bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High-temperature phase transformations of hydroxylapatite and the formation of silicocarnotite in the hydroxylapatite–quartz–lime system studied in situ and in operando by Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Böhme Nadine , Hauke Kerstin , Dohrn Matthias , Neuroth Manuela , Geisler Thorsten
Published: August 2022

Silica-/calcium phosphate ceramics are of high interest in various aspects. On the one hand, they play an important role in medical applications due to their excellent biocompatibility. Therefore, detailed knowledge of the formation and stability properties of the high-temperature products ensures production under controlled conditions. On the other hand, they were identified as sinter deposits in industrial kilns, where it can indicate problems caused by too high combustion temperatures during the thermal combustion processes. Here, we report the results of two Raman heating studies to ~ 1300 °C in 10 °C-steps with nano-crystalline hydroxylapatite (HAp) and tricalcium phosphate (TCP), and a Raman heating study of natural silicocarnotite (to ~ 1200 °C, 50 °C-steps). The Raman experiments were complemented with thermal analyses. The Raman spectra of nano-crystalline HAp recorded at high temperatures revealed the stepwise loss of adsorbed water and surface-bound OH groups until ~ 570 °C. Significant loss of structural OH started at ~ 770 °C and was completed at ~ 850 °C, when HAp transformed to β-TCP. Between ~ 1220 and ~ 1270 °C, β-TCP was found to transform to α-TCP. The room temperature Raman spectrum of silicocarnotite is characterized by an intense v1(PO4) band at 951 ± 1 cm−1 that shifts to ~ 930 cm−1 at ~ 1200 °C. Using hyperspectral Raman imaging with a micrometer-scale spatial resolution, we were able to monitor in operando and in situ the solid-state reactions in the model system Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2-SiO2-CaO, in particular, the formation of silicocarnotite. In these multi-phase experiments, silicocarnotite was identified at ~ 1150 °C. The results demonstrate that silicocarnotite can form by a reaction between β-TCP and α′L-Ca2SiO4, but also between β-TCP and CaSiO3 with additional formation of quartz.
The Role of Religion and Religiosity in Health-Promoting Care for the Body During the Lockdowns caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic in Egypt, Poland and Romania
Authors: Lipowska Małgorzata , Modrzejewski Arkadiusz , Sawicki Artur , Helmy Mai , Enea Violeta , Liu Taofeng , Izydorczyk Bernadetta , Radtke Bartosz M. , Sajewicz-Radtke Urszula , Wilczyńska Dominika , Lipowski Mariusz
Published: August 2022

The coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), as a widespread health threat, has triggered an increase in health-related behaviours, both pro-and anti-health, especially with regard to diet and physical activity. One of the factors modifying the intensity of such activities may be the religious doctrine and religiosity with which a person is associated. A total of 1502 people (1147 women) from countries that feature one dominant religion, took part in the study. Participants represented Sunni Islam (Egypt, n = 798), Roman Catholicism (Poland, n = 443) and Orthodox Christianity (Romania, n = 261). The Coronavirus Anxiety Scale, the Eating Attitudes Test and the Inventory of Physical Activity Objectives were used in the study. Fear of COVID-19 is associated with engagement in pro-health activity, although not to such a significant extent as might be expected. The type of religion in question was revealed to moderate this relationship, but the intensity of religiosity was not found to serve as a moderator.
Moving beyond landscape resistance: considerations for the future of connectivity modelling and conservation science
Authors: Unnithan Kumar Siddharth , Turnbull Jonathon , Hartman Davies Oscar , Hodgetts Timothy , Cushman Samuel Alan
Published: August 2022

Landscape connectivity, the extent to which a landscape facilitates the flow of ecological processes such as organism movement, has emerged as a central focus of landscape ecology and conservation science. Connectivity modelling now encompasses an enormous body of work across ecological theory and application. The dominant connectivity models in use today are based on the framework of ‘landscape resistance’, which is a way of measuring how landscape structure influences movement patterns. However, the simplistic assumptions and high degree of reductionism inherent to the landscape resistance paradigm severely limits the ability of connectivity algorithms to account for many fundamental aspects of animal movement, and thus greatly reduces the effectiveness and relevance of connectivity models for conservation theory and practice. In this paper, we first provide an overview of the development of connectivity modelling and resistance surfaces. We then discuss several key drivers of animal movement which are absent in resistance-based models, with a focus on spatiotemporal variation, human and interspecies interactions, and other context-dependent effects. We look at a range of empirical studies which highlight the strong impact these effects have on movement and connectivity predictions. But we also provide promising avenues of future research to address this: we discuss newly emerging technologies and interdisciplinary work, and look to developing methodologies, models and conversations which move beyond the limiting framework of landscape resistance, so that connectivity models can better reflect the complexities and richness of animal movement.
A radical theory for graphs that do not admit loops
Authors: Veldsman Stefan
Published: August 2022

