bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research on the Digital Inheritance and Protection of Yue Embroidery Under the Meta-cosmic Technology
Authors: Wang Yuying , Huang Huiyang , Li Xiaochen , Yang Wenkun , Li Haoyuan , You Min
Published: March 2024

With the rise of meta-cosmic technology and the increasing importance of intangible cultural heritage protection and inheritance, the integration of digitalization and intangible cultural heritage protection has become one of the hot spots in contemporary research. Taking Yue embroidery as the research object, this paper first introduces the characteristics of Yue embroidery and the current situation of its digital protection, then analyzes the application of meta-universe technology in intangible heritage protection, including the presentation of virtual exhibitions, real-time teaching of embroidery skills and the establishment of digital archives, and discusses the digital protection and inheritance methods of Yue embroidery under the meta-universe technology in detail. Integrate Cantonese embroidery culture with modern science and technology, put forward a new development direction, and promote the inheritance and innovation of Cantonese embroidery.
A Comparison of Folk Printmaking in China and the West
Authors: Wei Yuan
Published: March 2024

Chinese and Western popular printmaking art share common roots in primitive art. Deeply ingrained in the daily lives of the masses, Chinese and Western folk printmaking art, with its vibrant artistic energy, has become an integral part of people’s lives. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of popular printmaking in both regions, encompassing its history, representative works, and materials. The development of Chinese art can be broadly categorized into official art and folk art. Chinese popular printmaking art, as an art form directly derived from the people, possesses the characteristics of originality and authenticity. However, throughout Chinese art history, class status and artistic status were intertwined, leading to popular art being often as low-level and vulgar, rather than being recognized as art. In contrast, Western folk printmaking art did not harbor such hierarchical distinctions, instead directly acknowledging the originality and origins of art.
Exploring the reasons for the rise and fall of Taoism from the perspective of historical development: Taking several key periods as examples
Authors: Ding Juncheng , Luo Xin
Published: March 2024

The paper delves into the historical development of Taoism, analyzing its rise and fall across various Chinese dynasties. It begins with the Eastern Han dynasty, emphasizing Zhang Ling’s role in establishing Taoism as a significant religious force. The paper highlights the strategic expansion of Taoist influence under Zhang Lu in Sichuan. During the South North Dynasty, the focus shifts to Tao Hongjing’s efforts in integrating Taoist, Buddhist, and Confucian ideas, thereby creating a comprehensive deity system. The contributions of Ge Hong, especially in alchemy and the concept of ’inner alchemy’, are noted in the context of the Danding School. The peak of ancient Taoism is traced back to the Song and Yuan dynasties, underscoring the pivotal support of emperors and the roles of figures like Zhang Zhengsui and Zhang Jixian in promoting Taoism. However, the Ming and Qing dynasties saw Taoism’s decline due to the suppression of religious practices and its reduction to a mere cultural aspect for the royal family and aristocracy. The paper concludes by proposing a future path for Taoism, emphasizing the need for adaptation to modern society. It suggests that Taoism should lower barriers to entry and increase its relevance to contemporary life, learning from other religions like Christianity, to sustain its growth and significance in the modern era.
Media and Culture: An In-Depth Academic Discourse
Authors: Gao Yuan , Yuan Hao , Zhang Xiangyue , Li Yiyuan , Shen Tong
Published: March 2024

The intersection of media and culture is a dynamic and multifaceted domain that has captivated the attention of scholars, critics, and practitioners alike. This comprehensive academic paper delves into the intricate relationship between media and culture, exploring how media both reflects and shapes cultural norms, values, and identities. It examines key theories, historical perspectives, and contemporary manifestations of this nexus while also addressing the ethical dimensions and future directions of this crucial discourse.
Nation and World: The Marketing Model of Internationalization of Local Brands –A case study of Genshin Impact
Authors: He Qingyun , Li Xiaosi , Liu Xinhao
Published: March 2024

The research background of the paper is that the Genshin Impact has become very famous in recent years. The game made $4 billion in revenue in just two years after its launch. The game’s worldwide popularity has attracted a lot of attention. Thus, this paper wants to find out the producer uses which kind of methods to attract such many players and gain a large amount of profit. The paper uses a literature review and case analysis as research methods. By using these two methods to research, this paper finds that the producer of the game Genshin Impact uses lots of market strategies to attract players. Also, this research wants to explore how the game Genshin Impact successfully integrates traditional Chinese culture and promotes traditional Chinese culture to overseas players. The conclusion is producer of Genshin Impact uses different market strategies to attract players and help promote traditional Chinese culture to overseas people.
Visual rhetoric in advertising of China’s new tea beverage industry, using HEYTEA as an example
Authors: Ye Yufei
Published: March 2024

