bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Removal or retention of minimally invasive screws in thoracolumbar fractures? Systematic review and case–control study
Authors: Visagan Ravindran , Kearney Siobhan , Trifoi Sebastian , Kalyal Nida , Hogg Florence , Quercetti Beatrice , Abdalla Mohamed , Danciut Mihai , Papadopoulos Marios C.
Published: February 2023

Background

There is uncertainty regarding delayed removal versus retention of minimally invasive screws following percutaneous fixation for thoracolumbar fractures. We conducted a systematic review and case–control study to test the hypothesis that delayed metalwork removal following percutaneous fixation for thoracolumbar fractures improves outcome.

Methods

A systematic review was performed in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Our case–control study retrospectively evaluated 55 consecutive patients with thoracolumbar fractures who underwent percutaneous fixation in a single unit: 19 with metalwork retained (controls) and 36 with metalwork removed. Outcomes were the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), a supplemental questionnaire, and complications.

Results

The systematic review evaluated nine articles. Back pain was reduced in most patients after metalwork removal. One study found no difference in the ODI after versus before metalwork removal, whereas three studies reported significant improvement. Six studies noted no significant alterations in radiological markers of stability after metalwork removal. Mean complication rate was 1.7% (0–6.7). Complications were superficial wound infection, screw breakage at the time of removal, pull-out screw, and a broken rod. In the case–control study, both groups were well matched. For metalwork removal, mean operative time was 69.5 min (range 30–120) and length of stay was 1.3 days (0–4). After metalwork removal, 24 (68.6%) patients felt better, 10 (28.6%) the same and one felt worse. Two patients had superficial hematomas, one had a superficial wound infection, and none required re-operation. Metalwork removal was a significant predictor of return to work or baseline household duties (odds ratio 5.0 [1.4–18.9]). The ODI was not different between groups.

Conclusions

The findings of both the systematic review and our case–control study suggest that removal of metalwork following percutaneous fixation of thoracolumbar fractures is safe and is associated with improved outcome in most patients.
Review and perspectives in applied mechanics of axially moving flexible structures
Authors: Scheidl Jakob , Vetyukov Yury
Published: February 2023

This comprehensive review primarily concerns axially moving flexible structures in problems involving distributed structure-to-solid contact. The distinguishing features of axially moving structures are presented in terms of prevalent studies regarding models with simplified support conditions. Subsequent sections focus on the particular difficulties of treating contact problems with classical structural theories, on the appropriate non-material kinematic description for travelling structures, on the proper formulation of established mechanical principles for open systems and on the category of Arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) approaches, which are frequently applied for the development of application-oriented finite element schemes. Novel analytical and numerical transient solutions for the benchmark problem of an axially moving beam, which is travelling across a rough surface between two misaligned joints, are presented to illustrate particular challenges as well as to highlight perspectives for future research activities. There are 177 references cited in this paper.
Eigenschaften und Einsatz von verschiedenen Drähten in der Gefäßmedizin
Authors: Oberhuber Alexander , Hofmann Marcel , Wendorff Heiko , Reichert Viktor , Oikonomou Kyriakos , Weidenhagen Rolf , Straeten Georg ,   Sektion Endovaskuläre Techniken der Privaten Akademie der DGG
Published: February 2023

Erst das Zusammenspiel von Drähten und Kathetern hat die moderne endovaskuläre Therapie möglich gemacht. Nur der richtige Draht mit seinen speziellen Eigenschaften, abhängig vom Gefäßgebiet, kann zum Erfolg führen. Deswegen ist es wichtig, die Eigenschaften der eingesetzten Drähte zu kennen und zu verstehen. Drähte werden prinzipiell in 3 Gruppen (Zugangs‑, Sondierungs- und Haltedrähte) eingeteilt. Elementare Eigenschaften eines Drahtes sind Drahtlänge, Durchmesser, Steifigkeit, Beschichtung, Spitzenkonfiguration, Torsionsstabilität und Tip Load. Es gibt keinen Draht, der für alle Bereiche eingesetzt werden kann. Aortale Therapien im thorakalen Beriech brauchen ultrasteife 0,035″ Drähte, welche mindestens 260 cm lang sind. Tip Load, Spitzenkonfiguration und Torsionsstabilität sind von untergeordneter Bedeutung, während bei Rekanalisationsdrähten für den Unterschenkel gerade diese wichtig für den Erfolg sind.
Butterfly counting and bitruss decomposition on uncertain bipartite graphs
Authors: Zhou Alexander , Wang Yue , Chen Lei
Published: February 2023

