bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of PSMA PET/CT to detect prostate cancer metastatic to a preexisting thyroid nodule
Authors: Chalker Cameron , Yilmaz Burçak , Trone Kristin , Parecki Genevieve , Chen Athena , Lim James Y. , Mallak Nadine , Sokolova Alexandra O.
Published: June 2024

Prostate cancer (PCa) seldom metastasizes to the thyroid gland, and only a limited number of cases are documented in the literature. The application of a relatively recent and highly sensitive imaging technique, prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography—computed tomography (PET/CT), has enhanced the identification of metastatic disease. Nevertheless, as PSMA is expressed in various tissue types, the clinical importance of a PSMA-avid thyroid lesion remains largely uncertain. A minor, yet noteworthy, percentage of these lesions are ultimately determined to be malignant. Here we describe the case of a 70-year-old man with a past medical history of Lynch syndrome who presented to an outpatient oncologic clinic for management of very high risk localized PCa. He developed metastatic recurrence and his disease progressed through several lines of therapy, including immunotherapy and targeted treatments. He was found to have a new, intense PSMA uptake in an existing, previously benign thyroid nodule. Sonographic evaluation revealed changing morphology despite grossly stable size. Repeat biopsy confirmed the unusual finding of PCa metastasis to a known thyroid nodule. The shift in PSMA avidity played a pivotal role in discerning this metastatic deposit. There is a potential risk that such lesions may be inadequately acknowledged. The impact of the patient’s Lynch syndrome on this presentation remains uncertain.
Exergaming and cognitive functions in people with mild cognitive impairment and dementia: a meta-analysis
Authors: Chan Joyce Y. C. , Liu Jiani , Chan Aaron T. C. , Tsoi Kelvin K. F.
Published: June 2024

Exergaming is a combination of exercise and gaming. Evidence shows an association between exercise and cognition in older people. However, previous studies showed inconsistent results on the cognitive benefits of exergaming in people with cognitive impairment. Therefore, this study aims to examine the effect of exergaming intervention on cognitive functions in people with MCI or dementia. A systematic literature search was conducted via OVID databases. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examined the effect of an exergaming intervention on cognitive functions in people with MCI or dementia were included. Subgroup analyses were conducted according to the type of intervention and training duration. Twenty RCTs with 1152 participants were identified, including 14 trials for MCI and 6 trials for dementia. In people with MCI, 13 studies used virtual-reality (VR)-based exergaming. Those who received VR-based exergaming showed significantly better global cognitive function [SMD (95%CI) = 0.67 (0.23–1.11)], learning and memory [immediate recall test: 0.79 (0.31–1.27); delayed recall test: 0.75 (0.20–1.31)], working memory [5.83 (2.27–9.39)], verbal fluency [0.58 (0.12–1.03)], and faster in executive function than the controls. For people with dementia, all studies used video-based exergaming intervention. Participants with exergaming intervention showed significantly better global cognitive function than the controls [0.38 (0.10–0.67)]. Subgroup analyses showed that longer training duration generated larger effects. The findings suggest that exergaming impacts cognitive functions in people with MCI and dementia. Cognitive benefits are demonstrated for those with a longer training duration. With technological advancement, VR-based exergaming attracts the attention of people with MCI and performs well in improving cognitive functions.
Dimension reduction approach for understanding resource-flow resilience to climate change
Authors: Salgado Ariel , He Yiyi , Radke John , Ganguly Auroop Ratan , Gonzalez Marta C.
Published: June 2024

Networked dynamics are essential for assessing the resilience of lifeline infrastructures. The dimension-reduction approach was designed as an efficient way to map the high-dimensional dynamics to a low-dimensional representation capturing system-level behavior while taking into consideration network structure. However, its application to socio-technical systems has not been considered yet. Here, we extend the dimension-reduction approach to resource-flow dynamics in multiplex networks. We apply it to the San Francisco fuel transportation network, considering the flow between refineries, terminals and gas stations. We capture the aggregated dynamics between the facilities of each type and identify macroscopic conditions for the system to supply a given demand of fuel. By considering multiple sea level rise scenarios between 2020 and 2100, we address the impact of coastal flooding due to climate change on the maximum suppliable demand. Finally, we analyze the system’s transient response to production failures, investigating the temporary interruption in production and the duration it takes for complete demand satisfaction to become unachievable after the interruption.
Sulfur isotopes from the Paleoproterozoic Francevillian Basin record multigenerational pyrite formation, not depositional conditions
Authors: Paiste Kärt , Fike David A. , Mayika Karen Bakakas , Moussavou Mathieu , Lepland Aivo , Prave Anthony R. , Sato Tomohiko , Ueno Yuichiro , Sawaki Yusuke , Richardson Jocelyn A. , Wood Robert S. , Jones Clive , Webb Samuel M. , Kirsimäe Kalle
Published: June 2024

