bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design and Kinematics of a Novel Continuum Robot Connected by Unique Offset Cross Revolute Joints
Authors: Wang Xuhao , Wang Chengfa , Wu Mengli , Li Mingyu , Xu Yilong , Li Guanhao , Guo Zhiyong , Cao Yiran
Published: March 2024

Continuum robots have continuous structures and inherent compliance, which can be used for accessing unstructured and confined space in many fields, such as minimally invasive surgery and aero-engine in-situ inspection. A novel cable-driven continuum robot connected by unique offset cross revolute joints is proposed in this paper, which has excellent bending capacity and appropriate torsional stiffness compared with continuum robots connected by revolute joints and spherical joints, respectively. Furthermore, the kinematic modeling and analysis are carried out. The mappings among robot's actuator space, joint space and task space are established step by step. Particularly, an improved inverse kinematics algorithm is proposed by combining the constant curvature method with the numerical iterative method. This combined inverse kinematics algorithm can effectively reduce the error of approximate solution derived by the traditional constant curvature method. Numerical simulations are conducted to verify the proposed algorithm and analyze workspace of the continuum robot. Finally, experimental prototype of the robot is built to verify its excellent bending capacity and the correctness of the proposed kinematic model.
Simulation-Based Thermal Fatigue Validation Test Development for Exhaust Manifold
Authors: Naganathan Ambikapathy , Holland Billy G. , Demirdogen Caner A.
Published: March 2024

Exhaust manifolds in diesel engines undergo continuous thermal cycle loading of varying thermal cycles with different mean, amplitude, and rate of temperature change created by application duty cycles. This makes analysis and testing of the exhaust manifold to meet the thermal mechanical fatigue life expectation of different applications challenging. In this paper, a simulation-based product development approach, which uses application duty cycles, simulation models of different capabilities, including three-dimensional Finite element simulation model, one-dimensional (1D) physis-based damage model to develop an abusive thermal cycle engine test for validating exhaust manifold, is presented.
Modeling and control of L-type network impedance matching for semiconductor plasma etch
Authors: Rodriguez Carlos , Viola Jairo , Chen YangQuan , Alvarez Joaquin
Published: March 2024

The plasma process plays a pivotal role in the semiconductor industry, facilitating the creation of transistors and memory storage cells. This fourth state of matter is achieved by energizing a gas with radio-frequency electrical power, initiating and maintaining a stable plasma during the process cycles. Given that plasma behaves as an impedance component, an impedance-matching network becomes essential for optimizing power transfer from the source to the load (plasma). While various control strategies have been proposed for different network configurations, such as L, T, and Π networks, our work focuses on the L-type network due to its simplicity and extensive application in this domain. Several significant challenges have been identified in the existing literature, including slow dynamics, a non-monotonic decline in the reflected power, and substantial deviation in the capacitors’ path. These issues collectively impact the overall performance of the matching control system. In this article, we present a new methodology to obtain a nonlinear state-space model of the matching network for its analysis and design a proportional-integral combined with feedforward control and a control Lyapunov-barrier function to assess their effectiveness in achieving convergence to the desired matching value and guiding the path of the capacitors. These approaches aim to mitigate the recurring issues caused by capacitors moving in the wrong direction, thus improving the stability and efficiency of the impedance-matching process over time.
Objective intelligibility measurement of reverberant vocoded speech for normal-hearing listeners: Towards facilitating the development of speech enhancement algorithms for cochlear implants
Authors: Shahidi Lidea K. , Collins Leslie M. , Mainsah Boyla O.
Published: March 2024

Cochlear implant (CI) recipients often struggle to understand speech in reverberant environments. Speech enhancement algorithms could restore speech perception for CI listeners by removing reverberant artifacts from the CI stimulation pattern. Listening studies, either with cochlear-implant recipients or normal-hearing (NH) listeners using a CI acoustic model, provide a benchmark for speech intelligibility improvements conferred by the enhancement algorithm but are costly and time consuming. To reduce the associated costs during algorithm development, speech intelligibility could be estimated offline using objective intelligibility measures. Previous evaluations of objective measures that considered CIs primarily assessed the combined impact of noise and reverberation and employed highly accurate enhancement algorithms. To facilitate the development of enhancement algorithms, we evaluate twelve objective measures in reverberant-only conditions characterized by a gradual reduction of reverberant artifacts, simulating the performance of an enhancement algorithm during development. Measures are validated against the performance of NH listeners using a CI acoustic model. To enhance compatibility with reverberant CI-processed signals, measure performance was assessed after modifying the reference signal and spectral filterbank. Measures leveraging the speech-to-reverberant ratio, cepstral distance and, after modifying the reference or filterbank, envelope correlation are strong predictors of intelligibility for reverberant CI-processed speech.
A machine learning approach to predict daptomycin exposure from two concentrations based on Monte Carlo simulations
Authors: Codde Cyrielle , Rivals Florence , Destere Alexandre , Fromage Yeleen , Labriffe Marc , Marquet Pierre , Benoist Clément , Ponthier Laure , Faucher Jean-François , Woillard Jean-Baptiste
Published: March 2024

