bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Warmer Temperatures Are More Predictive Than Solar Radiation for the Number of Skin Cancer Removal Procedures
Authors: Woodie Brad R. , Fleischer Alan B.
Published: October 2024

Background

Solar radiation is the primary risk factor for skin cancer, with personal exposure influenced by environmental and behavioral factors. At higher temperatures, behavioral changes increase solar radiation exposure.

Objectives

Examine the relationships between solar radiation, ambient temperature, age, and skin cancer.

Methods

For the contiguous United States, we obtained the state mean global horizontal irradiance (GHI), daily maximum temperature, and number of skin cancer removals in the Medicare population. For skin cancer removals, we defined more sun‐exposed skin as the head, neck, hands, and feet, and less sun‐exposed skin as the trunk, arms, and legs.

Results

By comparing the temperature thresholds 17°C, 20°C, 24°C, 27°C, 31°C, and 34°C, we found that the annual number of days above 24°C was the strongest temperature‐related predictor of skin cancer removals. Multivariable linear regression showed that the number of days above 24°C predicted more skin cancer removals for all body locations and less sun‐exposed skin (p = 0.008 and p = 0.003, respectively), while GHI did not (p = 0.1 and p = 0.8, respectively). GHI only predicted more skin cancer removals for more sun‐exposed skin (p = 0.02).

Conclusion

More days above 24°C was a better predictor of skin cancer removals than GHI for all skin locations and less sun‐exposed skin, suggesting that the behavioral changes occurring at warmer temperatures are more predictive of skin cancer removals than solar irradiance. Due to rising global temperatures, skin cancer incidence may further increase. Temperature‐related behavioral changes represent a potential target for skin cancer prevention efforts.
Clientelism and digitalisation of Roma parties' electoral campaigns: a case study
Authors: Buta Oana , Farcas Raluca
Published: October 2024

Contrary to recent developments within party politics, Roma political parties in Romania fail to incorporate digital technology into their activities, although they face a continuously decreasing level of support from their voters. To explain this phenomenon, this article argues that elections governed by non‐programmatic strategies create not only different incentives towards digitalization, but also pose more challenges for certain ethnic parties, which also face internal shortcomings. It looks at the 2020 local elections in Romania and focuses on the two largest Roma political parties. The qualitative analysis, based on interviews with county Roma party leaders, confirms that the lack of digitalization is influenced by local clientelism, which affects the Roma electorate because of their socioeconomic situation. Besides, internal shortcomings further constrain such an option.
Plio‐Pleistocene decline of mesic forest underpins diversification in a clade of Australian Panesthia cockroaches
Authors: Adams Maxim W. D. , Walker James A. , Rose Harley A. , Jones Braxton R. , Zwick Andreas , Yang Huiming , Nicholls James , Hartley Diana , Bent Stephen , Carlile Nicholas , Hutton Ian , Ho Simon Y. W. , Lo Nathan
Published: October 2024

The progressive aridification of the Australian continent, and coincident decline of mesic forest, has been a powerful driver of allopatric and environmental speciation in native species. The relictual mesic forests of the eastern seaboard now harbour a diverse group of endemic fauna, including the wood‐feeding cockroaches of the genus Panesthia, which reached the continent via two separate invasions from Melanesia. The more recent of these colonization events gave rise to a group of five recognized species, occurring in mainland woodlands, sclerophylls and rainforests, as well as the forests and grasslands of the Lord Howe Island Group. Due to limited sampling in molecular studies and doubt regarding the standing taxonomy, there is little certainty about relationships among the species and poor understanding of the effects of ancient climatic change upon their evolution. We undertook a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of the clade, using complete mitogenomes and nuclear ribosomal markers from nearly all known morphospecies and populations. Our time‐calibrated phylogenetic analyses reveal an additional six unrecognized, highly divergent lineages and suggest that these have arisen primarily through vicariance as rainforests fragmented during Plio‐Pleistocene glacial cycles (2–5 million years ago). Ancestral niche estimations also evidence a tropical rainforest origin for the group, followed by at least three niche transitions into drier forest, including one associated with the singular colonization of the Lord Howe Island Group. Finally, we find evidence of frequent, parallel wing reduction, in potential association with the contraction of forest habitats into small refugia. Our results reiterate the far‐reaching role of ancient aridification in driving speciation, niche expansion and morphological evolution in Australian fauna.
A Multi‐Objective Optimization Method for Shelter Site Selection Based on Deep Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Zhang Di , Meng Huan , Wang Moyang , Xu Xianrui , Yan Jianhai , Li Xiang
Published: October 2024

Urban emergency shelters are a special type of public service facility, and their planning and construction are directly related to the safety of urban residents' lives and property, as well as to the sustainable development of the city. Existing research on the site selection of shelters is not ideal when dealing with large‐scale scenarios and fails to accurately reflect the actual situation. To address this issue, this study proposes an emergency shelter site selection model based on deep reinforcement learning, IAM‐PPO. This model constructs the site selection problem as a Markov Decision Process and uses deep learning to extract information from the site selection scenario. It finds the final solution for shelter locations through continuous exploration and learning. To improve the training efficiency of the model, the action masking process is innovatively applied to the model. The research results and ablation experiments using Shanghai as a case study prove that, owing to the diversity of shelter service ranges and action masking mechanism, the model proposed in this study can provide efficient and accurate shelter location services. Moreover, the customizability of this model provides meaningful reference value for other public facility location problems.
Reflections on My Research in Heat and Energy
Authors: Chen Gang
Published: October 2024

