bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Demand pull versus resource push training approaches to entrepreneurship: A field experiment
Authors: Santamaria Simone , Abolfathi Niloofar , Mahmood Ishtiaq Pasha
Published: October 2023

Research Summary

We compare the efficacy of two broad approaches to entrepreneurship training: a training prioritizing demand‐side activities versus a training prioritizing resource‐side activities. We do so by running a field experiment inside a 6‐month entrepreneurship program involving 236 early‐stage entrepreneurs. Inspired by our training, the first group invested more time interacting with potential customers and developing a deep understanding of customer needs and problems. The other group, in contrast, spent more time identifying and exploiting their core resources such as their network. Our results reveal that the training prioritizing demand‐side activities is substantially more effective. At the end of the program, the group exposed to the demand‐side training acquired more than twice the number of customers and generated revenues 65% higher than the other group.

Managerial Summary

In this paper, we aim to identify effective practices for supporting nascent entrepreneurs amidst the proliferation of entrepreneurship training programs. In particular, we launched a 6‐month entrepreneurship program involving 236 early‐stage entrepreneurs and exposed them to different training approaches. We discovered that a training approach focused on demand‐side activities, such as identifying customer persona, collecting reliable customer information, and interpreting their feedback, is more effective in improving new venture performance than a training approach focused on resource‐side activities such as helping entrepreneurs identify and leverage their resources and capabilities. Our findings emphasize the importance of developing skills related to customer analysis, market understanding, and collecting customer feedback during the early stages of a startup journey and can provide insights for designing effective entrepreneurship programs.
Amorphous Ni–Fe–Mo Oxides Coupled with Crystalline Metallic Domains for Enhanced Electrocatalytic Oxygen Evolution by Promoted Lattice‐Oxygen Participation
Authors: Fan Jiayao , Zhang Xinyu , Han Min , Xiang Xing , Guo Cong , Lin Yue , Shi Naien , Xu Dongdong , Lai Yu , Bao Jianchun
Published: October 2023

The crystalline/amorphous heterophase nanostructures are promising functional materials for biomedicals, catalysis, energy conversion, and storage. Despite great progress is achieved, facile synthesis of crystalline metal/amorphous multinary metal oxides nanohybrids remains challenging, and their electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance along with the catalytic mechanism are not systematically investigated. Herein, two kinds of ultrafine crystalline metal domains coupled with amorphous Ni–Fe–Mo oxides heterophase nanohybrids, including Ni/Ni0.5‐aFe0.5Mo1.5Ox and Ni‐FeNi3/Ni0.5‐bFe0.5‐yMo1.5Ox, are fabricated through controllable reduction of amorphous Ni0.5Fe0.5Mo1.5Ox precursors by simply tuning the amount of used reductant. Due to the suited component in metal domains, the special structure with dense crystalline/amorphous interfaces, and strong electronic coupling of their components, the resultant Ni‐FeNi3/Ni0.5‐bFe0.5‐yMo1.5Ox nanohybrids show greatly enhanced OER activity with a low overpotential (278 mV) to reach 10 mA cm−2 current density and ultrahigh turnover frequency (38160 h−1), outperforming Ni/Ni0.5‐aFe0.5 Mo1.5Ox, Ni0.5Fe0.5Mo1.5Ox precursors, commercial IrO2, and most of recently reported OER catalysts. Also, such Ni‐FeNi3/Ni0.5‐bFe0.5‐yMo1.5Ox nanohybrids manifest good catalytic stability. As revealed by a series of spectroscopy and electrochemical analyses, their OER mechanism follows the lattice‐oxygen‐mediated (LOM) pathway. This work may shed light on the design of advanced heterophase nanohybrids, and promote their applications in water splitting, metal‐air batteries, or other clean energy fields.
P‐N Heterojunction Embedded CuS/TiO2 Bifunctional Photocatalyst for Synchronous Hydrogen Production and Benzylamine Conversion
Authors: Liu Jianan , Sun Xuemeng , Fan Yuying , Yu Yaoguang , Li Qi , Zhou Jing , Gu Huiquan , Shi Keying , Jiang Baojiang
Published: October 2023

The coupling of photocatalytic hydrogen production and selective oxidation of benzylamine is a topic of significant research interest. However, enhancing the bifunctional photocatalytic activity in this context is still a major challenge. The construction of Z‐scheme heterojunctions is an effective strategy to enhance the activity of bifunctional photocatalysts. Herein, a p‐n type direct Z‐scheme heterojunction CuS/TiO2 is constructed using metal‐organic framework (MOF)‐derived TiO2 as a substrate. The carrier density is measured by Mott‐Schottky under photoexcitation, which confirms that the Z‐scheme electron transfer mode of CuS/TiO2 is driven by the diffusion effect caused by the carrier concentration difference. Benefiting from efficient charge separation and transfer, photogenerated electrons, and holes are directedly transferred to active oxidation and reduction sites. CuS/TiO2 also exhibits excellent bifunctional photocatalytic activity without noble metal cocatalysts. Among them, the H2 evolution activity of the CuS/TiO2 is found to be 17.1 and 29.5 times higher than that of TiO2 and CuS, respectively. Additionally, the yields of N‐Benzylidenebenzylamine (NBB) are 14.3 and 47.4 times higher than those of TiO2 and CuS, respectively.
Experimental study on flexural behavior of T‐shaped reinforced concrete laminated beams with defects
Authors: Feng Qingxing , Ye Nihong , Qu Chen , Gong Shunfeng , Lin Huangcheng
Published: October 2023

