bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Specimens as individuals: Four interventions and recommendations for great ape skeletal collections research and curation
Authors: Kralick Alexandra E. , Canington Stephanie L. , Eller Andrea R. , McGrath Kate
Published: September 2023

Extensive discourse surrounds the ethics of human skeletal research and curation, but there has yet to be a similar discussion of the treatment of great ape skeletal remains, despite the clear interest in their ethical treatment when alive. Here we trace the history of apes who were killed and collected for natural history museums during the early 20th century and showcase how the guiding research questions of the colonial era continue to influence scholarship. We discuss best practices for improving industry and academic standards of research on, and the curation of, ape remains. The suggested interventions involve restoring individual identity and narrative to great apes while engaging with contextual reflexivity and decolonial theory. The resulting recommendations include contextualizing the individual, piecing individuals back together, challenging/questioning the captive‐wild dichotomy, and collaborative international conversations. Our objective is to encourage a conversation regarding ethical and theoretical considerations in great ape skeletal remains research.
Fuel loads and their composition, and compartment characteristics in educational, office and library buildings
Authors: Nayak Namita , Subramanian Lakshmi Priya
Published: September 2023

This paper presents the fire load data in educational, office and library buildings, obtained through an extensive inventory survey. This data collection effort is prompted by a growing need to simulate compartment fires, wherein estimating realistic fire scenarios is essential to assess the level of fire severity in a structure, and consequently the strength of the various structural members at elevated temperatures. The attributes of compartment fires primarily depend upon the fuel load and its composition, compartment dimensions, ventilation characteristics, and construction materials. Despite an acute need, fire load data across the world is scarce and outdated, and does not reflect the change in the type of materials in‐use today. The survey data presented in this paper is collected from 108 rooms in 10 educational buildings, 51 rooms in three office buildings, and 13 rooms in a library building. This paper also presents the composition of fire loads and the levels of ventilation in these buildings. The studies show that fire loads can vary significantly depending on the room‐use; thereby basing fire load values solely on the overall category of a building may result in either conservative or unsafe design. This study also finds that certain room types (e.g., computer labs) have significant plastic‐based fuels, indicating that typical modelling recommendations based on cellulosic fuels for heat release rate, combustion heat, etc. may not always be appropriate. The paper finally examines the statistical distribution that best describes the measured values of the fire load densities.
Quorum‐sensing in Acetobacter pasteurianus and its effect on acetic acid fermentation
Authors: Zhao Hang , Feng Zhiwei , Han Xueli , Wang Jiao , Xu Ying , Li Weizhao , Zheng Yu , Wang Min
Published: September 2023

Quorum‐sensing (QS) is an essential mechanism of microbial self‐regulation. In this work, the presence of QS in Acetobacter pasteurianus was demonstrated, and N‐acyl‐homoserine lactones N‐C4‐HSL and N‐C8‐HSL were identified as the signal molecules. The exogenous addition of N‐C4‐HSL, N‐C8‐HSL, N‐C10‐HSL, and N‐C12‐HSL result in the reduction in biomass, and lead to 11.56%, 11.91%, 7.94%, and 4.69% decrease in acetic acid production, respectively, when compared with the control. A hypothetical N‐acylhomoserine lactonase (AHL lactonase) 0046 was overexpressed in A. pasteurianus CGMCC 3089, and the recombinant strain exhibites a 17.38% and 12.75% increase in the biomass and the acetic acid production rate, respectively. Those results prove the negative regulation of QS on acetic acid fermentation, and overexpression of 0046 protein alleviates this negative effect.
Are we really targeting and stimulating DLPFC by placing transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) electrodes over F3/F4?
Authors: Soleimani Ghazaleh , Kuplicki Rayus , Camchong Jazmin , Opitz Alexander , Paulus Martin P. , Lim Kelvin O. , Ekhtiari Hamed
Published: September 2023

In many clinical trials involving transcranial electrical stimulation (tES), target electrodes are typically placed over DLPFC with the assumption that this will primarily stimulate the underlying brain region. However, our study aimed to evaluate the electric fields (EF) that are actually delivered and identify prefrontal regions that may be inadvertently targeted in DLPFC tES. Head models were generated from the Human Connectome Project database's T1 + T2‐weighted MRIs of 80 healthy adults. Two common DLPFC montages were simulated; symmetric‐F4/F3, and asymmetric‐F4/Fp1. Averaged EF was extracted from (1) the center of the target electrode (F4), and (2) the top 1% of voxels showing the strongest EF in individualized EF maps. Interindividual variabilities were quantified with the standard deviation of EF peak location/value. Similar steps were repeated with 66 participants with methamphetamine use disorder (MUDs) as an independent clinical population. In healthy adults, the group‐level location of EF peaks was situated in the medial‐frontopolar, and the individualized EF peaks were positioned in a cube with a volume of 29 cm3/46 cm3 (symmetric/asymmetric montages). EFs in the frontopolar area were significantly higher than EF “under” the target electrode in both symmetric (peak: 0.41 ± 0.06, F4:0.22 ± 0.04) and asymmetric (peak: 0.38 ± 0.04, F4:0.2 ± 0.04) montages (Heges'g > 0.7). Similar results with slight between‐group differences were found in MUDs. We highlighted that in common DLPFC tES montages, in addition to interindividual/intergroup variability, the frontopolar received the highest EFs rather than DLPFC as the main target. We specifically recommended considering the potential involvement of the frontopolar area as a mechanism underlying the effectiveness of DLPFC tES protocols.
Comparison of coagulation parameters associated with fibrinogen concentrate and cryoprecipitate for treatment of bleeding in patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery for pseudomyxoma peritonei: Subanalysis from a randomized, controlled phase 2 study
Authors: Roy Ashok , Sargant Nigel , Bell John , Stanford Sophia , Solomon Cristina , Kruzhkova Irina , Knaub Sigurd , Mohamed Faheez
Published: September 2023

