bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is the age pension in Australia sustainable and fair? Evidence from forecasting the old-age dependency ratio using the Hamilton-Perry model
Authors: Chen Sizhe , Shang Han Lin , Yang Yang
Published: November 2024

The age pension aims to assist eligible elderly Australians who meet specific age and residency criteria in maintaining basic living standards. In designing efficient pension systems, government policymakers seek to satisfy the expectations of the overall aging population in Australia. However, the population’s unique demographic characteristics at the state and territory level are often overlooked due to the lack of available data. We use the Hamilton-Perry model, which requires minimum input, to model and forecast the evolution of age-specific populations at the state and territory level. We also integrate the obtained sub-national demographic information to determine sustainable pension ages up to 2051. We also investigate pension welfare distribution in all states and territories to identify the disadvantaged residents under the current pension system. Using the sub-national mortality data for Australia from 1971 to 2021 obtained from AHMD (2023), we implement the Hamilton-Perry model with the help of functional time series forecasting techniques. With the forecasts of age-specific population sizes for each state and territory, we compute the old age dependency ratio to determine the nationwide sustainable pension age.
Options for future European reusable booster stages: evaluation and comparison of VTHL and VTVL return methods
Authors: Stappert Sven , Dietlein Ingrid , Wilken Jascha , Bussler Leonid , Sippel Martin
Published: November 2024

In the past, the majority of system studies on reusable space transportation performed within Europe focused on concepts relying on lift-generating wings for recovery. Recently, vertically landing concepts similar to those deployed successfully by SpaceX have moved to the center of technical attention. Both recovery and landing strategies have their pros and cons and it is not obvious what would be a sound choice for Europe. Therefore, the German Aerospace Center DLR initiated a parametric system study, named ENTRAIN, that evaluates the impact of different return options on the launcher design on a technical level: the vertical take-off, vertical landing method (VTVL) as used by SpaceX compared to the vertical take-off, horizontal landing (VTHL) method as used for the Space Shuttle. Within this study, launchers were designed using different propellant combinations, staging velocities and engine cycles. The designed launchers are evaluated in this paper regarding performance, technical difficulties, operational aspects, size, mass and complexity.
Mechanism of CXCL8 regulation of methionine metabolism to promote angiogenesis in gliomas
Authors: Chang Jie , Pan Yi , Jiang Fengfeng , Xu Wenxia , Wang Yue , Wang Lude , Hu Bin
Published: November 2024

Background

Gliomas are the most common malignant brain tumors characterized by angiogenesis and invasive growth. A detailed understanding of its molecular characteristics could provide potential therapeutic targets. In the present study, we sought to explore the key gene CXCL8 in methionine metabolism in gliomas and its potential role in angiogenesis.

Methods

U251 glioma cells were divided into control and methionine-restriction tolerant (constructed with 1/4 of the standard level of methionine in the culture medium) groups for transcriptome and metabolome analysis. To confirm the functions and mechanism of CXCL8 in glioma, heat map, volcano map, Go enrichment, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), protein–protein interaction network analysis, RT-PCR, western blotting assays, chicken embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) test, chicken embryo yolk sac membrane (YSM) test and transplantation tumor nude mice model were performed. The TCGA database, CGGA database and clinical tissue samples were used to analyze CXCL8’s significance on prognosis for patients with glioma.

Results

CXCL8 expression was significantly up-regulated in methionine-restricted tolerance cells, it also activated vascular system development and triggered angiogenesis. CXCL8 expression is negatively correlated with survival prognosis in gliomas.

Conclusions

Glioma cells promote angiogenesis in methionine-restricted environments through the activation of CXCL8, compensating for nutrient deprivation, and possibly contributing to the failure of antiangiogenic therapy.
Interfacial and mass transport phenomena in the tri-ethylene glycol-methane system at process conditions of natural gas dehydration
Authors: Ibeh Stanley , Jaeger Philip
Published: November 2024

