bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diet quality, nutritional status and taste recognition are impaired in men with substance use disorder
Authors: Urhan Murat , Gezmen Karadağ Makbule
Published: December 2023

This study aimed to (1) evaluate the nutritional status, prevalence of malnutrition and dietary habits in individuals using substances and (2) examine the possible effects of substance use on the perception of five basic tastes. Ninety male individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) (heroin = 78, cocaine = 12) and 32 non‐users participated in the study conducted at Manisa Alcohol and Substance Addiction Treatment Center (AMATEM), Turkey. To determine the quality of the diet, the mean nutrient adequacy ratio (MAR) was calculated based on 24‐h recall food consumption records of the individuals. Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) was employed to determine nutritional status, and anthropometric measurements were also taken from the individuals. The taste detection and recognition thresholds were determined with solutions with different concentrations for bitter, sour, sweet, umami and salty tastes and scored, with higher scores indicating lower thresholds. Mild–moderate malnutrition was determined in 50% of the individuals with SUD based on SGA. The body mass index (BMI) of individuals with SUD was found to be 21.2 ± 1.88 kg/m2, and 24.1 ± 1.64 kg/m2 for non‐users (p < 0.001). Diet quality, evaluated by MAR, was lower in individuals with SUD (54.7 ± 18.9%) than in non‐users (93.5 ± 9.0%) (p < 0.001). The taste detection and taste recognition thresholds of individuals with SUD were impaired, and the threshold scores for sour, salty, sweet and umami taste recognition were significantly lower compared with non‐users, with the lowest substance user threshold scores observed for the sweet recognition threshold. Standardised nutritional and behavioural interventions designed by dietitians should be provided for drug users in treatment centres and integrated with medical treatment practices.
Process evaluation of a primary care‐based type 2 diabetes remission project in the North East of England
Authors: Boocock Ruth C. , Moore Helen J. , Lake Amelia A. , Haste Anna
Published: December 2023

A type 2 diabetes remission project, Remission in Diabetes (REMI.D), funded by Sport England, was developed by stakeholders based in the North East of England and begun in early 2020. This local delivery pilot sought to tackle health inequalities by working with multiple organisations to demonstrate a way of scaling up an effective type 2 diabetes remission strategy which included both physical activity and dietary components. The intended delivery of the original project was impacted by the COVID‐19 pandemic and changes were made to the project delivery in 2022. The aim of this process evaluation was to learn from the reactive decisions taken by stakeholders which altered the REMI.D project in response to the COVID‐19 pandemic. Twelve stakeholders (from local authorities, secondary care, universities, NHS England commissioning, Diabetes UK, Sport England, Everyone Active and Active Partnerships) involved in the design and delivery of the intervention took part in a semi‐structured interview lasting up to 60 min. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis used the pre‐determined ‘core content’ themes from the Medical Research Council and National Institute for Health Research framework for developing and evaluating complex interventions. Three topics for discussion emerged as follows: (a) lack of effective collaboration, (b) perception of change and (c) scalability of the intervention. Hierarchy within the stakeholder group initially hampered collaboration. Change was reactive as a result of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Project changes reduced project sustainability and scalability but offered valuable learning about the need for explicit project theory for partnership working, co‐production with service users and project flexibility for long‐term health behaviour change.
Trajectories of intrusive and deliberate rumination in young and middle‐aged stroke survivors: A growth mixture modeling approach
Authors: Sun Qianqian , Mei Yongxia , Liu Qingxuan , Ge Song , Wang Wenna , Zhang Zhenxiang
Published: December 2023

This study aimed to explore the relationship between intrusive and deliberate rumination, to identify distinct trajectories of intrusive and deliberate rumination, and to examine their predictors in young and middle‐aged stroke survivors. This study employed a longitudinal design in which 200 young and middle‐aged stroke survivors were investigated at 1‐week pre‐discharge (T0), 1 month (T1), 3 months (T2), and 6 months (T3) post‐discharge. The Event‐Related Rumination Inventory, Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire, and Perceived Social Support Scale were used for data collection. The results showed that intrusive rumination was positively correlated with deliberate rumination at T0 and T1, and negatively correlated with deliberate rumination at T3. Growth mixture modeling identified three classes of intrusive rumination: Stable‐low, Declined, and Elevated group, and two classes of deliberate rumination: High‐level and Low‐level group. Furthermore, number of children or dysfunctions, type of stroke, family history of stroke, negative coping, and social support were found to predict intrusive rumination. These findings can help healthcare providers timely intervene on survivors in the Elevated and Stable‐low intrusive rumination groups, and the Low‐level deliberate rumination group.
A systematic review of ecological momentary assessment studies on weight stigma and a call for a large‐scale collaboration
Authors: Bidstrup Hugh , Brennan Leah , Kaufmann Leah , Meadows Angela , de la Piedad Garcia Xochitl
Published: December 2023

Background

Weight stigma is associated with poor mental health correlates in cross‐sectional research. Researchers are increasingly using Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) methods, collecting comprehensive within‐person data to understand the temporal nature of weight stigma and its biopsychosocial correlates.

Aim

To systematically review EMA studies on the effect of weight stigma on biopsychosocial correlates and integrate the findings.

