bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relative Standing and Political Participation
Authors: Fransman Tina , von Fintel Marisa
Published: July 2024

The significance of absolute income has consistently been highlighted in the literature as an important factor shaping individuals’ propensity to engage in political participation. However, considerably less research has been done on the relationship between relative income and individuals’ propensity to engage in both conventional and unconventional forms of political participation. Using relative income to quantify relative standing, this paper explores the relationship between relative standing and political participation in South Africa. Results show that individuals’ relative standing had a divergent relationship with their propensity to engage in voting and protest. More specifically, the results showed that South Africans with a higher relative standing, i.e., those who experienced relative privilege were more likely to engage in voting, while those with a lower relative standing, i.e., those who experienced relative deprivation, were more likely to engage in protest participation.
The reliability of evidential pluralism in drug regulation
Authors: Andreoletti Mattia , Pérez-González Saúl
Published: July 2024

The aim of this paper is to shed light on and critically evaluate the potential impact of evidential pluralism in the realm of pharmaceutical regulation. In the complex landscape of drug evaluation and approval, the role of evidence is pivotal. Firstly, we delve into the role of evidence of mechanisms within drug regulation, with a particular focus on the Accelerated Approval pathway administered by the US Food and Drug Administration. Our analysis reveals that this program, in practice, closely resembles a pluralistic approach to evidence. Secondly, we undertake a thorough examination of the reliability of evidential pluralism within the context of drug regulation. We dissect and discuss the open-cases approach recently put forth by Sung and Holman. While acknowledging its potential merits, we also identify and articulate significant limitations inherent in this approach. Finally, we propose an alternative empirical approach that centres on the real-world outcomes of regulatory programs.
Reflexive awareness and reflexivity: an identity model of reflexive awareness with Korta and Perry’s reflexive-referential theory of content (RRT)
Authors: Hung Jenny
Published: July 2024

In recent years, much debate has centered on the same-order representational theory of consciousness. According to this theory, (1) conscious mental episodes are episodes of which we are aware; and (2) the awareness of an external object and the immediate, reflexive awareness of the mental episode together constitute a single episode. In this paper, I propose that the reflexive-referential theory of content developed by Korta and Perry can be used to establish the claim that reflexive awareness is numerically identical to the mental episode it represents. The advantage of this model is threefold. First, it avoids misrepresentation and vicious infinite regress. Second, it illustrates the intimate connection between a mental episode and the reflexive awareness of it. Third, it explains why consciousness is an intrinsic property.
McDowell’s overlooked argument for disjunctivism - realism, self-consciousness, and knowledge
Authors: Gersel Johan
Published: July 2024

McDowell’s defence of disjunctivism is often portrayed as starting from a controversial epistemological access-internalism, which he fails to support in his writings. This paper critiques such interpretations and presents an alternative reading of McDowell’s argument in favour of disjunctivism. Taking outset in McDowell’s early debate with Michael Dummett, it is shown why disjunctivism is a consequence of McDowell’s realism combined with his acceptance of the Fregean claim that Sense determines reference. It is argued that even within the modest approach to meaning theories which McDowell favour, disjunctivism is a necessary requirement for a defence of realism. This approach means that, rather than starting from controversial epistemological convictions, McDowell’s disjunctivism motivates the adoption of access-internalism, as it enables truth-ensuring experiential support for our thoughts. Hence, while I deny that disjunctivism follows from premises about the nature of knowledge, I agree with McDowell that the landscape of our debate about knowledge may be irrevocably altered once we accept disjunctivism.
Patient-Portal Compared with Supplemental In-Office Tablet Screening for Health-Related Social Needs in Primary Care
Authors: Meltzer Kerry , Yang Max , Rossmann Alice , Kinsey Eliza W. , Cronholm Peter F. , Morgan Anna U.
Published: July 2024

Background

Screening for health-related social needs (HRSN) has become more widespread but the best method of delivering the screening tool is not yet known.

Objective

Describe HRSN screening completion rate, specifically portal-based and in-person tablet-based screening.

Design

Cross-sectional retrospective observational study.

Participants

Adults age 18 or older who had a non-acute primary care visit at one of three internal medicine primary care clinics at a large, urban, academic medical center between July 2022 and July 2023.

Main Measures

We identified the proportion of individuals who were screened using the HRSN questionnaire, whether screening was completed by patient-portal or tablet, as well as the degree of burden of HRSN. Using the electronic health record, we explored associations between sociodemographic characteristics and HRSN attributes.

Key Results

Our study included 24,597 patients, of whom 37% completed the HRSN questionnaire. A smaller proportion of Black/African American patients and those with Medicaid insurance completed the questionnaire, yet they comprised a greater percentage of those who screened positive for unmet HRSN (p ≤ 0.001). Most patients completed the questionnaire by patient-portal (86.1%) compared with in-office tablets (14.0%). A larger proportion of those who completed screening by tablet screened positive for HRSN. Of all patients screened, 21.8% were positive for an unmet HRSN and 11.5% had more than one unmet HRSN.

