bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
LCDnet: a lightweight crowd density estimation model for real-time video surveillance
Authors: Khan Muhammad Asif , Menouar Hamid , Hamila Ridha
Published: March 2023

Automatic crowd counting using density estimation has gained significant attention in computer vision research. As a result, a large number of crowd counting and density estimation models using convolution neural networks (CNN) have been published in the last few years. These models have achieved good accuracy over benchmark datasets. However, attempts to improve the accuracy often lead to higher complexity in these models. In real-time video surveillance applications using drones with limited computing resources, deep models incur intolerable higher inference delay. In this paper, we propose (i) a Lightweight Crowd Density estimation model (LCDnet) for real-time video surveillance, and (ii) an improved training method using curriculum learning (CL). LCDnet is trained using CL and evaluated over two benchmark datasets i.e., DroneRGBT and CARPK. Results are compared with existing crowd models. Our evaluation shows that the LCDnet achieves a reasonably good accuracy while significantly reducing the inference time and memory requirement and thus can be deployed over edge devices with very limited computing resources.
Strategic agency and learning in sustainability initiatives driving transformation: the symphony tool for ecosystem-based marine spatial planning
Authors: Järnberg Linn , Vulturius Gregor , Ek Filippa
Published: March 2023

Ecosystem-based management and marine spatial planning (MSP) represent novel approaches intended to transform marine governance and improve ecosystems. The transformation can be supported by sustainability initiatives such as decision-support tools, which inform changes in management strategies and practices. This study illustrates the potential and challenges of such sustainability initiatives to promote deliberative transformative change in marine governance systems. Specifically, it focuses on the amplification processes of the Symphony tool for ecosystem-based MSP in Sweden. Our findings suggest that the amplification of sustainability initiatives is driven by informal networks, coalition forming, resource mobilization skills, a shared vision, trust, experimentation, and social learning. Our results also highlight that in the face of institutional challenges such as sparse financial resources, uncertain institutional support, and divided ownership, a strategic way forward is to simultaneously work on parallel amplification processes, as they may enable each other. Further, we find that a key challenge in amplification across governance scales is the need for significant adjustments of the original innovation, to meet differing needs and competences. This highlights the broader challenge of achieving transformative change across scales in heterogenous and fragmented multilevel governance systems. Co-production of knowledge and early stakeholder interaction to ensure accessibility and availability can improve the chances of successful amplification. To move beyond a mechanistic understanding of steps and processes, future research on sustainability initiatives should consider the interplay between strategic agency, social learning, and institutional context in driving amplification processes.
A population-based investigation of participation rate and self-selection bias in momentary data capture and survey studies
Authors: Stone Arthur A. , Schneider Stefan , Smyth Joshua M. , Junghaenel Doerte U. , Couper Mick P. , Wen Cheng , Mendez Marilyn , Velasco Sarah , Goldstein Sarah
Published: March 2023

Participant selection bias is of concern to researchers conducting surveys of all types. For momentary data capture studies, such as Ecological Momentary Assessment, the level of burden associated with these techniques and the possibility of low uptake rates makes the concerns especially salient. This study invited 3,000 individuals to participate in a study of health and mood and recorded the uptake rates at various points in the process. Respondents expressing interest in participating in general were randomized into a one-time survey, a low-burden momentary study, or a high-burden momentary study. Overall, 85.9% of the sample did not respond to the study invitation (including confirming non-interest); 6.9% of the sample expressed interest in the study by completing a brief survey; 2.1% agreed to participate in the study when the protocol specifics were described (none of the study protocols were actually run). Whites were more likely to complete the survey. Of those completing the survey, individuals who reported higher income, a more “open” personality, better typing skills, better computer skills, who viewed the research topic as important, and who expressed interest in research on daily feelings more likely consented to being enrolled in the experiment. The number of prior surveys taken had an inverted-U shaped association with participation in this study. Finally, all individuals randomized to the one-time survey group agreed to participate compared to two-thirds of individuals in the momentary groups. These results suggest that participant selection bias may affect both one-time survey and momentary data capture studies, with the caveat that the degree of such bias will be related to a study’s hypotheses.
Sexting Behaviors Before and During COVID-19 in Italian and Colombian Young Adults
Authors: Morelli Mara , Plata Maryluz Gomez , Isolani Stefano , Zabala Maryoris Elena Zapata , Hoyos Kattia Paola Cabas , Tirado Liliana Maria Uribe , Gracia Marcela Sucel Ruiz , Barbosa Carmelina Paba , Pistella Jessica , Zuffianò Antonio , Gerbino Maria , Laghi Fiorenzo , Pastorelli Concetta , Baiocco Roberto
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Recent research highlight increasing at-risk online sexual activities and behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic among young adults. Specifically, sexting refers to exchanging sexually suggestive messages, photos, and videos through technological devices, and it can be placed on a continuum from safer to riskier behavior. This study aims to improve our knowledge about sexting behaviors in Italian and Colombian young adults before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

A survey online was filled in by all recruited participants through a snowball sampling procedure (from December 2019 to June 2021) both in Italy and Colombia, resulting in a total of 2931 participants (2051 from Italy and 880 from Colombia) aged 18 to 35 years old (Mage = 23.85;SDage = 3.63; 67.6% girls).

