bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is the uncertain self good at detecting lies? The influence of personal uncertainty on deception detection
Authors: Reinhard Marc‐André , Volz Sarah , Bos Kees van den , Müller Patrick A.
Published: April 2023

Five experiments (total number of judging participants = 1309, four different kinds of stimulus materials with a total of 464 messages, total number of judgements  = 19,634) investigated the influence of personal uncertainty on the process of lie detection in social relationships. Building on and extending basic assumptions of uncertainty management models, we reasoned that uncertainty about themselves motivates people to evaluate the quality of their relationships. A crucial aspect of the quality of relationships with other people is the truthfulness with which they communicate verbally with you and anyone else. We proposed that if these assumptions are valid, reminding people of their personal uncertainties should lead them to use valid verbal cues in veracity judgements more. This enhanced usage of valid verbal cues should result in better accuracy in deception detection. An internal meta‐analysis of the five experiments reveals only a small, not significant, overall effect of uncertainty salience on detection accuracy with larger effect sizes for experiments conducted in the laboratory than for those conducted online. Hence, if personal uncertainty plays a role in the process of deception detection, it seems to be subject to moderators such as methodological or motivational factors.
Cream skimming and discrimination in access to medical care: A field experiment
Authors: Chareyron Sylvain , L’Horty Yannick , Petit Pascale
Published: April 2023

This study measures the differences in access to healthcare for female patients in France in three medical specialties (dentistry, gynecology and psychiatry) according to two criteria: the African ethnicity of the patient and the benefit of having means‐tested health insurance coverage. To this purpose, we conducted a nationally representative field experiment on more than 1500 physicians. We do not find substantial discrimination against the patient of African origin. However, the results indicate that patients with means‐tested health insurance coverage are less likely to get an appointment. Differentiating between two types of coverage, we show that the lesser‐known coverage (ACS) is more penalized than the other (CMU‐C) as poor knowledge of the program increases the physician's expectation of additional administrative tasks and is an important element to explain cream‐skimming. We also find that, for physicians who are free to set their fees, the opportunity cost of accepting a means‐tested patient increases the penalty. Finally, the results suggest that enrollment in OPTAM, the controlled pricing practice option that incentivizes physicians to accept means‐tested patients, reduces cream‐skimming.
Luteolin suppresses inflammation and oxidative stress in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease through inhibition of the NOX4‐mediated NF‐κB signaling pathway
Authors: Li Mingfei , Wang Huifang , Lu Yun , Cai Jinwen
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with chronic inflammation that predominantly affects the lung and peripheral airways. Previous investigation has underlined the efficacy of luteolin in the treatment of inflammation‐related symptoms. Accordingly, our study concentrates on unveiling the effect of luteolin on COPD.

Methods

Mice or A549 cells were treated with cigarette smoke (CS) to establish COPD models in vivo and in vitro. Then, the serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of mice were harvested. The lung tissues of mice were subjected to hematoxylin‐eosin staining to observe the degree of damage. The inflammation and oxidative stress factors level were calculated via enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. The expressions of nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB) pathway‐related factors were detected by Western blot.

Results

In in vivo experiments, CS treatment reduced the weight of mice and promoted lung tissue damage, while luteolin attenuated the effect of CS on the mice. Moreover, luteolin inhibited the inflammation factors level, oxidative stress, and NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4)‐mediated NF‐κB signaling pathway in CS‐induced COPD mice. Similar results were obtained in in vitro experiments that luteolin alleviated CS‐induced inflammation, oxidative stress, and NOX4‐mediated NF‐κB signaling pathway activation in CS‐treated A549 cells. Besides, NOX4 overexpression offset the impacts of luteolin on the CS‐induced A549 cells.

Conclusion

Luteolin alleviates inflammation and oxidative stress in COPD via NOX4‐mediated NF‐κB signaling pathway, which provides a theoretical basis for the treatment of COPD with luteolin.
Meat processing plant survival: The role of plant and regional characteristics
Authors: Isley Catherine , Low Sarah A.
Published: April 2023

Federal and state governments are making major investments in expanded meat processor capacity and improved industry resilience. To improve decision‐making, this research identifies characteristics related to the probability of meat processing plant survival using hazard analysis and establishment‐level data on US meat processors (including beef, pork, goat, lamb and mutton, and large game processors) 1997–2020. We find plant survival is associated with both plant characteristics and local context, though specific factors related to survival vary with plant size and rurality. Smaller plants are less likely to survive than larger plants, and for smaller plants survival is most strongly related to business diversification. For larger plants, local context, including workforce variables, has the strongest relationship with survival. Our analysis shows little relationship between meat processing industry concentration and plant survival, though we find weak evidence of a positive relationship between industry concentration and large nonmetro plant survival.
Enhancing power distribution network operational resilience to extreme wind events
Authors: Donaldson Daniel L. , Ferranti Emma J.S. , Quinn Andrew D. , Jayaweera Dilan , Peasley Thomas , Mercer Mark
Published: April 2023

