bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Constructing a baseline groundfish trawl survey for an offshore windfarm development area
Authors: Stokesbury Kevin D. E. , Cassidy Kyle , Lowery Travis M.
Published: October 2023

Objective

Large-scale offshore windfarms are proposed along the U.S. Northeast coast; the first is the Vineyard Wind lease area, which is planned for construction in 2023. During the fall of 2018, an experimental bottom trawl survey in the Vineyard Wind lease area and adjacent control area was conducted to collect preliminary estimates of fish assemblage composition, density, and size distribution.

Methods

Initially, a new open cod end design was tested, but poor visibility due to fine substrate rendered the gear inefficient. The survey was completed using the traditional closed-tow method.

Result

The estimates of density and variance enabled a power analysis, which recommended a minimum of 20 tows in the development area and 20 tows in the control area to achieve a 25% chance of detecting a shift in the density of the four most abundant species.

Conclusion

These results led to the development of a seasonal bottom trawl survey beginning in 2019 using protocols that align with other shelfwide bottom trawl surveys.
Identifying amyotrophic lateral sclerosis through interactions with an internet search engine
Authors: Yom‐Tov Elad , Navar Indu , Fraenkel Ernest , Berry James D.
Published: October 2023

Introduction/Aims

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a motor neuron disease, remains a clinical diagnosis with an average time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis of about 1 year. Herein we examine the possibility that interactions with an internet search engine can identify people with ALS.

Methods

We identified 285 anonymous Bing users whose queries indicated that they had been diagnosed with ALS and matched them to: (1) 3276 control users; and (2) 1814 users whose searches indicated they had ALS disease mimics. We tested whether the ALS group could be distinguished from controls and disease mimics based on search engine query data. Finally, we conducted a prospective validation from participants who provided access to their Bing search data.

Results

The model distinguished between the ALS group and controls with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.81. Model scores for the ALS group differed from the disease mimics group (rank sum test, p < .05 with Bonferroni correction). Mild cognitive impairment could not be distinguished from ALS (p > .05). In the prospective analysis, the model reached an AUC of 0.74.

Discussion

Our results suggest that interactions with search engines should be further studied to understand the potential to act as a tool to assist in screening for ALS and to reduce diagnostic delay.
Learn about the DOJ and ED's joint “Dear Colleague” letter regarding webpage accessibility
Authors: Masinter Michael R.
Published: October 2023

On May 19, 2023, the U.S. Department of Justice and the Education Department released a joint “Dear Colleague” letter outlining the Section 504 and Americans With Disabilities Act accessibility obligations that govern educational institutions’ public‐facing webpages. Although the Dear Colleague letter reiterates that all public‐facing web pages should be accessible to low vision, hearing impaired, and limited motor control users, it offers little new guidance on compliance timelines, suggesting instead that the Departments will afford some flexibility to institutions that have not yet come into compliance. Thus, while institutions already should have ensured as a matter of self‐interest that critical public‐facing web pages — including those related to applications, marketing, and news announcements — are accessible, institutions need not scour all public‐facing web pages to immediately root out inaccessible archival material.
Student‐veterans face gap between housing stipend, actual needs
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: October 2023

A pair of studies have pointed out the financial hardships that student‐veterans face when transitioning to higher education, even when utilizing the GI Bill. One study, done by the Pew Charitable Trusts, found that student‐veterans may take out more student loans to cover gaps between the monthly housing allotment from the GI Bill and actual housing costs. The other analysis, also conducted by Pew, found that living expenses — housing in particular — were the top expense covered by student loans for student‐veterans.
Thermal decomposition characteristics and compatibility analysis of pulverized coal‐doped ammonium nitrate fuel oil (PCANFO) explosive by microcalorimeter
Authors: Tu Changchang , Wang Quan , Su Haoxiang , Li Zhimin , Zhu Qunlong , Yang Rui , Zhu Wenyan
Published: October 2023

In order to study the compatibility of pulverized coal‐doped ammonium nitrate fuel oil (PCANFO) explosives and the effect of pulverized coal on the stability of ammonium nitrate fuel oil (ANFO) explosives, the thermal decomposition characteristics of ANFO explosives and three types of PCANFO explosives containing 5, 10 and 15 wt% pulverized coal were investigated. The initial stage of their thermal decomposition reactions was analyzed using the Arrhenius equation to determine kinetic parameters, including the heat of reaction (ΔH), apparent activation energy (Ea), and pre‐exponential factor (lnA). Additionally, the compatibility of PCANFO explosive was evaluated based on standard experimental method GJB 772 A–97 502.1. According to the study, the crystal transformation time of ammonium nitrate (AN) was extended by around 75 s by the addition of pulverized coal. The thermal decomposition time of ANFO explosive decreased as the amount of pulverized coal increased. The heat of reaction for the explosive samples was measured and found to be in the order of 2282 kJ kg−1, 3302 kJ kg−1, 3243 kJ kg−1, and 3301 kJ kg−1. The addition of pulverized coal to the system resulted in decreased thermal stability and an increase in the apparent activation energy, which was measured to be in the order of 185.5 kJ mol−1, 196.2 kJ mol−1, 235.5 kJ mol−1, and 262.5 kJ mol−1. A mixture of 5 % pulverized coal and ANFO explosive received a rating of level 1, indicating high compatibility. However, mixtures containing 10 % or more pulverized coal received a rating of level 4, indicating poor compatibility.
Synthesis of Solketal Ethers as Cold Flow Improver for Palm‐Based Biodiesel
Authors: Armylisas Abu Hassan Noor , Hoong Seng Soi , Maznee Tuan Ismail Tuan Noor , Yeong Shoot Kian
Published: October 2023

