bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
3D Reconstruction and Virtual Reality Is an Acceptable and Feasible Method for Addressing Body Image in Bariatric Metabolic Surgery
Authors: Assaf Nazrin , Scholtz Samantha , Ahmed Ahmed R. , Krieger Mitchel , Ali Nasteha , Bello Fernando
Published: May 2024

Background

Patients living with obesity continue to experience body image dissatisfaction following bariatric metabolic surgery. The underlying reasons are poorly understood but may be due to unmet expectations. Negative body image perception following metabolic surgery leads to poorer psychological and clinical outcomes. This study aims to establish the acceptability and feasibility of three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction and virtual reality (VR) as a method of providing psychological support to bariatric patients to improve body image satisfaction and interventional outcomes.

Methods

Seven participants were recruited from the Imperial Weight Centre. 3D photographs were captured and processed to produce two 3D reconstructed images with 15% and 25% total weight loss. Participants were shown their images using VR and participated in peer group workshops.

Results

Six participants were retained until the end of the study. Five out of six participants agreed the images provided them with a more accurate representation of their body changes and overall appearance following bariatric metabolic surgery. All participants strongly agreed with the group setting and felt VR facilitated discussions on body image. Overall, all participants felt that the use of VR and 3D reconstruction is beneficial in supporting patients to adjust to changes in their body image after bariatric metabolic surgery.

Conclusions

This is the first study to explore and demonstrate that 3D reconstruction and VR is an acceptable and feasible method providing patients with a realistic expectation of how their body will change following significant weight loss, potentially improving body image satisfaction after surgery, as well as psychological and interventional outcomes.

Graphical Abstract
Postoperative pulmonary function of patients with lung cancer and interstitial lung abnormalities
Authors: Tsubokawa Norifumi , Mimae Takahiro , Mimura Takeshi , Kagimoto Atsushi , Kamigaichi Atsushi , Kawamoto Nobutaka , Miyata Yoshihiro , Okada Morihito
Published: May 2024

Objective

We investigated the impact of radiological interstitial lung abnormalities on the postoperative pulmonary functions of patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Methods

A total of 1191 patients with clinical stage IA non-small cell lung cancer who underwent lung resections and pulmonary function tests ≥ 6 months postoperatively were retrospectively reviewed. Postoperative pulmonary function reduction rates were compared between patients with and without interstitial lung abnormalities and according to the radiological interstitial lung abnormality classifications. Surgical procedures were divided into wedge resection, 1–2 segment resection, and 3–5 segment resection groups.

Results

No significant differences in postoperative pulmonary function reduction rates 6 months after wedge resection were observed between the interstitial lung abnormality [n = 202] and non-interstitial lung abnormality groups [n = 989] [vital capacity [VC]: 6.82% vs. 5.00%; forced expiratory volume in 1 s [FEV1]: 7.05% vs. 7.14%]. After anatomical resection, these values were significantly lower in the interstitial lung abnormality group than in the non-interstitial lung abnormality group [VC: 1–2 segments, 12.50% vs. 9.93%; 3–5 segments, 17.42% vs. 14.23%; FEV1: 1–2 segments: 13.36% vs. 10.27%; 3–5 segments: 17.36% vs. 14.39%]. No significant differences in postoperative pulmonary function reduction rates according to the radiological interstitial lung abnormality classifications were observed.

Conclusions

The presence of interstitial lung abnormalities had a minimal effect on postoperative pulmonary functions after wedge resections; however, pulmonary functions significantly worsened after segmentectomy or lobectomy, regardless of the radiological interstitial lung abnormality classification in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer.
Comprehensive Wheat Straw Processing with Deep Eutectic Solvent to Deliver Reducing Sugar
Authors: Piedade Patrícia Joana , Venkat Veshal , Al-Shwafy Khaled W. A. , Aregawi Mearg A. , Dudek Gabriela , Zygadło Mateusz , Lukasik Rafal Marcin
Published: May 2024

Pretreatment is one of the bottlenecks in the cost and energy-efficient biomass valorization. Deep eutectic solvents are potential candidates for being used to address these challenges. In this work, the deep eutectic solvent composed of choline chloride, and acetic acid was studied for its use in wheat straw fractionation. The pretreated biomass was assessed concerning the lignin and glucan content. Under optimized time and temperature conditions, defined using Doehlert matrix chemometric tool, of 3 h 47 min and 139.6 °C, the processed wheat straw contained as much as 42.5 ± 0.42 wt.% and 38.59 ± 1.26 wt.% of glucan and lignin contents, respectively. The need for biomass washing after the pretreatment with deep eutectic solvents and before the enzymatic hydrolysis step was also evaluated. The obtained enzymatic hydrolysis results, i.e., glucan to glucose yield of 27.13 ± 0.25 vs. 25.73 ± 0.08 for washed or unwashed biomass correspondingly, are equally good substrates. Fractal kinetic analysis of the data showed similar values of k and h for both glucose and xylose reactions between washed and unwashed biomass. This confirmed that biomass washing is an unnecessary step, which in turn opens room for biomass processing intensification.
The Morse Property of Limit Functions Appearing in Mean Field Equations on Surfaces with Boundary
Authors: Hu Zhengni , Bartsch Thomas
Published: May 2024

