bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bellah’s Durkheim: A fruitful reinvention?
Authors: Fabiani Jean-Louis
Published: July 2023

The contribution is based on Robert Bellah’s introduction to Emile Durkheim on Morality and Society (1973) and second on other references to the French sociologist in Bellah’s work as well as in Bortolini’s insightful remarks on the “homology” between Durkheim and Bellah. The publication of the book took place in a time of Durkheimian effervescence: Steven Lukes’ Emile Durkheim.His Life and Work was published on the same year and a new Durkheimology appeared in the English-speaking world: attention shifted from methodology, as expressed in Suicide or in the Rules of Sociological Method, to morality with a focus on the moral basis on a non-pathological society. Bellah’s statement is quite strong: Durkheim can “be seen as a theologian of French civil religion”. The paper will examine’s this point of view with respect to the state of French society at the turn of the century and Durkheim’s social project. One side question concerns the choice of texts: the editor did not give enough weight to texts that might have strengthen Bellah’s point of view, particularly l’Education morale. Bortolini mentions Bob’s long and silent work on Durkheim and his critique of mainstream analysis of The Elementary forms of Religious Life, reducing religion to a mere projection of society (:142). The biographer insists on the ambivalent, if not contradictory, vision of Durkheim in Bellah’s work, in which he finds a key to the interpretation of the oeuvre. The article focuses on how to account for its complexity, which is never as clear as in the interpretation of Durkheim’s sociology in a post-rationalist direction. Bortolini’s concept of role model/hero incarnated by the founding fathers (here Weber and Durkheim) is analyzed in connection with Parsons’ reconstitution of a pantheon. The question of civil religion is reexamined in the light of the transatlantic transfers carrying different meanings of civil religion.
Tier-Mensch-Begegnungen in modernen Sagen
Authors: Liese Lea
Published: July 2023

Moderne Sagen operieren mit Stereotypisierungen, um in der immer komplexer werdenden Welt Sinnstiftung und Orientierung zu geben. Indem sie Grenzüberschreitungen sanktionieren, sind sie einerseits an der Wiederherstellung fester Ordnungssysteme interessiert, die auf kategorialen Vereindeutigungen beruhen. Andererseits entlarven sie durch die Inszenierung von – oft interkulturellen – Missverständnissen die Willkür sprachlicher Benennungssysteme. Unter diesem Zeichen lassen sich auch die Mensch-Tier-Begegnungen lesen. So thematisieren viele urban legends Fälle von Deterritorialisierung und gescheiterter Domestizierung, womit ein anthropozentrisches Framing subversiv unterlaufen werden kann. Eindeutige Gattungszuschreibungen erweisen sich hier als fragwürdig und somit folgt auch die interspezifische Begegnung keinem eindeutigen, d. h. habitualisierten Muster mehr. Die Tier-Mensch-Begegnungen gewinnen somit (zumindest temporär) an Offenheit, die formal auch der Gattung der urban legends selbst eingeschrieben ist.
Lightweight Integration of a Data Cache for Opportunistic Usage of HPC Resources in HEP Workflows
Authors: Sammel Dirk , Boehler Michael , Gamel Anton J. , Schumacher Markus
Published: July 2023

A data caching setup has been implemented for the High Energy Physics (HEP) computing infrastructure in Freiburg, Germany, as a possible alternative to local long-term storage. Files are automatically cached on disk upon first request by a client, can be accessed from cache for subsequent requests, and are deleted after predefined conditions are met. The required components are provided to a dedicated HEP cluster, and, via virtual research environments, to the opportunistically used High-Performance Computing (HPC) Cluster NEMO (Neuroscience, Elementary Particle Physics, Microsystems Engineering and Materials Science). A typical HEP workflow has been implemented as benchmark test to identify any overhead introduced by the caching setup with respect to direct, non-cached data access, and to compare the performance of cached and non-cached access to several external files sources. The results indicate no significant overhead in the workflow and faster file access with the caching setup, especially for geographically distant file sources. Additionally, the hardware requirements for various numbers of parallel file requests were measured for estimating future requirements.
A GIS-Based Digital Documentation Protocol for High-Resolution Documentation of Paleolithic Sites
Authors: Sauer Florian
Published: July 2023

Digitization of excavation recording can be a means to improve efficiency and accuracy of archaeological documentation on site. In the publications of the last decades, numerous different methodologies and various technical solutions have been presented. In this regard, this paper presents an approach to digital documentation developed for the excavation of the Upper Paleolithic site of Bad Kösen-Lengefeld based on the documentation requirements of the heritage administration of Saxony-Anhalt. The approach uses orthophotos from structure-from-motion processing for find proveniencing in a GIS system. Data is manipulated on tablet PCs and transferred via an on-site Wi-Fi network to a PostGIS database. The individual components of the system are listed, and their interplay in the recording system is described. The experiences in using the system at the site of Bad Kösen-Lengefeld are presented. The system improved accuracy of recording, reduced transcription errors and mistakes by the excavators, and reduced post-processing time. Also, main problems like adverse conditions on site such as heat and dust have been taken to account. Finally, the paper also provides an outlook on potential changes and improvements to the system. These include the use of rugged devices and the implementation of Python scripting for streamlining of data-processing.
Frequency of Bullying and Cyberbullying Victimization and Associated Factors Among Norwegian Adolescents
Authors: Kyrrestad Henriette , Kaiser Sabine , Fossum Sturla
Published: July 2023

