bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Crystal structure of the dimerized of porcine circovirus type II replication‐related protein Rep′
Authors: Guan Shuaiyin , Tian Ang , Jing Haobo , Yuan Honggen , Jia Hanxiao , Shi Yuejun , Chen Huanchun , Cao Shengbo , Peng Guiqing , Song Yunfeng
Published: May 2023

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) can cause porcine circovirus‐associated disease (PCVAD), which causes significant economic losses to the global pig industry annually. There are no effective antiviral drugs used to control and treat PCV2, and prevention is mainly obtained through vaccination. PCV2 genome replicates through the rolling circle replication (RCR) mechanism involving Rep and Rep′, so analyzing the holistic structure of Rep and Rep′ will help us better understand the replication process of PCV2. However, there are no reports on the integral structure of Rep′ and Rep, which seriously hinders the research of the viral replication. By using the x‐ray diffraction method, the structure of the Rep′ dimer was resolved by us in this study. Structural analysis revealed that Rep′ is a dimer formed by the interaction of the C‐terminal domain. The two Rep′ form a positively charged groove, which may play an essential role in the viral binding of dsDNA. Together, this study help to understand the replication process of the virus and may also provide new insights into the development of antiviral drugs.
Magneto‐structural correlations of oximato‐bridged dinuclear copper(II) complex: A theoretical perspective
Authors: Luo Shuchang , Tu Ting , Chen Zhuo , Zhong Yong , Xu Jun , Lu Shaolei , Sun Xiaoyuan
Published: May 2023

The theoretical understanding of the magneto‐structural correlations of an oximato‐bridged dinuclear copper(II) complex can help develop new applied molecular magnets. This study evaluated the magnetic coupling constant of a [Cu2(hfac)2(ppko)2] complex using the density functional theory combined with the broken symmetry approach (DFT‐BS). The magnetic structure correlation between the magnetic coupling constant (Jcalc) of the complex and the structural parameters, NOCu bond angle (α), ONCu bond angle (β), NO bond length (RN‐O), and Cu•••Cu distance (R0), was evaluated. The data showed that Jcalc initially decreased and then increased as bond angles α and β increased. These relationships were expressed by unary quadratic functions. However, Jcalc varied linearly with the bond length, RN‐O, and spacing, R0. Moreover, in the ground state, the magnetic coupling constant increased with a decrease in the spin density of Cu(1), but gradually decreased as the spin density of Cu(2) increased. An increase of parameters α, β, RN‐O, and R0, resulted in a gradual increase in the distance between Cu(II) ions, and the square of the overlap integral between the non‐orthogonal magnetic orbitals of Cu(II) ions to gradually decay. Finally, the contribution of the antiferromagnetic part decreased as the magnetic coupling constant gradually increased.
Efficacy of telitacicept in patients with lupus‐ and antiphospholipid syndrome‐associated refractory thrombocytopenia
Authors: Liu Ruihe , Liu Tian , He Jing , Ye Hua , Gan Yuzhou , Li Chun
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Thrombocytopenia, a common noncriteria manifestation of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), is severe in approximately one‐third of patients with APS. However, there are no guidelines for treating such thrombocytopenia. B‐cell‐targeting therapy may be an option in refractory cases; however, its efficacy has not been firmly established. Here, we report on two patients with refractory antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs)‐associated thrombocytopenia treated with telitacicept.

Case Description

Case 1, a 39‐year‐old woman, presented with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and APS with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage, persistent thrombocytopenia, and recurrent miscarriages. The thrombocytopenia had been refractory to multiple lines of treatments, the most recent being mycophenolate mofetil and prednisone (5 mg/day). After receiving telitacicept (160 mg/week) for 3 months, she had presented with decreased titers of aPLs and a slight increase in platelet counts (14 × 109 to 35 × 109/L). Case 2, a 51‐year‐old woman, presented with SLE and APS with refractory thrombocytopenia. She had been diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis 4.5 years ago and received antituberculosis therapy for 2 years. She had also undergone pulmonary lobectomy 4 years ago for lung adenocarcinoma. Her thrombocytopenia relapsed (lowest 14 × 109/L) when prednisone was tapered to <10 mg/day. After adding telitacicept (160 mg/week) to cyclosporin A (150 mg/day) and hydroxychloroquine (400 mg/day) for 5 months, aPLs decreased and platelet counts increased (78 × 109 to 183 × 109/L), enabling halving of her dose of prednisone from 15 to 7.5 mg/day. Neither patient had any adverse effects.

