bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early evidence of extra‐masticatory dental wear in a Neolithic community at Bestansur, Iraqi Kurdistan
Authors: Walsh Sam
Published: September 2022

This paper presents the first evidence of extra‐masticatory dental wear from Neolithic Bestansur, Iraqi Kurdistan (7700–7200 BC). Bestansur is a rare, recently excavated burial site of this period in the Zagros region, of Iraqi Kurdistan. A total of 585 teeth from 38 individuals were analyzed for features indicative of activities including oblique wear planes, notches, grooves, and chipping. Indications of extra‐masticatory wear were found in 27 of 38 individuals, and 277 of 585 teeth (47%) available for study. The most frequent features were chipping and notches suggesting activities such as processing fibers by using the teeth as a “third hand.” Evidence for these wear features was present in both males, females, and in children aged five and older. These aspects of childhood life‐course and dentition are rarely investigated. The presence of dental wear features in the deciduous dentition can indicate an age range at which activities began in different groups and highlights the importance of including juvenile remains in such studies. The variety of forms of dental wear may relate to the mixed diet and activities of these people. This study adds to our understanding of human behaviors and socio‐cultural aspects of life during this transitional period.
A vanillin‐derived flame retardant based on 2‐aminopyrimidine for enhanced flame retardancy and mechanical properties of epoxy resin
Authors: Sun Yulin , Zhong Saiyi , Luo Qinqin , Yu Biao , Song Jiangli , Tan Dexin
Published: September 2022

In order to give epoxy resin good flame retardance, a novel bio‐based flame retardant based on 2‐aminopyrimidine (referred to as VAD) was synthesized from renewable vanillin as one of the starting materials. Its structure was confirmed by NMR and mass spectra. The epoxy resins containing VAD were prepared by utilizing 4,4‐diaminodiphenylmethane (DDM) as a co‐curing agent, and their flame‐retardant, mechanical and thermal properties and corresponding mechanisms were studied. VAD accelerated the cross‐linking reaction of DDM and E51 (diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A). 12.5 wt% VAD made the epoxy resin achieve UL‐94 V‐0 rating and its limited oxygen index (LOI) value increase from 22.4% to 32.3%. The cone calorimetric testing results revealed the decline in the values of total heat release (THR) and peak of heat release rate (pk‐HRR) and the obvious enhancement of residue yield. A certain amount of VAD enhanced the flame inhibition, charring and barrier effects, resulting in good flame retardance of the epoxy resin. Furthermore, the tensile strength, flexural strength and flexural modulus of the epoxy resin with 12.5 wt% loading of VAD were 6.5%, 14.9%, 15.2% higher than those of EP, indicating the strengthening effect of VAD. This work guarantees VAD to be a promising flame retardant for enhancing the fire retardancy of epoxy resin without compromising its mechanical properties.
Effect of blowing agent content on the structure and flame‐retardant properties of rigid polyurethane foam/expanded graphite composites
Authors: Xu Xiaoyu , Bai Zhuyu , Guo Xincheng , Chen Yao , Chen Xiaolang , Lu Zongcheng , Wu Hong
Published: September 2022

Driven by global environmental issues, the development of green building materials has become an immediate focus. In this work, n‐pentane was used as an environmentally friendly blowing agent to prepare flame‐retardant rigid polyurethane foam (RPUF) with the addition of expandable graphite (EG) successfully, and the effect of n‐pentane content on flame retardancy and compressive properties of RPUF/EG composites was investigated through limit oxygen index (LOI), vertical burning test (UL‐94), scanning electron microscope (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and compressive properties test. SEM results show that the content of EG and n‐pentane causes a change in the cell structure of RPUF. The change of the n‐pentane content has also an obvious effect on the thermal stability, flame retardancy, and specific compressive strength of RPUF/EG composites. In addition, the cell structure of RPUF matrix has an obvious influence on the distribution of EG in the composites, which indirectly affects the flame‐retardant efficiency of EG. This research explores the conditions for the application of environmentally friendly RPUF and expands its application prospects.
Anti‐osteoporosis medication dispensing by clinical commissioning groups in England – an ecological study of variability in practice and of the effect of the Covid‐19 pandemic
Authors: Janjua Sobia S. , Boardman Helen F. , Sami Arvind , Johansen Antony , Toh Li Shean , Javaid Kassim M.
Published: September 2022

Purpose

To investigate whether the rate of Anti‐Osteoporosis Medication (AOM) dispensing was related to prevalence of risk factors and hip fracture incidence in the local population.

Methods

The Open Prescribing database was used to analyse dispensed AOM at the level of Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) in England. Male Healthy Life Expectancy (MHLE), Female Healthy Life Expectancy (FHLE), the prevalence of smoking and active adults, the incidence of hip fracture and of alcohol related hospital admissions, and local dispensing of a comparator drug (atorvastatin) were considered as predictor variables. Linear and multilinear regression were performed. Using atorvastatin as a comparator, AOM dispensing was compared after the start of the Covid‐19 pandemic with the same quarter the previous year.