The aim of the present study is to identify frequency and psychosocial factors associated with being exposed to traditional bullying and cyberbullying victimization among junior high-school students in Norway. Additionally, the aim was to explore the specific types of bullying and cyberbullying victimization adolescents’ experience. This cross-sectional study is conducted among 2049 adolescents aged 13 to 16 years in junior-high schools in Norway. Overall, 13% reported experiences of being victimized of bullying and 12% of cyberbullying in the past 6 months. Two logistic regression analyses examined associations between being victimized of bullying or cyberbullying with gender, grade, socio-economic status (SES), unauthorized absence from school, and alcohol use. The odds of being a victim of bullying or cyberbullying significantly decreased the more the adolescents perceived the SES of the family as good. The odds of being cyberbullied were twice as high for girls and were significantly decreased when the adolescents had zero days with unauthorized absence from school and had not started to drink alcohol. Furthermore, girls experienced more indirect types of bullying (e.g., exclusion) compared to boys. Regarding the direct types of bullying, boys experienced significantly more often physically forms (e.g., hitting), while girls experienced more insulting forms (e.g., being called names). Implications for bullying prevention efforts are discussed.
Species, Cultivar and Seasonal Effects on Nodulation and Nitrogen Utilization of Spring Mediterranean Grain Legumes
Authors: Koutroubas Spyridon D. , Damalas Christos A. , Fotiadis Sideris , Markopoulos Theodoros
Published: July 2023

Information on nitrogen economy of grain legumes during seed filling is critical for their sustainable cultivation in rainfed agroecosystems, but a comparable assessment of different legumes under the same growth conditions is lacking. The purpose of this study was to examine species, cultivar and seasonal effects on nodulation and nitrogen accumulation, remobilization, and utilization. Five grain legumes [common vetch (Vicia sativa L.), red pea (Lathyrus cicera L.), lentil (Lens culinaris Medik), chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), and field pea (Pisum sativum L.)], each represented by two cultivars, were grown for two years in a semiarid Mediterranean environment. There were considerable environmentally induced differences among species in nodulation, with chickpea maintaining a sufficient number of nodules (16 nodules plant‒1) and nodule dry weight (57 mg plant‒1) even in the drier year (2015). Pre-podding nitrogen accumulation varied among species, particularly in the wetter year (2014). Nitrogen translocation from vegetative parts to seeds was correlated with pre-podding nitrogen accumulation (r = 0.99, P < 0.01 in 2014 and r = 0.98, P < 0.01 in 2015). Interspecific differences in nitrogen translocation efficiency were enlarged under drought, with red pea exhibiting the highest (84%) and lentil the lowest value (72%). Chickpea produced the highest seed nitrogen accumulation in both years and had the highest nitrogen utilization efficiency (21 kg seeds per kg N) the drier year. Nitrogen utilization efficiency was positively correlated with nitrogen harvest index and negatively with nitrogen concentration in vegetative parts at maturity. Most trait differences were less evident within species than between species. Overall, chickpea was found to outperform other legumes in semiarid Mediterranean conditions in terms of nitrogen accumulation in seeds and nitrogen utilization efficiency.
Uncovering the Green Procurement Knowledge Structure: a Systematic Citation Network Analysis
Authors: Rejeb Abderahman , Rejeb Karim , Appolloni Andrea , Keogh John G. , Iranmanesh Mohammad
Published: July 2023

Recently, academics and practitioners have devoted considerable attention to studying green procurement. Due to the growing number of articles in this fast-evolving domain, it is critical to examine the current body of knowledge thoroughly. The knowledge structure and dissemination channels in this field have been systematically examined for the first time. Four hundred fifty-two Scopus journal articles were analysed using keyword co-occurrence network and main path analysis (MPA) to identify the important research topics and historical evolution of green procurement research. The findings indicate that the literature focuses on multiple topics, including green supply chain management, sustainable public procurement, sustainability, green supplier selection, and environmental management. The primary focus of research has been on the determinants and difficulties of green public procurement. Recently, there has been an increased focus on the determinants of green procurement in the construction and education sectors. The novelty of this study is that it examines the evolution of knowledge in green procurement. Additionally, it offers the ability to analyse the diffusion and structure of knowledge, assisting researchers in successfully navigating hundreds of articles and expanding their understanding of the green procurement domain’s history, current state, and future directions.
Adaptive sliding mode attitude control of quaternion model for aircraft based on neural network minimum parameter learning method
Authors: Zhuang H.X.
Published: July 2023