Bulk-rock sulfur isotope data from pyrite in the ~2.1 billion-year sedimentary rocks of the Francevillian Basin, Gabon, have underpinned ideas about initial oxygenation of Earth’s surface environments and eukaryote evolution. Here, we show, using micro-scale analytical methods, that the bulk sulfur isotope record represents progressive diagenetic modification. Our findings indicate no significant change in microbial sulfur cycling processes and seawater sulfate composition throughout that initial phase of atmosphere-ocean oxygenation of Paleoproterozoic time. This offers an alternative view of Earth system evolution during the transition from an anoxic to an oxic state and highlights the need for a judicious reappraisal of conceptual models using sulfur isotope data as primary depositional signals linked to global-scale biogeochemical processes.
The effect of potassium on the balance of metal–acid site in Pt/Al2O3 catalysts and their n-hexane dehydrogenation performance
Authors: Tao Jinwen , Li Xiaoyu , Yuan Hui , Ma Aizeng , Wang Jieguang , Miao Chenglin , Liu Changcheng
Published: June 2024

The K-affected metal–acid site balance of the Pt–K/Al2O3 catalyst is investigated. Increased K content leads to the loss of acid sites and better selectivity. However, it also leads to decreased Pt active sites, reducing the activity.
Synthesis and electrochemical application of two-dimensional manganese-based materials
Authors: Hu Jing , Tao Panpan , Fan WenYu , Yang Rui , Feng Haoyu , Guo Bingrong , Li Haijin , Xu Li , Li Siwei
Published: June 2024

Our review comprehensively covers the recent advancements in the synthetic methods of manganese-based 2D nanomaterials, their electrochemical applications, and dives deep into the mechanisms, challenges, and future prospects.
Hybridization of MXene and covalent organic frameworks as electroactive materials for Li–S batteries and oxygen electrocatalysis
Authors: Wu Zhuangzhuang , Zhao Yuzhen , Li Yongpeng , Yu Xinxin , Sui Zhuyin , Feng Lijuan , Chen Qi
Published: June 2024

MXene/COF hybrids and their metal complexes were synthesized by integrating in situ polymerization and post-synthetic modification strategies, which can be applied in Li–S batteries and oxygen electrocatalysis.
Oxygen heterocyclic coumarin-based hybridized local and charge-transfer deep-blue emitters for solution-processed organic light-emitting diodes
Authors: Xie Qi , Liao Chuanxin , Liu Hongli , Wang Shirong , Li Xianggao
Published: June 2024

Coumarin was employed as a new acceptor to construct the HLCT emitters. The solution-processed OLEDs exhibited deep-blue emission with the CIE coordinates of (0.16, 0.09), and the devices based on BCz-6P realized the champion EQEmax of 6.80%.
Optimization of donors, acceptors and bridges for novel organic electro-optic materials
Authors: Wu Shuangke , Feng Shuhui , Huang Zhihan , Liu Chuying , Zhang Yu , Zhang Weijun , He Wenlo-ng , Huo Fuyang , Liu Fenggang
Published: June 2024

The effects of different donors, acceptors and electron bridges on various properties of novel organic electro-optic materials were investigated.
Real‐time estimation of the synchronous generator dynamic parameters using actual phasor measurement unit data and experimental evaluations
Authors: Ranjbar Soheil
Published: June 2024

An online non‐model‐based procedure is presented for estimating the synchronous generator (SG) dynamic parameters using practical phasor measurement unit (PMU) signals in the presence of uncertainty and noisy data. For this purpose, considering 8th‐order approximation, the SGs model is estimated in which, based on evaluating voltage and current phasors achieved from PMU data, dynamic parameters are estimated online. The proposed approach is a generalised concept of the Heffron–Philips model in which the variables and the gain factors are adaptable according to operating conditions. The proposed scheme is an online and non‐model‐based method in which the SG magnetic saturation behaviours are modelled through multivariable non‐linear definition to extend the accurate controlling structure. In this case, two different studies are carried out. In the first study, considering a single SG is connected to the infinite bus, the ability of the proposed method through simulation studies is evaluated. In the second study, the proposed scheme is developed practically in the laboratory whereby performing the experimental structure on different types through real‐time working mode, validation of the proposed estimated model through different operating points is evaluated. Experimental results show the effectiveness of the proposed practical scheme for estimating the generator's detailed model and non‐linear dynamic parameters through real‐time evaluations.
Topology‐aware anatomical segmentation of the Circle of Willis: HUNet unveils the vascular network
Authors: Junayed Md. Shakib Shahariar , Sanjid Kazi Shahriar , Hossain Md. Tanzim , Uddin M. Monir , Haque Sheikh Anisul
Published: June 2024