Daptomycin is a concentration-dependent lipopeptide antibiotic for which exposure/effect relationships have been shown. Machine learning (ML) algorithms, developed to predict the individual exposure to drugs, have shown very good performances in comparison to maximum a posteriori Bayesian estimation (MAP-BE). The aim of this work was to predict the area under the blood concentration curve (AUC) of daptomycin from two samples and a few covariates using XGBoost ML algorithm trained on Monte Carlo simulations. Five thousand one hundred fifty patients were simulated from two literature population pharmacokinetics models. Data from the first model were split into a training set (75%) and a testing set (25%). Four ML algorithms were built to learn AUC based on daptomycin blood concentration samples at pre-dose and 1 h post-dose. The XGBoost model (best ML algorithm) with the lowest root mean square error (RMSE) in a 10-fold cross-validation experiment was evaluated in both the test set and the simulations from the second population pharmacokinetic model (validation). The ML model based on the two concentrations, the differences between these concentrations, and five other covariates (sex, weight, daptomycin dose, creatinine clearance, and body temperature) yielded very good AUC estimation in the test (relative bias/RMSE = 0.43/7.69%) and validation sets (relative bias/RMSE = 4.61/6.63%). The XGBoost ML model developed allowed accurate estimation of daptomycin AUC using C0, C1h, and a few covariates and could be used for exposure estimation and dose adjustment. This ML approach can facilitate the conduct of future therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) studies.
Home-based Intervention with Semaglutide Treatment of Neuroleptic-Related Prediabetes (HISTORI): protocol describing a prospective, randomised, placebo controlled and double-blinded multicentre trial
Authors: Ganeshalingam Ashok Ainkaran , Uhrenholt Nicolai Gundtoft , Arnfred Sidse , Gæde Peter Haulund , Bilenberg Niels , Frystyk Jan
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Subjects with schizophrenia have a 2–3 fold higher mortality rate than the general population and a reduced life expectancy of 10–20 years. Approximately one-third of this excess mortality has been attributed to obesity-related type 2 diabetes (T2D) and to cardiovascular disease. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogues increase satiety and delay gastric emptying, thereby reducing food intake and weight. GLP-1 analogues also exert beneficial effects on cardiovascular outcomes in high-risk patients with T2D.

Our aim is to investigate whether 30 weeks add-on treatment with the GLP-1 analogue semaglutide can reduce HbA1c sufficiently to reverse pre-diabetes and the metabolic syndrome in overweight schizophrenic patients.

Methods and analysis

We will perform a 30 week, two-armed, multicentre, superiority, double-blinded, randomised trial investigating the effect of weekly injections of semaglutide versus placebo in mental health facilities in Region of Southern Denmark and Region of Zealand, Denmark. In total, 154 adults with schizophrenia spectrum disease, aged 18–60 years treated with second generation antipsychotic treatment, HbA1c 39–47 mmol/mol and body mass index >27 kg/m2will be randomised to injections of 1.0 mg semaglutide or placebo. The primary outcome is changes in HbA1c. Secondary outcomes encompass metabolic measures, psychotic symptoms and quality of life. Exploratory outcomes encompass insulin sensitivity, cardiovascular risk profile, medication adherence, general well-being and physical activity.

Ethics and dissemination

This study will be carried out in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and Good Clinical Practice guidelines. This research has obtained approval from both the Danish Medicines Agency and The Regional Committees on Health Research Ethics for Southern Denmark.

Trial registration number

NCT05193578European Clinical Trials Database Number (EudraCT) 2020-004374-22, Regional Ethical Committee number S-20200182.
Transradial versus transfemoral access for diagnostic cerebral angiography: frequency of acute MRI findings in 500 consecutive patients at a single center
Authors: Carraro do Nascimento Vinicius , de Villiers Laetitia , Dhillon Permesh Singh , Domitrovic Luis , Sesnan Genevieve , Leblanc Jean-Philippe , Ninnes Louise , Hughes Ian , Rice Hal
Published: March 2024

Background

The frequency of clinically symptomatic and asymptomatic diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) hyperintense lesions and their correlation with the transradial artery (TRA) approach is unclear.

Objective

To assess the frequency of abnormal diffusion restriction foci on DWI following cerebral angiography (digital subtraction angiography (DSA)) with the TRA or transfemoral artery (TFA) approach and identify predictors of DWI restriction foci.

Methods

We analysed data from consecutive diagnostic cerebral angiograms obtained between January 2021 and October 2023 at a single tertiary center. MRI DWI was performed 2 hours after DSA. Patients underwent neurological assessment periprocedurally, as well as prior to discharge.

Results

500 patients were analysed; 277 (55%) procedures were performed via TRA and 223 (45%) via TFA. Overall, 74 (14.8%) patients had abnormal findings in the postprocedure MRI DWI. A higher incidence of positive DWI findings was noted in the TRA group, with 46 (16.6%) patients, compared with 28 (12.6%) in the TFA group (P=0.21). Symptomatic events occurred in seven (2.5%) of the TRA group and in two (0.9%) of the TFA cohort (P=0.31). At 60 days, the neurological deficit rate was one (0.4%) for the TRA group and one (0.4%) for the TFA group. Procedure time was the only significant predictor of DWI restriction (OR=1.04 per minute; P=0.0001).