In recent years, China’s tea market has undergone immense transformations, giving rise to a diverse range of novel products collectively known as new tea beverages. This market trend has led to intense competition, compelling brands to employ innovative advertising strategies to captivate consumers. This study focuses on the well-known Chinese new tea beverage brand “HEYTEA” as a case study. It employs the theoretical framework of visual rhetoric to analyze visual rhetoric in new tea beverage advertisements from two dimensions: visual image and rhetorical techniques. In terms of visual image, advertisements effectively convey messages through a rich array of visual elements, attracting target audiences and enhancing their overall impact. On the other hand, within the domain of linguistic visual rhetoric, advertising copy emphasizes the use of words, sentence structures, and rhetorical devices to accentuate product features, thereby stimulating consumers’ sensory experiences. The objective of this research is to explore the value of visual rhetoric in new tea beverage advertising.
Sam’s Club Current Situation Analysis and Recommendation in China
Authors: Deng Ruiyi
Published: March 2024

With the development of China’s economy, retail and warehousing have a very objective market. As Sam’s club, which has been deeply engaged in China for many years, this will be a good opportunity. However, competition in China’s retail market is still fierce. Today, China’s local retail enterprises have fired the first shot in the price war against Sam. This paper uses economic knowledge to analyze the market situation of Sam’s club in China, including but not limited to swot, pestle and market positioning analysis. Through the analysis of economics, this paper clarifies the advantages and disadvantages of Sam in the principality market. In addition, it also clearly pointed out the challenges and opportunities faced by Sam’s Club in China. In the case that competitors have started to compete in the price war, this paper gives suggestions that are more in line with China’s national conditions. This will greatly help Sam’s Club to understand China’s national conditions and develop new market strategies.
Analysis of the Marketing Strategy of HEYTEA
Authors: Li Kunhuan
Published: March 2024

The aim of this paper is to study HEYTEA’s marketing strategies, exploring its path to success and its impact on the market. Through a detailed analysis of HEYTEA’s development history and marketing practices, the unique strategies and innovative initiatives of HEYTEA in market competition are investigated. The research adopts two methods, literature review and case analysis, combined with relevant data and information, to comprehensively analyze HEYTEA’s marketing strategies from multiple dimensions. The research findings indicate that the key to HEYTEA’s success lies in its strategic collaborations with other brands and co-branding activities. Through partnerships with well-known brands, HEYTEA has expanded its consumer base and enhanced its brand image. Additionally, the constant product innovation and introduction of new beverages have been crucial factors in attracting consumers. HEYTEA’s continuous adaptation to meet the demands of young consumers for personalized and trendy drinks has been instrumental in its success. The conclusion of the study is that HEYTEA’s marketing strategies have achieved success with predominantly positive effects. HEYTEA has gained consumer favor and obtained a competitive advantage in a highly competitive market through collaborations with other brands and product innovation. It is recommended that HEYTEA continues to focus on innovation, strengthen digital marketing, and expand its international market efforts to maintain its leading position and achieve sustainable development in the future.
The Impact and Investigation of Starbucks’ Profit Generation Strategies
Authors: Zhou Qun
Published: March 2024

The noticeable proliferation of Starbucks outlets stands as a testament to the company’s burgeoning success in the market and its exceptional adaptability within the dynamic beverage industry landscape. In this paper, we embark on an in-depth exploration of various dimensions within Starbucks’ intricate marketing strategy, encompassing elements such as brand logo, brand loyalty, target consumer demographics, location selection criteria, pricing methodologies, product promotion tactics, and advertising strategies. As Starbucks continues its relentless global expansion, our comprehensive analysis endeavors to illuminate the multifaceted strategies that the company employs to sustain its preeminence in the fiercely competitive coffee market. The study delves into the ways Starbucks has effectively harnessed the power of its iconic brand logo, masterfully cultivated unwavering brand loyalty among its diverse consumer base, astutely catered to the unique preferences of specific target demographics, strategically handpicked prime locations for its outlets, meticulously positioned its pricing strategies, and innovatively deployed product promotion and advertising techniques. By conducting a thorough examination of these diverse facets that constitute the bedrock of Starbucks’ approach, our research seeks to offer invaluable insights into the complex interplay of factors that underlie the brand’s enduring prosperity and its enduring appeal on a global scale. As Starbucks’ influence continues to expand and evolve, our analysis aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics that drive its continued success, making it a compelling case study for both academics and industry professionals alike.
Spatial-temporal evolution and trend prediction of ecological civilization construction efficiency from the perspective of audit
Authors: Liao Zhenjie , Zhang Honghao
Published: March 2024