Understanding the phase and interphase behavior at equilibrium and during the mass transfer between two adjacent fluid phases is relevant for optimizing and designing efficient separation processes. This study experimentally investigates the interfacial and transport behavior of systems comprising tri-ethylene glycol (TEG) and methane (CH4) under conditions relevant to the gas dehydration process. A comprehensive review of the interfacial tension (IFT) and diffusivity of systems involving non-polar and polar compounds at elevated pressures was studied. However, a research gap exists, particularly concerning the interfacial tension of systems involving TEG, TEG + water, and different types of gases as well as the diffusivity of CH4 in TEG. To address this gap, this study presents new data on mixture densities, interfacial tension, and drop volumes of TEG and TEG + water in CH4 and CH4 + CO2 mixtures at temperatures ranging from 20 to 50 °C and pressures up to 250 bar using the oscillating U-tube and pendant drop methods, respectively. Additionally, time-dependent fluid mixture densities and TEG droplet volumetric expansion, coupled with an analytical approach for the binary diffusion were applied to determine the CH4 solubility and diffusivity in TEG. The results show that IFT and drop volume of TEG and TEG + water in CH4 and CH4 + CO2 mixtures decrease with increasing pressure. The presence of water increases the IFT of TEG-CH4 up to $$\sim$$
∼
5mN/m, while CO2 reduces it by $$\sim$$
∼
2mN/m. Interestingly, the IFT and drop volume of TEG-CH4 show no significant change at elevated pressures when temperatures rise from 20 to 50 °C. IFT remains relatively constant over time at moderate pressures but decreases by $$\sim$$
∼
3mN/m at an elevated pressure of 150 bar, suggesting methane solubilization into TEG to have a significant influence which is confirmed by TEG drop volume expansion. The diffusivity of CH4 in TEG at 150 bar and 50 °C is determined to be in the range of 10–10 m2/s, which is in agreement with the diffusivity of CH4 in liquids of similar viscosity, i.e. according correlations may be applied as good engineering practice. To the best of our knowledge, there is no such comprehensive work on the properties of fluid mixtures relevant in gas dehydration processes published up to date.
A simplified automated approach for a preliminary safety assessment of distributed electric and hybrid propulsion systems
Authors: Albrecht Alexander , Siegel Joachim , Strohmayer Andreas
Published: November 2024

To reduce the environmental impact of future aircraft, the usage of disruptive hybrid electric propulsion systems, in conjunction with distributed propulsion systems, is envisioned. The complexity of those novel powertrain concepts increases significantly. Besides nominal system characteristics, this particularly applies for off-nominal behaviour and consequences. As the safety impact on aircraft level is not always obvious, the suitability of a given component failure rate has to be analysed already in a preliminary design stage. Within this work, a method shall be introduced that allows a simplified automated safety assessment of any powertrain architecture. All relevant combinations of single and multiple failures are identified and a combined failure rate is derived. Thereafter, the impact of single and multiple component failures is evaluated on aircraft level. A selection of metrics for top-level-aircraft functions is used to implement an impact-driven analysis for each relevant failure case. The metrics used assess the adverse effects on climb performance, lateral controllability and range degradation. For all failure combinations, these effects can be validated against requirements imposed on the configuration. The possibility to formulate failure rate-related requirements follows the idea to target an equivalent level of safety compared to existing regulations, independently of the nature of the failure scenario. Results of this study show the necessity for a reevaluation of the configurations assessed, either regarding their architecture or the assumed component failure rate. The method allows an early detection of configuration-specific shortcomings of complex powertrain architectures already in a preliminary aircraft design stage.
Optimizing mechanical properties and pioneering biodegradable polymer blends for superior energy-absorbing structures used in sport helmets
Authors: Skwarski Mateusz , Kaczyński Paweł , Dmitruk Anna , Makuła Piotr , Ludwiczak Joanna
Published: November 2024

Replacing elements made of conventional plastics (like polystyrene) with biodegradable substitutes is part of the trend of sustainable development and waste reduction. The manuscript covers issues related to the design, manufacturing and testing of sports helmet protective inserts made of biodegradable material. The FEM numerical simulations carried out by the authors allowed to determine the optimal desirable mechanical properties (R
e = 8.5–65 MPa, E = 500–8000 MPa for 30 × 30 mm inserts; R
e = 10.5–60 MPa, E = 500–7500 MPa for 48 × 48 mm inserts; R
e = 13–95 MPa, E = 400–8500 MPa for 55 × 55 mm inserts) and geometric parameters (wall thickness equal to 0.2–0.5 mm, height of 20 mm), ensuring the formation of a plastic fold, which is the most effective energy-absorbing mechanism. The conducted quasi-static compression, bending and dynamic tensile strength tests allowed to determine blends with appropriate proportions of durable PLA with more plastic PBAT, PBS and TPS that meet the established criteria: PLA50PBAT50, PLA30PBAT70 and PLA30TPS70.
Specification of INF01LE, INF03, and INF04LE infrasound sensors for the observation and detection of destructive geophysical events
Authors: Nishikawa Yasuhiro , Yamamoto Masa-Yuki , Yokota Akihiro , Hasumi Yuta , Hamajima Gaku
Published: November 2024

When an object moves through the atmosphere, it induces pressure fluctuations. If the scale of the object’s movement spans several hundred meters to several kilometers, the period of the pressure fluctuation will range from several seconds to several tens of seconds, determined by the ratio of the scale to the speed of sound. These pressure fluctuations manifest within the frequency range between audible sound (> 20 Hz) and infrasound (< 20 Hz and > 3 mHz). The infrasonic waves, characterized by their low-frequency nature, present a promising avenue for long-distance remote sensing, particularly in the monitoring of geophysical events with the potential for widespread destruction, such as earthquakes and tsunamis. We developed sensors of both membrane and microphone types to monitor infrasound in lower or higher frequency, respectively. These sensors were installed on the Pacific side of Japan to observe infrasound mainly generated by tsunamis. The key advantage lies in the faster propagation speed of Lamb waves (