Uncertain butterflies are one of, if not the, most important graphlet structures on uncertain bipartite networks. In this paper, we examine the uncertain butterfly structure (in which the existential probability of the graphlet is greater than or equal to a threshold parameter), as well as the global Uncertain Butterfly Counting Problem (to count the total number of these instances over an entire network). To solve this task, we propose a non-trivial exact baseline (UBFC), as well as an improved algorithm (IUBFC) which we show to be faster both theoretically and practically. We also design two sampling frameworks (UBS and PES) which can sample either a vertex, edge or wedge from the network uniformly and estimate the global count quickly. Furthermore, a notable butterfly-based community structure which has been examined in the past is the k-bitruss. We adapt this community structure onto the uncertain bipartite graph setting and introduce the Uncertain Bitruss Decomposition Problem (which can be used to directly answer any k-bitruss search query for any k). We then propose an exact algorithm (UBitD) to solve our problem with three variations in deriving the initial uncertain support. Using a range of networks with different edge existential probability distributions, we validate the efficiency and effectiveness of our solutions.
Leisure time activities in adolescents predict problematic technology use
Authors: Ibabe Izaskun , Albertos Aranzazu , Lopez-del Burgo Cristina
Published: February 2023

The problematic use of technology of children and adolescents is becoming a growing problem. Research has shown that excessive technology use predicts a variety of psychological and physical health problems. The aim of this study was to analyze the role of leisure time activities (structured and unstructured) in adolescents as a predictor of problematic technology use. Participants were 7723 adolescents, of which 55% were girls, from four Spanish-speaking countries (Chile, Spain, Mexico, and Peru) between the ages of 13 and 18 years. The evaluation instrument applied was the YOURLIFE project self-report questionnaire. Two executive functions were measured: goal setting and inhibitory control. Using structural equation modeling, findings indicated that structured leisure time activities predicted less PTU, whereas unstructured activities predicted more PTU, MLχ2 (69, N = 7723) = 806.60; CFI = 0.929, RMSEA = 0.042, and the model had good predictive capacity for PTU (R2 = 0.46). Structured and unstructured activities also showed indirect effects on PTU through executive functions. As adolescents spent more time in unstructured leisure activities, poorer goal setting, inhibitory control skills, and more PTU were found. The opposite was true for structured leisure time activities. Implications of structured leisure activities to develop executive functioning and to prevent PTU for adolescents are discussed.
Robust two-degrees of freedom linear quadratic gaussian position control for the front axle actuator of a steer-by-wire system
Authors: Gonschorek Robert , Bertram Torsten
Published: February 2023

The Steer-by-Wire (SbW) system is a key technology for highly automated driving. For automated lateral vehicle guidance, the precise position control of the SbW Front Axle Actuator is an essential prerequisite. This contribution presents the modeling, control design, nominal performance, and stability analysis as well as the robustness analysis of the position control for the SbW Front Axle Actuator. Based on a nonlinear model of the plant a simplified linear system model is derived. This model yields the basis for the design of a Two-Degrees of Freedom Linear Quadratic Gaussian Control (2DOF LQG control), which allows an independent design of the command and the disturbance response. Besides an evaluation of the nominal control behavior, μ-analysis is applied to assess the robustness of performance and stability. Finally, real vehicle tests for different driving maneuvers are presented to verify simulation results.
From virtual to physical environments when judging action opportunities: are diagnostics and trainings transferable?
Authors: Gölz Milena S. , Finkel Lisa , Kehlbeck Rebecca , Herschbach Anne , Bauer Isabel , Scheib Jean P. P. , Deussen Oliver , Randerath Jennifer
Published: February 2023

The proper evaluation of whether our given bodily capabilities and environmental properties allow particular actions is indispensable for pertinent decisions, so-called affordance judgments. These can be impacted by older age or brain damage. Virtual Environments (VEs) may provide an efficient opportunity to offer trainings. But do people make affordance judgments in VEs in the same way that they do in Physical Environments (PEs)? And are these decisions trainable by use of VEs? We investigated 24 healthy young adults’ judgment performance of whether or not they could fit their hand into a given aperture. They were presented with a set of opening-increments and indicated their judgments by pressing a yes- or no-button. The stimuli were presented in PE using an aperture apparatus and in VE displayed by use of Oculus Rift goggles. Our results demonstrated the level of equivalence to be specific to the variable: While we found equivalence between VE and PE for the accuracy parameter, results were uncertain or non-equivalent for perceptual sensitivity and for judgment tendency, respectively. When applying training in VE, judgment accuracy improved significantly when tested subsequently within VE. Improvement appeared detectable in PE only on a descriptive level. Furthermore, equivalence testing post-training revealed that perceptual sensitivity performance in VE approached a PE-level. Promisingly, the VE training approach appeared applicable and efficacious within the VE. Future studies need to specify factors that enhance equivalence for detection theory variables and that facilitate transfer from VEs to PEs when judging action opportunities.
Secure cloud-based mobile apps: attack taxonomy, requirements, mechanisms, tests and automation
Authors: Chimuco Francisco T. , Sequeiros João B. F. , Lopes Carolina Galvão , Simões Tiago M. C. , Freire Mário M. , Inácio Pedro R. M.
Published: February 2023

