bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical, cognitive, and morphometric profiles of progressive supranuclear palsy phenotypes
Authors: Campagnolo Marta , Weis Luca , Fogliano Carmelo , Cianci Valeria , Garon Michela , Fiorenzato Eleonora , Carecchio Miryam , Ferreri Florinda , Bisiacchi Patrizia , Antonini Angelo , Biundo Roberta
Published: January 2023

The International Parkinson’s and Movement Disorder Society (MDS) criteria for progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) have broadened the clinical spectrum of the disease and established phenotypic characterization according to the predominant manifestation at onset. The objective of this study is to describe clinical/cognitive and imaging features of a monocentric cohort of PSP patients, highlighting different patterns of functional disability according to the assigned phenotype. We retrospectively reviewed clinical/imaging data of 53 PSP patients diagnosed with probable PSP according to the MDS criteria and 40 age/sex-matched healthy controls (HCs). Neurological/neuropsychological assessments were performed using standardized scales, as well as comprehensive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) morphometric measurements. In our cohort, there were 24/53 PSP-RS (Richardson’s syndrome), 13/53 PSP-P (Parkinsonism), 7/53 PSP-PGF (Progressive gait freezing), and 9/53 PSP-Cog (Cognitive impairment). PSP-Cog presented the worst motor profiles, the highest percentages of dementia and impaired functional autonomy; 4/9 PSP-Cog and 2/7 PSP-PGF died. PSP-P had the lowest motor/cognitive burden. All MRI parameters had good discriminative efficacy vs. HCs, with P/M 2.0 discriminating PSP-PGF from PSP-RS and PSP-Cog. We highlighted discrete clinical and imaging patterns that best characterize different PSP phenotypes. PSP-Cog and PSP-PGF/RS manifest greater incidence of dementia and motor disability, respectively, while PSP-P has a more benign course. The identification of different phenotypes may be the expression of different progression patterns requiring tailored approaches in terms of follow-up and treatment. These findings support the concept of discrete patterns of Tau pathology within the PSP spectrum and encourage research for phenotype-specific outcome measures.
Objective climatology and classification of the Mediterranean cyclones based on the ERA5 data set and the use of the results for the definition of seasons
Authors: Kotsias G. , Lolis C. J. , Hatzianastassiou N. , Bakas N. , Lionello P. , Bartzokas A.
Published: January 2023

An objective cyclone detection and tracking analysis is performed for the Mediterranean region with the use of 6-hourly (00, 06, 12, and 18 UTC) 1° × 1° mean sea-level pressure data obtained from the ERA5 database for the period 1950–2018. At first, the main cyclogenesis and high-density areas of cyclones are identified. Next, principal component analysis and cluster analysis are performed, classifying the detected cyclone trajectories into 12 clusters. In the following step, the application of the above methodology, this time on the intra-annual variations of the 12 cyclone clusters’ frequencies leads to the objective definition of four seasons, which generally correspond to the conventional ones, but they present differences in their limits and duration. The results of this method are also compared with the ones of two other methods for defining the seasons, which are based (i) on the long-term mean intra-annual variations of various meteorological parameters and (ii) on the intra-annual variations of the frequencies of defined weather types, revealing larger winter and shorter spring seasons. Finally, a composition of all three aforementioned approaches is attempted, leading to the following seasons: “winter” (November 16–March 25) which lasts more than 4 months, “spring” (March 26–June 11) with a duration of approximately 2.5 months, “summer” (June 12–September 12) which lasts about 3 months, and “autumn” (September 13–November 15) with a duration of about 2 months. The long-term changes of the above seasons’ characteristics are also examined.
A Stirling-Type Formula for the Distribution of the Length of Longest Increasing Subsequences
Authors: Bornemann Folkmar
Published: January 2023

The discrete distribution of the length of longest increasing subsequences in random permutations of n integers is deeply related to random matrix theory. In a seminal work, Baik, Deift and Johansson provided an asymptotics in terms of the distribution of the scaled largest level of the large matrix limit of GUE. As a numerical approximation, however, this asymptotics is inaccurate for small n and has a slow convergence rate, conjectured to be just of order $$n^{-1/3}$$

n

-
1
/
3

. Here, we suggest a different type of approximation, based on Hayman’s generalization of Stirling’s formula. Such a formula gives already a couple of correct digits of the length distribution for n as small as 20 but allows numerical evaluations, with a uniform error of apparent order $$n^{-2/3}$$

n

-
2
/
3

, for n as large as $$10^{12}$$

10
12

, thus closing the gap between a table of exact values (compiled for up to $$n=1000$$

n
=
1000

) and the random matrix limit. Being much more efficient and accurate than Monte Carlo simulations, the Stirling-type formula allows for a precise numerical understanding of the first few finite size correction terms to the random matrix limit. From this we derive expansions of the expected value and variance of the length, exhibiting several more terms than previously put forward.
Analysis of 3D crack patterns in a free plate caused by thermal shock using FEM-bifurcation
Authors: Jesch-Weigel Nico , Zielke Reiner , Hofmann Martin , Wallmersperger Thomas
Published: January 2023

