bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hybrid deep learning models for time series forecasting of solar power
Authors: Salman Diaa , Direkoglu Cem , Kusaf Mehmet , Fahrioglu Murat
Published: February 2024

Forecasting solar power production accurately is critical for effectively planning and managing renewable energy systems. This paper introduces and investigates novel hybrid deep learning models for solar power forecasting using time series data. The research analyzes the efficacy of various models for capturing the complex patterns present in solar power data. In this study, all of the possible combinations of convolutional neural network (CNN), long short-term memory (LSTM), and transformer (TF) models are experimented. These hybrid models also compared with the single CNN, LSTM and TF models with respect to different kinds of optimizers. Three different evaluation metrics are also employed for performance analysis. Results show that the CNN–LSTM–TF hybrid model outperforms the other models, with a mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.551% when using the Nadam optimizer. However, the TF–LSTM model has relatively low performance, with an MAE of 16.17%, highlighting the difficulties in making reliable predictions of solar power. This result provides valuable insights for optimizing and planning renewable energy systems, highlighting the significance of selecting appropriate models and optimizers for accurate solar power forecasting. This is the first time such a comprehensive work presented that also involves transformer networks in hybrid models for solar power forecasting.
Comorbidity in myasthenia gravis: multicentric, hospital-based, and controlled study of 178 Italian patients
Authors: Di Stefano Vincenzo , Iacono Salvatore , Militello Massimiliano , Leone Olga , Rispoli Marianna Gabriella , Ferri Laura , Ajdinaj Paola , Lanza Placido , Lupica Antonino , Crescimanno Grazia , Monastero Roberto , Di Muzio Antonio , Brighina Filippo
Published: February 2024

Background

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disorder with fluctuating weakness that causes significant disability and morbidity. Comorbidities may influence the course of MG, particularly in specific subgroups. The aim of this study is to investigate the frequency of comorbidities in MG patients compared to healthy controls (HC) and to evaluate their distribution according to age at disease onset, sex, and disease severity.

Methods

MG patients attending the University Hospital “Paolo Giaccone” in Palermo and “SS Annunziata” Hospital in Chieti were enrolled; HC were enrolled from the general population. Non-parametric statistics and logistic regression were used to assess the association of specific comorbidities according to age at disease onset, sex, disease subtypes, and severity of the disease.

Results

A total of 356 subjects were included in the study: 178 MG patients (46% F; median age 60 years [51–71]) and 178 sex- and age-matched HC (46% F, median age 59 years [50–66]). Overall, 86% of MG patients and 76% of HC suffered from comorbidities, and MG patients had a higher number of comorbidities compared to HC. Patients with late-onset suffered from more comorbidities than those with early-onset MG. Hypertension was more common in male patients with MG, while thymic hyperplasia, osteoporosis, and autoimmune diseases were more common in females. Respiratory disorders and thymoma were more common in patients with more severe disease (p < 0.05 for all comparisons).

Conclusion

MG patients, particularly those with late onset, showed a higher prevalence of comorbidities than HC. Assessment of comorbidities in MG is an essential issue to identify the appropriate treatment and achieve the best management.
Immunomodulatory effects of iTr35 cell subpopulation and its research progress
Authors: Yang Chenxi , Dong Lingli , Zhong Jixin
Published: February 2024

The spotlight in recent years has increasingly focused on inducible regulatory T cells 35 (iTr35), a novel subpopulation of regulatory T cells characterized by phenotypic stability, heightened reactivity, and potent immunosuppressive function through the production of IL-35. Despite being in the exploratory phase, research on iTr35 has garnered significant interest. In this review, we aim to consolidate our understanding of the biological characteristics and immunomodulatory mechanisms of iTr35, offering fresh perspectives that may pave the way for its potential applications in disease diagnosis and treatment.
A dynamic game approach for optimal consumption, investment and life insurance problem
Authors: Maggistro Rosario , Marino Mario , Martire Antonio
Published: February 2024

In this paper, we consider a multi-agent portfolio optimization model with life insurance for two players with random lifetime under a dynamic game approach. Each player is a price-taker and invests in the market to maximize her own utility for consumption and bequest. The market is complete and consists of n different assets, of which $$n-1$$

n
-
1

are risky with prices driven by Geometric Brownian motion, while one is risk-free. We analyze both the non-cooperative and cooperative scenarios, and by considering the family of CRRA utility functions, we determine the closed-form expressions of the optimal consumption, investment, and life insurance for both players. A sensitivity analysis is provided both to illustrate the impact of the biometric and risk aversion parameters on the optimal controls and to compare the non-cooperative strategies with the cooperative ones. As a result, we suggest that cooperation favors the consumption optimality, while non-cooperation promotes the coverage of the risk of death.
From Industry 4.0 Digital Manufacturing to Industry 5.0 Digital Society: a Roadmap Toward Human-Centric, Sustainable, and Resilient Production
Authors: Ghobakhloo Morteza , Mahdiraji Hannan Amoozad , Iranmanesh Mohammad , Jafari-Sadeghi Vahid
Published: February 2024