This research investigates the Circle of Willis, a critical vascular structure vital for cerebral blood supply. A modified novel dual‐pathway multi‐scale hierarchical upsampling network (HUNet) is presented, tailored explicitly for accurate segmentation of Circle of Willis anatomical components from medical imaging data. Evaluating both the multi‐label magnetic resonance angiography region of interest and the multi‐label magnetic resonance angiography whole brain‐case datasets, HUNet consistently outperforms the convolutional U‐net model, demonstrating superior capabilities and achieving higher accuracy across various classes. Additionally, the HUNet model achieves an exceptional dice similarity coefficient of 98.61 and 97.95, along with intersection over union scores of 73.32 and 85.76 in both the multi‐label magnetic resonance angiography region of interest and the multi‐label magnetic resonance angiography whole brain‐case datasets, respectively. These metrics highlight HUNet's exceptional performance in achieving precise and accurate segmentation of anatomical structures within the Circle of Willis, underscoring its robustness in medical image segmentation tasks. Visual representations substantiate HUNet's efficacy in delineating Circle of Willis structures, offering comprehensive insights into its superior performance.
SIHNet: A safe image hiding method with less information leaking
Authors: Cheng Zien , Jin Xin , Jiang Qian , Wu Liwen , Dong Yunyun , Zhou Wei
Published: June 2024

Image hiding is a task that hides secret images into cover images. The purposes of image hiding are to ensure the secret images are invisible to the human and the secret images can be recovered. The current state‐of‐the‐art steganography methods run the risk of secret information leakage. A safe image hiding network (SIHNet) is presented to reduce the leakage of secret information. Based on some phenomena of image hiding methods which use invertible neural network, a reversible secret image processing (SIP) module is proposed to make the secret images suitable for hiding and make the stego images leak less secret information. Besides, a reversible lost information hiding (LIH) module is used to hide the lost information into the cover images, thus the method can recover the secret images better than the method that uses random noise to replace the lost information. Experimental results show that SIHNet outperforms other state‐of‐the‐art methods on the PSNR and SSIM values of the recovered secret images and the stego images. Besides, residual images of other state‐of‐the‐art methods all contain information about secret images while residual images of SIHNet leak almost no secret information. Thus the method can prevent the listener of transmission channel from obtaining the information of the secret image through the residual image, which means SIHNet performs better in security than other state‐of‐the‐art methods.
Light field imaging technology for virtual reality content creation: A review
Authors: Khan Ali , Hossain Md. Moinul , Covaci Alexandra , Sirlantzis Konstantinos , Xu Chuanlong
Published: June 2024

The light field (LF) imaging technique can capture 3D scene information in 4D by recording both 2D intensity and 2D direction of incoming light rays. Due to this capability, LF has shown a great interest in virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) for enhanced immersion, improved depth perception and reconstruction of realistic 3D environments. This paper presents a comprehensive review of LF imaging technology and other approaches used for VR content creation. The applications of LF technology beyond VR and AR are also discussed. The challenges and limitations of other approaches for VR content creation are examined. State‐of‐the‐art research has focused on how VR experiences benefit from LF technology and identified the challenges to creating comfortable, immersive and realistic VR content such as (1) image size and resolution, (2) processing speed, (3) precise calibration and (4) depth reconstruction. Recommendations that can be considered for creating immersive VR content are provided to enhance user experience. These recommendations aim to contribute to developing more comfortable and realistic VR content, extending the potential applications of LF imaging technology in diverse fields.
A Continuous-Flow Protocol for the Synthesis of Alkenyl Thioethers Based on the Photochemical Activation of Halogen-Bonding Complexes
Authors: Plaza Manuel , Piedra Helena F. , Valdés Carlos
Published: June 2024

We report a useful flow protocol for the preparation of alkenyl thioethers from alkenyl bromides and thiols in basic media with visible-light irradiation. The reactions exhibit a wide functional-group tolerance, proceed under mild conditions, are stereoselective, and do not require the use of catalysts. The transformations can be successfully scaled up to 5 mmol scale without compromising the yield. The key to the success of these reactions is the photochemical excitation of halogen-bonding complexes to form alkenyl and sulfur-centered radicals, a protocol recently developed in our laboratories.
Time–energy distribution of photoelectron from atomic states with different magnetic quantum numbers in elliptically polarized laser fields
Authors: Xu 徐 Jingyang 菁阳 , Guo 郭 Li 丽 , Qi 齐 Xin 昕 , Lu 陆 Ronghua 荣华 , Zhang 张 Min 敏 , Zhang 张 Jingtao 敬涛 , Chen 陈 Jing 京
Published: June 2024

A Wigner-distribution-like (WDL) function based on the strong-field approximation (SFA) theory is used to investigate the ionization time of the photoelectron emitted from the initial states with different magnetic quantum number m in elliptically polarized electric fields. The saddle-point method is adopted for comparisons. For different m states, a discrepancy exists in the WDL distributions of the photoelectrons emitted in a direction close to the major axis of the laser field ellipse. Based on the saddle-point analysis, this discrepancy can be ascribed to the interference between electrons ionized from two tunneling instants. Our results show that the relationships between the tunneling instants and kinetic energy of photoelectrons are the same for different m initial states when the Coulomb potential is not considered. Our work sheds some light on the ionization-time information of electrons from different magnetic quantum states.
How Juries Work
Authors: Helm Rebecca K
Published: June 2024

