bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unit combination problem of counting and DC bipolar blocking and dynamic voltage stabilization under a new power system
Authors: Hua Wen , Wang Bowen , Zheng Xiang , Yao Huangfu , Dong Wei
Published: November 2022

With the construction of new power systems a large number of DC transmission technologies are applied, but the ensuing DC blocking problem brings new challenges for the combination of units in the intranet. Considering the unit combination problem of DC bipolar blocking and dynamic voltage stability occurring in the intranet under different load levels of high, medium and low is divided into two steps: selecting the unit combination that meets the load boundary under static constraints such as N-1 fault state constraint and network security under the occurrence of DC bipolar blocking; and then checking whether the low-voltage load shedding device does not operate to meet dynamic voltage stability on this basis. This unit combination method considers the impact on dynamic voltage stability while satisfying the DC bipolar lockout standby capacity, and verifies the effectiveness of the proposed model by simulation analysis using PSD-BPA software based on the large operation mode of Zhejiang summer in 2022.
Fast microwave calibration system for cryogenic device characterization
Authors: Chen Yong , Duan Peng , Jia Zhi-long , Yang Xin-xin , Zhang Chi , Kong Wei-cheng , Li Hai-Ou , Cao Gang , Guo Guo-Ping
Published: November 2022

We designed a calibration system to characterize the performance of microwave devices at low temperatures. This system comprises an in-situ calibration circuit and an adapted thru-reflect-line calibration algorithm, with which we can transfer the reference ports from room temperature to cryogenic temperature with high precision. We validated the circuit and the algorithm at room temperature with better than 0.9 dB accuracy. In addition, we demonstrated how we can extract the actual S
21 of a 20 dB attenuator and a high pass filter at 20 mK using this calibration system. The calibration bandwidth of this system covers from 4.1 GHz to 18 GHz. The requirement that the phase difference between line and thru be greater than 20°determines the lower frequency limit, and the maximum operational frequency of the microwave switch determines the upper frequency limit. This system can be used for fast and accurate analysis of various cryogenic devices such as filters and amplifiers.
Commissioning of the readout chain of the CBM Projectile Spectator Detector at FAIR
Authors: Finogeev D. , Guber F. , Karpushkin N. , Makhnev A. , Morozov S. , Serebryakov D.
Published: November 2022

The forward hadron calorimeter Projectile Spectator Detector (PSD) will be used at the CBM experiment at FAIR to measure the nucleus-nucleus collision centrality and orientation of the reaction plane. The PSD is a sampling lead/scintillator calorimeter with modular transverse structure and longitudinal segmentation of modules. Light readout from all sections of each module is provided by Hamamatsu MicroPixel Photon Counters installed at the rear of the module. The full chain of the Front-End and readout electronics of one PSD module — mPSD has been assembled, integrated into mCBM (mini-CBM) trigger-less data acquisition system and tested at mCBM test runs in Summer 2021. The PSD Front-End and readout electronics integration into mCBM within the common synchronized CBM data transport system is discussed.
Quantifying the effects of the ‘Internet plus Ecology’ framework on carbon sink in the digital age: a representative study of Ant Forest in China
Authors: Wang Nan , Hou Wenjuan , Zhang Xueliang , Wang Zihui , Yang Linsheng
Published: November 2022

Ecological afforestation is a positive measure to increase the absorption of carbon dioxide and curb global warming. Ant Forest, a successful example of an ‘Internet + voluntary tree planting’ gamified app with more than 500 million users, has contributed to substantial progress on ecological afforestation in China. It represents a new model of transforming the environmental awareness and low-carbon actions of users (e.g. walking, sharing bikes, and reducing plastics and papers) into actual environmental benefits via planting trees. The implications of Ant Forest can provide useful references for linking ecosystem restoration with the internet worldwide. However, the spatial distribution and quantitative effects on the carbon sink of Ant Forest on a finer scale are not fully understood. In this study, 588 Ant Forest blocks with a total area of 136 314 ha were identified based on area of interest data using the web crawler approach. The forest blocks involved 20 cities in 7 provinces and included 11 varieties of trees. More than 90% of these forest blocks were located in Inner Mongolia, Qinghai, and Gansu Provinces, and mostly shrubs were planted. Based on the Carnegie Ames Stanford approach model, the net primary productivity (NPP) of Ant Forest blocks was estimated. The simulated total annual NPP of all Ant Forest areas was 1.06 × 1011 gC, and an obvious increasing trend in NPP from 2016 to 2020 was observed, indicating effective carbon sequestration. We found that Hippophae rhamnoides and Caragana korshinskii had carbon sink advantages over other shrubs due to their higher NPP values per unit area. By strengthening individuals’ low-carbon awareness for reducing carbon emissions and increasing forest NPP to enhance the carbon sink, Ant Forest uses a representative and inspirational ‘Internet plus Ecology’ framework that has much significance for achieving carbon neutrality in China and tackling global climate change.
Offshore wind resource assessment by characterizing weather regimes based on self-organizing map
Authors: Yang Shangshang , Yuan Huiling , Dong Li
Published: November 2022