Conclusions

A majority of patients are not being screened for HRSN and results illustrate disparities when screening patients for HRSN through portal-based compared with supplemental in-office tablet-based screening. Prevalence of unmet HRSN varied by demographics such as race and insurance status.
Knowledge uptake from lived experience regarding sustainable groundwater management: complementing scientific knowledge in urban policymaking
Authors: Nettenbreijers Karin , Tromp Ellen , Perez Paquita
Published: July 2024

Urbanization can pose water management challenges in cities while overlooking the possibilities of residents’ lived experience and collaborative action learning. We show how the conceptual model of the Lived Experience of Sustainable Urban Groundwater Level identifies several aspects of local knowledge development through an ex-post case study in Rotterdam’s Flower Neighbourhood (The Netherlands), where too low groundwater levels threaten house foundations. Three types of local knowledge development emerged: (i) performing and monitoring well measurements by residents, (ii) environment-specific insights collected by residents and shared with civil servants, and (iii) collaboration on groundwater management experiments, resulting in empirical groundwater data. Overcoming communication barriers, trust issues, and power dynamics are crucial for effectively retrieving and integrating lived experience into collective learning for urban sustainable development.
Optimizing Hospital Performance Evaluation in Total Weight Loss Outcomes After Bariatric Surgery: A Retrospective Analysis to Guide Further Improvement in Dutch Hospitals
Authors: Bruinsma Floris F. E. , Liem Ronald S. L. , Nienhuijs Simon W. , Greve Jan Willem M. , de Mheen Perla J. Marang-van ,   on behalf of the Dutch Audit for Treatment of Obesity Research Group, van Acker G. J. D. , Apers J. , Bruin S. C. , de Castro S. M. M. , Damen S. L. , Faneyte I. F. , Greve J. W. M. , van ’t Hof G. , Jonker F. H. W. , Klaassen R. A. , Lagae E. A. G. L. , Langenhoff B. S. , Liem R. S. L. , Luijten A. A. P. M. , Nienhuijs S. W. , Smeenk R. M. , Smeets S. J. M. , Vening W. , Takkenberg M. , de Witte E.
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Bariatric surgery aims for optimal patient outcomes, often evaluated through the percentage total weight loss (%TWL). Quality registries employ funnel plots for outcome comparisons between hospitals. However, funnel plots are traditionally used for dichotomous outcomes, requiring %TWL to be dichotomized, potentially limiting feedback quality. This study evaluates whether a funnel plot around the median %TWL has better discriminatory performance than binary funnel plots for achieving at least 20% and 25% TWL.

Methods

All hospitals performing bariatric surgery were included from the Dutch Audit for Treatment of Obesity. A funnel plot around the median was constructed using 5-year %TWL data. Hospitals positioned above the 95% control limit were colored green and those below red. The same hospitals were plotted in the binary funnel plots for 20% and 25% TWL and colored according to their performance in the funnel plot around the median. We explored the hospital’s procedural mix in relation to %TWL performance as possible explanatory factors.

Results

The median-based funnel plot identified four underperforming and four outperforming hospitals, while only one underperforming and no outperforming hospitals were found with the binary funnel plot for 20% TWL. The 25% TWL binary funnel plot identified two underperforming and three outperforming hospitals. The proportion of sleeve gastrectomies performed per hospital may explain part of these results as it was negatively associated with median %TWL (β =  − 0.09, 95% confidence interval [− 0.13 to − 0.04]).

Conclusion

The funnel plot around the median discriminated better between hospitals with significantly worse and better performance than funnel plots for dichotomized %TWL outcomes.

Graphical Abstract
The Elusive Nature of ABCC8-related Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young (ABCC8-MODY). A Review of the Literature and Case Discussion
Authors: Marassi Marella , Morieri Mario Luca , Sanga Viola , Ceolotto Giulio , Avogaro Angelo , Fadini Gian Paolo
Published: July 2024

Purpose of Review

Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) are monogenic forms of diabetes resulting from genetic defects, usually transmitted in an autosomal dominant fashion, leading to β-cell dysfunction. Due to the lack of homogeneous clinical features and univocal diagnostic criteria, MODY is often misdiagnosed as type 1 or type 2 diabetes, hence its diagnosis relies mostly on genetic testing. Fourteen subtypes of MODY have been described to date. Here, we review ABCC8-MODY pathophysiology, genetic and clinical features, and current therapeutic options.

Recent Findings

ABCC8-MODY is caused by mutations in the adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette transporter subfamily C member 8 (ABCC8) gene, involved in the regulation of insulin secretion. The complexity of ABCC8-MODY genetic picture is mirrored by a variety of clinical manifestations, encompassing a wide spectrum of disease severity. Such inconsistency of genotype-phenotype correlation has not been fully understood. A correct diagnosis is crucial for the choice of adequate treatment and outcome improvement. By targeting the defective gene product, sulfonylureas are the preferred medications in ABCC8-MODY, although efficacy vary substantially. We illustrate three case reports in whom a diagnosis of ABCC8-MODY was suspected after the identification of novel ABCC8 variants that turned out to be of unknown significance. We discuss that careful interpretation of genetic testing is needed even on the background of a suggestive clinical context.

