bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An electric kickscooter multibody model: equations of motion and linear stability analysis
Authors: Agúndez A. G. , García-Vallejo D. , Freire E. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIn this work, a detailed multibody model of an electric kickscooter is presented. The model includes toroidal wheels as well as rear and front suspensions. The equations of motion are derived and linearized along the steady forward motion of the vehicle. Using an efficient linearization approach, suitable for complex multibody systems with holonomic and nonholonomic constraints, allows for obtaining the reduced linearized equations of motion as a function of the geometric, dynamic, wheels’, and suspensions’ parameters. The proposed electric kickscooter multibody model is validated with the stability results of a previously presented electric kickscooter benchmark. Since the resulting eigenvalues are parameterized regarding the design parameters, a detailed linear stability analysis of the system is performed. In particular, the influence on the stability of the toroidal geometry of the wheels, the elliptic cross-section of the toroidal wheels, the rider model, the steering axis inclination angle, the inertia tensor of the front frame, and the rear and front suspensions is analyzed. The model presented, together with the linearized equations of motion obtained in this work, enables a systematic analysis of the stability of these vehicles, which helps design new electric kickscooters with improved vehicle safety conditions and oriented to a wider range of potential users.
Choice under uncertainty and cognitive load
Authors: Dominiak Adam , Duersch Peter 
Published: March 2024

AbstractDoes exposure to cognitive load affect key properties of economic behavior? In this experiment, subjects face a series of simple binary decision tasks between prospects, testing for monotonicity in monetary payments, consistency with (first-order) stochastic dominance, reduction of compound lotteries, risk attitudes, and ambiguity attitudes. Cognitive load is manipulated via simultaneous memory tasks. Our data show treatment differences resulting from cognitive load for decision tasks with risky outcomes. However, cognitive load has no impact on monotonicity and ambiguity attitudes. Under a dual-process view of human decision-making, our findings suggest that ambiguity attitudes and preferences for “more certain money” are intuitive, not reasoned.
Perioperative Levels of IL8 and IL18, but not IL6, are Associated with Nucleus Basalis Magnocellularis Atrophy Three Months after Surgery
Authors: Heinrich Maria , Spies Claudia , Borchers Friedrich , Feinkohl Insa , Pischon Tobias , Slooter Arjen J. C. , von Haefen Clarissa , Zacharias Norman , Winterer Georg , Lammers-Lietz Florian 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Past studies have observed that brain atrophy may accelerate after surgical procedures. Furthermore, an association of systemic inflammation with neurodegeneration has been described. We hypothesize that postoperative interleukin (IL) levels in circulation as well as the perioperative change in interleukin levels are associated with increased postoperative atrophy in the Nucleus basalis magnocellularis (of Meynert, NBM) which is the major source of cortical acetylcholine. We analyzed data from the BioCog cohort which included patients ≥ 65 years presenting for elective major surgery (≥ 60min). Blood samples were taken before surgery and on the first postoperative day. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and neuropsychological assessments were conducted before surgery and after three months follow-up. We used linear regression analysis to determine the association of three interleukins (IL6, IL8 and IL18) with NBM atrophy (in % volume change from baseline before surgery to follow-up), as well as to examine the associations of NBM atrophy and volume with postoperative cognitive ability and perioperative cognitive change. Receiver-operating curves were used to determine the prognostic value of preoperative interleukin levels. For IL8 (N = 97) and IL18 (N = 217), but not IL6 (N = 240), we observed significant associations of higher postoperative IL levels at the first postoperative day with higher NBM atrophy at three months after surgery. Subsequent analyses suggested that in both IL8 and IL18, this association was driven by a more general association of chronically elevated IL levels and NBM atrophy, reflected by preoperative IL concentrations, rather than IL response to surgery, measured as the difference between pre- and postoperative IL concentrations. At follow-up, NBM volume was positively associated with the level of cognitive performance, but NBM atrophy was not significantly related to perioperative cognitive change. Prognostic value of preoperative IL concentrations for NBM atrophy was low. Our results suggest that an association of postoperative interleukin levels with NBM atrophy is driven by preoperatively elevated interleukins due to pre-existing inflammation, rather than perioperative change in interleukin levels in response to surgery and anesthesia. The BioCog study has been registered at clinicaltrials.gov on Oct 15, 2014 (NCT02265263).