This paper studied the back-stepping adaptive sliding mode control (SMC) attitude problem of quaternion aircraft model based on radial basis function (RBF) network approximation. Firstly, a sliding mode controller is designed based on the back-stepping method (BSM) for the nonlinear aircraft model. Secondly, a RBF network algorithm is designed to compensate for the unknown and uncertain parts of the aircraft system. RBF network has simple network structure and good generalisation ability, avoids lengthy and unnecessary calculations, realises adaptive approximation of unknown parts in the aircraft model, and through the adjustment of adaptive weights, the convergence and stability of the entire closed-loop system (CLS) are guaranteed. Finally, the anti-interference performance of the controller is verified by simulation of the actuator fault model. Our proposed method has all-right control performance indicated by the simulation results.
A Defense of Impurist Permissivism
Authors: Wu Jenny Yi-Chen
Published: July 2023

One famous debate in contemporary epistemology considers whether there is always one unique, epistemically rational way to respond to a given body of evidence. Generally speaking, answering “yes” to this question makes one a proponent of the Uniqueness thesis, while those who answer “no” are called “permissivists”. Another influential recent debate concerns whether non-truth-related factors can be the basis of epistemic justification, knowledge, or rational belief. Traditional theories answer “no”, and are therefore considered “purists”. However, more recently many theorists have argued to the contrary, claiming that impurist factors, such as practical stakes, can sometimes encroach or even override truth-related considerations. This paper bridges the two debates by presenting and defending what I call “Impurist Permissivism”. I support Impurist Permissivism by showing how it can resist Roger White's famous Argument from Arbitrariness (2005).
Word complexity of (measure-theoretically) weakly mixing rank-one subshifts
Authors: CREUTZ DARREN
Published: July 2023

We exhibit, for arbitrary
$\epsilon> 0$
, subshifts admitting weakly mixing (probability) measures with word complexity p satisfying
$\limsup p(q) / q < 1.5 + \epsilon $
. For arbitrary
$f(q) \to \infty $
, said subshifts can be made to satisfy
$p(q) < q + f(q)$
infinitely often. We establish that every subshift associated to a rank-one transformation (on a probability space) which is not an odometer satisfies
$\limsup p(q) - 1.5q = \infty $
and that this is optimal for rank-ones.
Twice weekly polymerase chain reaction (PCR) surveillance swabs are not as effective as daily antigen testing for containment of severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreaks: A modeling study based on real world data from a child and adolescent psychiatry clinic
Authors: Grundel Sara , Flechtner Hans-Henning , Butzmann Jana , Benner Peter , Kaasch Achim J.
Published: July 2023

Objective:

In the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, child and adolescent psychiatry wards face the risk of severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) introduction and spread within the facility. In this setting, mask and vaccine mandates are hard to enforce, especially for younger children. Surveillance testing may detect infection early and enable mitigation measures to prevent viral spread. We conducted a modeling study to determine the optimal method and frequency of surveillance testing and to analyze the effect of weekly team meetings on transmission dynamics.

Design and setting:

Simulation with an agent-based model reflecting ward structure, work processes, and contact networks from a real-world child and adolescent psychiatry clinic with 4 wards, 40 patients, and 72 healthcare workers.

Methods:

We simulated the spread of 2 SARS-CoV-2 variants over 60 days under surveillance testing with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests and rapid antigen tests in different scenarios. We measured the size, peak, and the duration of an outbreak. We compared medians and percentage of spillover events to other wards from 1,000 simulations for each setting.

Results:

The outbreak size, peak, and duration were dependent on test frequency, test type, SARS-CoV-2 variant, and ward connectivity. Under surveillance conditions, joint staff meetings and therapists shared between wards did not significantly change median outbreak size under surveillance conditions. With daily antigen testing, outbreaks were mostly confined to 1 ward and median outbreak sizes were lower than with twice-weekly PCR testing (1 vs 22; P < .001).

Conclusion:

Modeling can help to understand transmission patterns and guide local infection control measures.
Parametric subharmonic instability of inertial shear at ocean fronts
Authors: Hilditch James P. , Thomas Leif N.
Published: July 2023

The two-dimensional stability of vertically sheared inertial oscillations at ocean fronts is explored through a linear stability analysis and nonlinear simulations. Baroclinic effects reduce the minimum frequency of inertia-gravity waves to an extent determined by the balanced Richardson number

${{Ri}}$

of the front. Below a critical value of

${{Ri}}$

, which depends on the strength of the inertial shear, the inertial oscillations become unstable to parametric subharmonic instability (PSI) resulting in growing perturbations that oscillate at half the inertial frequency

$f$

. Since the critical value is always greater than 1, PSI can occur at fronts stable to symmetric instability. Although modest in weak inertial shear, growth rates exceeding

$f/2$

can be achieved for inertial shear greater than or equal to the thermal wind shear. Our formulation allows for non-hydrostatic perturbations and can be applied to initially unstratified geostrophic adjustment problems. We find that PSI will almost totally damp the transient oscillations that arise during geostrophic adjustment. The perturbations gain energy at the expense of the inertial oscillations through ageostrophic shear production. The perturbations then themselves become unstable to secondary Kelvin–Helmholtz instabilities creating a pathway by which the inertial oscillations can be dissipated rapidly. In contrast to symmetric and baroclinic instabilities that draw on a front's kinetic or potential energy, PSI acts to increase the energy stored in the balanced front as the convergence and divergence of the eddy-momentum fluxes set up a secondary circulation in the sense to stand up the front.
Backflow structures in turbulent pipe flows at low to moderate Reynolds numbers
Authors: Chen Xue , Chung Yongmann M. , Wan Minping
Published: July 2023