Results

Rates of AOM per 1000 people aged over 65 years in a CCG area varied between 379.2 and 1129.1, with a mean of 670.3. Population risk factors were individually related to the amount of AOM dispensed in an area. Collectively, local activity levels in adults (p = 0.042) and local hip fracture incidence (p = 0.003) were significantly negatively correlated with rates of AOM dispensed. Rates of alendronate dispensing fell significantly at the start of the Covid‐19 pandemic (p < 0.001), whilst atorvastatin dispensing rates significantly increased (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Lower rates of AOM dispensing were seen in areas with a higher proportion of active adults and higher incidence of hip fracture. Multidisciplinary services should be developed to address this care gap with consideration given to local population risk factors. Community pharmacists are ideally placed to play a vital role in osteoporosis management.
Analytical methods for correlated data arising from multicenter hearing studies
Authors: Sheng Yanghui , Yang Ce , Curhan Sharon , Curhan Gary , Wang Molin
Published: September 2022

In epidemiological hearing studies, estimating the association between exposures and hearing loss using audiometrically‐assessed hearing measurements is challenging due to the complex correlation structure in the clustered data, with clusters formed by the two ears of the same individual and the testing site and audiologist. We propose a linear mixed‐effects model to take into account the multilevel correlation structures of the data. Both theoretically and in simulation studies, we compare single‐ear linear regression models commonly used in published hearing loss studies with the proposed both‐ears linear mixed models properly accounting for the multi‐level correlations. Our findings include (1) when there are only participant‐level covariates, the worse‐ear linear regression models produce unbiased but typically less efficient estimators than the both‐ear and average‐ear approaches; (2) when there are ear‐level confounders, the worse‐ear method may lead to biased estimators and the average‐ear method produces unbiased but typically less efficient estimators than the both‐ear method; (3) the both‐ear method may gain efficiency when additionally adjusting for testing sites and audiologists. As an illustrative example, we applied the single‐ear and both‐ear methods to assess aspirin‐hearing association in the Nurses' Health Study II.
Precise Regulation of Iron Spin States in Single FeN4 Sites for Efficient Peroxidase‐Mimicking Catalysis
Authors: Wang Qiuping , Liu Tianyang , Chen Kui , Wu Dan , Chen Cai , Chen Min , Ma Xianhui , Xu Jie , Yao Tao , Li Yafei , Zhou Huang , Wu Yuen
Published: September 2022

The catalytic activity and selectivity of single‐atom sites catalysts is strongly dependent on the supports structure and central metal coordination environment. However, the further optimization of electronic configuration to improve the catalytic performance is usually hampered by the strong coordination effect between the support and metal atoms. Herein, it is discovered that enzyme‐mimicking catalytic performance can be enhanced at the fixed coordination single‐atom Fe sites by regulating the Fe spin states. The X‐ray absorption fine structure, 57Fe Mössbauer spectrum, and temperature‐dependent magnetization measurements reveal that the spin states of Fe in single FeN4 sites can be well manipulated via changing the pyrolysis temperature. The intermediate‐spin Fe sites catalyst (t2g4 eg1) demonstrates a much higher peroxidase‐mimicking activity in comparison with high‐spin structure (t2g3 eg2). More importantly, the based enzymes system realizes sensitive detection of H2O2 and glucose by colorimetric sensors with high catalytic activity and selectivity. Furthermore, theoretical calculations unveil that the intermediate‐spin FeN4 promotes the OH* desorption process, thus greatly reducing the reaction energy barrier. These findings provide a route to design highly active enzyme‐mimicking catalysts and an engineering approach for regulating spin states of metal sites to enhance their catalytic performance.
Interfacial Strain‐Modulated Nanospherical Ni2P by Heteronuclei‐Mediated Growth on Ti3C2Tx MXene for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Nguyen Duong Nguyen , Phu Thi Kim Cuong , Kim Jaekyum , Hong Won Tae , Kim Jin‐Soo , Roh Seung Hun , Park Ho Seok , Chung Chan‐Hwa , Choe Woo‐Seok , Shin Hyeyoung , Lee Jun Young , Kim Jung Kyu
Published: September 2022

Interface modulation of nickel phosphide (Ni2P) to produce an optimal catalytic activation barrier has been considered a promising approach to enhance the hydrogen production activity via water splitting. Herein, heteronuclei‐mediated in situ growth of hollow Ni2P nanospheres on a surface defect‐engineered titanium carbide (Ti3C2Tx) MXene showing high electrochemical activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is demonstrated. The heteronucleation drives intrinsic strain in hexagonal Ni2P with an observable distortion at the Ni2P@Ti3C2Tx MXene heterointerface, which leads to charge redistribution and improved charge transfer at the interface between the two components. The strain at the Ni2P@Ti3C2Tx MXene heterointerface significantly boosts the electrochemical catalytic activities and stability toward HER in an acidic medium via a combination between experimental results and theoretical calculations. In a 0.5 m H2SO4 electrolyte, the Ni2P@Ti3C2Tx MXene hybrid shows excellent HER catalytic performance, requiring an overpotential of 123.6 mV to achieve 10 mA cm−2 with a Tafel slope of 39 mV dec−1 and impressive durability over 24 h operation. This approach presents a significant potential to rationally design advanced catalysts coupled with 2D materials and transition metal‐based compounds for state‐of‐the‐art high efficiency energy conversions.
Experimental study on flexural behavior of a novel variable‐grade prefabricated concrete slab with surrounding composited
Authors: Lv Xiaoyong , Yu Zhiwu , Liao Zhenyu
Published: September 2022

