bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Linguistic Cleavages in Canadian Political Science: Evidence from the Discipline's Annual Conference
Authors: Brie Evelyne , Daoust Jean-François
Published: September 2024

Academics across Canada, an officially bilingual and multicultural country, devote a lot of attention to diversity and representation. This is particularly true for political scientists. In this research note, we focus on the linguistic composition of panels and overall linguistic fragmentation of the most important in-person event for Canadian political science: the annual meeting of the Canadian Political Science Association (CPSA). To do so, we generated a dataset based on the official program of the 2023 annual conference. Our main results are twofold. First, we find an important under-representation of French-speaking events and academic communications (i.e., panels and papers). Second, we computed Herfindahl-Hirschman indexes demonstrating that francophone-dominated panels and co-authored papers with francophone first authors are significantly more linguistically diverse than anglophone panels and papers. Our results highlight important blind spots in Canadian political science and help make sense of the lack of representation of French-language work in Canadian academia.
Effects of Analog Modeling Materials on Topographic Photogrammetry (SfM) Reconstructions
Authors: Cawood Adam J. , Wyrick Danielle Y.
Published: September 2024

Accurate topographic data are essential for quantitative structural analysis, both in natural settings and in the laboratory. The selection of modeling materials (with appropriate rheological properties) is known to be fundamental for the success of scaled physical analog experiments. However, the optical properties of analog materials and their impact on the reliability and precision of high‐resolution topographic reconstructions have not (to our knowledge) previously been assessed. Here we evaluate the effects of material composition, color, and grain size on Structure‐from‐Motion (SfM) photogrammetry reconstruction efficacy for deformed and undeformed model configurations in the laboratory. Image collections for photogrammetry are acquired from multiple camera positions with a handheld digital camera, and reconstructions are registered using ground control points in a local coordinate system. Static experiments show that low reflectivity granular materials (e.g., silica sand, volcanic ash, pumice, and Al2O3) yield relatively reliable photogrammetry data for a wide range of grain sizes (44–2,400 μm) but larger grain sizes (≥250 μm) provide more robust results. Reflective materials (e.g., glass beads, wet clay) yield less reliable point‐clouds but the addition of low‐reflectivity granular materials (e.g., Al2O3 grains) on the surface of wet clay improves reconstruction results, with higher grain densities typically yielding lower point‐cloud residuals. SfM‐photogrammetry reconstruction of deformed clay analog models tends to improve at higher extension magnitudes because of fault and associated texture development on model surfaces. We anticipate that our results will help practitioners to improve the precision and reliability of photogrammetric data acquired in the analog modeling laboratory.
Phytoplankton Shield Ice Shelves from Summer Heat
Authors: Sidik Saima
Published: September 2024

Spring blooms shade Antarctic ice shelves, causing them to melt 7% more slowly than they would if they were surrounded by clear, bloomless waters.
Dependence of Simulated Fault Gouge Frictional Behavior on Mineral Surface Chemistry Quantified by Cation Exchange Capacity
Authors: Ikari Matt J. , Conin Marianne
Published: September 2024

The slip behavior of crustal faults is known to be controlled by the composition of the fault gouge, but the exact mechanisms, especially considering the role of water‐rock interactions, are still under investigation. Here, we use a geochemical approach measuring the cation exchange capacity (CEC) of several phyllosilicate minerals and non‐clays, using CEC as a proxy for the ability to bind water to the mineral surfaces and/or develop electrostatic forces between particles. Laboratory shearing experiments show that low CEC materials (<3 mEq/100 g) tend to exhibit high friction, low cohesion, and velocity‐weakening frictional behavior. Phyllosilicate minerals exhibit CEC values up to 78 mEq/100 g and correspondingly lower friction coefficients, higher cohesion, and a tendency for velocity‐strengthening friction. Zeolite behavior is atypical, exhibiting a high CEC value typical of phyllosilicates but the strength and frictional characteristics of a non‐clay with low CEC. This suggests that the structure of the mineral is important for non‐phyllosilicates. For phyllosilicates, our results can be explained by water bound to mineral surfaces, creating bridges of hydrogen or van der Waals bonds between particles. The enhanced particle bonding for high CEC materials is consistent with high cohesion under zero effective stress conditions, and lowered friction by trapping bound water between the mineral surfaces under normal load. Bound water may explain the tendency for velocity‐strengthening friction in high CEC materials by hindering a Dieterich‐type time‐dependent frictional strengthening mechanism.
First Results From a Calibrated Network of Low‐Cost PM2.5 Monitors in Mombasa, Kenya Show Exceedance of Healthy Guidelines
Authors: Njeru M. N. , Mwangi E. , Gatari M. J. , Kaniu M. I. , Kanyeria J. , Raheja G. , Westervelt D. M.
Published: September 2024

