bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparative Analysis of Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate and TNF-Alpha Inhibitors in Mitigating Cisplatin-Induced Pancreatic Damage Through Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis Pathways
Authors: Ciftel Enver , Mercantepe Filiz , Mercantepe Tolga , Akyildiz Kerimali , Yilmaz Adnan , Ciftel Serpil 
Published: May 2024

AbstractOxidative stress and inflammation caused by cisplatin, which is frequently used in the treatment of many cancers, damage healthy tissues as well as cancer cells. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and infliximab (INF) administration on pancreatic endocrine cells in rats treated with systemic cisplatin (CDDP). The rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: group 1 (control group), group 2 (EGCG group), group 3 (CDDP group), group 4 (EGCG + CDDP group), group 5 (CDDP + INF group), and group 6 (EGCG + CDDP + INF group). The study’s findings demonstrated that EGCG and INF effectively reduced the cellular damage induced by CDDP in histopathologic investigations of the pancreas. EGCG and INF, whether used individually or in combination, demonstrated a significant reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and an increase in glutathione (GSH) levels in the rat pancreas compared to the CDDP group. Immunohistochemically, the enhanced presence of insulin and glucagon positivity in the EGCG and INF groups, along with the absence of TUNEL immunopositivity, indicate that both treatments reduced CDDP-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, the observed lack of immunopositivity in TNF-α and 8-OHdG in the groups treated with EGCG and INF, compared to those treated with CDDP, indicates that these substances can inhibit inflammation. EGCG and INF, whether provided alone or together, can potentially reduce the damage caused to pancreatic islet cells by cisplatin. This effect is achieved through their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties during the early stages of the condition.
RIOT-ML: toolkit for over-the-air secure updates and performance evaluation of TinyML models
Authors: Huang Zhaolan , Zandberg Koen , Schleiser Kaspar , Baccelli Emmanuel 
Published: May 2024

AbstractPractitioners in the field of TinyML lack so far a comprehensive, “batteries-included” toolkit to streamline continuous integration, continuous deployment and performance assessments of executing diverse machine learning models on various low-power IoT hardware. Addressing this gap, our paper introduces RIOT-ML, a versatile toolkit crafted to assist IoT designers and researchers in these tasks. To this end, we designed RIOT-ML based on an integration of an array of functionalities from a low-power embedded OS, a universal model transpiler and compiler, a toolkit for TinyML performance measurement, and a low-power over-the-air secure update framework—all of which usable on an open-access IoT testbed available to the community. Our open-source implementation of RIOT-ML and the initial experiments we report on showcase its utility in experimentally evaluating TinyML model performance across fleets of low-power IoT boards under test in the field, featuring a wide spectrum of heterogeneous microcontroller architectures and fleet network connectivity configurations. The existence of an open-source toolkit such as RIOT-ML is essential to expedite research combining artificial intelligence and IoT and to foster the full realization of edge computing’s potential.
The Fan Design Optimization for Totally Enclosed Type Induction Motor with Experimentally Verified CFD-Based MOGA Simulations
Authors: Özyildiz Tufan , Şentürk Lüle Senem 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe energy efficient electric motors save energy thus reduce operating costs. Since there are several losses affecting the motor efficiency, fan design plays an important role to minimize these losses. This study examines the effects of the design parameters of a radial bladed fan on the motor efficiency in a 132 frame with a power of 7.5 kW. The parametric analysis was carried out with the computational fluid dynamics method, and the results were used for the multiobjective genetic algorithm (MOGA) optimization study with the highest efficiency and the lowest motor body temperature objectives. The hub height, hub radius, distance to body cover, blade rising angle, fan cover entrance distance, blade edge angle, blade center radius, blade edge radius, blade end radius, and center edge distance were selected as optimization parameters. 151 simulations were performed. The results showed that the most important parameter for fan efficiency is the hub height which is the parameter that determines the height of the fan impeller diameter. According to the results, the optimum fan design increased the efficiency by 8% compared to the original fan and reduced the winding temperature by 8 °C. The optimized fan design was manufactured and tested against imulation data. This study contributes to sustainable development goals by improving motor efficiency that reduces the cost, designing of new components, and cooling the fan effectively that reduces the amount of copper used.
Fostering Inclusive Curricula and Learning Environments: Inclusivity Reporting at a UK University
Authors: Finn Gabrielle M. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractUniversities are under increased scrutiny with respect to creating inclusive curricula and learning environments. Students often worry about reporting a lack of inclusivity, or they simply don't know where to go to do so. The University of Manchester created a rapid inclusivity reporting form, embedded into all programme virtual learning environments to enable accessible, and if preferred anonymous, reporting of issues. The form is triaged, and an accompany communications strategy was developed to ensure the feedback loop to students was complete. The form has been a success, with many issues, particularly related to sex and gender in the curricula being improved.
Nuclear Embeddings of Morrey Sequence Spaces and Smoothness Morrey Spaces
Authors: Haroske Dorothee D. , Skrzypczak Leszek 
Published: May 2024

