bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BARGAINING OVER TAXES AND ENTITLEMENTS IN THE ERA OF UNEQUAL GROWTH
Authors: Azzimonti Marina , Karpuska Laura , Mihalache Gabriel
Published: January 2023

Entitlements have become an increasing component of total government spending in the United States over the last six decades. Using a political‐economy model where parties bargain over taxes and entitlements, we argue that such dynamics can be explained by two factors: “unequal growth,” where top earners became richer while the income of the bottom 50% stagnated, and budget rules that provide bargaining power to low‐income earners through a “status quo effect.” In a model calibrated to the United States, we show that sustained bargaining power by a party representing the poor results in a rising share of entitlements consistent with the data.
Unravelling the effect of phenolic compounds in the design of a yeast protein‐based emulsions
Authors: Ribeiro Ana Catarina , Simões Sara , Perez‐Gregorio Rosa , Soares Susana , Figueira Diogo , Branco Diogo Castelo , Tasso Ana , Raymundo Anabela , Mateus Nuno , Freitas Victor
Published: January 2023

Mayonnaise is an oil in water emulsion of egg, oil and an acid, worldwide consumed. The major challenges of the mayonnaise industry include searching for an alternative protein source. This study evaluates an alternative protein source, yeast protein extract (YPE), to replace egg in the mayonnaise model. Furthermore, the natural ability of phenolic compounds (PCs) to bind to proteins was studied to enhance the emulsifying capacity of YPE. The mayonnaise‐like emulsions were characterised according to their rheology, texture and colour profile. There were no differences in rheological parameters between the YPE emulsion (G' at 1 Hz 785 ± 15 Pa) and onion powder emulsion (G' at 1 Hz 785 ± 15 Pa) compared with the commercial mayonnaise (CC, G' at 1 Hz 747 ± 16 Pa). In general, the emulsions obtained with YPE and YPE‐PCs were found to have similar viscoelastic and viscosity properties to the CC. In terms of texture profile (firmness) the blueberry powder (0.574 ± 0.036 N), grape seed extract (0.497 ± 0.061 N) or wine extract (0.626 ± 0.128 N) YPE emulsions were equal to CC (0.561 ± 0.031 N). As a result, some of the mayonnaise‐like emulsions developed could be alternatives to CC regarding physical–chemical properties.
Stability of whey protein bioactive peptide‐stabilised nanoemulsions: effect of pH, ions, heating and freeze–thawing
Authors: Adjonu Randy , Doran Gregory , Torley Peter , Agboola Samson
Published: January 2023

Whey protein hydrolysates are important food emulsifiers and bioactive ingredients. This study investigated the stability of whey protein isolate (WPI) bioactive peptide fraction nanoemulsions under representative food processing and storage conditions: pH (3–9), ion concentration (Na+, 0–200 mm and Ca2+, 0–15 mm), thermal treatment (30–90 °C) and freeze–thawing. Bioactive peptide fractions, UC–10 and UP–10, were obtained by ultrafiltration of chymotrypsin or pepsin WPI hydrolysates, respectively. The nanoemulsions produced with these fractions had droplet diameters of 177 ± 3.5 nm (UC–10) and 154 ± 1.6 nm (UP–10). Nanoemulsions destabilised at pH 3–5, around the isoelectric point of WPI proteins but were stable at higher pH values, 6–9. Nanoemulsion instability escalated above critical Na+ (25 mm) and Ca2+ (2.5 mm) concentrations, but Ca2+ accelerated droplet aggregation more strongly than Na+. Furthermore, nanoemulsions were moderately stable to heating and freeze–thawing. Overall, both WPI bioactive peptide‐stabilised nanoemulsions showed consistent stability to the processing conditions. This study expands on designing, producing and utilising nanoemulsions based on WPI bioactive peptides.
Extracting decision models for ski injury prediction from data
Authors: Radovanović Sandro , Bohanec Marko , Delibašić Boris
Published: January 2023

Creating decision models for risk assessment of ski injuries is a challenging task. Ski injuries are rare events, but they carry a high cost, that is, can cause working or movement disabilities. Usually, ski risk assessment is performed on small‐scale, case‐controlled studies where the effect of a single factor is evaluated. Recently, data mining and machine learning algorithms are being employed for ski risk assessment and injury prediction. However, these models do not generally satisfy the need for interpretation of the decision model, do not provide explanations for the predictions, and in general do not ensure the completeness and consistency of decision rules. To make data mining and machine learning models useful, one needs to implement the aforementioned properties. Decision support systems are expected to have these properties; however, the process of building such decision support systems is still tedious: it has to consider human biases, assumptions, and subjective values, as well as focus on the decision problem being solved. We propose a method for extraction of decision models from data at hand. Our method DIDEX, Data Induced DEcision eXpert, builds models that have desirable properties for inclusion in decision support systems. The proposed method is used to build a decision model for ski injury prediction based on data from Mt. Kopaonik ski resort, Serbia. The results show that DIDEX generates up to a five times simpler model compared to the existing domain expert DEX models while having a 6% better predictive accuracy. Additionally, its predictive accuracy is comparable to similar machine learning algorithms, such as decision tree classifiers, random forest, and logistic regression.
Effect of solar drying on physical, chemical, and sensory properties of Cymbopogon citratus grown in Antioquia ‐ Colombia
Authors: Ocampo Arango Carlos Mario , Cañas Ángel Zoraida , Carazzone Chiara , Largo Ávila Esteban , Martínez Álvarez Olga Lucia , Mutis González Juan Sebastián
Published: January 2023