Method

PsycINFO, CINAHL, Embase, Medline Complete, and Web of Science were searched and studies were doubled screened (H.B. and X.P.G.).

Results

Twelve studies (N = 615) met our inclusion criteria. For both between‐ and within‐subject effects, experienced and internalized weight stigmas were associated with negative correlates/outcomes (e.g., higher disordered eating and lower positive mood). However, studies differed in the correlate measures assessed, EMA methods used, and participant instructions provided. Given these inconsistencies, comparison across studies was difficult, and findings could not be reliably integrated.

Conclusions

Consistent with previous research, studies from this review suggest weight stigma leads to adverse outcomes. EMA has the potential to overcome many of the limitations present in cross‐sectional research on weight stigma and provide more ecologically valid and reliable results. We argue for a collaborative data‐sharing consortium with standardized EMA methodologies, so researchers worldwide can contribute to and make use of a large, collective dataset on weight stigma and health correlates (see osf.io/s5ru6/).
Use of brown adipose tissue transplantation and engineering as a thermogenic therapy in obesity and metabolic disease
Authors: Quan Yuping , Lu Feng , Zhang Yuteng
Published: December 2023

The induction of thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue is emerging as an attractive therapy for obesity and metabolic syndrome. However, the long‐term efficacy and safety of clinical pharmaceutical agents have yet to be fully characterized. The transplantation of brown adipose tissue represents an alternative approach that might have a therapeutic effect by inducing a long‐term increase in energy expenditure. However, limited tissue resources hinder the development of transplantation. Stem cell‐based therapy and brown adipose tissue engineering, in addition to transplantation, represent alternative approaches that might resolve this problem. In this article, we discuss recent advances in understanding the mechanisms and applications of brown adipose tissue transplantation in the treatment of obesity and related metabolic disorders. Specifically, the induction of brown adipocytes and the fabrication of engineered brown adipose tissue as novel transplantation resources have long‐term effects on ameliorating metabolic defects in rodent models. Additionally, we explore future prospects regarding the development of three‐dimensional engineered brown adipose tissue and the associated challenges.
Eight Arguments for First‐Person Realism
Authors: Builes David
Published: December 2023

According to First‐Person Realism, one's own first‐person perspective on the world is metaphysically privileged in some way. After clarifying First‐Person Realism by reference to parallel debates in the metaphysics of modality and time, I survey eight different arguments in favor of First‐Person Realism.
The first autopsy case of Epstein–Barr virus‐positive marginal zone lymphoma that deteriorated after COVID‐19 vaccination
Authors: Wang Ziyao , Muto Reiji , Miyoshi Hiroaki , Aoki Mikiko , Uesugi Noriko , Murayama Hiroyuki , Masutani Kosuke , Hamasaki Makoto
Published: December 2023

This is the first autopsy case of Epstein–Barr virus‐positive marginal zone lymphoma (EBV + MZL) with an other iatrogenic immunodeficiency‐associated lymphoproliferative disorders (LPD) (methotrexate [MTX]‐associated LPD) that deteriorated after the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) vaccine. This case had a unique immunophenotype. A 71‐year‐old female patient with rheumatoid arthritis receiving MTX presented with fatigue 1 week after the SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination. She was hospitalized due to hepatorenal dysfunction and pancytopenia. Computed tomography revealed systemic lymphadenopathy. Her physical condition deteriorated, and the patient died. The autopsy revealed systemic lymphadenopathy comprising medium‐sized atypical lymphocytes and scattered Hodgkin/Reed–Sternberg (H/RS)‐like cells. An immunohistochemical examination showed that atypical lymphocytes were positive for CD79a and MUM‐1 and some were positive for CD20 and IRTA‐1. H/RS‐like cells were immunoreactive for CD30 and CD15 and ringed by T cells. Both cell types were positive for EBV‐encoded small RNA. The majority of H/RS‐like cells were positive for CD20, whereas a small number of CD3‐positive cells were admixed. We herein presented the first autopsy case of EBV + MZL that deteriorated after the SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination.
Drivers of changes in child nutritional conditions: A panel data‐based study on Indonesian households, 1997–2014
Authors: Lo Bue Maria C.
Published: December 2023

Using panel data from Indonesia, this paper analyzes short and long‐term drivers of nutritional conditions among children aged 0–15 years. I estimate a Mundlak model in order to better account for the relatively larger “between” variation that is found in the data, and to control for endogeneity biases that may arise due to the correlation of unobserved heterogeneity and observed explanatory variables. As results suggest, children with older, more experienced mothers, and those breastfed, exhibit improved height outcomes, aligning with existing research on breastfeeding's positive health effects. While prior research emphasized the importance of maternal education, this study reveals that, once accounting for father's education, the long‐term effect of the mother's education loses statistical significance. Finally, the findings of this study suggest that household wealth and access to adequate sanitation facilities strongly affect short ‐and long‐run improvements in children anthropometric outcomes.
Predator–prey model with sigmoid functional response
Authors: Su Wei , Zhang Xiang
Published: December 2023