Results

Italian youth were more engaged in risky sexting than Colombian participants, while Colombians indicated being more engaged in non-consensual sexting than Italians. Sexual minority people reported more sharing their own sexts, higher levels of sexting under pressure, and 3.2 times more risky sexting than exclusively heterosexual counterparts. During the pandemic period, participants sent their own sexts 1.5 times more and were less involved in non-consensual sexting than in the pre-pandemic era.

Conclusions

The present research could help understand better the cultural dynamics underlying the differences in sexting behaviors, suggesting the relevance of investigating how sexting behaviors and online at-risk activities have changed since the pandemic started.

Policy Implications

Results provide implications for educational and prevention programs to improve young people's awareness of sexting behaviors.
The ethics of self-aware behavioural public policies: any different to standard nudges?
Authors: John Peter
Published: March 2023

Nudges – light-touch interventions aimed to help people achieve socially desirable outcomes – can take place without individuals being aware of them. It would seem to be ethically superior to tell individuals that they are being nudged, encouraging them to be aware of the reasons for the official interest in their behaviours. Aided by internal reflection, individuals may make informed choices whether to go along with officially-preferred options or not. In general, this paper adopts this line of argument, justifying self-awareness from the liberal belief in autonomy of the person. However, awareness and/or reflection are not always necessarily ethically superior to passivity, as in cases where manipulation is also present with information provision, when there is framing of deliberative exercises, and where there is harm done to others due to reflectively-driven actions. Most of the time self-awareness is to be preferred, but not always.
Poetic Injustice
Authors: Nowak Ethan
Published: March 2023

When J.R. Cash (Johnny Cash) sings that he shot a man in Reno just to watch him die, audiences impressed by the singer's skillful creation and depiction of a nihilistic lyrical subject clap and cheer. When Terrell Doyley (Skengdo) and Joshua Malinga (A.M.) sang broadly similar lyrics at a concert in 2018, London's Metropolitan Police and the Crown Prosecution Service took them to be describing violent acts they had participated in and violent intentions they harbored, and the lyrics were used as the basis for legal proceedings against the singers that resulted in convictions. In this paper, I will argue that Doyley and Malinga's case illustrates a distinctive and important form that epistemic injustice can take. By failing to see their lyrics as speech that involves the exercise of their capacity for imagination, the police and prosecutors treat them as an impoverished sort of epistemic agent. I will call the wrong involved in cases like this one poetic injustice.
Legislators’ Religiosity and Same-Sex Marriage in Latin America
Authors: González-Rostani Valentina , Morgenstern Scott
Published: March 2023

Same-sex marriage has risen to the top of political agendas across Latin America, but it is still illegal in many countries. Public support about the issue varies greatly, and the roles of the courts, presidents, and legislatures have also differed. This article focuses on legislators because they are charged with representing the public and converting demands into policy. Although many legislatures have now voted on the issue, the literature has not intensively examined the policy makers’ attitudes toward same-sex marriage. This study applies a theoretical framework that extends theories considering context and social contact and uses a survey of the region’s legislators to study the correlates of support for same-sex marriage. Although the study also tests for individual-level variables (e.g., gender and ideology), the models focus on the contextual role of religiosity. The results show that having more secular colleagues encourages even pious legislators to support same-sex marriage.
Existence of weak solutions to an anisotropic parabolic–parabolic chemotaxis system
Authors: El Bahja Hamid
Published: March 2023

This work is devoted to the study of the sub-critical case of an anisotropic fully parabolic Keller–Segel chemotaxis system. We prove the existence of nonnegative weak solutions of (1.1) without restriction on the size of the initial data.
A note on the discharge coefficients of annular orifices
Authors: Hooke C. J. , Hajihosseinloo M. A. , Walton D.
Published: March 2023

Discharge coefficients for annular orifices formed between pistons and a cylindrical bore are reported for twelve pistons having orifice length to gap ratios in the range 12 to 50. Square-edged, radiused and tapered orifices are examined at high fluid pressure differentials with Reynolds number varying in the range 500-4000. The radial gaps were determined by examining the flow for each piston geometry at low Reynolds numbers.
The performance and longitudinal stability and control of large receiver aircraft during air to air refuelling
Authors: Bloy A. W. , Trochalidis V.
Published: March 2023

The aerodynamic interference between typical tanker and large receiver aircraft during air-to-air refuelling was modelled using a simple horseshoe vortex representation of the tanker wake whilst the aerodynamic forces and moments acting on the receiver were calculated using the vortex lattice method. For each combination of tanker and receiver, the aerodynamic loads depend mainly on the vertical separation, whilst the receiver tailplane position on the fin strongly effects the pitching moment acting on the receiver due to the tanker downwash. Particular attention was given to a high T-tail receiver aircraft. The predicted increase in the receiver drag compares favourably with available flight test data. Changes in trim in pitch of the receiver were analysed and related to the static stability of the aircraft. Aerodynamic derivatives due to the position and attitude of the receiver aircraft within the tanker downwash field were calculated and solutions of the linearised equations of motion obtained for the high T-tail receiver refuelling from different tanker aircraft at different flight conditions. Typically the receiver exhibited a divergent oscillation at the normal refuelling position. The dynamic stability characteristics are consistent with the trends observed in flight tests on the tendency of the receiver to oscillate in pitch.
Early Flight Attempts, Real and Unreal
Authors: Hart Clive
Published: March 2023