In this study, glycerol derivatives, namely solketal ethers (SEs), were synthesized by Williamson etherification of solketal with alkyl bromide, catalyzed by tetrabutylammonium iodide (TBAI) and basic aqueous potassium hydroxide (KOH). Under optimized reaction conditions: solketal/alkyl bromide (1 : 1), TBAI (5 mol %), KOH solution (2 equiv), 100 °C, 24 hours, SE were obtained between 21 and 94 %. The influence of the incorporation of SE in palm‐based biodiesel was evaluated using kinematic viscosity, cloud point (CP), and pour point (PP). The addition of 5 wt % of 4‐((butoxy)methyl)‐2,2‐dimethyl‐1,3‐dioxolane reduced PP and CP by 5 and 3 °C, respectively, with viscosity values well within the range of ASTM D6751‐12 standard specifications.
Distinguishing pathways from bullying victimization to nonsuicidal self‐injury and to cyberaggression: Do perceived ostracism and depression mediate their links?
Authors: Song Chao , Liu Luming , Wang Wenchao
Published: October 2023

Bullying victimization is related to increased aggressive behaviour, but little research considers both self‐ (e.g., nonsuicidal self‐injury; NSSI) and other‐directed (e.g., cyberaggression) outcomes. Moreover, little is known about the mediating mechanisms that underlie this relationship. Based on the General Aggression Model, the current study investigates the mediating roles of Perceived ostracism (PO) and depression in the relationship between bullying victimization and cyberaggression/NSSI among emerging adult. A total of 795 emerging adults (Mage = 19.66 years, SD = 1.46; 59.9% female) completed a multimeasure questionnaire measuring the targeted variables at three time points over one year. Structural equation modelling was used to test temporal mediation. After controlling for gender, age, and family monthly income, bullying victimization was found to positively predict later cyberaggression and NSSI. Mediation analysis revealed that the longitudinal association between bullying victimization and cyberaggression was mediated by PO; the longitudinal association between bullying victimization and NSSI was mediated by depression and was sequentially mediated by PO and depression. These findings extend the theory, prevention and interventions to include both self‐ and other‐directed aggressive behaviour in the bullying context. Future research and practice may benefit from an emphasis on PO and depression‐focused psychological interventions.
DRS: A deep reinforcement learning enhanced Kubernetes scheduler for microservice‐based system
Authors: Jian Zhaolong , Xie Xueshuo , Fang Yaozheng , Jiang Yibing , Lu Ye , Dash Ankan , Li Tao , Wang Guiling
Published: October 2023

Recently, Kubernetes is widely used to manage and schedule the resources of microservices in cloud‐native distributed applications, as the most famous container orchestration framework. However, Kubernetes preferentially schedules microservices to nodes with rich and balanced CPU and memory resources on a single node. The native scheduler of Kubernetes, called Kube‐scheduler, may cause resource fragmentation and decrease resource utilization. In this paper, we propose a deep reinforcement learning enhanced Kubernetes scheduler named DRS. We initially frame the Kubernetes scheduling problem as a Markov decision process with intricately designed state, action, and reward structures in an effort to increase resource usage and decrease load imbalance. Then, we design and implement DRS mointor to perceive six parameters concerning resource utilization and create a thorough picture of all available resources globally. Finally, DRS can automatically learn the scheduling policy through interaction with the Kubernetes cluster, without relying on expert knowledge about workload and cluster status. We implement a prototype of DRS in a Kubernetes cluster with five nodes and evaluate its performance. Experimental results highlight that DRS overcomes the shortcomings of Kube‐scheduler and achieves the expected scheduling target with three workloads. With only 3.27% CPU overhead and 0.648% communication delay, DRS outperforms Kube‐scheduler by 27.29% in terms of resource utilization and reduces load imbalance by 2.90 times on average.
Heterogeneous Composite Fibrous Cathode Undergoing Emphasized Active Oxygen Dissociation for La(Sr)Ga(Mg)O3‐Based High‐Performed Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Authors: Lee Sang Won , Park Ji-Woo , Ju Young-Wan , Shin Tae Ho
Published: October 2023