This paper investigates a novel variable‐grade prefabricated concrete (PC) slab with surrounding composited which has high prefabrication rate, sufficient installation rigidity, high on‐site construction efficiency, and good overall working performance. To improve the crack‐resistance performance of the transverse superposed surface and the overall working performance of the proposed novel PC slab, we optimize the position of variable‐grade and arrange it at the location where the bending moment is close to zero. We perform comparatively bending tests on three two‐span full‐scale slab strips that include boundary and intermediate beam‐slab joints to systematically investigate the flexural behavior of the proposed novel slab. The load versus deflection relationship, failure mode, distribution of cracks, development law of crack width and development of steel strain are comparatively studied. The test results confirm that the flexural behavior of the proposed novel PC slabs are similar and slightly better than that of the cast‐in‐place slab in general. No crack or slippage appears at the interface between the precast panel and the post‐pouring concrete. The connection method of L‐shaped anchorage rebars lap splicing in this study is cost‐effective, efficient, and reliable. Furthermore, we establish a finite element model and perform a parametric investigation on the proposed novel PC slab. Parametric simulations conclude that the increase of the strength of post‐pouring concrete and post‐pouring layer thickness can improve the bearing capacity of the proposed novel PC slabs.
Promulgation of sustainable palm oil clinker sand in the development of structural and non‐structural lightweight foamed concrete
Authors: Salari Farhang , Alengaram Ubagaram Johnson , Alnahhal Ahmed Mahmoud , Ibrahim Zainah Binti , Yusoff Sumiani , Ibrahim Muhammad S. I. , Srinivas M. Karthick , Unal Muhammed Talha
Published: September 2022

The excessive exploitation of natural resources, such as mining or river sand in concrete, has resulted in several catastrophic disasters worldwide. Furthermore, the low compressive strength of lightweight concrete (LFC) has limited its use as structural concrete. In this research, the feasibility of replacing natural mining sand (MS) as fine aggregates in the development of LFC with local agro‐industrial waste material, namely palm oil clinker (POC), which can be considered a sustainable material, at different replacement ratios of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% was investigated. Because of the porous structure of POC, a volume‐based method was employed in the mix design of using the specific gravities to produce LFC with three different target densities of 1100, 1300, and 1500 kg/m3. The investigated parameters include workability, compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. Overall, 100% replacement of MS volume with POC with the sieve size below 0.6 mm resulted in a 90‐day compressive strength of 26.7 MPa in the LFC with a density of 1500 kg/m3. Similar to the compressive strength, the utilization of the sustainable POC as fine aggregates slightly improved the tensile and flexural strengths of LFC. On the other hand, replacing 100% of MS with POC with the sieve size below 0.6 mm reduced the flow test results of LFC from 405 to 350 mm. The use of POC in LFC improved the bonding between cementitious material and fine aggregate, according to the UPV results.
Population genomic analysis of the Speckled Dace species complex identifies three distinct lineages in California
Authors: Su Yingxin , Moyle Peter B. , Campbell Matthew A. , Finger Amanda J. , O'Rourke Sean M. , Baumsteiger Jason , Miller Michael R.
Published: September 2022

Objective

Speckled Dace Rhinichthys osculus is small cyprinoid fish that is widespread in western North America. In California and elsewhere it is currently treated as a single species with multiple subspecies, many undescribed. However, these subspecies may represent evolutionary lineages that are cryptic species because they cannot be distinguished using standard morphometric techniques. In this study, we attempt to determine evolutionary lineages within California populations of Speckled Dace using the population genetic and genomic information.

Methods

We used restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing to extract thousands of single‐nucleotide polymorphisms across the genome to identify genetic differences among all the samples from 38 locations in the western USA, with a focus on California. We performed principal component analysis, admixture analysis, estimated pairwise values of the genetic differentiation index FST, and constructed molecular phylogenies to characterize population genetic and phylogenetic relationships among sampled Speckled Dace populations.

Result

Our analyses detected three major lineages of Speckled Dace in California that align with geography: (1) Sacramento River, central California coast, Klamath River, and Warner Basin; (2) Death Valley and Lahontan Basin; and (3) Santa Ana River basin, in southern California. These lineages fit well with the geologic history of California, which has promoted long isolation of populations of Speckled Dace and other fishes.

Conclusion

The presence of distinct evolutionary lineages indicates that Speckled Dace in California should be managed with distinct population segments to preserve within‐species diversity. This study highlights the importance of genetic analyses for conservation and management of freshwater fishes.
Component damage‐based seismic fragility analysis of high‐rise building with transfer structure
Authors: Liang Kun , Su Ray Kai Leung
Published: September 2022

