julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Occurrence and Risk Assessment of Antibiotic Residues in Sewage Sludge of Two Nigerian Hospital Wastewater Treatment Plants
2022-10-01

Abstract Antibiotic residues in sewage sludge can present detrimental environmental effects due to sewage sludge application onto soils for agricultural purposes. Reports on the occurrence of antibiotics in sewage sludge and risk assessment due to the application of sewage sludge onto soils are still limited in Africa. The occurrence of fourteen antibiotic residues in sewage sludge from two Nigerian hospital wastewater treatment plants was investigated. For the first time, the potential environmental risk of target antibiotics associated with the use of sewage sludge for application onto soils in Nigeria was assessed. Risk assessment was carried out using both terrestrial and aquatic toxicity data. All target antibiotics were detected in at least one sludge sample. Ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin (fluoroquinolones) had the highest concentrations, up to 674 ng g −1 dry weight for ciprofloxacin. All ten antibiotics evaluated for terrestrial ecological risk in sludge-amended soils presented low risk. Only three out of thirteen antibiotics assessed for aquatic ecological risk in sludge-amended soils posed medium risk, while the remaining antibiotics presented low risk. Antibiotic mixtures presented low risk in sludge-amended soils. A more holistic evaluation of the potential risks due to a mixture of a wider scope of chemicals in Nigerian sewage sludge is recommended prior to application onto soils as fertilizers for agricultural purposes.
Molybdenum isotopes in plume-influenced MORBs reveal recycling of ancient anoxic sediments
2022-10-01

Under modern oxidising Earth surface conditions, dehydrated subducted slabs show&#13;\\nMo isotope compositions as low as δ98/95Mo = −1.5 ‰, compared to the depleted&#13;\\nmantle δ98/95Mo = −0.2 ‰. Such light Mo isotope compositions reflect the redoxdependent&#13;\\naqueous mobility of isotopically heavy Mo associated with slab dehydration.&#13;\\nHere we analysed basaltic glasses from the South-Mid Atlantic Ridge, whose&#13;\\nparental melts are influenced by the enriched Discovery and Shona mantle plumes.&#13;\\nWe report increasingly higher δ98/95Mo of up to −0.1‰from the most depleted samples&#13;\\ntowards those tapping more enriched mantle sources. δ98/95Mo values correlate&#13;\\nwith radiogenic Sr and Nd isotopes, which indicates the recycling of Proterozoic sediments&#13;\\nwith a Mo isotopic composition that was not affected by subduction-related,&#13;\\noxic dehydration. We propose that the Mo isotope signatures were retained during subduction and reflect anoxic conditions&#13;\\nduring deep sea sedimentation in the mid-Proterozoic. Finally, Mo isotope fractionation between different terrestrial reservoirs&#13;\\nlikely depends on the slab redox budget, and therefore on the timing of subduction with regard to Earth’s surface oxygenation.
Combining Retrieval Practice and Generative Learning in Educational Contexts
2022-10-01

Abstract. Engaging learners in practicing the retrieval of learned information fosters the consolidation of learners’ mental representations and hence long-term retention. Retrieval practice research has enriched the instructional design literature by providing a wealth of evidence for these benefits of retrieval-based learning and thus emphasizing the value of means to consolidate knowledge. The present article makes the case that a fruitful next step could be to focus on the interplay between retrieval practice and generative activities. Rather than consolidating mental representations, generative activities should have as their main function the construction of coherent mental representations. Hence, from a theoretical perspective, generative activities and retrieval practice should functionally complement each other; hence, combinations of both activities might be particularly suitable to promote lasting learning. Given the challenge to beneficially combine these activities, we discuss open questions that could substantially advance both the retrieval practice and the generative learning field.
How to Promote Lasting Learning in Schools
2022-10-01

