bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Poly (I:C)‐induced maternal immune activation generates impairment of reversal learning performance in offspring
Authors: Munarriz‐Cuezva Eva , Meana Jose Javier
Published: August 2024

Maternal immune activation (MIA) induces a variety of behavioral and brain abnormalities in offspring of rodent models, compatible with neurodevelopmental disorders, such as schizophrenia or autism. However, it remains controversial whether MIA impairs reversal learning, a basic expression of cognitive flexibility that seems to be altered in schizophrenia. In the present study, MIA was induced by administration of a single dose of polyriboinosinic‐polyribocytidylic acid (Poly (I:C) (5 mg/kg i.p.)) or saline to mouse pregnant dams in gestational day (GD) 9.5. Immune activation was monitored through changes in weight and temperature. The offspring were evaluated when they reached adulthood (8 weeks) using a touchscreen‐based system to investigate the effects of Poly (I:C) on discrimination and reversal learning performance. After an initial pre‐training, mice were trained to discriminate between two different stimuli, of which only one was rewarded (acquisition phase). When the correct response reached above 80% values for two consecutive days, the images were reversed (reversal phase) to assess the adaptation capacity to a changing environment. Maternal Poly (I:C) treatment did not interfere with the learning process but induced deficits in reversal learning compared to control saline animals. Thus, the accuracy in the reversal phase was lower, and Poly (I:C) animals required more sessions to complete it, suggesting impairments in cognitive flexibility. This study advances the knowledge of how MIA affects behavior, especially cognitive domains that are impaired in schizophrenia. The findings support the validity of the Poly (I:C)‐based MIA model as a tool to develop pharmacological treatments targeting cognitive deficits associated with neurodevelopmental disorders.

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Implementation of a structured oral hygiene program through nursing assistant education to address non‐ventilator hospital‐acquired pneumonia: A quasi‐experimental study
Authors: Kozub Elizabeth , Gorzycki Emily , Sidebottom Abbey , Castro‐Pearson Sandra , Bryant Ruth
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Non‐ventilator hospital‐acquired pneumonia (NV HAP) is a common complication for hospitalized patients. NV HAP develops when patients aspirate oral secretions containing pathogenic bacteria. Appropriate oral hygiene can help mitigate NV HAP development. Hospital staff, including nursing assistants, play an important role in ensuring that these cares are completed.

Design

A quasi‐experimental pre–post design was used to evaluate outcomes before and after implementation of a structured oral hygiene education program.

Methods

A structured oral hygiene program was developed and implemented in a large quaternary hospital. Change in NA knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors before and after implementation of the oral hygiene program was evaluated. Retrospective patient outcomes before and after the intervention were analyzed to detect changes in NV HAP rates.

Results

Following the education, nursing assistant knowledge of recommended frequency of oral care for patients who are NPO increased (67.2% vs. 82.1%, p = 0.003). NAs were more likely to report oral hygiene tools including oral suctioning (80.8% vs. 90.2%, p = 0.005) and toothbrushes (89.3% vs. 95.3%, p = 0.031). The unadjusted incidence of NV HAP was significantly lower in the post‐intervention cohort (0.25%) compared to the pre‐intervention cohort (0.74%), p < 0.001. In the adjusted model, non‐invasive positive pressure ventilation increased the odds of NV HAP by nearly sevenfold (AOR = 6.88, 95% CI: 3.99, 11.39).

Conclusion

Focused education for NAs is an effective strategy to increase knowledge related to oral hygiene. Implementing a structured oral hygiene program for NAs appears to be a promising practice to decrease NV HAP.
Treasury Bill Shortages and the Pricing of Short‐Term Assets
Authors: D'AVERNAS ADRIEN , VANDEWEYER QUENTIN
Published: August 2024

We propose a model of post‐Great Financial Crisis (GFC) money markets and monetary policy implementation. In our framework, capital regulation may deter banks from intermediating liquidity derived from holding reserves to shadow banks. Consequently, money markets can be segmented, and the scarcity of Treasury bills available to shadow banks is the main driver of short‐term spreads. In this regime, open market operations have an inverse effect on net liquidity provision when swapping ample reserves for scarce T‐bills or repos. Our model quantitatively accounts for post‐2010 time series for repo rates, T‐bill yields, and the Fed's reverse repo facility usage.
A hierarchical progressive recognition network for building change detection in high‐resolution remote sensing images
Authors: Liu Zhihuan , Yang Zaichun , Ren Tingting , Wang Zhenzhen , Deng JinSheng , Deng Chenxi , Zhao Hongmin , Zhou Guoxiong , Chen Aibin , Li Liujun
Published: August 2024

