bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Likelihood ratios for changepoints in categorical event data with applications in digital forensics
Authors: Longjohn Rachel , Smyth Padhraic
Published: April 2024

We investigate likelihood ratio models motivated by digital forensics problems involving time‐stamped user‐generated event data from a device or account. Of specific interest are scenarios where the data may have been generated by a single individual (the device/account owner) or by two different individuals (the device/account owner and someone else), such as instances in which an account was hacked or a device was stolen before being associated with a crime. Existing likelihood ratio methods in this context require that a precise time is specified at which the device or account is purported to have changed hands (the changepoint)—this is the known changepoint likelihood ratio model. In this paper, we develop a likelihood ratio model that instead accommodates uncertainty in the changepoint using Bayesian techniques, that is, an unknown changepoint likelihood ratio model. We show that the likelihood ratio in this case can be calculated in closed form as an expression that is straightforward to compute. In experiments with simulated changepoints using real‐world data sets, the results demonstrate that the unknown changepoint model attains comparable performance to the known changepoint model that uses a perfectly specified changepoint, and considerably outperforms the known changepoint model that uses a misspecified changepoint, illustrating the benefit of capturing uncertainty in the changepoint.
Rapid on‐ground assessment after the 2019–2020 megafires reveals new information on rare and threatened plants in northern New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Saunders Manu E. , Andrew Rose L. , Mitchell‐Williams James , Pemberton Peter , Wandrag Elizabeth M. , Hunter John T.
Published: April 2024

Lack of ecological knowledge is a major challenge for effective conservation of threatened plant species in Australia as disturbance events, such as wildfire, increase in frequency and magnitude. Rapid on‐ground surveys are increasingly important to inform recovery strategies for rare and threatened plants in response to extreme wildfire events, yet resources are rarely available to deploy time‐sensitive surveys. Here, we utilize a rapid on‐ground survey and monitoring program to document basic biological and ecological information for 21 rare and threatened plant species from the New England bioregion in northern New South Wales, which were affected by the catastrophic 2019–2020 megafires. Our results fill an important knowledge gap of ecology, population size, distribution and response to fire for these taxa, document for the first time a species distribution pattern within the Torrington State Conservation Area and reveal previously undocumented plant–insect interactions for nine species, including likely pollination of Persoonia terminalis ssp. terminalis and Monotaxis macrophylla by native bee (Hymenoptera) and fly (Diptera) species. Our findings reveal that two species (Cassinia heleniae and Hakea macrorrhyncha) have scarce distribution and low population sizes, despite neither having a conservation listing and their threat status should be urgently assessed. Simple rapid on‐ground surveys can be more cost effective for delivering long‐term conservation outcomes for rare and threatened taxa and we advocate that future funding and prioritisation processes must support the immediate delivery of such surveys in response to disturbance events.
Evidence of drastic loss of dung beetle diversity after 25 years in an introduced Brazilian pasture
Authors: Correa César M. A. , Salomão Renato Portela , Abot Alfredo Raúl , Puker Anderson , Vaz‐De‐Mello Fernando Z.
Published: April 2024

In tropical forest ecosystems, pastures are considered a limiting environment for dung beetles, with long‐term negative effects on the diversity of this group. To understand how dung beetle diversity changes over time in introduced Brazilian pastures, studies comparing different periods are needed. Here, we conducted a study sampling dung beetles during 48 consecutive weeks in 1995 and 2020–2021. We used pitfall traps baited with fresh cattle dung in the same introduced pasture located in the Cerrado‐Pantanal ecotone of Brazil. Our study found that the total species richness of dung beetles decreased by 40% in 2020–2021 compared to 1995, which could negatively impact the ecological functions of the pastures. Given the importance of dung beetles for maintaining and functioning of pastures, the decline in dung beetle diversity could lead to the degradation of pasture landscapes. We advocate for management plans for livestock production in introduced pastures that include the long‐term conservation of dung beetle biodiversity. These plans will ensure the continued provision of dung beetle ecological services by dung beetles over the years.
Therapy‐related acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in women with antecedent breast cancer
Authors: Pourhassan Hoda , Zhang Jianying , Tinajero Jose , Pullarkat Vinod , Agrawal Vaibhav , Koller Paul , Al Malki Monzr , Aribi Ahmed , Salhotra Amandeep , Sandhu Karamjeet , Ali Haris , Stein Anthony , Marcucci Guido , Forman Stephen , Aldoss Ibrahim
Published: April 2024

Therapy‐related acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (tr‐ALL) is a disease entity attributed to previous exposure to chemotherapy and/or radiation for antecedent malignancy. There is observed female predominance for tr‐ALL, likely due to high prevalence and excellent curable rate for non‐metastatic breast cancer as well as the frequent use of carcinogenic agents as part of adjuvant therapy. Here, we reviewed 37 women with diagnosis of ALL following breast cancer treatment with focus on cytogenetic categorization. Philadelphia chromosome positivity (Ph+), KMT2A alterations and other cytogenetic change groups were observed in 32%, 22% and 46% of patients respectively. Median overall survival (OS) and relapse‐free survival (RFS) were 19.4 and 12.9 months, overall while both OS and RFS were superior in tr‐ALL with Ph+ disease compared to KMT2Ar and other cytogenetics respectively. Seventeen (45.9%) patients underwent consolidative allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT) in CR1 out of which 4 (24%) relapsed following transplant. Both OS and RFS were superior in the KMT2Ar cytogenetics group following alloHCT. Ph chromosome represents the largest genetic entity of tr‐ALL following breast cancer therapy, and it may be associated with superior survival outcomes while KMT2Ar may be associated with poorer outcomes that can perhaps be mitigated by alloHSCT.
The fourth slope: A fundamental new classification of continental margins
Authors: Anell Ingrid
Published: April 2024