To study the influence of the defects on the flexural behavior of laminated T‐beams, full‐scale beam tests of three reinforced concrete laminated T‐beams with incomplete bonding and one non‐defective reinforced concrete laminated T‐beam were conducted under monotonic loading. The results showed that the failure modes and crack patterns of the defective beams were similar to those of beams without defects. However, horizontal cracks appeared in these defects. Although the peak loads of the four specimens were relatively close, the difference in the maximum deflection was distinct. The deflection span ratio of each specimen exceeded 1/17, and the displacement ductility ratio exceeded 15. The results indicate that internal defects have only a slight influence on the flexural capacity of laminated beams but significantly influence their ductility.
Reuse of wastewater for irrigation of coriander in Morocco: Evaluation of effects on crop growth parameters
Authors: Bel Haj Hind , El Ouarghi Hossain , El Yousfi Yassine , Elkhattabi Saif , Ben Zhir Khalid , Benyoussef Said , Aboulhassan Moulay Abdelazize , Krid Azzouz , Abioui Mohamed
Published: October 2023

Currently, the convergence of climate change, population growth, and deteriorating water quality has triggered a scarcity of freshwater resources, presenting substantial hurdles for agricultural endeavors. Consequently, repurposing treated wastewater for agricultural use is gaining prominence. This strategy offers a noteworthy advantage by furnishing an alternative water source, distinct from conventional freshwater, for agricultural irrigation. The considered irrigation water categories encompass treated wastewater, sewage treated with supplementary fertilization, treated water of a specific quality, and treated water quality fortified with fertilizer. An assessment of the treated wastewater extracted from the Imzouren‐Bni Bouayach treatment facility was undertaken, encompassing scrutiny of its physical, chemical, and bacteriological attributes. This analysis yielded measurements for a range of parameters, including pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, suspended matter, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, total phosphorus, nitrate, nitrite, total coliforms, fecal coliforms, and fecal streptococci. These measurements align with acceptable thresholds for direct discharge and are following Morocco's established water quality standards tailored for irrigation. In light of the soil analysis, the soil is classified as alkaline, with a pH of 8.2, and displays low salinity, evidenced by an electrical conductivity of 2.42 mS/cm. Furthermore, the soil exhibits deficiencies in organic matter and essential nutrients, with carbon content measuring 0.84%, organic matter at 1.45%, nitrogen at 0.07%, phosphorus at 10.6 mg/L, and potassium at 56.5 mg/L. The utilization of treated wastewater for irrigation purposes bestows the crop with a dependable water supply, ensuring stability in its growth.
State-of-the-Art Approaches
Authors: Zhao Xiang , Zeng Weixin , Tang Jiuyang
Published: October 2023

This chapter performs a thorough assessment and meticulous examination of the most advanced EA techniques. Initially, we introduce a broad EA framework that covers all current methods and classify these methods into three main groups. Then, we carefully appraise these solutions on various scenarios, taking into account their efficacy, efficiency, and scalability. Lastly, we create a novel EA dataset that reflects the actual difficulties encountered in alignment, which prior literature mostly ignored. This chapter aims to offer a comprehensive understanding of the advantages and drawbacks of current EA methods, in order to encourage further high-quality research.
Poor usability of computer-assisted navigation for hip fracture surgery
Authors: Hestehave Rasmus Abildtrup , Gundtoft Per Hviid , Nielsen Christian Lind , Brink Ole , Rölfing Jan Duedal
Published: October 2023

Introduction

The STRYKER ADAPT computer-assisted navigation system provides intraoperative feedback to the surgeon regarding implant placement of the Gamma3 nail. The usability of the ADAPT system has not been evaluated. The aim of the study was to investigate the perceived usability of the ADAPT system.

Materials and methods

This was a descriptive study with prospectively collected data. ADAPT was introduced at Aarhus University Hospital in February 2021. Prior to introduction, surgeons at the department attended a general introduction to the system. ADAPT was introduced to the surgical nurses and was on display at the surgical ward at more than one occasion, where personal introduction to the system was possible. After introduction, it was mandatory to use ADAPT when using the Gamma3 nail to treat intertrochanteric femur fractures. After each procedure, primary and an eventual supervisor answered a questionnaire, which encompassed the System Usability Scale (SUS) questionnaire. The SUS is a ten-item questionnaire regarding the perceived usability of a system. SUS scores were translated to adjectives, describing user experience on a 7-point adjective scale (worst imaginable, awful, poor, ok, good, excellent, best imaginable). User acceptability, defined as “not acceptable”, “marginal” or “acceptable”, was also used to interpret the SUS scores.