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are of great importance in terms of reducing operational costs and benefiting from system durability. However, SOFCs exhibit sluggish oxygen reduction reactions (ORRs) at cathodes. To overcome this, extensive research is focused on the development of cathodes with superior ORR properties for SOFCs. In this study, a fibrous composite cathode composed of strontium‐doped samarium cobaltate (SSC) and samarium‐doped ceria (SDC) is fabricated via electrospinning. Composite fiber cathodes prepared at specific ratios exhibit ORR properties and oxygen‐ion conductivity, which are attributed to the growth of small SSC particles in the fibrous electrode and nanolattice strain of SSC at the SSC and SDC interface. As such, the enhanced cathode performance contributes to an improvement in the power‐generation characteristics of SOFCs (1.33 W cm−2 at 1073 K using 300 μm thick La(Sr)Ga(Mg)O3 electrolyte). This structural engineering of dual‐phase fiber is a promising design that promotes cathodic ORR performance.
Effect of non‐local modified couple stress theory on the responses of axially moving thermoelastic nano‐beams
Authors: Abouelregal Ahmed E.
Published: October 2023

The present study examines the lateral thermal vibrations of a nanobeam subjected to an axial motion while being influenced by a sinusoidal thermal load. The partial differential equation describing the system was obtained using the extended Hamiltonian principle. Also considered were the Euler‐Bernoulli (EB) beam, the nonlocal couple stress theory, and Eringen's nonlocal elasticity model. This type of axially moving beam has multiple applications in design, including industrial, civil, structural, chemical, and computer engineering. The Laplace transform technique is utilized to translate partial differential equations into a thermoelastic differential equation of the sixth order. This study investigates the impact of nanobeam size and velocity on thermo‐mechanical characteristics. To explore the impacts of axial velocity, pulse width, nonlocal index, material length scale coefficient, and phase lag coefficients on the examined studied fields, such as lateral vibration and temperature change for the moving nanobeam are calculated. The specified factors were discovered to impact the flexibility and dynamic response of the nanobeam substantially.
On the static condensation of initially not rectilinear beams
Authors: Lenci Stefano , Sorokin Sergey
Published: October 2023

Two weakly nonlinear integral equations of motion commonly used in the literature to study the nonlinear dynamics of straight and initially not rectilinear Euler‐Bernoulli beams, respectively, are further investigated. Attention is focused on the process known as “static condensation”, which consists of neglecting the axial inertia in the exact, fully nonlinear system of equations of motion to determine the axial displacement as a function of the transversal one. The novelty of the paper relies on showing that, contrarily to expectation and somehow surprisingly, the integral equation for beams with a not rectilinear initial configuration cannot be obtained by the static condensation process starting from the exact, fully nonlinear, equations of motion, apart from a very particular and specific case. On the contrary, it is confirmed the well‐known result that for rectilinear beams the integral equation can be obtained by the static condensation. This highlights a major difference between the two integral equations in terms of reliability and allows us a better understanding of the integral equation of rectilinear beams, underlying its stronger mathematical background than the classical counterpart for not straight beams (i.e., its being obtainable from the exact, fully nonlinear, equations of motion via static condensation), which provides it with a “special” behavior and makes it more trustworthy.
Heavy neutrino-antineutrino oscillations at the FCC-ee
Authors: Antusch Stefan , Hajer Jan , Oliveira Bruno M. S.
Published: October 2023

Abstract

We discuss the impact of heavy neutrino-antineutrino oscillations ($$ \textrm{N}\overline{\textrm{N}}\textrm{Os} $$
N

N
¯

Os
) on heavy neutral lepton (HNL) searches at proposed electron-positron colliders such as the future circular e+e− collider (FCC-ee). During the Z pole run, HNLs can be produced alongside a light neutrino or antineutrino that escapes detection and can decay into a charged lepton or antilepton together with an off-shell W boson. In this case, signals of lepton number violation (LNV) only show up in the final state distributions. We discuss how $$ \textrm{N}\overline{\textrm{N}}\textrm{Os} $$
N

N
¯

Os
, a typical feature of collider-testable low-scale seesaw models where the heavy neutrinos form pseudo-Dirac pairs, modify such final state distributions. For example, the forward-backward asymmetry (FBA) of the reconstructed heavy (anti)neutrinos develops an oscillatory dependence on the HNL lifetime. We show that these oscillations can be resolvable for long-lived HNLs. We also discuss that when the $$ \textrm{N}\overline{\textrm{N}}\textrm{Os} $$
N

N
¯

Os
are not resolvable, they can nevertheless significantly modify the theory predictions for FBAs and observables such as the ratio of the total number of HNL decays into ℓ− over ones into ℓ+, in an interval of the angle θ between the HNL and the beam axis. Our results show that $$ \textrm{N}\overline{\textrm{N}}\textrm{Os} $$
N

N
¯

Os
should be included in collider simulations of HNLs at the FCC-ee.
Top Secrets: long-lived ALPs in top production
Authors: Rygaard L. , Niedziela J. , Schäfer R. , Bruggisser S. , Alimena J. , Westhoff S. , Blekman F.
Published: October 2023

