bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Manipulated ants: inducing loyalty to sugar feeders with an alkaloid
Authors: Mogensen Anders Lander , Andersen Laurits Bundgaard , Sørensen Jesper Givskov , Offenberg Joachim
Published: February 2024

BACKGROUND

Wood ants are promising biocontrol agents in fruit plantations because they prey on pest insects and inhibit plant diseases. However, these ants also attend plant‐feeding homopterans to harvest their honeydew secretions, thereby increasing their numbers. This problem can be solved by offering ants alternative sugar sources that are more attractive than honeydew. From natural interactions, it is known that some species manipulate mutualistic partners toward loyalty by adding alkaloids to the food they offer their mutualists. Inspired by this, the addition of alkaloids might be used to make ants loyal to artificial sugar feeders and thus used to reduce populations of ant‐farmed homopterans in ant‐mediated biological control. We aimed to explore whether wood ants (Formica polyctena) would develop a taste preference for morphine‐containing sugar solutions in two‐choice laboratory tests.

RESULTS

After having fed on a morphine/sugar solution for 1 week, ants showed a significant preference for morphine solutions compared with equal concentration sugar solutions without morphine. Furthermore, ants lost this preference after 6–9 days on a morphine‐free diet.

CONCLUSION

The results show that wood ants react to morphine in their food, enabling chemical manipulation of their behavior, most likely through a taste preference. Thus, ants are susceptible to manipulation by mutualistic partners in natural interactions and furthermore may be manipulated artificially in biocontrol programs to avoid ant‐mediated build‐up of homopteran populations. © 2024 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Systematic Investigation on the Surfactant‐Assisted Liquid‐Phase Exfoliation of MoS2 and WS2 in Water for Sustainable 2D Material Inks
Authors: Pozzati Micaela , Boll Felix , Crisci Matteo , Domenici Sara , Smarsly Bernd , Gatti Teresa , Wang Mengjiao
Published: February 2024

MoS2 and WS2 have gathered significant attention due to their tunable properties and wide range of applications. Liquid‐phase exfoliation (LPE) is a facile method to prepare 2D MoS2 and WS2. Currently, the principally employed solvents for LPE of MoS2 and WS2 are expensive and toxic, and have high boiling points. These drawbacks encourage to find more sustainable alternatives to the liquid medium used for the preparation of 2D material inks. Water is the best option, but surfactants are necessary for LPE in water, since MoS2 and WS2 are hydrophobic. Organic molecules with amphoteric character such as sodium dodecyl sulfate, sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, and sodium hexadecyl sulfonate (SHS) are selected as suitable candidates for the role. However, the study of these surfactants used in LPE is barely systematically reported. In this work, a detailed investigation is presented on their impact on the LPE of MoS2 and WS2, which are representatives of transition‐metal dichalcogenides. By characterizing and qualifying the products from average number of layers, it is found that all the surfactants work efficiently to exfoliate MoS2 and WS2 into few layers, and SHS stabilizes the 2D layers better than the other two. However, in terms of yield and relative surfactant concentration, a real trade‐off is not identified between maximized quantity of exfoliated materials and minimized surfactant concentration, which prompts to select the colloidal ink based on the specific further needs for processing.
The emptiness at the heart of international law
Authors: Hulsroj Peter
Published: February 2024

“What is not prohibited is allowed” is the principle at the heart of international law. Yet the principle is empty. It originates in the Lotus judgment of the Permanent Court of International Justice of 1927 where Turkey was allowed to prosecute a French citizen at the expense of the authority of France to have exclusive jurisdiction. This article recounts the history of “what is not prohibited is allowed” and explains where it has led us astray and where it is in the process of doing so. It recalls that the intention of the creators of the Permanent Court of International Justice was very different, namely that equitable balancing would take place when no specific international law norm could be identified. The article suggests how, through an Advisory Opinion by the International Court of Justice, equitable balancing can be re‐established as the fallback principle when international law is otherwise silent.
Ecology, status, and distribution of Temminck's pangolin (Smutsia temminckii) in Hwange National Park
Authors: Sabashau Kelly , Utete Beaven , Madlamoto Daphne , Ngwenya Nobesuthu , Madamombe Honest
Published: February 2024

Temminck's pangolin, Smutsia temminckii (Smuts, 1832), faces conservation threats of poaching and trafficking in Zimbabwe. Using a mixed‐method approach we assessed the ecology, status, and distribution of Temminck's pangolin in Hwange National Park (HNP) over May–December 2021. Seven pangolins were recorded through direct sightings, although camera traps deployed did not detect pangolins. Biotic and abiotic factors including rainfall, air temperature, waterholes, digital elevation model, anthills, and Miombo vegetation influence pangolin distribution. The low pangolin numbers recorded in the study either indicate its shy nature or simply reflect its low densities in HNP. Short‐term surveys are inconclusive for determining key factors influencing the population, ecology, and distribution of shy species such as Temminck's pangolin. Long‐term future monitoring initiatives integrating ground surveys, citizen science data, and scientific methods like environmental DNA metabarcoding will enhance accurate assessment of pangolin population trends and presence inside and outside of protected areas such as HNP.
Negativity and its capacity in JT gravity
Authors: Okuyama Kazumi , Tachibana Takeshi
Published: February 2024

