bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Watermelon mosaic virus in the Czech Republic, its recent and historical origins
Authors: Ben Mansour Karima , Gibbs Adrian J. , Komínková Marcela , Komínek Petr , Brožová Jana , Kazda Jan , Zouhar Miloslav , Ryšánek Pavel
Published: June 2023

Watermelon mosaic virus (WMV) is a potyvirus and a member of the bean common mosaic virus (BCMV) lineage. It is one of the most economically important viral pathogens of cucurbits worldwide and was first reported in the Czech Republic in 2011 from serological surveys (2005–2011). In this study, we confirmed this identification by determining the complete coding regions of five Czech WMV isolates using high‐throughput sequencing and Sanger sequencing (MW188031; OP585149–OP585152), together with the coat protein (CP) genes of 26 additional isolates. Phylogenies were made from these and more than 128 genomes or 128 CP genes from GenBank. They showed that the Czech isolates were most closely related to other European isolates, but, surprisingly, 96.2% of the genomes were recombinant. The nonrecombinant sequences mostly came from basal isolates, all originating from China, and some from unusual hosts (Ailanthus altissima, Alcea rosea and Panax ginseng). The complete WMV genomes form three phylogenetic clades, two of them small and basal, and the third includes all other isolates. Comparative dating suggests that the basal Chinese isolates are descendants of a potyvirus population infecting various dicotyledonous plant species in China at least 2000 years ago. WMV became a crop pathogen around 1000 years ago, a few years after watermelon was taken to northern China and first grown as a crop during the Five Dynasties (907–960 ce).
Mechanisms of spatial contextual cueing in younger and older adults
Authors: Kojouharova Petia , Nagy Boglárka , Czigler István , Gaál Zsófia Anna
Published: June 2023

The contextual cueing effect is the phenomenon observed when response time (RT) becomes faster in visual search in repeated context compared with a new one. In the present study, we explored whether the mechanisms involved in the effect are age dependent. We investigated it in younger (N = 20, 12 women, 21.2 ± 1.75 years) and older (N = 19, nine women, 67.05 ± 3.94 years) adults. We found a faster target identification in the repeated configurations with similar magnitude in the two age groups, which indicates that this contextual cueing effect remained intact even in the older participants. To shed light on the underlying mechanisms, we measured and compared the amplitude of three event‐related potentials: N2pc, P3, and response‐locked LRP. In the younger group, the larger contextual cueing effect (novel‐minus‐repeated RT difference) correlated positively with a larger difference in amplitude for repeated compared with novel configurations for both the N2pc and the P3 components, but there was no correlation with the response‐locked lateralized readiness potential (rLRP) amplitude difference. However, in the older group, only the rLRP amplitude difference between novel and repeated configurations showed an enhancement with larger contextual cueing. These results suggest that different mechanisms are responsible for the contextual effect in the two age groups. It has both an early and an intermediate locus in younger adults: effective attentional allocation and successful stimulus categorization, or decision‐making confidence are involved; while in older adults, a late locus was identified: a more efficient response organization led to a faster reaction.
Hardening corporate accountability in commodity supply chains under the European Union Deforestation Regulation
Authors: Berning Laila , Sotirov Metodi
Published: June 2023

The European Union (EU) has recently introduced the Deforestation Regulation to close regulatory gaps in the sustainability and legality of global forest and agricultural commodity supply chains. We analyze this regulatory policy change by drawing on accountability scholarship and institutionalist theories of regulation. Our results show that the Regulation aims to enhance corporate accountability mechanisms through mostly state‐based hard regulation of commodity supply chains, reducing the role of market incentives and private regulation. This policy change is found to be the result of strategic policy‐oriented learning from perceived accountability failures of existing soft market‐based instruments, voluntary trade agreements, and experience with market‐correcting EU timber legality trade rules in a politically favorable context. The institutionalization of new forest‐risk commodity supply chain accountability norms in new EU trade rules would, by design, harden foreign corporate accountability for negative socio‐environmental externalities. However, the de‐facto hardening will depend on the final regulatory design, acceptance, compliance, implementation, enforcement improvements, and avoidance of leakage effects.
Hand pollination, mass spraying, and hybrid seedlings: Do these technologies affect the welfare of smallholder cocoa farmers in Ghana?
Authors: Asante Bright O. , Addai Kwabena N. , Prah Stephen , Temoso Omphile , Ng'ombe John N.
Published: June 2023

Adoption of cocoa production technologies has the potential to improve productivity and welfare of smallholder producers in low‐income countries. While studies investigating synergies in agricultural technologies are growing, empirical evidence on the determinants and impacts of adopting multiple cocoa production technologies on smallholder farmers' welfare is scarce. Therefore, this study contributes by analyzing the determinants and effects of adoption of multiple cocoa production technologies on the welfare of smallholder farmers in Ghana. To achieve this, we used the multinomial endogenous switching regression and multivalued inverse probability regression adjustment models to a random sample of 2233 cocoa farmers from Ghana. The results show that various socioeconomic characteristics (e.g., farmer's age and experience), resource constraints (e.g., land ownership and credit access), market‐related factors (e.g., distance to the market), and production shocks (e.g., rainfall) influence the adoption of multiple cocoa production technologies. Furthermore, the results reveal that adopting multiple production technologies significantly improves cocoa yields, gross income, per capita consumption expenditure, and reduces household food insecurity. Therefore, policies, such as financial support, need to be aimed at improving and strengthening smallholder cocoa producers' capacity to adopt synergistic conventional and non‐conventional cocoa production technologies to maximize smallholder farmers' welfare.
The prognostic significance of CDK6 expression in renal cell carcinoma treated by immune checkpoint plus tyrosine kinase inhibition
Authors: Wang Jiajun , Zhang Sihong , Wang Ying , Zhu Yanjun , Xu Xianglai , Guo Jianming
Published: June 2023

Checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy plus tyrosine kinase inhibitor (IO/TKI) has become the first‐line treatment for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC), despite the lack of biomarkers. Cyclin‐dependent kinase 6 (CDK6) has shown a regulatory role in antitumour response. The study enrolled two cohorts of metastatic RCC treated by IO/TKI (Zhongshan Hospital [ZS]‐MRCC, n = 45; JAVELIN‐101, n = 726) and two cohorts of localized RCC (ZS‐HRRCC, n = 40; TCGA‐KIRC, n = 530). CDK6 was evaluated by RNA‐sequencing. Progression‐free survival (PFS) was the primary endpoint. The prognostic role of CDK6 was evaluated by survival analysis. The correlation between CDK6 and tumour microenvironment was assessed by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. The high‐CDK6 group displayed a lower response rate (13.6%) than the low‐CDK6 group (56.5%) (P = .002). High‐CDK6 was associated with poor PFS in both the ZS‐MRCC cohort (high‐CDK6, median PFS 6.4 months; low‐CDK6, median PFS not reached; P = .010) and JAVELIN‐101 cohort (high‐CDK6, median PFS 10.0 months; low‐CDK6, median PFS 13.3 month; P = .033). High‐CDK6 was associated with increased PD1+CD8+ T cells (Spearman's ρ = .47, P < .001) and decreased Granzyme B+CD8+ T cells (Spearman's ρ = −.35, P = .030). Finally, a random forest score (RFscore) was built by integrating CDK6 and immunologic genes, which was associated with survival benefits of IO/TKI (RFscore‐low, TKI vs IO/TKI, HR = 2.47, 95% CI 1.82–3.35, P < .001; RFscore‐high, TKI vs IO/TKI, HR = 0.99, 95% CI 0.75–1.32, P = .963). Elevated CDK6 expression indicated resistance and poor PFS under IO/TKI therapy, which was related to exhausted CD8+ T cells. Integrated RFscore could evaluate the benefits of IO/TKI.
Migrant Generations and Abortion Circumstances: Assessing Latinxs' Abortion Attitudes in the US*
Authors: Bueno Xiana , Montenegro María , Lo Wen‐Juo , Valdez Danny , Crawford Brandon L. , Turner Ronna C. , Jozkowski Kristen N.
Published: June 2023

This study examines how Latinx migrant generation and the circumstances of abortion may be linked to attitudes toward abortion legality among a sample of U.S.‐Latinx adults. Using Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Multiple‐Indicators Multiple‐Causes modeling, we found that abortion attitudes across different migrant generations are sensitive to circumstances motivating the abortion. We did not find significant differences across migrant generations for generally more endorsed circumstances, such as when the woman's health is at risk or when the pregnancy occurs as a result of rape. However, second and third generations were more inclined to endorse legal abortion than first‐generation for generally less endorsed circumstances, such as low income, being unpartnered, not wanting (more) children, or contraception failure. The social context in which one is raised (i.e., the United States for migrants' descendants or the country of birth for the first‐generation migrants) plays a role in shaping abortion attitudes regarding the less endorsed social‐related circumstances but not for more endorsed circumstances. Further research should consider the inner heterogeneity of the Latinx population as well as the multiple contexts of abortion.
Motivation and achievement in undergraduate STEM calculus: Applying self‐determination theory to examine the differential impact of learning environments across demographic groups
Authors: Wiles Benjamin , Levesque‐Bristol Chantal
Published: June 2023

This study examines the relationships among students' perceptions of autonomy, competence, and relatedness, self‐determined motivation, and achievement across two different undergraduate Calculus learning environments at the same institution. Furthermore, it also exposits how learning environments are not culturally or socially neutral by establishing clear evidence that one learning environment offered motivational support and associated achievement gains to specific demographic groups while diminishing motivation and achievement for others. To accomplish this, we applied constructs from Self‐Determination Theory (SDT) within a quasi‐experimental design (N = 6866), controlling for prior math knowledge, in both Calculus I and Calculus II over seven semesters. We use this information to advance the broad notion of student‐centeredness and identify the role of motivational processes by which undergraduate Calculus learning environments function. We propose using motivational frameworks as a tool for defining and measuring student‐centeredness relative to individual students, or student groups, rather than to students as a monolith.
The Microstructural Origins of Acoustic Emission Signatures Encountered During Fracture Cutting of Bovine Cortical Bone
Authors: Mishra Roshan , Conward Michael , Samuel Johnson
Published: June 2023