The present study addresses two critical controversies surrounding the emerging Industry 5.0 agenda. Firstly, it seeks to elucidate the driving forces behind the accelerated momentum of the Industry 5.0 agenda amidst the ongoing digital industrial transformation. Secondly, it explores how the agenda’s sustainability values can be effectively realised. The study conducted a comprehensive content-centric literature synthesis and identified how Industry 4.0 shortcomings adversely impacted sustainability values. Furthermore, the study implements a novel approach that determines how and in what order the sustainability functions of Industry 4.0 should be leveraged to promote the sustainability objectives of Industry 5.0. Results reveal that Industry 4.0 has benefited economic and environmental sustainability values most at the organisational and supply chain levels. Nonetheless, most micro and meso-social sustainability values have been adversely impacted by Industry 4.0. Similarly, Industry 4.0 has been worryingly detrimental to macro sustainability values like social or economic growth equality. These contradictory implications of Industry 4.0 have pulled the Industry 5.0 agenda. However, the results identified nine sustainability functions of Industry 4.0 that, when leveraged appropriately and in the correct order, can offer important implications for realising the economic and socio-environmental goals of Industry 5.0. For example, under extreme unpredictability of business world uncertainties, the business should first leverage the automation and integration capabilities of Industry 4.0 to gain the necessary cost-saving, resource efficiency, risk management capability, and business antifragility that allow them to introduce sustainable innovation into their business model without jeopardising their survival. Various scenarios for empowering Industry 5.0 sustainability values identified in the present study offer important implications for knowledge and practice.
Evolution of teachers’ and researchers’ praxeologies for designing inquiry mathematics tasks: the role of teachers’ beliefs
Authors: Pocalana Gabriella , Robutti Ornella
Published: February 2024

This paper is focused on the collaborative work of two communities, one of teachers and one of researchers, during a teacher professional development program on the inquiry-based learning approach in mathematics, addressed to lower secondary school in-service mathematics teachers. We conceptualize the design of inquiry mathematics task as the boundary object on which the two communities work collaboratively. We aim to study the evolution of teachers’ and researchers’ meta-didactical praxeologies for designing inquiry mathematics tasks, with the Meta-Didactical Transposition framework, to understand if and how their collaboration favors their convergence toward shared components of final meta-didactical praxeologies. In the results, we show that this convergence is reached thanks to internalization processes of praxeological components for designing inquiry mathematics tasks, as a consequence of the learning mechanisms activated by the common work on the boundary object. In this paper, we address also the issue of understanding the complex relationship between teachers’ beliefs on inquiry mathematics tasks and the meta-didactical praxeologies of teachers and researchers. As a result, we propose a model in which the evolution of teachers’ beliefs is taken into account both as an agent and a consequence of the evolution of the meta-didactical praxeologies of the two communities involved in the teacher professional development program.
Principal Accompaniment in Australian Faith-Based Schools: A Salutogenesis Approach
Authors: Sultmann W. , Hall D. , Lamb J.
Published: February 2024

A program designed to provide accompaniment reflects a salutogenesis emphasis aimed at sustaining the professional well-being of experienced principals. A mixed methods pilot study focused on participant (N = 12) orientation, principles of accompaniment, mission-aligned processes, leadership agency, structured conversations, and nominated outcomes. Data were collected over twelve months at three stages using online survey. Australian Catholic principals reported a positive orientation experience, professional well-being, the comprehensiveness of the program, and the manageability of its implementation. Discussion confirmed design elements contributed to the wholistic nature of accompaniment linking body, mind, and spirit in conversational processes and the transformative effects of these exchanges on professional practice and well-being.
Hypofractionated stereotactic re-irradiation for progressive glioblastoma: twelve years’ experience of a single center
Authors: Yilmaz Melek Tugce , Kahvecioglu Alper , Yazici Gozde , Mohammadipour Sepideh , Kertmen Neyran , Cifci Gokcen Coban , Zorlu Faruk
Published: February 2024

Purpose

We aimed to evaluate the prognostic factors and the role of stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) as a re-irradiation technique in the management of progressive glioblastoma.

Methods

The records of 77 previously irradiated glioblastoma patients who progressed and received second course hypofractionated SRT (1–5 fractions) between 2009 and 2022 in our department were evaluated retrospectively. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA) was utilized for all statistical analyses.

Results

The median time to progression from the end of initial radiotherapy was 14 months (range, 6–68 months). The most common SRT schedule was 30 Gy (range, 18–50 Gy) in 5 fractions (range, 1–5 fractions). The median follow-up after SRT was 9 months (range, 3–80 months). One-year overall (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates after SRT were 46% and 35%, respectively. Re-irradiation dose and the presence of pseudoprogression were both significant independent positive prognostic factors for both OS (p = 0.009 and p = 0.04, respectively) and PFS (p = 0.008 and p = 0.04, respectively). For PFS, progression-free interval > 14 months was also a prognostic factor (p = 0.04). The treatment was well tolerated without significant acute toxicity. During follow-up, radiation necrosis was observed in 17 patients (22%), and 14 (82%) of them were asymptomatic.