Results

ADAPT was used in 50 procedures by 29 different surgeons, with varying skill-level. Median SUS-score after first-time use of ADAPT for all 29 surgeons was 43 (range: 5–60), which translated to “poor” or “not acceptable”. For surgeons who performed ≥ 3 ADAPT-assisted procedures, there were no statistically significant difference in their first to latest SUS-score (median difference: 4.3, p = 0.5). In free text comments ADAPT was positively described as helpful in placement of K-wire and providing educational opportunities for inexperienced surgeons and negatively as inconsistent, slow, time consuming, and causing excessive fluoroscopy.

Conclusions

Usability and acceptability of ADAPT was rated as “poor” or “not acceptable” by the majority of operating surgeons. ADAPT has not been used at our institution based on these findings. The System Usability Scale may be used in further research exploring usability and acceptability of novel computer-assisted navigation systems for orthopaedic surgery.
Assessment of clinical outcomes and patient response to gingival depigmentation using a scalpel, ceramic bur, and diode laser 980 nm
Authors: Mikhail Faten Fawzy , El Menoufy Hala , El Kilani Naglaa Shawki
Published: October 2023

Objective

This research compares the clinical outcomes of gingival depigmentation procedures with conventional scalpel, ceramic trimmer bur, and diode laser techniques.

Materials and methods

Twenty-four individuals with physiologic gingival hyperpigmentation received random allocation to one of three treatment groups: scalpel, ceramic bur, or diode laser. Pain score, operation time, bleeding index, degree of epithelialization, wound healing, Dummett-Gupta Oral Pigmentation Index (DOPI), and Takashi Index score changes were all investigated at different time points.

Results

At 12-h follow-up, significant variations in pain scores were seen between the laser and scalpel groups (p = 0.003) but not between the laser and ceramic bur groups. The diode laser group completed the procedure significantly quicker than the scalpel and ceramic bur groups (p = 0.004 andp = 0.001, respectively). The ceramic trimmer bur and diode laser groups showed significantly less bleeding tendency than the scalpel group. Wound healing and the degree of epithelialization were similar in all groups. DOPI and Takashi indices significantly decreased compared to baseline in all groups, with no significant difference recorded between all groups.

Conclusion

While diode lasers are a safe and effective treatment option for gingival hyperpigmentation, providing optimal aesthetics with reduced discomfort to patients, a ceramic trimmer bur can also be used as a simple and affordable alternative to a laser in gingival depigmentation procedures.

Clinical relevance

Gingival hyperpigmentation is a major aesthetic issue for many individuals. Laser and ceramic trimmer bur treatments produce equivalent aesthetic outcomes for gingival hyperpigmentation.
Latina American and Caribbean Single Mothers in Anglophone Children’s Picturebooks
Authors: Sergeev Dmitrii
Published: October 2023

Picturebooks are the primary source from which children receive initial understandings about family and motherhood. In this article, I discuss verbal and visual tools used in portraying Latina American and Caribbean single mothers in Katherine Leiner and Edel Rodriguez’sMama Does the Mambo(2001), Monica Gunning and Elaine Pedlar’sA Shelter in Our Car(2004), Jonah Winter and Edel Rodriguez’sSonia Sotomayor(2009) and Yuyi Morales’sDreamers(2018). I argue that authors employ a marginalised position of Latinx American and Caribbean characters in Anglophone children’s picturebooks to portray psychologically deep images of single mothers. The illustrators adjust semiotic tools within children’s literature and develop recognizable artistic styles to amplify these issues. White American authors often use foreign cultures as assets to speak on behalf of marginalised groups, importing their own values and stereotypes. Artists and writers develop a toolkit to navigate the perspectives of outsiders and insiders, exploring meaningful topics such as homelessness, immigration, widowhood, poverty, deprivation, grief, and depression. However, authors’ creative representations conform with the existing social institutions and family values, such as a marriage, re-partnering, gendered household chores, and unproblematized relationship with children. While symbolic conventions align with stereotypical expectations, illustrators innovate in colour palettes and artistic techniques, using depictions, interactions, and language integration. Despite constraints, these fictional single mothers exude agency on behavioural, symbolic, and psychological levels.
Extended finite similitude and dimensional analysis for scaling
Authors: Davey Keith , Ochoa-Cabrero Raul
Published: October 2023

The theory of scaling called finite similitude does not involve dimensional analysis and is founded on a transport-equation approach that is applicable to all of classical physics. It features a countable infinite number of similitude rules and has recently been extended to other types of governing equations (e.g., differential, variational) by the introduction of a scaling space $$\Omega _{\beta }$$

Ω
β

, within which all physical quantities are deemed dependent on a single dimensional parameter $$\beta $$
β
. The theory is presently limited to physical applications but the focus of this paper is its extension to other quantitative-based theories such as finance. This is achieved by connecting it to an extended form of dimensional analysis, where changes in any quantity can be associated with curves projected onto a dimensional Lie group. It is shown in the paper how differential similitude identities arising out of the finite similitude theory are universal in the sense they can be formed and applied to any quantitative-based theory. In order to illustrate its applicability outside physics the Black-Scholes equation for option valuation in finance is considered since this equation is recognised to be similar in form to an equation from thermal physics. It is demonstrated that the theory of finite similitude can be applied to the Black-Scholes equation and more widely can be used to assess observed size effects in portfolio performance.
Agricultural frontiers and environment: a systematic literature review and research agenda for Emerging Countries
Authors: Sales Arthur Pereira
Published: October 2023