Abstract

We investigate the discovery potential for long-lived particles produced in association with a top-antitop quark pair at the (High-Luminosity) LHC. Compared to inclusive searches for a displaced vertex, top-associated signals offer new trigger options and an extra handle to suppress background. We design a search strategy for a displaced di-muon vertex in the tracking detectors, in association with a reconstructed top-antitop pair. For axion-like particles with masses above the di-muon threshold, we find that the (High-Luminosity) LHC can probe effective top-quark couplings as small as |ctt|/fa = 0.03 (0.002)/TeV and proper decay lengths as long as 20 (300) m, assuming a cross section of 1 fb, with data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 150 fb−1 (3 ab−1). Our predictions suggest that searches for top-associated displaced di-muons will explore new terrain in the current sensitivity gap between searches for prompt di-muons and missing energy.
On the dynamical origin of the η′ potential and the axion mass
Authors: Csáki Csaba , D’Agnolo Raffaele Tito , Gupta Rick S. , Kuflik Eric , Roy Tuhin S. , Ruhdorfer Maximilian
Published: October 2023

Abstract

We investigate the dynamics responsible for generating the potential of the η′, the (would-be) Goldstone boson associated with the anomalous axial U(1) symmetry of QCD. The standard lore posits that pure QCD dynamics generates a confining potential with a branched structure as a function of the θ angle, and that this same potential largely determines the properties of the η′ once fermions are included. Here we test this picture by examining a supersymmetric extension of QCD with a small amount of supersymmetry breaking generated via anomaly mediation. For pure SU(N) QCD without flavors, we verify that there are N branches generated by gaugino condensation. Once quarks are introduced, the flavor effects qualitatively change the strong dynamics of the pure theory. For F flavors we find |N − F| branches, whose dynamical origin is gaugino condensation in the unbroken subgroup for F < N – 1, and in the dual gauge group for F > N + 1. For the special cases of F = N – 1, N, N + 1 we find no branches and the entire potential is consistent with being a one-instanton effect. The number of branches is a simple consequence of the selection rules of an anomalous U(1)R symmetry. We find that the η′ mass does not vanish in the large N limit for fixed F/N, since the anomaly is non-vanishing. The same dynamics that is responsible for the η′ potential is also responsible for the axion potential. We present a simple derivation of the axion mass formula for an arbitrary number of flavors.
Semiclassical analysis of the bifundamental QCD on ℝ2 × T2 with ’t Hooft flux
Authors: Hayashi Yui , Tanizaki Yuya , Watanabe Hiromasa
Published: October 2023

Abstract

We study the phase structure of bifundamental quantum chromodynamics (QCD(BF)), which is the 4-dimensional SU(N) × SU(N) gauge theory coupled with the bifundamental fermion. Firstly, we refine constraints on its phase diagram from ’t Hooft anomalies and global inconsistencies, and we find more severe constraints than those in previous literature about QCD(BF). Secondly, we employ the recently-proposed semiclassical approach for confining vacua to investigate this model concretely, and this is made possible via anomaly-preserving T2 compactification. For sufficiently small T2 with the ’t Hooft flux, the dilute gas approximation of center vortices gives reliable semiclassical computations, and we determine the phase diagram as a function of the fermion mass m, two strong scales Λ1, Λ2, and two vacuum angles, θ1, θ2. In particular, we find that the QCD(BF) vacuum respects the ℤ2 exchange symmetry of two gauge groups. Under the assumption of the adiabatic continuity, our result successfully explains one of the conjectured phase diagrams in the previous literature and also gives positive support for the nonperturbative validity of the large-N orbifold equivalence between QCD(BF) and $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 SU(2N) supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory. We also comment on problems of domain walls.
The local SYK model and its triple-scaling limit
Authors: Anegawa Takanori , Iizuka Norihiro , Sake Sunil Kumar
Published: October 2023

Abstract

We study a model of fermions with random couplings similar to conventional SYK with N number of flavours of fermions, at large N. Unlike the conventional SYK model, which has all-to-all couplings, the model we study, which we call local SYK, has a much less number of random couplings, just N in number and with only local interactions. It is shown that there exists a limit in which the local SYK model can be solved using the chord diagram techniques, analogous to the double-scaled limit of conventional SYK. This limit corresponds to taking the size of the fermion coupling terms, q, to scale linearly with N. A further triple-scaling limit is taken to analyze the low energy limit and it is shown that the OTOCs saturate the chaos bound, paralleling the analysis in the conventional SYK.
On hypersymmetry in three dimensions
Authors: Zinoviev Yu. M.
Published: October 2023

Abstract

In this work we presented a number of explicit examples for the cubic vertices describing an interaction of massless spin-$$ \frac{5}{2} $$

5
2

field with massive boson and fermion including all hypertransformations necessary for the vertices to be gauge invariant. Here we restrict ourselves with the massive bosons with spins s = 2, 1, 0 and massive fermions with spins s = $$ \frac{3}{3} $$

3
3

, $$ \frac{1}{2} $$

1
2

. Our general analysis predicted that the vertex must exist for any boson and fermion with the spin difference $$ \frac{3}{2} $$

3
2

or $$ \frac{1}{2} $$

1
2

. And indeed it appeared that the vertex exists for all six possible pairs (2, 1, 0) ⊗ ($$ \frac{3}{2} $$

