bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Types of Discrimination as Predictors of Identity Concealment in a Sexual and Gender Minority Sample
Authors: Giraud Charlie , Leonard Michelle
Published: February 2024

The present study examined the role of different forms of discrimination (individual-level, institutional-level, and both types of discrimination) in predicting identity concealment behaviors in a sample of sexual and gender minorities (SGM; n = 2296) living in Eastern Europe. Both the choice to engage in identity concealment at all and the frequency to which an individual concealed their identity were regressed onto each type of discrimination. Results of a logistic regression revealed that those who had experienced individual-level, institutional-level, or both types of discrimination were more likely to choose to conceal their identity than those who did not experience discrimination. Using a multivariate regression, each type of discrimination was found to have a positive association with frequency of identity concealment, with those who experienced both types of discrimination showing the strongest association. However, when controlling for country, the association between institutional-level discrimination and frequency of identity concealment was no longer significant. These findings suggest that not all forms of discrimination may have the same impact on SGM individuals and that experiencing multiple forms of discrimination may have compounding effects on one’s choice to conceal their identity and the frequency to which they engage in this behavior.
Stochastic behavior of within-host progression in primary dengue infection
Authors: Islam Md Hamidul , Masud M. A. , Kim Eunjung
Published: February 2024

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection that triggers a series of intracellular events in the host immune system, which may result in an invasion of the virus into the host and cause illness with a spectrum of severity. Depending on the degree of the infection, mild to severe clinical symptoms appear when the T-cell and B-cell-initiated immune responses fail to eradicate the virus particles and subsequently become compromised. Here, we propose a mathematically tractable simple model that exhibits important biological features of dengue infection. Dynamical analysis of our model explores the factors influencing viral persistence in the body over an extended period. To investigate plausible variability in viral dynamics in different hosts, we perform stochastic simulations of our model using Gillespie’s algorithm. Our simulation results recapitulate the distribution of the intrinsic incubation period, daily viral load, and the day of peak viremia. In addition, we observe that the invasion probability of the virus into the host is correlated with the initial virus population injected by the mosquito. However, considering the biting behavior of Aedes mosquitoes, a lower initial virus injection could end up increasing the epidemic potential of the virus.
The mechanism of action and experimental verification of Gan-song Yin on renal clear cell carcinoma based on network pharmacology and bioinformatics
Authors: Jiang Wenjie , Yuan Ling , Liu Qian , Li Xiangyang , Yang Yifan , Li Jiaqing , Jiao Taiqiang , Niu Yang , Zhang Lei , Dou Hongli , Nan Yi
Published: February 2024

Background

Gan-song Yin (GSY) is originated from the scripture “Gan-song Pills”, a medical work of the Ningxia ethnic minorities, and its treatment of kidney diseases has good results. Its method of treating Renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) is still unknown, nevertheless.

Methods

Firstly, utilizing a network pharmacology strategy to screen GSY for active components and targets and looking up KIRC-related targets in GeneCards and GEO databases. Secondly, protein interaction networks were constructed and analyzed for GO and KEGG enrichment. Molecular docking was then performed and clinical and other correlations of the network pharmacology results were analyzed using bioinformatic analysis methods. Finally, we performed in vitro cellular experiments with 786-O cells and ACHN cells to validate the results of network pharmacology and bioinformatic analysis.

Results

With the help of network pharmacological analysis, six hub targets were eliminated. Bioinformatics study revealed that the hub targets has clinically significant clinical guiding importance. The results showed that GSY inhibited the proliferation of 786-O cells and ACHN cells, induced cell apoptosis, blocked cell cycle, and reduced cell colony formation ability. qRT-PCR results showed that GSY promoted the expression of ALB and CASP3 genes, and inhibited the expression of EGFR, JUN, MYC and VEGFA genes. Western blot results showed that GSY could promote the expression of ALB and CASP3 protein, and inhibit the expression of EGFR, JUN, MYC and VEGFA protein.

Conclusions

Network pharmacology and bioinformatics analysis showed that GSY could act on multiple targets through a variety of components to achieve the effect of treating KIRC. In this study, we confirmed that GSY inhibits KIRC by regulating the expression of core targets through in vitro cellular experiments, thus providing a reference for subsequent related studies.
Affective and Attitudinal Features of
Benevolent Heterosexism in Italy: The Italian Validation of the Multidimensional
Heterosexism Inventory
Authors: Bochicchio Vincenzo , Mezzalira Selene , Walls Eugene , Méndez Lucas Platero , López-Sáez Miguel Ángel , Bodroža Bojana , Ellul Manuel Joseph , Scandurra Cristiano
Published: February 2024

Introduction

People who belong to a sexual and gender minority often face
prejudices that have their roots in heterosexism, a sociocultural system that
can manifest itself in different ways and sometimes in a seemingly benevolent
fashion. The present study examined the psychometric properties of the
Multidimensional Heterosexism Inventory (MHI), a scale assessing aversive,
amnestic, paternalistic, and positive stereotypic heterosexism, in an Italian
sample.

Methods

Two hundred one cisgender and heterosexual individuals (129 women
and 72 men) aged 18 to 81 years (M = 36.42,
SD = 12.56) were recruited online between
May and October 2022 and answered questions about social dominance orientation,
right-wing authoritarianism, ambivalent sexism, and attitudes toward lesbians
and gay men.