This article reflects on the author's research career, which has focused on heat and energy. It details the challenges faced by the author and his research group, highlights their successes and failures, and explores some intriguing unresolved questions in the fields of heat transfer and energy. The author's career has been significantly shaped by his mentors, students, associates, collaborators, and the opportunities to tackle problems at the intersection of heat transfer, materials science, and physics. Additionally, the article discusses the research philosophy imparted by his Ph.D. advisor, Chang-Lin Tien, and the influence of the research culture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). It also offers career advice for students, as well as early- and midcareer researchers.
Influence of the Sociomotor Component of Sports Practice on Adolescent Sustainability Awareness
Authors: Boned-Gómez Salvador , Ferriz-Valero Alberto , Giménez Egido José María , Baena-Morales Salvador
Published: October 2024

Background: In the context of increasing global focus on sustainability, it is critical to explore how various activities, such as sports, affect young people’s understanding of sustainability. Despite the recognized importance, there is a significant research gap regarding the impact of different sports practices especially their sociomotor components on adolescents’ sustainability awareness (SA) across environmental, social, and economic dimensions. Methods: This cross-sectional study assessed the relationship between the sociomotor component of sports practices and SA in 1157 adolescents, representing diverse genders, socioeconomic backgrounds, and educational levels. The Sustainability Consciousness Questionnaire was employed to measure aspects of sustainability, and sports practices were categorized by their sociomotor components to evaluate their influence on SA. Results: Analysis revealed a significant association between cooperative sports without opposition and SA, particularly within the social dimension. These sports practices, which emphasize team collaboration over competition, were linked to increased social SA among adolescents, suggesting the educational potential of incorporating such sports into academic and extracurricular programs. Conclusions: The findings underscore the potential role of cooperative sports in fostering a deeper understanding of sustainability among youth. By reducing ego-centric behavior and encouraging teamwork, these sports practices may contribute to developing a more socially conscious and sustainable mindset. This study points to the importance of including cooperative sports in educational curricula and suggests the need for further research to explore the long-term effects of sports on sustainability education, with the goal of leveraging sports as a tool for promoting a sustainable future.
Symbolic Interactionism and the Metamorphosis of Sports Brands: Indian Premier League’s Journey From Niche to Mass Cool
Authors: Tiwari Amit Anand , Murthy Venkatesha
Published: October 2024

This study delves into the evolution of the Indian Premier League, the world’s second-largest sports league, charting its transition from a niche to a mass cool brand. Through the lens of symbolic interactionism, it scrutinizes 13 years of the Indian Premier League’s promotional videos with 18 in-depth interviews of cultural intermediaries. The research spotlights the nuanced process of brand coolness within the Indian Premier League, demonstrating how the league’s brand identity undergoes a deliberate reconstruction, blending both traditional and modern sociocultural elements. A pivotal “boost cool” phase is identified, signaling a strategic shift to expand the brand’s appeal to a wider audience. This research contributes significantly to brand coolness literature by conceptualizing a brand coolness life cycle, charting a path from uncool, through niche and boost cool, to mass cool, and eventually to uncool or reinvention, highlighting “boost cool” as a critical transitional stage.
Matrix-bound nanovesicles alleviate particulate-induced periprosthetic osteolysis
Authors: Liao Runzhi , Dewey Marley J. , Rong Jiayang , Johnson Scott A. , D’Angelo William A. , Hussey George S. , Badylak Stephen F.
Published: October 2024

Aseptic loosening of orthopedic implants is an inflammatory disease characterized by immune cell activation, chronic inflammation, and destruction of periprosthetic bone, and is one of the leading reasons for prosthetic failure, affecting 12% of total joint arthroplasty patients. Matrix-bound nanovesicles (MBVs) are a subclass of extracellular vesicle recently shown to mitigate inflammation in preclinical models of rheumatoid arthritis and influenza-mediated “cytokine storm.” The molecular mechanism of these anti-inflammatory properties is only partially understood. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of MBV on RANKL-induced osteoclast formation in vitro and particulate-induced osteolysis in vivo. Results showed that MBV attenuated osteoclast differentiation and activity by suppressing the NF-κB signaling pathway and downstream NFATc1, DC-STAMP, c-Src, and cathepsin K expression. In vivo, local administration of MBV attenuated ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene particle-induced osteolysis, bone reconstruction, and periosteal inflammation. The results suggest that MBV may be a therapeutic option for preventing periprosthetic loosening.
Quantifying the quantum nature of high-spin YSR excitations in transverse magnetic field
Authors: van Mullekom Niels P. E. , Verlhac Benjamin , van Weerdenburg Werner M. J. , Osterhage Hermann , Steinbrecher Manuel , Franke Katharina J. , Khajetoorians Alexander A.
Published: October 2024