Fragility analysis is an effective tool used to assess the seismic risk of high‐rise buildings. During the process of fragility analysis, determining the engineering demand parameters (EDPs) corresponding to different damage states is of great importance as they directly influence the fragility results. However, for buildings with transfer structures, the EDPs corresponding to different damage levels are difficult to determine since the maximum demand in such buildings is mostly concentrated at the level of irregularity. Obtaining the fragility curves at component level (as used for bridge structures) may provide new insight into the seismic fragility analysis of buildings with transfer structures. Due to differences in structural systems and seismic response, it may be questionable whether such an approach can be directly applied to the fragility analysis of high‐rise buildings. In view of this, a component damage‐based approach suitable for high‐rise buildings and a detailed framework through which to obtain the fragility curves are proposed in this study. This method was applied to assess the seismic risk of a 34‐story concrete building with a transfer plate. The damage states for various structural components were obtained through a damage index (DI) model. The relationship between the DIs of the components and the maximum inter‐story drift ratios (MIDRs) was generated by cloud analysis, and MIDRs corresponding to different component damage states were obtained. The fragility curves at both component and system levels were evaluated. Numerical results indicate that, at the conservative level of PGA (0.2 g), the probability that the main components of the building incur irreparable damage is small, and the performance‐based seismic design requirements can be met.
Material Design and Energy Storage Mechanism of Mn‐Based Cathodes for Aqueous Zinc‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Xie Shiyin , Li Xu , Li Yang , Liang Qinghua , Dong Liubing
Published: September 2022

Mn‐based cathodes have been widely explored for aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs), by virtue of their high theoretical capacity and low cost. However, Mn‐based cathodes suffer from poor rate capability and cycling performance. Researchers have presented various approaches to address these issues. Therefore, these endeavors scattered in various directions (e. g., designing electrode structures, defect engineering and optimizing electrolytes) are necessary to be connected through a systematic review. Hence, we comprehensively overview Mn‐based cathode materials for ZIBs from the aspects of phase compositions, electrochemical behaviors and energy storage mechanisms, and try to build internal relations between these factors. Modification strategies of Mn‐based cathodes are then introduced. Furthermore, this review also provides some new perspectives on future efforts toward high‐energy and long‐life Mn‐based cathodes for ZIBs.
LncRNA RHPN1‐AS1 inhibition induces autophagy and apoptosis in prostate cancer cells via the miR‐7‐5p/EGFR/PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway
Authors: Ma Xiulong , Ren Hongtao , Zhang Yang , Wang Baofeng , Ma Hongbing
Published: September 2022

LncRNA RHPN1‐AS1 (RHPN1‐AS1) has been confirmed to promote tumor progression in multiple cancers and is upregulated in prostate cancer (PCa), but whether it has an effect on PCa progression remains unclear. In this study, we found that PCa patients with high RHPN1‐AS1 expression had a shorter survival time, and RHPN1‐AS1 was significantly upregulated in PCa tissues and cells. Based on informatics analysis we predicted that miR‐7‐5p binds to 3′UTR of RHPN1‐AS1 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and verified it by luciferase reporter gene assay. Subsequently, we transfected PCa cells with RHPN1‐AS1 overexpression vector (RHPN1‐AS1), knockdown plasmids (sh‐RHPN1‐AS1) and/or miR‐7‐5p mimics or inhibitor and/or overexpression vector (EGFR) or small interfering RNA of EGFR (si‐EGFR) or its control, and found that overexpression of RHPN1‐AS1 inhibited miR‐7‐5p expression and promoted EGFR expression, silencing RHPN1‐AS1 inhibited proliferation and invasion, and induced G2/M arrest, apoptosis and autophagy in PCa cells. 3MA (an inhibitor of autophagy)‐mediated autophagy inhibition attenuated RHPN1‐AS1 inhibition‐induced apoptosis. Overexpression miR‐7‐5p or silencing EGFR promoted LC3‐I to LC3‐II conversion, enhanced autophagy activity, induced cleaved‐caspase‐3 expression and apoptosis in PCa cells. Furthermore, overexpression of RHPN1‐AS1 promoted phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K), AKT and mTOR, inhibited LC3‐I to LC3‐II conversion and reduced apoptosis in PCa cells, while GSK2126458 (an inhibitor of PI3K) reversed the effect of RHPN1‐AS1 on PCa cells. In summary, RHPN1‐AS1 acted as a ceRNA of miR‐7‐5p to upregulate EGFR expression, silencing RHPN1‐AS1 suppressed PCa tumor progression by inducing autophagy and apoptosis in PCa cells through the miR‐7‐5p/EGFR/PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.
Imaging diagnosis: CT findings in bilateral necrotising sialometaplasia of the mandibular salivary glands in a Tibetan Terrier
Authors: Cheung April Wing Yan , Villedieu Erika J.A. , Parry Andrew T. , Weston Philippa J.
Published: September 2022

A 7‐year‐old female neutered Tibetan Terrier presented with a 2‐week history of bilateral mandibular swelling, lethargy, reduced appetite, pyrexia and right sided exophthalmos. Computed tomography (CT) identified severe bilateral enlargement and heterogenicity of the mandibular salivary glands, which contained multiple cavitary lesions. Cytology of both mandibular salivary glands confirmed necrotising sialometaplasia. The treatment with phenobarbitone, omeprazole and paracetamol was initiated. The patient made a dramatic improvement upon 3‐week follow up, with marked reduction in size of the mandibular salivary glands and resolution of clinical signs. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first reported case describing the CT imaging features of necrotising sialometaplasia.
A review of recent advances in empirical likelihood
Authors: Liu Pangpang , Zhao Yichuan
Published: September 2022

Empirical likelihood is widely used in many statistical problems. In this article, we provide a review of the empirical likelihood method, due to its significant development in recent years. Since the introduction of empirical likelihood, variants of empirical likelihood have been proposed, and the applications of empirical likelihood in high dimensions have also been studied. It is necessary to summarize the new development of empirical likelihood. In this article, we give a review of the Bayesian empirical likelihood, the bias‐corrected empirical likelihood, the jackknife empirical likelihood, the adjusted empirical likelihood, the extended empirical likelihood, the transformed empirical likelihood, the mean empirical likelihood, and the empirical likelihood with high dimensions. Finally, we have a brief survey of the computation and implementation for empirical likelihood methods.