There is a well-developed theory of connectednesses and disconnectednesses (= radical theory) for the category of graphs that admit loops. Here it is shown that such a theory for the category of graphs that do not allow loops degenerates to the trivial case for all the Hoehnke radicals, but there are non-trivial connectednesses (KA-radical classes) and disconnectednesses (KA-semisimple classes). Moreover, the connectednesses and disconnectednesses always come as complementary pairs.
Contestable AI by Design: Towards a Framework
Authors: Alfrink Kars , Keller Ianus , Kortuem Gerd , Doorn Neelke
Published: August 2022

As the use of AI systems continues to increase, so do concerns over their lack of fairness, legitimacy and accountability. Such harmful automated decision-making can be guarded against by ensuring AI systems are contestable by design: responsive to human intervention throughout the system lifecycle. Contestable AI by design is a small but growing field of research. However, most available knowledge requires a significant amount of translation to be applicable in practice. A proven way of conveying intermediate-level, generative design knowledge is in the form of frameworks. In this article we use qualitative-interpretative methods and visual mapping techniques to extract from the literature sociotechnical features and practices that contribute to contestable AI, and synthesize these into a design framework.
The limitations for expression recognition in computer vision introduced by facial masks
Authors: Abate Andrea Francesco , Cimmino Lucia , Mocanu Bogdan-Costel , Narducci Fabio , Pop Florin
Published: August 2022

Facial Expression recognition is a computer vision problem that took relevant benefit from the research in deep learning. Recent deep neural networks achieved superior results, demonstrating the feasibility of recognizing the expression of a user from a single picture or a video recording the face dynamics. Research studies reveal that the most discriminating portions of the face surfaces that contribute to the recognition of facial expressions are located on the mouth and the eyes. The restrictions for COVID pandemic reasons have also revealed that state-of-the-art solutions for the analysis of the face can severely fail due to the occlusions of using the facial masks. This study explores to what extend expression recognition can deal with occluded faces in presence of masks. To a fairer comparison, the analysis is performed in different occluded scenarios to effectively assess if the facial masks can really imply a decrease in the recognition accuracy. The experiments performed on two public datasets show that some famous top deep classifiers expose a significant reduction in accuracy in presence of masks up to half of the accuracy achieved in non-occluded conditions. Moreover, a relevant decrease in performance is also reported also in the case of occluded eyes but the overall drop in performance is not as severe as in presence of the facial masks, thus confirming that, like happens for face biometric recognition, occluded faces by facial mask still represent a challenging limitation for computer vision solutions.
From plant to soil: Quantitative changes in pine and juniper extractive compounds at different transformation stages
Authors: Carrero-Carralero Cipriano , Ruiz-Matute Ana I. , Sanz Jesús , Ramos Lourdes , Sanz María Luz , Almendros Gonzalo
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The transformation of extractable plant compounds after their incorporation into soil was qualitatively and quantitatively studied in two forests under Juniperus communis L. and Pinus sylvestris L.

Methods

Leaf, litter and soil samples were taken from representative pine and juniper forests in central Spain. The lipid fraction was extracted with dichloromethane, while methanol was used for polar compounds, which were then derivatized (silylation-oximation). Extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. van Krevelen’s graphical-statistical method, enhanced as surface density maps, was used to study changes in molecular assemblages during their transformation from plant to soil. Shannon Wiener diversity indices were also determined for the main groups of molecules to quantify the progressive removal or the appearance of new compounds throughout the transformation.

Results

In the lipid fraction up to 126 compounds were identified, mainly alkanes (C10–C30 in pine forest and C10–C36 in juniper forest), fatty acids and cyclic compounds. In the polar extracts, up to 22 compounds were found, mainly sugars, polyols, cyclic acids and fatty acids.

Conclusion

Comparing the successive stages of evolution of leaf extractive compounds, alkanoic acids and disaccharides tend to accumulate in the soil. On the other hand, the greatest molecular complexity was found in the intermediate stage (litter), and attributed to the coexistence of biogenic compounds with their transformation products, while the molecular complexity was simpler in soil extracts. This preliminary investigation could be extended to specific studies on the factors that determine the quality of soil organic matter under different environmental scenarios.
Quantum measurement detection algorithms
Authors: Lugilde Fernández Guillermo , Combarro Elías F. , Rúa Ignacio F.
Published: August 2022

In this paper, we introduce and study the quantum measurement detection algorithms (QMDA), whose objective is to detect whether unwanted measurements are being taken in a quantum circuit or not by applying the Zeno effect. A QMDA is a quantum circuit that includes three unitary matrices, one of them being applied numerous times consecutively, and whose initial state is fixed when no foreign measurements occur. One example is the Elitzur–Vaidman bomb tester, which is generalized by the QMDA definition, allowing the detection of measurements that are taken in an unknown basis and in circuits with an arbitrary number of qubits. We prove some key properties and limitations of these algorithms, as well as studying the performance of the Elitzur–Vaidman bomb tester and its possible improvements. Some extensions of the definition would lead to algorithms such as the counterfactual communication one.
Statistical quality assessment of Ising-based annealer outputs
Authors: Domino Krzysztof , Koniorczyk Mátyás , Puchała Zbigniew
Published: August 2022