$$\sim$$

∼

310 m/s) compared to that of tsunami waves (

$$\sim$$

∼

200 m/s), making them a valuable precursor for timely detection. By combining with a small MEMS 3-axis accelerometers, this study explores the feasibility of identifying a sudden atmospheric pressure surge within the infrasonic frequency range, following a significant earthquake. The observed surge serves as a crucial indicator of the imminent arrival of large tsunami waves along the shoreline situated between the earthquake’s epicenter and the observation site. The practical implication of this detection methodology is profound, as it could potentially trigger early warning systems, leading to timely and targeted evacuations. These infrasound sensors effectively detected infrasound produced not only by tsunamis but also by volcanic eruptions, meteorite explosions, and so on. This research focuses on the significance of monitoring geophysical events in the infrasound frequency range by demonstrating the development of our infrasound sensors and the natural phenomena captured by these instruments. The study presents observational results based on three types of sensors (INF01LE, INF03, and INF04LE), each exhibiting a flat response within specific frequency ranges: 0.003 to 6.25 Hz, 0.1 to 100 Hz, and 0.1 to 100 Hz, respectively. These sensors have been rigorously tested across various natural phenomena to validate their effectiveness in capturing infrasonic waves. The findings of this research contribute to the growing body of knowledge on infrasonic wave coming from various geophysical disaster perspectives.
Investigations into the foaming behavior of ABS by means of granule extrusion using expandable microspheres
Authors: Wille Toni , Pensel Hans Georg , Barz Andrea , Hopf Andreas , Bliedtner Jens , Danz Karl-Christian
Published: November 2024

The following investigations address the production of syntactic polymer foams using thermally expanding microspheres (TEM) in the extrusion process. A process model for the foaming behavior of acrylnitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) with thermally expanding microspheres as masterbatch is derived by varying the two basic process parameters extruder rotational speed and extruder temperature in a test matrix with five stages each. The investigations include the production of unfoamed and foamed strands and the measurement of process relevant properties and parameters such as extrusion mass flow, relative density of the structures, die-swelling and the characterization of the generated foam structures. The achievable density reduction is within the order of 50%. The process model resulting from the investigations allows the production of homogeneously foamed strands. These results are intended to serve as the basis for a transfer to the Large Scale Additive Manufacturing (LSAM) process.
Young and Restless in China
Authors: Hou Xiaoshuo
Published: November 2024

At a time when precarious labor is on the rise on a global scale, Young and Restless in China explores both the institutional and the individual processes that lead to informal employment and the clustering of the 'great gods' (dashen) – migrant workers, mostly male and born in the 1990s, who are disappointed by exploitative factories and thus choose short-term employment and day labor – in urban migrant communities. Based on ethnographic studies in two of those communities in China, this book analyzes the gendered and gendering aspects of labor, reveals the different processes of precarization among workers, and discusses the role of the diverse intermediaries who both sustain workers' livelihoods and reproduce their precarity.
Institutionalizing Investor-State Dispute Prevention in China
Authors: Xiao Zhenyu
Published: November 2024

China's 2019 Foreign Investment Law establishes a formal mechanism to handle complaints by foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs)—i.e., Chinese enterprises that are wholly or partly foreign-owned. Its “complaint agencies” are empowered to prevent disputes by facilitating settlements; they do not have adjudicatory authority. Beyond the immediate objective of dispute prevention, this essay argues that the FIE complaint mechanism was intended to strengthen central oversight and control over subnational governments. However, the mechanism may be hindering its intended objectives in practice. In particular, the flexibility and informality of its processes encourage ad hoc settlements between FIEs and errant subnational governments in ways that may undermine the exercise of central administrative powers.
What is the Problem with Investment Disputes? The Case of the Draft Legislative Guide on Investment Dispute Prevention and Mitigation
Authors: Bonnitcha Jonathan
Published: November 2024

Embedded in any policy proposal is a set of assumptions about the problem that the policy is intended to solve.1 As policy processes play out, some of these assumptions are contested by the actors involved, while others remain latent. Policy discussion about institutionalizing investment dispute prevention reflects a set of assumptions concerning the problem of investment disputes. In this contribution, I examine assumptions embedded in the development of, and the response to, the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Secretariat's 2023 Draft Legislative Guide on Investment Dispute Prevention and Mitigation. The Draft Legislative Guide represents the high-water mark of efforts to develop a model of investment dispute prevention that could be rolled out at the domestic level. I make three main arguments. First, both the Draft Legislative Guide itself and wider policy discussion assume that investment disputes develop independently of the cognitive and institutional environment in which they occur. As a result, policy discussion overlooks the extent to which dispute prevention initiatives can, counter-intuitively, produce investment disputes. Second, policy discussion of investment dispute prevention assumes that investment disputes have their roots in coordination failures across government, rather than democratic processes, distributive conflicts, or tensions between the interests of investors and wider public interests. This premise, and its implications, deserve much closer critical scrutiny. Third, institutionalized models of investment dispute prevention of the sort envisaged by Draft Legislative Guide are almost exclusively found in developing states. The dispute prevention agenda needs to grapple openly with the fact that advice is being given to developing states to establish dispute prevention institutions that have no equivalents in the domestic systems of developed states.
Investor-State Dispute Prevention Institutions in Latin America – The Case of Peru
Authors: Ampuero Llerena Ricardo
Published: November 2024

