bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An intelligent age of information based self‐energized UAV‐assisted wireless communication system
Authors: Jeganathan Anandpushparaj , Dhayabaran Balaji , Jayakody Dushantha Nalin K. , Don Sanjaya Arunapriya Ranchagodage , Muthuchidambaranathan P.
Published: October 2023

Internet‐of‐things is an enabling technology in the fourth‐generation industrial revolution. The freshness of the data sent by a sensor node (SN) is an important parameter in the Internet‐of‐things, unlike the throughput in cellular communications. A relatively new performance metric named age of information (AoI) is used in this paper to quantify the freshness of the data. The SN, located in the transport infrastructure, harvests energy from radio frequency signals transmitted by the FD‐UAV. This is used to transmit real‐time sensor observations to the data sink via FD‐UAV. The SN generates an update after replenishing the battery and transmits it by using the harvested energy. A closed‐form expression for average AoI is derived as a function of time allocated for energy harvesting. The optimal time allocation for energy harvesting that maximizes the freshness of data update is identified. A deep learning technique namely long‐short term memory is used to predict the average AoI. Simulation results demonstrate the usefulness of the performance bounds in terms of the freshness of data updates.
Optimal frequency fault‐tolerant control of virtual synchronous generator based on adaptive dynamic programming with fuzzy critic estimator
Authors: Pan Yanjiang , Wang Tianbiao , Jiang Yixin , Liu Zhen , Hu Xuguang
Published: October 2023

With the popularity of renewable energy sources, fault‐tolerant frequency stability of distributed generation systems has become a major challenge. This paper proposes an optimal frequency fault‐tolerant control method in the distributed generation system, utilizing adaptive dynamic programming combined with fuzzy critic estimation. First, based on the operational state of the system, a non‐linear dynamic model for the virtual synchronous generator is established. Then, considering the occurrence of actuator faults, the fault‐tolerant control problem is formulated as an optimal control problem, where a fault observer is designed to estimate the fault signals. Furthermore, the proposed adaptive dynamic programming method based on fuzzy critic estimation is employed to effectively solve the highly coupled nonlinear Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equation and ensure the state convergence of the system with uniform ultimate boundedness. The optimal fault‐tolerant control law ensures a bounded frequency error for the virtual synchronous generator system in the event of faults. Finally, the effectiveness of the optimal control method is verified by two sets of simulations.
Extended‐state‐observer‐based adaptive robust control of a single‐axis hydraulic shaking table
Authors: Wen Jiabao , Zhao Chengcheng , Wang Yong , Shi Zhiguo
Published: October 2023

The shaking table test has been widely recognized as one of the most reliable methods for assessing the dynamic response of structures and systems when exposed to a range of vibrations. Replicating these vibrations, recorded as acceleration signals, necessitates precise controller designs. However, traditional controller designs primarily rely on linear system assumptions, leading to complications in incorporating parametric uncertainty and uncertain non‐linearity. This paper presents a novel approach to the acceleration trajectory control problem of single‐axis hydraulic shaking table systems from a non‐linear perspective. This strategy employs a controller combined with an extended state observer (ESO) and adaptive control, offering a design that more closely reflects real‐world scenarios and requires less parameter adjustment. The ESO estimates the uncertain non‐linearity using the displacement signal, while the parametric uncertainty is tackled through adaptive control. The proposed controller's effectiveness is validated through theoretical proof using Lyapunov analysis. The analysis demonstrates that asymptotic tracking performance is guaranteed when the uncertain non‐linearity is time‐invariant. Moreover, with time‐variant uncertain non‐linearity, the controller can also ensure both prescribed transient tracking performance and final tracking accuracy. Comparative experiment results underscore the superior performance of the proposed controller.
Adaptive RBFNN‐based predictive control for the nanopositioning of an electrostatic MEMS actuator
Authors: Rezvani Nava , Keymasi‐Khalaji Ali
Published: October 2023

Electrostatic micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) as an actuator is one of the most widely used actuators in micro dimension systems. Due to the high nonlinear characteristics in the micro actuator's model, nanopositioning has been a challenging problem for researchers. In addition, the system is subject to uncertainties associated with the system's unknown parameters and un‐modelled dynamics. Thus, to overcome these problems and achieve precise positioning a robust non‐linear control method is required. In this research, an optimal voltage control algorithm is initially designed utilizing the nonlinear predictive control approach. The Taylor expansion sequence is used to estimate the final position of the parallel plate actuator. To approximate unknown disturbances, a radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) has been designed. The estimations made were used in updating the control input in the previous step, and the obtained results showed an increase in the robustness of the designed controller. The stability of the closed‐loop system is also analyzed. Finally, a comparison is accomplished between the potential of the proposed controller and that of the feedback linearization and sliding mode controllers. The obtained results indicate better performance and robustness of the suggested controller.
Optimization of iron and steel manufacturing plant considering electricity price tariff and electric arc furnace control
Authors: Lee Seok‐Young , Lee Gyu‐Sub , Moon Seung‐Il , Yoon Yong‐Tae
Published: October 2023

