bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preconception health indicators among adult US men: Race/ethnicity variations and temporal trends
Authors: Anakwe Adaobi , Ortiz Kasim , Kotelchuck Milton , BeLue Rhonda
Published: December 2023

Background

Preconception health is important for men as it is for women. However, optimizing preconception health is understudied among men.

Objectives

To examine the time trends and temporal shifts in preconception health risk indicators among 20–44‐year‐old adult US men in need of preconception care and their racial/ethnic variations.

Materials and methods

Data from the 2011–2019 National Survey of Family Growth male file was used to estimate the prevalence of nine preconception health indicators among men (20–44 years) intending to have a future pregnancy (n = 6813), stratifying by race/ethnicity, and assessing temporal changes across the study period. Binary logit and linear regression models estimated temporal trends from 2011–2013 to 2017–2019. Absolute and relative changes were estimated to detect temporal shifts in men's preconception health comparing 2011–2013 to 2017–2019.

Results

Men in all groups exhibited substantial preconception health needs, with unique trends across race/ethnicity groups. Between 2011 and 2019, the prevalence of marijuana use (28.6%–39.4%, p = 0.001), overweight/obese status (60.7%–65.1%, p ≤ 0.001), and the mean number of preconception health indicators (M = 2.69–2.84, p = 0.018) increased. Among non‐Hispanic White men, the prevalence of marijuana use (30.1%–41.4%, p = 0.028), overweight/obese status (60.6%–63.7%, p = 0.002), and mean number of preconception health risk indicators (M = 2.74–2.90, p = 0.033) increased. Among Hispanic men, the prevalence of inconsistent/no condom use (68.9%–81.4%, p = 0.022), marijuana use (18.9%–40.4%, p = 0.001), and the mean number preconception health risk indicators (M = 2.50–2.96, p = 0.014) increased. Among non‐Hispanic Black men, sexually transmitted infections declined (5.4%–3.6%, p = 0.002). Significant temporal shifts, which varied by race/ethnicity, were also observed.

Discussion and conclusion

Our study, which provides initial insight into men's preconception health development in the last decade, highlights a tremendous need for preconception health care among men. Their increasing preconception health needs, and their racial/ethnic variations, suggest additional contributors to racial/ethnic differences in men's reproductive outcomes and their long‐term health.
Hegel's Minor and Major Geographies: Space, Consciousness, and Change
Authors: Ioris Antonio A. R.
Published: December 2023

It is still largely ignored that Hegelian dialect can be of great assistance to comprehend the intricacies of the production, experience, and contestation of space. Hegelian philosophy can significantly help to enrich geographical scholarship, although Hegel‐the‐geographer is yet to be discovered and properly recognised. Considering the metabolism of reason, the articulation between the particular and the universal, the externalisation and supersession of objectified consciousness, and the function of otherness in the production of space, among other insights of great socio‐spatial relevance, this article offers a comparative analysis between Hegel's minor geography (the more explicit and immediate considerations of space, spatial dimensions, and geometry) and the more substantial, major geography, which is immanent in the main body of his philosophical system. The most remarkable geographical accomplishments of Hegel are possibly the detailed investigation into the pursuit of higher reason through practical, collective action and the convergence of various shapes of consciousness that constitutes the politico‐spatial absolute.
Therapeutic misunderstandings in modern research
Authors: Heynemann Sarah , Lipworth Wendy , McLachlan Sue‐Anne , Philip Jennifer , John Tom , Kerridge Ian
Published: December 2023

Clinical trials play a crucial role in generating evidence about healthcare interventions and improving outcomes for current and future patients. For individual trial participants, however, there are inevitably trade‐offs involved in clinical trial participation, given that trials have traditionally been designed to benefit future patient populations rather than to offer personalised care. Failure to understand the distinction between research and clinical care and the likelihood of benefit from participation in clinical trials has been termed the ‘therapeutic misconception’. The evolution of the clinical trials landscape, including greater integration of clinical trials into healthcare and development of novel trial methodologies, may reinforce the significance of the therapeutic misconception and other forms of misunderstanding while at the same time (paradoxically) challenging its salience. Using cancer clinical trials as an exemplar, we describe how methodological changes in early‐ and late‐phase clinical trial designs, as well as changes in the design and delivery of healthcare, impact upon the therapeutic misconception. We suggest that this provides an impetus to re‐examine the ethics of clinical research, particularly in relation to trial access, participant selection, communication and consent, and role delineation.
Identification of peanut skin components for treating hepatocellular carcinoma via network pharmacology and in vitro experiments
Authors: Li Sha , Liu Wen , Wang Tong‐Tong , Chen Tong‐Qiang , Guo Jin‐Cai
Published: December 2023