Results

Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the original 4-factor model
of the scale fit the data well. Predictive and convergent validity of the
Italian version of the MHI was adequate, whereas discriminant validity was not
fully achieved due to overlap of multidimensional heterosexism with hostile and
benevolent sexism and authoritarianism. Scores were higher for aversive and
amnesic heterosexism in men than in women, but not for paternalistic and
positive stereotypic heterosexism. Finally, less educated participants, those
with no LGBTQI + friends, and religious participants were higher in all MHI
subscales than their counterparts.

Conclusions

This study provides the first evidence for the validity and
reliability of an Italian version of the MHI.

Policy Implications

Using the MHI can help to make visible not only the explicit but
also the subtle forms of heterosexism, thus recognizing the multidimensional
nature of heterosexism produced in social institutions.
Historical perspectives on forestry science and monocultures: Ideas of rationality in Sweden during the early twentieth century
Authors: Jönsson Jimmy
Published: February 2024

This study aims to broaden our historical knowledge about ideas of rationalism and monocultures in forestry science and rational forest management. Empirically, it focuses on the writings of Swedish forestry scientist Henrik Hesselman, active in the early twentieth century. The texts were analyzed using the method of historical contextualization. The study indicates that monocultures historically have been subjected to debates richer than what previous research gives credit for. Besides a rationalist technology, monocultures have been conceptualized as an example of non-rational forestry failing to deliver sustainable yields. Moreover, instead of only simplifications, one-size-fits-all solutions, and top-down reforms, historical forestry science representatives have also at times understood rational forest management as a quest for complexity, site-specific solutions, and bottom-up approaches. It is argued that our understanding of forest use and society–environment relations, more generally, benefit from more historical contextualization.
Down with the politics, up with the law! Reinforcing EU law’s supervision of sport autonomy in Europe
Authors: García Borja
Published: February 2024

The rulings of the CJEU in Superleague, Royal Antwerp and ISU endorse some of the characteristics of the European Model of Sport without explicitly referring to it. The Court recognises across the three judgments the specific nature of sport, the cultural importance of sport in Europe, the primacy of sporting merit and equal opportunities in sport competitions, and the relevance of redistribution to maintain amateur and commercial sport intertwined. The CJEU also acknowledges the legitimacy of sport governing bodies as regulators of their sport, but severely limits their autonomy to do so. The judgments are extremely critical of sport governance structures in two main areas: policy-making processes, and accountability mechanisms. The latter is severely criticised with demands for sport federations to produce thorough and convincing evidence that could demonstrate the benefits of their anticompetitive rules and regulations, so they can be granted and exemption under EU law. Furthermore, the Court criticises forced arbitration through the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The judgments assert the primacy of EU law over politics in European sport regulation, whilst also reinforcing the supervised nature of sport autonomy in the European Union. The judgments can also be interpreted as a warning to the Commission, European Parliament, and Council of the EU on the limits of Article 165 TFEU in the development of a European sport policy.
A discussion about the limitations of the Eurocode’s high-speed load model for railway bridges
Authors: Ferreira Gonçalo , Montenegro Pedro , Pinto José Rui , Henriques António Abel , Calçada Rui
Published: February 2024

High-speed railway bridges are subjected to normative limitations concerning maximum permissible deck accelerations. For the design of these structures, the European norm EN 1991-2 introduces the high-speed load model (HSLM)—a set of point loads intended to include the effects of existing high-speed trains. Yet, the evolution of current trains and the recent development of new load models motivate a discussion regarding the limits of validity of the HSLM. For this study, a large number of randomly generated load models of articulated, conventional, and regular trains are tested and compared with the envelope of HSLM effects. For each type of train, two sets of 100,000 load models are considered: one abiding by the limits of the EN 1991-2 and another considering wider limits. This comparison is achieved using both a bridge-independent metric (train signatures) and dynamic analyses on a case study bridge (the Canelas bridge of the Portuguese Railway Network). For the latter, a methodology to decrease the computational cost of moving loads analysis is introduced. Results show that some theoretical load models constructed within the stipulated limits of the norm can lead to effects not covered by the HSLM. This is especially noted in conventional trains, where there is a relation with larger distances between centres of adjacent vehicle bogies.
Investigating Appraisal and the Language of Evaluation in Fake News Corpora
Authors: Trnavac Radoslava , Põldvere Nele
Published: February 2024

The present corpus study, which is grounded in Appraisal Theory, investigates evaluative language use in fake news in English. The primary aim is to find out how and why, if at all, evaluative meanings are construed differently in fake news compared to genuine news. The secondary aim is to explore potential differences between types of fake news based on contextual factors. The data are from two carefully-designed corpora containing both fake and genuine news: a single-authored corpus and a multi-authored corpus. Both corpora contain false information that is meant to deceive, but they also differ from each other in terms of register, genre and the motivational goals of the authors. Through qualitative and quantitative analyses, we show that there are systematic differences in the occurrence of Appraisal expressions across fake and genuine news, with Appraisal being more common in the former. However, the exact nature of the affective, dialogic and modal expression of fake news is influenced by contextual factors that, so far, have largely been ignored in fake news research. Therefore, the study has important implications for the development of fake news detection systems based on data sources of different kinds, a task which is in grave need of the input of corpus linguists.
The method and implementation of a Taiwan building recognition model based on YOLOX-S and illustration enhancement
Authors: Zhuang Yung-Yu , Chen Wei-Hsiang , Wu Shao-Kai , Chang Wen-Yao
Published: February 2024