Damage to components made of brittle material due to thermal shock represents a high safety risk. Predicting the degree of damage is therefore very important to avoid catastrophic failure. An energy-based linear elastic fracture mechanics bifurcation analysis using a three-dimensional finite element model is presented here, which allows the determination of crack length and crack spacing for a defined thermal load in a free plate. It is assumed that a hierarchical crack pattern is formed due to cooling penetration. The constant growth of the ideal regular pattern of hexagons can change into a pattern with a different symmetry by slightly changing the cooling conditions. This bifurcation point is determined by the second derivative of the mechanical potential with respect to the geometry of the crack front. The very high computational effort for the second derivative is reduced by describing the three-dimensional crack front with a limited number of Fourier coefficients. A one-dimensional transient temperature field at a sufficient distance from the plate edge is assumed. For alumina, the crack length and crack spacing curves are computed for different quenching temperatures and heat transfer coefficients. The corresponding final crack lengths are also calculated as a measure of damage. Comparison with a two-dimensional model confirms the expected 1/2 difference in crack spacing. Data from thermal shock experiments are also presented. However, due to the cracks caused by the strong cooling at the edge, these correspond to the results of the two-dimensional model.
Test-data generation and integration for long-distance e-vehicle routing
Authors: Barauskas Andrius , Brilingaitė Agnė , Bukauskas Linas , Čeikutė Vaida , Čivilis Alminas , Šaltenis Simonas
Published: January 2023

Advanced route planning algorithms are one of the key enabling technologies for emerging electric and autonomous mobility. Large realistic data sets are needed to test such algorithms under conditions that capture natural time-varying traffic patterns and corresponding travel-time and energy-use predictions. Further, the time-varying availability of charging infrastructure and vehicle-specific charging-power curves may be necessary to support advanced planning. While some data sets and synthetic data generators capture some of the aspects mentioned above, no integrated testbeds include all of them. We contribute with a modular testbed architecture. First, it includes a semi-synthetic data generator that uses a state-of-the-art traffic simulator, real traffic volume distribution patterns, EV-specific data, and elevation data. These elements support the generation of time-dependent travel-time and energy-use weights in a road-network graph. The generator ensures that the data satisfies the FIFO property, which is essential for time-dependent routing. Next, the testbed provides a thin layer of services that can serve as building blocks for future advanced routing algorithms. The experimental study demonstrates that the testbed can reproduce travel-time and energy-use patterns for long-distance trips similar to commercially available services.
Predictors of Mother and Infant Emergency Department Attendance and Admission: A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Mason-Jones Amanda J. , Beltrán Luis , Keding Ada , Berry Vashti , Blower Sarah L. , Whittaker Karen , Bywater Tracey
Published: January 2023

Objective

To explore the predictors of emergency department attendance and admission for mothers and their infants.

Methods

Self-reported emergency department (ED) attendance and admission, sociodemographic, mental health, and other measures were recorded at baseline and at 12 months at 4 sites in England between May 2017 and March 2020.

Results

Infants’ gestational age (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.61 to 0.88, p = 0.001), mothers’ mental health (OR 2.40, 95% CI 1.30 to 4.41, p = 0.005) and mothers’ attendance at ED (OR 2.34, 95% CI 1.13 to 4.84, p = 0.022) predicted infant ED attendance. Frequency of attendance was predicted by ED site (IRR 0.46, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.73, p = 0.001) and mothers’ age (IRR 0.96, 95% CI 0.92 to 1.00, p = 0.028). Infant hospital admissions were predominantly for respiratory (40%) and other infectious diseases (21%) and were predicted by previous health problems (OR 3.25, 95% CI 1.76 to 6.01, p < 0.001).

Mothers’ ED attendance was predicted by mixed or multiple ethnic origin (OR 9.62, 95% CI 2.19 to 42.27, p = 0.003), having a male infant (OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.03 to 4.20, p = 0.042), and previous hospitalisation (OR 4.15, 95% CI 1.81 to 9.56, p = 0.001). Hospital admission was largely for reproductive health issues (61%) with frequency predicted by having attended the ED at least once (IRR 3.39, 95% CI 1.66 to 6.93, p = 0.001), and being anxious or depressed (IRR 3.10, 95% CI 1.14 to 8.45, p = 0.027).

Conclusions for Practice

Improving the reproductive and mental health of mothers may help to avoid poor maternal and infant health outcomes and reduce emergency service utilisation and hospitalisation.
Proper modelling of industrial production systems with unintended outputs: a different perspective
Authors: Dyckhoff Harald
Published: January 2023

The question of how to properly model production systems with unintended outputs has proven both controversial and of particular interest to the productivity and efficiency community. The paper explains why some of the arguments put forward in these controversies are hardly convincing for industrial and other processes. Among other things, there is a lack of clear conceptual labelling of the different types of joint production, especially coupled production, which is the main source of undesirable and other unintended outputs, unless neglected. It is largely ignored that the desirability of such by-products may depend on the quantity produced. This is also true for reduction processes such as waste incineration or end-of-life vehicle dismantling, which in turn generate new unintended outputs. As a rule, industrial material and energy balances are modelled implicitly. Koopmans’ activity analysis is the standard approach in modelling production systems with undesirable outputs in the literature of business economics on sustainable production and supply chain management. With data envelopment analysis (DEA), instead of entire production possibilities, it is sufficient to know only certain local properties in the relevant range of input and output quantities of the observed activities. This lowers the challenge to verify their empirical validity.
Life satisfaction 18 months and 10 years following spinal cord injury: results from a New Zealand prospective cohort study
Authors: Dixon Ruby , Derrett Sarah , Samaranayaka Ari , Harcombe Helen , Wyeth Emma H. , Beaver Carolyn , Sullivan Martin
Published: January 2023

Purpose

To examine the life satisfaction outcomes after spinal cord injury (SCI) and to identify the factors associated with life satisfaction at 18 months and 10 years post-SCI in New Zealand (NZ).