This article is categorized under:

Applications of Computational Statistics > Education in Computational Statistics
mRNA isoform balance in neuronal development and disease
Authors: LaForce Geneva R. , Philippidou Polyxeni , Schaffer Ashleigh E.
Published: September 2022

Balanced mRNA isoform diversity and abundance are spatially and temporally regulated throughout cellular differentiation. The proportion of expressed isoforms contributes to cell type specification and determines key properties of the differentiated cells. Neurons are unique cell types with intricate developmental programs, characteristic cellular morphologies, and electrophysiological potential. Neuron‐specific gene expression programs establish these distinctive cellular characteristics and drive diversity among neuronal subtypes. Genes with neuron‐specific alternative processing are enriched in key neuronal functions, including synaptic proteins, adhesion molecules, and scaffold proteins. Despite the similarity of neuronal gene expression programs, each neuronal subclass can be distinguished by unique alternative mRNA processing events. Alternative processing of developmentally important transcripts alters coding and regulatory information, including interaction domains, transcript stability, subcellular localization, and targeting by RNA binding proteins. Fine‐tuning of mRNA processing is essential for neuronal activity and maintenance. Thus, the focus of neuronal RNA biology research is to dissect the transcriptomic mechanisms that underlie neuronal homeostasis, and consequently, predispose neuronal subtypes to disease.

This article is categorized under:

RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease

RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Development
A pilot study on canonical gravity with mass dimension one fermions
Authors: de C. Lima R. , Guimarães T. M. , Pereira S. H.
Published: September 2022

Abstract

The mass dimension one (MDO) fermionic field is built on a complete set of dual-helicity eigenspinors of the charge conjugation operator, which obeys the statistic of Fermi-Dirac. These spinors are a potential candidates for the description of dark matter. The redefinition of the dual structure of this object holds a local adjacent theory and completely satisfies the Lorentz invariance. In this work, we investigate important aspects of the interaction of this fermion with gravity in the light of a canonical formulation in ADM formalism. We construct an action via tetrad fields using a manifold on a family of spacelike surfaces Σt that carries the MDO matter field, and additionally we propose a condition for the action to have a term associated with dark energy. We found the Hamiltonian and diffeomorphism constraints at the classical level for gravitational dynamics with the immersion of this material content in space-time, which leads us to the interpretation of the contribution of dark matter energy density, parallel to the lapse function of foliation and its directional flux of energy density in the hypersurface of manifold.
Anyon scattering from lightcone Hamiltonian: the singlet channel
Authors: Gabai Barak , Sandor Joshua , Yin Xi
Published: September 2022

Abstract

We study U(N) Chern-Simons theory coupled to massive fundamental fermions in the lightcone Hamiltonian formalism. Focusing on the planar limit, we introduce a consistent regularization scheme, identify the counter terms needed to restore relativistic invariance, and formulate scattering theory in terms of unambiguously defined asymptotic states. We determine the 2 → 2 planar S-matrix element in the singlet channel by solving the Lippmann-Schwinger equation to all orders, establishing a result previously conjectured in the literature.
Anomalies of non-Abelian finite groups via cobordism
Authors: Davighi Joe , Gripaios Ben , Lohitsiri Nakarin
Published: September 2022

Abstract

We use cobordism theory to analyse anomalies of finite non-abelian symmetries in 4 spacetime dimensions. By applying the method of ‘anomaly interplay’, which uses functoriality of cobordism and naturality of the η-invariant to relate anomalies in a group of interest to anomalies in other (finite or compact Lie) groups, we derive the anomaly for every representation in many examples motivated by flavour physics, including S3, A4, Q8, and SL(2, 𝔽3).

In the case of finite abelian groups, it is well known that anomalies can be ‘truncated’ in a way that has no effect on low-energy physics, by means of a group extension. We extend this idea to non-abelian symmetries. We show, for example, that a system with A4 symmetry can be rendered anomaly-free, with only one-third as many fermions as naïvely required, by passing to a larger symmetry. As another example, we find that a well-known model of quark and lepton masses utilising the SL(2, 𝔽3) symmetry is anomalous, but that the anomaly can be cancelled by enlarging the symmetry to a ℤ/3 extension of SL(2, 𝔽3).
Topic based quality indexes assessment through sentiment
Authors: Ortu Marco , Frigau Luca , Contu Giulia
Published: September 2022