Conclusion

Telitacicept can safely reduce aPLs titers and improve refractory thrombocytopenia in patients with secondary APS. Randomized‐controlled trials to assess its effectiveness are urgently required.
Combining taxonomic and functional approaches to assess land‐use impacts on macroinvertebrate assemblages and improve bioindication
Authors: Paz L. E. , Rodriguez M. , Rodrigues Capítulo A. , Spaccesi F. , Armendáriz L. , Cortelezzi A.
Published: May 2023

Most studies exploring land use impacts have focused on taxonomic metrics, but interest in the functional approach has increased because it helps to understand the relationships between community structure and functioning of aquatic ecosystems. We evaluated how functional and taxonomic approaches, and the association between them, contribute to assessing the effects of land use on macroinvertebrate assemblages of lowland streams. We sampled benthic macroinvertebrates in 17 sites with different land uses (agricultural, peri‐urban, and extensive livestock) in Buenos Aires, Argentina. We computed the taxonomic metrics and biotic indexes as well as functional richness (FRic), divergence (FDiv), dispersion (FDis), and Rao diversity indexes for each site. We performed general linear mixed models to compare land‐uses, a redundancy analysis, and also performed correlation analysis between taxonomic and functional indexes. Taxonomic richness was significantly higher in extensive livestock than in the other two land uses, while Shannon diversity was significantly different between land uses (extensive livestock > peri‐urban > agriculture). FRic and FDiv were significantly lower in peri‐urban land use than in agricultural and extensive livestock sites. Only taxonomic richness showed a significant and positive relationship with FRic, FDis, and Rao, but they fit better to a logarithmic function. Therefore, an increase in taxonomic richness and Shannon diversity did not necessarily imply an increase in the functional aspects of the macroinvertebrate assemblage. Using only one of these approaches could lead to partial evaluations and loss of information. Combining them could improve bioindication and predictive potential and help assess the effects of multiple stressors on freshwater ecosystems to improve biomonitoring.
Multilevel joint model of longitudinal continuous and binary outcomes for hierarchically structured data
Authors: Zhou Grace Chen , Song Seongho , Szczesniak Rhonda D.
Published: May 2023

Joint modeling has been a useful strategy for incorporating latent associations between different types of outcomes simultaneously, often focusing on a longitudinal continuous outcome characterized by an LME submodel and a terminal event subject to a Cox proportional hazard or parametric survival submodel. Applications to hierarchical longitudinal studies have been less frequent, particularly with respect to a binary process, which is commonly specified by a GLMM. Furthermore, many of the joint model developments have not allowed for investigations of nested effects, such as those arising from multicenter studies. To fill this gap, we propose a multilevel joint model that encompasses the LME submodel and GLMM through a Bayesian approach. Motivated by the need for timely detection of pulmonary exacerbation and characterization of irregularly observed lung function measurements in people living with cystic fibrosis (CF) receiving care across multiple centers, we apply the model to the data arising from US CF Foundation Patient Registry. In parallel, we examine the extent of bias induced by a non‐hierarchical model. Our simulation study and application results show that incorporating the center effect along with individual stochastic variation over time within the LME submodel improves model estimation and prediction. Given that the center effect is evident in lung function observed in the CF population, accounting for center‐specific power parameters by incorporating the symmetric power exponential power (spep) link function in the GLMM can facilitate more accurate conclusions in clinical studies.
Mott–Schottky Effect in Core–Shell W@WxC Heterostructure: Boosting Both Electronic/Ionic Kinetics for Lithium Storage
Authors: Yang Yao , Sun Bing , Gao Yinhong , Zhu Hui , Chen Yongting , Li Xuanke , Zhang Qin
Published: May 2023

The dynamics rate of traditional metal carbides (TMCs) is relatively slow, severely limiting its fast‐charging capacity for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). Herein, the core–shell W@WxC heterostructure is developed to form Mott–Schottky heterostructure, thereby simultaneously accelerating the electronic and ionic transport kinetics during the charging/discharging process. The W nanoparticles are partially reduced into WxC to form a particular core–shell structure with abundant heterogeneous interfaces. Benefiting from the Mott–Schottky effect, the electrons at the metal/semiconductor heterointerface can migrate spontaneously to realize an equal work function on both sides. In addition, the independent nanoparticle as well as the unique core–shell structure facilitate the ionic diffusion kinetics. As expected, the W@WxC electrode exhibits excellent electrochemical stability for LIBs, whose capacity can be maintained at 173.8 mA h g−1 after 1600 cycles at a high current density of 5 A g−1. When assembled into a full cell, it can achieve an energy density of 360.2 Wh kg−1. This work presents a new avenue to promote the electronic and ionic kinetics for LIBs anodes by constructing the unique Mott–Schottky heterostructure.
High Density Single Fe Atoms on Mesoporous N‐Doped Carbons: Noble Metal‐Free Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Acidic and Alkaline Media
Authors: Xie Haifang , Du Bing , Huang Xiaoxi , Zeng Dahai , Meng Hui , Lin Huaijun , Li Wei , Asefa Tewodros , Meng Yuying
Published: May 2023

It remains a challenge to develop efficient noble metal‐free electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in various renewable energy systems. Single atom catalysts have recently drawn great attention as promising candidates both due to their high activity and their utmost atom utilization for electrocatalytic ORR. Herein, the synthesis of an efficient ORR electrocatalyst that is composed of N‐doped mesoporous carbon and a high density (4.05 wt%) of single Fe atoms via pyrolysis Fe‐conjugated polymer is reported. Benefiting from the abundant atomic Fe–N4 sites on its conductive, mesoporous carbon structures, this material exhibits an excellent electrocatalytic activity for ORR, with positive onset potentials of 0.93 and 0.98 V in acidic and alkaline media, respectively. Its electrocatalytic performance for ORR is also comparable to that of Pt/C (20 wt%) in both media. Furthermore, it electrocatalyzes the reaction almost fully to H2O (or barely to H2O2). Additionally, it is durable and tolerates the methanol crossover reaction well. Furthermore, a proton exchange membrane fuel cell and a zinc–air battery assembled using it on their cathode deliver high maximum power densities (320 and 91 mW cm−2, respectively). Density functional theory calculation reveals that the material's decent electrocatalytic performance for ORR is due to its atomically dispersed Fe–N4 sites.
On the extension of k−ω−SST corrections to predict flow separation on thick airfoils with leading‐edge roughness
Authors: Gutierrez Ruben , Zamponi Riccardo , Ragni Daniele , Llorente Elena , Aranguren Patricia
Published: May 2023

