bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
History of stroke as a predictor of high left atrial fibrosis in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation—insight from the DECAAF II randomized trial
Authors: El Hajjar Abdel Hadi , Dagher Lilas , Younes Hadi , Mekhael Mario , Noujaim Charbel , Chouman Nour , Greene Tom , Pandey Amitabh C. , Huang Chao , Marrouche Nassir
Published: July 2024

Background

There is a strong relationship between left atrial (LA) remodeling and ischemic stroke (IS) risk in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. The Efficacy of Delayed Enhancement MRI-Guided Ablation vs. Conventional Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation (DECAAF-II) is the biggest MRI-based, randomized, multicenter clinical trial performed on persistent AF patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between history of stroke and atrial fibrosis in the DECAAF II population.

Methods

Persistent AF patients who underwent Late Gadolinium Enhancement Magnetic Resonance Imaging (LGE-MRI) were included in the study and divided into two different groups: those with a history of stroke and those without. Propensity score matching was performed to adjust for covariates. Atrial fibrosis was compared in both groups. Then, patients were divided into different fibrosis groups, using three different cut-offs of baseline atrial fibrosis: ≥ 15%, ≥ 20%, and ≥ 25%. Univariate logistic regression and adjusted multivariate analysis were performed to assess the effect of clinical characteristics and risk factors on baseline fibrosis.

Results

Eight-hundred forty-three patients were recruited in DECAAF II, of whom 70 (8.3%) had a history of stroke. Patients with history of stroke had a higher prevalence of hypertension (p = 0.043), diabetes (p = 0.014), and hyperlipidemia (p = 0.001). Seventy patients with no history of strokes were matched with patients with history of stroke to adjust for covariates using propensity score analysis. Patients in the stroke group had a significantly higher level of fibrosis than those without (20.2% vs. 8.1%, p = 0.017). Increased age was a significant predictor of all three baseline fibrosis classes (≥ 15%, ≥ 20%, and ≥ 25%). Additionally, history of stroke was found to be a predictor of baseline fibrosis ≥ 25% even after adjusting for other clinical characteristics and risk factors (OR = 1.98 [1.14–3.43], p = 0.01).

Conclusions

Left atrial fibrosis level greater than 25% correlates with the history of previous stroke episodes in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation.

Graphical Abstract
Investigation of flame-retardant characteristics of natural flax coated with hydrothermally synthesized calcium borate and organic PDA
Authors: Akçakoca İremnur , Aydaş Bahadır , Öktem Mehmet Fatih , Topateş Gülsüm
Published: July 2024

Flame-retardant behavior of flax fabric coated by calcium borate powders with clove-like and elongated morphologies was investigated by thermal analysis and cone calorimeter. PDA was used to form strong and uniform adhesion of calcium borate onto fabric. Thermal analysis showed a 20% of decrease in mass loss, while detected exothermic/endothermic peaks as a result of the degradation of fabric and PDA. Significant reductions in HRR, p-HRR, EHC and CO2 amount were observed for fabric coated by PDA and elongated calcium borate powder. PDA was carbonized at low temperatures and formed a char layer that prevented flame propagation. At the same time, calcium borate powder dilutes the flammable gases in the environment with the release of water within its body. Among the calcium borate powders, rod-like morphology showed the best flame-retardant performance.
Exploring the eternal struggle: The Narrative Policy Framework and status quo versus policy change
Authors: Kuenzler Johanna , Vogeler Colette , Parth Anne-Marie , Gohl Titian
Published: July 2024

This article proposes an integration of the Narrative Policy Framework (NPF) with prospect theory to investigate how the status quo and policy change are recounted in public debates. By integrating insights from prospect theory into the Narrative Policy Framework (NPF), we investigate narratives in the policy domain of farm animal welfare, which is characterized by a strong polarization of actor coalitions. We compare public debates in France and Germany between 2020 and 2021. Our analysis shows that the NPF’s analytical strength is enhanced by integrating the distinction between status quo and policy change in narrative elements. This distinction enables further empirical nuancing of actors’ narrative communication, and in combination with insights from prospect theory, it allows for new conjectures about actors’ use of narrative strategies such as the devil shift and the angel shift. In addition to the theoretical contribution, we shed light on debates surrounding farm animal welfare in Western Europe: Both animal welfare and agricultural coalitions are unsatisfied with the status quo, but they promote policy change of different kinds.
Introduction and validation of the open symptom framework: a public domain modular framework for patient-reported measurement of symptoms related to cancer and its treatment
Authors: Gibbons C. , Brown G. , Lu S. C. , Elrick A. , Tang Y. , Kaufman M. , Williams M. , Xu C. , Harrison C. , Swisher C.
Published: July 2024

Purpose

We provide an initial description and validation of some public domain patient-reported outcome (PRO) items to assess cancer symptom burden to address immediate barriers to symptom assessment use in clinical practice and facilitate future research.

Methods

We created the Open Symptom Framework (OSF), a flexible tool for clinical cancer-related symptom assessment. The items comprise six components: recall period, concept, symptom, qualifier(s), a definition, and a 5-point Likert-type response. We recruited patients receiving cancer therapy in the United States and United Kingdom. We assessed external construct validity by comparing OSF scores to the PRO-CTCAE measure and assessed reliability, scalability, dimensionality, and item ordering within a non-parametric item response theory framework. We tested differential item functioning for country, age, gender, and level of education.