Continental margins develop long submarine slopes, linking the shallow shelves along the continental landmasses to the deep abyssal plain. They are the results of a complex interaction between destructive and constructive processes, although by and large they are sites of deposition. There is a great amount of variation between the length, height, smoothness, gradient and variation thereof between the slope profiles; however, there is also recurring similarity in their shape. The similitude has suggested systematic relationships between the shape and the processes forming them, and led to studies on geomorphological categorisation based on curvatures. The potential for prediction of along‐strike variations and connection between morphology and sedimentary process is herein approached through broadening the mathematical functions used, detailed measurement, observation and curve‐fitting of over 150 passive continental margins. Previously, three functions have been used to categorise submarine slopes. The present study finds that four mathematical functions closely match the slopes: Linear, Gaussian, exponential and quadratic (positive and negative/inverse), and reveals that the fourth slope, the quadratic, is by far the most common. While exponential and quadratic slopes are similar there is a crucial difference in the way in which the angle of the slope changes. This study suggests that quadratic slopes represent systematically decreasing sediment deposition with distance, previously attributed to exponential slopes. Exponential slopes meanwhile, represent slope readjustment profiles with upper sediment bypass and lower slope aggradation. Linear slopes, which form the longest low‐angle slopes, form in response to high sediment input. Abrupt shelf‐edges form in shallower water and develop longer slope aprons, suggesting formation from erosional processes. This implies that the quintessential sigmoidal (s‐shaped, Gaussian function) slope, with a smooth rollover, represents the fundamental depositional slope profile.
Shifting the landscape: Dominant C‐terminal rare missense FOXL2 variants in non‐syndromic primary ovarian failure etiology
Authors: Jordan Pénélope , Verebi Camille , Hervé Bérénice , Perol Sandrine , Chakhtoura Zeina , Courtillot Carine , Bachelot Anne , Karila Daphné , Renard Céline , Grouthier Virginie , de la Croix Stanislas Mulot , Bernard Valérie , Fouveaut Corinne , de la Perrière Aude Brac , Jonard‐Catteau Sophie , Touraine Philippe , Plu‐Bureau Geneviève , Dupont Jean Michel , Christin‐Maitre Sophie , Bienvenu Thierry
Published: April 2024

Pathogenic germline variants in the FOXL2 gene are associated with Blepharophimosis, Ptosis, and Epicanthus Inversus syndrome (BPES) in humans, an autosomal dominant condition. Two forms of BPES have emerged: (i) type I (BPES‐I), characterized by ocular signs and primary ovarian failure (POI), and (ii) type II (BPES‐II) with no systemic associations. This study aimed to compare the distribution of FOXL2 variants in idiopathic POI/DOR (diminished ovarian reserve) and both types of BPES, and to determine the involvement of FOXL2 in non‐syndromic forms of POI/DOR. We studied the whole coding region of the FOXL2 gene using next‐generation sequencing in 1282 patients with non‐syndromic POI/DOR. Each identified FOXL2 variant was compared to its frequency in the general population, considering ethnicity. Screening of the entire coding region of the FOXL2 gene allowed us to identify 10 different variants, including nine missense variants. Of the patients with POI/DOR, 14 (1%) carried a FOXL2 variant. Significantly, six out of nine missense variants (67%) were overrepresented in our POI/DOR cohort compared to the general or specific ethnic subgroups. Our findings strongly suggest that five rare missense variants, mainly located in the C‐terminal region of FOXL2 are high‐risk factors for non‐syndromic POI/DOR, though FOXL2 gene implication accounts for approximately 0.54% of non‐syndromic POI/DOR cases. These results support the implementation of routine genetic screening for patients with POI/DOR in clinical settings.
Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety of frunexian in healthy Chinese volunteer adults: A randomized dose‐escalation phase I study
Authors: Zhang Jia‐yu , Ruan Zou‐rong , Jiang Bo , Yang Dan‐dan , Wang Jia‐ying , Hu Yin , Wang Yong‐rui , Wang Yan‐mei , Lin Yun‐fei , Wang Ling‐ling , Lou Hong‐gang
Published: April 2024