Abstract

We study the refined Rényi negativity in the matrix model of Jackiw-Teitelboim (JT) gravity. We first consider the JT gravity with dynamical branes, which serves as a toy model of the evaporating black hole. By including the backreaction of branes, we find that the refined Rényi negativity monotonically decreases at late time of the evaporation. Next we define a novel quantity, which we call “capacity of negativity,” as a derivative of the refined Rényi negativity with respect to the replica number. We find that the capacity of negativity has two peaks as a function of time, which comes from the exchange of dominance of the different types of replica wormholes.
Renormalizing Love: tidal effects at the third post-Newtonian order
Authors: Mandal Manoj K. , Mastrolia Pierpaolo , Silva Hector O. , Patil Raj , Steinhoff Jan
Published: February 2024

Abstract

We present the conservative effective two-body Hamiltonian at the third order in the post-Newtonian expansion with gravitoelectric quadrupolar dynamical tidal-interactions. Our derivation of the effective two-body Lagrangian is based on the diagrammatic effective field theory approach and it involves Feynman integrals up to three loops, which are evaluated within the dimensional regularization scheme. The elimination of the divergent terms occurring in the effective Lagrangian requires the addition of counterterms to ensure finite observables, thereby introducing a renormalization group flow to the post-adiabatic Love number. As a limiting case of the renormalized dynamical effective Hamiltonian, we also derive the effective Hamiltonian for adiabatic tides, and, in this regime, calculate the binding energy for a circular orbit, and the scattering angle in a hyperbolic scattering.
Bragg-Primakoff axion photoconversion in crystal detectors
Authors: Dent James B. , Dutta Bhaskar , Thompson Adrian
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Axions and axion-like pseudoscalar particles with dimension-5 couplings to photons exhibit coherent Primakoff scattering with ordered crystals at keV energy scales, making for a natural detection technique in searches for solar axions. We find that there are large suppressive corrections, potentially greater than a factor of $$ \mathcal{O} $$
O
(103), to the coherent enhancement when taking into account absorption of the final state photon. This effect has already been accounted for in light-shining-through-wall experiments through the language of Darwin classical diffraction, but is missing from the literature in the context of solar axion searches that use a matrix element approach. We extend the treatment of the event rate with a heuristic description of absorption effects to bridge the gap between these two languages. Furthermore, we explore the Borrmann effect of anomalous absorption in lifting some of the event rate suppression by increasing the coherence length of the conversion. We study this phenomenon in Ge, NaI, and CsI crystal experiments and its impact on the projected sensitivities of SuperCDMS, LEGEND, and SABRE to the solar axion parameter space. Lastly, we comment on the reach of multi-tonne scale crystal detectors and strategies to maximize the discovery potential of experimental efforts in this vein.
Cardiovascular risk management among individuals with type 2 diabetes and severe mental illness: a cohort study
Authors: ter Braake Jonne G. , Fleetwood Kelly J. , Vos Rimke C. , Blackbourn Luke , McGurnaghan Stuart J. , Wild Sarah H. , Jackson Caroline A. ,   on behalf of the Scottish Diabetes Research Network Epidemiology Group
Published: February 2024

Aims/hypothesis

The aim of this study was to compare cardiovascular risk management among people with type 2 diabetes according to severe mental illness (SMI) status.

Methods

We used linked electronic data to perform a retrospective cohort study of adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in Scotland between 2004 and 2020, ascertaining their history of SMI from hospital admission records. We compared total cholesterol, systolic BP and HbA1c target level achievement 1 year after diabetes diagnosis, and receipt of a statin prescription at diagnosis and 1 year thereafter, by SMI status using logistic regression, adjusting for sociodemographic factors and clinical history.

Results

We included 291,644 individuals with type 2 diabetes, of whom 1.0% had schizophrenia, 0.5% had bipolar disorder and 3.3% had major depression. People with SMI were less likely to achieve cholesterol targets, although this difference did not reach statistical significance for all disorders. However, people with SMI were more likely to achieve systolic BP targets compared to those without SMI, with effect estimates being largest for schizophrenia (men: adjusted OR 1.72; 95% CI 1.49, 1.98; women: OR 1.64; 95% CI 1.38, 1.96). HbA1c target achievement differed by SMI disorder and sex. Among people without previous CVD, statin prescribing was similar or better in those with vs those without SMI at diabetes diagnosis and 1 year later. In people with prior CVD, SMI was associated with lower odds of statin prescribing at diabetes diagnosis (schizophrenia: OR 0.54; 95% CI 0.43, 0.68, bipolar disorder: OR 0.75; 95% CI 0.56, 1.01, major depression: OR 0.92; 95% CI 0.83, 1.01), with this difference generally persisting 1 year later.

Conclusions/interpretation

We found disparities in cholesterol target achievement and statin prescribing by SMI status. This reinforces the importance of clinical review of statin prescribing for secondary prevention of CVD, particularly among people with SMI.