The ability to evaluate the outcomes of quantum annealers is essential for such devices to be used in complex computational tasks. We introduce a statistical test of the quality of Ising-based annealers’ output based on the data only, assessing the ground state’s probability of being sampled. A higher probability value implies that at least the lower part of the spectrum is a part of the sample. Assuming a plausible model of the univariate energy distribution of the sample, we express the ground-state energy and temperature as a function of cumulants up to the third order. Using the annealer samples, we evaluate this multiple times using Bootstrap resampling, resulting in an estimated histogram of ground-state energies and deduce the desired parameter on this basis. The approach provides an easily implementable method for the primary validation of Ising-based annealers’ output. We demonstrate its behavior through experiments made with actual samples originating from quantum annealer devices.
Overcoming the ability-willingness paradox in small family firms’ collaborations
Authors: Guenther Christina , Belitski Maksim , Rejeb Nada
Published: August 2022

Family firms’ collaborative innovation is characterized by the so-called ability-willingness paradox i.e. they are less willing to engage in collaborations despite being more able to manage them for innovation purposes. In this paper, we introduce collaboration partner type and spatial proximity as two important boundary conditions of this paradox. We examine the differences in collaboration for innovation across different spatial proximities and partner types for small family and non-family firms. We use a large sample of 6272 small firms in the United Kingdom (UK) during 2002–2016 to show that this paradox is indeed not a universal phenomenon. Small family firms overcome their lower willingness when collaborating with customers within regional proximity and, based on their unique characteristics and superior ability to govern these collaborations, they are able to generate an innovation premium compared to small non-family firms.
Accurate Assessment via Process Data
Authors: Zhang Susu , Wang Zhi , Qi Jitong , Liu Jingchen , Ying Zhiliang
Published: August 2022

Accurate assessment of a student’s ability is the key task of a test. Assessments based on final responses are the standard. As the infrastructure advances, substantially more information is observed. One of such instances is the process data that is collected by computer-based interactive items and contain a student’s detailed interactive processes. In this paper, we show both theoretically and with simulated and empirical data that appropriately including such information in the assessment will substantially improve relevant assessment precision.
Sample greedy based task allocation for multiple robot systems
Authors: Shin Hyo-Sang , Li Teng , Lee Hae-In , Tsourdos Antonios
Published: August 2022

This paper addresses in-schedule dependent task allocation problems for multi-robot systems. One of the main issues with those problems is the inherent NP-hardness of combinatorial optimisation. To handle this issue, this paper develops a decentralised task allocation algorithm by leveraging the submodularity concept and a sampling process of task sets. Our theoretical analysis reveals that the proposed algorithm can provide an approximation guarantee of 1/2 of the optimal solution for the monotone submodular case and 1/4 for the non-monotone submodular case, both with polynomial time complexity. To examine the performance of the proposed algorithm and validate the theoretical analysis, we introduce two task allocation scenarios and perform numerical simulations. The simulation results confirm that the proposed algorithm achieves a solution quality which is comparable to state-of-the-art algorithms in the monotone case and much better quality in the non-monotone case with significantly lower computational complexity.
Practice-oriented methodology for increasing production ramp-up efficiency in global production networks of SME
Authors: Verhaelen B. , Martin M. , Peukert S. , Lanza G.
Published: August 2022

An increasingly uncertain, customer-centric, and dynamic environment nowadays challenges manufacturing companies on a global scale. To handle this challenge, enterprises are distributing their production in global production networks. To deal with the growing demand for individualization, companies need to diversify their product portfolio. This leads to a growing number of production ramp-ups. Large companies are used to production ramp-ups on a global scale and have developed established tools and methods to optimize ramp-ups. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME), however lack a consistent and efficient methodology to deal with global production ramp-ups. For this reason, this article presents a practice-oriented methodology for efficiently managing the production ramp-up at different production sites. The methodology consists of three elementary phases: the analysis of the target system and relevant influencing factors, the planning of different phases in the production ramp-up, and the integration of a disruption management model to robustly control ongoing production ramp-ups. For testing its practical suitability, the procedure is exemplarily applied to the production ramp-up of a device for engine management in the automotive supplier market at different sites worldwide.
Characterizing risky alcohol use, cigarette smoking, e-cigarette use, and physical inactivity among cancer survivors in the USA—a cross-sectional study
Authors: Kim Jiyeong , Keegan Theresa H.
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Unhealthy lifestyle behaviors are associated with inferior health outcomes among cancer survivors, including increased mortality. It is crucial to identify vulnerable subgroups, yet investigations have been limited. Thus, this study aimed to examine sociodemographic and clinical characteristics associated with risky health behaviors among cancer survivors.

Methods

We used national, cross-sectional survey data (Health Information National Trends Survey, HINTS 2017–2020) for 2579 cancer survivors. We calculated the prevalence of risky alcohol use, current cigarette smoking, e-cigarette use, and not meeting physical activity guidelines. We performed weighted logistic regression to obtain multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (OR) for the association between each unhealthy behavior with sociodemographic and clinical characteristics.

