bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Textile monopole sensors for breast cancer detection
Authors: Elsheakh Dalia M. , Alsherif Soha A. , Eldamak Angie R. 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
This paper presents two flexible monopole antennas implemented on cotton substrate as sensors designed for radar-based microwave imaging and particularly breast imaging systems. The flexible antennas are basic building block of a radar-based microwave imaging system that could be integrated in clothes. Thus, these low-cost textile sensors could be used by women for self-monitoring and early breast cancer detection at an affordable price. The ultra-wideband fully textile sensors are designed as rectangular and circular monopole antennas. Both sensors have an impedance bandwidth $$\le $$
≤
− 10 dB from 2.2 to 8 GHz with an overall footprint of 50 × 50 mm2. Simulations for antenna in proximity to breast model with and without tumor as well as bending capacity are performed. The simulations are complemented with fabrication of a breast phantom and a tumor sample with parameters that mimic these of the human breast’s healthy and malignant tissue. Measurements are compared to simulation results as well as the performance of antenna before and after subjected to washing. Finally, the specific absorption rate is also calculated and measured to ensure safety for on-body deployment. The proposed work demonstrates the potential to develop wearable microwave imaging system using fully textile antennas.
Detecting atrial fibrillation in the polysomnography-derived electrocardiogram: a software validation study
Authors: van Kempen Julia , Glatz Christian , Wolfes Julian , Frommeyer Gerrit , Boentert Matthias 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Purpose
The present study validated a software-based electrocardiogram (ECG) analysis tool for detection of atrial fibrillation (AF) and risk for AF using polysomnography (PSG)-derived ECG recordings.

Methods
The Stroke Risk Analysis® (SRA®) software was applied to 3-channel ECG tracings from diagnostic PSG performed in enrolled subjects including a subgroup of subjects with previously documented AF. No subjects used positive airway pressure therapy. All ECG recordings were visually analyzed by a blinded cardiologist.

Results
Of subjects enrolled in the study, 93 had previously documented AF and 178 of 186 had an ECG that could be analyzed by either method. In subjects with known history of AF, automated analysis using SRA® classified 47 out of 87 ECG as either manifest AF or showing increased risk for paroxysmal AF (PAF) by SRA® (sensitivity 0.54, specificity 0.86). On visual analysis, 36/87 ECG showed manifest AF and 51/87 showed sinus rhythm. Among the latter subgroup, an increased risk for PAF was ascribed by SRA® in 11 cases (sensitivity 0.22, specificity 0.78) and by expert visual analysis in 5 cases (sensitivity 0.1, specificity 0.90). Among 36/178 ECG with manifest AF on visual analysis, 33 were correctly identified by the SRA® software (sensitivity and specificity 0.92).

Conclusion
Sleep studies provide a valuable source of ECG recordings that can be easily subjected to software-based analysis in order to identify manifest AF and automatically assess the risk of PAF. For optimal evaluability of data, multiple channel ECG tracings are desirable. For assessment of PAF risk, the SRA® analysis probably excels visual analysis, but sensitivity of both methods is low, reflecting that repeated ECG recording remains essential.
How evaluating memorability can lead to Unintended Consequences
Authors: Murphy Dillon H. , Halamish Vered , Rhodes Matthew G. , Castel Alan D. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractPredicting what we will remember and forget is crucial for daily functioning. We were interested in whether evaluating something as likely to be remembered or forgotten leads to enhanced memory for both forms of information relative to information that was not judged for memorability. We presented participants with lists of words to remember for a later test and on each list, participants were asked to identify some words that they were confident that they would remember and some words that they believed that they were most likely to forget on the test. Relative to words not given a prediction, memory was enhanced for words participants selected as likely to be remembered but also for words participants indicated were most likely to be forgotten. We also examined whether requiring participants to engage in self-cued directed forgetting by selecting a subset of words to be remembered or forgotten produced a memory advantage for these words. Results again demonstrated enhanced memory for selected words regardless of whether they were designated as to-be-remembered or to-be-forgotten. Thus, we demonstrate a reactivity type of effect such that when participants are asked to select certain items, this process can enhance memory regardless of the reason for selecting the item, potentially arising as a result of these words becoming more distinct and/or receiving additional processing. As such, the present results are consistent with the richness of encoding and metacognition modifying attention to cues accounts of reactivity.
Evaluation of rooting characteristics of Ephedra cuttings by anatomy and promising strain selection based on rooting characteristics and alkaloid content
Authors: Kudo Yoshitomi , Ando Hirokazu , Kaneda Ai , Ito Honoka , Umemoto Kazuki , Ni Si-ran , Mikage Masayuki , Sasaki Yohei 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThe differences in rooting characteristics of cuttings prepared from E. sinica strains were investigated and found that cuttings prepared from strains with high rooting characteristics showed approximately 90% of the cuttings were rooted, whereas cuttings prepared from low rooting characteristics did not root. To understand the reason for this substantial difference, the anatomy of nodes was examined and found that adventitious roots were generated from the cortex and parenchyma in pith. Calculations of the correlation coefficients between the rooting rate and the value of anatomy indicated that the rooting rate was positively correlated with the parenchyma in pith in the node. On the basis of the positive correlation, it is possible to estimate the rooting characteristics of new strains without having to prepare cuttings. Next, we conducted a screening for E. sinica strains on the basis of total alkaloids content [ephedrine (E) + pseudoephedrine (PE)] and selected strains having no less than 0.7% total alkaloids content as defined by the Japanese Pharmacopoeia 18th edition. Strains having characteristic E or PE content were uncovered: E-rich strains had 100% E content and PE-rich strains had 99% PE content. We were able to select E. sinica strains on the basis of two factors: high rooting rate of cuttings and high or characteristic alkaloid content. These strains are valuable for breeding.
A new generative approach for optical coherence tomography data scarcity: unpaired mutual conversion between scanning presets
Authors: Gende Mateo , de Moura Joaquim , Novo Jorge , Penedo Manuel G. , Ortega Marcos 
Published: January 2023