Modern wind turbines employ thick airfoils in the outer region of the blade with strong adverse pressure gradients and high sensitivity to flow separation, which can be anticipated by leading‐edge roughness. However, Reynolds average Navier‐Stokes simulations currently overpredict the Reynolds shear stresses near the surface, and the flow separation is not correctly predicted. Hence, these methods are not representative enough to optimize the blade design to avoid flow separation, which becomes relevant for rough blades. While several eddy‐viscosity corrections in the
turbulence model have been previously studied to predict flow separation over smooth airfoils, the present study aims to extend their applicability to airfoils with leading‐edge roughness. Two corrections, whose effect on flow physics has not been empirically quantified, are addressed. Particle image velocimetry measurements have been performed on a 30% thick airfoil to quantify the impact of these corrections. The reduction of the eddy viscosity introduced by the corrections leads to a shift of the peak location of the Reynolds shear stresses away from the surface, which, in turn, promotes flow separation and improves the prediction of the mean velocity and the pressure‐coefficient distribution. Besides, the ratio between the main turbulent shear stress and turbulent kinetic energy is demonstrated to be lower than the standard value used in the
turbulence model at the boundary‐layer outer edge. Adjusting this ratio for an angle of attack of 0° decreases the error on the predicted lift and drag coefficients from 75% to 3% and from 58% to 39%, respectively.
Livestock producers' perceptions of the American black vulture conflict in the midwestern United States
Authors: Wahl Marian L. , McWherter Brooke , Zollner Patrick A. , Ma Zhao , Burcham Grant N. , Humberg Lee A. , Kluever Bryan M.
Published: May 2023

Human‐wildlife interactions are present wherever both humans and wildlife are found. Interactions can be positive or negative for humans and can include impacts that range from damage to property, agriculture, health and human safety, to emotional effects. Livestock‐wildlife interactions form a major component of human‐wildlife conflicts with foci often centered on the implications of livestock predation by wildlife. While most vulture species are obligate scavengers, several species, including the American black vulture (Coragyps atratus), may attack weak or newborn livestock. Black vulture populations and distributions are expanding in the Midwestern U.S., and attacks create a novel problem for livestock producers. We used online and printed surveys to determine the experiences and perceived losses of producers in Indiana and Kentucky. Surveys were distributed March–July 2021. Losses to black vultures were reported by 22% of goat producers, 24% of sheep producers, 38% of cattle producers, and 44% of mixed‐livestock producers. The criteria used to determine a perceived predation event were presence of vultures on the carcass, followed by missing eyes or tongue, damage to the perineal area, reported visual observation of the kill, or presence of feathers around the carcass. Sixty‐two percent of livestock producers employed at least one mitigation technique. Common mitigation techniques included the removal of carcasses and afterbirth, followed by nonlethal harassment of vultures, modifying farm management practices, use of guard animals, lethal control, and use of effigies. With the exception of nonlethal harassment, all mitigation techniques were rated as being effective by the majority of respondents. Fifty‐three percent of respondents indicated a willingness to acquire a lethal control permit from the federal government, 70% from the state government, and 56% from the state Farm Bureau, assuming the permit was free. We found that perceived losses to black vultures generally did not exceed losses to other causes and varied widely with livestock species and age class. For cattle producers, mitigation employment and vulture sightings during the calving seasons best predicted reported predation by black vultures. For mixed livestock producers, vulture sightings during the birthing season and losses to causes other than black vultures best predicted producers reporting predation by black vultures. Our results quantify producer perceptions of conflict between livestock producers and black vultures in the Midwestern U.S. Our results can be used to develop strategies to address growing conflicts between black vultures and livestock producers.
The Dutch Approach to Ethics: Integrity Management in the Military
Authors: de Graaff Miriam Carla , Zalm Claire
Published: May 2023

Integrity management in the context of the military relates to due care, to doing justice and decency and to reliability with respect to both soldiers and civilians. This contribution outlines the pillars of the integrity management system of the Netherlands armed forces, in which integrity management is approached as a three-layered framework of individual competencies, ethical climate and organisational design. Integrity management based on these three layers promotes that decisions are made professionally, prudently and in such a way as to do justice to all parties involved. This Dutch approach is not put forward as a one-size-fits-all solution, but as a discussion starter within the field of military ethics on how integrity management can be carried out in environments that are highly demanding.
‘Moresfare’ and the Resilience Paradox: Ethics as the Terra Incognita of Hybrid Warfare and Its Challenges
Authors: Verweij Desiree
Published: May 2023