Peanut skin (PS) contains various flavonoids and phenols that have antitumor and antioxidant effects. However, no research has been conducted on PS and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Therefore, this study sought to explore the potential mechanism of PS in treating HCC. PS was searched for in the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform and SYMMAP databases. HCC targets were searched for in five major databases. Protein‐protein interaction network, Gene Ontology, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses were performed. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation were used for verification. Furthermore, in vitro experiments were used to verify the regulation of PS on human HCC (HepG2) cells. Ten ingredients and 95 common targets were identified for PS and HCC, respectively. The key targets of ingredients mainly relate to pathways such as hepatitis B, lipid and atherosclerosis, advanced glycation end products (AGEs)‐AGE receptors (RAGEs) signaling pathway in diabetic complications, interleukin‐17 (IL‐17) signaling pathway, mitogen activated kinase‐like protein (MAPK) signaling pathway, the PI3K‐Akt signaling pathway. In addition, the molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation analysis indicated the ingredients had strong binding ability with the targets. Moreover, in vitro experiments confirmed that luteolin can promote the apoptosis of HepG2 cells by controlling the expression of phosphorylated protein‐tyrosine kinase (p‐AKT). This study provides preliminary evidence that PS produces a marked effect in regulating multiple signaling pathways in HCC through multiple ingredients acting on multiple core genes, including AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT1), MYC, caspase 3 (CASP3), estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), jun proto‐oncogene(JUN), and provides the basis for follow‐up research to verify the mechanism of action of PS in treating HCC.
Neural Path Sampling for Rendering Pure Specular Light Transport
Authors: Yu Rui , Dong Yue , Kong Youkang , Tong Xin
Published: December 2023

Multi‐bounce, pure specular light paths produce complex lighting effects, such as caustics and sparkle highlights, which are challenging to render due to their sparse and diverse nature. We introduce a learning‐based method for the efficient rendering of pure specular light transport. The key idea is training a neural network to model the distribution of all specular light paths between pairs of endpoints for one specular object. To achieve this, for each object, our method models the distribution of sparse and diverse specular light paths between two endpoints using smooth 2D maps of ray directions from one endpoint and represents these maps with a 2D convolutional network. We design a training scheme to efficiently sample specular light paths from the scene and train the network. Once trained, our method predicts specular light paths for a given pair of endpoints using the network and employs root‐finding‐based algorithms for rendering the specular light transport. Experimental results demonstrate that our method generates high‐quality results, supports dynamic lighting and moving objects within the scene, and significantly enhances the rendering speed of existing techniques.
Ser38‐His93‐Asn91 triad confers resistance of JFH1 HCV NS5A‐Y93H variant to NS5A inhibitors
Authors: Lee Wei‐Ping , Tsai Keng‐Chang , Liao Shi‐Xian , Huang Yi‐Hsiang , Hou Ming‐Chih , Lan Keng‐Hsin
Published: December 2023

HCV NS5A is a dimeric phosphoprotein involved in HCV replication. NS5A inhibitors are among direct‐acting antivirals (DAA) for HCV therapy. The Y93H mutant of NS5A is resistant to NS5A inhibitors, but the precise mechanism remains unclear. In this report, we proposed a Ser38‐His93‐Asn91 triad to dissect the mechanism. Using pymol 1.3 software, the homology structure of JFH1 NS5A was determined based on the dimer structure of genotype 1b extracted from the database Protein DataBank (www.ebi.ac.uk/pdbsum) with codes 1ZH1 and 3FQM/3FQQ. FLAG‐NS5A‐WT failed to form dimer in the absence of nonstructural proteins from subgenomic replicon (NS3‐5A); however, FLAG‐NS5A‐Y93H was able to form dimer without the aid of NS3‐5A. The Ser38‐His93‐Asn91 triad in the dimer of the Y93H variant predicts a structural crash of the cleft receiving the NS5A inhibitor daclatasvir. The dimerization assay revealed that the existence of JFH1‐NS5A‐1ZH1 and ‐3FQM homology dimers depended on each other for existence and that both NS5A‐WT 1ZH1 and 3FQM dimers cooperated to facilitate RNA replication. However, NS5A‐Y93H 1ZH1 alone could form dimer and conduct RNA replication in the absence of the 3FQM structure. In conclusion, this study provides novel insight into the functional significance of the Ser38‐His93‐Asn91 triad in resistance of the Y93H variant to NS5A inhibitors.
Primary mucinous adenocarcinoma of the urethra: A clinicopathological analysis of 35 cases
Authors: Ge Rongbin , Zhang Jing , Lu Min , Shi Yuchuan , Yan Shi , Xue Zixuan , Wang Zongwei , Lopez‐Beltran Antonio , Cheng Liang
Published: December 2023

Aim

Primary mucinous adenocarcinoma of the urethra represents an extremely rare entity. We sought to characterise further these tumours’ clinicopathological, immunohistochemical and molecular features.

Methods and results

Thirty‐five cases were identified, occurring in 18 males and 17 females. The mean age at diagnosis was 65 years (28–89 years). The main presentation symptoms were haematuria and urinary outlet obstruction. Microscopic analysis revealed that all 35 tumours have stromal dissection by mucin. Ten tumours showed villoglandular dysplasia, nine showed mucinous metaplasia, two showed adenocarcinoma in situ and four showed signet ring cell features. All tumours were immunopositive for CEA, while immunonegative for nuclear β‐catenin; 19 of 23 (83%) expressed high molecular weight cytokeratin; 19 of 33 (58%) CK7; 28 of 34 (82%) CK20; 32 of 35 (91%) CDX2; 22 of 27 (81%) cadherin‐17 (CDH‐17); 26 of 29 (90%) SATB2; and one of 31 (3%) GATA3. Mismatch repair gene products, including MLH1, PMS2, MSH2 and MSH6, were immunopositive, suggesting the MSI‐low genotype of mucinous adenocarcinoma of the urethra. BRAF V600E and ALK rearrangements were not detected. During the mean follow‐up of 20 months, nine patients either developed distant metastasis or succumbed to the illness.