Among the experimenters listed in ‘A Directory of Heavier-Than-Air Flying Machines in Western Europe, 850 BC-AD 1783’, was the name of Charles Bernouin, a surgeon of Grenoble, who was said to have flown from a high tower in Regensburg on 15 January 1673. A colleague in Germany has recently sent me two broadsheets, published soon after the event, which show that Bernouin, who has often been mentioned in histories of aviation, should be removed and placed in the ‘List of Rejected Items.’
Structural analog for sandwich panels with finite deflections
Authors: Al-Qarra H. H.
Published: March 2023

The solution of sandwich plate problems by the framework method is proposed and the basic elements of the method used are reviewed. The technique is demonstrated by application to a simple framework analog for rectangular sandwich panels with very thin faces and an antiplane core. A number of illustrative examples involving small and large deflections are solved.
The Earth Observation Data Centre and its task
Authors: Waggett P. W.
Published: March 2023

To satisfy a user’s request for spaceborne remote sensing data a series of elements in the data chain must come together. The complete data chain has three major elements; orbiting platforms (to collect the data), data reception facilities and data processing facilities. The UK has a wide range of remote sensing users and, to support them, it has a strong presence in all areas of the data chain.

This paper will describe the less well known, but equally important area of data processing and dissemination. The two main UK facilities are the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) and the Earth Observation Data Centre (EODC).
The development and design integration of a variable camber wing for long/medium range aircraft
Authors: Greff E.
Published: March 2023

A deliberate product strategy is usually aimed at creating a transport aircraft family on the basis of a common wing by stretching the fuselage. Due to this policy of high fleet commonality the costs for development, manufacture and maintenance can be reduced. On the other hand the wing designer has to choose an appropriate wing area for the maximum stretched version and try to find the best trade-off between design and off-design conditions.

A transonic wing however shows optimum performance at high loadings which are not achieved at entry into service with such a conventional fixed geometry wing. Variable Camber (VC) is offering an opportunity to achieve considerable improvements in operational flexibility, buffet boundaries and performance which allow a reduction in optimum wing size.

Significant drag reductions and increases of the buffet boundary were found from research work. This work led to the current concept where the trailing edge flaps and ailerons are used to modify the wing camber in cruise according to the lift demand.

An efficient VC system requires a change in design philosophy and several new constraints in the design problem were found to effect the extent of the supersonic region, the acceptable pressure gradients in the recompression zone and the required surface curvature. Theoretical and wind tunnel results are given as well as a discussion of the effects on the system design, loads, weight, handling qualities, propulsion integration and mission performance.

Variable camber will contribute an average reduction of 3 to 6% in fuel burn and enable the use of one wing for medium range and long range missions respectively. The introduction of VC will launch a new generation of intelligent airliners which will optimise their camber schedule throughout the entire mission. A further improvement potential due to leading edge camber devices and spanwise differential camber is emphasised.
Maintenance standards
Authors: Cumming A. C. D.
Published: March 2023

British Airways currently operates over 200 aircraft and the fleet continues to grow. These include twelve airframe types coupled to fifteen engine types. They represent most of the design and build philosophies that have been used over the last thirty years.

The aircraft range from the turboprop 748s through the latest 747-400s to Concorde.

The one feature which is common to all these aircraft is that they are maintained to standards which are defined to ensure maximum passenger safety and the best financial returns.
A knowledge based expert system for laminated composite strut design
Authors: Wu C. M. L. , Webber J. P. H. , Morton S. K.
Published: March 2023

A knowledge based expert system for the design and analysis of composite laminated struts is described. This system is part of a Composite Design EXpert (CODEX) system that not only performs analysis and design of composite laminated plates and struts, but also incorporates the modelling of uncertainties of information, definition and decision when assessing competing designs. The analysis part of the system is based on a minimum weight optimisation that satisfies the failure criteria of local buckling, overall buckling and maximum strain or maximum stress. Available in the system for analysis and assessment are seven types of strut shapes, six composite materials and aluminium alloy. Examples of strut design are carried out and assessed using this system.
The glancing interaction of a Prandtl-Meyer expansion fan with a supersonic wake
Authors: Smart M. K. , Stalker R. J.
Published: March 2023

The glancing interaction of a Prandtl-Meyer expansion fan with a supersonic wake is examined. The particular supersonic wakes of interest are the combustion wake generated by a vertical strut injected scramjet, and the side wall boundary layer of a supersonic wind tunnel. A physical structure for the interaction is defined, and an approximate analysis of the downstream behaviour of the wake is presented. The phenomenon of wake over-turning by the glancing expansion fan is introduced, based on this analysis. This over-turning produces a high pressure zone on the expansion generating surface, which for the vertical strut injected scramjet, is part of the thrust nozzle. Combustion wake over-turning is suggested to be a major thrust producing mechanism in this form of scramjet.