As offshore wind power is continuously integrated into the electric power systems in around the world, it is critical to understand its variability. Weather regimes (WRs) can provide meteorological explanations for fluctuations in wind power. Instead of relying on traditional large-scale circulation WRs, this study focuses on assessing the dependency of wind resources on WRs in the tailored region clustered based on the finer spatial scale. For this purpose, we have applied self-organizing map algorithm to cluster atmospheric circulations over the South China Sea (SCS) and characterized wind resources for the classified WRs. Results show that WRs at mesoscale can effectively capture weather systems driving wind power production variability, especially on multi-day timescale. Capacity factor reconstruction during four seasons illustrates that WRs highly influence most areas in winter and southern part of SCS in summer, and WRs can serve as a critical source of predicting the potential of wind resources. In addition, we further qualify the wind power intermittency and complementarity under different WRs, which have not been assessed associated with WRs. During WRs with changeable atmosphere conditions, the high complementarity over coastal areas can reduce the impact of intermittency on wind power generation. The proposed approach is able to be implemented in any region and may benefit wind resource evaluation and characterization.
The Lax operator fixed under the additional symmetries of the extended Toda hierarchy
Authors: Cox Bryant , Sisson Blake
Published: November 2022

Additional symmetries of the extended bigraded Toda hierarchy were introduced by Bakalov and Wheeless. We describe properties of a Lax operator fixed under these additional symmetries and determine the unique such Lax operator in the special case of the extended Toda hierarchy (ETH). We further present differential equations for the wave functions and their general solutions that hint at a possible connection to the bispectral problem. Based on these solutions, we highlight a correspondence between the wave functions. Finally, we find the form of a tau function for our Lax operator and compute a second solution to the ETH by applying a Darboux transformation presented by Li and Song.
Generalized Bose–Fermi mapping and strong coupling ansatz wavefunction for one dimensional strongly interacting spinor quantum gases
Authors: Yang Li , Alam Shah Saad , Pu Han
Published: November 2022

Quantum many-body systems in one dimension (1D) exhibit some peculiar properties. In this article, we review some of our work on strongly interacting 1D spinor quantum gas. First, we discuss a generalized Bose–Fermi mapping that maps the charge degrees of freedom to a spinless Fermi gas and the spin degrees of freedom to a spin chain model. This also maps the strongly interacting system into a weakly interacting one, which is amenable for perturbative calculations. Next, based on this mapping, we construct an ansatz wavefunction for the strongly interacting system, using which many physical quantities can be conveniently calculated. We showcase the usage of this ansatz wavefunction by considering the collective excitations and quench dynamics of a harmonically trapped system.
On correlations and fluctuations of time-averaged densities and currents with general time-dependence
Authors: Dieball Cai , Godec Aljaž
Published: November 2022

We present technical results required for the description and understanding of correlations and fluctuations of the empirical density and current as well as diverse time-integrated and time-averaged thermodynamic currents of diffusion processes with a general time dependence on all time scales. In particular, we generalize the results from Dieball and Godec (2022 Phys. Rev. Lett.
129 140601); Dieball and Godec (2022 Phys. Rev. Res.
4 033243); Dieball and Godec (2022 arXiv:2206.04034 [cond-mat.stat-mech]) to additive functionals with explicit time dependence and transient or non-ergodic overdamped diffusion. As an illustration we apply the results to two-dimensional harmonically confined overdamped diffusion in a rotational flow evolving from a non-stationary initial distribution.
Characterization of pores in polished low temperature co-fired glass-ceramic composites for optimization of their micromachining
Authors: Bartsch Heike , Lubov Maksim , Kharlamov Vladimir , Jiménez Juan Jesús , Morales Francisco Miguel , Pezoldt Jörg
Published: November 2022

Pores are intrinsic defects of ceramic composites and influence their functional properties significantly. Their characterization is therefore a pivotal task in material and process optimization. It is demonstrated that polished section analysis allows for obtaining precise information on pore size, shape, area fraction, and homogeneous distribution. It is proven that laser scanning microscopy provides accurate height maps and is thus an appropriate technique for assessing surface features. Such data is used to compare areas with good and poor polishing results, and various surface parameters are evaluated in terms of their informative value and data processing effort. The material under investigation is a low temperature co-fired ceramic composite. Through statistical analysis of the data, the inclination angle was identified as an appropriate parameter to describe the polishing result. By using masked data, direct conclusions can be drawn about the leveling of load-bearing surface areas, which are crucial in photolithographic processing steps and bonding technology. A broad discussion of different defects based on the results contributes to a critical analysis of the potentials and obstacles of micromachining of low temperature cofired ceramic substrates.
Diagnostics of laser-induced plasma on carbon-based polymer material using atomic and molecular emission spectra
Authors: PETROVIĆ Jelena , RANKOVIĆ Dragan , KUZMANOVIĆ Miroslav , SAVOVIĆ Jelena , KIRIS Vasili , NEVAR Alena , NEDELKO Mikhail , TARASENKO Nikolai
Published: November 2022