The iron and steel industry, which is a highly energy‐intensive sector, seeks to increase energy efficiency and reduce operating costs by optimizing the distributions of byproduct gases, steam, and electricity throughout the production process. The operating costs of an iron and steel plant typically include the purchase cost of liquefied natural gas fuel, electricity, and penalties for byproduct gas holders. Electricity tariffs have a significant impact on energy costs through two factors: the energy charge, which is related to energy consumption varying with time, and the demand charge, which is proportional to the peak power. In this study, the characteristics of electricity tariffs and multi‐energy systems, specifically for iron and steel plants, are considered. In the proposed method, electric arc furnaces are employed as controllable units to flexibly manage the power load. The optimization model utilized in the plant adopts a mixed‐integer linear programming approach to minimize the overall operating costs. Several case studies were conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed methods, and the total costs associated with different cases were compared.
3D tomography of the giant Lyα nebulae of z ≈ 3–5 radio-loud AGN
Authors: Wang Wuji , Wylezalek Dominika , Vernet Joël , De Breuck Carlos , Gullberg Bitten , Swinbank Mark , Villar Martín Montserrat , Lehnert Matthew D. , Drouart Guillaume , Arrigoni Battaia Fabrizio , Humphrey Andrew , Noirot Gaël , Kolwa Sthabile , Seymour Nick , Lagos Patricio
Published: October 2023

Lyα emission nebulae are ubiquitous around high-redshift galaxies and are tracers of the gaseous environment on scales out to ≳100 pkpc (proper kiloparsec). High-redshift radio galaxies (HzRGs, type-2 radio-loud quasars) host large-scale nebulae observed in the ionised gas differ from those seen in other types of high-redshift quasars. In this work, we exploit MUSE observations of Lyα nebulae around eight HzRGs (2.92 < z < 4.51). All of the HzRGs have large-scale Lyα emission nebulae with seven of them extended over 100 pkpc at the observed surface brightness limit (∼2 − 20 × 10−19 erg s−1 cm−2 arcsec−2). Because the emission line profiles are significantly affected by neutral hydrogen absorbers across the entire nebulae extent, we performed an absorption correction to infer maps of the intrinsic Lyα surface brightness, central velocity, and velocity width, all at the last scattering surface of the observed Lyα photons. We find the following: (i) that the intrinsic surface brightness radial profiles of our sample can be described by an inner exponential profile and a power law in the low luminosity extended part; (ii) our HzRGs have a higher surface brightness and more asymmetric nebulae than both radio-loud and radio-quiet type-1 quasars; (iii) intrinsic nebula kinematics of four HzRGs show evidence of jet-driven outflows but we find no general trends for the whole sample; (iv) a relation between the maximum spatial extent of the Lyα nebula and the projected distance between the active galactic nuclei (AGN) and the centroids of the Lyα nebula; and (v) an alignment between radio jet position angles and the Lyα nebula morphology. All of these findings support a scenario in which the orientation of the AGN has an impact on the observed nebular morphologies and resonant scattering may affect the shape of the surface brightness profiles, nebular kinematics, and relations between the observed Lyα morphologies. Furthermore, we find evidence showing that the outskirts of the ionised gas nebulae may be ‘contaminated’ by Lyα photons from nearby emission halos and that the radio jet affects the morphology and kinematics of the nebulae. Overall, this work provides results that allow us to compare Lyα nebulae around various classes of quasars at and beyond cosmic noon (z ∼ 3).
Validation of the AC[La]+EPOCfast Method in
Sprinters and Middle-distance Runners
Authors: Hatauta Shuya , Oki Shota , Nabekura Yoshiharu
Published: October 2023

The anaerobic capacity (AC[La]+EPOCfast) method is of interest
as it can differentiate between the contributions of phosphocreatine (PCr) and
glycolytic energy, assess the anaerobic metabolism during a single effort, and
evaluate various exercise modalities. However, no previous studies have
investigated whether the superiority of the PCr and glycolytic systems can be
assessed in athletes with high anaerobic capacity. This study aimed to compare
the AC[La]+EPOCfast method in seven sprinters (SP) and seven
middle-distance runners (MD). The participants underwent a graded exercise test
and constant-load exercise at 115% ˙VO2max until
exhaustion using a bicycle ergometer. AC[La]+EPOCfast was
calculated as the sum of oxygen equivalents from the phosphagen
(EPCr) and glycolytic (ELa) pathways. This study reveals
that there was no significant difference in AC[La]+EPOCfast
or maximal accumulated oxygen deficit (MAOD) between the two groups. Although
EPCr was not significantly different between groups,
ELa was significantly higher in the SP group than in the MD
group. In conclusion, the AC[La]+EPOCfast method can be used
to evaluate high and low anaerobic capacities. However, further studies on
athletes with high aerobic capacity are required.
Black box problem and African views of trust
Authors: Ewuoso Cornelius
Published: October 2023