Methods

Adults (16–64 years) were recruited between 2007 and 2009 from NZ’s two spinal units following first admission for SCI. Interviews at 6 months, 18 months, and 10 years post-SCI examined demographic, physical, psychosocial, economic, and environmental characteristics. Multivariable regression models were used to identify predictors of life satisfaction at each timepoint.

Results

Overall, 118 people participated at 6 months, 103 at 18 months, and 63 at 10 years post-SCI. Pre-SCI, 90% of participants were satisfied with life, 67% were satisfied at 18 months, and 78% at 10 years. At 18 months post-SCI, participants who reported: never or sometimes using a wheelchair, no problems with self-care, no problems with anxiety or depression, no/lesser disability, or fewer secondary health conditions (SHCs) at 6 months post-SCI were more likely to be satisfied (p < 0.05), compared to those without these characteristics. Participants who experienced considerable disability at 6 months post-SCI were 22% less likely to be satisfied 10 years post-SCI compared to those experiencing no/lesser disability (p = 0.028).

Conclusions

A higher proportion of participants were satisfied at both 18 months and 10 years post-SCI than not satisfied. To improve the likelihood of satisfaction with life, increased focus on reducing disability and providing supports for those using wheelchairs, experiencing anxiety/depression or problems with self-care, and effects of SHCs are promising for future potential interventions.
Investigation of the properties of a water-based acrylic dispersion modified with an ionic liquid, surfactant, and thickener
Authors: Zalewska Anna , Kowalik Joanna , Tworek Magdalena
Published: January 2023

The sustainable development of the paint and varnish industry is a prerequisite for action to minimize the negative environmental impact of paint products. They consist not only in reducing the emission of harmful VOC substances into the atmosphere but also in modifying the composition of the paint material in order to improve the properties of the coatings and at the same time reduce the amount of waste. Selection of the appropriate composition of the water-borne composition is still a problem to be solved. Therefore, aqueous polymer dispersions of Arlberdingk AC 2514 containing an acrylic resin modified with an ionic liquid of didecyldimethylammonium nitrate (DDANO3) were tested. Non-ionic surfactants (Rokanol L-10 and Rokacet S-24), polyurethane thickener (DSX 1514), and mineral thickener (bentonite) were also used for stabilization. The influence of individual components on changes in the stability and particle size of dispersion systems was investigated. Physicomechanical tests of coatings obtained from polymer dispersion systems were also performed. Studies have shown that with the increase in the amount of DDANO3 in the system, the particle size of the varnish composition decreases and the gloss and relative hardness of the coatings decrease. The optimal amount of DDANO3 in the dispersion is 1.5% w/w. DSX 1514 increased the stability, reduced the migration rate of the dispersion particles, and improved the elasticity and impact resistance of the protective membranes. It has been shown that the stability varies depending on the type of thickener and surfactant (SAA) used. SAA increases the value of the TSI (Turbiscan Stability Index), which takes the values of 3.8 (0.3 g bentonite) and 3.6 (0.6 g bentonite), respectively, with Rokanol L-10 16% w/w. Water-soluble acrylic resin with the tested additives can be potentially used for the production of stable dispersions with extended life.
Customizable tubular model for n-furcating blood vessels and its application to 3D reconstruction of the cerebrovascular system
Authors: Chlebiej Michal , Zurada Anna , Gielecki Jerzy , Pawlak Mikolaj A. , Szkulmowski Maciej
Published: January 2023

Understanding the 3D cerebral vascular network is one of the pressing issues impacting the diagnostics of various systemic disorders and is helpful in clinical therapeutic strategies. Unfortunately, the existing software in the radiological workstation does not meet the expectations of radiologists who require a computerized system for detailed, quantitative analysis of the human cerebrovascular system in 3D and a standardized geometric description of its components. In this study, we show a method that uses 3D image data from magnetic resonance imaging with contrast to create a geometrical reconstruction of the vessels and a parametric description of the reconstructed segments of the vessels. First, the method isolates the vascular system using controlled morphological growing and performs skeleton extraction and optimization. Then, around the optimized skeleton branches, it creates tubular objects optimized for quality and accuracy of matching with the originally isolated vascular data. Finally, it optimizes the joints on n-furcating vessel segments. As a result, the algorithm gives a complete description of shape, position in space, position relative to other segments, and other anatomical structures of each cerebrovascular system segment. Our method is highly customizable and in principle allows reconstructing vascular structures from any 2D or 3D data. The algorithm solves shortcomings of currently available methods including failures to reconstruct the vessel mesh in the proximity of junctions and is free of mesh collisions in high curvature vessels. It also introduces a number of optimizations in the vessel skeletonization leading to a more smooth and more accurate model of the vessel network. We have tested the method on 20 datasets from the public magnetic resonance angiography image database and show that the method allows for repeatable and robust segmentation of the vessel network and allows to compute vascular lateralization indices.

