bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An admittance‐controlled amplified force tracking scheme for collaborative lumbar puncture surgical robot system
Authors: Li Hongbing , Nie Xun , Duan Ding , Li Yuling , Zhang Jing , Zhou Min , Magid Evgeni
Published: June 2022

Background

The accurate sensing and display of the delicate needle‐tissue interaction force to the operator is desirable for needle insertion procedures. It not only plays a significant role in the surgical treatment effect, but also has a great significance in improving surgical safety and reducing the incidence of complications. However, the direct detection of the interaction force between the tissue and needle tip by placement of a force sensor is challenging owing to the constraints of miniaturisation, cost, and sterilisation.

Methods

In this study, a new position‐based force‐to‐motion controller with magnified force feedback is presented to provide augmented force perception to the operator during needle insertion on the soft tissue. Furthermore, the demonstration to the position‐based low level motion controller is more suitable for needle insertion surgical requirements in the cooperative robotic system.

Results

The proposed controller was experimentally validated by a collaborative lumbar puncture robotics system. Additionally, to provide hand tremor rejection for the stable manipulation of the puncture needle, it was demonstrated that the proposed amplified feedback force controller allowed a safer object interaction with the robotic needle insertion assistance.

Conclusions

The results of the experiment show that a desirable interaction force profile is perceived by the operator during the overall insertion task operation. The admittance gain for the simplified admittance controller has a significant impact on the operator's ability to accurately control the applied force.
High‐tech industries, financial expansion, and low‐carbon energy deployment along the Belt and Road Initiative
Authors: Rafique Muhammad Zahid , Schneider Nicolas , Shahzad Umer , Song Malin
Published: June 2022

While the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is thought to radically transform trade, financial and industrial patterns in Eurasia, questions remain on how to develop a secure supply of renewable energy without jeopardizing the booming energy demand of those regions. Due to the intrinsic nature of BRI projects, foreign direct investments (FDI) and high‐tech industries are yet known to be two key channels through which resources and renewable energy consumption are deployed along the Belt and Road. This article assesses the empirical interactions among those variables and renewable energy deployment for an illustrative sample of 76 Belt and Road economies. A set of potentially relevant economic and institutional factors (economic complexity, the stock of human capital (HC), and three cultural preferences indexes: power distance, uncertainty avoidance, and masculinity vs. diversity) are also incorporated within the multivariate setting. Based on series spanning the period 1996–2019, a complete econometric testing framework is developed, and comprises the simultaneous generalized method of moments and the method of moments quantile regression. Associated results confirm our initial intuition that medium and high‐tech industries trigger the diffusion of low‐carbon energies across sectors whereas FDI fail to do so. Finally, renewable energy deployment responds negatively to changes in HC. Along with a methodological note, some policy suggestions are supplied to incorporate those insights within future energy planning.
Sustainable Synthesis of Carbon Quantum Dots with Tailored Surface Functional Groups from Pomelo Peel Waste for Inhibiting Scale
Authors: Zhao Lina , Qiu Lei , Wang Yanyun , Ge Sujuan , Yao Qingzhao , Zhou Yuming
Published: June 2022

Fruit Shatian pomelo peel is a common solid biological waste. This article reports the environmentally friendly synthesis of carbon quantum dots from Shatian pomelo peel waste by hydrothermal method. The synthesized carbon quantum dots (named PCA‐CQDs) were characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopy (UV‐vis) and excitation‐dependent fluorescence emission spectroscopy. The resultant carbon quantum dots were spherical, and the average particle diameter was measured to be 5 nm. The surface of PCA‐CQDs has been successfully modified with functional oxygen‐containing functional groups such as hydroxyl and carboxyl groups. Therefore, PCA‐CQDs exhibit excellent water solubility and calcium ion chelating properties. Most importantly, PCA‐CQDs were used as a new type of green scale inhibitor for inhibiting the CaSO4 and CaCO3 scale for the first time, and the scale inhibition efficiency can reach more than 95 %. By observing the changes of the scale crystals in the SEM image, it is speculated that the mechanism of PCA‐CQDs inhibiting calcium scale may include chelation, dispersion and lattice distortion.
Copper‐Containing Mineral Mediated Glaser Coupling of Terminal Alkynes
Authors: Györke Gábor , Dancsó András , Volk Balázs , Hunyadi Dávid , Szalóki Imre , Milen Mátyás
Published: June 2022

Copper is one of the most abundant metals on the Earth. Elemental copper, as well as its alloys and compounds are widely used as catalysts in organic chemistry. By utilizing naturally occurring ores, the non‐eco‐friendly copper smelting process can be bypassed, leading to green and environmentally friendly procedures in comparison to the use of synthetic copper compounds. In this study we wish to present a more economical method for the production of symmetric diynes starting from various terminal acetylenes in a Glaser–Hay reaction. Out of the seven tested naturally occurring copper‐containing minerals, chalcocite (Cu2S) and bornite (Cu5FeS4) were the best applicable ones. These minerals were able to produce diynes in yields comparable to those obtained with their synthetic analogues, furthermore they proved to be partly reusable.
I2/FeCl3 Promoted Cascade Reaction of 4‐Quinazolinone, Pyridine, and Chalcone for the Synthesis of Indolizines
Authors: Meena Mahesh , Malviya Bhanwar K. , Singh Karandeep , Yadav Priyanka , Naharwal Pankaj , Kumari Neetu , Verma Ved Prakash , Yadav Dinesh K. , Sharma Siddharth
Published: June 2022