This article draws on the thinking about trust in African scholarship to describe the problems black box clinical artificial intelligence (AI) generates in health professional-patient relationships. Notably, under the assumption of a black box problem, the view of trust as inherently relational implies that health professionals cannot explain whether and how a clinical AI incorporates a patient’s values or leverages the same (in its outputs) to honour fiduciary relations. Additionally, the African view of trust as experience-based and accepting responsibility implies that health professionals can neither be held accountable for black box clinical AI outputs that they can hardly understand nor provide material information (concerning what the clinical AI does and why). Finally, given the understanding of trust as a normative concept, health professionals cannot accept patients’ vulnerabilities, and patients cannot give the same. Given that trust will play a vital role in the global acceptance of clinical AI, future studies should research—from other positionalities—how the black box problem will challenge the relationship of trust in the medical context.
Kuratsuki bacteria and sake making
Authors: Nishida Hiromi
Published: October 2023

Kuratsuki bacteria enter during the sake-making process and interact with sake yeast until their growth is attenuated by the ethanol produced by sake yeast. Due to the interaction between kuratsuki bacteria and sake yeast, the metabolism of sake yeast changes, affecting the composition of esters and organic acids and subsequently the flavor and taste of sake. We cultivated kuratsuki bacteria and sake yeast, and performed test making at sake breweries to clarify the interaction among microorganisms in the sake-making process. We aim to propose a sake-making process that controls the flavor and taste of sake by utilizing the functions of kuratsuki bacteria.
SGAE: single-cell gene association entropy for revealing critical states of cell transitions during embryonic development
Authors: Zhong Jiayuan , Han Chongyin , Chen Pei , Liu Rui
Published: October 2023

The critical point or pivotal threshold of cell transition occurs in early embryonic development when cell differentiation culminates in its transition to specific cell fates, at which the cell population undergoes an abrupt and qualitative shift. Revealing such critical points of cell transitions can track cellular heterogeneity and shed light on the molecular mechanisms of cell differentiation. However, precise detection of critical state transitions proves challenging when relying on single-cell RNA sequencing data due to their inherent sparsity, noise, and heterogeneity. In this study, diverging from conventional methods like differential gene analysis or static techniques that emphasize classification of cell types, an innovative computational approach, single-cell gene association entropy (SGAE), is designed for the analysis of single-cell RNA-seq data and utilizes gene association information to reveal critical states of cell transitions. More specifically, through the translation of gene expression data into local SGAE scores, the proposed SGAE can serve as an index to quantitatively assess the resilience and critical properties of genetic regulatory networks, consequently detecting the signal of cell transitions. Analyses of five single-cell datasets for embryonic development demonstrate that the SGAE method achieves better performance in facilitating the characterization of a critical phase transition compared with other existing methods. Moreover, the SGAE value can effectively discriminate cellular heterogeneity over time and performs well in the temporal clustering of cells. Besides, biological functional analysis also indicates the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Molecular phylogenetics of Oxalis subg. Thamnoxys (Oxalidaceae) reveals artificial arrangements of traditional sections
Authors: Cabral Fernando S , Lima Duane F , Vaio Magdalena , Fiaschi Pedro
Published: October 2023

Oxalis subg. Thamnoxys is a mostly South American group of Oxalis encompassing almost 80 species from tropical habitats that are currently separated into nine sections based on morphology and geographic distributions. In this study, we investigated whether Oxalis subg. Thamnoxys and its sections are monophyletic. DNA sequences of the nrITS, trnL-trnL-trnF, and petA-psbJ from 92 specimens of Oxalis (55 from O. subg. Thamnoxys, 37 from O. subg. Oxalis, and five outgroup taxa) were used to investigate phylogenetic relationships among its nine sections. Nuclear and plastid molecular markers were subjected to maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses individually and in a combined data matrix. Our phylogenetic trees recovered O. subg. Thamnoxys as monophyletic only if O. praetexta, previously included in O. sect. Robustae, is transferred to O. subg. Oxalis. The remaining samples of the subgenus emerged in a clade with full bootstrap and posterior probability support. Within it, O. sect. Holophyllum was the only section that was recovered as monophyletic, whereas the remaining sections were not, either because of sampling a single species of each (O. sect. Foliosae, Hedysaroideae, and Phyllodoxys), to the unexpected placement of O. goyazensis (O. sect. Robustae) in O. sect. Psoraleoideae, or to the sister relationship between O. densifolia (O. sect. Foliosae) with O. pyrenea var. macrochaeta (O. sect. Thamnoxys), suggesting the need of revaluating some specific affinities and updating sectional circumscriptions. This phylogenetic study with an improved sampling of O. subg. Thamnoxys is the first step towards an updated classification of the subgenus and for interpreting both its morphological diversification and biogeographic history in South America.
Verifying and refining early statuses in Alzheimer’s disease progression: a possibility from deep feature comparison
Authors: Liu Mianxin , Cui Liang , Zhao Zixiao , Ren Shuhua , Huang Lin , Guan Yihui , Guo Qihao , Xie Fang , Huang Qi , Shen Dinggang
Published: October 2023