This paper is aimed at studying the acoustic emission signatures of dominant failure mechanisms encountered during fracture cutting of bovine cortical bone. This is achieved through an orthogonal cutting study performed in a sensor-rich environment comprising a cutting force sensor, acoustic emission sensor, and a high-speed camera. The synchronization of these three sensing modalities allows for the visual identification of the dominant failure modes, while also mapping them to their corresponding acoustic and cutting force metrics. Given their distinctly different underlying microstructures, the haversian and plexiform components of the bovine cortical bone are investigated separately. A total of six dominant failure mechanisms have been confirmed across the haversian and plexiform bone types. Osteon fracture and trans-lamellar fracture have been identified as the mechanisms expending the maximum energy during the fracture cutting of haversian and plexiform bone, respectively. Overall, the acoustic emission and the cutting force metrics are seen to be complementary in characterizing the six failure mechanisms. The findings of this work have implications for tool-mounted sensing modalities that could be used to detect “in-process” failure mechanisms during bone surgical procedures.
Nucleation and quantum confinement of nano-platelet Bi2–Bi2Se3
Authors: Brown Margaret M. , Ruvalcaba Ricardo , Burzynski Katherine M. , Winner Derek , Mahalingam Krishnamurthy , Puli Venkata S. , Laing Ryan P. , Muratore Tobin C. , Brown Jeff L. , Eyink Kurt G. , Elhamri Said , Romero Aldo H. , Guerrero-Sanchez Jonathan , Corbett Joseph P. , Reed Amber
Published: June 2023

The nucleation, nano-platelet growth, and optical properties under quantum confinement are investigated in the topological semimetal superlattice Bi2–Bi2Se3 as a function of thickness and Ar + ion pressure in sputtered growths. Quantum confinement and evolution of the band structure with a series of reduced dimensionality and surface terminations are studied by density functional theory corroborating the observed optical properties. An initial Volmer–Weber growth mode of nano-platelets is observed until a pressure-dependent critical thickness, where a transition to Frank–van der Merwe growth occurs. Nucleation statistics characterized using atomic force microscopy find the nearest-neighbor ordering of nano-platelets. Optical properties using ultraviolet to visible light spectroscopy measurements in transmission mode reveal a marked increase in optical bandgap below a nano-platelet critical volume reaching a maximum of 2.21 eV. Raman vibrational spectroscopy is performed, revealing softening of vibrational modes as the nano-platelet volume decreases.
Neighborhood Places for Preschool Children’s Physical Activity: A Mixed-Methods Study Using Global Positioning System, Geographic Information Systems, and Accelerometry Data
Authors: Bai Pulan , Schipperijn Jasper , Rosenberg Michael , Christian Hayley
Published: June 2023

Background: This study adds to the current literature by using a novel device-based method to explore where preschool children are physically active outside of home and childcare settings. This study combined accelerometry with geospatial data to explore the influence of the environment on preschool children’s physical activity by objectively identifying the locations where preschool children engage in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) within and outside of their neighborhood. Methods: Accelerometry, Global Positioning System, and Geographic Information Systems data from 168 preschool children aged 2–5 years were processed in ArcGIS Pro to identify locations (per 25 × 25-m fishnet cell) with high MVPA counts. Locations with high MVPA counts were defined as those with the top 20% of MVPA counts per fishnet cell. The land use for high MVPA count location was determined for 3 domains: <500 m from home, 500 to 1600 m from home, and >1600 m from home. Results: Locations with high MVPA counts <500 m from home were playgrounds (66.6%), schools (16.7%), and parks (16.7%). Locations with high MVPA counts 500 to 1600 m from home included playgrounds (33.3%), nonhome residential (29.6%), childcare centers (11.1%), and parks (3.7%). Locations with high MVPA counts >1600 m from home included nonhome residential (54.7%), sports and recreation centers (11.1%), playgrounds (6.8%), and parks (5.3%). Conclusions: Our findings highlight that local parks and playgrounds provide physical activity opportunities for preschool children, yet beyond the local neighborhood, the homes of others are important locations for preschool children to accumulate MVPA. These findings can be used to inform the design of current and future neighborhood places to better accommodate preschool children’s MVPA.
Credibility gap in net-zero climate targets leaves world at high risk
Authors: Rogelj Joeri , Fransen Taryn , den Elzen Michel G. J. , Lamboll Robin D. , Schumer Clea , Kuramochi Takeshi , Hans Frederic , Mooldijk Silke , Portugal-Pereira Joana
Published: June 2023

Looking at policies instead of promises shows that global climate targets may be missed by a large margin
New Data on the Patterns of Methane Distribution over the Arctic Shelf of Eurasia
Authors: Shakirov R. B. , Khazanova E. S. , Stepochkin I. E.
Published: June 2023