Earthquakes pose significant risks in Taiwan, necessitating effective risk assessment and preventive measures to reduce damage. Obtaining complete building structure data is crucial for the accurate evaluation of earthquake-induced losses. However, manual annotation of building structures is time-consuming and inefficient, resulting in incomplete data. To address this, we propose YOLOX-CS, an object detection model, combined with the Convolutional Block Attention Module (CBAM), to enhance recognition capabilities for small structures and reduce background interference. Additionally, we introduce the Illustration Enhancement data augmentation method to improve the recognition of obscured buildings. We collected diverse building images and manually annotated them, resulting in a dataset for training the model. YOLOX-CS with CBAM significantly improves recognition accuracy, particularly for small objects, and Illustration Enhancement enhances the recognition of occluded buildings. Our proposed approach advances building structure recognition, contributing to more effective earthquake risk assessment systems in Taiwan and beyond.
When a “Feminist” Government Tackles Gender-Based Violence: A WPR Approach to the Speeches of Canadian Cabinet Ministers (2015–2019)
Authors: Gerrits Bailey
Published: February 2024

Ending gender-based violence was a central promise of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's self-declared feminist government. Executive speeches about gender-based violence provide clues about what types of feminist ideas undergird the 42nd Parliament. Was carceral feminism advanced, by focusing on punishment? Or neoliberalized feminist ideas, by focusing on the market? Or social justice feminist ideas, by focusing on systemic change? Applying the concept of governance feminism and using Bacchi's WPR approach, this article investigates how gender-based violence is problematized in English- and French-language House of Commons debates in the 42nd Parliament by the cabinet. The speeches problematize gender-based violence as preventable and caused by systemic issues, but this transformational discourse is undermined by a focus on strengthening carceral responses and limiting human potential to economic productivity. Feminist ideas about gender-based violence were adopted, relying on carceral and neoliberalized feminist ideas. The Trudeau Liberals’ campaign for change was discursively undermined.
Community social capital and self-rated health among older adults in urban China: the moderating roles of instrumental activities of daily living and smoking
Authors: Sun Qian , Lu Nan
Published: February 2024

Scholars have not yet explored the relationship between community social capital and self-rated health (SRH) among older adults in China in depth, including potential moderators in this relationship. In response to this gap, this study aimed to investigate the association between community social capital and SRH among urban Chinese older adults and the moderating roles of instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) and smoking. We used a quota sampling method to recruit 800 respondents aged 60 years and older from 20 communities in Shijiazhuang and Tianjin, China. SRH was used as the dependent variable. Binary logistic regression models with interaction terms were used to analyse the data. The results showed that trust (a cognitive social capital indicator), volunteering (a structural social capital indicator) and family social capital were significantly associated with SRH when controlling for other social capital indicators and covariates. Difficulties with IADL and smoking significantly moderated the association between community social capital and SRH. Cognitive social capital was only positively associated with SRH health among respondents who did not experience difficulty with IADLs. The positive association between citizenship activities and SRH was only significant among those who experienced difficulty with IADLs. The number of organisational memberships was negatively associated with SRH among respondents with a history of smoking. Volunteering was positively associated with SRH in respondents with a history of smoking. These findings highlight the important role of social capital in promoting SRH among older adults in urban areas of China and notably identify within-population heterogeneity in the associations between social capital and SRH. This study offers insights useful for developing social capital policies and interventions to meet the specific social needs of older adults with varied levels of difficulty with IADLs and health behaviours.
Expectation formation and the Phillips curve revisited
Authors: Czudaj Robert L.
Published: February 2024

This paper studies expectation formation of professional forecasters in the context of the Phillips curve. We assess whether professionals form their expectations regarding inflation and unemployment consistent with the Phillips curve based on individual forecast data taken from the ECB Survey of Professional Forecasters. We consider expectations over different horizons and do not restrict the analysis to point forecasts but we also take the information inherent in density forecasts into account. We explicitly consider the role of anchoring of inflation expectations as potential source of nonlinearity, and we also assess whether the Phillips curve relation translates to a link between uncertainty regarding inflation and unemployment. Our findings show that professionals tend to build their expectations in line with the Phillips curve but this is only observed for expectations made for shorter horizons. For longer horizons, the Phillips curve connection is much weaker. This relationship also depends on the degree of anchoring and results in a connection between uncertainty regarding future inflation and unemployment.
THE
$\boldsymbol {(2,3)}$
-GENERATION OF THE FINITE SIMPLE ODD-DIMENSIONAL ORTHOGONAL GROUPS
Authors: PELLEGRINI MARCO ANTONIO , TAMBURINI BELLANI MARIA CHIARA
Published: February 2024