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), and pharmacodynamics (PD) of frunexian (formerly known as EP‐7041 and HSK36273) injection, a small molecule inhibitor of activated coagulation factor XI (FXIa), in healthy Chinese adult volunteers. This study was a randomized, placebo‐ and positive‐controlled, sequential, ascending‐dose (0.3/0.6/1.0/1.5/2.25 mg/kg/h) study of 5‐day continuous intravenous infusions of frunexian. Frunexian administration exhibited an acceptable safety profile with no bleeding events. Steady state was rapidly reached with a median time ranging from 1.02 to 1.50 h. The mean half‐life ranged from 1.15 to 1.43 h. Frunexian plasma concentration at a steady state and area under the concentration–time curve exhibited dose‐proportional increases. The dose‐escalation study of frunexian demonstrated its progressively enhanced capacities to prolong activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and inhibit FXIa activity. The correlations between PK and PD biomarkers (aPTT/baseline and FXI clotting activity/baseline) were described by the two Emax models, with the EC50 values of 8940 and 1300 ng/mL, respectively. Frunexian exhibits good safety and PK/PD properties, suggesting it is a promising candidate for anticoagulant drug.
Causes and effects of sampling bias on marine Western Atlantic biodiversity knowledge
Authors: Cardoso Micaele Niobe Martins , Azevedo Fernanda , Dias Alan , de Almeida Ana Carolina Sousa , Senna André R. , Marques Antonio C. , Rezende Dafinny , Hajdu Eduardo , Lopes‐Filho Erick Alves Pereira , Pitombo Fábio Bettini , de Oliveira Gabriela Moura , Doria João Gabriel , Carraro João Luís , De‐Paula Joel Campos , Bahia Juliana , de Araujo Juliana Magalhães , Paresque Karla , Vieira Leandro Manzoni , Fernandes Luanny Martins , Santos Luciano N. , Miranda Lucília Souza , Lorini Maria Lucia , Klautau Michelle , Pagliosa Paulo Roberto , Clerier Pedro Henrique Braga , de Moura Rafael B. , da Rocha Fortes Rafael , Neves Raquel A. F. , da Rocha Rosana Moreira , Stampar Sérgio N. , Salani Sula , Miranda Thaís Pires , Pinheiro Ulisses , Venekey Virág , Oliveira Ubirajara
Published: April 2024

Aim

Knowledge gaps and sampling bias can lead to underestimations of species richness and distortions in the known distribution of species. The goal of this study is to identify potential gaps and biases in marine organisms sampling at the Western Atlantic Ocean, determine their causes and assess its effect on biodiversity metrics. We tested the potential interference of this bias with the representation of environmental conditions, potentially affecting biodiversity model predictions.

Location

Western Atlantic Ocean.

Methods

This study compiled data of marine species in online and institutional databases. The analysis of sampling effort and bias was conducted by mapping the density of records. A spatial autoregressive model (SAR) was employed to investigate the influence of accessibility as a determinant factor of the sampling bias. We tested whether the effect of the sampling bias could result from environmental bias in the samples, contrasting the environmental variables of the study area with those present in the biodiversity records. We examined the correlation between sampling effort in species richness and endemism.

Results

The USA has the highest number of records and density of records. There was a low correlation between the vertebrates, invertebrates and algae sample density patterns. Accessibility was identified as one of the main causes of sampling bias. The analysis of environmental bias indicated that the records do not represent all conditions present in the environment. Sampling density showed a strong relationship with endemism and a weaker relationship with species richness.

Main Conclusions

We have identified a strong sampling bias related to ease of access that equally affects vertebrates, invertebrates and algae, resulting in a skewed sampling of the environmental conditions where species occur. Sampling patterns differ among the groups. The intensity of sampling effort significantly impacts measures of richness and endemism, potentially undermining the accurate recognition of real biological diversity patterns.
Closing the defect after gastric endoscopic full‐thickness resection with a novel closure device
Authors: Ueda Shunsuke , Kawata Noboru , Ono Hiroyuki
Published: April 2024

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Impact of empagliflozin on insulin needs in patients with heart failure and diabetes: An EMPEROR‐Pooled analysis
Authors: Talha Khawaja M. , Green Jennifer , Filippatos Gerasimos , Pocock Stuart , Zannad Faiez , Brueckmann Martina , Schueler Elke , Ofstad Anne Pernille , Ferreira João Pedro , Anker Stefan D. , Butler Javed , Rosenstock Julio , Packer Milton
Published: April 2024

Aim

To assess the effect of empagliflozin on patients with comorbid heart failure (HF) and diabetes with or without baseline insulin, and to study the impact of empagliflozin on insulin requirements over time.

Materials and Methods

We performed a post‐hoc analysis of pooled patient‐level data from two cardiovascular outcomes trials of empagliflozin in HF (EMPEROR‐Reduced and EMPEROR‐Preserved trials). We undertook a subgroup analysis stratified by baseline insulin use, including all patients with diabetes. The studied endpoints included the primary composite endpoint of first hospitalization for HF or cardiovascular death, rate of decline of estimated glomerular filtration rate, composite renal outcome and rates of sustained insulin initiation.

Results

Among 4794 patients with diabetes, 1333 (658 in empagliflozin, 675 in placebo) were using insulin at baseline. The treatment effect of empagliflozin on the primary endpoint was consistent irrespective of insulin use [no insulin, hazard ratio 0.74, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.63‐0.86; using insulin, hazard ratio 0.81, 95% CI 0.66‐1.00, pinteraction = .49], as was the effect on the rate of decline of the estimated glomerular filtration rate (pinteraction = .75). There was no effect of empagliflozin on the composite renal outcome in patients using or not using insulin (pinteraction = .30). Among patients not using insulin at baseline, those randomized to empagliflozin initiated insulin less frequently throughout the follow‐up period compared with those receiving placebo (2.6% vs. 3.8%, odds ratio 0.66, 95% CI 0.50‐0.88).

