bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The popular perception of Byzantium in contemporary Turkish culture
Authors: Durak Koray
Published: December 2022

The aim of this article is to present the sources available to the ordinary Turkish citizen for forming an opinion about Byzantium. These sources range from the written (school curricula to newspapers) to the visual (cinema to television), and I categorize them on the basis of a set of criteria such as accessibility, control over the audience, and intellectual depth. I aim to show how non-state actors have been laying the groundwork for a more informed perception of Byzantium. Movies, theatrical productions, and cartoons in humorous magazines satirizing the essentializing view of the Byzantine past through parody, are shown to play a deconstructive role in this process.
Getting ready for primetime: Paths to acquiring substance-free phonology
Authors: Samuels Bridget D. , Andersson Samuel , Sayeed Ollie , Vaux Bert
Published: December 2022

Substance-free phonology (SFP) is based on the hypothesis that phonological computation makes no reference to phonetic substance, and that phonological features are treated as arbitrary symbols for the purposes of computation. However, phonologists within the SFP tradition disagree about whether the content of phonological features is innate or learned (“emergent”), and if learned, whether the acquisition process is based on phonological patterning alone or refers to phonetic substance. In the present article we identify predictive differences between these accounts. We conclude that there is an innate basis to phonological features, but that featural content is not innate. We suggest that a hybrid phonetic-phonological approach to feature content acquisition may ultimately be the most successful.
Embedding alternative dispute resolution in the civil justice system: a taxonomy for ADR referrals and a digital pathway to increase the uptake of ADR
Authors: Cortés Pablo
Published: December 2022

This paper examines in three parts how ADR is being embedded into the English civil justice system. Section 1 discusses how courts encourage settlements, and it argues that while mounting costs in litigation lead to negotiated settlements, the participation in ADR primarily mainly occurs when parties are referred to it in a timely manner. Section 2 investigates the time when disputants are referred to ADR, and it proposes a taxonomy formed by three stages in the dispute life cycle: (1) before parties contemplate litigation; (2) at the pre-action phase as a pre-condition to issue a claim; and (3) after a defence is entered. Section 3 notes that the court digitalisation program is increasing ADR referrals across the above three stages, and it argues that these referrals will be more effective when they are timely and coupled with suitable incentives and sanctions, but the latter must take into consideration the parties’ power asymmetries.
Multimodal mechanisms of political discourse dynamics and the case of Germany’s nuclear energy phase-out
Authors: Haunss Sebastian , Hollway James
Published: December 2022

The 2011 policy pivot of the German government, from extending nuclear power plants terms to securing their shutdown for 2022, cannot be explained without looking at how the German political discourse network shifted in the months following Fukushima. This paper seeks to model and identify mechanisms that help explain how the two-mode network of political actors’ support for claims developed. We identify possible mechanisms to explain discourse dynamics from literature on political discourse and discourse networks, and extend homophily mechanisms to two-mode networks as “tertius” effects. We then introduce and employ a multimodal extension of dynamic network actor models to answer two questions key to how the discourse has evolved: which actors support claims more frequently and which claims they support. Our results indicate that mechanisms vary according to the discursive phase, but that powerful actors participate in the discourse more often, and actors tend to support claims that have already found support by cross-party coalitions. These are the two most prominent mechanisms that help to explain the dramatic nuclear policy change in Germany after Fukushima.
The effects of peracetic acid solution on the treatment of otomycosis in an animal model: a new antifungal drug?
Authors: Nemati S , Akbarpour M , Lotfali E , Nosrati R , Rafiee E , Zebardast N
Published: December 2022

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of 1 per cent and 0.01 per cent peracetic acid as an antifungal agent in animal otomycosis.

Method

After creating a superficial scratch in the external auditory canal of guinea pigs, a suspension of Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus and candida were inoculated into the ears of the animals. After otomycosis, the effect of 1 per cent or 0.01 per cent peracetic acid on otomycosis was evaluated by otomicroscopy and culture at 10 days post-treatment and compared with 2 per cent acetic acid as the control.

Results

A 10-day treatment with 1 per cent peracetic acid and 2 per cent acetic acid (control) showed normal otomicroscopy and negative cultures compared with 0.01 per cent peracetic acid. Drug sedimentation or other side effects in the external auditory canal or tympanic membrane were not observed during treatment with peracetic acid.

Conclusion

The findings of this study confirm that the treatment of otomycosis with 1 per cent peracetic acid in an animal model is beneficial and may be a novel therapeutic treatment for otomycosis.
Charting the Scene(s) of Sonic Arts in Hong Kong
Authors: Ikeshiro Ryo , Charrieras Damien , Lindborg Permagnus
Published: December 2022

This article analyses recent developments of sonic art in Hong Kong. Based on a series of in-depth interviews with 23 local sonic art practitioners over the past six years, we discuss the contextual understanding of what constitutes ‘sonic art’ among local practitioners, along neighbouring terms such as ‘electroacoustic music’, ‘experimental music’ and ‘computer music’. We also give a description of the new generation of sonic art practitioners who emerged over the past ten years, contributing to a renewed sense of professionalism. These developments can be understood in relation to four aspects: a strong cluster of interrelated higher education institutions; a shift in public policy supporting ‘art and tech’ projects and cultural organisations; specific individuals, practitioners deeply invested in what we here define as sonic arts, acting as passeurs, connecting underground and academic milieux; and the international integration of Hong Kong-based sonic artists and promoters.
The Visual Representation of Timbre
Authors: Sköld Mattias
Published: December 2022

