bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using transcriptomics to examine the physiological status of wild-caught walleye (Sander vitreus)
Authors: Jeffrey Jennifer D. , Thorstensen Matt J. , Enders Eva C. , Treberg Jason R. , Jeffries Ken M.
Published: August 2023

Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba, is Canada’s second largest commercial inland freshwater fishery, and concern over collapse of the walleye fishery is growing. Molecular techniques have been increasingly used to study responses of wild organisms to environmental and anthropogenic stressors. The present study used transcriptomics to examine the physiology of wild-caught walleye ( Sander vitreus (Mitchell, 1818)) across Lake Winnipeg using non-lethal techniques. Gill transcriptomes of walleye sampled from the north and south basins of Lake Winnipeg, and the channel connecting them, exhibited distinct profiles implicating regionally specific biological responses. North basin walleye exhibited transcriptomic responses indicative of exposure to environmental stressors. Transcriptomic patterns suggested a shift to increased reliance on anaerobic metabolism and up-regulation of hypoxia-sensitive genes in north basin fish, possibly representing exposure to low-oxygen conditions. Exposure to environmental stressors may also have driven increases in gene transcripts associated with proteasomal catabolism, DNA repair, molecular chaperones, and ion regulation. North basin fish also exhibited transcriptomic patterns indicative of gill remodeling via regulation of the mTOR pathway, cytoskeleton reorganization, and fatty acid synthesis. Our results highlight the complexity of examining wild fish across environmental gradients but also the potential use of molecular techniques in elucidating organismal sensitivity to local environmental factors.
High-sensitivity ring-core photonic crystal fiber sensor based on surface plasmon resonance for ultra-low refractive index detection
Authors: Xu Luhui , Peng Chao , Meng Tongyu , Shi Ying , Liu Qiang , Lv Jingwei , Liu Wei , Chu Paul K , Liu Chao
Published: August 2023

A novel ring-core photonic crystal fiber (PCF) sensor based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is designed for ultra-low refractive index detection. A gold nanowire is coated on the outer surface of the PCF as a plasma material, greatly facilitating the manufacturing of the sensor. To achieve real-time detection, the analyte is located on the outside of the sensor. The mode coupling effect and main performance parameters are analyzed through finite element method. In addition, by optimizing several important structural parameters, the overall performance of the sensor has been greatly improved. The optimized sensor shows a maximum wavelength sensitivity of 26,000[Formula: see text]nm/RIU in the refractive index range of 1.14–1.26, maximum amplitude sensitivity of 300[Formula: see text]RIU[Formula: see text], as well as minimum resolution of [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]RIU. The PCF-SPR sensor with outstanding properties has great potential in applications such as oil logging, biosensing, and chemical monitoring.
Instability analysis of vibrated thermo-convection in Casson nanofluid suspension
Authors: Kushwaha A. K. , Sharma Y. D. , Saini Shivani
Published: August 2023

This work is motivated by the importance of vertical vibration in nanofluids suspension, because of its wide applications in heat exchangers from one fluid to another, controlling the mixing in microvolumes, pharmaceutical industry, and engineering. The current study analyzes the effects of high-frequency vertical vibration on a horizontal Casson nanofluid layer heated from below saturated between rigid-rigid, rigid-free, and free-free boundary conditions. Field equations are derived by using time-average method, which describes the vibrational thermo-convection. These field equations are solved by utilizing linear stability analysis and Galerkin technique to obtain the thermal stability curve. By using this curve, the impacts of vertical vibration and physical governing factors on temperature profile are discussed. High-frequency vertical vibration is observed to have a stabilizing effect on Casson nanofluid suspension, thereby reducing thermo-convective heat transfer from one fluid to another. Stability threshold of vibrated suspension is increased approximately as [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] when [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], respectively. The significance of Brownian motion and thermophoretic force on convective heat transfer with vertical vibration is discussed. The resisting nature of Casson nanofluid on vibrational convective heat transfer is also tabulated.
Study of elastic interaction in collective motion phenomenon
Authors: Eddakoun A. , Hader A. , Tarras I. , Amallah L. , Et-Touizi R. , Bakir R. , Ezaier Y. , El Bachiri A.
Published: August 2023

In nature, living organisms move in a collective state of aggregation, this collective motion is influenced by the nature of the environment, the obstacles refocused during the movement and the local interaction between individuals, this interaction is responsible for avoiding collision between each individual. In this paper, we study numerically the collective motion of self-organized organisms by expanding the Langevin dynamics, in which we have modeled the interaction between individuals by an elastic force. Modeling the interaction between individuals using an elastic force gives remarkable results. This interaction has an important effect if the individuals are dispersed a lot in space, but if a certain number of particles N is exceeded, this force is of no importance and the saturation velocity becomes constant. The results of the numerical simulation show that the average velocity of the individuals goes through a transient regime before reaching the permanent regime. Moreover, the results show that the system represents a transition from a nonequilibrium state to an equilibrium state, which is similar to a second-phase transition (paramagnetic/ferromagnetic) in the absence of the magnetic field; this phase transition is observable if the distance between two individuals is greater than a critical radius noted [Formula: see text].
Leptothrix biofilms and the formation of oxygen and hydrogen molecules in structure
Authors: Mirzayeva D. M. , Kaplina S. P. , Gustova M. V. , Kamanina I. Z. , Anisimova O. V. , Abiyev A. S. , Asadov A. G. , Doroshkevich A. S. , Vladescu A. , Jabarov S. H. , Aliyev Y. I. , Mehdiyeva R. N. , Mirzayev M. N. , Slavov L. , Demir E. , Popov E.
Published: August 2023