Graphical abstract
Current topics and challenges in geoAI
Authors: Richter Kai-Florian , Scheider Simon
Published: January 2023

Taken literally, geoAI is the use of Artificial Intelligence methods and techniques in solving geo-spatial problems. Similar to AI more generally, geoAI has seen an influx of new (big) data sources and advanced machine learning techniques, but also a shift in the kind of problems under investigation. In this article, we highlight some of these changes and identify current topics and challenges in geoAI.
Supersonic turbulent flows over sinusoidal rough walls
Authors: Aghaei-Jouybari Mostafa , Yuan Junlin , Li Zhaorui , Brereton Giles J. , Jaberi Farhad A.
Published: January 2023

Direct numerical simulations were performed to characterize fully developed supersonic turbulent channel flows over isothermal rough walls. The effect of roughness was incorporated using a level-set/volume-of-fluid immersed boundary method. Turbulence statistics of five channel flows are compared, including one reference case with both walls smooth and four cases with smooth top walls and bottom walls with two-dimensional (2-D) and three-dimensional (3-D) sinusoidal roughnesses. Results reveal a strong dependence of the turbulence on the roughness topography and the associated shock patterns. Specifically, the 2-D geometries generate strong oblique shock waves that propagate across the channel and are reflected back to the rough-wall side. These strong shocks are absent in the smooth-wall channel and are significantly weaker in cases with 3-D roughness geometries, replaced by weak shocklets. At the impingement locations of the shocks on the top wall in the 2-D roughness cases, localized augmentations of turbulence shear production are observed. Such regions of augmented production also exist for the 3-D cases, at a much weaker level. The oblique shock waves are thought to be responsible for a more significant entropy generation for cases with 2-D surfaces than those with 3-D ones, leading to a higher irreversible heat generation and consequently higher temperature values in 2-D roughness cases. In the present supersonic channels, the effects of roughness extend beyond the near-wall layer due to the shocks. This suggests that outer layer similarity may not fully apply to a rough-wall supersonic turbulent flow.
Regime transitions in stratified shear flows: the link between horizontal and inclined ducts
Authors: Duran-Matute M. , Kaptein S.J. , Clercx H.J.H.
Published: January 2023

We present the analytical solution for the two-dimensional velocity and density fields within an approximation for laminar stratified inclined duct (SID) flows where diffusion dominates over inertia in the along-channel momentum equation but is negligible in the density transport equation. We refer to this approximation as the hydrostatic/gravitational/viscous in momentum and advective in density (HGV-A) approximation due to the leading balances in the governing equations. The analytical solution is valid for laminar flows in a two-layer configuration in the limit of long ducts. The non-dimensional volume flux within the HGV-A approximation is given by

$Fr^* ={{Re}}_g/(AK)$

, which is a control parameter with

${{Re}}_g$

the gravitational Reynolds number,

$A$

the aspect ratio of the duct and

$K$

a geometrical parameter that depends on the tilt of the duct and is obtained from the analytical solution. This analytical solution was validated against results from laboratory experiments, and allows us to gain new insight into the dynamics and properties of SID flows. Most importantly, constant values of

$Fr^*$

describe, in both horizontal and inclined ducts, the transitions between increasingly turbulent flow regimes: from laminar flow, to interfacial waves, to intermittent turbulence and sustained turbulence.
Gender Identity Discrimination and Religious Freedom
Authors: Parkinson Patrick
Published: January 2023

Is there a legitimate basis for religious exemptions from laws that prohibit gender identity discrimination on the basis of people’s beliefs? The author argues that much depends upon how gender dysphoria is understood. If it is seen as a problem requiring medical diagnosis and treatment, then arguably there is no religious basis for discrimination, except in a few situations where being a biological male or female is theologically essential to a particular role. Transgender identification, understood as a medical issue, fits within a belief system that God created two sexes of human beings, male and female. Within that belief system one can make room for an understanding that there are those who experience disorders of sex development and those who have such a profound sense of being born in the wrong body that they undertake steps toward medical transition to align their bodies, as far as possible, with the opposite sex. However, recent reinterpretations of what it means to be transgender involve an assertion that it should not be seen as a medical issue, that affirmation of a person’s self-declared gender identity, with or without having hormonal treatment or surgery, is a matter of human rights and that the law should recognize that people may have a gender that, however described, is nonbinary. These views rely on certain beliefs and positions that have a very weak basis in science. They challenge religious beliefs, which accord with mainstream scientific understanding, that human beings are intrinsically a sexually dimorphic species. People of faith need the freedom to reject beliefs that are incompatible with their worldviews. That does not mean that ill-treatment of someone on the basis of their gender identity can ever be justified; but it does support a religious exemption from a legal obligation to accept someone else’s self-declared gender identity. It is one thing to ask me to respect your beliefs about yourself. It is another to ask me to act toward you as if I share your beliefs.
Multiple Hypothesis Testing in Conjoint Analysis
Authors: Liu Guoer , Shiraito Yuki
Published: January 2023