Despite having the largest land and water reserves for agriculture on the planet, intensive agricultural production in emerging countries has stimulated research around the world, especially due to the numerous environmental impacts caused by the expansion of agricultural frontiers. Motivated to analyze the literature on the transformations brought about by the development of intensive agriculture since the middle of the twentieth century, this study analyzes the main studies on the interference of agricultural frontiers on the environment in emerging countries over the last 30 years (1993–2022). To do so, the Systematic Literature Review methodology was used, with the CIMO planning approach and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) reporting guideline. The analysis initially included 14,366 scientific articles from a wide range of subjects in the social and natural sciences, available on the Web of Science (Clarivate Analytics), ScienceDirect (Elsevier), and Google Scholar databases. One of the most significant findings of this study is that there is no specific framework to analyze the relationship between the agricultural frontier and the environment in developing countries; however, literature has mainly been concerned with measuring the impact of intensive agriculture on natural resources, as well as verifying how local socio-economic factors and/or public policies affect populations’ behavior regarding this relationship between the environment and agricultural production. The data also revealed that Brazil is the “country of origin” of the literature on agricultural frontiers and the environment, especially due to studies on the Amazon rainforest, followed somewhat distantly by studies on South America in general and the island regions of Indonesia and Malaysia. There is also a lack of studies on European economies in transition, emerging African countries and Russia, or on the agri-environmental impact of the demand for food in populous countries such as India and China. Finally, in addition to country-specific suggestions, this systematic literature review suggests directions and implications for future research.
Movement patterns of the endemic flightless bush-cricket, Isophya beybienkoi
Authors: Nuhlíčková Soňa , Svetlík Ján , Kaňuch Peter , Krištín Anton , Jarčuška Benjamín
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Knowledge on the mobility of threatened species is a clue to understanding population dynamics and is needed to develop appropriate conservation strategies. Here, we investigate movement patterns of the Bei-Bienko’s Plump Bush-cricket (Isophya beybienkoi), an example of a flightless and critically endangered species endemic to the Slovak Karst (southern Slovakia, Central Europe). The capture-mark-recapture method was used to estimate the mobility of the species using fluorescent dye as a marking medium. We found that the mean (± SD) daily distance travelled by this species was only 3.2 ± 2.6 m, with significant differences between males (4.1 ± 3.0 m) and females (2.7 ± 2.1 m). Our results indicate thatI. beybienkoiis a short-distance disperser. Males disappeared faster than females from the study plots (at maximum, two females were recaptured even after 41 days). The observed movement patterns suggest that the most urgent conservation measure for this species is to improve the habitat quality of sites, which suffer from overgrowth, and to maintain the quality of other suitable sites that might increase the size of the existing subpopulations.

Implications for insect conservation

Our results show thatI. beybienkoiis a short-distance disperser and wanders only within its optimal habitat. Hence, to incorporate movement behaviour into conservation, one of the measures that should mitigate this threat is to preserve or improve the quality of habitats that suffer from overgrowth, in order to increase the size of existing subpopulations. The observed movement patterns suggest that the species is probably incapable of responding to changes in the availability of suitable habitats by dispersing, indicating a limited exchange of individuals between isolated populations. Thus, to enhance structurally diverse mosaic of high-quality habitats, restoration of migration corridors former used as movement corridors for grazing animals may support the dispersal of the threatened bush-cricket.
A model for contact and friction between beams under large deformation and sheaves
Authors: Ntarladima Konstantina , Pieber Michael , Gerstmayr Johannes
Published: October 2023

This work focuses on the modeling of contact between sheaves and flexible axially moving beams. A two-dimensional beam finite element is employed, based on the absolute nodal coordinate formulation (ANCF) with an improved selective reduced integration for the virtual work of elastic and viscous damping forces. For the efficient modeling of contact between flexible axially moving beams and sheaves in systems such as belt-drives or reeving systems, a number of newly developed algorithms is presented. The computation of normal contact is based on a penalty formulation using a spring-damper model, while for the efficient contact detection a bounding box which fits the exact dimensions of the finite elements is employed. For the detection and computation of contact, the beam elements are divided into linear segments. The modeling of tangential contact is based on a bristle model for friction extended for being compatible with an implicit time integration. A numerical example of a belt drive showed good convergence and agreement with analytical solutions.
Topology optimization of periodic structures for crash and static load cases using the evolutionary level set method
Authors: Huang Hua-Ming , Raponi Elena , Duddeck Fabian , Menzel Stefan , Bujny Mariusz
Published: October 2023