Background and Aims

The FORMA‐05 study compared the efficacy and safety of human fibrinogen concentrate (HFC) versus cryoprecipitate for hemostasis in bleeding patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery for pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP). This subanalysis explores coagulation parameters in the FORMA‐05 patients, with a focus on the seven patients who developed thromboembolic events (TEEs).

Methods

FORMA‐05 was a prospective, randomized, controlled phase 2 study in which patients with predicted blood loss ≥2 L received HFC (4 g) or cryoprecipitate (two pools of five units), repeated as needed. Plasma fibrinogen, platelet count, factor (F) XIII, FVIII, von Willebrand Factor (VWF) antigen and ristocetin cofactor activity levels, EXTEM A20, FIBTEM A20, and endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) were measured perioperatively.

Results

Fibrinogen, platelet count, EXTEM and FIBTEM A20, FXIII, FVIII, VWF levels, and ETP were maintained throughout surgery in both the HFC group (N = 21) and the cryoprecipitate group (N = 23). Seven TEEs were observed in the cryoprecipitate group. The two patients developing deep vein thromboses (DVT) appeared to have a procoagulant status preoperatively, with distinctively higher fibrinogen level, FIBTEM A20, and platelet levels, all of which persisted perioperatively. The five patients developing pulmonary embolism (PE) had slightly higher VWF levels preoperatively, with a disproportionate increase intraoperatively (postcryoprecipitate administration) and postoperatively.

Conclusions

Patients treated with HFC versus cryoprecipitate showed broad overlaps in coagulation parameters. Patients with PE experienced a disproportionate VWF rise following cryoprecipitate administration, whereas patients developing DVT displayed a procoagulant status before and following surgery. Preoperative testing may allow these patients to be identified.
Immunomodulatory approaches in managing lung inflammation in COVID‐19: A double‐edge sword
Authors: Verma Geetika , Dhawan Manish , Saied AbdulRahman A. , Kaur Geetika , Kumar Reetesh , Emran Talha Bin
Published: September 2023

Introduction

The novel coronavirus infectious disease 2019 (COVID‐19) which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) has emerged as a gigantic problem. The lung is the major target organ of SARS‐CoV‐2 and some of its variants like Delta and Omicron variant adapted in such a way that these variants can significantly damage this vital organ of the body. These variants raised a few eyebrows as the outbreaks have been seen in the vaccinated population. Patients develop severe respiratory illnesses which eventually prove fatal unless treated early.

Main Body

Studies have shown that SARS‐CoV‐2 causes the release of pro‐inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α which are mediators of lung inflammation, lung damage, fever, and fibrosis. Additionally, various chemokines have been found to play an important role in the disease progression. A plethora of pro‐inflammatory cytokines “cytokine storm” has been observed in severe cases of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and pneumonia that may prove fatal. To counteract cytokine storm‐inducing lung inflammation, several promising immunomodulatory approaches are being investigated in numerous clinical trials. However, the benefits of using these strategies should outweigh the risks involved as the use of certain immunosuppressive approaches might lead the host susceptible to secondary bacterial infections.

Conclusion

The present review discusses promising immunomodulatory approaches to manage lung inflammation in COVID‐19 cases which may serve as potential therapeutic options in the future and may prove lifesaving.
Cathelicidin (LL‐37) causes expression of inflammatory factors in coronary artery endothelial cells of Kawasaki disease by activating TLR4–NF‐κB–NLRP3 signaling
Authors: Si Feifei , Lu Yaheng , Wen Yizhou , Chen Tingting , Zhang Yingzi , Yang Yanfeng
Published: September 2023

Background

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a type of vasculitis with an unidentified etiology. Cathelicidin (LL‐37) may be involved in the development of the KD process; therefore, further research to investigate the molecular mechanism of LL‐37 involvement in KD is warranted.

Methods

Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the levels of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interleukin (IL)‐1β, NLRP3, and LL‐37 in the sera of healthy subjects, children with KD, and children with pneumonia. Subsequently, human recombinant LL‐37 or/and toll‐like receptors 4 (TLR4)‐specific inhibitor TAK‐242 stimulated human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs), CCK‐8 was used to detect cell proliferation, flow cytometry to detect apoptosis, transmission electron microscopy to observe cytoskeletal changes, Transwell to measure cell migration ability, ELISA to detect inflammatory factor levels, Western blot analysis to analyze protein levels of toll‐like receptors 4 (TLR4) and NF‐κB p‐65, and quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) to determine LL‐37, NLRP3 mRNA levels.