Results

Overall, 25% showed risky alcohol use, 12% were current cigarette smokers, 3% were current e-cigarette users, and 68% did not meet physical activity guidelines. Cancer survivors who were males, non-Hispanic Whites or African Americans, without a college education, not married and with comorbidities or psychological distress were more likely to have unhealthy behaviors. Those with lung disease or depression were 2 times as likely to smoke cigarette or e-cigarettes and those with psychological distress were 1.6 times as likely to be physically inactive. Moreover, risky drinkers (OR = 1.75, 95% CI = 1.22–2.52) and e-cigarette smokers (OR = 16.40, 95% CI 3.29–81.89) were more likely to be current cigarette smokers.

Conclusions

We identified vulnerable subpopulations of cancer survivors with multiple unhealthy lifestyle behaviors.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

Our findings inform clinicians and program and policy makers of the subgroups of cancer survivors to target for multiple health behavior interventions.
c-kit+VEGFR-2+ Mesenchymal Stem Cells Differentiate into Cardiovascular Cells and Repair Infarcted Myocardium after Transplantation
Authors: Zhou Pei , Yu Shu-na , Zhang Hai-feng , Wang Yong-li , Tao Ping , Tan Yu-zhen , Wang Hai-jie
Published: August 2022

Resent study suggests that c-kit+ cells in bone marrow-derived MSCs may differentiate toward cardiamyocytes. However, the properties of c-kit+ MSCs remain unclear. This study isolated c-kit+VEGFR-2+ cells from rat bone marrow-derived MSCs, and assessed potential of c-kit+VEGFR-2+ MSCs to differentiate towards cardiovascular cells and their efficiency of repairing the infarcted myocardium after transplantation. Gene expression profile of the cells was analyzed with RNA-sequencing. Potential of differentiation of the cells was determined after induction. Rat models of myocardial infarction were established by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. The cells were treated with hypoxia and serum deprivation for four hours before transplantation. Improvement of cardiac function and repair of the infarcted myocardium were assessed at four weeks after transplantation. Gene expression profile revealed that c-kit+VEGFR-2+ MSCs expressed most smooth muscle-specific and myocardium-specific genes, while expression of endothelium-specific genes was upregulated significantly. After induction with VEGF or TGF-β for two weeks, the cells expressed CD31 and α-SMA respectively. At three weeks, BMP-2-induced cells expressed cTnT. After transplantation of the cells, cardiac function was improved, scar size of the infarcted myocardium was decreased, and angiogenesis and myocardial regeneration were enhanced significantly. Moreover, paracrine in the myocardium was increased after transplantation. These results suggest that c-kit+VEGFR-2+ MSCs have a potential of differentiation towards cardiovascular cells. Transplantation of c-kit+VEGFR-2+ MSCs is effective for repair of the infarcted myocardium. c-kit+VEGFR-2+ MSCs may be a reliable source for cell therapy of ischaemic diseases.

Graphical abstract
DNA Barcoding of Prunus Species Collection Conserved in the National Gene Bank of Egypt
Authors: Sayed Hossam A. , Mostafa Shimaa , Haggag Ibrahim M. , Hassan Neveen A.
Published: August 2022

Two intergenic spacers cpDNA barcoding regions were used to assess the genetic diversity and phylogenetic structure of a collection of 25 Prunus accessions. The trnH-psbA and trnL-trnF intergenic spacers were able to distinguish and identify only four Prunus species. The average aligned length was 316–352 bp and 701–756 bp for trnH-psbA and trnL-trnF, respectively. The overall evolutionary divergence was higher in trnH-psbA than trnL-trnF. The transition/transversion bias (R) recorded as 0.59 in trnL-trnF and 0.89 in trnH-psbA. The number of invariable sites, nucleotide diversity (Pi), and the average number of nucleotide differences (k) was higher in the trnH-psbA region. The trnL-trnF records was above the other region in the number of variable sites, number of singleton variable sites, and the parsimony informative sites. Phylogenetic relationships among the 25 accessions of Prunus species were investigated. Most of the different Prunus species clustered in a homogenized distribution in both regions, except for the plum (P. domestica) accession (African Rose) was assigned with the peach (P. persica) accessions. The two intergenic cpDNA trnH-psbA and trnL-trnF were able to distinguish and identify the four Prunus species accessions.
Linking Inflammation, Aberrant Glutamate-Dopamine Interaction, and Post-synaptic Changes: Translational Relevance for Schizophrenia and Antipsychotic Treatment: a Systematic Review
Authors: de Bartolomeis Andrea , Barone Annarita , Vellucci Licia , Mazza Benedetta , Austin Mark C. , Iasevoli Felice , Ciccarelli Mariateresa
Published: August 2022