Extreme weather events can cause significant damage to power distribution network infrastructure, often resulting in power outages. Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) are faced with the challenging task of responding to these outages in real time while maintaining a resilient grid. Our paper presents an innovative approach to alert operators about the potential risk associated with upcoming extreme weather through a normalized fragility curve. The uniqueness of the curve is the ability to capture regional differences across a DNO's territory while presenting operators with a means of setting unified risk thresholds. This can support a proactive response and allow the staging of necessary resources to minimize the threat posed by such events. Our approach captures the changes in failure probability associated with differing wind regimes and demonstrates the benefit of sub‐regional meteorological information. The proposed approach is demonstrated for wind events using 20 years of historical fault records from a DNO in the United Kingdom (UK). While its efficacy is demonstrated for windstorms in the UK, the approach could be applied globally to develop normalized fragility curves for other types of seasonal extreme weather events such as snowstorms, hurricanes, or linked hazards such as wildfires. The approach can also facilitate an understanding of how infrastructure may operate under future climate conditions, supporting proactive adaptation.
A V‐band digitally controlled low noise variable gain amplifier with 3.5° phase variation in 28‐nm bulk CMOS
Authors: Lin Haitao , Li Hui‐Yang , Xu Jin‐Xu , Zhang Xiuyin
Published: April 2023

This paper presents a V‐band digitally controlled low noise variable gain amplifier (LNVGA) in 28‐nm bulk CMOS process. The amplifier includes three stages and the first stage is used to realize wideband high gain and low noise figure (NF). The gain control is implemented in the second and third stages with current steering and split cascode topology, respectively. A source degeneration inductor and a series inductor are introduced to reduce the phase variation in the second stage. The phase response function is analyzed, and the phase reduction of 1.2° is achieved. Moreover, with the combination of these two different topologies, the phase variation can be further reduced. The measurement results show the LNVGA has a peak gain of 16 dB with a 3‐dB bandwidth of 45–59 GHz. The measured gain control range is 0–16 dB in 16 different gain states and the minimum phase variation is 3.5° with power consumption of 23 mW.
Time‐dependent diffusion MRI using multiple stimulated echoes
Authors: Dan Guangyu , Sun Kaibao , Luo Qingfei , Zhou Xiaohong Joe
Published: April 2023

Purpose

To develop a time‐efficient pulse sequence that acquires multiple diffusion‐weighted images with distinct diffusion times in a single shot by using multiple stimulated echoes (mSTE) with variable flip angles (VFA).

Methods

The proposed diffusion‐weighted mSTE with VFA (DW‐mSTE‐VFA) sequence begins with two 90° RF pulses that straddle a diffusion gradient lobe (GD) to excite and restore one half of the magnetization into the longitudinal axis. The restored longitudinal magnetization was successively re‐excited by a series of RF pulses with VFA, each followed by another GD, to generate a set of stimulated echoes. Each of the multiple stimulated echoes was acquired with an EPI echo train. As such, the train of multiple stimulated echoes produced a set of diffusion‐weighted images with varying diffusion times in a single shot. This technique was experimentally demonstrated on a diffusion phantom, a fruit, and healthy human brain and prostate at 3 T.

Results

In the phantom experiment, the mean ADC measured at different diffusion times using DW‐mSTE‐VFA were highly consistent (r = 0.999) with those from a commercial spin‐echo diffusion‐weighted EPI sequence. In the fruit and brain experiments, DW‐mSTE‐VFA exhibited similar diffusion‐time dependence to a standard diffusion‐weighted stimulated echo sequence. The ADC showed significant time dependence in the human brain (p = 0.003 in both white matter and gray matter) and prostate tissues (p = 0.003 in both peripheral zone and central gland).

Conclusion

DW‐mSTE‐VFA offers a time‐efficient tool for investigating the diffusion‐time dependency in diffusion MRI studies.
Simulating the impact of varying vegetation on West African monsoon surface fluxes using a regional convection‐permitting model
Authors: Bamba Adama , Kouadio Kouakou , Toure N’Datchoh E. , Jackson Lawrence , Marsham John , Roberts Alex , Yoshioka Masaru , Anquetin Sandrine , Diedhiou Arona
Published: April 2023

This study assessed the sensitivity of the West African climate to varying vegetation fractions. The assessment of a such relationship is critical in understanding the interactions between land surface and atmosphere. Two sets of convection‐permitting simulations from the UK Met Office Unified Model at 12 km horizontal resolution covering the monsoon period May–September (MJJAS) were used, one with fixed vegetation fraction (MF‐V) and the other with time‐varying vegetation fraction (MV‐V). Vegetation fractions are based on MODIS retrievals between May and September. We focused on three climatic zones over West Africa: Guinea Coast, Sudanian Sahel, and the Sahel while investigating heat fluxes, temperature, and evapotranspiration. Results reveal that latent heat fluxes are the most strongly affected by vegetation fraction over the Sahelian and Sudanian regions while sensible heat fluxes are more impacted over the Guinea Coast and Sudanian Sahel. Also, in MV‐V simulation there is an increase in evapotranspiration mainly over the Sahel and some specific areas in Guinea Coast from June to September. Moreover, it is noticed that high near‐surface temperature is associated with a weak vegetation fraction, especially during May and June. Finally, varying vegetation seems to improve the simulation of surface energy fluxes and in turn impact on climate parameters. This suggests that climate modelers should prioritize the use of varying vegetation options to improve the representation of the West African climate system.
Silver Alloying in Highly Efficient CuGaSe2Solar Cells with Different Buffer Layers
Authors: Keller Jan , Stolt Lars , Törndahl Tobias , Edoff Marika
Published: April 2023