The sigmoid functional response in the predator–prey model was posed in 1977. But its dynamics has not been completely characterized. This paper completes the classification of the global dynamics for the classical predator–prey model with the sigmoid functional response, whose denominator has two different zeros. The dynamical phenomena we obtain here include global stability, the existence of the heteroclinic and homoclinic loops, the consecutive canard explosions via relaxation oscillation, and the canard explosion to a homoclinic loop among others. As we know, the last one is a new dynamical phenomenon, which has never been reported previously. In addition, with the help of geometric singular perturbation theory, we solve the problem of connection between stable and unstable manifolds from different singularities, which has not been well settled in the published literature.
Alone yet accountable, the unseen buffers: A qualitative study of nurses' experiences working in home care during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Førsund Linn Hege , Schumacher Evelyn
Published: December 2023

Background

Norwegian society's resilience during the COVID‐19 pandemic resulted in low mortality rates and moderate economic decline. The accessible primary healthcare system played a vital role in this, especially in the care of elderly and chronically ill patients. However, nurses in home care experienced emotional burdens, ethical dilemmas and limited access to protective equipment. These challenges were overshadowed by media coverage of hospital struggles, and municipal home care services were oddly absent from post‐pandemic reports. This research therefore aimed to explore and describe how nurses experienced working in home care during the pandemic.

Methods

We designed a qualitative study and conducted semi‐structured interviews with nine home care nurses from different municipalities in Southeast Norway. Systematic text condensation inspired by Malterud was employed for data analysis.

Results

Nurses' experiences were described through two categories: ‘adapting approaches’ and ‘adapting work practices’. The results showed how nurses often felt alone while simultaneously shouldering a significant responsibility for patients facing a novel and unfamiliar illness. The pandemic necessitated treating patients in their own homes to minimise infection risks, intensifying the nurses' treatment responsibilities. Furthermore, limited access to medical expertise and physical separation from management due to remote work accentuated feelings of isolation and amplified the nurses' responsibility for patient care. Additionally, the nurses encountered frequent changes in work routines, demanding adaptability.

Conclusion

This study underscores the significant role of home care nurses, who, despite feeling professionally isolated and unsupported, demonstrated impressive adaptability. They served as a crucial buffer in the healthcare system, ensuring vulnerable individuals received essential care. This highlights the importance of a robust primary healthcare system with a skilled nursing workforce that can work autonomously, shoulder responsibility, and make clinical decisions, even when medical expertise is less readily available. It also reminds us that healthcare preparedness depends on collaborative efforts across all sectors.
Tiger conservation, biopolitics and the future of Indian environmentalism
Authors: Menon Ajit , Borah Rituparna
Published: December 2023

Tiger conservation in India has been driven for the most part by a philosophy that prioritizes the need for inviolate tiger reserves free of human beings. Such reserves, it is argued, provide much needed territory to ‘care’ for the tiger. In this paper, we examine the biopolitics of tiger conservation in India and argue that the current approach to tiger conservation amplifies the nature‐culture divide and ignores other imaginations of tiger conservation that are more cognizant of human—non‐human entanglements in protected area landscapes. The paper argues that tiger conservation has been a mix of sovereign, disciplinary and neoliberal environmentalities, all built on a certain ‘truth’ about tigers. The paper raises questions and concerns about the ‘truth’ discourse that underlies tiger conservation and also argues that tiger conservation has marginalized the environmentalism of the poor. It makes the case for more debate and discussion about tiger truths and suggests the need for a more than human approach to tiger conservation that recognizes the adverse consequences of fortress conservation as well as its limits in caring for the tiger in more than human geographies.
The end of welfare states as we know them? A multidimensional perspective
Authors: Sowula Jakub , Gehrig Franziska , Scruggs Lyle A. , Seeleib‐Kaiser Martin , Ramalho Tafoya Gabriela
Published: December 2023

This article highlights the limitations of unidimensional analyses in the comparative welfare state literature and emphasises the need for a more holistic, multidimensional approach incorporating social spending, welfare state outputs and outcomes. To illustrate the utility of a multidimensional approach, we examine the long‐term welfare state trajectories of Sweden and Germany, prototypical social‐democratic and conservative welfare states, respectively, and compare them against the baseline of Europe's prototypical liberal welfare state, the United Kingdom. The social spending (expenditure) and output (generosity) allowed us to identify significant changes in the Swedish welfare state (i.e., retrenchment). The outcome dimension alerts us to a policy drift in the German Welfare State, as relatively stable public spending and welfare generosity until the first half of the 2000s were nonetheless associated with sharply increased inequality and poverty. Overall, our findings suggest that a holistic, multidimensional approach is necessary to fully understand the complexities of welfare state change and continuity, as focusing solely on one dimension can lead to analytical misjudgments. The sharp rise in inequality and poverty across countries raises doubts about whether policymakers and researchers rely too much on outdated assumptions of normality that fail to meet the welfare state realities of today.
The incidence of transfusion‐related acute lung injury using active surveillance: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: White Sandra K. , Walker Brandon S. , Schmidt Robert L. , Metcalf Ryan A.
Published: December 2023

Background

Transfusion‐related acute lung injury (TRALI) is a leading cause of transfusion‐related mortality. A concern with passive surveillance to detect transfusion reactions is underreporting. Our aim was to obtain evidence‐based estimates of TRALI incidence using meta‐analysis of active surveillance studies and to compare these estimates with passive surveillance.