The adoption and popularization of mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, accentuated after the second decade of this century, has been motivated by the growing number of mobile applications, which can solve problems in different areas of contemporary societies. Conversely, the software development industry is motivated by the increasing number and quality of resources that mobile devices possess nowadays (e.g., memory, sensors, processing power or battery). While powerful mobile devices do exist, one of the main driving factors behind the increase of resources is the usage of Cloud technology, which strongly complement mobile computing. As expected, the adoption of measures to mitigate security issues has not accompanied the growth and speed of development for Cloud and Mobile software, to ensure that these are resilient to attacks by design. Aiming to contribute to decrease the gap between software and security engineering, this paper presents a deep approach to attack taxonomy, security mechanisms, and security test specification for the Cloud and Mobile ecosystem of applications. This is also the first time an encompassing and conjoined approach is provided for attack taxonomy and specification of security tests automation tools for this ecosystem.
Fundamentals of Bowel Cancer for Biomedical Engineers
Authors: Tian Jiyuan , Afebu Kenneth Omokhagbo , Bickerdike Andrew , Liu Yang , Prasad Shyam , Nelson Bradley J.
Published: February 2023

Bowel cancer is a multifactorial disease arising from a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors. Detection of bowel cancer and its precursor lesions is predominantly performed by either visual inspection of the colonic mucosa during endoscopy or cross-sectional imaging. Most cases are diagnosed when the cancer is already at an advanced stage. These modalities are less reliable for detecting lesions at the earliest stages, when they are typically small or flat. Removal of lesions at the earliest possible stage reduces the risk of cancer death, which is largely due to a reduced risk of subsequent metastasis. In this review, we summarised the origin of bowel cancer and the mechanism of its metastasis. In particular, we reviewed a broad spectrum of literatures covering the biomechanics of bowel cancer and its measurement techniques that are pertinent to the successful development of a bowel cancer diagnostic device. We also reviewed existing bowel cancer diagnostic techniques that are available for clinical use. Finally, we outlined current clinical needs and highlighted the potential roles of medical robotics on early bowel cancer diagnosis.
A systematic literature review on the use of big data analytics in humanitarian and disaster operations
Authors: Kondraganti Abhilash , Narayanamurthy Gopalakrishnan , Sharifi Hossein
Published: February 2023

At the start of this review, 168 million individuals required humanitarian assistance, at the conclusion of the research, the number had risen to 235 million. Humanitarian aid is critical not just for dealing with a pandemic that occurs once every century, but more for assisting amid civil conflicts, surging natural disasters, as well as other kinds of emergencies. Technology's dependability to support humanitarian and disaster operations has never been more pertinent and significant than it is right now. The ever-increasing volume of data, as well as innovations in the field of data analytics, present an incentive for the humanitarian sector. Given that the interaction between big data and humanitarian and disaster operations is crucial in the coming days, this systematic literature review offers a comprehensive overview of big data analytics in a humanitarian and disaster setting. In addition to presenting the descriptive aspects of the literature reviewed, the results explain review of existent reviews, the current state of research by disaster categories, disaster phases, disaster locations, and the big data sources used. A framework is also created to understand why researchers employ various big data sources in different crisis situations. The study, in particular, uncovered a considerable research disparity in the disaster group, disaster phase, and disaster regions, emphasising how the focus is on reactionary interventions rather than preventative approaches. These measures will merely compound the crisis, and so is the reality in many COVID-19-affected countries. Implications for practice and policy-making are also discussed.
Screening behaviours, demographics, and stage at diagnosis in the publicly funded Ontario Breast Screening Program
Authors: Gold Nicholas , Christensen Rebecca A. G. , Arneja Jasleen , Aminoleslami Arian , Anderson Geoffrey M. , Brooks Jennifer D.
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) offers free screening mammograms every 2 years, to women aged 50–74. Study objectives were to determine demographic characteristics associated with the adherence to OBSP and if women screened in the OBSP have a lower stage at diagnosis than non-screened eligible women.

Methods

We used the Ontario cancer registry (OCR) to identify 48,927 women, aged 51–74 years, diagnosed with breast cancer between 2010 and 2017. These women were assigned as having undergone adherent screening (N = 26,108), non-adherent screening (N = 6546) or not-screened (N = 16,273) in the OBSP. We used multinomial logistic regression to investigate the demographic characteristics associated with screening behaviour, as well as the association between screening status and stage at diagnosis.

Results

Among women with breast cancer, those living in rural areas (versus the largest urban areas) had a lower odds of not being screened (odds ratio [OR] 0.73, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.68, 0.78). Women in low-income (versus high-income) communities were more likely not to be screened (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.33, 1.51). When stratified, the association between income and screening status only held in urban areas. Non-screened women were more likely to be diagnosed with stage II (OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.82, 2.01), III (OR 2.96, 95% CI 2.76, 3.17), or IV (OR 8.96, 95% CI 7.94, 10.12) disease compared to stage I and were less likely to be diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.84–0.98).