Conclusion

Our study, encompassing the most extensive series of 35 cases of primary mucinous adenocarcinoma of the urethra, provides crucial insights into its precise diagnosis, management and potential targeted treatments. We found a greater CDX2, SATB2 and CDH17 sensitivity in these urethral tumours for the first time, to our knowledge. We identified characteristics such as an MSI‐low profile, non‐V600E BRAF mutations and an absence of ALK rearrangements.
HIGHER‐ORDER INCOME RISK OVER THE BUSINESS CYCLE
Authors: Busch Christopher , Ludwig Alexander
Published: December 2023

We explore the consequences of higher‐order risk in a standard incomplete‐markets life‐cycle model. We calibrate the model using a canonical income process with persistent and transitory risk, extended to feature cyclical shock distributions with left‐skewness and excess kurtosis. We estimate this income process for U.S. household data, and find shocks to be highly leptokurtic, with countercyclical variance and procyclical skewness of persistent shocks. In the model, first, higher‐order risk has sizable welfare implications; second, it matters quantitatively for the welfare costs of cyclical idiosyncratic risk; third, it has nontrivial implications for self‐insurance against shocks.
Evaluating the total antioxidant capacity of processed milk: utilising applicable antioxidant assays and key antioxidant components
Authors: Zhou Xinyun , Liu Dan , Hadiatullah Hadiatullah , Guo Ting , Yao Yunping , Li Changmo , Wang Xingguo
Published: December 2023

Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) holds immense importance in evaluating the milk quality. However, achieving accuracy and comparability in TAC measurement requires a thorough examination of detection methods and the constituents of antioxidants. This research focussed on developing TAC evaluation system tailored for processed milk, and the applicability of four assays (ABTS, FRAP, DPPH and ORAC) was examined, considering their compatibility with antioxidants. For fractionated milk, defatting and deproteinisation processes targeted reduced fat‐soluble (phospholipids by 88.75%) and water‐soluble (ascorbic acid and riboflavin by 55.22% and 63.85%) components, respectively. ORAC assay proved effective for detecting deproteinised milk, whereas DPPD assay displayed heightened sensitivity to alterations in milk fat antioxidants. Regarding pressure‐ and heat‐treated milk, homogenisation increased the availability of phosphatidylcholine (36.59–57.53 mg/L) and sphingomyelin (5.56–10.35 mg/L). However, the TAC of heat‐treated milk experienced a significant reduction due to the degradation of various fat‐soluble antioxidants. ORAC and ABTS assays were found suitable for assessing homogenised and heat‐treated milk, respectively. The peroxide value of reconstituted processed milk fell within the range of 98.48%–104.57% compared to untreated whole milk, affirming the accuracy of key antioxidants and detection methods. This study provides valuable insights for the meticulous assessment and enhancement of antioxidant capacity in milk.
Chitosan films activated with phytochemicals extracted from carrot by‐product encapsulated in TPP chitosomes
Authors: Esposto Bruno Stefani , Tessaro Larissa , Aguilar Guilherme José , Sobral Paulo José do Amaral , Tapia‐Blácido Delia Rita , Martelli‐Tosi Milena
Published: December 2023

The main objective of this study was to extract phytochemicals from carrot by‐product, encapsulate them in TPP chitosomes (consisting of liposome vesicles coated with chitosan cross‐linked with sodium tripolyphosphate) and incorporate them into chitosan (Ch) films. Physicochemical, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of films were evaluated. Three concentrations of TPP chitosome suspension were studied: 50%, 60% and 70%, designated TPPCh50, TPPCh60 and TPPCh70 respectively. Microscopy analyses showed that the particles modified the surface and internal structures of the Ch films, providing films with higher average roughness (Control: 12.6 ± 1.8 nm vs. TPPCh70: 96.1 ± 8.0 nm) and decreased gloss (Control: 34.1 ± 3.9 GU vs. TPPCh70: 5.6 ± 1.0 GU). Furthermore, the TPPCh films displayed decreased Ch intermolecular interactions, which produced less mechanically resistant (TS = 15.3 MPa), more elongable (EB = 47.9%), slightly more water‐soluble (SI = 14.7%) and more water‐vapour permeable (WVP = 7.54*10−9 g/msPa) films, mainly at high phytochemical concentration (TPPCh70) as compared to the Control. TPPCh addition in the Ch film improved its antioxidant capacity (3.6 times greater) and UV/Vis light barrier property, but no significant antimicrobial activity was observed. In conclusion, TPPCh films could be used as packaging to preserve foods that are sensitive to oxidation.
Gut microbiota modification by diosgenin mediates antiepileptic effects in a mouse model of epilepsy
Authors: Li Xinyu , Li Jing , Ji Jia , Li Saisai , Yao Xiaoyu , Fan Hongbin , Yao Ruiqin
Published: December 2023

