Direct Access Research Articles

Evaluating the use of marine subsidies by Arctic foxes without direct coastal access; insights from stable isotopes

Evaluating the use of marine subsidies by Arctic foxes without direct coastal access; insights from stable isotopes

Interactive and educational simulation tool for permanent magnet synchronous machines

Purpose This paper aims to present an interactive design and simulation tool for permanent magnet synchronous machines based on the finite-element-method. The tool is intended for education and research on electrical machines. Design/methodology/approach A coupling between the software MATLAB and finite element method magnetics is used. Several functionalities are included as modular scripts and represented in the form of a graphical user interface. Included are fully parametrized motor models, automatic winding generations and the evaluation of torque waveforms, core losses and speed-torque-diagrams. A survey was conducted to determine how the motivation of students concerning the covered topics is influenced by using the tool. Findings Due to its simplicity and the intuitive visualization of the results, the tool provides direct access to the topic of electrical machines without having to deal with separate scripts. The modular structure of the software allows simple extensions with new functions. Because students can directly contribute to the tool with their own work, their motivation for using and extending it increases. Originality/value The presented tool offers more functionalities compared to similar free software packages, e.g. the calculation of core losses and speed-torque diagrams. Also, it is designed in such a way that it can be easily understood and extended by students.

Recognition of a patient with neck autonomic dysfunction: findings from a rare case report of harlequin syndrome in direct access physiotherapy.

Harlequin syndrome is a rare autonomic condition consisting of unilateral facial flushing and sweating induced by heat, emotion or physical activity. The affected side presents anhidrosis and midline facial pallor due to denervation of the sympathetic fibers. This case describes a patient who reported right-side redness of the face associated with hyperhidrosis during physical activity. She had two previous major motor vehicle accidents. The patient demonstrated difficulties in the visual accommodation of the left eye, but cranial nerve assessment was unremarkable; the patient was then referred to an ophthalmologist, who excluded any autonomic dysfunction as the primary cause of convergence and visual acuity. A left-sided sympathetic dysfunction with Harlequin sign diagnosis was made followed by a progressive compensatory adaptation of the right face. The patient was educated and reassured about the benign nature of her problem. Knowledge of the autonomic nervous system is still limited in clinical practice. Although challenging, physiotherapists should develop the knowledge and ability needed to perform appropriate assessment of autonomic dysfunctions. A dispositional reasoning model should be considered in differential diagnosis.

A retrieval-augmented chatbot based on GPT-4 provides appropriate differential diagnosis in gastrointestinal radiology: a proof of concept study.

We investigated the potential of an imaging-aware GPT-4-based chatbot in providing diagnoses based on imaging descriptions of abdominal pathologies. Utilizing zero-shot learning via the LlamaIndex framework, GPT-4 was enhanced using the 96 documents from the Radiographics Top 10 Reading List on gastrointestinal imaging, creating a gastrointestinal imaging-aware chatbot (GIA-CB). To assess its diagnostic capability, 50 cases on a variety of abdominal pathologies were created, comprising radiological findings in fluoroscopy, MRI, and CT. We compared the GIA-CB to the generic GPT-4 chatbot (g-CB) in providing the primary and 2 additional differential diagnoses, using interpretations from senior-level radiologists as ground truth. The trustworthiness of the GIA-CB was evaluated by investigating the source documents as provided by the knowledge-retrieval mechanism. Mann-Whitney U test was employed. The GIA-CB demonstrated a high capability to identify the most appropriate differential diagnosis in 39/50 cases (78%), significantly surpassing the g-CB in 27/50 cases (54%) (p = 0.006). Notably, the GIA-CB offered the primary differential in the top 3 differential diagnoses in 45/50 cases (90%) versus g-CB with 37/50 cases (74%) (p = 0.022) and always with appropriate explanations. The median response time was 29.8s for GIA-CB and 15.7s for g-CB, and the mean cost per case was $0.15 and $0.02, respectively. The GIA-CB not only provided an accurate diagnosis for gastrointestinal pathologies, but also direct access to source documents, providing insight into the decision-making process, a step towards trustworthy and explainable AI. Integrating context-specific data into AI models can support evidence-based clinical decision-making. A context-aware GPT-4 chatbot demonstrates high accuracy in providing differential diagnoses based on imaging descriptions, surpassing the generic GPT-4. It provided formulated rationale and source excerpts supporting the diagnoses, thus enhancing trustworthy decision-support. • Knowledge retrieval enhances differential diagnoses in a gastrointestinal imaging-aware chatbot (GIA-CB). • GIA-CB outperformed the generic counterpart, providing formulated rationale and source excerpts. • GIA-CB has the potential to pave the way for AI-assisted decision support systems.