Results

We developed a framework alongside clinical and psychometric experts and debrieifed with 10 patients. For validation, we recruited 331patients. All items correlated with the PRO-CTCAE equivalents (r = 0.55–0.96, all p < 0.01). Mokken analysis confirmed the scalability and unidimensionality of all symptom scales with multiple items at the scale (Ho = 0.61–0.75) and item level (Hi = 0.60–0.76). Items are interpreted consistently between demographic groups (Crit = 0 for all groups).

Conclusion

The public domain OSF has excellent psychometric properties including face, content, and criterion validity and can facilitate the development of flexible, robust measurements to fulfil stakeholder need. The OSF was designed specifically to support clinical assessment but will function well for research. Further work is planned to increase the number of symptoms and number of questions per symptom within the framework.
Efficient Handover Mode Synchronization for NR-REDCAP on a Vector DSP
Authors: Qureshi Sheikh Faizan , Damjancevic Stefan , Matus Emil , van der Wolf Pieter , Utyansky Dmitry , Fettweis Gerhard
Published: July 2024

To enable the low-cost design of 5 G IoT Standard reduced capability (NR-REDCAP) devices, hardware-software trade-offs must be made for various signal processing baseband kernels. Dedicated hardware for a kernel provides higher speed and power efficiency but limits the device’s programmability. With the varying range of user equipment (UE) deployment scenarios and dynamic wireless channel conditions, flexible solutions like digital signal processors (DSPs) are favorable for implementing channel estimation, channel equalization, and waveform modulation/demodulation algorithms. Due to stringent requirements on latency for algorithms like decimation, synchronization, and decoding, designers might favor dedicated hardware over DSP-based solutions. Such dedicated hardware increases the device cost as it needs to be added to the modem design solely to implement such specific algorithms. In this work, we study the most critical operation mode of synchronization for the NR-REDCAP standard,i.e., during the Handover between cells. Whereas for the enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) 5 G NR standard, dedicated hardware might be the best implementation choice for decimation and synchronization; in contrast, for NR-REDCAP, a cost saving can be achieved by implementing and optimizing the kernels onto the vector DSP. We propose an architecture-aware methodology for implementing the most compute-intensive sub-kernels on our vector DSP. Furthermore, we perform structural optimizations to find the most effective sub-kernel variant in performance optimization. After algorithmic and structural optimizations, our results show that the synchronization procedure can be accommodated on a vector DSP with a clock frequency of 500 MHz.
The role of actual-ideal weight discrepancy in the relationships between perfectionism, self-esteem, self-compassion and eating pathology in adolescents with eating disorders
Authors: Egan Sarah J. , Filippetto Daniel , Greene Danyelle , Pauley-Gadd Sian B. , Shu Chloe Y. , Hoiles Kimberley J. , Kane Robert T. , O’Mara Madieson , Watson Hunna J.
Published: July 2024

Understanding factors associated with adolescent eating disorders is important for improving treatment outcomes. Actual-ideal weight discrepancy refers to the discrepancy between actual weight and the ideal weight an individual wants to achieve. Actual-ideal weight discrepancy is associated with poorer treatment outcome in eating disorders. It is important to understand factors associated with weight discrepancy to identify targets for treatment to improve outcomes. The aim of this study was to examine self-related constructs associated with actual-ideal weight discrepancy. The specific aim was to determine if perfectionism, self-esteem, and self-compassion contribute to eating disorder symptoms in adolescents, both independently, and through the mediating pathway of actual-ideal weight discrepancy. Participants comprised 114 female adolescents, aged 12–17 years with an eating disorder (40% anorexia nervosa, 33% atypical anorexia nervosa, 16% bulimia nervosa, 5% other specified and 5% unspecified feeding and eating disorders). Higher actual-ideal weight discrepancy, higher perfectionism, lower self-esteem, and lower self-compassion were associated with greater eating disorder symptoms. When the predictors of perfectionism, self-esteem, and self-compassion were included together in a path model predicting eating disorder symptoms, the model explained 59% of variance, and self-esteem and actual-ideal weight discrepancy were the only significant predictors of eating disorder symptoms. Lower self-esteem predicted greater eating disorder symptoms directly and through the mediator of actual-ideal weight discrepancy.
The Principle of Cortical Development and Evolution
Authors: Yang Zhengang
Published: July 2024