Excitations of individual and coupled spins on superconductors provide a platform to study quantum spin impurity models as well as a pathway toward realizing topological quantum computing. Here, we characterize, using ultralow temperature scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy, the Yu-Shiba-Rusinov (YSR) states of individual manganese phthalocyanine molecules with high spin on an ultrathin lead film in variable transverse magnetic field. We observe two types of YSR excitations, depending on the adsorption geometry. Using a zero-bandwidth model, we detail the role of the magnetic anisotropy, spin-spin exchange, and Kondo exchange. We illustrate that one molecular type can be treated as an individual spin, whereas the other type is best described by a coupled spin system. Using the field dependence of the YSR excitations combined with modeling, we describe the quantum phase of each excitation type. These results provide an insight into the quantum nature of YSR excitations in magnetic field and a platform to study spin impurity models on superconductors in magnetic field.
Beyond low lignin: Identifying the primary barrier to plant biomass conversion by fermentative bacteria
Authors: Bing Ryan G. , Sulis Daniel B. , Carey Morgan J. , Manesh Mohamad J. H. , Ford Kathryne C. , Straub Christopher T. , Laemthong Tunyaboon , Alexander Benjamin H. , Willard Daniel J. , Jiang Xiao , Yang Chenmin , Wang Jack P. , Adams Michael W. W. , Kelly Robert M.
Published: October 2024

Renewable alternatives for nonelectrifiable fossil-derived chemicals are needed and plant matter, the most abundant biomass on Earth, provide an ideal feedstock. However, the heterogeneous polymeric composition of lignocellulose makes conversion difficult. Lignin presents a formidable barrier to fermentation of nonpretreated biomass. Extensive chemical and enzymatic treatments can liberate fermentable carbohydrates from plant biomass, but microbial routes offer many advantages, including concomitant conversion to industrial chemicals. Here, testing of lignin content of nonpretreated biomass using the cellulolytic thermophilic bacterium,
Anaerocellum bescii
, revealed that the primary microbial degradation barrier relates to methoxy substitutions in lignin. This contrasts with optimal lignin composition for chemical pretreatment that favors high S/G ratio and low H lignin. Genetically modified poplar trees with diverse lignin compositions confirm these findings. In addition, poplar trees with low methoxy content achieve industrially relevant levels of microbial solubilization without any pretreatments and with no impact on tree fitness in greenhouse.
Observation of quantum superposition of topological defects in a trapped-ion quantum simulator
Authors: Cheng Zhi-Jie , Wu Yu-Kai , Li Shi-Jiao , Mei Quan-Xin , Li Bo-Wen , Wang Gang-Xi , Jiang Yue , Qi Bin-Xiang , Zhou Zi-Chao , Hou Pan-Yu , Duan Lu-Ming
Published: October 2024

Topological defects are discontinuities of a system protected by global properties, with wide applications in mathematics and physics. While previous experimental studies mostly focused on their classical properties, it has been predicted that topological defects can exhibit quantum superposition. Despite the fundamental interest and potential applications in understanding symmetry-breaking dynamics of quantum phase transitions, its experimental realization still remains a challenge. Here, we report the observation of quantum superposition of topological defects in a trapped-ion quantum simulator. By engineering long-range spin-spin interactions, we observe a spin kink splitting into a superposition of kinks at different positions, creating a “Schrodinger kink” that manifests nonlocality and quantum interference. Furthermore, by preparing superposition states of neighboring kinks with different phases, we observe the propagation of the wave packet in different directions, thus unambiguously verifying the quantum coherence in the superposition states. Our work provides useful tools for nonequilibrium dynamics in quantum Kibble-Zurek physics.
An ILC2-chitinase circuit restores lung homeostasis after epithelial injury
Authors: Jung Haerin , Kim Do-Hyun , Díaz Roberto Efraín , White J. Michael , Rucknagel Summer , Mosby Lauryn , Wang Yilin , Reddy Sanjana , Winkler Emma S. , Hassan Ahmed O. , Ying Baoling , Diamond Michael S. , Locksley Richard M. , Fraser James S. , Van Dyken Steven J.
Published: October 2024

Environmental exposures increase the risk for severe lung disease, but specific drivers of persistent epithelial injury and immune dysfunction remain unclear. Here, we identify a feedback circuit triggered by chitin, a common component of airborne particles, that affects lung health after epithelial injury. In mice, epithelial damage disrupts lung chitinase activity, leading to environmental chitin accumulation, impaired epithelial renewal, and group 2 innate lymphoid cell (ILC2) activation. ILC2s, in turn, restore homeostasis by inducing acidic mammalian chitinase (AMCase) in regenerating epithelial cells and promoting chitin degradation, epithelial differentiation, and inflammatory resolution. Mice lacking AMCase or ILC2s fail to clear chitin and exhibit increased mortality and impaired epithelial regeneration after injury. These effects are ameliorated by chitinase replacement therapy, demonstrating that chitin degradation is crucial for recovery after various forms of lung perturbation. Thus, the ILC2-chitinase response circuit may serve as a target for alleviating persistent postinjury lung epithelial and immune dysfunction.
Draft genome sequence of
Mycolicibacterium conceptionense
isolated from the sputum sample of a patient with pulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: Chauhan Varsha , Singh Anupriya , Arora Rohan , Shrivastava Kamal , Kathait Swati , Kumar Sanjay , Bhatnagar Anuj K. , Varma-Basil Mandira
Published: October 2024