Conclusions

Empagliflozin exerts a consistent benefit on cardiovascular outcomes and renal function decline, irrespective of baseline insulin use, and reduces the need for sustained insulin initiation in patients with HF and diabetes.
Combined intake of caffeine and low‐dose glucose to reduce exercise‐related hypoglycaemia in individuals with type 1 diabetes on ultra‐long‐acting insulin degludec: A randomized, controlled, double‐blind, cross‐over trial
Authors: Kühne Tobias , Wallace Esmè , Herzig David , Helleputte Simon , Scott Sam , Pickles Jordan , Melmer Andreas , Stettler Christoph
Published: April 2024

Aim

To evaluate whether caffeine combined with a moderate amount of glucose reduces the risk for exercise‐related hypoglycaemia compared with glucose alone or control in adult people with type 1 diabetes using ultra‐long‐acting insulin degludec.

Materials and Methods

Sixteen participants conducted three aerobic exercise sessions (maximum 75 min) in a randomized, double‐blind, cross‐over design. Thirty minutes before exercise, participants ingested a drink containing either 250 mg of caffeine + 10 g of glucose + aspartame (CAF), 10 g of glucose + aspartame (GLU), or aspartame alone (ASP). The primary outcome was time to hypoglycaemia.

Results

There was a significant effect of the condition on time to hypoglycaemia (χ2 = 7.674, p = .0216). Pairwise comparisons revealed an 85.7% risk reduction of hypoglycaemia for CAF compared with ASP (p = .044). No difference was observed between GLU and ASP (p = .104) or between CAF and GLU (p = .77). While CAF increased glucose levels during exercise compared with GLU and ASP (8.3 ± 1.9 mmol/L vs. 7.7 ± 2.2 mmol/L vs. 5.8 ± 1.4 mmol/L; p < .001), peak plasma glucose levels during exercise did not differ between CAF and GLU (9.3 ± 1.4 mmol/L and 9.1 ± 1.6 mmol/L, p = .80), but were higher than in ASP (6.6 ± 1.1 mmol/L; p < .001). The difference in glucose levels between CAF and GLU was largest during the last 15 min of exercise (p = .002). Compared with GLU, CAF lowered perceived exertion (p = .023).

Conclusions

Pre‐exercise caffeine ingestion combined with a low dose of glucose reduced exercise‐related hypoglycaemia compared with control while avoiding hyperglycaemia.
Elevated plasma levels of calcitonin gene‐related peptide in individuals with rosacea: A cross‐sectional case–control study
Authors: Wienholtz Nita K. F. , Christensen Casper E. , Ashina Håkan , Jørgensen Niklas R. , Egeberg Alexander , Thyssen Jacob P. , Ashina Messoud
Published: April 2024

Background

Understanding the role of calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) in the pathogenesis of rosacea might provide new therapeutic avenues for individuals with this disease.

Objective

To compare plasma levels of CGRP between individuals with rosacea and healthy controls.

Methods

In this cross‐sectional case–control study conducted in Copenhagen, Denmark, we collected blood samples from the antecubital vein from adults with rosacea and from healthy controls.

Results

We enrolled 123 individuals with rosacea and 68 healthy controls. After adjusting for age and sex, plasma levels of CGRP were significantly higher in individuals with rosacea (mean, 95% confidence interval: 140.21 pmol/L, 128.50–151.92 pmol/L), compared with controls (110.77 pmol/L, 99.91–120.14 pmol/L, p = 0.002). Plasma levels of CGRP were not affected by age, sex, BMI, concomitant migraine, rosacea sub‐ or phenotype, concomitant disease or current treatment.

Limitations

Participants were not age‐, sex‐ and BMI‐matched.

Conclusions and Relevance

Elevated plasma levels of CGRP in individuals with rosacea suggest a role of CGRP in the pathogenesis of rosacea. Targeting CGRP signalling might hold therapeutic promise in people affected by this disease.

Clinicaltrials.gov listing

NCT03872050
Hepatic transcriptome profiling of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides Lacépède) injected with Flavobacterium covae or lipopolysaccharide
Authors: Renukdas Nilima N. , Kelly Anita M. , Zinta Gaurav , Sinha Amit Kumar
Published: April 2024

Flavobacterium covae (columnaris) is the most detrimental bacterial disease affecting the largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides Lacépède) aquaculture industry. In the current study, fish received an intraperitoneal injection of either 1× PBS (100 μL), LPS in PBS (100 μL, 10 μg/mL), or F. covae (100 μL, 2.85 × 1011 CFU/mL) to simulate immunological challenges. After 24 h post‐injection, liver tissue from the control and treated groups were then collected for transcriptome analysis. Results of the Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway analyses for the F. covae and LPS‐injected groups found differentially expressed genes (DEGs) enriched primarily in toll‐like receptors (TLRs), cytokine–cytokine receptors, complement and coagulation cascades, and the PPAR signalling pathways. This suggests that the liver immune system is enhanced by these five combined pathways. Additionally, the DEGs TLR5, MYD88, and IL‐1 were significantly upregulated in F. covae and LPS‐injected fish compared to the controls, whereas IL‐8 was downregulated. The upregulation of TLR5 was unexpected as F. covae lacks flagellin, the protein that binds to TLR5. Additionally, it is unknown whether the TLR5 is upregulated by LPS. Further research into the upregulation of TLR5 is warranted. These results provide insight into immune responses and associated pathways contributing to the immune system in the liver during columnaris infection and induced response to LPS in largemouth bass.
Modeling Maillard reaction kinetics in spray dryers using both lumped‐ and distributed‐parameter modeling approaches
Authors: Zhou Zelin , Langrish Timothy
Published: April 2024

This study aimed to develop a simulation model for the kinetics of Maillard reactions during the spray‐drying process of model systems. Two different modeling approaches were used: lumped‐parameter and distributed‐parameter models. The reaction kinetic model was developed by fitting experiment results from iso‐thermal heating experiments with different model systems at various temperatures and moisture contents with Arrhenius‐type equations. The developed reaction kinetic models were coupled with drying kinetics and segregation models adopted from previous studies. The prediction results from the models developed were then compared with those from spray‐drying experiments, and both modeling approaches showed a reasonable agreement with the experimental data. The distributed parameters modeling approach showed a 17.7% improvement in sum of square errors compared to the traditional lumped‐distributed modeling approach.