Exploring overlooked growth-promoting mechanisms by plant-associated bacteria

Abstract Agriculture-oriented microbiome studies try to develop microbiota beneficial to their plant hosts. This positive goal extends to the soil quality driving plant growth and disease resistance. In research aimed at identifying the causes of this beneficial action, a common interpretation is that microbes will synthesize metabolites useful to their hosts. This view assumes that important microbial metabolites are exported for use by their hosts. Yet, this seems unlikely for essential metabolites, without a counterpart imported from the plants, as the corresponding syntheses would often involve the consumption of resources without explicit benefit to the microbes. Illustrating this function with the example of Bacilli of the Subtilis clade, we emphasize here that the most direct access to the contents of microbial cells is through cell lysis, a phenomenon often linked to the process of sporulation. This process also releases macromolecules that are digested in the environment, releasing key metabolites such as queuine, an important base analog present in the anticodon of some transfer RNAs. This overlooked importance of cell lysis could also be a major cause of the ubiquitous presence of bacteriophages in microbiota.

Ion heating characteristics of merging spherical tokamak plasmas for burning high-beta plasma formation

Abstract High-power ion heating of merging spherical tokamak (ST) plasma has been investigated using TS-3U, TS-4, UTST at the University of Tokyo for future direct access to burning high-beta ST plasma without using any additional heating. We developed a two-fluid / kinetic interpretation of the promising scaling of ion heating energy increasing with the square of reconnecting magnetic field Brec ~ poloidal magnetic field Bp. We found that the reconnection heating forms interesting high-beta ST plasmas with hollow current and broad/ hollow Ti profiles. Those high-beta ST plasmas often have reversed-shear or absolute minimum-B profiles, depending on their reconnection heating power and q-values.

L-PRF como alternativa para tratamento de Comunicações Bucossinusais: uma revisão integrativa

Oroantral communication is defined as a direct access between the sinus cavity and the oral cavity. This condition is often accidentally caused during the dental extraction of a tooth whose roots are closely associated with the floor of the maxillary sinus, in addition to oral pathologies and even traumas. The technique of using the L-PRF membrane associated with flaps is widely used for extensive communications and has several advantages. The present study aims to analyze the efficacy of L-PRF in the treatment of existing oroantral communications in the most current literature. An integrative literature review was conducted to list and analyze the efficacy of L-PRF in tissue healing when obtaining the closure of oroantral communications. Scientific articles from 2014 to 2023, published in full in Portuguese and English, were selected and excluded were literature reviews and systematic reviews, articles in languages other than Portuguese and English, repeated articles in the databases, and articles that deviated from the theme proposed in the guiding question chosen. The data search was conducted in Google Scholar, LILACS, and PubMed, through the combination, using the Boolean operator “AND,” of the descriptors in English: “Oroantral Communication,” “L-PRF,” “Maxillary Sinus.” A total of 205 articles were found, but only 9 satisfactorily met the listed criteria. After a careful analysis, it was observed that the authors suggest that the use of the L-PRF membrane insertion technique for tissue healing involved in oroantral communication associated with sutures or flaps for its closure is feasible, effective, and widely spread in modern Dentistry.