In this work, the crystal structure of Leptothrix biosamples was studied using positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy, MIKA modeling package and X-ray diffraction method. The structural analysis results showed that free cubic and orthorhombic phase Fe and trigonal Fe2O3 and cubic Fe3O4 phases were detected in Leptothrix biosamples. It has been determined that the concentration of cubic Fe3O4 phases in biosamples is higher than other phases. The theoretical bases of the regularity of distribution of hydrogen and oxygen atoms in the form of free and vacancies in the trigonal Fe2O3 and cubic Fe3O4 phases were calculated. On the other hand, the lifetime of vacancies in Fe, Fe2O3 and Fe3O4 structures has been determined.
Characteristics assessment of TFT through 2D simulation under different material and structural configurations
Authors: Baroi Oli Lowna , Ishraqul Huq S. M. , Aura Shourin R. , Marium Taniza , Kabir Md. Shaikh Abrar , Biswas Satyendra N.
Published: August 2023

This paper presents a performance analysis of indium-gallium-zinc-oxide (IGZO)- and pentacene-based top-gate-top-contact (TGTC) and bottom-gate-top-contact (BGTC) thin film transistors (TFTs). Extensive simulation has been performed to assess the performances in terms of threshold voltage, subthreshold slope, on-off current ratio, mobility, and figure of merit (FoM). Results indicate a trade-off between mobility and current ratio with respect to the permittivity of the dielectric layer, where tantalum oxide (Ta2O[Formula: see text] provides the optimum result in terms of FoM. The mobility of IGZO is significantly higher for both structures, whereas the current ratio for IGZO is higher than pentacene in the BGTC configuration. Comparing the structural configurations, Ta2O5-IGZO-based BGTC achieves [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] better mobility and current ratio, respectively, over TGTC structures. The threshold voltage of IGZO-based TFT is observed to increase with the permittivity of the dielectric in TGTC configuration but decrease in BGTC configuration. Meanwhile, the increase in oxide and active layer thicknesses causes a decrease in the threshold voltage. Moreover, both mobility and current ratio improve with a decrease in oxide or active layer thickness. Maximum mobility of 32.30[Formula: see text]cm2/Vs and a maximum current ratio of 7.54E+08 are achieved for Ta2O5-IGZO-based BGTC TFT with 10[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m channel thickness and 5[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m oxide thickness.
Autonomous Localization and Mapping Method of Mobile Robot in Underground Coal Mine Based on Edge Computing
Authors: Mu Qi , Wang Yuhao , Liang Xin , Tang Yang , Li Zhanli
Published: August 2023

When applying visual SLAM systems to underground coal mines, several challenges arise. First, there are non-ideal texture areas in the scene, which make feature extraction and matching difficult and reduce the accuracy of positioning and mapping. Second, the limited computing resources of mobile robots prevent the real-time execution of complex algorithms. To address these challenges, this paper proposes an edge computing-based SLAM system that fuses point and line features. The visual odometer of point and line feature fusion solves the problem of insufficient feature extraction in texture sparse areas and incorrect feature matching in texture repetitive areas, thereby improving the accuracy of visual positioning and mapping. The distributed deployment strategy of edge computing enables the algorithm to be executed in real-time on the underground coal mine mobile robot. The experiment demonstrated that using the visual odometer method with ORB-SLAM 2 reduced the absolute trajectory error by 8.87% in dense repetitive texture areas and 9.96% in low texture areas.
Forecasting the “T” Stage of Esophageal Cancer by Deep Learning Methods: A Pilot Study
Authors: Celik Sebahattin , Deniz Serpil Sevimli , Gündüz Ali Mahir , Çoban Leyla Turgut , Akman Zehra İlik , Sohail Ayesha , Güneş Serhat , Tajani Barzin , Kotan M. Çetin
Published: August 2023

Research motivation: Staging esophageal cancer is of paramount importance for treatment. With conventional methods, accuracy of staging is low, we aimed to improve the accuracy of the “T” stage of esophageal cancer by using deep learning techniques. Method/Material: Clinically diagnosed esophageal cancer patients were prospectively observed and their data were collected. jpeg images were collected from the Computed Tomography of patients. 80% of the data were used for training and 20% for tests. Pathology results were used as the gold standard in the training of deep learning algorithms. EfficientNetB7 and ResNet152V2 models were used in the study. Both architectures with convolutional neural networks have Convolutional layers, pool layers, and fully connected layers. Results: A total of 477 images of 50 patients were analyzed. EfficientNetB7 makes predictions with a total of 64,107,931 parameters, and ResNet152V2 58,339,844 parameters within seconds (2[Formula: see text]s) at rates close to the accuracy offered by humans. With the EfficientNetB7 architecture, one of the Convolutional Neural Networks used in this study, 90% accuracy was achieved in the “T” staging of esophageal cancer. Conclusion: Despite the very limited dataset, deep learning algorithms can perform effective and reliable staging under the supervision of an experienced radiologist. With more datasets, the precision of the estimation can increase.
Well performance in relation to design, construction and wellfield operation: a case study from the fossil Ram Sandstone aquifer in southern Jordan
Authors: Charalambous Andreas N. , Burnet Bertrand R.
Published: August 2023