The connection between violence, power and law and the crucial role of the psychological and ethical dimension therein remains largely underexposed in discussions on present-day conflicts. The author argues that a systemic ethical approach is needed with a keen eye for the values that are at stake for the system as a whole. Such an approach can detect the ‘moresfare’ (misuse and manipulation of values) present in hybrid warfare and the countering thereof both by fighting ‘the enemy’ and by aiming to increase the resilience of a society.
Transformative Action and the Structure of Reflexivity: Aspects of Enterprise Teaching and Quality Pedagogy
Authors: Omeihe Kingsley Obi , Omeihe Ibiyemi
Published: May 2023

This chapter suggests that the key to quality entrepreneurship education lies in reflective action learning. In elaborating this perspective, this study draws on the reflective experiences of third-year entrepreneurship students and educators in providing interpretations of the learning and teaching process. The concept of transformative reflexivity, which presupposes an introspection of entrepreneurship teaching and learning methods located within social contexts, is introduced. At the centre, we contend that entrepreneurship education demands an approach to developing student and educator competence, with a rich emphasis on reflexive practice. This we believe creates a unique climate for quality experiential experience. Our main results facilitate a rich understanding of the positive effects of enabling greater student ownership of the learning process. The theoretical import of the study is in part a plea to solidify and interpret, in the face of scholarly differences, a unified stance that challenges and extends existing entrepreneurship knowledge within the limits of critical bounding assumptions.
Using Technology to Teach International Entrepreneurship: State-of-the-Art Practices and Opportunities
Authors: Peoples Cathryn , Kotwal Siddhesh
Published: May 2023

With a perspective that experience may be the best teacher, international entrepreneurship (IE) has long been exposed to limited ability to immerse oneself in a local opportunity, without undertaking a potentially large risk (in terms of, for example, cost, relevance of the entrepreneurship opportunity until in position, travel). However, the availability of and involvement with online technologies are changing the educational landscape in general, with the impact of introducing new opportunities which can benefit, specifically we believe, the international entrepreneurship learning experience. In this chapter, we therefore examine the modern approaches to using technology in support of teaching and learning pedagogy, with a view to recognising the contributions and benefits it can introduce. We recognise that technology is widely underutilised in the opportunities it introduces for immersing oneself in a remote international entrepreneurship opportunity, and we argue that there is an opportunity to support more realistic IE teaching and learning through its use. In this chapter, we therefore review the ways in which technology has been used to support teaching and learning in domains other than IE, before we consider its relevance in relation to IE education.
EFT analysis of New Physics at COHERENT
Authors: Bresó-Pla Víctor , Falkowski Adam , González-Alonso Martín , Monsálvez-Pozo Kevin
Published: May 2023

Abstract

Using an effective field theory approach, we study coherent neutrino scattering on nuclei, in the setup pertinent to the COHERENT experiment. We include non-standard effects both in neutrino production and detection, with an arbitrary flavor structure, with all leading Wilson coefficients simultaneously present, and without assuming factorization in flux times cross section. A concise description of the COHERENT event rate is obtained by introducing three generalized weak charges, which can be associated (in a certain sense) to the production and scattering of νe, νμ and $$ {\overline{\nu}}_{\mu } $$

ν
¯

μ

on the nuclear target. Our results are presented in a convenient form that can be trivially applied to specific New Physics scenarios. In particular, we find that existing COHERENT measurements provide percent level constraints on two combinations of Wilson coefficients. These constraints have a visible impact on the global SMEFT fit, even in the constrained flavor-blind setup. The improvement, which affects certain 4-fermion LLQQ operators, is significantly more important in a flavor-general SMEFT. Our work shows that COHERENT data should be included in electroweak precision studies from now on.
Mapping class group orbit closures for non-orientable surfaces
Authors: Erlandsson Viveka , Gendulphe Matthieu , Pasquinelli Irene , Souto Juan
Published: May 2023

Let S be a connected non-orientable surface with negative Euler characteristic and of finite type. We describe the possible closures in $$\mathcal M\mathcal L$$

M
L

and $$\mathcal P\mathcal M\mathcal L$$

P
M
L

of the mapping class group orbits of measured laminations, projective measured laminations and points in Teichmüller space. In particular we obtain a characterization of the closure in $$\mathcal M\mathcal L$$

M
L

of the set of weighted two-sided curves.
Haploid Algebras in $$C^*$$-Tensor Categories and the Schellekens List
Authors: Carpi Sebastiano , Gaudio Tiziano , Giorgetti Luca , Hillier Robin
Published: May 2023