This paper proposes a new methodology called TOpic modeling Based Index Assessment through Sentiment (TOBIAS). This method aims at modeling the effects of the topics, moods, and sentiments of the comments describing a phenomenon upon its overall rating. TOBIAS is built combining different techniques and methodologies. Firstly, Sentiment Analysis identifies sentiments, emotions, and moods, and Topic Modeling finds the main relevant topics inside comments. Then, Partial Least Square Path Modeling estimates how they affect an overall rating that summarizes the performance of the analyzed phenomenon. We carried out TOBIAS on a real case study on the university courses’ quality evaluated by the University of Cagliari (Italy) students. We found TOBIAS able to provide interpretable results on the impact of discussed topics by students with their expressed sentiments, emotions, and moods and with the overall rating.
Mass spectrometry imaging spatially identifies complex-type N-glycans as putative cartilage degradation markers in human knee osteoarthritis tissue
Authors: Lee Yea-Rin , Briggs Matthew T. , Young Clifford , Condina Mark R. , Kuliwaba Julia S. , Anderson Paul H. , Hoffmann Peter
Published: September 2022

N-Glycan alterations contribute to the pathophysiology and progression of various diseases. However, the involvement of N-glycans in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) progression at the tissue level, especially within articular cartilage, is still poorly understood. Thus, the aim of this study was to spatially map and identify KOA-specific N-glycans from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) osteochondral tissue of the tibial plateau relative to cadaveric control (CTL) tissues. Human FFPE osteochondral tissues from end-stage KOA patients (n=3) and CTL individuals (n=3), aged >55 years old, were analyzed by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI‐MSI) and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Overall, it was revealed that 22 N-glycans were found in the cartilage region of KOA and CTL tissue. Of those, 15 N-glycans were more prominent in KOA cartilage than CTL cartilage. We then compared sub-regions of KOA and CTL tissues based on the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) histopathological grade (1 to 6), where 1 is an intact cartilage surface and 6 is cartilage surface deformation. Interestingly, three specific complex-type N-glycans, (Hex)4(HexNAc)3, (Hex)4(HexNAc)4, and (Hex)5(HexNAc)4, were found to be localized to the superficial fibrillated zone of degraded cartilage (KOA OARSI 2.5-4), compared to adjacent cartilage with less degradation (KOA OARSI 1-2) or relatively healthy cartilage (CTL OARSI 1-2). Our results demonstrate that N-glycans specific to degraded cartilage in KOA patients have been identified at the tissue level for the first time. The presence of these N-glycans could further be evaluated as potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers.
Evaluation of a New CT-Guided Robotic System for Percutaneous Needle Insertion for Thermal Ablation of Liver Tumors: A Prospective Pilot Study
Authors: de Baère Thierry , Roux Charles , Deschamps Frédéric , Tselikas Lambros , Guiu Boris
Published: September 2022

Purpose

To assess the feasibility and safety of a robotic system for percutaneous needle insertion during thermal ablation of liver tumors.

Materials and Methods

This study analyzed the CT-guided percutaneous needle insertion using the EPIONE robotic device (Quantum Surgical, Montpellier, France) for radiofrequency or microwave liver ablation. The main criteria of the study were feasibility (possibility to perform the thermal ablation after needle insertion), the number of needle adjustments (reiteration of robotically assisted needle insertion when initial needle positioning is considered insufficient to perform ablation), and robotic-guided procedure safety (complications related to the needle insertion). Patients were followed up at 6 months post-intervention to assess local tumor control.

Results

Twenty-one patients with 24 tumors, including 6 HCC and 18 metastases measuring 15.6 ± 7.2 mm, were enrolled. One patient (with one tumor) was excluded for protocol deviation. Robotic assisted thermal ablation was feasible for 22/23 lesions (95.7%) and 19/20 patients (95.0%), as validated by a data safety monitoring Board (95% CI [76.39%; 99.11%]) for the per-protocol population. The mean number of needle adjustments per tumor treated was 0.4 (SD: 0.7), with 70.8% of tumors requiring no adjustment. No adverse events were depicted. Rate of local tumor control was 83.3% for patients and 85.7% for tumors, at 6 months.

Conclusion

This bicentric first-in-human pilot study suggests both feasibility and safety of a stereotactic CT-guided EPIONE device for the percutaneous needle insertion during liver tumor thermal ablation.
Compensating Errors in Cloud Radiative and Physical Properties over the Southern Ocean in the CMIP6 Climate Models
Authors: Zhao Lijun , Wang Yuan , Zhao Chuanfeng , Dong Xiquan , Yung Yuk L.
Published: September 2022