Evidence from clinical, preclinical, and post-mortem studies supports the inflammatory/immune hypothesis of schizophrenia pathogenesis. Less evident is the link between the inflammatory background and two well-recognized functional and structural findings of schizophrenia pathophysiology: the dopamine-glutamate aberrant interaction and the alteration of dendritic spines architecture, both believed to be the “quantal” elements of cortical-subcortical dysfunctional network. In this systematic review, we tried to capture the major findings linking inflammation, aberrant glutamate-dopamine interaction, and post-synaptic changes under a direct and inverse translational perspective, a paramount picture that at present is lacking. The inflammatory effects on dopaminergic function appear to be bidirectional: the inflammation influences dopamine release, and dopamine acts as a regulator of discrete inflammatory processes involved in schizophrenia such as dysregulated interleukin and kynurenine pathways. Furthermore, the link between inflammation and glutamate is strongly supported by clinical studies aimed at exploring overactive microglia in schizophrenia patients and maternal immune activation models, indicating impaired glutamate regulation and reduced N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) function. In addition, an inflammatory/immune-induced alteration of post-synaptic density scaffold proteins, crucial for downstream NMDAR signaling and synaptic efficacy, has been demonstrated. According to these findings, a significant increase in plasma inflammatory markers has been found in schizophrenia patients compared to healthy controls, associated with reduced cortical integrity and functional connectivity, relevant to the cognitive deficit of schizophrenia. Finally, the link between altered inflammatory/immune responses raises relevant questions regarding potential new therapeutic strategies specifically for those forms of schizophrenia that are resistant to canonical antipsychotics or unresponsive to clozapine.
Plants and water in a changing world: a physiological and ecological perspective
Authors: Caferri Roberto , Bassi Roberto
Published: August 2022

The reduction of greenhouse gases (GHGs) emission by replacing fossil energy stocks with carbon–neutral fuels is a major topic of the political and scientific debate on environmental sustainability. Such shift in energy sources is expected to curtail the accumulation rate of atmospheric CO2, which is a strong infrared absorber and thus contributes to the global warming effect. Although such change would produce desirable outputs, the consequences of a drastic decrease in atmospheric CO2 (the substrate of photosynthesis) should be carefully considered in the light of its potential impact on ecosystems stability and agricultural productivity. Indeed, plants regulate CO2 uptake and water loss through the same anatomical structure: the leaf stomata. A reduced CO2 availability is thus expected to enhance transpiration rate in plants decreasing their water use efficiency and imposing an increased water demand for both agricultural and wild ecosystems. We suggest that this largely underestimated issue should be duly considered when implementing policies that aim at the mitigation of global environmental changes and, at the same time, promote sustainable agricultural practices, include the preservation of biodiversity. Also, we underlie the important role(s) that modern biotechnology could play to tackle these global challenges by introducing new traits aimed at creating crop varieties with enhanced CO2 capture and water- and light-use efficiency.
Subsurface geology and geochemical evaluation of the Middle Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous organic-rich intervals, West Kalabsha area, Western Desert, Egypt
Authors: Edress Nader A. A. , Fagelnour Mohamed S. , Hassan Mahmoud H. M.
Published: August 2022

The West Kalabsha (WKAL) area is a western extreme exploratory area of the Faghur Basin in the Western Desert of Egypt. The study of four wells (WKAL; A-1 X, K-1 X, P-1X, and C-1 X), interpreted with twenty seismic lines, shows that the area is dissected by a series of normal faults with an irregular, E–W strike direction. The general trend of the throw is toward the south–southeast. The most prospective area for hydrocarbon (HC) migration is toward the north (upthrown side) of an E-W striking normal fault north of the WKAl-K-1 X and A-1 X wells. The WKAL-P-1 X and WKAL-K-1 X wells in the Faghur Basin were selected for both geochemical evaluation of possible source rock intervals and burial history modelling within the basin. Integration of the wire-line logs with geochemical analysis identified six organic matter-rich intervals (OMRIs) within the Middle Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous sequence. Four intervals are in the Alam El-Bueib-3C (AEB-3C) member with a cumulative vertical thickness of 530ft. The other OMRIs are 110ft in thickness recorded within the AEB-6 (10ft) and Upper Safa (100ft) members. The studied organic matter (OM) reveals type III, IIIC, and IV kerogens (mainly gas-prone) with a terrestrial origin. They have reached a maturity level consistent with the late oil window. The expulsion threshold depth detected in the WKAL-P-1 X well is 12000ft in the AEB-3C member, whereas the active source depth limit (ASDL) is 15000ft in the Safa Member. The present study suggests a paleo-geothermal gradient range between 1.13oF/100ft and 1.39oF/100ft with an estimated regional erosion of 5500 to 7000ft of strata mainly between the Paleozoic-Jurassic and Cretaceous-Tertiary boundaries. The present-day geothermal gradient based on bottom-hole temperatures shows a geothermal gradient of 1.4oF/100ft (WKAL-P-1 X), that increases to the north to 1.65oF/100ft (WKAL-K-1 X). Burial history modelling reveals that sedimentary strata entered the mature oil zone in the Early Cretaceous (110–115Ma) at depths of 7500–8000ft in the deepest part of WKAL-P-1 X and WKAL-K-1 X wells (Paleozoic strata). Maturation continued to present, resulting in Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous strata currently falling into the late oil window.
Mapping the spatial dimension of food insecurity using GIS-based indicators: A case of Western Kenya
Authors: Mathenge Mwehe , Sonneveld Ben G. J. S. , Broerse Jacqueline E. W.
Published: August 2022