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of solar drying on the physical, chemical, and sensory properties of lemongrass grown in Antioquia, Colombia. Two single‐factor experimental designs were used. The first one, evaluated the drying method: dryer with solar collector and ventilation cycle programmer (D2), African Drying Bed (ADB), and Traditional Drying (TD); with load of 7 kg/m2. The second experimental design evaluated different loads (7 kg/m2 and 10 kg/m2) in dryers D2 and D1. The following analysis were performed: drying time, moisture content, color, volatile compounds, and sensory. Drying times were 26.3 h for D2 and 30.2 h for D1. The drying time was higher in ADB and TD. There were no significant differences in a* for the samples D2 (−2.23) and D1 (−1.41), which had a lower loss of green color, indicating a lesser degradation of chlorophyll against ADB and TD. Geranial and neral were found in a higher amount, isogeranial and β‐myrcene were also identified. D2 and D1 presented a higher aromatic intensity with overall quality of 7.1 and 6.9, respectively (0–10 scale). With the use of the dryers inside the greenhouse, drying times were reduced, generating a product with better characteristics in color and sensory attributes.

Practical applications

Almost all the seasoning and infusion industries in Colombia import the spices used as raw material in their products, even though with inferior quality from the sensory point of view, however, complying with other commercial criteria. The cost of dehydrated lemongrass imported in Colombia is higher when compared to other imported spices. Lemongrass grown in Antioquia, Colombia, presents some drawbacks in its postharvest processes, which makes its commercialization difficult at the national and international level. The results from this research show that using dryers with solar collector, fan, and ventilation cycle control; located inside the greenhouse solar dryer; it is possible to better control the drying process, obtaining competitive products at the industrial level, which could economically help producing families. Moreover, the times for drying are decreased and a product that meets the quality standards required by the industry in generated, overcoming those obtained from the traditional drying methods currently used.
Design and development of laboratory scale batch type device for debittering of bitter citrus juice
Authors: Gupta Arun Kumar , Rather Muzamil Ahmad , Mishra Poonam
Published: January 2023

Debittering of citrus juice has long been a stumbling challenge for the juice processing industries. The current debittering technique employs the adsorption of bitter compounds, which is reported to reduce a significant amount of vital nutrients, resulting in considerably lower antioxidant activity. Thus, in the present study, we are reporting a batch‐type laboratory‐scale debittering device using an interdigitated electrode (IDE), macroporous resin, and enzyme. Three different types of devices were developed. The first device was developed by adsorbing naringinase onto a macroporous resin and then being deposited on an IDE patterned printed circuit board (PCB) substrate. The second device was fabricated by the deposition of activated resin on IDE (an AR‐based device), while the third device was developed by depositing nonactivated resin on IDE (a NAR‐based device). The performance of the devices was evaluated by debittering the pomelo juice. It was observed that the device efficiently debitter 70–100 ml of juice in a batch manner. The juice was treated for 160 min at 60°C to determine the optimum time for a minimum level of naringin with the maximum retention of vital nutrients. A decreased level of naringin (53.06%) and increased naringenin content (16.19 ppm) were noticed with an increased time of exposure. Juice treated for 100 min had a significantly lower amount of naringin (39%), with maximum retention of vital nutrients. Contrary to this, juice treated with AR and NAR debittering devices reduced 32 and 19.65% of the naringin in 5 min with a maximum loss of bioactive compounds. The present study concludes that the fabricated debittering device reduced the bitterness up to a certain level with the minimum loss of other vital nutrients. Further study is needed to increase the handling capacity of juice and to study the storage stability of treated juice.

Practical Application

Bitterness has long been a stumbling barrier to the commercial acceptance of citrus juice. There are limited studies that can monitor the elimination of bitter components from citrus juices. The current attempt investigates the development of a debittering device that can easily monitor the level of bitterness during the debittering process of bitter citrus fruit. The easy fabrication process, reusability of the proposed device, and cost factor could be an alternative way to boost the commerciality of underutilized citrus fruits. The developed technology has a strong potential to scale up, as the cost is minimal and the design of the setup is very simple.
High cost of waste treatment calls for systematic rethinking: A case study for a chemical industrial park in China
Authors: Lyu Yizheng , Yan Kun , Tian Jinping , Chen Lyujun
Published: January 2023

