bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Starshipgiant transposable elements cluster by host taxonomy using kmer-based phylogenetics
Authors: Hill Rowena , Smith Daniel , Canning Gail , Grey Michelle , Hammond-Kosack Kim E. , McMullan Mark
Published: August 2024

Starshipsare a recently established superfamily of giant cargo-mobilising transposable elements in the fungal subphylumPezizomyotina(phylumAscomycota). To date,Starshipelements have been identified up to ∼700 Kbp in length and carrying hundreds of accessory genes, which can confer both beneficial and deleterious traits to the host genome. Classification ofStarshipelements has been centred on the tyrosine recombinase gene that mobilises the element, termed the captain. We contribute a new perspective toStarshipclassification by using an alignment-free kmer-based phylogenetic tree building method, which can infer relationships between elements in their entirety, including both active and degraded elements and irrespective of high variability in element length and cargo content. In doing so we found that relationships between entireStarshipsdiffered from those inferred from captain genes and revealed patterns of element relatedness corresponding to host taxonomy. UsingStarshipsfromGaeumannomycesspecies as a case study, we found that kmer-based relationships correspond with similarity of cargo gene content. Our results suggest thatStarship-mediated horizontal transfer events are frequent between species within the same genus but are less prevalent across larger host evolutionary distances. This novel application of a kmer-based phylogenetics approach overcomes the issue of how to represent and compare highly variableStarshipselements as a whole, and in effect shifts the perspective from a captain to a cargo-centred concept ofStarshipidentity.

We applied a kmer-based phylogenetic classification approach to giantStarshipcargo-mobilising elements from species across thePezizomycotina(Ascomycota,Fungi). We foundStarshipelements to frequently cluster according to host taxonomy, suggesting horizontal transfer of elements is less common across larger evolutionary distances. Kmer-based phylogenetics approaches show promise for both element classification and to inform our understanding of the evolution ofStarshipsand other giant cargo-mobilising elements.
Innovating the bank-firm relationship: a spherical fuzzy approach to SME funding
Authors: Palmieri Egidio , Ferilli Greta Benedetta
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Innovation in financing processes, enabled by the advent of new technologies, has supported the development of alternative finance funding tools. In this context, the study analyses the growing importance of alternative finance instruments (such as equity crowdfunding, peer-to-peer (P2P) lending, venture capital, and others) in addressing the small and medioum enterprises' (SMEs) financing needs beyond traditional bank and market-based funding channels. By providing more flexible terms and faster approval times, these instruments are gradually reshaping the traditional bank-firm relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

To comprehensively understand this innovation shift in funding processes, the study employs a novel approach that merges three MCDA methods: Spherical Fuzzy Entropy, ARAS and TOPSIS. These methodologies allow for handling ambiguity and subjectivity in financial decision-making processes, examining the effects of multiple criteria, including interest rate, flexibility, accessibility, support, riskiness, and approval time, on the appeal of various financial alternatives.

Findings

The study’s results have significant theoretical and practical implications, supporting SMEs in carefully evaluate financing alternatives and enables banks to better identify the main “competitors” according to the “financial need” of the firm. Moreover, the rise of alternative finance, notably P2P lending, indicates a shift towards more efficient capital access, suggesting banks must innovate their funding channels to remain competitive, especially in offering flexible solutions for restructuring and high-risk scenarios.

Practical implications

The study advises top management that SMEs prefer traditional loans for their reliability and accessibility, necessitating banks to enhance transparency, innovate, and adopt digital solutions to meet evolving financing needs and improve customer satisfaction.

Originality/value

The study introduces a novel integration of Spherical Fuzzy TOPSIS, Entropy, and ARAS methodologies to face the complexities of financial decision-making for SME financing, addressing ambiguity and multiple criteria like interest rates, flexibility, and riskiness. It emphasizes the importance of traditional loans, the rising significance of alternative financing such as P2P lending, and the necessity for banks to innovate, thereby enriching the literature on bank-firm relationships and SME funding strategies.
Policy discounting across and beyond the lifespan
Authors: BARNFIELD MATTHEW
Published: August 2024

Legislators face a challenge when implementing long‐termist policies that prioritise sustainability and the well‐being of future generations: citizens prefer policies that pay off sooner rather than later. In this research note, I assess the hypothesis that the lifespan structures this temporal discounting effect. Do people show a particular preference for policies that pay off within, rather than beyond, their own lifetime? In a pre‐registered conjoint analysis with age‐group blocking (N = 2405), I find little evidence in support of this explanation. Although they significantly prefer nearer‐term policy benefits, citizens show no sign of especially preferring policies whose benefits will materialise within their own lifetimes. This pattern holds across a range of personal, political and philosophical differences. The temporal discounting effect is also substantially smaller than other policy features, such as how large the payoff of that policy is expected to be. Additionally, people are clearly willing in principle to trade off the timing of benefits for the scale of benefits, preferring larger later payoffs to sooner smaller ones. Across and beyond the lifespan, the sooner a policy pays off, the better. But, whenever they materialise, the bigger the societal benefits of that policy, the better. These findings strongly suggest that temporal policy discounting is not driven by selfish concerns, while also reinforcing that any such effect does not overwhelm citizens’ evaluations of policy proposals in principle.
The effect of listening to the sound of running water on pain and anxiety experienced during cannulation by hemodialysis patients: A randomized, controlled, open‐label study
Authors: Sayilan Samet , Aydin Sayilan Aylin , Temiz Zeynep , Kandemir Didem
Published: August 2024

Introduction

This study was conducted to determine the effect of the sound of running water, which we had not previously encountered being used in dialysis patients, on invasive pain and anxiety experienced during cannulation.