Diosgenin, a natural steroid saponin, holds promise as a multitarget therapeutic for various diseases, including neurodegenerative conditions. Its efficacy in slowing Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and stroke progression has been demonstrated. However, the role of diosgenin in anti‐epilepsy and its potential connection to the modulation of the intestinal microbiota remain poorly understood. In this study, exogenous diosgenin significantly mitigated pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)‐induced seizures, learning and memory deficits, and hippocampal neuronal injury. 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) sequencing revealed a reversal in the decrease of Bacteroides and Parabacteroides genera in the PTZ‐induced mouse epileptic model following diosgenin treatment. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) experiments illustrated the involvement of diosgenin in modulating gut microbiota and providing neuroprotection against epilepsy. Our results further indicated the repression of enteric glial cells (EGCs) activation and the TLR4‐MyD88 pathway, coupled with reduced production of inflammatory cytokines in the colonic lumen, and improved intestinal barrier function in epilepsy mice treated with diosgenin or FMT. This study suggests that diosgenin plays a role in modifying gut microbiota, contributing to the alleviation of intestinal inflammation and neuroinflammation, ultimately inhibiting epilepsy progression in a PTZ‐induced mouse model. Diosgenin emerges as a potential therapeutic option for managing epilepsy and its associated comorbidities.

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Just probabilities
Authors: Lee‐Stronach Chad
Published: December 2023

I defend the thesis that legal standards of proof are reducible to thresholds of probability. Many reject this thesis because it appears to permit finding defendants liable solely on the basis of statistical evidence. To the contrary, I argue – by combining Thomson's (1986) causal analysis of legal evidence with formal methods of causal inference – that legal standards of proof can be reduced to probabilities, but that deriving these probabilities involves more than just statistics.
Prevalence of personality disorders in adults with binge eating disorder—A systematic review and Bayesian meta‐analysis
Authors: Senra Hugo , Gaglianone Catarina Gouveia , McPherson Susan , Unterrainer Human
Published: December 2023

Binge eating disorder (BED) is a complex mental health problem entailing high risk for obesity, overweight, and other psychiatric disorders. However, there is still unclear evidence of the prevalence of personality disorders (PDs) in BED patients. We conducted a systematic review and a Bayesian meta‐analysis for studies examining the prevalence of any PD in adult BED patients. Data sources included PubMed, Cochrane library, EBSCO, PsycINFO, and Science Direct. A Bayesian meta‐analysis was conducted to estimate effect sizes for the prevalence of any PD in BED patients. Twenty eligible articles were examined with a total of 2945 BED patients. Borderline personality disorder and “Cluster C” PD, particularly obsessive‐compulsive and avoidant PD, were the most frequent PD found in BED patients. BED diagnosis was associated with 28% probability of a comorbid diagnosis of any PD (0.279, 95%CrI: [0.22, 0.34]), with high levels of between‐study heterogeneity (τ = 0.61, 95% CrI [0.40, 0.90]). Sensitivity analysis suggested effect sizes ranging from 0.27 to 0.28. The high comorbidity of PDs in BED patients draws attention to the potential complexity of BED clinical presentations, including those that might also be comorbid with obesity. Clinical practice should address this complexity to improve care for BED and obesity patients.
Are rules made to be broken? Conspiracy exposure promotes aggressive behavior
Authors: Poon Kai‐Tak , Chan Rheal S. W. , Lai Hill‐Son
Published: December 2023

Individuals often come across political conspiracy theories in various daily encounters. Researchers have mainly investigated predictors of conspiracy beliefs; meanwhile, the psychological and behavioral consequences of conspiracy exposure remain less known. In four experimental studies (total valid N = 1,091) with U.S. and Chinese participants, we examined whether conspiracy exposure promotes aggressive behavior and tested several potential mechanisms underlying the effect. We also tested whether reinforcing the importance of following rules weakens conspiracy exposure's effect on aggression. Our results revealed that conspiracy exposure increases aggression through a greater tendency to break rules (Experiments 1–3). We also ruled out two alternative mechanisms because neither sense of control (Experiment 2) nor negative mood (Experiment 3) accounted for conspiracy exposure's effect on aggression, and rule‐breaking tendencies still significantly mediated the effect after we controlled for these factors. Finally, increasing the perceived importance of rules weakened conspiracy exposure's effect on aggression (Experiment 4). Taken together, this research carries significant implications for how exposure to political conspiracy theories influences people's aggression. Our findings also lend themselves practically to the development of strategies for reducing the negative impacts of political conspiracy theories.
Racial disparities without racism: Some conceptual & analytical considerations
Authors: Williams Deadric T.
Published: December 2023

Most studies on racial inequality begin with a series of statistics highlighting racial variations in an outcome of interest to illustrate how wide (or narrow) the gaps between racialized groups are. This approach is standard in racial inequality research because emphasizing racial differentials between racialized groups helps researchers frame inequality as a social problem. Scholars across academic disciplines and across sub‐areas within sociology report racial statistics to pay attention to what social scientists refer to as racial disparities. Presenting racial disparities is extremely important for documenting inequality; however, family scholars tend to provide descriptive statistical portraits along ethno‐racial lines (disparities) in the absence of racism, which, in turn, conceals the United States' racialized historical context. In other words, reporting racial inequality as disparities without addressing racism is a critical omission in family science research. Emphasizing racism is important because biological explanation still permeates the American imagination about racial inequality. The purpose of this paper is to provide conceptual and analytical considerations for future racial inequality and family research by recasting disparities as manifestations of racism instead of mere statistical differences. To illustrate the conceptual considerations, I first build on Williams' theoretical model focusing on structural racism and Black family life. I expand on how racism not only makes the idea of race possible but also manifests in observable, measurable outcomes. In the second section, I present an analytical consideration for understanding Black families' inequality by focusing on within‐group analyses. These conceptual and analytical considerations serve as ways to adequately represent Black families and children in the US.
OsJMJ718, a histone demethylase gene, positively regulates seed germination in rice
Authors: Jia Junting , Luo Yongjian , Wu Zhiyuan , Ji Yufang , Liu Shuangxing , Shu Jie , Chen Bingxian , Liu Jun
Published: December 2023