In this paper, we study the Morse property for functions related to limit functions of mean field equations on a smooth, compact surface $$\Sigma $$
Σ
with boundary $$\partial \Sigma $$

∂
Σ

. Given a Riemannian metric g on $$\Sigma $$
Σ
we consider functions of the form
"Equation missing"where $$\sigma _i \ne 0$$

σ
i

≠
0

for $$i=1,\ldots ,m$$

i
=
1
,
…
,
m

, $$G^g$$

G
g

is the Green function of the Laplace-Beltrami operator on $$(\Sigma ,g)$$

(
Σ
,
g
)

with Neumann boundary conditions, $$R^g$$

R
g

is the corresponding Robin function, and $$h \in {{\mathcal {C}}}^{2}(\Sigma ^m,\mathbb {R})$$

h
∈

C

2

(

Σ
m

,
R
)

is arbitrary. We prove that for any Riemannian metric g, there exists a metric $$\widetilde{g}$$

g
~

which is arbitrarily close to g and in the conformal class of g such that $$f_{\widetilde{g}}$$

f

g
~

is a Morse function. Furthermore we show that, if all $$\sigma _i>0$$

σ
i

>
0

, then the set of Riemannian metrics for which $$f_g$$

f
g

is a Morse function is open and dense in the set of all Riemannian metrics.
Molecular Pharming–Produktion von Biopharmazeutika in Pflanzen
Authors: Niederau Paul Alexander , Reski Ralf
Published: May 2024

The moss Physcomitrella is a promising production platform for green biopharmaceuticals. To further increase production yields of this platform, we identified terminator sequences to be used in future applications. In addition, we investigated which attributes make a terminator a good choice for biomanufacturing. Overall, our results improve plant-based biotechnology platforms and further our understanding of how terminators influence gene expression in plants in general.
Maximale Reduktionskraft voraus: mehr als die biologische Variante
Authors: Einsle Oliver
Published: May 2024

The enzyme nitrogenase is described to catalyze the “biological version” of the Haber-Bosch reaction, the reductive fixation of atmospheric N2 gas into a bioavailable form. While formally correct, our current understanding of the mechanism of this remarkable enzyme reveals the astounding degree of finetuning that is required to carry out the most challenging reductive catalysis found in nature under mild conditions and in an aqueous environment.
Quantifizierung von Transkription und Translation von Riboschaltern
Authors: Martin Maria Wirtz , Wacker Anna , Schwalbe Harald
Published: May 2024

Riboswitches change their secondary structure upon ligand binding, sending a signal that triggers transcriptional or translational gene regulation. Our dual-readout assay allows the simultaneous detection of ligand-dependent changes in transcription and translation. The cell-free assay utilizes the parallel detection of the fluorescent Mango (IV) aptamer downstream of the transcribed mRNA and GFP fluorescence to quantify transcription and translation products in the presence or absence of ligand.
Valorization of Wine Lees: Assessment of Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Enzyme Inhibitory Activity of Wine Lees Extract and Incorporation in Chitosan Films
Authors: Athanasiou Panagiotis Evangelos , Patila Michaela , Fotiadou Renia , Chatzikonstantinou Alexandra Vassileios , Stamatis Haralambos
Published: May 2024

Wine lees, as one of the main by-products of winery wastes, is considered a rich source of bioactive compounds such as polyphenols. Recovery of such bioactive compounds would amplify the valorization of winery by-products, as well as promote their use in cosmetics and health applications. Towards this aim, the objective of this work is the recovery of phenolic compounds from wine lees by ultrasound-assisted extraction. The effect of extraction time, and ethanol content on the extraction yield of total phenolics was investigated, while the phenolic profile of the extract was monitored by GC-MS. Under the optimized conditions, the total phenolic content was calculated at 302.6 mg gallic acid equivalents g− 1 dry extract; the dry extract was investigated for its biological activities, exhibiting excellent antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. Moreover, the extract was found to be a potent inhibitor of tyrosinase, elastase, collagenase, α-glucosidase, and α-amylase with IC50 values of 53.3, 83.5, 82.7, 19.0, and 31.3 µg mL− 1, respectively. Finally, the wine lees dry extract was incorporated into chitosan films, reinforcing the properties of the films, and providing them with excellent antioxidant activity. The results support that wine lees extract exhibits high antioxidant activity and can be used as a highly efficient inhibitor of enzymes with pharmaceutical and health interest. Moreover, the chitosan film enriched with wine lees extract is a promising material with high antioxidant potential and can lead to the development of novel food packaging films in the food industry.