Conclusion

Although there were more symptomatic or asymptomatic embolic events with TRA than with the TFA approach following elective cerebral angiography, this was not significantly different. We recommend the choice of vascular access based on patient anatomy and characteristics, aimed at improving care through enhanced safety.
New exact solutions to the generalized shallow water wave equation
Authors: Mia Rajib , Paul Arjun Kumar
Published: March 2024

In this work, we study the generalized shallow water wave equation to obtain novel solitary wave solutions. The application of this nonlinear model can be found in tidal waves, weather simulations, tsunami prediction, river and irrigation flows. To obtain the new exact solutions of the considered model, we have applied a novel analytical technique namely [Formula: see text]-expansion method. Using the aforementioned method and computational software, we have obtained different kinds of periodic and singular solitary wave solutions of the generalized shallow water wave equation. The obtained solutions are exponential function and trigonometric function solutions. Using 2D and 3D plots of the wave solutions, the dynamic behaviors of the developed solutions are displayed. The retrieved solutions validated the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed technique.
侨易学视野中的张伯苓的游历和教育思想与实践
Authors: 杜 卫华
Published: March 2024

张伯苓作为南开学校的校长，在中国近代教育史上有着重要的地位。他的教 育思想不同于很多仅仅关注高等教育或者基础教育的学者，他是少有的同时在两 类教育上都有着丰富经验的教育家。张伯苓本人教育思想的变化与不变非常值得 探讨。从侨易学视域来看，张伯苓体现了变与不变，也体现了侨移、侨升、摹仿 和双向的侨联。本文在分析张伯苓在美欧的几次重要游历或者研修的基础上，从 他的演讲中抽取教育观念，并把教育观念同他在美欧的观察和体验相对比，从而 找到区域和身份侨易同教育观念之间的联系。
Clinical Characteristics and Microorganisms Isolated in Community-Acquired Pneumonia in the COVID-19 Period
Authors: Gavalda Meritxell , Fullana Maria Isabel , Ferre Adrià , Peña Rebecca Rowena , Armendariz Julen , Torrallardona Orla , Magraner Aina , Lorenzo Alejandro , García Carles , Mut Gemma , Planas Lluís , Iglesias Carla , Fraile-Ribot Pablo , Macia Romero Maria Dolores , Riera Melchor , García-Gasalla Mercedes
Published: March 2024

Introduction. Community-acquired pneumonia is a leading cause of mortality and hospital admissions. The aetiology remains unknown in 30–65% of the cases. Molecular tests are available for multiple pathogen detection and are under research to improve the causal diagnosis. Methods. We carried out a prospective study to describe the clinical characteristics and aetiology of community-acquired pneumonia during the COVID-19 pandemic and to assess the diagnostic effectivity of the microbiological tests, including a molecular test of respiratory pathogens (FilmArray™ bioMérieux). Results. From the 1st of February 2021 until the 31st of March 2022, 225 patients were included. Failure in microorganism identification occurred in approximately 70% of patients. Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most common isolate. There were 5 cases of viral pneumonia. The tested FilmArray exhibited a low positivity rate of 7% and mainly aided in the diagnosis of viral coinfections. Conclusions. Despite our extensive diagnostic protocol, there is still a low rate of microorganism identification. We have observed a reduction in influenza and other viral pneumoniae during the COVID-19 pandemic. Having a high NEWS2 score on arrival at the emergency department, an active oncohematological disease or chronic neurological conditions and a positive microbiological test result were related to worse outcomes. Further research is needed to determine the role of molecular tests in the microbiological diagnosis of pneumonia.
Potential of β-Amylase from Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas Lam) Extract on the Mashing of Safrari Sorghum
Authors: Limegne Daruis Gayus Kameugne , Desobgo Steve Carly Zangue , Nso Emmanuel Jong
Published: March 2024

The aim of this study was to investigate the use of sweet potato as a local source of enzymatic extract for the saccharification of sorghum mash. Box-Behnken designs were employed to determine the optimal conditions for extracting crude enzymes and saccharifying Safrari sorghum mash. The optimal conditions for maximizing enzymatic activity were found to be a mass-to-volume ratio of 0.1, an extraction time of 210 min, and a temperature of 60°C. The theoretical and experimental enzymatic activities under these conditions were 23.83 U/mg and 23.49 U/mg, respectively. The extraction of enzymes under these optimal conditions resulted in wort with physicochemical parameters within the following ranges: turbidity (0.79 to 4.52 NTU), pH (5.40 to 8.85), brix (14.80 to 17.50°B), reducing sugars (0.17 to 0.2114 mg/mL), and titratable acidity (3.54 to 5.24 g/L). These findings demonstrate that the extract from Ipomoea batatas contains enzymes that can be effectively used in the mashing process of malted Safrari sorghum.
Impact‐Rubbing Dynamics of Rotor with Hollow Shaft and Offset Discs Based on MDOF Timoshenko Beam Theory
Authors: Nan Guofang , Yao Xia , Yao Jingya , Wang Chao
Published: March 2024