Graphical Abstract
Advancing brain tumor classification through MTAP model: an innovative approach in medical diagnostics
Authors: Ozdemir Cuneyt , Dogan Yahya 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
The early diagnosis of brain tumors is critical in the area of healthcare, owing to the potentially life-threatening repercussions unstable growths within the brain can pose to individuals. The accurate and early diagnosis of brain tumors enables prompt medical intervention. In this context, we have established a new model called MTAP to enable a highly accurate diagnosis of brain tumors. The MTAP model addresses dataset class imbalance by utilizing the ADASYN method, employs a network pruning technique to reduce unnecessary weights and nodes in the neural network, and incorporates Avg-TopK pooling method for enhanced feature extraction. The primary goal of our research is to enhance the accuracy of brain tumor type detection, a critical aspect of medical imaging and diagnostics. The MTAP model introduces a novel classification strategy for brain tumors, leveraging the strength of deep learning methods and novel model refinement techniques. Following comprehensive experimental studies and meticulous design, the MTAP model has achieved a state-of-the-art accuracy of 99.69%. Our findings indicate that the use of deep learning and innovative model refinement techniques shows promise in facilitating the early detection of brain tumors. Analysis of the model’s heat map revealed a notable focus on regions encompassing the parietal and temporal lobes.

Graphical Abstract
Grad-CAM heat map visualization results
Internationale Kooperationen und Kollaborationen in der Lehrer*innenbildung
Authors: Iwers Telse A. , Spath Saskia 
Published: March 2024

ZusammenfassungDieser Beitrag in der Zeitschrift „Gruppe. Interaktion. Organisation. (GIO)“ stellt die Ergebnisse einer Studie zum Spannungsverhältnis post- und neokolonialistischer Interaktionen in Internationalisierungsprojekten dar.Aktuelle Globalisierungstendenzen, u. a. bedingt durch Migration und Flucht, nach Europa insbesondere aus dem Globalen Süden und Westasien, führen zur Intensivierung der Internationalisierungsbemühungen akademischer Bildungsgänge. Damit geht die Forderung nach der Reflexion neokolonialer, hierarchisierender Dominanzen in verschiedenen bildungsbezogenen Disziplinen einher. Diese Reflexion hat auf theoretischer Ebene ebenso zu erfolgen wie in direkten Kollaborations- und Kommunikationsbeziehungen.Dieser Artikel unternimmt den Versuch die Kollaboration zwischen einer Universität im Globalen Süden und einer Universität in Deutschland zu beschreiben und daraufhin zu untersuchen, ob kolonialistische Kooperationsformen neokolonial reproduziert werden oder ob postkoloniale Kollaborationsbeziehungen entstehen, die frei von eurozentristischen Hierarchisierungen und Stereotypisierungen gestaltet werden.Die Untersuchung erfolgt auf Grundlage von drei Interviews mit den Referatsleitungen für Internationalisierung sowie Koordinationsleitungen internationaler Projekte beider Standorte. Aufzeigbare Tendenzen von partizipativer Kollaboration aber auch von neokolonialen Einschlüssen sind in Folgestudien differenziert zu untersuchen.
Preparation of HOPO-containing lariate ethers based on the diaza-18-crown-6 scaffold
Authors: Paßler Florian , Belke Linda , Reissig Falco , Kopka Klaus , Mamat Constantin 
Published: March 2024

AbstractCyclic and acyclic ligands containing the hydroxypyridinone (HOPO) moiety as donor group are known as strong coordinating compounds for a wide variety of metal ions. Based on the diaza-crown[18]ether Kryptofix K22, five different tendentate ligands were prepared using 1,2-HOPO, 1,2,3-HOPO and 2,3-Me-HOPO as additional binding moieties. The diaza-crown ether basic skeleton was furnished with two primary amine functions and subsequently reacted with the respective HOPO acids or the HOPO acid chlorides to obtain the desired HOPO derivatives in two synthesis steps after final deprotection. All compounds were evidenced by NMR and MS analyses.
Young Learners’ Well-Being and Emotions: Examining Enjoyment and Boredom in the Foreign Language Classroom
Authors: Tsang Art , Davis Christelle 
Published: March 2024