Conclusion

Hypofractionated SRT is an effective treatment approach for patients with progressive glioblastoma. Younger patients who progressed later than 14 months, received higher SRT doses, and experienced pseudoprogression following SRT had improved survival rates.
Residual Contextual Hourglass Network for Single-Image Deraining
Authors: Zhou Weina , Ye Linhui , Wang Xiu
Published: February 2024

Rain streaks could blur and distort images, significantly impacting further image processing. Single-image deraining is a hotspot and has practical application value, while most existing methods still have problems such as residual rain streaks and inadequate recovery of detail textures. To address these issues, we propose a Residual Contextual Hourglass Network (RCHNet) for single-image deraining, which could adapt to remove rain streaks in complex environments. Firstly, a contextual distillation block is presented to obtain local and global features across different scales. Further, residual downsampling block and residual upsampling block are used to maintain the residual nature of our architecture and better restore the details of the image. Finally, a dual attention mechanism is introduced to compensate for the spatial information lost by the downsampling. Extensive experiments on five synthetic datasets and a real-world dataset demonstrate that our proposed RCHNet outperforms existing state-of-the-art deraining approaches. On average across all synthetic datasets, the PSNR score of RCHNet is as high as 33.31 dB.
Beyond evidence-based policymaking? Exploring knowledge formation and source effects in US migration policymaking
Authors: Pettrachin Andrea , Hadj Abdou Leila
Published: February 2024

Several scholars have observed persistent gaps between policy responses to complex, ambiguous and politicized problems (such as migration, climate change and the recent Covid-19 pandemic) and evidence or ‘facts’. While most existing explanations for this ‘evidence-policy gap’ in the migration policy field focus on knowledge availability and knowledge use by policymakers, this article shifts the focus to processes of knowledge formation, exploring the questions of what counts as ‘evidence’ for migration policymakers and what are the sources of information that shape their understandings of migration policy issues. It does so, by developing a network-centred approach and focusing on elite US policy-makers in the field of irregular and asylum-seeking migration. This ‘heuristic case’ is used to challenge existing explanations of the ‘evidence-policy gap’ and to generate new explanations to be tested in future research. Our findings—based on qualitative and quantitative data collected in 2015–2018 through 57 elite interviews analysed applying social network analysis and qualitative content analysis—challenge scholarly claims about policymakers’ lack of access to evidence about migration. We also challenge claims that migration-related decision-making processes are irrational or merely driven by political interests, showing that policymakers rationally collect information, select sources and attribute different relevance to ‘evidence’ acquired. We instead highlight that knowledge acquisition processes by elite policymakers are decisively shaped by dynamics of trust and perceptions of political and organizational like-mindedness among actors, and that political and ideological factors determine what qualifies as 'evidence' in the first place.
Why Is Oppression Wrong?
Authors: Khader Serene J.
Published: February 2024

It is often argued that oppression reduces freedom. I argue against the view that oppression is wrong because it reduces freedom. Conceiving oppression as wrong because it reduces freedom is at odds with recognizing structural cases of oppression, because (a) many cases of oppression, including many structural ones, do not reduce agents’ freedom, and (b) the type of freedom reduction involved in many structural instances of oppression is not morally objectionable. If the mechanisms of oppression are sometimes indistinguishable from benign, or even ineluctable, processes of social shaping, arguments that oppression is objectionably freedom-reducing risk implausibly suggesting that socialization itself is objectionably freedom-reducing. I show how three strategies for explaining how oppression reduces freedom either fall into the trap of overgenerality, or end up appealing to values other than freedom to avoid it. I conclude by suggesting that oppression might be better thought of as an affront to equality.
Sugarcane yield estimation in Thailand at multiple scales using the integration of UAV and Sentinel-2 imagery
Authors: Som-ard Jaturong , Immitzer Markus , Vuolo Francesco , Atzberger Clement
Published: February 2024

Timely and accurate estimates of sugarcane yield provide valuable information for food management, bio-energy production, (inter)national trade, industry planning and government policy. Remote sensing and machine learning approaches can improve sugarcane yield estimation. Previous attempts have however often suffered from too few training samples due to the fact that field data collection is expensive and time-consuming. Our study demonstrates that unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) data can be used to generate field-level yield data using only a limited number of field measurements. Plant height obtained from RGB UAV-images was used to train a model to derive intra-field yield maps based on 41 field sample plots spread over 20 sugarcane fields in the Udon Thani Province, Thailand. The yield maps were subsequently used as reference data to train another model to estimate yield from multi-spectral Sentinel-2 (S2) imagery. The integrated UAV yield and S2 data was found efficient with RMSE of 6.88 t/ha (per 10 m × 10 m pixel), for average yields of about 58 t/ha. The expansion of the sugarcane yield mapping across the entire region of 11,730 km2 was in line with the official statistical yield data and highlighted the high spatial variability of yields, both between and within fields. The presented method is a cost-effective and high-quality yield mapping approach which provides useful information for sustainable sugarcane yield management and decision-making.
Study of stress field induced by natural fracture and its influence on hydraulic fracture propagation
Authors: Shi Shanzhi , Wang Mingxing , Tang Wei , Pan Yuting , Jin Haozeng , He Jiale , Hou Lei , Xie Bobo , Chen Xi , Lv Zhao
Published: February 2024