In How Juries Work, Rebecca K. Helm integrates legal and psychological theory and research to present a comprehensive assessment of the modern criminal law jury, and of how evidence-based research can improve jury performance. The book begins with an examination of the history of the jury, comparative procedures surrounding trial by jury, and modern developments and jurisprudence. This examination is drawn on to suggest that the jury is important symbolically but is not necessarily well-designed to meet the demands of modern society, which increasingly requires an evidence-based jury that is carefully designed to fulfil normative requirements. The book then presents a proposed model of how jurors function in practice, informed by psychological theory and empirical research. This model is used to provide a framework to interpret and integrate a large body of existing work on juror decision-making in a way that provides new insight into the jury and improves the interpretability of existing work. This framework, complemented by an associated model of jury decision-making, is drawn on to highlight the deficiencies and strengths of the jury as a legal fact-finder and also to provide key insight into how deficiencies might be minimized and strengths maximized through trial procedure. The book concludes with a set of evidence-based suggestions as to how procedure surrounding trial by jury might be altered in order to enhance the administration of justice in the many jurisdictions where the criminal law jury is utilized.
Legal Standards and Procedure
Authors: Helm Rebecca K
Published: June 2024

This chapter identifies literature demonstrating associations between legal standards and procedures and verdicts and examines how these associations can be explained by relationships between legal standards and procedures and the meaning assigned to evidence, trial participants, the body of evidence, and legal standards (ie through differences in relevant representations). It considers legal standards and procedure under two headings: (1) legal standards, including actus reus, mens rea, and defence standards, descriptions of the standard of proof, and alternative verdicts; and (2) rules on evidence including admissibility, judicial warnings/directions, and expert evidence. Note that these procedures have been selected for consideration as they are important illustrations of how legal standards and procedure can influence juror (as opposed to jury) decisions, not as an overview of all legal procedures that can influence juror decisions. Based on this examination, the chapter evaluates the normative acceptability of relationships between legal standards and procedures and verdicts, discussing how potentially problematic influence (and lack of influence) might be addressed. It concludes by briefly discussing what these relationships can tell us about how jurors work, and how standards and procedure can be used to help jurors work better, without introducing problematic side-effects.
Music for Lute
Authors: Grapes K Dawn
Published: June 2024

John Dowland built his reputation as an accomplished performing lutenist. While the perception of his greatness is mentioned in a number of contemporaneous acclamations, it is only through intabulation of his compositions, as presented in dozens of primary-source manuscripts and prints, that his facility and technique on his instrument are preserved. This chapter considers Dowland’s lute music. It examines the types of improvisatory-sounding pieces, popular-song variation sets, and dances that Dowland created, and his compositional style as it fit into standards of the day. The chapter also pays close attention to associates and patrons mentioned within his dance titles. Especially important in the preservation of Dowland’s music are two particular manuscripts, the first Mathew Holmes lutebook (Cambridge University, Dd.2.11) and the Folger-Dowland lute manuscript (Washington, Folger Shakespeare Library, MS. V.b280), as demonstrative of performance techniques and pedagogical practices of the day.
Lachrimae
Authors: Grapes K Dawn
Published: June 2024

Lachrimae of 1604 is John Dowland’s only printed collection of instrumental consort music. Not surprisingly, the lute is featured as an important addition to the standard viol consort. The set is foundationally situated on seven variations of the “Lachrimae” pavan that had previously been presented as a lute solo and a lute song–air. The anthology then moves beyond this somber theme to fourteen consort dance pieces whose titles celebrate Dowland associates and supporters. Many interpretations of the meaning found within the Lachrimae collection have been attempted, each with differing merit. In this chapter, the production elements of Lachrimae are considered, followed by an exploration of the pavan variations as a cycle. Special attention is afforded to perceptions of the medical condition of melancholy and the evolution of the Lachrimae tune within Dowland’s music.
“Old frend, thy yeares have made thee white”
Authors: Grapes K Dawn
Published: June 2024

Although John Dowland’s whereabouts remain unclear from 1606 through the beginning of 1609, he was back in London by April, as indicated in the prefatory material of Andreas Ornithoparcus His Micrologus, a translation that demonstrates the composer’s intellectual interest in theoretical musical principles and reveals much about his philosophies of the foundations of musical practice. The volume was dedicated to long-time acquaintance Robert Cecil. This chapter includes information on Dowland’s Fetter Lane residence, as well as brief commentary on Dowland’s thoughts upon returning to England after a decade abroad. These observations are supported by examination of textual and visual depictions of the composer in Henry Peacham’s Minerva Britanna, Thalia’s Banquet, and The Compleat Gentleman, as a master musician no longer appreciated as he reached his mature years.
A Pilgrimes Solace
Authors: Grapes K Dawn
Published: June 2024