The performance evaluation of ecological civilization construction is an important content of ecological civilization audit. The super-efficiency slacks-based measure model measured inter-provincial ecological civilization construction efficiency based on the panel data of Chinese provinces and cities during 2000–2020. Based on the time series and spatial correlation analyses, the traditional and spatial Markov probability transfer matrixes were constructed to explore the spatial and temporal dynamic evolution characteristics of China’s ecological civilization construction efficiency and predict its long-term trend. The study revealed that China’s ecological civilization construction efficiency has a “bimodal” distribution with a stable increase in fluctuation. The gap between the peak heights is small; however, the overall ecological civilization construction efficiency is low. We also revealed that from the long-term evolution trend forecast, most provinces and cities gradually shift to higher levels of ecological civilization construction efficiency and gradually evolve into having a gradual increase pattern in the geographical context of low ecological civilization construction efficiency, resulting in the long-term evolution of the stable state performance. In the geographic context of low ecological civilization construction efficiency, the long-term evolution of the stable state is a partial “single-peaked” distribution. Finally, we analyzed the directions for improvement in this study and suggested that inter-regional ecological civilization construction policy connections and the fortification of inter-regional ecological civilization construction cooperation and exchange can effectively improve China’s ecological civilization construction efficiency, narrow the gap between provinces and cities, and promote the construction of ecological civilization.
Structural transitions modulate the chaperone activities of Grp94
Authors: Amankwah Yaa S. , Fleifil Yasmeen , Unruh Erin , Collins Preston , Wang Yi , Vitou Katherine , Bates Alison , Obaseki Ikponwmosa , Sugoor Meghana , Alao John Paul , McCarrick Robert M. , Gewirth Daniel T. , Sahu Indra D. , Li Zihai , Lorigan Gary. A. , Kravats Andrea N.
Published: March 2024

Hsp90s are ATP-dependent chaperones that collaborate with co-chaperones and Hsp70s to remodel client proteins. Grp94 is the ER Hsp90 homolog essential for folding multiple secretory and membrane proteins. Grp94 interacts with the ER Hsp70, BiP, although the collaboration of the ER chaperones in protein remodeling is not well understood. Grp94 undergoes large-scale conformational changes that are coupled to chaperone activity. Within Grp94, a region called the pre-N domain suppresses ATP hydrolysis and conformational transitions to the active chaperone conformation. In this work, we combined in vivo and in vitro functional assays and structural studies to characterize the chaperone mechanism of Grp94. We show that Grp94 directly collaborates with the BiP chaperone system to fold clients. Grp94’s pre-N domain is not necessary for Grp94–client interactions. The folding of some Grp94 clients does not require direct interactions between Grp94 and BiP in vivo, suggesting that the canonical collaboration may not be a general chaperone mechanism for Grp94. The BiP co-chaperone DnaJB11 promotes the interaction between Grp94 and BiP, relieving the pre-N domain suppression of Grp94’s ATP hydrolysis activity. In structural studies, we find that ATP binding by Grp94 alters the ATP lid conformation, while BiP binding stabilizes a partially closed Grp94 intermediate. Together, BiP and ATP push Grp94 into the active closed conformation for client folding. We also find that nucleotide binding reduces Grp94’s affinity for clients, which is important for productive client folding. Alteration of client affinity by nucleotide binding may be a conserved chaperone mechanism for a subset of ER chaperones.
Large nonlinear optical magnetoelectric response in a noncentrosymmetric magnetic Weyl semimetal
Authors: Shoriki Kentaro , Moriishi Keigo , Okamura Yoshihiro , Yokoi Kohei , Usui Hidetomo , Murakawa Hiroshi , Sakai Hideaki , Hanasaki Noriaki , Tokura Yoshinori , Takahashi Youtarou
Published: March 2024

Weyl semimetals resulting from either inversion (
P
) or time-reversal (
T
) symmetry breaking have been revealed to show the record-breaking large optical response due to intense Berry curvature of Weyl-node pairs. Different classes of Weyl semimetals with both
P
and
T
symmetry breaking potentially exhibit optical magnetoelectric (ME) responses, which are essentially distinct from the previously observed optical responses in conventional Weyl semimetals, leading to the versatile functions such as directional dependence for light propagation and gyrotropic effects. However, such optical ME phenomena of (semi)metallic systems have remained elusive so far. Here, we show the large nonlinear optical ME response in noncentrosymmetric magnetic Weyl semimetal PrAlGe, in which the polar structural asymmetry and ferromagnetic ordering break
P
and
T
symmetry. We observe the giant second harmonic generation (SHG) arising from the
P
symmetry breaking in the paramagnetic phase, being comparable to the largest SHG response reported in Weyl semimetal TaAs. In the ferromagnetically ordered phase, it is found that interference between this nonmagnetic SHG and the magnetically induced SHG emerging due to both
P
and
T
symmetry breaking results in the magnetic field switching of SHG intensity. Furthermore, such an interference effect critically depends on the light-propagating direction. The corresponding magnetically induced nonlinear susceptibility is significantly larger than the prototypical ME material, manifesting the existence of the strong nonlinear dynamical ME coupling. The present findings establish the unique optical functionality of
P
- and
T
-symmetry broken ME topological semimetals.
The action reference construction in Mandarin Chinese and typology of lexical flexibility
Authors: Gong Liwei , Uehara Satoshi
Published: March 2024