Study Design and Methods

We performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis of studies reporting TRALI rates. A search of Medline and Embase by a research librarian identified studies published between January 1, 1991 and January 20, 2023. Prospective and retrospective observational studies reporting TRALI by blood component (red blood cells [RBCs], platelets, or plasma) were identified and all inpatient and outpatient settings were eligible. Adult and pediatric, as well as general and specific clinical populations, were included. Platelets and plasma must have used at least one modern TRALI donor risk mitigation strategy. A random effects model estimated TRALI incidence by blood component for active and passive surveillance studies and heterogeneity was examined using meta‐regression.

Results

Eighty studies were included with approximately 176‐million blood components transfused. RBCs had the highest number of studies (n = 66) included, followed by platelets (n = 35) and plasma (n = 34). Pooled TRALI estimates for active surveillance studies were 0.17/10,000 (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.03–0.43; I2 = 79%) for RBCs, 0.31/10,000 (95% CI: 0.22–0.42; I2 = <1%) for platelets, and 3.19/10,000 (95% CI: 0.09–10.66; I2 = 86%) for plasma. Studies using passive surveillance ranged from 0.02 to 0.10/10,000 among the various blood components.

Discussion

In summary, these estimates may improve a quantitative understanding of TRALI risk, which is important for clinical decision‐making weighing the risks and benefits of transfusion.
Hedging Interest Rate Options with Reinforcement Learning: an investigation of a heavy-tailed distribution
Authors: Da Silva Allan Jonathan , Baczynski Jack , De Mello Leonardo Fagundes
Published: December 2023

Purpose: The study intends to model an interest rate index option using a heavy-tailed distribution. The goal is to calculate the interest rate path-dependent option prices that are consistent with market data and to develop a reinforcement learning strategy to discretely hedge the position considering transaction costs. Methodology: This paper presents a mathematical framework to calculate the price of interest rate path-dependent options. The research adapted a Fourier cosine series formula to employ the characteristic function of the present value of the forward index, which is modeled as a variance-gamma process and uses deep Q-learning to hedge such options. Findings: There is market evidence that the implied volatility curve is not flat. The study demonstrated that the variance-gamma process generates an increasing volatility smile, which is consistent with market observations. Additionally, hedging results show that the path-dependent options generated from the variance-gamma process can be efficiently hedged with advanced Q-learning techniques. Research limitations/implications: The study comprised only the variance-gamma process. Other probability distributions, such as the Normal Inverse Gaussian model, should be investigated. Practical implications: This study reveals which type of probability distribution should be present in a pricing engine to be consistent with implied volatilities. The approach provided here can assist managers in evaluating and comprehending market pricing behavior as well as achieving discrete hedging with costs. Originality: The paper addressed the merging of a fast pricing method for the interest rate options with a heavy-tailed distribution and the discrete interest rate derivatives hedging with reinforcement learning.
Chebyshev potentials, Fubini–Study metrics, and geometry of the space of Kähler metrics
Authors: Jin Chenzi , Rubinstein Yanir A.
Published: December 2023

The Chebyshev potential of a Hermitian metric on an ample line bundle over a projective variety, introduced by Witt Nyström, is a convex function defined on the Okounkov body. It is a generalization of the symplectic potential of a torus‐invariant Kähler potential on a toric variety, introduced by Guillemin, that is a convex function on the Delzant polytope. A folklore conjecture asserts that a curve of Chebyshev potentials associated to a subgeodesic in the space of positively curved Hermitian metrics is linear in the time variable if and only if the subgeodesic is a geodesic in the Mabuchi metric. This is classically true in the special toric setting, and in general Witt Nyström established the sufficiency. The main obstacle in the conjecture is that it is difficult to compute Chebyshev potentials, that are currently only known on the Riemann sphere and toric varieties. The goal of this article is to disprove this conjecture. To that end we characterize the geodesics consisting of Fubini–Study metrics for which the conjecture is true on the hyperplane bundle of the projective space. The proof involves explicitly solving the Monge–Ampère equation describing geodesics on the subspace of Fubini–Study metrics and computing their Chebyshev potentials.
Quantitative rates of convergence to equilibrium for the degenerate linear Boltzmann equation on the torus
Authors: Evans Josephine , Moyano Iván
Published: December 2023

We study the linear relaxation Boltzmann equation on the torus with a spatially varying jump rate which can be zero on large sections of the domain. In Bernard and Salvarani (Arch. Ration. Mech. Anal. 208 (2013), no. 3, 977–984), Bernard and Salvarani showed that this equation converges exponentially fast to equilibrium if and only if the jump rate satisfies the geometric control condition of Bardos, Lebeau and Rauch. Han‐Kwan and Léautaud showed a more general result for linear Boltzmann equations under the action of potentials in different geometric contexts, including the case of unbounded velocities. In this paper, we obtain quantitative rates of convergence to equilibrium when the geometric control condition is satisfied, using a probabilistic approach based on Doeblin's theorem from Markov chains.
Impaired cerebrovascular CO2 reactivity at high altitude in prematurely born adults
Authors: Manferdelli Giorgio , Narang Benjamin J. , Bourdillon Nicolas , Giardini Guido , Debevec Tadej , Millet Grégoire P.
Published: December 2023