John Dowland’s final lute song–air collection, A Pilgrimes Solace (1612), reads and sounds differently from his previous music anthologies, both in content and substance. A more advanced, complex compositional style is immediately evident. The poetry Dowland set, including verses by Nicholas Breton, reached a previously unseen level of sophistication and the music attains levels of difficulty that may not have been as accessible for domestic music makers as his earlier songbooks were. These are only some of the reasons that this final songbook, as masterful as it may be musically, did not reach the level of popularity of Dowland’s First Booke, which was still yet to receive its fourth reprint, or even his second or third song collections, as evidenced by the lack of transcriptions and adaptations of the volume’s pieces found in English or Continental manuscripts, when compared with his previous work. Yet in this songbook, Dowland expresses a new level of personal spirituality in songs such as “Go nightly cares,” “If that a sinners’ sighs,” and “Where sin sore wounding,” that does not occur in his earlier musical anthologies. The volume also includes dramatic dialogues that point to his involvement in theatrical entertainments for Queen Elizabeth I and volume dedicatee Theophilus Howard, Lord Walden. A full consideration of the volume’s prefatory material, organization, and musical content presents the image of a somber Dowland, reflecting back on his career and life choices, thus providing a self-administered Pilgrimes Solace.
Introduction
Authors: Hasnas John
Published: June 2024

The introduction describes the thesis of this book as an alternative to the social contract approach to political philosophy. Social contract theory argues that the state is necessary for human beings to overcome the inconveniences of the state of nature. This book demonstrates that the common law provides an alternative mechanism for overcoming these inconveniences that does not depend on the existence of the state. This observation serves as the basis for two propositions. The first is that good public policy always requires a comparative assessment of the effectiveness of common law and legislation as regulatory mechanisms. The second is that a peaceful and prosperous society can exist without legislation, and ultimately without any essential services being supplied on a monopolistic basis by a government.
Three things we learned along the way: lessons for training in psychiatric epidemiology
Authors: Lincoln Alisa K , Jones Nev , Koenen Karestan C
Published: June 2024

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and its associated mortality, morbidity, and deep social and economic impacts, was a global traumatic stressor that challenged population mental health and our de facto mental health care system in unprecedented ways. Yet, in many respects, this crisis is not new. Psychiatric epidemiologists have recognized for decades the need and unmet need of people in distress and the limits of the public mental health services in the United States. We argue that psychiatric epidemiologists have a critical role to play as we endeavor to address population mental health and draw attention to 3 areas of consideration: elevating population-based solutions; engaging equitably with lived experience; and interrogating recovery. Psychiatric epidemiology has a long history of both responding to and shaping our understanding of the relationships among psychiatric disorders and society through evolving methods and training, and the current sociohistorical moment again suggests that shifts in our practice can strengthen our field and its impact.

This article is part of a Special Collection on Mental Health.
On propensity score matching with a diverging number of matches
Authors: He Yihui , Han Fang
Published: June 2024

This paper re-examines the work of Abadie & Imbens (2016) on propensity score matching for average treatment effect estimation. We explore the asymptotic behaviour of these estimators when the number of nearest neighbours, M, grows with the sample size. It is shown, while not surprising, but technically nontrivial, that the modified estimators can improve upon the original fixed M-estimators in terms of efficiency. Additionally, we demonstrate the potential to attain the semiparametric efficiency lower bound when the propensity score admits some special structures, echoing the insight of Hahn (1998).
Radial neighbours for provably accurate scalable approximations of Gaussian processes
Authors: Zhu Yichen , Peruzzi Michele , Li Cheng , Dunson David B
Published: June 2024

In geostatistical problems with massive sample size, Gaussian processes can be approximated using sparse directed acyclic graphs to achieve scalable O(n) computational complexity. In these models, data at each location are typically assumed conditionally dependent on a small set of parents that usually include a subset of the nearest neighbours. These methodologies often exhibit excellent empirical performance, but the lack of theoretical validation leads to unclear guidance in specifying the underlying graphical model and sensitivity to graph choice. We address these issues by introducing radial-neighbour Gaussian processes, a class of Gaussian processes based on directed acyclic graphs in which directed edges connect every location to all of its neighbours within a predetermined radius. We prove that any radial-neighbour Gaussian process can accurately approximate the corresponding unrestricted Gaussian process in the Wasserstein-2 distance, with an error rate determined by the approximation radius, the spatial covariance function and the spatial dispersion of samples. We offer further empirical validation of our approach via applications on simulated and real-world data, showing excellent performance in both prior and posterior approximations to the original Gaussian process.
Diuretic prescriptions in the first year of haemodialysis: international practice patterns and associations with outcomes
Authors: Tabibzadeh Nahid , Wang Dongyu , Karaboyas Angelo , Schaeffner Elke , Jacobson Stefan H , Vega Almudena , Nitta Kosaku , Bieber Brian , Pecoits-Filho Roberto , Torres Pablo Antonio Ureña
Published: June 2024

Background

The use of diuretics in patients on haemodialysis (HD) is thought to maintain diuresis. However, this assumption and the optimal dose are based on little scientific evidence, and associations with clinical outcomes are unclear.

Methods

We reported international variations in diuretic use and loop diuretic dose across 27 759 HD patients with dialysis vintage <1 year in the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study phases 2–5 (2002–2015), a prospective cohort study. Doses of torsemide (4:1) and bumetanide (80:1) were converted to oral furosemide-equivalent doses. Adjusted Cox, logistic and linear regressions were used to investigate the association of diuretic use and dose with outcomes.