Methods

The research was conducted as a randomized, controlled study. A descriptive form, a VAS pain scale, and state–trait anxiety scales were used as a data collection form. The data were analyzed on SPSS version 22.00 for Windows software. The independent groups t‐test was applied to compare descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation, number, and percentage in independent groups, while categorical data were compared using the chi‐square test. The effect of an independent variable on a dependent variable was tested using linear regression analysis. p values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results

The study was completed with 32 experimental and 33 control group patients. There was no significant difference in pre‐intervention pain and anxiety between the groups. The pain levels of the patients after the first and 12th cannulations were significantly lower in the experimental group (p < 0.05). State and trait anxiety levels were also significantly lower in the experimental group at the 12th session (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

We conclude that the sound of running water has a significant positive effect on pain and anxiety experienced during cannulation by dialysis patients. We recommend that clinicians apply such a simple method as listening to the sound of running water for reducing pain and anxiety during invasive procedures.
Improving the odds: Artificial intelligence and the great plate count anomaly
Authors: Sipkema Detmer
Published: August 2024

Next‐generation DNA sequencing has shown that the great plate count anomaly, that is, the difference between bacteria present in the environment and those that can be obtained in culture from that environment, is even greater and more persisting than initially thought. This hampers fundamental understanding of bacterial physiology and biotechnological application of the unculture majority. With big sequence data as foundation, artificial intelligence (AI) may be a game changer in bacterial isolation efforts and provide directions for the cultivation media and conditions that are most promising and as such be used to canalize limited human and financial resources. This opinion paper discusses how AI is or can be used to improve the success of bacterial isolation.
Mirtazapine in pregnancy and lactation: A systematic review of adverse outcomes
Authors: Ostenfeld Anne , Lyngholm Sofie , Christensen Sarah Emilie , Petersen Tonny Studsgaard , Andersen Jon Trærup , Westergaard Hanne Brix , Pedersen Lars Henning , Løkkegaard Ellen Christine Leth
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Peripartum depression is common and treatment with mirtazapine may be indicated. However, evidence on its safety in pregnancy and lactation is fragmented.

The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the literature on the safety of mirtazapine in pregnancy and lactation.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, Medline, PsycInfo, and clinicaltrials.gov were searched for ‘antidepressants’ or ‘mirtazapine’ in combination with ‘pregnancy’, ‘lactation’ or ‘offspring’.

No restrictions on type of study were applied and selection was performed by two independent reviewers using Covidence. Two reviewers extracted data and performed risk of bias assessment and evidence synthesis was performed for each outcome individually.

The protocol was registered at PROSPERO (registration number CRD42021275127).

Results

The initial search yielded 15,380 articles after removal of duplicates. After screening based on title and abstract, 431 articles remained for full text review. Of these, 41 studies were included (15 cohort studies, one case–control study, 11 case series, and 14 case reports). In most studies, the outcomes in mirtazapine‐exposed pregnancies were comparable to controls. However, results on congenital malformations and spontaneous abortion were conflicting. Neonatal adaptation syndrome was reported after mirtazapine exposure in late pregnancy. Data on mirtazapine exposure during lactation were scarce.

Conclusions

We identified no substantial evidence indicating that mirtazapine exposure is associated with adverse outcomes in pregnancy or in offspring, other than neonatal adaptation syndrome. However, overall quality of evidence was low, and results on congenital malformations and spontaneous abortions were conflicting. Data on mirtazapine exposure through breastfeeding were limited and did not allow for conclusions.
Public comment and public policy
Authors: Sahn Alexander
Published: August 2024

Is public policy responsive to demographically and ideologically unrepresentative comments given at public meetings? I investigate this possibility using a novel data set of over 40,000 comments made at the San Francisco Planning Commission between 1998 and 2021, matched to information about proposed developments discussed in hearings and administrative data on commenters. I document four stylized facts: First, commenters at public meetings are unrepresentative of the public along racial, gender, age, and homeownership lines; second, distance to the proposed development predicts commenting behavior, but only among those in opposition; third, commission votes are correlated with commenters’ preferences; finally, the alignment of White commenters (vs. other racial groups) and neighborhood group representatives and the general public (vs. other interest groups) better predict project approvals.
Barriers and enablers to bowel cancer screening participation in remote Tasmania: A qualitative study using the theoretical domains framework
Authors: Gadd Nicola , Lee Simone , Hughes Jessica , Sharman Matthew J. , Hoang Ha , Obamiro Kehinde
Published: August 2024

Objective

Identify barriers and enablers for remote Tasmanians participating in bowel cancer screening through the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.