Assembly complexity and manufacturing costs of engineering structures can be significantly reduced by using periodic mechanical components, which are defined by combining multiple identical unit cells into a global topology. Additionally, the superior energy-absorbing properties of lattice-based periodic structures can potentially enhance the overall performance in crash-related applications. Recent research developments in periodic topology optimization (PTO) have shown its efficacy for tackling new design problems and finding advanced novel structures. However, most of these methods rely on gradient information in the optimization process, which poses difficulties for crash problems where analytical sensitivities are usually not directly applicable. In this paper, we present an effective periodic evolutionary level set method (P-EA-LSM) for the optimization of periodic structures. P-EA-LSM uses a low-dimensional level-set representation based on moving morphable components to parametrize a single unit cell, which is replicated in the design domain according to a predefined pattern. The unit cell is optimized using an evolutionary algorithm and the structural responses are calculated for the entire system. We initially assess the performance of P-EA-LSM using three 2D minimum compliance test cases with varying periodicities. Our results demonstrate that our approach produces solutions comparable to other state-of-the-art methods for PTO while keeping a low dimensionality of the optimization problem. Subsequently, we effectively evaluate the capabilities of P-EA-LSM in a crashworthiness scenario. This particular application highlights the significant potential of the method, which does not rely on analytical sensitivities.
Validation of Anti-Adeno Associated Virus Serotype rh10 (AAVrh.10) Total and Neutralizing Antibody Immunogenicity Assays
Authors: Butala-Flores Elizabeth , Nguyen Thien , Selvan Nithya , Armstrong Luke , Miller Michelle , Kamen Lynn , Lester Todd , Wernyj Roman , Khanna Richie , McNally Jim , Hays Amanda
Published: October 2023

Immunogenicity assessment of Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) vectors is a critical part of gene therapy drug development. Whether the assays are used for inclusion/exclusion criteria or to monitor the safety and efficacy of the gene therapy, they are critical bioanalytical assessments. While total anti-AAV assays are perceived as easier to develop and implement than neutralizing anti-AAV assays, the gene therapy field is still nascent, and it is not yet clear which of the assays should be implemented at what stage of drug development. Recently AAVrh.10 has gained interest for use in gene therapies targeting cardiac, neurological, and other diseases due to its enhanced transduction efficiency. There is limited information on anti-AAVrh.10 antibodies and their clinical impact; thus, the information presented herein documents the validation of both a total antibody assay (TAb) and a neutralizing antibody (NAb) assay for anti-AAVrh.10 antibodies. In this manuscript, the validation was performed in accordance with the 2019 FDA immunogenicity guidance with additional evaluations to comply with CLIA where applicable. The AAVrh.10 TAb and NAb assays were compared in terms of sensitivity, drug tolerance, and precision, along with a concordance analysis using the same individual serum samples. This comparison gave insight into the utility of each format as a screening assay for inclusion into clinical studies.
Iron dynamics and isotope fractionation in soil and rice during 2000 years of rice cultivation
Authors: Wu Bei , Meng Xiangtian , Yao Huaiying , Amelung Wulf
Published: October 2023

Background and aims

Paddy management results in frequent redox cycles of the soil and thus changes in the terrestrial iron (Fe) cycle. We intended to test that the increasing duration of paddy management and the increasing frequency of soil redox cycles leave their fingerprint on Fe isotope composition of paddy systems, which could subsequently be used to deduce the origin of rice plants as related to the extent of past soil paddy management.

Methods

We sampled soil and rice plants of a paddy chronosequence in China with rice cultivation history up to 2000 years and determined the changes of soil Fe pools and Fe isotope composition of the soil and rice plants.

Results

Prolonged paddy management reduced Fe concentrations in submerged topsoil leading to an enrichment of heavy Fe isotopes, with the δ56Fe values 0.12‰ heavier than the parent material after 2000 years. Particularly, Fe oxides were lost quickly, while exchangeable and organic-associated Fe continuously accumulated during paddy management and played an increasing role in the plant-available Fe pool in the topsoil. The Fe content in rice also increased with paddy age, while its Fe isotope composition did not reflect that of paddy soil but resembled that of the Fe plaques on the roots.

Conclusion

Prolonged rice cropping altered the biological contribution in the terrestrial Fe cycle. However, while soil Fe pools that are closely linked with biological activities were affected rather quickly, the changes in the whole soil Fe system were detectable only after a millennium of paddy management.
Photospheric Velocities Measured at Mt. Wilson Show Rotational and Poleward Velocity Deviations Compose the Torsional Oscillations
Authors: Ulrich Roger K. , Tran Tham , Boyden John E.
Published: October 2023

The methods for reducing the observations from the 150-foot tower telescope on Mt. Wilson are reviewed, and a new method for determining the poleward and rotational velocity deviations is described and applied. The flows we study are smaller than global and change with the solar cycle, so we describe them as poleward and rotational deviations rather than meridional circulation when we discuss solar surface flows. Due to a calibration problem with the data prior to 1983, only observations between 1983 and 2013 are presented at this time. After subtraction of latitude-dependent averages over the 30-year period of observation, the residual deviations in both the poleward and the rotational velocity are well synchronized and correspond to what is widely recognized as torsional oscillations. Both flow components need to be included in any model that replicates the torsional oscillations.
Improving the productive performance of growing lambs using prebiotic and probiotic as growth promoters
Authors: Shoukry Mohsen Mahmoud , El-Nomeary Yasser Ahmed Abd El-Fattah , Salman Fatma Mansour , Shakweer Waleid Mohamed EL-Sayed
Published: October 2023