Results

In this study, we found that the level of LL‐37 was highly expressed in the serum of children with KD, and after LL‐37 stimulation, apoptosis was significantly increased in HCAECs, and the expression levels of TLR4, NLRP3 and inflammatory factors in cells were significantly enhanced. Intervention with the TLR4‐specific inhibitor TAK‐242 significantly alleviated the LL‐37 effects on cellular inflammation, TLR4, NLRP3 promotion effect.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that LL‐37 induces an inflammatory response in KD coronary endothelial cells via TLR4‐NF‐κB‐NLRP3, providing a potential target for the treatment of KD.
Assessing the acceptability of COVID‐19 vaccine and its booster dose
Authors: Mubarak Sawsan , A'aqoulah Ashraf , AlGhawrie Hadeel , Albalas Samir , Innab Nisreen
Published: September 2023

Background and Objective

Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID‐19) vaccinations are essential to control the pandemic and prevent severe COVID‐19 infections. This study aims to assess the acceptability of the COVID‐19 vaccine and the factors that impact the intention to take the COVID‐19 vaccine and its booster dose.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted in Saudi Arabia and Jordan. The study used a self‐administered web‐based survey (questionnaire) for data collection that was distributed via social media platforms from May 2022 to July 2022.

Results

In this study, among 518 participants, 54.4% had already received two doses of the COVID‐19 vaccine, and out of the participants who didn't receive the booster dose, 19.9% declared a definite willingness to receive it, while 42% had already taken a booster dose, which indicated good acceptance. After adjustment for significant background characteristics, a significant association between the country and receiving the COVID‐19 vaccine, the intention to get the vaccine, and infection with COVID‐19 were found, in addition to a significant association between the country and the participants' opinion that electronic applications helped them to follow their vaccine schedule were found (p < .001). Also, the results showed that participants' attitudes were significantly associated with educational level and age groups (p ≤ .001, p = .032, respectively). There was a significant association between the intention to receive the vaccine booster dose and the country (p < .001). The Saudi participants were willing to get the booster dose seven times more than the Jordanians, furthermore, there was a significant association between taking the vaccine booster dose in the country, as well as age group, working in the medical field, previous COVID‐19 infection, and the intention to vaccinate the children (p < .001, p = .030, .031, .025, < .001, respectively).

Conclusion

Overall, our results emphasize a positive response and a positive attitude toward COVID‐19 vaccination. In addition, define the groups to be targeted with effective communication regarding the COVID‐19 vaccine and its booster dose.
High‐fat diet aggravates the severity of the in vitro posttraumatic osteoarthritis model through macrophagic FBW7
Authors: Duan Lijun , Ma Yuan , Feng Chen‐Guang , Yu Xing
Published: September 2023

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent and distressing chronic degenerative joint disorder characterized by damaged articular cartilage and inflamed joints. Among risk factors, obesity has emerged as the second‐leading contributor to OA after age. Obesity is believed to play a key role in the development and progression of OA. This study aimed to investigate the role and underlying mechanisms of high‐fat diet (HFD)‐induced obesity in the development of OA. Our findings revealed that HFD could aggravate the destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM)‐induced damage in the mouse model of obesity. Similar results were observed when macrophages obtained from HFD‐fed mice were cocultured with cartilage and subsequently stimulated with interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β). Mechanistically, we observed a decrease in the expression of intraarticular macrophagic FBW7, which was implicated in the aggravation of OA in the HFD‐fed animal. Furthermore, by modulating the immune status of macrophages, we found that reversing the macrophagic expression of FBW7 in these cells can alleviate the chondrocyte damage. In conclusion, this study provides novel insights into the pathological mechanisms underlying HFD‐related OA development by identifying the role of FBW7 in synovial macrophages. These findings open up new avenues for research and therapeutic interventions targeting HFD‐related OA.
Belief in a just world and organisational loyalty: Trust as an underlying mechanism
Authors: Cheng Yuan , Nudelman Gabriel , Ma Jianhong , Otto Kathleen
Published: September 2023

This research examined whether employees' personal belief in a just world (BJW) is associated with their organisational loyalty and whether this relationship is statistically mediated by organisational trust. To test these hypotheses, we conducted two studies with employees from China (study 1, N = 314) and Germany (study 2, N = 189). The results from both studies supported the proposed model. In addition, study 2 revealed that the relationship between BJW and organisational loyalty persisted when controlling for global personality traits. These suggest that managers and organisations may increase employees' loyalty by providing an environment that fosters their sense of justice and trust.
Distributed autoencoder classifier network for small‐scale and scattered COVID‐19 dataset classification
Authors: Yang Yuan , Zhang Lin , Ren Lei , Wang Xiaohan
Published: September 2023