For Peru, the introduction of dispute prevention mechanisms was a consequence of the country's increased openness to foreign investment. Following a severe economic crisis, the government launched several pro-investment reforms in the 1990s. These included signing bilateral investment treaties and free trade agreements with investment protection provisions, as well as investment contracts with foreign investors. The resulting flow of foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country, in turn, increased the likelihood of the state facing investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) cases. As Peru began to face investment claims in the early 2000s, the Coordination and Response System for International Investment Disputes, also known as “SICRECI” for its acronym in Spanish, was established to manage the practical challenges of coordinating the state's defense. In practice, however, SICRECI's mandate has expanded progressively beyond coordinating ISDS defense, as the institution has undertaken several actions to prevent disputes and otherwise adapted to the specifics of Peru's pro-investment policy. SICRECI became one of the first models of dispute prevention mechanisms, with international organizations showcasing it as an example of how states, in particular developing countries, could address and mitigate a growing number of concerns over the impact of investment arbitration.1
The Effect of Disaster Preparedness Literacy on Individual Disaster Resilience
Authors: Torpus Kemal , Usta Galip , Çinar Özbay Sevil , Kanbay Yalçın
Published: November 2024

This study aimed to examine the effect of disaster preparedness literacy on individual disaster resilience and related factors. The universe of the research consists of individuals between the ages of 18-52. Software packages AMOS 23 and SPSS 26 were used to analyze the study’s data. Mann Whitney U test and Kruskal Wallis H test were used for non-parametric variables, whereas the T test and ANOVA were used for parametric variables. The associations between variables were investigated using correlation analysis and basic linear regression analysis. According to the findings, as disaster literacy increases, individual disaster resilience increases. The individual disaster resilience level of males was higher than that of females, the individual disaster resilience level of married individuals was higher than that of single individuals, and those who have experienced a disaster before have a higher level of individual disaster resilience than those who haven’t experienced a disaster. Males have higher levels of disaster literacy than females. Married individuals have higher disaster literacy levels than singles. As the age increases, the level of individual disaster resilience and disaster literacy increases. It is considered important to develop community-based disaster awareness training programs and strategies to increase individual disaster resilience.
Midwifery Experiences During Two Major Earthquakes in Türkiye: Challenges and Lessons Learned - A Qualitative Study
Authors: Çağlayan Keleş Neriman
Published: November 2024

Objectives

This study aims to identify midwives’ post-earthquake caregiving experiences.

Methods

A phenomenological study was undertaken in May-June 2023. The participants of the study consisted of 15midwives who were included in the study with the purposeful sampling method and volunteered to provide care during the earthquake. Data were collected by an in-depth interview method using a demographic information form and a semi-structured interview form. Thematic analysis was conducted on interview transcripts.

Results

The research identified 2main themes: difficulties in managing midwifery care and the psychological impact of the earthquake on midwives. Challenges included issues with disaster organization, management, and coordination; communication gaps; insufficient medical supplies; harsh environmental conditions; inability to fulfill basic needs; lack of disaster-related knowledge and experience among midwives; and the overall survival conditions of disaster victims. The disaster caused several psychological effects on midwives, including shock, surprise, sadness, confusion, feelings of inadequacy, insomnia upon returning from the disaster area, nightmares, difficulty adapting, guilt about returning, feelings of helplessness, and experiences of loss and mourning.

Conclusions

This study detailed midwives’ experiences during disasters, difficulties, and barriers to effective care. It is crucial to record midwives’ experiences during disasters and use this information and solutions to prepare for future disasters. Disaster preparedness training for midwives should be planned to increase physical and emotional resilience.
Fringe Consumers
Authors: Mars Matthew M. , Schau Hope J.
Published: November 2024

We all consume the humanities through our engagement with the cultural, creative, and historical materials that influence our views on ourselves, others, and the world around us. However, can consumers also be considered humanists? We argue the answer is yes when consumption choices become symbols and expressions of one’s authentic self and meaningful connective points to others. Using hard-core surfing enthusiasts and thrifters as examples, we introduce the notion of fringe consumption as a form of cultural entrepreneurship and public expression of the humanities that centers individuality, authenticity, and otherness in an otherwise dominant mainstream environment that pushes people to always want more of the same.
Above the Law: From Medieval England to Trump v. the United States
Authors: Herman Peter C.
Published: November 2024