Conjoint analysis is widely used for estimating the effects of a large number of treatments on multidimensional decision-making. However, it is this substantive advantage that leads to a statistically undesirable property, multiple hypothesis testing. Existing applications of conjoint analysis except for a few do not correct for the number of hypotheses to be tested, and empirical guidance on the choice of multiple testing correction methods has not been provided. This paper first shows that even when none of the treatments has any effect, the standard analysis pipeline produces at least one statistically significant estimate of average marginal component effects in more than 90% of experimental trials. Then, we conduct a simulation study to compare three well-known methods for multiple testing correction, the Bonferroni correction, the Benjamini–Hochberg procedure, and the adaptive shrinkage (Ash). All three methods are more accurate in recovering the truth than the conventional analysis without correction. Moreover, the Ash method outperforms in avoiding false negatives, while reducing false positives similarly to the other methods. Finally, we show how conclusions drawn from empirical analysis may differ with and without correction by reanalyzing applications on public attitudes toward immigration and partner countries of trade agreements.
Detecting and Correcting for Separation in Strategic Choice Models
Authors: Crisman-Cox Casey , Gasparyan Olga , Signorino Curtis S.
Published: January 2023

Separation or “perfect prediction” is a common problem in discrete choice models that, in practice, leads to inflated point estimates and standard errors. Standard statistical packages do not provide clear advice on how to correct these problems. Furthermore, separation can go completely undiagnosed in fitting advanced models that optimize a user-supplied log-likelihood rather than relying on pre-programmed estimation procedures. In this paper, we both describe the problems that separation can cause and address the issue of detecting it in empirical models of strategic interaction. We then consider several solutions based on penalized maximum likelihood estimation. Using Monte Carlo experiments and a replication study, we demonstrate that when separation is detected in the data, the penalized methods we consider are superior to ordinary maximum likelihood estimators.
Reducing milking frequency from 3 to 2 times daily in early lactation: effects on milk production, health and body condition
Authors: Lehmann Jesper Overgård , Kristensen Troels , Mogensen Lisbeth
Published: January 2023

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effect of reducing early lactation milking frequency on milk yield and persistency through lactation and early lactation fat mobilization, measured by body condition score (BCS) and BHB in milk. We hypothesized that milking cows twice per day in early lactation before milking them 3 times per day for the remaining lactation would cause less fat mobilization in early lactation, a lower peak milk yield but improved persistency throughout lactation compared with milking cows 3 times per day for the entire lactation. The experiment took place on 2 commercial dairy farms in Denmark. All cows calving in a period of nine months (n = 239) in their current first and later parities were randomly allocated at dry-off to 1 of 3 treatments based on expected calving date. The treatments were (1) cows milked 2 times per day for 1 week after calving, (2) cows milked 2 times per day for 4 weeks after calving and (3) cows milked 2 times per day for 7 weeks after calving. All cows were then milked 3 times per day for the remaining lactation. Milk yield peaked 3.3 and 3.6 d later and milk yield persistency improved with 18 and 19 g per day when cows were milked 2 times per day for 4 and 7 weeks, respectively, compared with milking 2 times per day for 1 week after calving. We found a significant highest milk BHB in treatment 2, but the underlying effect of milking cows 2 times per day for 4 weeks compared with 1 or 7 weeks was unclear. In conclusion, we did not confirm our hypothesis that milking cows 2 times per day compared to 3 times in early lactation would reduce fat mobilization and reduce peak yield. We did, however, find an improved milk yield persistency, which partially offset a numerical reduction in peak yield, and hence there was no significant effect of reducing early lactation milking frequency on total lactation (305 DIM) milk yield.
Market Access and Information Technology Adoption: Historical Evidence from the Telephone in Bavaria
Authors: Ploeckl Florian
Published: January 2023

Does market access affect information technology by shaping its diffusion and adoption? The introduction of the telephone in Bavaria is used to demonstrate that local and external market access affected both. External connections shortened the diffusion time of exchanges by 3 percent on average, while 4 percent of lines were due to such inter-city communication links. However, relatively stronger local effects from population size and demand for communication services, especially in larger cities, imply that initially, the telephone was primarily a local urban amenity that also became an external communication link when it rolled out to more rural places over time.
Socio-economic factors correlating with illegal use of giraffe body parts
Authors: Muneza Arthur B. , Amakobe Bernard , Kasaine Simon , Kramer Daniel B. , Githiru Mwangi , Roloff Gary J. , Hayward Matt W. , Montgomery Robert A.
Published: January 2023