The complete classification of the finite simple groups that are
$(2,3)$
-generated is a problem which is still open only for orthogonal groups. Here, we construct
$(2, 3)$
-generators for the finite odd-dimensional orthogonal groups
$\Omega _{2k+1}(q)$
,
$k\geq 4$
. As a byproduct, we also obtain
$(2,3)$
-generators for
$\Omega _{4k}^+(q)$
with
$k\geq 3$
and q odd, and for
$\Omega _{4k+2}^\pm (q)$
with
$k\geq 4$
and
$q\equiv \pm 1~ \mathrm {(mod~ 4)}$
.
Characterizing Offshore Freshened Groundwater Salinity Patterns Using Trans‐Dimensional Bayesian Inversion of Controlled Source Electromagnetic Data: A Case Study From the Canterbury Bight, New Zealand
Authors: Faghih Zahra , Haroon Amir , Jegen Marion , Gehrmann Romina , Schwalenberg Katrin , Micallef Aaron , Dettmer Jan , Berndt Christian , Mountjoy Joshu , Weymer Bradley A.
Published: February 2024

The study of offshore freshened groundwater (OFG) is gaining importance due to population growth and environmental pressure on coastal water resources. Marine controlled source electromagnetic (CSEM) methods can effectively map the spatial extent of OFG systems using electrical resistivity as a proxy. Integrating these resistivity models with sub‐surface properties, such as host‐rock porosity, allows for estimates of pore‐water salinity. However, evaluating the uncertainty in pore‐water salinity using resistivity models obtained from deterministic inversion approaches presents challenges, as they provide only one best‐fit model, with no associated estimate of uncertainty. To address this limitation, we employ trans‐dimensional Markov‐Chain Monte‐Carlo inversion on marine time‐domain CSEM data, acquired in the Canterbury Bight, New Zealand. We integrate resistivity posterior probability distributions with borehole and seismic reflection data to estimate pore‐water salinity with corresponding uncertainty estimates. The results highlight a low‐salinity groundwater body in the center of the survey area, hosted by consecutive silty‐ and fine‐sand layers approximately 20–60 km from the coast. The posterior probability distribution of resistivity models indicates freshening of the OFG body toward the shoreline within a permeable, coarse‐sand layer 40–150 m beneath the seafloor, suggesting an active connection between the OFG body and the terrestrial groundwater system. The approach demonstrates how Bayesian inversion constrains the uncertainties in resistivity models and subsequently in pore‐water salinity estimates. Our findings highlight the potential of Bayesian inversion to enhance our understanding of OFG systems and provide uncertainty constraints for hydrogeological modeling, thereby contributing to sustainable water resource development.
A Machine Learning and Remote Sensing‐Based Model for Algae Pigment and Dissolved Oxygen Retrieval on a Small Inland Lake
Authors: Beal Maxwell R. W. , Özdoğan Mutlu , Block Paul J.
Published: February 2024

Excessive algae growth can lead to negative consequences for ecosystem function, economic opportunity, and human and animal health. Due to the cost‐effectiveness and temporal availability of satellite imagery, remote sensing has become a powerful tool for water quality monitoring. The use of remotely sensed products to monitor water quality related to algae and cyanobacteria productivity during a bloom event may help inform management strategies for inland waters. To evaluate the ability of satellite imagery to monitor algae pigments and dissolved oxygen conditions in a small inland lake, chlorophyll‐a, phycocyanin, and dissolved oxygen concentrations are measured using a YSI EXO2 sonde during Sentinel‐2 and Sentinel‐3 overpasses from 2019 to 2022 on Lake Mendota, WI. Machine learning methods are implemented with existing algorithms to model chlorophyll‐a, phycocyanin, and Pc:Chla. A novel machine learning‐based dissolved oxygen modeling approach is developed using algae pigment concentrations as predictors. Best model results based on Sentinel‐2 (Sentinel‐3) imagery achieved R2 scores of 0.47 (0.42) for chlorophyll‐a, 0.69 (0.22) for phycocyanin, and 0.70 (0.41) for Pc:Chla. Dissolved oxygen models achieved an R2 of 0.68 (0.36) when applied to Sentinel‐2 (Sentinel‐3) imagery, and Pc:Chla is found to be the most important predictive feature. Random forest models are better suited to water quality estimations in this system given built in methods for feature selection and a relatively small data set. Use of these approaches for estimation of Pc:Chla and dissolved oxygen can increase the water quality information extracted from satellite imagery and improve characterization of algae conditions among inland waters.
Compartmentalized ocular lymphatic system mediates eye–brain immunity
Authors: Yin Xiangyun , Zhang Sophia , Lee Ju Hyun , Dong Huiping , Mourgkos George , Terwilliger Gordon , Kraus Aurora , Geraldo Luiz Henrique , Poulet Mathilde , Fischer Suzanne , Zhou Ting , Mohammed Farrah Shalima , Zhou Jiangbing , Wang Yongfu , Malloy Seth , Rohner Nicolas , Sharma Lokesh , Salinas Irene , Eichmann Anne , Thomas Jean-Leon , Saltzman W. Mark , Huttner Anita , Zeiss Caroline , Ring Aaron , Iwasaki Akiko , Song Eric
Published: February 2024