The impact‐rubbing dynamic characteristics of the power turbine rotor with the hollow shaft and offset discs for aircraft engine are investigated, and the impact‐rubbing analytical method for the complex rotor based on MDOP Timoshenko beam theory is proposed in this paper. Compared with the traditional approach, the novel method can obtain more data to satisfy the need of engineering. The Lagrange equation is adopted to derive the equations of motion for the rotor system, and the Newmark‐β method is applied to solve the equations. The diagrams such as the bifurcation, axis trajectory, spectrum, and Poincaré map are obtained to research on the effect of the rotating speed, gap, and eccentricity on the vibration response. The finite element analysis was carried out to validate the correctness of the theoretical modeling method. The research results indicate that the power turbine rotor with the hollow shaft on operation shows the various nonlinear dynamic behaviors including the multiperiod, quasi‐period, jumping phenomenon, and chaotic motions; there exists an optimal gap between the rotor and the stator from the perspective of the efficiency and the dynamics; the optimal gap should make system avoid the resulting chaos or the quasi‐period motion for the stability and safety of the machinery.
Image Edge Detection by Global Thresholding Using Riemann–Liouville Fractional Integral Operator
Authors: Gaur S. , Khan A. M. , Suthar D. L. , Bora Avnish
Published: March 2024

It is difficult to give a fractional global threshold (FGT) that works well on all images as the image contents are totally different. This paper describes an interesting use of fractional calculus in the field of digital image processing. In the proposed method, the fractional global threshold-based edge detector (FGTED) is established using the Riemann–Liouville fractional integral operator. FGTED is used to find the microedges in minimum time for any input digital images. The results demonstrate that the FGTED outperforms conventional techniques for detecting microtype edges. The image with a higher entropy was produced by the FGT value-based approach. Tables and images are used to summarize the output performance analysis of various images using structural similarity index measure, F-score (F-measure), precision and recall, signal-to-noise ratio, peak signal-to-noise ratio, and computational time. The FGTED can be used to detect very thin or microtype edges more accurately in minimum time without training or prior knowledge.
FIGURE 1 from Activity of the Ubiquitin-activating Enzyme Inhibitor TAK-243 in Adrenocortical Carcinoma Cell Lines, Patient-derived Organoids, and Murine Xenografts
Authors: Arakawa Yasuhiro , Jo Ukhyun , Kumar Suresh , Sun Nai-Yun , Elloumi Fathi , Thomas Anish , Roper Nitin , Varghese Diana Grace , Takebe Naoko , Zhang Xiaohu , Ceribelli Michele , Holland David O. , Beck Erin , Itkin Zina , McKnight Crystal , Wilson Kelli M. , Travers Jameson , Klumpp-Thomas Carleen , Thomas Craig J. , Hoang Chuong D. , Hernandez Jonathan M. , Del Rivero Jaydira , Pommier Yves
Published: March 2024

NCATS screening identifies TAK-243 as one of the most potent drugs against ACC cell lines. A, CU-ACC1, CU-ACC2, and NCI-H295R cell lines were screened with the NCATS MIPE v5.0 (MIPE 5.0) library of approved and investigational drugs (n = 2,480). Drugs with Z-AUC values less than −1.5 and good-quality dose–response curves were selected. The number of drugs effective in the three cell lines is shown in the Venn diagram (left). The 21 drugs commonly effective in the three cell lines and their mechanism of action were tabulated. B, Drugs were arranged in Z-AUC order for the three cell lines tested, with red dots indicating TAK-243. The positions of mitotane, doxorubicin, and etoposide were also shown. C, Heat map of IC50 values of selected drugs with highest and lowest activity against the three ACC cell lines and SW-13 (small cell carcinoma cell line of adrenocortical origin). Drug targets were listed in parentheses.
ABC7 Consensus: Assessment by a German Group of Experts
Authors: Ditsch Nina , Untch Michael , Fasching Peter A. , Busch Steffi , Ettl Johannes , Haidinger Renate , Jackisch Christian , Lüftner Diana , Müller Lothar , Müller Volkmar , Ruckhäberle Eugen , Schumacher-Wulf Eva , Thomssen Christoph , Harbeck Nadia , Würstlein Rachel
Published: March 2024

Background: The “International Consensus Conference for Advanced Breast Cancer” was initiated more than 10 years ago. The rationale was to standardize treatment of advanced breast cancer (ABC) based on available evidence and to ensure that all ABC patients worldwide receive adequate treatment and access to new therapies. Topics of ABC7: The 7th International Consensus Conference for ABC (ABC7) took place from November 9 to 11, 2023 – as in previous years in Lisbon/Portugal. ABC7 focused not only on metastatic disease but also on locally advanced and inflammatory breast cancer. Special topics were the management of oligometastatic disease, leptomeningeal disease, brain metastases, and pregnant women with ABC. Due to the current situation worldwide, there was a special interest to patients living in conflict zones. As in previous years, patient advocates from around the world were integrated into the ABC conference and had a major input to the consensus. Rationale for the Manuscript: A German breast cancer expert panel comments on the voting results of the ABC7 panelists regarding their relevance for routine clinical practice in Germany. As with previous meetings, the ABC7 votes focused on modified or new statements. Regarding the statements not modified for the ABC7 consensus, they are discussed in the published manuscript from 2021 in which the German experts commented on the ABC6 consensus. The German comments are always based on the current recommendations of the “Breast Committee” of the Gynecological Oncology Working Group (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Gynäkologische Onkologie, AGO Mamma).
Maxillary Ameloblastoma with Local Recurrence, Orbital Invasion, and Systemic Metastases: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Linaburg Taylor J. , Araya Javiera , Briceño César A.
Published: March 2024