In healthcare, small‐scare data are stored with individual entities, such as hospitals, and they are not shared. However, data with one entity are not sufficient for training a machine learning model and therefore cannot be fully utilized. Given that a large amount of small‐scale data is widely distributed between hospitals/individuals, it is necessary to deploy an easy, scalable, and secure distributed computational framework. We aim to aggregate these scattered and small‐scale data to train neural networks and achieve classification and detection on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) datasets. We propose a distributed autoencoder (AE) classifier network for this purpose. It contains a central classifier and multiple distributed AEs. The AEs are used as generators. A local generator uses an actual COVID‐19 computed tomography image as the input and outputs a synthetic image. The well‐trained generator provides an image to train the central classifier model. The central classifier network model learns information from all the generated COVID‐19 data using the distributed AE. Experiments are performed using some COVID‐19 datasets. The distributed AE classifier network outperforms all the models that use a single subset, and its performance is similar to that of a regular classifier. The proposed network solves the problem of using small‐scale and scattered COVID‐19 data to train neural networks while ensuring data privacy. The accuracy of the network is the same as that achieved using the entire data.
Voltage‐Dependent Calcium Channels and Gi Regulatory Protein Mediate the Human Sperm Acrosomal Exocytosis Induced by N‐Acetylglucosaminyl/Mannosyl Neoglycoproteins
Authors: BRANDELLI ADRIANO , MIRANDA PATRICIA V. , TEZÓN JORGE G.
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT: Mammalian spermatozoa must undergo an exocytotic event during fertilization, the acrosome reaction (AR). In most species studied this process is induced by specific glycoproteins of the oocyte extracellular matrix, the zona pellucida (ZP), and it involves guanine nucleotide‐binding regulatory proteins (G‐proteins), resulting in an uptake of extracellular calcium by the sperm. In the bull, this event has been reported to be mediated by voltage‐dependent calcium channels (VDCC). Previous observations showed that neoglycoproteins (NGPs) with N‐acetylglucosamine or mannose (GlcNAc‐BSA or Man‐BSA) residues induce the AR in capacitated human spermatozoa. We report here that the pretreatment of spermatozoa with 125 ng/ml pertussis toxin (PTx) inhibited GlcNAc‐BSA‐ or Man‐BSA‐induced AR, whereas 1 μg/ml cholera toxin had no effect. These data indicate that the transduction mechanism for GlcNAc‐BSA‐ and Man‐BSA‐induced AR involves G‐proteins of the inhibitory type (G1). An increase in the AR rate was observed when capacitated spermatozoa were incubated with increasing concentrations of potassium ions (K+) in Biggers‐Whitten‐Whittingham (BWW) modified medium (2.6 ± 0.3‐fold at 80 mM K+). This induction was observed only when the pH was raised to 8.5, and it was inhibited by verapamil, nitrendipine, ω‐conotoxin, nickel ions (Ni2+), lanthanum ions (La3+), or cadmium ions (Cd2+) in a concentration‐dependent manner, indicating the participation of VDCC activated by membrane depolarization. The GlcNAc‐BSA‐ or Man‐BSA‐induced AR was completely inhibited by preincubation of spermatozoa with VDCC blockers and calcium antagonists, indicating a link between the binding of sugar residues of the NGPs and channel activation. The AR induced by membrane depolarization with high K+ medium was not inhibited by PTx, suggesting that Ca2+ entry is downstream to G1‐protein activation. These data show that the induction of the AR in human spermatozoa by GlcNAc‐ or Man‐NGPs involves VDCC and GI‐like regulatory proteins similar to the induction described for ZP in other mammalian species.
Effects of Incretin Therapy on Skeletal Health in Type 2 Diabetes—A Systematic Review
Authors: Viggers Rikke , Rasmussen Nicklas Højgaard‐hessellund , Vestergaard Peter
Published: September 2023

Diabetes poses a significant risk to bone health, with Type 1 diabetes (T1D) having a more detrimental impact than Type 2 diabetes (T2D). The group of hormones known as incretins, which includes gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP) and glucagon‐like peptide 1 (GLP‐1), play a role in regulating bowel function and insulin secretion during feeding. GLP‐1 receptor agonists (GLP‐1 RAs) are emerging as the primary treatment choice in T2D, particularly when atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is present. Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors (DPP‐4is), although less potent than GLP‐1 RAs, can also be used. Additionally, GLP‐1 RAs, either alone or in combination with GIP, may be employed to address overweight and obesity. Since feeding influences bone turnover, a relationship has been established between incretins and bone health. To explore this relationship, we conducted a systematic literature review following the PRISMA guidelines. While some studies on cells and animals have suggested positive effects of incretins on bone cells, turnover, and bone density, human studies have yielded either no or limited and conflicting results regarding their impact on bone mineral density (BMD) and fracture risk. The effect on fracture risk may vary depending on the choice of comparison drug and the duration of follow‐up, which was often limited in several studies. Nevertheless, GLP‐1 RAs may hold promise for people with T2D who have multiple fracture risk factors and poor metabolic control. Furthermore, a potential new area of interest is the use of GLP‐1 RAs in fracture prevention among overweight and obese people. Based on this systematic review, existing evidence remains insufficient to support a positive or a superior effect on bone health to reduce fracture risk in people with T2D. © 2023 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Completing the solution of the directed Oberwolfach problem with cycles of equal length
Authors: Lacaze‐Masmonteil Alice
Published: September 2023

