bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Auswirkungen kognitiver Einschränkungen (Demenz) auf Lebensqualität und Versorgung
Authors: Brijoux Thomas , Zank Susanne
Published: July 2023

Zwischen November 2020 und April 2021 wurde im Rahmen der bundesweit repräsentativen Studie „Hohes Alter in Deutschland“ eine schriftliche Befragung von mehr als 10.000 Personen ab 80 Jahren zu deren Lebenssituation und Lebensqualität durchgeführt. Hiervon beantworteten 3233 Personen bis Dezember 2021 in einem zusätzlichen telefonischen Interview weitergehende Inhalte, unter anderem war ein kognitives Screening Teil der telefonischen Interviews. Dieser siebte Kurzbericht aus der deutschlandweiten Repräsentativbefragung stellt dar, wie hochaltrige Menschen mit Demenz wohnen und versorgt werden und beschreibt ihre subjektive Lebensqualität während der Pandemie.
Origami Life
Authors: Geary Cody
Published: July 2023

Regardless of the scale it is built at, the geometric principles of origami make it an architecture both constrained by the act of folding and imbued with dynamics by folding. From space stations to molecules, origami solutions are inspiring a new type of design that considers its deployment as an integral part of the structure. In this essay, I will explain some surprising similarities between the ancient art of folding paper origami and the folding of RNA at the nanoscale.
Reasoning As If
Authors: Lutz Jack H. , Lutz Robyn R.
Published: July 2023

It is occasionally useful toreason as ifsomething were true, even when we know that it is almost certainly not true. We discuss two instances, one in distributed computing and one in tile self-assembly, and suggest directions for further investigation of this method.
Sequenceable Event Recorders
Authors: Cardelli Luca
Published: July 2023

With recent high-throughput technology, we can synthesize large heterogeneous collections of DNA structures and also read them all out precisely in a single procedure. Can we use these tools, not only to do things faster, but also to devise new techniques and algorithms? In this paper, we examine some DNA algorithms that assume high-throughput synthesis and sequencing. We record the order in which N events occur, using $$N^2$$

N
2

redundant detectors but only N distinct DNA domains, and (after sequencing) reconstruct the order by transitive reduction.
Computational Design of Nucleic Acid Circuits: Past, Present, and Future
Authors: Lakin Matthew R. , Spaccasassi Carlo , Phillips Andrew
Published: July 2023

Over the past 40 years, significant progress has been made on the design and implementation of nucleic acid circuits, which represent the computational core of dynamic DNA nanotechnology. This progress has been enabled primarily by substantial advances in experimental techniques, but also by parallel advances in computational methods for nucleic acid circuit design. In this perspective, we look back at the evolution of these computational design methods through the lens of the Visual DSD system, which has been developed over the past decade for the design and analysis of nucleic acid circuits. We trace the evolution of Visual DSD over time in relation to computational design methods more broadly, and outline how these computational design methods have tried to keep pace with rapid progress in experimental techniques. Along the way, we summarize the key theoretical concepts from computer science and mathematics that underpin these design methods, weaving them together using a common running example of a simple Join circuit. On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of DNA nanotechnology, we also offer some thoughts on possible future directions for the computational design of nucleic acid circuits and how this may influence, and be influenced by, experimental developments.
Parallel Computations with DNA-Encoded Chemical Reaction Networks
Authors: Gines Guillaume , Genot Anthony J. , Rondelez Yannick
Published: July 2023

Molecular programs use chemical reactions as primitives to process information. An interesting property of many of these amorphous systems is their scale-invariant property: They can be split into sub-parts without affecting their function. In combination with emerging techniques to compartmentalize and manipulate extremely small volumes of liquid, this opens a route to parallel molecular computations involving possibly millions to billions of individual processors. In this short perspective, we use selected examples from the DNA-based molecular programming literature to discuss some of the technical aspects associated with distributing chemical computations in spatially defined microscopic sub-units. We also present some future directions to leverage the potential of parallel molecular networks in applications.
Models of Gellular Automata
Authors: Hagiya Masami , Hongu Taiga
Published: July 2023

We summarize our work on gellular automata, which are cellular automata we intend to implement with gel materials. If cellular automata are implemented as materials, it will become possible to realize smart materials with abilities such as self-organization, pattern formation, and self-repair. Furthermore, it may be possible to make a material that can detect the environment and adapt to it. In this article, we present three models of gellular automata, among which the first two have been proposed previously and the third one is proposed here for the first time. Before presenting the models, we briefly discuss why cellular automata are a research target in DNA computing, a field which aims to extract computational power from DNA molecules. Then, we briefly describe the first model. It is based on gel walls with holes that can open and exchange the solutions that surround them. The second model is also based on gel walls but differs in that the walls allow small molecules to diffuse. In presenting the second model, we focus on self-stability, which is an important property of distributed systems, related to the ability to self-repair. Finally, we report our recent attempt, in the third model, to design gellular automata that learn Boolean circuits from input–output sets, i.e., examples of input signals and their expected output signals.
Closed-form formulae for inflation correlators
Authors: Qin Zhehan , Xianyu Zhong-Zhi
Published: July 2023