3
2

, $$ \frac{1}{2} $$

1
2

). As in the case of massive supermultiplets, our construction is based on the gauge invariant description for the massive fields with spins s ≥ 1. Moreover, we have explicitly checked that all the vertices are invariant also under the gauge symmetries of these massive fields.
PATJ inhibits histone deacetylase 7 to control tight junction formation and cell polarity
Authors: Fiedler Julia , Moennig Thomas , Hinrichs Johanna H. , Weber Annika , Wagner Thomas , Hemmer Tim , Schröter Rita , Weide Thomas , Epting Daniel , Bergmann Carsten , Nedvetsky Pavel , Krahn Michael P.
Published: October 2023

The conserved multiple PDZ-domain containing protein PATJ stabilizes the Crumbs-Pals1 complex to regulate apical-basal polarity and tight junction formation in epithelial cells. However, the molecular mechanism of PATJ’s function in these processes is still unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that knockout of PATJ in epithelial cells results in tight junction defects as well as in a disturbed apical-basal polarity and impaired lumen formation in three-dimensional cyst assays. Mechanistically, we found PATJ to associate with and inhibit histone deacetylase 7 (HDAC7). Inhibition or downregulation of HDAC7 restores polarity and lumen formation. Gene expression analysis of PATJ-deficient cells revealed an impaired expression of genes involved in cell junction assembly and membrane organization, which is rescued by the downregulation of HDAC7. Notably, the function of PATJ regulating HDAC7-dependent cilia formation does not depend on its canonical interaction partner, Pals1, indicating a new role of PATJ, which is distinct from its function in the Crumbs complex. By contrast, polarity and lumen phenotypes observed in Pals1- and PATJ-deficient epithelial cells can be rescued by inhibition of HDAC7, suggesting that the main function of this polarity complex in this process is to modulate the transcriptional profile of epithelial cells by inhibiting HDAC7.
A modified paleoplacer model for the metaconglomerate-hosted gold deposits at Jacobina, Brazil
Authors: Garayp Enzio , Frimmel Hartwig E.
Published: October 2023

Evidence is presented that the metaconglomerate-hosted Jacobina gold deposits in Brazil represent paleoplacers that became partly remobilized during later metamorphic overprint analogous to Witwatersrand-type deposits elsewhere, notably in South Africa. This includes strong lithological and sedimentological control on the gold, presence of detrital minerals with gold inclusions, and detrital gold particles. Detrital, synsedimentary, and post-depositional pyrite types can be differentiated. Whereas the first two types can be linked to gold accumulation, the latter was associated with gold dispersion. Synsedimentary pyrite has the highest Au content, from which elevated Au concentrations in Archean rivers can be inferred. The nature and extent of post-depositional alteration, mainly in the course of the Paleoproterozoic Orogeny, distinguishes the Jacobina deposits from other Witwatersrand-type gold deposits. Phase equilibria and Zr-in-rutile thermometry indicate peak metamorphic temperatures of ca. 600 °C. Both Mg-chlorite and Fe-chlorite formed in disequilibrium at approximately 280–340 °C during retrograde metamorphism. An igneous signature in the chemistry of some of the tourmaline and the remobilization of gold associated with Fe-oxides, near intrusive rocks, point at a local magmatic influence on the post-depositional mineralization stage. Whether magmatic hydrothermal fluids added Au to the system at that stage remains to be determined. Remobilization during regional metamorphism was insufficient to form substantial ore bodies but led to purification of the initially detrital gold particles that now contain relatively little Ag and Cu and lack Hg.
Holographic imaging of an array of submicron light scatterers at low photon numbers
Authors: Kölle Sebastian , Jäger Manuel , Müller Markus , Schoch Wladimir , Limmer Wolfgang , Denschlag Johannes Hecker
Published: October 2023

We experimentally test a recently proposed holographic method for imaging coherent light scatterers which are distributed over a two-dimensional grid. In our setup, the scatterers consist of a back-illuminated, opaque mask with submicron-sized holes. We study how the imaging fidelity depends on various parameters of the set-up. We observe that a few hundred scattered photons per hole already suffice to obtain a fidelity of 96% to correctly determine whether a hole is located at a given grid point. The holographic method demonstrated here has a high potential for applications with ultracold atoms in optical lattices.
Biomarkers predictive of a response to extended endocrine therapy in breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Woolpert Kirsten M. , Ahern Thomas P. , Lash Timothy L. , O’Malley Donna L. , Stokes Alice M. , Cronin-Fenton Deirdre P.
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Extension of adjuvant endocrine therapy beyond five years confers only modest survival benefit in breast cancer patients and carries risk of toxicities. This systematic review investigates the role of biomarker tests in predicting the clinical response to an extension of endocrine therapy.

Methods

We searched Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, Global Index Medicus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials using an iterative approach to identify full-text articles related to breast cancer, endocrine therapy, and biomarkers.

Results

Of the 1,217 unique reports identified, five studies were deemed eligible. Four investigated the Breast Cancer Index (BCI) assay in three distinct study populations. These studies consistently showed that BCI score was predictive of response to extended endocrine therapy among 1,946 combined patients, who were predominately non-Hispanic white and postmenopausal.