We highlight the need for further research to unravel ABCC8-MODY disease mechanisms, as well as to clarify the pathogenicity of identified ABCC8 variants and their influence on clinical presentation and response to therapy.
Machine learning classification approach for predicting tensile strength in aluminium alloy during friction stir welding
Authors: Fuse Kishan , Venkata Pavan , Reddy R. Meenakshi , Bandhu Din
Published: July 2024

The machine learning (ML) methodology is receiving significant attention as a promising approach for addressing and modeling manufacturing challenges. This research designed an ML framework to forecast the tensile strength of aluminium alloys produced using friction stir welding (FSW). The dataset comprising 213 samples of aluminium alloy sourced from peer-reviewed literature was used. A range of ML algorithms such as decision tree, random forest, adaptive boosting classifier (ABC), k-nearest neighbors, gaussian naive Bayes classifier, and support vector machines were applied to the dataset. The findings revealed that the ABC algorithm attained the highest accuracy, reaching 81.6% among the models tested. This study highlights the effectiveness of ML methodologies in predicting the tensile properties of FSW-manufactured aluminium alloys, thus driving progress in the field of welding and joining.
Exploring COVID-19 Pandemic Disparities with Transcriptomic Meta-analysis from the Perspective of Personalized Medicine
Authors: Kori Medi , Kasavi Ceyda , Arga Kazim Yalcin
Published: July 2024

Infection with SARS-CoV2, which is responsible for COVID-19, can lead to differences in disease development, severity and mortality rates depending on gender, age or the presence of certain diseases. Considering that existing studies ignore these differences, this study aims to uncover potential differences attributable to gender, age and source of sampling as well as viral load using bioinformatics and multi-omics approaches. Differential gene expression analyses were used to analyse the phenotypic differences between SARS-CoV-2 patients and controls at the mRNA level. Pathway enrichment analyses were performed at the gene set level to identify the activated pathways corresponding to the differences in the samples. Drug repurposing analysis was performed at the protein level, focusing on host-mediated drug candidates to uncover potential therapeutic differences. Significant differences (i.e. the number of differentially expressed genes and their characteristics) were observed for COVID-19 at the mRNA level depending on the sample source, gender and age of the samples. The results of the pathway enrichment show that SARS-CoV-2 can be combated more effectively in the respiratory tract than in the blood samples. Taking into account the different sample sources and their characteristics, different drug candidates were identified. Evaluating disease prediction, prevention and/or treatment strategies from a personalised perspective is crucial. In this study, we not only evaluated the differences in COVID-19 from a personalised perspective, but also provided valuable data for further experimental and clinical efforts. Our findings could shed light on potential pandemics.
A thematic analysis of ransomware incidents among United States hospitals, 2016–2022
Authors: Munoz Cornejo Gilbert , Lee Joonghee , Russell Benjamin A.
Published: July 2024

Purpose

To characterize the patterns, vulnerabilities, and responses associated with ransomware incidents in U.S. hospitals.

Methods

The study employs qualitative thematic analysis of ransomware incidents in U.S. hospitals from 2016 to 2022. Data were collected from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) public portal, and 65 cases were analyzed using NVivo 14 software.

Findings

Seven major themes emerged: (1) scale of ransomware, with incidents impacting a large number of individuals through diverse methods such as phishing and exploiting server vulnerabilities; (2) extent of protected health information vulnerability, with incidents often compromising sensitive health data, treatment records, and personal identifiers; (3) response and notification protocols, where hospitals demonstrate systematic responses including mandatory notifications to HHS, the media, and affected individuals; (4) implementation of safeguards, where hospitals have implemented immediate and long-term security measures post-attack; (5) investigation and regulatory compliance, where each attack is internally investigated, or with third-parties, while OCR conducts compliance reviews to guide corrective actions; (6) third-party involvement, highlighting the significant role of business associates (BAs) in incidents; (7) victim support and services, where hospitals frequently provide credit monitoring and identity protection services.

Conclusions

The study reveals the increasing prevalence of ransomware attacks targeting hospitals, highlighting significant vulnerabilities and the critical need for enhanced security measures. The findings suggest areas for future research, including the effectiveness of security practices and the long-term impacts on affected individuals.
Novel associations between MTDH gene polymorphisms and invasive ductal breast cancer: a case–control study
Authors: Huang Yan , Dai Dan , Zhu Li , Qi Xianzhong
Published: July 2024

Objective

To reveal the contributing effects of MTDH gene SNPs in the risk of invasive ductal breast cancer (IDC).

Patients and methods

A case–control study was conducted, recruiting a total of 300 cases of IDC and 565 cancer-free controls from East China. Genotyping of three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the MTDH gene was performed. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples of patients. The three SNPs (rs1311 T > C, rs16896059 G > A, rs2449512 A > G) in the MTDH gene were selected for detection using a TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction assay. The association between MTDH and the risk of IDC was analyzed employing an epidemiology case–control study and a multinomial logistic regression model.