AbstractEmotions have received widespread attention in the education field globally thanks to the greater emphasis on well-being in recent times. Against this backdrop and the fact that foreign language (FL) education is increasingly common from a young age, this study set out to investigate what FL classroom activities children find most enjoyable and most boring, and why. Ninety-eight Grade-5 English-as-a-FL learners in Hong Kong participated in this study. The participants put forward 18 activities that they thought were most enjoyable, especially games and videos (together making up about 49% of the responses). Fifteen activities were deemed most boring, especially writing and dictation (together 45% of the responses). Fun, knowledge-gaining, and opportunities for interaction were among the most common reasons given for activities being enjoyable, while difficult, troublesome, and tiring were the main descriptors of the activities they thought were boring.
Association of circulating hsa-miRNAs with sarcopenia: the SarcoPhAge study
Authors: Millet Marjorie , Auroux Maxime , Beaudart Charlotte , Demonceau Céline , Ladang Aurélie , Cavalier Etienne , Reginster Jean-Yves , Bruyère Olivier , Chapurlat Roland , Rousseau Jean-Charles 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Objective
To identify a microRNA signature associated to sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults form the SarcoPhAge cohort.

Methods
In a screening phase by next generation sequencing (NGS), we compared the hsa-miRome expression of 18 subjects with sarcopenia (79.6 ± 6.8 years, 9 men) and 19 healthy subjects without sarcopenia (77.1 ± 6 years, 9 men) at baseline. Thereafter, we have selected eight candidate hsa-miRNAs according to the NGS results and after a critical assessment of previous literature. In a validation phase and by real-time qPCR, we then analyzed the expression levels of these 8 hsa-miRNAs at baseline selecting 92 healthy subjects (74.2 ± 10 years) and 92 subjects with sarcopenia (75.3 ± 6.8 years). For both steps, the groups were matched for age and sex.

Results
In the validation phase, serum has-miRNA-133a-3p and has-miRNA-200a-3p were significantly decreased in the group with sarcopenia vs controls [RQ: relative quantification; median (interquartile range)]: −0.16 (−1.26/+0.90) vs +0.34 (−0.73/+1.33) (p < 0.01) and −0.26 (−1.07/+0.68) vs +0.27 (−0.55/+1.10) (p < 0.01) respectively. Has-miRNA-744-5p was decreased and has-miRNA-151a-3p was increased in the group with sarcopenia vs controls, but this barely reached significance: +0.16 (−1.34/+0.79) vs +0.44 (−0.31/+1.00) (p = 0.050) and  +0.35 (−0.22/+0.90) vs  +0.03 (−0.68/+0.75) (p = 0.054).

Conclusion
In subjects with sarcopenia, serum hsa-miRNA-133a-3p and hsa-miRNA-200a-3p expression were downregulated, consistent with their potential targets inhibiting muscle cells proliferation and differentiation.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of nutrient supplements for treating sarcopenia in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Huang Wen-Jian , Ko Chih-Yuan 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIndividuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are prone to malnutrition and sarcopenia as a result of nutritional deficiencies and increased energy metabolism. However, the effects of nutrient supplements (NS) on treating sarcopenia in patients with COPD are not well established from systematic evidence. This meta-analysis examined the effect of NS on sarcopenia in patients with COPD. A systematic search of multiple databases was conducted, and 29 randomized controlled trials involving 1625 participants (age, mean [SD] = 67.9 [7.8] years) were analyzed. NS demonstrated significant improvements in body weight (MD,1.33 kg; 95% CI, 0.60, 2.05 kg; P = 0.0003; I2 = 87%), fat-free mass index (MD, 0.74 kg/m2; 95% CI, 0.21, 1.27 kg/m2; P = 0.007; I2 = 75%), and 6-min walk test (MD, 19.43 m; 95% CI, 4.91, 33.94 m; P = 0.009; I2 = 81%) compared with control. However, NS had nonsignificant effects on handgrip strength (SMD, 0.36; 95% CI, − 0.15, 0.88; P = 0.16; I2 = 87%) and quadriceps muscle strength (SMD, 0.11; 95% CI, − 0.06, 0.27; P = 0.20; I2 = 25%) compared with the control. In conclusion, NS may be an effective treatment for improving body composition and physical performance in COPD. Future studies should explore the effects of intervention durations, specific NS types, or combined training in patients with COPD and sarcopenia.
Diagnosis of Pentastome Infections and the Need for Increased Awareness Among Medical Practitioners and Diagnosticians in the Developed World
Authors: Barton Diane P. , Shamsi Shokoofeh 
Published: March 2024

AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe patterns of movement of people, and animals, are changing due to climate change, immigration and ongoing refugee crises. Subsequently, many parasitic diseases, including pentastomiasis, are also changing their patterns of distribution. This review is aimed at raising awareness among medical practitioners and diagnosticians, especially in non-endemic areas for pentastomiasis, the disease, and highlighting the issues with the identification of pentastome infections in humans.Recent FindingsPentastome infections in humans can be either visceral or nasopharyngeal in location. Visceral pentastomiasis is generally asymptomatic and is usually only discovered incidentally during examination for other issues or at autopsy. Nasopharyngeal pentastomiasis presents as an acute infection, generally following ingestion of raw or undercooked offal. Identification of the causative agent/s of pentastomiasis is based on general morphological features, determined through histology or radiology, with molecular confirmation of species rare.SummaryAlthough specific identity of the pentastome infection is probably not required from a medical viewpoint with regard to treatment of the infection, it is needed to improve our understanding of the epidemiology of infections. Additionally, with the increased movements of humans, and other animals, and their associated parasitic diseases, these parasites will start to appear in non-endemic areas. Medical practitioners and diagnosticians, as well as veterinarians, need to be aware of these parasites to ensure an accurate identification of the disease.
Responses of soil stoichiometry and soil enzyme activities in the different distance around opencast coal mine of the Hulun Buir Grassland of China
Authors: Bi Yinli , Guo Nan , Zhang Yanxu , Li Xianglei , Song Ziheng 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe objectives of this study were to explore the changes in soil stoichiometry and enzyme activities at different distances from an opencast coal mine in the Hulun Buir Grassland of China. Four transects were established on north and east sides of the opencast coal mining area, and samples were collected at 50 m, 550 m, and 1550 m from the pit on each transect. Control samples were collected from a grassland station 8 km from the opencast coal mining area that was not disturbed by mining. Four replicate soil samples were collected at each point on the four transects. Soil physicochemical properties and enzyme activities were determined, and correlations between soil properties and stoichiometric ratios and enzyme activities were explored using redundancy analysis. The increase in distance from mining did not significantly affect soil properties, although soil urease activity was significantly lower than that of the control area. Soil properties 1550 m from the mine pit were similar to those at the grassland control. In addition, soil total nitrogen had the greatest effect on soil stoichiometry, and soil total potassium had the greatest effect on soil enzyme activities. Coal dust from opencast mining might be the main factor affecting soil stoichiometry and enzyme activities. The results of this study provide direction for the next step in studying the influence of mining areas on soil properties and processes.
Exploratory Factor Analysis of the NEPSY-II Conceptual Template: Acting on Evidence
Authors: McGill Ryan J. , Beaujean A. Alexander , Benson Nicolas F. , Dombrowski Stefan C. , Canivez Gary L. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe present study examined the structure of the NEPSY-II within the norming sample using exploratory factor analysis. For the 3–4-year-old group, our results were conceptually uninterpretable. As a result, a unidimensional model was retained by default as a remedy to local fit issues. For the 7–12-year-old group, our analysis supported some aspects of the NEPSY-II conceptual domains in the form of a six-factor model that yielded the best fit to the data. While variance partitioning results indicate that the majority of NEPSY-II subtests at ages 7–12 contain adequate specificity to be interpreted in isolation, caution is suggested for interpreting the Social Perception subtests; in particular, given the inability to locate that latent dimension in either of the analyses conducted. Implications for the clinical interpretation of the instrument moving forward are discussed.
Energy choice and women’s economic empowerment among the rural households in Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Dumga Kassahun Trueha , Goswami Kishor 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAccess to reliable and affordable energy is crucial for women to carry out household duties efficiently, including cooking and cleaning. However, many women in developing countries still lack access to modern energy sources, which strains their time, health, and overall well-being. This study investigates the relationship between women’s economic empowerment and energy choices among rural households in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples region of Ethiopia. Utilizing a multi-stage cluster sampling design, 569 households were selected from six randomly chosen woredas (districts). Employing a multinomial model, the research explores factors influencing energy source selection. The findings reveal that a majority of households rely on traditional energy sources, with a positive correlation observed between women’s economic empowerment, as measured by the CWEEI, and the adoption of modern energy sources. Additionally, household size and income significantly predict energy source choices. This study underscores the pivotal role of women’s economic empowerment in promoting cleaner energy use in rural settings. Policymakers and program implementers are urged to consider household size and income levels when formulating effective energy programs and interventions.
The symphony of maize signaling quartet defending against gray leaf spot
Authors: Wang Ping , He Ping 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIn plant immunity, a well-orchestrated cascade is initiated by the dimerization of receptor-like kinases (RLKs), followed by the phosphorylation of receptor-like cytoplasmic kinases (RLCKs) and subsequent activation of NADPH oxidases for ROS generation. Recent findings by Zhong et al. illustrated that a maize signaling module comprising ZmWAKL-ZmWIK-ZmBLK1-ZmRBOH4 governs quantitative disease resistance to grey leaf spot, a pervasive fungal disease in maize worldwide, unveiling the conservation of this signaling quartet in plant immunity.
Advances in in situ/operando techniques for catalysis research: enhancing insights and discoveries
Authors: Chen Linfeng , Ding Xinzhi , Wang Zheren , Xu Shutao , Jiang Qike , Dun Chaochao , Urban Jeffrey J. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractCatalysis research has witnessed remarkable progress with the advent of in situ and operando techniques. These methods enable the study of catalysts under actual operating conditions, providing unprecedented insights into catalytic mechanisms and dynamic catalyst behavior. This review discusses key in situ techniques and their applications in catalysis research. Advances in in situ electron microscopy allow direct visualization of catalysts at the atomic scale under reaction conditions. In situ spectroscopy techniques like X-ray absorption spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy can track chemical states and reveal transient intermediates. Synchrotron-based techniques offer enhanced capabilities for in situ studies. The integration of in situ methods with machine learning and computational modeling provides a powerful approach to accelerate catalyst optimization. However, challenges remain regarding radiation damage, instrumentation limitations, and data interpretation. Overall, continued development of multi-modal in situ techniques is pivotal for addressing emerging challenges and opportunities in catalysis research and technology.
A Markov multiple state model for epidemic and insurance modelling
Authors: Tran Minh-Hoang 
Published: March 2024