This text deals with the difficult task of notating timbre by addressing how it can be classified, synthesised, recognised and related to visual correspondences, and then looking at the relevance of these topics for notational purposes. Timbre is understood as dependent on both spectral and time-dependent features that can be notated in ways that make sense in relation to both perception and acoustics. This is achieved by taking the starting point in Lasse Thoresen’s spectromorphological analysis. Symbols originally developed for perception-based analysis are adapted for use over a hybrid spectrum-staff system to indicate the spectral qualities of timbre. To test the system, it was used to transcribe excerpts of three classic electroacoustic music works. In addition to the benefit of being able to compare the three excerpts transcribed with the same system, there is the advantage that the visual representation is based on spectral measurable qualities in the music. The notation system’s intuitiveness was also explored in listening tests, showing that it was possible to understand spectral notation symbols placed over a staff system, particularly for examples with two sound objects instead of one.
Zooplankton Fecal Pellet Characteristics and Contribution to the Deep‐Sea Carbon Export in the Southern South China Sea
Authors: Li Jiaying , Liu Zhifei , Lin Baozhi , Zhao Yulong , Cao Junyuan , Zhang Xiaodong , Zhang Jingwen , Ling Chen , Ma Pengfei , Wu Jiawang
Published: December 2022

Zooplankton fecal pellets play a significant role in particulate organic carbon (POC) export, which has been widely reported in different ocean regions. However, zooplankton fecal pellet in the tropical marginal sea and its contribution to the total POC flux has not been sufficiently investigated yet. Here, for the first time we report zooplankton fecal pellet characteristics and fluxes in the South China Sea from June 2020 to May 2021 via one mooring with two sediment traps deployed at 500 and 2,190 m depths. Average fecal pellet numerical flux was 2.30 × 104 and 4.22 × 104 pellets m−2 d−1 at 500 and 2,190 m, respectively, corresponding to average fecal pellet carbon (FPC) flux from 0.31 to 0.71 mg C m−2 d−1. Small ellipsoidal and spherical pellets accounted for more than 90% of the total numerical flux, while large cylindrical pellets, although relatively rare (6%), accounted for almost 15% of the FPC flux. Both fecal pellet numerical and carbon fluxes were higher in winter, when the strong East Asian winter monsoon winds and heavy rainfall promoted the marine primary production. Higher fecal pellet fluxes combining with the presence of extra‐large pellets at 2,190 m compared to those at 500 m suggested the in‐situ repackaging of deep‐dwelling zooplankton communities in the mesopelagic and bathypelagic zones. Contribution of fecal pellets to the total POC flux ranged from 0.4% to 30.0% (averaging 9.0%), with higher values occurring during winter monsoon, at which time fecal pellets became a critical conveyor of carbon export to the deep sea.
Quantifying the Contributions of Regional Human Activities and Global Climate Change to the Regional Climate in a Typical Mountain‐Oasis‐Desert System of Arid Central Asia From 1979 to 2018
Authors: Zhang Miao , Zhou Yanzhao , Li Xin , Sun Ziyong , Yang Guoqing , Xie Zhenghui
Published: December 2022

Many studies have examined the influence of global climate change and regional human activities on the climate of arid Central Asia, but their separate contributions have rarely been reported due to lack of a comprehensive description of regional human activities, especially the irrigation process, in the model. In this study, we conducted two sets of 40‐year continuous simulations with and without human activities to distinguish the effects of regional human activities and global climate change on the surface air temperature (T2), humidity (Q2) and precipitation of a typical mountain‐oasis‐desert system in northern Tianshan by using a modified WRF‐Noah model with irrigation processes. The results indicated that the annual average T2, Q2 and convective precipitation during the past 40 years increased by 0.393°C, 0.063 g/kg and 0.014 mm/d, respectively, and the annual average large‐scale precipitation and total annual average precipitation decreased by approximately −0.017 and −0.003 mm/d, respectively. Regional human activities contributed 52.63% and 50.38% of the change in large‐scale precipitation and total precipitation, respectively, while global climate change accounted for more than 80% of the change in temperature and humidity. Among the human activities, irrigation had the largest impact on T2/Q2 over the local irrigation region and on precipitation in the upstream Tianshan mountainous area. However, for the whole region, the increase in the green vegetation fraction was the core factor that impacted the regional climate. Our results can deepen the understanding of the attribution and mechanism of climate change and provide water and heat change references for other mountain‐oasis‐desert systems in arid endorheic regions.
PACEMweb: a tool for aggregate consumer exposure assessment
Authors: Delmaar Christiaan J. E. , Schreurs Roel , Bakker Martine I. , Minnema Jordi , Bokkers Bas G. H.
Published: December 2022

Background

To ascertain the safe use of chemicals that are used in multiple consumer products, the aggregate human exposure, arising from combined use of multiple consumer products needs to be assessed.