We prove that a haploid associative algebra in a$$C^*$$C∗-tensor category$$\mathcal {C}$$Cis equivalent to a Q-system (a special$$C^*$$C∗-Frobenius algebra) in$$\mathcal {C}$$Cif and only if it is rigid. This allows us to prove the unitarity of all the 70 strongly rational holomorphic vertex operator algebras with central charge$$c=24$$c=24and non-zero weight-one subspace, corresponding to entries 1–70 of the so called Schellekens list. Furthermore, using the recent generalized deep hole construction of these vertex operator algebras, we prove that they are also strongly local in the sense of Carpi, Kawahigashi, Longo and Weiner and consequently we obtain some new holomorphic conformal nets associated to the entries of the list. Finally, we completely classify the simple CFT type vertex operator superalgebra extensions of the unitary$$N=1$$N=1and$$N=2$$N=2super-Virasoro vertex operator superalgebras with central charge$$c<\frac{3}{2}$$c<32and$$c<3$$c<3respectively, relying on the known classification results for the corresponding superconformal nets.
Ultrafast cadmium-zinc-telluride-based renal single-photon emission computed tomography: clinical validation
Authors: Dietz Matthieu , Jacquet-Francillon Nicolas , Bani Sadr Alexandre , Collette Boris , Mure Pierre-Yves , Demède Delphine , Pina-Jomir Géraldine , Moreau-Triby Caroline , Grégoire Bastien , Mouriquand Pierre , Janier Marc , Flaus Anthime
Published: May 2023

Background

One of the main limitations of 99mtechnetium-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scan is the long acquisition time.

Objective

To evaluate the feasibility of short DMSA scan acquisition times using a cadmium-zinc-telluride-based single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) system in children.

Materials and methods

The data of 27 children (median age: 4 years; 16 girls) who underwent DMSA SPECT were retrospectively analyzed. Both planar and SPECT DMSA were performed. SPECT images were analyzed using coronal-simulated planar two-dimensional images. A reduction in SPECT acquisition time was simulated to provide 4 series (SPECT-15 min, SPECT-10 min, SPECT-5 min and SPECT-2.5 min). A direct comparison of the planar and SPECT series was performed, including semi-quantification reproducibility, image quality (mean quality score on a scale of 0 to 2) and inter- and intra-observer reproducibility of the scintigraphic patterns.

Results

The overall image quality score (± standard deviation) was 1.3 (± 0.6) for the planar data set, 1.6 (± 0.5) for the SPECT-15 min data set, 1.4 (± 0.5) for the SPECT-10 min data set, 1.0 (± 0.5) for the SPECT-5 min data set and 0.6 (± 0.6) for the SPECT-2.5 min data set. Median Kappa coefficients for inter-observer agreement between planar and SPECT images were greater than 0.83 for all series and all readers except one reader for the SPECT-2.5 min series (median Kappa coefficient = 0.77).

Conclusion

Shortening SPECT acquisitions to 5 min is feasible with minimal impact on images in terms of quality and reproducibility.

Graphical Abstract
Hydrophobe Oberflächeneigenschaften hydrophiler Acryllinsen schützen nicht vor Kalzifikation
Authors: Britz Leoni , Schickhardt Sonja Katrin , Yildirim Timur Mert , Auffarth Gerd Uwe , Lieberwirth Ingo , Khoramnia Ramin
Published: May 2023

Hintergrund

Die Eintrübung hydrophiler Acryllinsen durch Kalzifikation ist eine schwerwiegende Komplikation der Kataraktchirurgie, welche meist in einer Linsenexplantation resultiert. Im Prozess der Linsenkalzifikation spielt das Material der Kunstlinse eine entscheidende Rolle: Es wurde bisher lediglich über die Kalzifikation hydrophiler Acryllinsen berichtet. Hydrophobe Acryllinsen zeigen keine Kristallbildung innerhalb des Polymers. Hydrophile Acryllinsen einiger Hersteller weisen hydrophobe Oberflächeneigenschaften auf. Es stellt sich die Frage, welchen Einfluss diese hydrophoben Oberflächeneigenschaften auf das Kalzifikationsrisiko haben.

Zielsetzung

In der vorliegenden Studie wurde untersucht, ob hydrophobe Oberflächeneigenschaften hydrophiler Acryllinsen vor Kalzifikation schützen.

Material und Methoden

Mithilfe eines in vitro Modells der Kalzifikation wurden zwei hydrophile Linsen mit hydrophoben Oberflächeneigenschaften im Vergleich zu zwei hydrophilen Linsen und einer hydrophoben Negativkontrolle auf das Risiko einer Kalzifikation hin untersucht. Die Linsen wurden anschließend mittels Lichtmikroskopie, Alizarinrot- und Von-Kossa-Färbung, Rasterelektronenmikroskopie (REM) und energiedispersiver Röntgenspektroskopie (EDS) analysiert.

Ergebnisse

Alle vier hydrophilen Linsenmodelle zeigten eine Kalzifikation innerhalb des Polymers. Es konnte kein Unterschied zwischen den hydrophilen Linsen und den hydrophilen Linsen mit hydrophoben Oberflächeneigenschaften in Bezug auf die Kristallbildung gefunden werden. Die Negativkontrolle aus hydrophobem Acrylat zeigte keine Kalzifikation.