Setting

A small remote Tasmanian community.

Participants

Tasmanian remote community members aged 50 years and over.

Design

A qualitative study conducted 16 semi‐structured interviews. Two researchers conducted in‐person and telephone interviews. Questions were directed by an interview guide developed using the Theoretical Domains Framework for behaviour change and Behaviour Change Wheel. Two researchers analysed data using directed content analysis with a flexible inductive approach.

Results

Four themes related to barriers and enablers to completing the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program screening kit in remote Tasmania. Themes included the subject of screening, physical screening kit, the process and outcome of the kit. Several barrier and enabler sub‐themes overlapped or were linked, as many enablers mitigated barriers. For example, social influences, awareness level, steps in completing screening, and planning and timing to screen. Social support and discussing screening with others were key enablers, whereas lack of these were barriers. For remote communities, taking the kit to the post office was a barrier from often knowing the post officer. A bowel bus providing screening and information support services may reduce the travel burden of follow‐up diagnostic tests and support low‐literacy individuals to screen.

Conclusion

Barriers and enablers exist within each stage of the screening process, from what influences an individual decision to screen, through to the outcome. To improve screening rates in rural/remote Tasmania, barriers and enablers to screening must be considered.
The emergence and use of expanded carrier screening in gamete donation: A new form of repro‐genetic selection
Authors: Hudson Nicky , Herbrand Cathy , Culley Lorraine
Published: August 2024

With the continued expansion and commercialisation of fertility treatments, the selection and matching of donors have become more sophisticated and technologised. As part of this landscape, new form of genetic screening: ‘expanded carrier screening’ (ECS) is being offered as a technique to avoid the risk of donors passing on genetic conditions to future offspring. Allowing donors to be tested for hundreds of genetic conditions simultaneously, ECS marks a considerable departure from traditional ‘family history’ models of screening, which rely on an individual's knowledge of family health. There is growing evidence of a drive towards the use of ECS within the fertility sector, and a growing number of clinics are offering it for a fee, as part of an egg or sperm donation cycle or as an add‐on to IVF treatment. In this article, we use methods of critical reflection to synthesise data from two studies to explore how ECS is being used to avoid genetic risk in IVF treatment using donor gametes. We suggest that ECS is a new form of repro‐genetic selection—a selective reproductive technology—with specific and important implications for donors, recipients and clinicians and with the potential to reconfigure the scope and application of gamete donation. We examine these implications and conclude that the existing policy blind spot relating to this development in fertility treatment practice needs to be urgently addressed.
Parent's Experience of a New Approach to Family Safeguarding in Oxfordshire Children Social Care Services
Authors: Buivydaite Ruta , Page Bethan , Carter James , Mann Delia , Vincent Charles
Published: August 2024

The Family Safeguarding Practice (FSP) framework represents a major shift in the approach to family safeguarding and services, with a much greater emphasis on empowering and supporting the family to be able to care for their child safely and independently. The aim of the study was to understand the impact of the new model to family's experience with children social services and what parts of the model were helpful or challenging. We recruited parents (n = 20) whose children are subject to statutory plans in Oxfordshire County Children Social Services. We used semi‐structured interviews to understand their experiences and views of services following the introduction of the new model (which was implemented in 2021). The data were analysed using thematic analysis. Parents reported positive experiences with social services when communication was clear and concise, and they felt involved and listened to, which motivated them to make changes and address long‐standing difficulties. Parents were especially positive about the involvement of adult‐facing practitioners (AFPs), in many cases, describing them as life transforming. The findings highlight the importance of working with the whole family and not just the child. Parents appreciated the key elements of the FSP programme: continuity of care, AFPs, open communication and better coordination of services. Parents' experiences however were very variable and suggest that some elements of the FSP model such as motivational interviewing and having one social worker throughout were not consistently implemented.
Patient‐reported outcomes in studies of diabetes technology: What matters
Authors: Liarakos Alexandros L. , Crabtree Thomas S. J. , Wilmot Emma G.
Published: August 2024

In recent years, diabetes technologies have revolutionized the care of people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Emerging evidence suggests that people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) can experience similar benefits from these advances in technology. While glycaemic outcomes are often a primary focus, the lived experience of the person with diabetes is equally important. In this review, we describe the impact of diabetes technologies on patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs). We highlight that most of the published studies investigated PROMs as secondary outcomes. Continuous glucose monitoring systems may have an important role in improving PROMs in individuals with T1D, which may be driven by the prevention or proactive management of hypoglycaemia. In people with T2D, continuous glucose monitoring may also have an important role in improving PROMs, particularly in those treated with insulin therapy. The impact of insulin pumps on PROMs seems positive in T1D, while there is limited evidence in T2D. Studies of hybrid closed‐loop therapies suggest increased treatment satisfaction, improved quality of life and decreased diabetes‐related distress in T1D, but it is unclear whether these benefits are because of a ‘class‐effect’ or individual systems. We conclude that PROMs deserve a more central role in trials and clinical practice, and we discuss directions for future research.
Nitrogen availability and summer drought, but not N:P imbalance, drive carbon use efficiency of a Mediterranean tree‐grass ecosystem
Authors: Nair Richard , Luo Yunpeng , El‐Madany Tarek , Rolo Victor , Pacheco‐Labrador Javier , Caldararu Silvia , Morris Kendalynn A. , Schrumpf Marion , Carrara Arnaud , Moreno Gerardo , Reichstein Markus , Migliavacca Mirco
Published: August 2024

