’ cell phone use and intra/intergenerational relations. Items, in English, were derived from the literature and current research, subsequently translated into Afrikaans, and piloted. Trained student fieldworkers used devices to collect responses from selected older individuals (n = 128). The results of exploratory factor analyses and reliability coefficients then informed the we-DELIVER questionnaire (Version 2) for collecting data on older persons’ cell phone use and service needs. Subject experts’ revisions preceded piloting. Questionnaires were translated from English into Setswana, Sesotho, and isiZulu and administered by student fieldworkers. The results (n = 302) were analysed and literature and theory consulted to develop Version 3, AGeConnect. We present what we believe to be the first online questionnaire (https://ageconnect.questionpro.com/) designed to longitudinally study and document data on older individuals’ cell phone use here and abroad. (Afrikaans, English, Setswana, Sesotho, and isiZulu are five of South Africa’s 11 official languages).
Chapter 10: Canonical Correlation Analysis
Authors: Mathai Arak , Provost Serge , Haubold Hans
Published: October 2022

The necessary theory for the study of Canonical Correlation Analysis has already been introduced in Chap. Chap. 1, including the problem of optimizing a real bilinear form subject to two quadratic form constraints. Canonical Correlation Analysis aims at determining the associations between two sets of variables. Accordingly, we will seek the ‘best’ prediction function for a set of real scalar variables y1, …, yq, on the basis of a collection of real scalar variables x1, …, xp. The problem is converted into one of predicting a linear function of y1, …, yq from an arbitrary linear function of x1, …, xp, and vice versa. Estimates of the canonical correlations and the canonical variables are obtained, and the sampling distribution of the sample correlation matrix is determined.
Behavioral and Physiological Audiometric Methods for Animals
Authors: McFadden Sandra L. , Simmons Andrea Megela , Erbe Christine , Thomas Jeanette A.
Published: October 2022

An important component of bioacoustical research is the description and quantification of the hearing capabilities of different animal species. This chapter reviews common behavioral and physiological methods used to examine the hearing of live animals and discusses some of their strengths and weaknesses. The focus is on audiometric studies that identify the frequency range and sensitivity of hearing, with examples provided from several different species. The methods discussed also are useful for quantifying other aspects of auditory perception such as sound frequency or intensity discrimination, sound localization, and the effects of noise on hearing.
Choosing Equipment for Animal Bioacoustic Research
Authors: Madhusudhana Shyam , Pavan Gianni , Miller Lee A. , Gannon William L. , Hawkins Anthony , Erbe Christine , Hamel Jennifer A. , Thomas Jeanette A.
Published: October 2022

Studies of animal bioacoustics require equipment to record and analyze sounds and sometimes to play back recorded sounds. Choosing the right equipment can be a difficult task for the novice bioacoustician. In this chapter, we outline the components that make up a typical recording or playback setup, define some of the commonly used terminology for describing the instruments, and present some illustrative studies that required the use of specific types of equipment. We cover instruments used in both terrestrial and aquatic bioacoustic studies. The ensuing discussions will introduce the reader to some of the commonly used microphones, hydrophones, amplifiers, analog-to-digital converters, projectors (loudspeakers), as well as programmable autonomous recording systems. Where applicable, we also discuss some of the pros and cons to be considered when choosing a particular product for a study, and the limitations that specific equipment may pose to the planned research. We also present equipment that can be used to record directly to a computer. Often, it may be necessary to use calibrated equipment so that accurate measurements can be made. We present considerations for calibrating the different components of the recording setup. Finally, we present some additional equipment used in biotremology to measure vibration and particle motion, and we list some smartphone-based applications used in bioacoustic studies.
Introduction to Acoustic Terminology and Signal Processing
Authors: Erbe Christine , Duncan Alec , Hawkins Lauren , Terhune John M. , Thomas Jeanette A.
Published: October 2022

This chapter presents an introduction to acoustics and explains the basic quantities and concepts relevant to terrestrial and aquatic animal bioacoustics. Specific terminology that is introduced includes sound pressure, sound exposure, particle velocity, sound speed, longitudinal and transverse waves, frequency-modulation, amplitude-modulation, decibel, source level, near-field, far-field, frequency weighting, power spectral density, and one-third octave band level, amongst others. The chapter then introduces basic signal sampling and processing concepts such as sampling frequency, Nyquist frequency, aliasing, windowing, and Fourier transform. The chapter concludes with an introductory treatise of sound localization and tracking, including time difference of arrival and beamforming.
Introduction to Sound Propagation Under Water
Authors: Erbe Christine , Duncan Alec , Vigness-Raposa Kathleen J.
Published: October 2022