Results

Diuretic utilization varied widely by country at vintage <3 months, ranging from >80% in Germany and Sweden to <35% in the USA, at a median dose ranging from 400–500 mg/day in Germany and Sweden to <100 mg/day in Japan and the USA. Neither diuretic use nor higher doses were associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality, a higher risk of hospitalization for fracture or elevated parathyroid hormone levels, but the prescription of higher doses (>200 mg/day) was associated with a higher risk of all-cause hospitalization.

Conclusions

Substantial international differences exist in diuretic prescriptions, with use and doses much higher in some European countries than the USA. The prescription and higher doses of loop diuretics was not associated with improved outcomes.
Are We Adding Pain-Free Years to Life? A Test of Compression Versus Expansion of Morbidity
Authors: Zimmer Zachary , Sun Feinuo , Duynisveld Amber
Published: June 2024

Background

There has been debate regarding whether increases in longevity result in longer and healthier lives or more disease and suffering. To address the issue, this study uses health expectancy methods and tests an expansion versus compression of morbidity with respect to pain.

Methods

Data are from 1993 to 2018 Health and Retirement Study. Pain is categorized as no pain, nonlimiting, and limiting pain. Multistate life tables examine 77 996 wave-to-wave transitions across pain states or death using the Stochastic Population Analysis for Complex Events program. Results are presented as expected absolute and relative years of life for 70-, 80-, and 90-year-old men and women. Confidence intervals assess significance of differences over time. Population- and status-based results are presented.

Results

For those 70 and 80 years old, relative and absolute life with nonlimiting and limiting pain increased substantially for men and women, and despite variability on a wave-to-wave basis, results generally confirm an expanding pain morbidity trend. Results do not vary by baseline status, indicating those already in pain are just as likely to experience expansion of morbidity as those pain-free at baseline. Results are different for 90-year-olds who have not experienced expanding pain morbidity and do not show an increase in life expectancy.

Conclusions

Findings are consistent with extant literature indicating increasing pain prevalence among older Americans and portend a need for attention to pain-coping resources, therapies, and prevention strategies.
An iterative weighted least-square fitting method for crustal anisotropy using receiver functions
Authors: Ji Cong , Huang Zhouchuan
Published: June 2024

The harmonic variation of the P-to-S converted phases (i.e. Pms) observed from receiver functions (RFs) includes information on crustal azimuthal anisotropy. However, this harmonic analysis is easily influenced by low-quality RF traces, and the measurements may be misleading. Here, we propose an improved method, named the iterative weighted least-square method (IWLS), to extract the splitting parameters of the crust and simultaneously retrieve the two- and four-lobed components of backazimuthal variation. The quality and weights of different RF traces are estimated properly in the IWLS method. The weight function is related to the sharpness of the Pms phase and the smearing of other signals. We conduct many synthetic tests, and the IWLS method provides stable measurements for poor backazimuthal coverage, strong noise, weak P-wave azimuthal anisotropy and multiple anisotropic layers. We apply the IWLS method to observational data from two temporary stations on the southeastern Tibetan Plateau and North China Craton, respectively. The measurements are comparable to previous results and provide insight into crustal deformation.
Graph-learning approach to combine multiresolution seismic velocity models
Authors: Zhou Zheng , Gerstoft Peter , Olsen Kim
Published: June 2024

The resolution of velocity models obtained by tomography varies due to multiple factors and variables, such as the inversion approach, ray coverage, data quality, etc. Combining velocity models with different resolutions can enable more accurate ground motion simulations. Toward this goal, we present a novel methodology to fuse multiresolution seismic velocity maps with probabilistic graphical models (PGMs). The PGMs provide segmentation results, corresponding to various velocity intervals, in seismic velocity models with different resolutions. Further, by considering physical information (such as ray path density), we introduce physics-informed probabilistic graphical models (PIPGMs). These models provide data-driven relations between subdomains with low (LR) and high (HR) resolutions. Transferring (segmented) distribution information from the HR regions enhances the details in the LR regions by solving a maximum likelihood problem with prior knowledge from HR models. When updating areas bordering HR and LR regions, a patch-scanning policy is adopted to consider local patterns and avoid sharp boundaries. To evaluate the efficacy of the proposed PGM fusion method, we tested the fusion approach on both a synthetic checkerboard model and a fault zone structure imaged from the 2019 Ridgecrest, CA, earthquake sequence. The Ridgecrest fault zone image consists of a shallow (top 1 km) high-resolution shear-wave velocity model obtained from ambient noise tomography, which is embedded into the coarser Statewide California Earthquake Center Community Velocity Model version S4.26-M01. The model efficacy is underscored by the deviation between observed and calculated traveltimes along the boundaries between HR and LR regions, 38 per cent less than obtained by conventional Gaussian interpolation. The proposed PGM fusion method can merge any gridded multiresolution velocity model, a valuable tool for computational seismology and ground motion estimation.
Enhancing slime mould algorithm for engineering optimization: leveraging covariance matrix adaptation and best position management
Authors: Huang Jinpeng , Chen Yi , Heidari Ali Asghar , Liu Lei , Chen Huiling , Liang Guoxi
Published: June 2024