AbstractWith recent epidemics such as COVID-19, H1N1 and SARS causing devastating financial loss to the economy, it is important that insurance companies plan for financial costs of epidemics. This article proposes a new methodology for epidemic and insurance modelling by combining the existing deterministic compartmental models and the Markov multiple state models to facilitate actuarial computations to design new health insurance plans that cover epidemics. Our method is inspired by the seminal paper (Feng and Garrido (2011)North American Actuarial Journal,15, 112–136.) of Feng and Garrido and complements the work of Hillairet and Lopez et al. in Hillairet and Lopez ((2021)Scandinavian Actuarial Journal,2021(8), 671–694.) and Hillairet et al. ((2022)Insurance: Mathematics and Economics,107, 88–101.) In this work, we use the deterministic SIR model and the Eyam epidemic data set to provide numerical illustrations for our method.
Regular exposure facilitates dual-mapping of Cantonese pronunciation variants
Authors: Soo Rachel , Babel Molly 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe multilingual landscape of Canada creates opportunities for many heterogeneous bilingual communities to experience systematic phonetic variation within and across languages and dialects, and exposes listeners to different pronunciation variants. This paper examines phonetic variation through the lens of an ongoing sound change in Cantonese involving word-initial [n] and [l] across two primed lexical decision tasks (Experiment 1: Immediate repetition priming task, Experiment 2: Long-distance repetition priming task). Our main question is: How are sound change pronunciation variants recognized and represented in a Cantonese-English bilingual lexicon? The results of both experiments suggest that [n]- and [l]-initial variants facilitate processing in both short and long-term spoken word recognition. Thus, regular exposure to Cantonese endows bilingual listeners with the perceptual flexibility to dually and gradiently map pronunciation variants to a single lexical representation.