Building change detection (BCD) plays a crucial role in urban planning and development. However, several pressing issues remain unresolved in this field, including false detections of buildings in complex backgrounds, the occurrence of jagged edges in segmentation results, and detection blind spots in densely built‐up areas. To address these challenges, this study innovatively proposes a Hierarchical Adaptive Gradual Recognition Network (HAGR‐Net) to improve the accuracy and robustness of BCD. Additionally, this research is the first to employ the Reinforcement Learning Optimization Algorithm Based on Particle Swarm (ROPS) to optimize the training process of HAGR‐Net, thereby accelerating the training process and reducing memory overhead. Experimental results indicate that the optimized HAGR‐Net outperforms state‐of‐the‐art methods on the WHU_CD, Google_CD, and LEVIR_CD data sets, achieving F1 scores of 93.13%, 85.31%, and 91.72%, and mean intersection over union (mIoU) scores of 91.20%, 85.99%, and 90.01%, respectively.
Clinical Outcome of an All Arthroscopic ‘Whole Layer’ Rotator Cuff Repair Technique with Simultaneous Biceps Tenodesis
Authors: Shih Chiu‐Yu , Lin Pei‐Ru , Huang Hui‐Chen , Hsieh Cheng‐Pu
Published: August 2024

Objective

To retrospectively evaluate clinical outcomes, including function and pain, of patients after our all arthroscopic “whole layer” rotator cuff repair technique with simultaneous biceps tenodesis procedure; factors influencing results were also evaluated. Given the frequent association of rotator cuff tear with long head of biceps lesion and the need for effective combined treatment strategies, this study aims to evaluate the efficacy of our technique and compare it with established methods. We hypothesized that our technique would significantly improve function and reduce pain in patients with rotator cuff tears and biceps pathology.

Methods

This is a retrospective study that included patients older than 20 years who underwent all arthroscopic “whole layer” rotator cuff repair technique with simultaneous biceps tenodesis procedures for concomitant rotator cuff tear and long head biceps pathology, from 2016 to 2020. Patients were evaluated preoperatively and at a minimum of 2 years of follow‐up using the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores paired t‐tests were used for analysis and statistical significance was set at p < 0.05(two‐tailed). The satisfaction rate and complications were also evaluated.

Results

After an average follow‐up of 2.3 years, 118 patients demonstrated significant improvement in both the ASES score (from 36.13 to 95.01, p < 0.001) and VAS score (from 6.81 to 0.89, p < 0.001). Ninety‐four percent of the patients reported satisfaction with the surgical outcome. No complications related to Popeye deformity, biceps cramping pain, or ipsilateral shoulder reoperation were observed. Factors such as age, sex, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, alcohol consumption, hypertension, and diabetes did not influence the results. Patients showed significant improvement in both the ASES and VAS scores (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

At a mean follow‐up time of 2.3 years, the all arthroscopic “whole layer” rotator cuff repair technique with simultaneous biceps tenodesis is a therapeutic and efficient procedure. The procedure revealed a satisfactory functional outcome, reduced pain, and minimal complications and reoperations.
Disease burden and symptom management in type 2 diabetic patients: A phenomenological study
Authors: Demir Çam Sevgi , Uzun Sevda
Published: August 2024

Aim

This study was conducted to address the experiences of diabetic patients from a psychosocial perspective, examine the burden of disease, and determine their practices for symptom management.

Materials and Methods

In this study, a phenomenological research design, a qualitative research design, was used. The study included 20 diabetic patients. Individual and face‐to‐face interviews were performed, and Colaizzi's phenomenological analysis method was used to analyze the data.

Results

As a result of the data analysis, four categories (challenges with care and treatment, coping with the disease, effects, and healthy life behaviors) and eleven main themes (knowledge, application, symptoms, support resources, spiritual coping methods, physical coping methods, physical effects, spiritual effects, social effects, physical practices, and psychological practices) emerged.

Conclusion

It was concluded that the disease burden of diabetic patients is intense and that the participants of the study were not effective in coping with the disease through symptom management and found spirituality important in coping.
Combining recognition, conflict‐monitoring and feedback‐related ERPs to detect concealed autobiographical information
Authors: Lin Xiaohong Allison , Li Hong , Sheng Tingwen , Fu Genyue , Sai Liyang
Published: August 2024

This study examined the neural signatures associated with conflict‐monitoring, recognition and feedback processing in a feedback Concealed Information Test (fCIT), and also examined whether all the ERPs can be used to detect concealed autobiographical information. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups (guilty or innocent) and then tested in the fCIT while undergoing electroencephalograms (EEGs). The results showed that the probe (participants' name) elicited a more negative N200, and a more positive recognition P300 than irrelevants among guilty participants. Additionally, feedback following the probe elicited a larger feedback P300 than feedback following irrelevants. Further, we found that three indicators, including the conflict‐monitoring N200, recognition P300, and feedback P300, could significantly discriminate between guilty and innocent participants, whereas the FRN could not. Combining them is highly effective in discriminating between guilty and innocent participants (AUC = 0.91). These findings not only shed light on the neural processing of the fCIT but also suggest the potential of using the fCIT to detect concealed autobiographical information.
Social reward predicts false belief understanding in Namibian Hai||om children
Authors: Stengelin Roman , Petrović Ljubica , Thiele Maleen , Hepach Robert , Haun Daniel B. M.
Published: August 2024