The indolizines nucleus is an important element of many synthetic molecules with significant biological activity. An efficient methodology for the synthesis of a variety of indolizines from quinazolinone, pyridine, and chalcone via I2/FeCl3 has been described. The reaction was promoted through Zwitterion formation/cyclization/aromatization sequence, affording the desired products in moderate to very good yields. This approach is a highly efficient and convenient way to get derivatives of indolizines from readily accessible substrate under relatively mild reaction conditions.
Synthesis of 2,3,6‐Trisubstituted β‐Carbolin‐1‐ones Utilizing 3‐Amino‐2‐pyridone Synthesis
Authors: Masuda Hiroyoshi , Morishita Hiroki , Sasaki Rikuto , Takahata Kaito , Uemura Kento , Hachiya Iwao
Published: June 2022

Synthesis of 2,3,6‐triisubstituted β‐carbolin‐1‐ones is disclosed using palladium‐catalyzed intramolecular amination of 3‐amino‐4‐(2‐bromophenyl)‐2‐pyridones prepared by the conjugate addition reaction of diethyl 2‐aminomalonate having a bulkier ketimine moiety to alkynyl imines. The transformation of the synthesized 3‐amino‐4‐(2‐bromophenyl)‐2‐pyridones using palladium‐catalyzed intramolecular amination produced 2,3,6‐trisubstituted β‐carbolin‐1‐ones in good to high yields.
Tailoring Multifunctional Small Molecular Photosensitizers to In Vivo Self‐Assemble with Albumin to Boost Tumor‐Preferential Accumulation, NIR Imaging, and Photodynamic/Photothermal/Immunotherapy
Authors: Luo Shenglin , Luo Xi , Wang Xiaojiao , Li Lian , Liu Huiguo , Mo Banghui , Gan Hongbo , Sun Wei , Wang Liting , Liang Houjie , Yu Songtao
Published: June 2022

Cancer immunotherapy has great potential in tumor eradication and metastasis suppression. However, systemic administration of immune adjuvants and inadequate specificity in cancer treatment, lead to restricted therapeutic benefits and potential immune‐related side effects in clinical settings. In this report, the synthesis of various lengths of heptamethine cyanine small molecules to act as multifunctional photosensitizers (PS) for tumor‐specific accumulation, near‐infrared (NIR) fluorescent imaging, and photodynamic/photothermal/immunotherapy is optimized. In particular, it is demonstrated that C8, which contains eight carbons on two N‐alkyl side chains, efficiently self‐assembles with albumin to form nanosized dye‐albumin complexes. This feature facilitates C8 in vivo self‐assembly to remarkably improve its water‐solubility, NIR fluorescent emission, long‐term blood circulation, as well as tumor‐specific accumulation. More importantly, C8 not only exhibits a superior phototherapeutic effect on primary tumors, but also elicits secretion of damage associated molecular patterns, cytokine secretion, dendritic cell maturation, and cytotoxic T lymphocytes activation, ultimately triggering a sufficient antitumor immune response to suppress growths of distant and metastatic tumors. Hence, this multifunctional small molecular PS is characterized with excellent tumor‐preferential accumulation, imaging‐guided laser irradiation, and phototherapy‐induced in situ antitumor immune response, providing a prospective future of its use in tumor‐targeting immunotherapy.
Long‐Term Highly Stable High‐Voltage LiCoO2 Synthesized via a Solid Sulfur‐Assisted One‐Pot Approach
Authors: Tan Xinghua , Mao Dongdong , Zhao Tingqiao , Zhang Yongxin , Song Luting , Fan Zhengwei , Liu Guangyao , Wang Hanfu , Chu Weiguo
Published: June 2022

Commercialized lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) only shows a relatively low capacity of ≈175 mAh g−1 despite a high theoretical capacity of ≈274 mAh g−1. As an effective and direct strategy, increasing its charge cutoff voltage can, in principle, escalate the capacity, which is however precluded by the irreversible phase transition, oxygen loss, and severe side reactions with electrolytes normally. Herein, an in situ sulfur‐assisted solid‐state approach is proposed for one‐pot synthesis of long‐term highly stable high‐voltage LCO with a novel compound structure. The coating of coherent spinel LixCo2O4 shells on and the gradient doping of SO42− polyanions into LCO are in situ realized simultaneously in terms of gas–solid interface reactions between metal oxides and generated SO2 gas from sulfur during synthesis. At 4.6 V, this LCO shows the discharge capacities of 232.4 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C (1 C = 280 mA g−1), 215 mAh g−1 at 1 C and 139 mAh g−1 even at 20 C and the capacity retentions of 97.4% (89.7%) after 100 (300) cycles at 1 C. This approach is facile, low‐cost and up‐scalable and may provide a route to improve the performance of LCO and other electrode materials greatly.
Recent Progress on Carbon‐Nanotube‐Based Materials for Photocatalytic Applications: A Review
Authors: Zhang Jing , Dai Mingchong , Zhang Shijie , Dai Meng , Zhang Peng , Wang Shuguang , He Zuoli
Published: June 2022