The Dubaydib wellfield in southern Jordan comprises 55 wells that are up to 600 m in depth, and exploits the fossil Ram Sandstone aquifer. It has an average output of 100 million cubic metres per year (Mm
3
 a
−1
) and well yields of 51–80 l s
−1
. Drilling fluid has affected well performance with lowest specific capacities of 1.56 l s
−1
 m
−1
in bentonite-drilled wells, highest (5.46 l s
−1
 m
−1
) in water-drilled open hole constructions and in the middle range (3.07 l s
−1
 m
−1
) in polymer drilled wells. Well loss coefficients and skin effect values confirm these results. The productivity of wells drilled using bentonite-based drilling fluids has not improved during production, indicating that the damage has been irreversible. Well efficiency evaluations have been found to be sensitive to the method of calculation and not to provide a reliable measure of productivity. During the course of wellfield operation (2013–21) specific capacities declined from an all-well average of 3.78 l s
−1
 m
−1
down to 3.13 l s
−1
 m
−1
(or
c.
17% reduction). The decline reflects the deepening of groundwater levels as a result of aquifer response rather than well deterioration. As groundwater extraction is from storage, specific capacities will continue to fall, with tentative estimates suggesting values down to 2.56 l s
−1
 m
−1
after 25 years and 2.16 l s
−1
 m
−1
after 50 years.
Introduction to SP519 – volcanic islands: from hazard assessment to risk mitigation
Authors: Griffiths James S. , Law Richard D.
Published: August 2023

The Cities and Volcanoes Commission of the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior encourage the exchange of experiences on volcanic islands to identify best practice in hazard assessment, monitoring techniques and risk mitigation strategies. This volume is a contribution to these aims and this introduction provides some background on the nature of hazards on volcanic islands and a brief review of the nine papers in the book.
Periodic Event-Triggered CACC and Communication Co-design for Vehicle Platooning
Authors: Fu Anqi , Chen Sijia , Qiao Junfei , Yu Chengpu
Published: August 2023

Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control (CACC) based vehicle platooning can increase the safety and efficiency of traffic. This work looks into the communication and control problems of vehicle platooning, and proposes a control and communication co-design for CACC. First, an integrated radar system is presented. This system integrates sensing of relative position, speed, and communication between a predecessor and its follower. Second, a working scheme for the integrated radar system is presented. This scheme allows the radar systems to switch periodically between different working modes without interferences from other modes. Therefore, the relative position, speed, and communication can be asynchronously periodically updated to the controller. Third, a periodic event-triggered control approach is presented. This approach allows asynchronous periodic sampling of the output, and is deeply co-designed with the radar system and its working scheme. Delays are also considered in the control approach. The co-design CACC approach can guarantee the vehicle platoons to be string stable. A numerical example has shown the feasibility of the approach.
StubCoder
: Automated Generation and Repair of Stub Code for Mock Objects
Authors: Zhu Hengcheng , Wei Lili , Terragni Valerio , Liu Yepang , Cheung Shing-Chi , Wu Jiarong , Sheng Qin , Zhang Bing , Song Lihong
Published: August 2023

Mocking is an essential unit testing technique for isolating the class under test from its dependencies. Developers often leverage mocking frameworks to develop stub code that specifies the behaviors of mock objects. However, developing and maintaining stub code is labor-intensive and error-prone. In this article, we present
StubCoder
to automatically generate and repair stub code for regression testing.
StubCoder
implements a novel evolutionary algorithm that synthesizes test-passing stub code guided by the runtime behavior of test cases. We evaluated our proposed approach on 59 test cases from 13 open source projects. Our evaluation results show that
StubCoder
can effectively generate stub code for incomplete test cases without stub code and repair obsolete test cases with broken stub code.
Testing RESTful APIs: A Survey
Authors: Golmohammadi Amid , Zhang Man , Arcuri Andrea
Published: August 2023

In industry, RESTful APIs are widely used to build modern Cloud Applications. Testing them is challenging, because not only do they rely on network communications, but also they deal with external services like databases. Therefore, there has been a large amount of research sprout in recent years on how to automatically verify this kind of web services. In this article, we present a comprehensive review of the current state-of-the-art in testing RESTful APIs based on the analysis of 92 scientific articles. These articles were gathered by utilizing search queries formulated around the concept of RESTful API testing on seven popular databases. We eliminated irrelevant articles based on our predefined criteria and conducted a snowballing phase to minimize the possibility of missing any relevant paper. This survey categorizes and summarizes the existing scientific work on testing RESTful APIs and discusses the current challenges in the verification of RESTful APIs. This survey clearly shows an increasing interest among researchers in this field, from 2017 onward. However, there are still a lot of open research challenges to overcome.
The Possible Mediatory Role of Inflammatory Markers on the Association of Dietary Insulin Index and Insulin Load with Metabolic Syndrome in Women with Overweight and Obesity: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Darzi Melika , Shiraseb Farideh , da Silva Alessandra , Bressan Josefina , Clark Cain C. T. , Mahmoodi Sara , Mirzaei Khadijeh
Published: August 2023