The slime mould algorithm (SMA), as an emerging and promising swarm intelligence algorithm, has been studied in various fields. However, SMA suffers from issues such as easily getting trapped in local optima and slow convergence, which pose challenges when applied to practical problems. Therefore, this study proposes an improved SMA, named HESMA, by incorporating the covariance matrix adaptation evolution strategy (CMA-ES) and storing the best position of each individual (SBP). On one hand, CMA-ES enhances the algorithm’s local exploration capability, addressing the issue of the algorithm being unable to explore the vicinity of the optimal solution. On the other hand, SBP enhances the convergence speed of the algorithm and prevents it from diverging to other inferior solutions. Finally, to validate the effectiveness of our proposed algorithm, this study conducted experiments on 30 IEEE CEC 2017 benchmark functions and compared HESMA with 12 conventional metaheuristic algorithms. The results demonstrated that HESMA indeed achieved improvements over SMA. Furthermore, to highlight the performance of HESMA further, this study compared it with 13 advanced algorithms, and the results showed that HESMA outperformed these advanced algorithms significantly. Next, this study applied HESMA to five engineering optimization problems, and the experimental results revealed that HESMA exhibited significant advantages in solving real-world engineering optimization problems. These findings further support the effectiveness and practicality of our algorithm in addressing complex engineering design challenges.
Many-objective artificial hummingbird algorithm: an effective many-objective algorithm for engineering design problems
Authors: Kalita Kanak , Jangir Pradeep , Pandya Sundaram B , Čep Robert , Abualigah Laith , Migdady Hazem , Daoud Mohammad Sh
Published: June 2024

Many-objective optimization presents unique challenges in balancing diversity and convergence of solutions. Traditional approaches struggle with this balance, leading to suboptimal solution distributions in the objective space especially at higher number of objectives. This necessitates the need for innovative strategies to adeptly manage these complexities. This study introduces a Many-Objective Artificial Hummingbird Algorithm (MaOAHA), an advanced evolutionary algorithm designed to overcome the limitations of existing many-objective optimization methods. The objectives are to improve convergence rates, maintain solution diversity, and achieve a uniform distribution in the objective space. MaOAHA implements information feedback mechanism (IFM), reference point-based selection and association, non-dominated sorting, and niche preservation. The IFM utilizes historical data from previous generations to inform the update process, thereby improving the algorithm’s the exploration and exploitation capabilities. Reference point-based selection, along with non-dominated sorting, ensures solutions are both close to the Pareto front and evenly spread in the objective space. Niche preservation and density estimation strategies are employed to maintain diversity and prevent overcrowding. The comprehensive experimental analysis benchmarks MaOAHA against four leading algorithms viz. Many-Objective Gradient-Based Optimizer, Many-Objective Particle Swarm Optimizer, Reference Vector Guided Evolutionary Algorithm, and Nondominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm III. The DTLZ1–DTLZ7 benchmark sets with four, six, and eight objectives and five real-world problems (RWMaOP1–RWMaOP5) are considered for performance assessment of the selected algorithms. The results demonstrate that internal parameter-free MaOAHA significantly outperforms its counterparts, achieving better generational distance by up to 52.38%, inverse generational distance by up to 38.09%, spacing by up to 56%, spread by up to 71.42%, hypervolume by up to 44%, and runtime by up to 52%. These metrics affirm the MaOAHA’s capability to enhance the decision-making processes through its adept balance of convergence, diversity, and uniformity.
The state of cancer-focused community outreach and engagement (COE): reflections of Black COE directors
Authors: Thompson Hayley S , Ashing Kimlin Tam , Barrett Nadine J , Baskin Monica L , Carter-Bawa Lisa , Nolan Timiya S , Odedina Folakemi T , Rhoads Kim F , Sheppard Vanessa B , Zeigler-Johnson Charnita
Published: June 2024

The requirement of community outreach and engagement (COE) as a major component of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Cancer Center Support Grant has had an enormous impact on the way NCI-designated cancer centers identify, investigate, and address the needs of their catchment area (CA) communities. Given the wide-ranging diversity of our nation, COE’s scope of work (SOW) is extremely demanding and complex. Yet, COE is often marginalized and viewed as void of scientific methods when, in fact, it requires specialized scientific knowledge and a broad range of proficiencies. Black COE scientific directors may be particularly attuned to this marginalization as they have often confronted workplace inequities that resemble the health inequities observed within their cancer center’s CA. Thus, Black COE leaders are uniquely positioned to offer insight on the past, present, and future of COE. Key areas discussed include the low involvement of minoritized group members and those with appropriate expertise in national COE leadership; the lack of established, consistent criteria for evaluation of COE components and qualifications of evaluators; the need for substantial financial investment in COE; potential misalignment of community priorities and cancer center objectives; professional development and growth of COE staff and leaders; the expanding scope of COE across their respective cancer centers and CAs; and the need for center-wide involvement in COE and an “all-hands-on-deck” approach. These areas warrant thoughtful dialogue as COE evolves, for the benefit and success of all COE leaders. However, this dialogue must include diverse voices representing similarly diverse stakeholders at every level.
Neither Mergers nor Cartels: Innovation Networks and Competition Law
Authors: Groza Teodora , Perrin Etienne
Published: June 2024