In this paper, we give a solution to the last outstanding case of the directed Oberwolfach problem with tables of uniform length. Namely, we address the two‐table case with tables of equal odd length. We prove that the complete symmetric digraph on vertices, denoted , admits a resolvable decomposition into directed cycles of odd length . This completely settles the directed Oberwolfach problem with tables of uniform length.
Gastrointestinal: Distal esophageal squamous papillomatosis in a healthy 47‐year‐old man
Authors: Singh Gurtej , Brooks Kostas G
Published: September 2023

A 47‐year‐old man with a background history of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and seasonal asthma underwent a gastroscopy for further investigation. Endoscopy revealed numerous polypoid lesions diffusely distributed in the lower third of the esophagus, with histology revealing squamous papilloma with occasional intraepithelial lymphocytes. The diagnosis was esophageal squamous papillomatosis (ESP), which is a rare condition characterized by exophytic and circumferential projections with friable mucosa diffusely spread through the esophagus with unclear etiology and malignancy risk.
From poppy to pill: A comprehensive strategy to combat illicit synthetic drug production in Southeast Asia
Authors: Wang Chao , Lassi Nicholas
Published: September 2023

The production of illicit synthetic drugs has undergone a significant shift from China to the Golden Triangle, profoundly impacting Southeast Asia's legal systems, drug enforcement and public health. This paper reviews the production, distribution and use of illicit synthetic drugs in the region, explaining their alignment with regulatory policies in China and Southeast Asia. The public health effects resulting from the increased production and use of synthetic drugs in Southeast Asia are reviewed, emphasizing the importance of public health protections such as harm reduction, treatment and rehabilitation. This study also discusses legal mechanisms to enhance control over illicit drug activities, mainly compound‐wide legislative prohibitions targeting present and future fentanyl and methamphetamine analogues. Moreover, it underscores the urgency for collaborative efforts between China and Southeast Asian states to mitigate the influence of Chinese cartels operating in the region. By elucidating the multifaceted challenges posed by the shifting drug production landscape, this paper highlights the importance of a comprehensive approach encompassing regulatory, law enforcement and public health measures.
Synthesis of Schiff‐base cationic Gemini surfactant and the properties for inhibiting corrosion of Q235 carbon steel and printed circuit board
Authors: Chen Hubin , Zhang Yongle , Xiao Longqiang , Hou Linxi
Published: September 2023

Surfactants play an important role in the domain of metal anticorrosion. Gemini surfactants, as corrosion inhibitors, have the advantages of strong practicality, high safety, convenient operation and fast response. In this study, a new Schiff‐base cationic Gemini surfactant (named TMPA) was designed, synthesized and characterized. The mechanism of metal anticorrosion of surfactant was studied by electrochemistry and static weightlessness method. And the adsorption isotherm of TMPA shows that the behavior follows Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The anticorrosion efficiency of printed circuit board (PCB) was 92.88% and Q235 carbon steel (Q235 CS) was 97.78% with the addition of only 5 mM TMPA. The surface appearance of the PCB and Q235 CS was scrutinized by x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, proving that samples have few corrosion marks in the presence of TMPA and oxidants. These results show that TMPA provides an attractive application in terms of metal corrosion inhibition.
Optimal control theory of an age‐structured coronavirus disease model and the dynamical analysis of the underlying ordinary differential equation model having constant parameters
Authors: Ibrahim Muhammad , Khan Asaf , Allehiany F. M. , Zaman Gul , Ali Vakkar , Saeed Tareq
Published: September 2023

This paper addresses the dynamics of COVID‐19 using the approach of age‐structured modeling. A particular case of the model is presented by taking into account age‐free parameters. The sub‐model consisting of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) is investigated for possible equilibria, and qualitative aspects of the model are rigorously presented. In order to control the spread of the disease, we considered two age‐ and time‐dependent non‐pharmaceutical control measures in the age‐structured model, and an optimal control problem using a general maximum principle of Pontryagin type is achieved. Finally, sample simulations are plotted which support our theoretical work.
Conditioning of hybrid variational data assimilation
Authors: Shataer Shaerdan , Lawless Amos S. , Nichols Nancy K.
Published: September 2023

In variational assimilation, the most probable state of a dynamical system under Gaussian assumptions for the prior and likelihood can be found by solving a least‐squares minimization problem. In recent years, we have seen the popularity of hybrid variational data assimilation methods for Numerical Weather Prediction. In these methods, the prior error covariance matrix is a weighted sum of a climatological part and a flow‐dependent ensemble part, the latter being rank deficient. The nonlinear least squares problem of variational data assimilation is solved using iterative numerical methods, and the condition number of the Hessian is a good proxy for the convergence behavior of such methods. In this article, we study the conditioning of the least squares problem in a hybrid four‐dimensional variational data assimilation (Hybrid 4D‐Var) scheme by establishing bounds on the condition number of the Hessian. In particular, we consider the effect of the ensemble component of the prior covariance on the conditioning of the system. Numerical experiments show that the bounds obtained can be useful in predicting the behavior of the true condition number and the convergence speed of an iterative algorithm
The utilization of ghost reflections retrieved by seismic interferometry for layer‐specific characterization of the shallow subsurface
Authors: Shirmohammadi Faezeh , Draganov Deyan , Ghose Ranajit
Published: September 2023