Practical Applications

Two different mathematical models with different approaches were developed and have shown reasonable performance in predicting the kinetics of Maillard reactions in spray drying. The models developed in this study can be used to improve the spray‐drying process of thermally sensitive products where Maillard reaction or other types of thermal degradation may occur.
Factors impacting nursing assistants to accept a delegation in the acute care settings: A mixed method study
Authors: Crevacore Carol , Coventry Linda , Duffield Christine , Jacob Elisabeth
Published: April 2024

Aims

To investigate the experience of nursing assistants being delegated nursing tasks by registered nurses.

Design

Mixed method explanatory sequential design.

Methods

A total of 79 nursing assistants working in an acute hospital in Australia completed surveys that aimed to identify their experience of working with nurses and the activities they were delegated. The survey data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Interviews with 11 nursing assistants were conducted and analysed using Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis. Results were triangulated to provide a richer understanding of the phenomena.

Results

Most nursing assistants felt supported completing delegated care activities. However, there was confusion around their scope of practice, some felt overworked and believed that they did not have the right to refuse a delegation. Factors impacting the nursing assistant's decision to accept a delegation included the attitude of the nurses, wanting to be part of the team and the culture of the ward. Nursing assistants who were studying to be nurses felt more supported than those who were not.

Conclusions

Delegation is a two‐way relationship and both parties need to be cognisant of their roles and responsibilities to ensure safe and effective nursing care is provided. Incorrectly accepting or refusing delegated activities may impact patient safety.

Implications for the profession and/or patient care

Highlights the need for implementing strategies to support safe delegation practices between the registered and unregulated workforce to promote patient safety.

Impact

Describes the experiences of nursing assistants working in the acute care environment when accepting delegated care from nurses.

Reports a range of factors that inhibit or facilitate effective delegation practices between nurses and nursing assistants.

Provides evidence to support the need for stronger education and policy development regarding delegation practices between nurses and unregulated staff.

Reporting method

Complied with the APA Style JARS‐MIXED reporting criteria for mixed method research.

Patient or public contribution

No patient or public contribution.
Growing, learning, and connecting: Deciphering the complex relationship between government customer concentration and firm performance
Authors: Falcone Ellie C. , Fugate Brian S. , Waller Matthew A.
Published: April 2024

The interplay between a firm's customer portfolio and the firm's performance presents a theoretical conundrum that challenges traditional supply chains. In particular, the role of government customer concentration—how extensively a firm incorporates government entities as part of its customer base—emerges as a pivotal factor with the potential to both bolster and burden firm performance. Analyzing 3,643 firm‐year observations from the U.S. Federal Procurement Data System‐Next Generation, Compustat, and FactSet Revere reveals an inverse U‐shaped relationship between government customer concentration and firm performance. Excessive or insufficient government customer concentration adversely impacts performance, suggesting that a strategic balance is essential. Firm size, absorptive capacity, and network embeddedness are crucial in navigating this complex relationship, guiding a firm toward optimizing its government customer portfolio. This research advances the discourse on customer base management, underscoring the essential strategic considerations for firms interacting with government buyers.
Genome‐wide association identifies a BAHD acyltransferase activity that assembles an ester of glucuronosylglycerol and phenylacetic acid
Authors: Simpson Jeffrey P. , Kim Colin Y. , Kaur Amanpreet , Weng Jing‐Ke , Dilkes Brian , Chapple Clint
Published: April 2024

Genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) are an effective approach to identify new specialized metabolites and the genes involved in their biosynthesis and regulation. In this study, GWAS of Arabidopsis thaliana soluble leaf and stem metabolites identified alleles of an uncharacterized BAHD‐family acyltransferase (AT5G57840) associated with natural variation in three structurally related metabolites. These metabolites were esters of glucuronosylglycerol, with one metabolite containing phenylacetic acid as the acyl component of the ester. Knockout and overexpression of AT5G57840 in Arabidopsis and heterologous overexpression in Nicotiana benthamiana and Escherichia coli demonstrated that it is capable of utilizing phenylacetyl‐CoA as an acyl donor and glucuronosylglycerol as an acyl acceptor. We, thus, named the protein Glucuronosylglycerol Ester Synthase (GGES). Additionally, phenylacetyl glucuronosylglycerol increased in Arabidopsis CYP79A2 mutants that overproduce phenylacetic acid and was lost in knockout mutants of UDP‐sulfoquinovosyl: diacylglycerol sulfoquinovosyl transferase, an enzyme required for glucuronosylglycerol biosynthesis and associated with glycerolipid metabolism under phosphate‐starvation stress. GGES is a member of a well‐supported clade of BAHD family acyltransferases that arose by duplication and neofunctionalized during the evolution of the Brassicales within a larger clade that includes HCT as well as enzymes that synthesize other plant‐specialized metabolites. Together, this work extends our understanding of the catalytic diversity of BAHD acyltransferases and uncovers a pathway that involves contributions from both phenylalanine and lipid metabolism.
Modeling Spatiotemporal Heterogeneity of Customer Preferences With Small-Scale Aggregated Data: A Spatial Panel Modeling Approach
Authors: Chen Yuyang , Bi Youyi , Xie Jian , Sha Zhenghui , Wang Mingxian , Fu Yan , Chen Wei
Published: April 2024