Premature birth impairs cardiac and ventilatory responses to both hypoxia and hypercapnia, but little is known about cerebrovascular responses. Both at sea level and after 2 days at high altitude (3375 m), 16 young preterm‐born (gestational age, 29 ± 1 weeks) and 15 age‐matched term‐born (40 ± 0 weeks) adults were exposed to two consecutive 4 min bouts of hyperoxic hypercapnic conditions (3% CO2–97% O2; 6% CO2–94% O2), followed by two periods of voluntary hyperventilation‐induced hypocapnia. We measured middle cerebral artery blood velocity, end‐tidal CO2, pulmonary ventilation, beat‐by‐beat mean arterial pressure and arterialized capillary blood gases. Baseline middle cerebral artery blood velocity increased at high altitude compared with sea level in term‐born (+24 ± 39%, P = 0.036), but not in preterm‐born (−4 ± 27%, P = 0.278) adults. The end‐tidal CO2, pulmonary ventilation and mean arterial pressure were similar between groups at sea level and high altitude. Hypocapnic cerebrovascular reactivity was higher at high altitude compared with sea level in term‐born adults (+173 ± 326%, P = 0.026) but not in preterm‐born adults (−21 ± 107%, P = 0.572). Hypercapnic reactivity was altered at altitude only in preterm‐born adults (+125 ± 144%, P < 0.001). Collectively, at high altitude, term‐born participants showed higher hypocapnic (P = 0.012) and lower hypercapnic (P = 0.020) CO2 reactivity compared with their preterm‐born peers. In conclusion, exposure to high altitude revealed different cerebrovascular responses in preterm‐ compared with term‐born adults, despite similar ventilatory responses. These findings suggest a blunted cerebrovascular response at high altitude in preterm‐born adults, which might predispose these individuals to an increased risk of high‐altitude illnesses.

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Key points

Cerebral haemodynamics and cerebrovascular reactivity in normoxia are known to be similar between term‐born and prematurely born adults.

In contrast, acute exposure to high altitude unveiled different cerebrovascular responses to hypoxia, hypercapnia and hypocapnia. In particular, cerebral vasodilatation was impaired in prematurely born adults, leading to an exaggerated cerebral vasoconstriction.

Cardiovascular and ventilatory responses to both hypo‐ and hypercapnia at sea level and at high altitude were similar between control subjects and prematurely born adults. Other mechanisms might therefore underlie the observed blunted cerebral vasodilatory responses in preterm‐born adults at high altitude.
Aerodynamic Analysis of Low-Pressure Axial Fans Installed in Parallel
Authors: Ghosh Debarshee , Andersson Niklas , Etemad Sassan
Published: December 2023

Ducted rotor-only low-pressure axial fans play an integral role in automotive thermal management. The tightly packed under-hood region and down-stream heat-exchanger shape limit the fan diameter. In order to circumvent this limitation, multiple cooling fans of small diameters are tightly packaged and placed in parallel. Currently, there is limited scientific work, that study the aerodynamics of low-pressure axial fans when installed in parallel. This work aims to quantify the aerodynamic performance and the flow-field as a result of installing low-pressure axial fans in parallel through computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Publicly available experimental data from Friedrich-Alexander University is used for the validation of the numerical setup. Three-dimensional, full-annulus, unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) analysis has been performed for both a single-fan and two-fans installed in parallel and their respective aerodynamic performance has been compared for the operation condition identified as the best efficiency point in experiments. Only small differences are observed in the overall aerodynamic performance of the two-fans in parallel compared to a single-fan. A circumferential nonuniformity in the form of a local high-pressure zone at the inlet of the fan is observed when the two-fans are placed in parallel. The resulting circumferential nonuniformity is quantified, both in space and time. A strong correlation is found between the pressure fields of the two-fans installed in parallel.
Studying the Effects of Shoulder Dystocia and Neonate-Focused Delivery Maneuvers on Brachial Plexus Strain: A Computational Study
Authors: Iaconianni Joy A. , Balasubramanian Sriram , Grimm Michele J. , Gonik Bernard , Singh Anita
Published: December 2023

The purpose of this computational study was to investigate the effects of neonate-focused clinical delivery maneuvers on brachial plexus (BP) during shoulder dystocia. During shoulder dystocia, the anterior shoulder of the neonate is obstructed behind the symphysis pubis of the maternal pelvis, postdelivery of the neonate's head. This is managed by a series of clinical delivery maneuvers. The goal of this study was to simulate these delivery maneuvers and study their effects on neonatal BP strain. Using madymo models of a maternal pelvis and a 90th-percentile neonate, various delivery maneuvers and positions were simulated including the lithotomy position alone of the maternal pelvis, delivery with the application of various suprapubic pressures (SPPs), neonate in an oblique position, and during posterior arm delivery maneuver. The resulting BP strain (%) along with the required maternal delivery force was reported in these independently simulated scenarios. The lithotomy position alone served as the baseline. Each of the successive maneuvers reported a decrease in the required delivery force and resulting neonatal BP strain. As the applied SPP force increased (three scenarios simulated), the required maternal delivery force and neonatal BP strain decreased. A further decrease in both delivery force and neonatal BP strain was observed in the oblique position, with the lowest delivery force and neonatal BP strain reported during the posterior arm delivery maneuver. Data obtained from the improved computational models in this study enhance our understanding of the effects of clinical maneuvers on neonatal BP strain during complicated birthing scenarios such as shoulder dystocia.
Design Optimization of Blade Tip in Subsonic and Transonic Turbine Stages—Part II: Flow Physics and Augmented Aerothermal Integral Objective Function
Authors: Duan P. H. , He L.
Published: December 2023