The paucity of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) measurements limits estimates of air pollution mortality in Sub‐Saharan Africa. Well calibrated low‐cost sensors can provide reliable data especially where reference monitors are unavailable. We evaluate the performance of Clarity Node‐S PM monitors against a Tapered element oscillating microbalance (TEOM) 1400a and develop a calibration model in Mombasa, Kenya's second largest city. As‐reported Clarity Node‐S data from January 2023 through April 2023 was moderately correlated with the TEOM‐1400a measurements (R2 = 0.61) and exhibited a mean absolute error (MAE) of 7.03 μg m−3. Employing three calibration models, namely, multiple linear regression (MLR), Gaussian mixture regression and random forest (RF) decreased the MAE to 4.28, 3.93, and 4.40 μg m−3 respectively. The R2 value improved to 0.63 for the MLR model but all other models registered a decrease (R2 = 0.44 and 0.60 respectively). Applying the correction factor to a five‐sensor network in Mombasa that was operated between July 2021 and July 2022 gave insights to the air quality in the city. The average daily concentrations of PM2.5 within the city ranged from 12 to 18 μg m−3. The concentrations exceeded the WHO daily PM2.5 limits more than 50% of the time, in particular at the sites nearby frequent industrial activity. Higher averages were observed during the dry and cold seasons and during early morning and evening periods of high activity. These results represent some of the first air quality monitoring measurements in Mombasa and highlight the need for more study.
Meridional Path of ENSO Impact on Following Early‐Summer North Pacific Climate
Authors: Tao Lingfeng , Yang Xiu‐Qun , Sun Linyuan , Sun Xuguang , Fang Jiabei , Cai Danping , Zhou Botao , Chen Haishan
Published: September 2024

Prior research extensively investigates the delayed influence of El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events on subsequent summer climates, with persistent sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTAs) in remote tropical oceans serving as crucial pathways. This study unveils a previously overlooked midlatitude pathway. During the developing winter, El Niño events induce basin‐scale cold SSTAs in the central North Pacific, which can persist into the following summer. These anomalies significantly influence early‐summer atmospheric circulation by enhancing atmospheric baroclinicity and transient eddy activities. Primarily driven by transient eddy vorticity forcing, an equivalent barotropic geopotential low anomaly emerges over the North Pacific. Enhanced by the southwesterly winds of the atmospheric low, tropical moisture is transported farther northeastward in the early summer, resulting in increased rainfall in the Pacific Northwest region. By elucidating this meridional pathway, our study advances the understanding of ENSO's delayed impacts and associated dynamical processes, in which the midlatitude oceanic feedbacks are emphasized.
Whistler Waves and Two‐Stream Instabilities at Non‐Stationary Quasi‐Perpendicular Collisionless Shocks
Authors: Comişel Horia , Marghitu Octav
Published: September 2024

Upstream propagating waves are observed to correlate with the reflected ions in the foot of a high Mach number quasi‐perpendicular collisionless shock. The respective wavefronts show time varying amplitude matching the variation of the reflected ions and the shock reformation cycles. We interpret this process in terms of the fast two‐stream instability and investigate the results of the PIC simulation as compared with the prediction of the linear analysis. Evidence for upstream propagating whistler waves supported by two‐stream instability is continuously growing, see for example, recent surveys based on MMS in‐situ observations of the Earth bow‐shock. The present study suggests that upstream propagating waves are consistent with and in particular supported by the mechanism of fast two‐stream instability developing in the upstream region of the shock foot.
Seasonal Variations in the Barrier Layer and Its Formation Mechanism in the Northern Indian Ocean
Authors: Liu Ying , Yan You‐Fang
Published: September 2024

Understanding the impact of the ocean barrier layer (BL) on regional ocean dynamics requires the knowledge of BL variability and the factors influencing it. Herein, using SODA reanalysis data sets, we systematically investigate the seasonal variations and formation mechanisms of BLs in the North Indian Ocean (NIO). Our results show that BLs are mainly found in the southeastern Arabian Sea (SEAS), Bay of Bengal (BoB), and the Eastern Equatorial Indian Ocean (EEIO), with the thickest BLs occurring in SEAS and BoB in January, and in EEIO in November. Seasonal BL variability is primarily driven by isothermal layer (IL) modulation. Further budget analysis reveals that the factors affecting seasonality of BL variability through modulating IL differ across the three regions. In the SEAS, BL variability is primarily modulated by ocean vertical processes, notably oceanic planetary waves and Ekman pumping. In the BoB, vertical dynamics, including Ekman pumping and oceanic planetary waves, are the primary determinant of BL variability, while horizontal advection affects the spatial extent of BL. In the EEIO, equatorial upwelling and oceanic planetary waves significantly affect BL variability. These results contribute to a better understanding of regional ocean dynamics and may improve the accuracy of ocean state estimates and representation of BL processes using ocean model simulations.
The association of fetal growth rate and growth in first year of life with childhood overweight: a cohort study
Authors: Leth-Møller Magnus , Kampmann Ulla , Hede Susanne , Ovesen Per G. , Hulman Adam , Knorr Sine
Published: September 2024

Background

There is an increasing focus on the first 1000 days from conception to two years of age as a period of importance for future weight. We aimed to describe the interaction between fetal and infant growth and their association with and ability to predict childhood overweight.

Methods

We used routinely collected fetal growth data from Aarhus University Hospital and child growth data from Aarhus Municipality, 2008–2018. The outcome was overweight at age 5–9 years. The fetal growth rates at weeks 28 and 34 were extracted from individual trajectories using mixed models. We identified patterns of infant BMI Z-score growth using latent class analysis and estimated odds ratios of overweight at age 5–9 years dependent on fetal and infant growth. Predictive capabilities were assessed by comparing areas under the ROC-curves (AUCROC) of the prediction models.