Graphical Abstract
Pure niobium manufactured by Laser-Based Powder Bed Fusion: influence of process parameters and supports on as-built surface quality
Authors: Candela Silvia , Rebesan Pietro , De Bortoli Diego , Carmignato Simone , Zanini Filippo , Candela Valentina , Dima Razvan , Pepato Adriano , Weinmann Markus , Bettini Paolo
Published: February 2024

Niobium (Nb) is a transition metal commonly used as an alloying element for increasing strength, toughness, corrosion resistance, and other properties of steel and superalloys. Pure Nb, however, is a very interesting metal for its excellent superconductivity. This makes it suitable for producing superconducting magnets and devices for particle acceleration systems and particle physics research (e.g., superconducting resonant cavities). In this work, the production of Nb by the Laser-Based Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-LB/M, also known as Laser Powder Bed Fusion or LPBF) process was examined. Manufacturing parameters were investigated to achieve additively manufactured parts with a relative density higher than 99.5% and showing a down-skin surface roughness in the range of 20–70 μm, depending on the inclination angle. Studies related to the limiting angle of self-supported Nb parts were also conducted, and innovative non-contact supporting structures were successfully developed. These allowed to creation of parts with very small overhang angles, without compromising the downward-facing surfaces; indeed at the same time, the as-built surface finish was improved.
Effects of estrogen on spatial navigation and memory
Authors: Joue Gina , Navarro-Schröder Tobias , Achtzehn Johannes , Moffat Scott , Hennies Nora , Fuß Johannes , Döller Christian , Wolbers Thomas , Sommer Tobias
Published: February 2024

Rationale

Animal studies suggest that the so-called “female” hormone estrogen enhances spatial navigation and memory. This contradicts the observation that males generally out-perform females in spatial navigation and tasks involving spatial memory. A closer look at the vast number of studies actually reveals that performance differences are not so clear.

Objectives

To help clarify the unclear performance differences between men and women and the role of estrogen, we attempted to isolate organizational from activational effects of estrogen on spatial navigation and memory.

Methods

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, we tested the effects of orally administered estradiol valerate (E2V) in healthy, young women in their low-hormone menstrual cycle phase, compared to healthy, young men. Participants performed several first-person, environmentally rich, 3-D computer games inspired by spatial navigation and memory paradigms in animal research.

Results

We found navigation behavior suggesting that sex effects dominated any E2 effects with men performing better with allocentric strategies and women with egocentric strategies. Increased E2 levels did not lead to general improvements in spatial ability in either sex but to behavioral changes reflecting navigation flexibility.

Conclusion

Estrogen-driven differences in spatial cognition might be better characterized on a spectrum of navigation flexibility rather than by categorical performance measures or skills.
A unified approach to goodness-of-fit testing for spherical and hyperspherical data
Authors: Ebner Bruno , Henze Norbert , Meintanis Simos
Published: February 2024

We propose a general and relatively simple method to construct goodness-of-fit tests on the sphere and the hypersphere. The method is based on the characterization of probability distributions via their characteristic function, and it leads to test criteria that are convenient regarding applications and consistent against arbitrary deviations from the model under test. We emphasize goodness-of-fit tests for spherical distributions due to their importance in applications and the relative scarcity of available methods.
Prognostic implication of heart failure stage and left ventricular ejection fraction for patients with in-hospital cardiac arrest: a 16-year retrospective cohort study
Authors: Wang Chih-Hung , Ho Li-Ting , Wu Meng-Che , Wu Cheng-Yi , Tay Joyce , Su Pei-I. , Tsai Min-Shan , Wu Yen-Wen , Chang Wei-Tien , Huang Chien-Hua , Chen Wen-Jone
Published: February 2024

Background

The 2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA guidelines for the management of heart failure (HF) makes therapeutic recommendations based on HF status. We investigated whether the prognosis of in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) could be stratified by HF stage and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

Methods

This single-center retrospective study analyzed the data of patients who experienced IHCA between 2005 and 2020. Based on admission diagnosis, past medical records, and pre-arrest echocardiography, patients were classified into general IHCA, at-risk for HF, pre-HF, HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), and HF with mildly reduced ejection fraction or HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF-or-HFrEF) groups.

Results

This study included 2,466 patients, including 485 (19.7%), 546 (22.1%), 863 (35.0%), 342 (13.9%), and 230 (9.3%) patients with general IHCA, at-risk for HF, pre-HF, HFpEF, and HFmrEF-or-HFrEF, respectively. A total of 405 (16.4%) patients survived to hospital discharge, with 228 (9.2%) patients achieving favorable neurological recovery. Multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that pre-HF and HFpEF were associated with better neurological (pre-HF, OR: 2.11, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.23–3.61, p = 0.006; HFpEF, OR: 1.90, 95% CI: 1.00–3.61, p = 0.05) and survival outcomes (pre-HF, OR: 2.00, 95% CI: 1.34–2.97, p < 0.001; HFpEF, OR: 1.91, 95% CI: 1.20–3.05, p = 0.007), compared with general IHCA.