Conclusions

Evidence in the setting of predictive tests for extended endocrine therapy is sparse. Most relevant studies investigated the use of BCI, but these study populations were largely restricted to a single age, race, and ethnicity group. Future studies should evaluate a variety of biomarkers in diverse populations. Without sufficient evidence, physicians and patients face a difficult decision in balancing the benefits and risks of endocrine therapy extension.
Prostate-specific antigen testing rates in high-risk populations: results from the All of Us Research Program
Authors: Morley Faith , Iyer Hari S. , Tamimi Rulla M. , Nanus David M. , Rebbeck Timothy R. , Kensler Kevin H.
Published: October 2023

Background

Early detection of prostate cancer using prostate-specific antigen (PSA) remains controversial and disparities in the receipt of prostate cancer screening persist in the US. We sought to examine disparities in PSA testing rates among groups with higher prostate cancer risk and differential access to healthcare.

Methods

We identified a cohort of 37,706 males within the All of Us Research Program without a history of prostate cancer between the ages of 40 and 85 at time of enrollment (2017–2021). Incidence rate ratios (IRR) for the number of PSA tests received during follow-up through December 2021 were estimated using age- and multivariable-adjusted negative binomial regression models. PSA testing frequencies in the cohort were compared with population-based estimates from the 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).

Results

A total of 6,486 males (17.2%) received at least one PSA test over the course of follow-up. In multivariable-adjusted models, non-Hispanic Black males received PSA tests at a 17% lower rate (IRR = 0.83, 95% CI 0.76, 0.90) than non-Hispanic White males. Higher educational attainment, higher annual income, having self-/employer-purchased insurance, having a spouse or domestic partner, and having a family history of prostate cancer were all associated with higher rates of PSA testing. The proportion of males ages 55 to 69 who received a PSA test within two years was lower in All of Us (12.4%, 95% CI 11.8–13.0%) relative to population-based estimates from the BRFSS (35.2%, 95% CI 34.2–36.3%).

Conclusion

Absolute PSA testing rates in All of Us were lower than population-based estimates, but associations with PSA testing in the cohort mirrored previously reported disparities in prostate cancer screening. These findings highlight the importance of addressing barriers to care in order to reduce disparities in cancer screening.
Modularity impacts cellulose surface oxidation by a lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase from Streptomyces coelicolor
Authors: Raji Olanrewaju , Eijsink Vincent G. H. , Master Emma , Forsberg Zarah
Published: October 2023

Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) catalyze the oxidation of β-(1,4)-linked polysaccharides, such as cellulose, in a reaction that requires an electron donor and H2O2 as co-substrate. Several LPMOs include a carbohydrate-binding module (CBM), which promotes action on insoluble substrates. Herein, a fluorescent labeling technique was used to track LPMO action on microcrystalline cellulose and evaluate the impact of CBMs on the distribution of LPMO activity across the fiber surface. Confocal microscopic images revealed that the distribution of oxidized positions on the cellulose surface was CBM-dependent: fluorescent spots were concentrated in reactions with a CBM-containing LPMO whereas they were more dispersed for a CBM-deficient LPMO variant. The more dispersed oxidation pattern for the CBM-free LPMO coincided with the release of fewer soluble reaction products.
A fast continuous time approach for non-smooth convex optimization using Tikhonov regularization technique
Authors: Karapetyants Mikhail A.
Published: October 2023

In this paper we would like to address the classical optimization problem of minimizing a proper, convex and lower semicontinuous function via the second order in time dynamics, combining viscous and Hessian-driven damping with a Tikhonov regularization term. In our analysis we heavily exploit the Moreau envelope of the objective function and its properties as well as Tikhonov regularization properties, which we extend to a nonsmooth case. We introduce the setting, which at the same time guarantees the fast convergence of the function (and Moreau envelope) values and strong convergence of the trajectories of the system to a minimal norm solution—the element of the minimal norm of all the minimizers of the objective. Moreover, we deduce the precise rates of convergence of the values for the particular choice of parameters. Various numerical examples are also included as an illustration of the theoretical results.
Medical students' perceptions of a novel international adaptive progress test
Authors: Kisielewska Jolanta , Millin Paul , Rice Neil , Pego Jose Miguel , Burr Steven , Nowakowski Michal , Gale Thomas
Published: October 2023

Between 2018–2021, eight European medical schools took part in a study to develop a medical knowledge Online Adaptive International Progress Test. Here we discuss participants’ self-perception to evaluate the acceptability of adaptive vs non-adaptive testing. Study participants, students from across Europe at all stages of undergraduate medical education with varying levels of prior experience with progress testing, sat remotely invigilated tests using the online QuizOne® platform. Participants completed online feedback questionnaires on their experiences and perceptions of adaptive and non-adaptive tests. Overall satisfaction with the organisation and delivery of remote online tests was high regardless of previous experience with progress testing, differences in stages, programmes, and to some degree language. In statements probing the appropriateness of the level and the length of testing, differences were observed between adaptive and non-adaptive tests. There was a high level of agreement that the adaptive test was a good measure of personal knowledge and increased participants’ motivation for study. Students’ self-perception of the assessment is an important factor in evaluation of acceptability of the exam and its further development. In our study, the adaptive test algorithm adjusted the level of difficulty for the individual student in real-time, leading to positive perceptions of the length of the test and promoting students’ engagement. The assessment increases student motivation for learning and in turn, has the potential to improve their performance.
Functional Connectivity of the Nucleus Accumbens across Variants of Callous-Unemotional Traits: A Resting-State fMRI Study in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Dugré Jules Roger , Potvin Stéphane
Published: October 2023