Abstract

We derive exact and closed-form expressions for a large class of two-point and three-point inflation correlators with the tree-level exchange of a single massive particle. The intermediate massive particle is allowed to have arbitrary mass, spin, chemical potential, and arbitrary nonderivative or derivative couplings to external inflaton modes. We also allow the coupling coefficients to have arbitrary complex power dependences on the conformal time. Our results feature closed-form expressions involving only familiar special functions and without any infinite sums. This is achieved by an improved bootstrap method with a suitable change of variables. Our results cover a wide range of cosmological collider models and can be directly used for future phenomenological studies. Our results can also be used as basic building blocks for constructing more complicated inflation correlators.
Effective field theories for dark matter pairs in the early universe: cross sections and widths
Authors: Biondini S. , Brambilla N. , Qerimi G. , Vairo A.
Published: July 2023

Abstract

In order to predict the cosmological abundance of dark matter, an estimation of particle rates in an expanding thermal environment is needed. For thermal dark matter, the non-relativistic regime sets the stage for the freeze-out of the dark matter energy density. We compute transition widths and annihilation, bound-state formation, and dissociation cross sections of dark matter fermion pairs in the unifying framework of non-relativistic effective field theories at finite temperature, with the thermal bath modeling the thermodynamical behaviour of the early universe. We reproduce and extend some known results for the paradigmatic case of a dark fermion species coupled to dark gauge bosons. The effective field theory framework allows to highlight their range of validity and consistency, and to identify some possible improvements.
Trinification from E6 symmetry breaking
Authors: Babu K. S. , Bajc Borut , Susič Vasja
Published: July 2023

Abstract

In the context of E6 Grand Unified Theories (GUTs), an intriguing possibility for symmetry breaking to the Standard Model (SM) group involves an intermediate stage characterized by either SU(3) × SU(3) × SU(3) (trinification) or SU(6) × SU(2). The more common choices of SU(5) and SO(10) GUT symmetry groups do not offer such breaking chains. We argue that the presence of a real (rank 2 tensor) representation 650 of E6 in the scalar sector is the minimal and likely only reasonable possibility to obtain one of the novel intermediate stages. We analyze the renormalizable scalar potential of a single copy of the 650 and find vacuum solutions that support regularly embedded subgroups SU(3) × SU(3) × SU(3), SU(6) × SU(2), and SO(10) × U(1), as well as specially embedded subgroups F4 and SU(3) × G2 that do not contain the SM gauge symmetry. We show that for a suitable choice of parameters, each of the regular cases can be obtained as the lowest among the analyzed minima in the potential.
Complex S3-symmetric 3HDM
Authors: Kunčinas A. , Ogreid O. M. , Osland P. , Rebelo M. N.
Published: July 2023

Abstract

CP violation plays a very important role in nature with implications both for Particle Physics and for Cosmology. Accounting for the observed matter-antimatter asymmetry of the Universe requires the existence of new sources of CP violation beyond the Standard Model. In models with an extended scalar sector CP violation can emerge either explicitly, i.e., at the Lagrangian level, or spontaneously. Spontaneous CP violation occurs in the framework of the electroweak symmetry breaking whenever the Lagrangian conserves CP and the vacuum breaks it. This requires that not all vacuum expectation values be real. In the context of multi-Higgs extensions of the Standard Model imposing the existence of a scalar basis where all couplings are real is a sufficient condition for CP to be explicitly conserved. We discuss a three-Higgs-doublet model with an underlyingS3symmetry, allowing in principle for complex couplings. In this framework it is possible to have either spontaneous or explicit CP violation in the scalar sector, depending on the regions of parameter space corresponding to the different possible vacua of theS3symmetric potential. We list all possible vacuum structures allowing for CP violation in the scalar sector specifying whether it can be explicit or spontaneous. It is by now established that CP is violated in the flavour sector and that the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix is complex. In order to understand what are the possible sources of CP violation in the Yukawa sector we analyse the implications of the different available choices of representations for the quarks under theS3group. This classification is based strictly on the exactS3-symmetric scalar potential with no soft symmetry breaking terms. The scalar sector of one such model was explored numerically. After applying the theoretical and the most important experimental constraints the available parameter space is shown to be able to give rise to light neutral scalars at the$$ \mathcal{O} $$O(MeV) scale.
Holographic measurement in CFT thermofield doubles
Authors: Antonini Stefano , Grado-White Brianna , Jian Shao-Kai , Swingle Brian
Published: July 2023