Results

Among the three evaluated SNPs, rs1311 T > C, rs16896059 G > A, and rs2449512 A > G demonstrated a significant association with an increased risk of IDC. Furthermore, stratified analysis revealed that individuals carrying the rs1311 CC genotype, rs16896059 GA/AA genotypes, and rs2449512 GG genotype were more susceptible to developing IDC in subgroups of patients younger than 53 years, without family history of IDC, pre-menopause status, clinical stage 2, high grade, with no distant metastasis or invasion, Her2-positive type, ER positive, PR positive, and Ki67 cells less than 10%. However, carriers of the rs16896059 GA/AA genotypes and rs2449512 GG genotype had an elevate the risk of IDC in patients with tumor size larger than 2 cm, post-menopause status, clinical stage 3, with invasion, lymph node infiltration, ER negative, PR negative, Her2 negative, and Ki67 cells exceeding 10%. Compared to the reference haplotype TGA, haplotypes TAA, TAG, and TGG were significantly associated with an increased IDC risk.

Conclusion

In this study, we demonstrated a significant association between MTDH gene polymorphisms and an increased risk of IDC. Moreover, our findings suggested that MTDH gene polymorphisms could serve as a potential biomarker for IDC subtyping and therapeutic selection.
Assessing the groundwater quality of El Fahs aquifer (NE Tunisia) using multivariate statistical techniques and geostatistical modeling
Authors: Panagiotou Constantinos F. , Chekirbane Anis , Eliades Marinos , Papoutsa Christiana , Akylas Evangelos , Stylianou Marinos , Stathopoulos Nikolaos
Published: July 2024

This study is the first attempt to characterize the quality status of El Fahs aquifer by combining graphical tools, multivariate statistical techniques and traditional geostatistical methods. Water samples are collected from thirty-six observation wells during April 2016 to characterize the physicochemical properties of the aquifer. Subsequently, these samples are partitioned into three hydrochemically distinct water classes (i.e., C1, C2, and C3) using the K-means clustering method. Principal Component Analysis is used to reduce the dimensionality of the dataset prior performing the clustering computations, resulting in clusters of higher quality than the non-reduced case in terms of Silhouette coefficient. Piper diagram is used to display the chemical composition of the samples, revealing the dominant role of Mg–Ca–Cl water type for all three classes, whereas Sodium and Sulfate were found to be the second most important cations and anions respectively. Indicator kriging (IK) is used to identify the probability of occurrence of the hydrochemical classes beyond the sampling locations. It is found that Class 1, associated with fresh groundwater component, is most probable to occur at the central part of the plain, mainly due to the presence of a dense hydrological network, whereas Classes 2 (agricultural activities) and 3 (dissolution of evaporate geological formations) are expected to occur at the southern and northern regions respectively. IK also identified the regions associated with high levels of uncertainty, mostly occurring in a large portion of the northern area due to the absence of available hydrochemical information. The results showed that integration of graphical methods, multivariate statistical techniques and geostatistical modeling, is an efficient approach for characterizing the hydrochemical status of the aquifer system, to spatially optimize the groundwater monitoring well networks and quantify the uncertainty levels of the water classes in a systematic way.
A re-evaluation of Diaporthe: refining the boundaries of species and species complexes
Authors: Dissanayake Asha J. , Zhu Jin-Tao , Chen Ya-Ya , Maharachchikumbura Sajeewa S. N. , Hyde Kevin D. , Liu Jian-Kui
Published: July 2024

Diaporthe is an important plant pathogenic genus, which also occurs as endophytes and saprobes. Many Diaporthe species that are morphologically similar proved to be genetically distinct. The current understanding of Diaporthe taxonomy by applying morphological characters, host associations and multi-gene phylogeny are problematic leading to overestimation/underestimation of species numbers of this significant fungal pathogenic genus. Currently, there are no definite boundaries for the accepted species. Hence, the present study aims to re-structure the genus Diaporthe, based on single gene phylogenies (ITS, tef, tub, cal and his), multi-gene phylogeny justified by applying GCPSR (Genealogical Concordance Phylogenetic Species Recognition) methodology as well as the coalescence-based models (PTP—Poisson Tree Processes and mPTP—multi-rate Poisson Tree Processes). Considering all available type isolates of Diaporthe, the genus is divided into seven sections while boundaries for 13 species and 15 species-complexes are proposed. To support this re-assessment of the genus, 82 Diaporthe isolates obtained from woody hosts in Guizhou Province in China were investigated and revealed the presence of two novel species and 17 previously known species. Synonymies are specified for 31 species based on molecular data and morphological studies. Dividing Diaporthe into several specific sections based on phylogenetic analyses can avoid the construction of lengthy phylogenetic trees of the entire genus in future taxonomic studies. In other words, when one conducts research related to the genus, only species from the appropriate section need to be selected for phylogenetic analysis.
Major colorectal surgery with Hugo™ RAS: initial experience of a German center and a review of the literature
Authors: Belyaev Orlin , Fahlbusch Tim , Slobodkin Illya , Uhl Wademar
Published: July 2024