Conclusion

HF stage and LVEF could stratify patients with IHCA into different prognoses. Pre-HF and HFpEF were significantly associated with favorable neurological and survival outcomes after IHCA. Further studies are warranted to investigate whether HF status-directed management could improve IHCA outcomes.
Chorioretinal biomarkers in hypothalamic amenorrhea
Authors: Savastano Maria Cristina , Fossataro Claudia , Carlà Matteo Mario , Cestrone Valentina , Biagini Ilaria , Sammarco Leonardo , Giannuzzi Federico , Fasciani Romina , Apa Rosanna , Lanzone Antonio , Diterlizzi Alice , Policriti Martina , Di Stasio Enrico , Killian Raphael , Rizzo Clara , Rizzo Stanislao
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The aim of our study was to evaluate changes in the retinal and choriocapillaris circulations in patients with hypothalamic amenorrhea.

Methods

Prospective, cross-sectional observational study on 25 patients (50 eyes) diagnosed with hypothalamic amenorrhea and 25 age-matched healthy women. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) was used to evaluate the vessel density (VD) of superficial capillary plexus (SCP), deep capillary plexus (DCP), and choriocapillaris VD layers in whole 6.4 × 6.4-mm image and in fovea grid-based image. In patients’ group, systemic parameters were collected: body mass index (BMI), endometrial rhyme thickness, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin, insulin, and cortisol.

Results

SCP and DCP did not show any statistical difference when comparing patients and controls (all p > 0.05). Differently, choriocapillaris VD in the whole region showed a non-significant tendency toward higher values in the patients group in both eyes (p = 0.038 for right eye [RE], p = 0.044 for left eye [LE]). Foveal choriocapillaris VD was higher in hypothalamic amenorrhea women vs. healthy controls (66.0 ± 2.4 vs. 63.7 ± 6.6%, p = 0.136 for RE; 65.0 ± 2.4 vs. 61.6 ± 7.0%, p = 0.005 for LE). Focusing on correlation with systemic parameters, SCP and DCP foveal density had a medium/high effect size with endometrial rhyme, along with DCP in the fovea area vs. cortisol and SCP in the whole area vs. FSH.

Conclusion

When comparing hypothalamic amenorrhea patients to healthy subjects, OCTA detected changes in the choriocapillaris layer, showing increased VD in the early stage of the systemic pathology, suggesting that microvascular “compaction” could be a first phase of hypoestrogenism adaptation.
Seed priming with gas plasma-activated water in Ethiopia’s “orphan” crop tef (Eragrostis tef)
Authors: Fatelnig Lena M. M. , Chanyalew Solomon , Tadesse Mahilet , Kebede Worku , Hussein Nigusu , Iza Felipe , Tadele Zerihun , Leubner-Metzger Gerhard , Steinbrecher Tina
Published: February 2024

Main conclusion

Seed priming with gas plasma-activated water results in an increased ageing resilience in Eragrostis tef grains compared to a conventional hydropriming protocol.

Tef (Eragrostis tef) is a cereal grass and a major staple crop of Ethiopia and Eritrea. Despite its significant importance in terms of production, consumption, and cash crop value, tef has been understudied and its productivity is low. In this study, tef grains have undergone different priming treatments to enhance seed vigour and seedling performance. A conventional hydropriming and a novel additive priming technology with gas plasma-activated water (GPAW) have been used and tef grains were then subjected to germination performance assays and accelerated ageing. Tef priming increases the germination speed and vigour of the grains. Priming with GPAW retained the seed storage potential after ageing, therefore, presenting an innovative environmental-friendly seed technology with the prospect to address variable weather conditions and ultimately food insecurity. Seed technology opens new possibilities to increase productivity of tef crop farming to achieve a secure and resilient tef food system and economic growth in Ethiopia by sustainable intensification of agriculture beyond breeding.
Granulation tissue-like spindle cell (sarcomatoid) carcinoma of the head and neck: a deceptively bland-looking underdiagnosed malignancy
Authors: Franchi Alessandro , Agaimy Abbas
Published: February 2024

The diagnosis of head and neck spindle cell squamous carcinoma (SC-SCC) is often challenging. Lesions with a prominent inflammatory infiltrate and reactive vessels may have a granulation tissue-like appearance, therefore being difficult to distinguish from reactive lesions, like contact ulcers, post-intubation granulomas, inflammatory pseudotumors, or benign vascular lesions. In this study, we analyzed the clinicopathological features of a series of 17 head and neck SC-SCC with granulation tissue-like appearance. All patients, but two, were males, ranging in age between 57 and 80 years. The larynx was the most frequently affected site (n = 12), followed by the tongue (n = 4). One tumor was hypopharyngeal. Most consult cases were submitted with benign suggestion or because of unexpected recurrences of granulation tissue polyps. Histologically, all lesions consisted of an ulcerated polypoid proliferation of moderately to markedly atypical spindle cells, with a minor component of conventional invasive or in situ squamous carcinoma. At least one cytokeratin cocktail was positive in 13 cases. The staining was limited to a few neoplastic cells in most cases. Positivity for p63, p40, and cytokeratins 5/6 was detected only in the conventional squamous cell carcinoma component, when present. ALK1 was negative in all cases. Sixteen cases were tested for p53 and all showed aberrant expression (12 diffusely positive and 4 of null-phenotype). The diagnosis of granulation tissue-like SC-SCC is challenging due to the close clinical and histological overlap with several benign conditions. Since the expression of epithelial markers is limited, the use of an immunohistochemical panel including p53 is recommended.
Interpretability of deep learning models in analysis of Spanish financial text
Authors: Vaca César , Astorgano Manuel , López-Rivero Alfonso J. , Tejerina Fernando , Sahelices Benjamín
Published: February 2024