We report the draft genome of
Mycolicibacterium conceptionense
, a rapidly growing nontuberculous mycobacterium, isolated from the sputum sample of a patient undergoing treatment for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in Delhi, India. The 6,366,717-bp genome contains 6,124 coding sequences, one 5S rRNA, three 16S rRNAs, six 23S rRNAs, and 49 tRNAs.
Provenance and tectonic evolution of the forearc basin along the northwestern Central Qilian belt, northeastern Tibet
Authors: Hao Jiangbo , Zhang Shuai , Wang Chao , Wu Hanning , Meert Joseph G. , Li Hang , Yu Zunpu , Sun Xiaokui
Published: October 2024

The age and properties of detrital zircon grains in a forearc basin provide crucial information on the history of convergent plate margins. These data can be used to constrain provenance dispersal patterns, establish source-to-sink relationships, and reveal the tectonic framework and subduction history. The Qilian orogen in the northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau records the tectonic history of the Proto-Tethys Ocean from its initial spreading and subduction to final closure. However, the timing of subduction initiation and the subduction polarity of the Proto-Tethys Ocean remain controversial. The Qilian orogen includes the North Qilian, Central Qilian, and South Qilian belts. A succession of sedimentary rocks along the northwestern margin of the Central Qilian belt, previously considered to be Precambrian in age, has been redefined based on detailed field investigation and geochronology. U-Pb analysis of detrital zircon grains from metasedimentary rocks of the Gongcha Group of the northwestern Central Qilian belt yielded Paleozoic ages between 530 and 470 Ma, with prominent Mesoproterozoic and Paleoproterozoic ages between 1800 and 1000 Ma. In contrast, the overlying Duoruonuoer Group yielded predominantly early Paleozoic ages between 465 and 434 Ma, with a few older age populations. This change in source is reflected in a substantial increase in volcanic detritus within the Duoruonuoer Group as compared to the Gongcha Group. The detrital zircon age spectra and lithologic characteristics indicate the Gongcha and Duoruonuoer Groups constitute the lower and upper volcanic-sedimentary strata in the forearc basin. Based on resemblances of statistical ages and εHf(t) values of zircon, we interpret that the early Paleozoic intrusive and volcanic units and Precambrian basement rocks of the Central Qilian belt were the main source of the Gongcha and Duoruonuoer Groups, verifying the southward subduction of the North Qilian Ocean, a portion of the larger Proto-Tethys Ocean, beneath the Central Qilian belt. The detrital zircon ages reveal that the initial subduction of the Proto-Tethys Ocean in the Qilian orogen occurred ca. 530 Ma and closed ca. 435 Ma. These forearc sedimentary units constitute the tectonic boundaries between the Central Qilian belt and North Qilian belt.
Temperature Sensitivity of Peatland Soils Respiration Across Different Terrestrial Ecosystems
Authors: Tarkhov M. O. , Matyshak G. V. , Ryzhova I. M. , Goncharova O. Yu. , Chuvanov S. V. , Timofeeva M. V.
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Sequential (S) and equal-time (ET) methods were applied to assess the temperature sensitivity of respiration of peat soils in different terrestrial ecosystems: southern tundra, northern taiga, and mixed coniferous–broadleaved forests. The Q10 values varied widely (1.3–4.8) and in case of the ET method decreased from northern to temperate latitudes. In the cold range (5–15°С), Q10 increased from the southern tundra (3.5) to the northern taiga (4.8) and then sharply decreased in the zone of mixed forests (2.5). Meanwhile, warm range (15–25°С) showed a clear decline of Q10 from northern to temperate latitudes: southern tundra (2.6) > northern taiga (1.6) > coniferous–broadleaved forests (1.3). Application of the S method resulted in low variability of Q10 values. Our results demonstrate a higher temperature sensitivity of the respiration of peat soils in northern latitudes as compared to that in the temperate zone. The Q10 values obtained in this study can be useful for calibration of regional carbon cycle datasets that consider the contribution of peat soils.
Transformation of Biochar from Plant Biomass in Gray Forest Soil: Evaluation by Isotopic Labeling Method
Authors: Galitskaya P. Yu. , Selivanovskaya S. Yu. , Karamova K. O. , Gordeev A. S. , Kuryntseva P. A. , Ghorbannezhad P.
Published: October 2024