The Southern Ocean is covered by a large amount of clouds with high cloud albedo. However, as reported by previous climate model intercomparison projects, underestimated cloudiness and overestimated absorption of solar radiation (ASR) over the Southern Ocean lead to substantial biases in climate sensitivity. The present study revisits this long-standing issue and explores the uncertainty sources in the latest CMIP6 models. We employ 10-year satellite observations to evaluate cloud radiative effect (CRE) and cloud physical properties in five CMIP6 models that provide comprehensive output of cloud, radiation, and aerosol. The simulated longwave, shortwave, and net CRE at the top of atmosphere in CMIP6 are comparable with the CERES satellite observations. Total cloud fraction (CF) is also reasonably simulated in CMIP6, but the comparison of liquid cloud fraction (LCF) reveals marked biases in spatial pattern and seasonal variations. The discrepancies between the CMIP6 models and the MODIS satellite observations become even larger in other cloud macro- and micro-physical properties, including liquid water path (LWP), cloud optical depth (COD), and cloud effective radius, as well as aerosol optical depth (AOD). However, the large underestimation of both LWP and cloud effective radius (regional means ∼20% and 11%, respectively) results in relatively smaller bias in COD, and the impacts of the biases in COD and LCF also cancel out with each other, leaving CRE and ASR reasonably predicted in CMIP6. An error estimation framework is employed, and the different signs of the sensitivity errors and biases from CF and LWP corroborate the notions that there are compensating errors in the modeled shortwave CRE. Further correlation analyses of the geospatial patterns reveal that CF is the most relevant factor in determining CRE in observations, while the modeled CRE is too sensitive to LWP and COD. The relationships between cloud effective radius, LWP, and COD are also analyzed to explore the possible uncertainty sources in different models. Our study calls for more rigorous calibration of detailed cloud physical properties for future climate model development and climate projection.
Prolonged cycling reduces power output at the moderate-to-heavy intensity transition
Authors: Stevenson Julian D. , Kilding Andrew E. , Plews Daniel J. , Maunder Ed
Published: September 2022

Purpose

To determine the effect of prolonged exercise on moderate-to-heavy intensity transition power output and heart rate.

Methods

Fourteen endurance-trained cyclists and triathletes took part in the present investigation (13 males, 1 female, V·O2peak 59.9 ± 6.8 mL.kg−1.min−1). Following a characterisation trial, participants undertook a five-stage incremental step test to determine the power output and heart rate at the moderate-to-heavy intensity transition before and after two hours of cycling at 90% of the estimated power output at first ventilatory threshold (VT1).

Results

Power output at the moderate-to-heavy intensity transition significantly decreased following acute prolonged exercise when determined using expired gases (VT1, 217 ± 42 W vs. 196 ± 42 W, P < 0.0001) and blood lactate concentrations (LoglogLT, 212 ± 47 W vs. 190 ± 47 W, P = 0.004). This was attributable to loss of efficiency (VT1, -8 ± 10 W; LoglogLT, − 7 ± 9 W) and rates of metabolic energy expenditure at the transition (VT1, − 14 ± 11 W; LoglogLT, − 15 ± 22 W). The heart rate associated with the moderate-to-heavy intensity transition increased following acute prolonged exercise (VT1, 142 ± 9 beats.min−1 vs. 151 ± 12 beats.min−1, P < 0.001; LoglogLT, 140 ± 13 beats.min−1 vs. 150 ± 15 beats.min−1, P = 0.006).

Conclusion

These results demonstrate the external work output at the moderate-to-heavy intensity transition decreases during prolonged exercise due to decreased efficiency and rates of metabolic energy expenditure, but the associated heart rate increases. Therefore, individual assessments of athlete ‘durability’ are warranted.
OC-PM: analyzing object-centric event logs and process models
Authors: Berti Alessandro , van der Aalst Wil M. P.
Published: September 2022

Object-centric process mining is a novel branch of process mining that aims to analyze event data from mainstream information systems (such as SAP) more naturally, without being forced to form mutually exclusive groups of events with the specification of a case notion. The development of object-centric process mining is related to exploiting object-centric event logs, which includes exploring and filtering the behavior contained in the logs and constructing process models which can encode the behavior of different classes of objects and their interactions (which can be discovered from object-centric event logs). This paper aims to provide a broad look at the exploration and processing of object-centric event logs to discover information related to the lifecycle of the different objects composing the event log. Also, comprehensive tool support (OC-PM) implementing the proposed techniques is described in the paper.
Through the looking glass: how do marked dolphins use mirrors and what does it mean?
Authors: Loth A. , Güntürkün O. , von Fersen L. , Janik V. M.
Published: September 2022

Mirror-guided self-inspection is seen as a cognitive hallmark purportedly indicating the existence of self-recognition. Only a few species of great apes have been reported to pass a standard mark test for mirror self-recognition in which animals attempt to touch a mark. In addition, evidence for passing the mark test was also reported for Asian elephants, two species of corvids, and a species of cleaner fish. Mirror self-recognition has also been claimed for bottlenose dolphins, using exposure of marked areas to a mirror as evidence. However, what counts as self-directed behaviour to see the mark and what does not has been debated. To avoid this problem, we marked the areas around both eyes of the animals at the same time, one with visible and the other with transparent dye to control for haptic cues. This allowed the animal to see the mark easily and us to investigate what side was exposed to the mirror as an indicator for mark observation. We found that the animals actively chose to inspect their visibly marked side while they did not show an increased interest in a marked conspecific in the pool. These results demonstrate that dolphins use the mirror to inspect their marks and, therefore, likely recognise a distinction between self and others.
Fine scale environmental variability and physiological tolerance influence invertebrate larval communities from a human-impacted mangrove in Hong Kong
Authors: Vorsatz Lyle Dennis , Porri Francesca , Pattrick Paula , Cannicci Stefano
Published: September 2022