The parts of speech system and lexical flexibility in Mandarin Chinese (henceforth Chinese) has long been subjects
of debate due to the pervasive zero coding of action reference constructions. In this article, we analyze properties of the
Chinese Action Reference Construction from the perspective of Radical Construction Grammar (Croft 2001, 2022), focusing on its structural coding, behavioral potential,
productivity, and semantic shifts. We also discuss typological features that potentially reinforce lexical flexibility in Chinese,
and the implications that the language-specific properties of Chinese present for cross-linguistic discussions of parts of speech.
Specifically, reference, instead of predication, is the most flexible information-packaging function in Chinese, challenging the
privileged status of predication established in previous studies on parts of speech and lexical flexibility.
How Important are Best Practices and a Horse’s Characteristics to Protect Welfare During Equine Air Transport?
Authors: Padalino B , Felici M , Nanni Costa L , Cogger N , Riley CB
Published: March 2024

Equine air transport is a complex event. This study presents the cases of two horses transported from the USA to New Zealand and discusses the importance of knowing the horse’s temperament and previous travel history (i.e., transport-related health and behavioural problems) and appropriate management. The two horses were reported to have temperament traits of nervousness/excitability and stubbornness, limited travel training and experience, and previous transport-related problems. After being quarantined for 23 days, the horses were transported by road to the departure airport, where they were unloaded from the road vehicle, health-checked, and loaded without problems into three-horse capacity jet stalls, by a flight groom with 50 years of experience in horse handling. During the flight, the horses were regularly checked, watered, and fed; both ate and drank. However, on arrival, when the horses were monitored, both showed fever (rectal temperature > 38.6°C). While the flight groom’s experience may have facilitated the handling of the horses during the air transport phases, reducing the risk of injuries, the horses could have had difficulty coping with air transport stress, developing fever after the flight due to their poor temperament and previous travel history. Knowing the individual details of the horses, training or re-training them for loading and travelling, and monitoring them carefully before, during, and after the air journey are recommended to minimise the welfare issues associated with air transport.

Information

© The Authors 2024
Ricci reheating reloaded
Authors: Laverda Giorgio , Rubio Javier
Published: March 2024

A Hubble-induced phase transition is a natural spontaneous symmetry breaking mechanism allowing for explosive particle production in non-oscillatory models of inflation involving non-minimally coupled spectator fields. In this work, we perform a comprehensive characterisation of this type of transitions as a tachyonic Ricci-heating mechanism, significantly extending previous results in the literature. By performing 𝒪 (100) 3+1-dimensional classical lattice simulations, we explore the parameter space of two exemplary scenarios, numerically determining the main timescales in the process. Based on these results, we formulate a set of parametric equations that offer a practical approach for determining the efficiency of the heating process, the temperature at the onset of radiation domination, and the minimum number of e-folds of inflation needed to resolve the flatness and horizon problems in specific quintessential inflation scenarios. These parametric equations eliminate the need for additional lattice simulations, providing a convenient and efficient method for evaluating these key quantities.
Cosmic topology. Part IIa. Eigenmodes, correlation matrices, and detectability of orientable Euclidean manifolds
Authors: Eskilt Johannes R. , Akrami Yashar , Anselmi Stefano , Copi Craig J. , Jaffe Andrew H. , Kosowsky Arthur , Mihaylov Deyan P. , Starkman Glenn D. , Tamosiunas Andrius , Mertens James B. , Petersen Pip , Saha Samanta , Taylor Quinn , Güngör Özenç ,   The COMPACT collaboration
Published: March 2024

If the Universe has non-trivial spatial topology,
observables depend on both the parameters of the spatial manifold and the position and orientation of the observer.
In infinite Euclidean space, most cosmological observables arise from the amplitudes of Fourier modes of primordial scalar curvature perturbations.
Topological boundary conditions replace the full set of Fourier modes with specific linear combinations of selected Fourier modes as the eigenmodes of the scalar Laplacian.
We present formulas for eigenmodes in orientable Euclidean manifolds with the topologies E
1–E
6, E
11, E
12, E
16, and E
18 that encompass the full range of manifold parameters and observer positions, generalizing previous treatments.
Under the assumption that the amplitudes of primordial scalar curvature eigenmodes are independent random variables, for each topology we obtain the correlation matrices of Fourier-mode amplitudes (of scalar fields linearly related to the scalar curvature) and the correlation matrices of spherical-harmonic coefficients of such fields sampled on a sphere, such as the temperature of the cosmic microwave background (CMB).
We evaluate the detectability of these correlations given the cosmic variance of the observed CMB sky. We find that topologies where the distance to our nearest clone is less than about 1.2 times the diameter of the last scattering surface
of the CMB give a correlation signal that is larger than cosmic variance noise in the CMB.
This implies that if cosmic topology is the explanation of large-angle anomalies in the CMB, then the distance to our nearest clone is not much larger than the diameter of the last scattering surface.
We argue that the topological information is likely to be better preserved in three-dimensional data, such as will eventually be available from large-scale structure surveys.
Processes explaining increased ocean dynamic sea level in the North Sea in CMIP6
Authors: Jesse Franka , Le Bars Dewi , Drijfhout Sybren
Published: March 2024