Pressure measurements were taken on the expansion generating surface of a glancing interaction involving the side wall boundary layer of a small supersonic wind tunnel. Results from the analysis presented were found to be consistent with these measurements.
Unsteady aerodynamic modelling for aircraft lateral parameter estimation
Authors: Singh J. , Raisinghani S. C.
Published: March 2023

A mathematical model of unsteady aerodynamic effects for use in lateral aircraft dynamics has been proposed based on Weissinger’s arrangement of trailing vortex system. The suggested model is shown to be suitable for use in parameter extraction algorithm. Simulated flight data of an example airplane has been analysed through maximum likelihood parameter estimation algorithm in frequency-domain to show the effect of inclusion and omission of unsteady aerodynamics on estimated parameters.
Shock-shock, shock-vortex interaction and aerodynamic heating in hypersonic corner flow
Authors: Qin Ning , Scriba Karl W. , Richards Bryan E.
Published: March 2023

A symmetric Mach 12·76 hypersonic flow in a 90° corner, formed by 30° swept back intersecting 8° wedges, was investigated in detail through numerical simulation using locally conical Navier-Stokes equations. Three different numerical schemes for spatial discretisation, MacCormack central differencing, van Leer’s flux vector splitting and Osher’s flux difference splitting, were studied to compare their capabilities to capture both strong shock waves and thin shear layers. Comparison with experimental data was made to validate the simulation. The numerical simulation provided further insight into the flowfield and a pair of counter-rotating vortices were discovered near the junction of the corner.
High enthalpy, hypervelocity flows of air and argon in an expansion tube
Authors: Neely A. J. , Stalker R. J. , Paull A.
Published: March 2023

An expansion tube with a free piston driver has been used to generate quasi-steady hypersonic flows in argon and air at flow velocities in excess of 9 km/s. Irregular test flow unsteadiness has limited the performance of previous expansion tubes, and it has been found that this can be avoided by attention to the interaction between the test gas accelerating expansion and the contact surface in the primary shock tube. Test section measurements of pitot pressure, static pressure and flat plate heat transfer are reported. An approximate analytical theory has been developed for predicting the velocities achieved in the unsteady expansion of the ionising or dissociating test gas.
Jet inflow simulation and its downwash effect on lifting surfaces
Authors: Soviero P. A. O. , Wanderley J. B. V.
Published: March 2023

A turbulent hot jet is calculated and its entrainment effect is modelled by a line sink with the objective of estimating the downwash effect on rectangular lifting surfaces of various aspect ratios. The line sink density is determined by numerical solution of the free shear layer equations with a turbulent kinetic energy model. The ‘incompressible equivalent jet’ concept is verified within the context of practical engineering calculations.
Holographic techniques for whole-field thermal and fluid measurements
Authors: Collins M. W.
Published: March 2023

Measurement methods using holography are non-invasive, whole-field and can be applied in real-time. They are particularly appropriate for experimental validation of current CFD (computational fluid dynamics) codes which have 3-dimensional, transient, irregular geometry capabilities.

In holographic interferometry, the fringes formed by refractive index changes represent lines of constant Mach number in isentropic compressible flows and isotherms in convection. Examples are given of two-dimensional inter-ferograms in these areas, and their quantitative interpretation.

Automatic fringe and data processing is a necessity, and the method is extendable to three dimensions using tomographical reconstruction. These issues are discussed, together with the general question of comparison with flow predictions.

Fluid fields may also be treated on a three-dimensional time-dependent basis, using HCV (holocinematographic velocimetry), a holographic extension of PIV (particle image velocimetry). It is proposeds to run an experiment to measure both fluid and thermal fields, and surface temperatures simultaneously, using HCV or PIV, holographic interferometry and liquid crystal methods respectively.
A parametric study of the aeroelastic stability of a binary wing-with-engine nacelle flutter system in incompressible flow
Authors: Försching H. , Senft A.
Published: March 2023

A systematic parametric investigation of the flutter behaviour of a binary wing-with-engine nacelle system in inviscid incompressible flow is performed. The equations of motion in coupled bending and torsion are initially set up and the aerodynamic model for the calculation of the motion-induced unsteady airloads is described. The aeroelastic stability equations are then derived in non-dimensional form and the procedure used for the numerical solution of these equations is outlined. For a typical large commercial aircraft configuration, numerical results are presented for a variety of systematic parameter variations with special emphasis on the effects of the location of the elastic axis and the motion-induced unsteady airloads on the engine nacelle.
International standardisation of regulations for gust loading calculations
Authors: Saucray J.M. , Artigues C. , Squeglia G. , Guillot J.
Published: March 2023

Analysing the action of atmospheric turbulence on aircraft for the determination of limit and fatigue loads is an essential stage in the structural design process. These calculations are governed by regulations, the evolution of which is of great importance to the aeronautical industry. The aim of this paper is to present the various calculation methods used for the preliminary dimensioning, substantiation and certification of aircraft, and to assess, on the basis of aircraft response studies and comparisons of loads calculated, the repercussions of the progress which has been made in recent years. Moreover, the regulatory requirements currently in force internationally, though often disparate and unbalanced, are now aimed at standardisation as a result of the impetus of both the airworthiness authorities and the aeronautical industry. Against this background, we propose a new calculation method developed on the basis of results obtained at Aerospatiale.
Gust effects on a flexible aircraft
Authors: Santini P. , Gasbarri P.
Published: March 2023

Aircraft response to atmospheric turbulence is a basic problem in aeronautical design. Several uncertainties still exist about the most adequate mathematical model for it. A recent investigation conducted by AGARD revealed that different users follow very different criteria.