As one of the most outstanding allotropes of carbon assembled with a cylindrical nanostructure, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have attracted extensive attention in the areas of material science and engineering due to their unique structural characteristics and physicochemical properties. Very recently, versatile hierarchical CNT‐based photocatalysts are of considerable interest in current research and applications ranging from fuel generation to environmental purification. Therefore, it is necessary to summarize the CNT‐based photocatalysts to provide essential references for the continuous research study. In this review, the different design strategies and flexible functionalizations for prototype construction are described and their typical research, especially the structure‐related or electronic‐effected mechanism in the photocatalytic reaction of pollutants degradation, water splitting, and CO2 reduction overviewed. Finally, the various aspects of CNT‐based photocatalysts are discussed for future developments in commercial applications.
Crack‐Free Monolayer Graphene Interlayer for Improving Perovskite Crystallinity and Energy Level Alignment in Efficient Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Hu Ruiyuan , Sun Yonggui , Li Lutao , Wang Taomiao , Kanda Hiroyuki , Liu Cheng , Yang Yi , Huang Shiqi , Asiri Abdullah M. , Chu Liang , Li Xing'ao , Agrawal Kumar Varoon , Nazeeruddin Mohammad Khaja
Published: June 2022

Inverted planar perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have intrigued great promise in negative hysteresis, simple fabrication process, and flexible substrate implementation, in which the shared hole transport materiel is NiOx. However, the low‐temperature solution processing of the NiOx film is usually accompanied by defect formation, which deteriorates the perovskite quality and device performance. Meanwhile, the energy‐level offset between the NiOx and perovskite films is relatively large, limiting the interfacial charge transport. To suppress those setbacks, a defect‐free monolayer graphene sheet is transferred onto the NiOx film surface as a template for van der Waals epitaxial growth of perovskite films for the first time, leading to enhancing crystallinity with a large grain size of perovskite layer, 0.20 eV energy level offset drop, and accelerating charge transfer for the devices. Finally, the power conversion efficiency of 19.21% without hysteresis is achieved, exceeding 18.35% of the control device.
Reinforcement of Pellet Consolidation Strength Based on Iron Filings: Microstructural Evolution and Mechanism
Authors: Li Zhen , Zhang Jianliang , Wang Yaozu , Lu Lisi , Jiang Huiqing , Tan Yubo , Liu Zhengjian
Published: June 2022

In order to study the effect of adding finely ground iron filings as iron‐based solid wastes to the pellets’ raw materials on the consolidation strength of pellets, this article uses scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and an image recognition system to identify the microstructure inside iron ore agglomerates, including grain size and porosity. Compressive strength measurements are carried out to quantitatively characterize the consolidation strength of agglomerates. The results demonstrate that when the proportion of iron filings increases, the proportion of particles above 6000 px2 in samples increases from 12.35% to 25.00%, and the internal porosity of agglomerates drops from 22.44% to 10.57%. The compressive strength of agglomerates increases from 2934.00 to 3712.50 N when the particle size of iron filings decreases. The compressive strength of agglomerates increases as preheating temperature drops at the same roasting temperature. When the preheating system is the same, the compressive strength of agglomerates increases as the roasting temperature rises. By adding low‐oxidation iron filings to pellets, Fe2O3 generated through the preheating process has a high chemical reaction activity, allowing the oxidation to be completed at a lower preheating temperature and promoting the crystal bonding of Fe2O3 to form solid‐phase consolidation with high compressive strength.
Simultaneous distillation‐solvent extraction gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry analysis of Tokaj Muscat Yellow wines
Authors: Khvalbota Liudmyla , Virba Martin , Furdíková Katarína , Špánik Ivan
Published: June 2022

In the present study, simultaneous distillation‐solvent extraction conditions were optimized for the extraction of organic compounds from naturally sweet Tokaj wines. Solvent selection, optimization of phase ratio, time of extraction, and addition of modifier were studied. The volatile organic compounds profile of Slovak Tokaj Muscat Yellow wine was characterized using simultaneous distillation‐solvent extraction gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry. Identified volatile organic compounds belonged to terpenes, esters, higher alcohols, volatile acids, lactones, and furanoids. At optimized simultaneous distillation‐solvent extraction conditions, analytical parameters such as linearity (R2 > 0.98), repeatability (from 3.33 to 10.39%), quantitation, and detection limits for selected compounds (ethyl hexanoate, geraniol, linalool oxide, α‐terpineol, 1‐octanol, geranyl acetate, nerol, benzyl alcohol, benzaldehyde, 1,2‐dihydrolinalool, 4‐terpineol, and diethyl succinate) were estimated.
Curative balloon dilation of a severe esophageal stricture in a pig
Authors: Stockler Jenna W. , Jung Seung Woo , Kuca Thibaud , Bayne Jenna E. , Passler Thomas
Published: June 2022

