bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sediment load prediction in Johor river: deep learning versus machine learning models
Authors: Latif Sarmad Dashti , Chong K. L. , Ahmed Ali Najah , Huang Y. F. , Sherif Mohsen , El-Shafie Ahmed
Published: February 2023

Sediment transport is a normal phenomenon in rivers and streams, contributing significantly to ecosystem production and preservation by replenishing vital nutrients and preserving aquatic life’s natural habitats. Thus, sediment transport prediction through modeling is crucial for predicting flood events, tracking coastal erosion, planning for water supplies, and managing irrigation. The predictability of process-driven models may encounter various restrictions throughout the validation process. Given that data-driven models work on the assumption that the underlying physical process is not requisite, this opens up the avenue for AI-based model as alternative modeling. However, AI-based models, such as ANN and SVM, face problems, such as long-term dependency, which require alternative dynamic procedures. Since their performance as universal function approximation depends on their compatibility with the nature of the problem itself, this study investigated several distinct AI-based models, such as long short-term memory (LSTM), artificial neural network (ANN), and support vector machine (SVM), in predicting sediment transport in the Johor river. The collected historical daily sediment transport data from January 1, 2008, to December 01, 2018, through autocorrelation function, were used as input for the model. The statistical results showed that, despite their ability (deep learning and machine learning) to provide sediment predictions based on historical input datasets, machine learning, such as ANN, might be more prone to overfitting or being trapped in a local optimum than deep learning, evidenced by the worse in all metrics score. With RMSE = 11.395, MAE = 18.094, and R2 = 0.914, LSTM outperformed other models in the comparison.
Application of the nanostructured R-AgLAFE electrode to study the electroreduction process of Bi(III) ions in the presence of N-acetylcysteine
Authors: Nosal-Wiercińska Agnieszka , Martyna Marlena , Pawlak Alicja , Porada Radosław , Baś Bogusław
Published: February 2023

Bi(III) ions electroreduction in the presence of N-acetylcysteine (ACYS)at the nanostructured R-AgLAFE electrode has been studied by the voltammetric and impedance measurements. The experimental data indicates the multistage character of the electrode process and the catalytic influence of N-acetylcysteine on the Bi(III) ions electroreduction rate. It was found that this process is controlled by the chemical reaction of the Bi(III)–Hg(SR)2 activecomplexes formation on the electrode surface, which mediates electron transfer. Active complexes are a substrate in the process of electroreduction, and their different structure and properties are the reason for the diverse catalytic activity of N-acetylcysteine.
Open-source, fully-automated hybrid cardiac substructure segmentation: development and optimisation
Authors: Finnegan Robert N. , Chin Vicky , Chlap Phillip , Haidar Ali , Otton James , Dowling Jason , Thwaites David I. , Vinod Shalini K. , Delaney Geoff P. , Holloway Lois
Published: February 2023

Radiotherapy for thoracic and breast tumours is associated with a range of cardiotoxicities. Emerging evidence suggests cardiac substructure doses may be more predictive of specific outcomes, however, quantitative data necessary to develop clinical planning constraints is lacking. Retrospective analysis of patient data is required, which relies on accurate segmentation of cardiac substructures. In this study, a novel model was designed to deliver reliable, accurate, and anatomically consistent segmentation of 18 cardiac substructures on computed tomography (CT) scans. Thirty manually contoured CT scans were included. The proposed multi-stage method leverages deep learning (DL), multi-atlas mapping, and geometric modelling to automatically segment the whole heart, cardiac chambers, great vessels, heart valves, coronary arteries, and conduction nodes. Segmentation performance was evaluated using the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), mean distance to agreement (MDA), Hausdorff distance (HD), and volume ratio. Performance was reliable, with no errors observed and acceptable variation in accuracy between cases, including in challenging cases with imaging artefacts and atypical patient anatomy. The median DSC range was 0.81–0.93 for whole heart and cardiac chambers, 0.43–0.76 for great vessels and conduction nodes, and 0.22–0.53 for heart valves. For all structures the median MDA was below 6 mm, median HD ranged 7.7–19.7 mm, and median volume ratio was close to one (0.95–1.49) for all structures except the left main coronary artery (2.07). The fully automatic algorithm takes between 9 and 23 min per case. The proposed fully-automatic method accurately delineates cardiac substructures on radiotherapy planning CT scans. Robust and anatomically consistent segmentations, particularly for smaller structures, represents a major advantage of the proposed segmentation approach. The open-source software will facilitate more precise evaluation of cardiac doses and risks from available clinical datasets.