New results on the analysis of methane distribution in the troposphere over the Arctic shelf of Eurasia using the Atmospheric InfraRed Sounder (AIRS) are reported. The main trends in variability of the methane content (increase), temperature (AIRS, fluctuations without a distinctly manifested trend), and ice coverage for the period 2010–2022 have been revealed. Conclusions were made about the difference in the distributions of atmospheric methane over the western and eastern Eurasian Arctic. These parts were divided according to the zone of permeability, which was formed by a seismically active lineament of Gakkel Ridge. It has been shown that hydrometeorological parameters, including temperature and ice formation, are probably not the main factors for increasing the methane content in the atmosphere of the Eurasian Arctic shelf. The increase in the methane content and the methane distribution are associated with natural regional factors that are widespread over vast areas. These factors include, first of all, geological structures: oil and gas basins and tectonically fragmentated zones of the lithosphere with a different type of degassing.
The Khubsugul Earthquake of January 12, 2021, Mw = 6.7, Northern Mongolia: Geological Effects and Tectonic Position of the Source
Authors: Ovsyuchenko A. N. , Demberel S. , Butanayev Y. V. , Koshevoy N. G. , Batsaikhan Ts. , Baatar N.
Published: June 2023

The geological effects of the Khubsugul earthquake of January 12, 2021, with Mw = 6.7, which became the strongest in the Khubsugul region during the instrumental stage of seismological observations, are studied and mapped. Using the ESI-2007 scale, the epicentral zone with intensity VIII is contoured. The primary seismic rupture is represented by the right-lateral strike–slip with a displacement amplitude up to 20 cm, which renewed the Late Holocene tectonic scarp on the western side of the Khubsugul rift basin. The dynamics of rupturing in the Late Holocene indicates the gradual expansion of the basin due to the destruction of the adjacent mountain range. The data of satellite interferometry and seismological observations are in good agreement with the results of the field studies, which allows considering the delineated region of maximum shaking as a projection of the upper part of the source zone onto the surface.
Blame attribution analysis of police motor vehicle collision reports involving child bicyclists
Authors: Caplan Lea , Lashewicz Bonnie , Pitt Tona Michael , Aucoin Janet , Fridman Liraz , HubkaRao Tate , Pike Ian , Howard Andrew William , Macpherson Alison K , Rothman Linda , Cloutier Marie-Soleil , Hagel Brent E
Published: June 2023

Background

Injuries resulting from collisions between a bicyclist and driver are preventable and have high economic, personal and societal costs. Studying the language choices used by police officers to describe factors responsible for child bicyclist-motor vehicle collisions may help shift prevention efforts away from vulnerable road users to motorists and the environment. The overall aim was to investigate how police officers attribute blame in child (≤18 years) bicycle-motor vehicle collision scenarios.

Methods

A document analysis approach was used to analyse Alberta Transportation police collision reports from Calgary and Edmonton (2016–2017). Collision reports were categorised by the research team according to perceived blame (child, driver, both, neither, unsure). Content analysis was then used to examine police officer language choices. A narrative thematic analysis of the individual, behavioural, structural and environmental factors leading to collision blame was then conducted.

Results

Of 171 police collision reports included, child bicyclists were perceived to be at fault in 78 reports (45.6%) and adult drivers were perceived at fault in 85 reports (49.7%). Child bicyclists were portrayed through language choices as being irresponsible and irrational, leading to interactions with drivers and collisions. Risk perception issues were also mentioned frequently in relation to poor decisions made by child bicyclists. Most police officer reports discussed road user behaviours, and children were frequently blamed for collisions.

Conclusions

This work provides an opportunity to re-examine perceptions of factors related to motor vehicle and child bicyclist collisions with a view to prevention.
Comparison of urban and rural mortality rates across the lifespan in Aotearoa/New Zealand: a population-level study
Authors: Nixon Garry , Davie Gabrielle , Whitehead Jesse , Miller Rory , de Graaf Brandon , Lawrenson Ross , Smith Michelle , Wakerman John , Humphreys John , Crengle Sue
Published: June 2023

Background

Previous studies undertaken in New Zealand using generic rurality classifications have concluded that life expectancy and age-standardised mortality rates are similar for urban and rural populations.

Methods

Administrative mortality (2014–2018) and census data (2013 and 2018) were used to estimate age-stratified sex-adjusted mortality rate ratios (aMRRs) for a range of mortality outcomes across the rural-urban spectrum (using major urban centres as the reference) for the total population and separately for Māori and non-Māori. Rural was defined according to the recently developed Geographic Classification for Health.

Results

Mortality rates were higher overall in rural areas. This was most pronounced in the youngest age group (<30 years) in the most remote communities (eg, all-cause, amenable and injury-related aMRRs (95% CIs) were 2.1 (1.7 to 2.6), 2.5 (1.9 to 3.2) and 3.0 (2.3 to 3.9) respectively. The rural:urban differences attenuated markedly with increasing age; for some outcomes in those aged 75 years or more, estimated aMRRs were <1.0. Similar patterns were observed for Māori and non-Māori.

Conclusion

This is the first time that a consistent pattern of higher mortality rates for rural populations has been observed in New Zealand. A purpose-built urban-rural classification and age stratification were important factors in unmasking these disparities.
Zoledronic acid and thymosin α1 elicit antitumor immunity against prostate cancer by enhancing tumor inflammation and cytotoxic T cells
Authors: Wang Sheng , Huang Maohua , Chen Minfeng , Sun Zhiting , Jiao Yubo , Ye Geni , Pan Jinghua , Ye Wencai , Zhao Jianfu , Zhang Dongmei
Published: June 2023

Background

Advanced or metastatic prostate cancer (PCa) is still an incurable malignancy with high lethality and a poor prognosis. Despite the remarkable success of immunotherapy against many types of cancer, most patients with PCa receive minimal benefit from current immunotherapeutic strategies, because PCa is an immune cold tumor with scarce T-cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment. The aim of this study was to develop an effective immunotherapeutic approach for immune cold PCa tumors.