The change of fracture propagation direction caused by stress interference between fractures is one of the main reasons that affect shale gas productivity. Natural fractures will be damaged by the induced stress, and the induced stress field produced by natural fracture damage will in turn affect the propagation of hydraulic fractures. Previous studies usually ignored the impact of stress field variation caused by natural fracture damage, leading to inaccurate fracture propagation simulation results. A new model for simulating hydraulic fracturing-induced stress field is established with consideration of the influence of natural fracture damage. Then, the natural fracture-induced stress is analyzed in open and closed fracture states. Through superposition of stress fields of natural fractures and hydraulic fractures, the interaction among open and closed natural fractures, reservoir and hydraulic fracture, and the corresponding fracture property evolution are studied. The results demonstrate that induced stress is not affected by elastic modulus and Poisson's ratio of the rock. The induced stress difference at the fracture tip is proportional to the net pressure and the length of hydraulic fractures. The results provide guidance for the optimal design of fracturing. When the deflection angle of hydraulic fracture is less than 90°, the maximum induced stress difference at the fracture tip decreases with the reduction in the deflection angle. When the deflection angle of hydraulic fracture is smaller than 90° or the deflection angle of natural fracture is smaller than 45°, the steering of hydraulic fracture is less hindered, which is beneficial to the formation of complex fracture network.
Verifying antibacterial properties of nanopillars on cicada wings
Authors: van Nieuwenhoven Richard W. , Bürger Alexander M. , Mears Laura L. E. , Kienzl Philip , Reithofer Manuel , Elbe-Bürger Adelheid , Gebeshuber Ille C.
Published: February 2024

The antibacterial properties of cicada wings originate from hexagonally arranged pillar-like multi-functional nanostructures with species-dependent heights, which are super-hydrophobic and self-cleaning. In the present study, two cicada species with promising nanopillars were investigated in more detail. Selected methods were used to analyze the wing surfaces, including Atomic Force Microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy, and bacterial tests with live/dead staining. Verifying the antibacterial properties posed challenges, such as the bacteria concentration needed to confirm the antibacterial properties. These challenges will also impact the practical implementation of antibacterial nanostructures and support the findings of recent critical publications.
On the concentration-compactness principle for anisotropic variable exponent Sobolev spaces and its applications
Authors: Chems Eddine Nabil , Ragusa Maria Alessandra , Repovš Dušan D.
Published: February 2024

We obtain critical embeddings and the concentration-compactness principle for the anisotropic variable exponent Sobolev spaces. As an application of these results,we confirm the existence of and find infinitely many nontrivial solutions for a class of nonlinear critical anisotropic elliptic equations involving variable exponents and two real parameters. With the groundwork laid in this work, there is potential for future extensions, particularly in extending the concentration-compactness principle to anisotropic fractional order Sobolev spaces with variable exponents in bounded domains. This extension could find applications in solving the generalized fractional Brezis–Nirenberg problem.
Petrosamine isolated from marine sponge Petrosia sp. demonstrates protection against neurotoxicity in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Ribeiro Joana , Araújo-Silva Henrique , Fernandes Mário , da Silva Joilna Alves , Pinto Francisco das Chagas L. , Pessoa Otília Deusdenia L. , Santos Hélcio Silva , de Menezes Jane Eire Silva Alencar , Gomes Andreia C.
Published: February 2024

According to The World Alzheimer Report 2023 by Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) estimates that 33 to 38.5 million people worldwide suffer from Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). A crucial hallmark associated with this disease is associated with the deficiency of the brain neurotransmitter acetylcholine, due to an affected acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Marine organisms synthesize several classes of compounds, some of which exhibit significant AChE inhibition, such as petrosamine, a coloured pyridoacridine alkaloid. The aim of this work was to characterize the activity of petrosamine isolated for the first time from a Brazilian marine sponge, using two neurotoxicity models with aluminium chloride, as exposure to aluminium is associated with the development of neurodegenerative diseases. The in vitro model was based in a neuroblastoma cell line and the in vivo model exploited the potential of zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos in mimicking hallmarks of AD. To our knowledge, this is the first report on petrosamine’s activity over these parameters, either in vitro or in vivo, in order to characterize its full potential for tackling neurotoxicity.