The statistical characteristics and the evolution of the backflow structures are investigated in wall-bounded flows at Reynolds numbers up to

$Re_{\tau }=1000$

. The backflow is caused by the joining of large-scale high- and low-speed structures in the vicinity of the wall and is formed at the tail tip of the low-speed structure. The distribution density of the backflow structures and the percentage area of the backflow region on the wall both increase with the Reynolds number. The backflow structures have an average lifespan of 8 wall units which is found to be slightly longer in the pipe than the channel, and they are convected downstream at the average velocities of the buffer region of approximately 10 wall units, similar to Cardesa et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 880, 2019, R3). The backflow structures occasionally split and merge, and can form detached from the wall. Evidence shows that the split, merged and wall-detached backflow structures are caused by the near-wall structures. The split backflow structures are on average, larger and more spanwise-elongated which are split due to the spanwise shearing of the near-wall streaks. A backflow structure is formed detached from the wall when the trailing end of its carrier low-speed structure ‘sits’ on the near-wall high-speed streaks. The wall-detached backflow structures tend to become wall-attached by approaching the wall when undergoing a similar life cycle to the normal backflow of growth and decay with spanwise elongation because the backflow region at the tail of the low-speed structure is continuously pressed down to the wall by the high-speed structure driven by persistent vortical structures in the buffer region.
Gender non-conformity in childhood and adolescence and mental health through to adulthood: a longitudinal cohort study, 1995–2018
Authors: Mahfouda Simone , Maybery Murray , Moore Julia , Perry Yael , Strauss Penelope , Zepf Florian , Lin Ashleigh
Published: July 2023

Background

Few studies have examined associations between gender non-conformity (GNC) in childhood or adolescence and mental health outcomes later in life. This study examined associations between (1) GNC and mental health over multiple time points in childhood and adolescence, and (2) GNC in childhood and/or adolescence and mental health in adulthood.

Method

Second generation participants from the Raine Study, a longitudinal cohort from Perth, Western Australia. Data were collected between 1995 and 2018, comprising seven waves: ages 5 (N = 2236), 8 (N = 2140), 10 (N = 2048), 14 (N = 1864), 17 (N = 1726), 22 (N = 1236) and 27 (N = 1190) years. History of GNC, v. absence of this history, was based on responses to item 110 from the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL)/Youth Self Report (YSR) (‘wishes to be of opposite sex’). The CBCL/YSR were used to measure internalising and externalising symptoms. Items 18 (‘deliberate self-harm [DSH] or attempts suicide’) and 91 (‘talks/thinks about killing self’) were used as measures of suicidal ideation (SI) and DSH. For adults, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Subscales and Kessler Psychological Distress Scale assessed mental health.

Results

Child and adolescent GNC was associated with elevated internalising and externalising behaviours and increased odds of DSH. A history of GNC was also associated with vulnerability for severe psychological distress in adulthood in some symptom scales.

Conclusion

GNC over the child and adolescent period is associated with significant emotional and behavioural difficulties, and psychological distress. A history of GNC in childhood and/or adolescence also predicts poorer mental health in adulthood on multiple symptom domains.
The politics of science: A postscript
Authors: Sen Somdeep
Published: July 2023

This postscript deliberates the wider implications of decolonising the academy. It takes point of departure in the often-contentious public discourse on the topic and asks, why is the decolonisation agenda so concerning to public officials and the target of public policy? In many ways, derisive and irreverent responses to efforts to decolonise universities, schools, and the curricula is only expected seeing as it has the potential to disrupt the futures of the beneficiaries of colonial norms, practices, and institutions. But equally, the decolonisation agenda is contentious as it unsettles the assumption that scientific knowledge production is an apolitical affair. There are of course ample examples of scientific ‘progress’ being deeply indebted to histories and legacies of colonialism. However, it is in revealing this politics of science that decolonisation finds wider political relevance as not just an effort to recognise and remedy the legacies of colonisation in the academy. It also reveals the politics that is embedded in what we know and, in doing so, underlines the fallibility of a singular (scientific) frame, means of measurement, or rule of inference for understanding a social reality. In fact, decolonisation understood in this way is about opening up the possibility of acknowledging there isn’t a social reality. Every social phenomenon can be experienced in a multiplicity of ways and therefore reimagining IR in view of decolonising it requires a political response that empirically, methodologically, and theoretically forefronts the multiplicity of perspectives and experiences that have thus far been marginalised in the studying and understanding of social realities.
Synthesize This: Meta-Analysis as a Dissertation Tool
Authors: Jackson Christopher , Philips Andrew Q.
Published: July 2023

Meta-analyses are used to synthesize a body of literature to produce a single summary estimate as well as to explain differences among studies. The field of political science has slowly gained an appreciation for their use in recent years; however, using meta-analyses in dissertations remains rare. This is puzzling, given the tool’s ability to map a topic, to highlight potential gaps for future research to address, and its long-lasting utility for researchers in future projects. We argue that for these and several other reasons, graduate students should consider including a meta-analysis in their dissertation. This article discusses these advantages in detail and offers advice on how to conduct a meta-analysis based on several interviews and applied examples. We also address potential challenges when using this research design in a dissertation.
Extended home visits can provide multidimensional adapted professional support for parents – an intervention study
Authors: Larsson Margaretha , Bäckström Caroline , Larsson Rebecca , Gahm Sara , Wilhsson Marie
Published: July 2023

Aim:

The aim of this study was to explore healthcare professionals’ experiences of working with extended home visits for parents.