Methods

The therapeutic efficacy of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and zoledronic acid (ZA) plus thymosin α1 (Tα1) therapy was analyzed retrospectively in patients with advanced or metastatic PCa. The effects and mechanisms by which ZA and Tα1 regulated the immune functions of PCa cells and immune cells were evaluated by a PCa allograft mouse model, flow cytometric analysis, immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining assays, and PCR, ELISA, and Western blot analyses.

Results

In this study, clinical retrospective analysis revealed that ADT combined with ZA plus Tα1 improved the therapeutic outcomes of patients with PCa, which might be associated with an enhanced frequency of T cells. ZA and Tα1 treatment synergistically inhibited the growth of androgen-independent PCa allograft tumors, with increased infiltration of tumor-specific cytotoxic CD8+T cells and enhanced tumor inflammation. Functionally, ZA and Tα1 treatment relieved immunosuppression in PCa cells, stimulated pro-inflammatory macrophages, and enhanced the cytotoxic function of T cells. Mechanistically, ZA plus Tα1 therapy blocked the MyD88/NF-κB pathway in PCa cells but activated this signaling in macrophages and T cells, altering the tumor immune landscape to suppress PCa progression.

Conclusions

These findings uncover a previously undefined role for ZA and Tα1 in inhibiting the disease progression of immune cold PCa tumors by enhancing antitumor immunity and pave the way for the application of ZA plus Tα1 therapy as an immunotherapeutic strategy for treating patients with immunologically unresponsive PCa.
Blaming the unvaccinated during the COVID-19 pandemic: the roles of political ideology and risk perceptions in the USA
Authors: Graso Maja , Aquino Karl , Chen Fan Xuan , Bardosh Kevin
Published: June 2023

Individuals unvaccinated against COVID-19 (C19) experienced prejudice and blame for the pandemic. Because people vastly overestimate C19 risks, we examined whether these negative judgements could be partially understood as a form of scapegoating (ie, blaming a group unfairly for an undesirable outcome) and whether political ideology (previously shown to shape risk perceptions in the USA) moderates scapegoating of the unvaccinated. We grounded our analyses in scapegoating literature and risk perception during C19. We obtained support for our speculations through two vignette-based studies conducted in the USA in early 2022. We varied the risk profiles (age, prior infection, comorbidities) and vaccination statuses of vignette characters (eg, vaccinated, vaccinated without recent boosters, unvaccinated, unvaccinated-recovered), while keeping all other information constant. We observed that people hold the unvaccinated (vs vaccinated) more responsible for negative pandemic outcomes and that political ideology moderated these effects: liberals (vs conservatives) were more likely to scapegoat the unvaccinated (vs vaccinated), even when presented with information challenging the culpability of the unvaccinated known at the time of data collection (eg, natural immunity, availability of vaccines, time since last vaccination). These findings support a scapegoating explanation for a specific group-based prejudice that emerged during the C19 pandemic. We encourage medical ethicists to examine the negative consequences of significant C19 risk overestimation among the public. The public needs accurate information about health issues. That may involve combating misinformation that overestimates and underestimates disease risk with similar vigilance to error.
Gait-combined closed-loop brain stimulation can improve walking dynamics in Parkinsonian gait disturbances: a randomised-control trial
Authors: Nojima Ippei , Horiba Mitsuya , Sahashi Kento , Koganemaru Satoko , Murakami Satona , Aoyama Kiminori , Matsukawa Noriyuki , Ono Yumie , Mima Tatsuya , Ueki Yoshino
Published: June 2023

Objective

Gait disturbance lowers activities of daily living in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and related disorders. However, the effectiveness of pharmacological, surgical and rehabilitative treatments is limited. We recently developed a novel neuromodulation approach using gait-combined closed-loop transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) for healthy volunteers and patients who are post-stroke, and achieved significant entrainment of gait rhythm and an increase in gait speed. Here, we tested the efficacy of this intervention in patients with Parkinsonian gait disturbances.

Methods

Twenty-three patients were randomly assigned to a real intervention group using gait-combined closed-loop oscillatory tES over the cerebellum at the frequency of individualised comfortable gait rhythm, and to a sham control group.

Results

Ten intervention sessions were completed for all patients and showed that the gait speed (F(1, 21)=13.0, p=0.002) and stride length (F(1, 21)=8.9, p=0.007) were significantly increased after tES, but not after sham stimulation. Moreover, gait symmetry measured by swing phase time (F(1, 21)=11.9, p=0.002) and subjective feelings about freezing (F(1, 21)=14.9, p=0.001) were significantly improved during gait.