Graphical Abstract
Non-surgical Treatment of Adenomyosis
Authors: Dedes Ioannis , Kolovos Georgios N. , Mueller Michael D.
Published: February 2024

Purpose of Review

Uterine-sparing excisional surgical techniques for adenomyosis are complex, carry significant risks, and after all have substantial recurrence rates. Consequently, there has been a trend towards adopting non-surgical treatments. This narrative review outlines the latest in non-surgical treatments for adenomyosis, highlighting their significance in managing this condition and stresses the importance of further research, especially concerning long-term outcomes and fertility implications.

Recent Findings

Emerging evidence suggests that non-surgical techniques for the treatment of adenomyosis offer promising alternatives to traditional uterus-conserving surgery.

LNG-IUS is recommended as the primary management strategy for adenomyosis. In our clinical evaluation, a pretreatment with GnRH-analogs, HIFU, or UAE prior to LNG-IUS insertion in enlarged uteri may mitigate treatment failure risks, notably device expulsion. Concurrently, post-intervention LNG-IUS application post non-surgical modalities can diminish recurrence probability. In large uteri with presence of multiple uterine fibroids, UAE may be preferable compared to thermal ablation procedures especially if there is no wish for pregnancy or comorbidities not allowing for a hysterectomy. For focal adenomyosis, especially when prioritizing fertility preservation, RFA may be considered due to its precise targeting, available data on pregnancy outcomes, and ease of incorporation into gynecological practice. In cases of localized disease of the anterior wall of the uterus without prior surgeries and no suspicion of concurrent endometriosis, HIFU can be favored.
Ending the HIV Epidemic in Black America: Qualitative Insights Following COVID-19
Authors: Lewis Tenesha J. , Herring R. Patti , Chinnock Richard E. , Nelson Anna
Published: February 2024

Background

The disproportionate effects of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) on Black American communities highlight structural systems rooted in racism and must be addressed with national strategies that improve both biomedicine and social determinants of health.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to qualitatively examine the experiences and interpretations of experts in the HIV workforce (local, state, and national HIV-related organizations) regarding the state of HIV and COVID-19 among Black Americans.

Methods

Within key informant interviews and a focus group recorded and transcribed verbatim, fifteen members of the HIV workforce and Black community described their experiences and provided insights to inform ending the negative outcomes resulting from HIV and COVID-19.

Results

Data were analyzed using NVivo software, and eight themes emerged to address disease disproportionality through a Black lens. Themes reflected (1) accessing information and care; (2) key potential partners/stakeholders; (3) investing in Black communities; (4) governmental support; (5) increasing engagement and advocacy; (6) HIV-related community conversations; (7) developments since COVID-19; and (8) the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) trajectory.

Conclusions

Themes directly speak to recommendations to adjust education and policy strategies for HIV and COVID-19 prevention and intervention. Such recommendations, (1) amplifying Black voices, (2) investing sustainable dollars into Black communities, and (3) leaning into advocacy, can bolster the foundation for the HIV workforce and Black community to break ineffective response patterns and lead the fight against these systemic issues of inequity.
Measurement of antioxidant synergy between phenolic bioactives in traditional food combinations (legume/non-legume/fruit) of (semi) arid regions: insights into the development of sustainable functional foods
Authors: Joshi Tripti , Agrawal Kartik , Mangal Manan , Deepa P. R. , Sharma Pankaj Kumar
Published: February 2024

Numerous under-researched edible plants are present in the desert regions of the world. These plants could be potential candidates to ensure food security and provide valuable bioactive compounds through diet. In general, the bioactives present in food manifest synergistic, additive, or antagonistic interactions. The current study investigates such interactions between food combinations traditionally consumed in (semi) arid regions. Five edible plants (representing three food categories) were selected: Prosopis cineraria and Acacia senegal (legume), Capparis decidua and Cordia dichotoma (non-legume), and Mangifera indica (fruit), in which the first four are largely underutilized. The antioxidant capacities of individual plant extracts and their binary mixtures were analyzed by DPPH free radical scavenging and FRAP assays. The total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were also determined. The highest antioxidant activity was obtained for Prosopis cineraria extract (EC50—1.24 ± 0.02 mg/ml, FRAP value—380.58 ± 11.17 μM/g), while Mangifera indica exhibited the lowest antioxidant activity (EC50—2.54 ± 0.05 mg/ml, FRAP value—48.91 ± 4.34 μM/g). Binary mixture of Prosopis cineraria (legume) and Mangifera indica (fruit) manifested maximum synergy (experimental EC50—0.89 ± 0.01 mg/ml, theoretical EC50—3.79 ± 0.05 mg/ml). Correlation studies [Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) and Principal component analysis (PCA)] showed a high correlation of TFC with DPPH and TPC with FRAP values. LC–MS analysis of methanolic plant extracts detected 43 phenolic compounds (including phenolic acids, flavonoids, and isoflavonoids), possibly responsible for the observed food synergy. For edible plants of the (semi) arid zones, this study is a first-of-its-kind and provides scientific validation to the traditional wisdom of consuming these foods together. Such indigenous food combinations derived from desert flora could offer valuable insights into development of sustainable functional foods and nutraceuticals.