AbstractWe study nuclear embeddings for spaces of Morrey type, both in its sequence space version and as smoothness spaces of functions defined on a bounded domain $$\Omega \subset {{\mathbb {R}}}^{{d}}$$

Ω
⊂

R

d

. This covers, in particular, the meanwhile well-known and completely answered situation for spaces of Besov and Triebel-Lizorkin type defined on bounded domains which has been considered for a long time. The complete result was obtained only recently. Compact embeddings for function spaces of Morrey type have already been studied in detail, also concerning their entropy and approximation numbers. We now prove the first and complete nuclearity result in this context. The concept of nuclearity has already been introduced by Grothendieck in 1955. Again we rely on suitable wavelet decomposition techniques and the famous Tong result (1969) which characterises nuclear diagonal operators acting between sequence spaces of $$\ell _r$$

ℓ
r

type, $$1\le r\le \infty $$

1
≤
r
≤
∞

.
Optimal Operation of Cryogenic Calorimeters Through Deep Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Angloher G. , Banik S. , Benato G. , Bento A. , Bertolini A. , Breier R. , Bucci C. , Burkhart J. , Canonica L. , D’Addabbo A. , Di Lorenzo S. , Einfalt L. , Erb A. , v. Feilitzsch F. , Fichtinger S. , Fuchs D. , Garai A. , Ghete V. M. , Gorla P. , Guillaumon P. V. , Gupta S. , Hauff D. , Ješkovský M. , Jochum J. , Kaznacheeva M. , Kinast A. , Kuckuk S. , Kluck H. , Kraus H. , Langenkämper A. , Mancuso M. , Marini L. , Mauri B. , Meyer L. , Mokina V. , Niedermayer K. , Olmi M. , Ortmann T. , Pagliarone C. , Pattavina L. , Petricca F. , Potzel W. , Povinec P. , Pröbst F. , Pucci F. , Reindl F. , Rothe J. , Schäffner K. , Schieck J. , Schönert S. , Schwertner C. , Stahlberg M. , Stodolsky L. , Strandhagen C. , Strauss R. , Usherov I. , Wagner F. , Wagner V. , Willers M. , Zema V. , Heitzinger C. , Waltenberger W. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractCryogenic phonon detectors with transition-edge sensors achieve the best sensitivity to sub-GeV/c$$^2$$

2

dark matter interactions with nuclei in current direct detection experiments. In such devices, the temperature of the thermometer and the bias current in its readout circuit need careful optimization to achieve optimal detector performance. This task is not trivial and is typically done manually by an expert. In our work, we automated the procedure with reinforcement learning in two settings. First, we trained on a simulation of the response of three Cryogenic Rare Event Search with Superconducting Thermometers (CRESST) detectors used as a virtual reinforcement learning environment. Second, we trained live on the same detectors operated in the CRESST underground setup. In both cases, we were able to optimize a standard detector as fast and with comparable results as human experts. Our method enables the tuning of large-scale cryogenic detector setups with minimal manual interventions.
Major comorbid diseases as predictors of infection in the first month after hip fracture surgery: a population-based cohort study in 92,239 patients
Authors: Gadgaard Nadia Roldsgaard , Varnum Claus , Nelissen Rob , Vandenbroucke-Grauls Christina , Sørensen Henrik Toft , Pedersen Alma Becic 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Comorbidity level is a predictor of infection in the first 30 days after hip fracture surgery. However, the roles of individual comorbid diseases as predictors of infection remain unclear. We investigated individual major comorbid diseases as predictors of infection after hip fracture surgery.