A large body of literature suggests that the primary (high callousness-unemotional traits [CU] and low anxiety) and secondary (high CU traits and anxiety) variants of psychopathy significantly differ in terms of their clinical profiles. However, little is known about their neurobiological differences. While few studies showed that variants differ in brain activity during fear processing, it remains unknown whether they also show atypical functioning in motivational and reward system. Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) was conducted on a large sample of adolescents (n = 1416) to identify variants based on their levels of callousness and anxiety. Seed-to-voxel connectivity analysis was subsequently performed on resting-state fMRI data to compare connectivity patterns of the nucleus accumbens across subgroups. LPA failed to identify the primary variant when using total score of CU traits. Using a family-wise cluster correction, groups did not differ on functional connectivity. However, at an uncorrected threshold the secondary variant showed distinct functional connectivity between the nucleus accumbens and posterior insula, lateral orbitofrontal cortex, supplementary motor area, and parietal regions. Secondary LPA analysis using only the callousness subscale successfully distinguish both variants. Group differences replicated results of deficits in functional connectivity between the nucleus accumbens and posterior insula and supplementary motor area, but additionally showed effect in the superior temporal gyrus which was specific to the primary variant. The current study supports the importance of examining the neurobiological markers across subgroups of adolescents at risk for conduct problems to precise our understanding of this heterogeneous population.
Triangulation of Questionnaires, Qualitative Data and Natural Language Processing: A Differential Approach to Religious Bahá’í Fasting in Germany
Authors: Steckhan Nico , Ring Raphaela , Borchert Florian , Koppold Daniela A.
Published: October 2023

Approaches to integrating mixed methods into medical research are gaining popularity. To get a holistic understanding of the effects of behavioural interventions, we investigated religious fasting using a triangulation of quantitative, qualitative, and natural language analysis. We analysed an observational study of Bahá'í fasting in Germany using a between-method triangulation that is based on links between qualitative and quantitative analyses. Individual interviews show an increase in the mindfulness and well-being categories. Sentiment scores, extracted from the interviews through natural language processing, positively correlate with questionnaire outcomes on quality of life (WHO-5: Spearman correlation r = 0.486, p = 0.048). Five questionnaires contribute to the first principal component capturing the spectrum of mood states (50.1% explained variance). Integrating the findings of the between-method triangulation enabled us to converge on the underlying effects of this kind of intermittent fasting.

Trial registration

NCT03443739
An Online CURE Taught at a Community College During the Pandemic Shows Mixed Results for Development of Research Self-Efficacy and In-class Relationships
Authors: Dunbar-Wallis Amy , Katcher Jennifer , Moore Wendy , Corwin Lisa A.
Published: October 2023

The Bee the CURE is a novel course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) that engages introductory biology students in DNA barcoding (DNA extraction, amplification, and bioinformatics) in partnership with the Tucson Bee Collaborative and the University of Arizona. The first iteration of this CURE taught at Pima Community College (PCC) occurred during the Fall 2020 semester in which the course was taught online and students focused on bioinformatics. Due to the online format, students were unable to participate directly in the wet-lab components (extraction and amplification) of the course. These were approximated with videos of the instructor performing the tasks. A qualitative case study of this semester built from student interviews found that students were able to form positive relationships with instructors and peer mentors but that the online format of the class posed some challenges to relationship formation. Students reported developing self-efficacy in bioinformatics skills while online lab participation disrupted student’s gaining “hands-on experiences” and seldom led to development of science self-efficacy in wet lab skills. Our findings from a study of a synchronous online CURE allowed us to characterize a context in which online learning posed a challenge and perhaps even a threat to research self-efficacy, especially regarding skill development and self-efficacy in “hands-on” areas, such as wet-bench research skills. Yet optimistically, our study highlights the potential of online community college learning environments to provide mastery experiences in online science contexts (e.g., bioinformatics) and opportunities for relationship building.
Optimization of Sparsity-Constrained Neural Networks as a Mixed Integer Linear Program
Authors: Rosenhahn Bodo
Published: October 2023

The literature has shown how to optimize and analyze the parameters of different types of neural networks using mixed integer linear programs (MILP). Building on these developments, this work presents an approach to do so for a McCulloch/Pitts and Rosenblatt neurons. As the original formulation involves a step-function, it is not differentiable, but it is possible to optimize the parameters of neurons, and their concatenation as a shallow neural network, by using a mixed integer linear program. The main contribution of this paper is to additionally enforce sparsity constraints on the weights and activations as well as on the amount of used neurons. Several experiments demonstrate that such constraints effectively prevent overfitting in neural networks, and ensure resource optimized models.
Silver/polydopamine/HMX nanocomposite: novel functionalized catalyzed energetic matrix with superior decomposition kinetics
Authors: Elbasuney Sherif , Ismael Shukri , Yehia M. , Saleh Ahmed
Published: October 2023