Background. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with increased inflammation. Diet plays an important role in the prevention and management of MetS, while some dietary factors can also increase or decrease markers of systemic inflammation. In this study, we aimed to determine the mediated association of inflammatory markers induced by dietary insulin index (DII) and dietary insulin load (DIL) with MetS and its components. Methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 219 women aged 18–28 years. Dietary intake was assessed by a 147-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). DII and DIL were calculated using the standard formula. The guidelines of the National Cholesterol Education Program’s Adult Treatment Panel III were used to define MetS. Biochemical parameters and anthropometric and blood pressure measures were evaluated by standard protocols. Results. After the adjustment for potential confounders, a marginally significant association was found between DII and MetS (OR = 2.11; 95% CI = 0.93–4.82;

P

 = 0.06). However, we did not find a significant association between DIL and MetS. Furthermore, DII was significantly associated with waist circumference (WC) (OR = 1.67; 95% CI = 1.09– 4.03;

P

 = 0.03) and marginally associated with triglyceride (TG) (OR = 1.10; 95% CI = 0.92–2.33;

P

 = 0.07) and systolic blood pressure/diastolic blood pressure (SBP/DBP) (OR = 1.84; 95% CI = 0.85–3.99;

P

 = 0.07). Moreover, there was a significant association between DIL and SBP/DBP (OR = 1.74; 95% CI = 1.54–5.61;

P

 = 0.04). Also, we found that MCP-1 may have a mediatory role in the association between DII and DIL with MetS and several components of MetS. Hs-CRP did not have mediatory role in the association between DII and MetS. However, hs-CRP had a mediatory role in several MetS components. Furthermore, hs-CRP may have a mediatory role in the association of DIL with MetS and with some of its components. Conclusions. A higher DII score may increase the odds of MetS and its components. DIL was not significantly associated with the odds of MetS, but the association of DIL and SBP/DBP was significant. MCP-1 may have a mediatory role in associations between DII and DIL with MetS. In addition, hs-CRP may have a mediatory role in the association between DIL and MetS.
Comparison of Teff (Eragrostis teff (Zucc.) Trotter) Varieties in Response to Blended NPSZnB Fertilizer On-Farm and on Research Station
Authors: Berhanu Zewdu , Yifru Mekoya , Geleta Diriba-Shiferaw , Liben Feyera
Published: August 2023

Teff is an important food crop for the majority of Ethiopian; however, its productivity is constrained by lack of improved varieties and low soil fertility. Thus, field experiments were conducted in 2019/20 and 2020/21 main cropping seasons at Yaya Gulale district on the farm and at Adama district on research station, respectively to assess the response of teff varieties to NPSZnB-blended fertilizer. Three teff varieties (Dagim, Kora, Nigus) and five rates (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg ha−1) of blended NPSZnB fertilizer were evaluated on both sites. The treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design of factorial arrangement with three replications at both locations. The highest biomass (7,639 kg ha−1), grain (1,944 kg ha−1), and straw (5,696 kg ha−1) yields were recorded from variety Kora without statistical difference from variety Dagim as compared to variety Nigus on-station. More yields were also recorded from the station compared to on-farm. Highest biomass (7,341 and 8,868), grain (1,767 and 2,477), and straw (5,507 and 6,391 kg ha−1) yields were recorded from on-farm and on-station sites, respectively, at 200 kg ha−1 NPSZnB. Also, the highest mean lodging index (82.56% and 63.89%) was observed on plots supplied with 200 kg ha−1 NPSB on-farm and on-station, respectively. In addition, the partial economic analysis showed that Dagim variety at 200 and 150 kg ha−1 NPSZnB generated better net benefits (533,745 and 106,204 Birr ha−1) with higher marginal rate of returns (6,771.9% and 4,621.9%) on-farm and on-station, respectively. Therefore, it was concluded that the teff variety Dagim grown with 200 kg ha−1 at Yaya Gulale district (on-farm) and with 150 kg ha−1 NPSZnB applications at Adama district (on-station) is promising treatments for production and economic advantages of teff in Ethiopia.
Which Occupations Did People Engage in during Lockdown? A European Cross-Sectional Descriptive Survey by Generation
Authors: Engels Cynthia , Segaux Lauriane , Ibanez Amandine , Canouï-Poitrine Florence , Lafont Charlotte
Published: August 2023