The eye, an anatomical extension of the central nervous system (CNS), exhibits many molecular and cellular parallels to the brain. Emerging research demonstrates that changes in the brain are often reflected in the eye, particularly in the retina1. Still, the possibility of an immunological nexus between the posterior eye and the rest of the CNS tissues remains unexplored. Here, studying immune responses to herpes simplex virus in the brain, we observed that intravitreal immunization protects mice against intracranial viral challenge. This protection extended to bacteria and even tumours, allowing therapeutic immune responses against glioblastoma through intravitreal immunization. We further show that the anterior and posterior compartments of the eye have distinct lymphatic drainage systems, with the latter draining to the deep cervical lymph nodes through lymphatic vasculature in the optic nerve sheath. This posterior lymphatic drainage, like that of meningeal lymphatics, could be modulated by the lymphatic stimulator VEGFC. Conversely, we show that inhibition of lymphatic signalling on the optic nerve could overcome a major limitation in gene therapy by diminishing the immune response to adeno-associated virus and ensuring continued efficacy after multiple doses. These results reveal a shared lymphatic circuit able to mount a unified immune response between the posterior eye and the brain, highlighting an understudied immunological feature of the eye and opening up the potential for new therapeutic strategies in ocular and CNS diseases.
Numerical study and orthogonal analysis of optimal performance parameters for vertical cooling of sintered ore
Authors: Wang Weishu , Li Shuailong , Zhen Juan , Guo Jiawei , Xu Weihui
Published: February 2024

The sinter cooler, essential for cooling hot sintered ore to a specific temperature, has seen recent advancements with the introduction of a vertical sinter cooling furnace. This innovation aims to enhance energy efficiency, reduce emissions, and improve waste heat recovery. Despite significant research, a quantitative analysis of factors impacting its cooling and heat transfer efficiency is lacking. This study utilizes the Euler model and local non-equilibrium thermodynamic theory to identify key factors affecting the gas–solid cooperative cooling process in the vertical cooler. Through an orthogonal experimental approach, the paper determines the optimal structural and operational parameters for the furnace. Key findings include that a gas–solid ratio of 1200m^3/t, inlet air temperature of 50 ℃, cooling section height of 6m, and diameter of 13.25m maximize efficiency, achieving a weighted range normalization value of 0.962. This configuration meets sintered ore cooling requirements while optimizing waste heat recovery. The study reveals that the impact on heat transfer efficiency is influenced primarily by the gas–solid ratio, followed by the cooling section's height, diameter, and inlet air temperature. These insights are crucial for enhancing the vertical sinter cooler's design, contributing to more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly sintering processes.
Carbon sequestration and credit potential of gamhar (Gmelina arborea Roxb.) based agroforestry system for zero carbon emission of India
Authors: Kumar Abhay , Malik M. S. , Shabnam Swati , Kumar Rakesh , Karmakar S. , Das Soumitra Sankar , Lakra Kerobim , Singh Indra , Kumar Rikesh , Sinha Asha Kumari , Barla Sheela , Kumari Nargis , Oraon P. R. , Prasad Muneshwar , Hasan Wajid , Mahto Dinesh , Kumar Jeetendra
Published: February 2024

The agroforestry system is the best option to achieve the net zero carbon emissions target for India. Keeping this view, carbon sequestration and credit potential of gamhar based agroforestry system has been assessed. The experiment was carried out in randomized block design in seven different treatments with five replications. Gamhar tree biomass accumulation was higher in gamhar based agroforestry system compared to sole gamhar. Among different tree components, stem contributed a maximum to total gamhar tree biomass followed by roots, leaves and branches. The average contributions of stems, roots, leaves and branches in total tree biomass in two annual cycles (2016–17 and 2017–18) varied between 50 and 60, 19.8 and 20, 19.2 and 20, and 10.7 and 12.7 percent, respectively. In case of crops, above ground, below ground and total biomass was significantly higher in sole intercrops than gamhar based agroforestry system. Total (Tree + interrops + Soil) carbon stock, carbon sequestration, carbon credit and carbon price were significantly affected by treatments, and was maximum in Sole Greengram-Mustard. Net carbon emission was also recorded lowest in Sole Greengram-Mustard for which the values were 811.55% and 725.24% and 760.69% lower than Sole Gamhar in 2016–17, 2017–18 and in pooled data, respectively.
The connectivity indices concept of neutrosophic graph and their application of computer network, highway system and transport network flow
Authors: Kaviyarasu M. , Aslam Muhammad , Afzal Farkhanda , Mohammed Saeed Maha , Mehmood Arif , Gul Saeed
Published: February 2024

To address information ambiguities, this study suggests using neutrosophic sets as a tactical tool. Three membership functions (called $$T_r, I_n, $$

T
r

,

I
n

,

and $$ F_i$$

F
i

) that indicate an object’s degree of truth, indeterminacy, and false membership constitute the neutrosophic set. It becomes clear that the neutrosophic connectivity index (CIN) is an essential tool for solving practical problems, especially those involving traffic network flow. To capture uncertainties, neutrosophic graphs are used to represent knowledge at different membership levels. Two types of $$CIN_s,$$

C
I

N
s

,

mean CIN and CIN, are investigated within the framework of neutrosophic graphs. In the context of neutrosophic diagrams, certain node types-such as neutrosophic neutral nodes, neutrosophic connectivity reducing nodes (NCRN) , and neutrosophic graph connectivity enhancing nodes (NCEN) , play important roles. We concentrate on two types of networks, specifically traffic network flow, to illustrate the real-world uses of CIN. By comparing results, one can see how junction removal affects network connectivity using metrics like Connectivity Indexes (CIN) and Average Connectivity Indexes (ACIN) . A few nodes in particular, designated by ACIN as Non-Critical Removal Nodes $$ (NCRN_s) $$

(
N
C
R

N
s

)