Graphical abstract
Equilibrium problems on quasi-weighted graphs
Authors: Alfuraidan Monther R.
Published: February 2023

We give a new minimization theorem for equilibrium problems on a quasi-weighted graph. This result generalizes the graphical version of the Ekeland’s variational principle for equilibrium problems on weighted graphs (Alfuraidan and Khamsi in Proc Am Math Soc 9:33–40, 2022).
Innovative concept of severe plastic deformation manufacturing system to enhance classic equal channel angular drawing method: a preliminary study for flexible manufacturing systems looking to Industry 4.0
Authors: Caruso Serafino , Filice Luigino
Published: February 2023

Equal channel angular drawing (ECAD) represents the most successful severe plastic deformation (SPD) technique for continuous industrial manufacturing of longer wires, with a constant cross section, characterized by smaller diameters and better mechanical properties (i.e. high strains and hardness) mainly attributed to the grain size refinement. In this paper an advanced innovative concept to impose SPD, on commercial 1370 pure aluminium wires (Al 99.7%), is proposed to improve the flexibility of the classic manufacturing method of ECAD by controlling and regulating process parameters in real time to obtain several combinations of mechanical properties and to increase manufacture productivity. This paper provides a preliminary analysis of mechanical and microstructural changes occurring during ECAD process and, preserving the principle of the ECAD method, describes an innovative concept of plastic deformation showing the potential improvements to practice. The proposed manufacturing system has been validated by finite element analysis (FEA) implementing a flow stress empirical model that includes the influence of the grain size change, for the material behaviour and two customized user-subroutines for predicting grain refinement and hardness variation. The study demonstrates the possibility to renew the classic industrial techniques within an Industry 4.0 ecosystem.
Traditional Chinese medicine in thyroid-associated orbitopathy
Authors: Hai Y. P. , Lee A. C. H. , Chen K. , Kahaly G. J.
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Orbital fibroblasts (OF) are considered the central target cells in the pathogenesis of thyroid-associated orbitopathy (TAO), which comprises orbital inflammation, orbital tissue edema, adipogenesis, fibrosis, oxidative stress and autophagy. Certain active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) demonstrated inhibition of TAO-OF in pre-clinical studies and they could be translated into novel therapeutic strategies.

Methods

The pertinent and current literature of pre-clinical studies on TAO investigating the effects of active ingredients of TCM was reviewed using the NCBI PubMed database.

Results

Eleven TCM compounds demonstrated inhibition of TAO-OF in-vitro and three of them (polydatin, curcumin, and gypenosides) resulted in improvement in TAO mouse models. Tanshinone IIA reduced inflammation, oxidative stress and adipogenesis. Both resveratrol and its precursor polydatin displayed anti-oxidative and anti-adipogenic properties. Celastrol inhibited inflammation and triptolide prevented TAO-OF activation, while icariin inhibited autophagy and adipogenesis. Astragaloside IV reduced inflammation via suppressing autophagy and inhibited fat accumulation as well as collagen deposition. Curcumin displayed multiple actions, including anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anti-adipogenic, anti-fibrotic and anti-angiogenic effects via multiple signaling pathways. Gypenosides reduced inflammation, oxidative stress, tissue fibrosis, as well as oxidative stress mediated autophagy and apoptosis. Dihydroartemisinin inhibited OF proliferation, inflammation, hyaluronan (HA) production, and fibrosis. Berberine attenuated inflammation, HA production, adipogenesis, and fibrosis.

Conclusions

Clinical trials of different phases with adequate power and sound methodology will be warranted to evaluate the appropriate dosage, safety and efficacy of these compounds in the management of TAO.
Investigation of the Relationship Between Treeline Migration and Changes in Temperature and Precipitation for the Northern Hemisphere and Sub-regions
Authors: Hansson Amanda , Yang Wen-Hsi , Dargusch Paul , Shulmeister James
Published: February 2023

Purpose of Review

Numerous studies have reported that treelines are moving to higher elevations and latitudes over the last few decades. Climate change is assumed to be the main driver behind the observed migration of treelines. Predicting how treelines are likely to move in the future is important to identify impacts on sensitive high-alpine ecosystems and help model potential climatic feedback mechanisms associated with the expansion of alpine and arctic forests.

Recent Findings

Here, we examine the correlation between treeline movements and recent climate change to better understand the drivers of treeline migration. Changes in monthly minimum and maximum temperature and precipitation between 1961 and 1970 and 2009 and 2018 for 256 treeline sites in the Northern Hemisphere were analysed through logistic regression modelling. The model was run at various spatial scales to assess if globally significant climatic drivers are applicable at regional scales.

Our analysis revealed that the rate of temperature change during the northern hemisphere autumn, particularly in October, was a significant predictor of treeline movement. At the end of the growing season, increased minimum temperatures corresponded with treeline migration. At warmer maximum summer temperatures, treelines were more likely to remain stationary. While statistically significant correlations were identified at global scales, there were also substantial regional correlations of treeline movement regarding warmer temperatures. Changes in precipitation correlated with treeline migration were not statistically significant. Continued warming is likely to further extend the growing season for alpine forests, promoting continued encroachment of forests into alpine grassland and tundra in areas where moisture availability does not present a limiting factor for tree survival.
Factors Influencing Subjective QOL Among Community-Dwelling People with SMI Receiving Home-Visit Occupational Therapy
Authors: Mashimo Izumi , Yotsumoto Kayano , Fujimoto Hirokazu , Hashimoto Takeshi
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Improving the subjective quality of life (QOL) of people with severemental illness (SMI) is the main objective of psychiatric occupational therapy (OT). For people with SMI to perform desired daily activities, a newly designed home-visit OT has been implemented in Japan. This study aimed to investigate the predictors of subjective QOL in people with SMI receiving home-visit OT.