Schlussfolgerung

Die in dieser Studie unter standardisierten Bedingungen durchgeführte Untersuchung konnte zeigen, dass hydrophobe Oberflächeneigenschaften hydrophiler Acryllinsen nicht vor Kalzifikation schützen und somit auch bei diesen Linsenmodellen das Risiko einer Eintrübung besteht.
Effects of randomness and piezomagnetic coupling on the appearance of stop-bands in heterogeneous magnetorheological elastomers
Authors: Eraslan Sinan , Gitman Inna , Askes Harm , de Borst René
Published: May 2023

Phononic crystals (PCs) consist of a periodic arrangement of inclusions in a matrix material, and have garnered a great deal of interest owing to a phenomenon known as band gap frequencies in which particular frequency ranges are not able to propagate through the PCs. The aim of this work is to study the effects of magneto-elastic coupling and other parameters such as randomness in geometrical properties, volume fraction and size of inclusions on longitudinal wave propagation and, in particular, on the appearance of stop-band frequencies. The results indicate that the most important parameters deciding whether a frequency is in a stop-band or a pass-band are the randomness in geometrical properties and piezomagnetic coupling. It was observed that piezomagnetic coupling can lead to a widening of the first stop-band range for a periodic microstructure. Moreover, while randomness in particle size leads to a stop-band range and reduced wave transmission in the second pass region, randomness in particle position leads to removal of the pass band ranges compared to periodic structures. Additionally, the influence of piezomagnetic coupling becomes insignificant in fully random structures.
Foliar functional and genetic variation in a keystone Hawaiian tree species estimated through spectroscopy
Authors: Seeley M. M. , Stacy E. A. , Martin R. E. , Asner G. P.
Published: May 2023

Imaging spectroscopy has the potential to map closely related plant taxa at landscape scales. Although spectral investigations at the leaf and canopy levels have revealed relationships between phylogeny and reflectance, understanding how spectra differ across, and are inherited from, genotypes of a single species has received less attention. We used a common-garden population of four varieties of the keystone canopy tree, Metrosideros polymorpha, from Hawaii Island and four F1-hybrid genotypes derived from controlled crosses to determine if reflectance spectra discriminate sympatric, conspecific varieties of this species and their hybrids. With a single exception, pairwise comparisons of leaf reflectance patterns successfully distinguished varieties of M. polymorpha on Hawaii Island as well as populations of the same variety from different islands. Further, spectral variability within a single variety from Hawaii Island and the older island of Oahu was greater than that observed among the four varieties on Hawaii Island. F1 hybrids most frequently displayed leaf spectral patterns intermediate to those of their parent taxa. Spectral reflectance patterns distinguished each of two of the hybrid genotypes from one of their parent varieties, indicating that classifying hybrids may be possible, particularly if sample sizes are increased. This work quantifies a baseline in spectral variability for an endemic Hawaiian tree species and advances the use of imaging spectroscopy in biodiversity studies at the genetic level.
A domain-region based evaluation of ML performance robustness to covariate shift
Authors: Bayram Firas , Ahmed Bestoun S.
Published: May 2023

Most machine learning methods assume that the input data distribution is the same in the training and testing phases. However, in practice, this stationarity is usually not met and the distribution of inputs differs, leading to unexpected performance of the learned model in deployment. The issue in which the training and test data inputs follow different probability distributions while the input–output relationship remains unchanged is referred to as covariate shift. In this paper, the performance of conventional machine learning models was experimentally evaluated in the presence of covariate shift. Furthermore, a region-based evaluation was performed by decomposing the domain of probability density function of the input data to assess the classifier’s performance per domain region. Distributional changes were simulated in a two-dimensional classification problem. Subsequently, a higher four-dimensional experiments were conducted. Based on the experimental analysis, the Random Forests algorithm is the most robust classifier in the two-dimensional case, showing the lowest degradation rate for accuracy and F1-score metrics, with a range between 0.1% and 2.08%. Moreover, the results reveal that in higher-dimensional experiments, the performance of the models is predominantly influenced by the complexity of the classification function, leading to degradation rates exceeding 25% in most cases. It is also concluded that the models exhibit high bias toward the region with high density in the input space domain of the training samples.
Virtual reality in medical emergencies training: benefits, perceived stress, and learning success
Authors: Mühling Tobias , Späth Isabelle , Backhaus Joy , Milke Nathalie , Oberdörfer Sebastian , Meining Alexander , Latoschik Marc Erich , König Sarah
Published: May 2023

Medical graduates lack procedural skills experience required to manage emergencies. Recent advances in virtual reality (VR) technology enable the creation of highly immersive learning environments representing easy-to-use and affordable solutions for training with simulation. However, the feasibility in compulsory teaching, possible side effects of immersion, perceived stress, and didactic benefits have to be investigated systematically. VR-based training sessions using head-mounted displays alongside a real-time dynamic physiology system were held by student assistants for small groups followed by debriefing with a tutor. In the pilot study, 36 students rated simulation sickness. In the main study, 97 students completed a virtual scenario as active participants (AP) and 130 students as observers (OBS) from the first-person perspective on a monitor. Participants completed questionnaires for evaluation purposes and exploratory factor analysis was performed on the items. The extent of simulation sickness remained low to acceptable among participants of the pilot study. In the main study, students valued the realistic environment and guided practical exercise. AP perceived the degree of immersion as well as the estimated learning success to be greater than OBS and proved to be more motivated post training. With respect to AP, the factor “sense of control” revealed a typical inverse U-shaped relationship to the scales “didactic value” and “individual learning benefit”. Summing up, curricular implementation of highly immersive VR-based training of emergencies proved feasible and found a high degree of acceptance among medical students. This study also provides insights into how different conceptions of perceived stress distinctively moderate subjective learning success.
A novel multiwalled carbon nanotube–cyclodextrin nanocomposite for solid-phase microextraction–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in snow samples
Authors: Riboni N. , Bianchi F. , Scaccaglia M. , Bisceglie F. , Secchi A. , Massera C. , Luches P. , Careri M.
Published: May 2023