Sound propagation under water is a complex process. Sound does not propagate along straight-line transmission paths. Rather, it reflects, refracts, and diffracts. It scatters off rough surfaces (such as the sea surface and the seafloor) and off reflectors within the water column (e.g., gas bubbles, fish swim bladders, and suspended particles). It is transmitted into the seafloor and partially lost from the water. It is converted into heat by exciting molecular vibrations. There are common misconceptions about sound propagation in water, such as “low-frequency sound does not propagate in shallow water,” “over hard seafloors, all sound is reflected, leading to cylindrical spreading,” and “over soft seafloors, sound propagates spherically.” This chapter aims to remove common misconceptions and empowers the reader to comprehend sound propagation phenomena in a range of environments and appreciate the limitations of widely used sound propagation models. The chapter begins by deriving the sonar equation for a number of scenarios, including animal acoustic communication, communication masking by noise, and acoustic surveying of animals. It introduces the concept of the layered ocean, presenting temperature, salinity, and resulting sound speed profiles. These are needed to develop the most common concepts of sound propagation under water: ray tracing and normal modes. This chapter explains Snell’s law, reflection and transmission coefficients, and Lloyd’s mirror. It provides an overview of publicly available sound propagation software (including wavenumber integration and parabolic equation models). It concludes with a few practical examples of modeling propagation loss for whale song and a seismic airgun array.
Detection and Classification Methods for Animal Sounds
Authors: Oswald Julie N. , Erbe Christine , Gannon William L. , Madhusudhana Shyam , Thomas Jeanette A.
Published: October 2022

Classification of the acoustic repertoires of animals into sound types is a useful tool for taxonomic studies, behavioral studies, and for documenting the occurrence of animals. Classification of acoustic repertoires enables the identification of species, age, gender, and individual identity, correlations between sound types and behavior, the identification of changes in vocal behavior over time or in response to anthropogenic noise, comparisons between the repertoires of populations living in different geographic regions and environments, and the development of software tools for automated signal processing. Techniques for classification have evolved over time as technical capabilities have expanded. Initially, researchers applied qualitative methods, such as listening and visually discerning sounds in spectrograms. Advances in computer technology and the development of software for the automatic detection and classification of sounds have allowed bioacousticians to quickly find sounds in recordings, thus significantly reducing analysis time and enabling the analysis of larger datasets. In this chapter, we present software algorithms for automated signal detection (based on energy, Teager–Kaiser energy, spectral entropy, matched filtering, and spectrogram cross-correlation) as well as for signal classification (e.g., parametric clustering, principal component analysis, discriminant function analysis, classification trees, artificial neural networks, random forests, Gaussian mixture models, support vector machines, dynamic time-warping, and hidden Markov models). Methods for evaluating the performance of automated tools are presented (i.e., receiver operating characteristics and precision-recall) and challenges with classifying animal sounds are discussed.
Attitudes Towards Syrian Refugees During the ‘Refugee Crisis’ in Greece
Authors: Kalogeraki Stefania
Published: October 2022

During the recent ‘refugee crisis’ Greece became one of the major entry points by sea as high numbers of refugees and asylum seekers, primarily originating from Syria, entered its territory en route to wealthier European countries. The unprecedented arrival of refugees has triggered mixed reactions towards newcomers raising socio-economic and cultural concerns about the potential impacts of refugees on the host country. The chapter uses survey data from the EU-funded TransSOL project and incorporates realistic group conflict and social identity theories to explore potential determinants shaping different attitudes towards Syrian refugees entering Greece. The descriptive analysis indicated that opposition attitudes towards Syrian refugees are widespread in Greece. Results from a multinomial logistic regression analysis demonstrated that individual determinants related to social identity theory are particularly important in understanding different levels of Greeks’ opposition towards Syrian refugees, whereas strong opposition towards the specific ethnic group was associated with an amalgamation of individual factors related to both realistic group conflict and social identity theory. The findings stress the necessity of implementing policy interventions that promote the intercultural dialogue and aim to mitigate the main sources of negative stances towards refugees.
An Ephemeral Patriotism: The Rise and Fall of ‘Solidarity to Refugees’
Authors: Papataxiarchis Evthymios
Published: October 2022