Customer preferences are found to evolve over time and correlate with geographical locations. Studying the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of customer preferences is crucial to engineering design as it provides a dynamic perspective for understanding the trend of customer preferences. However, existing choice models for demand modeling do not take the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of customer preferences into consideration. Learning-based spatiotemporal data modeling methods usually require large-scale datasets for model training, which are not applicable to small aggregated data, such as the sale records of a product in several regions and years. To fill this research gap, we propose a spatial panel modeling approach to investigate the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of customer preferences. Product and regional attributes varying in time are included as model inputs to support demand forecasting in engineering design. With case studies using the dataset of small SUVs and compact sedans in China's automotive market, we demonstrate that the spatial panel modeling approach outperforms other statistical spatiotemporal data models and non-parametric regression methods in goodness of fit and prediction accuracy. We also illustrate a potential design application of the proposed approach in a portfolio optimization of two vehicles from the same producer. While the spatial panel modeling approach exists in econometrics, applying this approach to support engineering decisions by considering spatiotemporal heterogeneity and introducing engineering attributes in demand forecasting is the contribution of this work. Our paper is focused on presenting the approach rather than the results per se.
An Integrated Detection-Prognostics Methodology for Components With Intermittent Faults
Authors: Ibrahim Michael , Rozas Heraldo , Gebraeel Nagi
Published: April 2024

Some industrial components, such as valves, relay switches, and motors, occasionally experience intermittent faults (IFs) that usually disappear without any repair or intervention. This phenomenon occurs at a relatively low frequency even in components that are in an “as-good-as-new” state. However, an increase in the frequency of IFs often indicates the onset of degradation. We develop an integrated detection-prognostics model for components that exhibit IFs and whose degradation data are high-dimensional. We discuss the use of dynamic time warping (DTW) and a variational autoencoder (VAE) to perform feature engineering on the data. We then propose a hidden Markov model (HMM)-based monitoring strategy composed of two parts: (1) a detection model that tracks and flags changes in the intermittent fault frequency (IFF) and (2) a prognostic model that leverages how the transition probabilities of the HMM evolve with progressive degradation to compute the remaining life distribution (RLD) of the component. We examine the performance of our modeling framework using high-dimensional data generated from a vehicular electrical system testbed designed to accelerate the degradation of a vehicle starter motor.
Time-Optimized Robot Trajectory Based on Improved Whale Optimization Algorithm in Intelligent Manufacturing
Authors: Liu Jie
Published: April 2024

To discuss the low convergence accuracy of whale optimization algorithm (WOA) and the problem of converging to local optima, we proposed using nonlinear convergence factors and introducing nonlinear inertia weights in the WOA. The modified WOA was used to optimize the trajectory of a six-degrees-of-freedom (6DOF) industrial robot. To improve the convergence accuracy and the local and global search ability of the WOA, we first replaced the convergence factor with a nonlinear convergence factor and added a nonlinear inertia weight. The algorithm was used along with a quintic polynomial equation to develop a time-optimal trajectory, for the robot, for use in practical application scenarios. Simulation experiment results showed that the duration of a complete loading–unloading process was reduced by 30% after robot motion trajectory optimization compared with that before optimization, indicating the effectiveness of the improved WOA and its suitability for robot trajectory optimization.
Bismuth surfactant enhancement of surface morphology and film quality of MBE-grown GaSb(100) thin films over a wide range of growth temperatures
Authors: Menasuta T. Pan , Grossklaus Kevin A. , McElearney John H. , Vandervelde Thomas E.
Published: April 2024

We investigate the surface morphologies of two series of homoepitaxial GaSb(100) thin films grown on GaSb(100) substrates by molecular beam epitaxy in a Veeco GENxplor system. The first series was grown at temperatures ranging from 290 to 490°C and serves as a control. The second series was grown using the same growth parameters with bismuth used as a surfactant during growth. We compared the two series to examine the impacts of bismuth over the range of growth temperatures on the GaSb surface morphologies using atomic force microscopy and the film properties using Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. High-resolution x-ray diffraction was performed to confirm that bismuth was not incorporated into the films. We found that the morphological evolution of the GaSb series grown without bismuth is consistent with the standard surface nucleation theory and identified the 2D-3D transition temperature as close to 290° C. In contrast, the presence of a Bi surfactant during growth was found to significantly alter the surface morphology and prevent undesired 3D islands at low temperatures. We also observed a preference for hillocks over step morphology at high growth temperatures, antistep bunching effects at intermediate temperatures, and the evolution from step-meandering to mound morphologies at low temperatures. This morphological divergence from the first series indicates that bismuth significantly increases in the 2D Erlich–Schwöebel potential barrier of the atomic terraces, inducing an uphill adatom flux that can smoothen the surface. Our findings demonstrate that bismuth surfactant can improve the surface morphology and film structure of low-temperature grown GaSb. Bismuth surfactant may also improve other homoepitaxial III-V systems grown in nonideal conditions.
Articulatory and acoustic dynamics of fronted back vowels in American English
Authors: Havenhill Jonathan
Published: April 2024