The recently introduced Hugo RAS robotic platform has mostly been used for well standardized urologic and gynaecologic procedures. Experience with this new system in general surgery and especially in major colorectal surgery is very limited. This is a retrospective series of the first 25 consecutive non-selected colorectal surgeries performed at a single German center. The lessons learned from our initial experience are presented along with a systematic review of the currently available literature on this topic. Ten sigmoid and seven rectal resections, four right and one left hemicolectomies, two Hartmann’s reversals and an abdominoperineal resection were performed in 14 women and 11 men at the median age of 66 years for 12 benign findings and 13 malignancies. All procedures were performed using four robotic ports and a single 12 mm assistant port. Median docking, console and total operative times were 12, 170 and 270 min. Median blood loss was < 100 ml, and median stay was 8 days. The literature review identified five case series with a total of 23 colorectal procedures: 9 right and 1 left hemicolectomies, 5 ileocaecal, and 4 rectal and 4 sigmoid resections. Results corresponded to ours despite variations in setup used by different authors. A wide spectrum of major colorectal surgery can be safely and effectively performed with the Hugo RAS, even in a cohort of non-selected patients. Ongoing software and hardware upgrade, introduction of robotic energy devices and increasing surgical experience are expected to facilitate procedures and reduce duration of surgery.
BGS Distribution Deformation in BOTDR Induced by Self-Phase Modulation
Authors: Wu Haoting , Guo Wencun , Zhong Zixuan , Yin Guolu , Liu Tao , Zhu Tao
Published: July 2024

We report the numerical and experimental studies of the two-dimensional Brillouin gain spectrum (BGS) distribution deformation induced by the self-phase modulation in the Brillouin optical time domain reflectometry (BOTDR) with a 20.6 km sensing distance. The BGS distribution deformation is investigated by analyzing the evolution of the point spread function along the fiber in the two-dimensional model of the BOTDR. In the simulation and experimental results, the specific deformation degree of the BGS distribution induced by the self-phase modulation is related to the pump pulse profile, pump pulse peak power, BGS demodulation method, and detected scattered light component. By comprehensively analyzing the evolution of the point spread function induced by the self-phase modulation and using the image deconvolution, a typical BOTDR sensor with a 25 ns pump pulse reaches the 20 cm spatial resolution over the 20.6 km sensing fiber.
A critique of ‘Strong Beginnings’ initial teacher education reforms: mandating neuroscience as core curriculum within the ‘what works’ movement
Authors: Skourdoumbis Andrew , Rowe Emma
Published: July 2024

The paper studies the rise of neuroscience in initial teacher education, paying attention to the relatively recent Australian Government (2023) report titled ‘Strong Beginnings’. In taking up a critical policy sociology lens, we focus on the first priority within the reforms, which is mandating brain science and the ‘brain and learning’ as core curriculum within initial teacher education. The reforms will embed standardised curriculum into initial teacher education and tie this curriculum to graduate teacher standards, bracketed within prescribed texts, ideologies and agendas. The reforms are positioned within the ‘what works’ movement, increasing accreditation and certain types of evidence, and the role and authority of intermediary organisations, including the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL). It promotes research that has been paid for by the think tank Centre for Independent Studies and aligned with the Australian Education Research Organisation and Education Endowment Foundation. In this paper, we endeavour to highlight how the singular and narrow focus on brain-based approaches is not only reductionist, but also potentially generative of oppressive technologies. The mandating of standardised curriculum and brain science undermines educators, including initial teacher educators, and bolsters private interests in education. The standardisation of core curriculum, which will be tied to accreditation processes and graduate teacher standards, is underpinned by a punitive-accountability based approach. Furthermore, whilst it is less visible, these reforms contain brain science tropes redolent of eugenics and deficit framings of low socio-economic status students.
Spatial spillover effect of the enterprise sector on local residents’ income in Vietnam
Authors: Trinh Nhan Thanh , Choi Dohyeong , Lee Seongwoo
Published: July 2024

This study uses a panel data set from all 63 provinces in Vietnam and spatial regression models to investigate the spatial spillover effect of the enterprise sector on local residents’ income. The results show that expanding the enterprise sector can directly and indirectly increase local income. Although this spillover effect is positive and significant, it is smaller than the direct effect and gradually diminishes when the distance between provinces increases. For example, the estimation results applying the spatial Durbin model holding other variables constant show that a 10% increase in the enterprise capital volume in Ho Chi Minh City can raise local total income in this city, and first- and second-order neighbours by 0.53%, 0.22%, and 0.17%, respectively. This study provides novel evidence on the spatial spillover effect of the enterprise sector on local incomes using spatial econometric models. The findings offer valuable information for policymakers in planning enterprise sector development to improve local residents’ income in Vietnam.
Multifunctional Film Assembled from N-Doped Carbon Nanofiber with Co–N4–O Single Atoms for Highly Efficient Electromagnetic Energy Attenuation
Authors: Xu Jia , Li Bei , Ma Zheng , Zhang Xiao , Zhu Chunling , Yan Feng , Yang Piaoping , Chen Yujin
Published: July 2024