Organization theorists and innovation economists have been arguing for the past few decades that the locus of research and development activities has gradually moved away from vertically integrated firms to inter-firm alliances. In industries as diverse as construction and biotechnology, cooperation for innovation has given rise to collaborative forms of industrial organization varying from bilateral alliances to networks. Nonetheless, the EU competition law framework opens up limited space for inter-firm collaborations, cabined by the efficiency test of Article 101(3) TFEU and the requirements of the horizontal block exemption regulations. Building on this misfit, this article makes two contributions. First, a theoretical one, arguing that the law’s cautious approach to inter-firm collaboration is rooted in a binary vision of industrial organization which recognizes only firms and markets as modes of organizing production. Second, an explanatory one, showing how the 2023 Research & Development Block Exemption Regulation falls short of facilitating inter-firm collaborations for innovation and proposing fine-tuning suggestions.
Damage creep model and application for sandy mudstone considering the effect of immersion deterioration
Authors: Ma Zhitao , Liu Wenhu , Xu Hanwen , Huo Yujia , Wang Yipeng , Li Shunhai
Published: June 2024

Aiming at the problem of performance degradation and large deformation of sandy mudstone after immersion in water, the compression test is carried out. The damage and deterioration law of strength and elastic modulus of immersed rock mass is analyzed, and the function relationship between rock damage variable and soaking time is obtained by fitting. Combined with the Hoek-Brown criterion and Mohr-Coulomb criterion, the calculation method of instantaneous cohesion and instantaneous internal friction angle of damaged rock mass is derived based on the tangent method, and the equivalent Mohr-Coulomb criterion which can effectively characterize the nonlinear strength characteristics of damaged rock mass is given. Based on the built-in creep model Cvisc of Flac3D, a damage creep model is given by introducing the damage factor and nonlinear strength criterion of immersed rock mass, which is more suitable for describing the creep characteristics of immersed sandy mudstone. The validity of the model is verified by comparing with the measured results.
Sex-specific strategies of resource utilization and determining mechanisms of Hippophae rhamnoides in response to community succession
Authors: Fan Baoli , Gao Pengfei , Tian Tingting , Ding Nana , Wan Yongkuan , Zhou Xianhui
Published: June 2024

The dioecious plant, Hippophae rhamnoides, is a pioneer species in community succession on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP), plays great roles in various ecosystem services. However, the males and females of the species differ both in their morphology and physiology, resulting in a change in the ratio of male to female plants depending on the environment. To further explore the functional traits critical to this sex-based distinctive response in the alpine grassland, we have surveyed the sex ratios, measured their photosynthetic parameters, height, leaf area and biomass allocation. The results showed that (i) The males had higher Pn, light saturation point, apparent quantum efficiency, Amax and lower water-use efficiency (WUE), which exhibited higher utilization efficiency or tolerance to strong light, while the females indicated higher utilization efficiency for low light and water. And it showed sex-specific biomass allocation patterns. (ii) H. rhamnoides populations across the successional stages all showed a male-biased sexual allocation, which was closely related to sex-specific WUE, Pn, root biomass/total biomass and root–crown ratio. (iii) The leaf traits of H. rhamnoides changed from higher Narea, Parea and leaf mass per area in the early and late to lower in the middle, which meant they moved their growth strategy from resource rapid acquisition to conservation as the succession progressed. (iv) The increasing soil total phosphorus mostly contributed to regulating the sex bias of populations and variations of traits during the succession. The results are vital for the management of grassland degradation and restoration due to shrub encroachment on the QTP.
Shining light on plant growth: recent insights into phytochrome-interacting factors
Authors: Cai Xingbo , Huq Enamul
Published: June 2024

Light serves as a pivotal environmental cue regulating various aspects of plant growth and development, including seed germination, seedling de-etiolation, and shade avoidance. Within this regulatory framework, the basic helix–loop–helix transcription factors known as phytochrome-interacting factors (PIFs) play an essential role in orchestrating responses to light stimuli. Phytochromes, acting as red/far-red light receptors, initiate a cascade of events leading to the degradation of PIFs (except PIF7), thereby triggering transcriptional reprogramming to facilitate photomorphogenesis. Recent research has unveiled multiple post-translational modifications that regulate the abundance and/or activity of PIFs, including phosphorylation, dephosphorylation, ubiquitination, deubiquitination, and SUMOylation. Moreover, intriguing findings indicate that PIFs can influence chromatin modifications. These include modulation of histone 3 lysine 9 acetylation (H3K9ac), as well as occupancy of histone variants such as H2A.Z (associated with gene repression) and H3.3 (associated with gene activation), thereby intricately regulating downstream gene expression in response to environmental cues. This review summarizes recent advances in understanding the role of PIFs in regulating various signaling pathways, with a major focus on photomorphogenesis.