Background:

It is essential to identify parents, both expectant and with a newborn child, who need support in their parenting abilities at an early stage because children’s health and well-being are affected by their home environment as well as by their parents’ health and social relationships. Home visits represent a cost-effective way of identifying and supporting families with a newborn. Further research is needed to explore healthcare professionals’ experiences working with extended home visits for parents.

Methods:

This was a qualitative interview study focusing on an intervention introduced in the Enhanced Parenting—Extended Home Visits project in Sweden. Data were collected via 13 semi-structured interviews with healthcare professionals who provide the intervention in antenatal care (midwives) and child health care (CHC nurses and family supporters), and a qualitative content analysis was performed.

Findings:

Data analysis resulted in one theme and four categories. The theme – to provide multidimensional adapted professional support, – and the four categories – strengthened collaboration between professionals enriches their work. Home visits provide time for conversation, which promotes continuity of care and relationships with parents; being humble guests in parents’ homes provides insight; and home visits provide the opportunity to strengthen parenting and participation in the family centre. The goals of the Enhanced Parenting—Extended Home Visits project were to strengthen parents’ confidence in their parenting abilities and to build trusting relationships with healthcare professionals. The conclusion of this study, from the participants’ perspective, is that these goals can be achieved with the intervention.

Implications for Practice:

Extended home visits seem to help healthcare professionals provide collaborative, multi-professional support for parents, both expectant and with a newborn child, with unique support needs.
The obligation to prevent environmental harm in relation to armed conflict
Authors: Argren Rigmor
Published: July 2023

The scope of protection of the environment in relation to armed conflict has continued to expand since the issue was first introduced on the international agenda in the 1970s. Today, it is recognized that the environment is a prima facie civilian object and as such it is entitled to the same layers of protection during an armed conflict as any civilian person or object. Thus, there is a legal obligation to prevent environmental harm in armed conflict, before the event. Given the magnitude of environmental damage that can be anticipated in relation to armed conflict, the obligation to prevent such damage in the first place is critical. In this regard, it is important to note that the legal obligation to prevent environmental harm originates from international environmental law. Furthermore, the obligation to prevent harm is an ongoing obligation. This article illustrates that the general preventive obligations found in international environmental law can shed much-needed light on the general preventive obligations already established under the law of armed conflict, in furtherance of environmental protection.
Comparison of Urban Air Quality Simulations During the KORUS‐AQ Campaign With Regionally Refined Versus Global Uniform Grids in the Multi‐Scale Infrastructure for Chemistry and Aerosols (MUSICA) Version 0
Authors: Jo Duseong S. , Emmons Louisa K. , Callaghan Patrick , Tilmes Simone , Woo Jung‐Hun , Kim Younha , Kim Jinseok , Granier Claire , Soulié Antonin , Doumbia Thierno , Darras Sabine , Buchholz Rebecca R. , Simpson Isobel J. , Blake Donald R. , Wisthaler Armin , Schroeder Jason R. , Fried Alan , Kanaya Yugo
Published: July 2023

Model intercomparison studies often report a large spread in simulation results, but quantifying the causes of these differences is hindered by the fact that several processes contribute to the model spread simultaneously. Here we use the Multi‐Scale Infrastructure for Chemistry and Aerosols (MUSICA) version 0 to investigate the model resolution dependencies of simulated chemical species, with a focus on the differences between global uniform grid and regional refinement grid simulations with the same modeling framework. We construct two global (ne30 [∼112 km] and ne60 [∼56 km]) and two regional refinement grids over Korea (ne30x8 [∼14 km] and ne30x16 [∼7 km]). The grid resolution can change chemical concentrations by an order of magnitude in the boundary layer, and the importance increases as the species' reactivity increases (e.g., up to 50% and 1,000% changes for ethane and xylenes, respectively). The diurnal cycle of oxidants (OH, O3, and NO3) also varies with the grid resolution, which leads to different oxidation pathways of volatile organic compounds (e.g., the fraction of monoterpenes reacting with NO3 in Seoul around midnight is 90% for ne30, but 65% for ne30x16). The models with high‐resolution grids usually do a better job at reproducing aircraft observations during the KORUS‐AQ campaign, but not always, implying compensating errors in the coarse grid simulations. For example, ozone is better reproduced by the coarse grid due to the artificial mixing of NOx. When developing new chemical mechanisms and evaluating models over urban areas, the uncertainties associated with model resolution should be considered.
Traumatic brain injury stimulates sympathetic tone-mediated bone marrow myelopoiesis to favor fracture healing
Authors: Liu Weijian , Chen Wei , Xie Mao , Chen Chao , Shao Zengwu , Zhang Yiran , Zhao Haiyue , Song Qingcheng , Hu Hongzhi , Xing Xin , Cai Xianyi , Deng Xiangtian , Li Xinyan , Wang Peng , Liu Guohui , Xiong Liming , Lv Xiao , Zhang Yingze
Published: July 2023