Graphical Abstract
Integrating remote sensing, GIS-based, and AHP techniques to delineate groundwater potential zones in the Moulouya Basin, North-East Morocco
Authors: Hilal Ismail , Qurtobi Mohamed , Saadi Radouan , Aqnouy Mourad , Bouizrou Ismail , Bouadila Abdelmounim , Dakak Houria , Abdelrahman Kamal , Moreno-Navarro Jesus Gabriel , Abioui Mohamed , Stitou El Messari Jamal Eddine , Ekoa Bessa Armel Zacharie , Benmansour Moncef
Published: May 2024

Groundwater is a valuable shared resource in the Moulouya Basin, but it has been in decline due to recent years of low rainfall and rapid population growth. To support socio-economic development, there is increased demand for this precious resource. This paper presents a standard methodology for delimiting potential groundwater zones using geographic information systems (GIS), an integrated analytical hierarchy process (AHP), and remote sensing techniques. Seven parameters that monitor the presence and mobility of groundwater, including drainage density, lithology, slope, precipitation, land use/land cover, distance to river, and lineament density, were incorporated into a raster data model using ArcGIS software. AHP-based expert knowledge was used to prepare a groundwater potential index and assign weights to the thematic layers. The study classified the area into five zones of varying groundwater potential: very high (26%), high (51%), moderate (13%), poor (9%), and very poor (1%). The accuracy of the model was validated by comparing the Groundwater Potential Zones map with data from 96 wells and boreholes across the basin. The validity of the results was confirmed by comparing them with the specific yield of the aquifer in the study area, yielding a high correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.79. The analysis revealed that 89.5% of the boreholes were situated in the high and very high potential zones, demonstrating the reliability and robustness of the employed approach. These findings can aid decision-making and planning for sustainable groundwater use in the water-stressed region.
Unveiling the molecular mechanisms: dietary phytosterols as guardians against cardiovascular diseases
Authors: El Omari Nasreddine , Bakrim Saad , Khalid Asaad , Abdalla Ashraf N. , Iesa Mohamed A. M. , El Kadri Kawtar , Tang Siah Ying , Goh Bey Hing , Bouyahya Abdelhakim
Published: May 2024

Until recently, the main pharmaceuticals used to control cholesterol and prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD) were statin-related drugs, known for their historical side effects. Therefore, there is growing interest in exploring alternatives, such as nutritional and dietary components, that could play a central role in CVD prevention. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how natural phytosterols found in various diets combat CVDs. We begin with a description of the overall approach, then we explore in detail the different direct and indirect mechanisms that contribute to reducing cardiovascular incidents. Phytosterols, including stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, ergosterol, and fucosterol, emerge as promising molecules within nutritional systems for protection against CVDs due to their beneficial effects at different levels through direct or indirect cellular, subcellular, and molecular mechanisms. Specifically, the mentioned phytosterols exhibit the ability to diminish the generation of various radicals, including hydroperoxides and hydrogen peroxide. They also promote the activation of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione, while inhibiting lipid peroxidation through the activation of Nrf2 and Nrf2/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) signaling pathways. Additionally, they demonstrate a significant inhibitory capacity in the generation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, thus playing a crucial role in regulating the inflammatory/immune response by inhibiting the expression of proteins involved in cellular signaling pathways such as JAK3/STAT3 and NF-κB. Moreover, phytosterols play a key role in reducing cholesterol absorption and improving the lipid profile. These compounds can be used as dietary supplements or included in specific diets to aid control cholesterol levels, particularly in individuals suffering from hypercholesterolemia.

Graphical Abstract
An Étude on the regularization and renormalization of divergences in primordial observables
Authors: Negro Anna , Patil Subodh P.
Published: May 2024

Many cosmological observables derive from primordial vacuum fluctuations evolved to late times. These observables represent statistical draws from some underlying quantum or statistical field theoretic framework where infinities arise and require regularization. After subtraction, renormalization conditions must be imposed by measurements at some scale, mindful of scheme and background dependence. We review this process on backgrounds that transition from finite duration inflation to radiation domination, and show how in spite of the ubiquity of scaleless integrals, ultraviolet (UV) divergences can still be meaningfully extracted from quantities that nominally vanish when dimensionally regularized. In this way, one can contextualize calculations with hard cutoffs, distinguishing between UV and infrared (IR) scales corresponding to the beginning and end of inflation from UV and IR scales corresponding to the unknown completion of the theory and its observables. This distinction has significance as observable quantities cannot depend on the latter, although they will certainly depend on the former. One can also explicitly show the scheme independence of the coefficients of UV divergent logarithms. Furthermore, certain IR divergences are shown to be an artifact of the de Sitter limit and are cured for finite duration inflation. For gravitational wave observables, we stress the need to regularize stress tensors that do not presume a prior scale separation in their definition (as with the standard Isaacson form), deriving an improved stress tensor fit to purpose. We conclude by highlighting the inextricable connection between inferring $$N_\textrm{eff}$$

N
eff

bounds from vacuum tensor perturbations and the process of background renormalization.
Synergistic CO2 mineralization using coal fly ash and red mud as a composite system
Authors: Yao Zhenchao , Wang Yugao , Shen Jun , Niu Yanxia , Yang Jiang Feng , Wei Xianyong
Published: May 2024