Artificial intelligence methods based on deep learning (DL) have recently made significant progress in many different areas including free text classification and sentiment analysis. We believe that corporate governance is one of these areas, where DL can generate very valuable and differential knowledge, for example, by analyzing the biographies of independent directors, which allows for qualitative modeling of their profile in an automatic way. For this technology to be accepted it is important to be able to explain how it generates its results. In this work we have developed a six-dimensional labeled dataset of independent director biographies, implemented three recurrent DL models based on LSTM and transformers along with four ensembles, one of which is an innovative proposal based on a multi-layer perceptron (MLP), trained them using Spanish language and economics and finance terminology and performed a comprehensive test study that demonstrates the accuracy of the results. We have also performed a complete study of explainability using the SHAP methodology by comparatively analyzing the developed models. We have achieved a mean error (MAE) of 8% in the modeling of the open text biographies, which has allowed us to perform a case study of time analysis that has detected significant variations in the composition of the Standard Expertise Profile (SEP) of the boards of directors, related to the crisis of the period 2008–2013. This work shows that DL technology can be accurately applied to free text analysis in the finance and economic domain, by automatically analyzing large volumes of data to generate knowledge that would have been unattainable by other means.
Ten years of an external quality program control in clinical microbiology: a statistical analysis of the results
Authors: Morales Clara , Uzeta Martha , Ramírez Mabel , Giraldo Ramón
Published: February 2024

External quality assessment data of clinical microbiology obtained over ten years by the Colombian company PROASECAL in laboratories of seven countries in Central and South America are analyzed. The objective is to describe the quality of clinical microbiology results of the participants in the study period (2010–2021). This analysis includes the results of genus and species identification and proper reporting of both Gram staining and susceptibility testing. Data from 195 laboratories, which processed 31 bacteria, were analyzed. In this study, 32 % of laboratories were classified as good because they successfully determined the genus and species, 36 % fair, 12 % poor, and 20 % critical, to which recommendations for improvement were sent as part of the reports. In the analysis conducted for concordance between Genus, Morphology, and Gram, the success rates obtained are between 83 % and 94 %. Regarding antibiograms, the performance observed in Gram-positive bacteria ranges from 57 to 98 %, while in Gram-negative bacteria, it is between 82 and 98 %. The descriptive tools to explain external quality assessment results in clinical microbiology are limited to the percentage of successes in each item to be reported. For the analysis of the population data set, in this article, we propose to use contingency tables (including estimates of sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values) and equality of proportions tests as techniques that facilitate the interpretation of the data. On the other hand, the statistical analysis described here can be used as an analysis methodology for similar studies.
Recurrent miscarriage and low-titer antiphospholipid antibodies
Authors: Chen Jian , Yue Jing , Lu Yu , Li Ting , Li Xue , Zhang Jian-Yu
Published: February 2024

Objective

To evaluate the clinical features and pregnancy outcomes in patients experiencing recurrent miscarriage (RM) with either low-titer or medium-high titer positivity of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL).

Methods

A retrospective review of medical records was conducted for patients with aPL positivity and recurrent miscarriage between 2018 and 2022. The clinical features, treatment strategies, outcomes were compared between the patients with low (n = 92) and medium (n = 32) titer of aPL.

Results

A total of 118 patients, resulting in 124 obstetric episodes (pregnancies), with a mean age of 33. 15 ± 4.56 and 31.47 ± 4.41 years between the two groups. The low-titer group exhibited a higher frequency of anti-cardiolipin antibodies IgM (P < 0.001), whereas the medium-high titer group demonstrated a higher frequency of anti-β2-glycoprotein 1 antibodies IgG (P < 0.001) and IgM (P = 0.032). Moreover, the medium-high titer group displayed a significantly elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate compared to the low-titer group (P < 0.05). In the low-titer group, 71 patients (77.2%) received appropriate treatment, resulting in 48 live births (67.6%) and 23 repeat abortions (32.4%). In the medium-high titer group, 29 patients (90.6%) received relevant treatment, leading to 23 live births (79.3%) and 6 repeat abortions (20.7%). No significant differences were observed in live births or maternal-fetal complications between the two groups (all P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Noteworthy distinctions in laboratory parameters were identified between the low-titer and medium-high titer groups. However, when appropriately treated, the fetal-maternal outcomes were comparable in both groups. Timely intervention by clinicians is imperative to enhance pregnancy outcomes in patients experiencing recurrent miscarriage with low levels of aPL.