Seismic interferometry (SI) retrieves the Green function between two receiver locations using their recordings from a boundary of sources. When using sources and receivers only at the surface, the virtual‐source gathers retrieved by SI contain pseudo‐physical reflections as well as ghost (non‐physical) reflections. These ghost reflections are the results of the cross‐correlation or auto‐correlation (AC) of primary reflections from two different depth levels, and they contain information about the seismic properties of specific layers in the subsurface. We investigated the application of ghost reflections for layer‐specific characterization of the shallow subsurface using SI by AC. First, we showed the technique's potential using synthetic data for a subsurface model with a lateral change in velocity, a gradient in depth for velocity, a thickness change and a velocity change of the target layer. Then, we applied the technique to shallow subsurface field data. We also focused on improving the retrieval of ghost reflections by removing the free‐surface multiples and muting undesired events in active‐source gathers before applying SI. Our results demonstrate that the ghost reflections can be used advantageously to characterize the layer that causes them to appear in the results of SI. Consequently, they can also provide valuable information for imaging and monitoring shallow subsurface structures.
Replacing the body mass index with the sagittal abdominal diameter (abdominal height)
Authors: Kahn Henry S.
Published: September 2023

The body mass index (BMI; weight/height2), providing no information about the relative size of any adipose tissue depots, may accordingly misclassify degrees of cardiometabolic risk. However, in supine persons the abdominal height above the exam table (the sagittal abdominal diameter, SAD) is associated preferentially with the accumulation of visceral fat. Since visceral fat is a marker of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, and hypertension, SAD could contribute to the estimation of generalized cardiometabolic risk. The SAD has been measured inexpensively by a sliding‐beam caliper in small studies and in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Cross‐sectional models found that the SAD/height ratio (SADHtR) is more strongly associated than the waist circumference/height ratio or BMI with intermediary predictors of cardiometabolic disease. Prospective studies are needed, however, to demonstrate how well SAD or SADHtR might predict major disease outcomes or all‐cause mortality.
Research progress on synthetic methods and application performances of polycarboxylic acids with different sequence structures
Authors: Yang Jing , Zhu Junfeng , Li Jinling , Meng Ruizhi
Published: September 2023

Polycarboxylic acids are being widely used in concrete mixtures and coal‐water slurry industries due to their high‐water reduction rate and excellent dispersion performance at low dosage. In this article, several typical sequence‐structured polycarboxylic acids, including random, blocked and gradient‐type products, their synthesis methods, mechanism of action and the comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of the relevant application performance in concrete industry and coal‐water slurry are described. Finally, the future development trend of various sequence structure polycarboxylic acids is given.
Investigation on mechanical properties and thermal expansibility of epoxy resin copolymerization modified cyanate ester under medium‐low temperature curing process
Authors: Zhang Zhiyun , Yu Zhiqiang
Published: September 2023

In this paper, the mechanical properties and thermal expansibility of cyanate resin (CE) copolymerization modified by epoxy resin (EP) under medium‐low temperature curing process were studied. The curing temperature of the modified resin was analyzed, and the results showed that the initial curing temperature of the copolymerization resin was reduced by 87°C compared with the blend resin and further reduced when dibutyltin‐dilaurate was used. The results of mechanical properties test showed that the tensile and bending strength of the modified resin were the highest, which were 55.5 and 97.3 MPa, respectively. The results of scanning electron microscopy showed that the modified resin with 80 wt% cyanate content had the coarsest tensile and bending sections, the largest number of fracture stripes and rich layers, so it had relatively better toughness. The linear thermal expansion coefficient (CTE) of modified resin was determined and the results showed that when the loading of cyanate was 80 wt%, the CTE of the modified resin reached the lowest, only 6.36 × 10−5°C−1.
Use of clinical classifications software to address ICD coding transition in large healthcare databases analyzed via high‐dimensional propensity scores
Authors: Hong Lai San , Garcia‐Albeniz Xabier , Friesen David , Foskett Nadia , Beau‐Lejdstrom Raphaelle
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The EUPAS26595 study characterized the rate of acute renal failure (ARF) in patients exposed to levetiracetam versus other antiepileptic drugs using healthcare claims data and a high‐dimensional propensity score (hd‐PS) for confounding adjustment. The data contained several coding systems by design and an update in International Classification of Diseases (ICD) coding dictionary. Such coding heterogeneity can affect the performance of hd‐PS, and manually coding harmonization is not feasible. Our objective was to explore the impact of code aggregation via Clinical Classifications Software (CCS) on the analysis of a large claims‐based database using hd‐PS.

Methods

Patients with epilepsy, who were new‐users of an antiepileptic drug, were identified from the IBM® MarketScan® Research Databases. We used CCS categories to harmonize coding and compared the results with other alternatives. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were computed using modified Poisson regression model with a robust variance estimator.