Abstract

We extend the results of arXiv:2209.12903 by studying local projective measurements performed on subregions of two copies of a CFT2 in the thermofield double state and investigating their consequences on the bulk double-sided black hole holographic dual. We focus on CFTs defined on an infinite line and consider measurements of both finite and semi-infinite subregions. In the former case, the connectivity of the bulk spacetime is preserved after the measurement. In the latter case, the measurement of two semi-infinite intervals in one CFT or of one semi-infinite interval in each CFT can destroy the Einstein-Rosen bridge and disconnect the bulk dual spacetime. In particular, we find that a transition between a connected and disconnected phase occurs depending on the relative size of the measured and unmeasured subregions and on the specific Cardy state the measured subregions are projected on. We identify this phase transition as an entangled/disentangled phase transition of the dual CFT system by computing the post-measurement holographic entanglement entropy between the two CFTs. We also find that bulk information encoded in one CFT in the absence of measurement can sometimes be reconstructed from the other CFT when a measurement is performed, or can be erased by the measurement. Finally, we show that a purely CFT calculation of the Renyi entropy using the replica trick yields results compatible with those obtained in our bulk analysis.
Kinked tracks from Σ+ baryons as a probe of light quark polarizations
Authors: Kats Yevgeny
Published: July 2023

Abstract

Jets initiated by energetic quarks carry in an obvious way approximate information about the original quark energy and momentum. In a less obvious way, they also carry information about the quark polarization. Previous works have shown how the polarization information can be extracted by ATLAS and CMS using events in which the quark hadronizes to an energetic baryon — Λb for b quarks, Λc for c quarks and Λ for s quarks. In this paper we extend these proposals to Σ+ baryons, which can provide sensitivity to polarizations of s and u quarks. We analyze the various aspects of how the kinked track signature of the Σ+→ pπ0 decay can be used for this purpose. We evaluate the feasibility of such measurements in $$ t\overline{t} $$
t

t
¯

samples.
Impact of Environmental Exposures on Lung Cancer in Patients Who Never Smoked
Authors: Chandwani Rahul , Brokamp Cole , Salfity Hai , Starnes Sandra L. , Van Haren Robert M.
Published: July 2023

Background

Despite the rising incidence of lung cancer in patients who never smoked, environmental risk factors such as ambient air pollution in this group are poorly described. Our objective was to identify the relationship of environmental exposures with lung cancer in patients who never smoked.

Methods

A prospectively collected database was reviewed for all patients with non‐small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) who underwent resection from 2006 to 2021. Environmental exposures were estimated using the geocoded home address of patients. Logistic regression was used to determine the association of clinical and environmental variables with smoking status. Kaplan–Meier and Cox proportional hazards analyses were used to assess survival.

Results

A total of 665 patients underwent resection for NSCLC, of which 67 (10.1%) were patients who never smoked and 598 (89.9%) were current/former smokers. Patients who never smoked were more likely of white race (p = 0.001) and had well‐differentiated tumors with carcinoid or adenocarcinoma histology (p < 0.001). Environmental exposures were similar between groups, but patients who never smoked had less community material deprivation (p = 0.002) measured by household income, education, health insurance, and vacancies. They had improved overall survival (p = 0.012) but equivalent cancer recurrence (p = 0.818) as those who smoked. In univariable Cox analyses, fine particulate matter (HR: 1.447 [95% CI 1.197–1.750], p < 0.001), distance to nearest major roadway (HR: 1.067 [1.024–1.111], p = 0.002), and greenspace (HR: 0.253 [0.087–0.737], p = 0.012) were associated with overall survival in patients who never smoked.

Conclusions

Lung cancer patients who never smoked have unique clinical and pathologic characteristics, including higher socioeconomic status. Interventions to reduce environmental exposures may improve lung cancer survival in this population.
Exploring depression in Alzheimer’s disease: an Italian Delphi Consensus on phenomenology, diagnosis, and management
Authors: Padovani Alessandro , Antonini Angelo , Barone Paolo , Bellelli Giuseppe , Fagiolini Andrea , Ferini Strambi Luigi , Sorbi Sandro , Stocchi Fabrizio
Published: July 2023

Background

In Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the progressive cognitive impairment is often combined with a variety of neuropsychiatric symptoms, firstly depression. Nevertheless, its diagnosis and management is difficult, since specific diagnostic criteria and guidelines for treatment are still lacking. The aim of this Delphi study is to reach a shared point of view among different Italian specialists on depression in AD.

Methods

An online Delphi survey with 30 questions regarding epidemiology, diagnosis, clinical features, and treatment of depression in AD was administered anonymously to a panel of 53 expert clinicians.

Results

Consensus was achieved in most cases (86%). In the 80% of statements, a positive consensus was reached, while in 6% a negative consensus was achieved. No consensus was obtained in 14%. Among the most relevant findings, the link between depression and AD is believed to be strong and concerns etiopathogenesis and phenomenology. Further, depression in AD seems to have specific features compared to major depressive disorder (MDD). Regarding diagnosis, the DSM 5 diagnostic criteria for MDD seems to be not able to detect the specific aspects of depression in AD. Concerning treatment, antidepressant drugs are generally considered the main option for depression in dementia, according to previous guidelines. In order to limit side effects, multimodal and SSRI antidepressant are preferred by clinicians. In particular, the procognitive effect of vortioxetine seems to be appealing for the treatment of depression in AD.