Abstract. Creating lasting knowledge is an important goal of education. But how much do students retain what they have learned in school beyond the next class assignment? Is school instruction suitable for creating lasting knowledge and skills? And what can teachers do to foster the learning of lasting knowledge? We present a selective overview of research on these questions. The two theoretical strands that deal with lasting learning are meaningful learning and desirable difficulties in learning. We propose combining ideas from these two approaches to develop a comprehensive theoretical account of lasting learning and sketch questions that research should clarify to enable such a theory.
Momentum Enhancement during Kinetic Impacts in the Low-intermediate-strength Regime: Benchmarking and Validation of Impact Shock Physics Codes
2022-10-01

Abstract In 2022 September, the DART spacecraft (NASA’s contribution to the Asteroid Impact &amp; Deflection Assessment (AIDA) collaboration) will impact the asteroid Dimorphos, the secondary in the Didymos system. The crater formation and material ejection will affect the orbital period. In 2027, Hera (ESA’s contribution to AIDA) will investigate the system, observe the crater caused by DART, and characterize Dimorphos. Before Hera’s arrival, the target properties will not be well-constrained. The relationships between observed orbital change and specific target properties are not unique, but Hera’s observations will add additional constraints for the analysis of the impact event, which will narrow the range of feasible target properties. In this study, we use three different shock physics codes to simulate momentum transfer from impactor to target and investigate the agreement between the results from the codes for well-defined target materials. In contrast to previous studies, care is taken to use consistent crushing behavior (e.g., distension as a function of pressure) for a given porosity for all codes. First, we validate the codes against impact experiments into a regolith simulant. Second, we benchmark the codes at the DART impact scale for a range of target material parameters (10%–50% porosity, 1.4–100 kPa cohesion). Aligning the crushing behavior improves the consistency of the derived momentum enhancement between the three codes to within +/−5% for most materials used. Based on the derived mass–velocity distributions from all three codes, we derive scaling parameters that can be used for studies of the ejecta curtain.
Testing regular black holes with X-ray and GW data
2022-10-01

Abstract The presence of spacetime singularities in physically relevant solutions of the Einstein Equations is normally interpreted as a symptom of the breakdown of classical general relativity at very high densities/curvatures. However, despite significant efforts in the past decades, we do not have yet any robust theoretical framework to solve the problem of spacetime singularities. In this context, the past few years have seen an increasing interest in the study of phenomenological scenarios to describe singularity-free black holes, gravitational collapses, and cosmological models. In the present work, we consider the recent proposal by Mazza, Franzin &amp; Liberati for a rotating regular black hole and we measure their regularization parameter l from the available X-ray and gravitational wave black hole data. For l = 0, we recover the singular Kerr solution of general relativity, while for l ≠ 0 we can have a regular black hole or a regular wormhole. Our analysis shows that the available data are consistent with a vanishing regularization parameter l and we can constrain its value. From a NuSTAR spectrum of the Galactic black hole in EXO 1846-031, we find l / M &lt; 0.49 (90% CL). From the gravitational wave event GW190707A, we find l / M &lt; 0.72 (90% CL).
Middle Miocene Climate and Stable Oxygen Isotopes in Europe Based on Numerical Modeling
2022-10-01

Abstract The Middle Miocene (15.99–11.65 Ma) of Europe witnessed major climatic, environmental, and vegetational change, yet we are lacking detailed reconstructions of Middle Miocene temperature and precipitation patterns over Europe. Here, we use a high‐resolution (∼0.75°) isotope‐enabled general circulation model (ECHAM5‐wiso) with time‐specific boundary conditions to investigate changes in temperature, precipitation, and δ 18 O in precipitation ( δ 18 O p ). Experiments were designed with variable elevation configurations of the European Alps and different atmospheric CO 2 levels to examine the influence of Alpine elevation and global climate forcing on regional climate and δ 18 O p patterns. Modeling results are in agreement with available paleobotanical temperature data and with low‐resolution Middle Miocene experiments of the Miocene Model Intercomparison Project (MioMIP1). However, simulated precipitation rates are 300–500 mm/yr lower in the Middle Miocene than for pre‐industrial times for central Europe. This result is consistent with precipitation estimates from herpetological fossil assemblages, but contradicts precipitation estimates from paleobotanical data. We attribute the Middle Miocene precipitation change in Europe to shifts in large‐scale pressure patterns in the North Atlantic and over Europe and associated changes in wind direction and humidity. We suggest that global climate forcing contributed to a maximum δ 18 O p change of ∼2‰ over high elevation (Alps) and ∼1‰ over low elevation regions. In contrast, we observe a maximum modeled δ 18 O p decrease of 8‰ across the Alpine orogen due to Alpine topography. However, the elevation‐ δ 18 O p lapse rate shallows in the Middle Miocene, leading to a possible underestimation of paleotopography when using present‐day δ 18 O p —elevation relationships data for stable isotope paleoaltimetry studies.
Advanced characterization of organic–metal and organic–organic interfaces: from photoelectron spectroscopy data to energy-level diagrams
2022-10-01