Social motivation is theorized to promote Theory of Mind development in childhood, but research testing this link is scarce and largely limited to urban middle‐class milieus of the Global North. Here, we investigated the link between social motivation (i.e., social reward responsivity) and Theory of Mind (i.e., false belief understanding) among N = 59 Hai||om children (AgeRange = 2.3–8.0 years) from rural Namibia, an indigenous community where children's social experience with peers and adults differs much from urban middle‐class milieus typically sampled in developmental science research. Children's preference for adult, but not peer faces predicted their false belief performance. Moreover, their false belief performance increased with age, showing mastery of the current false belief task by the preschool years. These results accommodate universalist claims on the link between social motivation and Theory of Mind while suggesting a particular contribution of the social reward responsivity to adult social partners.
An analysis of reviews related to grammar teaching and learning in Die Unterrichtspraxis/Teaching German (2000–2023)
Authors: Rothe Lucian
Published: August 2024

Teaching and learning grammar has been a cornerstone of many German language courses. This article analyzes reviews of teaching and learning materials related to grammar, which were published in Die Unterrichtspraxis/Teaching German between 2000 and 2023, discussing general trajectories and highlighting works that remain relevant today. The article contributes to the journal's special issue on Form by providing an opportunity to reflect on and discuss the relevance of grammar‐related resources in German studies. It also reminds readers of instructional materials that focus on the grammatical form of language and that continue to be useful due to their theoretical insight, pedagogical advice, and/or practical classroom examples.
Intranasal Linguatula serrata (tongue worm) in canids and vulpids can be detected using computed tomography
Authors: Birckhead Alice , Jenkins David , Shamsi Shokoofeh , Malik Richard , Carstens Ann
Published: August 2024

Linguatula serrata (“tongue worm”) is a zoonotic intranasal parasite found globally in wild dogs, free‐ranging dogs, some domestic dogs, and vulpids. Since there are no sensitive tests currently available, infections are underdiagnosed. This is a pilot observational prospective study aimed at determining whether nasal linguatulosis can be diagnosed using CT. The secondary aims were to evaluate radiography, rhinoscopy, and nasal egg swabs as methods in the diagnosis of tongue worms. Fifty‐four wild canids and three vulpids euthanased by gunshot were sourced from pest‐control officers. Cadaver heads were subjected to helical CT examination, nasal‐swabbed for tongue worm eggs, and necropsied. Radiographs and rhinoscopy were performed on cadavers suspected to be infected based on preliminary CT examination. Tongue worms were retrieved at necropsy in 25 dogs and one fox. CT findings in animals with no nasal cavity ballistic damage were reviewed in six infected dogs and one infected fox. Adult female tongue worms were identified in 4 of 6 dogs and 1 of 1 fox as long, tubular, slightly heterogeneously attenuating structures in the mid to caudal nasal cavities. They were not clearly visible in CT scans when surrounded by nasal fluid, and small parasites (male and immature females) were not discernible. Radiographic findings were mild and nonspecific. One tongue worm was detected in 1 of 12 dogs examined rhinoscopically. Tongue worm eggs were found in swabs from 7 of 25 dogs. While small tongue worms could not be detected with CT, CT proved to be a useful diagnostic method for visualizing adult female tongue worms.
Dynamic Simulation and Collision Detection for Flexible Mechanical Systems With Contact Using the Floating Frame of Reference Formulation
Authors: Dai Xu , Kövecses József , Teichmann Marek
Published: August 2024

Contact simulation is essential in modeling mechanical systems. The contact models require accurate geometric information, which is determined through collision detection methods. When the mechanical system includes flexible bodies such as structural components, the dynamic formulation and collision detection can be more challenging, as the geometric boundaries of such components keep changing during the simulation. The floating frame of reference (FFR) formulation is suitable for flexible systems with small deformation. In this work, a stable and efficient dynamic simulation method is introduced for flexible systems with contact based on the FFR formulation. In addition, a curve-based collision detection method is proposed, which is more consistent with the dynamic formulation and more efficient than common existing collision detection methods. Case studies of flexible beams and multibody systems are employed to demonstrate the performance of the proposed dynamic simulation and collision detection methods.
Effect of Forced Convection Heat Transfer on Vapor Quality in Subcooled Flow Boiling
Authors: Kanatani Kentaro
Published: August 2024

A new theoretical model of vapor quality in subcooled flow boiling is proposed based on energy balance and well-known heat transfer correlations. This model takes into account the enhancement of forced convection heat transfer due to the presence of vapor. It is shown that the vapor quality predicted by our model is much less than that by a previous model for low pressure. This result demonstrates that the convective heat transfer coefficient (HTC) cannot be constant, and the effect of gas phase on forced convection heat transfer cannot be neglected even for subcooled flow boiling, particularly at low pressures. However, the difference between the present and previous models decreases as the pressure increases because (i) the increase of the convective heat transfer coefficient is weakened, and (ii) boiling heat transfer becomes dominant. The difference becomes large if the mass flux is increased or the wall heat flux is decreased, owing to the difference in the form of the convective heat flux. Furthermore, the present model has the capability of locating the point at which bulk boiling commences. In general, this saturation point moves downstream as the wall heat flux and pressure increase, and upstream as the mass flux and tube diameter increase. In addition, the present model can be simplified to a one-variable model, which is a good approximation of the original one especially for low pressures and wall heat flux and high mass flux.
Understanding Environmental Barrier Coating Lifetimes and Performance for Industrial Gas Turbines
Authors: Ridley M. J. , Lance M. J. , Aguirre T. G. , Kane K. A. , Pint B. A.
Published: August 2024