Single-atom materials have demonstrated attractive physicochemical characteristics. However, understanding the relationships between the coordination environment of single atoms and their properties at the atomic level remains a considerable challenge. Herein, a facile water-assisted carbonization approach is developed to fabricate well-defined asymmetrically coordinated Co–N4–O sites on biomass-derived carbon nanofiber (Co–N4–O/NCF) for electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption. In such nanofiber, one atomically dispersed Co site is coordinated with four N atoms in the graphene basal plane and one oxygen atom in the axial direction. In-depth experimental and theoretical studies reveal that the axial Co–O coordination breaks the charge distribution symmetry in the planar porphyrin-like Co–N4 structure, leading to significantly enhanced dielectric polarization loss relevant to the planar Co–N4 sites. Importantly, the film based on Co–N4–O/NCF exhibits light weight, flexibility, excellent mechanical properties, great thermal insulating feature, and excellent EMW absorption with a reflection loss of − 45.82 dB along with an effective absorption bandwidth of 4.8 GHz. The findings of this work offer insight into the relationships between the single-atom coordination environment and the dielectric performance, and the proposed strategy can be extended toward the engineering of asymmetrically coordinated single atoms for various applications.
A Meta-learner approach to multistep-ahead time series prediction
Authors: Bahrpeyma Fouad , Ngo Vuong M. , Roantree Mark , McCarren Andrew
Published: July 2024

The utilization of machine learning has become ubiquitous in addressing contemporary challenges in data science. Moreover, there has been significant interest in democratizing the decision-making process for selecting machine learning algorithms, achieved through the incorporation of meta-features and automated machine learning techniques for both classification and regression tasks. However, this paradigm has not been readily applied to multistep-ahead time series prediction problems. Unlike regression and classification problems, which utilize independent variables not derived from the target variable, time series models typically rely on past values of the series to forecast future outcomes. The structure of a time series is often characterized by features such as trend, seasonality, cyclicality and irregularity. In our study, we illustrate how time series metrics representing these features, in conjunction with an ensemble-based regression Meta-Learner, were employed to predict the standardized mean square error of candidate time series prediction models. Our experiments utilized datasets covering a broad feature space, facilitating the selection of the most effective model by researchers. A rigorous evaluation was conducted to assess the performance of the Meta-Learner on both synthetic and real time series data.
Local 2-connected bow-tie structure of the Web and of social networks
Authors: Perekhodko Eugenia
Published: July 2024

The explosive growth of the Web and of social networks motivates the need for analyzing the macroscopic structure of their underlying graphs. Although the characterization of the structure of a graph with respect to its pairwise connectivity has been known for over 15 years, just one subsequent study analyzed the world inside the giant strongly connected component, where it has been shown that the largest strongly connected component has its own microscopic bow-tie structure defined with respect to pairwise 2-connectivity among its vertices. In this paper, we introduce the local microscopic bow-tie structure of the largest strongly connected component, demonstrating its self-similarity property. Our experiments, conducted on the several Web graphs and social networks demonstrate clear structural differences between considered Web and social networks.
Drought heightens severity of diseases caused by Botryosphaeria dothidea and Cryptostroma corticale and needs to be factored in to properly assess pathogenicity or fulfill Koch’s postulates
Authors: Garbelotto Matteo
Published: July 2024

Climate change is driving the emergence of novel tree diseases at the global scale, requiring new approaches for the formal confirmation of the pathogenicity of novel pathogens on novel hosts. At the same time, predictive models need to account for the possible effect of environmental changes and of abiotic stressors on disease severity for all diseases. By wound-inoculating Botryosphaeria dothidea on potted California coast live oaks and Cryptostroma corticale on potted silver maples, simultaneously in well-watered and in water-deprived conditions, I show that drought conditions increase the severity of disease symptoms. I also show that, by including a water-stressed treatment, I can formally prove pathogenicity and fulfill Koch’s postulates for putative pathogens that could not be confirmed in the absence of the stressor. Additionally, I show that the inclusion of data obtained in water stress conditions increases the differentiation between symptoms caused by fungal infection vs. symptoms caused by wound trauma, thus reducing the possible effect of outliers, a significant problem affecting many trials for fulfilling Koch’s postulates conducted with a limited number of replicates. The availability of comparable datasets in the presence and the absence of an abiotic stressor allows for the calculation of an Environmental Disease Component Index. Positive values of the index indicate a significant role of environmental change in disease progression and identify those pathogens that must be modeled factoring in climatic stressors. I suggest that this index may be extremely valuable for identifying pathogens likely to become emergent as climate changes.
Impact of Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Endometritis on Outcomes Before Starting Assisted Reproductive Technology: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Sakai Kazuyoshi , Takehara Isao , Kaneko Hiromu , Nakamura Fumihiro , Nakai Nanako , Takahashi Kyoko , Matsukawa Jun , Matsuo Koki , Nagase Satoru
Published: July 2024