Introduction: Maxillary ameloblastoma is a rare, slow-growing odontogenic tumor that can recur after surgical excision, be locally aggressive, and rarely develop systemic metastases. We describe the course and management of a patient with recurrent maxillary ameloblastoma with orbital invasion and systemic metastases, the fourth case of its kind to be described in the literature. Case Presentation: A 50-year-old female presented with left hyperglobus. A diagnosis of maxillary ameloblastoma was made based on biopsy and neuroimaging with MRI and CT. Surgical management included partial maxillectomy with orbital floor reconstruction, given the orbital invasion. Three years later, left hyperglobus recurred, and the patient was found to have orbital recurrence and lung metastases on PET imaging. The lung and orbital lesions have responded well to chemoradiation therapy without surgical intervention. Conclusion: Maxillary ameloblastoma is a rare tumor that typically arises from odontogenic tissues. Though considered benign, they can recur and in the case of our patient, metastasize. Complete surgical excision with wide surgical margins is associated with a shorter average time to recurrence and a lower incidence of metastasis. Cases of metastasis are managed with chemotherapy with or without adjuvant radiotherapy. Precision medicine may play a role in managing this entity in the future, given the discovery of differing profiles of maxillary ameloblastoma compared to mandibular. Ophthalmologists should be aware of this tumor as it can invade the orbit, resulting in significant ocular morbidity and mortality.
Optimization and validation of the DESIGNER preprocessing pipeline for clinical diffusion MRI in white matter aging
Authors: Chen Jenny , Ades-Aron Benjamin , Lee Hong-Hsi , Mehrin Subah , Pang Michelle , Novikov Dmitry S. , Veraart Jelle , Fieremans Els
Published: March 2024

Various diffusion MRI (dMRI) preprocessing pipelines are currently available to yield more accurate diffusion parameters. Here, we evaluated accuracy and robustness of the optimized Diffusion parameter EStImation with Gibbs and NoisE Removal (DESIGNER) pipeline in a large clinical dMRI dataset and using ground-truth phantoms. DESIGNER, a preprocessing pipeline targeting various imaging artifacts in diffusion MRI data, has been modified to improve denoising and target Gibbs ringing for partial Fourier acquisitions. We compared the revised DESIGNER (Dv2) (including denoising, Gibbs removal, correction for motion, echo planar imaging (EPI) distortion, and eddy currents) against the original DESIGNER (Dv1) pipeline, minimal preprocessing (including correction for motion, EPI distortion, and eddy currents only), and no preprocessing on a large clinical dMRI dataset of 524 control subjects with ages between 25 and 75 years old. We evaluated the effect of specific processing steps on age correlations in white matter with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) metrics. We also evaluated the added effect of minimal Gaussian smoothing to deal with noise and to reduce outliers in parameter maps compared to DESIGNER-v2’s noise removal method. Moreover, Dv2’s updated noise and Gibbs removal methods were assessed using a ground truth dMRI phantom to evaluate accuracy. Results show age correlations of DTI and DKI metrics in white matter were affected by the preprocessing pipeline, causing systematic differences in absolute parameter values and loss or gain of statistical significance. Both in clinical dMRI and ground-truth phantoms, Dv2 pipeline resulted in the smallest number of outlier voxels and improved accuracy in DTI and DKI metrics as noise was reduced and Gibbs removal was improved. Thus, DESIGNER-v2 provides more accurate and robust DTI and DKI parameter maps by targeting common artifacts present in dMRI data acquired in clinical settings, as compared to no preprocessing or minimal preprocessing.
Testing PET-[11C]ABP688 as a tool to quantify glutamate
release in vivo
Authors: Bdair Hussein , Sato-Fitoussi Marie , Planche Stéphane , Moquin Luc , Kang Min Su , Aliaga Arturo , Nagano-Saito Atsuko , Smart Kelly , Cox Sylvia M.L. , Near Jamie , Aguilar-Valles Argel , Massarweh Gassan , Rosa-Neto Pedro , Benkelfat Chawki , Soucy Jean-Paul , Kostikov Alexey , Gratton Alain , Leyton Marco
Published: March 2024

The excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate plays a critical role in experience-dependent neuroplasticity, including addiction-related processes. To date, however, it is not possible to measure glutamate release in the living human brain. Positron emission tomography (PET) with [11C]ABP688, a selective allosteric antagonist of metabotropic type 5 glutamate (mGlu5) receptors, could offer an effective strategy. To test this proposition, we conducted a series of studies in rats using microdialysis and [11C]ABP688 microPET imaging, and in humans using PET and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Significant calcium-dependent glutamate release was identified in the ventral striatum of awake rats (190.5 ± 34.7%, p < 0.05; n = 7) following administration of a low dose of ethanol (EtOH; 20%, 0.5 g/kg), a pharmacological challenge readily translatable to human research. Simultaneous microdialysis and microPET studies in anesthetized rats yielded concurrent increases in glutamate release (126.9 ± 5.3%, p < 0.001; n = 11) and decreases in striatal [11C]ABP688 binding (6.8 ± 9.6%, p < 0.05). These latter two effects, however, were not significantly correlated (r = 0.25, p = 0.46). In humans, a laboratory stressor yielded significant changes in self-reported mood (ps < 0.041), sympathetic system activations (ps < 0.042), and the MRS index of striatal glutamate reuptake following excitatory neurotransmission, Glx/Cr levels (p = 0.048). These effects, however, were not accompanied by significant changes in [11C]ABP688 BPND (ps > 0.21, n = 9) or correlated with each other (ps > 0.074). Together, these studies document EtOH-induced glutamate release from neurons, EtOH-induced decreases in [11C]ABP688 binding, and stress-induced changes in glutamate turnover, yet fail to provide evidence that the PET [11C]ABP688 method can be exploited to quantify moderate changes in glutamate release. The results underscore the need for highly controlled testing conditions during PET measures of mGlu5 receptors.
Plateaus to Foothills: The Historical Migration of Tea Garden Labourers from Chotanagpur to North-Eastern Tea Plantation Zones of India during the British Period
Authors: Yasmin Benojir , Siddique Giyasuddin
Published: March 2024