Conclusions

These findings showed that gait-combined closed-loop tES over the cerebellum improved Parkinsonian gait disturbances, possibly through the modulation of brain networks generating gait rhythms. This new non-pharmacological and non-invasive intervention could be a breakthrough in restoring gait function in patients with PD and related disorders.
Pipeline Embolization Device for intracranial aneurysms presenting with mass effect: a large Chinese cohort
Authors: Zhao Yang , Lu Junlin , Zhang Hongqi , LI Tianxiao , Song Donglei , Guan Sheng , Maimaitili Aisha , Wang Yunyan , Feng Wenfeng , Wang Yang , Wan Jieqing , Mao Guohua , Shi Huaizhang , Yang Xinjian , Liu Jianmin , Zhao Yuanli
Published: June 2023

Background

Unruptured intracranial aneurysm treatment aims to reduce the risk of aneurysm rupture and bleeding, relieves symptoms and improve the quality of life for patients. This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of Pipeline Embolization Device (PED, Covidien/Medtronic, Irvine, CA) treatment for intracranial aneurysms presenting with mass effect in real-world settings.

Methods

We selected patients from the PED in China Post-Market Multi-Center Registry Study with mass effect presentation. The study endpoints included postoperative mass effect deterioration and mass effect relief at follow-up (3–36 months). We conducted multivariate analysis to identify factors associated with mass effect relief. Subgroup analyses by aneurysm location, size and form were also performed.

Results

This study included 218 patients with a mean age of 54.3±11.8 years and a female predominance of 74.0% (162/218). The postoperative mass effect deterioration rate was 9.6% (21/218). During a median follow-up period of 8.4 months, the mass effect relief rate was 71.6% (156/218). Notably, immediate aneurysm occlusion following treatment was significantly associated with mass effect relief (OR 0.392, 95% CI, 0.170 to 0.907, p=0.029). Subgroup analysis demonstrated that adjunctive coiling contributed to mass effect relief in cavernous aneurysms, while dense embolism impeded symptom relief in aneurysms<10 mm and saccular aneurysms.

Conclusions

Our data confirmed the efficacy of PED in relieving mass effect. The findings of this study provide support for endovascular treatment to alleviate mass effect in unruptured intracranial aneurysms.

Trial registration number

NCT03831672.
Quantum version of transport coefficients in Nambu–Jona-Lasinio model at finite temperature and strong magnetic field
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Aritra , Ghosh Snigdha , Farias Ricardo L. S. , Ghosh Sabyasachi
Published: June 2023

We have estimated parallel and perpendicular components of electrical conductivity and shear viscosity of quark matter at finite magnetic field and temperature by using their one-loop Kubo expressions in the framework of Nambu–Jona-Lasinio (NJL) model. At finite magnetic field, a non-trivial medium dependence of those quantities can be found. Previously these NJL-profiles have been addressed in relaxation time approximation, where cyclotron motion of quarks with medium dependent mass plays the key role. With respect to the earlier estimations, the present work provides further enriched profiles via Kubo framework, where field theoretical descriptions of quark transport with medium dependent mass and (Landau) quantized energy have been identified as the key ingredients. Hence the present study can be considered as the complete quantum field theoretical description of the transport coefficients in the framework of NJL model at finite temperature and magnetic field.
Comparative analysis of the substitutional and interstitial Li-, Na-doped, and Li∖Na-Codoped Cu2O via density functional calculations
Authors: Benaissa Mohammed , Abdelkader Hayet Si , Abdulkareem Ahmed Ibraheem , Al-Dujaili Ayad Qasim , Humaidi Amjad Jaleel , Menni Younes
Published: June 2023

A comprehensive comparative study utilizing HSE06 and GGA density functional calculations was conducted to investigate the impact of Li and Na doping, as well as their co-doping, on the physical properties of cuprous oxide (Cu2O). This study examined three possible structures, including substitution of Li, Na, and Li/Na for Cu, and interstitial Li, Na, and Li/Na in both tetrahedral and octahedral sites. The results of the study revealed that the introduction of alkaline atoms leads to structural changes in Cu2O, and the degree of lattice parameter extension or compression varies across different doping sites. Additionally, the study provided an estimation of the enthalpies of formation for pure and doped-Cu2O, which is useful in understanding the stability of the systems. Notably, the study found that Li, Na, and Li/Na-doped-Cu2O were more readily formed in substitutional sites rather than in interstitial sites. The findings also indicate that substitutional doping and co-doping exhibit a large band gap while maintaining the properties of a p-type semiconductor, while interstitial doping and co-doping of Cu2O led to significant absorption enhancement and n-type conductivity characteristics. These results provide new insights into the structural and electronic properties of Cu2O, with the findings suggesting that interstitial doping of Li and Na could be a promising approach for improving the absorption of visible light in Cu2O-based solar cells, thus contributing to the development of more efficient and cost-effective photovoltaic devices.
Effects of hyperparameters and machine learning approaches in forecasting absorption behavior of GHz disk-shape metamaterials
Authors: Son Nguyen Thanh , Tung Nguyen Hoang , Tung Nguyen Thanh
Published: June 2023