Results

In 6206 children, we identified three infancy growth patterns: average, accelerated, and decelerated growth. We found 1.09 (95% CI: 1.06–1.12) greater odds of being overweight for every 10 g/week increase in fetal growth rate at week 34. Compared with average growth, accelerated infant growth was associated with 1.52 (95% CI: 1.20–1.90) greater odds of overweight. Combining fetal and infant growth, children with average fetal growth and accelerated infant growth had 1.96 (95% CI: 1.41–2.73) greater odds of overweight. Fast fetal growth with decelerated infant growth was not associated with being overweight (OR: 0.79 (95% CI: 0.63–0.98)), showing that infant growth modified the association between fetal growth and overweight. When fetal growth was added to a prediction model containing known risk factors, the AUCROC remained unchanged but infant growth improved the predictive capability (AUCROC difference: 0.04 (95% CI: 0.03–0.06)).

Conclusion

Fetal and infant growth were independently associated with overweight, but distinct combinations of fetal and infant growth showed marked differences in risk. Infant, but not fetal, growth improved a prediction model containing known confounders.
Three cases with chronic obsessive compulsive disorder report gains in wellbeing and function following rituximab treatment
Authors: Gallwitz Maike , Lindqvist Isa , Mulder Jan , Rasmusson Annica J. , Larsson Anders , Husén Evelina , Borin Jesper , van der Spek Peter J. , Sabbagh Nour , Widgren Anna , Bergquist Jonas , Cervenka Simon , Burman Joachim , Cunningham Janet L.
Published: September 2024

Immunological aetiology is supported for a subgroup with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and conceptualized as autoimmune OCD. The longitudinal clinical course is detailed for three severely ill cases with OCD and indications of immunological involvement with off-label rituximab treatment every six months. All cases showed clear and sustained gains regarding symptom burden and function for over 2.5 years. Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale and Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory Scale scores decreased 67-100% and 44-92%, respectively. These complex cases, prior to rituximab, had very low functioning and disease duration has been eight, nine and 16 years respectively. All three patients had been unsuccessfully treated with at least two antidepressants or anxiolytics, one neuroleptic and cognitive behavioural therapy. Clinical phenotypes and findings were suggestive of possible autoimmune OCD. Indirect immunohistochemistry detected cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) antibodies in all three cases including a novel anti-neuronal staining pattern against mouse thalamic cells. Exploratory analyses of CSF markers and proteomics identified elevated levels of sCD27 and markers indicative of complement pathway activation when compared to CSF from healthy controls. Multidisciplinary collaboration, advanced clinical investigations and rituximab treatment are feasible in a psychiatric setting. The case histories provide a proof of principle for the newly proposed criteria for autoimmune OCD. The findings suggest that clinical red flags and biological measures may predict rituximab response in chronic treatment-resistant OCD. The report provides orientation that may inform the hypotheses and design of future treatment trials.
Expanding the horizon of continuous glucose monitoring into the future of pediatric medicine
Authors: Morales-Dopico Lourdes , MacLeish Sarah A.
Published: September 2024

Glucose monitoring has rapidly evolved with the development of minimally invasive continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) using interstitial fluid. It is recommended as standard of care in the ambulatory setting, nearly replacing capillary glucose testing in those with access to CGM. The newest CGM devices continue to be smaller and more accurate, and integration with automated insulin delivery systems has further revolutionized the management of diabetes, leading to successful improvements in care and quality of life. Many studies confirm accuracy and application of CGM in various adult inpatient settings. Studies in adult patients increased during the COVID 19 Pandemic, but despite reassuring results, inpatient CGM use is not yet approved by the FDA. There is a lack of studies in inpatient pediatric settings, although data from the NICU and PICU have started to emerge. Given the exponential increase in the use of CGM, it is imperative that hospitals develop protocols for CGM use, with a need for ongoing implementation research. In this review we describe how CGM systems work, discuss benefits and barriers, summarize research in inpatient pediatric CGM use, explore gaps in research design along with emerging recommendations for inpatient use, and discuss overall CGM utility beyond outpatient diabetes management.

Impact

Current CGM systems allow for uninterrupted monitoring of interstitial glucose excursions, and have triggered multiple innovations including automated insulin delivery.

CGM technology has become part of standard of care for outpatient diabetes management, endorsed by many international medical societies, now with significant uptake, replacing capillary glucose testing for daily management in patients with access to CGM technology.

Although CGM is not approved by the FDA for inpatient hospital use, studies in adult settings support its use in hospitals. More studies are needed for pediatrics.

Implementation research is paramount to expand the role of CGM in the inpatient setting and beyond.
Electrochemical and imaging evaluations of electrochemically activated screen-printed gold electrodes
Authors: Zakaria Nor Dyana , Salih Ibrahim Luqman , Hamzah Hairul Hisham , Sönmez Turgut , Omar Muhamad Huzaifah , Nor Noorhashimah Mohamad , Razak Khairunisak Abdul , Balakrishnan Venugopal
Published: September 2024

The graphic abstract displays the integration of the SPGE measurement system with an electrochemical cell-based 3D printing to evaluate the electrochemical behaviors and 3D images of both unactivated and activated SPGEs.
Unraveling the activity and stability of cationic tellurium activators in Ritter-type reactions
Authors: Takagi Koji , Hayashi Shuhei , Sugie Souma
Published: September 2024

Electron-deficient tellurium-based chalcogen bonding activators were applied in Ritter-type reaction.
Energy transfer in near-infrared photoluminescent PbS/CdS quantum dot-based three-dimensional networks and films
Authors: Pluta Denis , Graf Rebecca T. , Dorfs Dirk , Bigall Nadja C.
Published: September 2024