Pyrolysis is considered to be one of promising methods for processing agricultural waste and for producing fertilizers. The efficiency of the resulting biochar as a fertilizer has been proven, but the preferential way of decomposition of organic substances in it—biotic or abiotic—is still open to argument. The ways of transformation of biochar obtained from corn (a plant of the C4 type of photosynthesis with an increased 13C content) were assessed in this work, using the solid-phase CP/MAS 13C NMR spectroscopy. Biochar was placed into the top layer of a monolith of gray forest soil, and the precipitation regime characteristic of Central Russia was simulated for 90 days. The peak at 129 ppm typical for aromatic compounds increased during the experiment in the obtained NMR spectra of soil samples with biochar in the upper soil layer, but not in other layers. This testifies that biochar particles do not migrate down the soil profile during one season. The intensity of cumulative microbial respiration in the presence of biochar increases from 85.0 g CO2 kg–1 in the control sample to 201.4 g CO2 kg–1 in the sample with biochar (the topsoil). According to the NMR spectra of the salt formed during mineralization of carbon dioxide released from the soil, it contains labeled carbon: there is a peak at 169 ppm characteristic of carbonates. The cumulative volume of CO2 released from the soil with biochar is 1.9 times greater as compared to the control soil. The addition of microorganisms-decomposers caused an additional increase in the CO2 volume: 2.4 times relative to the control, which indicates the role of microorganisms in the destruction of soil organic matter and of biochar. However, based on the stability of the total carbon content in the soil, it can be concluded that only a small proportion of biochar components is susceptible to biotic decomposition.
Papillary thyroid carcinoma with a retropharyngeal cystic goitre extending into the pharyngeal mucosal space
Authors: Suzuki Masami , Eguchi Kohtaro , Yoshida Naohiro
Published: October 2024

Retropharyngeal goitre extending to the oropharyngeal level is rare. We present a case of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) with a retropharyngeal cystic goitre extending to the uvular level. A woman in her 50s presented with swelling of the neck and dyspnoea. CT and MRI findings showed a primary tumour in the left lobe of the thyroid gland and a retropharyngeal dumbbell-shaped cystic goitre extending to the uvular level. Total thyroidectomy, central neck dissection and tracheostomy were performed. During the surgery, we opened the retropharyngeal space, and no mass was found. The pathological findings showed that the primary PTC (pT2) was surrounded by benign lesions, including the dumbbell-shaped cystic goitre. We speculated that the dumbbell-shaped cystic goitre extended from the visceral space (VS) into the pharyngeal mucosal space (PMS) and reached the uvular level because the thyroid gland is in the VS, and the VS and PMS are continuous spaces.
The impact of adjuvant antibiotic hydrogel application on the primary stability of uncemented hip stems
Authors: Orfanos Georgios , Zderic Ivan , Gueorguiev Boyko , Nylund Pamela , D'Este Matteo , Varga Peter , Okoro Tosan
Published: October 2024

Objectives

To assess the effect of adjuvant antibiotic-loaded hydrogel application on the primary stability of implanted uncemented hip stems.

Design

Biomechanical study.

Setting

An electro-mechanic material test system (#5866, Instron, Norwood, MA, USA) equipped with a 10-kN load cell was used. A staircase loading protocol was applied via quasi-static ramped compression loading at 0.005 mm/s and six different load levels between 500 N and 3000 N in 500 N intermittent load increase steps.

Participants

12 artificial femora were prepared and received a collarless uncemented standard offset stem (Corail; DePuy Synthes, Zuchwil, Switzerland).

Interventions

The two groups were prepared with or without the antibiotic-loaded hydrogel.

Main outcome measures

Construct stiffness was determined from the recorded load-displacement curves and stem subsidence was measured via motion tracking.

Results

Construct stiffness (control: 4176±240 N/mm; intervention: 4588±448 N/mm) was not significantly different between the groups (p=0.076). Stem subsidence increased significantly over the increasing load levels in each separate group (p≤0.002) and remained not significantly different between the groups (p=0.609).

Conclusions

The application of antibiotic-loaded hydrogel was associated with non-inferior performance in terms of primary uncemented hip stem stability. This finding makes the prospect of adjuvant antibiotic-loaded hydrogel application potentially feasible; however, it requires further investigations prior to translation in the clinical practice.
Early clinical predictors of infected pancreatic necrosis: a multicentre cohort study
Authors: Song Kai , He Wenhua , Wu Zuoyan , Meng Jie , Tian Wei , Zheng Shicheng , Mu Dong , Wang Ruifeng , Chen Hongda , Zhu Yin , Wu Dong
Published: October 2024

Background

Infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN) exacerbates complications in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP), increasing mortality rates if not treated promptly. We aimed to evaluate the predictive value of clinical characteristics within 24 hours of admission for IPN prediction.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective, multicentre cohort study including 3005 patients with AP from eight hospitals in China. Clinical variables collected within 24 hours after admission were analysed using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression (10 cross-validations) for variable selection, followed by multivariate logistic regression to develop an IPN prediction model. Internal cross-validation of the development set and validation of the validation set were performed to ensure robustness. Decision curve analysis was used to evaluate its clinical utility.

Results

IPN occurred in 176 patients (176/3005, 5.9%). The final model included temperature, respiratory rate, plasma calcium ion concentration, serum urea nitrogen and serum glucose. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) was 0.85 (95% CI 0.81 to 0.89), outperforming widely used severity scoring systems. The model demonstrated robust performance on the internal validation cohort (mean AUC: 0.84) and external validation cohort (AUC: 0.82, 95% CI 0. 77 to 0.87).