A 3‐month‐old, Yorkshire cross barrow was evaluated for diarrhoea and vomiting, which were observed intermittently during and after consumption of feed and water. Weight loss, despite good appetite, was also reported. Abdominal radiographs demonstrated stomach distention and gas within the duodenal lumen. Thickening of the pyloric antrum and proximal duodenum were noticed using abdominal ultrasonography. Esophageal endoscopy demonstrated severe reduction of the aborad esophageal lumen, which precluded endoscopic evaluation of the stomach. A severe esophageal stricture was diagnosed. Medical management using omeprazole and dietary changes did not alleviate the clinical signs. The esophageal stricture was successfully resolved by balloon dilation performed under general anaesthesia using fluoroscopy. The pig started to gain weight, developed normally, and was successfully harvested 3 months later. The balloon dilation was curative and is presented as an option for cases of severe porcine gastric ulceration and esophageal stricture that are refractory to nutritional and medical management.
Individual and community‐level impacts of the unarmed all‐women Black Mamba Anti‐Poaching Unit
Authors: Danoff‐Burg James A. , Ocañas Alejandrina, R.
Published: June 2022

In a conservation setting where escalating tension has been the norm, the unarmed primarily female‐composed Black Mambas Anti‐Poaching Unit (BMAPU) in South Africa are a successful counterpoint in that they have decimated poaching using only diplomacy and patrols. We sought to understand if the BMAPU is achieving its secondary goal of influencing support for conservation and wildlife among the nearby populace via community‐based conservation actions including outreach and environmental education. We also determined the impact that the program has on the Mambas themselves. Using a mixed‐methods survey we conducted structured in‐person interviews with 120 community members from four communities where the women of the BMAPU live, and among all the women that were on active duty in the BMAPU at the time of the surveys. We found that all participants in the BMAPU program reported improved self and community perception of their societal role as financial providers, as well as their sense of agency and self‐efficacy, relative to before becoming rangers. We also found that having BMAPU rangers living in the communities by itself did not contribute to community‐level support for wildlife conservation or protected areas. However, one community with both a large‐scale children's conservation education program and an equitable distribution of financial benefits paid by the nearby conservation concessionaires was significantly more supportive of wildlife conservation and protected areas than the other three. Further research to parse the relative contributions of the two contributing factors of education and financial benefit would help clarify their relative contributions. From this study, we conclude that a combination of child‐focused conservation education programs and equitable distribution of financial benefits leads to increased community support for wildlife, conservation, and protected natural areas, and decreases support for poaching.
Abiotic Stresses
Authors: Trethowan Richard M.
Published: June 2022

Abiotic stresses, such as drought and high temperature, significantly limit wheat yield globally and the intensity and frequency of these stresses are projected to increase in most wheat growing areas. Wheat breeders have incrementally improved the tolerance of cultivars to these stresses through empirical selection in the environment, however new phenotyping and genetic technologies and strategies can significantly improve rates of genetic gain. The integration of new tools and knowledge in the plant breeding process, including better breeding targets, improved choice of genetic diversity, more efficient phenotyping methods and strategy and optimized integration of genetic technologies in the context of several commonly used wheat breeding strategies is discussed. New knowledge and tools that improve the efficiency and speed of wheat improvement can be integrated within the scaffold of most wheat breeding strategies without significant increase in cost.
Sequence-Based Marker Assisted Selection in Wheat
Authors: Maccaferri Marco , Bruschi Martina , Tuberosa Roberto
Published: June 2022

Wheat improvement has traditionally been conducted by relying on artificial crossing of suitable parental lines followed by selection of the best genetic combinations. At the same time wheat genetic resources have been characterized and exploited  with the aim of continuously improving target traits. Over this solid framework, innovations from emerging research disciplines have been progressively added over time: cytogenetics, quantitative genetics, chromosome engineering, mutagenesis, molecular biology and, most recently, comparative, structural, and functional genomics with all the related -omics platforms. Nowadays, the integration of these disciplines coupled with their spectacular technical advances made possible by the sequencing of the entire wheat genome, has ushered us in a new breeding paradigm on how to best leverage the functional variability of genetic stocks and germplasm collections. Molecular techniques first impacted wheat genetics and breeding in the 1980s with the development of restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP)-based approaches. Since then, steady progress in sequence-based, marker-assisted selection now allows for an unprecedently accurate ‘breeding by design’ of wheat, progressing further up to the pangenome-based level. This chapter provides an overview of the technologies of the ‘circular genomics era’ which allow breeders to better characterize and more effectively leverage the huge and largely untapped natural variability present in the Triticeae gene pool, particularly at the tetraploid level, and its closest diploid and polyploid ancestors and relatives.
Defining Target Wheat Breeding Environments
Authors: Crespo-Herrera Leonardo A. , Crossa José , Vargas Mateo , Braun Hans-Joachim
Published: June 2022

The main objective of a plant breeding program is to deliver superior germplasm for farmers in a defined set of environments, or a target population of environments (TPE). Historically, CIMMYT has characterized the environments in which the developed germplasm will be grown. The main factors that determine when and where a wheat variety can be grown are flowering time, water availability and the incidence of pests and diseases. A TPE consists of many (population) environments and future years or seasons, that share common variation in the farmers’ fields, it can also be seen as a variable group of future production environments. TPEs can be characterized by climatic, soil and hydrological features, as well as socioeconomic aspects. Whereas the selection environments (SE) are the environments where the breeder does the selection of the lines. The SE are identified for predicting the performance in the TPE, but the SE may not belong to the TPE. The utilization of advanced statistical methods allows the identification of GEI to obtain higher precision when estimating the genetic effects. Multi-environmental testing (MET) is a fundamental strategy for CIMMYT to develop stable high grain yielding germplasm in countries with developing economies. An adequate MET strategy allows the evaluation of germplasm in stress hotspots and the identification of representative and correlated sites; thus, breeders can make better and targeted decisions in terms of crossing, selection and logistic operations.
Conclusion
Authors: Guney Gizem , Lee Po-Han , Davies David
Published: June 2022