Conclusions

This study suggests that targeting OBSP recruitment efforts to lower income urban communities could increase screening rates. OBSP adherent women were more likely to be diagnosed with earlier stage disease, supporting the value of this initiative and those like it.
Governance and Power Across Intersecting Value Chains: The Case of South African Apples
Authors: Visser Margareet , Alford Matthew
Published: February 2023

A prevailing focus of global value chain (GVC) analysis has been on the dominance of highly consolidated Northern retailers over suppliers in the global South. The rise of regional and domestic value chains (RVCs/DVCs) within the Global South which intersect with GVCs, has been found to involve private governance by Southern lead firms. However, we have limited insight into the implications of this changing value chain context for the role of public governance, or different groups of workers. South African fruit provides a rich example of rapid shifts in RVCs/DVCs governed by different private and public actors. The following two questions are addressed: How is the public–private governance of labour standards evolving in the context of RVCs and DVCs that intersect with GVCs? What are the implications for workers operating across different value chains? Conceptually, the paper draws on GVC analysis of governance and power, to examine the governance of labour standards across intersecting value chains. Our analysis highlights the intentional and unintentional mechanisms through which power and standard-setting are diffused away from Northern lead firms to a wider array of public and private actors operating across RVCs/DVCs. While existing analysis of governance and power focuses on singular GVCs, our study highlights diffusion of power across intersecting value chains, with significant and uneven implications for the public–private governance of labour standards. Our findings carry significant ethical implications for the governance of labour standards, as end-markets continue to shift South.
Reflective-net: learning from explanations
Authors: Schneider Johannes , Vlachos Michalis
Published: February 2023

We examine whether data generated by explanation techniques, which promote a process of self-reflection, can improve classifier performance. Our work is based on the idea that humans have the ability to make quick, intuitive decisions as well as to reflect on their own thinking and learn from explanations. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that the potential of mimicking this process by using explanations generated by explainability methods has been explored. We found that combining explanations with traditional labeled data leads to significant improvements in classification accuracy and training efficiency across multiple image classification datasets and convolutional neural network architectures. It is worth noting that during training, we not only used explanations for the correct or predicted class, but also for other classes. This serves multiple purposes, including allowing for reflection on potential outcomes and enriching the data through augmentation.
Secret sharing on regular bipartite access structures
Authors: Gyarmati Máté
Published: February 2023

Bipartite secret sharing schemes realize access structures in which the participants are divided into two parts, and all the participants in the same part play an equivalent role. Such a bipartite structure can be described by the collection of its minimal points. The complexity of a scheme is the ratio between the maximum share size given to the participants and the secret size, and the Shannon complexity of a structure is the best lower bound provided by the entropy method. Within this work, we compute the Shannon complexity of regular bipartite structures and provide optimal constructions for some bipartite structures defined by 2 and 3 points.
Model of a military autonomous device following International Humanitarian Law
Authors: Zurek Tomasz , Kwik Jonathan , van Engers Tom
Published: February 2023

In this paper we introduce a computational control framework that can keep AI-driven military autonomous devices operating within the boundaries set by applicable rules of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) related to targeting. We discuss the necessary legal tests and variables, and introduce the structure of a hypothetical IHL-compliant targeting system.
Functors in Lorentzian geometry: three variations on a theme
Authors: Müller Olaf
Published: February 2023

We consider three examples of functors from Lorentzian categories and their applications in finiteness results, singularity theorems and boundary constructions. The third example is a novel functor from the category of ordered measure spaces to the category of Lorentzian pre-length spaces in the sense of Kunzinger–Sämann.
The interplay of time management and academic self-efficacy and their influence on pre-service teachers’ commitment in the first year in higher education
Authors: Bargmann Carina , Kauffeld Simone
Published: February 2023

The first academic year involves a variety of challenges students must overcome to maintain their commitment to enter the teaching profession. Students can build on their initial experience in the second semester, while everything is new in the first semester. This longitudinal study investigates the interplay of academic self-efficacy and time management, which are seen as crucial in the first year, and their effects on pre-service teachers’ commitment to their studies in the first year. By considering three measurement points in a random intercept-cross lagged panel model (RI-CLPM) to data from 579 students, we distinguish for the first time between-person and within-person effects and compare the students’ experiences in the first and second semester. As expected, students with higher self-efficacy were more committed to their studies and reported better time management. We found considerable differences in the relationships between the first and second semesters at the within-person level, revealing that students’ prior time management was not significantly connected with subsequent commitment in the first semester, but in the second semester. Surprisingly, students’ self-efficacy showed a small negative relationship with commitment in both semesters. Theoretical and practical implications for students, lecturers, and higher education institutions are discussed.
Modelling and corrosion of coated stainless steel substrates for bipolar plates at different temperatures
Authors: Steinhorst Maximilian , Auinger Michael , Roch Teja , Leyens Christoph
Published: February 2023