Seed vigor has major impact on the rate and uniformity of seedling growth, crop yield, and quality. However, the epigenetic regulatory mechanism of crop seed vigor remains unclear. In this study, a (jumonji C) JmjC gene of the histone lysine demethylase OsJMJ718 was cloned in rice, and its roles in seed germination and its epigenetic regulation mechanism were investigated. OsJMJ718 was located in the nucleus and was engaged in H3K9 methylation. Histochemical GUS staining analysis revealed OsJMJ718 was highly expressed in seed embryos. Abiotic stress strongly induced the OsJMJ718 transcriptional accumulation level. Germination percentage and seedling vigor index of OsJMJ718 knockout lines (OsJMJ718‐CR) were lower than those of the wild type (WT). Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (ChIP‐seq) of seeds imbibed for 24 h showed an increase in H3K9me3 deposition of thousands of genes in OsJMJ718‐CR. ChIP‐seq results and transcriptome analysis showed that differentially expressed genes were enriched in ABA and ethylene signal transduction pathways. The content of ABA in OsJMJ718‐CR was higher than that in WT seeds. OsJMJ718 overexpression enhanced sensitivity to ABA during germination and early seedling growth. In the seed imbibition stage, ABA and ethylene content diminished and augmented, separately, suggesting that OsJMJ718 may adjust rice seed germination through the ABA and ethylene signal transduction pathways. This study displayed the important function of OsJMJ718 in adjusting rice seed germination and vigor, which will provide an essential reference for practical issues, such as improving rice vigor and promoting direct rice sowing production.
Analyzing Engine Exhaust Gas Temperature Pulsations and Gas-Dynamics Using Thin-Wire Thermocouples
Authors: Venkataraman Varun , Hong Beichuan , Cronhjort Andreas
Published: December 2023

The exhaust of internal combustion engines (ICEs) is characterized by rapid large amplitude exhaust gas temperature (EGT) pulsations that demand high-bandwidth measurements for accurate instantaneous and mean EGTs. While measurement technique challenges constrain on-engine EGT pulse measurements, reduced-order system simulations numerically estimate the EGT pulse and its mean to overcome the measurement limitation. Notwithstanding high-bandwidth pressure measurements, model calibration and validation for the EGT are confined to mean indications using sheathed thermal sensors like thermocouples and resistance thermometers. These EGT measurements are susceptible to errors caused by heat transfer, flow unsteadiness, and the thermal inertia of the sensor. Exposed thin-wire thermocouples provide an intermediate solution to the robustness-to-response tradeoff of thermal sensors. While the thermocouples' thermal inertia significantly affects the measured EGT pulse, the signal derivative (unscaled dynamic error) provides greater insight by indicating the EGT waveform. This study utilizes a 50.8-μm Type-K thermocouple to contrast the exhaust pressure and EGT pulses through the measured signal and its derivative. Experiments in a single-pipe exhaust of a heavy-duty diesel engine with isolated engine speed and load sweeps (LS) present significant differences between the pressure and indicative EGT waveforms. It also highlights a rapid prepulse fluctuation unique to the EGT pulse waveform caused by exhaust gas-dynamics and impacted by heat transfer. The study motivates the need for increased bandwidth EGT measurements to improve model validation of EGT pulse estimates while showcasing the utility of thin-wire thermocouples.
Effects of H+ ion bombardment on GaAs photocathode surface with Cs-O and Cs-F activation layers
Authors: Zhang Kaimin , Zhang Yijun , Wang Qiming , Zhang Jingzhi , Li Shiman , Qian Yunsheng , Shi Feng , Jiao Gangcheng , Yan Lei , Feng Cheng
Published: December 2023

To characterize the degree of damage to the GaAs photocathode surface caused by H+ ion back bombardment in the electron-bombarded complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (EBCMOS), Stopping Range of Ions in Matter software based on the Monte Carlo method was used to investigate the effect of H+ ions with different incident energies on the surface of Cs-O (Cs-F) activated GaAs photocathode. During the simulations, different Cs/O (Cs/F) ratios ranging from 1:1 to 4:1 were considered. The sputtering rates, backscattering electrons, and longitudinal and lateral displacements along with vacancies/ions were investigated. According to the analysis of sputtering rates and vacancies, the optimal Cs/O ratio and Cs/F ratio are 3:1 and 4:1, respectively. With the increase in the incident energy, the backscattering rates decrease, the peak value of the H+ ion distribution decreases, while the corresponding peak position increases, and the peak value of the vacancy distribution increases first and then decreases, while the corresponding peak position increases. In addition, the projected ranges, and lateral and longitudinal displacements increase with the increase in incident energies, while the projected ranges may far exceed the straggle lengths and make the ion trajectory become more and more concentrated in the high incident energy region. This work helps to understand the degeneration mechanism of the GaAs photocathode operating in EBCMOS.
The magmatic origin of the Columbia River Gorge, USA
Authors: Klema Nathaniel , Karlstrom Leif , Cannon Charles , Jiang Chengxin , O’Connor Jim , Wells Ray , Schmandt Brandon
Published: December 2023