Foreign experience of implementing ethical values in the anti-corruption policy of private and public sector organizations

The author analyzed and systematized the experience of foreign countries regarding the peculiarities of the implementation of ethical values in the anti-corruption policy of private and public sector organizations. Senior management when implementing anti­corruption standards, regardless of the form of ownership of the organization, when making management decisions, should be guided by their own ethical beliefs regarding their actions, display of integrity, ethics, influence on employees of lower management levels regarding the example of the prevalence of anti-corruption standards when making management decisions. The importance of the Codes of Ethics in encouraging the top management of the USA, EU, and Great Britain in the formation of organizational ethics and the reputation of international companies was established, and the strategic importance of leadership in the prevention of corruption in the formation of anti-corruption programs and the fight against corruption risks was determined in his work on leadership in the prevention of corruption. The experience of the USA, the EU, and Great Britain has shown that compliance with ethical behavior by the middle and lower ranks and, accordingly, the reduction of corruption risks, is mainly implemented taking into account the example set by the management in conducting the company's business. It has been found that the main ways of creating an ethical atmosphere are: establishment of values and principles of the organization, approval of Codes of Ethics, internal control, accountability, regular informing and holding of training events by the management with its mandatory participation regarding ethical values, trust in the management and its personal compliance on issues of corporate ethics in the absence of an ethics officer position. The practice of management implementation of ethical values in the anti-corruption policy of public authorities in Australia has shown that the ways of such implementation can be: the introduction of external control procedures open to the public, as well as confidential reporting procedures for senior management. The experience of Liberia, Kenya, and Georgia regarding leadership and corruption in the management of companies and in the public service as one of the main causes of civil wars is analyzed. Positive practices regarding the use of anti-corruption policy and the establishment of the role of leaders in the management of African countries have become the implementation of anti-corruption policy and strategy in the top management of countries, decentralization of power and the practice of identifying and returning illegally obtained funds of government officials to state accounts. The author summarizes effective ways of implementing ethical values in public sector organizations, using the example of Georgia, namely: political loyalty of management in the field of management in the fight against corruption; implementation of e-governance and e-services, long-term investments in building a corporate ethical culture, implementation of a mechanism for direct access to information on combating bribery to the company's top management, and encouraging employees to report suspicious activity related to corruption. Using the example of Estonia, the peculiarities of the role of management in overcoming corruption, the implementation of anti-corruption initiatives, certain trends regarding the role of the leadership of the law enforcement sphere in anti-corruption policy have been established. Estonian legislation has formed trends regarding the identification of the role of management in the formation of anti­corruption culture in law enforcement agencies through organizational views on corruption and the views of managers on overcoming corruption, in particular: the openness of top management to discussing anti-corruption issues in relation to their own organizations; focus on the organizational culture of non-perception of corruption starting from the top management level; integration into everyday practice of existing ethical standards; prevention of corruption risks associated with senior officials of organizations.

Facilitators of and Barriers to the Use of a Digital Self-Management Service for Diagnostic Testing: Focus Group Study With Potential Users.

Health care lags in digital transformation, despite the potential of technology to improve the well-being of individuals. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the uptake of technology in health care and increased individuals' willingness to perform self-management using technology. A web-based service, Directlab Online, provides consumers with direct digital access to diagnostic test packages, which can digitally support the self-management of health. This study aims to identify the facilitators, barriers, and needs of Directlab Online, a self-management service for web-based access to diagnostic testing. A qualitative method was used from a potential user's perspective. The needs and future needs for, facilitators of, and barriers to the use of Directlab Online were evaluated. Semistructured focus group meetings were conducted in 2022. Two focus groups were focused on sexually transmitted infection test packages and 2 were focused on prevention test packages. Data analysis was performed according to the principles of the Framework Method. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research was used to categorize the facilitators and barriers. In total, 19 participants, with a mean age of 34.32 (SD 14.70) years, participated in the focus groups. Important barriers were a lack of privacy information, too much and difficult information, and a commercial appearance. Important facilitators were the right amount of information, the right kind of tests, and the involvement of a health care professional. The need for a service such as Directlab Online was to ensure its availability for users' health and to maintain their health. According to the participants, facilitators and barriers were comprehension of the information, the goal of the website, and the overall appearance of the service. Although the service was developed in cocreation with health care professionals and users, the needs did not align. The users preferred understandable and adequate, but not excessive, information. In addition, they preferred other types of tests to be available on the service. For future research, it would be beneficial to focus on cocreation between the involved medical professionals and users to develop, improve, and implement a service such as Directlab Online.

