bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The performance of serious games for enhancing attention in cognitively impaired older adults
Authors: Abd-alrazaq Alaa , Abuelezz Israa , Al-Jafar Eiman , Denecke Kerstin , Househ Mowafa , Aziz Sarah , Ahmed Arfan , Aljaafreh Ali , AlSaad Rawan , Sheikh Javaid 
Published: July 2023

AbstractAttention, which is the process of noticing the surrounding environment and processing information, is one of the cognitive functions that deteriorate gradually as people grow older. Games that are used for other than entertainment, such as improving attention, are often referred to as serious games. This study examined the effectiveness of serious games on attention among elderly individuals suffering from cognitive impairment. A systematic review and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials were carried out. A total of 10 trials ultimately met all eligibility criteria of the 559 records retrieved. The synthesis of very low-quality evidence from three trials, as analyzed in a meta-study, indicated that serious games outperform no/passive interventions in enhancing attention in cognitively impaired older adults (P < 0.001). Additionally, findings from two other studies demonstrated that serious games are more effective than traditional cognitive training in boosting attention among cognitively impaired older adults. One study also concluded that serious games are better than traditional exercises in enhancing attention. Serious games can enhance attention in cognitively impaired older adults. However, given the low quality of the evidence, the limited number of participants in most studies, the absence of some comparative studies, and the dearth of studies included in the meta-analyses, the results remain inconclusive. Thus, until the aforementioned limitations are rectified in future research, serious games should serve as a supplement, rather than a replacement, to current interventions.
Physiologically relevant acid-sensing ion channel (ASIC) 2a/3 heteromers have a 1:2 stoichiometry
Authors: Fischer Leon , Schmidt Axel , Dopychai Anke , Joussen Sylvia , Joeres Niko , Oslender-Bujotzek Adrienne , Schmalzing Günther , Gründer Stefan 
Published: July 2023

AbstractAcid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) sense extracellular protons and are involved in synaptic transmission and pain sensation. ASIC1a and ASIC3 are the ASIC subunits with the highest proton sensitivity. ASIC2a in contrast has low proton sensitivity but increases the variability of ASICs by forming heteromers with ASIC1a or ASIC3. ASICs are trimers and for the ASIC1a/2a heteromer it has been shown that subunits randomly assemble with a flexible 1:2/2:1 stoichiometry. Both heteromers have almost identical proton sensitivity intermediate between ASIC1a and ASIC2a. Here, we investigated the stoichiometry of the ASIC2a/3 heteromer. Using electrophysiology, we extensively characterized, first, cells expressing ASIC2a and ASIC3 at different ratios, second, concatemeric channels with a fixed subunit stoichiometry, and, third, channels containing loss-of-functions mutations in specific subunits. Our results conclusively show that only ASIC2a/3 heteromers with a 1:2 stoichiometry had a proton-sensitivity intermediate between ASIC2a and ASIC3. In contrast, the proton sensitivity of ASIC2a/3 heteromers with a 2:1 stoichiometry was strongly acid-shifted by more than one pH unit, which suggests that they are not physiologically relevant. Together, our results reveal that the proton sensitivity of the two ASIC2a/3 heteromers is clearly different and that ASIC3 and ASIC1a make remarkably different contributions to heteromers with ASIC2a.
Plasmarons in high-temperature cuprate superconductors
Authors: Yamase Hiroyuki , Bejas Matías , Greco Andrés 
Published: July 2023

AbstractMetallic systems exhibit plasmons as elementary charge excitations. This fundamental concept was reinforced also in high-temperature cuprate superconductors recently, although cuprates are not only layered systems but also strongly correlated electron systems. Here, we study how such ubiquitous plasmons leave their marks on the electron dispersion in cuprates. In contrast to phonons and magnetic fluctuations, plasmons do not yield a kink in the electron dispersion. Instead, we find that the optical plasmon accounts for an emergent band—plasmarons—in the one-particle excitation spectrum; acoustic-like plasmons typical to a layered system are far less effective. Because of strong electron correlations, the plasmarons are generated by bosonic fluctuations associated with the local constraint, not by the usual charge-density fluctuations. Apart from this physical mechanism, the plasmarons are similar to those discussed in alkali metals, Bi, graphene, monolayer transition-metal dichalcogenides, semiconductors, diamond, two-dimensional electron systems, and SrIrO3 films, establishing a concept of plasmarons in metallic systems in general. Plasmarons are realized below (above) the quasiparticle band in electron-doped (hole-doped) cuprates, including a region around (π, 0) and (0, π) where the superconducting gap and the pseudogap are most enhanced.
Domain‐adapted driving scene understanding with uncertainty‐aware and diversified generative adversarial networks
Authors: Hua Yining , Sui Jie , Fang Hui , Hu Chuan , Yi Dewei 
Published: July 2023