Surface engineering of energetic materials can secure novel decomposition characteristics. Nature can inspire novel solutions. Polydopamine, with strong adhesion power of mussel proteins, can open new venues for the facile development of functionalized energetic materials. HMX, one of the most powerful energetic materials in use, was surface modified with PDA. The reactive amine groups of PDA surfactant were employed for noble metal catalyst deposition. Silver nanocatalyst was deposited on HMX surface. Uniform deposition of silver nanocatalyst was assessed using EDAX detector. Decomposition kinetics was investigated via isoconversional (model free) and model fitting. Kissinger, Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS), integral isoconversional method of Ozawa, Flynn, and Wall (FWO), and differential isoconversional method of Friedman. Silver nanocatalyst offered an increase in HMX decomposition enthalpy by 32.4%. In the meantime, HMX activation energy was decreased from 350 ± 2.53 to 284.9 ± 1.5 kJ mol−1 by Friedman method. Silver nanocatalyst could combust exothermically; it could induce condensed phase reactions that could boost HMX decomposition. Silver nanocatalyst experienced change in HMX decomposition model from diffusion reaction (D1) to (A3) known as three-dimensional random nucleation and growth. Surface modification with PDA secured enhanced HMX sensitivity to falling mass impact by 40%.
Ethics: An Impossible Politics—Perversion, Law and Racial Difference
Authors: Zevnik Andreja
Published: October 2023

This paper takes the removal of the Colston statue in Bristol in the summer of 2020 and the accompanying Black Lives Matter protest as a political setting which can help us explore the radical political potential of Ari Hirvonen’s work. In this intervention I return to some of the themes that his work continuously engages with (such as the question of the limits, transgressions of law, and ethical acts), and re-think them in the context of racial justice. This think-piece opens with reconsideration of ethics and politics drawing on Hirvonen’s brilliant readings of the Antigone and his last book Ethics of Tragedy. By reading transgressions of law as forms of (productive) perversions, this intervention, explores ways in which a different kind of politics might emerge. If in most of his works, Hirvonen saw radical democracy as a vehicle for socio-political transformation, his last work, I argue, moves towards radical even revolutionary transformations. Here I propose to read actions taken by the contemporary racial justice groups as an attempt to embody ‘perversion as rebellion’ or perversion as resistance (both ideas found in Hirvonen’s work).
An Expanded Model for the Pressure Effect in Metal Dusting of Mn-Containing Alloy 600 Based on Advanced Scale Characterization
Authors: Galetz M. C. , Schlereth C. , White E. M. H. , Boll T. , Bik M. , Sitarz M. , Chen W.-T. , Gleeson B.
Published: October 2023

Commercial alloy 600 was exposed to a metal dusting inducing gas mixture to investigate the effect of ambient and elevated pressures on the oxide scale formation behavior. The formed scales on this alloy were investigated via Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and atom probe tomography (APT) to reveal the differences in their morphology and chemical composition(s). Raman spectroscopy revealed graphite within the chromia scales as well as oxide grains with Mn–Cr spinel. High-pressure exposure promoted the presence of Mn within the oxide scale, and APT demonstrated these Mn-enriched areas dissolved up to 4 at.% C. This was consistent with the TEM results, which confirmed higher amounts of Mn in the scale formed under elevated pressure, as well as crystalline graphite in the scales for both conditions. The consequences for the scale breakdown, reflecting the end of the incubation time for metal dusting attack, are discussed in light of these results. A two-fragment dissociative adsorption model for CO, previously applied to catalysis reactions, is proposed when Mn is incorporated into the chromia scale.
Enhancing Impact: A Call to Action for Equitable Implementation Science
Authors: Shelton Rachel C. , Brownson Ross C.
Published: October 2023

Despite investments in evidence-based interventions and Implementation Science, most evidence-based interventions are not widely or routinely adopted, delivered, or sustained in many real-world community and healthcare settings. This gap is even greater in settings and populations experiencing numerous social and structural barriers to health, with important implications for persistent patterns in health inequities. In this Viewpoint, as part of a Special Issue on Advancing the Adaptability of Chronic Disease Prevention and Management through Implementation Science, we outline seven calls to action for the field of Implementation Science, with the goal of encouraging researchers, practitioners, and funders to be more intentional and accountable in applying Implementation Science to have greater impact on promoting health equity. Calls to action include (1) enhance public health, community, and multi-sectoral partnerships to promote health equity and equitable implementation; (2) revisit and build the evidence base needed to promote health equity and impact at multiple levels; (3) prioritize focus on policy development, dissemination, and implementation; (4) be agile and responsive in application of Implementation Science frameworks, processes, and methods; (5) identify and redefine meaningful metrics for equity and impact; (6) disseminate scientific evidence and research to a diverse range of partners and potential beneficiaries; and (7) extend focus on de-implementation, mis-implementation, and sustainability which are central to enhancing health equity. Additionally, we outline why a focus on prevention and public health is essential to making progress towards health equity in Implementation Science, summarize important advancements that the field has made towards making equity more foundational, and pose important research questions to enhance equitable impact of work in this area.