Graphical Abstract
God, Religious Extremism and Violence
Authors: Rowley Matthew
Published: February 2024

Why do religious militants think their actions are right or righteous? What keeps me from acting like them? Why do some religious persons act on their beliefs in charitable, inspiring and deeply humane ways? Is secularism the solution to religious violence, or is it part of the problem? This Element explores the vexed issue of violence done in the name of God, looking at the topic through the lens of peace and conflict studies, religious studies and historical studies. The beliefs of various communities, religious and secular, are explored, looking at how convictions inhibit and enable violence. This Element aims to foster a deeper and more nuanced understanding of the promises and perils of religion so that readers can better respond to a world filled with violence.
The Last Man and Gothic Sympathy
Authors: Cameron Michael
Published: February 2024

This Element explores the theme of 'Gothic sympathy' as it appears in a collection of 'Last Man' novels. A liminal site of both possibility and irreconcilability, Gothic sympathy at once challenges the anthropocentric bias of traditional notions of sympathetic concern, premising compassionate relations with other beings – animal, vegetal, etc. – beyond the standard measure of the liberal-humanist subject, and at the same time acknowledges the horror that is the ineluctable and untranslatable otherness accompanying, interrupting, and shaping such a sympathetic connection. Many examples of 'Last Man' fiction explore the dialectical impasse of Gothic sympathy by dramatizing complicated relationships between a lone liberal-humanist subject and other-than-human or posthuman subjects that will persist beyond humanity's extinction. Such confrontations as they appear in Mary Shelley's The Last Man, H.G. Wells's The Time Machine, and Richard Matheson's I Am Legend will be explored.
Ireland's Sea Fisheries, 1400-1600
Authors: Hayes Patrick W.
Published: February 2024

This book examines the environmental, political, and economic history of Ireland's marine fisheries from 1400 to 1600.
Pierre Boulez Organised Delirium
Authors: Potter Caroline
Published: February 2024

Exploring the emotional and cultural influences on Pierre Boulez's early works as well as the role surrealism and French culture of the 1930s and 1940s played in shaping his radical new musical concepts.
Dietary intake of dicarbonyl compounds and changes in body weight over time in a large cohort of European adults
Authors: Debras Charlotte , Cordova Reynalda , Mayén Ana-Lucia , Maasen Kim , Knaze Viktoria , Eussen Simone J. P. M. , Schalkwijk Casper G. , Huybrechts Inge , Tjønneland Anne , Halkjær Jytte , Katzke Verena , Bajracharya Rashmita , Schulze Matthias B. , Masala Giovanna , Pala Valeria , Pasanisi Fabrizio , Macciotta Alessandra , Petrova Dafina , Castañeda Jazmin , Santiuste Carmen , Amiano Pilar , Moreno-Iribas Conchi , Borné Yan , Sonestedt Emily , Johansson Ingegerd , Esberg Anders , Aglago Elom Kouassivi , Jenab Mazda , Freisling Heinz
Published: February 2024

Dicarbonyl compounds are highly reactive precursors of advanced glycation end products (AGE), produced endogenously, present in certain foods and formed during food processing. AGE contribute to the development of adverse metabolic outcomes, but health effects of dietary dicarbonyls are largely unexplored. We investigated associations between three dietary dicarbonyl compounds, methylglyoxal (MGO), glyoxal (GO) and 3-deoxyglucosone (3-DG), and body weight changes in European adults. Dicarbonyl intakes were estimated using food composition database from 263 095 European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition–Physical Activity, Nutrition, Alcohol, Cessation of Smoking, Eating Out of Home in Relation to Anthropometry participants with two body weight assessments (median follow-up time = 5·4 years). Associations between dicarbonyls and 5-year body-weight changes were estimated using mixed linear regression models. Stratified analyses by sex, age and baseline BMI were performed. Risk of becoming overweight/obese was assessed using multivariable-adjusted logistic regression. MGO intake was associated with 5-year body-weight gain of 0·089 kg (per 1-sd increase, 95 % CI 0·072, 0·107). 3-DG was inversely associated with body-weight change (–0·076 kg, −0·094, −0·058). No significant association was observed for GO (0·018 kg, −0·002, 0·037). In stratified analyses, GO was associated with body-weight gain among women and older participants (above median of 52·4 years). MGO was associated with higher body-weight gain among older participants. 3-DG was inversely associated with body-weight gain among younger and normal-weight participants. MGO was associated with a higher risk of becoming overweight/obese, while inverse associations were observed for 3-DG. No associations were observed for GO with overweight/obesity. Dietary dicarbonyls are inconsistently associated with body weight change among European adults. Further research is needed to clarify the role of these food components in overweight and obesity, their underlying mechanisms and potential public health implications.
How does trade policy uncertainty affect firms’ pollution emissions? Theory and evidence from China
Authors: Lin Xi , Huang Geng , He Ling-Yun
Published: February 2024