Unsustainable hunting, both illegal and legal, has led to the extirpation of many species. In the last 35 years giraffeGiraffaspp. populations have declined precipitously, with extinctions documented in seven African countries. Amongst the various reasons for these population declines, poaching is believed to play an important role in some areas. Giraffes are primarily hunted for consumption and for the use of their body parts as trophies and in traditional medicine. However, the socio-economic factors that correlate with the use of giraffe body parts are not well understood. We conducted our study in Tsavo Conservation Area, Kenya, which experiences high levels of poaching. We used semi-structured surveys amongst 331 households to document how giraffe body parts are typically acquired and their intended use (i.e. trophy, medicinal or consumptive). We then used logistic regression models to assess the correlations between nine socio-economic factors and the use of giraffe body parts. We found that giraffe body parts had mostly consumptive and trophy uses. One-time suppliers, opportunistic access and widely known markets were the most common means of acquiring giraffe body parts. Results from our models showed that three variables (gender: men, occupation: tourism worker, and land ownership) were correlated significantly and positively with the use of giraffe body parts. We describe the complex links between socio-economic factors and the use of giraffe body parts and highlight the importance of implementing mitigation measures adapted to local contexts to combat a challenge that many species of conservation concern are facing.
Theoretical error analysis of spotlight-based instrument localization for retinal surgery
Authors: Zhou Mingchuan , Hennerkes Felix , Liu Jingsong , Jiang Zhongliang , Wendler Thomas , Nasseri M. Ali , Iordachita Iulian , Navab Nassir
Published: January 2023

Retinal surgery is widely considered to be a complicated and challenging task even for specialists. Image-guided robot-assisted intervention is among the novel and promising solutions that may enhance human capabilities therein. In this paper, we demonstrate the possibility of using spotlights for 5D guidance of a microsurgical instrument. The theoretical basis of the localization for the instrument based on the projection of a single spotlight is analyzed to deduce the position and orientation of the spotlight source. The usage of multiple spotlights is also proposed to check the possibility of further improvements for the performance boundaries. The proposed method is verified within a high-fidelity simulation environment using the 3D creation suite Blender. Experimental results show that the average positioning error is 0.029 mm using a single spotlight and 0.025 mm with three spotlights, respectively, while the rotational errors are 0.124 and 0.101, which shows the application to be promising in instrument localization for retinal surgery.
Multiple-drawing dynamic Friedman urns with opposite-reinforcement
Authors: Gao Shuyang , Aguech Rafik
Published: January 2023

In this study, we consider a class of multiple-drawing opposite-reinforcing urns with time-dependent replacement rules. The class has the symmetric property of a Friedman-type urn. We divide the class into a small-increment regime and a large-increment regime. For small-increment schemes, we prove almost-sure convergence and a central limit theorem for the proportion of white balls by stochastic approximation. For large-increment schemes, by assuming the affinity condition, we show almost-sure convergence of the proportion of white balls by martingale theory and present a way to identify the limit distribution of the proportion of white balls.
Variable grammars are variable across registers: future temporal reference in English
Authors: Engel Alexandra , Szmrecsanyi Benedikt
Published: January 2023

It is widely accepted that internal constraints on variation are not modulated by social and stylistic factors (e.g., Labov, 2010:265). Is this also true for register differences as a special type of sociostylistic factor? To address this question, we investigate future temporal reference (FTR) variation in English (It'll be funversusIt's gonna be fun) via a variationist corpus study (n= 2,600 tokens) and a supplementary rating experiment (n= 114 participants) across four broad registers: conversations, parliamentary debates, blogs, and newspaper prose. Multivariate analysis of the corpus dataset indicates that register modulates the effect of five out of nine internal constraints, suggesting that variable grammars vary considerably across registers. The experiment confirms that language users are indeed sensitive to, and aware of, the register-specificity of how variation is conditioned. We conclude by discussing the implications of our findings for variationist sociolinguistics and for variational linguistics in general.
Longitudinal associations between early childhood irritability and adolescent depression symptoms in autistic children are mediated by peer relationships but not educational engagement
Authors: Carter Leno Virginia , Wright Nicola , Pickles Andrew , Bedford Rachael , Zaidman-Zait Anat , Kerns Connor , Zwaigenbaum Lonnie , Duku Eric , Bennett Teresa , Georgiades Stelios , Smith Isabel M. , Richards Annie , Vaillancourt Tracy , Szatmari Peter , Elsabbagh Mayada ,   The Pathways in ASD Study Team
Published: January 2023

In the general population, irritability is associated with later depression. Despite irritability being more prevalent in autistic children, the long-term sequelae are not well explored. We tested whether irritability in early childhood predicted depression symptoms in autistic adolescents, and whether associations could be explained by difficulties in peer relationships and lower educational engagement. Analyses tested the longitudinal associations between early childhood irritability (ages 3–5) and adolescent depression symptoms (age 14) in a prospective inception cohort of autistic children (N = 390), followed from early in development shortly after they received a clinical diagnosis. Mediators were measured in mid-childhood (age 10) by a combination of measures, from which latent factors for peer relationships and educational engagement were estimated. Results showed early childhood irritability was positively associated with adolescent depression symptoms, and this association remained when adjusting for baseline depression. A significant indirect pathway through peer relationships was found, which accounted for around 13% of the association between early childhood irritability and adolescent depression, suggesting peer problems may partially mediate the association between irritability and later depression. No mediation effects were found for education engagement. Results highlight the importance of early screening and intervention for co-occurring irritability and peer problems in young autistic children.
Social Policy Development Revisited: The Interplay between Push and Pull Factors in the Indonesian Healthcare Expansion
Authors: Yuda Tauchid Komara , Ashfina Rizqi
Published: January 2023