Food insecurity elimination is a major focus of the Sustainable Development Goals and addresses one of the most pressing needs in developing countries. With the increasing incidence of food insecurity, poverty, and inequalities, there is a need for realignment of agriculture that aims to empower especially the rural poor smallholders by increasing productivity to improving food security conditions. Repositioning the agricultural sector should avoid general statements about production improvement, instead, it should tailor to location-specific recommendations that fully acknowledge the local spatial diversity of the natural resource base that largely determines production potentials under current low input agriculture. This paper aims to deconstruct the complex and multidimensional aspect of food insecurity and provides policymakers with an approach for mapping the spatial dimension of food insecurity. Using a set of GIS-based indicators, and a small-area approach, we combine Principal Component Analysis and GIS spatial analysis to construct one composite index and four individual indices based on the four dimensions of food security (access, availability, stability, and utilization) to map the spatial dimension of food insecurity in Vihiga County, Kenya. Data were collected by the use of a geocoded household survey questionnaire. The results reveal the existence of a clear and profound spatial disparity of food insecurity. Mapping food insecurity using individual dimension indices provides a more detailed picture of food insecurity as compared to the single composite index. Spatially disaggregated data, a small area approach, and GIS-based indicators prove valuable for mapping local-level causative factors of household food insecurity. Effective policy approaches to combat food insecurity inequalities should integrate spatially targeted interventions for each dimension of food insecurity.
Prevalence of nodal metastases in the individual lymph node stations for different T-stages in gastric cancer: a systematic review
Authors: de Jong M. H. S. , Gisbertz S. S. , van Berge Henegouwen M. I. , Draaisma W. A.
Published: August 2022

Background

Gastrectomy with lymph node dissection is the cornerstone of curative treatment of gastric cancer. Extent of lymphadenectomy may differ depending on T-stage, as the rate of lymph node metastases may differ. The objective of this systematic review is to investigate and compare the prevalence of nodal metastases in the individual lymph node stations between different T-stages.

Methods

Data reporting and structure of this systematic review follows the PRISMA checklist. The Medline and PubMed databases were systematically searched. The search included the following Mesh terms: "Stomach Neoplasms", "Lymphatic Metastasis" and "Lymph Node Excision". The primary outcome was the highest prevalence of nodal metastases per T-stage.

Results

The initial search resulted in 175 eligible articles. Five articles met the inclusion criteria and were accordingly analyzed. Concerning the lymph node stations 1 to 7, the lymph nodes along the lesser gastric curvature (station 3) show the highest metastases rate (T1: 5.5%, T2: 21.9%, T3: 41.9%, T4: 71.0%). Concerning the lymph node stations 8 to 20, the lymph nodes around the common hepatic artery (station 8) show the highest metastases rate (T1: 0.8%, T2: 7.9%, T3: 14.0%, T4: 28.2%).

Conclusion

An overall low prevalence of nodal metastases in the individual lymph node stations in early, T1 gastric carcinomas and an overall high prevalence in more advanced, T3 and T4 gastric carcinomas endorse a more tailored approach based on the different gastric T-stages. In addition, a less extensive lymphadenectomy seems justified in early T1 carcinoma.

Synopsis

This systematic review provides an overview of the prevalence of nodal metastases for the individual lymph node stations between different T-stages, showing an overall low prevalence in early, T1 gastric carcinomas and an overall high prevalence in the more advanced, T3 and T4 gastric carcinomas.
Implementation assessment of calcined and uncalcined cashew nut-shell ash with total recycled concrete aggregate in self-compacting concrete employing Bailey grading technique
Authors: Tantri Adithya , Nayak Gopinatha , Shenoy Adithya , Shetty Kiran K. , Achar Jagadisha , Kamath Muralidhar
Published: August 2022

The present study concentrates on the performance evaluation of calcined and uncalcined cashew nut-shell ash (UCCNA and CCNA) with treated total recycled concrete aggregate (TRCA) in self-compacting concrete. The achievement of sustainable self-compacting concrete (SCC) is possible by the implication of four stages, which includes TRCA treatment process, gradation selection process through Bailey aggregate grading technique, by considering TRCA replacement percentage with an increment of 25% and up to 100% and by considering UCCNA or CCNA replacement with an increment of 5% and up to 20%. Hardened and fresh properties of SCC have been performed and analyzed based on the compliance requirements of SCC. In addition finding results through microstructure assessment was in line with the findings of the hardened and fresh properties of SCC. In addition, quality and dynamic instability assessments of SCC were analyzed through ultrasonic pulse velocity and drying shrinkage aspects. Besides CO2, the emission rate and the efficiency rate of SCC, composites were analyzed in detail. Overall findings revealed that CCNA-based SCC mixes performed effectively than UCCNA-based SCC; specifically, incorporation of 75% of TRCA with 15% CCNA was found to be optimal. But with regard to shrinkage performance UCCNA found to be better by imputing less shrinkage compared to CCNA-based SCC mixes. Further with regard to efficiency rate of SCC composites revealed the gain of maximum efficiency of about 0.156 MPa/kg CO2/m3 and 0.160 MPa/kg CO2/m3 for 15% and 20% CCNA-based SCC mixes.
Explicit Near-Optimal Guidance and Pulse-Modulated Control for Lunar Descent and Touchdown
Authors: Pontani M. , Celani F. , Carletta S.
Published: August 2022