The literature investigates trade-environment relationship at the firm level, but does not focus on the environmental effect of trade policy uncertainty. In the context of de-globalization and Sino-US trade friction, trade policy uncertainty significantly increases. How does trade policy uncertainty affect firms’ pollution emissions? In this study, we incorporate energy, pollution, and trade policy uncertainty into Melitz’s (2003) framework and construct a theoretical model to reveal the relationship between trade policy uncertainty and pollution emissions. Then, we employ the event that the USA granted permanent normal trade relationship to China as a quasi natural experiment. We use difference-in-difference-in-difference model and the data of Chinese manufacturing firms for empirical analysis. Our results indicate that the decrease in trade policy uncertainty reduces emission intensity of exporting firms, but has no significant impact on emission levels. Given that these firms do not aggravate emission levels under the condition of expanding output scale, we conclude that the decrease in trade policy uncertainty can improve environmental performance. Mechanism analysis shows an interesting finding that the decrease in trade policy uncertainty reduces emission intensity mainly by improving energy efficiency rather than improving abatement technology and optimizing energy structure. In addition, pollution reductions mainly occur in pollution-intensive and capital-intensive industries as well as coastal regions. Altogether, this study contributes to the literature on trade-environment relationship and trade policy uncertainty.
Multidecadal Variations in the Tropical Western Pacific Driven by Externally‐Forced AMV‐Like Changes
Authors: Qin Minhua , Zhang Renhe , Dai Aiguo , Hua Wenjian
Published: February 2024

Multidecadal sea surface temperature (SST) variations in the tropical western Pacific (TWP) have been attributed to nonlinear external forcing and remote influences from the Atlantic Multidecadal Variability (AMV). However, the AMV resulted from both internal variability (IV) and external forcing. Thus, the origins of the TWP SST variations are not well understood. By analyzing observations and model simulations, we show that more than half of the decadal to multidecadal SST variations in TWP during 1920–2020 resulted from external forcing with the forced component correlated with AMV, while the internal component is unrelated to AMV. Furthermore, about 43%–49% of the forced AMV‐like SST variations in TWP result from remote influences of the forced AMV in the Atlantic via atmospheric teleconnection over the North Pacific, with the rest from other remote or local processes.
Marine Heatwaves in the East Asian Marginal Seas Facilitated by Boreal Summer Intraseasonal Oscillations
Authors: Dasgupta Panini , Nam SungHyun , Saranya J. S. , Roxy M. K.
Published: February 2024

During the summer of 2016, the northern East China Sea and the southern Yellow Sea (NECS‐SYS) experienced one of the most severe and devastating marine heatwaves (MHWs) on record, with a temperature anomaly exceeding 4°C. This shallow semi‐enclosed continental shelf region is widely recognized as a significant hotspot for MHWs with associated incidences of harmful algae blooms. Previous studies have highlighted the importance of mixed layer shoaling as a crucial factor in the genesis of MHWs in the global ocean. The current study employed the Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model reanalysis data set during 1994–2015 to delve into the mechanisms driving mixed layer shoaling during NECS‐SYS MHW genesis. Our findings reveal the significant role of the northward propagating boreal summer intraseasonal oscillation in promoting MHW genesis and intensification. Specifically, boreal summer intraseasonal oscillation phases 5, 6, and 7 contribute to the favorable conditions that facilitate MHW formation by inducing mixed layer shoaling and increasing solar influx, with mixed layer shoaling playing a more dominant role. The current study provides insights into the relative influences of wind, salinity, and temperature on mixed layer shoaling. We observe that wind plays the most significant role in mixed layer shoaling, followed by temperature and salinity. The boreal summer intraseasonal oscillation induced wind relaxation, increased shortwave radiation, and freshwater influx lead sea surface temperature by 7, 5, and 4 days, respectively. Importantly, mixed layer shoaling leads SST anomalies by 1–2 days. Therefore, the current study also suggests an intraseasonal predictability source for NECS‐SYS MHWs.
Leukemogenesis occurs in a microenvironment enriched by extracellular microvesicles/exosomes: recent discoveries and questions to be answered
Authors: Ratajczak Mariusz Z. , Ratajczak Janina
Published: February 2024

In single-cell organisms, extracellular microvesicles (ExMVs) were one of the first cell-cell communication platforms that emerged very early during evolution. Multicellular organisms subsequently adapted this mechanism. Evidence indicates that all types of cells secrete these small circular structures surrounded by a lipid membrane that may be encrusted by ligands and receptors interacting with target cells and harboring inside a cargo comprising RNA species, proteins, bioactive lipids, signaling nucleotides, and even entire organelles “hijacked” from the cells of origin. ExMVs are secreted by normal cells and at higher levels by malignant cells, and there are some differences in their cargo. On the one hand, ExMVs secreted from malignant cells interact with cells in the microenvironment, and in return, they are exposed by a “two-way mechanism” to ExMVs secreted by non-leukemic cells. Therefore, leukemogenesis occurs and progresses in ExMVs enriched microenvironments, and this biological fact has pathologic, diagnostic, and therapeutic implications. We are still trying to decipher this intriguing cell-cell communication language better. We will present a current point of view on this topic and review some selected most recent discoveries and papers.
A scoping review on tools and methods for trait prioritization in crop breeding programmes
Authors: Occelli M. , Mukerjee R. , Miller C. , Porciello J. , Puerto S. , Garner E. , Guerra M. , Gomez M. I. , Tufan H. A.
Published: February 2024