AbstractIn optical coherence tomography (OCT), there is a trade-off between the scanning time and image quality, leading to a scarcity of high quality data. OCT platforms provide different scanning presets, producing visually distinct images, limiting their compatibility. In this work, a fully automatic methodology for the unpaired visual conversion of the two most prevalent scanning presets is proposed. Using contrastive unpaired translation generative adversarial architectures, low quality images acquired with the faster Macular Cube preset can be converted to the visual style of high visibility Seven Lines scans and vice-versa. This modifies the visual appearance of the OCT images generated by each preset while preserving natural tissue structure. The quality of original and synthetic generated images was compared using brisque. The synthetic generated images achieved very similar scores to original images of their target preset. The generative models were validated in automatic and expert separability tests. These models demonstrated they were able to replicate the genuine look of the original images. This methodology has the potential to create multi-preset datasets with which to train robust computer-aided diagnosis systems by exposing them to the visual features of different presets they may encounter in real clinical scenarios without having to obtain additional data.
Asymptotic Analysis of Optimal Vaccination Policies
Authors: Penn Matthew J. , Donnelly Christl A. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractTargeted vaccination policies can have a significant impact on the number of infections and deaths in an epidemic. However, optimising such policies is complicated, and the resultant solution may be difficult to explain to policy-makers and to the public. The key novelty of this paper is a derivation of the leading-order optimal vaccination policy under multi-group susceptible–infected–recovered dynamics in two different cases. Firstly, it considers the case of a small vulnerable subgroup in a population and shows that (in the asymptotic limit) it is optimal to vaccinate this group first, regardless of the properties of the other groups. Then, it considers the case of a small vaccine supply and transforms the optimal vaccination problem into a simple knapsack problem by linearising the final size equations. Both of these cases are then explored further through numerical examples, which show that these solutions are also directly useful for realistic parameter values. Moreover, the findings of this paper give some general principles for optimal vaccination policies which will help policy-makers and the public to understand the reasoning behind optimal vaccination programs in more generic cases.
A framework for computer vision-based health monitoring of a truss structure subjected to unknown excitations
Authors: Ostrowski Mariusz , Blachowski Bartlomiej , Wójcik Bartosz , Żarski Mateusz , Tauzowski Piotr , Jankowski Łukasz 
Published: January 2023

AbstractComputer vision (CV) methods for measurement of structural vibration are less expensive, and their application is more straightforward than methods based on sensors that measure physical quantities at particular points of a structure. However, CV methods produce significantly more measurement errors. Thus, computer vision-based structural health monitoring (CVSHM) requires appropriate methods of damage assessment that are robust with respect to highly contaminated measurement data. In this paper a complete CVSHM framework is proposed, and three damage assessment methods are tested. The first is the augmented inverse estimate (AIE), proposed by Peng et al. in 2021. This method is designed to work with highly contaminated measurement data, but it fails with a large noise provided by CV measurement. The second method, as proposed in this paper, is based on the AIE, but it introduces a weighting matrix that enhances the conditioning of the problem. The third method, also proposed in this paper, introduces additional constraints in the optimization process; these constraints ensure that the stiff ness of structural elements can only decrease. Both proposed methods perform better than the original AIE. The latter of the two proposed methods gives the best results, and it is robust with respect to the selected coefficients, as required by the algorithm.
Immunologic Interplay Between HIV/AIDS and COVID-19: Adding Fuel to the Flames?
Authors: Augello Matteo , Bono Valeria , Rovito Roberta , Tincati Camilla , Marchetti Giulia 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Purpose of Review
HIV/AIDS and COVID-19 have been the major pandemics overwhelming our times. Given the enduring immune disfunction featuring people living with HIV (PLWH) despite combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), concerns for higher incidence and severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection as well as for suboptimal responses to the newly developed vaccines in this population arose early during the pandemics. Herein, we discuss the complex interplay between HIV and SARS-CoV-2, with a special focus on the immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 natural infection and vaccination in PLWH.