Time-integrated optical emission analysis of laser-induced plasma on Teflon is presented. Plasma was induced under atmospheric pressure air using transversely excited atmospheric CO2 laser pulses. Teflon is a C-based polymer that is, among other things, interesting as a substrate for laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy analysis of liquid samples. This study aimed to determine the optimal experimental conditions for obtaining neutral and ionized C spectral lines and C2 and CN molecular band emission suitable for spectrochemical purposes. Evaluation of plasma parameters was done using several spectroscopic techniques. Stark profiles of appropriate C ionic lines were used to determine electron number density. The ratio of the integral intensity of ionic-to-atomic C spectral lines was used to determine the ionization temperature. A spectral emission of C2 Swan and CN violet bands system was used to determine the temperature of the colder, peripheral parts of plasma. We critically analyzed the use of molecular emission bands as a tool for plasma diagnostics and suggested methods for possible improvements.
Design of a multibeam metasurface antenna for LEO satellite communications payload
Authors: Chesnitskiy A V , Kosmynin A N , Kosmynina K N , Lemberg K V
Published: November 2022

In this paper, we propose a novel method for synthesizing a multibeam metasurface antenna (MSA) for use in a space application - a payload component of a small satellite as part of a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication constellation. MSA is synthesized using the holographic technique with a divergent phase distribution. Using this method, a low-cost multi-beam Ku-band antenna with seven flattened beams is developed. The results of the numerical simulation and experimental study of the proposed seven-beam MSA were presented. The gain of each beam is about 25 dBi, the aperture efficiency of the MSA is ∼40%. Each individual beam had a separate feed point and its own inclination angle (0°, ±3.5°, ±7°, ±10.5°). This paper shows that the presented MSA is not inferior in its characteristics to similar solutions, but is more compact and lighter, and also allows the formation of complex radiation patterns.
Broadband nanoplasmonic photodetector fabricated in ambient condition
Authors: Banerjee Debika , Asuo Ivy , Fortier François-Xavier , Pignolet Alain , Cloutier Sylvain G
Published: November 2022

Surface plasmon are widely used to promote the exciton generation and light absorption in solar cells and photodetectors. In this work, a feasible approach for UV–vis-NIR photodetection using plasmon-enhanced silicon nanowires (SiNWs) and amorphous TiO2 heterostructure is presented. The photodetector shows excellent photo response up to 3.3 orders of magnitude enhancement with rise/decay times of 77/51 μs. Under small external bias (1V), the photodetector exhibits very high responsivity up to 49 A W−1 over a broadband wavelength range from 300–1100 nm. All the experimental procedures are performed at room temperature in ambient conditions. Its simple fabrication route and excellent performance make this photodetector distinct from similar architectures. Our finding offers new opportunities to engineer plasmon-based nanostructures in chemical sensors, optoelectronics and nanophotonic devices and applications.
Mechanisms of imbalanced frontostriatal functional connectivity in obsessive-compulsive disorder
Authors: Naze Sebastien , Hearne Luke J , Roberts James A , Sanz-Leon Paula , Burgher Bjorn , Hall Caitlin , Sonkusare Saurabh , Nott Zoie , Marcus Leo , Savage Emma , Robinson Conor , Tian Ye Ella , Zalesky Andrew , Breakspear Michael , Cocchi Luca
Published: November 2022

The diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has been linked with changes in frontostriatal resting-state connectivity. However, replication of prior findings is lacking, and the mechanistic understanding of these effects is incomplete. To confirm and advance knowledge on changes in frontostriatal functional connectivity in OCD, participants with OCD and matched healthy controls underwent resting-state functional, structural and diffusion neuroimaging.

Functional connectivity changes in frontostriatal systems were here replicated in individuals with OCD (n = 52) compared with controls (n = 45). OCD participants showed greater functional connectivity (t = 4.3, PFWE = 0.01) between the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) and the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) but lower functional connectivity between the dorsal putamen and lateral prefrontal cortex (t = 3.8, PFWE = 0.04) relative to controls. Computational modelling suggests that NAcc-OFC connectivity changes reflect an increased influence of NAcc over OFC activity and reduced OFC influence over NAcc activity (posterior probability, Pp > 0.66). Conversely, dorsal putamen showed reduced modulation over lateral prefrontal cortex activity (Pp > 0.90). These functional deregulations emerged on top of a generally intact anatomical substrate.

We provide out-of-sample replication of opposite changes in ventro-anterior and dorso-posterior frontostriatal connectivity in OCD and advance the understanding of the neural underpinnings of these functional perturbations. These findings inform the development of targeted therapies normalizing frontostriatal dynamics in OCD.
Brief intensive social gaze training reorganizes functional brain connectivity in boys with fragile X syndrome
Authors: Saggar Manish , Bruno Jennifer L , Hall Scott S
Published: November 2022

Boys with fragile X syndrome (FXS), the leading known genetic cause of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), demonstrate significant impairments in social gaze and associated weaknesses in communication, social interaction, and other areas of adaptive functioning. Little is known, however, concerning the impact of behavioral treatments for these behaviors on functional brain connectivity in this population. As part of a larger study, boys with FXS (mean age 13.23 ± 2.31 years) and comparison boys with ASD (mean age 12.15 ± 2.76 years) received resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans prior to and following social gaze training administered by a trained behavior therapist in our laboratory. Network-agnostic connectome-based predictive modeling of pretreatment resting-state functional connectivity data revealed a set of positive (FXS > ASD) and negative (FXS < ASD) edges that differentiated the groups significantly and consistently across all folds of cross-validation. Following administration of the brief training, the FXS and ASD groups demonstrated reorganization of connectivity differences. The divergence in the spatial pattern of reorganization response, based on functional connectivity differences pretreatment, suggests a unique pattern of response to treatment in the FXS and ASD groups. These results provide further support for implementing targeted behavioral treatments to ameliorate syndrome-specific behavioral features in FXS.
Temperature Effects on the Survival and Development of Two Pest Bark BeetlesHylurgus ligniperdaF. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) andHylastes aterPaykull (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
Authors: Pugh Andrew R , Romo Cecilia M , Clare Graeme K , Meurisse Nicolas , Bader Martin K F , Pawson Stephen M
Published: November 2022