The reasons for this diversity in analysis methods is only partially due to the randomness of the phenomenon. Three elements are the ingredients: structure, aerodynamics and turbulence distribution. No special problems arise from the first element, since structural dynamics and programs relevant to it are well established. For the aerodynamic model, the only choice is between quasi-steady and unsteady formulation, the latter being by far heavier than the former. For turbulence distribution, as is well known(2-4), two different approaches are used, time history and power spectral density (PSD); both are used in the regulations of national certifying agencies. For the latter the turbulence power spectrum must be given, and the aircraft response is evaluated through the classical theory of random vibrations.
CICERO'S TREATMENT OF SULLA IN THEPRO ROSCIO AMERINO
Authors: Coates Gregory
Published: March 2023

This article addresses the view that Cicero'sPro Roscio Amerinocontains ‘criticism’ of Sulla (the ‘anti-Sulla’ thesis). It argues that there is no evidence of criticism, that Cicero had no incentive to criticize Sulla, and that his attack is aimed solely against Chrysogonus. In particular, the article draws attention to the methodological implications of the ‘anti-Sulla’ thesis, arguing that it is unsound to second-guess Cicero's meaning, to project ‘sarcasm’ onto his words, or to suggestpost euentumrewrites; these views, it is argued, owe more to preconceived scholarly notions of Sulla as a tyrant than to actual indications in the text. In addition, the notion that the speech was ‘courageous’ or ‘political’ is challenged, with emphasis being placed on the identity of thenobilessupporting Cicero: these Sullans had nothing to fear from Sulla but, equally, there is little reason to suppose that they were trying to attack him.1
Associations of polygenic risk scores with posttraumatic stress symptom trajectories following combat deployment
Authors: Campbell-Sills Laura , Papini Santiago , Norman Sonya B. , Choi Karmel W. , He Feng , Sun Xiaoying , Kessler Ronald C. , Ursano Robert J. , Jain Sonia , Stein Murray B.
Published: March 2023

Background

Identification of genetic risk factors may inform the prevention and treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study evaluates the associations of polygenic risk scores (PRS) with patterns of posttraumatic stress symptoms following combat deployment.

Method

US Army soldiers of European ancestry (n = 4900) provided genomic data and ratings of posttraumatic stress symptoms before and after deployment to Afghanistan in 2012. Latent growth mixture modeling was used to model posttraumatic stress symptom trajectories among participants who provided post-deployment data (n = 4353). Multinomial logistic regression models tested independent associations between trajectory membership and PRS for PTSD, major depressive disorder (MDD), schizophrenia, neuroticism, alcohol use disorder, and suicide attempt, controlling for age, sex, ancestry, and exposure to potentially traumatic events, and weighted to account for uncertainty in trajectory classification and missing data.

Results

Participants were classified into low-severity (77.2%), increasing-severity (10.5%), decreasing-severity (8.0%), and high-severity (4.3%) posttraumatic stress symptom trajectories. Standardized PTSD-PRS and MDD-PRS were associated with greater odds of membership in the high-severity v. low-severity trajectory [adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals, 1.23 (1.06–1.43) and 1.18 (1.02–1.37), respectively] and the increasing-severity v. low-severity trajectory [1.12 (1.01–1.25) and 1.16 (1.04–1.28), respectively]. Additionally, MDD-PRS was associated with greater odds of membership in the decreasing-severity v. low-severity trajectory [1.16 (1.03–1.31)]. No other associations were statistically significant.

Conclusions

Higher polygenic risk for PTSD or MDD is associated with more severe posttraumatic stress symptom trajectories following combat deployment. PRS may help stratify at-risk individuals, enabling more precise targeting of treatment and prevention programs.
Glottalizing at word junctures: Exploring bidirectional transfer in child and adult Spanish heritage speakers
Authors: Repiso-Puigdelliura Gemma
Published: March 2023

While research in heritage language phonology has found that transfer from the majority language can lead to divergent attainment in adult heritage language grammars, the extent to which language transfer develops during a heritage speaker's lifespan is understudied. To explore such cross-linguistic transfer, I examine the rate of glottalization between consonant-to-vowel sequences at word junctures produced by child and adult Spanish heritage speakers (i.e., HSs) in both languages. My results show that, in Spanish, child HSs produce greater rates of vowel-initial glottal phonation than their age-matched monolingually-raised Spanish counterparts, suggesting that the Spanish child HSs’ grammars are more permeable to transfer than those of the adult HSs. In English, child and adult HSs show similarly low rates of glottal phonation when compared to their age-matched monolingually-raised English speakers’ counterparts. The findings for English can be explained by either an account of transfer at the individual level or the community level.
A CATEGORICAL QUANTUM TOROIDAL ACTION ON THE HILBERT SCHEMES
Authors: Zhao Yu
Published: March 2023