Key Points• This study challenges the conventional belief that only the higher antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) titers directly correlated with worse pregnancy outcomes, which emphasized the importance of patients with low titer positive aPL-positive RM.• The results underscore the need for timely intervention in women with low titer aPL-positive RM, as it leads to favorable maternal–fetal outcomes.
Convergence of successive linear programming algorithms for noisy functions
Authors: Hansknecht Christoph , Kirches Christian , Manns Paul
Published: February 2024

Gradient-based methods have been highly successful for solving a variety of both unconstrained and constrained nonlinear optimization problems. In real-world applications, such as optimal control or machine learning, the necessary function and derivative information may be corrupted by noise, however. Sun and Nocedal have recently proposed a remedy for smooth unconstrained problems by means of a stabilization of the acceptance criterion for computed iterates, which leads to convergence of the iterates of a trust-region method to a region of criticality (Sun and Nocedal in Math Program 66:1–28, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10107-023-01941-9). We extend their analysis to the successive linear programming algorithm (Byrd et al. in Math Program 100(1):27–48, 2003. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10107-003-0485-4, SIAM J Optim 16(2):471–489, 2005. https://doi.org/10.1137/S1052623403426532) for unconstrained optimization problems with objectives that can be characterized as the composition of a polyhedral function with a smooth function, where the latter and its gradient may be corrupted by noise. This gives the flexibility to cover, for example, (sub)problems arising in image reconstruction or constrained optimization algorithms. We provide computational examples that illustrate the findings and point to possible strategies for practical determination of the stabilization parameter that balances the size of the critical region with a relaxation of the acceptance criterion (or descent property) of the algorithm.
The Danish Nationwide Electrocardiogram (ECG) Cohort
Authors: Polcwiartek Christoffer , Andersen Mikkel Porsborg , Christensen Helle Collatz , Torp-Pedersen Christian , Sørensen Kathrine Kold , Kragholm Kristian , Graff Claus
Published: February 2024

The electrocardiogram (ECG) is a non-invasive diagnostic tool holding significant clinical importance in the diagnosis and risk stratification of cardiac disease. However, access to large-scale, population-based digital ECG data for research purposes remains limited and challenging. Consequently, we established the Danish Nationwide ECG Cohort to provide data from standard 12-lead digital ECGs in both pre- and in-hospital settings, which can be linked to comprehensive Danish nationwide administrative registers on health and social data with long-term follow-up. The Danish Nationwide ECG Cohort is an open real-world cohort including all patients with at least one digital pre- or in-hospital ECG in Denmark from January 01, 2000, to December 31, 2021. The cohort includes data on standardized and uniform ECG diagnostic statements and ECG measurements including global parameters as well as lead-specific measures of waveform amplitudes, durations, and intervals. Currently, the cohort comprises 2,485,987 unique patients with a median age at the first ECG of 57 years (25th–75th percentiles, 40–71 years; males, 48%), resulting in a total of 11,952,430 ECGs. In conclusion, the Danish Nationwide ECG Cohort represents a novel and extensive population-based digital ECG dataset for cardiovascular research, encompassing both pre- and in-hospital settings. The cohort contains ECG diagnostic statements and ECG measurements that can be linked to various nationwide health and social registers without loss to follow-up.
Modelling the Deformation of Polydomain Liquid Crystal Elastomers as a State of Hyperelasticity
Authors: Anssari-Benam Afshin , Wei Zhengxuan , Bai Ruobing
Published: February 2024

A hyperelasticity modelling approach is employed for capturing various and complex mechanical behaviours exhibited by macroscopically isotropic polydomain liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs). These include the highly non-linear behaviour of nematic-genesis polydomain LCEs, and the soft elasticity plateau in isotropic-genesis polydomain LCEs, under finite multimodal deformations (uniaxial and pure shear) using in-house synthesised acrylate-based LCE samples. Examples of application to capturing continuous softening (i.e., in the primary loading path), discontinuous softening (i.e., in the unloading path) and auxetic behaviours are also demonstrated on using extant datasets. It is shown that our comparatively simple model, which breaks away from the neo-classical theory of liquid crystal elastomers, captures the foregoing behaviours favourably, simply as states of hyperelasticity. Improved modelling results obtained by our approach compared with the existing models are also discussed. Given the success of the considered model in application to these datasets and deformations, the simplicity of its functional form (and thereby its implementation), and comparatively low(er) number of parameters, the presented isotropic hyperelastic strain energy function here is suggested for: (i) modelling the general mechanical behaviour of LCEs, (ii) the backbone in the neo-classical theory, and/or (iii) the basic hyperelastic model in other frameworks where the incorporation of the director, anisotropy, viscoelasticity, temperature, softening etc parameters may be required.
Forecasting Methane Data Using Multivariate Long Short-Term Memory Neural Networks
Authors: Luo Ran , Wang Jingyi , Gates Ian
Published: February 2024

Over the past few decades, Alberta has witnessed a remarkable expansion in its oil and gas sector. Unfortunately, this growth has come at a cost, as Alberta has become the fastest-growing source of pollutant emissions in greenhouse gases (GHGs), sulphur emissions, and water pollution in Canada. Among these GHGs, methane stands out as the second most prevalent GHG, possessing a global warming potential ~ 28 times higher than carbon dioxide over a span of 100 years, and ~ 80 times higher over a period of 20 years. Since 1986, the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) has been diligently gathering data on methane concentrations. Although this data is publicly available, its analysis has not been thoroughly explored. Our study aims to investigate the impact of temperature, wind speed, and wind direction on the predictions of methane concentration time series data, utilizing a long short-term memory (LSTM) neural network model. Our findings indicate that the inclusion of climate variables enhances the predictive capabilities of the LSTM model. However, the results show that it is not obvious which variable has the most impact on the improvement although temperature appears to have a better effect on improving predictive performance compared to wind speed and direction. The results also suggest that the variance of the input data does not affect forecasting performance.
New Yarkovsky drift detections using astrometric observations of NEAs
Authors: Lisa Bedini , Giacomo Tommei
Published: February 2024