Step height measurement of monoatomic silicon crystal lattice steps with a commercial atomic force microscope

Abstract Precise control of advanced materials relies on accurate dimensional metrology at the sub-nanometre scale. At this scale, the accuracy of scanning probe microscopy (SPM) has been limited by the lack of traceable transfer standard artefacts with calibration structures of suitable dimensions. With the adoption in 2019 of the silicon crystal lattice spacing as a secondary realization of the metre in the International System of Units (SI), SPM users have direct access to a realization of the SI metre at the sub-nanometre level by means of the step height of self-assembled monatomic lattice steps that can form on the surface of silicon crystals. A key challenge of successfully adopting this pathway is establishing the need for established protocols to minimize measurement errors and artifacts in routine laboratory use.
In this study, step height measurements of monoatomic lattice steps in an ordinal/staircase structure on a Si(111) crystal surface have been derived from images acquired with a commercially available, research-level atomic force microscope (AFM). Measurement results derived from AFM images using three different SPM image processing and analysis software packages are compared. Significant sources of measurement uncertainty are identified; principally the contribution from the dependence on scan direction. The calibration of the
AFM derived from this measurment was used to traceably measure the sub-nanometre lattice steps on a silicon carbide crystal surface to demonstrate the viability of this calibration pathway.

Study on the gelatinization and digestive characteristics of wheat starch and potato starch under low moisture conditions

This study explored the gelatinization and digestive characteristics of wheat and potato starches under low moisture conditions using identical processing parameters. The results revealed that potato starch exhibited greater resistance to digestion than wheat starch, with an enzyme hydrolysis rate 18 % to 30 % lower than wheat starch under the same conditions. The analysis of particle size, swelling power, and low-field NMR demonstrated that potato starch required almost 40 % more moisture for full gelatinization than wheat starch, indicating that low-moisture conditions could not meet the significant water demand of potato starch. Additionally, the DSC analysis showed that potato starch had superior thermal stability, with To of 62.13 °C and ΔH of 16.30 (J/g). Subsequently, the microscopy results showed that the partially gelatinized wheat starch had a rough, porous surface, allowing enzymes for direct access to hydrolysis. In contrast, the potato starch had smoother and less damaged particles without visible pores, enzymes had to degrade it progressively, layer by layer. Furthermore, potato starch still exhibited a lower enzyme hydrolysis rate than wheat starch under the same gelatinization levels. Overall, potato starch is more resistant to hydrolysis and gelatinization in low-moisture environments, making potato starch suitable for low-digestibility products like potato biscuits or chips.

Impact of the Lumbar Catheter on the Incidence of Postsurgical Meningitis in the Endoscopic Endonasal Approach

Abstract Objectives Endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) procedures are inherently contaminated due to direct access through the nasopharyngeal mucosa. The reported rate of postoperative meningitis in EEA procedures is between 0.7 and 10%. Lumbar catheters are used in EEA surgeries to prevent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistulae, but their use is associated with increased infection rates. This study investigated whether there is a difference in rates of postoperative meningitis based on lumbar catheter (LC) utilization. Methods We performed a retrospective review of consecutive patients who underwent EEA surgeries between January 2016 and March 2023 at a single institution (Fundación para la Lucha contra las Enfermedades Neurológicas de la Infancia). Main Outcome Incidence of meningitis following EEA surgery with lumbar catheter. Results Seventy-two patients were enrolled, median age was 44 years, and 53% were female. The most frequent surgery performed was craniopharyngioma 46% (26 patients). A LC was used in 28 patients. Meningitis was diagnosed in 11 of 72 patients (15.2%), being higher in the LC group (10 patients). The odds ratio for the development of meningitis in the presence of an LC was 23.38 (95% confidence interval, 2.77–123.78; p < 0.004). There was no statistical difference in the reported incidence of meningitis when CSF leak was present. Conclusions This study demonstrates an extremely high incidence of meningitis (36%) following EEA procedures when an LC is used. The incidence of meningitis was not significantly associated with CSF leak in our cohort.