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) accelerates fracture healing, but the underlying mechanism remains largely unknown. Accumulating evidence indicates that the central nervous system (CNS) plays a pivotal role in regulating immune system and skeletal homeostasis. However, the impact of CNS injury on hematopoiesis commitment was overlooked. Here, we found that the dramatically elevated sympathetic tone accompanied with TBI-accelerated fracture healing; chemical sympathectomy blocks TBI-induced fracture healing. TBI-induced hypersensitivity of adrenergic signaling promotes the proliferation of bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and swiftly skews HSCs toward anti-inflammation myeloid cells within 14 days, which favor fracture healing. Knockout of β3- or β2-adrenergic receptor (AR) eliminate TBI-mediated anti-inflammation macrophage expansion and TBI-accelerated fracture healing. RNA sequencing of bone marrow cells revealed that Adrb2 and Adrb3 maintain proliferation and commitment of immune cells. Importantly, flow cytometry confirmed that deletion of β2-AR inhibits M2 polarization of macrophages at 7th day and 14th day; and TBI-induced HSCs proliferation was impaired in β3-AR knockout mice. Moreover, β3- and β2-AR agonists synergistically promote infiltration of M2 macrophages in callus and accelerate bone healing process. Thus, we conclude that TBI accelerates bone formation during early stage of fracture healing process by shaping the anti-inflammation environment in the bone marrow. These results implicate that the adrenergic signals could serve as potential targets for fracture management.
Associations of intakes of total protein, protein from dairy sources, and dietary calcium with risks of colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer: a prospective analysis in UK Biobank
Authors: Watling Cody Z. , Kelly Rebecca K. , Dunneram Yashvee , Knuppel Anika , Piernas Carmen , Schmidt Julie A. , Travis Ruth C. , Key Timothy J. , Perez-Cornago Aurora
Published: July 2023

Background

Evidence concerning intakes of protein or sources of dairy protein and risks of colorectal, breast, and prostate cancers is inconclusive.

Methods

Using a subsample of UK Biobank participants who completed ≥2 (maximum of 5) 24-h dietary assessments, we estimated intakes of total protein, protein from total dairy products, milk, and cheese, and dietary calcium in 114,217 participants. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using multivariable-adjusted Cox regression.

Results

After a median of 9.4 years of follow-up, 1193 colorectal, 2024 female breast, and 2422 prostate cancer cases were identified. There were inverse associations of total dairy protein, protein from milk, and dietary calcium intakes with colorectal cancer incidence (HRQ4 vs Q1:0.80, 95% CI: 0.67–0.94; 0.79, 0.67–0.94; 0.71, 0.58–0.86, respectively). We also observed positive associations of milk protein and dietary calcium with prostate cancer risk (HRQ4 vs Q1:1.12, 1.00–1.26 and 1.16, 1.01–1.33, respectively). No significant associations were observed between intake of dairy protein and breast cancer risk. When insulin-like growth factor-I concentrations measured at recruitment were added to the multivariable-adjusted models, associations remained largely unchanged. Analyses were also similar when looking at total grams of dairy products, milk, and cheese.

Conclusion

Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms underlying the relationships of dairy products with cancer risk and the potential roles of dietary protein and calcium.
Intragenomic rDNA variation - the product of concerted evolution, mutation, or something in between?
Authors: Wang Wencai , Zhang Xianzhi , Garcia Sònia , Leitch Andrew R. , Kovařík Aleš
Published: July 2023

The classical model of concerted evolution states that hundreds to thousands of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) units undergo homogenization, making the multiple copies of the individual units more uniform across the genome than would be expected given mutation frequencies and gene redundancy. While the universality of this over 50-year-old model has been confirmed in a range of organisms, advanced high throughput sequencing techniques have also revealed that rDNA homogenization in many organisms is partial and, in rare cases, even apparently failing. The potential underpinning processes leading to unexpected intragenomic variation have been discussed in a number of studies, but a comprehensive understanding remains to be determined. In this work, we summarize information on variation or polymorphisms in rDNAs across a wide range of taxa amongst animals, fungi, plants, and protists. We discuss the definition and description of concerted evolution and describe whether incomplete concerted evolution of rDNAs predominantly affects coding or non-coding regions of rDNA units and if it leads to the formation of pseudogenes or not. We also discuss the factors contributing to rDNA variation, such as interspecific hybridization, meiotic cycles, rDNA expression status, genome size, and the activity of effector genes involved in genetic recombination, epigenetic modifications, and DNA editing. Finally, we argue that a combination of approaches is needed to target genetic and epigenetic phenomena influencing incomplete concerted evolution, to give a comprehensive understanding of the evolution and functional consequences of intragenomic variation in rDNA.
Operational strategy preventing scaling and wetting in an intermittent membrane distillation process
Authors: Kim Hye-Won , Jang Am , Jeong Seongpil
Published: July 2023