There is nothing unprecedented about prosecuting Donald Trump. While it’s certainly true that no president has (yet) to be indicted, if we look at to the long stretch of English political-legal history, we find many precedents. Because what happened in England fueled the American Revolution and the Framers’ view of the chief executive. As Richard II and Charles I discovered to their cost, acting as if they were above the law could lead to their deposition and eventual death, and the framers agreed. Thomas Jefferson asserted in A Summary View of the Rights of British America (1774), retained “the powers of punishment or removal” of their rulers. Holding the chief executive, whether a king, a prime minister, or a president is irrelevant, to account for alleged crimes is, as the phrase goes, baked into American constitutional law. But the Supreme Court has ruled otherwise. The president now enjoys the immunity Charles I claimed. We are now at the cusp of something without precedent: an absolutist presidency.
The relationship between the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet and metabolic health status in adolescents with overweight and obesity: results from a cross-sectional study in Iran
Authors: Khakbaz Maryam , Poursalehi Donya , Mirzaei Saeideh , Asadi Ali , Akhlaghi Masoumeh , Saneei Parvane
Published: November 2024

Few studies investigated the association between Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet and metabolic health status, particularly among adolescents. The present study was designed to investigate the association of MIND diet with metabolic health status in Iranian adolescents with overweight/obesity. This cross-sectional study was done among 203 adolescents with overweight/obesity (12–18 years) in Isfahan, Iran. A validated FFQ was applied to collect dietary intakes. Anthropometric indices and blood pressure were also measured by standard procedures. Fasting blood samples were obtained to determine serum insulin, glucose and lipid profile. To categorise participants as being with metabolically healthy overweight/obesity (MHO) or metabolically unhealthy overweight/obesity (MUO), two methods including International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria and IDF plus Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) were applied. Participants had a mean age of 13·98 years and 50·2 % of them were girls. In fully adjusted models, participants with highest MIND diet adherence had lower odds of MUO status based on IDF (OR = 0·20; 95 % CI 0·08, 0·51) and IDF/HOMA-IR (OR = 0·22; 95 % CI 0·08, 0·59) criteria. Stratified analyses revealed that this association was stronger among girls and was only significant among individuals with overweight. An inverse association was also found between MIND diet score and odds of hyperglycaemia and insulin resistance (IR). Higher MIND diet adherence was associated with lower odds MUO in adolescents with overweight/obesity. Inverse associations were also found between MIND diet and odds of hyperglycaemia and IR. Future longitudinal prospective studies are necessary to confirm our results.
Amino acid transport dynamics in the jejunum and ileum in rats: a regional and time-course analysis
Authors: Katsura Kojiro , Hira Tohru
Published: November 2024

Postprandially, amino acids and di/tripeptides are thought to be primarily absorbed in the proximal small intestine. However, there have been no in vivo demonstrations of regional differences in amino acid transport dynamics between the proximal and distal small intestines. We monitored plasma amino acid responses in the jejunal and ileal mesenteric veins of rats after oral administration of a diet or an amino acid mixture (Expt 1) and in the portal vein after direct administration of the amino acid mixture into the lumen of the jejunum or ileum (Expt 2). In Expt 1, the total and some amino acid concentrations in the jejunal mesenteric vein were slightly higher than those in the ileal mesenteric vein after oral administration of the amino acid mixture, suggesting that the ileum actively transports luminal amino acids to the basolateral side, comparable to the jejunum. In Expt 2, portal amino acid concentrations were elevated to a greater extent after direct administration of the amino acid mixture into the ileal lumen than into the jejunal lumen. These results demonstrate regional differences in amino acid transport dynamics in vivo and suggest that the ileum has a higher capacity for transporting amino acids than the jejunum. Our findings highlight the importance of the ileum in postprandial amino acid absorption and metabolism.
Trends in dietary choline and betaine intake among Chinese adults: the China Health and Nutrition Survey 1991–2011
Authors: Chen Peiyan , Wu Shangling , Tan Peishan , Sui Yi , Lu Jialin , Peng Tianyou , Wang Wenting , Lu Wei , Zhu Huilian , Li Keji , Fang Aiping
Published: November 2024

Choline and betaine are important in the body, from cell membrane components to methyl donors. We aimed to investigate trends in dietary intake and food sources of total choline, individual choline forms and betaine in Chinese adults using data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) 1991–2011, a prospective cohort with a multistage, random cluster design. Dietary intake was estimated using three consecutive 24-h dietary recalls in combination with a household food inventory. Linear mixed-effect models were constructed using R software. A total of 11 188 men and 12 279 women aged 18 years or older were included. Between 1991 and 2011, total choline intake increased from 219·3 (95 % CI 215·1, 223·4) mg/d to 269·0 (95 % CI 265·6, 272·5) mg/d in men and from 195·6 (95 % CI 191·8, 199·4) mg/d to 240·4 (95 % CI 237·4, 243·5) mg/d in women (both P-trends < 0·001). Phosphatidylcholine was the major form of dietary choline, and its contribution to total choline increased from 46·9 % in 1991 to 58·8 % in 2011. Cereals were the primary food source of total choline before 2000, while eggs had ranked at the top since 2004. Dietary betaine intake was relatively steady over time with a range of 134·0–151·5 mg/d in men (P-trend < 0·001) and 111·7–125·3 mg/d in women (P-trend > 0·05). Chinese adults experienced a significant increase in dietary intake of choline, particularly phosphatidylcholine during 1991–2011 and animal-derived foods have replaced plant-based foods as the main food sources of choline. Betaine intake remained relatively stable over time. Future efforts should address the health effects of these changes.
Biomarkers of PUFA and cardiovascular risk factors and events in healthy Asian populations: a systematic review
Authors: Lee Yu Qi , Tan Kok Hsien , Chong Mary F.-F.
Published: November 2024