This study aimed to investigate the effect of diagnosis and treatment of chronic endometritis (CE) on the outcome of assisted reproductive technology (ART) with or without repeated implantation failure (RIF). This retrospective analysis included patients who underwent pathological examination for diagnosis of CE at Yamagata University Hospital. The examination was performed for all patients planned for ART with or without RIF. Patients who were examined within 6 months of the first oocyte retrieval or embryo transfer were included. We counted the number of CD138-positive cells within the endometrial stroma in patients’ specimens and analyzed the patients’ clinical information. Clinical rates of pregnancy and implantation were determined. A total of 80 women met the inclusion criteria: 13 CE-negative patients (17.3%) and 67 CE-positive patients (83.7%). A significant decrease was noted in the CD138-positive cell count between the first biopsy and second biopsy after CE treatment (p < 0.001). In addition, no significant differences were noted in ongoing pregnancy rates between the CE-negative patients and those who underwent CE treatment. The CD138-positive cell counts at first biopsy tended to be lower in each pregnancy group than in the non-pregnancy group. For patients planned to undergo ART, examination for diagnosis of CE with or without RIF could be considered. Pathological CD138-positive cell counts were considered useful for CE diagnosis and treatment decision-making. The study findings suggest the efficacy of antimicrobial agents in CE treatment, contributing to improved pregnancy outcomes.
Insulin resistance, clinical presentation and resistance to selective serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors in major depressive disorder
Authors: Krupa Anna J. , Chrobak Adrian A. , Sołtys Zbigniew , Dudek Dominika , Szewczyk Bernadeta , Siwek Marcin
Published: July 2024

Background

The understanding of mechanisms underlying non-response to antidepressants is limited. The latest data highlights the role of insulin resistance (IR) in major depressive disorder (MDD) pathophysiology, presentation, and treatment efficacy. This work aimed to assess IR in MDD and explore the relationships between IR, MDD presentation and non-response to selective serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRI).

Methods

67 MDD individuals: 36 responsive (MDD T[+]), 31 non-responsive (MDD T[−]) to SNRI and 30 healthy controls were recruited. The treatment response criteria were: Clinical Global Impression Scale-Improvement score of 1 or 2 after ≥ 8 weeks of treatment. Participants were assessed by physician and self-report tools measuring depression, anhedonia, anxiety, bipolarity, sleep quality. Blood samples were collected to assess fasting glucose and insulin levels and calculate HOMA-IR (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance).

Results

MDD T[-] vs. MDD T[+] had significantly higher body mass index, insulin levels, and HOMA-IR. MDD T[-] presented higher levels of depressed mood, appetite/weight changes, loss of interest, energy, overall depressive symptoms, and sleep impairment; some evaluations suggested higher anhedonia and anxiety in MDD T[-] vs. MDD T[+]. Insulin and IR were weakly but significantly correlated with the severity of psychomotor symptoms, energy level, thoughts of death/suicide, self-criticism, appetite/weight, depressed mood symptoms, sleep problems. IR was weakly but significantly correlated with anhedonia.

Conclusion

IR appears to be linked to depressive symptoms characteristic of the “metabolic” MDD subtype, such as psychomotor changes, energy level, anhedonia, sleep problems, appetite/weight changes, state and trait anxiety, sleep quality, and non-response to SNRI.
Extraction of polyphenols and antioxidant compounds from SCOBY, as a by-product of Kombucha, using different types of extraction
Authors: das Chagas Eduardo Galvão Leite , Zamarian Felipe Coelho , de Souza Handray Fernandes , Kamimura Eliana Setsuko , Boffo Elisangela Fabiana , Ambrozin Alessandra Regina Pepe
Published: July 2024

Kombucha is obtained through a symbiosis fermentation of bacteria and yeast, generating a floating film called SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast). After a period of use, SCOBY becomes a production waste. Thus, alternative uses of SCOBY can add value to Kombucha production. In this way, this work aimed to produce and evaluate antioxidant activity and total phenolic contents of SCOBY ethanolic extracts, which were obtained by two different solid–liquid extraction with three different waste weight/extractor solvent volume ratios. The SCOBY evaluated had a high concentration of cellulose (9.42 ± 1.00%) and low concentrations of proteins (0.84 ± 0.04%) and lipids (0.29 ± 0.05%). All evaluated extracts showed a high concentration of total phenolics (40.7–64.3 mg GAE/100 g of SCOBY) and high antioxidant activity (ABTS•+, FRAP and ORAC assays). The most efficient extraction of bioactive compounds was obtained by decoction using the highest solvent volume (ratio 1:20). The PCA showed clusters of the samples both by the type of extraction and by the different ratios of the weight of SCOBY to the solvent volume. Of our knowledge, our work is the first in the literature that describes such data. Therefore, the present work showed the possibility of using this industrial waste mainly to obtain active compounds and antioxidants.
Applied Hydrology
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Biswajit , Singh Vijay P.
Published: July 2024

This comprehensive textbook combines the theoretical principles of engineering hydrology together with their practical applications, using modern industry-standard software. The textbook is written by the combination of a practitioner of water resources engineering with over 30 years of professional experience and a highly respected academic and recognized world authority in hydrology. Examples are drawn from global case studies, with exercises available online. The book begins with a review of the necessary mathematics and statistical hydrology. The underlying principles of the geographic information systems are discussed. In addition to topics covering fundamental concepts, separate chapters are devoted to reservoir operations, water resources management, climate change, and various methods of optimizing hydrologic models for calibration and validation. This textbook will prove to be indispensable for advanced students in civil, environmental, and agricultural engineering, preparing them to confidently join the industrial sector. It will also be an indispensable reference textbook for practicing engineers, bringing them up to date with modern techniques in applied hydrology.
Soziale Ausgrenzung
Authors: Rudert Selma
Published: July 2024