The last decade has witnessed an increasing interest in metamaterial absorbers (MMAs) because of their huge potential in a wide range of applications including energy harvesting, photodetectors, sensors, light modulators, infrared camouflage and wireless communication. Recently, machine learning (ML) has become one of the modern and powerful tools that can examine the design data in order to forecast the absorption behavior with much less effort and cost-effectiveness than conventional experimental and computation approaches. In this work, we utilize two ML algorithms, Polynomial Regression (PR) and Random Forest Regression (RFR), to predict the absorption strength and frequency of a symmetric disk-shape metamaterial structure operating within 10 and 16[Formula: see text]GHz. The proposed models are trained on hundreds of simulation-generated samples. We show that fine-tuning some hyperparameters results in higher forecasting performance. The dependence of predicted results on input parameters demonstrates that PR has better performance in predicting absorption strength, while both algorithms share similar accuracy in predicting the absorption frequency.
U–Pb zircon ages from tuffaceous beds in the Terreneuvian to Cambrian Series 2 sections of Avalonian southern New Brunswick, Canada: new constraints on chronostratigraphic correlations and the Cambrian time scale
Authors: Hamilton Michael A. , Álvaro J. Javier , Barr Sandra M. , Jensen Sören , Johnson Susan C. , Palacios Teodoro , van Rooyen Deanne , White Chris E.
Published: June 2023

Avalonian sections in the Saint John area, southern New Brunswick, have long contributed to global understanding of Cambrian chronostratigraphy. A tuffaceous bed in the Ratcliffe Brook Formation (RBF) in the Somerset Street section dated at
c.
531 Ma has traditionally been considered to post-date small shelly fossils attributed to the
Watsonella crosbyi
Zone in the Hanford Brook section. A fine-grained tuffaceous bed approximately 8 m stratigraphically lower in the Somerset Street section yields a chemical abrasion isotope dilution–thermal ionization mass spectrometry zircon age of 532.3 ± 0.3 Ma; a tuffaceous carbonate unit in the lower RBF in Hanford Brook gives an age of 531.5 ± 0.3 Ma. Crystal and crystal-lithic tuff beds near the top of the RBF yield ages of 520.3 ± 0.3 Ma (in Hanford Brook) and 519.1 ± 0.3 Ma (in Ratcliffe Brook). The new ages confirm the correlation between the Somerset Street and Hanford Brook sections based on acritarchs and make the association of small shelly fossils in the Hanford Brook section younger than 531 Ma. This result is relevant to ongoing discussions on the age of the base of undefined Cambrian Stage 2. The radiometric ages also support a young age for the upper part of the RBF, perhaps extending into Epoch 2.
rNdN: Fast Query Compilation for NVIDIA GPUs
Authors: Krolik Alexander , Verbrugge Clark , Hendren Laurie
Published: June 2023

GPU database systems are an effective solution to query optimization, particularly with compilation and data caching. They fall short, however, in end-to-end workloads, as existing compiler toolchains are too expensive for use with short-running queries. In this work, we define and evaluate a runtime-suitable query compilation pipeline for NVIDIA GPUs that extracts high performance with only minimal optimization. In particular, our balanced approach successfully trades minor slowdowns in execution for major speedups in compilation, even as data sizes increase. We demonstrate performance benefits compared to both CPU and GPU database systems using interpreters and compilers, extending query compilation for GPUs beyond cached use cases.
Deep Learning-based Human Pose Estimation: A Survey
Authors: Zheng Ce , Wu Wenhan , Chen Chen , Yang Taojiannan , Zhu Sijie , Shen Ju , Kehtarnavaz Nasser , Shah Mubarak
Published: June 2023

Human pose estimation aims to locate the human body parts and build human body representation (e.g., body skeleton) from input data such as images and videos. It has drawn increasing attention during the past decade and has been utilized in a wide range of applications including human-computer interaction, motion analysis, augmented reality, and virtual reality. Although the recently developed deep learning-based solutions have achieved high performance in human pose estimation, there still remain challenges due to insufficient training data, depth ambiguities, and occlusion. The goal of this survey article is to provide a comprehensive review of recent deep learning-based solutions for both 2D and 3D pose estimation via a systematic analysis and comparison of these solutions based on their input data and inference procedures. More than 260 research papers since 2014 are covered in this survey. Furthermore, 2D and 3D human pose estimation datasets and evaluation metrics are included. Quantitative performance comparisons of the reviewed methods on popular datasets are summarized and discussed. Finally, the challenges involved, applications, and future research directions are concluded. A regularly updated project page is provided:
https://github.com/zczcwh/DL-HPE
.
Reinforcement Learning Methods for Computation Offloading: A Systematic Review
Authors: Zabihi Zeinab , Eftekhari Moghadam Amir Masoud , Rezvani Mohammad Hossein
Published: June 2023