This study evaluates the effect of silver alloying, stoichiometry, and deposition temperature of wide‐gap (Ag,Cu)GaSe2(ACGS) absorber films for solar cell applications. Devices using a standard CdS buffer exhibit a strong anticorrelation between the open‐circuit voltage (VOC) and short‐circuit current density (JSC), withVOCdecreasing andJSCincreasing toward stoichiometric absorber composition. Increasing the ACGS deposition temperature leads to larger grains and improvedJSC, whileVOCis not affected. By adding more silver to the absorber (maximum tested [Ag]/([Ag]+[Cu]) [AAC] = 0.4), the widening of the space charge region (SCR) significantly enhances carrier collection. Experimental quantum efficiency spectra can be accurately simulated when assuming a very low diffusion length and perfect collection in the SCR. The highest efficiency of 8.3% (without antireflection coating [ARC]) is reached for an absorber with AAC = 0.4 grown at 600 °C. Replacing CdS by a (Zn,Sn)O buffer with lower electron affinity strongly mitigates interface recombination. Moreover, theVOC–JSCanticorrelation is not evident anymore and the highest efficiency of 11.2% (11.6% w/ARC,VOC = 985 mV,JSC = 18.6 mA cm−2, fill factor = 61.0%) is reached for a close‐stoichiometric ACGS solar cell with AAC = 0.4 processed at 650 °C.
Numerical Simulation of Carbon Redistribution during Steel Composite Production
Authors: Etzlstorfer Christoph , Leitner Alois , Arenholz Enno , Kozeschnik Ernst
Published: April 2023

During heat treatment of cladded steel composites, element redistribution may occur between the various plating materials. Depending on alloy composition and the particular time–temperature profile, Carbon (C) diffusion between the plating materials is observed. Herein, C diffusion between different layers of roll‐cladded steel composites during typical production routes is numerically simulated with the thermokinetic software package MatCalc. Two material combinations, 340LA–22MnB5 and 340LA–34MnB5, are compared with experimental results of large‐scale manufactured steel composite material at different production steps, from hot strip to hardened cold strip material. The simulation agrees qualitatively and quantitatively well with the experimental results. It is demonstrated that even short heat treatment intervals can have significant influence on the C redistribution within the steel composite.
Reaching new environments through illegal trade: evidence of a widely traded turtle in Colombia
Authors: Julián Arango-Lozano , Dahian Patiño-Siro , Felipe Toro-Cardona
Published: April 2023

A major threat to biodiversity is illegal trade, with many unwanted wildlife pets released into exotic environments outside their native distribution. Therefore, many potential invasive species have established in new ecosystems. Ecological niche modeling (ENM) has been used to predict and compare the environmental conditions of natural and exotic population in many groups. We used ENM to compare the climatic niche between natural and exotic areas ofTrachemys venusta callirostris, one of the most traded turtles in Colombia. We generated a niche model using the MaxEnt algorithm through the R package kuenm to test several parametrizations and four sets of fresh water environmental predictors. Models were calibrated in the native distribution and projected to non-native zones in Colombia to identify suitable areas for the species. Further, we use a niche similarity test to compare native and exotic environmental space. We found few suitable areas within the projected zone even when using extrapolation; there was a greater suitability in the Magdalena River basin than in the Cauca River basin. Low similarity was detected between the niche comparison of native and exotic areas, suggesting that exotic populations have reached different environmental conditions than the native zone through ilegal trade. Although there was low extrapolation in the exotic area, the models projected ideal conditions in localities with new records for this turtle. The generalist strategies for feeding, thermoregulation, and reproduction in changing conditions may help thisT. v. callirostrisestablish in new ecosystems, and with no current knowledge on dynamics between this exotic species and local fauna, its effects on aquatic communities are unpredictable.
A self-guided approach for navigation in a minimalistic foraging robotic swarm
Authors: Adams Steven , Jarne Ornia Daniel , Mazo Manuel
Published: April 2023

We present a biologically inspired design for swarm foraging based on ant’s pheromone deployment, where the swarm is assumed to have very restricted capabilities. The robots do not require global or relative position measurements and the swarm is fully decentralized and needs no infrastructure in place. Additionally, the system only requires one-hop communication over the robot network, we do not make any assumptions about the connectivity of the communication graph and the transmission of information and computation is scalable versus the number of agents. This is done by letting the agents in the swarm act as foragers or as guiding agents (beacons). We present experimental results computed for a swarm of Elisa-3 robots on a simulator, and show how the swarm self-organizes to solve a foraging problem over an unknown environment, converging to trajectories around the shortest path, and test the approach on a real swarm of Elisa-3 robots. At last, we discuss the limitations of such a system and propose how the foraging efficiency can be increased.
Extended reality for procedural planning and guidance in structural heart disease – a review of the state-of-the-art
Authors: Stephenson Natasha , Pushparajah Kuberan , Wheeler Gavin , Deng Shujie , Schnabel Julia A , Simpson John M
Published: April 2023