Established theories of social policy development, such as industrialisation and power resources, have been extensively used to explain the expansion of social policy, predominantly in developed economies. We argue that they may not always be applicable in the Global South. Our article examines multiple factors at play in Indonesia’s healthcare policy expansion using qualitative content analysis of historical sources, literature, and nine interviews with key policy architects. Using the pull-and-push factor model, we examined the interactions between policy entrepreneurs and centre-right political parties in creating national healthcare policy architecture and expansion. Our findings confirm that the window of opportunity for expansion was augmented when the political party of the ruling government experienced a decline in public trust, while clientelistic motives among elites facilitated the reform process. Drawing the lesson from Indonesia, we contend push prevails over the pull factors (labour movement and cross-class alliances) in social policy development.
The Geodynamic Implications of Passive Margin Subduction in Northwest Turkey
Authors: Campbell C. F. , Mueller M. A. , Taylor M. H. , Ocakoğlu F. , Möller A. , Métais G. , Coster P. M. C. , Beard K. C. , Licht A.
Published: January 2023

The number of subduction zones that facilitated the northward translation of the Anatolide‐Tauride continental terrane derived from Gondwana to the southern margin of Eurasia at the longitude of western Turkey is debated. We hypothesized that if two north dipping subduction zones facilitated incipient collision in western Turkey, a late Cretaceous arc would have formed within the Neotethys and along the southern margin of Eurasia. To determine if an island arc formed within the Neotethys we investigated the sedimentary record of the Central Sakarya basin, which was deposited along the southern margin of Eurasia from 85 to 45 million years ago. Detrital zircon deposited within the lower levels of the Central Sakarya basin (the Değirmenözü Formation) are associated with south to north‐directed paleocurrents and exhibit a unimodal late Cretaceous age peak sourced from isotopically juvenile mantle melts. Zircon maximum depositional ages from the Değirmenözü Formation cluster between 95 and 90 Ma and are 5–10 Myr older than biostratigraphic depositional ages. Between 95 and 80 Ma, a 12‐unit shift from mantle to crustal derived εHf values occurs in the overlying Yenipazar Formation. We explain the absence of Paleozoic, Eurasian‐sourced detrital zircon, the rapid shift from mantle to crustal derived εHf values, and lag time in terms of passive margin subduction within an isolated intra‐oceanic subduction zone, whose island arc was reworked from south to north into the Central Sakarya basin during incipient collision. Thus, widely outcropping late Cretaceous plutonic rocks within Eurasia must have belonged to an additional convergent margin.
Mixed Layer Temperature Budget in the Arabian Sea During Winter 2019 and Spring 2019: The Role of Diapycnal Heat Flux
Authors: Jofia J. , Girishkumar M. S. , Ashin K. , Sureshkumar N. , Shivaprasad S. , Pattabhi Ram Rao E.
Published: January 2023

Sea surface temperatures (SSTs) simulated by almost all models in Coupled Model Inter‐comparison Project phase five are consistently colder (∼−1°C to −4°C) than the observation in the northern Arabian Sea (AS) during winter and spring. These biases significantly weaken the seasonal and extended summer monsoon prediction skills and climate change projection's reliability in this region. To understand the relative contribution of diapycnal heat flux (Jh) compared to other terms in the mixed layer (ML) temperature (MLT) budget during these two seasons, we use time series of vertical profiles of microstructure shear measurements collected in the northeastern AS (NEAS) at 18.4°N and 67.4°E during January 10–17, 2019 (W19) and May 7–21, 2019 (S19). It is found that the vertical processes term and net surface heat flux together determine the bulk of MLT tendency during S19 and W19, and the contribution of the horizontal advection and Jh is relatively smaller. The mean value of Jh (∼−2 W m−2) at the base of the ML shows a comparable magnitude during W19 and S19, and the median values of diapycnal diffusivity (Kρ) at the ML base are not significantly different between W19 (∼3.1 × 10−6 m2 s−1) and S19 (∼5.2 × 10−6 m2 s−1). Besides, Kρ and Jh values were estimated using different Kρ‐Richardson number (Ri) based interior ocean parameterization schemes at the ML base in the NEAS overestimated with respect to observation. The alleged role of overestimation of Kρ and Jh in parameterization schemes on model simulation of cold SST bias in the AS is also discussed.
What’s Up at the Bottom of the Ocean?
Authors: Micalizio Caryl-Sue
Published: January 2023

From isotopes to oil spills, sand mining to SMART cables, an array of science is grounded on the seafloor.
Grains of Sand: Too Much and Never Enough
Authors: Tripathy-Lang Alka
Published: January 2023

Sand is a foundational element of our cities, our homes, our landscapes and seascapes. How we will interact with the material in the future, however, is less certain.
The genetic basis of major depressive disorder
Authors: Flint Jonathan
Published: January 2023