Hydrogen or hydrogen blend fuels are expected to replace natural gas in land-based industrial gas turbines (IGTs) to support a greener power economy. Silicon carbide (SiC) base ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) are considered for replacement of Ni-based superalloys to facilitate future efficiency improvements. SiC CMCs require environmental barrier coatings (EBCs) to mitigate volatilization from high-temperature steam, thus making the EBC lifetime critical information for identifying CMC component lifetimes. The goal of this project is to determine the maximum bond coating temperature underneath the EBC for achieving an IGT component lifetime goal of 25,000 h, which is far greater than current CMC component lifetime requirements for aeroturbine applications. To provide data for the lifetime model, laboratory testing used atmospheric plasma-sprayed rare-earth silicate EBCs on monolithic SiC substrates with an intermediate Si bond coating. Specimens exposed to 1-h thermal cycles in flowing air–steam environments and reaction kinetics were assessed from 700 °C to 1350 °C by measuring the thickness of the thermally grown silica scales. The silica growth and phase transformation appear critical in predicting EBC lifetime and several strategies have been explored to reduce the oxide growth rate and improve EBC durability at elevated temperatures. Advanced characterization using Raman spectroscopy has helped clarify this system.
Evaluation of Current and Future Aviation Fuels at High-Pressure Rich-Quench-Lean-Type Combustor Conditions
Authors: Griebel Peter , Hampp Fabian , Lückerath Rainer , Lammel Oliver , Grein Tobias , Sallinen Reetu , Vilja Jesse , Sandberg Kati
Published: August 2024

Decarbonizing the aviation sector is one of the biggest challenges to minimize climate change effects associated with carbon dioxide emission. Sustainable aviation fuels will play a major role in this context especially for long-distance flights where hydrogen or all-electric propulsion systems do not present a feasible alternative. In addition, aromatic-free sustainable aviation fuels offer a promising solution to lower soot emissions of aeroengines. Jet A-1 as reference fuel, two blends, and two neat synthesized paraffinic kerosenes (SPKs) from hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA) were tested to characterize the combustion behavior of drop-in/near drop-in fuels. Experiments in an optically accessible high-pressure rich-quench-lean (RQL)-type combustor at typical aeroengine conditions were performed using optical diagnostics, exhaust gas, and particle sampling measurements to delineate the fuel effects on spray, flame, and emission characteristics. Measurements were performed at pressures up to 10 bar, air preheating temperatures up to 773 K and primary zone equivalence ratios up to 1.66. Liquid fuel distribution and fuel placement were found to be sensitive to fuel properties. By contrast, no pronounced influence on flame position and shape were observed. As a consequence, NOx and CO emissions of the tested fuels differed only moderately. However, particulate matter measurements at the fuel richest operating condition showed a clear fuel ranking with the lowest particle emissions evident for the two neat HEFA-SPK samples. Moreover, the particle volume concentration at the fuel richest condition followed the expected trend with fuel H-content.
Numerical Investigation of Flow Structure and Pressure Drop Prediction for Radial Inflow Between Corotating Disks With Negative Effective Inlet Swirl Ratio
Authors: Xu Yang , Ding Shuiting , Qiu Tian , Liu Peng , Zhao Yu
Published: August 2024

This paper presents a numerical simulation of the flow structure of radial inflow between corotating disks with a negative ceff (effective inlet swirl ratio), which may occur in a vortex reducer equipped with deswirl nozzles. When the value of ceff approaches zero, asymmetric flow structure is observed in the cavity. Besides this, the flow structure inside the disk cavity at ceff < 0 can be divided into a source region, a sink region, an interior core region, and two Ekman layers, which is identical to the situation when 0 < ceff < 1. However, there exist two distinct patterns: the stagnation point on the disk and on the peripheral. According to a theoretical analysis, ceff = −1/8 is used to distinguish between these two patterns. Based on flow structure partitioning, a theoretical model for predicting the swirl ratio radial distribution and pressure drop in a disk cavity with ceff < 0 was established. The model employs the turbulent boundary layer integral method, and von Karman's assumption of velocity profile and wall shear stress for a free disk. The calculation results of the swirl ratio in the cavity are in good agreement with the computational fluid dynamics results except when the negative ceff approaches zero because of the deviation of the radial velocity profile from the “1/7” power law. Furthermore, pressure drop prediction across the cavity by the model has been verified through comparison with public experimental results.
Research on Effect of Endwall Contouring of Vaned Diffuser on Stable Operating Range of Centrifugal Compressor
Authors: Cui Qin , Qin Guoliang , Lei Jian , Wang Yi , Jia Cheng
Published: August 2024