The corrosion behaviour of coated stainless steel as bipolar plate material in PEM fuel cell applications and its improvement through the surface modifications was investigated. A commercial SS316L stainless steel grade was deposited with thin multi-layer coatings, consisting of a carbon top layer and a chromium interlayer of two different thicknesses. Interfacial contact resistance measurements revealed that the applied Cr/C coatings are highly conductive and surpass the ICR criteria, suggested by the U.S. Department of Energy. Corrosion resistance was thoroughly analysed by potentiodynamic polarisation and cyclic voltammetry in 0.5 M $${\hbox {H}_2{\text{SO}}_4}$$

H
2

SO
4

at room temperature and 80 °C, respectively, combined with numerical modelling. Electrochemical results agree well with numerical modelling, including the dissolution of metallic species, local pH-shifts and changes of electrolyte conductivity. Furthermore, the study shows that the application of a Cr/C coating significantly reduces the current density in the passive region during potentiodynamic polarisation and lowering the corrosion rate of the steel substrate by at least a factor of two.

Graphical abstract
Adaptive behaviors of Drosophila larvae on slippery surfaces
Authors: Guo Li , Sun Yixuan , Liu Sijian
Published: February 2023

Friction is ubiquitous but an essential force for insects during locomotion. Insects use dedicated bio-mechanical systems such as adhesive pads to modulate the intensity of friction, providing a stable grip with touching substrates for locomotion. However, how to uncover behavioral adaptation and regulatory neural circuits of friction modification is still largely understood. In this study, we devised a novel behavior paradigm to investigate adaptive behavioral alternation of Drosophila larvae under low-friction surfaces. We found a tail looseness phenotype similar to slipping behavior in humans, as a primary indicator to assess the degree of slipping. We found a gradual reduction on slipping level in wild-type larvae after successive larval crawling, coupled with incremental tail contraction, displacement, and speed acceleration. Meanwhile, we also found a strong correlation between tail looseness index and length of contraction, suggesting that lengthening tail contraction may contribute to enlarging the contact area with the tube. Moreover, we found a delayed adaptation in rut mutant larvae, inferring that neural plasticity may participate in slipping adaptation. In conclusion, our paradigm can be easily and reliably replicated, providing a feasible pathway to uncover the behavioral principle and neural mechanism of acclimation of Drosophila larvae to low-friction conditions.
The Measurement of Domestic Abuse – Redeveloping the Crime Survey for England and Wales
Authors: Hester Marianne , Walker Sarah-Jane , Myhill Andy
Published: February 2023

Purpose

In 2020 the England and Wales Office for National Statistics commissioned the research reported here to review the current questions on domestic abuse in the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) and to establish how better data for policy and practice might be produced. The CSEW is a representative population survey that since the early 2000s has provided ongoing measurement of domestic abuse via a dedicated domestic abuse module, with regular publication of headline prevalence and other descriptive data. At the same time the measurement of domestic violence in the CSEW has also been the subject of ongoing debate and critique, in particular whether it is appropriate to use catch-all prevalence measures in the context of policy, practice and commissioning of services.

Method

The research included analysis of CSEW user survey data (N = 39), focus group and individual interviews with male and female victims/survivors (N = 11), consultation with core stakeholders (N = 18), and consideration of international surveys and recent legislation.

Results

Current CSEW questions do not capture domestic abuse accurately or reflect lived experience, coercive control needs to be seen at the core of domestic abuse, and while physical assault is an important part of measuring domestic abuse establishing frequency through counting events is probably impossible.

Conclusion

A fundamental rethink of the current CSEW self-completion module is required, with a wider set of questions about domestic abuse and impact. A revised module should identify and provide estimation of prevalence for different ‘abuse profiles’ that would complement improved headline measures and better inform policy and practice.
Do Wisdom and Well-Being Always Go Hand in Hand? The Role of Dialogues with Oneself
Authors: Puchalska-Wasyl Małgorzata M.
Published: February 2023

Recently, it has been demonstrated that wisdom positively predicted well-being. The paradox is that the development of wisdom is strongly linked to adverse experiences that can make a person feel “wiser but sadder”. This paper aims to test whether two types of dialogues with oneself, i.e. integrative and identity internal dialogues moderate the relationships of critical life experiences and reminiscence/reflectiveness (as components of wisdom) with psychological well-being. To check this, 202 women and 217 men completed four measures: Self-Assessed Wisdom Scale, Psychological Well-Being Scales, Internal Dialogical Activity Scale—Revised, and Scale of Integration of Perspectives. It was found that critical life experiences and reminiscence/reflectiveness poorly (usually negatively) or not at all predict the general well-being and its dimensions. Integrative and identity internal dialogues moderate these relationships: with a higher intensity of these dialogues the negative relationships weaken, insignificant ones become positively significant, and positive links strengthen. The findings can be used by psychologists to promote the development of clients’ wisdom, and consequently, well-being.
Microscaled Multi-frequency Eddy Current Analysis for High Throughput Characterization of Steel Micro-samples
Authors: Bobrov Ilia , Epp Jérémy
Published: February 2023