All ecosystems contain both sources and sinks for atmospheric carbon (C). A change in their balance of net and gross ecosystem carbon uptake, ecosystem‐scale carbon use efficiency (CUEECO), is a change in their ability to buffer climate change. However, anthropogenic nitrogen (N) deposition is increasing N availability, potentially shifting terrestrial ecosystem stoichiometry towards phosphorus (P) limitation. Depending on how gross primary production (GPP, plants alone) and ecosystem respiration (RECO, plants and heterotrophs) are limited by N, P or associated changes in other biogeochemical cycles, CUEECO may change. Seasonally, CUEECO also varies as the multiple processes that control GPP and respiration and their limitations shift in time. We worked in a Mediterranean tree‐grass ecosystem (locally called ‘dehesa’) characterized by mild, wet winters and summer droughts. We examined CUEECO from eddy covariance fluxes over 6 years under control, +N and + NP fertilized treatments on three timescales: annual, seasonal (determined by vegetation phenological phases) and 14‐day aggregations. Finer aggregation allowed consideration of responses to specific patterns in vegetation activity and meteorological conditions. We predicted that CUEECO should be increased by wetter conditions, and successively by N and NP fertilization. Milder and wetter years with proportionally longer growing seasons increased CUEECO, as did N fertilization, regardless of whether P was added. Using a generalized additive model, whole ecosystem phenological status and water deficit indicators, which both varied with treatment, were the main determinants of 14‐day differences in CUEECO. The direction of water effects depended on the timescale considered and occurred alongside treatment‐dependent water depletion. Overall, future regional trends of longer dry summers may push these systems towards lower CUEECO.
CONSTANT DISCOUNTING, TEMPORAL INSTABILITY, AND DYNAMIC INCONSISTENCY IN DENMARK: A LONGITUDINAL FIELD EXPERIMENT
Authors: Harrison Glenn W. , Lau Morten I. , Yoo Hong Il
Published: August 2024

Claims that individuals have dynamically inconsistent preferences are usually made by studying individual discount rates over different time delays, but where those discount rates are elicited at a single point in time. However, to test dynamic inconsistency one has to know if the same subject has a different discounting function at a later point in time. We evaluate data from a longitudinal field experiment undertaken with a nationally representative sample of the adult Danish population. We cannot reject the hypothesis of constant discounting at the population level, but we reject the hypotheses of temporal stability and dynamic consistency.
A cross‐linguistic approach to investigating metacognitive regulation in writing among Chinese EFL learners: Insights for its trait/state distinction
Authors: Xu Wandong , Zhu Xinhua
Published: August 2024

Metacognitive regulation refers to learners’ ability to use a repertoire of metacognitive strategies to guide, observe, and manage thoughts, actions, and emotions in learning activities. It has been widely acknowledged as a significant predictor of language learning success, including writing. However, this line of research has been conducted in a single language context, and the interactions across L1 and L2 contexts have received insufficient scholarly attention. Situated in mainland China, we raise an innovative attempt to investigate metacognitive strategies in writing with a cross‐linguistic approach, thus illuminating the conceptualization of metacognitive regulation by testing its trait/state distinction. A group of 502 university students from different disciplinary majors were recruited to report their metacognitive strategy use in L1 and L2 task‐situated writing by filling in the assigned post‐task questionnaires. Multigroup confirmatory factor analysis (MGCFA) on the two questionnaire datasets provided empirical evidence for the cross‐language generalizability of metacognitive regulation in writing with the identified measurement invariance of the factor structure between L1 and L2 contexts, indicating its trait facet. However, the latent mean comparison results revealed that the actual usage frequency of metacognitive strategies scored significantly higher in L1 writing than in L2 writing, suggesting the state facet. These results are discussed extensively in this study to inform relevant theories and pedagogical activities.
The efficiency of human fat products in wound healing: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Xiao Yutian , Nie Mengqi , Xu Wenqing , Zhang Jinglve , Lei Shaorong , Wu Dingyu
Published: August 2024