Conclusions

This study highlights some crucial aspects of depression in AD, but more investigations and specific recommendations are needed.
Innovative fertilizers and soil amendments based on hydrochar from brewery waste
Authors: Skrzypczak Dawid , Mironiuk Małgorzata , Witek-Krowiak Anna , Mikula Katarzyna , Pstrowska Katarzyna , Łużny Rafał , Mościcki Krzysztof , Pawlak-Kruczek Halina , Siarkowska Aleksandra , Moustakas Konstantinos , Chojnacka Katarzyna
Published: July 2023

Hydrothermal carbonization is one of the new ways to produce valuable products from waste materials. The aim of this study was to develop a novel method for the production of hydrochars from brewery residues for agricultural applications. Waste materials treated at 140 °C, 170 °C, and 200 °C were used as a source of renewable nitrogen and as delivery agents of fertilizer microelements (Cu, Mn, and Zn). HTC materials were enriched with nutrients using an innovative spray sorption method. The surface texture was characterized by the nitrogen adsorption technique, functional groups were identified (FT-IR), and thermogravimetric analysis of the materials was performed. Preliminary germination tests have shown phytotoxic effects at doses greater than 20% (relative to plant nitrogen requirements) for unenriched hydrochars. To minimize inhibition of plant growth, air aging tests were conducted for 30 days, followed by successive drying at 110 °C for 72 h. It was observed that the higher the temperature of the carbonization process, the faster the desorption of components in a solution simulating soil conditions (NaNO3) occurs. The pot tests on cucumber (Cornichon de Paris) showed that the biometric parameters of the plant (stem length and root ball parameters) for the hydrochar obtained at 170 °C were higher than in the group fertilized with mineral fertilizer. Twice the fresh plant mass was noted for this group compared to the reference. In addition, the study recorded a particular increase in nitrogen content in plants fertilized with a 150% dose of enriched hydrochar, where the element content increased by about 100% compared to the group with mineral fertilizer applied (100% dose). The study shows that properly prepared hydrochars from brewery waste offer great potential as a nitrogen source and micronutrient delivery agents for the agrochemical sector.

Graphical Abstract
Examining the effectiveness of a deep learning-based computer-aided breast cancer detection system for breast ultrasound
Authors: Fujioka Tomoyuki , Kubota Kazunori , Hsu Jen Feng , Chang Ruey Feng , Sawada Terumasa , Ide Yoshimi , Taruno Kanae , Hankyo Meishi , Kurita Tomoko , Nakamura Seigo , Tateishi Ukihide , Takei Hiroyuki
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical usefulness of a deep learning-based computer-aided detection (CADe) system for breast ultrasound.

Methods

The set of 88 training images was expanded to 14,000 positive images and 50,000 negative images. The CADe system was trained to detect lesions in real- time using deep learning with an improved model of YOLOv3-tiny. Eighteen readers evaluated 52 test image sets with and without CADe. Jackknife alternative free-response receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to estimate the effectiveness of this system in improving lesion detection.

Result

The area under the curve (AUC) for image sets was 0.7726 with CADe and 0.6304 without CADe, with a 0.1422 difference, indicating that with CADe was significantly higher than that without CADe (p < 0.0001). The sensitivity per case was higher with CADe (95.4%) than without CADe (83.7%). The specificity of suspected breast cancer cases with CADe (86.6%) was higher than that without CADe (65.7%). The number of false positives per case (FPC) was lower with CADe (0.22) than without CADe (0.43).

Conclusion

The use of a deep learning-based CADe system for breast ultrasound by readers significantly improved their reading ability. This system is expected to contribute to highly accurate breast cancer screening and diagnosis.
Emu Oil and zinc monoglycerolate independently reduce disease severity in a rat model of ulcerative colitis
Authors: Mashtoub Suzanne , Howarth Gordon S
Published: July 2023

Ulcerative colitis is characterized by colonic inflammation. Previously, Emu Oil protected the intestine against experimentally-induced inflammatory intestinal disorders. Zinc monoglycerolate (ZMG) polymer, formed by heating zinc oxide with glycerol, demonstrated anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties. We aimed to determine whether ZMG, alone or in combination with Emu Oil, could reduce acute colitis severity in rats. Male Sprague Dawley rats (n = 8/group) were orally-administered either vehicle, ZMG, Emu Oil (EO) or ZMG combined with EO (ZMG/EO) daily. Rats were provided ad libitum access to drinking water (Groups 1–4) or dextran sulphate sodium (DSS; 2%w/v; Groups 5–8) throughout the trial (days 0–5) before euthanasia on day 6. Disease activity index, crypt depth, degranulated mast cells (DMCs) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were assessed. p < 0.05 was considered significant. DSS increased disease severity (days 3–6) compared to normal controls (p < 0.05). Importantly, in DSS-administered rats, ZMG/EO (day 3) and ZMG (day 6) reduced disease activity index compared to controls (p < 0.05). Following DSS consumption, distal colonic crypts lengthened (p < 0.01), occurring to a greater extent with EO compared to ZMG and ZMG/EO (p < 0.001). DSS increased colonic DMC numbers compared to normal controls (p < 0.001); an effect decreased only by EO (p < 0.05). Colonic MPO activity increased following DSS consumption (p < 0.05); notably, ZMG, EO and ZMG/EO treatments decreased MPO activity compared to DSS controls (p < 0.001). EO, ZMG and ZMG/EO did not impact any parameter in normal animals. Emu Oil and ZMG independently decreased selected indicators of colitic disease severity in rats; however, the combination did not reveal any additional benefit.
Optimizing targeted gene flow to maximize local genetic diversity: when and how to act under various scenarios of environmental change
Authors: Smart Adam S. , Phillips Ben L.
Published: July 2023