Ocean dynamic sea level (ODSL) is expected to be one of the major contributors to sea level rise in the North Sea during the 21st century. This component is defined as the spatial sea level anomaly due to ocean currents, wind stresses and local thermosteric and halosteric effects. Climate models from CMIP5 and CMIP6 show a large spread, as well as an increase between CMIP5 and CMIP6 North Sea ODSL projections. In this study, we apply linear regression models on CMIP5 and CMIP6 data to get a better understanding of the processes that influence ODSL change in the North Sea. We find that neither global surface air temperature nor global mean thermosteric sea level can reproduce ODSL projections based on a linear relation in CMIP6, whereas this was the case for CMIP5. Including the strength of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) as an additional predictor enables us to reproduce long-term changes in ODSL for both ensembles. The sensitivity to the AMOC increased in CMIP6, which points to a difference in model dynamics between CMIP5 and CMIP6, and a more important role of the deep ocean. To investigate this further, we analyse mixed layer depth data in the North Atlantic. We find that models with a relatively deep mixed layer in the Greenland Sea over the period 1985–2004, project larger rise in ODSL in the North Sea for both CMIP5 and CMIP6. This implies that the location of deep water formation in the North Atlantic potentially influences ODSL in the North Sea. The number of these models increased from CMIP5 to CMIP6, again pointing to a different sensitivity to larger scale processes, potentially explaining the difference between the two ensembles.
On different approaches to integrable lattice models
Authors: Belavin Vladimir , Gepner Doron , Ramos Cabezas J , Runov Boris
Published: March 2024

Interaction-round the face (IRF) models are two-dimensional lattice models of statistical mechanics defined by an affine Lie algebra and admissibility conditions depending on a choice of representation of that affine Lie algebra. Integrable IRF models, i.e. the models the Boltzmann weights of which satisfy the quantum Yang–Baxter equation, are of particular interest. In this paper, we investigate trigonometric Boltzmann weights of integrable IRF models. By using an ansatz proposed by one of the authors in some previous works, the Boltzmann weights of the restricted IRF models based on the affine Lie algebras

su

(
2

)
k

and

su

(
3

)
k

are computed for fundamental and adjoint representations for some fixed levels k. New solutions for the Boltzmann weights are obtained. We also study the vertex-IRF correspondence in the context of an unrestricted IRF model based on

su

(
3

)
k

(for general k) and discuss how it can be used to find Boltzmann weights in terms of the quantum

R
^

matrix when the adjoint representation defines the admissibility conditions.
Development of a prototype of weeding robot
Authors: Nguyen Van-Tinh , Tung Tran Thanh
Published: March 2024

Weeds, or wild grasses, are naturally occurring grasses that grow in the wild without human cultivation. Weeds have detrimental effects on soil and crops, including competing with crops for space, nutrients, light, and moisture in the soil, which ultimately reduces crop productivity. Typically, herbicides are used to eliminate weeds, but all of these chemicals carry a potential threat to human well-being. This article presents a detailed plan for building a DELTA robot that is specifically engineered to eliminate weeds in agricultural environments. This article presents a systematic approach encompassing research, kinematics calculation, robot control, and the fabrication of a weed-killing robot prototype. The article proposes a prototype of a weed-killing robot with simple operation suitable for Vietnam’s economic conditions. The experiments show that the robot can effectively remove different types of weeds from lettuce fields. The results show that the proposed prototype is completely capable of replacing humans, helping to improve productivity as well as protect health and help farmers avoid unwanted effects from herbicide chemicals.
Design of an improved impedance tube to measure sound absorption coefficients of flexible textile materials
Authors: Li Yunlong , Dai Yang , Yao Guangchun , Luo Wan , Zhi Chao , Xing Yu
Published: March 2024

Textile materials have demonstrated significant potential in sound noise reduction due to their porous, lightweight, and easily processed nature. However, the current experimental setup for measuring the sound absorption of small-sized samples is expensive. Additionally, there is a lack of suitable equipment for measuring the sound absorption of flexible textiles as it is challenging to mount flexible samples into an impedance tube. This paper presents the design, fabrication, and testing of impedance tubes specifically designed for measuring the sound absorption coefficients of textile materials. The impedance tubes were designed based on the transfer function and two-microphone methods, with diameters of 100 mm and 30 mm. These tubes covered frequency ranges from 200–1600 Hz and 500–6400 Hz, respectively. Furthermore, improved sample holders were developed to mount flexible textile materials without altering the acoustic impedance characteristics of the front surface of the test sample. Validation experiments were conducted on melamine foams, and the results were compared with those obtained from the commercial B&K 4206 setup. The results obtained from the designed setup showed good agreement with those from the B&K 4206 system. The maximum error observed was 8% at 2800 Hz for the 30 mm diameter tube and 8.3% at 1600 Hz for the 100 mm diameter tube. Finally, the designed system was used to measure the sound absorption coefficients of textile materials with varying densities. The results obtained were consistent with the material properties, demonstrating the effectiveness of the designed setup.
TypeTaxonScript: sugarifying and enhancing data structures in biological systematics and biodiversity research
Authors: Jordão Lucas Sá Barreto , Morim Marli Pires , Baumgratz José Fernando A , Simon Marcelo Fragomeni , Eppinghaus André L C , Calfo Vicente A
Published: March 2024