Macroinvertebrates that rely on a supply of planktonic larvae for recruitment play a significant role in maintaining productivity in mangrove ecosystems. Thus, identifying the spatial distribution and physiological limitations of invertebrate larval communities within mangroves is important for targeted conservation efforts to maintain population persistence amid the threat of climate change. Here, the role of spatial, lunar, and environmental factors in structuring invertebrate larval communities in Ting Kok, the second largest mangrove forest in Hong Kong, was examined. Results indicate that, spatially, invertebrate larval communities were influenced by environmental filtering, habitat type, and the lunar tidal cycle. This indicates the fundamental role of habitat heterogeneity and connectivity for the transport, distribution, and development of crustacean larvae. Larvae of key sesarmids exhibited metabolic depression at water temperatures forecasted to be regularly experienced by the year 2050, according to current climate projections. The impacts of climate change, coupled with habitat destruction and degradation of hydrological connectivity, make larval communities increasingly vulnerable to mass-mortality and displacement. This places ecosystem productivity and functionality at risk through cascading negative effects of recruitment limitation. Further focus on this subject will help disentangle the effects of process rates and scales of transport that underlie community assemblages in mangrove systems. Furthermore, identifying physiological bottlenecks of key taxa and habitat provisioning that enhance larval survival will be helpful to prioritize strategies for conservation management in dynamic intertidal settings.
Psychosocial and environmental determinants of active transport to school in Austrian rural communities: a cross-sectional study among schoolchildren and their parents
Authors: Hofer-Fischanger Kathrin , Grasser Gerlinde , van Poppel Mireille N. M.
Published: September 2022

Background

Active transport to school (ATS) is an effective health-promoting intervention to integrate physical activity into children’s everyday lives. While previous studies have examined environmental and behavioural determinants on ATS in urban areas, evidence on rural areas is rare.

Method

This study examined whether environmental and psychosocial characteristics are associated with ATS in two rural communities in Austria. Participants from four schools (two primary / two secondary schools) returned a self-reported questionnaire on individual and environmental determinants of ATS consisting of one section for parents and one for children, with 382 of the 467 total responses being included in the analysis.

Results

Bivariate analyses showed a significant association of psychosocial characteristics of parents and children (intention, attitude, social norm, perceived behavioural control: p < 0.001), one environmental item (walking and cycling network: p ≤ 0.001) as well as distance and duration for walking to/from school between ATS. In a multiple regression model, the chances of participating in ATS were higher among children who have higher perceived behavioural control, walk between 5 to 10 minutes to school, and whose parents have a higher commitment to ATS.

Conclusions

Future initiatives to enhance ATS in rural areas should focus on the control beliefs of parents and children, and should involve parents in order to increase parents’ commitment to ATS. Additionally, measures should explore the effects of active transport promotion in the context of public transport and school buses. Above all, further opportunities for ATS should be considered in spatial and community planning.
Conspiracy Theories are Not Beliefs
Authors: Duetz J. C. M.
Published: September 2022

Napolitano (The epistemology of fake news, Oxford University Press, 2021) argues that the Minimalist Account of conspiracy theories—i.e., which defines conspiracy theories as explanations, or theories, about conspiracies—should be rejected. Instead, she proposes to define conspiracy theories as a certain kind of belief—i.e., an evidentially self-insulated belief in a conspiracy. Napolitano argues that her account should be favored over the Minimalist Account based on two considerations: ordinary language intuitions and theoretical fruitfulness. I show how Napolitano’s account fails its own purposes with respect to these two considerations and so should not be favored over the Minimalist Account. Furthermore, I propose that the Minimalist Account is the best conception of ‘conspiracy theory’ if we share Napolitano’s goal of advancing the understanding of conspiracy theories.
Urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio and serum albumin are predictors of acute kidney injury in non-ventilated COVID-19 patients: a single-center prospective cohort study
Authors: Schnabel Karolina , Garam Nóra , Ledó Nóra , Hajdú Noémi , Kóczy Ágnes , Takács István , Tabák Ádám Gy. , Tislér András
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent complication among COVID-19 patients in the intensive care unit, but it is less frequently investigated in general internal medicine wards. We aimed to examine the incidence, the predictors of AKI, and AKI-associated mortality in a prospective cohort of non-ventilated COVID-19 patients. We aimed to describe the natural history of AKI by describing trajectories of urinary markers of hemodynamic, glomerular, and tubular injury.

Methods

141 COVID-19 patients were enrolled to the study. AKI was defined according to KDIGO guidelines. Urine and renal function parameters were followed twice a week. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the predictors of AKI and mortality. Trajectories of urinary markers were described by unadjusted linear mixed models.

Results

19.7% patients developed AKI. According to multiple logistic regression, higher urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.04–2.12/1 mg/mmol) and lower serum albumin (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.77–0.94/1 g/L) were independent predictors of AKI. Mortality was 42.8% in the AKI and 8.8% in the group free from AKI (p < 0.0001). According to multiple logistic regression, older age, lower albumin, and AKI (OR 3.9, 95% CI 1.24–12.21) remained independent predictors of mortality. Urinary protein-to-creatinine trajectories were diverging with decreasing values in those without incident AKI.

Conclusion

We found high incidence of AKI and mortality among moderately severe, non-ventilated COVID-19 patients. Its development is predicted by higher albuminuria suggesting that the originally damaged renal structure may be more susceptible for virus-associated effects. No clear relationship was found with a prerenal mechanism, and the higher proteinuria during follow-up may point toward tubular damage.