Hylurgus ligniperda (F.) and Hylastes ater (Paykull) are secondary bark beetles that have successfully spread beyond their native range, particularly into Pinus spp. plantations in the Southern Hemisphere. They feed on the phloem and cambial regions of highly stressed and recently dead Pinus spp. Here H. ligniperda and H. ater egg, larval, and pupal survival and development rates were modeled. Survival was variably influenced by temperatures depending on the life stage, but general trends were for H. ligniperda to tolerate warmer temperatures in comparison to H. ater. Nonlinear models showed 26, 29, and 34°C are the optimal temperature (maximum development rates) for the development of eggs, larvae, and pupae of H. ligniperda. In contrast, optimal temperature predictions were lower for H. ater, with estimates of 26, 22, and 23°C for the development of eggs, larvae, and pupae, respectively. H. ligniperda pre-imaginal stages were more tolerant to high temperatures, and H. ater pre-imaginal stages were more tolerant to low temperatures. Understanding the thermal requirements and limits for development for these two pests can assist in modeling emergence times, their current and potential species distribution and have potential phytosanitary applications.
Multifactorial effects of outpatient cardiac rehabilitation in patients with heart failure: a nationwide retrospective cohort study
Authors: Kanaoka Koshiro , Iwanaga Yoshitaka , Nakai Michikazu , Nishioka Yuichi , Myojin Tomoya , Kubo Shinichiro , Okada Katsuki , Noda Tatsuya , Sakata Yasushi , Miyamoto Yoshihiro , Saito Yoshihiko , Imamura Tomoaki
Published: November 2022

Aims

Although cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a strongly recommended therapy, no large study has assessed the effects of outpatient CR in patients with heart failure (HF) in real-world settings. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the multifactorial effects of outpatient CR in patients with HF using a nationwide database.

Methods and results

This nationwide retrospective cohort study was performed using the National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups of Japan. Patients with acute HF who underwent inpatient CR between April 2014 and March 2020 were included. The association between outpatient CR participation and all-cause mortality, rehospitalization for HF, use of medical resources, and medical costs was analysed using propensity score matching analysis. Of 250 528 patients, 17 884 (7.1%) underwent outpatient CR. After propensity score matching, the CR (+) group was associated with a reduction in the risk of all-cause mortality [hazard ratio (HR): 0.64, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.60–0.68, P < 0.001] and rehospitalization for HF compared with the CR (−) group (HR: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.82–0.92, P < 0.001). The proportion of guideline-based medication use for HF at 1 year was higher in the CR (+) group than in the CR (−) group. The total medical costs from the index hospitalization to 1.5 years after admission were similar between the groups.

Conclusion

Outpatient CR participation after discharge from HF was associated with reduced mortality and rehospitalization for HF without increasing medical costs.
An in vitro whole-cell electrophysiology dataset of human cortical neurons
Authors: Howard Derek , Chameh Homeira Moradi , Guet-McCreight Alexandre , Hsiao Huan Allen , Vuong Maggie , Seo Young Seok , Shah Prajay , Nigam Anukrati , Chen Yuxiao , Davie Melanie , Hay Etay , Valiante Taufik A , Tripathy Shreejoy J
Published: November 2022

Background

Whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology is an essential technique for understanding how single neurons translate their diverse inputs into a functional output. The relative inaccessibility of live human cortical neurons for experimental manipulation has made it difficult to determine the unique features of how human cortical neurons differ from their counterparts in other species.

Findings

We present a curated repository of whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from surgically resected human cortical tissue, encompassing 118 neurons from 35 individuals (age range, 21–59 years; 17 male, 18 female). Recorded human cortical neurons derive from layers 2 and 3 (L2&3), deep layer 3 (L3c), or layer 5 (L5) and are annotated with a rich set of subject and experimental metadata. For comparison, we also provide a limited set of comparable recordings from 21-day-old mice (11 cells from 5 mice). All electrophysiological recordings are provided in the Neurodata Without Borders (NWB) format and are available for further analysis via the Distributed Archives for Neurophysiology Data Integration online repository. The associated data conversion code is made publicly available and can help others in converting electrophysiology datasets to the open NWB standard for general reuse.