Abstract Organic–metal and organic–organic interfaces account for the functionality of virtually all organic optoelectronic applications and the energy-level alignment is of particular importance for device performance. Often the energy-level alignment is simply estimated by metal work functions and ionization energies and electron affinities of the organic materials. However, various interfacial effects such as push back, mirror forces (also known as screening), electronic polarization or charge transfer affect the energy-level alignment. We perform x-ray and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS and UPS) measurements on copper-hexadecafluorophthalocyanine (F 16 CuPc) and titanyl-phthalocyanine (TiOPc) thin films on Ag(111) and use TiOPc bilayers to decouple F 16 CuPc layers from the metal substrate. Even for our structurally well-characterized model interfaces and by stepwise preparation of vacuum-sublimed samples, a precise assignment of vacuum-level and energy-level shifts remains challenging. Nevertheless, our results provide guidelines for the interpretation of XPS and UPS data of organic–metal and organic–organic interfaces.
The Role of Vascular Risk Factors in Post-Stroke Delirium: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
2022-10-01

Vascular risk factors may predispose to post-stroke delirium (PSD). A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed by searching PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. The primary outcome was the prevalence of vascular risk factors in PSD vs. non-PSD patients. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and mean differences (MDs) with 95% CIs were calculated for categorical and continuous variables, respectively. Fixed effects or random effects models were used in case of low- or high-statistical heterogeneity, respectively. We found an increased prevalence of atrial fibrillation (OR = 1.74, p = 0.0004), prior stroke (OR = 1.48, p &lt; 0.00001), coronary artery disease (OR = 1.48, p &lt; 0.00001), heart failure (OR = 2.01, p &lt; 0.0001), and peripheral vascular disease (OR = 2.03, p &lt; 0.00001) in patients with vs. without PSD. PSD patients were older (MD = 5.27 y, p &lt; 0.00001) compared with their non-PSD counterparts. Advanced age, atrial fibrillation, prior stroke, coronary artery disease, heart failure, and peripheral vascular disease appeared to be significantly associated with PSD.
Using Spacing to Promote Lasting Learning in Educational Contexts
2022-10-01

Abstract. Spacing repeated study phases across multiple sessions instead of studying and restudying the learning material in one session only is an effective strategy to promote lasting learning. However, most studies demonstrating the spacing effect were conducted in the laboratory, using simple verbal material. Learning in educational contexts differs regarding the complexity and coherence of the learning material and concerning the role of motivational and affective learner characteristics. Studies conducted in educational contexts suggest that the spacing effect is not as robust here. For example, acquiring mathematical skills or nonrepeated, consecutive information does not reliably benefit from spacing. After an overview of studies addressing the spacing effect in the laboratory and in educational contexts, we discuss various open questions that need to be addressed by future research before recommending spacing as a learning strategy to promote meaningful and lasting learning at schools and universities.
“The Teacher Motivates Us – Or Me?” – The Role of the Addressee in Student Ratings of Teacher Support
2022-10-01