In the present study microscaled samples were investigated using multi-frequency eddy current analysis with high spatial resolution. Multi-frequency eddy current analyses performed using different exciting frequencies have shown that the local signal distribution depends on the geometry of the samples. Due to this fact, the positioning of the sensor may influence the material state qualification. The investigation of several heat treatment conditions of steel 100Cr6 (AISI 52100) in spheroidized carbide, bainitic, martensitic quenched, and tempered states showed that the material states can be assessed and differentiated from each other. The recorded eddy current signals were analysed and discussed. It was shown that, with increased frequency, the differences of the values obtained for different material conditions increased, allowing a robust identifaction of the different states. The best differentiation was obtained for 10 MHz. The frequency-dependent position error was estimated. The position error decreased from 70% at10 kHz to 6% at 10 MHz. The study shows that this fast analysis method is qualified for fast screening of microscaled samples for high-throughput material development.
Unraveling the Bidirectional Associations between Parental Knowledge and Children’s Externalizing Behavior
Authors: Visscher Anke H. , Boele Savannah , Denissen Jaap J. A.
Published: February 2023

Although within- and between-family bidirectional associations between parental knowledge and children’s externalizing behavior have been theoretically proposed, studies that unravel these associations simultaneously remain scarce. This study examined these bidirectional associations within and between German families. 3611 families participated across one-year intervals between children ages 8 to 15 (50.6% boys, 34.5% fathers, 89.0% German-born, Mwaves = 3.63, SDwaves = 2.00). Random intercept cross-lagged panel models (RI-CLPM) with linear slopes revealed negative between-family associations between parental knowledge and children’s externalizing behavior, and a negative association between the random linear slopes. Generally, no within-family cross-lagged effects were found, but there were some correlated slopes across families. When teasing apart paternal and maternal knowledge, father-driven but not mother-driven lagged effects of increased knowledge predicting decreased externalizing behavior were found. The findings illustrate the importance of fathers’ knowledge and new directions for within-family studies of parent-child interactions.
Excessive iodine induces thyroid follicular epithelial cells apoptosis by activating HIF-1α-mediated hypoxia pathway in Hashimoto thyroiditis
Authors: Zhang Lili , Sun Xiaojing , Liu Lin , Wang Ping , Qian Linxue
Published: February 2023

Background

Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) is considered the most common autoimmune thyroid disease. A growing body of evidence suggests that HT incidence correlates with excessive iodine intake. We should probe the effects of excessive iodine intake in HT development and its possible mechanism.

Methods and results

The study recruited 20 patients: 10 with HT and 10 with nodular goiter. We detected the expression of an apoptosis-related protein caspase-3 by immunohistochemistry. In vitro study, we explored the proliferation and apoptosis status in thyroid follicular cells (TFCs) stimulated with different iodine concentrations by MTT and flow cytometry. Then we performed RNA sequence analysis of Nthy-ori3-1 cells treated for 48 h with KI to probe the underlying mechanism. Finally, we used RT-PCR and siRNA interference to verify the results. We identified apoptosis in thyroid tissue obtained from HT patients coincides with the increase of caspase-3 levels. In vitro study, iodine suppressed proliferation of TFCs and promoted TFCs apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner with regulating caspase-3 activation. HIF-1α-NDRG1 mediated hypoxia pathway activation promoted the transmission of essential apoptosis signals in TFCs.

Conclusion

Our study confirmed that excessive iodine adsorption activates the HIF-1α-mediated hypoxia pathway to promote apoptosis of TFCs, which may be an important risk factor contributing to HT development.
Impacts of plant domestication on soil microbial and nematode communities during litter decomposition
Authors: Palomino Javier , García-Palacios Pablo , De Deyn Gerlinde B. , Martínez-García Laura Beatriz , Sánchez-Moreno Sara , Milla Rubén
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Plant domestication altered leaf litter quality. Since litter traits relate to soil functions and organisms (i.e., litter decomposition and soil decomposer communities), in this study we explore if domestication-induced changes in litter quality have affected their decomposability, and bacterial, fungal, and nematode communities in the soil.

Methods

We collected leaf litter from herbaceous crops and their wild progenitors, and measured litter chemical and physical traits. Then, we performed a litter decomposition assay on a common soil. After three months of litter incubation, we measured mass loss, nematode richness and community composition in ten crops. We also measured soil bacterial and fungal richness and community composition in six crops.

Results

Domesticated litters had less carbon (C) and leaf dry matter content (LDMC), which accelerated decomposition in comparison to wild litters. Fungal richness was higher in microcosms incubated with domesticated litters, while the effects of domestication on bacterial richness differed among crops. Domestication did not affect nematode richness. The effects of domestication on bacterial and fungal community compositions differed among crops. Soils with domesticated litters tended to have nematode communities with a higher abundance of bacterial feeding nematodes, in comparison to soils fed with wild litters.