The feed additives (prebiotics and probiotics) are used to stabilize the healthy gut microbiome by supporting beneficial microorganisms, thereby improving the animal growth rate. Thirty growing lambs, with around 20.50 ± 0.65 kg live weight were placed into five equal groups (6 animals each). The concentrate feed mixture (CFM) + roughage was given to the control groups. The treatments (T) of T1, T2, and T3 treatments were fed the control ration with three levels of prebiotic supplementation: 0.50, 1.00, and 1.50 g/kg CFM of mannan oligosaccharids + beta glucan, respectively. The T4 received the control ration and was supplemented with 1.0 g/kg CFM probiotic (3.0 × 108 CFU/g, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens). The roughage was provided ad libitum, and the animals were supplemented with CFM at 2.00% of the body weight. A digestibility trial was conducted at the end of the 150-day feeding trial. The results demonstrated that increasing the prebiotic to 0.15% enhanced average daily gain and feed efficiency (P < 0.05) when compared to the control group. Although daily gain and feed efficiency in probiotic-fed animals were higher (P < 0.05) than in the control group, they were lower in prebiotic-fed lambs. The blood parameters were within normal range. The animals that received 0.10% prebiotic had the highest economic feed efficiency when compared to the other groups. Prebiotic treatment improved nutrient digestibility and nutritive values; however, the results for control and probiotic treatment were practically identical. Additionally, further research is needed to investigate the effects of prebiotics, probiotics and synbiotics as feed additives on productive and reproductive performance in ruminants.
Sleep apnea healthcare management in dynamically changing times
Authors: Krefting Dagmar , Arzt Michael , Maurer Joachim T , Penzel Thomas , Prasser Fabian , Sedlmayr Martin , Schöbel Christoph
Published: October 2023

Background

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common chronic disorder and an independent risk factor for several health issues, with a high prevalence estimated at 30% for men and 13% for women in Germany.

Objective

For both individual wellbeing and healthcare systems, efficient and effective diagnosis and treatment of OSA are essential. Actors and stations along the patient pathway that may strongly benefit from adoption of current and evolving digital methods and tools are to be identified.

Materials and methods

This work analyzes an OSA patient’s pathway through the German healthcare system, as well as current developments in health informatics and patient involvement. Potential benefits are identified and a patient-centric integrated digital health system is conceptualized.

Results

Digital health strategies of German and European governments emphasize the importance of connected healthcare for patient empowerment, efficient health systems, and innovations in healthcare. For OSA, in particular intersectoral sharing of health assessments and biosignal measurements can support physicians’ care and timely and adequate treatment. Furthermore, clinical decision-support systems including artificial intelligence may help in optimized patient-centric treatment by early detection of females suffering from OSA, OSA pheno- and endotypes, and patients at risk of abandoning treatments. However, bureaucratic and reimbursement barriers in legislation may slow down or even inhibit the implementation of a smart healthcare system.

Conclusion

Current trends in connected digital healthcare, wearables, data-driven decision support, and patient participation offer many opportunities for significantly improving healthcare for OSA. However, many technical, organizational, and regulatory challenges are to be faced.
The “autopsy” enigma: etymology, related terms and unambiguous alternatives
Authors: Foster Jacob
Published: October 2023

The concerted use of Greek-derived medical terms in the present day allows us to facilitate effective communication while honouring the historic roots of Western medicine. The word autopsy derives from its third century B.C. Hellenistic Greek etymon αὐτοψία (“to see for oneself”), later borrowed into Neo-Latin as autopsia and Middle French as autopsie. Throughout its etymological journey, autopsie underwent semantic narrowing from the passive sense “self-inspection of something without touching”, to a purposeful action by an operator performing “an examination of the human body itself”, to specifically “dissection of a dead human body”. These curious turning points for the meaning of autopsie produced an auto-antonym: the same word now has multiple meanings, of which one is the reverse of another. The French autopsie used in the latter sense predates that documented for the English autopsy (attested 1829). Since the early nineteenth century, attempts were made to remedy the discrepancy between conflicting senses either by adding determining adjectives to the existing noun, or by substituting it with another word altogether. This review explores the etymological journey of autopsy, considers which related terms have been popularised throughout history, introduces the concept of lexical ambiguity and suggests unambiguous English compound (necropsy and necrotomy) and Latin-derived (non-invasive and invasive postmortem examination) alternatives to satisfy a recent appetite for clarity in international professional and next-of-kin communication.
Blood Oxygenation Level–Dependent Cerebrovascular Reactivity–Derived Steal Phenomenon May Indicate Tissue Reperfusion Failure After Successful Endovascular Thrombectomy
Authors: Bellomo Jacopo , Sebök Martina , Stumpo Vittorio , van Niftrik Christiaan H. B. , Meisterhans Darja , Piccirelli Marco , Michels Lars , Reolon Beno , Esposito Giuseppe , Schubert Tilman , Kulcsar Zsolt , Luft Andreas R. , Wegener Susanne , Regli Luca , Fierstra Jorn
Published: October 2023

In acute ischemic stroke due to large-vessel occlusion (LVO), the clinical outcome after endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is influenced by the extent of autoregulatory hemodynamic impairment, which can be derived from blood oxygenation level–dependent cerebrovascular reactivity (BOLD-CVR). BOLD-CVR imaging identifies brain areas influenced by hemodynamic steal. We sought to investigate the presence of steal phenomenon and its relationship to DWI lesions and clinical deficit in the acute phase of ischemic stroke following successful vessel recanalization.