In Part I, a companion paper of the two-part article, a subsonic turbine stage and a transonic one conditioned at the same Reynolds number, flow coefficient, loading coefficient and reaction, but two different exit Mach numbers are designed to provide a direct contrast between a high-subsonic and a transonic flow conditioning for rotor blade squealer tips. In this paper as Part II, further analyses are carried out to address the main issues of interest arising from Part I: first, to identify the driving flow physical mechanisms for the contrasting aerodynamic efficiency sensitivities of the two stages; second to seek a more suitable heat transfer objective function for the tip aerothermal design optimization, given the seemingly strong conflicts among those conventionally adopted heat transfer objective functions. Two counter-rotating tip vortical structures, the pressure side vortex (PSV) and the casing-driven cavity vortex (CCV), are shown to impact the aero-performance differently between the two stages. For the subsonic stage, the leakage flow is strongly affected by a stronger residual PSV at the squealer cavity exit. For the transonic stage however, the tip choking in limiting the over tip leakage (OTL) mass flow and favorable pressure gradient in a transonic flow over a separation bubble led to a much stronger and more persistent CCV and thus lower aero-effectiveness of squealer tip for the transonic stage. The two vortices also show major heat transfer signatures on the cavity surfaces by impingement. For the PSV, the impingement impact is mainly on the cavity floor. For the CCV, on the other hand, its impact is mainly on the inner side-wall of the suction side rim. The latter is found to be mainly responsible for the overall linear variations of the heat load with the squealer height. Again, the relative strength between PSV and CCV serves as an effective differentiator in the heat transfer performance. The stronger and more persistent CCV in the transonic stage results in a strong signature on a large portion of the suction side cavity inner sidewall, thus a much higher increment in heat transfer with the squealer height than that for the subsonic stage. In seeking to establish a more consistent heat transfer objective function for combined aerothermal design and optimization, a coolability weighted nonuniformity parameter is proposed to integrate the local heat transfer and the coolability. The proposed objective function is shown to lead to consistent Pareto fronts for the combined aerothermal performance sensitivities, particularly for the present cases with strong heat transfer nonuniformity which are particularly challenging to those conventional treatments as shown in Part I. The coolability-augmented objective function should thus serve as an enabler to help practical applications of blade tip aerothermal design optimizations.
Temperature Distribution in a Nonprismatic Thermoelectric Leg and the Energy Conversion Efficiency
Authors: Jin Zhihe
Published: December 2023

It has been proposed that asymmetric thermoelectric (TE) legs may enhance the TE energy conversion efficiency. This work presents an analytical model for the temperature field in nonprismatic TE legs and the energy conversion efficiency. Different from the models available in the literature, the present one-dimensional (1D) heat equation for thermal conduction in nonprismatic legs is derived from the general three-dimensional (3D) energy and charge balance laws and the thermoelectric constitutive relations considering Joule heating and the Seebeck effect on the heat flow. The temperature field in a TE leg with an arbitrary gradient of the cross-sectional area is obtained using the 1D heat equation. The temperature field and energy conversion efficiency are calculated for exponential and quadratic Bi2Te3 legs as well as an exponential PbTe leg. The numerical results indicate that leg tapering has minimal effects on the temperature distribution in and energy efficiency of the nonprismatic leg under the prescribed cold and hot side temperatures' boundary conditions provided that the volume of the leg remains the same. The energy efficiency of the tapered leg, however, can be significantly increased under the prescribed hot side heat flux condition. Finally, a simple estimate on the limitation of the 1D models for nonprismatic legs is discussed.
Technical Brief: Safeguardability Analysis of a Molten Salt Sampling System Design
Authors: Harkema Megan , Krahn Steven , Marotta Paul
Published: December 2023

Challenges with safeguarding molten salt reactor (MSR) designs have prompted the search for enhanced safeguards technologies and revised safeguards materials control & accountancy (MC&A) approaches. A molten salt sampling system is a subsystem being developed to help support facility MC&A in future MSRs by removing salt samples from the primary fuel and/or coolant salt loop of an MSR for chemical and isotopic analysis. To consider the safeguards implications of this molten salt sampling system early in the design process, we employed a safeguards by design approach during the development of a prototype molten salt sampling system. Specifically, we identified and tailored a checklist approach to systematically evaluate the design against recognized safeguards and security attributes. This technical brief describes the molten salt sampling system design and operational concept upon which we applied the safeguards by design methodology, conveys the methods we used to employ the safeguards by design approach on the molten salt sampling system design, and discusses the preliminary results and design insights gained from this safeguards by design assessment.
3D structure of box-and-grid electron multiplier with higher electron collection efficiency
Authors: Xia Zhangcong , Wang Yunrong , Peng Youwei , Li Jie , Hu Wenbo , Zhong Xin , Wu Shengli
Published: December 2023