Method

Twenty-five people with SMI (average age: 46.7 years) were recruited from 20 multidisciplinary outreach teams in Japan. They were diagnosed with either F2 (i.e., schizophrenia, schizotypal and delusional disorders) or F3 (i.e., mood [affective] disorders) using ICD-10. To create a predictive model of subjective QOL, we performed a stepwise multiple regression analysis using the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) total score as a response variable. The following independent variables were analyzed: demographic and clinical data, subjective evaluation of the scores of performance of and satisfaction with daily activity rated on a 10-point Likert scale, the Social Functioning Scale (SFS) total and subscale scores, and the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) Scale score.

Results

Predictors of subjective QOL were satisfaction in daily activity (adjusted β = 0.584) and social engagement of the SFS subscale (adjusted β = 0.405). The contribution rate of the model was 53.4%.

Conclusion

Satisfaction in daily activity and social engagement may contribute to individuals’ subjective QOL. To improve the subjective QOL of people with SMI, their satisfaction with daily activity and social participation should be promoted through meaningful daily activities.
A visually meaningful double-image encryption scheme using 2D compressive sensing and multi-rule DNA encoding
Authors: Huo Dongming , Qiu Yueyou , Han Chao , Wei Lisheng , Hong Yao , Zhu Zhilong , Zhou Xin
Published: February 2023

A visually meaningful double-image encryption scheme using 2D compressive sensing and multi-rule DNA encoding is presented. First, scrambling, diffusing and 2D compressive sensing are performed on the two plain images, and two privacy images are obtained, respectively. Then, the two privacy images are re-encrypted using DNA encoding theory to obtain two secret images. Finally, integer wavelet transform (IWT) is performed on the carrier image to obtain the wavelet coefficients, then the two secret images are embedded into the wavelet coefficients and 2k correction is performed, and the obtained result is processed by inverse IWT to obtain a visually meaningful encrypted image. DNA encoding rules selected for the pixel values of different positions in the two privacy images, and DNA operations performed between the two privacy images and the key streams at different positions are controlled by the chaotic system. The application of 2D compressive sensing reduces the amount of data, thus increasing the encryption capacity of the system. The introduction of DNA encoding theory and the double-image embedding process increases the security of the system. The simulation results demonstrate the feasibility of the scheme, and it has high data security and visual security.
Numerical simulation on the excavation damage of Jinping deep tunnels based on the SPH method
Authors: Yu Shuyang , Ren Xuhua , Zhang Jixun , Sun Zhaohua
Published: February 2023

In order to systematically evaluate the damage degree in Jinping deep tunnels during excavation, an improved SPH algorithm with good Lagrangian characteristics is introduced. By modifying the derivative of the traditional SPH kernel functions, the brittle failure processes of particles are realized. The ‘Fissure Searching Generating Method’ (FSGM) has also been used to determine the establishment of joints and the tunnel excavation parts. Based on the Jinping tunnel engineering practices, numerical models are set up, and the damage degrees of the tunnel excavation under different buried depths, joint distances, positions and inclination angles are numerically simulated, and compared with the engineering site pictures to verify the rationality. (1) Typical “V” shaped shear failure zones are observed when no joints exist in the model, and the damage degree increases with the increasing tunnel buried depth. (2) The increase of joint-tunnel distance causes the damage degree to decrease, and the failure modes between the tunnel and the joint transform from tensile to shear failure. (3) The stability of the tunnel is less affected when the joint appears in the vault, north and south arch shoulder, but the tunnel is prone to becoming unstable when the joint appears in the north and south walls. (4) Steep and gentle dips of the joints greatly influence the excavation stability of the tunnel, while the excavation damage range becomes the smallest when the joint inclination angle is 45°. (5) The improved method can be well applied to predict and evaluate surrounding rock damage in Jinping tunnels.
Philosophiegeschichtsschreibung und die Idee der Geistesgeschichte – das Dilthey-Projekt
Authors: Hartung Gerald
Published: February 2023

Die Idee einer Einheit der Geistesgeschichte ist ein genuin philosophischer Gedanke. Im Schatten Hegels geht es um die Legitimation historiographischer Arbeit in einer universalen Perspektive, die von Europa aus gedacht wird. Die Legitimationsstrategien sind komplex und laufen auf die Formation eines Kanons der Philosophie hinaus. Dieses Vorhaben ist mit dem Namen des Philosophen und Philosophiehistorikers Wilhelm Dilthey verbunden. Dilthey hat es als seine Aufgabe angesehen, die Einheit der Geistesgeschichte abzusichern. Zu diesem Zweck hat er Methodenpluralismus – Logik, Psychologie, Anthropologie, Geschichtsphilosophie, Hermeneutik, Literaturforschung und anderes – in die Erforschung der Geistesgeschichte eingeführt. Ich spreche hier vom Dilthey-Projekt, dessen Aktualität, Chancen und Risiken im Beitrag diskutiert werden.
Teaching Multi-step Requesting and Social Communication to Five Autistic Children Using Speech-Generating Devices and Systematic Instruction
Authors: Sawchak Anastasia , Waddington Hannah , Sigafoos Jeff
Published: February 2023

Objectives

We evaluated a systematic instructional package for teaching a four-step SGD-based requesting and social communication sequence. Of interest was whether intervention would lead to accurate performance of the sequence, as well as generalization, maintenance, and discriminated/functional use.

Methods

Five minimally verbal autistic children received systematic instruction to complete a four-step sequence on an iPad®-based SGD. The sequence involved (a) saying hello, (b) making a general request, (c) making a specific request, and (d) thanking the listener. The effects of instruction, which consisted of practice sessions, time delay, prompting, and reinforcement, were evaluated in a multiple-baseline across participants design.