Conclusion

These data can be used for novel analyses of biophysical characteristics of human cortical neurons, including in cross-species or cross-lab comparisons or in building computational models of individual human neurons.
Neighborhood factors associated with leisure-time physical activity in a Brazilian city
Authors: da Silva Fernanda Maria Oliveira , Longo Giana Zarbato , de Camargo Anice Milbratz , Fiates Giovanna Medeiros Rataichesck , Pessoa Milene Cristine
Published: November 2022

The purpose of this study was to estimate the association between environmental variables and leisure-time physical activity levels in an adult population of a medium-sized city in Brazil. This is a cross-sectional study with a sample of 965 adults (20–59 years). Individual, socioeconomic, demographic and behavioral data were obtained through a population-based survey. Environmental data were collected through direct observation and subsequently georeferenced. The outcome variable was leisure-time physical activity level, dichotomized as insufficiently active (<150 min/week) and active (≥150 min/week). Physical activity-related facilities were categorized as public or private, and food outlets as healthy, unhealthy or mixed. Monthly per capita income and crime rate by census tract were used to categorize the social environment. Statistical analysis was performed using binary logistic regression (generalized estimating equation models). A direct association was found between the availability of public (adjusted OR = 2.16; 95% CI = 1.44–3.25) and private (adjusted OR = 1.21; 95% CI = 1.02–1.44) physical activity facilities in the census tract and leisure-time physical activity. A greater availability of mixed food establishments was associated with higher leisure-time physical activity levels (adjusted OR = 1.10; 95% CI = 1.004–1.22). Environmental characteristics can contribute together to leisure-time physical activity and could be the focus of policies aimed at promoting physical activity in middle-income countries.
Spawning Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.) exposed to noise from seismic airguns do not abandon their spawning site
Authors: McQueen Kate , Meager Justin J , Nyqvist Daniel , Skjæraasen Jon Egil , Olsen Esben Moland , Karlsen Ørjan , Kvadsheim Petter H , Handegard Nils Olav , Forland Tonje Nesse , Sivle Lise Doksæter
Published: November 2022

Seismic airgun surveys may disturb and displace fish at large ranges. If such displacement causes fish to abandon spawning grounds, reproductive success could be impacted. To investigate whether airgun sound causes cod (Gadus morhua L.) to leave their spawning grounds, acoustic telemetry arrays were deployed on two cod spawning grounds: a test and a reference site. From 2019 to 2021, 136 mature cod from the test site and 45 from the reference site were tagged with acoustic transmitters. Intermittent seismic shooting of two 40 in.3 airguns for 1 week during the spawning periods of 2020–2021 resulted in fluctuating sound exposure levels (SEL) at the test site, comparable to a full-scale industrial survey 5–>40 km away. Residency and survival of tagged cod were analysed with capture–mark–recapture models fitted to the detection and recapture data. Departure rate of the mature cod varied between spawning seasons but was similar between the test and reference sites. Neither survival nor departure significantly differed between seismic exposure and baseline periods. The results indicated that exposure to airguns at received SEL of up to ∼145 dB re 1 µPa2 s, comparable to a seismic survey occurring several kilometres away, did not displace tagged cod from spawning grounds.
Dear Editor: Critically Engaging with Global Issues and Developing Arguments in a Letter to the Editor Assignment
Authors: Robertson Justin
Published: November 2022

This study presents a teaching experiment in which students composed a letter to the editor that drew on political economy analysis with an impressive 40 percent publication rate in a major Asian newspaper. In contrast to a purely mock exercise, or the submission of op-ed pieces with a much lower chance of being published, this activity offered students the opportunity to communicate their positions to the community. Instructors must be attuned to privacy concerns and the article appraises the advantages and disadvantages of four approaches to public writing. Results from a questionnaire and focus groups indicated that this short-form writing helped students to construct a single argument, broaden their global outlook, critically assess media information, and develop a more concise writing style. However, some students struggled to connect their letter to the course content. The article thus ends by proposing ways that the assignment may be modified, such as linking letters to another assignment, supporting students by sharing suggestions from newspaper editors and scholars whose letters are regularly published, and outlining a collaborative writing exercise building on letters to the editor as a foundation. By improving their public writing skills, this assignment may prove useful in the online lives of students.
Diffusion of amoxicillin into heart valves from infective endocarditis patients
Authors: Lalanne Sébastien , Guérin François , Flécher Erwan , Cattoir Vincent , Nesseler Nicolas , Revest Matthieu , Verdier Marie-Clémence
Published: November 2022

Objectives

Amoxicillin is the drug of choice in the management of streptococcal and enterococcal infective endocarditis (IE) but little is known regarding amoxicillin diffusion into infected heart valves. Herein, we assessed amoxicillin valvular distribution and related pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) target attainment in IE patients undergoing heart valve surgery.

Patients and methods

In this 2-year prospective study, patients with IE treated by continuous infusion of amoxicillin and undergoing a surgical valve replacement were included. Both amoxicillin plasma and tissue concentrations were measured the day of surgery. Amoxicillin concentration in plasma and crushed heart valves were measured by a validated liquid chromatography method coupled with ultra-violet and tandem mass spectrometry, respectively. MIC and MBC of amoxicillin were determined for all available isolates. The rate of achievement of PK/PD efficacy parameters were assessed.

Results

Twenty-two heart valves were removed from 20 patients. Bacterial aetiology was streptococcal (n = 17) and enterococcal (n = 3). Amoxicillin mean daily dose was 12 ± 3 g/24 h, mean plasma concentration was 29 ± 21 mg/L (n = 15), mean tissue concentration was 23 ± 15 mg/L (n = 22). Median diffusion rate was 62%. Patients reached a plasma concentration target >4XCMI (n = 13). Tissue concentrations were bactericidal for all streptococcal IE but not for enterococcal IE.