Drop-cast QD films and three-dimensional networks are synthesized from PbS/CdS QDs. The photoluminescence is investigated in depth, which gives insight into the underlying electronic structure, interactions and energy transfer mechanisms.
Spin-dependent Seebeck effect in zigzag-edge antimonene nanoribbons
Authors: Lin Liyan , Jiang Yue , Gao Xinyi , Guo Yandong , Zeng Hongli , Yan Xiaohong
Published: September 2024

An excellent spin-dependent Seebeck effect and increasing spin currents with decreasing bandwidth are found in antimonene nanoribbons by first-principles calculations.
Stability and transferability of machine learning force fields for molecular dynamics applications
Authors: Duangdangchote Salatan , Seferos Dwight S. , Voznyy Oleksandr
Published: September 2024

We benchmark GNN models for MLFF-MD and introduce new metrics beyond conventional force and energy errors. Our approach, demonstrated on lithium-ion conductors, aims to broaden ionic conductor screening for batteries.
Amphiphilic nano-assembly for dehydrative amination reactions of alcohols in aqueous medium
Authors: Ahmed Waqar , Chae Pil Seok
Published: September 2024

New nano-assemblies were developed for organic transformation in an aqueous medium. This assembly acts as a proton transfer mediator and thus facilitated dehydrative amination reactions of various alcohols with sulfonamides, amides or arylamines.
Stabilization of copper iodide hybrids with increased strength of ionic bonding for lighting and X-ray imaging
Authors: Wang Qianqian , Li Haibo , Fan Jiali , Zhou Zhennan , Tong Hua , Zhu Jialin , Liu Wei , Ouyang Gangfeng
Published: September 2024

By increasing the charge of organic ligands to enhance the ionic bonds, a series of CuI-based hybrid structures with significantly improved stability are fabricated, showing potential as new solid-state lighting phosphors and X-ray scintillators.
Generalized vs. fractional: a comparative analysis of Maxwell models applied to entangled polymer solutions
Authors: Schmidt Robert Franz , Winter Horst Henning , Gradzielski Michael
Published: September 2024

Fractional viscoelastic models provide an excellent description of rheological data for polymer systems with power-law behaviour.
Changing disc compositions via internal photoevaporation
Authors: Lienert J. L. , Bitsch B. , Henning Th.
Published: September 2024

The chemical evolution of protoplanetary discs is a complex process that is not fully understood. Several factors influence the final spatial distribution of atoms and molecules in the disc. One such factor is the inward drift and evaporation of volatile-rich pebbles that can enrich the inner disc with vapour. In particular, the inner disc is first enriched with evaporating water-ice, resulting in a low C/O ratio, before carbon-rich gas from the outer disc – originating from the evaporation of CO, CO2, and CH4 ice – is transported viscously inwards, elevating the C/O ratio again. However, it is unclear how internal photoevaporation – which carries away gas and opens gaps in the disc that can block inward drifting pebbles – affects the chemical composition of the disc. Our goal is to study how and to what extent internal photoevaporation and the subsequent opening of gaps influence the chemical evolution of protoplanetary discs around solar-like stars (M* = 1 M⊙), where we specifically focus on the C/O ratio and the water content. To carry out our simulations, we use a semi-analytical 1D disc model. The code chemcomp includes viscous evolution and heating, pebble growth and drift, pebble evaporation and condensation, as well as a simple chemical partitioning model for the disc. We show that internal photoevaporation plays a major role in the evolution of protoplanetary discs and their chemical composition: As photoevaporation opens a gap, inward drifting pebbles are stopped and can no longer contribute to the volatile content in the gas. In addition, volatile-rich gas from the outer disc, originating from evaporated CO, CO2, or CH4 ice, is carried away by the photoevaporative winds. Consequently, the C/O ratio in the inner disc remains low. In contrast, gaps opened by giant planets still allow the gas to pass, resulting in an elevated C/O ratio in the inner disc, similar to the evolution of viscous discs without internal photoevaporation. This opens the possibility to distinguish observationally between these two scenarios when measuring the C/O ratio, implying that we can infer the root cause of deep gap structures when observing protoplanetary discs. In the case of a clear separation of the disc by photoevaporation, we additionally find an elevated water content in the inner disc, because the water vapour and ice undergo a cycle of evaporation and recondensation, preventing the inward accretion of water onto the star, in contrast to the situation for hydrogen and helium. We conclude that it is very difficult to achieve supersolar C/O ratios in the inner parts of protoplanetary discs when taking internal photoevaporation into account. This indicates the potential importance of photoevaporation for understanding the chemical evolution of these discs and the planets forming in them.
Theoretical Models on Interfacial Thermal Conductance of Nanoscale Solid Interfaces in Chips: A Mini Review
Authors: Zong 宗 Zhicheng 志成 , Chen 陈 Xiandong 显栋 , Yan 严 Bin 斌 , Xie 谢 Yelei 业磊 , Pang 庞 Jian 健 , Li 李 Guangyao 光耀 , Hu 胡 Jiqiang 继强 , Wu 吴 Zhipeng 志鹏 , Li 李 Bo 博 , Fang 方 Haisheng 海生 , Yang 杨 Nuo 诺
Published: September 2024