The chemical industry has witnessed a heavy global environmental clean‐up and remediation burden. Chemical industrial parks (CIPs) are important carriers of the chemical industry and present both opportunities and challenges in terms of environmental sustainability. The end‐of‐pipe waste treatment system, comprised of enterprise facilities and shareable infrastructure, is mandatory in Chinese CIPs; in that sense, its cost is often taken for granted without accurate calculation, and reduction opportunities are commonly missed. Quantifying the whole‐process cost is thus crucial for promoting the waste treatment system of CIPs. This study established a bottom‐up and trilayer nested model for waste treatment, which integrated interphase material flows, pollutant reduction technology, and whole‐process cost accounting by targeting CIPs. The cost included wastewater treatment, waste gas treatment, and solid waste disposal costs, and each component further included depreciation, operation, and other expenditures. After empirically applying the model to a typical CIP in China, we revealed that this CIP attained a total waste treatment cost of 1.31 billion CNY (0.19 billion US dollars) in 2016, which is approximately 52.4% of the park's tax income. Overall, approximately 55.6% of the cost was attributable to wastewater treatment (729 million CNY, 108 million US dollars), 12.5% to waste gas treatment, and 31.9% to solid waste disposal. In the empirical case study, the cost imposed a substantial economic burden on the industrial park, while the environmental performance of the waste treatment system still required improvement. The results called for systematic rethinking which is featured by an extended system boundary and three dialectical relations in CIPs. Three policy recommendations were proposed by systematic rethinking, including symbiotic solutions targeting waste treatment infrastructures within and among enterprises, priority optimization on the key enterprises with high pollution emissionsand treatment costs, and flexible deployment of in‐plant waste treatment facilities.
Sardines at a junction: Seascape genomics reveals ecological and oceanographic drivers of variation in the NW Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Antoniou Aglaia , Manousaki Tereza , Ramírez Francisco , Cariani Alessia , Cannas Rita , Kasapidis Panagiotis , Magoulas Antonios , Albo‐Puigserver Marta , Lloret‐Lloret Elena , Bellido Jose Maria , Pennino Maria Grazia , Follesa Maria Cristina , Esteban Antonio , Saraux Claire , Sbrana Mario , Spedicato Maria Teresa , Coll Marta , Tsigenopoulos Costas S.
Published: January 2023

By evaluating genetic variation across the entire genome, one can address existing questions in a novel way while raising new ones. The latter includes how different local environments influence adaptive and neutral genomic variation within and among populations, providing insights into local adaptation of natural populations and their responses to global change. Here, under a seascape genomic approach, ddRAD data of 4609 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 398 sardines (Sardina pilchardus) collected in 11 Mediterranean and one Atlantic site were generated. These were used along with oceanographic and ecological information to detect signals of adaptive divergence with gene flow across environmental gradients. The studied sardines constitute two clusters (FST = 0.07), a pattern attributed to outlier loci, highlighting putative local adaptation. The trend in the number of days with sea surface temperature above 19°C, a critical threshold for successful sardine spawning, was crucial at all levels of population structuring with implications on the species' key biological processes. Outliers link candidate SNPs to the region's environmental heterogeneity. Our findings provide evidence for a dynamic equilibrium in which population structure is maintained by physical and ecological factors under the opposing influences of migration and selection. This dynamic in a natural system warrants continuous monitoring under a seascape genomic approach that might benefit from a temporal and more detailed spatial dimension. Our results may contribute to complementary studies aimed at providing deeper insights into the mechanistic processes underlying population structuring. Those are key to understanding and predicting future changes and responses of this highly exploited species in the face of climate change.
The impact of restrictions to visiting in paediatric intensive care during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Wray Jo , Ndokera Rufaro , Pierce Christine M. , Oldham Geralyn
Published: January 2023

Background

Restrictions to hospital visiting were mandated during the COVID‐19 pandemic, with variability in the degree of restriction imposed. At times, paediatric intensive care units (ICU) restricted visiting to one parent/carer. Views of parents/carers and ICU staff about changes in the visiting policy are not well understood.

Study Design

This is a Service evaluation involving questionnaire survey incorporating rating scales and free‐text comments. Inner‐city specialist children's hospital. Parents/carers of children on ICU between December 2020–March 2021 and staff who were working on ICU during May–June 2021. Parents and staff on ICU were invited to complete a questionnaire focusing on their experience of being or working on ICU. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively and free‐text comments were thematically analysed.

Results

Completed questionnaires were received from 81/103 (79%) parents/carers and 217/550 (39%) staff. The majority of parents (n = 60;77%) and staff (n = 191;89%) understood the need for the one‐parent visiting policy but acknowledged it was a source of considerable stress. More staff than parents agreed it was appropriate other relatives/friends visiting was not permitted (Z = 3.715;p < .001). There was no association between parents' satisfaction with their child's care and views about the visiting policy. However, staff were more likely to report an impact on their ability to deliver family centred care if they disagreed with the policy.