Objective

In this work the Probabilistic Aggregate Consumer Exposure Model (PACEM) is presented and discussed. PACEM is implemented in the publicly available web tool, PACEMweb, for aggregate consumer exposure assessment.

Methods

PACEM uses a person-oriented simulation method that is based on realistic product usage information obtained in surveys from several European countries. PACEM evaluates aggregate exposure in a population considering individual use and co-use patterns as well as variation in product composition. Product usage data is included on personal care products (PCPs) and household cleaning products (HCPs).

Results

PACEM has been implemented in a web tool that supports broad use in research as well as regulatory risk assessment. PACEM has been evaluated in a number of applications, testing and illustrating the advantage of the person-oriented modeling method. Also, PACEM assessments have been evaluated by comparing its results with biomonitoring information.

Significance

PACEM enables the assessment of realistic aggregate exposure to chemicals in consumer products. It provides detailed insight into the distribution of exposure in a population as well as products that contribute the most to exposure. This allows for better informed decision making in the risk management of chemicals.

Impact

Realistic assessment of the total, aggregate exposure of consumers to chemicals in consumer products is necessary to guarantee the safe use of chemicals in these products. PACEMweb provides, for the first time, a publicly available tool to assist in realistic aggregate exposure assessment of consumers to chemicals in consumer products.
A unifying Bayesian framework for merging X-ray diffraction data
Authors: Dalton Kevin M. , Greisman Jack B. , Hekstra Doeke R.
Published: December 2022

Novel X-ray methods are transforming the study of the functional dynamics of biomolecules. Key to this revolution is detection of often subtle conformational changes from diffraction data. Diffraction data contain patterns of bright spots known as reflections. To compute the electron density of a molecule, the intensity of each reflection must be estimated, and redundant observations reduced to consensus intensities. Systematic effects, however, lead to the measurement of equivalent reflections on different scales, corrupting observation of changes in electron density. Here, we present a modern Bayesian solution to this problem, which uses deep learning and variational inference to simultaneously rescale and merge reflection observations. We successfully apply this method to monochromatic and polychromatic single-crystal diffraction data, as well as serial femtosecond crystallography data. We find that this approach is applicable to the analysis of many types of diffraction experiments, while accurately and sensitively detecting subtle dynamics and anomalous scattering.
Selective CO2 electroreduction to methanol via enhanced oxygen bonding
Authors: Zhang Gong , Wang Tuo , Zhang Mengmeng , Li Lulu , Cheng Dongfang , Zhen Shiyu , Wang Yongtao , Qin Jian , Zhao Zhi-Jian , Gong Jinlong
Published: December 2022

The reduction of carbon dioxide using electrochemical cells is an appealing technology to store renewable electricity in a chemical form. The preferential adsorption of oxygen over carbon atoms of intermediates could improve the methanol selectivity due to the retention of C–O bond. However, the adsorbent-surface interaction is mainly related to the d states of transition metals in catalysts, thus it is difficult to promote the formation of oxygen-bound intermediates without affecting the carbon affinity. This paper describes the construction of a molybdenum-based metal carbide catalyst that promotes the formation and adsorption of oxygen-bound intermediates, where the sp states in catalyst are enabled to participate in the bonding of intermediates. A high Faradaic efficiency of 80.4% for methanol is achieved at −1.1 V vs. the standard hydrogen electrode.
De novo design of obligate ABC-type heterotrimeric proteins
Authors: Bermeo Sherry , Favor Andrew , Chang Ya-Ting , Norris Andrew , Boyken Scott E. , Hsia Yang , Haddox Hugh K. , Xu Chunfu , Brunette T. J. , Wysocki Vicki H. , Bhabha Gira , Ekiert Damian C. , Baker David
Published: December 2022

The de novo design of three protein chains that associate to form a heterotrimer (but not any of the possible two-chain heterodimers) and that can drive the assembly of higher-order branching structures is an important challenge for protein design. We designed helical heterotrimers with specificity conferred by buried hydrogen bond networks and large aromatic residues to enhance shape complementary packing. We obtained ten designs for which all three chains cooperatively assembled into heterotrimers with few or no other species present. Crystal structures of a helical bundle heterotrimer and extended versions, with helical repeat proteins fused to individual subunits, showed all three chains assembling in the designed orientation. We used these heterotrimers as building blocks to construct larger cyclic oligomers, which were structurally validated by electron microscopy. Our three-way junction designs provide new routes to complex protein nanostructures and enable the scaffolding of three distinct ligands for modulation of cell signaling.
Anthrax hotspot mapping in Kenya support establishing a sustainable two-phase elimination program targeting less than 6% of the country landmass
Authors: Gachohi John , Bett Bernard , Otieno Fredrick , Mogoa Eddy , Njoki Peris , Muturi Mathew , Mwatondo Athman , Osoro Eric , Ngere Isaac , Dawa Jeanette , Nasimiyu Carolyne , Oyas Harry , Njagi Obadiah , Canfield Samuel , Blackburn Jason , Njenga Kariuki
Published: December 2022