Results

All five participants reached 100% correct performance during intervention. This high level of correct responding generalized to a novel interventionist and was maintained at follow-up. Discriminated/functional use of the communication icons was evident.

Conclusions

The systematic instructional package was effective in teaching a four-step SGD-based requesting and social communication sequence to five minimally verbal autistic children.
Das Wetter ist politisch – Starkregen, Hochwasser und Flut vor der Bundestagswahl 2021
Authors: Pink Sebastian , Schmidt Johannes
Published: February 2023

Zwei Monate vor der Bundestagswahl 2021 verursachte ein viertägiges Starkregenereignis im Westen, Osten und Südosten Deutschlands eine der größten Flutkatastrophen in der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik. Offen ist bislang, ob dieses Extremwetterereignis einen Einfluss auf die Ergebnisse der Bundestagswahl in den betroffenen Regionen hatte. Dies ist auch deshalb von Bedeutung, da sich die Situation der Bundestagswahl 2021 – keine amtierende zur Wiederwahl stehende Kanzlerkandidatin – grundlegend von den zuvor in der Forschung untersuchten Effekten von Naturkatastrophen auf die Wiederwahlen politischer Entscheidungstragender unterscheidet. Als Beitrag zur Beantwortung dieser Frage verbinden wir die Wahlergebnisse auf Gemeindeebene, der höchsten regionalen Auflösung, (i) mit einer Kennzeichnung der Betroffenheit einer Gemeinde vom Starkregenereignis und (ii) mit einer satellitengestützten Einschätzung der Stärke dieser Betroffenheit. Die Ergebnisse von Difference-in-Differences Panel Regressionen zeigen, dass in betroffenen Gemeinden, insbesondere in besonders stark betroffenen, Wählende mit bis zu 6,6 Prozentpunkten Vorsprung eher die Partei wählten, die den:die Ministerpräsident:in ihres Bundeslandes stellten. Dies deutet darauf hin, dass in einer Situation, in der eine Wiederwahl amtierender Entscheidungstragender auf nationaler Ebene ausgeschlossen ist, der Umgang regionaler Entscheidungstragender mit Naturkatastrophen an Bedeutung gewinnt. Darüber hinaus zeigt sich, dass in den betroffenen Gebieten eher Bündnis 90/Die Grünen gewählt wurde. Dies trägt zur Klärung der noch offenen Frage bei, ob Extremwetterereignisse nur Präferenzen für Umwelt- und Klimaschutz beeinflussen oder ob sich dies auch in Wahlentscheidungen für „grüne“ Parteien übersetzt.
Kant, Korsgaard und die Tiere
Authors: Ellmers Sven
Published: February 2023

Christine M. Korsgaard ist eine der einflussreichsten Stimmen der Gegenwartsphilosophie. In ihren Arbeiten zur Moralphilosophie Kants verteidigt sie diese gegen zwei Einwände: erstens, dass der kategorische Imperativ auf externe Werte angewiesen ist, mithin als formales Testverfahren scheitere, und, zweitens, dass Kant empfindungsfähige Wesen, die kein Vernunftvermögen besitzen, aus seiner Ethik ausgeschlossen habe und ausschließen musste. Den ersten Einwand glaubt Korsgaard durch eine spezifische Interpretation des kantischen Widerspruchsverständnisses zumindest partiell zurückweisen zu können. Wie ich zeigen werde, unterschätzt Korsgaard allerdings die Probleme, die die Allgemeine Formel des kategorischen Imperativs mit sich bringt. Den zweiten Einwand wiederum glaubt Korsgaard in Form einer immanenten Kritik entkräften zu können: Kant selbst hätte auf Grundlage seines transzendentalen Arguments für die Selbstzweckformel zu dem Schluss kommen können, dass Tiere Zwecke an sich sind. Meine Thesen lauten, (a) dass Korsgaards Kant-Auslegung nicht vom Text gedeckt ist, (b) ihr Regress-upon-the-conditions-Argument nicht zur Begründung einer interpersonellen Moral taugt und es (c) auch tierethisch nicht zum gewünschten Ziel führt.
Caring for the invisible and forgotten: a qualitative document analysis and experience-based co-design project to improve the care of families experiencing out-of-hospital cardiac arrest
Authors: Loch Tess , Drennan Ian R. , Buick Jason E. , Mercier Danielle , Brindley Peter G. , MacKenzie Mark , Kroll Thilo , Frazer Kate , Douma Matthew J. ,   Family Centred Cardiac Arrest Care Project, Ali Samina , Early Sheila , Ruether Kim , Flanary Kristin , Smith Katherine E. , Dainty Katie N. , Graham Timothy A. D. , Graham Samir Z. A. , Blomheart Lynn , Blommaert Jesse , Myhre Calah , MacKenzie Ella , Jarratt Louise , Smith Katherine E.
Published: February 2023

Objectives

The objectives of this project were to collect and analyze clinical governance documents related to family-centred care and cardiac arrest care in Canadian EMS organizations; and to improve the family-centredness of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest care through experience-based co-design.

Methods

We conducted qualitative document analysis of Canadian EMS clinical governance documents related to family-centred and cardiac arrest care, combining elements of content and thematic analysis methods. We then used experience-based co-design to develop a family-centred out-of-hospital cardiac arrest care policy and procedure template.