Conclusion

The COVID‐19 visiting policy had a clear impact on parents and staff. In the event of any future threat to open‐access visiting to children in hospital, the potentially damaging effect on children, parents, and staff must be considered.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

Visiting policies need to take account of parents being partners in their child's care, rather than purely visitors to the unit where their child is being cared for. Visiting for two carers should always be facilitated, including during a crisis such as a pandemic.
Psychometric properties of the simplified Chinese version of Kihon Checklist in the Chinese older people
Authors: Wang Qun , Tao An , Zhang Yao , Li Xilin , Lin Qiuru , Liu Fang , Li Hong , Qiu Xichenhui
Published: January 2023

Background

The 25‐item Kihon Checklist (KCL) is a comprehensive screening tool for identifying frail older people who are at risk of becoming dependent. It has been widely used in different countries and revealed good validity and reliability.

Objectives

The KCL was translated into Simplified Chinese (KCL‐SC) in 2019. The study aims to evaluate the psychometric properties of the KCL‐SC.

Methods

The study employed a cross‐sectional study design and recruited 258 community‐dwelling older people in Shenzhen, China. The reliability of internal consistency, split‐half reliability and 2‐week test–retest reliability were evaluated. An expert panel examined the content validity. Concurrent validity of KCL‐SC was evaluated by its correlation with the other measure of frailty (FRAIL Scale, FS), activities of daily living (ADL, Katz index of independence in ADL) and depressive mood (5‐item Geriatric Depression Scale, GDS‐5). Construct validity was examined by exploratory factor analysis. Criteria validity in discriminating different frailty status (with FS as criteria) were evaluated with the receiver‐operating characteristic curves (ROC).

Results

The Cronbach's α was 0.827; split‐half reliability coefficient was 0.737; and test–retest reliability was 0.974. The content validity index was 0.960. The KCL‐SC and dimensions were significantly correlated with the scores of FS, Katz ADL and GDS‐5 (p < 0.05). Seven factors were recognised in the exploratory factor analysis and explained 56.36% of the total variances. The areas under the ROC in discriminating frail/nonfrail, frail/prefrail and prefrail/robust were 0.925, 0.880 and 0.758, respectively. The cut‐off values for identifying prefrailty and frailty were 11 and 5, respectively.

Conclusions

The KCL‐SC revealed satisfactory psychometric properties in identifying frailty among the Chinese community‐dwelling older people.
Iron status and burden of anemia in children with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa
Authors: Tarango Cristina , Quinn Charles T. , Augsburger Bret , Lucky Anne W.
Published: January 2023

Background and Objectives

To describe the prevalence, severity, and management of anemia in a cohort of children with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) and to highlight the use of soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) to diagnose iron deficiency in this chronic inflammatory state.

Methods

We studied a cohort of 114 patients with RDEB followed at a pediatric hospital‐based Epidermolysis Bullosa Center from 2010 to 2020; data were prospectively tracked in a comprehensive clinical database that captured all visits, laboratory tests, iron infusions, and transfusions. The primary outcome was occurrence of anemia, which was assessed by age and sex, with and without transfusion support. Secondary outcomes included iron status using a combination of ferritin and sTfR levels, the cumulative incidence of parenteral iron therapy and transfusions, and survival.

Results

In RDEB, anemia begins in the first year of life and becomes more frequent and severe with age. The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) estimated by ferritin was 33.6% (37/110), but the sTfR/log10‐ferritin ratio indicated a 1.5‐fold higher true prevalence of IDA of 50.6% (41/81). 53.5% (61/114) received parenteral iron infusions, transfusions, or both. Higher ferritin was associated with earlier mortality.

Conclusions

Individuals with RDEB have a high burden of anemia (IDA and anemia of inflammation) that requires frequent medical interventions. The sTfR/log10‐ferritin ratio improves the detection of iron deficiency in the context of inflammation and guides therapy.
The effect of the Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction program on the level of perceived stress and geriatric depression in older adults: a randomised controlled study
Authors: Kabataş Yıldız Mükerrem , Orak Oya Sevcan
Published: January 2023

Background

This study aims to reveal the effect of the Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program on the perceived stress and geriatric depression levels of older adults.

Methods

The data of this randomised controlled experimental study were obtained from older adults living in a nursing home in Turkey, between May and November, 2021. The target population consisted of 54 older adults living in the specified nursing home, and the sample consisted of 48 older adults who met the inclusion criteria (n = 24 intervention group, n = 24 control group). The MBSR program was applied to the older adults in the intervention group. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Geriatric Depression Scale‐Short Form.

Results

It was revealed that the MBSR program led to a 54.7% decrease in the perceived stress total scores of the participants, and a 49.9% and 49.8% decrease in the sub‐dimensions of perceived insufficient self‐efficacy and perceived stress/distress, respectively. It was also found that the program reduced geriatric depression scores by 14.1% and created a significant effect (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

It can be concluded that the MBSR program is an effective method in reducing the perceived stress and geriatric depression levels of older adults. This effect has been maintained 1 month after the completion of the program.
Escrito en el tiempo
Authors: Chaparro Valderrama Hugo
Published: January 2023