Zusammenfassung: Soziale Ausgrenzung kommt häufig vor und ist für die Betroffenen oft schmerzhaft und belastend. Der folgende Artikel gibt einen Überblick über die Forschung zu Ausgrenzung aus drei verschiedenen Perspektiven: Erstens die Perspektive der Ausgegrenzten, bei dem insbesondere die kurz- und langfristigen Konsequenzen von Ausgrenzung für die Betroffenen im Vordergrund stehen. Zweitens die Perspektive der Ausgrenzenden, welche betrachtet, aus welchen Gründen und Motiven Ausgrenzung überhaupt zustande kommt. Drittens die Perspektive der Beobachtenden und die Attributionen, welche diese über beobachtete Ausgrenzungssituationen fällen. Darüber hinaus werden neuere Entwicklungen in der Ausgrenzungsforschung sowie mögliche Interventionsansätze diskutiert.
Training Neural Mapping Schemes for Satellite Altimetry With Simulation Data
Authors: Febvre Q. , Le Sommer J. , Ubelmann C. , Fablet R.
Published: July 2024

Satellite altimetry combined with data assimilation and optimal interpolation schemes have deeply renewed our ability to monitor sea surface dynamics. Recently, deep learning schemes have emerged as appealing solutions to address space‐time interpolation problems. However, the training of state‐of‐the‐art neural schemes on real‐world case‐studies is hindered by the sparse space‐time coverage of the sea surface of real altimetry data set. Here, we introduce an innovative approach that leverages state‐of‐the‐art ocean models to train simulation‐based neural schemes for the mapping of sea surface height and demonstrate their performance on real altimetry data sets. We analyze further how the ocean simulation data set used during the training phase impacts this performance. This experimental analysis covers both the resolution from eddy‐present configurations to eddy‐rich ones, forced simulations versus reanalyzes using data assimilation and tide‐free versus tide‐resolving simulations. Our benchmarking framework focuses on a Gulf Stream region for a realistic 5‐altimeter constellation using NEMO ocean simulations and 4DVarNet mapping schemes. All simulation‐based 4DVarNets outperform the operational observation‐driven and reanalysis products, namely DUACS and GLORYS. The more realistic the ocean simulation data set used during the training phase, the better the mapping. The best 4DVarNet mapping was trained from an eddy‐rich and tide‐free simulation data sets. It improves the resolved longitudinal scale from 151 km for DUACS and 241 km for GLORYS to 98 km and reduces the root mean square error by 23% and 61%. These results open research avenues for new synergies between ocean modeling and ocean observation using learning‐based approaches.
Hurricanes May Prune Gulf Mangroves
Authors: Learn Joshua
Published: July 2024

Tropical storms knock down the tallest trees and stunt the growth of others.
Physics‐Informed Convolutional Decoder (PICD): A Novel Approach for Direct Inversion of Heterogeneous Subsurface Flow
Authors: Wang Nanzhe , Kong Xiang‐Zhao , Zhang Dongxiao
Published: July 2024

We propose a physics‐informed convolutional decoder (PICD) framework for inverse modeling of heterogenous groundwater flow. PICD stands out as a direct inversion method, eliminating the need for repeated forward model simulations. The framework combines data‐driven and physics‐driven approaches by integrating monitoring data and domain knowledge into the inversion process. PICD utilizes a convolutional decoder to effectively approximate the spatial distribution of hydraulic heads, while Karhunen–Loève expansion (KLE) is employed to parameterize hydraulic conductivities. During the training process, the stochastic vector in KLE and the parameters of the convolutional decoder are adjusted simultaneously to minimize the data‐mismatch and the physical violation. The final optimized stochastic vectors correspond to the estimation of hydraulic conductivities, and the trained convolutional decoder can predict the evolution and distribution of hydraulic heads. Various scenarios of groundwater flow are examined and results demonstrate the framework's capability to accurately estimate heterogeneous hydraulic conductivities and to deliver satisfactory predictions of hydraulic heads, even with sparse measurements.
Revisiting Aerosol–Cloud Interactions From Weekly Cycles
Authors: Jia H. , Hasekamp O. , Quaas J.
Published: July 2024

Weekly cycles (WCs) in cloud properties have been reported and linked to aerosol effects. Yet the extent to which human activities contribute to their occurrence remains unclear. Here, we revisit aerosol–cloud interactions from the WCs over central Europe using long‐term satellite and reanalysis data. Significant WCs in aerosol and cloud droplet number concentration (Nd) are detected with minima/maxima on Monday/Friday, indicating a clear signal of the Twomey effect. Notably, Nd–to–aerosol sensitivity from WCs is found to decrease at larger aerosol concentrations, confirming the nonlinear behavior of the aerosol–Nd relation (in log–log space) reported previously, but from a distinct perspective. Nevertheless, no discernible WCs in liquid water path are found. The pronounced WCs in cloud cover are demonstrated to be driven by natural variability. Our results indicate that the WCs offer a useful pathway for investigating the Twomey effect, but are not as effective for detecting cloud adjustments.