Human’s robust cognitive abilities, including creativity and language, are made possible, at least in large part, by evolutionary changes made to the cerebral cortex. This paper reviews the biology and evolution of mammalian cortical radial glial cells (primary neural stem cells) and introduces the concept that a genetically step wise process, based on a core molecular pathway already in use, is the evolutionary process that has molded cortical neurogenesis. The core mechanism, which has been identified in our recent studies, is the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-bone morphogenic protein 7 (BMP7)-GLI3 repressor form (GLI3R)-sonic hedgehog (SHH) positive feedback loop. Additionally, I propose that the molecular basis for cortical evolutionary dwarfism, exemplified by the lissencephalic mouse which originated from a larger gyrencephalic ancestor, is an increase in SHH signaling in radial glia, that antagonizes ERK-BMP7 signaling. Finally, I propose that: (1) SHH signaling is not a key regulator of primate cortical expansion and folding; (2) human cortical radial glial cells do not generate neocortical interneurons; (3) human-specific genes may not be essential for most cortical expansion. I hope this review assists colleagues in the field, guiding research to address gaps in our understanding of cortical development and evolution.
NIN-like proteins (NLPs) as crucial nitrate sensors: an overview of their roles in nitrogen signaling, symbiosis, abiotic stress, and beyond
Authors: Sámano Mariana López , Nanjareddy Kalpana , Arthikala Manoj-Kumar
Published: July 2024

Nitrogen is an essential macronutrient critical for plant growth and productivity. Plants have the capacity to uptake inorganic nitrate and ammonium, with nitrate playing a crucial role as a signaling molecule in various cellular processes. The availability of nitrate and the signaling pathways involved finely tune the processes of nitrate uptake and assimilation. NIN-like proteins (NLPs), a group of transcription factors belonging to the RWP-RK gene family, act as major nitrate sensors and are implicated in the primary nitrate response (PNR) within the nucleus of both non-leguminous and leguminous plants through their RWP-RK domains. In leguminous plants, NLPs are indispensable for the initiation and development of nitrogen-fixing nodules in symbiosis with rhizobia. Moreover, NLPs play pivotal roles in plant responses to abiotic stresses, including drought and cold. Recent studies have identified NLP homologs in oomycete pathogens, suggesting their potential involvement in pathogenesis and virulence. This review article delves into the conservation of RWP-RK genes, examining their significance and implications across different plant species. The focus lies on the role of NLPs as nitrate sensors, investigating their involvement in various processes, including rhizobial symbiosis in both leguminous and non-leguminous plants. Additionally, the multifaceted functions of NLPs in abiotic stress responses, developmental processes, and interactions with plant pathogens are explored. By comprehensively analyzing the role of NLPs in nitrate signaling and their broader implications for plant growth and development, this review sheds light on the intricate mechanisms underlying nitrogen sensing and signaling in various plant lineages.
Bryozoan fauna from the Ferques Formation (Upper Devonian, Frasnian) of France
Authors: Ernst Andrej , Buttler Caroline
Published: July 2024

Bryozoan material from the Ferques Formation (Upper Devonian, Frasnian), Boulonnais, France contains two cystoporates Cystiramus cf. kondomensis Morozova, 1959 and Canutrypa francqana Bassler, 1952, a new trepostome species Dyoidophragma bigeyae n. sp., as well as two fenestrates Hemitrypa sp. and Anastomopora inflata (Bigey, 1988b). The diagnosis of the genus Dyoidophragma Duncan, 1939 is revised. The species composition reveals palaeobiogeographic relations to the Middle and Upper Devonian of Belgium, Germany and Poland, as well as possible relation to the Upper Devonian of Kuznetsk Basin in Russia.
Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles from Reynoutria bohemica by Hot and Cold Route
Authors: Marta Férová , Jiří Kalina
Published: July 2024

The purpose of this work was to prepare silver nanoparticles from weedy plant material. The extracts were prepared from fresh and dried Reynoutria leaves at 100 °C, and from dried leaves at 21 °C. Organic substances (e.g. flavonoids) in the extract of Reynoutria bohemica served as reducing agent in the preparation of Ag0 nanoparticles from AgNO3 precursor. Silver nanoparticles were prepared by adding 1 mM AgNO3 and tempered at 70 °C for 24 h. The color change during the formation of the nanoparticles was monitored using UV-vis spectra, where the maximum absorbance was detected at 420 nm. The size and stability of the particles were determined by Dynamic Light Scattering method to 40–50 nm, and their zeta potential was about − 23 mV. Finally, the cold route of biosynthesis appears to be a new and energetically beneficial way for preparing silver nanoparticles. The extracts were prepared from dried leaves at laboratory temperature and AgNPs were also synthesized at laboratory temperature by adding 1 mM AgNO3. The shift of absorption maximum to 450 nm was observed, with a particle size of 85 nm and zeta potential – 24 mV. The preparation was time-consuming (72 h), but without energy costs and utilizing an invasive plant - that is, a truly green synthesis of nanoparticles. This paper introduces a novel approach using the widely distributed invasive plant Reynoutria bohemica for the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles, developing a cost-effective and energy-saving method that operates at room temperature without heating.