Este libro es un homenaje a la literatura en todas sus dimensiones. La literatura es la memoria posible, parece decirnos Chaparro. Los autores son “amigos imaginarios” con quienes mantiene un diálogo poético. La biblioteca guarda libros —como tiempo condensado—, y la lectura es una forma de apropiárselo y, así, de invocar la muerte y el olvido.
In-Plane Quasi-Static Crushing Behaviors of a Novel Reentrant Combined-Wall Honeycomb
Authors: Zhou Yang , Pan Yi , Gao Qiang , Sun Beibei
Published: January 2023

The innovative design of microstructure topology is of great significance to improve the energy absorption performance of honeycombs. In this paper, by embedding a hexagonal substructure in each inclined wall of the traditional reentrant (RE) honeycomb, a novel auxetic honeycomb, called reentrant combined-wall (RCW) honeycomb, is developed for improving energy absorption. Combining the experimental methods, numerical simulations, and analytical analyses, we systematically studied the in-plane quasi-static behaviors of the proposed honeycomb structure. It can be found that the deformation of the RCW honeycomb has a transitional stage, which makes a significant stress enhancement. During the crushing process, the Poisson’s ratio of the RCW honeycomb keeps negative and is lower than that of the RE honeycomb. Besides, numerical and analytical analyses show that the stress-strain response of the RCW honeycomb has a good designability. Further, the analysis of specific energy absorption (SEA) is also performed, in which the RCW honeycomb shows a significant superiority over the RE honeycomb, with the SEA value almost twice that of the latter. Therefore, it can be concluded that the proposed novel structure has tangible improvements in the crushing strength, auxetic performance, and energy absorption, which deserves more attention in future work.
On Practical Aspects of Variational Consistency in Contact Dynamics
Authors: Recuero Antonio , Lindsay Alexander
Published: January 2023

Usage of contact mechanics methodologies is a pervasive modeling requirement in dynamic simulations. While for some trivial problems, solutions taken from analytical geometry are available, use of a finite element framework is common to achieve formulation generality. This work explores two dynamic contact formulations: one based on the traditional node-to-segment (NTS) approach, and a variationally consistent segment-to-segment (STS) mortar formulation. The NTS formulation employed here enforces the constraints kinematically (i.e., the interpenetration is enforced to the solver tolerance), whereas the mortar approach uses Lagrange multipliers to enforce the contact constraints. Both approaches are implemented in the open-source finite element framework Multiphysics Object-Oriented Simulation Environment (MOOSE). The results highlight two relevant contact-interface-related dynamic phenomena in finite element simulations. First, stabilization of contact constraints is discussed, taking into account the evolution of the total energy in a benchmark problem. Second, the influence of finite element discretization on both of the aforementioned contact formulations is analyzed by exercising a large-deformation example with continuous relative sliding. Variationally consistent contact approaches such as the mortar formulation lead to improved energy preservation and avoid spurious excitation of the system's frequencies. This is especially relevant in settings where inertia and vibrations are of importance.
REVIEWS OF ACOUSTICAL PATENTS
Authors: Fulop Sean A.
Published: January 2023

The purpose of these acoustical patent reviews is to provide enough information for a Journal reader to decide whether to seek more information from the patent itself. Any opinions expressed here are those of the reviewers as individuals and are not legal opinions. Patents are available via the internet at the USPTO website.
Serine-threonine phosphoregulation by PknB and Stp contributes to quiescence and antibiotic tolerance in
Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Huemer Markus , Mairpady Shambat Srikanth , Hertegonne Sanne , Bergada-Pijuan Judith , Chang Chun-Chi , Pereira Sandro , Gómez-Mejia Alejandro , Van Gestel Lies , Bär Julian , Vulin Clément , Pfammatter Sibylle , Stinear Timothy P. , Monk Ian R. , Dworkin Jonathan , Zinkernagel Annelies S.
Published: January 2023

Staphylococcus aureus
can cause infections that are often chronic and difficult to treat, even when the bacteria are not antibiotic resistant because most antibiotics act only on metabolically active cells. Subpopulations of persister cells are metabolically quiescent, a state associated with delayed growth, reduced protein synthesis, and increased tolerance to antibiotics. Serine-threonine kinases and phosphatases similar to those found in eukaryotes can fine-tune essential bacterial cellular processes, such as metabolism and stress signaling. We found that acid stress–mimicking conditions that
S. aureus
experiences in host tissues delayed growth, globally altered the serine and threonine phosphoproteome, and increased threonine phosphorylation of the activation loop of the serine-threonine protein kinase B (PknB). The deletion of
stp
, which encodes the only annotated functional serine-threonine phosphatase in
S. aureus
, increased the growth delay and phenotypic heterogeneity under different stress challenges, including growth in acidic conditions, the intracellular milieu of human cells, and abscesses in mice. This growth delay was associated with reduced protein translation and intracellular ATP concentrations and increased antibiotic tolerance. Using phosphopeptide enrichment and mass spectrometry–based proteomics, we identified targets of serine-threonine phosphorylation that may regulate bacterial growth and metabolism. Together, our findings highlight the importance of phosphoregulation in mediating bacterial quiescence and antibiotic tolerance and suggest that targeting PknB or Stp might offer a future therapeutic strategy to prevent persister formation during
S. aureus
infections.
Plumbing the depths of magma crystallization using 176Lu/177Hf in zircon as a pressure proxy
Authors: Moreira Hugo , Buzenchi Anda , Hawkesworth Chris J. , Dhuime Bruno
Published: January 2023