CO2 mineralization plays a critical role in the storage and utilization of CO2. Coal fly ash (CFA) and red mud (RM) are widely utilized as CO2 mineralizers. However, the inert calcium species in CFA limit its carbonation capacity, meanwhile the substantial Ca2+ releasing of RM is hindered by a covering layer of calcium carbonate. In this study, CO2 mineralization in a composite system of CFA and RM was investigated to enhance the carbonation capacity. Multiple analyzers were employed to characterize the raw materials and resulting mineralization products. The results demonstrated that a synergistic effect existed in the composite system of CFA and RM, resulting in improving CO2 mineralization rate and efficiency. The produced calcium carbonate was ectopically attached the surface of CFA in the composite system, thus slowing down its coverage on the surface of RM. This phenomenon facilitated further releasing Ca2+ from the internal RM, thereby enhancing CO2 mineralization efficiency. Meanwhile, the inclusion of RM significantly improved the alkalinity of the composite system, which not only promoted the dissolution of Ca2+ of the inert CaSO4(H2O)2 in CFA, but also accelerated CO2 mineralization rate. The investigation would be beneficial to CO2 mineralization using industrial solid wastes.
Influences of clean fracturing fluid viscosity and horizontal in-situ stress difference on hydraulic fracture propagation and morphology in coal seam
Authors: Wang Gang , Wang Shuxin , Liu Yixin , Huang Qiming , Li Shengpeng , Xie Shuliang , Zheng Jinye , Fan Jiuyuan
Published: May 2024

The viscosity of fracturing fluid and in-situ stress difference are the two important factors that affect the hydraulic fracturing pressure and propagation morphology. In this study, raw coal was used to prepare coal samples for experiments, and clean fracturing fluid samples were prepared using CTAB surfactant. A series of hydraulic fracturing tests were conducted with an in-house developed triaxial hydraulic fracturing simulator and the fracturing process was monitored with an acoustic emission instrument to analyze the influences of fracturing fluid viscosity and horizontal in-situ stress difference on coal fracture propagation. The results show that the number of branched fractures decreased, the fracture pattern became simpler, the fractures width increased obviously, and the distribution of AE event points was concentrated with the increase of the fracturing fluid viscosity or the horizontal in-situ stress difference. The acoustic emission energy decreases with the increase of fracturing fluid viscosity and increases with the increase of horizontal in situ stress difference. The low viscosity clean fracturing fluid has strong elasticity and is easy to be compressed into the tip of fractures, resulting in complex fractures. The high viscosity clean fracturing fluids are the opposite. Our experimental results provide a reference and scientific basis for the design and optimization of field hydraulic fracturing parameters.
Venture capital and the delegation of decision authority in startups: an exploratory study
Authors: Butticè Vincenzo , Colombo Massimo G. , Rovelli Paola
Published: May 2024

We study the delegation of authority over strategic decisions in startups and how it relates to venture capital (VC) investment through a mixed-methods study. We first show that startups typically centralize decision authority. The extent of delegation is higher if startups are VC-backed. In startups backed by corporate VC investors the aim is to leverage the unique knowledge possessed by entrepreneurial team members in a context characterized by low principal-principal agency costs. In those backed by independent VC investors, the increase in delegation is paired with the emergence of a polyarchy and decoupling between the formal and real organizations. In this situation delegation may serve as a control mechanism aligning the actions of startups with the interests of the VC investors.
Multifunctional nanorobot system in precise evaluation and manipulation of virus capsid
Authors: Xue Yuxuan , Wang Yichen , Liu Xinyu , Lin Jianfeng , Sun Zhiyong , Chen Jiangcheng , Xi Ning
Published: May 2024

It is imperative to have high adaptive techniques for sensing and manipulating biological targets at the nanoscale. This necessity becomes particularly crucial when dealing with fragile living bio-organisms like viruses, where the expression of capsids is closely linked to viral functions and genome constitution. Therefore, the development of a comprehensive system for dissecting and measuring viruses holds significant implications for the pharmaceutical industry and drug manufacturing. Leveraging the sub-nanometer spatial resolution and controllable tip-cantilever architecture of atomic force microscopy (AFM), a probe-laser system has been integrated as a self-sensing robotic end effector. To address intrinsic challenges in AFM-based robotic systems such as the lack of real-time monitoring, low scanning rates, and nonlinear motion caused by piezoelectric actuators, an augmented reality robotic system has been implemented. This system incorporates stereoscopic vision, a haptic feedback controller, a position recovery scheme, and a real-time force control algorithm. The integration of these components enhances the system’s capability to accurately dissect virus capsids. Operators can now perform highly efficient nanoscale tasks with multidimensional perception, utilizing the combination of stereoscopic vision and haptic force control. The position correction during manipulation can achieve a frame rate of over 30 frames per second, imperceptible to the operator, enabling closed-loop operation control. By adopting the proposed nanorobotic system in virology studies, it becomes possible to achieve accurate manipulation and dissection of SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus capsids, and derive multi-parametric properties such as structural integrity, protein fragment thickness, and adhesive forces. The established nanobot system and experimental results serve as a guiding platform for high-accuracy evaluation in drug manufacturing development.
A cloud-based architecture for explainable Big Data analytics using self-structuring Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Mills Nishan , Issadeen Zafar , Matharaarachchi Amali , Bandaragoda Tharindu , De Silva Daswin , Jennings Andrew , Manic Milos
Published: May 2024