Introduced by British imperialists in the early nineteenth century, tea plantation in India initially suffered from labourer shortages. Far from these tea gardens, the Chotanagpur Plateau region was marked as the major catchment area for recruiting labourers in the period 1840–1940. Thousands of socio-economically weak and marginalised people from the Chotanagpur Plateau were recruited for the newly established tea gardens of North-East India. They were subjected to various forms of exploitation through coercive service conditions. They were confined to these tea plantations for generations, as they had little prospect of moving out of the chain of bondage. That colonial legacy of servitude is still perceptible through the penurious situations of present-day tea garden labourers. This article seeks to analyse the historical context of the major push and pull factors for such large-scale migration of labourers, as well as the forces that rendered them confined to the tea estates through the generations.
Prostitution in the Account of Joseph (Józef) Feliks Zieliński in Exile in France in 1832
Authors: Balcerek Mariusz
Published: March 2024

The aim of the article is to present the issue of entertainment in the account of the Polish military and independence activist Józef Feliks Zieliński, from his first months in exile in France in 1832. He was one of the tens of thousands of Polish refugees (the Great Emigration) who, after the collapse of the Independence Uprising (1830–1831) (aimed at freeing the Kingdom of Poland from Russian rule), left their native country. A few thousand came to France, where they received money in the first few months. His observations are unique and of great value to a historian studying everyday life in exile in France. Compared to other diaries of the insurgents, they are distinguished by the description of intimate life. He presented the taboo subject of the use of prostitutes by representatives of the Great Emigration.
Finding the last missing white oak hybrid from the Iberian Peninsula (Fagaceae, Quercus, sect. Quercus)
Authors: VILA-VIÇOSA CARLOS , FRIAS IÚRI , VÁZQUEZ FRANCISCO
Published: March 2024

The genus Quercus is widely known for its ability to hybridize among sympatric species, especially inside the same Section. The Iberian Peninsula is a major phylogeographic hotspot for oak diversity, with almost all possible combinations of hybrids already described inside sect. Quercus. In this work we present the remaining hybrid not yet described among the Iberian white oaks; we found it in one of the few areas (in the Southern Iberian Peninsula) where both parents (the Algerian oak, Q. canariensis, and the Lusitanian dwarf oak, Q. lusitanica) grow sympatrically. We provide a description of this nothotaxon (which we named Quercus ×gaonae) based on morphological characters related to leaf shape and trichome analysis. This work emphasizes the practice of natural history and encourages botanists to keep up their work on describing plant diversity in a major hotspot like the Mediterranean Basin.
Redescription and reevaluation of the extinction risk of Plinia renatiana (Myrtaceae), a species endemic to the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil
Authors: DA FONSECA HEITOR LISBOA , CARLOS TULER AMÉLIA , DA ROSA PATRICIA , FREITAS JOELCIO , DE LÍRIO ELTON JOHN
Published: March 2024

Plinia renatiana is a species endemic to the state of Espírito Santo (ES) and has been assessed as endangered (EN). The species was described in the 1990s based on two samples from the municipality of Linhares. Subsequently, other materials were identified as belonging to the species. However, this set of materials exhibits heterogeneous morphology, which raises doubts about the correct name application. Therefore, it was necessary to expand the species description by incorporating new field-collected data and analyzing a greater number of herbarium specimens. In this study, we analyzed materials deposited in herbaria identified as P. renatiana, reviewed the literature, and conducted field surveys. Based on the collected data, we have expanded the morphological description and reassessed its extinction risk. In addition to the morphological description, taxonomic comments, phenology, a distribution map, and illustrations are provided. In our reassessment, the species was categorized as EN (A2c; B1(i,iii,v) + 2ab(ii,iii,v)), with changes to the criteria used in the 2012 assessment. Despite the review and inclusion of new data, the species has remained in the same threat category in which it was assessed more than a decade ago, underscoring the need for conservation efforts.
Syzygium ngheanense (Myrtaceae: Myrtoideae), a new species of Syzygium from Central Vietnam
Authors: LÊ THỊ-HƯƠNG , NGUYỄN THÀNH-CHUNG , TRẦN THỊ-THUÝ-NGA , ĐỖ NGỌC-ĐÀI , LÝ NGỌC-SÂM
Published: March 2024

Syzygium ngheanense (Myrtaceae), a new species from Nghe An Province, in Central Vietnam is described and illustrated. The species is most similar to S. vestitum, S. scarbum and S. levinei but differs from the three latter in having glabrous bracts and bracteoles, sparsely scabrid flower buds and hypanthia, larger sepals and petals, longer stamens and styles. Information on phenology, ecology and distribution is provided, together with a preliminary conservation status assessment and taxonomic notes for the new species and a key to distinguish it from three hairy Syzygium species in Indochina.
A Maze of the Living and the Dead: Mythologisation of the Space of Olšany Cemetery in the Trilogy “Trýznivé město” by Daniela Hodrová
Authors: Woszczerowicz Zuzanna
Published: March 2024