We categorify the commutation of Nakajima’s Heisenberg operators
$P_{\pm 1}$
and their infinitely many counterparts in the quantum toroidal algebra
$U_{q_1,q_2}(\ddot {gl_1})$
acting on the Grothendieck groups of Hilbert schemes from [10, 24, 26, 32]. By combining our result with [26], one obtains a geometric categorical
$U_{q_1,q_2}(\ddot {gl_1})$
action on the derived category of Hilbert schemes. Our main technical tool is a detailed geometric study of certain nested Hilbert schemes of triples and quadruples, through the lens of the minimal model program, by showing that these nested Hilbert schemes are either canonical or semidivisorial log terminal singularities.
Energy Mechanism of Atmospheric Boundary Layer Development Over the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Zhao Cailing , Meng Xianhong , Zhao Lin , Guo Jianping , Li Yueqing , Liu Huizhi , Li Zhaoguo , Han Bo , Lyu Shihua
Published: March 2023

The distinct thermodynamic characteristics of the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) over the Tibetan Plateau (TP) significantly affect regional and global climate. It is well recognized that the ABL depth over the western TP can exceed 4,000 m. However, the energy mechanism of its development is less understood. In this study, the energy mechanism of ABL development of three sites on the TP was analyzed using intensive sounding observation data from the Third Tibetan Plateau Atmospheric Scientific Experiment. The results showed that the surface sensible heat flux, boundary layer entrainment energy, and heat flux at the top of the ABL affected ABL growth. The ABL depths at the Shiquanhe and Gerze stations were relatively higher, with a mean height of approximately 2,500 m above ground level (agl) and a maximum of 4,500 m agl. The ABL grew to its highest height at 20:00 Beijing Time, and its residual layer was also deep. The ABL depths at the Jiulong station were mainly below 1,200 m agl. The accumulated surface sensible heat flux (62.5%) and residual layer entrainment energy (9.7%) significantly affected the ABL development at Shiquanhe station. In addition to the accumulated sensible heat flux and residual layer entrainment energy, the latent heat flux at the top of the boundary layer also significantly impacted the ABL development at Gerze station. The energy required for the ABL growth at Jiulong station was also the smallest, owing to its lowest depth here. The accumulated sensible heat flux played the most crucial role in boundary layer development over the TP. The influences of wind shear on ABL growth cannot be ignored.
Particle Number Size Distribution of Wintertime Alpine Aerosols and Their Activation as Cloud Condensation Nuclei in the Guanzhong Plain, Northwest China
Authors: Chen Yukun , Wang Xin , Dai Wenting , Wang Qiyuan , Guo Xiao , Liu Yali , Qi Weining , Shen Minxia , Zhang Yifan , Li Lu , Cao Yue , Wang Yueshe , Li Jianjun
Published: March 2023

The particle number size distribution (PNSD) and hygroscopicity on alpine sites can directly reflect the interaction between aerosol and cloud in the free troposphere, and narrow the errors caused by extrapolation from the ground observation. In this study, PNSD and cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) concentration (NCCN) were observed at the summit of Mt. Hua from December 16, 2020, to January 23, 2021. The result showed that the modes and hygroscopicity parameters (κ) of aerosols were significantly affected by the height and direction of the originated air masses. The particle in nucleation mode from new particle formation erupted frequently in 13:00–18:00 local time due to the intense photochemistry and had a potential contribution to CCN through the process of the growth with the ratio of 0.83 nm·h−1, which was affected by air masses, meteorological conditions, and gaseous pollutants. Subsequently, the hygroscopicity κ varied from 0.22 to 0.13 with the supersaturation from 0.2% to 1.0% as more components that were difficult to dissolve or had low hygroscopicity. The comprehensive analysis of PNSD and hygroscopicity showed that smaller k from two‐parameter power model corresponded to particles with higher hygroscopicity or larger diameter, while larger k matched to the hydrophobic or ultrafine particles. In addition, the interactions between aerosol and cloud were estimated more accurately and the uncertainty of indirect effect was shrunk. Overall, we provided insights into PNSD and hygroscopicity of alpine aerosol particles by direct observation on Mt. Hua, which may be important to other elevated regions as well.
Cold‐Season Surface Energy Balance on East Rongbuk Glacier, Northern Slope of Mt. Qomolangma (Everest)
Authors: Liu Weigang , Yang Xingguo , van den Broeke Michiel R. , Huai Baojuan , Yang Diyi , Zhang Dongqi , Qin Xiang , Yue Ping , Wang Heling , Ding Minghu
Published: March 2023