Conclusion

Domestication altered decomposition at different levels. Leaf litter decomposability increased with domestication, which might alter resource inputs into the soil. Feeding soils with domesticated litters had idiosyncratic effects on soil microbes, but consistent effects on soil nematodes. Overall, domestication altered the linkages between crop residues and soil communities differently for bacteria, fungi, and nematodes.
The Impact of Incidental Environmental Factors on Vote Choice: Wind Speed is Related to More Prevention-Focused Voting
Authors: Mo Cecilia Hyunjung , Jachimowicz Jon M. , Menges Jochen I. , Galinsky Adam D.
Published: February 2023

How might irrelevant events infiltrate voting decisions? The current research introduces a new mechanism—regulatory focus—by which incidental environmental factors can affect vote choice. Regulatory focus theory proposes that there are two fundamental psychological orientations in how people navigate their worlds: A prevention focus tunes cognition towards security, safety, protection, and risk aversion, whereas a promotion focus orients attention toward achieving growth and positive outcomes. We present a model for how wind speed on Election Day affects voting by shifting the regulatory focus of voters. We propose that increased wind speed shifts voters toward selecting prevention-focused options (e.g., restricting immigration, rejecting Brexit, rejecting Scottish Independence) over promotion-focused options (e.g., promoting immigration, favoring Brexit, favoring Scottish Independence). We further argue that wind speed only affects voting when an election clearly offers a choice between prevention and promotion-focused options. Using a mixed-method approach—archival analyses of the “Brexit” vote, the Scotland independence referendum, and 10 years of Swiss referendums, as well as one field study and one experiment—we find that individuals exposed to higher wind speeds become more prevention-focused and more likely to support prevention-focused electoral options. The findings highlight the political importance of incidental environmental factors. Practically, they speak to the benefit of absentee voting and expanding voting periods beyond traditional election days.
Fertility Intentions and Sexual Orientation: Evidence from the 2020 Youth Survey in Estonia
Authors: Vseviov Hanna , Puur Allan , Gortfelder Mark
Published: February 2023

Attitudes towards sexual minorities have undergone a transformation in Western countries recently. This has led to an increase in research into the experiences of sexual minorities in a variety of life domains. Although parenthood is a valued life goal only a few small-scale studies have looked into the parenthood goals of individuals in relation to their sexual orientation. The aims of this study are to analyse the diversity of sexual orientation, the factors associated with it and the relationship to fertility intentions among adolescents aged 16 to 19. The study draws on a nationally representative youth survey conducted in 2020 in Estonia (N = 1624), and employs descriptive methods and logistic and linear regression models. The results show that adolescents in Estonia exhibit considerable diversity of sexual orientation, with one-fifth reporting some degree of attraction to their own sex. The minority sexual orientation is more frequent among groups which can be regarded as more open or exposed to new behaviours, but is also associated with a disadvantaged family background. The results reveal a clear negative association between the intended number of children and the minority sexual orientation, which is not explained by other available variables.
Addressing the class imbalance problem in network intrusion detection systems using data resampling and deep learning
Authors: Abdelkhalek Ahmed , Mashaly Maggie
Published: February 2023

Network intrusion detection systems (NIDS) are the most common tool used to detect malicious attacks on a network. They help prevent the ever-increasing different attacks and provide better security for the network. NIDS are classified into signature-based and anomaly-based detection. The most common type of NIDS is the anomaly-based NIDS which is based on machine learning models and is able to detect attacks with high accuracy. However, in recent years, NIDS has achieved even better results in detecting already known and novel attacks with the adoption of deep learning models. Benchmark datasets in intrusion detection try to simulate real-network traffic by including more normal traffic samples than the attack samples. This causes the training data to be imbalanced and causes difficulties in detecting certain types of attacks for the NIDS. In this paper, a data resampling technique is proposed based on Adaptive Synthetic (ADASYN) and Tomek Links algorithms in combination with different deep learning models to mitigate the class imbalance problem. The proposed model is evaluated on the benchmark NSL-KDD dataset using accuracy, precision, recall and F-score metrics. The experimental results show that in binary classification, the proposed method improves the performance of the NIDS and outperforms state-of-the-art models with an achieved accuracy of 99.8%. In multi-class classification, the results were also improved, outperforming state-of-the-art models with an achieved accuracy of 99.98%.
When iota meets lambda
Authors: Indrzejczak Andrzej , Zawidzki Michał
Published: February 2023