This article is devoted to the issue of the mythologisation of the space of Olšany Cemetery performed by Daniela Hodrová in her trilogy Trýznivé město (City of Torment). The article consists of two parts: the first one is a theoretical introduction about the concepts of myth, cemetery and maze, and the cultural connection between them. The second part contains an analysis of Olšany Cemetery as presented in the trilogy. Hodrová depicts the cemetery as a kind of mythical space which has the nature of a maze, where the living and the dead both share the fate of being prisoners.
Transformer-Based Nowcasting of Radar Composites from Satellite Images for Severe Weather
Authors: Küçük Çağlar , Giannakos Apostolos , Schneider Stefan , Jann Alexander
Published: March 2024

Weather radar data are critical for nowcasting and an integral component of numerical weather prediction models. While weather radar data provide valuable information at high resolution, their ground-based nature limits their availability, which impedes large-scale applications. In contrast, meteorological satellites cover larger domains but with coarser resolution. However, with the rapid advancements in data-driven methodologies and modern sensors aboard geostationary satellites, new opportunities are emerging to bridge the gap between ground- and space-based observations, ultimately leading to more skillful weather prediction with high accuracy. Here, we present a transformer-based model for nowcasting ground-based radar image sequences using satellite data up to 2-h lead time. Trained on a dataset reflecting severe weather conditions, the model predicts radar fields occurring under different weather phenomena and shows robustness against rapidly growing/decaying fields and complex field structures. Model interpretation reveals that the infrared channel centered at 10.3 μm (C13) contains skillful information for all weather conditions, while lightning data have the highest relative feature importance in severe weather conditions, particularly in shorter lead times. The model can support precipitation nowcasting across large domains without an explicit need for radar towers, enhance numerical weather prediction and hydrological models, and provide radar proxy for data-scarce regions. Moreover, the open-source framework facilitates progress toward operational data-driven nowcasting.

Significance Statement

Ground-based weather radar data are essential for nowcasting, but data availability limitations hamper usage of radar data across large domains. We present a machine learning model, rooted in transformer architecture, that performs nowcasting of radar data using high-resolution geostationary satellite retrievals, for lead times of up to 2 h. Our model captures the spatiotemporal dynamics of radar fields from satellite data and offers accurate forecasts. Analysis indicates that the infrared channel centered at 10.3 μm provides useful information for nowcasting radar fields under various weather conditions. However, lightning activity exhibits the highest forecasting skill for severe weather at short lead times. Our findings show the potential of transformer-based models for nowcasting severe weather.
Negotiating the night: How nightclub promoters attune their curatorial practices to the intra-urban dispersal of nightlife in Amsterdam
Authors: Koren Timo , Hracs Brian J
Published: March 2024

Night-time economies have traditionally clustered in city centres and nightlife districts. Yet, due to regulation, urban regeneration and gentrification, nightlife activities and spaces, including nightclubs and club nights, are increasingly located across cities. However, the significance and spatial dynamics of this diffusion and the relationships between different nocturnal spaces and scales remain poorly understood. This paper examines the intra-urban dispersal of nightclubs in Amsterdam and the ways in which nightclub promoters attune their curatorial practices to urban processes through genre-based commercial and cultural imperatives. Drawing on interviews with 36 nightclub promoters, 111 hours of participant observation at clubs and document-based analysis, it demonstrates how these reflexive actors respond and contribute to intra-urban dispersal by (1) spatialising music genres, (2) staging affective atmospheres at different scales and (3) spatialising audiences. The paper contributes to studies which focus on nocturnal spaces, actors and activities and the evolving urban geography within cities.
COVID-19: Experiences of Social Workers Supporting Older Adults With Dementia in Nigeria
Authors: Oyinlola Oluwagbemiga , Mahmoud Kafayat , Adeoti Abdullateef B. , Abiodun Adewole A.
Published: March 2024

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous public health protocols were instituted by government agencies to safeguard individuals with dementia, their family caregivers, and formal care providers. While these preventive measures were implemented with good intentions, they inadvertently imposed significant challenges on medical social workers in Nigeria. This paper explored the experiences of medical social workers caring for people with dementia during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria. Twenty-six medical social workers from 6 government hospitals in Southwestern Nigeria participated in an in-depth interview. The research reveals 3 pivotal aspects: Firstly, the escalating demands within the work environment, where medical social workers grapple with the intricate task of conveying sensitive information about dementia diagnosis and COVID-19 prevention protocol, managing expectations regarding dementia diagnoses, and navigating resource constraints for individuals with dementia during the pandemic. Secondly, discernible impacts on the work climate and interprofessional relationships shed light on the challenges these professionals face in collaborating with other healthcare providers. Lastly, the reverberations on social workers’ personal lives underscore the pandemic’s toll on their well-being. Thus, the findings underscore the need for proactive measures to equip medical social workers to face the distinctive challenges in dementia care during future pandemics. Recognizing the potential resurgence of global health crises, the research highlights the need for strategic preparedness to mitigate the impact of future pandemics on the well-being of individuals with dementia and the professionals dedicated to their care.
It’s Unexpected but Good: Leader Traditionality Fuels Greater Follower Reciprocation to Servant Leadership
Authors: Liao Chenwei , Wu Junfeng , Wayne Sandy J. , Liden Robert C. , Song Lynda Jiwen
Published: March 2024