Conclusion

We developed a simple and robust model for predicting IPN in patients with AP, demonstrating strong predictive performance and clinical utility.
Transcranial doppler (TCD) in predicting outcomes following successful mechanical thrombectomy of large vessel occlusions in anterior circulation: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Jazayeri Seyed Behnam , Sabayan Behnam , Pirahanchi Yasaman , Ravi Vikas , Carrión-Penagos Julián , Bowers Jeffrey , Modir Royya , Agrawal Kunal , Hemmen Thomas , Meyer Brett C , Meyer Dawn , Bavarsad Shahripour Reza
Published: October 2024

Background

Transcranial Doppler (TCD) is a non-invasive, bedside tool that allows for real-time monitoring of the patient’s hemodynamic status following mechanical thrombectomy (MT). This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the predictive value of TCD parameters following successful MT (Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction 2b–3).

Methods

In July 2024, we searched PubMed, Embase, and Scopus, to identify observational studies in which TCD parameters were measured within 48 hours of MT. Using random-effects models, we compared four TCD parameters (mean flow velocity (MFV), MFV index, pulsatility index (PI), and peak systolic velocity (PSV) among groups with vs without hemorrhagic transformation (HT) and favorable vs poor functional recovery (modified Rankin Scale 0–2 vs 3–6).

Results

Eleven studies comprising 1432 patients (59% male; mean age range: 63–73 years) were included. The MFV and MFV index were higher in patients with HT (Hedges' g=0.42 and 0.54, P=0.015 and 0.005, respectively). Patients with MFV index ≥1.3 showed a higher risk of all HT (RR 1.97; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.28 to 3.03, P=0.002), symptomatic HT (RR 4.68; 95% CI 1.49 to 14.65, P=0.008), and poor functional status at 90 days (RR 1.65; 95% CI 1.27 to 2.14, P=0.029), respectively. There was no difference in mean PSV (P=0.1) and PI (P=0.3) among groups with and without HT.

Conclusion

This study underscores the prognostic value of the MFV index in predicting HT, symptomatic HT, and poor functional recovery after successful MT in the anterior circulation. Large-scale, multi-center studies are necessary to confirm these findings and to validate the MFV index as a reliable predictor for improving post-thrombectomy care.
Marine ecozones represent a major gap in Canadian DNA barcoding efforts
Authors: Schultz Jessica A. , Hebert Paul D.N.
Published: October 2024

Because of Canada’s large size, it is impractical to obtain a comprehensive perspective on biotic change through morphological approaches. DNA metabarcoding offers a potential path, but its application requires access to a well-parameterized DNA barcode reference library. This study presents the current state of DNA barcode coverage for Canadian animals, highlighting progress, identifying gaps, and providing recommendations for future research. Our analysis indicates that many of the known species (100 000 terrestrial and 6000 marine) in the Canadian fauna possess DNA barcode coverage, but there are important gaps geographically and taxonomically. We summarize DNA barcode coverage for the species in freshwater, marine, and terrestrial environments by ecoregion, finding that 95.6% of the 2.3 million Canadian barcode records derive from terrestrial ecosystems. Although the density of barcode records per 100 km² is 13x higher for terrestrial than aquatic environments (22.4 vs. 1.7), coverage for 58% of marine species is available (54% for annelids, 52% for arthropods, 88% for chordates, 39% for echinoderms, and 46% for molluscs). By revealing data-deficient areas and taxonomic groups, this study offers a roadmap for expanding the DNA barcode library for the Canadian fauna as an essential foundation for the scalable biosurveillance initiatives that inform biodiversity conservation efforts.
Sparse spatial–temporal attention forecasting network: A new model for time series forecasting
Authors: Wen Mi , Huan Junjie , Wei Minjie , Su Yun , Guo Naiwang
Published: October 2024

Time series forecasting has practical applications in many fields such as power load forecasting and traffic flow prediction. However, current time series forecasting methods focus more on temporal correlations, with less consideration given to the impact of spatial dimensions on time series predictions. Today, complex spatial–temporal coupling relationships significantly influence time series forecasting. Existing works mostly model time series predictions purely based on temporal correlations, without modeling spatial–temporal correlations, leading to insufficient prediction accuracy in time series forecasting. Inspired by the recent success of Transformers in the graph domain and their successful application in forecasting, we propose a new model for time series prediction called the Sparse Spatial–Temporal Attention Forecasting Network. This network performs adaptive spatial–temporal attention modeling on spatial–temporal graphs and incorporates a sparsity measure function, MLP, and average pooling into the traditional Transformer’s multi-head self-attention mechanism to better weight the attention scores. To improve prediction accuracy, the Sparse Spatial–Temporal Attention Forecasting Network constructs a weighted adjacency matrix based on the topological relationships between spatially adjacent nodes and information such as latitude and longitude. It then builds an adaptive graph using this weighted adjacency matrix to capture hidden spatial–temporal coupling relationships. Simultaneously, it employs a sequence decomposition algorithm based on average pooling to divide the data into two main blocks for separate prediction, thereby enhancing prediction accuracy. The Sparse Spatial–Temporal Attention Forecasting Network’s superior performance is demonstrated through experimental results on the Shanghai Pudong power load dataset and the public dataset PEMS-BAY.
Two dark clouds on the spacetime horizon
Authors: Singh Tejinder P.
Published: October 2024