Targeted gene flow is an emerging conservation approach which involves introducing a cohort of individuals with particular traits to locations where they can produce a conservation benefit. This technique is being proposed to adapt recipient populations to a known threat, but questions remain surrounding how best to maximize conservation outcomes during periods of continuous directional environmental change. Here we introduce a new management objective—to keep the recipient population extant and with maximum diversity of local alleles—and we explore how varying the timing and size of an introduction can maximise this objective. Our results reveal a trade-off between keeping a population extant and maintaining a high level of genetic diversity, but management levers can often optimize this so that nearly 100% of the allelic diversity is preserved. These optimum outcomes sets are highly sensitive to the predicted rate of environmental shift, as well as the level of outbreeding depression in the system.
Distance, Closeness and Touch in and as an Improvised Duet Dance: How to “Move a Bit Further Away” with a Partner
Authors: Bovet Alain
Published: July 2023

The intelligibility of a performance of improvised dance does not reside in the rehearsed execution of a pre-existing script, nor does it result from a sustained verbal interaction between the dancers. Many aspects of the speechless performance obviously play an important role in the achieved intelligibility of the dance: a dancer is seen moving on and from a ground, on a stage, in a space delimited by walls, illuminated by spotlights, sounded by music, in front of an audience. And of course with other dancers, whose joint gestures and moves give shape to a choreography by providing pace, rhythm and sequences, thereby constituting a narrative or fragments thereof. This paper addresses the manufacture of this witnessable order, by presenting some results of an ethnographic inquiry. The investigation will be focused on how, in an improvised duet, each dancer interacts with the other, and more specifically how she or he positions her- or himself in relation to the other, from distance to proximity and touch. This work of distance management is the dance, whose choreographic accountability is produced and structured by dancers staying at a distance, getting closer and touching each other. The analysis shows that distance management is oriented to as relevant by the dancers and that it has consequences on their improvised duet. It is also what makes their performance analyzable by distant observers.
Alternative Epistemology in Far-Right Anti-Publics: A Qualitative Study of Australian Activists
Authors: Peucker Mario , Spaaij Ramón
Published: July 2023

Beliefs in hostile conspiracies against ‘Western civilisation’ or ‘white people’ play a key role in tying divergent far-right tropes together under an internally coherent meta-narrative. Claims of having discovered this conspiratorial truth offer personal pride, create a sense of righteousness and urgency to stand up against these alleged secretive, malevolent forces, and help build a parallel counter-hegemonic community with its own distinct epistemology. Using qualitative interviews and a focus group, this study examines how actors engaged in ‘ordinary’ dissent in Australia developed an antagonistic fringe belief system, and the extent to which this alternative epistemology constitutes a manifestation of ‘anti-publics’ (Davis, 2021). The study found how participants’ ideological mindset has grown from rather benign manifestations of dissent into a hostile, counter-hegemonic, conspiratorial meta-narrative through processes of ‘doing their own research’, sharing their learnings with significant others, and incorporating each other’s ideological convictions. Their ideological radicalisation was characterised by personal feelings of pride and epistemic superiority, which created a sense of meaning, urgency, and purpose, as well as social recognition within their group. These psychological and social processes drew them further into a far-right ‘anti-public’ milieu and away from democratic expressions of dissent. The findings shed new light on how the complex and mutually reinforcing interplay between ideological and socio-psychological factors cements an alternative, oppositional epistemology. The study offers close-up insights into what drives radicalisation processes, creating or reinforcing a parallel ‘anti-public’ in hostile opposition to democratic processes and norms.
Hydrogen charging of carbon and low alloy steel by electrochemical methods
Authors: Bolzoni Fabio , Paterlini Luca , Casanova Luca , Ormellese Marco
Published: July 2023

Atomic hydrogen can be the result of different processes like electroplating, chemical and electrochemical pickling treatments, in welding or by cathodic processes in corrosive fluids. Moreover, adsorption of atomic hydrogen can affect materials in contact with high pressure gaseous hydrogen. Once entered the material, atomic hydrogen interacts with the metal structure and may produce a “damage” of various forms, such as Hydrogen Induced Cracking (HIC), delayed fracture, blistering and hydrogen embrittlement. In particular, when H2S is present (“sour service”), metallic materials, such as carbon and low alloy steels, may suffer hydrogen damage and hydrogen embrittlement. Sour service materials must be used in compliance with international accepted standards, used worldwide in oil and gas activities, when fluids are classified as sour. The present study has been carried out in order to set up an electrochemical method to charge with hydrogen two typical pipeline materials, carbon and low alloy steels. The reason of the use of an electrochemical method is to avoid any critical conditions from the point of view of preparation, safety and disposal. Hydrogen content in the specimens was measured by two different methods: hot glycerol bath and Inert Gas Fusion (IGF) analysis. Hydrogen content in the specimens is about 0.6–2 ppm; mechanical performances were assessed by means of J integral tests: a pronounced decrease of fracture toughness was observed for H charged specimens.