As the highest peak on the earth, Mt. Qomolangma provides an unparalleled platform to study glacier‐atmosphere interaction. Although glacier surface energy balance (SEB) on Mt. Qomolangma was examined during warm season, relevant knowledge during cold season is still unknown, which prevents a complete understanding of all‐season glacier SEB on it. Based on an in‐situ observation from October 2007 to January 2008, this study presents a cold‐season glacier SEB result at 6,523 m above sea level on Mt. Qomolangma and identifies its atmospheric control. Our results show that the observational period experienced strong winds and deficient clouds. Near‐surface wind speeds usually exceeded 10 m s−1, resulting in a substantial sensible heat transport toward glacier and thus enhancing outgoing longwave radiation, which, under the combined effect of deficient clouds, eventually caused an increase in longwave radiative loss. The large solar zenith angle and relatively high albedo of the glacier surface led to a small absorption of solar irradiance, which, in combination with the strong longwave radiation loss, resulted in a semi‐permanent surface radiative loss. Uncommon over the highly reflective glacier surface, clouds decreased the incident solar radiation more than increased the longwave radiation, demonstrating that the clouds' shading effect surpassed its greenhouse effect. As a vital heat sink, the turbulent latent heat induced an average sublimation rate of 0.8 mm water equivalent per day. This study provides valuable insights into the atmospheric control on the cold‐season glacier‐atmosphere interaction at high altitudes on Mt. Qomolangma when meteorological variables are subject to the westerlies.
Mechanisms underlying capsulotomy for refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder: neural correlates of negative affect processing overlap with deep brain stimulation targets
Authors: Cui Hailun , Zhang Yingying , Zhao Yijie , Zhao Ying , Ding Qiong , Chen Ruiqin , Manssuer Luis , Zhang Chencheng , Liu Wenjuan , Li Dianyou , Sun Bomin , Voon Valerie
Published: March 2023

Ablative procedures such as anterior capsulotomy are potentially effective in refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Converging evidence suggests the ventral internal capsule white matter tracts traversing the rostral cingulate and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex and thalamus is the optimal target for clinical efficacy across multiple deep brain stimulation targets for OCD. Here we ask which prefrontal regions and underlying cognitive processes might be implicated in the effects of capsulotomy by using both task fMRI and neuropsychological tests assessing OCD-relevant cognitive mechanisms known to map across prefrontal regions connected to the tracts targeted in capsulotomy. We tested OCD patients at least 6 months post-capsulotomy (n = 27), OCD controls (n = 33) and healthy controls (n = 34). We used a modified aversive monetary incentive delay paradigm with negative imagery and a within session extinction trial. Post-capsulotomy OCD subjects showed improved OCD symptoms, disability and quality of life with no differences in mood or anxiety or cognitive task performance on executive, inhibition, memory and learning tasks. Task fMRI revealed post-capsulotomy decreases in the nucleus accumbens during negative anticipation, and in the left rostral cingulate and left inferior frontal cortex during negative feedback. Post-capsulotomy patients showed attenuated accumbens-rostral cingulate functional connectivity. Rostral cingulate activity mediated capsulotomy improvement on obsessions. These regions overlap with optimal white matter tracts observed across multiple stimulation targets for OCD and might provide insights into further optimizing neuromodulation approaches. Our findings also suggest that aversive processing theoretical mechanisms may link ablative, stimulation and psychological interventions.
Hematopoietic cell transplantation and cellular therapies in Europe 2021. The second year of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. A Report from the EBMT Activity Survey
Authors: Passweg Jakob R. , Baldomero Helen , Ciceri Fabio , Corbacioglu Selim , de la Cámara Rafael , Dolstra Harry , Glass Bertram , Greco Raffaella , McLornan Donal P. , Neven Bénédicte , de Latour Régis Peffault , Perić Zinaida , Ruggeri Annalisa , Snowden John A. , Sureda Anna
Published: March 2023

In 2021, 47,412 HCT (19,806 (42%) allogeneic and 27,606 (58%) autologous) in 43,109 patients were reported by 694 European centers. 3494 patients received advanced cellular therapies, 2524 of which were CAR-T treatments, an additional 3245 received DLI. Changes compared to the previous year were CAR-T treatment (+35%), allogeneic HCT +5.4%, autologous HCT +3.9%, more pronounced in non-malignant disorders. Main indications for allogeneic HCT were myeloid malignancies 10,745 (58%), lymphoid malignancies 5127 (28%) and non-malignant disorders 2501 (13%). Main indications for autologous HCT were lymphoid malignancies 22,129 (90%) and solid tumors 1635 (7%). In allogeneic HCT, use of haploidentical donors decreased by −0.9% while use of unrelated and sibling donors increased by +4.3% and +9%. Cord blood HCT decreased by −5.8%. Pediatric HCT increased overall by +5.6% (+6.9% allogeneic and +1.6% autologous). Increase in the use of CAR-T was mainly restricted to high-income countries. The drop in HCT activity reported in 2020 partially recovered in 2021, the second year of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The transplant community confronted with the pandemic challenge, continued in providing patients access to treatment. This annual EBMT report reflects current activities useful for health care resource planning.
Autoantibodies against chemokines post-SARS-CoV-2 infection correlate with disease course
Authors: Muri Jonathan , Cecchinato Valentina , Cavalli Andrea , Shanbhag Akanksha A. , Matkovic Milos , Biggiogero Maira , Maida Pier Andrea , Moritz Jacques , Toscano Chiara , Ghovehoud Elaheh , Furlan Raffaello , Barbic Franca , Voza Antonio , De Nadai Guendalina , Cervia Carlo , Zurbuchen Yves , Taeschler Patrick , Murray Lilly A. , Danelon-Sargenti Gabriela , Moro Simone , Gong Tao , Piffaretti Pietro , Bianchini Filippo , Crivelli Virginia , Podešvová Lucie , Pedotti Mattia , Jarrossay David , Sgrignani Jacopo , Thelen Sylvia , Uhr Mario , Bernasconi Enos , Rauch Andri , Manzo Antonio , Ciurea Adrian , Rocchi Marco B. L. , Varani Luca , Moser Bernhard , Bottazzi Barbara , Thelen Marcus , Fallon Brian A. , Boyman Onur , Mantovani Alberto , Garzoni Christian , Franzetti-Pellanda Alessandra , Uguccioni Mariagrazia , Robbiani Davide F.
Published: March 2023

Infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 associates with diverse symptoms, which can persist for months. While antiviral antibodies are protective, those targeting interferons and other immune factors are associated with adverse coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes. Here we discovered that antibodies against specific chemokines were omnipresent post-COVID-19, were associated with favorable disease outcome and negatively correlated with the development of long COVID at 1 yr post-infection. Chemokine antibodies were also present in HIV-1 infection and autoimmune disorders, but they targeted different chemokines compared with COVID-19. Monoclonal antibodies derived from COVID-19 convalescents that bound to the chemokine N-loop impaired cell migration. Given the role of chemokines in orchestrating immune cell trafficking, naturally arising chemokine antibodies may modulate the inflammatory response and thus bear therapeutic potential.
Unfounded authority, underpowered studies, and non-transparent reporting perpetuate the Mozart effect myth: a multiverse meta-analysis
Authors: Oberleiter Sandra , Pietschnig Jakob
Published: March 2023

In recent years, an ostensible Mozart effect, suggesting beneficial influences of listening to the sonata KV448 on epilepsy, has been extensively covered in popular media outlets. However, the evidential value of such a potential effect seems unclear. Here, we present the first formal meta-analysis on this topic, based on k = 8 studies (N = 207). Further published studies that met our inclusion criteria had to be omitted due to insufficient reporting and author non-responsiveness on data requests. In three independent analyses, we observed non-significant trivial-to-small summary effects for listening to Mozart KV448 or other musical stimuli on epilepsy or other medical conditions (g range: 0.09–0.43). Bias and sensitivity analyses suggested that these effects were likely inflated and non-trivial effects were driven by isolated leverage points. Multiverse analyses conformed to these results, showing inconsistent evidential patterns. Low primary study power and consequently lacking evidential value indicates that there is only little reason to suspect a specific Mozart effect. In all, listening to music, let alone a specific kind of sonata, does not appear to have any beneficial effect on epilepsy. Unfounded authority, underpowered studies, and non-transparent reporting appear to be the main drivers of the Mozart effect myth.
Long-term changes in the choroidal thickness in patients with unilateral central retinal vein occlusion
Authors: Hwang Daniel Duck-Jin , Lee Hak Jun
Published: March 2023

The purpose of this study was to investigate the long-term changes in the choroidal thickness in central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) following anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment. This retrospective study included 41 eyes from 41 patients with treatment-naïve unilateral CRVO. We compared the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), and central macular thickness (CMT) of CRVO eyes with those of fellow eyes at baseline, 12 months, and 24 months. Baseline SFCT was significantly higher in CRVO eyes than in fellow eyes (p < 0.001); however, there was no significant difference in the SFCT between CRVO eyes and fellow eyes at 12 months and 24 months. When compared with baseline SFCT, SFCT significantly decreased at 12 months and 24 months in CRVO eyes (all p < 0.001). In patients with unilateral CRVO, SFCT in the CRVO eye was significantly thicker than in the fellow eye at baseline, and after 12 months and 24 months, there was no difference from the fellow eye.
Characterization of permanent deformation properties of densely-compacted unbound granular materials subjected to cyclic loading
Authors: Liu Gang , Zhao Mingzhi , Luo Qiang , Lu Rui
Published: March 2023

To investigate the long-term deformation properties of unbound granular materials (UGM) that are ordinarily adopted to construct subgrade for high-speed railway, a series of medium-sized cyclic triaxial tests were performed to obtain the relationship between permanent strain and loading cycles under different cyclic stress levels. Moreover, DEM analysis was conducted for the samples to reveal the deformation mechanism and verify the strain developing tendency. It is found that the UGM samples present different long-term deformation properties under different cyclic stress levels. As cyclic stress increases, the permanent strain of UGM sample transfers from rapid stabilization to tardy stabilization, then to tardy failure and finally to rapid failure. Furthermore, the exponent in a power law function was selected as the critical indicator of deformation developing tendency. With the exponent obtained precisely in accordance with the strain rate, the deformation tendency can be analyzed quantitatively. Finally, the characteristics of interparticle force chains induced by different cyclic stress levels were obtained by DEM analysis, which provided evidences for the classification of long-term deformation properties of UGM samples. The achievements have guiding significance for the design of subgrade of both ballasted and unballasted high-speed railway.