Recent Findings
Overall, current literature shows that COVID-19 severity and outcomes may be worse and immune responses to infection or vaccination lower in PLWH with poor CD4 + T-cell counts and/or uncontrolled HIV viremia. Data regarding the risk of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) among PLWH are extremely scarce, yet they seem to suggest a higher incidence of such condition.

Summary
Scarce immunovirological control appears to be the major driver of weak immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection/vaccination and worse COVID-19 outcomes in PLWH. Therefore, such individuals should be prioritized for vaccination and should receive additional vaccine doses. Furthermore, given the potentially higher risk of developing long-term sequelae, PLWH who experienced COVID-19 should be ensured a more careful and prolonged follow-up.
Neuroticism predicts national vaccination rates across 56 countries
Authors: Vermeulen Nicolas 
Published: January 2023

AbstractQuite strikingly, there is significant variation in Covid-19 vaccine coverage around the world. Some countries do not progress from around 2-3% while others are close to 100% coverage. In addition to some already known economic, health and sociodemographic predictors, the present research is interested in emotional factors that may predict a significant part of this cross-country variation. We examined the personality factor Neuroticism, which corresponds to the relatively stable tendency to experience negative emotions, anxiety and low tolerance for stress. Results confirm that gross domestic product represents around 50 percent of cross-country variation. Neuroticism added 6 to 9 percent of inter-country variation in vaccination coverage. The results are discussed in relation to the associations between Neuroticism, increased worry, greater attention to Covid-19 related information and confidence, as well as lower vaccine hesitancy.
The beauty and the beast of social media: an interpretative phenomenological analysis of the impact of adolescents' social media experiences on their mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Keles Betul , Grealish Annmarie , Leamy Mary 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Despite extensive research, the mental health implication of social media in adolescents is not yet understood due to mixed and inconsistent findings and more in-depth qualitative studies are needed to expand our understanding of the impact of social media on adolescent mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to explore why and how adolescents use social media, adolescents’ lived experiences on social media, how they make sense of these experiences having impact on their mental health, and the influence of the Covid-19 pandemic on their use of social media and mental health. In-depth interviews were conducted with eleven adolescents aged 14–16 (five female, six male) across England. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Two key themes were identified: the beauty of social media that captured positive experiences and emotions of adolescents and the beast of social media that captured negative experiences and emotions. From the adolescents’ accounts, social media has both positive and negative impacts on their mental health, but mostly positive impacts during the Covid-19 pandemic. The results were discussed in relation to the study aims and previous study findings. Strengths and methodological limitations of the study, implications for future research that emerged from the study were discussed.
Scheduling Closure Periods Is Not an Effective Management Strategy to Reduce Lampenflora in Show Caves
Authors: Piano Elena , Nicolosi Giuseppe , Isaia Marco 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
The conversion of wild caves into tourist sites poses serious threats to the conservation of subterranean environments. Among them, the extensive growth of photosynthetic biofilms induced by artificial lighting—the so-called lampenflora—is of particular concern for cave managers. The identification of cost-effective management actions controlling the growth of lampenflora is therefore required to preserve the environmental and touristic values of show caves. By taking advantage of the closure period imposed to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, we tested whether 6 months of cave closure could be an effective strategy to reduce the concentration of photosynthetic biofilms on speleothems in four geographically close Italian show caves. We compared the concentration of the three main microorganism groups composing lampenflora, i.e., cyanobacteria, diatoms, and green algae, measured in September 2020 with values recorded 6 months after the closure, in May 2021. Although slight variations have been observed across the different sampling sessions, we did not detect any significant effect of the closure period on the overall concentration values of lampenflora. Also, we recorded no significant differences in lampenflora concentration after 4 months of regular tourist use, in September 2021. Our results suggest that management practices based on regulating visits to show caves are not effective strategies to reduce lampenflora. Therefore, management practices aiming at a sustainable use of show caves should focus on the active removal of photosynthetic biofilms.
Marine heatwaves lead to bleaching and mass mortality in a key zoantharian