Wound development and healing involve intricate genetic and molecular processes, posing significant clinical management challenges. The objective of this study was to assess commonly used fat extracts' efficacy and safety (autologous fat, stromal vascular fraction and adipose‐derived stem cells) in wound healing, particularly for refractory wounds, with the goal of providing evidence in clinical use. After a systematic review, 21 randomised controlled trials were included in our study. Based on the classification of human fat products, our meta‐analysis revealed that the use of human fat products could speed healing rate, shorten healing time and achieve more complete healing, with statistically significant differences in outcome indicators when compared to conventional treatments. The analysis of histological findings across various studies indicated that fat extracts can promote epithelialization, collagen deposition and vascularization, thereby facilitating tissue regeneration and reducing inflammatory reactions. There were potential benefits to reducing patient pain levels after using adipose extracts. Furthermore, we analysed and summarised adverse events indicating the safe and effective clinical use of human fat products in wound treatment. Our research findings supported the efficiency of human fat products and demonstrated a high degree of safety in the clinical practice of wound management.
The Cretaceous Diatom Database: A tool for investigating early diatom evolution
Authors: Bryłka Karolina , Ashworth Matt P. , Alverson Andrew J. , Conley Daniel J.
Published: August 2024

The Cretaceous period is the time of the first appearance of the diatoms in the fossil record. These fossils give us direct evidence of the age and early evolution of the diatom lineage. The fossil record, however, is incomplete and therefore often extrapolated through time‐calibrated phylogenies. These two approaches offer different perspectives on the early evolution of diatoms, which is still poorly understood. We compiled the first comprehensive Cretaceous Diatom Database, a tool to investigate the taxonomy, diversity, and occurrence of the earliest known diatom lineages. To further aid the integration and use of the oldest diatom fossils in molecular clock analyses, we present a set of well‐documented Cretaceous fossils that can be placed onto molecular phylogenetic trees of extant and extinct species, making them ideal candidates for the calibration of molecular clocks. The analysis of the fossil record and the Cretaceous Diatom Database revealed Cretaceous diversity is substantially greater than previously thought, yet considerable taxonomic work is still needed. The Cretaceous Diatom Database and the list of Cretaceous fossils for calibrating molecular clocks represent valuable resources for future evolutionary and taxonomic studies of modern and fossil diatoms.
Adiposity influences intraindividual variability in behavioral and neuroelectric indices of attentional inhibition
Authors: Kim Jeongwoon , Walk Anne M. , Keye Shelby A. , Kinder Christopher J. , Cannavale Corinne N. , Burd Nicholas A. , Khan Naiman A.
Published: August 2024

While overweight or obesity are thought to affect over 70% of the US population, the effects of adiposity on neurocognitive efficiency and stability remain unclear. Intra‐individual variability or trial‐to‐trial variability (IIV) could provide insights into the influence of adiposity on neurophysiological stability. However, previous work examining the association between adiposity and IIV of cognitive outcomes is limited. Thus, this study examined the association between whole‐body fat (%BF) and central tendency and IIV metrics of behavioral performance and event‐related potentials. Adults (n = 320; 19–64 yrs) completed the Flanker task to assess attentional inhibition with concurrent electroencephalogram recordings to examine the N2 and P3b components. In addition to central tendency outcomes typically reported (i.e., mean accuracy and reaction time [RT]), dispersion outcomes (e.g., standard deviation [SD] of RT, P3b latency, N2 latency, etc.) were also extracted. Upon controlling for age and sex, %BF was inversely associated with (congruent: β = −.18, p = .016; incongruent: β = −.23, p < .001) accuracy. Increasing %BF was related to greater RT SD (congruent: β = .13, p = .032; incongruent: β = .23, p < .001). Furthermore, increased %BF was associated with slower P3b latencies (congruent: β = .21, p = .003; incongruent: β = .18, p = .010), and greater incongruent N2 (β = .16, p = .017) and P3b (β = .16, p = .025) latency SD. These findings suggest adiposity exerts a generalized negative influence on attentional inhibition for both measures of central tendency and dispersion across behavioral and neuroelectric indices.
Bifurcation structure of steady states for a cooperative model with population flux by attractive transition
Authors: Adachi Masahiro , Kuto Kousuke
Published: August 2024

This paper studies the steady states to a diffusive Lotka–Volterra cooperative model with population flux by attractive transition. The first result gives many bifurcation points on the branch of the positive constant solution under the weak cooperative condition. The second result shows every steady state approaches a solution of the scalar field equation as the coefficients of the flux tend to infinity. Indeed, the numerical simulation using pde2path exhibits the global bifurcation branch of the cooperative model with large population flux is near that of the scalar field equation.
Enhanced mud retention as an autogenic mechanism for sustained delta growth: Insight from records of the Lafourche subdelta of the Mississippi River
Authors: Kim Minsik , Chun Byongsuk , Chamberlain Elizabeth , Kim Wonsuck
Published: August 2024