Graphical Abstract
Acidity and hypoxia of tumor microenvironment, a positive interplay in extracellular vesicle release by tumor cells
Authors: Peppicelli Silvia , Calorini Lido , Bianchini Francesca , Papucci Laura , Magnelli Lucia , Andreucci Elena
Published: July 2024

The complex and continuously evolving features of the tumor microenvironment, varying between tumor histotypes, are characterized by the presence of host cells and tumor cells embedded in a milieu shaped by hypoxia and low pH, resulting from the frequent imbalance between vascularity and tumor cell proliferation. These microenvironmental metabolic stressors play a crucial role in remodeling host cells and tumor cells, contributing to the stimulation of cancer cell heterogeneity, clonal evolution, and multidrug resistance, ultimately leading to progression and metastasis. The extracellular vesicles (EVs), membrane-enclosed structures released into the extracellular milieu by tumor/host cells, are now recognized as critical drivers in the complex intercellular communication between tumor cells and the local cellular components in a hypoxic/acidic microenvironment. Understanding the intricate molecular mechanisms governing the interactions between tumor and host cells within a hypoxic and acidic microenvironment, triggered by the release of EVs, could pave the way for innovative strategies to disrupt the complex interplay of cancer cells with their microenvironment. This approach may contribute to the development of an efficient and safe therapeutic strategy to combat cancer progression. Therefore, we review the major findings on the release of EVs in a hypoxic/acidic tumor microenvironment to appreciate their role in tumor progression toward metastatic disease.
Comparative study of aeroacoustic performance of 1/8 and 1/1 pantographs coupled with cavity
Authors: Tan Xiaoming , Liu Huifang , Yang Zhigang , Chen Hong , Fu Baojun , Gong Linli
Published: July 2024

The technology of pantograph sinking in the cavity is generally adopted in the new generation of high-speed trains in China for aerodynamic noise reduction in this region. This study takes a high-speed train with a 4-car formation and a pantograph as the research object and compares the aerodynamic acoustic performance of two scale models, 1/8 and 1/1, using large eddy simulation and Ffowcs Williams–Hawkings integral equation. It is found that there is no direct scale similarity between their aeroacoustic performance. The 1/1 model airflow is separated at the leading edge of the panhead and reattached to the panhead, and its vortex shedding Strouhal number (St) is 0.17. However, the 1/8 model airflow is separated directly at the leading edge of the panhead, and its St is 0.13. The cavity’s vortex shedding frequency is in agreement with that calculated by the Rooster empirical formula. The two scale models exhibit some similar characteristics in distribution of sound source energy, but the energy distribution of the 1/8 model is more concentrated in the middle and lower regions. The contribution rates of their middle and lower regions to the radiated noise in the two models are 27.3% and 87.2%, respectively. The peak frequencies of the radiated noise from the 1/1 model are 307 and 571 Hz. The 307 Hz is consistent with the frequency of panhead vortex shedding, and the 571 Hz is more likely to be the result of the superposition of various components. In contrast, the peak frequencies of the radiated noise from the 1/8 scale model are 280 and 1970 Hz. The 280 Hz comes from the shear layer oscillation between the cavity and the bottom frame, and the 1970 Hz is close to the frequency at which the panhead vortex sheds. This shows that the scaled model results need to be corrected before applying to the full-scale model.
A Comprehensive Review of the Development Characteristics and Future Trends of TOD in Chinese Urban Rail Transit
Authors: Wang Linyan , Xia Haishan
Published: July 2024

The transit-oriented development (TOD) concept has become a significant catalyst for urban development in China, which has undergone rapid urbanization and has actively participated in the development of public transportation networks over the past 20 years. TOD not only guides the transformation of transportation modes but also leads the development of urban spaces. The extensive construction of urban rail transit in China highlights the universal patterns of TOD and reflects the uniqueness of Chinese practices. This paper analyzes the characteristics of urban development and TOD in developed countries, summarizing the common laws driving TOD in theoretical research. It then compares China, which is in a period of rapid rail transit construction, to identify the unique developmental laws of transit-oriented development of rail transit in China (TOD-RTC). The paper further examines the developmental characteristics of TOD-RTC in practice, considering both temporal and spatial aspects, and explores the reasons behind the formation of individual differences in TOD-RTC. Finally, it discusses the new value and potential that TOD brings to urban development, along with predicting future development trends.
Von Herkunft zu Überzeugung: Deutschlands Muslime im Spannungsfeld von Nationalismus und Politischem Islam
Authors: Kanol Eylem
Published: July 2024

Diese Studie untersucht das Zusammenspiel zwischen Identifikation mit dem Herkunftsland, autoritären Tendenzen und der Unterstützung des Politischen Islams unter Muslimen in Deutschland. Basierend auf einer repräsentativen Umfrage aus dem Jahr 2021 unter 1300 Muslimen in Deutschland wird ein starker Zusammenhang zwischen ausgeprägter Identifikation mit dem Herkunftsland und der Neigung zum Politischen Islam festgestellt. Diese Verbindung bleibt auch nach Berücksichtigung von Religiosität, Diskriminierungserfahrungen, wahrgenommener Diskriminierung, religionsbezogener Marginalisierung und sozioökonomischen Indikatoren bestehen. Bemerkenswert ist, dass autoritäre Einstellungen diesen Zusammenhang moderieren. Das bedeutet, dass die Neigung zum Politischen Islam nicht allein durch die Stärke der ethnischen Identifikation beeinflusst wird, sondern auch durch autoritäre Tendenzen. Dies weist auf eine Konvergenz von autoritärem Nationalismus und Politischem Islam im deutschen Kontext hin.
Energy-safety balanced composites of attractive cyclic nitramines with polyaniline
Authors: Patil Veerabhadragouda B. , Machalický Oldřich , Bělina Petr , Svoboda Roman , Trzcinski Waldemar A. , Zeman Svatopluk
Published: July 2024