‘Solidarity to refugees’ has been the dominant mood towards the displaced people during the first months of the ‘refugee crisis.’ This essay approaches ‘refugee solidarity’ ethnographically, from the bottom up and in emic terms, as a, socially and politically productive, symbolic structure of affect towards displaced people and a cultural innovation that differs from the traditional ‘hospitality to migrants.’ It analyses the developmental cycle of ‘refugee solidarity,’ its rise in the grassroots as a widespread attitude in frontline Aegean communities, its transformation by the state and the media into a post-national patriotism, its gradual demise after the EU-Turkey Statement in March 2016 and the creation of an internal border, and its eventual fall in the course of a series of protests and bursts of xenophobic violence. The essay focuses on the most emblematic xenophobic incident against asylum seekers, the pogrom of April 2017 in Mytilene, as an index of the radical shift in attitudes towards the displaced people. It shows that ‘refugee solidarity’ was a matter of tolerance rather than of actual engagement with the predicament of the displaced people, a volatile tolerance that easily shifted towards indifference. The patriotism of ‘refugee solidarity’ eventually fell prey to the xenophobic reactions, thus proving to be ephemeral, because it was built on the same, essentialist, foundations with historically hegemonic forms of patriotism, and was governed by the same assimilationist logic.
Univariate Analysis: Variance, Variables, Data, and Measurement
Authors: Tessler Mark
Published: October 2022

Why are some people in the Arab region more likely than others to vote in elections? Why do some countries but not others have higher levels of satisfaction with their healthcare systems? Why is domestic violence more prevalent in some communities or neighborhoods than others? What causes some people but not others to become more politically engaged, or less politically engaged, over time? Every day, we come across various phenomena that make us question how, why, and with what implications do they vary across people, countries, communities, and/or time. These phenomena—e.g. voting, satisfaction with health care, domestic violence, and political engagement—are variables, and the variance they express is the foundation and the point of departure for positivist social science research. The present chapter considers variables one at a time and focuses on descriptions of variance.
Reprise and Conclusion: Overview, Audience, and Uses of the Guide
Authors: Tessler Mark
Published: October 2022

It will be useful in concluding this guide to social science research to return to some of the points made in the Introduction, reminding readers about the origins of this guide to social science research in the Arab world and about the choices that have been made with respect to coverage and emphasis. The way that the information and insights presented in Chaps. 2, 3, and 4 come together and cumulate should also be noted. Finally, and importantly, we offer very briefly some thoughts about the audience for whom the guide is intended, about the ways in which the guide might be productively used, particularly in education, and about the ways in which and the degree to which the guide possesses an Arab sensibility.
The clinical characteristics and management of paediatric pelvic fractures: a changing landscape based on skeletal maturity
Authors: Lu Victor , Gowrishankar Shrav , Arshad Zaki , Thahir Azeem , Lenihan Jonathan , Mcdonald Scott , Rawal Jaikirty , Hull Peter , Chou Daud , Carrothers Andrew
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Paediatric pelvic fractures (PPFs) are uncommon but signify serious trauma. A comprehensive multidisciplinary approach is needed due to a high number of associated injuries. This study aims to retrospectively analyse PPFs over a 5-year period and evaluate how advancing skeletal maturity changes fracture patterns and management plans.

Methods

The trauma database was retrospectively reviewed for pelvic fractures in patients aged ≤ 18 years. Radiographs and CT scans were used to classify pelvic injuries according to the modified Torode classification and determine the status of the triradiate cartilage (open: skeletally immature; closed: skeletally mature). Data collected also included the mechanism of injury, clinical and functional outcomes, and associated injuries. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for associated abdominal injuries.

Results

65 PPFs (2.8% of paediatric trauma admissions during the study period) were classified as type I (3.1%), type II (7.7%), type IIIa (32.3%), type IIIb (38.5%), type IV (18.5%) according to the modified Torode classification. The mean age was 13.41 ± 3.82. Skeletally immature children were more likely to be hit by a motor vehicle as a pedestrian (p < 0.001), be intubated (p = 0.009), acquire Torode type II (p = 0.047) and rami fractures (p = 0.037), and receive chest (p = 0.005) and head injuries (p = 0.046). Skeletally immature children were also less likely to acquire Torode type IV fractures (p = 0.018), receive surgical treatment for their pelvic injuries (p = 0.036), and had a faster time to full weight bearing (p = 0.013). Pelvis AIS score ≥ 4 (OR 5.3; 95% CI 1.3–22.6;p = 0.023) and a pedestrian accident (OR 4.9; 95% CI 1.2–20.7;p = 0.030) were risk factors for associated abdominal injuries. There was a strong association between a higher pelvic fracture grade and the proportion of patients with closed triradiate cartilage (p = 0.036), hospital length of stay (p = 0.034), mean pelvic AIS score (p = 0.039), a pelvis AIS score of ≥ 4 (p = 0.022), mean ISS (p = 0.003), an ISS score between 25 and 75 (p = 0.004), average time to FWB (p = 0.001), requirement of blood products (p = 0.015), and a motor vehicle accident (p = 0.037).