With the rapid increase in power density of electronic devices, thermal management has become urgent for the electronics industry. Controlling temperature in the back-end-of-line is crucial for maintaining the reliability of integrated circuits, where many atomic-scale interfaces exist. The theoretical models of interface thermal conductance not only accurately predict the values but also help to analyze the underlying mechanism. This review picks up and introduces some representative theoretical models considering interfacial roughness, elastic and inelastic processes, and electron–phonon couplings, etc. Moreover, the limitations and problems of these models are also discussed.
Preoperative clinical characteristics and 12-month outcomes following operative or non-operative management of asymptomatic aortic aneurysms
Authors: Scarfield Phoebe , Sharkey Amy R , Dhesi Jugdeep K , Modarai Bijan , Tyrrell Mark R , Partridge Judith S L
Published: September 2024

Design

An observational cohort study conducted at a tertiary referral center for aortic surgery to describe the medical and surgical characteristics of patients assessed for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair and examine associations with 12-month outcome.

Methods

Patients with aortic aneurysms referred for discussion at the aortic multidisciplinary meeting (MDM). Data were collected via a prospectively maintained clinical database and included aneurysm characteristics, patient demographics, co-morbidities, geriatric syndromes, including frailty, management decision and 12-month mortality, both aneurysm-related and all-cause including cause of death. The operative and non-operative groups were compared statistically.

Results

621 patients referred to aortic MDM; 292 patients listed for operative management, 141 patients continued on surveillance, 138 patients for non-operative management. There was a higher 12-month mortality rate in the non-operative group compared to the operative group (41% vs 7%, P = <0.001). In the non-operative group, 16 patients (29%) died of aneurysm rupture within 12 months, with 39 patients (71%) dying from other medical causes. Non-operatively managed patients were older, more likely to have cardiac and respiratory disease and more likely to be living with frailty, cognitive impairment and functional limitation, compared to the operative group.

Conclusion

This study shows that preoperative geriatric syndromes and increased comorbidity lead to shared decision to non-operatively manage asymptomatic aortic aneurysms. Twelve-month mortality is higher in the non-operative group with the majority of deaths occurring due to cause other than aneurysm rupture. These findings support the need for preoperative comprehensive geriatric assessment followed by multispecialty discussion and shared decision making.
General dermatology and dermatology in primary healthcare
Authors: McCusker Sarah , Freel Marie , Wylie Grant
Published: September 2024

Primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI), when the adrenal glands fail to secrete sufficient quantities of glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid hormones, can be life threatening. Symptoms are often nonspecific, and hyperpigmentation may be crucial for reaching a diagnosis. We describe a patient with PAI for whom hyperpigmentation was the key feature leading to diagnosis and treatment.
Tender nodules on the sole of the foot
Authors: Young Jonathan , Cachia Monique , Pisani David , Mercieca Liam , Degaetano James , Scerri Lawrence
Published: September 2024

We present a case of a 31-year-old man with a 1-year history of a waxing and waning, painful, raised, erythematous rash on the sole of his right foot. Examination revealed tender, livedoid, erythematous nodules on the plantar aspect of the base of the right first metatarsal, with no other abnormalities. Routine blood tests, including a comprehensive autoimmune screen, were normal. A punch biopsy showed a perivascular inflammatory infiltrate in the mid-dermis, with neutrophils and eosinophils infiltrating the walls of small and medium-sized blood vessels, accompanied by leucocytoclasis.
FDP-FL: differentially private federated learning with flexible privacy budget allocation
Authors: Qian Wenjun , Shen Qingni , Chen Xiaoyi , Li Cong , Fang Yuejian , Wu Zhonghai
Published: September 2024

Federated learning (FL) as a privacy-preserving technology enables multiple clients to collaboratively train models on decentralized data. However, transmitting model parameters between local clients and the central server can potentially result in information leakage. Differentially private federated learning (DPFL) has emerged as a promising solution to enhance privacy. Nevertheless, existing DPFL schemes suffer from two issues: (i) most schemes that aim to achieve desired model accuracy may incur a high privacy budget. (ii) several schemes that consider the trade-off between privacy and accuracy by utilizing linear clipping bound may distort numerous model parameters. In this paper, we first propose FDP-FL, a flexible differential privacy approach for FL. FDP-FL introduces a novel series sum privacy budget allocation instead of uniform allocation and enables adaptive and nonlinear noise scale decay. In this way, a tight bound for cumulative privacy loss can be achieved while optimizing model accuracy. Then in order to mitigate gradient leakages caused by honest-but-curious clients and server, we further design client-level FDP-FL and record-level FDP-FL, respectively. Experimental results demonstrate that our FDP-FL improves model accuracy by $\sim $13.3% compared with the basic DP-FL under a fixed privacy budget and outperforms existing trade-off schemes with the same hyperparameter setting.
Disjoint paths construction algorithm in the data center network DPCell
Authors: Dong Hui , Wang Huaqun , Lv Mengjie , Fan Weibei
Published: September 2024