Along subduction zones, high-relief topography is associated with sustained volcanism parallel to the plate margin. However, the relationship between magmatism and mountain building in arcs is poorly understood. Here, we study patterns of surface deformation and correlated fluvial knickpoints in the Columbia River Gorge to link long-term magmatism to the uplift and ensuing topographic development of the Cascade Range. An upwarped paleochannel exposed in the walls of the Gorge constrains unsteady deep magma flux, the ratio of intrusive to extrusive magmatic contributions to topography, and the impact of magmatism on Columbia River incision since 3.5 million years ago. Geophysical data indicate that deep magma influx beneath the arc axis is ongoing and not aligned with the current locations of volcanic edifices, representing a broad regional influence on arc construction.
Optical polarization analogs in inelastic free-electron scattering
Authors: Bourgeois Marc R. , Nixon Austin G. , Chalifour Matthieu , Masiello David J.
Published: December 2023

Advances in the ability to manipulate free-electron phase profiles within the electron microscope have spurred development of quantum-mechanical descriptions of electron energy loss (EEL) processes involving transitions between phase-shaped transverse states. Here, we elucidate an underlying connection between two ostensibly distinct optical polarization analogs identified in EEL experiments as manifestations of the same conserved scattering flux. Our work introduces a procedure for probing general tensorial target characteristics including global mode symmetries and local polarization.
Origin of Early Cretaceous mafic volcanic rocks from the Erlian Basin west of the Great Xing’an Range of North China: Implications for the tectono-magmatic evolution of East Asia
Authors: Tang Jianzhou , Zhang Zhicheng , Allen Mark B. , Song Shuguang , Ding Cong , Li Ke , Chen Yan
Published: December 2023

Early Cretaceous intraplate volcanic rocks are widespread in NE Asia, but their origin remains controversial. This work presents zircon U-Pb ages, whole-rock element and Sr-Nd isotope data for mafic volcanic rocks from the Erlian Basin, a wide rift basin in NE Asia. There were two episodes of Early Cretaceous mafic volcanism in the Erlian Basin, and the eruptions show contrasting geochemical compositions. The early mafic volcanic rocks, with U-Pb ages of ca. 140–135 Ma, show slightly depleted Sr-Nd isotope compositions (ISr(t) = 0.7042–0.7052; εNd(t) = + 0.82 to +3.0) and arc-like trace-element compositions, which are derived from subduction-related fluid/melt metasomatized lithosphere mantle. The late mafic volcanic rocks (dated at ca. 125 Ma) have enriched Sr-Nd isotopes (ISr(t) = 0.7055–0.7077; εNd(t) = −0.50 to −2.67) and oceanic-island basalt (OIB)-like trace-element compositions, revealing the metasomatism of melts from crustal materials and asthenosphere mantle. The two types of mafic volcanic rocks may record the interactions of the mantle and melts from the subducted paleo-Pacific oceanic slab at different depths. The landward-then-oceanward migration pattern of the Mesozoic volcanism from NE Asia can be explained by the flat subduction and subsequent slab roll-back of the Paleo-Pacific Ocean, consistent with migration patterns from the North China Craton and South China Block, implying similar Jurassic–Cretaceous subduction evolution along the entire East Asia margin. Some Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous dates from east Mongolia and the southern margin of the Erlian Basin diverge from this trajectory. In combination with previous studies, we suggest that the Early Cretaceous pervasive intraplate volcanism in the Erlian Basin and adjacent areas of NE Asia mainly resulted from the slab roll-back of the Paleo-Pacific Ocean with a combined effect from the post-collision extension of the Mongol-Okhotsk orogen.
Incidence of injury and illness among paediatric Team USA athletes competing in the 2020 Tokyo and 2022 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games
Authors: Post Eric G , Anderson Travis , Shilt Jeffrey S , Dugan Eric L , Clark Stephanie C , Larson Emily G , Noble-Taylor Kayle E , Robinson David M , Donaldson Amber T , Finnoff Jonathan T , Adams William M
Published: December 2023

Objective

To describe the incidence of injuries and illnesses among paediatric Team USA athletes competing in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the 2022 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Methods

An electronic medical record system documented all injuries and illnesses that occurred while competing in the four Games periods. Incidence (IR) with 95% CI per 1000 athlete days were calculated for both injuries and illnesses. Incidence rate ratios (IRR) were calculated to compare injury and illness rates based on age (paediatric vs non-paediatric) sex, Games period and sport type.