Methods
We obtained Danish population-based medical registry data for patients undergoing hip fracture surgery (2004–2018). Information was obtained on 27 comorbidities, included in various comorbidity indices, 5 years before surgery. The primary outcome was any hospital-treated infection within 30 days after surgery. Cumulative incidence of infection was calculated by considering death as competing risk. We used logistic regression to compute mutually adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence interval for infection.

Results
Of 92,239 patients with hip fracture, 71% were women, and the median age was 83 years. The most prevalent comorbidities were hypertension (23%), heart arrhythmia (15%), and cerebrovascular disease (14%). The 30-day incidence of infection was 15% and 12% among the total cohort and among patients with no record of comorbidities, respectively. Infection incidence was highest among patients with renal disease (24%), depression/anxiety (23%), and chronic pulmonary disease (23%), and lowest among patients with metastatic solid tumor (15%). Adjusted odds ratios of infection ranged from 0.94 [0.80–1.10] for metastatic solid tumor to 1.77 [1.63–1.92] for renal disease.

Conclusion
Most comorbid diseases were predictors of infection after surgery for hip fracture. Awareness of patients’ comorbidity profiles might help clinicians initiate preventive measures or inform patients of their expected risk.
Zinc oxide nanoparticles immobilized on polymeric porous matrix for water remediation
Authors: Asiri Abdullah M. , Pugliese Valerio , Coppola Gerardo , Khan Sher Bahadar , Alamry Khalid Ahmad , Alfifi Soliman Y. , Marwani Hadi M. , Alotaibi Maha M. , Petrosino Francesco , Chakraborty Sudip 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThis work proposes a novel approach to producing composite membranes by immobilizing and blending ZnO nanoparticles within a polymer matrix. The focus is investigating how different immobilization techniques impact membrane performance in critical technological applications, including membrane fouling mitigation and photocatalytic degradation. Lab-synthesized ZnO nanostructures were immobilized within a natural cellulose acetate (CA) matrix using a spray coating technique. To ensure comprehensive exploration, CA membranes with 12% and 15% wt polymer concentrations, which demonstrated superior overall performance in previous studies, were cast and prepared. The membranes underwent phase inversion, and a specially prepared ZnO solution was sprayed onto the membrane surface, creating a unique blend of polymer and nanoparticles. This comparative study highlights distinctions between nanomaterial immobilization techniques (mixing and spray coating) while maintaining identical polymer content. Such insights are crucial for both industrial applications and laboratory-scale research. The photocatalytic degradation of the reactive and toxic dye methylene blue (MB) served as a model reaction, employing a UV light module. Results unequivocally demonstrated that, irrespective of the immobilization technique employed, the combination of CA and ZnO nanoparticles significantly enhanced the photocatalytic activity of the membrane in degrading methylene blue (MB). Specifically, the dye concentration decreased from 25 to approximately 8 mg/L for both the spray coating and bulk immobilization methods, resulting in 62% and 69% dye degradation, respectively. These findings underscore the versatility of different immobilization techniques in various aspects of membrane technology. The CA-ZnO composite exhibited efficacy in photocatalytic MB degradation tests, offering promising alternatives for designing polymeric membranes tailored for contaminant removal, particularly in treating textile dye-contaminated aqueous solutions. The exploration of diverse immobilization techniques for nanocomposites presents an exciting avenue for optimization in different membrane technological processes.
Phytotoxicity and hormesis in common mobile organic compounds in leachates of wood-derived biochars
Authors: Thomas Sean C. , Ruan Ryan , Gale Nigel V. , Gezahegn Sossina 
Published: May 2024