Big Data is steadily expanding beyond the boundaries of its foundational constructs of three primary Vs, Volume, Velocity and Variety, and two secondary Vs, Veracity and Value. The advent of 5G networks, Edge computing and IoT technologies has transformed Big Data into this modern context. With these new manifestations of Big Data, the focus is not only on the data itself but on the context that it applies to its immediate environment as well as the human and societal perception of this context. It is increasingly challenging for conventional AI algorithms to process and transform this data, analyse and visualise a broad spectrum of insights, and then formulate the explainability of such insights in terms of bias, transparency, safety, ethics, and causality. Self-structuring Artificial Intelligence (SSAI) addresses the limitations of conventional AI by adapting to the inherent structure of the data, incrementally learning and abstracting from this structure. SSAI has not been investigated in a cloud-based setting for generating explainable insights from these new types of Big Data. In this paper we propose a cloud-based architecture for explainable Big Data analytics using SSAI in highly-connected 5G and Edge computing environments. The proposed architecture is empirically evaluated on a commercial scale Big Data use case of Smart Grid for Smart Cities. The results of these experiments confirm the functionality and effectiveness of the proposed architecture.
Application and evaluation of plant-based edible active coatings to enhance the shelf-life and quality attributes of Jara lebu (Citrus medica)
Authors: Rob Md. Mahfuzur , Pappu Md. Mahfujul Haque , Arifin Md. Shoaib , Era Tahsin Nusrat , Akhi Masuma Zahan , Bhattacharjya Debu Kumar , Kayshar Md. Shahidullah , Jubayer Md. Fahad
Published: May 2024

Edible coatings for fruits and vegetables are the subject of intensive agro-based research. These coatings provide value to the product due to their multifunctionality and sustainability. The current study focuses on the development and evaluation of plant-based edible active coatings for Jara lebu (Citrus medica), with the aim of determining the effectiveness of these coatings in extending the shelf-life and preserving the quality attributes. Different blends of corn starch and various plant extracts were formulated and all formulations were applied by immersion onto the fruit surface. The study had five treatment groups: T0, T1, T2, T3, and T4. T0 served as the control group, while T1 consisted of a mixture of 2% corn starch and 0.5% glycerol. T2 included a combination of 2% corn starch, 0.5% glycerol, and 1.5% holy basil. T3 comprises 2% corn starch, 0.5% glycerol, and 1.5% wild turmeric. Lastly, T4 consisted of 2% corn starch, 0.5% glycerol, and 1.5% Indian pennywort. Control and coated samples were kept under the same conditions for 35 days before being evaluated for changes in their physiological, physicochemical, and sensory qualities. Coated sample T2 significantly prolonged the shelf-life of Jara lebu samples, having the least weight reduction (26.25%) and retaining most of the essential nutrients (TSS = 7.09%, pH = 3.0, vitamin C = 22.03 mg/100 g, TPC = 44.57 mg GAE/g DW, TFC = 45.24 mg QE/g DW, antioxidant = 86.09%). This sample received the highest overall acceptability score, a maximum of 8.24. Sensory evaluations revealed no adverse effects on taste, aroma or appearance, suggesting these coatings can be an eco-friendly and efficient method for preserving the freshness and quality of Jara lebu and potentially other citrus fruits.
Soil organic matter components and characteristics of forest soil in spruce and sycamore plantations in the temperate region
Authors: Apori Samuel Obeng , Giltrap Michelle , Dunne Julie , Tian Furong
Published: May 2024

The stability of soil organic matter (SOM) that governs soil organic carbon (SOC) storage depends on its characteristics and components, but little is known about how tree species in forest ecosystems affect SOM components and characteristics. In this study, we used FTIR spectroscopy to investigate plantations of two ecologically and economically significant tree species—namely, spruce (Picea spp.) and sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus)—in order to determine how the different litter inputs and root-microbe interactions of these two plantations affect the functional groups, components, and characteristics of their SOM. Soil samples were taken from the topsoil (0–10 cm) and subsoil (10–20 cm). In the 0–10 cm soil depth, the SOM's hydrophilic, hydrophobic, and aromatic components differ between the spruce and sycamore plantations. The hydrophobic components constitute the primary constituents of the SOM of the two forest plantations, in contrast to the expected predominance of the hydrophilic component of the SOM. Also, the high hydrophobicity (hydrophilic/hydrophobic) in the subsoil of the spruce plantations was attributed to a decrease in hydrophilic components and a subsequent increase in hydrophobic components of the SOM. The sycamore plantations exhibited a higher SOM aromaticity and a greater degree of decomposition than the spruce plantations. The aforementioned distinctions emphasise the contrasting mechanisms involved in transforming and turnover of the two-tree species' soil organic matter (SOM).
An assessment of environmental impacts in mining areas of Paschim Bardhhaman district, West Bengal, India
Authors: Halder Bijay , Bandyopadhyay Jatisankar , Mukherjee Saptadeep
Published: May 2024