Defining the early status of Alzheimer’s disease is challenging. Theoretically, the statuses in the Alzheimer’s disease continuum are expected to share common features. Here, we explore to verify and refine candidature early statuses of Alzheimer’s disease with features learned from deep learning. We train models on brain functional networks to accurately classify between amnestic and non-amnestic mild cognitive impairments and between healthy controls and mild cognitive impairments. The trained models are applied to Alzheimer’s disease and subjective cognitive decline groups to suggest feature similarities among the statuses and identify informative subpopulations. The amnestic mild cognitive impairment vs non-amnestic mild cognitive impairments classifier believes that 71.8% of Alzheimer’s disease are amnestic mild cognitive impairment. And 73.5% of subjective cognitive declines are labeled as mild cognitive impairments, 88.8% of which are further suggested as “amnestic mild cognitive impairment.” Further multimodal analyses suggest that the amnestic mild cognitive impairment-like Alzheimer’s disease, mild cognitive impairment-like subjective cognitive decline, and amnestic mild cognitive impairment-like subjective cognitive decline exhibit more Alzheimer’s disease -related pathological changes (elaborated β-amyloid depositions, reduced glucose metabolism, and gray matter atrophy) than non-amnestic mild cognitive impairments -like Alzheimer’s disease, healthy control-like subjective cognitive decline, and non-amnestic mild cognitive impairments -like subjective cognitive decline. The test–retest reliability of the subpopulation identification is fair to good in general. The study indicates overall similarity among subjective cognitive decline, amnestic mild cognitive impairment, and Alzheimer’s disease and implies their progression relationships. The results support “deep feature comparison” as a potential beneficial framework to verify and refine early Alzheimer’s disease status.
Mechanisms of pathogenicity and the quest for genetic modifiers of kidney disease in branchiootorenal syndrome
Authors: Sewerin Sebastian , Aurnhammer Charlotte , Skubic Cene , Blagotinšek Cokan Kaja , Jeruc Jera , Rozman Damjana , Pfister Frederick , Dittrich Katalin , Mayer Brigitte , Schönauer Ria , Petzold Friederike , Halbritter Jan
Published: October 2023

Backgound

Branchiootorenal (BOR) syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by pathogenic EYA1 variants and clinically characterized by auricular malformations with hearing loss, branchial arch anomalies, and congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract. BOR phenotypes are highly variable and heterogenous. While random monoallelic expression is assumed to explain this phenotypic heterogeneity, the potential role of modifier genes has not yet been explored.

Methods

Through thorough phenotyping and exome sequencing, we studied one family with disease presentation in at least four generations in both clinical and genetic terms. Functional investigation of the single associated EYA1 variant c.1698+1G>A included splice site analysis and assessment of EYA1 distribution in patient-derived fibroblasts. The candidate modifier gene CYP51A1 was evaluated by histopathological analysis of murine Cyp51+/− and Cyp51−/− kidneys. As the gene encodes the enzyme lanosterol 14α-demethylase, we assessed sterol intermediates in patient blood samples as well.

Results

The EYA1 variant c.1698+1G>A resulted in functional deletion of the EYA domain by exon skipping. The EYA domain mediates protein-protein interactions between EYA1 and co-regulators of transcription. EYA1 abundance was reduced in the nuclear compartment of patient-derived fibroblasts, suggesting impaired nuclear translocation of these protein complexes. Within the affected family, renal phenotypes spanned from normal kidney function in adulthood to chronic kidney failure in infancy. By analyzing exome sequencing data for variants that potentially play roles as genetic modifiers, we identified a canonical splice site alteration in CYP51A1 as the strongest candidate variant.

Conclusion

In this study, we demonstrate pathogenicity of EYA1 c.1698+1G>A, propose a mechanism for dysfunction of mutant EYA1, and conjecture CYP51A1 as a potential genetic modifier of renal involvement in BOR syndrome.
Age- and time-dependent increases in incident anti-glomerular basement membrane disease: a nationwide cohort study
Authors: Nelveg-Kristensen Karl Emil , Madsen Bo , McClure Mark , Bruun Nanna , Lyngsø Cecilie , Dieperink Hans , Gregersen Jon Waarst , Krarup Elizabeth , Ivarsen Per , Torp-Pedersen Christian , Egfjord Martin , Szpirt Wladimir , Carlson Nicholas ,   for the Danish Vasculitis Association (DANVAS)
Published: October 2023

Background

Epidemiologic assessments of anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) disease have been challenging due to its rare occurrence. We examined changes in the incidence and outcomes from 1998 to 2018 using nationwide healthcare registries.

Methods

All patients with incident anti-GBM disease were identified using the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision code DM31.0A. Controls were matched 4:1 on birthyear and sex using exposure density sampling. Log link regression adjusted for time, age and sex was applied to model survival.

Results

We identified 97 patients with incident anti-GBM disease, corresponding to an incidence of 0.91 cases/million/year [standard deviation (SD) 0.6]. The incidence increased over time [1998–2004: 0.50 (SD 0.2), 2005–2011: 0.80 (SD 0.4), 2012–2018: 1.4 (SD 0.5); P = .02] and with age [0.76 (SD 0.4), 1.5 (SD 1.04) and 4.9 (SD 2.6) for patients <45, 45–75 and >75 years]. The median age was 56 years (interquartile range 46) and 51.6% were female. Dialysis was required in 58.4%, 61.9% and 62.9% of patients at day 30, 180 and 360, respectively. The 1-year kidney survival probability was 0.38 (SD 0.05) and exhibited time-dependent changes [1998–2004: 0.47 (SD 0.13), 2005–2011: 0.16 (SD 0.07), 2012–2018: 0.46 (SD 0.07); P = .035]. The 5-year mortality was 26.8% and mortality remained stable over time (P = .228). The risk of death was greater than that of the matched background population {absolute risk ratio [ARR] 5.27 [confidence interval (CI) 2.45–11.3], P < .001}, however, it was comparable to that of patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody–associated vasculitis (AAV) requiring renal dialysis at presentation [ARR 0.82 (CI 0.48–1.41), P = .50].