Composite microcrystals of the cyclic nitramines 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane (ε-CL-20), 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazinane(RDX), 1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocane (β-HMX), and cis-1,3,4,6-tetranitrooctahydroimidazo-[4,5-d]imidazole (BCHMX) with polyaniline (PANi) have been prepared and thoroughly characterized in terms of morphology and phase purity. PANi outperformed other conducting polymers in terms of selectivity towards NAs due to its better interaction with NAs, low production cost, and ease of preparation. The bonding of nitramines with the polymeric PANi chain has been examined by means of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy methods, and fluorescence quenching; the Raman spectrum has shown the laser sensitivity of these microcrystals. Powder X-ray diffraction results have shown changes in polymorph modifications in CL20 (from ɛ to β) and HMX (from β to α) during the preparation of the composites, which have also been confirmed by spectral and differential thermal analysis techniques. The structural orientations found in these composites significantly stabilize nitramines against impact; their detonation properties have slightly deteriorated, but the PANi electrical conductivity has strongly increased their electric-spark sensitivity. The above properties of the prepared composites determine their potential use mainly as parts of the electric or laser impulse initiators, having “a green character”, for various charges.
Product classes characterization at micro-scale level applied to granular wastes fractions < 20 mm: a case-study
Authors: Rizzo Daniela , Somigliana Anna , Marmai Stefania , Cusumano Debora , Clerici Laura , Volante Marco
Published: July 2024

A product class characterization was requested on some plastic granular waste samples, already reduced in fine form with particles < 20 mm, derived from waste electrical wires and PC cables. The product class discrimination was worked out by visual characterization with the aid of optical stereomicroscopy and confirmation by electron scanning microscopy (SEM) and microanalysis. Characterization at a micro-scale level evidenced predominance of plastic materials with presence of metal wires, paper, textile and glass fibres at residual levels in the main fraction (0.5–4 mm). The fractions < 0.5 mm, when present, cannot easily be distinguished at sight and only approximate qualitative information can be extracted by SEM analysis. The described approach has been carried out effectively due to major shape and material differences between plastic particles and metal wires and other materials. However, this approach may not work in every case, or it may not lead to usable results with every type of waste.
Extraction and characterization of phenolic compounds from mandarin peels using conventional and green techniques: a comparative study
Authors: Kaur Samandeep , Singh Vikrant , Chopra Harish K. , Panesar Parmjit S.
Published: July 2024

The exploration of citrus waste valorization extends beyond its environmental benefits to encompass potential health implications, particularly in cancer prevention. The bioactive compounds extracted from citrus waste, notably polyphenols like quercetin, gallic acid, hesperidin, and ferulic acid, hold promising anti-cancer properties. Research suggests that these compounds exhibit potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, which are integral in combating carcinogenesis. Quercetin, a flavonoid abundantly found in citrus extracts, has garnered attention for its ability to inhibit cancer cell proliferation and induce apoptosis, thereby impeding tumor growth. Gallic acid, another prevalent compound, demonstrates anticancer potential through its modulation of signaling pathways associated with cell survival and proliferation. Hesperidin, known for its antioxidative properties, has shown promise in suppressing tumor growth and metastasis by targeting various molecular pathways involved in cancer progression. Ferulic acid, renowned for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, exhibits chemopreventive effects by inhibiting carcinogen activation and promoting detoxification processes within the body. The present study compares conventional (soxhlet, maceration) and non-conventional (ultrasound, microwave) techniques to obtain these polyphenols from mandarin peels. The maximum total phenolic content of 3.78 mg GAE/ g dry peels and DPPH activity of 69.89% was observed using 80% methanol and ultrasound assisted extraction. The presence of these compounds was confirmed using advanced analytical methods such as FT-IR and HPLC. The phenolic compounds (mg/g dry peels) such as gallic acid (0.29 ± 1.08), p-coumaric acid (0.17 ± 0.52), chlorogenic acid (0.30 ± 0.56), ferulic acid (1.49 ± 1.36), hesperidin (1.34 ± 0.51), naringenin (0.56 ± 0.94), and quercetin (0.33 ± 1.02), observed during UAE were 25–35% higher values compared to other techniques. By harnessing the bioactive potential of citrus waste-derived compounds, particularly for cancer prevention, this study contributes to both environmental sustainability and human health enhancement, paving the way for innovative strategies in functional food development and nutraceutical applications.
Application of Deep Learning Techniques for the Optimization of Industrial Processes Through the Fusion of Sensory Data
Authors: Villegas-Ch William , Gaibor-Naranjo Walter , Sanchez-Viteri Santiago
Published: July 2024