, show promise for increases in average connectivity following removal. To fully comprehend traffic network dynamics and make the best decisions, it is crucial to take into account both ACIN and CIN insights. This is because different junctions have different effects on average and overall connectivity metrics.
Anaerobic flora, Selenomonas ruminis sp. nov., and the bacteriocinogenic Ligilactobacillus salivarius strain MP3 from crossbred-lactating goats
Authors: Poothong Saranporn , Tanasupawat Somboon , Chanpongsang Somchai , Kingkaew Engkarat , Nuengjamnong Chackrit
Published: February 2024

This study aimed to examine the distribution of anaerobic bacteria in the rumen fluid of Thai crossbred goats and to screen potential probiotic strains capable of producing antimicrobial compounds and inhibiting bacteria that cause milk fat depression. Thirty-four strains of bacteria from the rumen fluid were divided into 13 groups within 12 genera based on 16S rRNA gene sequences. The RF1-5 and RF5-12 were identified as Streptococcus luteliensis and Bacillus licheniformis, respectively, and demonstrated non-ropy exopolysaccharide. Furthermore, mPRGC5T was closely related to Selenomonas caprae JCM 33725 T (97.8% similarity) based on 16S rRNA gene sequences. It exhibited low average nucleotide identity, digital DNA–DNA hybridization, and average amino acid identity values with related type strains ranging from 84.9 to 86.0%, 21.3 to 21.8%, and 73.8 to 76.1%, respectively. The genotypic and phenotypic characteristics of mPRGC5T strongly support this strain as a new species of the genus Selenomonas for which the name Selenomonas ruminis mPRGC5T was proposed. The type strain is mPRGC5T (= JCM 33724 T = KCTC 25177 T). Ligilactobacillus salivarius MP3 showed antibacterial activity against Cutibacterium acnes subsp. acnes DSM 1897 T and Kocuria rhizophila MIII. The enterolysin A cluster gene was identified in its genome. The auto-aggregation of L. salivarius MP3 was 93.6 ± 0.2%. Additionally, co-aggregation of L. salivarius MP3 with C. acnes DSM 1897 T and K. rhizophila MIII had 92.2 ± 3.4% and 87.3 ± 4.5%, respectively. The adhesion capacity of strain MP3 was 76.11 ± 2.2%. Probiogenomic analysis revealed that L. salivarius MP3 was nonhazardous to animal supplementation and included acid- and bile-tolerant ability. However, strain MP3 contained three antibiotic resistance genes. Thus, the supplementation of L. salivarius MP3 could increase the milk fat content by suppressing C. acnes DSM 1897 T with antibiotic resistance gene horizontal transfer awareness.
Characterizing clinical progression in patients with musculoskeletal pain by pain severity and central sensitization-related symptoms
Authors: Shigetoh Hayato , Koga Masayuki , Tanaka Yoichi , Hirakawa Yoshiyuki , Morioka Shu
Published: February 2024

Central sensitization-related symptoms (CSS) are associated with the severity and progression of pain. The relationship between the severity of pain/CSS and clinical progresses remains unclear. This multicenter, collaborative, longitudinal study aimed to characterize the clinical outcomes of patients with musculoskeletal pain by classifying subgroups based on the severity of pain/CSS and examining changes in subgroups over time. We measured the pain intensity, CSS, catastrophic thinking, and body perception disturbance in 435 patients with musculoskeletal pain. Reevaluation of patients after one month included 166 patients for pain intensity outcome and 110 for both pain intensity and CSS outcome analysis. We classified the patients into four groups (mild pain/CSS, severe pain/mild CSS, severe pain/CSS, and mild pain/severe CSS groups) and performed multiple comparison analyses to reveal the differences between the CSS severity groups. Additionally, we performed the adjusted residual chi-square to identify the number of patients with pain improvement, group transition, changing pain, and CSS pattern groups at baseline. The most characteristic result was that the mild and severe CSS groups showed worsening pain. Moreover, many of the group transitions were to the same group, with a few transitioning to a group with mild pain/CSS. Our findings suggest that the severity and improvement of CSS influence pain prognosis.
Antiplatelet therapy prior to COVID-19 infection impacts on patients mortality: a propensity score-matched cohort study
Authors: Sokolski Mateusz , Reszka Konrad , Adamik Barbara , Kilis-Pstrusinska Katarzyna , Lis Weronika , Pomorski Michał , Sokolowski Janusz , Doroszko Adrian , Madziarska Katarzyna , Jankowska Ewa Anita , Protasiewicz Marcin
Published: February 2024