Conclusion

The incidence of anti-GBM disease increased over time, possibly related to temporal demographic changes. Mortality remained high and was comparable with an age- and sex-matched cohort of dialysis-dependent AAV patients.
Free-ranging dogs match a human’s preference in a foraging task
Authors: Cimarelli Giulia , Juskaite Magdelena , Range Friederike , Marshall-Pescini Sarah
Published: October 2023

Social learning is a mechanism used by many species to efficiently gain information about their environment. Although many animals live in an environment where members of other species are present, little is known about interspecific social learning. Domesticated and urbanized species provide the opportunity to investigate whether nonhuman animals can learn from heterospecifics such as humans, who are integral parts of their social landscape. Although domestic dogs Canis familiaris have been intensively researched for their ability to learn from humans, most studies have focused on dogs living as pets. However, free-ranging dogs represent the majority of the world’s dog population, they live alongside humans, scavenge on human refuse, and are subject to natural and sexual selection. Thus, free-ranging dogs with extensive exposure to humans and their artifacts provide the opportunity to investigate interspecific social learning in a naturalistic setting, where learning from humans might be a benefit for them. Here we tested individual free-ranging dogs in a between-subject design: Dogs in the control group could spontaneously choose between two novel and differently patterned food-delivering boxes. In the experimental group, instead, dogs could first observe an unfamiliar human approaching and eating from 1 of the 2 boxes. We provide the first evidence that free-ranging dogs match the choice of an unfamiliar human. These results show that at least simple forms of interspecific social learning might be involved in dogs’ success in living alongside humans in a complex urbanized environment.
Epigenetic aging differences between Wichí and Criollos from Argentina
Authors: Iannuzzi Vincenzo , Sarno Stefania , Sazzini Marco , Abondio Paolo , Sala Claudia , Bacalini Maria Giulia , Gentilini Davide , Calzari Luciano , Masciotta Federica , Garagnani Paolo , Castellani Gastone , Moretti Edgardo , Dasso Maria Cristina , Sevini Federica , Franceschi Zelda Alice , Franceschi Claudio , Pettener Davide , Luiselli Donata , Giuliani Cristina
Published: October 2023

Background and objectives

Epigenetic estimators based on DNA methylation levels have emerged as promising biomarkers of human aging. These estimators exhibit natural variations across human groups, but data about indigenous populations remain underrepresented in research. This study aims to investigate differences in epigenetic estimators between two distinct human populations, both residing in the Gran Chaco region of Argentina, the Native-American Wichí, and admixed Criollos who are descendants of intermarriages between Native Americans and the first European colonizers, using a population genetic approach.

Methodology

We analyzed 24 Wichí (mean age: 39.2 ± 12.9 yo) and 24 Criollos (mean age: 41.1 ± 14.0 yo) for DNA methylation levels using the Infinium MethylationEPIC (Illumina) to calculate 16 epigenetic estimators. Additionally, we examined genome-wide genetic variation using the HumanOmniExpress BeadChip (Illumina) to gain insights into the genetic history of these populations.

Results

Our results indicate that Native-American Wichí are epigenetically older compared to Criollos according to five epigenetic estimators. Analyses within the Criollos population reveal that global ancestry does not influence the differences observed, while local (chromosomal) ancestry shows positive associations between specific SNPs located in genomic regions over-represented by Native-American ancestry and measures of epigenetic age acceleration (AgeAccelHannum). Furthermore, we demonstrate that differences in population ecologies also contribute to observed epigenetic differences.

Conclusions and implications

Overall, our study suggests that while the genomic history may partially account for the observed epigenetic differences, non-genetic factors, such as lifestyle and ecological factors, play a substantial role in the variability of epigenetic estimators, thereby contributing to variations in human epigenetic aging.
Maintaining beneficial alga-associated bacterial communities under heat stress: insights from controlled co-culture experiments using antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains
Authors: Karimi Elham , Dittami Simon M
Published: October 2023

Brown algae, like many eukaryotes, possess diverse microbial communities. Ectocarpus—a model brown alga—relies on these communities for essential processes, such as growth development. Controlled laboratory systems are needed for functional studies of these algal–bacterial interactions. We selected bacterial strains based on their metabolic networks to provide optimal completion of the algal metabolism, rendered them resistant to two antibiotics, and inoculate them to establish controlled co-cultures with Ectocarpus under continuous antibiotic treatment. We then monitored the stability of the resulting associations under control conditions and heat stress using 16S metabarcoding. Antibiotics strongly reduced bacterial diversity both in terms of taxonomy and predicted metabolic functions. In the inoculated sample, 63%–69% of reads corresponded to the inoculated strains, and the communities remained stable during temperature stress. They also partially restored the predicted metabolic functions of the natural community. Overall, the development of antibiotic-resistant helper cultures offers a promising route to fully controlled laboratory experiments with algae and microbiota and thus represents an important step towards generating experimental evidence for specific host–microbe interactions in the systems studied. Further work will be required to achieve full control and progressively expand our repertoire of helper strains including those currently ‘unculturable’.
Impact of IL-17-producing γδ T cells on chronic otitis media induced by nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae in a mouse model
Authors: Hirano Takashi , Kawano Toshiaki , Kadowaki Yoshinori , Moriyama Munehito , Umemoto Shingo , Yoshinaga Kazuhiro , Matsunaga Takayuki , Suzuki Masashi
Published: October 2023

Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is considered a major pathogen underlying middle ear infection. This study aimed to investigate the impact of IL-17 on chronic otitis media (COM) induced by NTHi in mice. NTHi was inoculated into the tympanic bulla with eustachian tubal obstruction. Middle ear effusions (MEEs) and tissues were collected on days 3, 14, and at 1, 2, and 6 months after injection. The expression of interleukin-17A (IL-17A) in MEEs was significantly elevated compared to that in the control group at the translational and transcriptional levels during the experiments. The quantities of IL-17-producing γδ T cells were significantly increased compared to that in the control group during COM, but that of Th17 cells did not. Depletion of γδ T cells by anti-γδ T-cell receptor (TCR) monoclonal antibody (mAb) administration significantly decreased the bacteria counts and the concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17A, TNF-α, and IL-10 in MEEs. Our results suggest that IL-17 may play an important role in prolonging the inflammation in the middle ear in COM and that IL-17-producing γδ T cells may contribute to the exacerbated inflammatory response in the middle ear. In this study, anti-γδ TCR mAb administration was found to improve chronic middle ear inflammatory conditions.
Family Pharmacy and Medication Adherence Among Older Adults in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study of JAGES 2019
Authors: Tamura Motoki , Takasugi Tomo , Nakamura Mieko , Yanagi Natsuyo , Nakagomi Atsushi , Sato Koryu , Kondo Katsunori , Ojima Toshiyuki
Published: October 2023

Objectives

Poor medication adherence among older adults is a global concern as it causes adverse drug interactions and inappropriate dosing. This study aimed to assess the association between family pharmacy and medication adherence among older adults.

Methods

The Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study was a cross-sectional study of 18,792 people aged ≥65 years living in 61 municipalities in 25 prefectures who participated in a survey conducted in 2019 and did not require long-term care. Self-reported questionnaires were administered to evaluate whether the participants “always received medicines from the same pharmacy” and whether they had unused medicines. Modified Poisson regression was used to examine the association after adjusting for confounders.

Results

Unused medicines were present in 89.9% of the “have group” (individuals who always received their medicines from the same pharmacy). This group had a lower prevalence of unused medicines (prevalence ratio [PR] = 0.87, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.82–0.92) than the “none group” (individuals who did not always receive their medicines from the same pharmacy). In the stratified analysis by education level, the prevalence of unused medicines was lower among those with low levels of education (≤9 years: PR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.71–0.96; 10–12 years: PR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.74–0.88).

Discussion

Older adults who “always received medicines from the same pharmacy” had a lower prevalence of unused medicines, especially those with low levels of education. Thus, “always receiving medicines from the same pharmacy” may be effective in reducing the proportion of unused medicines and improving medication adherence.
The Influence of Education and Occupation Type on Birth Cohort Differences in Cognitive Function of Mexican Older Adults
Authors: Gutierrez Mariela , Wahrendorf Morten , Milani Sadaf , Mejia-Arango Silvia , Wong Rebeca , Downer Brian
Published: October 2023

Objectives

Mexico’s population aging is occurring in the context of social changes such as increased educational attainment and occupational shifts from agriculture to service and industry. The current study compares cognitive function between two birth cohorts of Mexican adults aged 60–76 to determine if population-level changes in education and occupation type contribute to cohort differences in cognitive function.

Methods

We used the Mexican Health and Aging Study to examine adults aged 60–76 in 2001 (men: 2,309; women: 2,761) and 2018 (men: 2,842; women: 3,825). Global cognition was calculated from five measures. Five main lifetime occupation types were created: no main job; agriculture; service; professional; and industrial. Ordinary least squares regression and structural equation models (SEM) were used to examine cohort differences in cognitive functioning.

Results

Ordinary least squares models that adjusted for age, community size, and marital status indicated that men and women had higher global cognition in 2018 than 2001 (men: b = 0.44, p < .01; women: b = 0.54, p < .01). These differences were reduced after adjusting for education and occupation type (men: b = 0.27, p < .01; women: b = 0.37, p < .01). Results from SEM indicated that the indirect effects of education on cognitive functioning were larger than occupation type for men (education: b = 0.18, p < .05; occupation: b = 0.001, p = .91) and women (education: b = 0.18, p < .05; occupation: b = 0.002, p = .22).