AbstractAlthough addition of pyrolyzed organic materials (biochars) to soil generally results in increased growth and physiological performance of plants, neutral and negative responses have also commonly been detected. Toxicity of organic compounds generated during pyrolysis, sorbed by biochars, and then released into the soil solution, has been implicated as a possible mechanism for such negative effects. Conversely, water-soluble biochar constituents have also been suggested to have “hormetic” effects (positive effects on plants at low concentrations); however, no specific compounds responsible have been identified. We investigated the relative phytotoxicity—and possible hormetic effects—of 14 organic compounds common in aqueous extracts of freshly produced lignocellulosic biochars, using seed germination bioassays. Of the compounds examined, volatile fatty acids (VFAs: acetic, propionic, butyric, valeric, caproic, and 2-ethylbutyric acids) and phenol, showed acute phytotoxicity, with germination-based ED50 values of 1–30 mmol L−1, and 2-ethylbutyric acid showed ED50 values of 0.1–1.0 mmol L−1. Other compounds (benzene, benzoic acid, butanone, methyl salicylate, toluene, and 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol) showed toxic effects only at high concentrations close to solubility limits. Although phytotoxic at high concentrations, valeric and caproic acid also showed detectable hormetic effects on seedlings, increasing radicle extension by 5–15% at concentrations of ~ 0.01–0.1 mmol L−1. These data support the hypothesis that VFAs are the main agents responsible for phytotoxic effects of lignocellulosic biochar leachates, but that certain VFAs also have hormetic effects at low concentrations and may contribute to positive effects of biochar leachates on early plant development in some cases.
Graphical Abstract
Artificial intelligence, the common good, and the democratic deficit in AI governance
Authors: Coeckelbergh Mark 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThere is a broad consensus that artificial intelligence should contribute to the common good, but it is not clear what is meant by that. This paper discusses this issue and uses it as a lens for analysing what it calls the “democracy deficit” in current AI governance, which includes a tendency to deny the inherently political character of the issue and to take a technocratic shortcut. It indicates what we may agree on and what is and should be up to (further) deliberation when it comes to AI ethics and AI governance. Inspired by the republican tradition in political theory, it also argues for a more active role of citizens and (end-)users: not only as participants in deliberation but also in ensuring, creatively and communicatively, that AI contributes to the common good.
Cause-Specific Excess Mortality During the COVID-19 Pandemic (2020–2021) in 12 Countries of the C-MOR Consortium
Authors: Beeks Victoria Virginia , Achilleos Souzana , Quattrocchi Annalisa , Pallari Chryso Th. , Critselis Elena , Salameh Pascale , Rahmanian Haghighi Mohammad Reza , Rodriguez-Llanes Jose Manuel , Ambrosio Giuseppe , Artemiou Andreas , Gabel John , Bennett Catherine Marie , Cuthbertson Joseph , Zimmermann Claudia , Schernhammer Eva Susanna , Costa Antonio José Leal , de Carvalho Luciana Freire , Lobato Jackeline Christiane Pinto , Athanasiadou Maria , Critchley Julia Alison , Goldsmith Lucy Pollyanna , Kandelaki Levan , Glushkova Natalya , Davletov Kairat , Semenova Yuliya , Erzen Ivan , Verstiuk Olesia , Alekkou Dimos , Polemitis Antonis , Charalambous Andreas , Demetriou Christiana A. ,   The C-MOR Consortium
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Background
This study investigated cause-specific mortality rates in 12 countries during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021.

Methods
We collected weekly cause-specific mortality data from respiratory disease, pneumonia, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer from national vital statistic databases. We calculated excess mortality for respiratory disease (excluding COVID-19 codes), pneumonia, and CVD in 2020 and 2021 by comparing observed weekly against expected mortality based on historical data (2015–2019), accounting for seasonal trends. We used multilevel regression models to investigate the association between country-level pandemic-related variables and cause-specific mortality.