Student ratings have become a standard way to assess teaching quality. However, little is known about whether using a we/us-addressee ("The teacher motivates us") or an I/me-addressee ("The teacher motivates me") makes a difference for the information that is obtained. In this study, we experimentally varied the addressee in teaching-quality items capturing six dimensions of teacher support in two school subjects. We investigated differences between the two addressee versions in mean levels, level of agreement, associations between dimensions using the same versus different addressees, and correlations with a variety of student outcome variables. We found that the item addressee was relevant for most psychometric properties in question, and differences were more pronounced for mathematics than for German language arts.
Saccorhiza polyschides—A Source of Natural Active Ingredients for Greener Skincare Formulations
2022-10-01

The growing knowledge about the harmful effects caused by some synthetic ingredients present in skincare products has led to an extensive search for natural bioactives. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the dermatological potential of five fractions (F1–F5), obtained by a sequential extraction procedure, from the brown seaweed Saccorhiza polyschides. The antioxidant (DPPH, FRAP, ORAC and TPC), anti-enzymatic (collagenase, elastase, hyaluronidase and tyrosinase), antimicrobial (Staphylococcus epidermidis, Cutibacterium acnes and Malassezia furfur), anti-inflammatory (nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6 and interleukin-10) and photoprotective (reactive oxygen species) properties of all fractions were evaluated. The ethyl acetate fraction (F3) displayed the highest antioxidant and photoprotective capacity, reducing ROS levels in UVA/B-exposed 3T3 fibroblasts, and the highest anti-enzymatic capacity against tyrosinase (IC50 value: 89.1 μg/mL). The solid water-insoluble fraction (F5) revealed the greatest antimicrobial activity against C. acnes growth (IC50 value: 12.4 μg/mL). Furthermore, all fractions demonstrated anti-inflammatory potential, reducing TNF-α and IL-6 levels in RAW 264.7 macrophages induced with lipopolysaccharides. Chemical analysis of the S. polyschides fractions by NMR revealed the presence of different classes of compounds, including lipids, polyphenols and sugars. The results highlight the potential of S. polyschides to be incorporated into new nature-based skincare products.
Who’s bored in school?
2022-10-01

Abstract In the literature, general cognitive ability has been discussed as one critical factor that shapes students’ boredom. In this study, we investigated the relationship between academic boredom and general cognitive ability in primary school students while also considering intrinsic value. We analyzed data from N = 2849 third graders from 188 German classrooms. We used structural equation models with latent variables to test for whether general cognitive ability and interest showed linear as well as nonlinear relationships with students’ boredom. The results showed that the association between general cognitive ability and boredom was almost negligible after controlling for students’ achievement as well as gender, age, and family background. However, both the linear and quadratic terms for students’ intrinsic value were statistically significant, indicating that students with low and students with high interest reported more boredom in class than students with average interest. The findings are discussed in light of expectations based on control-value theory and the domain specificity and situational specificity of control and value appraisals.
Metaphysically Opaque Grounding
2022-10-01

Abstract This article explores the concept of metaphysically opaque grounding, a largely neglected form of metaphysical grounding that challenges the commonly held assumptions that grounding is an especially intimate and powerful connection between facts and that it is necessarily connected with the essences of things. I provide a definition of opaque grounding, identify some interesting philosophical views that are committed to it, and explore some consequences for the general theory of grounding. Finally, I briefly address some natural initial doubts about opaque grounding and find them unwarranted. The upshot is that the notion deserves more attention than it has previously received.
Causes of death in Germany: A time series analysis of official statistics from 1990 to 2020
2022-10-01

Abstract Background The analysis of the temporal patterns of causes of death is one of the most important tasks in population health monitoring and forecasts. In the present study, a detailed time series analysis of official statistics is performed in order to identify major temporal trends in the distribution of health risks in the German population. Methods Official statistics on causes of death from 1990 to 2020 are utilised. The causes of death are classified according to the International Classification of Diseases (10th Revision). Temporal trends of death cases per 100,000 population and ten-year forecasts are estimated with integrated autoregressive moving average models (ARIMA). Results Cardiovascular diseases, neoplasms and cerebrovascular diseases have accounted for more than 70% of all deaths between 1990-2020. In contrast, urogenital, infectious and muscular-related diseases have been reported for less than 2% of deaths during the same period. Annual deaths per 100,000 population due to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases largely decreased between 1990-2020 (-11.07 95% CI [-15.17; -6.97] and -4.02 95% CI [-6.85; -1.20], respectively). Concerning other causes of deaths, no temporal trends were observed, with the exception of diseases of the nervous and digestive system (0.83 95% CI [0.08; 1.58]). The forecasts for the decade 2020-2030 suggest that cardiovascular diseases and neoplasms are expected to remain the most frequent causes of death in Germany and could account for about 67% of all deaths. Conclusions The results indicate that non-communicable diseases, in particular the group of cardiovascular diseases and neoplasms, will remain the major driver of mortality in Germany over the next decade. Key messages
Limitations to Genuine Measurements in Ontological Models of Quantum Mechanics
2022-10-01