(i) Investigations of stellar systems known as wide binaries suggest that Newton’s law of gravitation breaks down at low accelerations. This can be explained by proposing a fifth force with [Formula: see text] gauge symmetry, whose corresponding gauge boson is the sought for dark matter candidate. (ii) Relativistic causality (i.e. no faster than light signalling) permits nonlocal correlations stronger than those permitted by quantum mechanics. Can this be explained if our universe possesses a second 4D spacetime with a signature opposite to ours? (iii) Such a fifth force, and a second spacetime, arise naturally in a recently proposed theory of unification based on an [Formula: see text] symmetry. Our spacetime arises from breaking of an [Formula: see text] symmetry, and the second spacetime arises from broken electroweak symmetry.
Synchrotron radiation from cosmic string wakes
Authors: Kumar Dilip , Nayak Soumen , Sanyal Soma
Published: October 2024

Magnetic fields can be generated in cosmic string wakes due to the Biermann mechanism in the presence of neutrino inhomogeneities. As the cosmic string moves through the plasma, the small magnetic field is amplified by the turbulence in the plasma. Relativistic charged particles which cross the magnetized wake of a cosmic string will therefore emit synchrotron radiation. The opening angle of the cosmic string is very small and so the wake appears like a thin sheet. Assuming a homogeneous magnetic field in the wake of the string, we obtain the synchrotron emission from nonthermal relativistic electrons in the wake of the string. The emitted radiation has a broad peak and is over a wide range of frequency. We show that the spectrum can be mapped to some of the unknown sources in different ranges of the current available catalogues.
COMPREHENSIVE MACHINABILITY STUDY ON AWJM OF NIMONIC-263 SUPERALLOY AND PARAMETRIC OPTIMIZATION
Authors: GANESH DEEPAK CHANDRAN , NAGARAJAN LENIN , MAHALINGAM SIVA KUMAR , VASUDEVAN BALAJI
Published: October 2024

The growing need to machine challenging materials, especially nickel-based superalloys found in vital aerospace and automotive parts, is evident. This study examines the machining of 15.5 mm Nimonic-263 superalloy using Abrasive Waterjet Machining (AWJM). Nine trial sets, repeated thrice, are comprehensively evaluated using an L9 orthogonal array design to analyze crucial machining variables: the impact of Stand-off Distance, Waterjet Pressure, and Traverse Speed on Kerf Angle, Machining Time, and Material Removal Rate. Statistical significance is evaluated through multi-parametric analysis of variance, and quadratic multiple linear regression models are formulated to correlate output responses with machining variables. The JAYA optimization algorithm is introduced to optimize the machining process, aiming to minimize Kerf Angle and Machining Time while maximizing Material Removal Rate. A comparison with Ant-Lion, Genetic, and Multi-Verse Optimization algorithms highlights JAYA’s effectiveness. A confirmation test validates the JAYA algorithm’s output, confirming its superior performance. This research aids in optimizing machining parameters for challenging materials, benefiting critical components in various industries, especially aerospace.
OPTIMIZATION AND EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF LAP SHEAR, RAM TENSILE AND HARDNESS OF DIFFUSION BONDED AA7075/AZ80 ALLOYS USING RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY
Authors: CHENTHIL M. , JASWIN M. AROCKIA , SHANKAR E.
Published: October 2024

Diffusion bonding of AA7075/AZ80 joint has been synthesized, studied and demonstrated to optimize the lap shear, Ram tensile and hardness properties. Response surface methodology (RSM) is applied to develop mathematical relationships between the control parameters of two factors and three-level responses. Optimization experiments were carried out to check the models’ adequacy. The results show a high degree of coincidence between the optimized and actual values, implying that the proposed models can accurately forecast lap shear, Ram tensile, and hardness properties force within the process parameter constraints of the diffusion bonding process. Scanned electron microscopic Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images, optical images, and radiography film photography investigations also revealed the excellent fracture resistance of the AA7075/AZ80 alloy, making it a suitable material for deployment in engineering applications.
THE USE OF WEARABLES AND SMART PHONE APPS FOR A NON-INFERIOR RECOVERY AFTER LOWER LIMB TOTAL JOINT ARTHROPLASTY: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS
Authors: Chow Alexis , Kaplan Mitchell , Damaraju Kunal , Carmichael Taylor , Jermyn Richard
Published: October 2024

Background: With an increasing trend toward home-based rehabilitation, it is important to distinguish non-inferior and improved virtual rehabilitation methods. A Systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to examine the effect of combined digital rehabilitation, including smartphone applications and wearable devices, on quality of life following total joint arthroplasty (TJA), total knee arthroplasty (TKA), and total hip arthroplasty (THA) in comparison to standard of care physical therapy (PT).

Methods: A systematic review and single-proportion meta-analysis was conducted employing the PRISMA 2020 guidelines in January 2024. A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted, yielding four randomized controlled trials, encompassing a sample size of 496 patients who underwent combined digital rehabilitation.

Results: Differences in quality of life using EQ-5D-5L were non-significant between groups ([Formula: see text] = 0.35, [Formula: see text] = 0.56). In the combined digital group, knee ROM was non-significantly increased ([Formula: see text] = 0.23, [Formula: see text] = 0.63) and KOOS JR was non-significantly decreased ([Formula: see text] = 1.04, [Formula: see text] = 0.31).