Results

For January 2008–October 2015 (before ICD update), 34 833 eligible patients initiated levetiracetam and 52 649 initiated a comparator drug; IRR (95% CI) for ARF for the hd‐PS analysis was 1.34 (0.72–2.50) without CCS categories and 1.30 (0.71–2.39) with CCS categories. For January 2008–December 2017 (including ICD coding change), 45 672 eligible patients initiated levetiracetam and 64 664 initiated a comparator drug; IRR (95% CI) for the hd‐PS analysis was 1.34 (0.78–2.29) without CCS categories and 1.37 (0.80–2.34) with CCS categories.

Conclusions

Using single‐level CCS categories to overcome differences in coding provides consistent results and can be used in studies that use large claims data and hd‐PS for adjustment.
Study on Nonlinear Dynamic Responses of the p–n GaN/AlN Heterojunction in Piezoelectric Semiconductor Composite Fibers
Authors: Zhang Qiao Yun , Tan Ning , Wang Bingbing , Zhao Ming Hao
Published: September 2023

Herein, a p–n GaN/AlN heterojunction in a piezoelectric semiconductor (PSC) composite fiber driven by dynamic magnetic loads is studied. The numerical results of nonlinear dynamic responses of a composite p–n heterojunction subjected to a time‐harmonic magnetic load and a pulse magnetic load are obtained by the finite‐element method, respectively. The effects of different magnetic loads on the I–V curve and piezoelectric behavior of a composite p–n heterojunction are investigated. Numerical results show that when driven by uniformly dynamic magnetic loads, the electromechanical fields show significant asymmetry due to electric nonlinearity. The time‐harmonic magnetic loads drive the round‐trip motion of electrons and holes, and the dynamic electric behaviors driven by pulsed magnetic loads are nonlinear pulse motions. Further analysis of the p–n heterojunction subjected to the bias voltage shows that positive magnetic loads increase the depletion layer's width but decrease the carrier concentration. The results presented in this study have a referential significance to contactless performance tuning of a PSC heterojunction structure and new‐generation piezotronic devices.
Trajectory‐based robustness analysis for nonlinear systems
Authors: Seiler Peter , Venkataraman Raghu
Published: September 2023

This article considers the robustness of an uncertain nonlinear system along a finite‐horizon trajectory. The uncertain system is modeled as a connection of a nonlinear system and a perturbation. The analysis relies on three ingredients. First, the nonlinear system is approximated by a linear time‐varying (LTV) system via linearization along a trajectory. This linearization introduces an additional forcing input due to the nominal trajectory. Second, the input/output behavior of the perturbation is described by time‐domain, integral quadratic constraints (IQCs). Third, a dissipation inequality is formulated to bound the worst‐case deviation of an output signal due to the uncertainty. These steps yield a differential linear matrix inequality (DLMI) condition to bound the worst‐case performance. The robustness condition is then converted to an equivalent condition in terms of a Riccati differential equation. This yields a computational method that avoids heuristics often used to solve DLMIs, for example, time gridding. The approach is demonstrated by a two‐link robotic arm example.
Behavioral agency and the efficacy of analysts as external monitors: Examining the moderating role of CEO personality
Authors: Andrei Alina G. , Benischke Mirko H. , Martin Geoffrey P.
Published: September 2023

We integrate behavioral agency research and the five‐factor model of personality to re‐visit investment analysts' efficacy as a mechanism for reducing agency costs. We highlight the role of personality in shaping how CEOs respond to analyst recommendations, leading to boundary conditions for the efficacy of analysts as external monitors. We theorize that the extent to which a CEO perceives a threat from more positive analyst recommendations is contingent upon their personality, which shapes their subjective interpretation of the recommendation and their use of income‐increasing earnings management in response. Our findings suggest that personality is critical to understanding how CEOs respond to external monitors and the agency costs associated with the positive analyst recommendations.
Bemessung geklemmter Kranschienen mit Fußflansch (Form A)
Authors: Kettler Markus , Euler Mathias , Eibl Sebastian
Published: September 2023

Die nicht ausdrücklich definierte Schnittstelle zwischen Kran (Maschinenbau) und Kranbahnträger (Bauwesen) führte in der Vergangenheit immer wieder zu Missverständnissen in der Praxis in Hinblick auf die Bemessung geklemmter Kranschienen mit Fußflansch (Form A). Von den Kranherstellern wird lediglich die Kontaktpressung zwischen dem Laufrad des Krans und der Schienenoberfläche nach EN 13001‐3‐3 nachgewiesen. Die Bemessung der Kranschiene selbst wird nicht durch die Vorschriften des Kranbaus geregelt. Auf der anderen Seite ist eine Bemessung geklemmter Kranschienen, die neben zweiachsiger Biegung auch Torsion infolge exzentrischer Lasteinleitung erfahren, bislang aufgrund fehlender Bemessungsregeln nicht ohne Weiteres nach EN 1993‐6 möglich. Dieser Beitrag stellt den derzeitigen Stand der für den Normentwurf prEN 1993‐6 entwickelten Bemessungsregeln vor und präsentiert Vergleiche mit realitätsnahen numerischen Untersuchungen. Darüber hinaus wird ein verbessertes Berechnungsmodell für die Längsspannungen aus zentrischer Radlast vorgestellt, das im Vergleich zum Normentwurf das tatsächliche Tragverhalten deutlich besser abbildet. Außerdem wird ein Bemessungsvorschlag für einen Ermüdungsnachweis formuliert.
Effect of Eurotium cristatum on Saccharification Efficiency, Microorganisms in Mold Culture, and Liquor Flavor during Wuliangye Liquor Production
Authors: Yang Qin , Feng‐ying Yang , Qian‐hui Zhao
Published: September 2023