Graphical Abstract
Pea Protein-Based Bioplastics Crosslinked with Genipin: Analysis of the Crosslinking Evolution
Authors: Perez-Puyana V. M. , Cortés-Triviño E. , Jiménez-Rosado M. , Romero A. , Martínez I.
Published: July 2023

Replacing conventional plastics with other products obtained from biobased and biodegradable raw materials is an increasingly studied solution. In this line, the development of protein-based bioplastics is a promising alternative. However, for some applications, such as packaging it would be necessary to improve their properties by including an additional stage to crosslink the protein chains during the production of bioplastics. Therefore, pea protein-based bioplastics crosslinked with genipin, a natural non-toxic chemical crosslinking agent, are evaluated in this study. The bioplastics are obtained via injection moulding and genipin, is included in the initial formulation. Specifically, the concentration of genipin and the effects on the protein blends with genipin over days are evaluated. The evolution of the reaction is followed by the colour change of the blend, together with thermal analyses and infrared spectroscopy. Results showed the evolution of the crosslinking in the blends resulted in conformational changes that resulted in the modification of the initial yellowish colour to a blueish system. Respect their bioplastics, more deformable systems with a lower water absorption capability are obtained by using genipin as crosslinking agent.
Predicting Adolescents’ Problematic Social Media Use From Profiles of Internet-Specific Parenting Practices and General Parenting Dimensions
Authors: Geurts Suzanne M. , Koning Ina M. , Van den Eijnden Regina J. J. M. , Vossen Helen G. M.
Published: July 2023

Although both Internet-specific and general parenting have been linked to adolescents’ problematic social media use, until now they have been investigated as separate predictors of this behavior. As specific parenting practices occur in the broader general parenting context, this study examined how different Internet-specific parenting practices (Internet-specific rule setting, reactive restrictions towards Internet use, and co-use) and general parenting dimensions (responsiveness and autonomy-granting) co-occur, and act together in predicting adolescents’ problematic social media use. Four-wave data of 400 adolescents (T1: M age = 13.51 years, SD = 2.15, 54% girls) were used. Latent profile analysis identified three parenting profiles: Limiting and less supportive (13.5%), Tolerant and supportive (25.5%), and Limiting and supportive (60.8%). Membership to Tolerant and supportive predicted lower scores on prospective problematic social media use than membership to the other profiles. Besides, membership to Limiting and supportive predicted lower scores on problematic social media use than membership to Limiting and less supportive. No robust moderation effects of adolescents’ age and gender were found. These findings suggest that a supportive general parenting context rather than Internet use restrictions should be the focus when considering the prevention of adolescents’ problematic social media use.
Edge computing in the loop simulation framework for automotive use cases evaluation
Authors: Maller Levente Márk , Suskovics Péter , Bokor László
Published: July 2023

Edge architectures provide local, decentralized services, enabling balancing network traffic and distributing hardware resources. Later, many new use cases can be implemented by combining the advantages of the edge computing concept with the services of 5G systems. One of the biggest beneficiaries of this could be the Vehicle-to-Cloud (V2C) technology, where it is necessary to efficiently process large amounts of data resulting from Vehicle-to-Everything communication (V2X) services. In specific use cases, this makes it possible to process sensor data collectively, enhanced by fusion, which promotes a more effective virtual representation of the real world. The effective implementation of these technologies is a complex task. One of the most important steps before tests on actual infrastructures with real vehicles is evaluating and validating edge cloud systems. We present a solution for this problem, the Cloud-in-the-Loop (CiL) simulation framework. It can orchestrate a real-size, telco-grade level, Kubernetes-based edge cloud infrastructure based on information gathered from a traffic simulator and performing fine-grained benchmarking and data collection. In addition to the performance analysis of the edge system, it also enables an in-depth examination of cloud-native applications serving complex automotive use cases. In this paper, we focus on presenting the developed framework and its capabilities by utilizing the system with implemented test applications, and give an example of testing QoS and QoE aspects of the edge cloud-based V2C concept.
Patients’ Perspectives on Dietary Patterns and Eating Behaviors During Weight Regain After Gastric Bypass Surgery
Authors: Tolvanen Liisa , Christenson Anne , Bonn Stephanie E. , Surkan Pamela J. , Lagerros Ylva Trolle
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Food quality, energy intake, and various eating-related problems have been highlighted as some of the components influencing weight after bariatric surgery. This study aimed to increase our knowledge of patients’ perspectives on dietary patterns and eating behaviors during weight regain after bariatric surgery.

Materials and Methods

We recruited 4 men and 12 women with obesity and the experience of weight regain after bariatric surgery at an obesity clinic in Stockholm, Sweden. Data were collected during 2018–2019. We conducted a qualitative study, carried out individual semi-structured interviews, and analyzed the recorded and transcribed interview data with thematic analysis.