Mud deposition is acknowledged as a significant contributor to delta architecture, yet its role is often oversimplified as a constant parameter in models of delta formation. A better understanding of mud retention on deltas would resolve remaining questions regarding delta growth. This study explores how spatiotemporally varied mud retention facilitates sustained delta growth in defiance of the concept of autoretreat, that is, the idea that shoreline progradation rates decline as a delta grows due to the expansion of subaqueous and subaerial delta surfaces. This research is inspired by prior field observations of the river‐dominated Mississippi Delta, USA, where the shoreline of a ca 6000 to 8000 km2 subdelta prograded at a constant rate for roughly a millennium, despite its expanding delta surface, compaction and sea‐level rise. For this, a laterally averaged one‐dimensional numerical model is leveraged to test hypotheses that enhanced mud retention with time in: (i) the delta bottomset; and (ii) the delta plain (floodplain) supports a constant rate of shoreline progradation in a maturing delta. Results demonstrate that enhanced mud retention in both the bottomset and delta plain facilitates sustained delta growth. Neither component by itself can replicate the case study. Yet, with these two integrated components, the model reproduces the cross‐section and linearly prograding pattern observed in the Mississippi Delta. The findings provide an autogenic mechanism for sustained delta growth and support the importance of mud as a fundamental building block of deltas that should be incorporated in delta‐growth models of engineered river diversions.
Working Time, Income Inequality, and Life Expectancy: A Longitudinal Analysis of US States, 2005–2018
Authors: Fitzgerald Jared Berry
Published: August 2024

Previous studies on the relationship between working time and health generally find that longer working hours are detrimental for health outcomes. An unexplored issue in prior research is how other social structures, such as income inequality, can influence the working time/health relationship. Integrating arguments on the health consequences of income inequality and working time, this study considers how income inequality moderates the relationship between working hours and average life expectancy. It is proposed that the effect of working hours on life expectancy is greater in places that have higher levels of income inequality due to the increased precarity, stress and anxiety associated with longer work hours. Examining data from all 50 US states from 2005 to 2018, results from two‐way fixed‐effect models suggest that states with longer average working hours tend to exhibit lower average life expectancy net of other important economic and demographic controls. The models also reveal that the effect of working time on life expectancy is larger in states with higher levels of income inequality. These findings suggest that there are complex linkages between working time and inequality that negatively impact population health.
Predicting Protests and Riots in Urban Environments With Satellite Imagery and Deep Learning
Authors: Warnke Scott , Runfola Daniel
Published: August 2024

Conflict, manifesting as riots and protests, is a common occurrence in urban environments worldwide. Understanding their likely locations is crucial to policymakers, who may (for example) seek to provide overseas travelers with guidance on safe areas, or local policymakers with the ability to pre‐position medical aid or police presences to mediate negative impacts associated with riot events. Past efforts to forecast these events have focused on the use of news and social media, restricting applicability to areas with available data. This study utilizes a ResNet convolutional neural network and high‐resolution satellite imagery to estimate the spatial distribution of riots or protests within urban environments. At a global scale (N = 18,631 conflict events), by training our model to understand relationships between urban form and riot events, we are able to predict the likelihood that a given urban area will experience a riot or protest with accuracy as high as 97%. This research has the potential to improve our ability to forecast and understand the relationship between urban form and conflict events, even in data‐sparse regions.
Rice BARENTSZ genes are required to maintain floral developmental stability against temperature fluctuations
Authors: Li Peigang , Quan Hui , He Wenchao , Wu Lanfeng , Chen Zhixiong , Yong Bin , Liu Xiangdong , He Chaoying
Published: August 2024

BARENTSZ (BTZ), a core component of the exon junction complex, regulates diverse developmental processes in animals. However, its evolutionary and developmental roles in plants remain elusive. Here, we revealed that three groups of paralogous BTZ genes existed in Poaceae, and Group 2 underwent loss‐of‐function mutations during evolution. They showed surprisingly low (~33%) sequence identities, implying functional divergence. Two genes retained in rice, OsBTZ1 and OsBTZ3, were edited; however, the resultant osbtz1 and osbtz3 mutants showed similar floral morphological and functional defects at a low frequency. When growing under low‐temperature conditions, developmental abnormalities became pronounced, and new floral variations were induced. In particular, stamen and carpel functionality was impaired in these rice btz mutants. The double‐gene mutant osbtz1/3 shared these floral defects with an increased frequency, which was further induced under low‐temperature conditions. OsBTZs interacted with OsMADS7 and OsMADS8, and the floral expressions of the OsTGA10 and MADS‐box genes were correlatively altered in these osbtz mutants and responded to low‐temperature treatment. These novel findings demonstrate that two highly diverged OsBTZs are required to maintain floral developmental stability under low‐temperature conditions, and play an integral role in male and female fertility, thus providing new insights into the indispensable roles of BTZ genes in plant development and adaptive evolution.
IMAGE-BASED YOLOV4 ARCHITECTURE FOR DETECTING MINERAL IN SEDIMENTARY ROCKS THIN SECTION
Authors: Pratama Bagus Gilang , Qodri Muhammad Fatih , Sugarbo Oky
Published: August 2024