AbstractAutonomous vehicles are required to operate in an uncertain environment. Recent advances in computational intelligence techniques make it possible to understand driving scenes in various environments by using a semantic segmentation neural network, which assigns a class label to each pixel. It requires massive pixel‐level labelled data to optimise the network. However, it is challenging to collect sufficient data and labels in the real world. An alternative solution is to obtain synthetic dense pixel‐level labelled data from a driving simulator. Although the use of synthetic data is a promising way to alleviate the labelling problem, models trained with virtual data cannot generalise well to realistic data due to the domain shift. To fill this gap, the authors propose a novel uncertainty‐aware generative ensemble method. In particular, ensembles are obtained from different optimisation objectives, training iterations, and network initialisation so that they are complementary to each other to produce reliable predictions. Moreover, an uncertainty‐aware ensemble scheme is developed to derive fused prediction by considering the uncertainty from ensembles. Such a design can make better use of the strengths of ensembles to enhance adapted segmentation performance. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of our method on three large‐scale datasets.
A case study of environmental considerations and opportunities in cyber physical systems
Authors: Cortes‐Cornax Mario , Lago Paula , Roncancio Claudia 
Published: July 2023

AbstractCyber Physical Systems (CPS) are becoming more ubiquitous, complex and powerful as well as more and more present in our daily life. The inherent benefit and comfort come with an environmental impact at every step of their life‐cycle. This impact is significant and unfortunately often ignored today. As cyber‐physical systems tend to be ‘invisible’, there is a need for awareness of the underlying infrastructure and required resources, early in the design phases. In this article, the environmental impact considerations in the early stages of the implementation and opportunities to improve design choices with a people‐planet‐system perspective are discussed. The authors discuss the aspects related to system configuration, data management and the overall goal and functionalities supported by the CPS. Through a specific smart home case, the potential of considering life‐cycle assessment of both the devices and data management is illustrated. By explicitly considering different configurations, it will be possible to analyse the environmental impacts of the design decisions. Our research in progress targets a design approach to converge into an equilibrium between utility, performance, and minor environmental impact of smart systems.
Robust Malware identification via deep temporal convolutional network with symmetric cross entropy learning
Authors: Sun Jiankun , Luo Xiong , Wang Weiping , Gao Yang , Zhao Wenbing 
Published: July 2023

AbstractRecent developments in the field of Internet of things (IoT) have aroused growing attention to the security of smart devices. Specifically, there is an increasing number of malicious software (Malware) on IoT systems. Nowadays, researchers have made many efforts concerning supervised machine learning methods to identify malicious attacks. High‐quality labels are of great importance for supervised machine learning, but noises widely exist due to the non‐deterministic production environment. Therefore, learning from noisy labels is significant for machine learning‐enabled Malware identification. In this study, motivated by the symmetric cross entropy with satisfactory noise robustness, the authors propose a robust Malware identification method using temporal convolutional network (TCN). Moreover, word embedding techniques are generally utilised to understand the contextual relationship between the input operation code (opcode) and application programming interface function names. Here, considering the numerous unlabelled samples in real‐world intelligent environments, the authors pre‐train the TCN model on an unlabelled set using a word embedding method, that is, Word2Vec. In the experiments, the proposed method is compared with several traditional statistical methods and more recent neural networks on a synthetic Malware dataset and a real‐world dataset. The performance comparisons demonstrate the better performance and noise robustness of their proposed method, especially that the proposed method can yield the best identification accuracy of 98.75% in real‐world scenarios.
Adoption of blended learning: Chinese university students’ perspectives
Authors: Yu Teng , Dai Jian , Wang Chengliang 
Published: July 2023

AbstractAgainst the backdrop of the deep integration of the Internet with learning, blended learning offers the advantages of combining online and face-to-face learning to enrich the learning experience and improve knowledge management. Therefore, the objective of this present study is twofold: a. to fill a gap in the literature regarding the adoption of blended learning in the post-pandemic era and the roles of both the technology acceptance model (TAM) and the theory of planned behavior (TPB) in this context and b. to investigate the factors influencing behavioral intention to adopt blended learning. For that purpose, the research formulates six hypotheses, incorporates them into the proposed conceptual model, and validates them using model-fit indices. Based on data collected from Chinese university students, the predicted model’s reliability and validity are evaluated using structural equation modeling (SEM). The results of SEM show that (a) the integrated model based on the TAM and the TPB can explain 67.6% of the variance in Chinese university students’ adoption of blended learning; (b) perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEU), and subjective norms (SN) all have positive impacts on learning attitudes (LA); (c) PEU has a positive influence on PU, and SN has a positive influence on perceived behavioral control (PBC); and (d) both PU and LA have a positive influence on the intention to adopt blended learning (IABL). However, PEU, SN, and PBC have little effect on IABL; e. LA mediates the effect of PU on IABL, and PU mediates the effect of PEU on IABL. This study demonstrated that an integrated conceptual framework based on the TAM and the TPB as well as the characteristics of blended learning offers an effective way to understand Chinese university students’ adoption of blended learning.
Three-dimensional imaging by compressed sensing based dual-frequency laser phase ranging
Authors: Jie Yuchen , Li Xiaotian , Zhang Zilong , Wang Jie , Hu Yetong , Li Yabi , He Wei , Zhao Changming 
Published: July 2023