Trait prioritization studies have guided research, development and investment decisions for public-sector crop breeding programmes since the 1970s, but the research design, methods and tools underpinning these studies are not well understood. We used PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis Protocols) to evaluate research on trait ranking for major crops over the past 40 years (1980–2023). Data extraction and descriptive analysis on 657 papers show uneven attention to crops, lack of systematic sex disaggregation and regional bias. The lack of standardized trait data taxonomy across studies, and inconsistent research design and data collection practices make cross-comparison of findings impossible. In addition, network mapping of authors and donors shows patterns of concentration and the presence of silos within research areas. This study contributes to the next generation of innovation in trait preference studies to produce more inclusive, demand-driven varietal design that moves beyond trait prioritization focused on productivity and yield.
Sea water temperature and light intensity at high-Arctic subtidal shallows – 16 years perspective
Authors: Moreno Bernabé , Sowa Anna , Reginia Kamil , Balazy Piotr , Chelchowski Maciej , Ronowicz Marta , Kuklinski Piotr
Published: February 2024

Manifestations of climate change in the Arctic include an increase in water temperatures and massive loss of sea ice enabling more light penetration. Yet to understand tempo and scale of these parameters change over time, constant monitoring is needed. We present 16-yr long-term datasets of sea water temperature and relative light intensity at two depth strata (8 and 14 ± 1 m) of two hard-bottom sites in southern Isfjorden proper (Spitsbergen, 78°N). The high temporal resolution of the datasets (every 30 min, between 2006–2022) makes them suitable for studying changes at a local scale, correlating environmental variability with observed processes in benthic assemblages, and serving as ground-truth for comparison with, for example, remotely sensed or mooring data. These datasets serve as baseline for long-term investigations in the shallows of a high-Arctic fjord undergoing severe environmental changes.
Pedigree genome data of an early-matured Geng/japonica glutinous rice mega variety Longgeng 57
Authors: Lei Yuanbao , Zhang Yunjiang , Xu Linyun , Ma Wendong , Zhou Ziqi , Li Jie , Quan Pengyu , Faruquee Muhiuddin , Yang Dechen , Zhang Fan , Zhou Yongli , Quan Guangjun , Zhao Xiuqin , Wang Wensheng , Liu Bailong , Li Zhikang , Xu Jianlong , Zheng Tianqing
Published: February 2024

By using PacBio HiFi technology, we produced over 700 Gb of long-read sequencing (LRS) raw data; and by using Illumina paired-end whole-genome shotgun (WGS) sequencing technology, we generated more than 70 Gb of short-read sequencing (SRS) data. With LRS data, we assembled one genome and then generate a set of annotation data for an early-matured Geng/japonica glutinous rice mega variety genome, Longgeng 57 (LG57), which carries multiple elite traits including good grain quality and wide adaptability. Together with the SRS data from three parents of LG57, pedigree genome variations were called for three representative types of genes. These data sets can be used for deep variation mining, aid in the discovery of new insights into genome structure, function, and evolution, and help to provide essential support to biological research in general.
ReTimeML: a retention time predictor that supports the LC–MS/MS analysis of sphingolipids
Authors: Allwright Michael , Guennewig Boris , Hoffmann Anna E. , Rohleder Cathrin , Jieu Beverly , Chung Long H. , Jiang Yingxin C. , Lemos Wimmer Bruno F. , Qi Yanfei , Don Anthony S. , Leweke F. Markus , Couttas Timothy A.
Published: February 2024

The analysis of ceramide (Cer) and sphingomyelin (SM) lipid species using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) continues to present challenges as their precursor mass and fragmentation can correspond to multiple molecular arrangements. To address this constraint, we developed ReTimeML, a freeware that automates the expected retention times (RTs) for Cer and SM lipid profiles from complex chromatograms. ReTimeML works on the principle that LC–MS/MS experiments have pre-determined RTs from internal standards, calibrators or quality controls used throughout the analysis. Employed as reference RTs, ReTimeML subsequently extrapolates the RTs of unknowns using its machine-learned regression library of mass-to-charge (m/z) versus RT profiles, which does not require model retraining for adaptability on different LC–MS/MS pipelines. We validated ReTimeML RT estimations for various Cer and SM structures across different biologicals, tissues and LC–MS/MS setups, exhibiting a mean variance between 0.23 and 2.43% compared to user annotations. ReTimeML also aided the disambiguation of SM identities from isobar distributions in paired serum-cerebrospinal fluid from healthy volunteers, allowing us to identify a series of non-canonical SMs associated between the two biofluids comprised of a polyunsaturated structure that confers increased stability against catabolic clearance.