Results

Two hundred paediatric athletes (age range, 15–21 years) competed across the four Games periods, representing 16.1% of all Team USA athletes. The overall injury IR (95% CI) was 13.4 (9.8 to 18.1), and the overall illness IR was 5.5 (3.3 to 8.7). There were no differences in incidence between paediatric and non-paediatric athletes for either injury (IRR (95% CI): 0.9 (0.6 to 1.2)) or illness (IRR (95% CI): 0.9 (0.5 to 1.5)). Female paediatric athletes were more likely to sustain an injury compared with male paediatric athletes (IRR (95% CI): 2.4 (1.1 to 5.3)). The most common mechanism of injury was gradual onset (IR, 4.3 (2.3 to 7.2)), and injuries most commonly occurred during practices (IR, 7.0 (4.5 to 10.5)).

Conclusion

Paediatric athletes account for a substantial proportion of Team USA athletes. It is essential that paediatric sports medicine experts are included in the medical team given that paediatric Team USA athletes are just as likely as their adult teammates to sustain an injury or illness.
A narrative analysis of a tobacco industry campaign to disrupt Aotearoa New Zealand’s endgame policies
Authors: Ozarka Ellen , Hoek Janet
Published: December 2023

Background

Aotearoa New Zealand passed world-leading legislation to implement tobacco endgame policies, including greatly reducing the number of tobacco retailers. British American Tobacco New Zealand and Imperial Brands Australasia tried to undermine this policy via the ‘Save Our Stores’ (SOS) campaign, which purportedly represented small convenience store owners’ interests.

Methods

We used the Policy Dystopia Model as a framework to review discursive and instrumental strategies employed in the SOS campaign. Specifically, we critically analysed the arguments, narratives and frames employed in the campaign.

Results

Most SOS arguments drew on discursive strategies that emphasised unanticipated costs to the economy and society, and presented a near-apocalyptic future. Adverse outcomes included economic mayhem, thriving illicit trade, increased violent crime, fewer police, and heavier individual tax burdens. The campaign framed the government as an authoritarian legislator with misplaced priorities and used disinformation to bolster these claims. We identified a new normalisation narrative used to present very low nicotine cigarettes (VLNCs) as experimental and, by implication, risky. A metanarrative of lawlessness and decreased public safety connected the different claims.

Conclusion

To address the existential challenges they face, tobacco companies used several discursive strategies to oppose the retailer reduction and VLNC policies. Our findings could inform counterarguments, and help international policymakers and advocates anticipate opposition they may encounter when introducing endgame measures, such as reducing tobacco availability.
Estimation of confidence in the calculated resistance factor for simple limit states with limited data for load and resistance model bias
Authors: Bathurst Richard J. , Jamshidi Chenari Reza
Published: December 2023

The estimation of the resistance factor in load and resistance factor design (LRFD) calibration for simple soil–structure limit states is most often based on model bias data of limited size. Frequently, the bias data are only available or required for the resistance term. In this study, the confidence in the estimate of the mean of the resistance factor is computed for the case of one resistance factor and one load factor where limited model bias data are available for both load and resistance terms. The bootstrap method is used to compute synthetic load and resistance bias data sets from which confidence intervals on the point (mean) estimate of the resistance factor and load factor are computed. A closed-form solution is used to calculate the resistance factor for a single prescribed load factor and target reliability index, bias data, and nominal load and resistance variables that are lognormally distributed. However, the approach is general using Monte Carlo simulation. The method is demonstrated using the case of the internal stability pullout limit state for steel strip mechanically stabilized earth walls. The example demonstrates the quantitative influence on pullout design using upper and lower 95% confidence interval limits for load and resistance factors.
Introduction to the Special Issue on Wireless Sensing for IoT
Authors: Ma Huadong , He Yuan , Li Mo , Patwari Neal , Sigg Stephan
Published: December 2023

ACM TIOT launched its first special issue on the theme of wireless sensing for IoT. As an important component of the special issue and a novel practice of the journal, an online virtual workshop will be held, with presentations for each of the accepted articles. Welcome to join us for online discussion! Free registration is required for an attendee of the workshop. The zoom link will be shared to registered attendees before the workshop.
An Examination of Black Undergraduate Women's Intersectional Experiences and Academic Motivation in Computing Education
Authors: Willis Danyelle Tauryce , Freeman Kimberley Edelin
Published: December 2023

Objectives.
We aim to understand, from a motivational perspective, how Black undergraduate women in computing make sense of their intersectional computing experiences. We examine their motivation to major in computing, their experiences as Black women in computing, and how these vary across institutional contexts.

Participants.
A sample of 77 Black undergraduate women in computing programs (computer science, computer engineering, information systems, information technology, and software engineering) from diverse college settings was recruited to participate in the study.

Study Method.
Participants responded to an online survey that included several Likert-scale measures for identity, motivation and retention variables, demographic questions, and two open-ended questions:
Why did you choose to study computing?
and
What is it like for you to be a Black female student in computing?

Findings.
Key themes that emerged from our quantitative and qualitative analyses revealed the range of motivational factors driving Black undergraduate women to study computing and the nuances across their intersectional experiences in the computing education context. Additionally, Black undergraduate women located in HBCU computing education contexts demonstrated both similar and unique perspectives and experiences compared to their counterparts in non-HBCU settings.