Extended reality (XR), which encompasses virtual, augmented and mixed reality, is an emerging medical imaging display platform which enables intuitive and immersive interaction in a three-dimensional space. This technology holds the potential to enhance understanding of complex spatial relationships when planning and guiding cardiac procedures in congenital and structural heart disease moving beyond conventional 2D and 3D image displays. A systematic review of the literature demonstrates a rapid increase in publications describing adoption of this technology. At least 33 XR systems have been described, with many demonstrating proof of concept, but with no specific mention of regulatory approval including some prospective studies. Validation remains limited, and true clinical benefit difficult to measure. This review describes and critically appraises the range of XR technologies and its applications for procedural planning and guidance in structural heart disease while discussing the challenges that need to be overcome in future studies to achieve safe and effective clinical adoption.
Words matter: judges’ value judgments in sentence pronouncements remarks
Authors: de Castro Rodrigues Andreia , Cunha Olga S. , de Oliveira Jorge Q. , Gonçalves Rui A. , Sacau-Fontenla Ana
Published: April 2023

This study examines judges’ value judgments on their remarks during sentence pronouncements. We performed a content analysis of 93 sentence pronouncements from the 13 judges from a Portuguese criminal court. Within these discourses, 299 discourse units were codified as judges’ value judgments, that is, personal contents beyond strict legal issues. From these 299, 107 were recommendations (comprehending advice to change, to not reoffend, to rethink life, and action instructions), and 192 were opinions about the individual, the society, and the judicial system. The existence of value judgments in sentence pronouncements carries important implications for the sentencing process. Namely, these value judgments allow the identification of judges’ personal ideas, and issues particularly vulnerable for simplistic reasonings, as well as subjective considerations. This identification and the discussion on the powerful role of language in the context of sentencing are key features to strengthen judges’ training and, consequently, to improve the implementation of penal justice.
Development of Family Adaptability and Cohesion from Adolescence to Young Adulthood and Associations with Parental Behavior
Authors: Spitz Andrea , Steinhausen Hans-Christoph
Published: April 2023

Previous research has demonstrated the influence of family functioning on developmental outcomes but only a few studies have addressed the normative changes of family functioning during adolescence. While there is evidence that family adaptability is stable, findings regarding the development of family cohesion levels are controversial. The focus on the association of family functioning with parenting behavior has also been quite limited. Some studies have revealed that an authoritative parenting style is connected with better family functioning, but only a small body of research has analyzed the association with the main dimensions of parenting behavior. The current study investigated developmental trajectories of family adaptability and cohesion from adolescence to young adulthood. The impact of sex, number of siblings, marital status, socioeconomic status and parenting behavior was studied in a sample of N = 619 participants from a longitudinal Swiss study at two measurement times. Repeated measures ANOVAs and cross-sectional linear regression models were used to analyze the data. There was a significant developmental decline in perceived family cohesion but no change in adaptability from adolescence to young adulthood. In addition, there was a significant main effect of socioeconomic status on adaptability and of parental divorce on cohesion. Boys experienced a significantly steeper decline in family cohesion than girls. Adaptability and cohesion were predicted by perceived parental acceptance and psychological control at both measurement times while cohesion was also significantly predicted by perceived parental structure. The findings reflect normative developmental processes in the transition period.
Almost sure central limit theorems for the maxima of randomly chosen random variables
Authors: Krajka Tomasz
Published: April 2023

In this paper, we give an almost sure central limit theorem (ASCLT) version of a maximum limit theorem (MLT) with an arbitrary sequence {dn, n ≥ 1} of weighted means of max{Xk, k ∈ An}, where {Xn, n ≥ 1} is a sequence of independent random variables, and {An, n ≥ 1} is a sequence of almost surely finite random subsets of positive integers independent of {Xn, n ≥ 1}. Thus we generalize the cases considered in the literature: (i) the nonrandom version of ASCLT for the MLT; (ii) the version of ASCLT for randomly indexed MLT; and (iii) the version of maximum schema of observed and unobserved random variables. We complete the paper with illustrative examples.
Common-weights fuzzy DEA model in the presence of undesirable outputs with ideal and anti-ideal points: development and prospects
Authors: Majdi Meysam , Ebrahimnejad Ali , Azizi Amir
Published: April 2023

In the literature, fuzzy arithmetic approach has been used for solving fuzzy data envelopment analysis (DEA) model in the presence of undesirable outputs by use of ideal and anti-ideal decision-making units (DMUs). In order to obtain the best and the worst fuzzy efficiencies, such an approach allows each DMU to choose the most favorable weights via optimizing its own evaluation that needs to solve various mathematical models. On the one hand, solving one mathematical model to find the best fuzzy efficiency and solving another mathematical model to find the worst fuzzy efficiency for each DMU increase the computational complexity significantly. On the other hand, the fully flexibility of weights leads to the different set of weights that may not be desirable. This paper proposes a common-weight method from two optimistic and pessimistic perspectives in fuzzy environment to determine the common sets of weights (CWS) to compute the best and the worst fuzzy efficiencies of all DMUs. The advantages of using common-weight DEA method based upon fuzzy arithmetic approach are reduction of the computational complexities and evaluation of equitably the best and the worst fuzzy efficiencies on the same base. The proposed approach first solves one linear programming model to compute each of the best and the worst fuzzy efficiencies of all DMUS, and then combines them to find a relative closeness index for the overall assessment. The developed approach is illustrated by a numerical example form the literature and the obtained results are compared with those from the existing ones.
Weight normalization optimization movie recommendation algorithm based on three-way neural interaction networks
Authors: Liang Zhenlu , Yang Zhisheng , Cheng Jingyong
Published: April 2023