Saccharification fermentation is a very important technique for Chinese baijiu, which effects its yield and flavor. Eurotium cristatum has the ability to trigger saccharification, but has not been applied to the saccharification fermentation in Chinese baijiu. In this study, E. cristatum is added to the mold culture for the co‐fermentation of Wuliangye liquor to verify whether it enhances the saccharification efficiency. Starch from mold culture is analyzed to infer the effect. Microorganisms in the mold culture and liquor flavor substances are also evaluated. Results show that reducing sugar in the fermented grains reaches the maximum value of 40 g/100 g when 8 mL of E. cristatum suspension is added to 100 g of mold culture. Co‐fermentation using E. cristatum increases the amylose content, decreases the molecular weight, and forms irregular starch particles and an evident crystal structure of starch from the mold culture. These phenomena in starch molecules correspond to the mechanism by which E. cristatum enhances saccharification efficiency. What is more, E. cristatum also improves the growth of the original microorganisms in the mold culture, thereby benefitting the flavor of Wuliangye liquor. Therefore, it shows promise for application in saccharification fermentation of Wuliangye liquor.
Seasonal spatial ecology of Lake Trout in Lake Erie
Authors: Funnell Tyler R. , Brenden Travis O. , Kraus Richard , MacDougall Tom , Markham James , Murray Charles , Robinson Jason , Vandergoot Christopher S.
Published: September 2023

Objective

Lake Trout Salvelinus namaycush are native coldwater apex predators that play an important role in maintaining ecosystem functionality and diversity in the Laurentian Great Lakes. Following population collapses, rehabilitation efforts were widely initiated in the Great Lakes to reestablish self-sustaining Lake Trout populations. Lake Erie may pose a challenge to these rehabilitation efforts due to limited availability of appropriate oxythermal habitat. Our goal was to investigate seasonal habitat use of adult Lake Trout in Lake Erie to inform management and rehabilitation efforts.

Methods

We used acoustic telemetry in Lake Erie, which was equiped with a lake-wide acoustic receiver grid, to quantify Lake Trout seasonal region occupancy, dispersal distances, bottom depth occupancy, space use extent, and space use overlap.

Result

We found that 32% of fish tagged in the eastern basin and all fish from the western basin dispersed more than 100 km from their tagging location, which represents a greater proportion of the population moving long distances than what has been previously documented in the Great Lakes. During stratification, Lake Trout were detected almost exclusively in the offshore eastern basin in areas where water depth exceeded 25 m. During nonstratified seasons, fish used other regions of the lake, occupying areas of highly variable depths. During fall, most fish tagged in the eastern basin occupied habitat along the southern shore of the eastern basin. Fish tagged in the western basin returned to this region in the fall of subsequent years despite occupying the offshore eastern basin during stratification and having depth occupancy, home range size, and overlap similar to that of eastern basin-tagged fish. Fish size was positively correlated with receiver depth during winter and spring, and with home range overlap during spring and summer.

Conclusion

The results of this study can begin to inform management decisions regarding stocking locations, harvest regulations, and habitat restoration to facilitate the continued rehabilitation of this important native species.
DC Arc Quenching Using Ablation of Polymer Narrow‐Section Arranged around Fuse Element
Authors: Kodama Naoto , Yokomizu Yasunobu , Takenaka Waku , Iwata Mikimasa , Danish M. S. S.
Published: September 2023

This paper was arranged a polymer cylinder around a Cu fuse‐element to increase both an arc resistance during a DC arc quenching process and an insulation resistance after the DC arc quenching. The used polymer cylinder equips a narrow‐section with a width made from the polymer. A position of the narrow‐section was around an arc‐ignition point of the Cu fuse‐element. Silica‐sand (SiO2‐sand) was filled inside the polymer cylinder. Then, a damping DC with a prospective peak of 1000 A was energized to the Cu fuse‐element. As an experimental result, was successfully increased with of the narrow‐section. In addition, the rise in of the narrow‐section also increased to more than 10 under the DC 1000 V application after the arc quenching. In order to interpret rise and high under the polymer cylinder arrangement, chemical composition, an electrical resistivity , and a thermal diffusivity of Cu/SiO2/Polymer vapor mixture was also calculated. Based on the experimental result and calculation result, rise can be interpreted based on rise in and due to the polymer vapor admixing into Cu/SiO2 vapor mixture. In addition, increasing can also be interpreted by the polymer ablation of the narrow‐section of the cylinder. The results are useful to further increase the interruption capacity of the DC fuse. © 2023 Institute of Electrical Engineer of Japan and Wiley Periodicals LLC.