Discussion

Cognitive functioning is higher among more recent birth cohorts of older adults in Mexico. These cohort differences are partially mediated by education but not main lifetime occupation. Additional factors may contribute to cohort differences in cognitive function for older adults in Mexico.
Media exposure, trustworthiness of sources and the health information literacy knowledge gap: a study in China
Authors: Li Jinxu , Chen Juan
Published: October 2023

Health information literacy (HIL), as an essential part of the wellbeing of citizens, is a crucial indicator used to measure a country’s primary public health level. The present study collected 1051 samples in southern China to examine the factors predicting HIL. The results showed that males, those less educated, and older adults had lower HIL. Television exposure, unofficial Internet exposure, trust in government and trust in doctors and medical institutions were positively associated with HIL. In contrast, newspapers, radio exposure and trust in web celebrities were negatively associated with HIL. Official Internet media exposure helps to bridge the HIL knowledge gap generated by differences in education level, while trust in celebrities—especially web celebrities—could widen the HIL knowledge gap. This study extends the knowledge gap theory in health communication in the Chinese context and provides pathways for future health interventions.
Vedolizumab Efficacy Is Associated With Decreased Intracolonic Dendritic Cells, Not Memory T Cells
Authors: Boden Elisa K , Kongala Ramya , Hindmarch Duncan C , Shows Donna M , Juarez Julius G , Lord James D
Published: October 2023

Background

Vedolizumab, an antibody blocking integrin α4β7, is a safe and effective therapy for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Blocking α4β7 from binding its cognate addressin MAdCAM-1 on intestinal blood vessel endothelial cells prevents T cells from migrating to the gut mucosa in animal models. However, data supporting this mechanism of action in humans is limited.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional case-control study to evaluate the effect of vedolizumab on intestinal immune cell populations while avoiding the confounding effect of resolving inflammation on the cellularity of the colonic mucosa in treatment-responsive patients. Colon biopsies from 65 case subjects receiving vedolizumab were matched with biopsies from 65 control individuals, similar in disease type, medications, anatomic location, and inflammation. Biopsies were analyzed by flow cytometry and full messenger RNA transcriptome sequencing of sorted T cells.

Results

No difference was seen between vedolizumab recipients and control individuals in the quantity of any antigen-experienced T lymphocyte subset or in the quality of the transcriptome in any experienced T cell subset. Fewer naïve colonic B and T cells were seen in vedolizumab recipients than control individuals, regardless of response. However, the most striking finding was a marked reduction in CD1c+ (BDCA1+) dendritic cells exclusively in vedolizumab-responsive patients. In blood, these dendritic cells ubiquitously express high levels of α4β7, which is rapidly downregulated upon vedolizumab exposure.

Conclusions

The clinical effects of vedolizumab reveal integrin α4β7-dependent dendritic cell migration to the intestinal mucosa to be central to inflammatory bowel disease pathogenesis.
How to check a simulation study
Authors: White Ian R , Pham Tra My , Quartagno Matteo , Morris Tim P
Published: October 2023

Simulation studies are powerful tools in epidemiology and biostatistics, but they can be hard to conduct successfully. Sometimes unexpected results are obtained. We offer advice on how to check a simulation study when this occurs, and how to design and conduct the study to give results that are easier to check. Simulation studies should be designed to include some settings in which answers are already known. They should be coded in stages, with data-generating mechanisms checked before simulated data are analysed. Results should be explored carefully, with scatterplots of standard error estimates against point estimates surprisingly powerful tools. Failed estimation and outlying estimates should be identified and dealt with by changing data-generating mechanisms or coding realistic hybrid analysis procedures. Finally, we give a series of ideas that have been useful to us in the past for checking unexpected results. Following our advice may help to prevent errors and to improve the quality of published simulation studies.
Observational methods for COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness research: an empirical evaluation and target trial emulation
Authors: Català Martí , Burn Edward , Rathod-Mistry Trishna , Xie Junqing , Delmestri Antonella , Prieto-Alhambra Daniel , Jödicke Annika M
Published: October 2023

Background

There are scarce data on best practices to control for confounding in observational studies assessing vaccine effectiveness to prevent COVID-19. We compared the performance of three well-established methods [overlap weighting, inverse probability treatment weighting and propensity score (PS) matching] to minimize confounding when comparing vaccinated and unvaccinated people. Subsequently, we conducted a target trial emulation to study the ability of these methods to replicate COVID-19 vaccine trials.

Methods

We included all individuals aged ≥75 from primary care records from the UK [Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) AURUM], who were not infected with or vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 as of 4 January 2021. Vaccination status was then defined based on first COVID-19 vaccine dose exposure between 4 January 2021 and 28 January 2021. Lasso regression was used to calculate PS. Location, age, prior observation time, regional vaccination rates, testing effort and COVID-19 incidence rates at index date were forced into the PS. Following PS weighting and matching, the three methods were compared for remaining covariate imbalance and residual confounding. Last, a target trial emulation comparing COVID-19 at 3 and 12 weeks after first vaccine dose vs unvaccinated was conducted.

Results

Vaccinated and unvaccinated cohorts comprised 583 813 and 332 315 individuals for weighting, respectively, and 459 000 individuals in the matched cohorts. Overlap weighting performed best in terms of minimizing confounding and systematic error. Overlap weighting successfully replicated estimates from clinical trials for vaccine effectiveness for ChAdOx1 (57%) and BNT162b2 (75%) at 12 weeks.