Conclusion

PPFs occurring in skeletally mature and immature patients are significantly different in terms of mechanism of injury, fracture severity, fracture pattern, and management strategy. There is a high rate of associated injuries, necessitating an integrated multidisciplinary approach in paediatric trauma centres.
AI ageism: a critical roadmap for studying age discrimination and exclusion in digitalized societies
Authors: Stypinska Justyna
Published: October 2022

In the last few years, we have witnessed a surge in scholarly interest and scientific evidence of how algorithms can produce discriminatory outcomes, especially with regard to gender and race. However, the analysis of fairness and bias in AI, important for the debate of AI for social good, has paid insufficient attention to the category of age and older people. Ageing populations have been largely neglected during the turn to digitality and AI. In this article, the concept of AI ageism is presented to make a theoretical contribution to how the understanding of inclusion and exclusion within the field of AI can be expanded to include the category of age. AI ageism can be defined as practices and ideologies operating within the field of AI, which exclude, discriminate, or neglect the interests, experiences, and needs of older population and can be manifested in five interconnected forms: (1) age biases in algorithms and datasets (technical level), (2) age stereotypes, prejudices and ideologies of actors in AI (individual level), (3) invisibility of old age in discourses on AI (discourse level), (4) discriminatory effects of use of AI technology on different age groups (group level), (5) exclusion as users of AI technology, services and products (user level). Additionally, the paper provides empirical illustrations of the way ageism operates in these five forms.
Determinants of Low Bone Turnover in Type 2 Diabetes-the Role of PTH
Authors: Vavanikunnel Janina , Sewing Lilian , Triantafyllidou Maria , Steighardt Anna , Baumann Sandra , Egger Andrea , Grize Leticia , Felix Barbara , Kraenzlin Marius , Henzen Christoph , Meier Christian
Published: October 2022

Determinants of low bone turnover in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) are poorly understood. To investigate the relationship between markers of bone turnover, glycaemic control, disease duration and calciotropic hormones in T2DM we assessed baseline biochemical data from the DiabOS Study, a prospective multicenter observational cohort study. In a cross-sectional study-design data from 110 postmenopausal women and men aged 50–75 years diagnosed with T2DM for at least 3 years and 92 non-diabetic controls were evaluated. Biochemical markers of bone formation (N-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen [PINP]), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase [BAP]) and resorption (C-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type I collagen [CTX]), measures of calcium homeostasis (intact parathormone [iPTH], 25-Hydroxyvitamin D, calcium, magnesium) and glycaemic control were assessed. After adjustment for age, gender and body mass index (BMI), patients with T2DM had lower serum levels of PINP (p < 0.001), CTX (p < 0.001), iPTH (p = 0.03) and magnesium (p < 0.001) compared to controls. Serum calcium, creatinine, 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and sclerostin did not differ between both groups. In multivariate linear regression analyses only serum iPTH remained an independent determinant of bone turnover markers in T2DM (PINP: p = 0.02; CTX: p < 0.001 and BAP: p < 0.01), whereas glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), disease duration, age and BMI were not associated with bone turnover. In conclusion low bone turnover in T2DM is associated with low iPTH. The underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated.
Impact of predator model presentation paradigms on titi monkey alarm sequences
Authors: Berthet Mélissa , Mesbahi Geoffrey , Cäsar Cristiane , Zuberbühler Klaus
Published: October 2022

Predator presentation experiments are widely used to investigate animal alarm vocalizations. They usually involve presentations of predator models or playbacks of predator calls, but it remains unclear whether the two paradigms provide similar results, a major limitation when investigating animal syntactic and semantic capacities. Here, we investigate whether visual and acoustic predator cues elicit different vocal reactions in black-fronted titi monkeys (Callicebus nigrifrons). We exposed six groups of wild titi monkeys to visual models or playbacks of vocalizations of raptor or felid. We characterized each group’s vocal reactions using sequence parameters known to reliably encode predatory events in this species. We found that titi monkeys’ vocal reactions varied with the predator species but also with the experimental paradigm: while vocal reactions to raptor vocalizations and models were similar, felid vocalizations elicited heterogeneous, different reactions from that given to felid models. We argue that subjects are not familiar with felid vocalizations, because of a lack of learning opportunities due to the silent behaviour of felids. We discuss the implication of these findings for the semantic capacities of titi monkeys. We finally recommend that playbacks of predator vocalizations should not be used in isolation but in combination with visual model presentations, to allow fine-grained analyses of the communication system of prey species.