Abstract Given an ontological model of a quantum system, a “genuine measurement,” as opposed to a quantum measurement, means an experiment that determines the value of a beable, i.e., of a variable that, according to the model, has an actual value in nature before the experiment. We prove a theorem showing that in every ontological model, it is impossible to measure all beables. Put differently, there is no experiment that would reliably determine the ontic state. This result shows that the positivistic idea that a physical theory should only involve observable quantities is too optimistic.
cGMP Analogues with Opposing Actions on CNG Channels Selectively Modulate Rod or Cone Photoreceptor Function
2022-10-01

The vertebrate retina harbors rod and cone photoreceptors. Human vision critically depends on cone photoreceptor function. In the phototransduction cascade, cGMP activates distinct rod and cone isoforms of the cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channel. Excessive cGMP levels initiate a pathophysiological rollercoaster, which starts with CNG channel over-activation, typically in rod photoreceptors. This triggers cell death of rods first, and then cones, and is the root cause of many blinding retinal diseases, including Retinitis pigmentosa. While targeting of CNG channels has been proposed for therapeutic purposes, thus far, it has not been possible to inhibit rod CNG channels without compromising cone function. Here, we present a novel strategy, based on cGMP analogues with opposing actions on CNG channels, which enables the selective modulation of either rod or cone photoreceptor activity. The combined treatment with the weak rod-selective CNG-channel inhibitor (Rp-8-Br-PET-cGMPS) and the cone-selective CNG-channel activator (8-pCPT-cGMP) essentially normalized rod CNG-channel function while preserving cone functionality at physiological and pathological cGMP levels. Hence, combinations of cGMP analogues with desired properties may elegantly address the isoform-specificity problem in future pharmacological therapies. Moreover, this strategy may allow for improvements in visual performance in certain light environments.
Eye‐Tracking‐Based Prediction of User Experience in VR Locomotion Using Machine Learning
2022-10-01

Abstract VR locomotion is one of the most important design features of VR applications and is widely studied. When evaluating locomotion techniques, user experience is usually the first consideration, as it provides direct insights into the usability of the locomotion technique and users' thoughts about it. In the literature, user experience is typically measured with post‐hoc questionnaires or surveys, while users' behavioral (i.e., eye‐tracking) data during locomotion, which can reveal deeper subconscious thoughts of users, has rarely been considered and thus remains to be explored. To this end, we investigate the feasibility of classifying users experiencing VR locomotion into L‐UE and H‐UE (i.e., low‐ and high‐user‐experience groups) based on eye‐tracking data alone. To collect data, a user study was conducted in which participants navigated a virtual environment using five locomotion techniques and their eye‐tracking data was recorded. A standard questionnaire assessing the usability and participants' perception of the locomotion technique was used to establish the ground truth of the user experience. We trained our machine learning models on the eye‐tracking features extracted from the time‐series data using a sliding window approach. The best random forest model achieved an average accuracy of over 0.7 in 50 runs. Moreover, the SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) approach uncovered the underlying relationships between eye‐tracking features and user experience, and these findings were further supported by the statistical results. Our research provides a viable tool for assessing user experience with VR locomotion, which can further drive the improvement of locomotion techniques. Moreover, our research benefits not only VR locomotion, but also VR systems whose design needs to be improved to provide a good user experience.