Heterogeneous information networks are increasingly used in recommendation algorithms. However, they lack an explicit representation of meta-paths. In using bidirectional neural interaction models for recommendation models, interaction between users and items is often ignored, with an integral impact on the accuracy of the recommendations. To better apply the interaction information, this study proposes a weight-normalized movie recommendation model (SCLW_MCRec) based on a three-way neural interaction network. The model constructs a three-way neural interaction network $$\langle $$
⟨
user, meta-path, item$$\rangle $$
⟩
from meta-path contextual information, introducing meta-paths on top of the user-item representation to represent the user-item interaction information. Introduction of a two-layer, one-dimensional convolutional neural network helps capture higher-order interaction features between the user and the item, making the model more powerful in terms of interaction. Adding a dropout layer to the interaction model and using a two-layer convolutional neural network can prevent overfitting and discard irrelevant information features to improve the recommendation. In addition, an extreme cross-entropy loss (argmaxminloss) that incorporates the properties of the argmin and argmax functions is designed to reduce the model loss. A weight-normalization optimization approach is used to better optimize the model and accelerate convergence of the stochastic gradient descent optimization. Compared to current state-of-the-art recommendation models, the SCLW_MCRec model improves the Prec evaluation index by 2.94–35.8%, Recall by 1.15–53.51%, and NDCG by 6.7–49.37% on the MovieLens dataset. The framework provides a significant improvement in recommendation accuracy and also solves the cold-start problem with application of interaction information.
Migration Responses to Earthquakes: Evidence from Italy
Authors: Basile Roberto , Centofanti Francesca , Giallonardo Luisa , Licari Francesca
Published: April 2023

In this paper, we analyze the migration responses to natural disasters by focusing on the three most devastating earthquakes in Italy in recent decades: L’Aquila 2009, Emilia Romagna 2012, and Central Italy 2016. Using municipality-level data for 2002–2019 and adopting a new difference-in-difference approach with multiple periods and multiple groups, we evaluate the causal effect of these events on internal and international inbound and outbound migration of both Italian and foreign citizens. The results suggest that, despite the massive destruction, there is no evidence that these earthquakes significantly impacted the migration of Italian citizens. We only found evidence of the effect of the earthquake in L’Aquila on the short-distance migration of foreign citizens.
Containment Measures and Business Confidence in COVID Times: A Global Study
Authors: Margaretic Paula , Finchelstein Diego , Sotelo Agustín
Published: April 2023

In this article, we take a global perspective to assess the impact of the exogenous COVID pandemic shock on business confidence. Through a quantitative analysis of 31 advanced and 12 emerging economies over the period from January 2018 to December 2020, we provide a novel investigation of a unique worldwide event, in contrast to the most frequent exogenous shocks, which typically have a more limited local or regional scope. We proxy business expectations with the business confidence indicator or BCI. First, we find that the containment measures for the COVID pandemic have negatively affected business confidence, with the compulsory policies having a greater negative effect on BCI than the voluntary ones. Second, we find positive spillover effects on the local BCIs from the containment measures implemented in neighboring countries. This suggests that business people are not against compulsory measuresper se, but rather that they are less inclined to assume the costs of these. Third, we find that while the severity of containment measures has been greater in emerging countries, the negative impact on BCI of these containment measures has been larger in advanced economies.
Structural Racism, the USPS, and Voting by Mail On- and Off-Reservation in Arizona
Authors: Schroedel Jean , Rogers Melissa , Dietrich Joseph
Published: April 2023

During the 2020 election, voting by mail greatly expanded due to concerns with COVID-19. While voting by mail is relatively easy for most individuals, who have United States Postal Service (USPS) residential mail service, it is much more difficult for those with nonstandard mail service. In this article, we examine how decisions made by the USPS in the latter part of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries have resulted in deeply entrenched structural inequities in the access to mail services on the Navajo Nation in Arizona when compared to rural nonreservation communities. Most (89 percent) of current Post Offices were established during the settler colonial period, during which sites were chosen primarily to advance military objectives and serve the interests of Anglo-American settlers. The resulting inequitable pattern of postal access remains, resulting in inferior mail service on the Navajo Nation and adversely impacting many aspects of life. Post Offices are fewer and farther from each other on reservation communities; there are fewer service hours; and we show in a mail experiment that letters posted on reservations are slower and less likely to arrive. This research fits within the growing body of American political development research on path-dependent processes and “spatial racism” within geography.
Do Volcanoes Add More Carbon Than They Take Away?
Authors: Sidik Saima
Published: April 2023

Slow carbon seep long after eruptions have ceased could shape the carbon cycle on geological timescales.
TYMS promotes genomic instability and tumor progression in Ink4a/Arf null background
Authors: Guijarro Maria V. , Nawab Akbar , Dib Peter , Burkett Sandra , Luo Xiaoping , Feely Michael , Nasri Elham , Seifert Robert P. , Kaye Frederic J. , Zajac-Kaye Maria
Published: April 2023