This book started off its analysis with the promise of finding out whether states, which were handled by the contributors, present similarities or differences in the way that they fail in achieving gender equality. As demonstrated in each chapter, the states have taken progressive measures in addressing gender inequality over the last few decades, yet challenges and backlashes remain. Discriminatory legal practices and social norms are still pervasive; women and sexual and gender minorities continue to face unequal treatment, prejudice and violence. On this final note, by drawing upon the case studies presented in each chapter, we aim to bring together the patterns that the states present in how and why they fail in achieving gender equality. We observe that there are four overarching reasons why the states studied in this book fall short in bringing justice to gendered matters: (1) the states’ tolerance of friction and ambiguity in laws, (2) the states’ inertia in fully pursuing a human rights-based approach, (3) the states’ oversight of intersecting marginalisation of women as well as sexual and gender minorities and (4) the states’ problematic approaches towards gender-based violence. Each of these themes will be discussed in turn below.
Judging Divorce in Ben Ali’s Tunisia
Authors: Grosso Sarah
Published: June 2022

After independence in 1956, Tunisia introduced a “progressive” Personal Status Code abolishing polygamy and allowing men and women the right to divorce on an equal basis. This chapter explores how citizens experienced divorce in Ben Ali’s repressive regime, drawing on fieldwork (2004–2008) in a family court and a neighbourhood of Tunis alongside readings of divorce files. It traces the ensuing tensions as women and men navigated divorce procedures. In Tunisia’s courts, competing definitions of gendered personhood and “equality” collided, whilst there was a contradiction between the state instrumentalisation of women’s rights and the progressive reputation of Tunisia’s marriage and divorce laws seen as supporting gender equality. Litigants’ experiences of divorce created considerable anxiety. Beyond this, the laws served a political role in bolstering Ben Ali’s repressive regime as—through their texts and procedures and by taking some rights more seriously than others—husbands were subject to policing by the state.
One Step Forward, Two Steps Back: An Analysis of Turkey’s Implementation of the Istanbul Convention in Addressing Gender-Based Domestic Violence
Authors: Guney Gizem
Published: June 2022

Turkey has had a unique and troublesome relationship with the Istanbul Convention. It was both the first country to ratify the Convention and the first country to withdraw from it after implementing the Convention for six years. This chapter focuses on the legal steps taken by Turkey between its ratification and its withdrawal from the Convention. In this analysis, I argue that, even before its withdrawal, Turkey had been sweeping between two ends: its progressive legal steps to address violence against women on one hand, and its legal and political attitude threatening gender equality in general, on the other. This chapter, therefore, argues that Turkey was already failing to effectively implement the Convention, and its withdrawal from the Convention should only be considered a reflection of Turkish government’s insincerity in its political commitment to address gender-based violence from the outset.
D-Cloud-Collector: Admissible Forensic Evidence from Mobile Cloud Storage
Authors: Vella Mark , Colombo Christian
Published: June 2022

Difficulties with accessing device content or even the device itself can seriously hamper smartphone forensics. Mobile cloud storage, which extends on-device capacity, provides an avenue for a forensic collection process that does not require physical access to the device. Rather, it is possible to remotely retrieve credentials from a device of interest through undercover operations, followed by live cloud forensics. While technologically appealing, this approach raises concerns with evidence preservation, ranging from the use of malware-like operations, to linking the collected evidence with the physically absent smartphone, and possible mass surveillance accusations. In this paper, we propose a solution to ease these concerns by employing hardware security modules to provide for controlled live cloud forensics and tamper-evident access logs. A Google Drive-based proof of concept, using the SEcube hardware security module, demonstrates that D-Cloud-Collector is feasible whenever the performance penalty incurred is affordable.
Learning Accurate Business Process Simulation Models from Event Logs via Automated Process Discovery and Deep Learning
Authors: Camargo Manuel , Dumas Marlon , González-Rojas Oscar
Published: June 2022

Business process simulation is a well-known approach to estimate the impact of changes to a process with respect to time and cost measures – a practice known as what-if process analysis. The usefulness of such estimations hinges on the accuracy of the underlying simulation model. Data-Driven Simulation (DDS) methods leverage process mining techniques to learn process simulation models from event logs. Empirical studies have shown that, while DDS models adequately capture the observed sequences of activities and their frequencies, they fail to accurately capture the temporal dynamics of real-life processes. In contrast, generative Deep Learning (DL) models are better able to capture such temporal dynamics. The drawback of DL models is that users cannot alter them for what-if analysis due to their black-box nature. This paper presents a hybrid approach to learn process simulation models from event logs wherein a (stochastic) process model is extracted via DDS techniques, and then combined with a DL model to generate timestamped event sequences. An experimental evaluation shows that the resulting hybrid simulation models match the temporal accuracy of pure DL models, while partially retaining the what-if analysis capability of DDS approaches.
Non-local slicing approaches for NNLO QCD in MCFM
Authors: Campbell John M. , Ellis R. Keith , Seth Satyajit
Published: June 2022