From the prospective longitudinal IMPreST (Interplay of Microcirculation and Plasticity after ischemic Stroke) cohort study, patients with acute ischemic unilateral LVO stroke of the anterior circulation with successful endovascular thrombectomy (EVT; mTICI scale ≥ 2b) and subsequent BOLD-CVR examination were included for this analysis. We analyzed the spatial correlation between brain areas exhibiting BOLD-CVR-associated steal phenomenon and DWI infarct lesion as well as the relationship between steal phenomenon and NIHSS score at hospital discharge.

Included patients (n = 21) exhibited steal phenomenon to different extents, whereas there was only a partial spatial overlap with the DWI lesion (median 19%; IQR, 8–59). The volume of steal phenomenon outside the DWI lesion showed a positive correlation with overall DWI lesion volume and was a significant predictor for the NIHSS score at hospital discharge.

Patients with acute ischemic unilateral LVO stroke exhibited hemodynamic steal identified by BOLD-CVR after successful EVT. Steal volume was associated with DWI infarct lesion size and with poor clinical outcome at hospital discharge. BOLD-CVR may further aid in better understanding persisting hemodynamic impairment following reperfusion therapy.
Liquid hydrogen storage design trades for a short-range aircraft concept
Authors: Burschyk Tim , Cabac Yannic , Silberhorn Daniel , Boden Brigitte , Nagel Björn
Published: October 2023

Preliminary design trades for the liquid hydrogen storage system of a short-range aircraft are presented. Two promising insulation methods, namely rigid foam and multilayer insulation, are identified as main design drivers. In addition, the maximal pressure and the shape of the hydrogen storage tank influence the aircraft performance and the insulation efficiency. In this study, the hydrogen storage tanks are integrated in wing pods. The main effects driven by the design parameters are addressed using conceptual and preliminary methods: models are carried out for the storage mass, additional drag, propeller efficiency loss and the dynamical thermodynamic behavior of the liquid hydrogen storage. These effects are coupled making an integrated design method necessary. For the sizing of the liquid hydrogen storage, a multidisciplinary workflow is set up including the aircraft sensitivities on the design mission block fuel. The trade-off study reveals the opposing trend between insulation efficiency and aircraft performance. For the insulation architecture based on rigid foam, the penalties implied by the storage tank on aircraft level and the penalties due to vented hydrogen can be balanced and result in minimal block fuel for the design mission. The application of multilayer insulation avoids venting during the design mission, but has an increased penalty on the aircraft performance compared to rigid foam insulation. Besides the criterion of minimal block fuel, the dormancy time is compared, indicating the thermal efficiency. Applying multilayer insulation, the dormancy time can be increased significantly calling for a discussion of operational requirements for hydrogen-powered aircraft.
Comparison of BMI and HbA1c changes before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in type 1 diabetes: a longitudinal population-based study
Authors: Auzanneau Marie , Kieninger Dorothee M. , Laubner Katharina , Renner Christian , Mirza Joaquina , Däublin Gerhard , Praedicow Kirsten , Haberland Holger , Steigleder-Schweiger Claudia , Gohlke Bettina , Galler Angela , Holl Reinhard W. ,   on behalf of the DPV Initiative
Published: October 2023

Purpose

To compare the changes in body weight and glycemic control before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Methods

In 47,065 individuals with T1D from the German Diabetes Prospective Follow-up Registry (DPV), we compared the adjusted mean changes in BMI-Z-scores and HbA1c as well as the distribution of individual changes between four periods from March 2018 to February 2022, by sex and age group (4- < 11, 11- < 16, 16–50 years).

Results

At population level, the only significant pandemic effects were a slight increase in BMI Z-score in prepubertal children (girls: + 0.03 in the first COVID year vs. before, P < 0.01; boys: + 0.04, P < 0.01) as well as a stabilization of HbA1c in all subgroups or even improvement in women (− 0.08%, P < 0.01). At individual level, however, heterogeneity increased significantly (p < 0.01), especially in children. More prepubertal children gained weight (girls: 45% vs. 35% before COVID; boys: 39% vs. 33%). More pubertal girls lost weight (30% vs. 21%) and fewer gained weight (43% vs. 54%). More children had a decreasing HbA1c (prepubertal group: 29% vs. 22%; pubertal girls: 33% vs. 28%; pubertal boys: 32% vs. 25%) and fewer had increasing values. More women had stable HbA1c and fewer had increasing values (30% vs. 37%). In men, no significant changes were observed.