With the development of the fourth industrial revolution, the importance of data centers has significantly increased. Data centers are widely used in many fields due to their ability to provide efficient, secure, and reliable data storage and processing services. However, with the increasing amount of data, traditional data center networks (DCNs) are currently facing various challenges, prompting academia and industry to propose new DCN architectures. As a dual-port server-based DCN, DPCell has excellent scalability and bisection width, enabling it to meet the demands of large-scale data storage, processing, and computation in the digital revolution. In order to ensure the secure and reliable data communication in the DPCell, this paper designs a disjoint paths communication scheme based on the actual DCN routing requirements. This scheme constructs the optimal number of disjoint paths in DPCell, with a maximum path length of $2^{k}+3$, where $k$ represents the dimension of the DPCell. Furthermore, experiments have verified that the time complexity of this scheme is sublinear, making it more efficient than the current optimal maximum flow algorithm. To a certain extent, this scheme provides DPCell with the required high bandwidth, fault tolerance, and security for data communication.
Health assessment of nesting loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) in one of their largest rookeries (central eastern Florida coast, USA)
Authors: Stacy Nicole I , Smith Rachel , Sullivan Kathleen E , Nelson Jr Steven E , Nolan Elizabeth C , De Voe Ryan S , Witherington Blair E , Perrault Justin R
Published: September 2024

Reproduction is a physiologically demanding process for sea turtles. Health indicators, including morphometric indices and blood analytes, provide insight into overall health, physiology and organ function for breeding sea turtles as a way to assess population-level effects. The Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge (ACNWR) on Florida’s central eastern coast is critical nesting habitat for loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta), but health variables from this location have not been documented. Objectives of the study were to (1) assess morphometrics and blood analyte data (including haematology, plasma biochemistry, protein electrophoresis, β-hydroxybutyrate, trace nutrients, vitamins and fatty acid profiles) from loggerheads nesting on or near the beaches of the ACNWR, (2) investigate correlations of body condition index (BCI) with blood analytes and (3) analyse temporal trends in morphometric and blood analyte data throughout the nesting season. Morphometric and/or blood analyte data are reported for 57 nesting loggerheads encountered between 2016 and 2019. Plasma copper and iron positively correlated with BCI. Mass tended to decline across nesting season, whereas BCI did not. Many blood analytes significantly increased or decreased across nesting season, reflecting the catabolic state and haemodynamic variations of nesting turtles. Twenty-three of 34 fatty acids declined across nesting season, which demonstrates the physiological demands of nesting turtles for vitellogenesis and reproductive activities, thus suggesting potential utility of fatty acids for the assessment of foraging status and phases of reproduction. The findings herein are relevant for future spatiotemporal and interspecies comparisons, investigating stressor effects and understanding the physiological demands in nesting sea turtles. This information provides comparative data for individual animals in rescue or managed care settings and for assessment of conservation strategies.
Spatiotemporal EP4–fibulin-1 expression is associated with vascular intimal hyperplasia
Authors: Okumura Shigekuni , Oka Sayuki , Sasaki Takako , Cooley Marion A , Hidaka Yuko , Inoue Hana , Nishijima Hitoshi , Ohno Shin-Ichiro , Tanifuji Shota , Kaneko Mari , Abe Takaya , Kuroda Masahiko , Yokosuka Tadashi , Breyer Richard M , Homma Hiroshi , Kato Yuko , Yokoyama Utako
Published: September 2024

Aims

Cyclooxygenase-2–derived prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is thought to promote vascular intimal hyperplasia (IH). It has been reported that the PGE2 receptor EP4 is upregulated in injured vessels and that EP4 signalling in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) promotes IH. In contrast, EP4 in endothelial cells has been demonstrated to restrain IH. We aimed to investigate spatiotemporal expression of EP4 and whether modulating EP4 signalling could be a viable therapeutic strategy.

Methods and results

We generated EP4 reporter mice (Ptger4-IRES-nlsLacZ) and found temporary but prominent EP4 expression in VSMCs of the proliferative neointima 2 weeks after femoral artery wire injury. Injury-induced IH was diminished in VSMC-targeted EP4 heterozygous deficient mice (Ptger4fl/+;SM22-Cre) 2 and 4 weeks after vascular injury compared to that in SM22-Cre, whereas injury-induced IH was exacerbated in VSMC-targeted EP4-overexpressing mice (Ptger4-Tg) compared to controls (non-Tg). We then investigated the downstream signalling of EP4 in VSMCs. Stimulation of EP4 increased mRNA and protein levels of the glycoprotein fibulin-1 in Ptger4-Tg VSMCs. Fibulin-1C recombinant proteins increased VSMC proliferation and migration through transforming growth factor (TGF)- β/Smad3, and EP4-mediated proliferation and migration were attenuated in Fbln1fl/fl;SM22-Cre VSMCs and in CRISPR/Cas9-mediated Fbln1 knockdown in Ptger4-Tg VSMCs. We generated multiple deletion mutants of fibulin-1C and found that EGF-like modules 6–8 appear to be involved in fibulin-1-mediated proliferation. Among binding partners of fibulin-1, extracellular matrix protein 1 (ECM1) was also upregulated by EP4 stimulation, and fibulin-1C and ECM1 proteins additively enhanced VSMC proliferation and migration. Injury-induced IH was attenuated in VSMC-targeted fibulin-1 deletion mice (Fbln1fl/fl;SM22-Cre) compared to Fbln1fl/fl. Furthermore, systemic EP4 antagonist administration reduced injury-induced IH in wild-type mice.