Abstract

We present the implementation of several processes at Next-to-Next-to Leading Order (NNLO) accuracy in QCD in the parton-level Monte Carlo program MCFM. The processes treated are pp → H, W±, Z, W±H, ZH, W±γ, Zγ and γγ and, for the first time in the code, W+W−, W±Z and ZZ. Decays of the unstable bosons are fully included, resulting in a flexible fully differential Monte Carlo code. The NNLO corrections have been calculated using two non-local slicing approaches, isolating the doubly unresolved region by cutting on the zero-jettiness, $$ \mathcal{T} $$
T
0, or on qT, the transverse momentum of the colour singlet final-state particles. We find that for most, but not all processes the qT slicing method leads to smaller power corrections for equal computational burden.
Temperature Sensitivity of Microbial Litter Decomposition in Freshwaters: Role of Leaf Litter Quality and Environmental Characteristics
Authors: Monroy Silvia , Larrañaga Aitor , Martínez Aingeru , Pérez Javier , Molinero Jon , Basaguren Ana , Pozo Jesús
Published: June 2022

Ongoing global warming is expected to alter temperature-dependent processes. Nevertheless, how co-occurring local drivers will influence temperature sensitivity of plant litter decomposition in lotic ecosystems remains uncertain. Here, we examined the temperature sensitivity of microbial-mediated decomposition, microbial respiration, fungal biomass and leaf nutrients of two plant species varying in litter quality. We also assessed whether the type of microbial community and stream water characteristics influence such responses to temperature. We incubated alder (Alnus glutinosa) and eucalypt (Eucalyptus globulus) litter discs in three streams differing in autumn–winter water temperature (range 4.6–8.9 °C). Simultaneously, in laboratory microcosms, litter discs microbially conditioned in these streams were incubated at 5, 10 and 15 °C with water from the conditioning stream and with a water control from an additional stream. Both in the field and in the laboratory, higher temperatures enhanced litter decomposition rates, except for eucalypt in the field. Leaf quality modified the response of decomposition to temperature in the field, with eucalypt leaf litter showing a lower increase, whereas it did not in the laboratory. The origin of microbial community only affected the decomposition rates in the laboratory, but it did not modify the response to temperature. Water quality only defined the phosphorus content of the leaf litter or the fungal biomass, but it did not modify the response to temperature. Our results suggest that the acceleration in decomposition by global warming will be shaped by local factors, mainly by leaf litter quality, in headwater streams.
A comparison of advanced semi-quantitative amyloid PET analysis methods
Authors: Peira Enrico , Poggiali Davide , Pardini Matteo , Barthel Henryk , Sabri Osama , Morbelli Silvia , Cagnin Annachiara , Chincarini Andrea , Cecchin Diego
Published: June 2022

Purpose

To date, there is no consensus on how to semi-quantitatively assess brain amyloid PET. Some approaches use late acquisition alone (e.g., ELBA, based on radiomic features), others integrate the early scan (e.g., TDr, which targets the area of maximum perfusion) and structural imaging (e.g., WMR, that compares kinetic behaviour of white and grey matter, or SI based on the kinetic characteristics of the grey matter alone). In this study SUVr, ELBA, TDr, WMR, and SI were compared. The latter — the most complete one — provided the reference measure for amyloid burden allowing to assess the efficacy and feasibility in clinical setting of the other approaches.

Methods

We used data from 85 patients (aged 44–87) who underwent dual time-point PET/MRI acquisitions. The correlations with SI were computed and the methods compared with the visual assessment. Assuming SUVr, ELBA, TDr, and WMR to be independent measures, we linearly combined them to obtain more robust indices. Finally, we investigated possible associations between each quantifier and age in amyloid-negative patients.

Results

Each quantifier exhibited excellent agreement with visual assessment and strong correlation with SI (average AUC = 0.99, ρ = 0.91). Exceptions to this were observed for subcortical regions with ELBA and WMR (ρELBA = 0.44, ρWMR = 0.70). The linear combinations showed better performances than the individual methods. Significant associations were observed between TDr, WMR, SI, and age in amyloid-negative patients (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Among the other methods, TDr came closest to the reference with less implementation complexity. Moreover, this study suggests that combining independent approaches gives better results than the individual procedure, so efforts should focus on multi-classifier systems for amyloid PET. Finally, the ability of techniques integrating blood perfusion to depict age-related variations in amyloid load in amyloid-negative subjects demonstrates the goodness of the estimate.
Eine Echtzeit-Online-Methode zur Beurteilung der künstlichen Grundwasseranreicherung und Grundwasserentnahme
Authors: Moeck Christian , Merk Markus , Radny Dirk , Auckenthaler Adrian , Schirmer Mario , Gabriel Thomas
Published: June 2022