Results

Thirty-five Canadian EMS organizations responded to our requests, representing service area coverage for 80% of the Canadian population. Twenty documents were obtained for review and six overarching themes were identified: addressing family in event of in-home death, importance of family, family member escort, provider discretion and family presence discouraged. Informed by our qualitative analysis we then co-designed a policy and procedure template was created that prioritizes patient care while promotes family-centredness.

Conclusions

There were few directives to support family-centred care by Canadian EMS organizations. A family-centred out-of-hospital cardiac arrest care policy and procedure template was developed using experience-based co-design to assist EMS organizations improve the family-centredness of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest care.
Machine learning based identification of structural brain alterations underlying suicide risk in adolescents
Authors: Bajaj Sahil , Blair Karina S. , Dobbertin Matthew , Patil Kaustubh R. , Tyler Patrick M. , Ringle Jay L. , Bashford-Largo Johannah , Mathur Avantika , Elowsky Jaimie , Dominguez Ahria , Schmaal Lianne , Blair R. James R.
Published: February 2023

Suicide is the third leading cause of death for individuals between 15 and 19 years of age. The high suicide mortality rate and limited prior success in identifying neuroimaging biomarkers indicate that it is crucial to improve the accuracy of clinical neural signatures underlying suicide risk. The current study implements machine-learning (ML) algorithms to examine structural brain alterations in adolescents that can discriminate individuals with suicide risk from typically developing (TD) adolescents at the individual level. Structural MRI data were collected from 79 adolescents who demonstrated clinical levels of suicide risk and 79 demographically matched TD adolescents. Region-specific cortical/subcortical volume (CV/SCV) was evaluated following whole-brain parcellation into 1000 cortical and 12 subcortical regions. CV/SCV parameters were used as inputs for feature selection and three ML algorithms (i.e., support vector machine [SVM], K-nearest neighbors, and ensemble) to classify adolescents at suicide risk from TD adolescents. The highest classification accuracy of 74.79% (with sensitivity = 75.90%, specificity = 74.07%, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 87.18%) was obtained for CV/SCV data using the SVM classifier. Identified bilateral regions that contributed to the classification mainly included reduced CV within the frontal and temporal cortices but increased volume within the cuneus/precuneus for adolescents at suicide risk relative to TD adolescents. The current data demonstrate an unbiased region-specific ML framework to effectively assess the structural biomarkers of suicide risk. Future studies with larger sample sizes and the inclusion of clinical controls and independent validation data sets are needed to confirm our findings.
Against the Conflation of Corporate Strategy, Ethics, and the Politics of AI
Authors: Sætra Henrik Skaug
Published: February 2023

Ethics as we know it is ill equipped to resist abuse by technology companies, Van Maanen argues in a recent article. Ethics is too malleable, provides too many different theories, and allows for a plethora of ethical guidelines to be created, and ethicists purportedly end up enabling ethics shopping and ethics washing. But is ethics really the problem, and is the best solution to “repoliticise” ethics? In this commentary, I instead claim that we must distinguish between politics and ethics, as ethics has a separate and crucial role to play if we are to face the challenges related to controlling technology. This is important if we are to avoid undermining political involvement and democracy. Whilst ethicists certainly have the power to change the world, as Van Maanen argues, they are not—and should not be—provided with political authority.
Making countries small: The nationalization of districts in the United States
Authors: Lago Ignacio
Published: February 2023

I rely on data from 31,754 electoral districts in the United States from 1834 until 2016 to explore how the nationalization of politics occurs within districts. I argue that in the early stages of the American democracy local concerns were more prominent in the distant districts from the capital city than in the nearby districts, and therefore the number of parties was greater in the former than in the latter. However, these differences vanished after the New Deal, when authority was centralized. Nationalization reduced the number of parties everywhere, but above all in the most distant district from Washington, D.C.
Clypeococcum wedinii(Dothideomycetes), a new lichenicolous fungus onBunodophoron, with an updated key to species ofClypeococcum
Authors: Zhurbenko Mikhail P.
Published: February 2023

Clypeococcum wedinii, a pyrenocarpous ascomycete growing on the lichen genusBunodophoronin Chile and New Zealand, is described as new to science. It differs from otherClypeococcumspecies in the combination of the following characteristics: a conspicuous gall formation, scattered, loose to dense stromatic growths sometimes looking like a clypeus, an ascomatal wall composed of both textura intricata and angularis in surface view, a non-amyloid hymenium, an absence of ostiolar filaments, 8-spored asci, and 1-septate ascospores arranged biseriately in the ascus. An updated key to the species of the lichenicolous genusClypeococcumis provided.
Bilingualism with minority languages: Why searching for unicorn language users does not move us forward
Authors: Leivada Evelina , Rodríguez-Ordóñez Itxaso , Parafita Couto M. Carmen , Perpiñán Sílvia
Published: February 2023