The study investigates the impact of diverse endwall contouring strategies on the operational stability of a high-pressure ratio centrifugal compressor stage. Employing numerical simulation techniques, this study examines the implications of contoured wall positions, specifically convex profiles at the pressure side (PS) and/or concave profiles at the suction side (SS), as well as asymmetric endwall contouring, on both stage performance and internal flow field within the centrifugal compressor. And the stability enhancement mechanism of endwall contouring is clarified. The results demonstrate that employing full circular contoured vaned diffusers on the hub-side wall can achieve a maximum improvement in stall margin of 15.10%. Additionally, the diffuser featuring solely convex profiles at the pressure side on the hub-side wall exhibits an augmented stall margin by 8.39%, with a reduction in performance loss at low flow rate conditions. The asymmetric endwall contouring improves stall margin by 8.39%, and mitigates the performance loss across the entire operating range. At the near-stall (NS) point, the contoured endwalls redirect fluid toward the suction side, thereby mitigating the incidence at the vane leading edge and attenuating the interaction between the impeller trailing edge vortex and the diffuser leading edge vortex. Moreover, concave profiles serve to accelerate the fluid on the suction side along the flow direction, thereby suppressing the corner separation and weakening passage blockages. Simultaneously, the advantages of endwall contouring in vane diffusers extend to the improvement in the circumferential nonuniformity of flow fields and the enhancement in diffuser stability.
Model-Based Inference of Flame Transfer Matrices From Acoustic Measurements in an Aero-Engine Test Rig
Authors: Eder Alexander J. , Merk Moritz , Hollweck Thomas , Fischer André , Lahiri Claus , Silva Camilo F. , Polifke Wolfgang
Published: August 2024

Flame dynamics, represented as a flame transfer matrix (FTM), is not directly measurable in test rigs and must be deduced from transfer matrix measurements of the combustion system. The burner-flame transfer matrix (BFTM) approach for FTM estimation is based on local pressure signals from microphones located upstream and downstream of the combustor. It combines acoustic measurements in nonreacting and reacting conditions, with the latter implicitly including flame dynamics. A simple matrix operation yields the FTM. However, this approach assumes loss-free wave propagation at constant speed of sound with no change in cross-sectional area between the microphones and the burner/flame. The present work demonstrates the limitations of these assumptions when applied to a test rig with effusion cooling, bypass annulus, and end contraction. This work proposes a method to infer the FTM for complex combustors by combining reactive transfer matrix measurements of the entire combustor with an accurate low-order model (LOM) of the test rig. This generalized method reduces to the BFTM approach as a special case. The Rolls-Royce SCARLET test rig, operating under realistic engine conditions, is used to analyze the capabilities of the proposed model-based inference method and the limitations of the BFTM approach. First, a LOM based on SCARLET's geometry and operating point is formulated using a generic FTM. This model visualizes the limitations of the BFTM approach concerning various physical and geometrical parameters. Finally, experimental data is used to infer the FTM of SCARLET using the proposed approach.
Modeling and Experimental Investigation of Surface Generation in Diamond Micro-Chiseling
Authors: Zhu Zijian , Zhao Chenyang , Yang Yang , Li Honglu
Published: August 2024

The investigation of diamond micro-chiseling (DMC) has been studied as a machining process for generating specific surface microstructures. The current research mainly focuses on the processing performance of DMC in different applications without exploring the DMC surface generation process from the principle. This article studies the DMC surface generation process under different processing parameters through both theoretical and experimental parts. In the theoretical part, an accurate surface generation model is created that considers the effects of geometrical relationships, material removal mechanisms, minimum uncut chip thickness, and dynamics. The geometric model of the diamond chiseling tool is described, the trajectory between the tool and workpiece is built, and the minimum uncut chip is considered and established. Regarding dynamic factors, a spring-mass damping vibration system of DMC is established, and a finite element model is built to analyze the cutting force. In the experimental part, DMC surface generation experiments are conducted to explore the material removal mechanism and compare surface topography. Results show that our simulation model can estimate DMC topography with an error of less than 0.5 µm. Simultaneously, the optimal DMC strategy is obtained through experiments.
A lightweight speech enhancement network fusing bone- and air-conducted speech
Authors: Kuang Kelan , Yang Feiran , Yang Jun
Published: August 2024

Air-conducted (AC) microphones capture the high-quality desired speech and ambient noise, whereas bone-conducted (BC) microphones are immune to ambient noise but only capture band limited speech. This paper proposes a speech enhancement model that leverages the merits of BC and AC speech. The proposed model takes the spectrogram of BC and AC speech as input and fuses them by an attention-based feature fusion module. The backbone network of the proposed model uses the fused signals to estimate mask of the target speech, which is then applied to the noisy AC speech to recover the target speech. The proposed model adopts a lightweight design of densely gated convolutional attention network (DenGCAN) as the backbone network, which contains encoder, bottleneck layers, and decoder. Furthermore, this paper improves an attention gate and integrates it into skip-connections of DenGCAN, which allows the decoder to focus on the key areas of the feature map extracted by the encoder. As the DenGCAN adopts self-attention mechanism, the proposed model has the potential to improve noise reduction performance at the expense of an increased input-output latency. Experimental results demonstrate that the enhanced speech of the proposed model achieves an average 1.870 wideband-PESQ improvement over the noisy AC speech.
CrossFit Games: A Case Study of Consumer Engagement on Social Live-Streaming Service Platforms
Authors: Wymer Sarah , DeMartini Anne L. , Brown Austin R.
Published: August 2024