The solar-powered membrane distillation (SPMD) process can improve the energy efficiency by using solar energy as a heat source. However, the SPMD process can only be intermittently operated due to the variation of the daily solar irradiation. In this study, effects of intermittent modes (IMs with/without temperature variations (IM-1/IM-2)) and continuous mode (CM) on scaling and wetting are investigated according to three types of shutdown protocols (P1: non-draining, P2: draining, P3: flushing after draining). A direct contact membrane distillation coupled with a real-time visualization system using the normalized light intensity and SEM-EDS are used for analysis of the MD performance in each condition. Consequently, scaling and wetting tendencies of SPMD at P3 are lowest among the tested shutdown protocols. Furthermore, scaling and wetting in CM and IM (IM-1 and IM-2) at P3 show low differences, indicating that shutdown protocols have a more profound effect than temperature variations and operation mode.
Cultural determinants of the gap between self-estimated navigation ability and wayfinding performance: evidence from 46 countries
Authors: Walkowiak S. , Coutrot A. , Hegarty M. , Velasco P. F. , Wiener J. M. , Dalton R. C. , Hölscher C. , Hornberger M. , Spiers H. J. , Manley E.
Published: July 2023

Cognitive abilities can vary widely. Some people excel in certain skills, others struggle. However, not all those who describe themselves as gifted are. One possible influence on self-estimates is the surrounding culture. Some cultures may amplify self-assurance and others cultivate humility. Past research has shown that people in different countries can be grouped into a set of consistent cultural clusters with similar values and tendencies, such as attitudes to masculinity or individualism. Here we explored whether such cultural dimensions might relate to the extent to which populations in 46 countries overestimate or underestimate their cognitive abilities in the domain of spatial navigation. Using the Sea Hero Quest navigation test and a large sample (N = 383,187) we found cultural clusters of countries tend to be similar in how they self-rate ability relative to their actual performance. Across the world population sampled, higher self-ratings were associated with better performance. However, at the national level, higher self-ratings as a nation were not associated with better performance as a nation. Germanic and Near East countries were found to be most overconfident in their abilities and Nordic countries to be most under-confident in their abilities. Gender stereotypes may play a role in mediating this pattern, with larger national positive attitudes to male stereotyped roles (Hofstede's masculinity dimension) associated with a greater overconfidence in performance at the national level. We also replicate, with higher precision than prior studies, evidence that older men tend to overestimate their navigation skill more than other groups. These findings give insight into how culture and demographics may impact self-estimates of our abilities.
Carprofen alleviates Alzheimer-like phenotypes of 5XFAD transgenic mice by targeting the pathological hallmarks induced by amyloid-β aggregation
Authors: Lee Donghee , Ryoo Ji Eun , Hong Seungpyo , Kim Hye Yun , Kim YoungSoo
Published: July 2023

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by misfolding, oligomerization, and accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides in the brain. Aβ monomers transform into Aβ oligomers, which are toxic species, inducing tau hyperphosphorylation and the downstream effects on microglia and astrocytes, triggering synaptic and cognitive dysfunctions. The oligomers then deposit into Aβ plaques, primarily composed of β-stranded fibrils, required for definitive AD diagnosis. As amyloid burden plays the pivotal role in AD pathogenesis, many efforts are devoted in preventing amyloidosis as a therapeutic approach to impede the disease progression. Here, we discovered carprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, accelerates Aβ aggregating into fibrils and increases Aβ plaques when intraperitoneally injected to 5XFAD transgenic mouse model. However, the drug seems to alleviate the key Alzheimer-like phenotypes induced by Aβ aggregation as we found attenuated neuroinflammation, improved post-synaptic density expression, associated with synaptic plasticity, and decreased phosphorylated tau levels. Carprofen also rescued impaired working memory as we discovered improved spontaneous alternation performance through Y-maze test assessed with Aβ(1–42)-infused mouse model. Collectively, while carprofen accelerates the conversion of Aβ monomers into fibrils in vitro, the drug ameliorates the major pathological hallmarks of AD in vivo.
Evaluating clinical diversity and plausibility of synthetic capsule endoscopic images
Authors: Vats Anuja , Pedersen Marius , Mohammed Ahmed , Hovde Øistein
Published: July 2023