Eine nachhaltige Wasserversorgung in urbanen Gebieten stellt aufgrund des Nutzungsdrucks sowie vielfältiger anthropogener Einträge eine große Herausforderung dar. Künstliche Grundwasseranreicherung hat das Potenzial, den Wasserbedarf zu decken und ggf. vorhandene Schadstoffkonzentrationen zu verdünnen. Durch hohe Infiltrationsraten kann zudem eine hydraulische Barriere gegenüber Schadstoffen aus anliegenden Nutzungsflächen entstehen. Grundvoraussetzung, um diese Barriere so effektiv wie möglich nutzen zu können, ist die genaue Beschreibung der räumlichen und zeitlichen Verteilung der Schutzfunktion. Im geschilderten Fallbeispiel für ein Trinkwassergewinnungsgebiet in der Nordschweiz präsentieren wir ein einfaches Online-Werkzeug. Es wird genutzt, um die große Menge der erhobenen Daten zu digitalisieren sowie um die Interpretation von Konturenkarten zu ergänzen, indem es die Auswertung erhobener Daten vereinfacht und Grundwasserfließrichtungen und -magnituden visualisiert. Die Ergebnisse können zur Beschreibung komplexerer Fließsysteme genutzt werden, was zu einer effizienteren Grundwasserbeobachtung führt.
Role of magnesium-doped calcium sulfate and β-tricalcium phosphate composite ceramics in macrophage polarization and osteo-induction
Authors: Zhou Jing , Sun Su , He Yan , Yan Tingting , Sun Jianfeng , Pan Jie , Zhu Shuyu , Chen Liqiong , Zhu Pengfei , Xu Biao , Liu Yan
Published: June 2022

In the current study, we explored the role of Mg2+-doped CaSO4/β-TCP composite biopolymer in regulating macrophage polarization and its relation with enhanced osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells. Furthermore, mechanism underling the regulation of macrophage polarization by CaSO4/β-TCP was evaluated. Mg2+-doped CaSO4/β-TCP composite was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Macrophage polarization was characterized using flow cytometry analysis. Macrophage morphometric analysis was conducted by FITC phalloidin staining. Western blot and qRT-PCR assays were used to assess gene expression levels and miRNAs, respectively. SEM morphology of CaSO4/β-TCP ceramic revealed a particle size of 10–50 μm, and XRD spectrum showed that characteristic peak of samples was consistent with that of CaSO4 and β-TCP. Results from flow cytometry evidenced significant upregulation of M2 macrophage markers after adding ceramic biopolymer, indicating the induction of inactivated M0 macrophage polarization to M2 macrophage. Macrophage morphometric analysis revealed development of lamellar pseudopodia on day 7 in CaSO4/β-TCP group. Furthermore, flow cytometry revealed high positivity rate of 90.34% (CD44) and 89.36% (CD146). qRT-PCR results showed that the level of miR-21-5p was significantly decreased in M2 macrophages. Moreover, western blot analysis revealed upregulated expression levels of RUNX2, osterix (Osx), and osteopontin (OPN), and ELISA exhibited increase in cytokine levels (IL-1β, IL-10, TGF-β1, and BMP-2) in the presence of macrophages, indicating the osteogenic differentiation ability of periodontal ligament stem cells. The study evidenced the regulation of macrophage polarization by Mg2+-doped CaSO4/β-TCP composite ceramic and its mediation through lncRNA PVT1/miR-21-5p/smad2 molecular axis.
Fairness und Eigeninteresse im internationalen Klimaschutz
Authors: Flach Lisandra , Pfeiffer Johannes , Pittel Karen
Published: June 2022

Fairness und Eigeninteresse prägen die internationalen Verhandlungen und Maßnahmen zum Klimaschutz, ohne dabei immer klar trennbar zu sein. Anhand der im internationalen Handel mit Deutschland enthaltenen CO2-Emissionen zeigt sich, auf welche Länder und Regionen sich im Eigeninteresse begründete Schutzmaßnahmen der EU besonders stark auswirken könnten. Dabei ist eine faire Lastenverteilung zwischen Industrie- und Entwicklungsländern für globale Kooperation im Klimaschutz unabdingbar. Nur so können wirksame und ökonomisch effiziente Maßnahmen durchgeführt werden, was wiederum im Eigeninteresse aller Staaten liegt.
Establishing haematological and biochemical reference intervals for free-ranging Scottish golden eagle nestlings (Aquila chrysaetos)
Authors: G. Peniche , D.J. Shaw , D.B.A. Thompson , J.C. Brain , R. Reid , E. Weston , S. Benn , D. Anderson , J. Grant , L. Pate , N.E. Anderson , A.L. Meredith
Published: June 2022

Health assessment of individuals is an important aspect of monitoring endangered wildlife populations. Haematological and biochemical values are a common health assessment tool, and whilst reference values are well established for domestic species, they are often not available for wild animal species. This study established 31 haematological and biochemical reference intervals for golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) nestlings in Scotland, in order to improve the understanding of the species’ health and support conservation efforts. Reference intervals were created from 47 nestlings (ages 2–7.5 weeks old) across 37 nests, to date, the largest sample of wild individuals of this species and age cohort sampled for these purposes. Upper reference intervals for concentrations of lymphocytes, total protein, cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid, and monocytes, calculated in this study, are higher than those found for adult raptors and the interval span is higher than that observed in adult raptors for concentrations of AST, albumin, eosinophil, LDH, and monocyte count. Statistically significant positive correlations were found with age and concentrations of haemoglobin, lymphocytes, serum pH, and creatine kinase, and significant negative correlations with age for concentrations of thrombocytes, heterophils, total protein, globulin, and lactate dehydrogenase. Packed cell volume was significantly higher for females than males, and concentration of calcium and eosinophils were higher for individuals in good body condition than those in moderate body condition. The reference intervals produced by this study will be of important use to the veterinary and conservation management communities and will aid the long-term monitoring of the Scottish golden eagle population health.
Mycobacterium paratuberculosis zoonosis is a One Health emergency
Authors: Dow Coad Thomas , Alvarez Briana Lizet
Published: June 2022