This paper addresses several problematic scientific practices in psycholinguistic research. We discuss challenges that arise when working with minority languages, such as the notion of monolingual/monocultural normality and its historical origins, the stereotype of native-speakerism, the quest for testing people who fit specific profiles, the implications of the policy that urges scholars to match bilingual groups to monolingual comparison groups, and the use of powerful theoretical narratives that may evoke problematic labels and ableist terminology. These issues invest the field of psycholinguistics with questionable practices that contribute to the marginalization of groups that do not tick the standard normative boxes. Surveying some of the most widespread scientific practices in the field of psycholinguistics, our emphasis is on how several processes and policies may embody stereotypes that contribute to the exclusion of certain groups from the scientific literature, with grievous consequences for the visibility and the representation of some minoritized languages.
A decision-support tool for funding health innovations at a tertiary academic medical center
Authors: Cai Yiying , Nazeha Nuraini , Perera Shamira , Thiery Alexandre H. , Girard Michaël J.A. , Lee Chen E. , Hong Weiwei , Graves Nicholas
Published: February 2023

Objectives

To report the processes used to design and implement an assessment tool to inform funding decisions for competing health innovations in a tertiary hospital.

Methods

We designed an assessment tool for health innovation proposals with three components: “value to the institution,” “novelty,” and “potential for adoption and scaling.” The “value to the institution” component consisted of twelve weighted value attributes identified from the host institution’s annual report; weights were allocated based on a survey of the hospital’s leaders. The second and third components consisted of open-ended questions on “novelty” and “barriers to implementation” to support further dialogue. Purposive literature review was performed independently by two researchers for each assessment. The assessment tool was piloted during an institutional health innovation funding cycle.

Results

We used 17 days to evaluate ten proposals. The completed assessments were shared with an independent group of panellists, who selected five projects for funding. Proposals with the lowest scores for “value to the institution” had less perceived impact on the patient-related value attributes of “access,” “patient centeredness,” “health outcomes,” “prevention,” and “safety.” Similar innovations were reported in literature in seven proposals; potential barriers to implementation were identified in six proposals. We included a worked example to illustrate the assessment process.

Conclusions

We developed an assessment tool that is aligned with local institutional priorities. Our tool can augment the decision-making process when funding health innovation projects. The tool can be adapted by others facing similar challenges of trying to choose the best health innovations to fund.
Prevalence and persistence of Neisseria meningitidis carriage in Swedish university students
Authors: Olof Säll , Lorraine Eriksson , Berhane A. Idosa , Alexander Persson , Anders Magnuson , Sara Thulin Hedberg , Martin Sundqvist , Per Olcén , Hans Fredlund , Bianca Stenmark , Eva Särndahl , Paula Mölling , Susanne Jacobsson
Published: February 2023

The bacterium Neisseria meningitidis causes life-threatening disease worldwide, typically with a clinical presentation of sepsis or meningitis, but can be carried asymptomatically as part of the normal human oropharyngeal microbiota. The aim of this study was to examine N. meningitidis carriage with regard to prevalence, risk factors for carriage, distribution of meningococcal lineages and persistence of meningococcal carriage. Throat samples and data from a self-reported questionnaire were obtained from 2744 university students (median age: 23 years) at a university in Sweden on four occasions during a 12-month period. Meningococcal isolates were characterised using whole-genome sequencing. The carriage rate among the students was 9.1% (319/3488; 95% CI 8.2–10.1). Factors associated with higher carriage rate were age ≤22 years, previous tonsillectomy, cigarette smoking, drinking alcohol and attending parties, pubs and clubs. Female gender and sharing a household with children aged 0–9 years were associated with lower carriage. The most frequent genogroups were capsule null locus (cnl), group B and group Y and the most commonly identified clonal complexes (cc) were cc198 and cc23. Persistent carriage with the same meningococcal strain for 12 months was observed in two students. Follow-up times exceeding 12 months are recommended for future studies investigating long-term carriage of N. meningitidis.
TACTICAL AND STRATEGIC LANDSCAPES: A STUDY OF MAYA FORTIFICATION AT TZUNUN, CHIAPAS, MEXICO
Authors: Hernandez Christopher
Published: February 2023

Although studies of warfare are now common in Maya archaeology, much remains to be learned about strategy, tactics, and various other practical factors in the process of making war. An emphasis on the concrete and practical is necessary to both acknowledge agency and understand how conflict relates to the human experience. Through an examination of documentary and archaeological data in a comparative framework, I elaborate on practices of Maya fortification construction and how the creation of a martial landscape ties into relations of power during the Late Postclassic/Early Spanish Colonial period (a.d. 1200–1600). During this period, in the region of Mensabak, Chiapas, Mexico, Maya peoples fortified a peninsula according to principles of defense-in-depth. In other words, they created layers of fortification to slow and stall an attack. My analysis reveals how the creation of a martial landscape shaped local culture by incorporating elements of sacred geography and ritual landscape to perpetuate social inequality.
Assessing the nutritional content and adequacy of food parcels among vulnerable Lebanese during a double crisis: COVID-19 pandemic and an economic meltdown
Authors: Mattar Lama , Hassan Hussein , Kalash Nour , Malli Dana , Diab-El-Harake Marwa , Nassour Sahar , Jomaa Lamis
Published: February 2023

Objectives:

This study aimed to explore the nutritional content and quality of food parcels distributed in Lebanon and assess their adherence to dietary guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic and an unprecedented economic crisis.

Design:

Cross-sectional study (June–July 2020); phone survey (thirty items).

Setting:

Lebanon.

Participants:

Food parcel providers (FPP; n 72) involved in food parcel distribution (FPD), mainly to Lebanese households.