Conclusion

EP4 was upregulated in VSMCs of proliferative IH, and EP4 signalling promoted IH, at least in part through fibulin-1. An EP4 antagonist might be considered as a therapeutic strategy for IH.
Identification of sex attractants for 6 North American click beetle species in 4 tribes of the Elateridae
Authors: Millar Jocelyn G , Williams Livy , Serrano Jacqueline M , McElrath Thomas C , Zou Yunfan , Grommes-Yeager Anna C , Schoeppner Emma , Huseth Anders S , Kuhar Thomas P , Etzler Frank E , Hanks Lawrence M
Published: September 2024

We describe experiments that evaluated potential sex pheromone components for 6 North American click beetle species. In field trials in Illinois, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia, male beetles of 6 species were strongly attracted to geranyl butyrate (Agriotes insanus Candèze), 5-methylhexyl (Z)-4-decenoate (Elater abruptus Say), 11-dodecenyl butyrate (Melanotus ignobilis Melsheimer), and limoniic acid (Gambrinus griseus [Palisot de Beauvois], G. rudis [Brown], and G. plebejus [Say]). Collection of E. abruptus in South Carolina represents a new state record. For each species, capture rates varied geographically and temporally, possibly due to differences in local population densities and regional phenology, or the efficiency of different trap designs or trap placement. Structural similarities were observed between the tested attractants and previously identified pheromones of closely related species. For example, males of A. insanus were attracted to geranyl butyrate, analogous to the terpenoid ester pheromones of a number of European congeners. The attractant for E. abruptus, 5-methylhexyl (Z)-4-decenoate, is an analog of the pheromone of its European congener E. ferrugineus L., and the attractant for M. ignobilis, 11-dodecenyl butyrate, is an analog of attractants of European and Asian congeners. Attraction of the 3 Gambrinus species to limoniic acid parallels recent reports of attraction of the congeners G. seminudus (Van Dyke) and G. ursinus (Van Dyke) to this compound, which was originally identified from closely related species of Limonius. Full identifications of additional sex pheromones for elaterid species should provide a more complete picture of the diversities/similarities of the semiochemicals mediating reproductive behaviors of this biologically diverse and taxonomically complex group.
Temporal and spatial characteristics of forest pests in China and their association with large-scale circulation indices
Authors: Pang Yan , Shang Huadan , Ren Xueyu , Liu Mengfei , Wang Mei , Li Guohong , Chen Guofa , Wang Yue , Wang Hongbin
Published: September 2024

The increase in extreme climate events in recent years has been considered as an important factor affecting forest pests. Understanding the responses of forest pests to climate is helpful for revealing the trends in forest pest dynamics and proposing effective control measures. In this study, the relationship between the dynamics of all forest pests, independent forest diseases, and forest insect pests with the climate was evaluated in China, and the corresponding differences among forest pests, diseases and insect pests were assessed. Based on cross-wavelet transform and wavelet coherence analysis, the influences of teleconnection factors on the relationship between climate and forest pests were quantitatively analyzed to determine the roles of these factors. The results indicate that (i) three types of disasters in most parts of China have decreased from 1979 to 2019, while forest pests and forest insect pests in the southwestern region have increased; (ii) the relationship among Forest Pest Occurrence Area Rate and climate factors such as the Multivariate ENSO index, Southern Oscillation index, Arctic Oscillation (AO), Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO), and Sunspot is more significant; (iii) the cycle is short in most regions, with oscillations in 2–4 years bands being the main variation periods of disasters in East, Central, and South China; (iv) There is a significant correlation between climate and disasters in the periods of 2–4 or 8–10 years. The AO, AMO, and Sunspot were important driving factors affecting the relationship between climate and disasters. Specifically, the Sunspot had the greatest impact among these factors.
ChatGPT for L2 pronunciation teaching and learning
Authors: Mompean Jose A
Published: September 2024

This article analyses how ChatGPT may be used in L2 pronunciation teaching and learning, especially when explicit pronunciation instruction is integrated into a communicative approach to language teaching. The possible use of ChatGPT for production practice, listening practice, and obtaining explanations and examples of target L2 features is discussed and exemplified. Limitations of the tool for pronunciation work are also discussed alongside some challenges that L2 learners and L2 teachers may face when using the tool. The article concludes that ChatGPT may be incorporated into teachers’ and learners’ array of technology tools for teaching or learning L2 pronunciation. However, ChatGPT should be regarded as a complementary tool to other pronunciation teaching and learning resources. Above all, ChatGPT cannot replace interaction through formal instruction with teachers and other L1 or L2 speakers of English in the development of L2 pronunciation.
Lifetime cumulative activity burden is associated with symptomatic heart failure and arrhythmic risk in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Binzenhöfer Leonhard , Clauss Sebastian , Strauß Katharina , Höpler Julia , Kraft Marie , Hoffmann Sabine , Brunner Stefan , Tomsits Philipp , Schüttler Dominik , Massberg Steffen , Kääb Stefan , Lüsebrink Enzo
Published: September 2024

Aims

Sports-related physical activity is associated with an increased risk of ventricular dysfunction and arrhythmias in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). However, there are currently no standardized strategies for activity assessment. Thresholds for harmful levels of physical activity suggested by previous studies vary substantially and neither lifetime activity burden nor continuous modelling approaches were considered.