Novel solid-phase microextraction
coatings based on the use of multiwalled carbon nanotube–cyclodextrin (MWCNT-CD) nanocomposites were developed for the determination of 16-priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at ultratrace levels in snow samples. The performance of both β- and γ-CD was tested to increase the detection capabilities towards the heaviest and most lipophilic compounds, i.e., five- and six-ring PAHs. To facilitate the interactions of MWCNTs with CDs, an oxidation procedure using both HNO3 and H2O2 was applied, obtaining superior results using MWCNTs-H2O2-γ-CD fiber. Detection and quantitation limits below 0.7 and 2.3 ng/L, RSD lower than 21%, and recoveries of 88(± 2)–119.8(± 0.4)% proved the reliability of the developed method for the determination of PAHs at ultratrace levels. The complexation capability of the γ-CD was also demonstrated in solution by NMR and fluorescence spectroscopy studies and at solid state by XRD analysis. Finally, snow samples collected in the ski area of Dolomiti di Brenta were analyzed, showing a different distribution of the 16 priority PAHs, being naphthalene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, and pyrene the only compounds detected in all the analyzed samples.

Graphical Abstract
Experiences of decision making about psychotropic medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding in women living with severe mental illness: a qualitative study
Authors: Frayne J. , Ellies R. , Nguyen T.
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of women living with severe mental illnesses making decisions about psychotropic medication use in pregnancy and breastfeeding, and what helped or hindered the decision-making process.

Methods

We report on a qualitative study from 12 women who attended the pregnancy service between May 2018 and June 2019. Interviews occurred at 4–6 weeks postpartum on women with severe mental illnesses, which was nested within a larger mixed-methods study.

Results

Three main themes were elicited from the participants’ transcriptions and included (i) the decision-making process with subthemes of shared decision-making, consistency and complete care, collaboration and clear communication, and challenges of managing medication; (ii) how information is given, with subthemes of information delivery and communication breakdown; and (iii) breastfeeding dilemmas with subthemes of lithium and breastfeeding choice and autonomy regarding breastfeeding on medication.

Conclusion

Findings offer understanding of patients’ experiences in the decision-making and use of psychotropic medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Women living with severe mental illnesses, such as bipolar and psychosis, face difficult medication decisions due to uncertainty around use in pregnancy, potentially causing conflict with their dual role as both persons with a diagnosed mental illness but also new mothers. The clinician needs to provide comprehensible and concise information, giving space for a woman’s voice to be heard to guide them from a position of hesitancy to one of assurance. Collaboration within a multidisciplinary team and external care providers combined with consistency of care assists this process.
Chemical looping combustion (CLC) of municipal solid waste (MSW)
Authors: Yaqub Z. T. , Oboirien B. O. , Leion H.
Published: May 2023

Chemical Looping Combustion (CLC) has been found to be a better alternative in converting Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) to energy and has the potential to reduce the generation of dioxins due to the inhibition of the de-novo synthesis of dioxins. This study comprehensively reviews the experimental studies of CLC of MSW, the oxygen carriers, reactor types, performance evaluation, and ash interaction studies. Modeling and simulation studies of CLC of MSW were also critically presented. Plastic waste is MSW’s most studied non-biomass component in MSW under CLC conditions. This is because CLC has been shown to reduce the emission of dioxins and furans, which are normally emitted during the conventional combustion of plastics. From the several oxygen carriers tested with MSW’s CLC, alkaline earth metals (AEM) modified iron ore was the most effective for reducing dioxin emissions, improving combustion efficiency and carbon conversion. Also, oxygen carriers with supports were more reactive than single carriers and CaSO4/Fe2O3 and CaSO4 in silica sol had the highest oxygen transport ability. Though XRD analysis and thermodynamic calculations of the reacted oxygen carriers yielded diverse results due to software computation constraints, modified iron ore produced less HCl and heavy metal chlorides compared to iron ore and ilmenite. However, alkali silicates, a significant cause of fouling, were observed instead. The best reactor configuration for the CLC of MSW is the fluidized bed reactor, because it is easy to obtain high and homogeneous solid–gas mass transfer. Future research should focus on the development of improved oxygen carriers that can sustain reactivity after several cycles, as well as the system’s techno-economic feasibility.
The Development of Cortical Responses to the Integration of Audiovisual Speech in Infancy
Authors: Dopierała Aleksandra A. W. , Pérez David López , Mercure Evelyne , Pluta Agnieszka , Malinowska-Korczak Anna , Evans Samuel , Wolak Tomasz , Tomalski Przemysław
Published: May 2023