The associations between circulating PUFA and cardiovascular risk factors and events in healthy Asian populations have been less examined robustly compared with Western populations. This systematic review aimed to summarise current evidence on the associations between n-3 and n-6 PUFA biomarkers and cardiovascular risk factors and events in healthy Asian populations. Four databases were searched for observational studies from 2010 until 2024. Twenty-three studies were eligible, which covered six Asian countries and included events (n 7), traditional risk factors such as blood pressure and lipids (n 4), physical signs such as arterial stiffness (n 4), non-traditional lipid markers (n 1), markers of inflammation (n 4), markers of thrombosis (n 2) and non-invasive imaging-based markers (n 5). Biological sample types included plasma (n 6), serum (n 14) and erythrocyte (n 3). Higher circulating total n-3 PUFA appeared to be associated with lower hypertension risk and specifically EPA and DHA to be associated with lower myocardial infarction risk, reduction in TAG and inflammation. Higher circulating linoleic acid was associated with improved lipid profiles and lower inflammation. Limited evidence led to inconclusive associations between circulating n-6 PUFA biomarkers and CVD events and blood pressure. No consistent associations with arterial stiffness, obesity, thrombosis and imaging-based biomarkers were observed for circulating PUFA biomarkers in Asian populations. Limited studies exist for each outcome; hence, results should be interpreted with caution. More high-quality and prospective studies in Asian populations are warranted. Several recommendations such as sample size justification and reporting of non-respondents rate are proposed for future studies.
Adaptation to different temperatures results in wing size divergence of the invading species Drosophila nasuta (Diptera: Drosophilidae) in Brazil
Authors: Santos Vinícius Alcântara Carvalho Lima , Garcia Ana Cristina Lauer , Montes Martín Alejandro
Published: November 2024

Invasive species threaten biodiversity on a global scale. The success of invasions depends on the species' adaptation to the different environmental conditions of new territories. Studies show that invasive insects present evolutionary changes in wing morphology in areas they are introduced to in response to abiotic conditions. In the last decade, the Asian Drosophila nasuta fly invaded and spread widely throughout Brazil. This insect has preferences for conserved environments and is related to the likely reduction in the abundance of native drosophilids in the Atlantic Forest. Ecological niche modelling analyses showed that rainfall and temperature are the main factors which delimit the geographic distribution of this species. Herein, we verified the existence of significant differences in the wing sizes of D. nasuta in Brazil and evaluated the influence of abiotic factors (rainfall and temperature) on the observed patterns. We conducted 11 measurements on the right-side wings of 240 D. nasuta males collected in the Amazon Forest, Caatinga, Cerrado and Atlantic Forest. Statistical analyses revealed the existence of two groups: one with larger wings, which brought together samples from locations with the lowest temperatures; and one with smaller wings, which corresponded to places with a hotter climate. One explanation for this result is the fact that large wings favour greater heat capture by flies in colder climates, increasing their survival chances in these environments. These rapid evolutionary changes in D. nasuta in this first decade of invasion in Brazil reveal the enormous adaptive potential of this species in this megadiverse country.
Population age structure and conservation status of Ferula sinkiangensis (Apiaceae) in Xinjiang, China
Authors: Liu Tianxing , Cao Qiumei , Yang Lei , Yang Zhaoping , Li Wenjun
Published: November 2024

Ferula sinkiangensis K.M. Shen is a threatened medicinal plant endemic to Xinjiang, China, with a small population size and a narrow distribution range. We assessed the status of this species with respect to its population age structure, the level of threat and extinction risk. Only one population remains, in Yining County, Xinjiang. We conducted field surveys of the population in 2022 and 2023, counting 2,033 and 1,515 individuals, respectively, in 144 sample quadrats. We assessed the age structure of the population by counting the number of basal leaves of each individual. The frequency distribution had an inverted J-shape, indicative of a relatively stable age structure. However, the number of mature individuals was small, raising concerns about the risk of genetic drift and inbreeding. This species is also threatened by habitat destruction and inappropriate collection practices. We recommend that F. sinkiangensis is categorized as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List on the basis of criteria B2ab(iii), C2a(i) and D.
A systematic review and meta-analysis comparing the severity of core symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in females and males
Authors: Young Susan , Uysal Omer , Kahle Jennifer , Gudjonsson Gisli H. , Hollingdale Jack , Cortese Samuele , Sakalli-Kani Ayse , Greer Ben , Cocallis Kelly , Sylver Nicole , Yilmaz Ugur Eser , Semerci Bengi , Kilic Ozge
Published: November 2024