Conclusion

Overlap weighting performed best in our setting. Our results based on overlap weighting replicate previous pivotal trials for the two first COVID-19 vaccines approved in Europe.
Optimization of thermal and light in underground atrium commercial spaces: a case study in Xuzhou, China
Authors: Nie Lufeng , Ji Xiang , Liu Heng , Fang Huanhuan , Liu Xinyu , Yang Mengchen
Published: October 2023

This paper studies the shape design strategy of underground atriums in cold regions based on climate adaptability. From the perspective of climate adaptability, by controlling the shape design parameters of the atrium, and taking the light and thermal performance of the underground atrium as the optimization goal, the light and heat performance simulation and multi-objective optimization are constructed. Method, analyzing the effect relationship of various shape parameters on the light and heat environment and exploring the shape scheme of the underground atrium suitable for cold regions. And it is hoped that architects can take into account the quality of the light and heat environment of the underground atrium in architectural design and use space adjustment to improve the awareness of the quality of the light and heat environment of the underground atrium. The simulation results show that the annual PMV thermal comfort time percentage is 20.47%, the heat radiation difference RAD in summer and winter is 21.17 kw∙w/m2, and the average percentage of natural lighting is 67.41%.
Convergence of Lagrange finite element methods for Maxwell eigenvalue problem in 3D
Authors: Boffi Daniele , Gong Sining , Guzmán Johnny , Neilan Michael
Published: October 2023

We prove convergence of the Maxwell eigenvalue problem using quadratic or higher Lagrange finite elements on Worsey–Farin splits in three dimensions. To do this, we construct two Fortin-like operators to prove uniform convergence of the corresponding source problem. We present numerical experiments to illustrate the theoretical results.
Mixed Virtual Element approximation of linear acoustic wave equation
Authors: Dassi Franco , Fumagalli Alessio , Mazzieri Ilario , Vacca Giuseppe
Published: October 2023

We design a Mixed Virtual Element Method for the approximated solution to the first-order form of the acoustic wave equation. In the absence of external loads, the semi-discrete method exactly conserves the system energy. To integrate in time the semi-discrete problem we consider a classical $\theta $-method scheme. We carry out the stability and convergence analysis in the energy norm for the semi-discrete problem showing an optimal rate of convergence with respect to the mesh size. We further study the property of energy conservation for the fully-discrete system. Finally, we present some verification tests as well as engineering applications of the method.
Defaulting Differently: The Political Economy of Sovereign Debt Restructuring Negotiations
Authors: Ferry Lauren L
Published: October 2023

Negotiations to restructure sovereign debt are protracted affairs, and their outcomes, known as “haircuts,” range from 0 to 80 percent creditor losses. Haircuts impact states’ ability to borrow, cost of borrowing, and economic recovery; they also redistribute income—between states and creditors and between domestic interest groups. I conceptualize the interaction between governments and private creditors as a bargaining game where the government’s will to repay is private information. Creditors can make inferences about repayment based on the government’s political economy, but distributional signals are muddled when there are multiple veto players. Where additional uncertainty persists, governments can issue a public declaration of default, triggering costs in international financial markets. This costly signal separates governments that are willing to repay from those that are not and extorts greater concessions as a result. Using data on haircuts and public default declarations in market-based restructurings from 1980 to 2009, I find that governments are more likely to engage in costly signaling when they face heightened domestic constraints. When governments issue public declarations, they are subsequently rewarded with higher haircuts. Defaults do not all look the same, and the economic consequences are varied.
Genomic insights into isolation of the threatened Florida crested caracara (Caracara plancus)
Authors: Payne Natalie , Erwin John A , Morrison Joan L , Dwyer James F , Culver Melanie
Published: October 2023

We conducted a population genomic study of the crested caracara (Caracara plancus) using samples (n = 290) collected from individuals in Florida, Texas, and Arizona, United States. Crested caracaras are non-migratory raptors ranging from the southern tip of South America to the southern United States, including a federally protected relict population in Florida long thought to have been isolated since the last ice age. Our objectives were to evaluate genetic diversity and population structure of Florida’s apparently isolated population and to evaluate taxonomic relationships of crested caracaras at the northern edge of their range. Using DNA purified from blood samples, we conducted double-digest restriction site associated DNA sequencing and sequenced the mitochondrial ND2 gene. Analyses of population structure using over 9,000 SNPs suggest that two major clusters are best supported, one cluster including only Florida individuals and the other cluster including Arizona and Texas individuals. Both SNPs and mitochondrial haplotypes reveal the Florida population to be highly differentiated genetically from Arizona and Texas populations, whereas, Arizona and Texas populations are moderately differentiated from each other. The Florida population’s mitochondrial haplotypes form a separate monophyletic group, while Arizona and Texas populations share mitochondrial haplotypes. Results of this study provide substantial genetic evidence that Florida’s crested caracaras have experienced long-term isolation from caracaras in Arizona and Texas and thus, represent a distinct evolutionary lineage possibly warranting distinction as an Evolutionarily Significant Unit (ESU) or subspecies. This study will inform conservation strategies focused on long-term survival of Florida’s distinct, panmictic population.