Using data collected from previous (n = 86) and prospective (n = 132) anthrax outbreaks, we enhanced prior ecological niche models (ENM) and added kernel density estimation (KDE) approaches to identify anthrax hotspots in Kenya. Local indicators of spatial autocorrelation (LISA) identified clusters of administrative wards with a relatively high or low anthrax reporting rate to determine areas of greatest outbreak intensity. Subsequently, we modeled the impact of vaccinating livestock in the identified hotspots as a national control measure. Anthrax suitable areas included high agriculture zones concentrated in the western, southwestern and central highland regions, consisting of 1043 of 1450 administrative wards, covering 18.5% country landmass, and hosting 30% of the approximately 13 million cattle population in the country. Of these, 79 wards covering 5.5% landmass and hosting 9% of the cattle population fell in identified anthrax hotspots. The rest of the 407 administrative wards covering 81.5% of the country landmass, were classified as low anthrax risk areas and consisted of the expansive low agricultural arid and semi-arid regions of the country that hosted 70% of the cattle population, reared under the nomadic pastoralism. Modelling targeted annual vaccination of 90% cattle population in hotspot administrative wards reduced > 23,000 human exposures. These findings support an economically viable first phase of anthrax control program in low-income countries where the disease is endemic, that is focused on enhanced animal and human surveillance in burden hotspots, followed by rapid response to outbreaks anchored on public education, detection and treatment of infected humans, and ring vaccination of livestock. Subsequently, the global anthrax elimination program focused on sustained vaccination and surveillance in livestock in the remaining few hotspots for a prolonged period (> 10 years) may be implemented.
Magnetic and microscopic investigation of airborne iron oxide nanoparticles in the London Underground
Authors: Sheikh H. A. , Tung P. Y. , Ringe E. , Harrison R. J.
Published: December 2022

Particulate matter (PM) concentration levels in the London Underground (LU) are higher than London background levels and beyond World Health Organization (WHO) defined limits. Wheel, track, and brake abrasion are the primary sources of particulate matter, producing predominantly Fe-rich particles that make the LU microenvironment particularly well suited to study using environmental magnetism. Here we combine magnetic properties, high-resolution electron microscopy, and electron tomography to characterize the structure, chemistry, and morphometric properties of LU particles in three dimensions with nanoscale resolution. Our findings show that LU PM is dominated by 5–500 nm particles of maghemite, occurring as 0.1–2 μm aggregated clusters, skewing the size-fractioned concentration of PM artificially to larger sizes when measured with traditional monitors. Magnetic properties are largely independent of the PM filter size (PM10, PM4, and PM2.5), and demonstrate the presence of superparamagnetic (< 30 nm), single-domain (30–70 nm), and vortex/pseudo-single domain (70–700 nm) signals only (i.e., no multi-domain particles > 1 µm). The oxidized nature of the particles suggests that PM exposure in the LU is dominated by resuspension of aged dust particles relative to freshly abraded, metallic particles from the wheel/track/brake system, suggesting that periodic removal of accumulated dust from underground tunnels might provide a cost-effective strategy for reducing exposure. The abundance of ultrafine particles identified here could have particularly adverse health impacts as their smaller size makes it possible to pass from lungs to the blood stream. Magnetic methods are shown to provide an accurate assessment of ultrafine PM characteristics, providing a robust route to monitoring, and potentially mitigating this hazard.
Infection with an acanthocephalan helminth reduces anxiety-like behaviour in crustacean host
Authors: Cozzarolo Camille-Sophie , Perrot-Minnot Marie-Jeanne
Published: December 2022

Trophically transmitted heteroxenous parasites of diverse clades can decrease or reverse antipredator behaviours in their intermediate hosts, thereby increasing their chances of reaching their final hosts. Such behavioural alterations could result from compromised cognitive abilities affecting fear- or more generally stress-related neurophysiological pathways. We tested this hypothesis in a key model system in the study of parasitic manipulation, the fish acanthocephalan parasitePomphorhynchus tereticollisand its intermediate crustacean hostGammarus fossarum,using the ‘threat of electric shock’ paradigm. We exposed uninfected and infectedG. fossarumto chronic and/or acute electric shock programs at two different intensities (voltage), and then quantified their sheltering behaviour as a proxy for anxiety-like state. Infected gammarids did not express anxiety-like response to electric shocks, while uninfected gammarids hid more when exposed to acute treatments, and when exposed to the high intensity chronic treatment. Interestingly, the lack of response in infected gammarids depended on parasite developmental stage. Our results support the hypothesis that this acanthocephalan parasite impacts the general anxiety-like circuitry of their intermediate host. Further studies are needed to investigate whether it involves inappropriate processing of information, impaired integration, or altered activation of downstream pathways initiating behavioural action.
An optimized method for high-quality RNA extraction from distinctive intrinsic laryngeal muscles in the rat model
Authors: Kemfack Angela M. , Hernandez-Morato Ignacio , Moayedi Yalda , Pitman Michael J.
Published: December 2022