Social media platforms offer a direct channel for broadcasting live content to followers, emphasizing the immediacy of interaction. Social live-streaming services present a unique opportunity for niche sport organizations to engage with their communities in real time, providing new opportunities for interaction and engagement. This paper employs a case study of the 2022 CrossFit (CF) Games to understand how social live-streaming services influence consumer engagement in niche sports. Using an online survey and content analysis, the study finds that viewing the CF Games inspires participation and that viewers with a stronger connection to CF are less likely to engage in chat functions. These insights highlight the potential for niche sports to leverage social live-streaming services for enhanced engagement, offering a viable alternative to traditional broadcasting. Although the focus is on CF, the findings may provide valuable lessons for other niche sports facing similar challenges in visibility and audience engagement.
Dose–Response Relationships of Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity and Sedentary Time With Renal Function Indices in Adolescents With Reduced Renal Function: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Wang Zisai , Tian Qiuwei , Xu Yujie , Hun Marady , Hu Lin , Zhao Mingyi , He Qingnan
Published: August 2024

Background: This study aimed to explore the associations between moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary time with renal function indices in adolescents with kidney disease. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 719 adolescents (median age 15 y, 40.6% female) with kidney disease from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007–2016. The exposures were MVPA time and sedentary time. Renal metabolic parameters included serum uric acid (SUA), creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and the albumin creatinine ratio. Weighted multivariate regression analysis was used to estimate associations between exposures and outcomes. Results: After stratifying MVPA time, the regression effect values β (95% CI) for MVPA on SUA (Q2: −0.22 [−0.41 to −0.03]; Q3: −0.32 [−0.53 to −0.11]) and creatinine (Q2: −0.08 [−0.15 to −0.01]; Q3: −0.04 [−0.11 to 0.03]) gradually decreased with increasing MVPA time. In males (−0.76 [−1.19 to −0.32]), MVPA time was significantly associated with lower SUA levels compared with females (−0.14 [−0.38 to 0.10]). Notably, female adolescents who had an MVPA time exceeding 420 minutes exhibited lower albumin creatinine ratio (−75.37 [−146.63 to −4.11]). In addition, both recreational MVPA time (−0.26 [−0.45 to −0.06]) and sedentary time (−3.15 [−5.83 to −0.46]) were negatively associated with eGFR. Conclusions: Our study found an association between MVPA and lower levels of SUA in male adolescents with kidney disease and albuminuria in female adolescents with kidney disease. In addition, MVPA was also negatively associated with creatinine and eGFR, whereas sedentary time was only associated with eGFR. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Exploring the Interplay Between Climate Change, 24-Hour Movement Behavior, and Health: A Systematic Review
Authors: Lee Eun-Young , Park Seiyeong , Kim Yeong-Bae , Lee Mikyung , Lim Heejun , Ross-White Amanda , Janssen Ian , Spence John C. , Tremblay Mark S.
Published: August 2024

Background: Given the emergence of climate change and health risks, this review examined potential relationships between varying indicators of climate change, movement behaviors (ie, physical activity [PA], sedentary behavior, and sleep), and health. Methods: Seven databases were searched in March 2020, April 2023, and April 2024. To be included, studies must have examined indicators of climate change and at least one of the movement behaviors as either an exposure or a third variable (ie, mediator/moderator), and a measure of health as outcome. Evidence was summarized by the role (mediator/moderator) that either climate change or movement behavior(s) has with health measures. Relationships and directionality of each association, as well as the strength and certainty of evidence were synthesized. Results: A total of 79 studies were eligible, representing 6,671,791 participants and 3137 counties from 25 countries (40% low- and middle-income countries). Of 98 observations from 17 studies that examined PA as a mediator, 34.7% indicated that PA mediated the relationship between climate change and health measure such that indicators of adverse climate change were associated with lower PA, and worse health outcome. Of 274 observations made from 46 studies, 28% showed that PA favorably modified the negative association between climate change and health outcome. Evidence was largely lacking and inconclusive for sedentary behavior and sleep, as well as climate change indicators as an intermediatory variable. Conclusions: PA may mitigate the adverse impact of climate change on health. Further evidence is needed to integrate PA into climate change mitigation, adaptation, and resilience strategies.
Modulatory effect of sedentary behaviour on obesity and chronic low back pain: a cross-sectional study using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Authors: Liu Lu , Wang Bihan , Wen Huaneng , Yang Cheng , Wang Bingshui
Published: August 2024

Objective

To explore whether sedentary behaviour could modulate the association between overweight or obesity and chronic low back pain (CLBP).

Design

A retrospective cross-sectional study.

Setting and participants

A total of 4289 participants in the US cohort from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were included.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

CLBP was the outcome.