Analysis of Properties and Macroscopic Defects of Metallic Bars, Pipes, and Strands through the Spectrum of Low-Frequency Excitations

It is demonstrated that the application of piezoelectric sensors to metallic bars and strands can enable determining the status of the integrity of these elements through the spectrum of their acoustic excitations. The voltage output of the piezo, secured to metal bars or strands, is fed to the input of a Fast Fourier Transform analyzer, which allows displaying the spectrum of the excitations from which information on the length, overall quality of the metal, and the presence of defects can be obtained. We show that the analysis, performed on several materials and strands of different lengths, could be useful for cases in which visible inspection and/or direct access to the entire body of the metallic elements is not possible. Applications of our study for testing metallic structures embedded in concrete foundations are reported for construction sites.

Silver-Catalyzed Carbofluorination of Olefins and α-Fluoroolefins with Carbamoyl Radicals.

The reactivity of carbamoyl radicals, generated in situ from sodium oxamate salts, has been investigated in the context of radical carbofluorination reactions of olefins and a-fluoroolefins, respectively. Both transformations are catalyzed by silver salts and required the presence of potassium persulfate (K2S2O8) and SelectfluorTM as a radicophilic fluorine source. The reported methods provide a direct access to beta-fluoroamides and beta,beta-difluoroamides.

Electron Spectroscopy and Microscopy: A Window into the Surface Electronic Properties of Polycrystalline Metal Halide Perovskites.

In the past years, an increasing number of experimental techniques have emerged to address the need to unveil the chemical, structural, and electronic properties of perovskite thin films with high vertical and lateral spatial resolutions. One of these is angle-resolved photoemission electron spectroscopy which can provide direct access to the electronic band structure of perovskites, with the aim of overcoming elusive and controversial information due to the complex data interpretation of purely optical spectroscopic techniques. This perspective looks at the information that can be gleaned from the direct measurement of the electronic band structure of single crystal perovskites and the challenges that remain to beovercame to extend this technique to heterogeneous polycrystalline metal halide perovskites.

Construction and Characteristics Analysis of the Xi’an Public Transport Network Considering Single-Mode and Multi-Mode Transferring

The connectivity of the urban public transport network and the convenience of transfers between modes of transit are important factors that affect whether passengers choose public transport. Identifying the key nodes that affect network connectivity, direct access, transfers, and clarifying the main factors that restrict the network efficiency play important roles in improving the efficiency of the public transport network and establishing a “green city”. On this premise, this paper constructs two single-layer networks and a composite network that can reflect the transfer relationship between ‘bus–bus’, ‘metro–metro’, and ‘metro–bus’ based on the method of Space-P. The composite network realizes the integration study of homogeneous and heterogeneous stops, lines, and transfer relationships in the public transport network. At the same time, five kinds of centrality indexes are applied to the transport transfer network, and the significance of these indexes in the network is explained. Through the comprehensive analysis of these five types of indexes, the key nodes affecting the network connectivity, direct access and transfer efficiency, can be identified more accurately. Taking the public transport network of Xi’an as an example, the structural characteristics of the networks, including scale-free and small-world characteristics, were empirically analyzed. The main stops that play important roles in networks were identified based on the integrated centrality, degrees, and weight degrees. The research results showed the following: (1) Xi’an’s metro network, bus network, and metro–bus composite network all have scale-free and small-world characteristics. (2) The influence of the key stops of the metro network is concentrated, while the influence of the key stops of the bus network is scattered. (3) The public transport network in the first ring road area of Xi’an has the highest degree of direct access, and the core areas of the south, west, and north of Xi’an also have high direct access. However, the direct access in the area east of Xi’an is slightly lower. (4) Xi’an’s bus transport network covers a large area, showing the characteristics of a dual-core “central + southern” network. (5) The metro–bus composite network demonstrates a closer connection between stops and a more balanced network. (6) Finally, the degree of direct access to stops in the bus transport network and metro transport network shows the characteristics of “the single core is dominant, and the circle diffusion weakens step by step”.