Object-oriented programming (OOP) embodies a software development paradigm grounded in representing real-world entities as objects, facilitating a more efficient and structured modelling approach. In this article, we explore the synergy between OOP principles and the TypeScript (TS) programming language to create a JSON-formatted database designed for storing arrays of biological features. This fusion of technologies fosters a controlled and modular code script, streamlining the integration, manipulation, expansion, and analysis of biological data, all while enhancing syntax for improved human readability, such as through the use of dot notation. We advocate for biologists to embrace Git technology, akin to the practices of programmers and coders, for initiating versioned and collaborative projects. Leveraging the widely accessible and acclaimed IDE, Visual Studio Code, provides an additional advantage. Not only does it support running a Node.js environment, which is essential for running TS, but it also efficiently manages GitHub versioning. We provide a use case involving taxonomic data structure, focusing on angiosperm legume plants. This method is characterized by its simplicity, as the tools employed are both fully accessible and free of charge, and it is widely adopted by communities of professional programmers. Moreover, we are dedicated to facilitating practical implementation and comprehension through a comprehensive tutorial, a readily available pre-built database at GitHub, and a new package at npm.
External Quality Assessment on Molecular Tumor Profiling with Circulating Tumor DNA-Based Methodologies Routinely Used in Clinical Pathology within the COIN Consortium
Authors: van der Leest Paul , Rozendal Pim , Hinrichs John , van Noesel Carel J M , Zwaenepoel Karen , Deiman Birgit , Huijsmans Cornelis J J , van Eijk Ronald , Speel Ernst Jan M , van Haastert Rick J , Ligtenberg Marjolijn J L , van Schaik Ron H N , Jansen Maurice P H M , Dubbink Hendrikus J , de Leng Wendy W , Leers Mathie P G , Tamminga Menno , van den Broek Daan , van Kempen Léon C , Schuuring Ed
Published: March 2024

Background

Identification of tumor-derived variants in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has potential as a sensitive and reliable surrogate for tumor tissue-based routine diagnostic testing. However, variations in pre(analytical) procedures affect the efficiency of ctDNA recovery. Here, an external quality assessment (EQA) was performed to determine the performance of ctDNA mutation detection work flows that are used in current diagnostic settings across laboratories within the Dutch COIN consortium (ctDNA on the road to implementation in The Netherlands).

Methods

Aliquots of 3 high-volume diagnostic leukapheresis (DLA) plasma samples and 3 artificial reference plasma samples with predetermined mutations were distributed among 16 Dutch laboratories. Participating laboratories were requested to perform ctDNA analysis for BRAF exon 15, EGFR exon 18–21, and KRAS exon 2–3 using their regular circulating cell-free DNA (ccfDNA) analysis work flow. Laboratories were assessed based on adherence to the study protocol, overall detection rate, and overall genotyping performance.

Results

A broad range of preanalytical conditions (e.g., plasma volume, elution volume, and extraction methods) and analytical methodologies (e.g., droplet digital PCR [ddPCR], small-panel PCR assays, and next-generation sequencing [NGS]) were used. Six laboratories (38%) had a performance score of >0.90; all other laboratories scored between 0.26 and 0.80. Although 13 laboratories (81%) reached a 100% overall detection rate, the therapeutically relevant EGFR p.(S752_I759del) (69%), EGFR p.(N771_H773dup) (50%), and KRAS p.(G12C) (48%) mutations were frequently not genotyped accurately.

Conclusions

Divergent (pre)analytical protocols could lead to discrepant clinical outcomes when using the same plasma samples. Standardization of (pre)analytical work flows can facilitate the implementation of reproducible liquid biopsy testing in the clinical routine.
Two case reports of fulminant giant cell myocarditis treated with rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin
Authors: Bartz-Overman Colin , Li Sarah , Puligandla Balaram , Colaco Nalini , Steiner Johannes , Masha Luke
Published: March 2024

Background

Giant cell myocarditis (GCM) is an inflammatory form of acute heart failure with high rates of cardiac transplantation or death. Standard acute treatment includes multi-drug immunosuppressive regimens. There is a small but growing number of case reports utilizing rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin in severe cases.

Case summary

Two cases are presented with similar presentations and clinical courses. Both are middle-aged patients with no significant past medical history, who presented with new acute decompensated heart failure that quickly progressed to cardiogenic shock requiring inotropic and mechanical circulatory support. Both underwent endomyocardial biopsies that diagnosed GCM. Both were treated with a multi-agent immunosuppressive regimen, notably including rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin, with subsequent resolution of shock and recovery of left ventricular ejection fraction. Both remain transplant-free and without ventricular arrhythmias at 7 months and 26 months, respectively.