Objective. The primary objective was to describe the occupations people engaged in more frequently during lockdown than before the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic as a function of generation. The secondary objectives were to (i) describe the levels of importance, performance, and satisfaction for these occupations and (ii) identify factors affecting the levels of importance, performance, and satisfaction. Method. We conducted an online, cross-sectional survey of young adults (YAs, aged 18-39), middle-aged adults (MAs, aged 40-59), and older adults (OAs, aged 60 or over). Results. 2534 participants (YAs: 47%, MAs: 33%, and OAs: 20%) cited 4500 occupations. The occupations in which people most engaged were leisure occupations (67%), followed by productive occupations (31%) and then self-care (2%) occupations. YAs gave a median (interquartile range) importance score of 8 (6; 9) to leisure, 8 (7; 10) to productivity, and 8 (7; 10) to self-care. MAs gave a median importance score of 8 (6; 10) to leisure, 8 (7; 10) to productivity, and 8 (7; 10) to self-care. OAs gave a median importance score of 8 (7; 10) to leisure, 8 (7; 9) to productivity, and 9 (8; 10) to self-care. In a pre-/postlockdown comparison, the changes in performance scores among YAs were +5 (3; 6) for leisure, +4 (2; 5) for productivity, and +4 (3; 6) for self-care. Among MAs, these changes were, respectively, +4 (3; 6), +3 (2; 5), and +4.5 (3; 6). Among OAs, these changes were, respectively, +3 (1; 5) for leisure, +3 (2; 5) for productivity, and +2 (0; 4) for self-care. The changes in satisfaction scores among YAs were +3 (0; 5) for leisure, +3 (0; 5) for productivity, and +3 (1; 6) for self-care. Among MAs, these changes were, respectively, +3 (0; 5), +2 (0; 4), and +5 (0; 6). Among OAs, these changes were, respectively, +2 (0; 4), +2 (0; 4), and +2 (0; 4). Conclusions. Lockdown led to stronger engagements in quiet leisure and alternative forms of socialization. Occupational therapists may have a role in helping community-dwelling people to balance and structure their new daily routine.
Optimization of Mechanical Properties and Surface Characteristics of PLA+ 3D Printing Materials
Authors: Kadhum Ali H. , Al-Zubaidi Salah , AlKareem Salah Sabeeh Abed
Published: August 2023

Recently, there is a growing demand towards adopting 3D printing technology in various sectors due to its potential merits. The mechanical properties and surface quality of the final product are influenced by the process parameters. Therefore, this study aims to optimize the infill density and pattern beside printing speed and temperature to achieve optimum mechanical properties and surface characteristics of PLA+ 3D-printed material. The Taguchi method was applied with L9 array, and tensile and surface roughness tests were carried out to evaluate the performance of specimens in terms of the obtained ultimate tensile strength, Young’s modulus, tensile strain (%), and surface roughness. The selected parameters with their levels were as follows: printing temperature (205, 215, and 225°C), printing speed (20, 50, and 80 mm/s), infill density (30%, 60%, and 90%), and infill pattern (triangle, cubic, and concentric). The findings revealed the significant impact of the infill density followed by the infill pattern on the mechanical and surface performances of the PLA+ material. From the other side, the Taguchi method was integrated with grey relational analysis (GRA) as a multiobjective optimization to find out the optimum mechanical properties and surface characteristics of the 3D-printed PLA+ part. Accordingly, 215°C, 50 mm/s, 90%, and triangle pattern achieved optimum mechanical properties (24 MPa, 3.14 GPa, and 13.72%) and surface roughness (3.21 µm).
Supplementary Figures from High-Throughput Drug Screening of Primary Tumor Cells Identifies Therapeutic Strategies for Treating Children with High-Risk Cancer
Authors: Mayoh Chelsea , Mao Jie , Xie Jinhan , Tax Gabor , Chow Shu-Oi , Cadiz Roxanne , Pazaky Karina , Barahona Paulette , Ajuyah Pamela , Trebilcock Peter , Malquori Angela , Gunther Kate , Avila Anica , Yun Doo Young , Alfred Stephanie , Gopalakrishnan Anjana , Kamili Alvin , Wong Marie , Cowley Mark J. , Jessop Sophie , Lau Loretta M.S. , Trahair Toby N. , Ziegler David S. , Fletcher Jamie I. , Gifford Andrew J. , Tsoli Maria , Marshall Glenn M. , Haber Michelle , Tyrrell Vanessa , Failes Timothy W. , Arndt Greg M. , Lock Richard B. , Ekert Paul G. , Dolman M. Emmy M.
Published: August 2023

Supplementary Figures
Vesicoureteral Reflux Causes Interstitial Inflammation in Pediatric Kidney Allograft: A Clinicopathological Analysis of 1-Year Protocol Biopsies
Authors: Nishikawa Kenta , Oguchi Hideyo , Hashimoto Junya , Mikami Tetuo , Muramatsu Masaki , Yamaguchi Yutaka , Shishido Seiichiro , Aoki Yujiro , Itabashi Yoshihiro , Hamasaki Yuko , Ohashi Yasushi , Sakai Ken
Published: August 2023

Introduction: At present, there is limited evidence of the histological impact of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) on pediatric kidney allografts. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between VUR diagnosed by voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) and 1-year protocol biopsy results. Methods: One hundred thirty-eight pediatric kidney transplantations were performed in Toho University Omori Medical Center between 2009 and 2019. We included 87 pediatric transplant recipients who were evaluated for VUR by VCUG prior to or at the time of the 1-year protocol biopsy and underwent a 1-year protocol biopsy after transplantation. We evaluated the clinicopathological findings of the VUR and non-VUR groups, and histological scores were evaluated using the Banff score. Tamm-Horsfall protein (THP) within the interstitium was identified by light microscopy. Results: Of the 87 transplant recipients, 18 cases (20.7%) were diagnosed with VUR by VCUG. The clinical background and findings were not significantly different between the VUR and non-VUR groups. The pathological findings revealed a significantly higher Banff total interstitial inflammation (ti) score in the VUR group than in the non-VUR group. Multivariate analysis indicated a significant relationship between the Banff ti score and THP within the interstitium, and VUR. The 3-year protocol biopsy results (n = 68) revealed a significantly higher Banff interstitial fibrosis (ci) score in the VUR group than in the non-VUR group. Conclusion: VUR caused interstitial fibrosis in the 1-year pediatric protocol biopsies, and interstitial inflammation at the 1-year protocol biopsy may affect interstitial fibrosis at the 3-year protocol biopsy.
Biodiversidade e sistemas alimentares: a contribuição (in)visível das abelhas sem ferrão
Authors: Carvalho Aline Martins de ,   Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Saúde Pública, Bógus Cláudia Maria ,   Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Saúde Pública, Marchioni Dirce Maria Lobo ,   Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Saúde Pública
Published: August 2023