A singular pathogen has been killing animals, contaminating food and causing an array of human diseases. Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) is the cause of a fatal enteric infectious disease called Johne’s (Yo’-nees), a disorder mostly studied in ruminant animals. MAP is globally impacting animal health and imparting significant economic burden to animal agriculture. Confounding the management of Johne’s disease is that animals are typically infected as calves and while commonly not manifesting clinical disease for years, they shed MAP in their milk and feces in the interval. This has resulted in a “don’t test, don’t tell” scenario for the industry resulting in greater prevalence of Johne’s disease; furthermore, because MAP survives pasteurization, the contaminated food supply provides a source of exposure to humans. Indeed, greater than 90% of dairy herds in the US have MAP-infected animals within the herd. The same bacterium, MAP, is the putative cause of Crohn’s disease in humans. Countries historically isolated from importing/exporting ruminant animals and free of Johne’s disease subsequently acquired the disease as a consequence of opening trade with what proved to be infected animals. Crohn’s disease in those populations became a lagging indicator of MAP infection. Moreover, MAP is associated with an increasingly long list of human diseases. Despite MAP scientists entreating regulatory agencies to designate MAP a “zoonotic agent,” it has not been forthcoming. One Health is a global endeavor applying an integrative health initiative that includes the environment, animals and humans; One Health asserts that stressors affecting one affects all three. Recognizing the impact MAP has on animal and human health as well as on the environment, it is time for One Health, as well as other global regulatory agencies, to recognize that MAP is causing an insidious slow-motion tsunami of zoonosis and implement public health mitigation.
Childhood Gender Nonconformity and Recalled Perceived Parental and Peer Acceptance Thereof, Internalized Homophobia, and Psychological Well-Being Outcomes in Heterosexual and Gay Men from Poland
Authors: Folkierska-Żukowska Monika , Rahman Qazi , Dragan Wojciech Ł.
Published: June 2022

The link between gender nonconformity and psychopathology may be due in part to negative childhood experiences resulting from other people’s reactions to gender nonconformity. The aim of this study was to test whether recalled perceived levels of parental and peer acceptance of childhood gender nonconforming behaviors and play mediate the relationship of childhood gender nonconformity with depression and social anxiety in adulthood. We also tested whether this relationship was moderated by sexual orientation and, among gay men, whether internalized homophobia was an additional mediator. All variables were measured in a large sample of male participants using self-report (n = 449 gay men, age: M = 27.8 years, SD = 6.69; andn = 296 heterosexual men, age: M = 27.4 years, SD = 6.57) in Poland. Gay men reported more childhood gender nonconformity than heterosexual men. The relationship between gender nonconformity and depressive symptoms as well as social anxiety symptoms was significant in both gay and heterosexual men. Among gay men, this relationship was partially mediated by peer but not parental acceptance of the measured aspects of gender nonconformity and internalized homophobia. Among heterosexual men, recalled perceived parental acceptance of gender nonconformity partially mediated the relationship between gender nonconformity and depressive and social anxiety symptoms. Our findings were partially in line with those found in Western European and North American samples. Although the two groups differed in their recalled perceived gender nonconformity, they did not differ in their depression or social anxiety scores. Nevertheless, childhood gender nonconformity may be an indirect risk associated with mental health symptoms, irrespective of sexual orientation. Its higher prevalence among nonheterosexual individuals makes it a particular risk for this group.
Conservation status of threatened land plants in China and priority sites for better conservation targets: distribution patterns and conservation gap analysis
Authors: Qin Fei , Xue Tiantian , Yang Xudong , Zhang Wendi , Wu Jianyong , Huang Yunfeng , Khan Gulzar , Yu Shengxiang
Published: June 2022

There are about 10% of the world’s land plants in China, of which 11% are threatened species. Here, we used China as a proxy to identify hotspots of threatened species, evaluate the effectiveness of current conservation networks and assess the correlations between distribution patterns of different groups. We built the most complete database of 3,881 species of threatened land plants in China (TLPCs) to date, based on 43,710 occurrence records at county level. A total of 467 counties identified as hotspot by species richness, complementarity, and weighted algorithms, mostly confined to the mountainous areas in southern China, which account for 15.58% of land area, however, hold 95.34% of the total TLPCs. The correlation analysis revealed weak to moderate relationship between the distribution patterns of three groups (bryophytes, ferns, and gymnosperms) and angiosperms of TLPCs. We found 86.34%, 84.05% and 95.77% of TLPCs protected by NNRs, PNRs and NRs [nature reserves, including both national NRs (NNRs) and provincial NRs (PNRs)], respectively. Besides, there were 41.11% and 18.84% of hotspots identified as conservation gaps of NNRs and NRs, respectively. In conclusion, the NNRs do not play a more dominant role in conserving TLPCs diversity in comparison to PNRs. We proposed that conservation planning need to be established in the periphery of Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau due to a large number of hotspots and conservation gaps located in this area. Since a large proportion of unprotected TLPCs are critically endangered and narrow-ranged species, it is urgent to set priorities for their conservation in the nearest future.