Thin section analysis of sedimentary rocks is the basis for identifying minerals and textures. In general, quantitative analysis of thin sections of rock often requires many hours of work when done manually. In today's era, mineralogical interpretation and percentage calculations must be carried out automatically using more practical applications. The research method begins with the identification of 44 thin section samples in parallel plane polarized (PPL) and crossed polarized (XPL) conditions with thin section analysis then mineralogy detection is carried out using a computational approach, namely the use of image-based Deep Learning YoloV4 architecture with 2D RGB image objects from the thin section of sedimentary rock. The results of this study show the best values of Average Precision in Quartz, Feldspar, and lithic are 39.21% in the XPL model, 26.53% in the XPL model, and 15.75% in combined mode, according to the training and testing of YoloV4 Models for the identification of rock minerals in thin sections. Based on the complexity of the mineral types, the granularity of the detection, and the specific geological objectives, establishing a meaningful benchmark or baseline for comparison is always challenging. Additionally, consider discussing the trade-offs between precision and recall, as a higher precision may be more critical in some geological applications. It is expected that the application of this research can produce practical, fast and accurate interpretation of the determination of minerals in sedimentary rocks from all thin-section images of rocks and thus provide a complete understanding of geological views automatically.
DEVELOPMENT OF PEAK GROUND ACCELERATION USING A NON-LINEAR APPROACH TO EVALUATE LIQUEFACTION POTENTIAL IN SEI WAMPU BRIDGE, LANGKAT, NORTH SUMATRA, INDONESIA
Authors: Aini Izzatul , Wilopo Wahyu , Fathani T. Faisal
Published: August 2024

The design of building structures requires compliance with seismic codes and all their consequences. Based on geotechnical investigation reports, the construction of Sei Wampu Bridge in Langkat, North Sumatra, Indonesia, is located in an area where the soil layers are predominantly sand with shallow water levels because of its proximity to a river and is a high earthquake zone due to the Semangko fault. That condition will affect the potential of liquefaction occurring. This study aims to identify the liquefaction potential in the Sei Wampu Bridge. Based on Indonesian National Standard (SNI) 1726-2019, sites prone to liquefaction are categorized as site class-specific soil (F) and requires site-specific response analysis (SSRA) methods. Non-linear analysis 1-D is chosen to propagate earthquake waves with the software DEEPSOIL V7. The input parameter for soil movement utilizes an average spectral matching method with a minimum of 7 pairs of soil movement selected from the earthquake recording website, PEER Ground Motion Database. The selection of earthquake considers a 1000-year earthquake load return period, or a 7% probability exceeded within 75 years. Site-specific response analysis (SSRA) resulted in a peak ground acceleration (PGA) value for each borehole depth used in liquefaction potential analysis. Using a historical earthquake scenario with a 6.3 Mw shows that the research location has liquefaction potential at 0 m-15 m deep with high vulnerability levels, where the LPI value reaches 36.21.
OPTIMAL LOAD FREQUENCY CONTROL OF INTERLINKED NONLINEAR POWER SYSTEM INTEGRATED WITH SMES-TCSC AND HVDC
Authors: Nath Vivek
Published: August 2024

In this article Multi-Area Multi-Source Interconnected Power System (MAMS-IPS) incorporated with an Automatic Voltage Regulator (AVR) in both the areas is considered for Load Frequency Control (LFC) study. Nonlinearity such as Governor Rate Constraints (GRC), Governor Dead Band (GDB), and Boiler are introduced with the thermal reheat generating unit. The effect of energy storage device (SMES) and fact device (TCSC) on the dynamic responses of IPS is also tested. PD-PID controller is suggested along with PID/PI-PD controller for minimizing the Automatic Control Error (ACE). The parameters of the proposed controller are optimized through a nature-inspired algorithm (PSO). PD-PID is superior then other suggested PID/PI-PD controllers. Objective functions ITAE, IAE, ISE, and ITSE are taken into consideration for finding the optimized values of the suggested controller as well as of TCSC and SMES devices. A step load of 10% is applied in both IPS areas. The rigidness of the suggested controller is verified by varying the loading condition of the IPS. A 10% increment in step load form is introduced for each area. The effect of renewable energy sources such as solar and a wind unit is also taken into consideration in this article. Varying step input is applied to this renewable unit to absorb its effect on the output responses of MAMS-IPS. The superiority of the PD-PID controller is verified by comparing its result with the recently published optimal controllers results described in the literature. SMES helps in improving the dynamic responses of the MAMS-IPS. Based on performance indices and Settling-time (ST) results of proposed controllers are compared with each other. For commenting on the stability of the introduced Power system (PS) eigenvalue analysis is also conducted. MATLAB version 2018 @ simulation software is used for simulation and for creating .m files
SYNTHESIS OF REFINED CARRAGEENAN FROM EUCHEUMA COTTONII WITH VARIATION OF PRECIPITATING SOLVENT
Authors: Maulidia Ragilia Rahma , Nurkhamidah Siti , Taufany Fadlilatul , Rahmawati Yeni , Fahmi Fahmi , Meka Wahyu
Published: August 2024