Definite descriptions are widely discussed in linguistics and formal semantics, but their formal treatment in logic is surprisingly modest. In this article we present a sound, complete, and cut-free tableau calculus$${\textbf{TC}}_{R_{\lambda }}$$TCRλfor the logic$${\textbf{L}}_{R_{\lambda }}$$LRλbeing a formalisation of a Russell-style theory of definite descriptions with the iota-operator used to construct definite descriptions, the lambda-operator forming predicate-abstracts, and definite descriptions as genuine terms with a restricted right of residence. We show that in this setting we are able to overcome problems typical of Russell’s original theory, such as scoping difficulties or undesired inconsistencies. We prove the Craig interpolation property for the proposed theory, which, through the Beth definability property, allows us to check whether an individual constant from a signature has a definite description-counterpart under a given theory.
Applicability of crAssphage as a performance indicator for viral reduction during activated sludge wastewater treatment
Authors: Hamza Ibrahim Ahmed , Abd-Elmaksoud Sherif
Published: February 2023

A major threat to water quality is the discharge of human-derived wastewater, which can cause waterborne illnesses associated with enteric viruses. A poor association exists between fecal indicator bacteria and virus fate in the environment, especially during wastewater treatment. In the current study, the potential of using a novel human gut bacteriophage crAssphage as a wastewater treatment process indicator was evaluated. Using qPCR, influent and effluent wastewater samples of two wastewater treatment plants were analyzed for crAssphage and human viruses including human bocavirus (HBoV), human adenovirus (HAdV), and human polyomavirus (HPyV). All samples were positive for crAssphage. The annual crAssphage concentrations varied between 1.45E + 04 and 2.39E + 08 gc/l in influent samples and from 1.25E + 04 to 7.88E + 06 gc/l in effluent samples. Human viruses concentrations were some orders of magnitude lower than that of crAssphage. Data demonstrated a significant correlation between crAssphage, HAdV, and HPyV during the wastewater treatment process, suggesting that crAssphage and human viral pathogens have similar removal mechanisms. Ultimately, this work concludes that crAssphage could be a performance indicator for viral reduction in the wastewater treatment process.
Mechanistic modeling of the bioconcentration of (super)hydrophobic compounds in Hyalella azteca
Authors: Ebert Andrea , Ackermann Juliane , Goss Kai-Uwe
Published: February 2023

Bioconcentration tests using the freshwater amphipod Hyalella azteca as an alternative to conventional fish tests have recently received much attention. An appropriate computational model of H. azteca could help in understanding the mechanisms behind bioconcentration, in comparison to the fish as test organism. We here present the first mechanistic model for H. azteca that considers the single diffusive processes in the gills and gut. The model matches with the experimental data from the literature quite well when appropriate physiological information is used. The implementation of facilitated transport was essential for modeling. Application of the model for superhydrophobic compounds revealed binding to organic matter and the resulting decrease in bioavailable fraction as the main reason for the observed counterintuitive decrease in uptake rate constants with increasing octanol/water partition coefficient. Furthermore, estimations of the time needed to reach steady state indicated that durations of more than a month could be needed for compounds with a log Kow > 8, limiting the experimental applicability of the test. In those cases, model-based bioconcentration predictions could be a preferable approach, which could be combined with in vitro biotransformation measurements. However, our sensitivity analysis showed that the uncertainty in determining the octanol/water partition coefficients is a strong source of error for superhydrophobic compounds.
Lead contamination in Australian game meat
Authors: Hampton Jordan O. , Pain Deborah J. , Buenz Eric , Firestone Simon M. , Arnemo Jon M.
Published: February 2023

Lead-based ammunition (gunshot and bullets) frequently leaves small lead fragments embedded in the meat of wild-shot game animals. Australia produces several commercial game meat products from wild animals harvested with lead-based ammunition and has a growing population of recreational hunters. However, no studies have previously investigated the frequency of lead fragments or lead concentrations in Australian game meat. We examined 133 Australian minced game meat items of four types for evidence of lead contamination. Samples were meat from kangaroos (Macropus and Osphranter spp.; n=36) and Bennett’s wallabies (Notamacropus rufogriseus; n=28) sold for human consumption, and deer (‘venison’; multiple spp.; n=32) and stubble quail (Coturnix pectoralis; n=37) harvested for private consumption by recreational hunters. All packages were studied by digital radiography to detect the presence of radio-dense fragments, assumed to be lead fragments from ammunition. Visible fragments were absent in commercially available kangaroo products, but were present in 4%, 28% and 35% of wallaby, venison and quail, respectively. Mean meat lead concentrations (mg/kg wet weight) were 0.01 ± 0.01 for kangaroo, 0.02 ± 0.01 for wallaby, 0.12 ± 0.07 for venison, and 1.76 ± 3.76 for quail. The Australian food standards threshold for livestock meat (0.1 mg/kg w.w.) was not exceeded by any kangaroo or wallaby products but was exceeded by 53% and 86% of venison and quail, respectively. Radiography only detected 35% of samples that were above the food safety threshold. While average lead concentrations in commercially available macropod (kangaroo and wallaby) meat were low, those in recreationally harvested game meat may pose health risks for hunters and associated consumers.