Discussion

In aggregate, these cases are typical of GCM. They add to growing observational data that upfront rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin may reduce morbidity and mortality in GCM, including potentially preventing the need for complex interventions like orthotopic heart transplantation.
Textbooks as Markers and Makers of International Law: A Brazilian Case Study
Authors: Leão Soares Pereira Luíza , Morosini Fabio Costa
Published: March 2024

This article challenges conventional views of international law textbooks as mere instructional tools and explores them as powerful sites for shaping knowledge and the discipline. Drawing on empirical methods and critical theory, we analyse the 10 main international law textbooks used in Brazil and conduct interviews with their authors to illuminate the textbooks’ complexities and their potential for shaping the discipline and the profession. The article delves into the tension between the structure of international law as depicted in the textbooks and the agency of their authors, investigating the authors’ identities and backgrounds. Brazil serves as a compelling case study due to its numerous international law textbooks and their widespread use. Our results indicate a predominant universalist approach in Brazilian textbooks and their connection to the French international law tradition. Moreover, the study sheds light on the Brazilian ‘invisible college’ of international lawyers, revealing gender and racial disparities and institutional centralities. It also uncovers crucial omissions in the textbooks, such as the relationship of international law to colonialism, slavery, race, gender and economic inequality. Overall, this study offers a comprehensive understanding of international law as a field in Brazil and provides a valuable methodological framework for future research on textbooks’ role in shaping the discipline.
Site-specific immobilization of the endosialidase reveals QSOX2 is a novel polysialylated protein
Authors: Hunter Carmanah , Derksen Tahlia , Makhsous Sogand , Doll Matt , Perez Samantha Rodriguez , Scott Nichollas E , Willis Lisa M
Published: March 2024

Polysialic acid (polySia) is a linear polymer of α2,8-linked sialic acid residues that is of fundamental biological interest due to its pivotal roles in the regulation of the nervous, immune, and reproductive systems in healthy human adults. PolySia is also dysregulated in several chronic diseases, including cancers and mental health disorders. However, the mechanisms underpinning polySia biology in health and disease remain largely unknown. The polySia-specific hydrolase, endoneuraminidase NF (EndoN), and the catalytically inactive polySia lectin EndoNDM, have been extensively used for studying polySia. However, EndoN is heat stable and remains associated with cells after washing. When studying polySia in systems with multiple polysialylated species, the residual EndoN that cannot be removed confounds data interpretation. We developed a strategy for site-specific immobilization of EndoN on streptavidin-coated magnetic beads. We showed that immobilizing EndoN allows for effective removal of the enzyme from samples, while retaining hydrolase activity. We used the same strategy to immobilize the polySia lectin EndoNDM, which enabled the enrichment of polysialylated proteins from complex mixtures such as serum for their identification via mass spectrometry. We used this methodology to identify a novel polysialylated protein, QSOX2, which is secreted from the breast cancer cell line MCF-7. This method of site-specific immobilization can be utilized for other enzymes and lectins to yield insight into glycobiology.
Novel signals and polygenic score for height are associated with pubertal growth traits in Southwestern American Indians
Authors: Ramírez-Luzuriaga Maria J , Kobes Sayuko , Hsueh Wen-Chi , Baier Leslie J , Hanson Robert L
Published: March 2024

Most genetic variants associated with adult height have been identified through large genome-wide association studies (GWASs) in European-ancestry cohorts. However, it is unclear how these variants influence linear growth during adolescence. This study uses anthropometric and genotypic data from a longitudinal study conducted in an American Indian community in Arizona between 1965–2007. Growth parameters (i.e. height, velocity, and timing of growth spurt) were derived from the Preece-Baines growth model, a parametric growth curve fitted to longitudinal height data, in 787 participants with height measurements spanning the whole period of growth. Heritability estimates suggested that genetic factors could explain 25% to 71% of the variance of pubertal growth traits. We performed a GWAS of growth parameters, testing their associations with 5 077 595 imputed or directly genotyped variants. Six variants associated with height at peak velocity (P < 5 × 10-8, adjusted for sex, birth year and principal components). Implicated genes include NUDT3, previously associated with adult height, and PACSIN1. Two novel variants associated with duration of growth spurt (P < 5 × 10-8) in LOC105375344, an uncharacterized gene with unknown function. We finally examined the association of growth parameters with a polygenic score for height derived from 9557 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified in the GIANT meta-analysis for which genotypic data were available for the American Indian study population. Height polygenic score was correlated with the magnitude and velocity of height growth that occurred before and at the peak of the adolescent growth spurt, indicating overlapping genetic architecture, with no influence on the timing of adolescent growth.
To Arrest or Not Arrest? South Africa, the International Criminal Court, and New Frameworks for Assessing Noncompliance
Authors: Jay Zoë , Killingsworth Matt
Published: March 2024