Wireless Capsule Endoscopy (WCE) is being increasingly used as an alternative imaging modality for complete and non-invasive screening of the gastrointestinal tract. Although this is advantageous in reducing unnecessary hospital admissions, it also demands that a WCE diagnostic protocol be in place so larger populations can be effectively screened. This calls for training and education protocols attuned specifically to this modality. Like training in other modalities such as traditional endoscopy, CT, MRI, etc., a WCE training protocol would require an atlas comprising of a large corpora of images that show vivid descriptions of pathologies, ideally observed over a period of time. Since such comprehensive atlases are presently lacking in WCE, in this work, we propose a deep learning method for utilizing already available studies across different institutions for the creation of a realistic WCE atlas using StyleGAN. We identify clinically relevant attributes in WCE such that synthetic images can be generated with selected attributes on cue. Beyond this, we also simulate several disease progression scenarios. The generated images are evaluated for realism and plausibility through three subjective online experiments with the participation of eight gastroenterology experts from three geographical locations and a variety of years of experience. The results from the experiments indicate that the images are highly realistic and the disease scenarios plausible. The images comprising the atlas are available publicly for use in training applications as well as supplementing real datasets for deep learning.
Tribocatalytically-active nickel/cobalt phosphorous films for universal protection in a hydrocarbon-rich environment
Authors: Shirani Asghar , Al Sulaimi Rawan , Macknojia Ali Zayaan , Eskandari Mohammad , Berman Diana
Published: July 2023

High-contact stresses generated at the sliding interfaces during their relative movement provide a unique combination of local heating and shear- and load-induced compression conditions. These conditions, when involving the sliding of surfaces with certain material characteristics, may facilitate tribochemical reactions with the environment, leading to the formation of a protective, damage-suppressing tribofilm directly at the contact. Here, we employ the electrodeposition process to design a coating composed of a hard cobalt-phosphorous matrix with the inclusion of tribocatalytically-active nickel clusters. The coating is optimized in terms of its relative composition and mechanical characteristics. We demonstrate the excellent tribological performance of the coating in the presence of a hydrocarbon environment, both in the form of a liquid lubricant and as a hydrocarbon-saturated vapor. Characterization of the wear track indicates that the origin of such performance lies in the formation of a protective carbon-based tribofilm on the surface of the coating during sliding. These results contribute to the advancement of knowledge on material transformations in the contact, thus providing a robust and versatile approach to addressing tribological challenges in mechanical systems.
Extensive reduction in choroidal thickness after photodynamic therapy in eyes with central serous chorioretinopathy
Authors: Nishigori Naomi , Muraoka Yuki , Ishikura Masaharu , Kogo Takahiro , Ueda-Arakawa Naoko , Miyata Manabu , Tamura Hiroshi , Hata Masayuki , Takahashi Ayako , Miyake Masahiro , Tsujikawa Akitaka
Published: July 2023

We examined the effect of reduced fluence (rf)-photodynamic therapy (PDT) of the macular area on the wide-field choroidal thickness in 20 eyes with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) and 20 age- and sex-matched control eyes. The choroidal thickness at the posterior pole was measured before and after rf-PDT, using a grid with inner and outer rings, each divided into superotemporal, inferotemporal, superonasal, and inferonasal quadrants, respectively, making up a total of nine subfields including the central 3 mm ring. Before treatment, all eyes showed wide-field choroidal thickening from the dilated vortex vein ampulla to the fovea, along the course of the vein. After rf-PDT of the macular area, the choroidal thickness significantly decreased, not only in the irradiated macular area but also outside the arcade vessels in all quadrants (p < 0.001 for all inner subfields; p = 0.035 and p = 0.024 for the outer superonasal and inferonasal subfields, respectively; p < 0.001 and p = 0.004 for the outer superotemporal and inferotemporal subfields, respectively). For control eyes, the choroidal thickness did not differ between the initial visit and follow-up 1.2 ± 0.7 months after the initial visit (p > 0.05 for all subfields). These findings provide new insights into the pathogenesis of CSC and explain the reasons for the effectiveness of rf-PDT for this condition.
Enhancing post-thaw quality of ram epididymal sperm by supplementation of rutin in cryopreservation extender
Authors: Najafi Abouzar , Mohammadi Hossein , Sharifi Seyed Davood
Published: July 2023

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of different rutin concentrations on rams epididymal sperm. A local slaughterhouse provided 50 pair of testes from 25 rams. The testes were sent to the lab at room temperature. Spermatozoa were extracted by suspending portions of cauda epididymis in tris solution. Ram sperm was cryopreserved (in liquid nitrogen) in a tris extender containing rutin at 0, 0.5, 0.75, 1, and 1.25 mM. Rutin showed superior sperm total and progressive motility, beat cross frequency, straight line velocity, velocity average pathway and membrane integrity values at 0.75 and 1 mM. The morphology of the sperm and the superoxide dismutase levels did not significantly change with different treatments. Moreover, rutin at 0.75 and 1 mM was also shown to have the highest level of mitochondrial activity. The results showed ATP, total antioxidant capacity, and glutathione peroxidase levels were significantly greater in the rutin 0.75 and 1 mM groups (P < 0.05). Rutin at 0.75 and 1 mM levels had the lowest reactive oxygen species concentrations. Rutin at 0.75 and 1 mM substantially increased the proportion of viable sperm (P < 0.05). The lowest amount of apoptosis was observed in 0.75 and 1 mM rutin. Rutin at 0.75 and 1 mM yielded the least significant percentage of dead sperm. It may be inferred that adding 0.75 and 1 mM to the sperm extender can enhance the quality of the epididymal sperm in rams after the cryopreservation process.