Efficient Copper‐Free Sonogashira Coupling in Water and under Ambient Atmosphere

AbstractSonogashira coupling is one of the cornerstone Palladium mediated cross coupling reactions, giving a direct and high yield access to symmetric and non‐symmetric alkynes with high tolerance of substituents. The method generally requires the use of CuI as a cocatalyst, an inert atmosphere to protect palladium catalyst, somewhat harsh conditions like prolonged heating and the use of organic solvents due to the hydrophobicity of reagents and products. Leveraging on the opportunities offered by micellar catalysis, we here present a general methodology to perform Sonogashira coupling in water, with moderate or no heating, under air, without copper co‐catalysts and at very low catalyst loading. The method offers the same generality and scope of organic solvents based couplings, but strongly improves sustainability while offering excellent yields.

Development of the Mobile Application to Prevent Suicide (MAPS), a Personalized Smartphone App for Suicide Prevention: Feedback from Individual Interviews

The goal of this study was to explore preferences regarding the Mobile Application to Prevent Suicide (MAPS), an ecological momentary intervention smartphone app. We conducted individual interviews with 10 adults hospitalized for suicidal ideation or behavior. In these interviews, we asked about participants’ preferences associated with smartphone apps for suicide prevention in general and requested feedback on the specific features of the MAPS intervention. We used line-by-line inductive coding to create a codebook and identify where codes were most prominently displayed. Participants expressed interest in personalized, targeted approaches to suicide prevention, psychoeducation, access to coping strategies, and direct access to crisis services. Involving individuals with lived experience in the early stages is an essential step in the development of a smartphone app for suicide prevention.

An inexpensive, metal-free and one-pot approach towards N-sulfonyl amidines: Identification of a chorismate mutase inhibitor with activities against S. aureus

The simple yet innovative synthetic approaches for the direct access to the diversity based unique class of compounds of potential biological interest are of considerable interest as that can greatly facilitate the efforts in bioorganic / medicinal chemistry and drug discovery. In our efforts, we have developed a metal-free, inexpensive and one-pot method for the facile and direct synthesis of N-sulfonyl amidines that were designed as inhibitors of chorismate mutase. The methodology involved POCl3-SOCl2 promoted reaction of amide with sulphonamide to afford an array of new and unique class of compounds in good to acceptable yields. The methodology is free from the use of additional organic reaction media and amenable for scale-up. Based on in vitro and in silico studies, 3g has been identified as a first example of chorismate mutase inhibitor with selective and promising activities on a range of S. aureus strains. Indeed, the docking of 3g into AlphaFold predicted structure S. aureus CM I (UniProt ID: A0A380DU97) revealed good interactions with stabilization mostly via π-anion interactions in addition to a halogen (fluorine) bond. Compound 3g is of further pharmacological interest.

Wave-Function Tomography of Topological Dimer Chains with Long-Range Couplings.

The ability to tailor with a high accuracy the intersite connectivity in a lattice is a crucial tool for realizing novel topological phases of matter. Here, we report the experimental realization of photonic dimer chains with long-range hopping terms of arbitrary strength and phase, providing a rich generalization of the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model which, in its conventional form, is limited to nearest-neighbor couplings only. Our experiment is based on a synthetic dimension scheme involving the frequency modes of an optical fiber loop platform. This setup provides direct access to both the band dispersion and the geometry of the Bloch wave functions throughout the entire Brillouin zone allowing us to extract the winding number for any possible configuration. Finally, we highlight a topological phase transition solely driven by a time-reversal-breaking synthetic gauge field associated with the phase of the long-range hopping, providing a route for engineering topological bands in photonic lattices belonging to the AIII symmetry class.