Challenges related to high-quality RNA extraction from post-mortem tissue have limited RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) application in certain skeletal muscle groups, including the intrinsic laryngeal muscles (ILMs). The present study identified critical factors contributing to substandard RNA extraction from the ILMs and established a suitable method that permitted high-throughput analysis. Here, standard techniques for tissue processing were adapted, and an effective means to control confounding effects during specimen preparation was determined. The experimental procedure consistently provided sufficient intact total RNA (N = 68) and RIN ranging between 7.0 and 8.6, which was unprecedented using standard RNA purification protocols. This study confirmed the reproducibility of the workflow through repeated trials at different postnatal time points and across the distinctive ILMs. High-throughput diagnostics from 90 RNA samples indicated no sequencing alignment scores below 70%, validating the extraction strategy. Significant differences between the standard and experimental conditions suggest circumvented challenges and broad applicability to other skeletal muscles. This investigation remains ongoing given the prospect of therapeutic insights to voice, swallowing, and airway disorders. The present methodology supports pioneering global transcriptome investigations in the larynx previously unfounded in literature.
Glucosidase inhibitor, Nimbidiol ameliorates renal fibrosis and dysfunction in type-1 diabetes
Authors: Juin Subir Kumar , Pushpakumar Sathnur , Tyagi Suresh C. , Sen Utpal
Published: December 2022

Diabetic nephropathy is characterized by excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) leading to renal fibrosis, progressive deterioration of renal function, and eventually to end stage renal disease. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are known to regulate synthesis and degradation of the ECM. Earlier, we demonstrated that imbalanced MMPs promote adverse ECM remodeling leading to renal fibrosis in type-1 diabetes. Moreover, elevated macrophage infiltration, pro-inflammatory cytokines and epithelial‒mesenchymal transition (EMT) are known to contribute to the renal fibrosis. Various bioactive compounds derived from the medicinal plant, Azadirachta indica (neem) are shown to regulate inflammation and ECM proteins in different diseases. Nimbidiol is a neem-derived diterpenoid that is considered as a potential anti-diabetic compound due to its glucosidase inhibitory properties. We investigated whether Nimbidiol mitigates adverse ECM accumulation and renal fibrosis to improve kidney function in type-1 diabetes and the underlying mechanism. Wild-type (C57BL/6J) and type-1 diabetic (C57BL/6‐Ins2Akita/J) mice were treated either with saline or with Nimbidiol (0.40 mg kg−1 d−1) for eight weeks. Diabetic kidney showed increased accumulation of M1 macrophages, elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines and EMT. In addition, upregulated MMP-9 and MMP-13, excessive collagen deposition in the glomerular and tubulointerstitial regions, and degradation of vascular elastin resulted to renal fibrosis in the Akita mice. These pathological changes in the diabetic mice were associated with functional impairments that include elevated resistive index and reduced blood flow in the renal cortex, and decreased glomerular filtration rate. Furthermore, TGF-β1, p-Smad2/3, p-P38, p-ERK1/2 and p-JNK were upregulated in diabetic kidney compared to WT mice. Treatment with Nimbidiol reversed the changes to alleviate inflammation, ECM accumulation and fibrosis and thus, improved renal function in Akita mice. Together, our results suggest that Nimbidiol attenuates inflammation and ECM accumulation and thereby, protects kidney from fibrosis and dysfunction possibly by inhibiting TGF-β/Smad and MAPK signaling pathways in type-1 diabetes.
Validation of the Japanese version of the Interoception Sensory Questionnaire for individuals with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Itoi Chihiro , Ujiie Yuta , Matsushima Kanae , Takahashi Kohske , Ide Masakazu
Published: December 2022

The Interoception Sensory Questionnaire (ISQ) is a self-report instrument used to assess the characteristics of interoceptive processing in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Previous studies have shown that scores of the ISQ are more appropriate than other subjective measures for evaluating difficulties in interoceptive processing in individuals with ASD. Yet, no prior research has demonstrated the validation of the ISQ in Japanese samples. This study attempted to validate the Japanese version of the ISQ (ISQ-J) by examining its psychometric properties. We confirmed the score distribution, internal consistency, and factor structure in Japanese samples. We also examined the relationships with other interoceptive questionnaires. In addition, we compared the scores of the ISQ-J between adolescents and adults with ASD participants and control participants. Results of confirmatory factor analyses showed that the reliability of the ISQ-J in adults with ASD reached an acceptable level of a one-factor structure with excellent internal consistency (α = 0.963). The result of the ISQ-J showed a significant positive correlation with the measure of awareness of interoceptive sensitivity for localized bodily states; on the other hand, a significant negative correlation was found with those integrated bodily states. In addition, the ISQ-J scores were significantly higher in the ASD group than in the control group. The current findings depend on self-report data (including a diagnosis of ASD) to measure validity constructs. Additionally, since the ISQ-J was surveyed in adults with ASD, it is unclear whether similar the results would be obtained if the ISQ-J were conducted with children. These results indicate the validity and reliability of the ISQ-J and provide a tool for assessing confusion of interoceptive information in Japanese adults with ASD.
The dynamics of dyadic interactions between people of different ethnicities depend on their identification with all humanity
Authors: Hamer Katarzyna , López Pérez David , Drogosz Marek , Goworek Henryk
Published: December 2022