Conclusions: Adhering to specified inclusion and exclusion criteria, there was limited data available regarding the impact of applications and wearable devices on THA patients. Consequently, our analysis included a single available study that employed the EQ-5D-5L measurement for THA patients. More studies involving wearable devices and digital applications should be considered in order to further test the efficacy of these treatments for TJA compared to standard treatment modalities. Despite this limitation, the findings of this review indicate that at-home treatment using wearable devices and digital applications yields outcomes comparable to those achieved through conventional treatment models for patient rehabilitation. Furthermore, at-home wearable and digital treatments may present a cost-effective and convenient alternative to in-person treatment.
EXAMINING THE ASSOCIATION OF EXTERNAL ABDOMINAL PRESSURE WITH MUSCLE MASS AND LOW BACK PAIN IN OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Ogaya Shinya , Shimamura Masahiko , Horiuchi Kenta , Kido Satoshi
Published: October 2024

Purpose: Low back pain is a common issue among older adults, often attributed to weakened trunk muscles. Understanding the relationship between muscle mass and abdominal pressure can offer valuable insights for managing low back pain. This study aimed to explore the correlation of external abdominal pressure using a novel device with abdominal muscle mass and low back pain.

Methods: Elderly individuals over the age of sixty-five were recruited. External abdominal pressure was measured using RECORE, while muscle mass and thickness were assessed via impedance measurement and ultrasound. The presence of low back pain was also investigated.

Results: Correlation analysis showed a weak correlation between abdominal pressure and trunk muscle mass, as well as a weak correlation with the thickness of deep muscles, transversus abdominis ([Formula: see text] = 0.37) and internal oblique ([Formula: see text] = 0.33). Logistic analysis demonstrated a significant association between abdominal pressure and the presence of low back pain.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that abdominal pressure is weakly linked to abdominal muscle size, particularly the deep muscles, and that measuring external abdominal pressure can provide insights into abdominal muscle function and low back pain in older adults.
Geometry of the magnetic Steklov problem on Riemannian annuli
Authors: Provenzano Luigi , Savo Alessandro
Published: October 2024

We study the geometry of the first two eigenvalues of a magnetic Steklov problem on an annulus [Formula: see text] (a compact Riemannian surface with genus zero and two boundary components), the magnetic potential being the harmonic one-form having flux [Formula: see text] around any of the two boundary components. The resulting spectrum can be seen as a perturbation of the classical, non-magnetic Steklov spectrum, obtained when [Formula: see text] and studied e.g., by Fraser and Schoen in Schoen in [9, 10]. We obtain sharp upper bounds for the first and the second normalized eigenvalues and we discuss the geometry of the maximizers. Concerning the first eigenvalue, we isolate a noteworthy class of maximizers which we call [Formula: see text]-surfaces: they are free-boundary surfaces which are stationary for a weighted area functional (depending on the flux) and have proportional principal curvatures at each point; in particular, they belong to the class of linear Weingarten surfaces. Inspired by [9], we then study the second normalized eigenvalue for a fixed flux [Formula: see text] and prove the existence of a maximizer for rotationally invariant metrics. Moreover, the corresponding eigenfunctions define a free-boundary immersion in the unit ball of [Formula: see text]. Finally, we prove that the second normalized eigenvalue associated to a flux [Formula: see text] has an absolute maximum when [Formula: see text], the corresponding maximizer being the critical catenoid.
A compactness result for the CR Yamabe problem in three dimensions
Authors: Afeltra Claudio
Published: October 2024

We prove the compactness of the set of solutions to the CR Yamabe problem on a compact strictly pseudoconvex CR manifold of dimension three whose blow-up manifolds at every point have positive p-mass. As a corollary, we deduce that compactness holds for CR-embeddable manifolds which are not CR-equivalent to [Formula: see text]. The theorem is proved by blow-up analysis.
Joint Optimization of Part Quality Inspection Planning, Buffer Allocation, and Preventive Maintenance in a Serial Manufacturing
Authors: Gaber Yomna H. , El-Khodary Ihab A. , Abdelsalam Hisham M.
Published: October 2024

This paper addresses the integration of quantity, quality, and maintenance challenges in a serial multistage manufacturing system. This research presents a comprehensive joint optimization model that extensively considers the interdependencies among these aspects. The model encompasses buffer allocation, which efficiently manages stochastic processing times, part quality inspection planning to detect and minimize defects, and preventative maintenance strategies to mitigate machine deterioration. By integrating these functions, the manufacturing system can significantly improve its overall performance and reduce costs, with research results showing an average cost reduction of 15%. The proposed model formulates a stochastic mixed integer nonlinear programming problem, which is NP-hard and combinatorial. To address this problem, a comprehensive solution approach is employed, combining a genetic algorithm as the primary generative method with hybrid genetic algorithm variations. Additionally, simulation (recursive approach) serves as the evaluative method. Computational experiments are conducted to validate and optimize the proposed model. The findings make a substantial contribution to the existing body of knowledge, offering a robust solution that enhances performance and reduces costs in addressing quantity, quality, and maintenance challenges in a serial multistage manufacturing system. Finally, a discussion of the research results, their implications, and applications offers valuable insights for practitioners and decision-makers aiming to optimize their production processes.