We previously showed that elevated TYMS exhibits oncogenic properties and promotes tumorigenesis after a long latency, suggesting cooperation with sequential somatic mutations. Here we report the cooperation of ectopic expression of human TYMS with loss of Ink4a/Arf, one of the most commonly mutated somatic events in human cancer. Using an hTS/Ink4a/Arf−/− genetically engineered mouse model we showed that deregulated TYMS expression in Ink4a/Arf null background accelerates tumorigenesis and metastasis. In addition, tumors from TYMS-expressing mice were associated with a phenotype of genomic instability including enhanced double strand DNA damage, aneuploidy and loss of G1/S checkpoint. Downregulation of TYMS in vitro decreased cell proliferation and sensitized tumor cells to antimetabolite chemotherapy. In addition, depletion of TYMS in vivo by TYMS shRNA reduced tumor incidence, delayed tumor progression and prolonged survival in hTS/Ink4a/Arf−/− mice. Our data shows that activation of TYMS in Ink4a/Arf null background enhances uncontrolled cell proliferation and tumor growth, supporting the development of new agents and strategies targeting TYMS to delay tumorigenesis and prolong survival.
Provenance and deposition of a lithified volcanic-rich layer (VRL-5.5) at 5.5 Ma from Central Apennines (Italy)
Authors: Potere Davide , Iezzi Gianluca , Scisciani Vittorio , Tangari Anna Chiara , Nazzari Manuela
Published: April 2023

Two slightly lithified volcanic rich layers (VRL) (former tephra) SVT-2 (San Vittorino) and CAC (Castiglione a Casauria) were sampled from two distinct post-evaporitic Messinian stratigraphic sections (Abruzzo, Central Italy). They crop only few tens of km apart and are predominantly massive, although some specimens show sedimentary structures. Both VRLs were investigated for the first time by field, mesoscopic, X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), transmission optical microscopy (TOM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), bulk composition, electron-microprobe analysis (EMPA) and quantitative textural attributes by image analysis. The XRPD analysis detects the presence of a glass phase, plus few (< 2 area %) magmatic-like feldspars, clinopyroxene and biotite and stratigraphically variable sedimentary minerals such as calcite, dolomite, illite and montmorillonite (from 0 to 40 area %). The 2D image analysis performed on SEM microphotographs reveals that both sections are composed of very fine glass shards, magmatic minerals are never isolated, whilst the carbonate crystals mainly fill voids among volcanic particles. Both these VRLs have identical rhyolitic glass compositions that closely overlap with those of previously-studied coeval and stratigraphically related sections occurring in the northern Apennine region and dated as 5.5 Ma. The 2D textural features of glassy particles (length, width, aspect ratio, grain-size distribution, MZ , σi, SKi, KG and roundness) in both SVT-2 and CAC sections are very similar and also close to the northern section of Camporotondo (Marche region). The outcomes provided here indicate that SVT-2 and CAC sections represent the southernmost distal deposits of the same large eruption that occurred about 5.5 Ma (VRL-5.5). They result from distal fallout of tephra through seawater, occasionally remobilised under low energy and localised conditions, especially in the uppermost part of the CAC section. All the VRL-5.5 rocks are probably related to a very large eruption that occurred in the Carpathian-Pannonian magmatic district. The analytical protocols used in this study can be useful to investigate other ancient volcanic-rich layers, corresponding to lithified tephra.
The role of self-esteem as moderator of the relationship between experienced stigma and anxiety and depression among tuberculosis patients
Authors: Chen Xu , Chen Yunting , Zhou Ling , Tong Jiao
Published: April 2023

Anxiety and depression are very common in tuberculosis (TB) patients and can adversely affect TB treatment adherence, ultimately leading to higher morbidity, mortality and drug resistance. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the association among experienced stigma, self-esteem and anxiety and depression, and to further explore whether self-esteem could be a moderator in the association between experienced stigma and anxiety and depression in TB patients. A total of 473 TB patients from Dalian, Liaoning Province, Northeast China participated in a cross-sectional survey. A structured questionnaire was developed to collect data. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to analyze the association among experienced stigma, self-esteem and experienced stigma × self-esteem interaction with anxiety and depression. Simple slope analysis was applied to visualize the interaction. Experienced stigma was positively associated with anxiety (B = 0.307, P < 0.01) and depression (B = 0.277, P < 0.01), and self-esteem was negatively associated with anxiety (B = − 0.215, P < 0.01) and depression (B = − 0.351, P < 0.01) in TB patients. The association between experienced stigma and anxiety was different in the low (1 standard deviation (SD) below the mean, B = 0.376, standard error (SE) = 0.056, P < 0.01) and high (1 SD above the mean, B = 0.228, SE = 0.060, P < 0.01) groups of self-esteem. Additionally, the association between experienced stigma and depression was also different in the low (1 SD below the mean, B = 0.363, SE = 0.053, P < 0.01) and high (1 SD above the mean, B = 0.179, SE = 0.056, P < 0.01) groups of self-esteem. Self-esteem could moderate the association between experienced stigma and anxiety and depression. In addition to reducing experienced stigma, enhancing self-esteem as a way to reduce the impact of experienced stigma on anxiety and depression can also help improve the mental health of TB patients.
Increased TG to HDL-C ratio is associated with severity of drug-induced liver injury
Authors: Jia Xiaoqing , Zhang Xiaoting , Yan Ming , Sun Dalong , Li Rong , Yang Na , Luo Zheng
Published: April 2023