The Yarkovsky drift represents the semi-major axis variation of a celestial body due to the Yarkovsky effect. This thermodynamic effect acts more significantly on bodies with a diameter between $$\approx 10 \,\text {m}$$

≈
10

m

and $$\approx 30 \,\text {km}$$

≈
30

km

. Therefore, the orbits of many minor bodies of the solar system are affected: knowing the value of the Yarkovsky drift can be crucial to accurately predict their positions, especially if the asteroids are Near Earth Asteroids (NEAs) and there may be a non-zero impact probability with the Earth. The direct computation of this effect is not easily achieved due to the scarce availability of NEAs physical information. Thus, the more promising method to estimate the Yarkovsky effect is through an orbital fit using seven parameters, the six orbital elements and a seventh parameter accounting for non-gravitational interactions. In this paper, we show the analysis of 1262 NEAs with Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) greater or equal 2, of which 279 have the parameter S (absolute ratio between the Yarkovsky drift and its expected value) less than 1.5 and are therefore more reliable. Among these, 91 are not present in the literature, thus represent new Yarkovsky drift detections. Furthermore, we used our results to estimate the ratio of the retrograde over prograde rotators and to validate the dependence of the Yarkovsky drift from the diameter, da/dt $$\approx D^{-1}$$

≈

D

-
1

.
Cosmology and fundamental physics with the ELT-ANDES spectrograph
Authors: Martins C.J.A.P. , Cooke R. , Liske J. , Murphy M.T. , Noterdaeme P. , Schmidt T.M. , Alcaniz J. S. , Alves C. S. , Balashev S. , Cristiani S. , Di Marcantonio P. , Génova Santos R. , Gonçalves R. S. , González Hernández J. I. , Maiolino R. , Marconi A. , Marques C. M. J. , Melo e Sousa M. A. F. , Nunes N. J. , Origlia L. , Péroux C. , Vinzl S. , Zanutta A.
Published: February 2024

State-of-the-art 19th century spectroscopy led to the discovery of quantum mechanics, and 20th century spectroscopy led to the confirmation of quantum electrodynamics. State-of-the-art 21st century astrophysical spectrographs, especially ANDES at ESO’s ELT, have another opportunity to play a key role in the search for, and characterization of, the new physics which is known to be out there, waiting to be discovered. We rely on detailed simulations and forecast techniques to discuss four important examples of this point: big bang nucleosynthesis, the evolution of the cosmic microwave background temperature, tests of the universality of physical laws, and a real-time model-independent mapping of the expansion history of the universe (also known as the redshift drift). The last two are among the flagship science drivers for the ELT. We also highlight what is required for the ESO community to be able to play a meaningful role in 2030s fundamental cosmology and show that, even if ANDES only provides null results, such ‘minimum guaranteed science’ will be in the form of constraints on key cosmological paradigms: these are independent from, and can be competitive with, those obtained from traditional cosmological probes.
Investigation of dielectric and electric modulus properties of Al/p-Si structures with pure, 3%, and 5% (graphene:PVA) by impedance spectroscopy
Authors: Yürekli Merve , Özdemir Ahmet Faruk , Altındal Şemsettin
Published: February 2024

The Z–V measurements were performed in wide-range voltage (± 6 V), and then the real/imaginary parts of ε* (ε′, ε″), M* (M′, M″), Z* (Z′, Z″), tanδ, and σac values of the Al/p-Si structure with pure polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) (D1), 3% (D2), and 5% (D3) graphene-doped PVA interfacial-layer were calculated at four frequencies (1, 10, 100, and 1000 kHz). When the frequency in D2 and D3 structures was increased from 1 kHz to 1 MHz, the dielectric constant value changed from 32.47 to 5.12 and from 26.26 to 1.00, respectively. They have a strong frequency dependence due to the presence of interface traps (Nit), polarization types, and organic interlayers at low frequencies. The observed anomalous peak in the ε′ and ε″ versus voltage curves in the depletion zone is the result of re-structure/re-ordering molecules in these traps under voltage/electric-field, and Nit measured frequency (f = 1/T). As a result, the ε′ and ε″ will be given an excess value to their real-value at lower frequencies. Because Nit and dipoles do not have enough time to spin themselves in the direction of the electric field and follow the ac signal at high frequencies, they cannot contribute the true value of them. In general, series resistance (Rs) and the interfacial layer are effective in the accumulation zone, while Nit is effective in the depletion region. These findings demonstrate that pure and (Gr:PVA) polymer-films at the M/S interface can be employed successfully in place of standard oxide materials. According to the comparison of dielectric constants, electrical modulus, impedance, and ac conductivity of all three structures at 100 kHz and 1 MHz frequencies, 3% Gr doping to PVA increases interfacial characteristics.
Psychological and behavioral responses to daily weight gain during behavioral weight loss treatment
Authors: Hagerman Charlotte J. , Onu Michael C. , Crane Nicole T. , Butryn Meghan L. , Forman Evan. M.
Published: February 2024