Conclusions

Amoxicillin intravalvular measurements in IE treated patients showed significant penetration into the infectious site. These data are reassuring that in situ bactericidal concentrations can be largely achieved in the management of streptococcal IE and support the need for combination antibiotic therapy for enterococcal IE.
Diachronic and synchronic variation in the performance of adaptive machine learning systems: the ethical challenges
Authors: Hatherley Joshua , Sparrow Robert
Published: November 2022

Objectives

Machine learning (ML) has the potential to facilitate “continual learning” in medicine, in which an ML system continues to evolve in response to exposure to new data over time, even after being deployed in a clinical setting. In this article, we provide a tutorial on the range of ethical issues raised by the use of such “adaptive” ML systems in medicine that have, thus far, been neglected in the literature.

Target audience

The target audiences for this tutorial are the developers of ML AI systems, healthcare regulators, the broader medical informatics community, and practicing clinicians.

Scope

Discussions of adaptive ML systems to date have overlooked the distinction between 2 sorts of variance that such systems may exhibit—diachronic evolution (change over time) and synchronic variation (difference between cotemporaneous instantiations of the algorithm at different sites)—and underestimated the significance of the latter. We highlight the challenges that diachronic evolution and synchronic variation present for the quality of patient care, informed consent, and equity, and discuss the complex ethical trade-offs involved in the design of such systems.
Procrastination in the Field: Evidence from Tax Filing
Authors: Martinez Seung-Keun , Meier Stephan , Sprenger Charles
Published: November 2022

Understanding the structure of time preferences allows for accurate predictions of the effects of changing intertemporal incentives. Behavioral models of present bias are used to rationalize field data seemingly at odds with exponential discounting, leveraging additional degrees of freedom to improve in-sample fit. Largely lacking to date are the critical out-of-sample tests necessary to ensure predictive accuracy. This paper contrasts exponential discounting with present-biased procrastination for around 22,000 tax filers, advancing the literature in this domain by providing novel out-of-sample tests for both theories. Present bias provides qualitatively better in-sample fit, matching substantial increases in filing probability as the tax deadline approaches. Present bias also has improved out-of-sample predictive power for responsiveness to the 2008 Stimulus Act, and experimental data demonstrate a link between present bias and filing times. Without present bias, predicted responses to changed incentives are inaccurate, demonstrating its necessity in research and policy applications.
Native and invasive seedling drought-resistance under elevated temperature in common gorse populations
Authors: Christina Mathias , Gire Céline , Bakker Mark R , Leckie Alan , Xue Jianming , Clinton Peter W , Negrin-Perez Zaira , Sierra José Ramon Arevalo , Domec Jean-Christophe , Gonzalez Maya
Published: November 2022

The assumption that climatic growing requirements of invasive species are conserved between their native and non-native environment is a key ecological issue in the evaluation of invasion risk. We conducted a growth chamber experiment to compare the effect of water regime and temperature on the growth and mortality of native and invasive populations of common gorse seedlings (Ulex europaeus L.). Seeds were sampled from 20 populations of five areas from both native (continental France and Spain) and non-native areas (New Zealand, Canary and Reunion islands). The seedlings were grown over 36 days in two temperature treatments (ambient and elevated) combined with two water treatments (irrigated or droughted). The elevated temperature (ET) was defined as the highest temperature observed at the niche margin in the different countries. While ET increased seedlings growth, the drought treatment increased mortality rate and limited seedlings growth. Under ET and drought, native populations showed a greater mortality rate (53%) than invasive populations (16%). Invasive seedlings also showed higher above- and belowground development than native ones under these constrained climatic conditions. While phenotypic plasticity did not differ between native and invasive populations, the difference between populations in terms of total dry mass could be related to differences in the climate of origin (precipitation in particular). Assessing the importance of phenotypic changes between populations within invasive species is crucial to identify the margins of their climatic distribution range and to highlight areas where management efforts should be concentrated in order to limit its spread.
Integrated genomic approaches delineate a novel role ofROP1 ENHANCER1in controlling seed protein content of chickpea
Authors: Chakraborty Anirban , Junaid Alim , Parida Swarup K , Bhatia Sabhyata
Published: November 2022

Utilizing a combinatorial approach of quantitative trait locus (QTL)-Seq and candidate gene-based association mapping, the QTLs and genes responsible for seed protein content (SPC), a major quality trait in chickpea, were identified. Whole genome re-sequencing based QTL-Seq analysis of bulked recombinant inbred lines from a mapping population contrasting for SPC led to the identification of two QTLs [0.94 Mb on Linkage Group (LG)5 and 1.16 Mb on LG6] encompassing three SNPs, displaying the highest ΔSNP index. These highly significant SNPs and their associated genes were validated in 211 chickpea mini-core accessions varying in SPC, revealing a tightly associated marker affecting CaREN1 (ROP1 ENHANCER1) and explaining a phenotypic variation of 23%. This SNP was subsequently converted into a cost effective allele-specific PCR-based marker that could be utilized for rapid screening of SPC during marker assisted breeding. Furthermore, in planta functional validation via knockdown of CaREN1 transcripts led to significant reduction in SPC of chickpea. This decrease in seed protein is likely due to disruption in the formation of CaREN1 protein complexes comprising chaperones, phosphopeptide-binding proteins, and GTPases that mediate folding, transport and accumulation of seed storage proteins, as indicated through affinity purification-mass spectrometry. Taken together, our data will expedite tailoring of chickpea cultivars with augmented SPC.
Is word length inaccurate for authorship attribution?
Authors: Zheng Wanwan , Jin Mingzhe
Published: November 2022