Results

Participants had regained 12 to 71% from their lowest weight after gastric bypass surgery performed 3 to 15 years before. They perceived their dietary challenges as overwhelming and had not expected weight management, meal patterns, increasing portion sizes, and appealing energy-dense foods to be problematic after surgery. In addition, difficulties with disordered eating patterns, emotional eating, and increased alcohol intake further contributed to the weight management hurdles. Insufficient nutritional knowledge and lack of support limited participants’ ability to avoid weight regain, leading to restrictive eating and dieting without sustained weight loss.

Conclusion

Eating behavior and dietary factors such as lack of nutritional knowledge, emotional eating, or disorganized meal patterns contribute to difficulties with weight management after gastric bypass surgery. Improved counseling may help patients prepare for possible weight regain and remaining challenges with food and eating. The results highlight the importance of regular medical nutrition therapy after gastric bypass surgery.

Graphical Abstract
Different larval diets for Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) under laboratory conditions: in preparation for a mass-rearing system
Authors: Contreras-Perera Yamili , Flores-Pech Juan Pablo , Pérez-Carillo Silvia , Puerta-Guardo Henry , Geded-Moreno Eduardo , Correa-Morales Fabián , Che-Mendoza Azael , Ayora-Talavera Guadalupe , Vazquez-Prokopec Gonzalo , Martín-Park Abdiel , Manrique-Saide Pablo
Published: July 2023

Larval diet is one of the key factors in establishing a mass-rearing/production system for Wolbachia-based approaches that promotes high-quality and high-performance adult mosquitoes at a low/reasonable cost. To identify a suitable larval diet for Aedes aegypti infected with the Wolbachia line (wMID) and wild-type lab-established line (MID), four diets with different protein sources (ranging from 42 to 75%) were compared: fish food (TIL), bovine liver powder (COW), porcine powder meal (PIG), and a mix standard laboratory diet (MFOOD). The COW diet for wMID and MID (without affecting survival to the pupal stage) showed a shorter time to pupation, and the average time was 6 to 7 days, respectively. No significant differences were observed on pupation for wMID and MID, which ranged between 92 and 95% and 96–98%, respectively. A larger pupae size was observed among the TIL, COW, and MFOOD diets for wMID; no differences were recorded for MID. With the COW diet, wMID (7.90 ± 0.06) and MID (7.76 ± 0.10) males had shorter development times from LI to emergence. The stability of the Wolbachia infection was not affected by the diets evaluated. Independently of the Wolbachia infection, all diets are suitable for mass-production and maintenance of Ae. aegypti. Overall, no negative impact was observed on the life history traits evaluated. Considering these results, along with the relative costs of the four diets, PIG and TIL are viable choices given their affordability, accessibility of ingredients in the area. These two low-cost and suitable diets could be used for the Ae. aegypti mass-rearing system in Mexico.
Breast Cancer Prevention: The Key Role of Population Screening, Breast Self-Examination (BSE) and Technological Tools. Survey of Italian Women
Authors: Conte Luana , De Nunzio Giorgio , Lupo Roberto , Mieli Matilde , Lezzi Alessia , Vitale Elsa , Carriero Maria Chiara , Calabrò Antonino , Carvello Maicol , Rubbi Ivan , Federico Massimo
Published: July 2023

Breast cancer is the most common tumor among women worldwide and still remains the leading cause of death in women in Italy. Although survival from this pathology has increased, this disease and its treatment can have lasting or delayed effects that can greatly affect a woman's quality of life. Primary and secondary prevention are currently the best strategies to combat this cancer: improved lifestyle, early adherence to screening, Breast Self-Examination (BSE), and even now the use of technology, have become among the most important tools to ensure increasingly early diagnosis of this disease, which is a major cause of suffering and premature mortality in women. Indeed, early diagnosis of the disease can lead to a good prognosis and a high survival rate. This study investigates the attitude of Italian women to perform clinical checkups aimed at cancer prevention, particularly adherence to free screening programs offered by the National Health Service (NHS) for women in the 50–69 age group. The knowledge, use and emotional approach toward BSE as a screening tool and the use of dedicated apps for this purpose are also investigated. Low adherence to screening programs, lack of BSE practice, and nonuse of dedicated apps are just some of the results observed in this study. Therefore, it becomes essential to spread the culture of prevention, cancer awareness and the importance of screening throughout life.
3D finite element analysis of a two-surface wear model in fretting tests
Authors: Basseville Stéphanie , Missoum-Benziane Djamel , Cailletaud Georges
Published: July 2023

This article aims at developing a computationally efficient framework to simulate the erosion of two contact surfaces in three-dimensional (3D), depending on the body resistance. The framework involves finite element (FE) resolution of a fretting problem, wear computation via a non-local criterion including a wear distribution parameter (WDP), as well as updating of the geometry and automatic remeshing. Its originality is based on the capability to capture the damage on each surface and obtain local and global results for a quantitative and qualitative analysis. Numerical simulations are carried out for two 3D contact specimens with different values of WDP. The results highlight the importance of correctly modelling wear: One-surface wear model is sufficient from a global point of view (wear volume), or whenever the wear resistance for a body is much higher than that of another one, whereas a 3D two-surface wear model is essential to capturing local effects (contact pressure, wear footprint, etc.) related to the difference in wear resistance of the bodies.
Advice from Māori Experts for Bicultural Early Childhood Education in Aotearoa New Zealand
Authors: Williams Ngaroma , Fletcher Jo , Ma Ting
Published: July 2023