Conclusion

This real-world analysis shows no detrimental consequences of the two first COVID years on weight and HbA1c in T1D on average, but reveals, beyond the mean trends, a greater variability at the individual level.
Peer Relations of Adolescents with Adverse Childhood Experiences: A Systematic Literature Review of Two Decades
Authors: Wang Joy Huanhuan , Merrin Gabriel J. , Kiefer Sarah M. , Jackson Jesseca L. , Huckaby Paige L. , Pascarella Lauren A. , Blake Corinne L. , Gomez Michael D. , Smith Nicholas D. W.
Published: October 2023

There is a need for a systematic understanding of how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) affect peer relationships during adolescence and the subsequent effects on youth well-being. This study conducted a systematic literature review of the two decades (1999–2019) following the CDC-Kaiser ACE study (1998). The review included 11 ACEs (i.e., 10 ACEs from the CDC-Kaiser ACE study plus child welfare involvement) and searched five databases (i.e., Embase, ERIC, PsycINFO, PTSDpubs, and PubMed). Ninety-two studies were included. The findings indicated that ACEs were differentially associated with six aspects of peer relationships: (1) ACEs were negatively associated with peer relation quantity and peer status; (2) ACEs were not significantly related to peer support; (3) associations of ACEs with peer relationship quality and peer characteristics included negative and nonsignificant findings; and (4) relations between ACEs and peer influence appeared contradictory (i.e., positive and negative associations). Additionally, various aspects of peer relationships further affected the well-being of youth with ACEs. The findings call for more attention to the associations between ACEs and adolescent peer relationships. Longitudinal studies that examine change over time, potential mechanisms, and moderating factors in the associations between ACEs and peer relations are needed to clarify the heterogeneity of findings across the six aspects of peer relations. Lastly, the findings suggest a potential expansion of the trauma-informed care principle by considering multiple facets of peer relationships beyond peer support.
A new vertebrate assemblage from the Matute Formation of the Cameros Basin (Ágreda, Spain): implications for the diversity during the Jurassic/Cretaceous boundary
Authors: Puértolas-Pascual E. , Aurell M. , Bermúdez-Rochas D. D. , Canudo J. I. , Fernandes A. E. , Galobart A. , Moreno-Azanza M. , Pérez-García A. , Castanera D.
Published: October 2023

The Ribota site (Ágreda, Soria, Spain) is a new locality in the Matute Formation (Tithonian–Berriasian) composed of several carbonate layers, outstandingly rich in macrovertebrate remains. Fossils show an unusual replacement of the original bioapatite by quartz, and are found as positive reliefs protruding from lacustrine limestone beds. This type of conservation has allowed the identification of around one hundred vertebrate bone accumulations in an outcrop of more than 10 hectares. Osteichthyans (articulated partial skeletons, cranial material, and isolated postcranial bones and scales), crocodylomorphs (disarticulated cranial material, isolated teeth, vertebrae and osteoderms), turtles (partial carapaces and plastra, but also isolated plates) and pterosaurs (cranial and appendicular elements) have been identified. Around 80 specimens have been collected and a preliminary study of part of the collection (35 specimens) has allowed the identification of at least 5 different taxa: Halecomorphi indet., Neoginglymodi indet., Goniopholididae indet., Testudinata indet., and Pterodactyloidea indet. This new site represents one of the few sites from this time interval preserved in a fully lacustrine environment, so these vertebrate assemblages are unique and composed of different animals that presumably lived around and within the lake. They are dominated by aquatic and amphibian vertebrates and was formed by attrition in this lacustrine environment, possibly far from the lake shoreline. These macrovertebrate assemblages provide new data about the diversity in the faunal ecosystems from the Jurassic/Cretaceous transition of the Iberian Basin Rift System.
Combining the hybrid mimetic mixed method with the Scharfetter-Gummel scheme for magnetised transport in plasmas
Authors: Cheng Hanz Martin , ten Thije Boonkkamp Jan , Janssen Jesper , Mihailova Diana , van Dijk Jan
Published: October 2023

In this paper, we propose a numerical scheme for fluid models of magnetised plasmas. One important feature of the numerical scheme is that it should be able to handle the anisotropy induced by the magnetic field. In order to do so, we propose the use of the hybrid mimetic mixed (HMM) scheme for diffusion. This is combined with a hybridised variant of the Scharfetter-Gummel (SG) scheme for advection. The proposed hybrid scheme can be implemented very efficiently via static condensation. Numerical tests are then performed to show the applicability of the combined HMM-SG scheme, even for highly anisotropic magnetic fields.
The impact of scale on extracting urban mobility patterns using texture analysis
Authors: Bin Asad Khan Mortuza , Yuan Yihong
Published: October 2023

The development of high-precision location tracking devices and advancements in data collection, storage, transmission technologies, and data mining algorithms have led to the availability of large datasets with high spatiotemporal resolution. These geospatial big data can be used to identify human movement patterns in urban areas. However, identifying human movement patterns may yield different results depending on the scale size used. In this paper, we employed first and second order texture analysis algorithms to identify spatial patterns of human movement for various scale sizes based on taxi trajectory data from Nanjing, China. The results demonstrated that texture analysis can quantify changes in human movement patterns for different scale sizes in an urban area. Furthermore, the results may differ based on the location of the study area. This study contributed both methodologically and empirically. Methodologically, we used texture analysis to examine the impact of different scale sizes on the extraction of aggregated human travel patterns. Empirically, we quantified the effects of different scale sizes on extracting aggregated travel patterns of an urban area. Overall, the findings of this study can have significant implications for urban planning and policy-making, as understanding human movement patterns at different scales can provide valuable insights for optimizing transportation systems and enhancing overall urban mobility.