Conclusions.
In addition to the isolation, pressure, power dynamics and epistemic violence experienced by Black women in the intersectional computing education context, the findings of this study display the unique cultural-social-psychological strengths of Black women in their positive valence and resilience, as well as their joy, empowerment, and achievement in computing. Increasing and complicating our knowledge of the motivations and intersectional experiences of Black women in undergraduate computing education, as well as understanding when and how their beliefs and perspectives vary across institutional context, will better inform efforts to retain them and promote their success both in college and into their careers.
Cross-Chain Smart Contract Invocations: A Systematic Multi-Vocal Literature Review
Authors: Falazi Ghareeb , Breitenbücher Uwe , Leymann Frank , Schulte Stefan
Published: December 2023

The introduction of smart contracts has expanded the applicability of blockchains to many domains beyond finance and cryptocurrencies. Moreover, different blockchain technologies have evolved that target special requirements. As a result, in practice, often a combination of different blockchain systems is required to achieve an overall goal. However, due to the heterogeneity of blockchain protocols, the execution of distributed business transactions that span several blockchains leads to multiple interoperability and integration challenges. Therefore, in this article, we examine the domain of Cross-Chain Smart Contract Invocations (CCSCIs), which are distributed transactions that involve the invocation of smart contracts hosted on two or more blockchain systems. We conduct a systematic multi-vocal literature review to get an overview of the available CCSCI approaches. We select 20 formal literature studies and 13 high-quality gray literature studies, extract data from them, and analyze it to derive the CCSCI Classification Framework. With the help of the framework, we group the approaches into two categories and eight subcategories. The approaches differ in multiple characteristics, e.g., the mechanisms they follow, and the capabilities and transaction processing semantics they offer. Our analysis indicates that all approaches suffer from obstacles that complicate real-world adoption, such as the low support for handling heterogeneity and the need for trusted third parties.
DNM3OS Enhances the Apoptosis and Senescence of Spermatogonia Associated with Nonobstructive Azoospermia by Providing miR‐214‐5p and Decreasing E2F2 Expression
Authors: Hua Rui , Chu Qingjun , Guo Feiyan , Chen Qinjie , Li Maocai , Zhou Xuan , Zhu Yongtong
Published: December 2023

Background. Nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) is a complex disease characterized by the spermatogenic dysfunction of testicular tissues. The roles played by long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in NOA pathogenesis have not been extensively studied. Methods. Microarray assays were performed on samples of testicular biopsy tissue obtained from patients with NOA for the purpose of identifying differentially expressed lncRNAs and messenger RNA (mRNA) transcripts, and the results were verified by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Mouse‐derived GC‐1 spermatogonia (spg) cells undergoing treatment with Adriamycin (ADR) were used to investigate the biological functions of the selected lncRNAs in vitro. The target microRNAs (miRNAs) of lncRNAs and the target mRNAs of miRNAs were predicted by a bioinformatics analysis. Functional studies performed using the CCK‐8 assay, EdU incorporation assay, apoptosis detection, and senescence‐associated β‐galactosidase (SA‐β‐Gal) staining were conducted using GC‐1 spg cells. Results. Totals of 2,652 lncRNAs and 2,625 mRNAs were found to be differentially expressed in the testicular tissue of NOA patients when compared with patients in a control group. Dynamin 3 opposite strand (DNM3OS) was a provider of pe‐miR‐214‐5p that positively regulates miR‐214‐5p expression in GC‐1 spg cells. The E2 factor (E2F) family of transcription factor 2 (E2F2) was initially predicted and subsequently verified to be a downstream gene of miR‐214‐5p. E2F2 expression was upregulated after DNM3OS knockdown in ADR‐treated GC‐1 spg cells. Moreover, knockdown of either DNM3OS or miR‐214‐5p significantly alleviated ADR‐induced decreases in cellular activity and proliferation, as well as increases in apoptosis and senescence of mouse spermatogonial GC‐1 spg cells. Conclusions. DNM3OS was found to regulate the apoptosis and senescence of spermatogonia by providing miR‐214‐5p and decreasing E2F2 expression, suggesting it as a novel target for gene therapy of male infertility.
Optical and MRI Multimodal Tracing of Stem Cells In Vivo
Authors: Yang Jia , Yan Min , Wang Zhong , Zhang Cong , Guan Miao , Sun Zhenglong
Published: December 2023

Stem cell therapy has shown great clinical potential in oncology, injury, inflammation, and cardiovascular disease. However, due to the technical limitations of the in vivo visualization of transplanted stem cells, the therapeutic mechanisms and biosafety of stem cells in vivo are poorly defined, which limits the speed of clinical translation. The commonly used methods for the in vivo tracing of stem cells currently include optical imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and nuclear medicine imaging. However, nuclear medicine imaging involves radioactive materials, MRI has low resolution at the cellular level, and optical imaging has poor tissue penetration in vivo. It is difficult for a single imaging method to simultaneously achieve the high penetration, high resolution, and noninvasiveness needed for in vivo imaging. However, multimodal imaging combines the advantages of different imaging modalities to determine the fate of stem cells in vivo in a multidimensional way. This review provides an overview of various multimodal imaging technologies and labeling methods commonly used for tracing stem cells, including optical imaging, MRI, and the combination of the two, while explaining the principles involved, comparing the advantages and disadvantages of different combination schemes, and discussing the challenges and prospects of human stem cell tracking techniques.