What are the consequences of prioritizing one obligation over another in a norm conflict on the norm that “loses”? How do these difficult choices affect how we understand the intent behind noncompliance with international law? This article examines South Africa’s decision not to arrest the then-President of Sudan, Omar al-Bashir, in the face of conflicting pressures from multiple international and domestic actors. South Africa’s conundrum over whether to arrest al-Bashir resulted in what we call “collateral noncompliance”: noncompliance with one obligation as a product of compliance with another. Understanding noncompliance like this highlights how seemingly bad-faith noncompliance can be a consequence of weighing competing obligations, rather than a deliberate attempt to shirk or undermine the nonchosen norm. It offers an alternative to perspectives that frame African states’ noncompliance with the International Criminal Court as inherently problematic, contributing instead to more critical, reflexive understandings of noncompliance and contestation as a natural part of norm development.
Do Threats or Shaming Increase Public Support for Policy Concessions? Alliance Coercion and Burden-Sharing in NATO
Authors: Blankenship Brian
Published: March 2024

Existing literature suggests that alliance members can use their partners’ abandonment fears to obtain favorable concessions for themselves. However, evidence on the effectiveness of threats of abandonment as motivation for defense burden-sharing remains limited. This article uses a survey experiment conducted in Poland and Germany to assess how American signals of support and threats of abandonment shape public support for increasing their countries’ military spending. The findings suggest that threats of abandonment increase public support for higher defense spending, whereas approaches like “naming and shaming” under-contributing partners do not. However, assurances of protection did not decrease support for defense spending, and combining threats with assurances if anything increased those threats’ effects. Threats are thus most effective when they do not fundamentally undermine targets’ confidence in US protection. The findings have implications for understanding alliance politics and the utility of public pressure, and for policy debates about encouraging defense burden-sharing.
A qualitative analysis of the unwritten rules influencing antibiotic prescribing practices among French poultry veterinarians
Authors: Moya Sebastián , Coviglio Alexandra , Belloc Catherine , Comer Clementine , Eberhart Josephine , Fortané Nicolas , Paul Mathilde C
Published: March 2024

Background

It is now recognized that a better understanding of prescriber behaviour is needed to improve antimicrobial stewardship programmes. Most studies conducted in the livestock sector have focused on farmers’ perspectives, while the prescribing habits of veterinarians have remained overlooked.

Objective

Our study explored the psychosocial determinants associated with antibiotic prescribing practices in the French poultry sector by analysing the informal norms and unwritten rules that influence veterinarians’ prescribing decisions.

Methods

A qualitative study was conducted in four French regions in February 2021. Using the biographical narrative interpretive method, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 poultry veterinarians with varying professional experience. Three main themes were retained for data analysis: (i) compliance with and deviations from prescribing recommendations, (ii) the influence of fellow veterinarians on antibiotic decisions and (iii) the key role of veterinary corporate groups.

Results

When prescribing antibiotics, junior veterinarians were strongly influenced by senior veterinarians who acted as role models driving clinical practices. Prescribing habits were shared through peer networks in which veterinarians participated throughout their careers. Finally, veterinary corporate groups helped to shape veterinarians’ prescribing habits by promoting existing guidelines and even producing in-house recommendations.

Conclusions

We show that, in parallel with official guidelines, prescribing habits circulate among veterinarians and are shared in professional circles. Therefore, antimicrobial stewardship interventions should focus not only on official guidelines and communication channels, but also unwritten professional rules and organizations influencing veterinarians’ prescribing practices.
Disparities in seizure outcomes revealed by large language models
Authors: Xie Kevin , Ojemann William K S , Gallagher Ryan S , Shinohara Russell T , Lucas Alfredo , Hill Chloé E , Hamilton Roy H , Johnson Kevin B , Roth Dan , Litt Brian , Ellis Colin A
Published: March 2024

Objective

Large-language models (LLMs) can potentially revolutionize health care delivery and research, but risk propagating existing biases or introducing new ones. In epilepsy, social determinants of health are associated with disparities in care access, but their impact on seizure outcomes among those with access remains unclear. Here we (1) evaluated our validated, epilepsy-specific LLM for intrinsic bias, and (2) used LLM-extracted seizure outcomes to determine if different demographic groups have different seizure outcomes.

Materials and Methods

We tested our LLM for differences and equivalences in prediction accuracy and confidence across demographic groups defined by race, ethnicity, sex, income, and health insurance, using manually annotated notes. Next, we used LLM-classified seizure freedom at each office visit to test for demographic outcome disparities, using univariable and multivariable analyses.

Results

We analyzed 84 675 clinic visits from 25 612 unique patients seen at our epilepsy center. We found little evidence of bias in the prediction accuracy or confidence of outcome classifications across demographic groups. Multivariable analysis indicated worse seizure outcomes for female patients (OR 1.33, P ≤ .001), those with public insurance (OR 1.53, P ≤ .001), and those from lower-income zip codes (OR ≥1.22, P  ≤ .007). Black patients had worse outcomes than White patients in univariable but not multivariable analysis (OR 1.03, P = .66).

Conclusion

We found little evidence that our LLM was intrinsically biased against any demographic group. Seizure freedom extracted by LLM revealed disparities in seizure outcomes across several demographic groups. These findings quantify the critical need to reduce disparities in the care of people with epilepsy.