This research considers the descent path of a space vehicle, from periselenium of its operational orbit to the lunar surface. The trajectory is split in two arcs: (a) approach, up to a specified altitude, and (b) terminal descent and soft touchdown. For phase (a), a new locally flat near-optimal guidance is used, which is based on iterative projection of the spacecraft position and velocity, and availability of closed-form expressions for the related costate variables. Attitude control is aimed at pursuing the desired spacecraft orientation, and uses an adaptive tracking scheme that compensates for the inertia uncertainties. Arc (b) is aimed at gaining the correct vertical alignment and low velocity at touchdown. For phase (b) a predictive bang-off-bang guidance algorithm is proposed that is capable of guaranteeing the desired final conditions, while providing the proper allocation of side jet ignitions. Actuation of side jets is implemented using pulse width modulation, in both phases. Monte Carlo simulations prove that the guidance and control architecture at hand drives the spacecraft toward safe touchdown, in the presence of non-nominal flight conditions.
Looking towards plurilingual futures for literacy assessment
Authors: Choi Julie , Cross Russell , Davies Larissa McLean , Ollerhead Sue , Barnes Melissa
Published: August 2022

This paper furthers the understanding of literacy being developed through this Special Issue by bringing a pluralistic, complex account of literacy into conversation with assessment. The rise of neoliberalism in education—and its related focus on standards, accountability, and efficiency—has seen literacy positioned as the “core business” of contemporary education systems and, accordingly, a construct that must be rendered readily measurable, benchmarked, and accounted for. Through a critique of current literacy assessment practices in Australia relying on standardized testing to achieve such accountability using National Assessment Program for Literacy and Numeracy and Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education as examples, we argue that the resulting dominant account of literacy is both reductive and deficient. On the one hand, we show how standardized literacy testing fails to recognize students’ actual potential, in terms of the diverse and varied plurilingual and cultural meaning-making resources that many students now bring to literacy, beyond using Standard Australian English alone (and as a monolingual speaker would use SAE as an isolated language system). On the other, we show how standardized tests can render the assessment of literacy as effectively meaningless, given difficulties discriminating between test-takers’ full range of literacy skills in meaningful ways. We conclude by considering alternative practices with potential to more accurately assess learners’ literacy capabilities from a plurilingual perspective, and implications for education policy.
Comparative analysis among Asia–Pacific geoid models stored at the ISG repository
Authors: De Gaetani Carlo Iapige , Batsukh Khulan , Rossi Lorenzo , Reguzzoni Mirko
Published: August 2022

Geoid models have important applications in geosciences as well as engineering, for example, for the conversion from ellipsoidal heights observed by GNSS techniques to orthometric heights. To meet the user’s demands, the International Service for the Geoid (ISG, https://www.isgeoid.polimi.it/) provides access to a repository of local, regional, and continental geoid models through its website. Among hundreds of worldwide models, there are many covering countries in the Asia–Pacific area. The focus of this study is about this region, performing a series of analyses to assess the geoid models stored in the ISG repository through some relative comparisons. In particular, three kinds of analyses are performed with the purpose of: (a) investigating the evolution in time of a geoid series referring to the same country, (b) comparing the information provided by local and regional geoid models on overlapped areas, and (c) assessing the agreement between local and global models. These analyses are firstly performed on sample models, providing a detailed description, and then applied to all Asia–Pacific geoid models currently stored in the ISG repository, providing summary statistics.
Multi-Omics Analyses Provide Insight into the Biosynthesis Pathways of Fucoxanthin in Isochrysis Galbana
Authors: Chen Duo , Yuan Xue , Zheng Xuehai , Fang Jingping , Lin Gang , Li Rongmao , Chen Jiannan , He Wenjin , Huang Zhen , Fan Wenfang , Liang Limin , Lin Chentao , Zhu Jinmao , Chen Youqiang , Xue Ting
Published: August 2022