Red seaweed, Euchema cottonii, is a kappa carrageenan source that grows in Indonesia's coastal areas. Carrageenan is one of the polysaccharides composed entirely of D-galactopyranose units. Besides being used in the food industry, carrageenan is also used in the non-food industry, such as in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, printing, and textile formulations. Various studies have been carried out to produce high-quality Carrageenans. However, the extraction process of carrageenan is quite complicated, and relatively energy intensive. The primary step in carrageenan production is extraction, washing, filtration, precipitation, filtering, pressing, drying, and milling. This study aims to optimize the carrageenan extraction process from red seaweed and characterize the physicochemical of the extracted carrageenan. Red seaweed was extracted using 0.6% of KOH, and the ratio between seaweed and KOH solution was 1:20. Extraction temperature was varied at 30oC and 80oC, and several precipitants, i.e., 96% alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, and KCl were used. The results showed that the best carrageenan extraction process was at 80 oC of extraction temperature and using KCl as a precipitating solvent. From these results, the yield, water content, ash content, viscosity, and L value were 21.24%, 12.56%, 22.69%, 310.96 cP, and 97.93, respectively. Based on the Food Agriculture Organization (FAO) standard, the physical properties of carrageenan produced in this study are under the range permitted by this standard. The study of carrageenans by FTIR spectroscopy shows the presence of S=O of sulfate ester; and C-O of 3,6-anhydrogalactose; galactose and D-galactose-4-sulfate and the results indicated that the carrageenan was κ-type.
MULTI-USER INTERACTION FOR LIVING ROOM FURNITURE LAYOUT DESIGN IN HANDHELD AUGMENTED REALITY
Authors: Ling Chong Li , Goh Eg Su , Yong Pang Yee
Published: August 2024

Augmented Reality (AR) is the most recent popular technology that was developed in many fields. Development of AR is important for living room furniture layout design due to the high expectation of clients for testing design outcomes. Being able to think in three dimensions (3D) and visualizing projects is also a great importance for interior designers. Besides, the interior designer is difficult to collaborate with the clients for collecting furniture layout design ideas by referring the 2D furniture layout. Therefore, this study aims to introduce a multi-user interaction system for living room furniture layout design using handheld AR. The objectives of this study are; firstly, study multi-user interaction for living room furniture layout design in handheld AR. Secondly, develop handheld AR research prototype and multi-user interaction for living room furniture layout design and lastly, to integrate the handheld AR research prototype with multi-user interaction for living room furniture layout design. This study implements and combines the AR living room furniture layout design with multi-user interaction. This study also evaluates the research prototype based on the usability and user acceptance testing. The testing results showed the research prototype works properly. The respondents were overall satisfied with the research prototype and agreed that this research prototype is very interesting, creative and useful for collaborating with multi-user to design the living room furniture layout. This study has successfully established multi-user interaction for living room furniture layout design in handheld AR.
Acute stress differently modulates interneurons excitability and synaptic plasticity in the primary motor cortex of wild‐type and SOD1G93A mouse model of ALS
Authors: Mazurie Zoé , Branchereau Pascal , Cattaert Daniel , Henkous Nadia , Savona‐Baron Catherine , Vouimba Rose‐Marie
Published: August 2024

Primary motor cortex (M1) network stability depends on activity of inhibitory interneurons, for which susceptibility to stress was previously demonstrated in limbic regions. Hyperexcitability in M1 following changes in the excitatory/inhibitory balance is a key pathological hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Using electrophysiological approaches, we assessed the impact of acute restraint stress on inhibitory interneurons excitability and global synaptic plasticity in M1 of the SOD1G93A ALS mouse model at a late pre‐symptomatic stage (10–12.5 weeks). Based on their firing type (continuous, discontinuous, with accommodation or not) and electrophysiological characteristics (resting potential, rheobase, firing frequency), interneurons from M1 slices were separated into four clusters, labelled from 1 to 4. Among them, only interneurons from the first cluster, presenting continuous firing with few accommodations, tended to show increased excitability in wild‐type (WT) and decreased excitability in SOD1G93A animals following stress. In vivo analyses of evoked field potentials showed that stress suppressed the theta burst‐induced plasticity of an excitatory component (N1) recorded in the superficial layers of M1 in WT, with no impact on an inhibitory complex (N2–P1) from the deeper layers. In SOD1G93A mice, stress did not affect N1 but suppressed the N2–P1 plasticity. These data suggest that stress can alter M1 network functioning in a different manner in WT and SOD1G93A mice, possibly through changes of inhibitory interneurons excitability and synaptic plasticity. This suggests that stress‐induced activity changes in M1 may therefore influence ALS outcomes.

image

Key points

Disruption of the excitatory/inhibitory balance in the primary motor cortex (M1) has been linked to cortical hyperexcitability development, a key pathological hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Psychological stress was reported to influence excitatory/inhibitory balance in limbic regions, but very little is known about its influence on the M1 functioning under physiological or pathological conditions.

Our study revealed that acute stress influences the excitatory/inhibitory balance within the M1, through changes in interneurons excitability along with network plasticity. Such changes were different in pathological (SOD1G93A ALS mouse model) vs. physiological (wild‐type) conditions.

The results of our study help us to better understand how stress modulates the M1 and highlight the need to further characterize stress‐induced motor cortex changes because it may be of importance when evaluating ALS outcomes.