One of the major pathomechanisms of COVID-19 is the interplay of hyperinflammation and disruptions in coagulation processes, involving thrombocytes. Antiplatelet therapy (AP) by anti-inflammatory effect and inhibition of platelet aggregation may affect these pathways. The aim of this study was to investigate if AP has an impact on the in-hospital course and medium-term outcomes in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The study population (2170 COVID-19 patients: mean ± SD age 60 ± 19 years old, 50% male) was divided into a group of 274 patients receiving any AP prior to COVID-19 infection (AP group), and after propensity score matching, a group of 274 patients without previous AP (non-AP group). Patients from the AP group were less frequently hospitalized in the intensive care unit: 9% vs. 15%, 0.55 (0.33–0.94), developed less often shock: 9% vs. 15%, 0.56 (0.33–0.96), and required less aggressive forms of therapy. The AP group had more coronary revascularizations: 5% vs. 1%, 3.48 (2.19–5.55) and strokes/TIA: 5% vs. 1%, 3.63 (1.18–11.2). The bleeding rate was comparable: 7% vs. 7%, 1.06 (0.54–2.06). The patients from the AP group had lower 3-month mortality: 31% vs. 39%, 0.69 (0.51–0.93) and didn’t differ significantly in 6-month mortality: 34% vs. 41%, 0.79 (0.60–1.04). When analyzing the subgroup with a history of myocardial infarction and/or coronary revascularization and/or previous stroke/transient ischemic attack and/or peripheral artery disease, AP had a beneficial effect on both 3-month: 37% vs. 56%, 0.58 (0.40–0.86) and 6-month mortality: 42% vs. 57%, 0.63 (0.44–0.92). Moreover, the favourable effect was highly noticeable in this subgroup where acetylsalicylic acid was continued during hospitalization with reduction of in-hospital: 19% vs. 43%, 0.31 (0.15–0.67), 3-month: 30% vs. 54%, 044 (0.26–0.75) and 6-month mortality: 33% vs. 54%, 0.49 (0.29–0.82) when confronted with the subgroup who had acetylsalicylic acid suspension during hospitalization. The AP may have a beneficial impact on hospital course and mortality in COVID-19 and shouldn’t be discontinued, especially in high-risk patients.
Sequential administration of paricalcitol followed by IL-17 blockade for progressive refractory IgA nephropathy patients
Authors: Uriol-Rivera Miguel G. , Obrador-Mulet Aina , Juliá Maria Rosa , Daza-Cajigal Vanessa , Delgado-Sanchez Olga , Garcia Alvarez Angel , Gomez-Lobon Ana , Carrillo-Garcia Paula , Saus-Sarrias Carlos , Gómez-Cobo Cristina , Ramis-Cabrer Daniel , Gasco Company Joan , Molina-Infante Javier ,   The Balear IgA Research and Treatment Project, Uriol-Rivera Miguel G. , Luque-Ramirez Manuel , Chavez Lia Natero
Published: February 2024

There is no established treatment for progressive IgA nephropathy refractory to steroids and immunosuppressant drugs (r-IgAN). Interleukin 17 (IL-17) blockade has garnered interest in immune-mediated diseases involving the gut-kidney axis. However, single IL-17A inhibition induced paradoxical effects in patients with Crohn’s disease and some cases of de novo glomerulonephritis, possibly due to the complete Th1 cell response, along with the concomitant downregulation of regulatory T cells (Tregs). Seven r-IgAN patients were treated with at least six months of oral paricalcitol, followed by the addition of subcutaneous anti-IL-17A (secukinumab). After a mean follow-up of 28 months, proteinuria decreased by 71% (95% CI: 56–87), P < 0.001. One patient started dialysis, while the annual eGFR decline in the remaining patients [mean (95% CI)] was reduced by 4.9 mL/min/1.73 m2 (95% CI: 0.1–9.7), P = 0.046. Circulating Th1, Th17, and Treg cells remained stable, but Th2 cells decreased, modifying the Th1/Th2 ratio. Intriguingly, accumulation of circulating Th17.1 cells was observed. This novel sequential therapy appears to optimize renal advantages in patients with r-IgAN and elicit alterations in potentially pathogenic T helper cells.
A study combining microbubble-mediated focused ultrasound and radiation therapy in the healthy rat brain and a F98 glioma model
Authors: Fletcher Stecia-Marie P. , Chisholm Amanda , Lavelle Michael , Guthier Romy , Zhang Yongzhi , Power Chanikarn , Berbeco Ross , McDannold Nathan
Published: February 2024

Focused Ultrasound (FUS) has been shown to sensitize tumors outside the brain to Radiotherapy (RT) through increased ceramide-mediated apoptosis. This study investigated the effects of FUS + RT in healthy rodent brains and F98 gliomas. Tumors, or striata in healthy rats, were targeted with microbubble-mediated, pulsed FUS (220 kHz, 102–444 kPa), followed by RT (4, 8, 15 Gy). FUS + RT (8, 15 Gy) resulted in ablative lesions, not observed with FUS or RT only, in healthy tissue. Lesions were visible using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) within 72 h and persisted until 21 days post-treatment, indicating potential applications in ablative neurosurgery. In F98 tumors, at 8 and 15 Gy, where RT only had significant effects, FUS + RT offered limited improvements. At 4 Gy, where RT had limited effects compared with untreated controls, FUS + RT reduced tumor volumes observed on MRI by 45–57%. However, survival benefits were minimal (controls: 27 days, RT: 27 days, FUS + RT: 28 days). Histological analyses of tumors 72 h after FUS + RT (4 Gy) showed 93% and 396% increases in apoptosis, and 320% and 336% increases in vessel-associated ceramide, compared to FUS and RT only. Preliminary evidence shows that FUS + RT may improve treatment of glioma, but additional studies are required to optimize effect size.
Interactions between the protein barnase and co-solutes studied by NMR
Authors: Trevitt Clare R. , Yashwanth Kumar D. R. , Fowler Nicholas J. , Williamson Mike P.
Published: February 2024