We investigated the relationship between dyslipidemia and drug-induced liver injury (DILI), especially the level of triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (TG/HDL-C) in severe DILI. In this single-centered retrospective study, of 326 patients with DILI, 221 patients were analyzed. Control groups include medication using group and acute hepatitis B group. The relationship between dyslipidemia and DILI was estimated. Demographic and clinical features were analyzed. Dyslipidemia and TG/HDL-C ratios were compared between DILI and control groups, DILI mild group and severe group. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the credibility of the relationship and to find cut-off points. Dyslipidemia is related to DILI when compared with medication using control group (AOR 4.60; 95% CI 2.81–7.54; P < 0.01) and compared with acute hepatitis B group (AOR 2.12; 95% CI 1.37–3.29; P < 0.01). Dyslipidemia is associated with the severity of DILI (AOR 25.78; 95% CI 7.63–87.1; P < 0.01). TG/HDL-C ratio is higher in DILI group than that of medication using control group, also higher in severe DILI group than that of mild DILI group. AUCs for TG/HDL-C ratio to indicate the severity of DILI was 0.89 (P < 0.05), the cut-off point was 2.35. Dyslipidemia and TG/HDL-C ratio were related to DILI occurrence. Severe liver injury in DILI was associated with dyslipidemia and elevated TG/HDL-C ratio.
Importance of humidity for characterization and communication of dangerous heatwave conditions
Authors: Cvijanovic Ivana , Mistry Malcolm N. , Begg James D. , Gasparrini Antonio , Rodó Xavier
Published: April 2023

Heatwaves are one of the leading causes of climate-induced mortality. Using the examples of recent heatwaves in Europe, the United States and Asia, we illustrate how the communication of dangerous conditions based on temperature maps alone can lead to insufficient societal perception of health risks. Comparison of maximum daily values of temperature with physiological heat stress indices accounting for impacts of both temperature and humidity, illustrates substantial differences in geographical extent and timing of their respective peak values during these recent events. This signals the need to revisit how meteorological heatwaves and their expected impacts are communicated. Close collaboration between climate and medical communities is needed to select the best heat stress indicators, establish them operationally, and introduce them to the public.
Spatial transcriptomics reveal topological immune landscapes of Asian head and neck angiosarcoma
Authors: Loh Jui Wan , Lee Jing Yi , Lim Abner Herbert , Guan Peiyong , Lim Boon Yee , Kannan Bavani , Lee Elizabeth Chun Yong , Gu Ning Xin , Ko Tun Kiat , Ng Cedric Chuan-Young , Lim Jeffrey Chun Tatt , Yeong Joe , Lim Jing Quan , Ong Choon Kiat , Teh Bin Tean , Chan Jason Yongsheng
Published: April 2023

Angiosarcomas are rare malignant tumors of the endothelium, arising commonly from the head and neck region (AS-HN) and recently associated with ultraviolet (UV) exposure and human herpesvirus-7 infection. We examined 81 cases of angiosarcomas, including 47 cases of AS-HN, integrating information from whole genome sequencing, gene expression profiling and spatial transcriptomics (10X Visium). In the AS-HN cohort, we observed recurrent somatic mutations in CSMD3 (18%), LRP1B (18%), MUC16 (18%), POT1 (16%) and TP53 (16%). UV-positive AS-HN harbored significantly higher tumor mutation burden than UV-negative cases (p = 0.0294). NanoString profiling identified three clusters with distinct tumor inflammation signature scores (p < 0.001). Spatial transcriptomics revealed topological profiles of the tumor microenvironment, identifying dominant but tumor-excluded inflammatory signals in immune-hot cases and immune foci even in otherwise immune-cold cases. In conclusion, spatial transcriptomics reveal the tumor immune landscape of angiosarcoma, and in combination with multi-omic information, may improve implementation of treatment strategies.
Quantification of nanoparticles' concentration inside polymer films using lock-in thermography
Authors: Mirabello Giulia , Steinmetz Lukas , Geers Christoph , Rothen-Ruthishauser Barbara , Bonmarin Mathias , Petri-Fink Alke , Lattuada Marco
Published: April 2023

We employ lock-in thermography (LIT) to quantify the concentration of gold nanoparticles embedded in polymer films through a mathematical method developed to relate the concentration of nanoparticles to the measured LIT temperature amplitude.
Effects of powder feeding rate on porosity and tensile strength of powder feeding laser welded Al-30wt.% B4C composite with the addition of Al powder
Authors: Li Yunjiang , Le Guomin , Pang Xiaoxuan , Luo Jinru , Cai Jiqing , Zhang Pengcheng
Published: April 2023