Mining is the most significant economic action in the Paschim Bardhaman district of West Bengal, India. Simultaneously, it has an enormous figure of negative influences on the natural, environmental, ecological, and social environment. The land use and land cover (LULC) alteration, coal mining effect (open-cast) on the LULC, and the local environmental influences are deliberated. The Paschim Bardhhaman’s LULC area is examined for the period of 30 years i.e., since the year like 1991 to 2021. Furthermore, alteration examination and spatial–temporal dynamics of LULC quantification are also deliberated. Analysis discloses that the water body marginally increased from 0.64% in 1991 to 0.96% in 2021. Mining area increased from 0.00% (1991) to 8.97% (2021) respectively. Instead, vegetation has decreased from 40.17% (1991) to 31.20% (2021) continuously. Similarly, settlement increased from 5.02% to 13.77% in the year 1991 to 2021 respectively. Agricultural land progressively decreased from 44.47% (1991) to 39.73% (2021) respectively. Raniganj Coalfield area, Eastern Coalfield Limited (ECL), and Coal India Limited (CIL) are the triggers for open cast mining. Land surface temperature (LST) increased by 7.96 ˚C (summer) and 10.24 ˚C (winter) between 30 years. The LST, LULC, and vegetation limitations are substantial factors in the universally changing climate investigations. Thermal infrared remote sensing demonstrated its competence for observing temperature and moving micro-climate in urban regions. The outcomes indicate that the outside temperature influences self-heating surfaces (hotspots) regions. The examination likewise shows that the outside temperature influences the self-heating surfaces (hotspots) regions.
Interpreting Quantum Mechanics
Authors: Snoke David W.
Published: May 2024

This novel text directly addresses common claims and misconceptions around quantum mechanics and presents a fresh and modern understanding of this fundamental and essential physical theory. It begins with a non-mathematical introduction to some of the more controversial topics in the foundations of quantum mechanics. For those more familiar with the theoretical framework of quantum mechanics, the text moves on to a general introduction to quantum field theory, followed by a detailed discussion of cutting-edge topics in this area such as decoherence and spontaneous coherence. Several important philosophical problems in quantum mechanics are considered, and their interpretations are compared, notably the Copenhagen and many-worlds interpretations. The inclusion of frequent real-world examples, such as superconductors and superfluids, ensures the book remains grounded in modern research. This book will be a valuable resource for students and researchers in both physics and the philosophy of science interested in the foundations of quantum mechanics.
Evidence for the Eastern Agricultural Complex Crops in the Upper Delaware Valley: Botanical Analysis from the Manna Site (36Pi4)
Authors: Reamer Justin M.
Published: May 2024

From the Archaic period onward, Indigenous populations across the Eastern Woodlands cultivated a suite of crops known to archaeologists as the Eastern Agricultural Complex. However, aside from squash (Cucurbita pepo) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus), little evidence exists for the cultivation of these plants in the northeastern Algonquian homeland. Botanical analysis from the Manna site (36Pi4), located in the Upper Delaware Valley, provides evidence for the cultivation of the full suite of Eastern Agricultural Complex crops. Flotation samples analyzed from Manna provide the first evidence for possible Lenape cultivation of chenopodium (Chenopodium berlandieri), squash, sunflower, and marshelder (Iva annua) from contexts dating to AD 0–1650 (Middle and Late Woodland) at Manna. Lenape cultivation of these crops complicates the traditional view of Indigenous agricultural systems in northeastern North America and raises questions about when and how these species were introduced to the region.
Multiple model fault diagnosis and fault tolerant control for the launch vehicle’s attitude control system
Authors: Chang-lin X. , Shu-ming Y. , Yu-qiang C. , Li-jun S.
Published: May 2024

For the launch vehicle attitude control problem, traditional methods can seldom accurately identify the fault types, making the control method lack of pertinence, which largely affects the effect of attitude control. This paper proposes an active fault tolerant control strategy, which mainly includes fault diagnosis and fault tolerant control. In the fault diagnosis part, a small deviation attitude dynamics model of the launch vehicle is established, Kalman filters with different structures are designed to detect and isolate faults through residual changes, and the fault quantity of the actuator is further estimated. In the fault tolerant control part, the following control scheme is adopted according to the above diagnostic information: when the sensor fault is detected, the sensor measurement data is reconstructed; when the actuator fault is identified, the control allocation matrix is reconstructed. Simulation results show that the proposed method can effectively diagnose sensor fault and actuator faults, and significantly improve attitude tracking accuracy and control adjustment time.
Human-animal interactions and machine-animal interactions in animals under human care: A summary of stakeholder and researcher perceptions and future directions
Authors: Williams Ellen , Sadler Jennifer , Rutter Steven Mark , Mancini Clara , Nawroth Christian , Neary Joseph M , Ward Samantha J , Charlton Gemma , Beaver Annabelle
Published: May 2024

Animals under human care are exposed to a potentially large range of both familiar and unfamiliar humans. Human-animal interactions vary across settings, and individuals, with the nature of the interaction being affected by a suite of different intrinsic and extrinsic factors. These interactions can be described as positive, negative or neutral. Across some industries, there has been a move towards the development of technologies to support or replace human interactions with animals. Whilst this has many benefits, there can also be challenges associated with increased technology use. A day-long Animal Welfare Research Network workshop was hosted at Harper Adams University, UK, with the aim of bringing together stakeholders and researchers (n = 38) from the companion, farm and zoo animal fields, to discuss benefits, challenges and limitations of human-animal interactions and machine-animal interactions for animals under human care and create a list of future research priorities. The workshop consisted of four talks from experts within these areas, followed by break-out room discussions. This work is the outcome of that workshop. The key recommendations are that approaches to advancing the scientific discipline of machine-animal interactions in animals under human care should focus on: (1) interdisciplinary collaboration; (2) development of validated methods; (3) incorporation of an animal-centred perspective; (4) a focus on promotion of positive animal welfare states (not just avoidance of negative states); and (5) an exploration of ways that machines can support a reduction in the exposure of animals to negative human-animal interactions to reduce negative, and increase positive, experiences for animals.
Learning-based augmentation of physics-based models: an industrial robot use case
Authors: Retzler András , Tóth Roland , Schoukens Maarten , Beintema Gerben I. , Weigand Jonas , Noël Jean-Philippe , Kollár Zsolt , Swevers Jan
Published: May 2024