Elaborado por uma equipe interdisciplinar, este livro é resultado da parceria entre o Sustentarea e o Projeto Horta Comunitária da FSP-USP. Ao longo dos capítulos deste livro, salienta-se que a natureza oferece para os seres humanos diversos benefícios, entre eles a polinização, com destaque para o papel das abelhas sem ferrão. O livro está organizado em 5 capítulos. O capítulo 1 inicia-se pela delimitação de conceitos básicos (sistemas alimentares, serviços ecossistêmicos, biodiversidade para alimentação e agricultura), necessários para a compreensão dos expostos posteriores que, por sua vez, trazem, no capítulo 2, o entrelaçamento entre mudanças ambientais atuais (perda de biodiversidade e mudanças climáticas) e serviços ecossistêmicos. O capítulo 3 tem enfoque na delimitação de conceitos e características das abelhas sem ferrão e sua importância para segurança alimentar e nutricional; no capítulo 4 são abordadas as relações entre o serviço de polinização e sistemas alimentares. Por fim, o capítulo 5 é um capítulo prático que reúne experiências, vivências e receitas para utilização do mel na culinária, além de um passo a passo para construção de um ninho isca.
Predicted Heart Mass: A Tale of 2 Ventricles
Authors: Ródenas-Alesina Eduard , Foroutan Farid , Fan Chun-Po , Stehlik Josef , Bartlett Ina , Tremblay-Gravel Maxime , Aleksova Natasha , Rao Vivek , Miller Robert J.H. , Khush Kiran K. , Ross Heather J. , Moayedi Yasbanoo
Published: August 2023

BACKGROUND:

Total predicted heart mass (PHM) is the recommended metric to assess donor-recipient size matching in patients undergoing heart transplantation. Separately measuring right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular (LV) PHM may improve risk prediction of 1-year graft failure.

METHODS:

Adult heart transplant recipients from the UNOS database from 2000 to 2018 were included in the study. LV and RV PHM were modeled as restricted cubic splines. The association with 1-year graft failure was determined using adjusted Cox regression. The risk reclassification of using both LV and RV PHM versus total PHM was assessed using the net reclassification index.

RESULTS:

A total of 34 976 recipients were included. We observed a
U
-shaped association between total PHM and 1-year graft failure, such that risk increased for hearts undersized by >15% and those oversized by more than 27%. Graft failure incrementally increased when LV PHM was undersized by more than 5% and when RV was oversized by >20%. There was 1.5-fold greater risk of graft failure for an LV undersized by >26% or an RV oversized by more than 40%. Using LV and RV PHM risk-assessment separately led to a net reclassification index=8.5% ([95% CI, 5.3%–11.7%], nonevent net reclassification index=9.1%, event net reclassification index=−0.6%).

CONCLUSIONS:

The association between donor-recipient PHM match and the risk of graft failure after heart transplantation can be further understood as risk attributable to LV undersizing and RV oversizing. Assessing LV and RV PHM separately instead of total PHM could further refine the methods used to match donors and recipients for heart transplantation, minimize the risk of 1-year graft failure, and increase the use of donor organs.
Age-related variability in network engagement during music listening
Authors: Faber Sarah E. M. , Belden Alexander G. , Loui Psyche , McIntosh Randy
Published: August 2023

Listening to music is an enjoyable behaviour that engages multiple networks of brain regions. As such, the act of music listening may offer a way to interrogate network activity, and to examine the reconfigurations of brain networks that have been observed in healthy aging. The present study is an exploratory examination of brain network dynamics during music listening in healthy older and younger adults. Network measures were extracted and analyzed together with behavioural data using a combination of hidden Markov modelling and partial least squares. We found age- and preference-related differences in fMRI data collected during music listening in healthy younger and older adults. Both age groups showed higher occupancy (the proportion of time a network was active) in a temporal-mesolimbic network while listening to self-selected music. Activity in this network was strongly positively correlated with liking and familiarity ratings in younger adults, but less so in older adults. Additionally, older adults showed a higher degree of correlation between liking and familiarity ratings consistent with past behavioural work on age-related dedifferentiation. We conclude that, while older adults do show network and behaviour patterns consistent with dedifferentiation, activity in the temporal-mesolimbic network is relatively robust to dedifferentiation. These findings may help explain how music listening remains meaningful and rewarding in old age.
Re-establishment of Begonia corallina Carrière (Begoniaceae) based on morphoanatomical evidence
Authors: JACQUES ELIANE DE LIMA , RIBEIRO MARIA ALICE MARTINS , TOZIN LUIZ RICARDO DOS SANTOS
Published: August 2023