In the past decade, there have been substantial changes in diagnostic nomenclature. This study investigated sex differences in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptom severity based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-IV, DSM-IV(TR), and DSM-5 criteria, separating rating scale and clinical interview data in children and adults with ADHD. PubMed, PsycINFO, and Scopus were searched for published studies (1996–2021) reporting severity of attention, and hyperactivity/impulsivity in males and females. We compared data: (1) across the entire lifespan aggregating rating scale and clinical interview data (51 studies), (2) drawing solely on rating scale data (18 studies), and (3) drawing solely on clinical interview data (33 studies). Fifty-two studies met inclusion criteria comparing data for females (n = 8423) and males (n = 9985) with ADHD across childhood and/or adulthood. In total, 15 meta-analyses were conducted. Pooled data across the lifespan aggregating both rating scale and clinical diagnostic interview data, showed males had significantly more severe hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms than females. Rating scale data were similar; boys had significantly more severe hyperactivity/impulsivity than girls. In adulthood, men were rated to have significantly more severe inattention than women with no difference in the hyperactivity/impulsivity dimension. All significant differences were of small effect size. No significant sex differences in the severity of symptoms emerged for clinical interview data for children or adults, in contrast. Possible reasons for the discrepancy in findings between rating scales and clinical diagnostic interviews are discussed.
Action nouns in *-i̯a- and a new verbal stem *jsīn- “to kill” in Khotanese
Authors: Del Tomba Alessandro
Published: November 2024

This article addresses derivational issues related to palatalization in Khotanese, focusing on action nouns of the kīra- type (< *-i̯a-). It is argued that diachronic palatalization conforms to the rules of synchronic palatalization and that the origin of the hapax legomenon jsīna- “killing” (Z 13.124), which apparently violates these rules, needs to be interpreted differently. It is traced back to a reduplicated Indo-Iranian verbal stem *ǰa-ghn- (cf. Young Avestan jaɣn-) < Proto-Indo-European *gwhé-gwhn- “to strike repeatedly” → “to kill”. This stem is also reflected in the Khotanese gerundive jsīñaa- “to be killed” < *dzai̯n-i̯a- ← *dzaɣn- < Iranian *ǰa-gn-. The article contributes additional evidence supporting the development of the preconsonantal voiced velar fricative *ɣ into *i̯ in pre-Khotanese.
Ships, Spatial Interconnections, and the Problematization of Peripheral East Asia in the 1860s
Authors: Chen Nan-Hsu
Published: November 2024

The 1850s and 1860s were a crucial era in the history of East Asia. The opening of treaty ports and advances in information and navigational technologies both generated new commercial opportunities and brought more people and commodities from Europe and America to East Asia. What were the consequences of these political and socioeconomic changes and the resultant spatial interconnections? I argue that spatial interconnections rendered centuries-old nonstate spaces in East Asia increasingly problematic, to the extent of creating international conflicts. To illustrate this, I reconstruct the mutual influence among places constructed by and shown in the lives of the shipwrecked American vessel Rover and its crew in East Asian waters. Their activities embodied how transpacific and East Asian communication and commerce, and the growing treaty port community in China, became entangled with how Taiwanese aborigines managed their interaction with the outside world. In this and similar borderland incidents, spatial interconnections between central and peripheral East Asia constructed by ordinary people crossing borders, and the problems arising from such interactions, led to the problematization of peripheries in the 1860s.
Do reading times predict word learning? An eye–tracking study with novel words
Authors: Elgort Irina , Beyersmann Elisabeth (Lisi)
Published: November 2024

Theories of learning and attention predict a positive relationship between reading times on unfamiliar words and their learning; however, empirical findings of contextual learning studies range from a strong positive relationship to no relationship. To test the conjecture that longer reading times may reflect different cognitive and metacognitive processes, the need to infer novel word meanings from context was deliberately manipulated. One hundred and two adult first– and second–language English language speakers read sixty passages containing pseudowords while their eye movements were recorded. The passages were either preceded or followed by pseudoword definitions. After reading, participants completed posttests of cued meaning recall and form recognition. Meaning recall was positively associated with (i) individual cumulative reading times and (ii) participants’ general vocabulary knowledge, but not when definitions were provided before reading. Form recognition was unaffected by cumulative reading times. Our findings call for a cautious approach in making causative links between eye–movement measures and vocabulary learning from reading.
Empirical Determinants of Innovation in European Countries: Firm-level Analysis Based on CIS 2018
Authors: Makrevska Disoska Elena , Tonovska Jasna , Toshevska-Trpchevska Katerina , Tevdovski Dragan , Stojkoski Viktor
Published: November 2024