In this paper, the electron collection efficiency of dynodes in different electron multiplier (EM) structures is analyzed using Computer Simulation Technology. Three main factors that lead to low efficiency in electronic collection have been identified as crossing, trapped, and blocked electrons. The proportions of these three types of electrons are investigated to illustrate the characteristics of EMs with different structures. It is observed that the optimized 3D structure outperforms all 2D structures, and the reasons for this improvement are also discussed. The spiral EM is designed to achieve an average collection efficiency of 98.9% at the optimal parameters. By adopting the proposed structure, not only the size of the EM can be reduced, but also the gain of the EM can be significantly improved. Consequently, this will allow for a reduction in the operating voltage of the EM and prolong its lifetime.
Hybrid cavity-antenna architecture for strong and tunable sideband-selective molecular Raman scattering enhancement
Authors: Shlesinger Ilan , Vandersmissen Jente , Oksenberg Eitan , Verhagen Ewold , Koenderink A. Femius
Published: December 2023

Plasmon resonances at the surface of metallic antennas allow for extreme enhancement of Raman scattering. Intrinsic to plasmonics, however, is that extreme field confinement lacks precise spectral control, which would hold great promise in shaping the optomechanical interaction between light and molecular vibrations. We demonstrate an experimental platform composed of a plasmonic nanocube-on-mirror antenna coupled to an open, tunable Fabry-Perot microcavity for selective addressing of individual vibrational lines of molecules with strong Raman scattering enhancement. Multiple narrow and intense optical resonances arising from the hybridization of the cavity modes and the plasmonic broad resonance are used to simultaneously enhance the laser pump and the local density of optical states, and are characterized using rigorous modal analysis. The versatile bottom-up fabrication approach permits quantitative comparison with the bare nanocube-on-mirror system, both theoretically and experimentally. This shows that the hybrid system allows for similar SERS enhancement ratios with narrow optical modes, paving the way for dynamical backaction effects in molecular optomechanics.
PRKAG2.2 is essential for FoxA1
+
regulatory T cell differentiation and metabolic rewiring distinct from FoxP3
+
regulatory T cells
Authors: Mandatori Sara , Liu Yawei , Marturia-Navarro Joana , Hadi Mahdieh , Henriksen Kristine , Zheng Jin , Rasmussen Louise Munk , Rizza Salvatore , Kaestner Klaus H. , Issazadeh-Navikas Shohreh
Published: December 2023

Forkhead box A1 (FoxA1)
+
regulatory T cells (T
regs
) exhibit distinct characteristics from FoxP3
+
T
regs
while equally effective in exerting anti-inflammatory properties. The role of FoxP3
+
T
regs
in vivo has been challenged, motivating a better understanding of other T
regs
in modulating hyperactive immune responses. FoxA1
+
T
regs
are generated on activation of the transcription factor FoxA1 by interferon-β (IFNβ), an anti-inflammatory cytokine. T cell activation, expansion, and function hinge on metabolic adaptability. We demonstrated that IFNβ promotes a metabolic rearrangement of FoxA1
+
T
regs
by enhancing oxidative phosphorylation and mitochondria clearance by mitophagy. In response to IFNβ, FoxA1 induces a specific transcription variant of adenosine 5′-monophosphate–activated protein kinase (AMPK) γ2 subunit, PRKAG2.2. This leads to the activation of AMPK signaling, thereby enhancing mitochondrial respiration and mitophagy by ULK1-BNIP3. This IFNβ-FoxA1-PRKAG2.2-BNIP3 axis is pivotal for their suppressive function. The involvement of PRKAG2.2 in FoxA1
+
T
reg
, not FoxP3
+
T
reg
differentiation, underscores the metabolic differences between T
reg
populations and suggests potential therapeutic targets for autoimmune diseases.
Neutrophils only die twice
Authors: Souza Fernando W. , Miao Edward A.
Published: December 2023

After apoptotic cell death begins neutrophils initiate NETosis, a second cell death program.
Genetic tools for the electrotroph
Sporomusa ovata
and autotrophic biosynthesis
Authors: Tremblay Pier-Luc , Zhang Tian
Published: December 2023

Sporomusa
ovata is a Gram-negative acetogen of the Sporomusaceae family with a unique physiology. This anerobic bacterium is a core microbial catalyst for advanced CO
2
-based biotechnologies including gas fermentation, microbial electrosynthesis, and hybrid photosystem. Until now, no genetic tools exist for
S. ovata
, which is a critical obstacle to its optimization as an autotrophic chassis and the acquisition of knowledge about its metabolic capacities. Here, we developed an electroporation protocol for
S. ovata
. With this procedure, it became possible to introduce replicative plasmids such as pJIR751 and its derivatives into the acetogen. This system was then employed to demonstrate the feasibility of heterologous expression by introducing a functional β-glucuronidase enzyme under the promoters of different strengths in
S. ovata
. Next, a recombinant
S. ovata
strain producing the non-native product acetone both from an organic carbon substrate and from CO
2
was constructed. Finally, a replicative plasmid capable of integrating itself on the chromosome of the acetogen was developed as a tool for genome editing, and gene deletion was demonstrated. These results indicate that
S. ovata
can be engineered and provides a first-generation genetic toolbox for the optimization of this biotechnological workhorse.