Begonia corallina Carrière (Begoniaceae) has recently been recognized as synonym of B. maculata Raddi. We show that it is readily distinguished from this species mainly by its coral-red inflorescence, flowers and immature fruits, broadly ovate outer tepals of the staminate flowers and cordiform capsules. Additionally, anatomical investigation highlights further differences, mainly between the leaf blades, such as glandular trichome distribution, palisade parenchyma and midrib thickness, number of vascular bundles on the midrib and sclereid distribution. Accordingly, based on the morphoanatomical differences described here, Begonia corallina Carrière is re-established at the rank of species, and we provide photographs and an emended description of this taxon.
Eltroplectris paranaënsis: a new species of Spiranthinae (Orchidaceae) from the nebular Atlantic Rain Forest
Authors: ENGELS MATHIAS ERICH , SILVA-PEREIRA VIVIANE DA , SMIDT ERIC DE CAMARGO
Published: August 2023

During a field expedition to the Serra do Mar in the state of Paraná, a new species of Spiranthinae was found, which occurs as a humicolous in the understory of the Upper Montane Dense Ombrophilous Forest, also called Cloud Forest. Phylogenetic analysis of the Stenorrhynchos clade, in which the genus is inserted, using nuclear internal transcriber spacer data, confirms that the new species belongs to the genus Eltroplectris with high support, and it is a sister to the species E. triloba and E. schlechteriana. Eltroplectris paranaënsis can be recognized and differentiated from congeners by its small habit, leaves with a narrow-elliptical-lanceolate blade, parviflorous inflorescence, light-green and white flowers, and the trilobed lip with an entire margin.
Begonia littoralis (Begoniaceae), a new species from North Coast of São Paulo State, Brazil
Authors: MIRANDA MARCELO DIAS , JACQUES ELIANE DE LIMA
Published: August 2023

Field research in Submontane Ombrophilous Atlantic Forest in the extreme North Coast of São Paulo State, bordering Rio de Janeiro, has brought us the knowledge of a new species of Begonia (Begoniaceae). The new species is here compared with Begonia erythrobracteata and Begonia fluminensis, by having similar leaf blades which are glabrous adaxially. Description, taxonomic comments, map, photographic plates, illustrations and a provisional IUCN Red List Assessment are provided.
Peperomia mangalbaria (Piperaceae), a new species from Sikkim Himalaya, India
Authors: RAI PRAMOD , MATHIEU GUIDO
Published: August 2023

Piperaceae is one of the most diverse plant families. Peperomia, the second largest genus of this family, has about 10 species in India which are distributed from the Northern Himalayas to the Southern Peninsula. Here we describe a new species of Peperomia from Sikkim Himalaya in northeastern India. A color plate, line drawing, distribution map, description, and taxonomic key to current species of Peperomia in Sikkim are provided.
Exploring gene sequences and phylogenetic relationships of four terrestrial planarian species (Platyhelminthes; Tricladida; Geoplanidae) in Europe
Authors: ÁLVAREZ-PRESAS MARTA , LITTLEWOOD D. TIMOTHY J. , MATEOS EDUARDO , JONES HUGH D.
Published: August 2023

Partial mitochondrial cox1 gene sequences from four recently recognised European species of terrestrial planarians, and ribosomal ITS1 sequences for two of them, are presented: Marionfyfea adventor, Artioposthia exulans (both introduced from New Zealand), Australopacifica atrata (from Australia) and specimens putatively identified as Microplana edwardsi, presumed to be native to the UK. The sequences are compared with those from other terrestrial planarian species and analysed phylogenetically. Results indicate that the sister group of M. adventor comprises a clade constituted by at least the genus Arthurdendyus. The phylogenetic position of Ar. exulans remains less certain, Australopacifica atrata might be closely related to the species Parakontikia ventrolineata and Endeavouria septemlineata. The specimens of M. cf. edwardsi are distinct from all other Microplana species for which sequences are available.
Assimilation of Additional Radiosonde Observation Helps Improve the Prediction of Typhoon-Related Rainfall in the Pearl River Delta
Authors: Chen Jianqiao , Han Bo , Yang Qinghua , Luo Hao , Xian Zhipeng , Zhang Yunfei , Li Xing , Zhang Xiaobo
Published: August 2023

Typhoons frequently hit the Pearl River Delta (PRD), threatening the region’s dense population and assets. Typhoon precipitation forecasting in this region is challenging, in part because of the complex hydrometeorological effects over the coast and the scarcity of upstream marine meteorological observations. Typhoon Mun was formed in the South China Sea on 2 July 2019, and it brought heavy rainfall to the PRD when its center moved to the Beibu Gulf. During Typhoon Mun, an additional sounding was conducted offshore in the PRD every 12 h to assess the incremental impact on the skill of precipitation forecasting. A precipitation prediction based on the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model underestimated the 12-h accumulated precipitation over the PRD by 87%, with the Final Analysis (FNL) data from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction in the United States as initial fields. To address this issue, we implemented a solution by reconstructing the initial field through the assimilation of the additional radiosonde observations using the WRF three-dimensional variational (3D-Var) method. The prediction with the new initial fields reduced the rainfall underestimation by 24%. A difference analysis indicates that the planetary boundary layer scheme used in FNL underestimates the low-level temperature and humidity, especially after the rainfall peak. In contrast, assimilation gives a more realistic lower-tropospheric structure, significantly enhancing the moisture flux convergence around 925 hPa and divergence around 700 hPa around the PRD. Sensitivity experiments show that assimilating atmospheric thermal (i.e., temperature and humidity) profiles is more helpful than dynamic (wind) profiles in improving the rainfall prediction of the typhoon.