Self-weighing is consistently associated with more effective weight control. However, patterns show that participants disengage from their weight control behaviors following weight gain. Women with BMIs in the overweight/obese range (N = 50) enrolled in a long-term behavioral weight loss program completed ecological momentary assessment (EMA) surveys immediately after their daily weigh-ins. Nightly EMA surveys and self-monitoring data through Fitbit measured their weight control behavior that day. On days when participants gained weight (vs. lost or maintained), they reported more negative mood, more guilt/shame, and lower confidence in weight control. Motivation following daily weight gain depended on participants’ overall satisfaction with their weight loss so far: more satisfied participants had marginally higher, but less satisfied participants had marginally lower motivation in response to daily weight gain. Greater guilt/shame and lower motivation after the weigh-in predicted less effective weight control behavior that day (e.g., lower likelihood of calorie tracking, fewer minutes of physical activity). Results demonstrate that even small weight gain is distressing and demoralizing for women in BWL programs, which can lead to goal disengagement. These findings have implications for future BWL interventions, including the potential utility of just-in-time adaptive interventions to promote more adaptive responses in the moments after weigh-ins.
Quantization of Lorentzian free BV theories: factorization algebra vs algebraic quantum field theory
Authors: Benini Marco , Musante Giorgio , Schenkel Alexander
Published: February 2024

We construct and compare two alternative quantizations, as a time-orderable prefactorization algebra and as an algebraic quantum field theory valued in cochain complexes, of a natural collection of free BV theories on the category of m-dimensional globally hyperbolic Lorentzian manifolds. Our comparison is realized as an explicit isomorphism of time-orderable prefactorization algebras. The key ingredients of our approach are the retarded and advanced Green’s homotopies associated with free BV theories, which generalize retarded and advanced Green’s operators to cochain complexes of linear differential operators.
A Time-Series-Based Sample Amplification Model for Data Stream with Sparse Samples
Authors: Yang Juncheng , Yu Wei , Yu Fang , Li Shijun
Published: February 2024

The data stream is a dynamic collection of data that changes over time, and predicting the data class can be challenging due to sparse samples, complex interdependent characteristics between data, and random fluctuations. Accurately predicting the data stream in sparse data can create complex challenges. Due to its incremental learning nature, the neural networks suitable approach for streaming visualization. However, the high computational cost limits their applicability to high-speed streams, which has not yet been fully explored in the existing approaches. To solve these problems, this paper proposes an end-to-end dynamic separation neural network (DSN) approach based on the characteristics of data stream fluctuations, which expands the static sample at a given moment into a sequence of sample streams in the time dimension, thereby increasing the sparse samples. The Temporal Augmentation Module (TAM) can overcome these challenges by modifying the sparse data stream and reducing time complexity. Moreover, a neural network that uses a Variance Detection Module (VDM) can effectively detect the variance of the input data stream through the network and dynamically adjust the degree of differentiation between samples to enhance the accuracy of forecasts. The proposed method adds significant information regarding the data sparse samples and enhances low dimensional samples to high data samples to overcome the sparse data stream problem. In VDM the preprocessed data achieve data augmentation and the samples are transmitted to VDM. The proposed method is evaluated using different types of data streaming datasets to predict the sparse data stream. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method achieves a high prediction accuracy and that the data stream has significant effects and strong robustness compared to other existing approaches.
What could come before time? Intertwining affectivity and temporality at the basis of intentionality
Authors: Bogotá Juan Diego
Published: February 2024

The enactive approach to cognition and the phenomenological tradition have in common a wide conception of ‘intentionality’. Within these frameworks, intentionality is understood as a general openness to the world. For classical phenomenologists, the most basic subjective structure that allows for such openness is time-consciousness. Some enactivists, while inspired by the phenomenological tradition, have nevertheless argued that affectivity is more basic, being that which gives rise to the temporal flow of consciousness. In this paper, I assess the relationship between temporality and affectivity from both a phenomenological and an enactive perspective. I argue that, as opposed to the classical phenomenological view (which favours temporality), and to the enactive view (which favours affectivity), we must take affectivity and temporality as co-emergent. Jointly, affectivity and temporality constitute the basic structures of intentionality. Additionally, using examples from phenomenological psychopathology, I conclude that all intentionality is defined by an anticipatory and affective structure that gives rise to general feelings related to our bodily possibilities in the world.
Revolutionary leaders and the punishment of critics
Authors: Sander Christian J.
Published: February 2024

I explore a previously neglected mechanism of mass mobilization in autocracies. Revolutionary leaders may deliberately provoke punishment from the incumbent regime to signal their political conviction and thus encourage citizens to identify with and support the revolutionary movement. I model the interplay of repression, criticism, and revolutionary actions as a dynamic game with incomplete information about the leader’s type. The role of the revolutionary leader is to enable people to identify with the movement by credibly embodying political change. From the incumbent’s perspective, repression turns out to be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, a severe punishment of critics increases citizens’ cost of participating in revolutionary actions. On the other hand, harsh repressions may simultaneously establish a trustworthy leader whom people want to follow in order to replace the current political regime. My results thus help explain a stylized fact, namely that revolutionary leaders sometimes need to fail before they can succeed.