Extensional tectonics are marked by shallow magma crystallization depths, whereas compressional tectonics are associated with deeper crystallization depths. This implies that variations in crystallization depths can be used to track changes in Earth’s dominant tectonic regimes through time. We therefore developed a new “pressure of crystallization” proxy based on the variation of the 176Lu/177Hf ratio in zircon. This ratio is controlled by zircon fractionation and residual garnet, and it can be used to monitor the evolution of a crystallizing magma ascending within the crust. The secular evolution of the 176Lu/177Hf ratio in zircon is characterized by cyclical oscillations that are broadly in tune with the δ18O record in zircon and with periods of continental collision and supercontinent amalgamation. The apparent mean depth of crystallization of zircon-bearing igneous rocks has decreased with time over the last ~3.0 b.y. This can be linked to shallowing of the primary crystallization depths and/or to the effect of time-integrated erosion in the geologic record. Prior to ca. 3.0 Ga, crystallization depth maxima and oscillations in apparent depth are less clear, perhaps suggesting that the nature of tectonic interactions was different in the Mesoarchean and earlier.
Distribution and causes of blindness and severe visual impairment in children at a tertiary referral centre in Rwanda
Authors: El-Khoury Sylvain , Strittmatter Sophia , Tuyisabe Theophile , Preussner Paul-Rolf , Abdelmassih Youssef
Published: January 2023

Aim

To determine the prevalence and the causes of severe visual impairment and blindness (SVI/BL) in children at a tertiary referral centre in Rwanda.

Methods

In this retrospective study, files of all patients <18 years presenting during the year 2019 at the Kabgayi Eye Unit in Rwanda with SVI/BL (presenting visual acuity of <6/60 Snellen or lack of preferential looking behaviour) in at least one eye were analysed for age, sex, laterality, province of origin and cause of SVI/BL. Causes were categorised according to WHO standard classification.

Results

Out of 3939 children presenting to the clinic, 428 (10.9%) had SVI/BL in at least one eye. 165 (4.2%) patients had bilateral and 263 (6.7%) had unilateral condition. Of patients with BL/SVI, 36.7% were below the age of 6 years. In bilateral BL/SVI, the main causes were cataract (18%), refractive error (18%), keratoconus (13%), congenital eye anomaly (9%), glaucoma (8%), cortical blindness (8%) and retinoblastoma (6%). In unilateral BL/SVI it was trauma (46%), cataract (8%), keratoconus (8%), infectious corneal disease (7%) and retinoblastoma (7%). In preschool children, retinopathy of prematurity accounted for 7% of bilateral BL/SVI. Avoidable BL/SVI accounted for 87% of all cases.

Conclusion

The high number of avoidable causes for SVI/BL may be reduced through several cost-effective ways.
Clinical characteristics of mpox infection in individuals who received a first dose of modified vaccinia Ankara immunisation
Authors: Agunbiade Simisola , Burton Felicity , Muirhead Jessica , Whitlock Gary George , Girometti Nicolò
Published: January 2023

Introduction

A key part of the response to the mpox (monkeypox) epidemic has been the vaccination campaign targeted at gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBM), including people living with HIV (PLWH).

Methods

We undertook a single-site, retrospective analysis of individuals who received a single dose of modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA-BN) prior to the onset of mpox symptoms. Demographics, clinical characteristics and patient management were analysed.

Results

Of 10 068 individuals who received a first dose of the MVA-BN vaccination, 15 (0.15%) developed mpox subsequently. All individuals identified were GBM with 12/15 (80%) on Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and 3/15 (20%) PLWH. Median time from MVA-BN inoculum to mpox symptoms was 4 days (IQR 3–9), systemic symptoms and supportive medical treatment required were common (11/15 patients, 73%) and all had localising skin lesions. One individual required hospitalisation.

Conclusions

Although clinical presentation was similar to unvaccinated cohorts, we observed low numbers of mpox cases following a first dose of MVA-BN vaccination. Larger, multicentric studies are needed to further evaluate vaccination failure and immunity duration.
A Network Security Situation Awareness Method Based on GRU in Big Data Environment
Authors: Wen Zhicheng , Zhang Longxin , Wu Qinlan , Deng Wengui
Published: January 2023

Aiming at the “bottleneck” problems of the traditional network security situation awareness model, such as large equipment limitations, single data source and poor integration ability, weak level of autonomous learning and data mining, a network security situation awareness framework suitable for big data is constructed. A gate recurrent unit (GRU) model is established to effectively extract features from the situation data set through the deep learning algorithm of big data. It is a method to automatically mine and analyze the hidden relationship and change trend of network security situation, realize the high-speed acquisition and fusion of massive multi-source heterogeneous data, and perceive the network security situation from an all-round perspective. The experimental results show that this method has a good awareness effect on network threats, and has strong representation ability in the face of network threats. It can effectively perceive the network threat situation without relying on data labels, which verifies that this method can effectively improve the efficiency and accuracy of security situation awareness.
An Algorithm for Network Security Situation Assessment Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Wen Zhicheng , Peng Linhua , Wan Weiqing , Ou Jing
Published: January 2023