Significance Statement

The impact of typhoon-related precipitation in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) is significant. Improving the numerical forecast precision in this region poses challenges, partly due to the influences of land–sea thermal and topographic factors near the boundary layer, as well as the scarcity of upstream observational data. This study proposes a practical method to improve typhoon-related precipitation prediction from a case study of Typhoon Mun. By assimilating additional sounding observations, we obtain a more realistic structure of the lower atmosphere, better spatial patterns of water vapor fluxes, and, ultimately, better precipitation forecasts. The results of our study suggest that a more advanced observing system of vertical atmospheric structure, especially the thermal one, over the South China Sea is important for improving typhoon predictions.
A Statistical Forecast Model for Extratropical Cyclones Including Intensity and Precipitation Type
Authors: Cavanagh Rebekah , Oliver Eric C. J.
Published: August 2023

Winter extratropical cyclones (ETCs) are dominant features of winter weather on the east coast of North America. These storms are characterized by high winds and heavy precipitation (rain, snow, and ice). ETCs are well predicted by numerical weather prediction models (NWPs) at short- to midrange forecast lead times, but prediction on seasonal time scales is lacking. We develop a set of multiple linear regression models, using stepwise regression and cross validation, to predict the number of storms expected to affect a specific location throughout the winter storm season. Each model in the set predicts a specific storm type (e.g., snow, rain, or bomb storms). This set of models is applied in a probabilistic forecast framework that uses the probability density function of the prediction in combination with climatological mean storm activity. The resulting forecast makes statements about the likelihood of below-average, average, or above-average activity for all storms and for each of the type-specific subsets of storms. Though this forecast framework could in theory be applied anywhere, we demonstrate its skill in forecasting the characteristics of the winter storm season experienced in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Significance Statement

Winter storms are a disruptive but inevitable part of life on the eastern coast of North America all the way from the Carolinas to Labrador. Knowing each fall what to expect for the upcoming winter storm season is not only a matter of public interest, but also of great public safety and financial importance. Here we develop a model that uses the state of the atmosphere over the month of September to forecast the upcoming winter storm characteristics for a specified region of interest. Our model uses a multiple linear regression approach to make skilled forecasts including probability statements about the level and type of storm activity. Forecasts can be used to inform planning for the winter ahead.
Study of the influence of universal gearing of steering system on vehicle handling stability
Authors: Gao Jin , Qi Xiaoping
Published: August 2023

The handling stability of a vehicle is a crucial performance aspect. In this study, the focus is on investigating the impact of the universal gearing of the steering shaft on the handling stability of the vehicle. The research involves a theoretical analysis of how the structural parameters of universal gearing affect the handling stability of the vehicle, which is then validated through a series of simulation experiments including swept-sine steering input simulation, constant radius cornering simulation, and cornering with steer release. Evaluation is based on objective indices such as the steering wheel angle, yaw rate, and lateral acceleration. Moreover, the trends of these indices with respect to the phase angle and initial angle of universal gearing are determined. The findings reveal that the steering ratio of the vehicle varies significantly for varying phase angle and initial angle, resulting in different handling performance. The relationship between the phase angle and fluctuation magnitude of steering ratio is particularly noteworthy, while the impact of initial angle is primarily on the phase of steering ratio. Furthermore, within a certain range, changing the structural parameters of the universal gearing has the potential to enhance the handling performance of the vehicle.
Modernizing Measure of the Nurse Work Environment
Authors: Campbell Caitlin Marley , Li Peng , Warshawsky Nora , Swiger Pauline A. , Olds Danielle , Cramer Emily , Patrician Patricia A.
Published: August 2023

Background:

Research has established a relationship between favorable nurse work environments and better nurse, patient, and organizational outcomes. However, the instrument most frequently used to measure the nurse work environment, the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index (PES-NWI), has not had its items significantly re-evaluated since the 1980s.

Objective:

We sought to examine the psychometric properties of an updated PES-NWI and create an instrument suitable for further testing and refinement to measure the present-day nurse work environment. Specifically, we sought to establish construct, structural, discriminative, and concurrent validity. For reliability, we desired to establish interrater reliability and internal consistency reliability.

Methods:

We administered a modified PES-NWI to a national sample of direct-care hospital nurses ( n = 818) in the United States. We then assessed the psychometric properties of the instrument.

Results:

While the modified PES-NWI displayed adequate validity and reliability properties, further testing and refinement of the instrument is necessary.

Conclusions:

With this updated measure of the nurse work environment, researchers and hospital leaders can identify modifiable opportunities for improvement in contemporary hospital nurse work environments which may enhance nurse and patient outcomes.