This study examines the role of perceptions about environmental regulations and their influence on the innovative performance and productivity of firms in Germany, Southern Europe, and Central and Eastern Europe. Utilizing the CDM model for innovative performance and data stemming from the Community Innovation Survey (CIS), we explore the alignment with the Porter hypothesis, which posits that well-designed environmental regulations can stimulate technological innovation and enhance market competitiveness. Our findings present a mixed view: in Germany, positive perceptions about environmental regulations correlate with the initiation of innovation activities, contributing to an increase in labour productivity. This supports the Porter hypothesis, evidencing that regulations can lead to beneficial ‘innovation offsets’ such as reduced resource use and pollution. Conversely, in Southern Europe and Central and Eastern Europe, the perceptions about these regulations on innovation activities are insignificant, with no considerable correlation observed between perceptions about environmental regulations and innovation output. Our findings are crucial for policymakers, environmental regulators, and business leaders aiming to leverage environmental regulations to boost innovation and competitiveness within their regions.
Low‐Frequency Reconstruction for Full Waveform Inversion by Unsupervised Learning
Authors: Cui Ningcheng , Lei Tao , Zhang Wei
Published: November 2024

Obtaining reliable low‐frequency seismic data is crucial for effectively reducing cycle‐skipping in full waveform inversion. However, acquiring high signal‐to‐noise ratio low‐frequency information from field data remains a challenge. An effective solution to mitigate cycle‐skipping is to utilize low‐frequency information synthesized by neural networks to obtain low‐wavenumber initial models. Previous attempts to reconstruct synthetic low‐frequency data using supervised learning methods have shown feasibility but were limited to training with synthetic data that required labeled information. In this study, we employed an unsupervised learning method, namely cycle‐consistent adversarial networks (CycleGAN), to reconstruct large‐scale‐feature related low‐frequency information based on the high‐frequency input data. Unlike supervised learning, CycleGAN allows the use of field data as input to train the network, which is more closely aligned with practical applications. Nevertheless, this approach presents challenges in terms of training complexity and potential output stability. To overcome these challenges, we reconstructed an appropriate target data set that combines high, medium, and low‐frequency components and incorporated additional loss functions to enhance the network's output performance. We conducted quantitative evaluations of the method's sensitivity to the target data set and its ability to handle low‐quality input data through numerical testing. The final results from field data testing confirmed the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method.
Current Earth System Models Overestimate Ecosystem Respiration in Mid‐To‐High Latitude Dryland Regions
Authors: Wu Dongxing , Liu Shaomin , He Bin , Xu Ziwei , Wu Xiuchen , Xu Tongren , Yang Xiaofan , Wei Jiaxing , Peng Zhixing , Wang Xiaona
Published: November 2024

The inhibition of foliar respiration by light is a crucial yet often overlooked component in estimating ecosystem respiration. However, current estimations of the light inhibition of ecosystem respiration are biased by ignoring the effects of moisture factors. We developed a novel physics‐constrained machine learning method to quantify the extent of light inhibition (Reli) driven by multiple factors in global ecosystems. Our findings revealed significant seasonal variations in light inhibition rate aligned with vegetation growth. Temperature predominantly influenced variations in Reli, and the temperature‐Reli relationship was regulated by vapor pressure deficit rather than soil water content. A reassessment of global ecosystem respiration revealed that current Earth system models (ESMs) overestimate ecosystem respiration in mid‐to‐high latitude dryland regions, with a global average light inhibition strength of 0.51 (±0.16). Knowledge from this study provides an accurate understanding of light inhibition driven by temperature and moisture coupling in simulating carbon cycle.
Deep Mesoscale and Submesoscale Circulations Around the Atlantis II Seamount
Authors: McKinley Matthew , Sun Daoxun , Kelly Mark , Sabra Karim G. , Bracco Annalisa
Published: November 2024

This study investigates the complex interactions between the North Atlantic Current (NAC) and the New England Seamount chain, focusing on the Atlantis II seamount. Employing a high‐resolution submesoscale permitting regional ocean circulation model nested within a basin‐wide simulation, it explores three distinct periods, each 2 weeks long, showcasing varied deep mesoscale and submesoscale circulations around the seamount. The analysis includes Eulerian statistics and Lagrangian particle tracing experiments to explore the transport and mixing impacts of the highly dynamic flow around the seamount. The results reveal significant density variations across the water column, attributed to the seamount's influence on local ocean currents. Specifically, mesoscale and submesoscale vortices, a seamount wake, and lee waves form during periods of increased near‐bottom current flow. These findings highlight the critical role of topographic features in modulating oceanic flows and ocean mixing, which have implications, among others, for nutrient distribution, acoustic propagation, and climate modeling. The variety and variability of the mesoscale and submesoscale circulations that arise in response to the variability in the NAC strength and position in relation to the New England Seamount Chain demonstrate the difficulty in extrapolating general behaviors from isolated observational campaigns.