The genetic dissection of major depressive disorder (MDD) ranks as one of the success stories of psychiatric genetics, with genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identifying 178 genetic risk loci and proposing more than 200 candidate genes. However, the GWAS results derive from the analysis of cohorts in which most cases are diagnosed by minimal phenotyping, a method that has low specificity. I review data indicating that there is a large genetic component unique to MDD that remains inaccessible to minimal phenotyping strategies and that the majority of genetic risk loci identified with minimal phenotyping approaches are unlikely to be MDD risk loci. I show that inventive uses of biobank data, novel imputation methods, combined with more interviewer diagnosed cases, can identify loci that contribute to the episodic severe shifts of mood, and neurovegetative and cognitive changes that are central to MDD. Furthermore, new theories about the nature and causes of MDD, drawing upon advances in neuroscience and psychology, can provide handles on how best to interpret and exploit genetic mapping results.
MicroRNA miR-1275 coordinately regulates AEA/LPA signals via targeting FAAH in lipid metabolism reprogramming of gastric cancer
Authors: Yang Qian , Kong Shan , Yu Jiajia , Xu Yanhua , Tao Mei , Ma Shuo , Tang Chenxue , Shen Xianjuan , Tang Zhiyuan , Ju Shaoqing
Published: January 2023

Glycerophospholipid signal and fatty acid metabolism are closely related to the occurrence and progression of tumours, and metabolic reprogramming caused by hydrolytic enzymes plays an important role in gastric cancer (GC). Here, we performed whole transcriptome sequencing and combined qRT-PCR to screen out the significantly high expression of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) in GC tissues, which was further verified in both TCGA and Oncomine databases. Functional tests confirmed that FAAH played an oncogene role in GC, and silencing FAAH could delay tumour growth, inhibit tumour metastasis, and promote cell apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo. FAAH-mediated lipid metabolism reprogramming through coordinated regulation of arachidonoyl ethanolamide (AEA)/lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) signalling and activated the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)/prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) axis to promote GC progression. Luciferase reporter assay and immunofluorescence-fluorescence in situ hybridization (IF-FISH) were applied to validate the interactions of miR-1275/FAAH. Overexpression and knockdown of miR-1275 in vitro could indirectly modulate the above lipid signalling by targeting FAAH, thereby affecting GC progression. Our study indicates that deregulated FAAH is a key lipid signal and the miR-1275/FAAH/AEA/LPA axis can serve as a diagnostic biomarker for GC or as a target for therapy development.
Inhibition of autophagy and MEK promotes ferroptosis in Lkb1-deficient Kras-driven lung tumors
Authors: Bhatt Vrushank , Lan Taijin , Wang Wenping , Kong Jerry , Lopes Eduardo Cararo , Wang Jianming , Khayati Khoosheh , Raju Akash , Rangel Michael , Lopez Enrique , Hu Zhixian Sherrie , Luo Xuefei , Su Xiaoyang , Malhotra Jyoti , Hu Wenwei , Pine Sharon R. , White Eileen , Guo Jessie Yanxiang
Published: January 2023

LKB1 and KRAS are the third most frequent co-mutations detected in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and cause aggressive tumor growth. Unfortunately, treatment with RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK pathway inhibitors has minimal therapeutic efficacy in LKB1-mutant KRAS-driven NSCLC. Autophagy, an intracellular nutrient scavenging pathway, compensates for Lkb1 loss to support Kras-driven lung tumor growth. Here we preclinically evaluate the possibility of autophagy inhibition together with MEK inhibition as a treatment for Kras-driven lung tumors. We found that the combination of the autophagy inhibitor hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and the MEK inhibitor Trametinib displays synergistic anti-proliferative activity in KrasG12D/+;Lkb1-/- (KL) lung cancer cells, but not in KrasG12D/+;p53-/- (KP) lung cancer cells. In vivo studies using tumor allografts, genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) and patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) showed anti-tumor activity of the combination of HCQ and Trametinib on KL but not KP tumors. We further found that the combination treatment significantly reduced mitochondrial membrane potential, basal respiration, and ATP production, while also increasing lipid peroxidation, indicative of ferroptosis, in KL tumor-derived cell lines (TDCLs) and KL tumors compared to treatment with single agents. Moreover, the reduced tumor growth by the combination treatment was rescued by ferroptosis inhibitor. Taken together, we demonstrate that autophagy upregulation in KL tumors causes resistance to Trametinib by inhibiting ferroptosis. Therefore, a combination of autophagy and MEK inhibition could be a novel therapeutic strategy to specifically treat NSCLC bearing co-mutations of LKB1 and KRAS.
USP49 deubiquitinase regulates the mitotic spindle checkpoint and prevents aneuploidy
Authors: Campos-Iglesias Diana , Fraile Julia M. , Bretones Gabriel , Montero Alejandro A. , Bonzon-Kulichenko Elena , Vázquez Jesús , López-Otín Carlos , Freije José M. P.
Published: January 2023

The spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) is an essential mechanism that ensures the accurate chromosome segregation during mitosis, thus preventing genomic instability. Deubiquitinases have emerged as key regulators of the SAC, mainly by determining the fate of proteins during cell cycle progression. Here, we identify USP49 deubiquitinase as a novel regulator of the spindle checkpoint. We show that loss of USP49 in different cancer cell lines impairs proliferation and increases aneuploidy. In addition, USP49-depleted cells overcome the arrest induced by the SAC in the presence of nocodazole. Finally, we report new binding partners of USP49, including ribophorin 1, USP44, and different centrins.