Integrating expectancy violation theory and social exchange theory, we investigate the role of leader traditionality in augmenting the positive effect of servant leadership in promoting follower reciprocation in three studies. In Study 1, we substantiate in an experiment that individuals indeed expect leaders possessing traditional values to be less likely to engage in servant leadership behaviors compared with leaders who are low in traditionality. Further, we test our full model in an experiment (Study 2) and find support for our hypothesis that the relationship between servant leadership, follower trust in the leader, and subsequent follower organizational citizenship behavior is stronger for leaders higher (vs. lower) in traditional values. Replicating the findings from Study 2, we conduct a field investigation (Study 3) with multiwave and multisource data from a Fortune 500 company and obtain full support for our model. The consistent findings across our studies provide strong support for the role of leader traditionality in altering the social exchange relationship between servant leaders and their followers.
Spouses’ Health: What Happens Beyond the Widowhood Effect?
Authors: Listorti Elisabetta , Silan Margherita , Ferracin Elisa , Di Martino Mirko , Costa Giuseppe
Published: March 2024

Objectives. We focus on married couples, and we analyse how the susceptibility and survival of individuals can be influenced by the illnesses and death experienced by their spouses. Methods. We perform a cohort study following married couples (age 65–75 years) from 2001 to 2013. We monitor individual’s susceptibility status and three spouses’ illnesses (i.e. diabetes, cancer, and mental diseases). The methodology used is the Cox regression. Results. The initial cohort is composed of 22,639 couples. During the follow-up, 24% of the individuals dies, 91% experiences at least one susceptibility increase and 43% experiences one spouse’s illness. Results from the Cox regressions report a change in the individual health that is specifically related to the occurrence of the spouse’s diseases and death. Moreover, the three diseases hit individuals differently. Discussion. What emerges from this work is the importance of considering the mechanism of the widowhood effect with an extensive approach.
Dark Tetrad at Work: Perceived Severity of Bullying, Harassment, and Workplace Deviance
Authors: Longpré Nicholas , Turner Sophie
Published: March 2024

Although the Dark Tetrad has been linked to deviant behaviors, more research is needed about its expression in workplaces and continuity outside of work. The current study investigated the role of the antagonistic traits on perception of workplace harassment and bullying. Men were found to score higher on antagonistic traits and have a more lenient perception of harassment and bullying. Personality traits at work and outside were highly correlated. Regression analyses revealed that sadism predicted a more lenient perception of bullying, while a more lenient perception of harassment was predicted by sadism and industry type, and partially by psychopathy and gender. In summary, personality traits enduring across environments, but sadism was the most important predictor of a more lenient perception of harassment and bullying at work. The current study suggests a disparity between personality traits and expressed behaviors. Findings can be used to prevent workplace deviance and aid recruitment processes.
Engineering design and application of large-scale oil-based drilling cuttings treatment project
Authors: Zhou Yue , Deng Chao , Chen Xiao , He Yi , Fang Gang , Jin Zhaodi , Liu Yanping
Published: March 2024

Thermal phase separation technology is a new comprehensive treatment technology, which heats oil-based cuttings to a certain temperature to vaporize oil and water components. Based on a large oil-based drilling cuttings comprehensive utilization project, the engineering design and application effect of thermal phase separation technology were analysed. The practice shows that thermal phase separation technology can reduce the oil content of purified residue to 0.1–0.2%, the average recovery rate of base oil is 94.12% and the annual recovery of base oil is about 4800 t; the purified residue does not have corrosive, leaching toxicity and other dangerous characteristics, and can be used for making bricks or building materials. Thermal phase separation technology is a comprehensive utilization and treatment technology with excellent engineering and environmental benefits, which has a high promotion value.
Factors Impacting Quality of Skilled Birth Attendant Services in Rural India
Authors: Iyengar Shreekant , Dholakia Ravindra , Bajpai Nirupam
Published: March 2024

Availability of skilled birth attendant (SBA) is a crucial factor in reducing mortality rates among mothers and children. The lower- and middle-income countries show low use of these service causing increased risk of maternal and child mortality. While there has been a remarkable improvement in the coverage of SBA-monitored deliveries in India, its impact on outcome indicators such as perinatal and neonatal mortality rates have not been significant. Although the country performs better than the world average in the former, its performance is poor in the latter. This raises question on the quality of SBA services in India. The present study examines SBA services in the context of availability of attendants, infrastructural support and level of training of the SBAs in the rural areas of the four large states in India—Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. The findings are that SBA lack sufficient training to provide the services effectively. The effectiveness of their services is also hampered by the absence of the essential infrastructure at public health facilities. Moreover, there is congestion and overcrowding at the higher level of facilities such as PHCs and CHCs as compared to village level sub-centres.
Unveiling the Downside of Glucagon Therapy for Neonatal Hypoglycemia: A Case Report
Authors: Rupnagudi Geethanjali , Mathew Anil , Bendapudi Perraju
Published: March 2024

Here we report a case of a late preterm baby, noted to have asymptomatic hypoglycemia and developed transient metabolic acidosis with hyponatremia and hyperkalemia whilst being treated with continuous infusion of glucagon.