Authors: Soares Marcelo O. , Rabelo Emanuelle F. , Gurgel Anne L. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThe increased frequency of severe marine heatwaves (MHWs) is a major contributing factor contributing to mass bleaching and large-scale mortality in reef-building corals. However, the effects of MHWs on other major reef organisms (e.g., zoantharians) are poorly studied. In this study, we demonstrate the vulnerability of the key habitat-forming zoantharian Zoanthus sociatus to severe MHWs. Temporal image analysis from 2019 to 2022 on intertidal South Atlantic reefs shows extensive healthy colonies (2019), bleaching (2020), and mass mortality of Z. sociatus with the occupation of the entire space by filamentous algae (2022). We calculated a loss of 99.6% of total area of the colonies due to mass mortality after the bleaching event. Thermal stress was identified during mass bleaching in Z. sociatus in 2020 by indicators such as MHWs and degree heating weeks (DHWs). In the first 6 months of 2020, this low-latitude region underwent three MHWs at 1.5, 2.0, and 1.3°C above the mean temperature. Moreover, the most intense (2°C) and longest (76 days) MHW occurred near the detected mass bleaching. Furthermore, DHWs (14.5 to 17.6) showed that 2020 had the highest and longest heat stress recorded in this century (since 2001) in this extreme reef. Despite its adaptation to this harsh intertidal habitat, our results showed the vulnerability of Z. sociatus to high heat-light stress on these reefs when exposed to high desiccation, elevated temperatures (>30°C), higher salinities, and solar irradiation at low tides. We suggest that Z. sociatus is most vulnerable to severe and repetitive bleaching due to its higher dependence on autotrophy. In this regard, these marginal reef specialists are near the bleaching threshold limit that increases their vulnerability to environmental changes, such as MHWs, especially in intertidal reefs. Our study highlights the vulnerability of symbiotic zoantharians to heat-light stress and the need to include these organisms in long-term monitoring to assess their recovery potential and resilience to climate change in reefs worldwide.
Multiple skeletons of Rhynchaeites from the London Clay reveal the osteology of early Eocene ibises (Aves, Threskiornithidae)
Authors: Mayr Gerald , Kitchener Andrew C. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractWe describe a new species of Rhynchaeites from the early Eocene London Clay of Walton-on-the-Naze (Essex, UK), which is represented by a partial skeleton comprising a skull and most major postcranial bones. Multiple further partial skeletons are assigned to Rhynchaeites sp. and include skeletal elements that are rarely preserved in Paleogene birds. Rhynchaeites is for the first time included in a phylogenetic analysis, which did not unambiguously resolve its affinities, but provided weak support for a sister group relationship to the Threskiornithidae. If Rhynchaeites is a stem group representative of ibises, its skeletal morphology indicates significant homoplasy in the evolution of Aequornithes, the higher level clade including the Threskiornithidae and most other aquatic or semi-aquatic birds. In particular, Rhynchaeites has much shorter legs than extant ibises and the new fossils show that its palate was schizognathous. Current phylogenies suggest that a desmognathous palate as well as long legs evolved multiple times independently within Aequornithes. Unlike in extant ibises, the tip of the beak of Rhynchaeites lacks a densely pitted surface. We hypothesize that vision played a greater role in the foraging strategy of Rhynchaeites, whereas extant ibises are tactile probers and use their beaks for “remote sensing”.
Satisfaction with acquired transferable competences among university students in Cambodia
Authors: Smekalova Lucie , Chaloupkova Petra , Nemejc Karel , Ny Veit 
Published: January 2023

AbstractImproving the quality of higher education is one of the priority areas worldwide. Transferable competences acquired during studies play a key role in student employment in the labor market. This study aims to compare, through transversal research, the eight transferable competences required by the labor market across occupational sectors, with the degree of satisfaction with their acquisition by university students in agricultural fields of study in Cambodia. This aim makes it possible, in particular, to identify the educational gap in university preparation for the profession. The data were collected from 439 respondents using a self-evaluation questionnaire. The Kruskal–Wallis test was used to test the significant difference of each transferable competence associated with respondents’ sociodemographic characteristics (gender, field of study, and year of study). The results showed that the highest levels of student satisfaction with sense of responsibility and teamwork and least recognized working with digital technologies and communicating in foreign languages as competences. Additionally, the degree of satisfaction with transferable competences increases among students of later years. This is the first study of transferable competences in Cambodia, allowing a clearer view of education in an Asian environment. Implementing transferable competences in curricula will increase graduates’ employability and strengthen the country’s economic growth.