Al-B4C metal matrix composite is an advanced neutron absorption material. In order to obtain a wider application in spent nuclear fuel storage and transport, the welding technique is essential for Al-B4C composites. In this paper, powder feeding laser welding (PFLW) method was used to weld Al-30wt.% B4C composite. During the experiments, Al powder was used as the filler metal, the effects of powder feeding rate on porosity, neutron shielding ratio and tensile strength of the joints were investigated by using micro-CT (micro computed tomography), OM, SEM and TEM. It is found that PFLW has a significant weld porosity suppression effect, and a joint efficiency (UTS) of 87% is obtained in PFLW of Al-30wt.% B4C composite with the powder feeding rate of 1.2 g/min. The neutron shielding ratio of the joint reduced by 3% due to the volume ratio of AlB12C2 (a B-rich reaction product) reduced by 7.6% when the powder feeding rate is 1.2 g/min. The results illustrate the great potential of PFLW in welding Al-B4C composites.
Study on the recovery of phosphorus and iron from molten modified high-phosphorus industrial slag by carbothermal reduction
Authors: Liu Ya-qin , Lin Lu , He Sai , Feng Meng-long , Hou Zhong-xiao , Lv Yan
Published: April 2023

To effectively recycle phosphorus and iron resources in high-phosphorus industrial slag during molten modification process, the thermodynamic conditions and influence laws of recovery of valuable elements from converter slag with different P2O5 content by carbothermal reduction after melting and modification are systematically analyzed. The results show that the reduction rates of P2O5 and FeO decrease with the increase of P2O5 content at 1450 °C and the basicity of 1.0. Meanwhile, the experimental results prove that the reduction of FeO precedes the reduction of P2O5.The phosphorus element in initial industrial slag mainly exists in the form of Ca5(PO4)2SiO4 and increases with the increase of P2O5 content. With the progress of the carbothermal reduction reaction, the Ca5(PO4)2SiO4 content in experimental slags after reduction decrease significantly. The iron element in initial industrial slag mainly exists in the form of FeO, (MgO)0.239 (FeO)0.761 and Ca2Fe2O5 and disappear after carbothermic reduction reaction. In the range of P2O5 content of 4–8 wt.%, P2O5 content has little effect on the thermodynamic trend of the formation of phosphorus-containing phase Ca5(PO4)2SiO4, but it is not good for the thermodynamic trend of gasification dephosphorization reaction in the carbothermic reduction process. Therefore, the increase of P2O5 content is not conducive to the occurrence of carbothermic reduction gasification dephosphorization reaction.
Herpes genitalis in der Schwangerschaft
Authors: Kellermann Pia
Published: April 2023

Eine Infektion mit dem Herpes-simplex-Virus ist nicht nur für die
Schwangere, sondern für das Kind sehr gefährlich. Insbesondere
die Geburt birgt bei aktiver Infektion ein hohes Ansteckungsrisiko für
das Neugeborene. Die rechtzeitige Diagnosestellung und Behandlung helfen, die
Infektionsgefahr für das Kind zu verringern.
Microfluidic mixology with bacterial stir bars
Authors: Piccone Ashley
Published: April 2023

When activated via green laser light, the flagellar motors of bacteria can quickly and evenly mix reagents in microfluidics.
A multifunctional highway system incorporating superconductor levitated vehicles and liquefied hydrogen
Authors: Vakaliuk O. , Song Shaowei , Floegel-Delor U. , Werfel F. , Nielsch Kornelius , Ren Zhifeng
Published: April 2023

Magnetic levitation for the transport of people and goods using bulk superconductors and electrical power transmission using superconductors have both been demonstrated, but neither has been developed for daily use due to technological deficiencies and high costs. We envision combining the transport of people and goods and energy transmission and storage in a single system. Such a system, built on existing highway infrastructure, incorporates a superconductor guideway, allowing for simultaneous levitation of vehicles with magnetized undercarriages for rapid transport without schedule limitations and lossless transmission and storage of electricity. Incorporating liquefied hydrogen additionally allows for simultaneous cooling of the superconductor guideway and sustainable energy transport and storage. Here, we report the successful demonstration of the primary technical prerequisite, levitating a magnet above a superconductor guideway.
Investigating the Hubble Tension Through Hubble Parameter Data
Authors: Thakur Rahul Kumar , Gupta Shashikant , Nigam Rahul , Thiruvikraman PK
Published: April 2023

The Hubble constant (H
0), which represents the expansion rate of the universe, is one of the most important cosmological parameters. The recent measurements of H
0 using the distance ladder methods such as type Ia supernovae are significantly greater than the CMB measurements by Planck. The difference points to a crisis in the standard model of cosmology termed Hubble tension. In this work we compare different cosmological models, determine the Hubble constant and comment on the Hubble tension using the data from differential ages of galaxies. The data we use are free from systematic effects as the absolute age estimation of the galaxies is not needed. We apply the Bayesian approach along with the commonly used maximum likelihood method to estimate H
0 and calculate the AIC scores to compare the different cosmological models. The non-flat cosmological model provides a higher value for matter density as well as the Hubble constant compared to the flat ΛCDM model. The AIC score is smaller for the flat ΛCDM cosmology compared to the non-flat model indicating the flat model a better choice. The best-fit values of H
0 for both these models are 68.7 ± 3.1 km s−1 Mpc−1 and 72.2 ± 4 km s−1 Mpc−1, respectively. Our results are consistent with the CCHP measurements. However, the flat model result does not agree with the SH0ES result, while the non-flat result is inconsistent with the Planck value.