Results

After adjusting for confounding factors, an increased risk of CLBP was identified in people who were overweight (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.76) and obesity (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.01 to 2.18). No significant association between sedentary behaviour time and CLBP was observed. In body mass index (BMI)<25 kg/m2vs BMI≥30 kg/m2group, sedentary behaviour time showed a modulatory effect on obesity and CLBP (p=0.047). In the sedentary behaviour time >4.5 hours group, the risk of CLBP was increased as BMI elevation, indicating sedentary behaviour time >4.5 hours played a modulatory role in the relationship between obesity and CLBP.

Conclusion

Obesity was significantly associated with an increased risk of CLBP, and sedentary behaviour time modulated the association between obesity and CLBP. The findings might provide a reference for the lifestyle modifications among individuals with obesity and reducing sedentary behaviour is recommended for this population.
IASLC grading system predicts distant metastases for resected lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Wang Yuezhu , Smith Margaret R , Dixon Caroline B , D'Agostino Ralph , Liu Yin , Ruiz Jimmy , Chan Michael D , Su Jing , Mileham Kathryn F , Lycan Thomas , Green Mary E , Hassan Omer A , Jiang Yuming , Khan Niazi M Khalid , Li Wencheng , Xing Fei
Published: August 2024

Aims

The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) has proposed a new histological grading system for invasive lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). However, the efficacy of this grading system in predicting distant metastases in patients with LUAD remains unexplored. This study aims to assess the potential of the IASLC grading system in predicting the occurrence of brain and bone metastases in patients with resectable LUAD, thereby identifying individuals at high risk of post-surgery distant metastasis.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed clinical data and pathological reports of 174 patients with early-stage LUAD who underwent surgical resection between 2008 and 2015 at our cancer center. Patients were monitored for 5 years, and their bone and brain metastasis-free survival rates were determined.

Results

28 out of 174 patients developed distant metastases in 5 years with a median overall survival of 60 months for metastasis-free patients and 38.3 months for patients with distant metastasis. Tumour grading of all samples was evaluated by both IASLC grading and predominant pattern-based grading systems. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the predictive capabilities of the IASLC grading system and tumour stage for distant metastasis. Compared with the predominant pattern-based grading system, the IASLC grading system showed a better correlation with the incidence of distant metastasis and lymphovascular invasion. ROC analyses revealed that the IASLC grading system outperformed tumour stage in predicting distant metastasis.

Conclusions

Our study indicates that the IASLC grading system is capable of predicting the incidence of distant metastasis among patients with early-stage invasive LUAD.
Experimental and theoretical investigation on vibrational, electronic, and docking characteristics of 1-(3-nitro-phenyl)-5-phenyl-penta-2,4-dien-1-one (1NP5PP)
Authors: Radder Shivaraj B. , Siddlingeshwar B. , Manohara S.R. , Hiremath Sudhir M. , Kusanur Raviraj , Jeyaseelan S. Christopher
Published: August 2024

The 1-(3-nitro-phenyl)-5-phenyl-penta-2,4-dien-1-one (1NP5PP) molecule is subjected to detailed spectroscopic investigation by analyzing the spectra obtained by FT-IR and FT-Raman methods. The computational analysis were performed at DFT level using B3LYP/6-311++G(d, p) basis set. With the support of potential energy distribution the entire vibrational assignment was conducted. A frontier molecular orbital study reveals energy gap is small for the molecule. Molecular electrostatic potential surface shows that highest electronegative around oxygen atom in ethylenic bridge and electropositive region spreads through all the hydrogen atoms in the molecule. Natural bond orbital, nonlinear optical analysis, and Fukui function studies were conducted for the present molecule. The electron distribution and reactive site on the surface of the molecule were analyzed using electron localization function and localized orbital locator analysis. In molecular docking studies the interaction observed between MPRO and the 1NP5PP ligand shows the good degree of inhibition. The above mentioned analogy reflects that 1NP5PP has adequate biological properties.
Analytical solution for Ξ-type qutrit interacting nonlinearly with a cavity field through Kerr-like medium with intrinsic noise present
Authors: Rizk S.-E. A. , Elkhateeb M. M. , Hashem M. , Obada A.-S. F.
Published: August 2024

This paper presents an analytical solution for the Milburn equation describing the interaction between a 3-level atom in a [Formula: see text]-configuration, a cavity field, and a nonlinear Kerr-like medium. The Hamiltonian of the model is presented in the rotating wave approximation (RWA) under specific conditions. The obtained analytical solution accounts for the impact of intrinsic decoherence and nonlinear terms on the dynamics of various physical phenomena. Specifically, we explore the behavior of atomic population, entropy functions, entanglement, negativity, and correlation, highlighting their dependence on the physical parameters of the [Formula: see text]-level atom-cavity system.
Deep Feed-Forward Neural Network-Based Biometric Authentication System with Biometric Identity and Reputation Score in Blockchain
Authors: Panch Ankit , Agarwal Sohit
Published: August 2024