Methods and results

For this single-centre retrospective study, ARVC patients were interviewed to assess sports-related and non-sports-related physical activity between the age of 10 years and the last follow-up. Activity data were aggregated to the median metabolic equivalent of task—hours (METh) per week for each year. The association between cumulative physical activity burden and clinical study endpoints was investigated using Cox regression models. A total of 124 patients (median age: 39.5 years, 48% male) were included in the analysis, of whom 93 had been diagnosed with definite ARVC. Study participants reported a median overall activity of 202.3 METh/week, with 38.7 METh/week attributed to sports-related activity. In the continuous model, cumulative overall activity burden was associated with the occurrence of symptomatic heart failure [hazard ratio (HR) per 100 METh/week: 1.017, 95% CI (1.003, 1.032), P = 0.015], sustained ventricular tachycardia [HR: 1.021, 95% CI (1.006, 1.037), P = 0.007], and implantable cardioverter defibrillator interventions [HR: 1.017, 95%CI (1.000, 1.034), P = 0.048]. This finding was consistent when considering sports-related activity separately as a predictor variable, whereas the resulting hazard ratios did not show a significant association for non-sports-related physical activity.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates for the first time that cumulative physical activity as a continuous predictor variable is associated with symptomatic heart failure and arrhythmic risk in ARVC patients. Collaborative research is required in larger cohorts to investigate the influence of potential confounders on event occurrence and to develop threshold recommendations for clinical practice.
Genomic insights into symbiosis and host adaptation of sponge-associated novel bacterium, Rossellomorea orangium sp. nov
Authors: Umar Md , Merlin Titus Susan , Puthiyedathu Sajeevan Thavarool
Published: September 2024

Sponge-associated microorganisms play vital roles in marine sponge ecology. This study presents a genomic investigation of Rossellomorea sp. MCCB 382, isolated from Stelletta sp., reveals insights into its adaptations and symbiotic roles. Phylogenomic study and Overall Genomic Relatedness Index (OGRI) classify MCCB 382 as a novel species, Rossellomorea orangium sp. nov. The genome encodes numerous carbohydrate metabolism enzymes (CAZymes), likely aiding nutrient cycling in the sponge host. Unique eukaryotic-like protein domains hint at potential mechanisms of symbiosis. Defence mechanisms include CRISPR, restriction–modification systems, DNA phosphorothioation, toxin–antitoxin systems, and heavy metal and multidrug resistance genes, indicating adaptation to challenging marine environments. Unlike obligate mutualists, MCCB 382 shows no genome reduction. Furthermore, the presence of mobile genetic elements, horizontal gene transfer, and prophages suggest genetic versatility, implying flexible metabolic potential and capacity for rapid adaptation and symbiosis shifts. MCCB 382 possesses six biosynthetic gene clusters for secondary metabolites, including both type II and III polyketide synthases (PKS), terpenes, (NRPS), NRPS-independent-siderophore, and lassopeptide. Further genome mining using BiGScape revealed four distinct gene cluster families, T2PKS, NRPS-independent-siderophore, lasso peptide, and terpene, presenting opportunities for novel compound elucidation. Our study reveals a symbiotic lifestyle of MCCB 382 with the host sponge, highlighting symbiont factors that aid in establishing and sustaining this relationship. This is the pioneering genomic characterization of a novel Rossellomorea sp. within the sponge Stelletta sp. holobiont.
Estimation of vaccine effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2-associated hospitalization using sentinel surveillance in South Africa
Authors: Chiwandire Nicola , Walaza Sibongile , von Gottberg Anne , Wolter Nicole , Du Plessis Mignon , Moosa Fahima , Groome Michelle J , Nel Jeremy , Variava Ebrahim , Dawood Halima , Makhasi Mvuyo , Feldstein Leora R , Marcenac Perrine , Lafond Kathryn E , Samuels Aaron M , Cohen Cheryl
Published: September 2024

Background

COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness (VE) studies leveraging systematic surveillance in sub-Saharan Africa are limited. We assessed the effectiveness of two vaccines (Pfizer BNT162b2 and Johnson & Johnson Ad26.COV2.S) against SARS-CoV-2-associated hospitalization in South African adults aged ≥18 years.

Methods

We conducted a test-negative case-control study using pneumonia surveillance data in South Africa. Inpatients with physician-diagnosed lower respiratory tract infection or suspected COVID-19, testing SARS-CoV-2 positive or negative from June 2021–March 2022, were cases or controls, respectively. Fully vaccinated individuals received one Ad26.COV2.S dose or two BNT162b2 doses ≥14-days before enrollment. VE was estimated using multivariable logistic regression for Delta- and Omicron BA.1/BA.2-predominant periods, stratified by age and HIV status.

Results

The study included 925 cases and 1890 controls; 38 (4%) cases and 186 (10%) controls were fully vaccinated with BNT162b2, and 30 (3%) cases and 94 (5%) controls with Ad26.COV2.S. The vaccine effectiveness of BNT162b2 against SARS-CoV-2-associated hospitalization over Delta and Omicron BA.1/BA.2 periods was 91% (95% CI: 52%, 98%) and 33% (-16%, 86%), respectively. The vaccine effectiveness of Ad26.COV2.S against hospitalization over Delta and Omicron BA.1/BA.2 periods was 72% (-36% ,94%), and -19% (-130%, 39%), respectively. The vaccine effectiveness of BNT162b2 against hospitalization over the Delta period was 94% (50%, 99%) and 89% (27%, 98%) among adults aged ≥60 years and HIV-uninfected, respectively.

Conclusions

The BNT162b2 vaccine was effective against SARS-CoV-2-associated hospitalization during the Delta period for adults aged ≥18 years, ≥60 years and those HIV-uninfected. VE for Ad26.COV2.S was inconclusive, potentially due to limited sample size or residual confounding. These findings highlight the utility of sentinel surveillance for estimating VE.