In adults, the integration of audiovisual speech elicits specific higher (super-additive) or lower (sub-additive) cortical responses when compared to the responses to unisensory stimuli. Although there is evidence that the fronto-temporal network is active during perception of audiovisual speech in infancy, the development of fronto-temporal responses to audiovisual integration remains unknown. In the current study, 5-month-olds and 10-month-olds watched bimodal (audiovisual) and alternating unimodal (auditory + visual) syllables. In this context we use alternating unimodal to denote alternating auditory and visual syllables that are perceived as separate syllables by adults. Using fNIRS we measured responses over large cortical areas including the inferior frontal and superior temporal regions. We identified channels showing different responses to bimodal than alternating unimodal condition and used multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) to decode patterns of cortical responses to bimodal (audiovisual) and alternating unimodal (auditory + visual) speech. Results showed that in both age groups integration elicits cortical responses consistent with both super- and sub-additive responses in the fronto-temporal cortex. The univariate analyses revealed that between 5 and 10 months spatial distribution of these responses becomes increasingly focal. MVPA correctly classified responses at 5 months, with key input from channels located in the inferior frontal and superior temporal channels of the right hemisphere. However, MVPA classification was not successful at 10 months, suggesting a potential cortical re-organisation of audiovisual speech perception at this age. These results show the complex and non-gradual development of the cortical responses to integration of congruent audiovisual speech in infancy.
Trend detection with non-detects in long-term monitoring, a mixed model approach
Authors: Sköld Martin
Published: May 2023

In long-term monitoring of contaminants in biota, a common approach is to use yearly geometric means of measured concentrations in sampled individuals as a basis for trend analysis. When some or all measurements in a particular year are reported as non-detects, it is unclear how to proceed in calculating the yearly mean. I argue that by casting the problem in terms of a mixed model, non-detects can be accounted for using statistical techniques for censored data. The approach is illustrated using data from the Swedish national monitoring programme for contaminants in biota.
Colonoscopy surveillance in Lynch syndrome is burdensome and frequently delayed
Authors: van Liere Elsa L. S. A. , Jacobs Imke L. , Dekker Evelien , Jacobs Maarten A. J. M. , de Boer Nanne K. H. , Ramsoekh Dewkoemar
Published: May 2023

Individuals with Lynch syndrome have an increased colorectal cancer risk, hence, biennial colonoscopy surveillance is recommended. We aimed to investigate patients’ perception and preferences regarding surveillance, and to further explore compliance behaviour. Individuals with Lynch syndrome received a validated survey evaluating experiences of their three most recent colonoscopies. Individuals were non-compliant to surveillance if the interval between colonoscopies differed ≥ 6 months from the recommended interval. In total, 197 of 291 (68%) invited individuals returned the survey. They mostly underwent colonoscopy biennially (99%), under mild sedation (79%) and with bowel preparation performed by Moviprep® (99%). Surveillance was perceived as impacting quality of life in 21%, and as moderately to extremely burdensome in 57%, particularly in those below age 40. To lower the burden, patients prioritised improvements in volume and taste of bowel preparation, laxation-related bowel movements, waiting times, and a more personal and respectful approach of endoscopic staff. Additionally, many individuals (60%) would favour less-invasive surveillance modalities such as biomarkers. In total, 28% of individuals had delayed colonoscopy surveillance, predominantly for patient-related reasons. An additional 10% considered quitting/postponing surveillance. Upon multivariable analysis, patient-related delay was associated with low and medium education, history of ≤ 4 colonoscopies and having no hospital recall-system. Colonoscopy surveillance in Lynch syndrome is often experienced as burdensome, and frequently delayed. We identified determinants of surveillance behaviour in this population, and present potential interventions to reduce the burden and non-compliance rates.
Isla: integrating full-scale ISA semantics and axiomatic concurrency models (extended version)
Authors: Armstrong Alasdair , Campbell Brian , Simner Ben , Pulte Christopher , Sewell Peter
Published: May 2023

Architecture specifications such as Armv8-A and RISC-V are the ultimate foundation for software verification and the correctness criteria for hardware verification. They should define the allowed sequential and relaxed-memory concurrency behaviour of programs, but hitherto there has been no integration of full-scale instruction-set architecture (ISA) semantics with axiomatic concurrency models, either in mathematics or in tools. These ISA semantics can be surprisingly large and intricate, e.g. 100k$$+$$
+
lines for Armv8-A. In this paper we present a tool, Isla, for computing the allowed behaviours of concurrent litmus tests with respect to full-scale ISA definitions, in the Sail language, and arbitrary axiomatic relaxed-memory concurrency models, in the Cat language. It is based on a generic symbolic engine for Sail ISA specifications. We equip the tool with a web interface to make it widely accessible, and illustrate and evaluate it for Armv8-A and RISC-V. The symbolic execution engine is valuable also for other verification tasks: it has been used in automated ISA test generation for the Arm Morello prototype architecture, extending Armv8-A with CHERI capabilities, and for Iris program-logic reasoning about binary code above the Armv8-A and RISC-V ISA specifications. By using full-scale and authoritative ISA semantics, Isla lets one evaluate litmus tests using arbitrary user instructions with high confidence. Moreover, because these ISA specifications give detailed and validated definitions of the sequential aspects of systems functionality, as used by hypervisors and operating systems, e.g. instruction fetch, exceptions, and address translation, our tool provides a basis for developing concurrency semantics for these. We demonstrate this for the Armv8-A instruction-fetch and virtual-memory models and examples of Simner et al.