Significance statement

It is common to present prey species with predator models or predator calls to study their vocal reactions. The two paradigms are often used independently, but it remains unclear whether they provide similar results. Here, we studied the vocal reactions of titi monkeys to calls and models of raptors and felids. We show that titi monkeys seem to recognize the vocalizations of raptors but not those of felids. The study of the vocal reactions emitted when titi monkeys cannot clearly identify the threat allows us to draw accurate hypotheses about the meaning of titi monkeys’ alarm utterances. We argue that playbacks of predator calls should be used in conjunction with model presentations, which can allow us to better investigate the information and the structure of the alarm systems.
Role of the intraseasonal IPCO in the absence of typhoons in July 2020
Authors: Li Fei , Li Jianping , Wang Hao , Diao Yina
Published: October 2022

The influence of the intraseasonal Indo-western Pacific convection oscillation (IPCO) on the absence of typhoons in July 2020 over the western North Pacific (WNP) was explored. While observation analysis shows that necessary conditions such as sea surface temperature (SST) and vertical wind shear in July 2020 meet the basic requirement of or even are conducive to the formation of typhoon, the unprecedented absence of typhoon over the WNP occurred in July 2020, and it is the first time that no typhoon in July since 1951. Additionally, significant differences were found in the number of typhoons in July between the different phases of the intraseasonal IPCO, and the number in the positive phase of the intraseasonal IPCO was significantly higher than that in the negative phase of the intraseasonal IPCO. In July 2020, the intraseasonal IPCO was in a strong negative phase, with the third lowest index in history and had the strongest inhibition effect on convection over the WNP on record, leading to large-scale circulation anomalies. The strongest descending movement on record inhibited the upward transport of water vapor and the development of cumulus convection, thereby reducing the release of latent heat of condensation and making it difficult to form a typhoon warm-core structure. In addition, the geopotential height increased over the WNP, and the western Pacific subtropical high moved southerly, which inhibited typhoon formation. Simultaneously, the South China Sea monsoon trough weakened significantly, with increased negative vorticity anomaly in the response scale, which hindered disturbance generation. The lowest genesis potential index confirmed that the large-scale circulation anomaly caused by the intraseasonal IPCO had an unprecedented restraining effect on typhoon generation, leading to the absence of typhoons over the WNP in July 2020.
Attitudes of medical students and junior physicians towards working self-employed in private practice in Northern and Western Europe: a systematic review
Authors: Meyer Juliana , Gjessing Sofie , Kristensen Jette Kolding , Flessa Steffen
Published: October 2022

Aim

A shortage in primary care physicians has been a well-known challenge in many Western countries for several years. In addition, we currently see a trend in primary care, where an increasing number of physicians work as employees instead of being self-employed, even among general practitioners. To address this shortage, knowledge of the future specialists’ attitudes toward working self-employed is needed. This qualitative systematic review aims to explore the attitudes of future specialists towards self-employment in private practice, and what factors influence these attitudes.

Subject and methods

We conducted a systematic search using PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. We developed a search strategy that collected terms for future specialists, career choices, and self-employment and linked these with the Boolean operator “AND”. We analysed the results using a qualitative content analysis, as both qualitative and quantitative studies were included in the research.

Results

Self-employment is less attractive to future specialists. In particular, women prefer to be employed and receive a fixed salary. The main factors that influence the decision as to whether to become self-employed or not are financial conditions, bureaucracy and non-medical tasks, organisation, job satisfaction during residency, personal responsibility, career opportunities, specialty-dependent factors, personal environment, and education.

Conclusion

Among future specialists, being self-employed is less attractive than being an employee. Students should be better informed about future career opportunities to make an informed decision. However, it should be examined whether other forms of organisation are more in line with the wishes of future specialists.
Martini 3 model of surface modified cellulose nanocrystals: investigation of aqueous colloidal stability
Authors: Pang Jiu , Mehandzhiyski Aleksandar Y. , Zozoulenko Igor
Published: October 2022

The Martini coarse-grained force field is one of the most popular coarse-grained models for molecular dynamics (MD) modelling in biology, chemistry, and material science. Recently, a new force field version, Martini 3, had been reported with improved interaction balance and many new bead types. Here, we present a new cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) model based on Martini 3. The calculated CNC structures, lattice parameters, and mechanical properties reproduce experimental measurements well and provide an improvement over previous CNC models. Then, surface modifications with COO− groups and interactions with Na+ ions were fitted based on the atomistic MD results to reproduce the interactions between surface-modified CNCs. Finally, the colloidal stability and dispersion properties were studied with varied NaCl concentrations and a good agreement with experimental results was found. Our work brings new progress toward CNC modelling to describe different surface modifications and colloidal solutions that were not available in previous coarse-grained models.

Graphical abstract