In a Model Predictive Control (MPC) setting, the precise simulation of the behavior of the system over a finite time window is essential. This application-oriented benchmark study focuses on a robot arm that exhibits various nonlinear behaviors. For this arm, we have a physics-based model with approximate parameter values and an open benchmark dataset for system identification. However, the long-term simulation of this model quickly diverges from the actual arm’s measurements, indicating its inaccuracy. We compare the accuracy of black-box and purely physics-based approaches with several physics-informed approaches. These involve different combinations of a neural network’s output with information from the physics-based model or feeding the physics-based model’s information into the neural network. One of the physics-informed model structures can improve accuracy over a fully black-box model.
Mortality Associated with Priority Diseases in Flood-Affected Areas Using District Health Information System (DHIS2) During September–December 2022: Pakistan Experience
Authors: Nisar Nadia , Iqbal Zeeshan , Sartaaj Muhammad , Ikram Aamer , Javad Najma , Ali Kashif , Anjum Jahanzeb , Abbas Ranjha Muazam , Khan Mumtaz Ali , Bettani Muhammad Asif Khan , Shah Wasif , Tanveer Nida , Cleary Paul , Byers Chloe , Wilson Anne , Salman Muhammad , Aldeyab Mamoon A.
Published: May 2024

Objectives:

To quantify the burden of communicable diseases and characterize the most reported infections during public health emergency of floods in Pakistan.

Methods:

The study’s design is a descriptive trend analysis. The study utilized the disease data reported to District Health Information System (DHIS2) for the 12 most frequently reported priority diseases under the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) system in Pakistan.

Results:

In total, there were 1,532,963 suspected cases during August to December 2022 in flood-affected districts (n = 75) across Pakistan; Sindh Province reported the highest number of cases (n = 692,673) from 23 districts, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) (n = 568,682) from 17 districts, Balochistan (n = 167,215) from 32 districts, and Punjab (n = 104,393) from 3 districts. High positivity was reported for malaria (79,622/201,901; 39.4%), followed by acute diarrhea (non-cholera) (23/62; 37.1%), hepatitis A and E (47/252; 18.7%), and dengue (603/3245; 18.6%). The crude mortality rate was 11.9 per 10 000 population (1824/1,532,963 [deaths/cases]).

Conclusion:

The study identified acute respiratory infection, acute diarrhea, malaria, and skin diseases as the most prevalent diseases. This suggests that preparedness efforts and interventions targeting these diseases should be prioritized in future flood response plans. The study highlights the importance of strengthening the IDSR as a Disease Early Warning System through the implementation of the DHIS2.
Research breakdowns: A constructive critique of research practice involving grief, trauma and displaced people
Authors: Killikelly Clare , Comtesse Hannah , Lechner-Meichsner Franziska , Sam Johanna , Ogrodniczuk John S
Published: May 2024

Impactful research on refugee mental health is urgently needed. To mitigate the growing refugee crisis, researchers and clinicians seek to better understand the relationship between trauma, grief and post-migration factors with the aim of bringing better awareness, more resources and improved support for these communities and individuals living in host countries. As much as this is our intention, the prevailing research methods, that is, online anonymous questionnaires, used to engage refugees in mental health research are increasingly outdated and lack inclusivity and representation. With this perspective piece, we would like to highlight a growing crisis in global mental health research; the predominance of a Global North-centric approach and methodology. We use our recent research challenges and breakdowns as a learning example and possible opportunity to rebuild our research practice in a more ethical and equitable way.
Knowing Better: Motivated Ignorance and Willful Ignorance
Authors: Freedman Karyn L.
Published: May 2024

Motivated ignorance is an incentivized absence of knowledge that arises in circumstances of unequal power relations, a self-protective non-knowing which frees individuals from having to reflect on the privileges they have in virtue of membership in a dominant social group. In philosophical discussions, the term “motivated ignorance” gets used interchangeably with “willful ignorance.” In the first half of this paper, using Charles Mills’ (2007) white ignorance as the defining case, I argue that this is a mistake. A significant swath of cases of motivated ignorance are non-willful, or deep, following Rik Peels (2010). But in all cases, benefits accrued to some in virtue of their social position are gained and maintained at the expense of harms to others. In the second half of this paper, I argue that these harms are what ground attributions of culpability in cases of motivated ignorance and drive the normative requirement that the subject know better, so long as the facts in question are ordinarily and easily knowable (in a sense to be specified). Willfulness is not a necessary condition for culpability, even if it is a sufficient one.
Validation of clinical risk tools for recurrentClostridioides difficileinfection
Authors: Boone Rachel H. , Lee Emmanuel , Petri William A. , Madden Gregory R.
Published: May 2024

Objective:

We sought to validate available tools for predicting recurrentC. difficileinfection (CDI) including recurrence risk scores (by Larrainzar-Coghen, Reveles, D’Agostino, Cobo, and Eyreet al) alongside consensus guidelines risk criteria, the leading severity score (ATLAS), and PCR cycle threshold (as marker of fecal organism burden) using electronic medical records.