Te Whāriki, the first bicultural early childhood education curriculum in Aotearoa New Zealand, gained national and international attention. While there was widespread acceptance of its bicultural intent, Te Whāriki was not well understood and implemented as a bicultural curriculum. Early childhood education teachers lacked confidence and struggled to integrate te reo me ngā tikanga Māori into their daily practices. This article gives voice to the wisdom of three mature stalwarts of te ao Māori and the unique community-based lens of tangata whenua from five marae across the country. It provides pathways into how te ao Māori can be implemented into daily practices, programmes, and pedagogies of teachers in the early childhood sector. An Indigenous framework was used to explore what needs to happen to have a bicultural early childhood education sector. These included knowing and understanding how whakapapa can be the key to engaging in te ao Māori and mātauranga Māori.
Exercise testing and training in frail older adults with an orthopedic impairment participating in a geriatric rehabilitation program: an international Delphi study
Authors: Groen Wim G. , Wattel Elizabeth M. , de Groot Aafke J. , Meiland Franka J. M. , Hertogh Cees M. P. M. , Gerrits Karin H. L.
Published: July 2023

Background

Little is known about exercise testing and training in orthopedic geriatric rehabilitation. This study aims to obtain expert-consensus-based recommendations on this matter.

Methods

Using an online Delphi study we aimed to reach international expert consensus on statements related to testing and training of endurance capacity and muscle strength. Participants needed to have relevant research or clinical expertise. Statements were evaluated and explanatory comments could be provided. After each round anonymous results were presented to participants. Statements could be adjusted or new ones could be formulated if necessary. Consensus was defined as > 75% of participants agreeing.

Results

Thirty experts completed the first round. Twenty-eight (93%) the second and 25 (83%) completed the third round. The majority of experts were physical therapists. Consensus was reached on a total of 34 statements. The statements and comments reflected the need for a pragmatic and tailored approach in this population both for testing and training. For example, for testing endurance capacity, a 6 Minute walk test was promoted and for testing muscle strength, performance in a functional activity was suggested. Ratings of perceived exertion were promoted for monitoring intensity of endurance and muscle strength training in patients without cognitive impairment.

Conclusion

In orthopedic GR, endurance and muscle strength testing should be pragmatic and is preferably performed in functional activities. For endurance training existing guidelines of the American College of Sports Medicine can be strived for but adapted as needed and for muscle strength training only lower intensities are agreed upon.
The Fourth Industrial Revolution and Military-Civil Fusion
Authors: Evron Yoram , Bitzinger Richard A.
Published: July 2023

Advanced commercial technologies offer new opportunities for defense applications that could greatly affect military power and metrics of military advantage. This is relevant when it comes to civilian-based technological innovations found in the emerging 'fourth industrial revolution,' such as artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, 'big data,' and quantum computing. Militaries and governments around the world are increasingly focused on how and where advanced commercial technologies, innovations, and breakthroughs could potentially create new capacities for military power, advantage, and leverage. This process of exploiting civilian-based advanced technologies is referred to as 'military–civil fusion' (MCF). This book addresses MCF not only from a conceptual and practical sense but also comparatively as it explores how four different countries – the United States, China, India, and Israel – are attempting to use MCF to support national military-technological innovation. It will interest scholars, researchers, and advanced students of military, security, and technology studies, as well as analysts and policymakers in military and defense organizations.
Paula Meehan's Greek journey: environmental footsteps
Authors: Kruczkowska Joanna
Published: July 2023

The article focuses on the most elaborate of Paula Meehan's ‘Greek’ poems, ‘Flight JIK Olympic Airlines 016 to Ikaria, Greece’ (Painting Rain, 2009), inspired by her journey to Ikaria, in the framework of travel writing and ecocriticism. By transforming the matrix of W. H. Auden's ‘Musée des Beaux Arts’, and by representing a specific case of ecopoetry, Meehan's text challenges the precepts of footsteps and vertical travel genres. The comparison between the two poems has been contextualized by the Irish poet's environmental, political and artistic concerns, as well as her other poems, essays and travels in Greece.
Clustering of causal graphs to explore drivers of river discharge
Authors: Günther Wiebke , Miersch Peter , Ninad Urmi , Runge Jakob
Published: July 2023

This work aims to classify catchments through the lens of causal inference and cluster analysis. In particular, it uses causal effects (CEs) of meteorological variables on river discharge while only relying on easily obtainable observational data. The proposed method combines time series causal discovery with CE estimation to develop features for a subsequent clustering step. Several ways to customize and adapt the features to the problem at hand are discussed. In an application example, the method is evaluated on 358 European river catchments. The found clusters are analyzed using the causal mechanisms that drive them and their environmental attributes.