Protein solubility and stability depend on the co-solutes present. There is little theoretical basis for selection of suitable co-solutes. Some guidance is provided by the Hofmeister series, an empirical ordering of anions according to their effect on solubility and stability; and by osmolytes, which are small organic molecules produced by cells to allow them to function in stressful environments. Here, NMR titrations of the protein barnase with Hofmeister anions and osmolytes are used to measure and locate binding, and thus to separate binding and bulk solvent effects. We describe a rationalisation of Hofmeister (and inverse Hofmeister) effects, which is similar to the traditional chaotrope/kosmotrope idea but based on solvent fluctuation rather than water withdrawal, and characterise how co-solutes affect protein stability and solubility, based on solvent fluctuations. This provides a coherent explanation for solute effects, and points towards a more rational basis for choice of excipients.
A framework for demonstrating practical quantum advantage: comparing quantum against classical generative models
Authors: Hibat-Allah Mohamed , Mauri Marta , Carrasquilla Juan , Perdomo-Ortiz Alejandro
Published: February 2024

Generative modeling has seen a rising interest in both classical and quantum machine learning, and it represents a promising candidate to obtain a practical quantum advantage in the near term. In this study, we build over an existing framework for evaluating the generalization performance of generative models, and we establish the first quantitative comparative race towards practical quantum advantage (PQA) between classical and quantum generative models, namely Quantum Circuit Born Machines (QCBMs), Transformers (TFs), Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs), Variational Autoencoders (VAEs), and Wasserstein Generative Adversarial Networks (WGANs). After defining four types of PQAs scenarios, we focus on what we refer to as potential PQA, aiming to compare quantum models with the best-known classical algorithms for the task at hand. We let the models race on a well-defined and application-relevant competition setting, where we illustrate and demonstrate our framework on 20 variables (qubits) generative modeling task. Our results suggest that QCBMs are more efficient in the data-limited regime than the other state-of-the-art classical generative models. Such a feature is highly desirable in a wide range of real-world applications where the available data is scarce.
Complex chemistry of carbon nanotubes toward efficient and stable p-type doping
Authors: Kawasaki Kaho , Harada Ikuyo , Akaike Kouki , Wei Qingshuo , Koshiba Yasuko , Horike Shohei , Ishida Kenji
Published: February 2024

Developing efficient and stable carbon nanotube (CNT) doping techniques and elucidating their chemistry is essential for their further implementation in electronic and energy devices. Here, protonic acids and lithium salts are employed as p-type inducers and stabilizers of the doped state, respectively. Leveraging the electron-withdrawing capability of protons, protonic acids can easily induce heavily p-doped states in CNTs. Anionic species from the acids attach to the positively charged CNTs to achieve charge compensation. Introducing lithium salts with bulky, charge-delocalized anions to the p-doped CNTs results in an anion replacement driven by the free energy gain. The newly formed complexes demonstrate outstanding thermal stability in air, enduring a temperature of 100 °C for over a year. The chemical hardness of the applied anion effectively explains the difference in stability of the doped CNTs, indicating that the doping process and its stabilization can be understood and controlled through complex chemistry.
Tremor along the Dead Sea Transform remotely triggered by the 2023 MW7.6 Kahramanmaraş earthquake
Authors: Inbal Asaf
Published: February 2024

Tremor signals are weak and emergent, and the physics governing their generation is not well understood. Here, I report on tremor occurring along the Dead Sea Transform (DST), and a microearthquake on the Carmel-Fari’a Fault (CFF), both remotely triggered by the 2023 MW7.6 Kahramanmaraş earthquake. The triggered events location coincides with maxima of long-period velocity gradients, concentrated in the CFF-DST intersection and near a CFF fault-jump. Relative to other remotely triggered tremors, the DST tremor is strong and deficient in high-frequency seismic energy. Furthermore, analysis of several remotely triggered tremor episodes suggests that tremors spectral fall-off rates are not universal. I discuss the seismological attributes that may give rise to these observations in the context of two models. In the first, tremor is produced due to inertial vibrations of a frictionally-controlled oscillator, and in the second it is produced by a swarm of Low-Frequency Earthquakes.
Machine learning models identify predictive features of patient mortality across dementia types
Authors: Zhang Jimmy , Song Luo , Miller Zachary , Chan Kwun C. G. , Huang Kuan-lin
Published: February 2024

Background

Dementia care is challenging due to the divergent trajectories in disease progression and outcomes. Predictive models are needed to flag patients at risk of near-term mortality and identify factors contributing to mortality risk across different dementia types.

Methods

Here, we developed machine-learning models predicting dementia patient mortality at four different survival thresholds using a dataset of 45,275 unique participants and 163,782 visit records from the U.S. National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center (NACC). We built multi-factorial XGBoost models using a small set of mortality predictors and conducted stratified analyses with dementiatype-specific models.

Results

Our models achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC) of over 0.82 utilizing nine parsimonious features for all 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year thresholds. The trained models mainly consisted of dementia-related predictors such as specific neuropsychological tests and were minimally affected by other age-related causes of death, e.g., stroke and cardiovascular conditions. Notably, stratified analyses revealed shared and distinct predictors of mortality across eight dementia types. Unsupervised clustering of mortality predictors grouped vascular dementia with depression and Lewy body dementia with frontotemporal lobar dementia.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the feasibility of flagging dementia patients at risk of mortality for personalized clinical management. Parsimonious machine-learning models can be used to predict dementia patient mortality with a limited set of clinical features, and dementiatype-specific models can be applied to heterogeneous dementia patient populations.