Design:

Retrospective cohort study validating previously described tools.

Setting:

Tertiary care academic hospital.

Patients:

Hospitalized adult patients with CDI at University of Virginia Medical Center.

Methods:

Risk scores were calculated within ±48 hours of index CDI diagnosis using a large retrospective cohort of 1,519 inpatient infections spanning 7 years and compared using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) and the DeLong test. Recurrent CDI events (defined as a repeat positive test or symptom relapse within 60 days requiring retreatment) were confirmed by clinician chart review.

Results:

Reveleset altool achieved the highest AUROC of 0.523 (and 0.537 among a subcohort of 1,230 patients with their first occurrence of CDI), which was not substantially better than other tools including the current IDSA/SHEA C. difficile guidelines or PCR cycle threshold (AUROC: 0.564), regardless of prior infection history.

Conclusions:

All tools performed poorly for predicting recurrentC. difficileinfection (AUROC range: 0.488–0.564), especially among patients with a prior history of infection (AUROC range: 0.436–0.591). Future studies may benefit from considering novel biomarkers and/or higher-dimensional models that could augment or replace existing tools that underperform.
Assessment centers do not measure competencies: Why this is now beyond reasonable doubt
Authors: Dewberry Chris
Published: May 2024

Although assessment centers (ACs) are usually designed to measure stable competencies (i.e., dimensions), doubt about whether or not they reliably do so has endured for 70 years. Addressing this issue in a novel way, several published Generalizability (G) theory studies have sought to isolate the multiple sources of variance in AC ratings, including variance specifically concerned with competencies. Unlike previous research, these studies can provide a definitive answer to the AC construct validity issue. In this article, the historical context for the construct validity debate is set out, and the results of four large-scale G-theory studies of ACs are reviewed. It is concluded that these studies demonstrate, beyond reasonable doubt, that ACs do not reliably measure stable competencies, but instead measure general, and exercise-related, performance. The possibility that ACs measure unstable competencies is considered, and it is suggested that evidence that they do so may reflect an artefact of typical AC design rather than a “real” effect. For ethical, individual, and organizational reasons, it is argued that the use of ACs to measure competencies can no longer be justified and should be halted.
Aportes del sitio Hangar a los modelos de dieta y distribución del guanaco en las pampas de Argentina
Authors: Álvarez María Clara , Barros María P. , Storchi Lobos Daniela , Ríos Malan Milagros , Kaufmann Cristian A.
Published: May 2024

En este trabajo se presentan los resultados del análisis de los restos faunísticos de Hangar, un sitio arqueológico ubicado en la región pampeana argentina. Los fechados realizados sobre huesos de guanaco sitúan cronológicamente a las ocupaciones humanas en el Holoceno tardío final, período escasamente representado en el área. Los análisis tafonómicos y estratigráficos indican que el sitio presenta complejos procesos de formación, con una baja integridad, aunque con buena resolución. Los principales procesos que afectaron a los restos fueron la bioturbación y las tareas de laboreo de la tierra. Las evidencias aportadas por Hangar muestran la explotación de distintos taxones, entre los que se destacan el guanaco, el venado de las Pampas, la vizcacha, el peludo y el ñandú. Estos datos constituyen un importante insumo para el creciente avance en el conocimiento de la subsistencia de los cazadores-recolectores que habitaron la región pampeana. En particular, los fechados-taxón obtenidos aportan nuevos datos para la discusión acerca de la retracción del guanaco en momentos tardíos en el área Interserrana bonaerense.
How not to announce changes to the Immigration Rules
Authors: Cranmer Frank
Published: May 2024

On 4 December, the Home Secretary unveiled a new package of measures to reduce immigration – a matter of great interest to faith communities, given that some of them depend fairly heavily on clergy and lay-workers from overseas to sustain their pastoral ministries. One of the elements in his statement to the Commons was a decision to ‘increase the skilled worker earnings threshold by a third to £38,700 from next spring, in line with the median full-time wage for those kinds of jobs’ and to raise the minimum income for family visas ‘to the same threshold as the minimum salary threshold for skilled workers, which is £38,700’.1
October 2023 to January 2024
Authors: Cranmer Frank
Published: May 2024

Probably the biggest legal news of the period under consideration was the judgment of the Supreme Court in R (AAA (Syria) & Ors) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2023] UKSC 42, [2023] WLR 4433, in which it held unanimously that the Government's policy of sending asylum-seekers to Rwanda was unlawful. One critical issue was that under section 6 of the Human Rights Act 1998, it is unlawful for a public authority to act in a way that is incompatible with a right under the ECHR – and the Secretary of State is a public authority for that purpose.
Re St Paul, Caton-with-Littledale
Authors: Gyane Naomi
Published: May 2024

The petitioners, who were resident within the parish, applied for a faculty for the reservation of a grave plot. The incumbent did not consent to the petition; the policy of the PCC was not to support new applications for reservation as the churchyard would be full in less than ten years.