Scanless three-dimensional (3D) imaging technology has received extensive attention in recent years due to its rapid detection and system reliability. Compressed sensing imaging technology provides a new solution for the realization of scan-free 3D imaging. In this paper, a 3D imaging method based on dual-frequency laser phase ranging based on compressed sensing technology is introduced and realized. Using the combination of dual-frequency laser phase ranging and compressed sensing theory, two-dimensional range reconstruction from the time-domain light intensity signal collected by a single-point detector is performed. Aiming at the spatial sparsity of the target scene, this technology uses the compressed sensing algorithm to solve the phase information of the two-dimensional spatial distribution contained in the time domain signal so as to invert the 3D image information of the target scene and realize the effect of scanning-free 3D imaging. First, the feasibility of the system is verified by simulations, and the imaging effects of different reconstruction algorithms on different terrains are compared. Second, a non-scanning 3D imaging experimental platform is designed and built. Finally, the 3D images of multiple objects with 32 × 32 resolution are successfully reconstructed through experiments with a compression ratio of 0.25. The ranging accuracy of this system is 0.05 m. This work is promising for applications in multiple objects’ fast detections.
Breakthrough the physical barrier on spatial resolution in Raman distributed fiber sensing using chaotic correlation demodulation
Authors: Li Jian , Wang Chenyi , Cao Kangyi , Fan Bowen , Zhou Xinxin , Xu Yang , Cheng Zijia , Zhang Qian , Qiao Lijun , Xue Xiaohui , Zhang Jianzhong , Zhang Mingjiang 
Published: July 2023

Raman distributed optical fiber temperature sensors possess the unique capability of measuring spatial environmental temperatures, which can be of great interest in several fields of application. The key physics barrier to spatial resolution for most optical time-domain reflection (OTDR) systems is the positioning principle of pulse-time-flight. It obtains the spatial resolution of the existing Raman distributed optical fiber temperature sensor, with the kilometer-level sensing distance being limited to the meter-level. Here, we propose a chaotic laser Raman distributed optical fiber temperature sensing scheme that replaces the traditional OTDR positioning principle used for more than 40 years with the chaotic correlation positioning principle. The proposed scheme possesses the characteristics of the chaos Raman scattering light excited by the chaos signal along the sensing fiber. A novel measurement mechanism based on chaotic time-domain differential reconstruction and chaotic correlation demodulation is developed, and a relationship between the temperature variation information and the chaotic correlation peak is experimentally demonstrated. Importantly, the proposed optics mechanism scheme overcomes the physics limitation of the effect of a wide pulse width on sensing spatial resolution; its spatial resolution is optimized from 50 to 0.3 m under the modulation of a 500 ns pulse width. This scheme provides a new concept for chaos optics and fiber sensing research.
New insights on the rare blind blister beetle genus Meloetyphlus (Coleoptera: Meloidae): occurrence in Colombia, SEM larval description, and molecular phylogenetic placement
Authors: Di Giulio Andrea , Kondo Takumasa , Bologna Marco A , Riccieri Alessandra 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Meloetyphlus Waterhouse is a monotypic genus of Meloidae ascribed to the tribe Tetraonycini, subfamily Meloinae. As for most blister beetles, its first-instar larvae (or triungulins) are parasites of bees, but M. fuscatus Waterhouse is the only species known to parasitize members of the tribe Euglossini (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Apinae). Despite being widely distributed in Central and South America, its presence in Colombia has never been confirmed. In this article, we document the occurrence of this genus in Colombia providing the first certain record for this country. In addition, some aspects of its parasitization of Eulaema nigrita Lepeletier are reported and illustrated with macrophotographs and a video. By the means of drawings and SEM micrographs, we provide the most detailed description of the first-instar larva of M. fuscatus to date and a comparison with the triungulin of the closely related Tetraonyx fulvus (LeConte). Finally, we investigated the phylogenetic position of Meloetyphlus using molecular data, to support its attribution to the tribe Tetraonycini.
Inhalation and dermal exposure to biocidal products during foam and spray applications
Authors: Schäferhenrich Anja , Blümlein Katharina , Koch Wolfgang , Hahn Stefan , Schwarz Katharina , Poppek Ulrich , Hebisch Ralph , Schlüter Urs , Krug Monika , Göen Thomas 
Published: July 2023

Abstract

Objectives
Foaming and spraying are common application techniques for biocidal products. In the past, inhalation and dermal exposure during spraying have been investigated extensively. Currently, however, no exposure data are available for foaming, hindering a reliable risk assessment for foam applications of biocidal products. The focus of this project was the quantification of inhalation and potential dermal exposure to non-volatile active substances during the foam application of biocidal products in occupational settings. In some settings, exposure during spray application was measured for comparative purposes.