Individuals who have the disposition to identify with all humanity declare feeling close to people all over the world, caring about them, and perceiving them as an ingroup. However, never before were such declarations verified by measures of intergroup attitudes less direct than questionnaires, such as approach/avoidance tendencies or dynamical systems methods. Since individuals with higher dispositional identification with all humanity (IWAH) perceive people all over the world as ingroup members, we expected differences in the dynamic of inter-ethnic interactions (spatial distance, coordination, coupling, and leading), depending on a participant’s level of IWAH. 227 participants fulfilled the IWAH scale, and those with the highest and lowest scores took part in a laboratory study, performing a task in inter-ethnic dyads. For the first time, an approach that combines a state-of-the-art tracking algorithm with a dynamical systems method was applied in such a context. Our results showed that those higher in IWAH kept a smaller distance from a partner, took a more leading role, and showed better coordination than those lower in IWAH. We found a similar trend for coupling. The results demonstrated the importance of IWAH for inter-ethnic relations and how it may shape non-verbal behaviors. Limitations are discussed.
Using household economic survey data to assess food expenditure patterns and trends in a high-income country with notable health inequities
Authors: Nghiem Nhung , Teng Andrea , Cleghorn Christine , McKerchar Christina , Wilson Nick
Published: December 2022

This study aimed to identify dietary trends in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) and whether inequities in dietary patterns are changing. We extracted data from the Household Economic Survey (HES), which was designed to provide information on impacts of policy-making in NZ, and performed descriptive analyses on food expenditures. Overall, total household food expenditure per capita increased by 0.38% annually over this period. Low-income households spent around three quarters of what high-income households spent on food per capita. High-income households experienced a greater increase in expenditure on nuts and seeds and a greater reduction in expenditure on processed meat. There was increased expenditure over time on fruit and vegetables nuts and seeds, and healthy foods in Māori (Indigenous) households with little variations in non-Māori households. But there was little change in processed meat expenditure for Māori households and expenditure on less healthy foods also increased over time. Routinely collected HES data were useful and cost-effective for understanding trends in food expenditure patterns to inform public health interventions, in the absence of nutrition survey data. Potentially positive expenditure trends for Māori were identified, however, food expenditure inequities in processed meat and less healthy foods by ethnicity and income continue to be substantial.
Numerical simulation of stratospheric QBO impact on the planetary waves up to the thermosphere
Authors: Koval A. V. , Gavrilov N. M. , Kandieva K. K. , Ermakova T. S. , Didenko K. A.
Published: December 2022

With the help of numerical simulation, a detailed analysis of the dynamical effect of the stratospheric quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) of the equatorial zonal wind on the planetary waves (PWs) up to thermospheric heights is carried out for the first time. The 3-dimensional nonlinear mechanistic model of middle and upper atmosphere (MUAM) is used, which is capable of simulating the general atmospheric circulation from the surface up to 300–400 km altitude. The amplitudes of stationary and westward travelling PWs with periods from 4 to 10 days are calculated based on ensembles of model simulations for conditions corresponding to the easterly and westerly QBO phases. Fluxes of wave activity and refractive indices of the atmosphere are calculated to analyze the detailed behavior of the PWs. The important result to emerge is that the stratospheric QBO causes statistically significant changes in the amplitudes of individual wave components up to 25% in the mesosphere-lower thermosphere and 10% changes above 200 km. This change in wave structures should be especially noticeable in the atmosphere during periods of low solar activity, when the direct contribution of solar activity fluctuations is minimized. Propagating from the troposphere to the upper atmosphere, PWs contribute to the propagation of the QBO signal not only from the equatorial region to extratropical latitudes, but also from the stratosphere to the thermosphere. The need for a detailed analysis of large-scale wave disturbances in the upper atmosphere and their relationship with the underlying layers is due, in particular, to their significant impact on satellite navigation and communication systems, which is caused by amplitude and phase fluctuations of the radio signal.
Seasonal variation in daily activity patterns of snow leopards and their prey
Authors: Johansson Örjan , Mishra Charudutt , Chapron Guillaume , Samelius Gustaf , Lkhagvajav Purevjav , McCarthy Tom , Low Matthew
Published: December 2022

The daily and seasonal activity patterns of snow leopards (Panthera uncia) are poorly understood, limiting our ecological understanding and hampering our ability to mitigate threats such as climate change and retaliatory killing in response to livestock predation. We fitted GPS-collars with activity loggers to snow leopards, Siberian ibex (Capra sibirica: their main prey), and domestic goats (Capra hircus: common livestock prey) in Mongolia between 2009 and 2020. Snow leopards were facultatively nocturnal with season-specific crepuscular activity peaks: seasonal activity shifted towards night-sunrise during summer, and day-sunset in winter. Snow leopard activity was in contrast to their prey, which were consistently diurnal. We interpret these results in relation to: (1) darkness as concealment for snow leopards when stalking in an open landscape (nocturnal activity), (2) low-intermediate light preferred for predatory ambush in steep rocky terrain (dawn and dusk activity), and (3) seasonal activity adjustments to facilitate thermoregulation in an extreme environment. These patterns suggest that to minimise human-wildlife conflict, livestock should be corralled at night and dawn in summer, and dusk in winter. It is likely that climate change will intensify seasonal effects on the snow leopard's daily temporal niche for thermoregulation in the future.
An investigation of metabolome in blood in patients with chronic peripheral, posttraumatic/postsurgical neuropathic pain
Authors: Ghafouri Bijar , Thordeman Katarina , Hadjikani Romina , Bay Nord Anders , Gerdle Björn , Bäckryd Emmanuel
Published: December 2022