IMPORTANCE

S. ovata
harbors unique features that make it outperform most microbes for autotrophic biotechnologies such as a capacity to acquire electrons from different solid donors, a low H
2
threshold, and efficient energy conservation mechanisms. The development of the first-generation genetic instruments described in this study is a key step toward understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in these outstanding metabolic and physiological characteristics. In addition, these tools enable the construction of recombinant
S. ovata
strains that can synthesize a wider range of products in an efficient manner.
Introduction to biogeomorphic responses to wildfire in fluvial ecosystems
Authors: Florsheim* Joan L. , O’Dowd* Alison P. , Chin* Anne
Published: December 2023

Developing wildfire biogeomorphology as an integrative science is fundamental toward understanding the dynamic processes of adjustment that must occur after wildfires to support heterogeneity, biodiversity, and resilience in fluvial ecosystems. This GSA Special Paper introduces and synthesizes several key points derived from interdisciplinary studies. First, post-wildfire sediment pulses that change the physical elements of fluvial habitat may be transitory or long-lasting, depending on variations in post-wildfire climate conditions. Second, biological processes and feedback may alter post-wildfire geomorphic responses and enhance ecosystem resilience. Third, a greater emphasis on integrated approaches, as encompassed by the discipline of wildfire biogeomorphology, is necessary to adapt ecosystem management strategies. New approaches toward conservation, restoration, and wildfire management that incorporate the variable and dynamic post-wildfire geomorphic responses, the feedbacks between biological and geomorphic processes, and the multiple possible disturbance and recovery trajectories will facilitate sustainable fire management practices in the future.
Ordovician–Early Devonian granitic magmatism as the consequence of intracontinental orogenic activity along the Qinhang belt in South China
Authors: Yuan Xinchen , Liu Junlai , Yang Qijun , Zhou Baojun , Lv Yong , Wu Jiwen
Published: December 2023

The early Paleozoic tectono-magmatic activity within the South China block, which is well illustrated by Ordovician–Devonian granites in the western Qinhang belt, was the response to closure of the Proto-Tethys Ocean and convergence of continental blocks. The spatiotemporal distribution and source characteristics of the granites provide us the opportunity to understand the processes and driving mechanisms of intracontinental orogeny. As an example, the Miaoershan-Yuechengling granite batholith in northern Guangxi, located along the western margin of the Qinhang orogenic belt, is mainly composed of quartz monzonite and monzogranite. All the granitic rocks from Miaoershan-Yuechengling batholith are composed of K-feldspar, quartz, plagioclase, biotite, and hornblende. Geochronologic dating indicates that the Miaoershan-Yuechengling batholith was emplaced during the late Silurian and Early Devonian, respectively. The rocks have high SiO2, with an average value of 73.29 wt%, and total alkalis (Na2O + K2O = 7.21–10.03 wt%), but low Al2O3 (12.96–15.51 wt%), showing characteristics of the high-potassium calc-alkaline series of S-type peraluminous granites (Al2O3/[CaO + Na2O + K2O] = 1.03–1.22). Trace elements in the Miaoershan-Yuechengling granitic rocks are characterized by enrichment of large ion lithophile elements and depletion of high field strength elements. Their rare earth element (REE) trends are characterized by relatively flat distribution patterns with weak light REE enrichment, weak heavy REE fractionation, and negative Eu anomalies. Zircons from the rocks have negative εHf(t) values ranging from −13.24 to −5.1, with crustal model ages (THf2) of 2.2–1.7 Ga. These features indicate that they are S-type granites with parental magmas originating from partial melting of sandy argillaceous sources of Paleoproterozoic lower continental crust. The thermal budget for Ordovician to Early Devonian magmatism is attributed either to crustal thickening in relation to intracontinental orogenic compression or to crustal thinning due to postorogenic tectonic extension during assembly and breakup of Greater Gondwana. This study reveals that the change in mantle convection systems during plate interactions acted as a major driving force for the early orogenic processes, late collapse of the orogenic belt, and massive syncollisional to postorogenic magmatism.
Exact Solutions of Second-Grade Fluid Equations
Authors: Petrova A. G. , Pukhnachev V. V. , Frolovskaya O. A.
Published: December 2023

The second-grade fluid equations describe the motion of relaxing fluids such as aqueous solutions of polymers. The existence and uniqueness of solutions to the initial–boundary value problems for these equations were studied by D. Cioranescu, V. Girault, C. Le Roux, A. Tani, G. P. Galdi, and others. However, their studies do not contain information about the qualitative properties of solutions of these equations. Such information can be obtained by analyzing their exact solutions, which is the main goal of this work. We study layered flows and a model problem with a free boundary, construct an analog of T. Kármán’s solution, which describes the stationary motion of a second-grade fluid in a half-space induced by the rotation of the plane bounding it, and propose a generalization of V. A. Steklov’s solution of the problem on unsteady helical flows of a Newtonian fluid to the case of a second-grade fluid.