Results:

FPP included international non-governmental organizations (INGO) (n 3), local non-governmental organizations (n 45) and personal initiatives (n 24). Overall, low adherence to the World Food Programme (WFP) food parcel guidelines were observed among FPP for specific food items, including vegetables, fish, legumes and cereals, whereas salt content significantly surpassed the guidelines (all P-values <0·001). On average, a food parcel provided 608·4 ± 55 kcal/d/person. The greatest contributors to total energy intake (TE) in the food parcel were carbohydrates (46·4 %) and fats (46·8 %), while protein contributed to 7 %TE. In addition, %TE from fats and sugars significantly surpassed the dietary reference intakes (DRI) for a single person per d (134–234 % and 185 % of DRI, respectively, P-values <0·001). Only 10–15 % of daily needs for key micronutrients, including Fe, Zn, thiamin, riboflavin and dietary folate, were met through the food parcels. Adequate food safety and hygiene practices were reported among FPP, yet dramatic changes in food costs due to overlapping crises affected the quality and quantity of food in parcels.

Conclusions:

Findings highlight the need to improve the nutritional content of food parcels and adherence to dietary guidelines to alleviate food and nutrition insecurity while preventing diet-related diseases among vulnerable beneficiaries in Lebanon.
Characterization of Foreshock Plasma Populations at Mercury
Authors: Glass Austin N. , Tracy Patrick J. , Raines Jim M. , Jia Xianzhe , Romanelli Norberto , DiBraccio Gina A.
Published: February 2023

Observations of foreshock plasma populations at Mercury are presented utilizing measurements from the Fast Imaging Plasma Spectrometer aboard the Mercury Surface, Space Environment, Geochemistry, and Ranging spacecraft. The magnetosphere and foreshock system at Mercury exists in a unique parameter space, due to the planet's relatively weak magnetic dipole and the proximity of its orbit to the Sun. Previous investigations have therefore questioned whether there is sufficient free energy at Mercury to generate foreshock populations, due to the small spatial scale of its bow shock. The observations presented in this work show that field‐aligned beam and diffuse populations similar to those seen in the terrestrial foreshock are able to form upstream of the Hermean bow shock. The observed populations are organized by the bow shock geometry, and are associated with magnetic wave activity previously detected in Mercury's foreshock with corollaries to the terrestrial foreshock.
Polar and Topographic Amplifications of Intermodel Spread of Surface Temperature in Climate Models
Authors: Wang Tao , Gong Hua , Liu Yimin , Lu Jianhua
Published: February 2023

The spatial pattern of intermodel spread of surface temperature (TS‐SPREAD) is similar to the absolute error of modeled surface temperature relative to observations, implying the possibility of using intermodel spread to understand the model biases. The regions with maximum TS‐SPREAD are located in the northern polar (NP) and southern polar (SP) regions, and regions with the large orographic features, such as the Tibetan Plateau (TP). We find: (a) Winter amplification exists in the TS‐SPREAD over both the NP and SP regions, but the maximum TS‐SPREAD over the TP happens during spring and summer with weak seasonality there. (b) Surface energy balance analyses show salient land‐sea contrast in the interlinkage between the physical processes. (c) Over the Arctic Ocean and the Southern Ocean, the maximum spreads of sea‐ice‐induced surface albedo appear during summer when the TS‐SPREADs are the weakest because the effect of surface albedo is offset by the heat storage in the oceans. (d) Through the interseasonal linkage of the heat storage term, i.e., the summer‐storing‐winter‐releasing of oceanic heat content, the summer surface albedo may indirectly contribute to the winter amplification of the TS‐SPREAD over the polar oceans. Such interseasonal linkage of the processes does not exist over the land areas. A method of distinguishing the roles of the local and nonlocal dynamical processes in the contribution of the clear‐sky downward longwave radiation to the TS‐SPREAD is also provided.
A brGDGT‐Based Reconstruction of Terrestrial Temperature From the Maritime Continent Spanning the Last Glacial Maximum
Authors: Parish M. C. , Du X. , Bijaksana S. , Russell J. M.
Published: February 2023

The tropics exert enormous influence on global climate. Despite the importance of tropical regions, the terrestrial temperature history in the Indo‐Pacific Warm Pool (IPWP) region during the last deglaciation is poorly constrained. Although numerous sea surface temperature (SST) reconstructions provide estimates of SST warming from the Last Glacial Maximum to the Holocene, the timing of the onset of deglacial warming varies between records and inhibits determining the forcings driving deglacial warming in the IPWP. We present a 60,000‐year long temperature reconstruction based on branched glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (brGDGTs) in a sediment core from Lake Towuti, located in Sulawesi, Indonesia. BrGDGTs are bacterial membrane‐spanning lipids that, globally, become more methylated with decreasing temperature and more cyclized with decreasing pH. Although changes in temperature are the dominant control on brGDGTs in regional and global calibrations, we find that the cyclization of the brGDGTs is a major mode of variation at Lake Towuti that records important changes in the lacustrine biogeochemical environment. We separate the influence of lake chemistry changes from temperature changes on the brGDGT records, and develop a temperature record spanning the last 60,000 years. The timing of the deglacial warming in our record occurs after the onset of the deglacial increase in CO2 concentrations, which suggests rising greenhouse gas concentrations and the associated radiative forcing may have forced deglacial warming in the IPWP. Peaks in temperature around 55 and 34 ka indicate that Northern Hemisphere summer insolation may also influence land surface temperature in the IPWP region.
Nonpharmacological Treatment of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome: Commentary and Implications for Psychologists
Authors: Frye William S.
Published: February 2023

Objective:

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a type of autonomic dysfunction that limits engagement in functional behaviors and negatively impacts mood and quality of life (QoL). Nonpharmacological strategies such as lifestyle modification are recommended as part of treatment; however, there is little research or theory regarding other nonpharmacological therapies used in treatment. Given the paucity of literature examining other nonpharmacological therapies for POTS, current evidence for their application to POTS was reviewed.