In the era of Industry 4.0, mastering the management and analysis of large volumes of data has become essential to foster technological advances and improve operations. Our work presents a methodology combining spatial and temporal data with deep learning techniques, specifically Convolutional Neural Networks, Recurrent Neural Networks, Long Short-Term Memory and Gated Recurrent Units, and Deep Neural Networks. We aim to transform anomaly detection, perform predictive maintenance, and optimize industrial processes. Our work has found that intelligent integration of multiple data sources improves accuracy and other key indicators, such as F1 score and AUC, and enriches decision-making with more profound, detailed information about the operating environment. The results have been promising. We have seen an increase in anomaly detection accuracy by up to 92%, an improvement in early detection for predictive maintenance by 150%, and an improvement in operational efficiency from 70% to 85%. These advances validate our proposal and demonstrate its practicality in various industrial environments. This work proposes a guide for integrating data fusion technologies in Industry 4.0, highlighting the practical benefits of our methodology and opening new possibilities for innovation and improving operational efficiency.
Waste picking in the age of COVID-19: an environmental justice perspective
Authors: Shanmugasundaram Lalitha
Published: July 2024

All over the world, waste and its disposal are becoming a more prominent issue, as landfills swell up and growing evidence points to its contribution to climate change and environmental degradation. In the developing world, waste pickers sort through solid waste and sell it to vendors, who will recycle the product into something consumable. The work they do is vital to climate change mitigation, as well as urban cleanliness. In a way, waste pickers, especially in India, are vehicles of environmental justice, but they are often discriminated against and subjected to inhumane working conditions. In this environment, the pandemic hit, making waste pickers’ already precarious life even worse. This paper attempts to fill the gap in the academic literature by compiling a systemized literature review of the impacts of COVID-19 on waste-pickers’ lives using an environmental justice perspective. The review also uses a Feminist Political Ecology perspective to illuminate the double jeopardy that female waste pickers face in the era of COVID-19, which academia often ignores. Ultimately, this paper shows that COVID-19 exacerbated the preexisting injustices that the waste picker community face and created an immense burden on women. This paper will show that it is important to notice the differentiation between female and male waste picker challenges, especially at the crux of the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper has important policy implications as well as research considerations for both environmental justice and feminist political ecology scholars.
Hitler's Atomic Bomb
Authors: Walker Mark
Published: July 2024

Who were the German scientists who worked on atomic bombs during World War II for Hitler's regime? How did they justify themselves afterwards? Examining the global influence of the German uranium project and postwar reactions to the scientists involved, Mark Walker explores the narratives surrounding 'Hitler's bomb'.  The global impacts of this project were cataclysmic. Credible reports of German developments spurred the American Manhattan Project, the nuclear attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and in turn the Soviet efforts. After the war these scientists' work was overshadowed by the twin shocks of Auschwitz and Hiroshima. Hitler's Atomic Bomb sheds light on the postwar criticism and subsequent rehabilitation of the German scientists, including the controversial legend of Werner Heisenberg and Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker's visit to occupied Copenhagen in 1941. This scientifically accurate but non-technical history examines the impact of German efforts to harness nuclear fission, and the surrounding debates and legends.
Dehumanization and Minimization of Informal Caregivers Suffering: The Legitimizing Role of Justice Perceptions
Authors: Romão Ângela , Correia Isabel
Published: July 2024

Informal caregivers, who provide unpaid care work to individuals with disabilities, are devalued despite their important contributions to society. Identifying the factors contributing to their devaluation is crucial for recognizing and valuing their work. In two experimental studies, we examined (a) whether informal caregivers are dehumanized; (b) the moderating impact of belief in a just world (BJW) on this process; and (c) the predictive impact of BJW and the dehumanization of informal caregivers on the perception of informal caregivers’ suffering. In Study 1 (N= 180), a 2 (informal caregivervs.non-caregiver) X 2 (femalevs.male) between-participants design was used; in Study 2 (N= 205), there were two experimental conditions: female informal caregivervs.male informal caregiver. Participants were randomly assigned to one description of a target and were asked to complete measures assessing the dehumanization of the target (Studies 1 and 2), the perception of the suffering of the target (Study 2), and a measure of BJW referring to themselves (Study 2). Results showed the expected dehumanization effect, such that participants attributed fewer uniquely human emotions to informal caregivers compared to non-caregivers, regardless of their gender (Studies 1 and 2). However, this effect was observed only among participants with higher BJW (Study 2). Furthermore, BJW and the dehumanization of informal caregivers predicted the minimization of the perception of informal caregivers’ suffering (Study 2). These results establish a theoretical relationship between these research areas and offer insights for practical implications and future research.
Flow‐Dependent Color Patches in a Great Plains River
Authors: Bruns Nicholas E. , Gardner John R. , Doyle Martin
Published: July 2024