Aiming at the problems that the existing assessment methods are difficult to solve, such as the low efficiency and uncertainty of network security situation assessment in complex network environment, by constructing the characteristic elements of network security big data, a typical model based on deep learning, long short-term memory (LSTM), is established to assess the network security situation in time series. The hidden relationship and change trend of network security situation are automatically mined and analyzed through the deep learning algorithm of big data, which greatly improves the prediction accuracy of security situation. Experimental analysis shows that this method has a better assessment effect on network threats, has higher learning efficiency than the traditional network situation assessment methods, and has strong representation ability in the face of network threats. It can more accurately and effectively assess the changing trend of big data security situation in the future.
Ergodicity and long-time behavior of the Random Batch Method for interacting particle systems
Authors: Jin Shi , Li Lei , Ye Xuda , Zhou Zhennan
Published: January 2023

We study the geometric ergodicity and the long-time behavior of the Random Batch Method for interacting particle systems, which exhibits superior numerical performance in recent large-scale scientific computing experiments. We show that for both the interacting particle system (IPS) and the random batch interacting particle system (RB–IPS), the distribution laws converge to their respective invariant distributions exponentially, and the convergence rate does not depend on the number of particles [Formula: see text], the time step [Formula: see text] for batch divisions or the batch size [Formula: see text]. Moreover, the Wasserstein-1 distance between the invariant distributions of the IPS and the RB–IPS is bounded by [Formula: see text], showing that the RB–IPS can be used to sample the invariant distribution of the IPS accurately with greatly reduced computational cost.
From colored triangulations to framed link presentations of 3-manifolds by a polynomial algorithm
Authors: Lins Sóstenes L. , Machado Ricardo N.
Published: January 2023

For a large class of closed orientable 3-manifolds, we present a polynomial algorithm to go from a triangulation to a framed link presenting the same manifold. The algorithm applies whenever we can get a resoluble gem from the triangulation. Most minimal gems have this property (about 95% of gems in our complete catalogue up to 28 vertices). From the gems which fail, nothing prevents another gem from inducing the same 3-manifold to be resoluble. We leave as an open problem presenting a 3-manifold which is not induced by a resoluble gem. This paper is an application of the theory of gems to 3-manifold topology.
Sentiment, Herding and Volatility Forecasting: Evidence from GARCH-MIDAS Approach
Authors: Cui Yanxian , Zheng Hong , Yuan Ying
Published: January 2023

Investor sentiment and herding, as two important indicators of investors’ beliefs, both have great impacts on stock market volatility. Based on the daily transaction data in the Chinese stock market, we measure investor sentiment and herding on monthly basis from 2005 to 2020. Then, two indicators are, respectively, introduced to GARCH-MIDAS model for volatility forecasting. Moreover, their forecasting abilities are compared with five GARCH-type models in four crisis periods and two up markets through the model confidence set (MCS) test. We find that herding can better explain the long-term component of volatility than investor sentiment in GARCH-MIDAS model. What is more, both investor sentiment and herding possess excellent out-of-sample forecasting performances. Finally, the forecasting ability of herding is overwhelming compared with investor sentiment in crisis periods, while investor sentiment presents better prediction accuracy than herding in up markets. Our research shows that the forecasting abilities of investor sentiment and herding on volatility may be related to the market states.
Filtering of Noisy Nonlinear Buck Converter with CPL Using Carleman Linerization
Authors: Lambe Amruta , Sharma Shambhu N. , Patel Hirenkumar G.
Published: January 2023

The paper includes a novel approach for filtering of nonlinear Buck converter with Constant Power Load in noisy environment based on the Carleman linearization approach. The procedure starts with the modeling of Buck converter with Constant Power Load using Hamiltonian framework resulting in the deterministic model of network i.e., a finite dimensional system of ordinary differential equations. To evaluate the effect of noise on it, a Gaussian noise is embedded in the network through switch, which results in the development of stochastic state model and noise present at measurement terminals is considered for measurement equations. Using Carleman linearization approach, the finite-dimensional nonlinear model is transmuted into a bilinear model of infinite-dimension which can be approximated for any chosen order. As a result, we arrive at the finite-dimensional bilinear model of Buck converter with augmented state vector of higher dimension than the original system. State estimation of stochastic dynamical systems in the presence of noisy measurements is an interesting problem and hence, filtering technique is adopted here. The filtering equations in Itô setting are derived for bilinear systems using probabilistic approach for state estimation. The superiority of the proposed bilinear filtering technique over the benchmark EKF is demonstrated by the numerical simulations.
A Data-Driven Model to Construct the Influential Factors of Online Product Satisfaction
Authors: Shao Qigan , Lo Huai-Wei , Liou James J. H. , Tzeng Gwo-Hshiung
Published: January 2023