Neuropathic pain (NP) is a chronic pain condition resulting from a lesion or disease in the somatosensory nervous system. The aim of this study was to investigate the metabolome in plasma from patients with chronic peripheral, posttraumatic/postsurgical NP compared to healthy controls. Further, we aimed to investigate the correlation between pain intensity and the metabolome in plasma. The metabolic profile in plasma samples from 16 patients with chronic NP and 12 healthy controls was analyzed using a nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy method. Information about pain intensity, pain duration, body mass index (BMI), age, sex, and blood pressure were obtained through a questionnaire and clinical examination. Multivariate data analysis was used to identify metabolites significant for group separation and their correlation with pain intensity and duration, BMI, and age. We found 50 out of 326 features in plasma significantly contributing to group discrimination between NP and controls. Several of the metabolites that significantly differed were involved in inflammatory processes, while others were important for central nervous system functioning and neural signaling. There was no correlation between pain intensity and levels of metabolite in NP. These findings indicate that there seems to be peripheral/systemic differences in the metabolic profile between patients with chronic NP and healthy individuals.
Dendritic polyamide-amine modified phosphomolybdovanadic hybrid microspheres as a catalyst for methacrolein to methacrylic acid
Authors: Wang Baohe , Li Yang , Zhu Qianwen , Zhu Jing , Zhang Zhaobang , Ma Jing
Published: December 2022

The selective oxidation of methacrolein (MAL) to high value-added methacrylic acid (MAA) using green chemical technology is of high research value.
Alumina binder effects on the hydrothermal stability of shaped zeolite-based catalyst bodies
Authors: Nikolopoulos Nikolaos , Wickramasinghe Abhijit , Whiting Gareth T. , Weckhuysen Bert M.
Published: December 2022

The influence of hydrothermal treatments and alumina binder on the properties and catalytic performance in the methanol-to-hydrocarbon reaction of different zeolite–alumina catalyst extrudates was characterized using a combination ofex situ,in situandoperandotechniques.
Immunomodulatory effects of extracellular glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase of exopolysaccharide-producing Lactiplantibacillus plantarum JCM 1149
Authors: Kudo Hiromu , Miyanaga Kazuhiko , Yamamoto Naoyuki
Published: December 2022

Secretion of GAPDH in EPS producing L. plantarum and the immunomodulatory effects.
The impacts of dopants on the small polaron mobility and conductivity in hematite – the role of disorder
Authors: Chen Mingpeng , Grieder Andrew C. , Smart Tyler J. , Mayford Kiley , McNair Samuel , Pinongcos Anica , Eisenberg Samuel , Bridges Frank , Li Yat , Ping Yuan
Published: December 2022

The conduction of small polarons is impacted by the Fe sub-lattice disorder in atomically doped α-Fe2O3. Larger disorder lowers the polaron mobility.
Large tunneling magnetoresistance in van der Waals magnetic tunnel junctions based on FeCl2films with interlayer antiferromagnetic couplings
Authors: Han Jiangchao , Lv Chen , Yang Wei , Wang Xinhe , Wei Guodong , Zhao Weisheng , Lin Xiaoyang
Published: December 2022

Schematic, conductances and TMR ratios of Au/n-layer FeCl2/Au devices.
pH-Dependent disruption of giant polymer vesicles: a step towards biomimetic membranes
Authors: Sincari Vladimir , Jäger Eliézer , Loureiro Kahynna Cavalcante , Vragovic Martina , Hofmann Eddie , Schlenk Mathias , Filipová Marcela , Rydvalová Eliška , Štěpánek Petr , Hrubý Martin , Förster Stephan , Jäger Alessandro
Published: December 2022

The spatiotemporal pH-triggered controlled release of a hydrophilic probe in a pH-responsive PGUV system demonstrates its potential as a biomimetic system for drug delivery, microreactors and artificial cell mimics.
An effective antimicrobial complex of nanoscale β-cyclodextrin and ciprofloxacin conjugated to a cell adhesive dipeptide
Authors: Taheri-Ledari Reza , Jalali Farinaz , Heidari Leili , Ganjali Fatemeh , Asl Fereshteh Rasouli , Zarei-Shokat Simindokht , Forouzandeh-Malati Mohadeseh , Mohammadi Adibeh , Maleki Ali
Published: December 2022

A soft-matter based antimicrobial nano-cargo made of beta-cyclodextrin and ciprofloxacin is reported.
Quantum tailoring of electronic properties in covalently functionalized graphene: application to ammonia gas detection
Authors: Dammak A. , Raouafi F. , Cavanna A. , Rudolf P. , di Caprio D. , Sallet V. , Madouri A. , Jancu J. M.
Published: December 2022

Quantum tailoring of NH3 gas detection on 4SBD modified graphene.
Experimental and theoretical study on the regioselective bis- or polyalkylation of 6-amino-2-mercapto-3H-pyrimidin-4-one using zeolite nano-gold catalyst and a quantum hybrid computational method
Authors: Abdel Halim Shimaa , Hassaneen Huwaida M. E.
Published: December 2022