Word length refers to a feature that is extracted from texts and used to characterize authorial style; it was quantitatively demonstrated by Mendenhall (Mendenhall, T. C., 1887, The characteristics curves of composition. Science, IX: 237–49). Many similar features for describing authorial style have been proposed; however, research indicates that compared with other features, word length identifies authors with lower accuracy. This study proposes a feature, referred to as c-wordL, to improve the accuracy of authorship attribution in texts through the classification of words into several types by following the part-of-speech (POS) tags and combining these types with the word length data. The proposed method was tested using 200 literary texts from ten different authors in Japanese, English, and Chinese. The results indicated that c-wordL was more accurate than the existing word length-based features and provided useful information that word unigrams and POS tag bigrams could not measure. In addition, the ease of interpretation of different types of features was discussed. In summary, c-wordL outperformed the existing superior features in explaining the distinct writing styles and identifying the authors.
Whose Language? Whose DH? Towards a taxonomy of definitional elusiveness in the digital humanities
Authors: Brown Josh
Published: November 2022

This article responds to the current interventions regarding spatio- and linguistic diversity in the digital humanities (DHs). Previous work has focused on the practitioners of DHs themselves, the diversity of projects, the geographical diversity of peoples and places which such projects represent, and others. Some literature has considered multilingual DH, whether a non-Anglophone DH is possible, or a DH ‘accent’. This article pushes these boundaries further by considering forms of historical linguistic hybridity for languages, language varieties, and groups of people that are no longer extant. It considers one text in particular, the Dictionnaire de la langue franque, to show that, although ‘mixed’ languages are the norm in all societies, forms of hybridity are often left by the wayside in favour of increasing heterogeneity. This observation, in turn, leads to a taxonomy of definitional elusiveness.
How do the dynamics of the Milky Way–Large Magellanic Cloud system affect gamma-ray constraints on particle dark matter?
Authors: Eckner Christopher , Calore Francesca , Erkal Denis , Lilleengen Sophia , Petersen Michael S
Published: November 2022

Previous studies on astrophysical dark matter (DM) constraints have all assumed that the Milky Way’s (MW) DM halo can be modelled in isolation. However, recent work suggests that the MW’s largest dwarf satellite, the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), has a mass of 10–20${{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ that of the MW and is currently merging with our Galaxy. As a result, the DM haloes of the MW and LMC are expected to be strongly deformed. We here address and quantify the impact of the dynamical response caused by the passage of the LMC through the MW on the prospects for indirect DM searches. Utilizing a set of state-of-the-art numerical simulations of the evolution of the MW–LMC system, we derive the DM distribution in both galaxies at the present time based on the basis function expansion formalism. Consequently, we build $\mathcal {J}$-factor all-sky maps of the MW–LMC system to study the impact of the LMC passage on gamma-ray indirect searches for thermally produced DM annihilating in the outer MW halo as well as within the LMC halo stand-alone. We conduct a detailed analysis of 12 yr of the Fermi Large Area Telescope data that incorporates various large-scale gamma-ray emission components and we quantify the systematic uncertainty associated with the imperfect knowledge of the astrophysical gamma-ray sources. We find that the dynamical response caused by the LMC passage can alter the constraints on the velocity-averaged annihilation cross-section for weak-scale particle DM at a level comparable to the existing observational uncertainty of the MW halo’s density profile and total mass.
The Influence of Magma Storage and Ascent Conditions on Laguna del Maule Rhyolite Eruptions
Authors: Contreras Claudio , Cashman Katharine V , Rust Alison , Cortés Marcelo
Published: November 2022