The biometric authentication in today’s digital era has become a vital issue in security and privacy. Biometrics is currently becoming more significant specifically for higher security modules. Here, a deep feed-forward neural network-based biometric authentication system (DFFNN_biometric authentication system) is presented for biometric authentication utilizing a biometric fingerprint image. In blockchain network, biometric data are considered and the fingerprint images are fed as input. As an input fingerprint image, minutiae extraction is accomplished. Thereafter, a deep key is generated employing a deep residual network (DRN) for template protection. Thereafter, privacy protection template generation is conducted and the templates thus obtained are stored on a database (DB). On the other hand, a query fingerprint image is given as input in the authentication stage. The processes such as minutiae extraction, deep key generation using DRN and privacy protection template authentication are carried out as like it performed in the blockchain network. Additionally, the matching process is conducted between the output acquired in the authentication phase and image stored in DB. The reputation score is generated from authenticated biometric behavior. The DFFNN is utilized to generate a reputation score. Moreover, the DFFNN_biometric authentication system obtained a maximum accuracy of 90.8%, maximum genuine accept rate (GAR) of 0.936, minimum false acceptance rate (FAR) of 0.588, minimum false rejection rate (FRR) of 0.556 and maximum reputation score of 9.346.
Low-Temperature Water Electrolysis Under a Sustained pH-Gradient for Electrochemically-Induced Decarbonation of Limestone into Hydrated Lime
Authors: Rouxhet Rémy , Loudeche Maxime , Santoro Ronny , Proost Joris
Published: August 2024

Lime holds considerable potential in diverse environmental applications. However, its current production remains highly carbon-intensive, emitting more than one ton of CO2 per ton of lime. To address this issue, recent studies have explored the concept of electrifying the decarbonation of limestone to produce hydrated lime. In this work, a two-compartment electrolysis cell capable of producing Ca(OH)2 has been tested at different currents. Precise pH and Ca2+ concentration measurements demonstrate that the electrolysis setup is able to dissolve CaCO3 and precipitate Ca(OH)2 with near-perfect efficiencies. Notably, it highlights that Faraday’s law and the concept of transport number can be applied to predict both the equilibrium and kinetic behavior of each step of the process in each of the two cell compartments. Moreover, the use of controlled batch additions of CaCO3 in the system, as opposed to one-time excess addition, was assessed to mitigate the fouling of the cationic exchange membrane used to separate the compartments. Finally, based on the experimental findings, key guidelines are proposed to achieve a perfect reaction stoichiometry for each step. These findings pave the way for a more sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to lime production.
Electrodeposition of Silicon in the Low-Temperature LiCl-KCl-CsCl-K2SiF6 Melt Under Direct and Pulse Current
Authors: Parasotchenko Yulia , Suzdaltsev Andrey , Zaykov Yuriy
Published: August 2024

In this work, the effect of electrolysis modes and their parameters on the morphology of the silicon deposits on glassy carbon were studied. In direct current mode it was found that an increase in current density and deposition time changes the morphology of the silicon from a coating to a deposit with a complex surface. Scanning electron microscopy showed that silicon films produced at low current densities and a short deposition time are represented by spherical particles with a diameter of less than 1 μm. The pulse current mode made it possible to increase the cathode density of the deposition current, and the pulse current density to an average of ≈250 mA cm−2 does not lead to the formation of a large amount of dendritic deposit. It was found that a low frequency makes it possible to obtain higher-quality silicon coatings, because when the frequency increases, the coating most often does not cover the entire electrode. The high value of the duty cycle, even at low pulse current densities, always leads to the formation of dendrites. An increase in the total deposition time also leads to an increase in the amount of deposit and the formation of dendrites.
Improving Coffee Bean Drying Performance Using Polydryer (Dryer Assisted with Superabsorbent Polymer)
Authors: Abidin Akhmad Zainal , Steven Soen , Yemensia Elsye Veradika , Satyodriyani Kintan Rachmi , Syahriani Wanda Fitri , Abidin Taufik , Putra Ridwan P.
Published: August 2024

Superabsorbent polymer is a material that can swell hundreds to thousands of times after absorbing moisture. Studies that combined the use of this material in coffee bean drying have not yet been widely disclosed. In this study, a dryer assisted with superabsorbent polymer (Polydryer) was applied to improve the drying performance of coffee beans. The materials for superabsorbent polymer hydrogel (polygel) were cassava starch and acrylic acid. Based on this study, the use of polygel and heater was able to alleviate humidity while signifying the temperature inside the drying chamber. This condition certainly aided the drying process because it provided a greater driving force for free and bound water to diffuse from the inner coffee bean particle to the environment. Normal and intermittent drying modes were also carried out to compare the drying performance. The normal operation mode required 14 h to attain a product moisture content of below 12%. Meanwhile, the intermittent drying mode, where the heater operated merely in the initial stage, took 72 h to reach the maximal 12% product moisture content. Further improvement of the Polydryer was done by using three chambers arranged in series and operating in the normal mode, resulting in a more efficient drying system with a swifter process of 7 h. The results indicated that coffee bean drying using the Polydryer was effective and can be used to substitute conventional methods, especially during the night‐time and rainy season. Besides, the dried coffee beans were free of insects, rot, mold, and foreign matter and were in a specialty grade category.