Online shopping is becoming more prevalent, with consumers turning to e-commerce platforms to search for information about the goods and services they need. Users will usually check other consumer reviews on the platform as a reference while shopping. Online retailers can collect and analyze these online reviews to monitor consumer opinions about product quality, logistics services, packaging and other attributes to provide an accurate basis for product improvement and service optimization. This paper applies the Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) algorithm to extract the critical factors that affect consumer satisfaction. More than 30,000 reviews of seven kinds of 3C (computer, communication, and consumer electronic) product categories obtained by crawler technology are analyzed. Then, the DEMATEL-ANP (DANP) method is applied to the extracted framework to build a cause-and-effect diagram of 3C product satisfaction model. The innovative LDA-DANP hybrid model clarifies the causal influence of the evaluation dimensions for 3C products sold online. The results show that brand value is the most important dimension affecting consumer online product satisfaction. Appearance design, logistics awareness service and product performance also have a positive influence on perceived service and brand value. Finally, some management implications and practical suggestions are proposed.
The temperature dependence on the coherence time of a quantum pseudodot qubit
Authors: Qiu Wei , Miao Xiu-Juan , Han Shuang , Zhang Wei , Ma Xin-Jun , Sun Yong , Xiao Jing-Lin
Published: January 2023

In this work, the energies and eigenfunctions of ground state and first-excited states (GFES) of a strongly coupled polaron in a quantum pseudo-dot (QPD) were studied by using variational method of Pekar type (VMPT). A single qubit can be realized in this two-level quantum system. Then, we calculated the coherence time of a QPD qubit by employing the Fermi Golden Rule. The temperature effects on the coherence time are taken into account by using the quantum statistics theory (QST) and self-consistent calculation method. According to the obtained results, it is found that the coherence time increases with decreasing temperature. Also, this time is a decaying function of the chemical potential of the two-dimensional electron gas and the zero point of the PHP.
Global quantum discord and von Neumann entropy in multipartite two-level atomic systems
Authors: Ibrahim M. , Usman M. , Khan Khalid
Published: January 2023

We have computed the global quantum discord (GQD) and von Neumann entropy (VNE) of multipartite two-level atomic systems interacting with a single-mode Fock field. We use Tavis–Cumming model. We have explored how quantum correlations and quantum entanglement evolve with time in such systems. The quantum system is prepared initially in a mixed state and different parameters are varied to see how they affect the information processing in the system. The dynamical character of the GQD and VNE show an interplay between classical and nonclassical correlations. Photons in this model play an important role to assist the GQD and VNE and we observed that the effects of the field on the GQD and VNE reside in the time evolution of the system indicating that both atom and field states have become entangled. The GQD is assisted in a nonlinear fashion with the number of photons in the system. The GQD and VNE show linear behavior with each other in the dynamics of the system. The effects of intrinsic decoherence on the dynamics of the GQD and VNE are also studied. We have extrapolated the results for a large photon number on the system. We have studied the effect of the change in the size of the system on the maximum value of GQD and VNE and we have estimated the scaling coefficients for this behavior.
Aerial Image Denoising Using a Best-So-Far ABC-based Adaptive Filter Method
Authors: Banharnsakun Anan
Published: January 2023

Nowadays, digital images play an increasingly important role in helping to explain phenomena and to attract people’s attention through various types of media rather than the use of text. However, the quality of digital images may be degraded due to noise that has occurred either during their recording or their transmission via a network. Therefore, removal of image noise, which is known as “image denoising”, is one of the primary required tasks in digital image processing. Various methods in earlier studies have been developed and proposed to remove the noise found in images. For example, the use of metric filters to eliminate noise has received much attention from researchers in recent literature. However, the convergence speed when searching for the optimal filter coefficient of these proposed algorithms is quite low. Previous research in the past few years has found that biologically inspired approaches are among the more promising metaheuristic methods used to find optimal solutions. In this work, an image denoising approach based on the best-so-far (BSF) ABC algorithm combined with an adaptive filter is proposed to enhance the performance of searching for the optimal filter coefficient in the denoising process. Experimental results indicate that the denoising of images employing the proposed BSF ABC technique yields good quality and the ability to remove noise while preventing the features of the image from being lost in the denoising process. The denoised image quality obtained by the proposed method achieves a 20% increase compared with other recently developed techniques in the field of biologically inspired approaches.
Influence of memory-dependent derivative on generalized thermoelastic rotating porous solid via three-phase-lag model
Authors: Othman Mohamed I. A. , Mondal Sudip , Sur Abhik
Published: January 2023

This paper is concerned with the influence of memory-dependent heat transport law on rotating thermoelastic medium with voids via three-phase-lag. The entire pervious medium is rotating with a invariant angular haste, where the bounding airplane is subordinated to a thermal shock and is free of tractions. By employing the normal mode analysis, the exact expressions for the displacement components, stresses, temperature distribution and change in volume fraction field have been depicted graphically in the presence and the absence of gyration and memory-dependent outgrowth. The effect of the voiding is also bandied in the literature review.