Ecosystem structure and its heterogeneity shape ecosystem processes. Ecosystem heterogeneity has been characterized in smaller stream ecosystems dominated by benthic processes. However, in larger river ecosystems structured by water column characteristics including suspended sediment and phytoplankton, ecosystem heterogeneity has not been directly observed. We assessed flow‐dependent ecosystem structure along 230 km of a large, highly managed Great Plains river (The Kansas River) by analyzing 1‐dimensional, downstream color profiles across flow conditions derived from satellite imagery. River color is a robust metric that reflects the combined state of several important large‐river habitat features, specifically suspended sediment, chromophoric dissolved organic matter, and phytoplankton. We found that at flows above a flow threshold that we call Qpatch (240 m3 s−1), the entire river was uniformly yellow. At flows below Qpatch, the river was generally greener and often had patches of very green water that occurred upstream of run‐of‐river dams. Comparing color with in situ data showed the color patches were likely areas of elevated chlorophyll‐a concentrations from phytoplankton accumulation, indicating that the patches reflected biological processes. Flows were below Qpatch on 77% of days during the period of record (1985–present), indicating that the ecosystem spends significant time in a patchy state. Our findings uniquely demonstrate that the water column characteristics structuring temperate, large‐river ecosystems can be patchy.
Frontal Thrust Ramp‐Up and Slow Earthquakes Due To Underthrusting of Basement High in the Nankai Trough
Authors: Kimura G. , Shiraishi K. , Nakamura Y. , Kodaira S. , Fujie G. , Arai R. , Moore G. F.
Published: July 2024

Recently, integrated geophysical‐geological surveys in the Nankai subduction zone in Japan have revealed that slow earthquakes repeatedly occur beneath the outer wedge of the forearc. During December 2020 to February 2021, clustered slow earthquakes propagated around the frontal thrust of the accretionary wedge. The frontal thrust ramps up from the basal décollement and slips over trench‐filling sediment along the landward edge of the Nankai trough floor. Here, the Paleo‐Zenisu ridge has been subducted beneath the inner‐outer slope border. In addition, ocean floor topography and geologic structure revealed by seismic reflection surveys completed before 2022 document that the basement of the Philippine Sea Plate beneath the frontal thrust has a seamount and a horst‐like basement high. The northern edge of the basement high is located at the ramp‐up position of the frontal thrust. The 2020–2021 clustered slow earthquakes started at the Paleo‐Zenisu ridge and propagated to the topographic highs beneath the deformation front. Considering that the relative plate convergence between the upper Amurian Plate of the Nankai forearc and the subducting Philippine Sea Plate is ∼6.0 cm/year, the basement high at the deformation front has uplifted the frontal crest of the wedge at an average rate of 2.7–5.7 mm/year for several tens to hundred thousand years. These rates are among some of the highest rock uplift rates measured in the world. The slow earthquakes in the off‐Kumano Nankai Trough in 2020–2021 are a snapshot of a “living” Nankai frontal thrust during the megathrust interseismic period.
Unraveling the Lhasa‐Qiangtang Collision in Western Tibet: Insights From Geochronological and Paleomagnetic Analyses
Authors: Song Peiping , Ding Lin , Li Jinxiang , Yue Yahui , Xie Jing
Published: July 2024

The Lhasa‐Qiangtang collision closed the Meso‐Tethys Ocean, but the exact timing of this event remains hotly debated. Here, we present geochronological and paleomagnetic analyses conducted on Cretaceous volcanics from western Qiangtang to constrain the Lhasa‐Qiangtang collision in western Tibet. Our investigations yield a paleolatitude of ∼30.5 ± 5.0°N for western Qiangtang during ca. 110–100 Ma. A reanalysis of previously acquired Mesozoic‐Cenozoic paleomagnetic data from western Qiangtang suggests a stationary position during ca. 136–34 Ma. Examination of paleomagnetic data from western Lhasa reveals a significant reduction in northward paleolatitudinal motion during the Early Cretaceous, dropping from ∼12.3 cm/yr to nearly zero. Integration of our paleomagnetic findings with available geological records has led to conclude that the Lhasa‐Qiangtang collision in western Tibet occurred at ca. 132 Ma. Additionally, we infer that crustal shortening on the order of ∼1,000 km happened between Lhasa and Qiangtang during the Early Cenozoic.
Dense Contaminants Mixing Into the Saltwater Wedge in Coastal Aquifers: Laboratory and Numerical Investigations
Authors: Zhang Jiaxu , Lu Chunhui , Zhang Chenming
Published: July 2024

The saltwater‐freshwater mixing zones in coastal aquifers can host complex physical exchange and biogeochemical transformations. The land‐sourced dense contaminant plumes could be transferred into the mixing zone of the saltwater wedge due to the density effect prior to discharge to the sea. However, the mixing process between dense contaminants and the saltwater wedge has not received much attention, largely due to the lack of physical evidence. This study used laboratory experiments and numerical simulations to investigate the transport and discharge behaviors of variable‐density contaminant plumes in tidally influenced unconfined coastal aquifers. Results demonstrate that the highly dense contaminants mix with the underlying saltwater and finally merge with the saltwater wedge. This process significantly extends the contaminant discharge durations, thereby reducing the peak value of contaminant efflux. The dense contaminants are elongated along the landward margin of the saltwater wedge, leading to a larger spreading area (Ms) than that of constant‐density contaminants. The sensitivity analysis indicates that the high density of contaminants acts as a trigger to induce the mixing of them and wedges. The higher hydraulic conductivity, lower dispersivities and reduced inland freshwater flux significantly increase the residence times (Rt) and discharge duration (Dt) by enhancing the mixing of dense contaminants with seawater. In contrast, both Rt and Dt values are not only non‐monotonic functions of tidal amplitudes but also less sensitive to tidal effects. Compared with the non‐tidal condition, however, the addition of tides significantly increases both Rt and Ms values of dense contaminant plumes. The results presented herein provide valuable insights into the mechanisms of dense contaminants mixing into saltwater wedges, which could guide practitioners in designing effective strategies to protect coastal environments from land‐sourced contaminants.
Accelerated aging of skeletal muscle and the immune system in patients with chronic liver disease
Authors: Nicholson Thomas , Dhaliwal Amritpal , Quinlan Jonathan I. , Allen Sophie L. , Williams Felicity R. , Hazeldine Jon , McGee Kirsty C. , Sullivan Jack , Breen Leigh , Elsharkawy Ahmed M. , Armstrong Matthew J. , Jones Simon W. , Greig Carolyn A. , Lord Janet M.
Published: July 2024

Patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) often present with significant frailty, sarcopenia, and impaired immune function. However, the mechanisms driving the development of these age-related phenotypes are not fully understood. To determine whether accelerated biological aging may play a role in CLD, epigenetic, transcriptomic, and phenotypic assessments were performed on the skeletal muscle tissue and immune cells of CLD patients and age-matched healthy controls. Accelerated biological aging of the skeletal muscle tissue of CLD patients was detected, as evidenced by an increase in epigenetic age compared with chronological age (mean +2.2 ± 4.8 years compared with healthy controls at −3.0 ± 3.2 years, p = 0.0001). Considering disease etiology, age acceleration was significantly greater in both the alcohol-related (ArLD) (p = 0.01) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) (p = 0.0026) subgroups than in the healthy control subgroup, with no age acceleration observed in the immune-mediated subgroup or healthy control subgroup (p = 0.3). The skeletal muscle transcriptome was also enriched for genes associated with cellular senescence. Similarly, blood cell epigenetic age was significantly greater than that in control individuals, as calculated using the PhenoAge (p < 0.0001), DunedinPACE (p < 0.0001), or Hannum (p = 0.01) epigenetic clocks, with no difference using the Horvath clock. Analysis of the IMM-Age score indicated a prematurely aged immune phenotype in CLD patients that was 2-fold greater than that observed in age-matched healthy controls (p < 0.0001). These findings suggested that accelerated cellular aging may contribute to a phenotype associated with advanced age in CLD patients. Therefore, therapeutic interventions to reduce biological aging in CLD patients may improve health outcomes.
A Randomized trial assessing Efficacy and safety of Mineralocorticoid receptor Antagonist therapy compared to Standard antihypertensive Therapy in hypErtension with low Renin (REMASTER): rationale and study design
Authors: Shah Sonali S. , Gwini Stella May , Stowasser Michael , Reid Christopher M. , Young Morag J. , Fuller Peter J. , Yang Jun
Published: July 2024

Low-renin hypertension affects 1 in 4 people with hypertension, but the optimal management of this condition is not known. We hypothesize that a large proportion of people with low-renin hypertension is mediated by excess mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) activation and that targeted treatment with an MR antagonist (MRA) will be beneficial. This randomized, single-blinded, titration-to-effect aims to investigate whether targeted treatment in low-renin hypertension with MRA is better compared to standard antihypertensives in terms of blood pressure control and end-organ protection. Adults with hypertension, who are treatment naïve or are receiving up to two antihypertensive agents and have a low direct renin concentration <10 mU/L will be included. Participants with severe hypertension, a secondary cause of hypertension, pregnant, breastfeeding, with moderate-severe cardiovascular and chronic kidney disease, or on medications that confound interpretation of the plasma direct renin or aldosterone concentrations will be excluded. Eligible participants will be randomized 1:1 to either MRA therapy (spironolactone) or standard anti-hypertensive therapy (perindopril+/− amlodipine) for 48 weeks. Anti-hypertensives will be up-titrated every 12 weeks until target blood pressure is achieved. The primary objective will be to determine the total defined daily dose of antihypertensives required to achieve the target blood pressure and change in mean clinic systolic blood pressure at week 48. Current hypertension guidelines do not have specific recommendations for the choice of anti-hypertensive medications for people with low-renin hypertension. The results of this trial could guide future hypertension guidelines.
Arbitrarily rotating polarization direction and manipulating phases in linear and nonlinear ways using programmable metasurface
Authors: Liu Wei , Wang Si Ran , Dai Jun Yan , Zhang Lei , Chen Qiao , Cheng Qiang , Cui Tie Jun
Published: July 2024

Independent controls of various properties of electromagnetic (EM) waves are crucially required in a wide range of applications. Programmable metasurface is a promising candidate to provide an advanced platform for manipulating EM waves. Here, we propose an approach that can arbitrarily control the polarization direction and phases of reflected waves in linear and nonlinear ways using a stacked programmable metasurface. Further, we extend the space-time-coding theory to incorporate the dimension of polarization, which provides an extra degree of freedom for manipulating EM waves. As proof-of-principle application examples, we consider polarization rotation, phase manipulation, and beam steering at linear and nonlinear frequencies. For validation, we design, fabricate, and measure a metasurface sample. The experimental results show good agreement with theoretical predictions and simulations. The proposed approach has a wide range of applications in various areas, such as imaging, data storage, and wireless communication.