Fronting of the vowels /u, ʊ, o/ is observed throughout most North American English varieties, but has been analyzed mainly in terms of acoustics rather than articulation. Because an increase in F2, the acoustic correlate of vowel fronting, can be the result of any gesture that shortens the front cavity of the vocal tract, acoustic data alone do not reveal the combination of tongue fronting and/or lip unrounding that speakers use to produce fronted vowels. It is furthermore unresolved to what extent the articulation of fronted back vowels varies according to consonantal context and how the tongue and lips contribute to the F2 trajectory throughout the vowel. This paper presents articulatory and acoustic data on fronted back vowels from two varieties of American English: coastal Southern California and South Carolina. Through analysis of dynamic acoustic, ultrasound, and lip video data, it is shown that speakers of both varieties produce fronted /u, ʊ, o/ with rounded lips, and that high F2 observed for these vowels is associated with a front-central tongue position rather than unrounded lips. Examination of time-varying formant trajectories and articulatory configurations shows that the degree of vowel-internal F2 change is predominantly determined by coarticulatory influence of the coda.
Associations of Serum Irisin and Fibroblast Growth Factor-21 Levels With Bone Mineral Characteristics in Eumenorrheic Adolescent Athletes With Different Training Activity Patterns
Authors: Jürimäe Jaak , Remmel Liina , Tamm Anna-Liisa , Purge Priit , Maasalu Katre , Tillmann Vallo
Published: April 2024

Purpose: To describe serum irisin and fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21) concentrations in healthy female adolescents with different training activity patterns and their associations with bone mineral properties and metabolic markers. Methods: A total of 62 adolescent girls aged 14–18 years were recruited: 22 rhythmic gymnasts, 20 swimmers, and 20 untrained controls. Bone mineral characteristics by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, daily energy intake by dietary recall, serum irisin, FGF-21, undercarboxylated osteocalcin, and C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen were measured in all girls. Results: Whole body and lumbar spine areal bone mineral density and lumbar spine bone mineral content were higher in the rhythmic gymnasts group compared with swimmers and untrained controls groups (P < .05). Serum irisin, FGF-21, undercarboxylated osteocalcin, and C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen levels were not significantly different between the groups. In the rhythmic gymnasts group, serum FGF-21 concentration was positively correlated with lumbar spine areal bone mineral density independently of confounding factors (r = .51; P = .027). Conclusions: Serum irisin and FGF-21 levels were not different between adolescent eumenorrheic girls with different training activity patterns. FGF-21 was positively associated with lumbar spine areal bone mineral density, which predominantly consists of trabecular bone in adolescent rhythmic gymnasts.
Triply heavy tetraquark states: masses and other properties
Authors: Zhu Zhen-Hui , Zhang Wen-Xuan , Jia Duojie
Published: April 2024

In this work, we study masses and other static properties of triply heavy tetraquarks in the unified framework of the MIT bag which incorporates chromomagnetic interactions and enhanced binding energy. The masses, magnetic moments and charge radii of all strange and nonstrange (ground) states of triply heavy tetraquarks are computed, suggesting that all of triply heavy tetraquarks are above the respective two-meson thresholds. We also estimate relative decay widths of main decay channels of two-heavy mesons for these tetraquarks.
Neutrino mixing phenomenology: A4 discrete flavor symmetry with type-I seesaw mechanism
Authors: Barman Animesh , Francis Ng. K. , Bora Hrishi
Published: April 2024

We study a neutrino mass model with [Formula: see text] discrete flavor symmetry using a type-I seesaw mechanism. The inclusion of extra flavons in our model leads to deviations from the exact tribimaximal mixing pattern resulting in a nonzero [Formula: see text] consistent with the recent experimental results and a sum rule for light neutrino masses is also obtained. In this framework, a connection is established among the neutrino mixing angles-reactor mixing angle ([Formula: see text]), solar mixing angle ([Formula: see text]), and atmospheric mixing angle ([Formula: see text]). This model also allows us a prediction of Dirac CP-phase and Jarlskog parameter [Formula: see text]. The octant of the atmospheric mixing angle [Formula: see text] occupies the lower octant. Our model prefers Normal Hierarchy (NH) than Inverted Hierarchy (IH). We use the parameter space of our model of neutrino masses to study the neutrinoless double beta decay parameter [Formula: see text].
Majorana transformation of the Thomas–Fermi equation demystified
Authors: Alizzi Abdaljalel , Silagadze Zurab K.
Published: April 2024

The Majorana transformation makes it possible to reduce the Thomas–Fermi equation to a first-order differential equation. This reduction is possible due to the special scaling property of the Thomas–Fermi equation under homology transformations. Such reductions are well known in the context of stellar astrophysics, where the use of homology-invariant variables has long proved useful. We use homology-invariant variables in the context of the Thomas–Fermi equation to demystify the origin of the otherwise mysterious Majorana transformation.
Pursuing Social Good: An Overview of Short- and Long-Term Fairness in Classification
Authors: Metevier Blossom
Published: April 2024