Methods
The inhalation and dermal exposure of operators were investigated during the application of benzalkonium chlorides and pyrethroids by foaming and spraying, considering both small- and large-scale application devices. Inhalation exposure was measured by personal air sampling; potential dermal exposure was measured using coveralls and gloves.

Results
Potential dermal exposure was substantially higher than inhalation exposure. Changing from spraying to foaming reduced inhalation exposure to airborne non-volatile active substances, but had no relevant effect on potential dermal exposure. However, for potential dermal exposure, considerable differences were observed between the application device categories.

Conclusions
To our knowledge, this study presents the first comparative exposure data for the foam and spray application of biocidal products in occupational settings with detailed contextual information. The results indicate a reduction of inhalation exposure with foam application compared to spray application. However, special attention is necessary for dermal exposure, which is not reduced by this intervention.
How Palliative Care Social Workers across the Globe Overcame Practical Challenges to Engaging in Research
Authors: Oltmann Carina , Piccione Tania , Roulston Audrey 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
With the unique set of values underpinning the social work profession, evidence-based practice must be informed by practitioners well versed in the impact of cultural, political, geographical, economic and general social factors on clinical work. Within the speciality of Palliative Care Social Work (PCSW), these factors influence the level of integration and upskilling of Palliative Care Social Workers (PCSWs). This article describes the collaborative methods used by Palliative Care Social Work (PCSW) practitioners and research-active academics to conduct a global survey of PCSWs about their professional experiences during the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, with a view to better understand their respective roles and identities across regions. The authors of this study suggest that collaboration is key to drawing upon a diverse number of clinical, pedagogic and academic networks to optimise the survey response rate and raise the profile of PCSWs. The authors describe and reflect on the practical and cultural challenges encountered in conducting the survey.
Cognitive reserve and individual differences in brain tumour patients
Authors: Tomasino Barbara , De Fraja Gianni , Guarracino Ilaria , Ius Tamara , D’Agostini Serena , Skrap Miran , Ida Rumiati Raffaella 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
The aim of the paper is to determine the effects of the cognitive reserve on brain tumour patients’ cognitive functions and, specifically, if cognitive reserve helps patients cope with the negative effects of brain tumours on their cognitive functions.
We retrospectively studied a large sample of around 700 patients, diagnosed with a brain tumour. Each received an MRI brain examination and performed a battery of tests measuring their cognitive abilities before they underwent neurosurgery. To account for the complexity of cognitive reserve, we construct our cognitive reserve proxy by combining three predictors of patients’ cognitive performance, namely, patients’ education, occupation, and the environment where they live. Our statistical analysis controls for the type, side, site, and size of the lesion, for fluid intelligence quotient, and for age and gender, in order to tease out the effect of cognitive reserve on each of these tests. Clinical neurological variables have the expected effects on cognitive functions. We find a robust positive effect of cognitive reserve on patients’ cognitive performance. Moreover, we find that cognitive reserve modulates the effects of the volume of the lesion: the additional negative impact of an increase in the tumour size on patients’ performance is less severe for patients with higher cognitive reserve. We also find substantial differences in these effects depending on the cerebral hemisphere where the lesion occurred and on the cognitive function considered. For several of these functions, the positive effect of cognitive reserve is stronger for patients with lesions in the left hemisphere than for patients whose lesions are in the right hemisphere. The development of prevention strategies and personalized rehabilitation interventions will benefit from our contribution to understanding the role of cognitive reserve, in addition to that of neurological variables, as one of the factors determining the patients’ individual differences in cognitive performance caused by brain tumours.
In vivo ephaptic coupling allows memory network formation
Authors: Pinotsis Dimitris A , Miller Earl K 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
It is increasingly clear that memories are distributed across multiple brain areas. Such “engram complexes” are important features of memory formation and consolidation. Here, we test the hypothesis that engram complexes are formed in part by bioelectric fields that sculpt and guide the neural activity and tie together the areas that participate in engram complexes. Like the conductor of an orchestra, the fields influence each musician or neuron and orchestrate the output, the symphony. Our results use the theory of synergetics, machine learning, and data from a spatial delayed saccade task and provide evidence for in vivo ephaptic coupling in memory representations.