The scarcity of historical rhyolite eruptions means that volcanological and petrological studies of past eruptions are a key tool for assessing the potential for future hazardous activity and improving interpretations of unrest signals. For the last 18 ky, the Laguna del Maule (LdM) volcanic complex in Chile has erupted primarily rhyolites but with differing magma compositions, eruption styles and eruptive volumes. Rapid surface uplift and episodic seismic activity at LdM over the last two decades has emphasized the need to understand both the recent evolution of the magmatic system and the most likely future eruption scenarios. Using mineral composition, geothermobarometry and MELTS modeling, we assess the influence of the magma storage and ascent conditions on the magnitude and styles of three LdM rhyolites. Magmas of the first and largest Plinian-ignimbrite eruption (LdM: rdm; >17 km3 DRE) form a distinct mineral assemblage with An28–60 plagioclase, amphibole and quartz derived from a magma plumbing system over a large pressure range (90–350 MPa). We suggest that the rdm eruption was triggered by magma recharge and overpressure within a ~ 90 MPa magma chamber of high-silica (>76.5 wt.% SiO2) rhyolitic melt. The rdm eruption appears to have reset the LdM storage conditions, such that subsequent rhyolite eruptions have been smaller (<4 km3 DRE), involved less evolved melt (<75.8 wt.% SiO2) and produced (sub)Plinian-effusive eruption sequences. Of these, we have studied the earliest (Los Espejos: rle) and the most recent (Las Nieblas: rln). Both have mineral assemblages with An20–34 plagioclase and biotite formed in water-saturated crystal-poor rhyolite batches over limited pressure ranges (ΔP ~ 50 MPa) within a rhyodacitic mush reservoir. We suggest that rle and rln were triggered by injection of water-rich magma and volatile exsolution; the transition to effusive behavior occurred because of changes in magma temperature (rle) or magma decompression rate (rln). Similarities in the limited pressure range and high volatile content inferred for the current low-density magma body with the petrologically determined source conditions of magmas that fed past subplinian-effusive eruptions suggest that the next LdM eruption will be similar.
The B-box transcription factor IbBBX29 regulates leaf development and flavonoid biosynthesis in sweet potato
Authors: Gao Xiao-ru , Zhang Huan , Li Xu , Bai Yi-wei , Peng Kui , Wang Zhen , Dai Zhuo-ru , Bian Xiao-feng , Zhang Qian , Jia Li-cong , Li Yan , Liu Qing-chang , Zhai Hong , Gao Shao-pei , Zhao Ning , He Shao-zhen
Published: November 2022

Plant flavonoids are valuable natural antioxidants. Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) leaves are rich in flavonoids, regenerate rapidly, and can adapt to harsh environments, making them an ideal material for flavonoid biofortification. Here, we demonstrate that the B-box (BBX) family transcription factor IbBBX29 regulates the flavonoid contents and development of sweet potato leaves. IbBBX29 was highly expressed in sweet potato leaves and significantly induced by auxin (IAA). Overexpression of IbBBX29 contributed to a 21.37%–70.94% increase in leaf biomass, a 12.08%–21.85% increase in IAA levels, and a 31.33%–63.03% increase in flavonoid accumulation in sweet potato, whereas silencing this gene produced opposite effects. Heterologous expression of IbBBX29 in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) led to a dwarfed phenotype, along with enhanced IAA and flavonoid accumulation. RNA-seq analysis revealed that IbBBX29 modulates the expression of genes involved in the IAA signaling and flavonoid biosynthesis pathways. Chromatin immunoprecipitation–quantitative polymerase chain reaction and electrophoretic mobility shift assay indicated that IbBBX29 targets key genes of IAA signaling and flavonoid biosynthesis to activate their expression by binding to specific T/G-boxes in their promoters, especially those adjacent to the transcription start site. Moreover, IbBBX29 physically interacted with developmental and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis-related proteins, such as AGAMOUS-LIKE 21 protein IbAGL21 and MYB308-like protein IbMYB308L. Finally, overexpressing IbBBX29 also increased flavonoid contents in sweet potato storage roots. These findings indicate that IbBBX29 plays a pivotal role in regulating IAA-mediated leaf development and flavonoid biosynthesis in sweet potato and Arabidopsis, providing a candidate gene for flavonoid biofortification in plants.
Work engagement, burnout, and the motivation to serve among law enforcement officers during the COVID-19 pandemic and community protests in the USA
Authors: Wright Bradley E , Hassan Shahidul , Baker Daniel B , Teaford Kevin
Published: November 2022

In recent years, law enforcement officers in the USA have faced substantial new demands due to the COVID-19 pandemic and nationwide community protests for racial justice and police reform. To understand the impacts of these new demands, this study investigates changes in officer work engagement and burnout over time and the role of public service motivation (PSM) in sustaining high work engagement and attenuating burnout. Using survey data collected in 2019 and 2021 from all officers working in a state-level police organization in the Midwest region of the USA, we find not only that officer work engagement has decreased and burnout has increased but also that PSM is an important predictor of officer work engagement. Contrary to our expectation, we also observe a positive relationship between PSM and burnout among frontline officers in 2019 and no evidence of a relationship in 2021. These findings confirm the adverse impacts of COVID-19 and community unrest on officer work engagement and burnout and suggest that PSM generally enhances officer work engagement but under certain conditions may also increase officer burnout.
Plain metallic biomaterials: opportunities and challenges
Authors: Zhang Jiazhen , Zhai Bao , Gao Jintao , Li Zheng , Zheng Yufeng , Ma Minglong , Li Yongjun , Zhang Kui , Guo Yajuan , Shi Xinli , Liu Bin , Gao Guobiao , Sun Lei
Published: November 2022

The ‘plainification of materials’ has been conceptualized to promote the sustainable development of materials. This perspective, for the first time in the field of biomaterials, proposes and defines ‘plain metallic biomaterials (PMBs)’ with demonstrated research and application case studies of pure titanium with high strength and toughness, and biodegradable, fine-grained and high-purity magnesium. Then, after discussing the features, benefits and opportunities of PMBs, the challenges are analyzed from both technical and regulatory aspects. Regulatory perspectives on PMB-based medical devices are also provided for the benefit of future research, development and commercialization.