Machine learning (ML) models are increasingly being used to aid decision-making in high-risk applications. However, these models can perpetuate biases present in their training data or the systems in which they are integrated. When unaddressed, these biases can lead to harmful outcomes, such as misdiagnoses in healthcare [11], wrongful denials of loan applications [9], and over-policing of minority communities [2, 4]. Consequently, the fair ML community is dedicated to developing algorithms that minimize the influence of data and model bias.
Fair Machine Learning Post Affirmative Action
Authors: Perello Nick , Grabowicz Przemyslaw
Published: April 2024

The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision on June 29, effectively ended the use of race in college admissions [1]. Indeed, national polls found that a plurality of Americans - 42%, according to a poll conducted by the University of Massachusetts [2] - agree that the policy should be discontinued, while 33% support its continued use in admissions decisions. As scholars of fair machine learning, we ponder how the Supreme Court decision shifts points of focus in the field. The most popular fair machine learning methods aim to achieve some form of "impact parity" by diminishing or removing the correlation between decisions and protected attributes, such as race or gender, similarly to the 80% rule of thumb of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commision. Impact parity can be achieved by reversing historical discrimination, which corresponds to affirmative actions, or by diminishing or removing the influence of the attributes correlated with the protected attributes, which is impractical as it severely undermines model accuracy. Besides, impact disparity is not necessarily a bad thing, e.g., African-American patients suffer from a higher rate of chronic illnesses than White patients and, hence, it may be justified to admit them to care programs at a proportionally higher rate [3]. The U.S. burden-shifting framework under Title VII offers solutions alternative to impact parity. To determine employment discrimination, U.S. courts rely on the McDonnell-Douglas burden-shifting framework where the explanations, justifications, and comparisons of employment practices play a central role. Can similar methods be applied in machine learning?
"All Watched Over By Machines," or AI Ethics, Surveillance, and Pluralism
Authors: Pulford Levi
Published: April 2024

Right now, multiple conversations are occurring across places as disparate as damp IT basements, lofty executive suites, virtual team meetings, pristine computer labs, and hazy dorm rooms about what AI really is in this present moment and what AI can really become in the near and distant futures. Doomers claim artificial general intelligence is on the horizon, bringing with it widespread job automation, economic disruption, and the collapse of modern-day societies. Utopians posit that AGI will bring unprecedented freedoms; increase access, safety, and democracy; and reshape our relationships among ourselves and with the world into a perfect, self-sustaining harmony. Halfway along this ideological spectrum, between doomer and utopian, lies the pragmatist, who weighs both the benefits and the risks associated with AI as it is deployed today, with an eye toward how AI might also be deployed tomorrow. Whatever super-intelligent AI might be invented five or fifty years from now, it will likely come about through a series of deceptively small and seemingly insignificant steps, as, in the words of Emily Dickinson, Forever is composed of Nows.
Acheiving United Nations' SDG3 Through Empowering Health Artificial Intelligence on Resource-Constrained Mobile Devices Without Connectivity
Authors: Yang Tianyi , Yang Tianze , Liu Shaoshan , Liu Xue
Published: April 2024

At least half of the world's population do not have access to essential health services. Worse, large numbers of households are being pushed into poverty because they must pay for health care out of their own pockets.
Concomitant Cytomegalovirus Viraemia in Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Adults (MIS-A) following COVID-19
Authors: Valente-Acosta Benjamin , Moreno-Sánchez Francisco , Neme-Yunes Yvette , López-Rueda Sara , Hoyo-Ulloa Irma , Garcia-Gutierrez Mónica
Published: April 2024

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults (MIS-A) is recognised as an infrequent complication of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This syndrome occurs following COVID-19 infection in some individuals and is characterised by inflammation of multiple organ systems, such as the heart, liver, bowel, and lymph nodes. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) viraemia is associated primarily with immunosuppression. In COVID-19 patients, it has been reported in severe and critical cases. We present a case of an adult patient diagnosed with MIS-A and concomitant CMV viraemia.
Supplementary Table 2 from Integrating AI-Powered Digital Pathology and Imaging Mass Cytometry Identifies Key Classifiers of Tumor Cells, Stroma, and Immune Cells in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Rigamonti Alessandra , Viatore Marika , Polidori Rebecca , Rahal Daoud , Erreni Marco , Fumagalli Maria Rita , Zanini Damiano , Doni Andrea , Putignano Anna Rita , Bossi Paola , Voulaz Emanuele , Alloisio Marco , Rossi Sabrina , Zucali Paolo Andrea , Santoro Armando , Balzano Vittoria , Nisticò Paola , Feuerhake Friedrich , Mantovani Alberto , Locati Massimo , Marchesi Federica
Published: April 2024

Supplementary Table 2
Supplementary Figure 2 from Integrating AI-Powered Digital Pathology and Imaging Mass Cytometry Identifies Key Classifiers of Tumor Cells, Stroma, and Immune Cells in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Rigamonti Alessandra , Viatore Marika , Polidori Rebecca , Rahal Daoud , Erreni Marco , Fumagalli Maria Rita , Zanini Damiano , Doni Andrea , Putignano Anna Rita , Bossi Paola , Voulaz Emanuele , Alloisio Marco , Rossi Sabrina , Zucali Paolo Andrea , Santoro Armando , Balzano Vittoria , Nisticò Paola , Feuerhake Friedrich , Mantovani Alberto , Locati Massimo , Marchesi Federica
Published: April 2024

Supplementary Figure 2