Methods:

A topical review was conducted to identify research studies that used nonpharmacological interventions to treat individuals with POTS.

Results:

Of the 370 identified studies, 25 met inclusion criteria. Sixteen of the 25 studies examined lifestyle modifications for POTS and were not described in the review, given that lifestyle modifications are already well accepted and recommended in nonpharmacological treatment of POTS. The remaining studies were grouped into three categories: Tactile Interventions, Mind–Body Interventions, and Interdisciplinary Treatment Programs. Findings suggest a variety of nonpharmacological interventions have the potential of benefiting patients with POTS; however, the scarcity of studies and methodological concerns limit the interpretability of this research.

Conclusions:

An agenda for future research and implications for psychologists are provided. With the help of psychologists to advance applied research in effective nonpharmacological strategies for treatment, patients with POTS will have access to additional treatment options that address their biopsychosocial needs and hopefully positively impact QoL.

Implications for Impact Statement

In addition to currently recommended lifestyle modifications, other nonpharmacological strategies may have the potential to benefit patients with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). While the literature on these nonpharmacological interventions is limited, providers can build on initial findings to create treatment protocols or coordinate multicenter studies to examine different nonpharmacological interventions and provide additional options for patients with POTS to receive holistic care.
Observation of molecular motions in polymer thin films by laboratory grazing incidence diffracted X-ray blinking
Authors: Inamasu Rena , Yamaguchi Hiroki , Arai Tatsuya , Chang Jaewon , Kuramochi Masahiro , Mio Kazuhiro , Sasaki Yuji C.
Published: February 2023

Research on polymer surfaces has shown that the mobilities of polymer chains, which affect the aggregation state and thus the physical properties of the material, differ between the surface and bulk. However, the mobilities of the surface polymers have not been fully characterized. Therefore, we propose a time-resolved method for evaluating surface mobility. This measurement scheme is called grazing incidence diffracted X-ray blinking (GI-DXB) and can be used to evaluate the molecular motions occurring at polymer surfaces by continuously measuring X-ray diffraction patterns near the total reflection angle over small time periods. In this study, the crystallized polymer poly{2-(perfluorooctyl)ethyl acrylate}(PC8FA) was measured. The decay constants, which are indexes of molecular motions, were calculated to be 3.98 × 10−3 s−1 for the fluoroalkyl groups in the side chains observed along the in-plane direction and 3.36 × 10−3 s−1 for the lamellar structure observed along the out-of-plane direction when 2000 diffraction profiles of 500 ms were recorded and the incident angle was 0.07°. In contrast, transmission DXB indicated decay constants of 2.63 × 10−3 s−1 for the side chains and 2.87 × 10−3 s−1 for the lamellar structures. These results suggested that the PC8FA surface is mobile, because a larger decay constant indicates a higher mobility. GI-DXB can be used to measure surface dynamics. The authors contend that GI-DXB is a highly versatile tool because it allows the evaluation of local motions with a laboratory X-ray system, and these motions cannot be detected by conventional surface analyses. This measurement scheme may facilitate the development of high-performance polymers and discovery of new physical properties.
Characterization of a novel rabbit model of Peyronie’s disease
Authors: Gundogdu Gokhan , Nguyen Travis , Namasivayam Aarthi , Starek Stephanie , Gelman Joel , Mauney Joshua R.
Published: February 2023

Peyronie’s disease (PD) is a debilitating pathology which is associated with penile curvature and erectile dysfunction due to the formation of fibrotic plaques in the penile tunica albuginea. In the present study, we developed a novel rabbit model of PD via subtunical injection of recombinant transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 protein and characterized erectile function and histopathological endpoints following plaque formation. Ten adult male, New Zealand white rabbits were randomized into 3 experimental groups including nonsurgical controls (NSC, N = 3) and those receiving subtunical injections of vehicle (N = 3) or TGF-β1 protein (0.5 µg/50 µl; N = 4). Following 1 month post-op, focal fibrous plaques composed of disorganized collagen type I and III bundles as well as fragmented elastin fibers at TGF-β1 injection sites were observed in contrast to control groups. Cavernosometric and cavernosographic evaluations revealed no significant differences in maximum intracorporal pressures or substantial curvature during papaverine-induced erection in either the vehicle or TGF-β1 cohorts. Immunohistochemical and histomorphometric analyses demonstrated significant increases in elastase 2B expression in TGF-β1-induced plaques as well as significant declines in matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 expression relative to control levels. Our results demonstrate that PD-like fibrotic plaques can be created in the rabbit penile tunica albuginea following TGF-β1 injection.