Isochrysis galbana is considered an ideal bait for functional foods and nutraceuticals of humans because of its high fucoxanthin (Fx) content. However, multi-omics analysis of the regulatory networks for Fx biosynthesis in I. galbana has not been reported. In this study, we report a high-quality genome assembly of I. galbana LG007, which has a genome size of 92.73 Mb, with a contig N50 of 6.99 Mb and 14,900 protein-coding genes. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the monophyly of Haptophyta, with I. galbana sister to Emiliania huxleyi and Chrysochromulina tobinii. Evolutionary analysis revealed an estimated divergence time between I. galbana and E. huxleyi of ∼ 133 million years ago. Gene family analysis indicated that lipid metabolism-related genes exhibited significant expansion, including IgPLMT, IgOAR1, and IgDEGS1. Metabolome analysis showed that the content of carotenoids in I. galbana cultured under green light for 7 days was higher than that under white light, and β-carotene was the main carotenoid, accounting for 79.09% of the total carotenoids. Comprehensive multi-omics analysis revealed that the content of β-carotene, antheraxanthin, zeaxanthin, and Fx was increased by green light induction, which was significantly correlated with the expression of IgMYB98, IgZDS, IgPDS, IgLHCX2, IgZEP, IgLCYb, and IgNSY. These findings contribute to the understanding of Fx biosynthesis and its regulation, providing a valuable reference for food and pharmaceutical applications.
Physical and Mental Health Problems and Their Associations with Inter-Personal Sexual Inactivity and Sexual Dysfunctions in Denmark: Baseline Assessment in a National Cohort Study
Authors: Bahnsen Mikkel K. , Graugaard Christian , Andersson Mikael , Andresen Josefine B. , Frisch Morten
Published: August 2022

Background

Physical and mental health are important to sexual function and wellbeing. Yet, associations of ill-health with sexual inactivity and dysfunctions are scarcely researched at population level.

Aim

To explore and document associations of self-rated health and physical and mental health problems with inter-personal sexual inactivity and sexual dysfunctions.

Methods

We used data from a probability-based, nationally representative sample of 60,958 sexually experienced Danes aged 15–89 years who participated in the 2017–18 Project SEXUS cohort study. Logistic regression analyses provided demographically weighted odds ratios for associations between health measures and sexual outcomes adjusted for partner status and other potential confounders.

Outcomes

Inter-personal sexual inactivity and a range of male and female sexual dysfunctions.

Results

Inter-personal sexual inactivity was more common among individuals with bad or very bad self-rated health compared to peers rating their health as good or very good (men: adjusted odds ratio 1.93, 95% confidence interval 1.66–2.25; women: 1.66, 1.42–1.94). Individuals rating their health as bad or very bad were also consistently more likely to report sexual dysfunctions, with associated statistically significant adjusted odds ratios ranging from 1.66 to 6.38 in men and from 2.25 to 3.20 in women. Patient groups at high risk of sexual dysfunctions comprised individuals afflicted by cardiovascular diseases, pain conditions, diabetes, gastrointestinal and liver diseases, cancer, skin diseases, nervous system diseases, gynecological diseases, benign prostatic hyperplasia, other physical health problems, stress, anxiety, affective disorders, self-injury or suicide ideation and attempts, posttraumatic stress disorder, personality disorders, eating disorders, psychoses and other mental health problems.

Clinical Implications

These findings warrant heightened awareness among healthcare professionals, public health promoters and researchers concerning insufficiently appreciated sexual challenges among individuals with poor health.

Strengths & Limitations

The major strengths of our investigation include the large size of the study cohort, the detailed assessment of health-related variables, potential confounders and sexual outcomes, and the fact that we provide new population-based knowledge about less common and sparsely researched sexual dysfunctions and diseases. Limitations of our study include its cross-sectional nature and its modest response rate (35%).

Conclusion

Findings from our large and nationally representative cohort study provide evidence that poor self-rated health and a range of specific physical and mental health problems are associated with statistically significantly increased rates of inter-personal sexual inactivity and sexual dysfunctions.
Influence of Hillslope Flow on Hydroclimatic Evolution Under Climate Change
Authors: Arboleda Obando Pedro Felipe , Ducharne Agnès , Cheruy Frédérique , Jost Anne , Ghattas Josefine , Colin Jeanne , Nous Camille
Published: August 2022

We analyzed the influence of hillslope flow on projections of climate change by comparing two transient climate simulations with the IPSL climate model between 1980 and 2100. Hillslope flow induces a reorganization and increment of soil moisture (+10%), which increases evapotranspiration (+4%) and precipitation (+1%) and decreases total runoff (−3%) and air temperature (−0.1 °C) on an annual average over land for 1980–2010 when compared to simulation not representing hillslope flow. These changes in land/atmosphere fluxes are not homogenous and depend on regional climate and surface conditions. Hillslope flow also influences climate change projections. On average over land, it amplifies the positive trend of soil moisture (+23%), evapotranspiration (+50%), and precipitation (+7%) and slightly attenuates global warming (−1%), especially for daily maximum air temperature. The role of hillslope flow in supporting surface/atmosphere fluxes is more evident at a regional scale. Where precipitation is projected to decrease, hillslope flow is shown to attenuate the related declines in evapotranspiration, precipitation, and total runoff, regardless of aridity conditions and mean air temperature. Where precipitation is projected to increase, hillslope flow amplifies evapotranspiration enhancement but attenuates the increase in precipitation and total runoff. Warming is generally attenuated, especially in semiarid and cold areas, and humid and warm/temperate regions, but the signal is weak. These results demonstrate the role of hillslope flow in enhancing water and energy fluxes between the surface and the atmosphere. They also suggest that including hillslope flow in climate models would weaken the projected intensification of hydrological extreme events.