Today, cloud computation offloading may not be an appropriate solution for delay-sensitive applications due to the long distance between end-devices and remote datacenters. In addition, offloading to a remote cloud can consume bandwidth and dramatically increase costs. However, end-devices such as sensors, cameras, and smartphones have limited computing and storage capacity. Processing tasks on such battery-powered and energy-constrained devices becomes even more complex. To address these challenges, a new paradigm called Edge Computing (EC) emerged nearly a decade ago to bring computing resources closer to end-devices. Here, edge servers located between the end-device and the remote cloud perform user tasks. Recently, several new computing paradigms such as Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) and Fog Computing (FC) have emerged to complement Cloud Computing (CC) and EC. Although these paradigms are heterogeneous, they can further reduce energy consumption and task response time, especially for delay-sensitive applications. Computation offloading is a multi-objective, NP-hard optimization problem. A significant part of previous research in this field is devoted to Machine Learning (ML) methods. One of the essential types of ML is Reinforcement Learning (RL), in which an agent learns how to make the best decision using the experiences gained from the environment. This article provides a systematic review of the widely used RL approaches in computation offloading. It covers research in complementary paradigms such as mobile cloud computing, edge computing, fog computing, and the Internet of Things. We explain the reasons for using various RL methods in computation offloading from a technical point of view. This analysis includes both binary offloading and partial offloading techniques. For each method, the essential elements of RL and the characteristics of the environment are discussed regarding the most important criteria. Research challenges and Future trends are also mentioned.
Covariance Matrix Adaptation Evolutionary Strategy with Worst-Case Ranking Approximation for Min–Max Optimization and Its Application to Berthing Control Tasks
Authors: Miyagi Atsuhiro , Miyauchi Yoshiki , Maki Atsuo , Fukuchi Kazuto , Sakuma Jun , Akimoto Youhei
Published: June 2023

In this study, we consider a continuous min–max optimization problem minx∈ 𝕏maxy∈ 𝕐f(x, y) whose objective function is a black-box. We propose a novel approach to minimize the worst-case objective functionF(x) = maxy∈ 𝕐f(x, y) directly using a covariance matrix adaptation evolution strategy in which the rankings of solution candidates are approximated by our proposed worst-case ranking approximation mechanism. We develop two variants of worst-case ranking approximation combined with a covariance matrix adaptation evolution strategy and approximate gradient ascent as numerical solvers for the inner maximization problem. Numerical experiments show that our proposed approach outperforms several existing approaches when the objective function is a smooth strongly convex–concave function and the interaction betweenxandyis strong. We investigate the advantages of the proposed approach for problems where the objective function is not limited to smooth strongly convex–concave functions. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is demonstrated in the robust berthing control problem with uncertainty.
An Optimization Framework for Enhancing Cycle Life of Composite Positive Electrodes in Lithium-Ion Batteries via Composition Ratio Optimization
Authors: Lee Y. K.
Published: June 2023

Lithium-ion batteries still require improvement, and design optimization is an important method that can improve battery performance. This study proposes a novel optimization framework to maximize the cycle life of the positive composite electrode by optimizing the composition ratio of active material (AM), conductive additives, and binder. As the composition of the constituents affects the electrochemical and degradation parameters associated with cell performance and side reactions, the relationship between the AM, conductive additives, and binder material was considered. A fundamental physics-based electrochemical cell model with side reactions was developed to predict the performance and cycle life of a battery. The developed optimization framework was used to maximize battery performances, including volume fraction, capacity, discharge energy (DE), and accumulated discharge energy (ADE). The obtained results verified that the maximum values of the aforementioned features continuously changed with different composition ratios and cycle numbers. Although the maximum difference in capacity or discharge energy changed depending on the sample compositions, the differences between maximum and minimum capacities were up to 22%; this was significant only by changing the composition of the composite electrode. The developed optimization framework can effectively maximize the cycle life and be easily incorporated into real-time applications.
Validation of the Non-Motor Symptoms Scale for Parkinson’s Disease of Persian Version
Authors: Eghlidos Zahra , Abolhassanbeigi Aida , Rahimian Zahra , Khazraei Samaneh , Ostovan Vahid Reza
Published: June 2023

Objective. We aimed to assess the validity and reliability of the Persian version of the NonMotor Symptoms Scale (NMSS) in Iranian patients with PD. Methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted in patients with PD. After the cross-cultural adaptation of the NMSS, the acceptability, reliability, precision, and validity of the Persian NMSS were evaluated. For this purpose, in addition to NMSS, we used the following measures: Scales for Outcomes in Parkinson’s Disease (SCOPA)-Autonomic (SCOPA-AUT), SCOPA-Sleep, Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI) questionnaire, Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire-8 questions (PDQ–8), SCOPA-Motor, SCOPA-Psychiatric Complications (SCOPA-PC), SCOPA-Cognition (SCOPA-COG), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Hoehn and Yahr Staging (H and Y), and Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). Results. 186 patients were enrolled (mean age 64.46 ± 9.9 years; disease duration 5.59 ± 3.99 years; 118 (63.4%) male; mean NMSS score 52.01 ± 38.54). Neither the floor effect (2.7%) nor the ceiling effect (0.5%) was seen in NMSS total score. Cronbach’s alpha of total NMSS was 0.84. The test-retest reliability was 0.93 for the NMSS total and 0.81–0.96 for domains. The standard error of measurement (SEM) was lower than half of the standard deviation for NMSS total and all domains. NMSS total showed a high correlation with UPDRS I (rs = 0.84), UPDRS II (rs = 0.58), PDQ-8 (rs = 0.61), BDI (rs = 0.71), SCOPA-sleep (rs = 0.60), and SCOPA AUT (rs = 0.66). NMSS has an acceptable discriminative validity based on disease duration and severity of disease according to H and Y staging. Conclusion. The Persian NMSS is a valid and reliable measure for evaluating the burden of nonmotor symptoms in Iranian patients with PD.