Results
Significant reductions in cumulative mortality from respiratory disease and pneumonia were observed in 2020 and/or 2021, except for Georgia, Northern Ireland, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine, which exhibited excess mortality for one or both causes. Australia, Austria, Cyprus, Georgia, and Northern Ireland experienced excess cumulative CVD mortality in 2020 and/or 2021. Australia, Austria, Brazil, Cyprus, Georgia, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Slovenia, experienced increased crude cumulative cancer mortality during 2020 and/or 2021 compared to previous years. Among pandemic-related variables, reported COVID-19 incidence was negatively associated with increased cancer mortality, excess respiratory, (2020) and pneumonia (2021) mortality, and positively associated with respiratory and CVD mortality (2021). Stringency of control measures were negatively associated with excess respiratory disease, CVD, and increased cancer mortality (2021).

Conclusions
This study provides evidence of substantial excess mortality from CVD, and notable reductions in respiratory disease and pneumonia in both years across most countries investigated. Our study also highlights the beneficial impact of stringent control measures in mitigating excess mortality from most causes in 2021.
The Dogs of Tsenacomoco: Ancient DNA Reveals the Presence of Local Dogs at Jamestown Colony in the Early Seventeenth Century
Authors: Thomas Ariane E. , Hill Matthew E. , Stricker Leah , Lavin Michael , Givens David , de Flamingh Alida , Witt Kelsey E. , Malhi Ripan S. , Kitchen Andrew 
Published: May 2024

AbstractMultiple studies have demonstrated that European colonization of the Americas led to the death of nearly all North American dog mitochondrial lineages and replacement with European ones sometime between AD 1492 and the present day. Historical records indicate that colonists imported dogs from Europe to North America, where they became objects of interest and exchange as early as the seventeenth century. However, it is not clear whether the earliest archaeological dogs recovered from colonial contexts were of European, Indigenous, or mixed descent. To clarify the ancestry of dogs from the Jamestown Colony, Virginia, we sequenced ancient mitochondrial DNA from six archaeological dogs from the period 1609–1617. Our analysis shows that the Jamestown dogs have maternal lineages most closely associated with those of ancient Indigenous dogs of North America. Furthermore, these maternal lineages cluster with dogs from Late Woodland, Hopewell, and Virginia Algonquian archaeological sites. Our recovery of Indigenous dog lineages from a European colonial site suggests a complex social history of dogs at the interface of Indigenous and European populations during the early colonial period.
Intellectual Virtue Signaling and (Non)Expert Credibility
Authors: HARRIS KEITH RAYMOND 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
In light of the complexity of some important matters, the best epistemic strategy for laypersons is often to rely heavily on the judgments of subject matter experts. However, given the contentiousness of some issues and the existence of fake experts, determining who to trust from the lay perspective is no simple matter. One proposed approach is for laypersons to attend to displays of intellectual virtue as indicators of expertise. I argue that this strategy is likely to fail, as non-experts often display apparent intellectual virtues while legitimate experts often display apparent intellectual vices. Then, I argue that this challenge is difficult to overcome, as experts who attempt to better exhibit apparent intellectual virtues would likely compromise their own reliability in the process. Finally, I discuss two conclusions—one more optimistic and one more pessimistic—that one might draw concerning the role of intellectual virtue in the identification of experts.
Two steps forward, one step back: negative spillovers in water conservation
Authors: Leong Ching , Buurman Joost , Tay Swee Kiat 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Showering is one of the most water-intensive behaviours in urban households, accounting for 20–30% of water use. Real-time feedback from smart devices has been proven to significantly reduce water consumption in showers. Still, it is not known whether these devices have spillover effects on other water use behaviours. For the first time, we provide empirical evidence for a significant and negative within-domain spillover effect from the use of such devices, showing an increase in water use in other activities by 2.5% per day per household. Up to one-third of conservation effects are eroded by such spillovers, resulting in a two steps forward, one step back situation. Overall, however, net water use is still reduced by 4.7% in the 385 households that were observed. This study points out an important behavioural limit on the use of such smart shower devices and suggests that such use be accompanied by informational or other campaigns to reduce the large negative spillovers.