The synthetic utility of 6-amino-2-mercapto-3H-pyrimidin-4-one 3 as building blocks for new poly (pyrimidine) by alkylation using the bis(halo) compounds and zeolite nano-gold as a catalyst was investigated.
One-pot room-temperature synthesis of a BiOCl hierarchical microsphere assembled from nanosheets with exposed {001} facets for enhanced photosensitized degradation
Authors: Wang Liyan , Miao Zhiqiang , Bi Fei , Xiao Shanshan , Zhao Li , Li Yongtao , Kong Lingwei , Li Yingqi , Yang Jingxiu , Zhang Xuejian , Gai Guangqing
Published: December 2022

BiOCl hierarchical microspheres with enhanced RhB photosensitized degradation were synthesized using PEG-2000 as template by a one-pot room-temperature hydrolysis method.
Ice crystal-assisted intercalation of PANI within Ti3C2Tx MXene thin films for flexible supercapacitor electrodes with simultaneously high mechanical strength and rate performance
Authors: Wang Jianhua , Jiang Degang , Zhang Maozhuang , Sun Yuesheng , Jiang Mingyuan , Du Yiqi , Liu Jingquan
Published: December 2022

Ti3C2Tx MXene thin-film electrodes are promising for flexible and wearable energy storage devices.
Tri-coordinated Au dopant induced out-of-plane ferroelectricity and enhanced ferromagnetism in chromium triiodide
Authors: Zhang Lei , Tang Cheng , Du Aijun
Published: December 2022

The unique tri-coordinated Au dopant induces out-of-plane ferroelectricity and enhances the intrinsic ferromagnetism of 2D CrI3.
Sexual dimorphism in acute myocardial infarction-induced acute kidney injury: cardiorenal deteriorating effects of ovariectomy in premenopausal female mice
Authors: Habeichi Nada J. , Ghali Rana , Mroueh Ali , Kaplan Abdullah , Tannous Cynthia , Jurjus Abdo , Amin Ghadir , Mericskay Mathias , Booz George W. , El-Yazbi Ahmed , Zouein Fouad A.
Published: December 2022

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in both males and females, increasing mortality rate substantially. Premenopausal females appear to be more protected, suggesting a potential protective role of female sex hormones. Here, we tested the hypothesis that ovariectomy (OVX) eliminates the beneficial effect of female sex on renal protection following acute myocardial infarction (MI). Seven days post-MI, both sexes exhibited worsened kidney function and a substantial decrease in total kidney NAD levels. Unlike MI female mice, MI males showed exacerbated morphological alterations with increased proinflammatory, proapoptotic, and profibrotic biomarkers. The expression of NAD+ biosynthetic enzymes NAMPT and NMRK-1 was increased in MI females only, while males showed a substantial increase in NAD+ consuming enzyme PARP-1. OVX did not eliminate the female-sex protection of glomerular morphology but was associated with swelling of proximal convoluted tubules with MI as in males. With OVX, MI females had enhanced proinflammatory cytokine release, and a further decrease in creatinine clearance and urine output was observed. Our findings suggest that MI induced AKI in both sexes with pre-menopausal female mice being more protected. Ovariectomy worsens aspects of AKI in females after MI, which may portend increased risk for development of chronic kidney disease.
Cognitive Complexity Beyond Generalization: A Subjective Rating for the Human Comprehension
Authors: Wijendra Dinuka R. , Hewagamage K. P.
Published: December 2022

The cognitive complexity of a software determines the comprehension effort of a particular individual faces when designing, developing and maintaining a software. The comprehension level tends to be varied with each human resulting the cognitive complexity a subjective measurement. Expressing the cognitive complexity as a form of metric quantifies the comprehensibility as a generic value, which does not imply the subjectivity of human factor. This study elaborates the significance of expressing the cognitive complexity as a form of a subjective rating. The cognitive complexity rating has been pioneered with respect to the human and programming dependent factors related to human cognition. The Divisive hierarchical clustering algorithm has been used to train and predict the cognition rating per user. It has been clearly elaborated the subjectivity of the cognitive ratings over the quantitative and static complexity values of current cognitive and software complexity metrics. Thereby, the concept of cognition rates has been proposed as a preliminary step of determining and expressing the cognitive complexity.
Implementing FCFS and SJF for finding the need of Reinforcement Learning in Cloud Environment
Authors: Lahande Prathamesh , Kaveri Parag
Published: December 2022

Cloud has grown significantly and has become a popular serviceoriented paradigm offering users a variety of services. The end-user submits requests to the cloud in the form of tasks with the expectation that they will be executed at the best possible lowest time, cost and without any errors. On the other hand, the cloud executes these tasks on the Virtual Machines (VM) by using resource scheduling algorithms. The cloud performance is directly dependent on how the resources are managed and allocated for executing the tasks. The main aim of this research paper is to compare the behaviour of cloud resource scheduling algorithms: First Come First Serve (FCFS) and Shortest Job First (SJF) by processing high-sized tasks. This research paper is broadly divided into four phases: the first phase includes an experiment conducted by processing approximately 80 thousand tasks from the Alibaba task event dataset using the resource scheduling algorithms: FCFS and SJF on the cloud VMs under different circumstances; the second phase includes the experimental results; the third phase includes a empirical analysis of the behaviour of resource scheduling algorithms; the last phase includes the proposed need of Reinforcement Learning (RL) to improve cloud resource scheduling and its overall performance.