bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SUBTLE: An Unsupervised Platform with Temporal Link Embedding that Maps Animal Behavior
Authors: Kwon Jea , Kim Sunpil , Kim Dong-Kyum , Joo Jinhyeong , Kim SoHyung , Cha Meeyoung , Lee C. Justin
Published: May 2024

While huge strides have recently been made in language-based machine learning, the ability of artificial systems to comprehend the sequences that comprise animal behavior has been lagging behind. In contrast, humans instinctively recognize behaviors by finding similarities in behavioral sequences. Here, we develop an unsupervised behavior-mapping framework, SUBTLE (spectrogram-UMAP-based temporal-link embedding), to capture comparable behavioral repertoires from 3D action skeletons. To find the best embedding method, we devise a temporal proximity index (TPI) as a new metric to gauge temporal representation in the behavioral embedding space. The method achieves the best TPI score compared to current embedding strategies. Its spectrogram-based UMAP clustering not only identifies subtle inter-group differences but also matches human-annotated labels. SUBTLE framework automates the tasks of both identifying behavioral repertoires like walking, grooming, standing, and rearing, and profiling individual behavior signatures like subtle inter-group differences by age. SUBTLE highlights the importance of temporal representation in the behavioral embedding space for human-like behavioral categorization.
Hepatic WDR23 proteostasis mediates insulin homeostasis by regulating insulin-degrading enzyme capacity
Authors: Duangjan Chatrawee , Arpawong Thalida Em , Spatola Brett N. , Curran Sean P.
Published: May 2024

Maintaining insulin homeostasis is critical for cellular and organismal metabolism. In the liver, insulin is degraded by the activity of the insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE). Here, we establish a hepatic regulatory axis for IDE through WDR23-proteostasis. Wdr23KO mice have increased IDE expression, reduced circulating insulin, and defective insulin responses. Genetically engineered human cell models lacking WDR23 also increase IDE expression and display dysregulated phosphorylation of insulin signaling cascade proteins, IRS-1, AKT2, MAPK, FoxO, and mTOR, similar to cells treated with insulin, which can be mitigated by chemical inhibition of IDE. Mechanistically, the cytoprotective transcription factor NRF2, a direct target of WDR23-Cul4 proteostasis, mediates the enhanced transcriptional expression of IDE when WDR23 is ablated. Moreover, an analysis of human genetic variation in WDR23 across a large naturally aging human cohort in the US Health and Retirement Study reveals a significant association of WDR23 with altered hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) levels in older adults, supporting the use of WDR23 as a new molecular determinant of metabolic health in humans.
Effect of Intraoperative Blood Pressure Regulation on Postoperative Hemorrhage After Bariatric Surgery
Authors: Fink Mira , Stock Shayda , Fink Jodok Matthias , Seifert Gabriel , Broghammer Veit , Herrmann Stephan , Fichtner-Feigl Stefan , Marjanovic Goran , Laessle Claudia
Published: May 2024

Introduction

With a rising number of bariatric procedures, the absolute number of postoperative complications is increasing, too. Postoperative bleeding, particularly along the staple line, is a recognized challenge. Numerous strategies including reinforcement of the staple line (SLR) have been proposed to improve bleeding rates, but no single technique has shown superiority over the others. In our bariatric center, we have implemented intraoperative blood pressure regulation alone, without SLR, to reduce hemorrhagic complications postoperatively.

Methods

This retrospective observational analysis compares the incidence of postoperative bleeding in two groups of consecutive patients (total n = 438 patients), one with and one without intraoperative blood pressure elevation to 150 mmHg systolic without the additional use of staple line reinforcement. This intervention was integrated into our standard bariatric surgical procedure, no randomization or matching was conducted. Significant postoperative bleeding was defined as drop of hemoglobin of more than 2.5 mg/dl in 48 h and one of the following symptoms: lactate ≥ 2 mmol/L, bloody drainage, quantity of drainage more than 200 ml and/or radiological signs.

Results

Defined postoperative bleeding occurred in 33 (7.5%) patients. We observed a decrease in bleeding rates from 10% to 5% (n = 22 vs. n = 11) after introducing intraoperative blood pressure increase (p = 0.034). The rate of revisional surgery for bleeding also decreased from 2.7% to 0.5% (n = 6 vs. n = 1). In multivariate analysis, the intervention with blood pressure elevation showed a significant decrease on bleeding rates (p = 0.038).

Conclusion

The use of increased intraoperative blood pressure alone, without staple line reinforcement, appears to be an effective and suitable method for reducing post-bariatric hemorrhagic complications.

Graphical Abstract
Viral Transmission? A Longitudinal Study of Media Use and Its Relation to Mental Strain During the First 2 Years of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Bendau Antonia , Petzold Moritz Bruno , Ströhle Andreas , Plag Jens
Published: May 2024

Background

In light of the dynamic COVID-19 pandemic, the exposure to pandemic-related media coverage may change over time and may be particularly relevant due to associations with psychopathological symptoms. The aims of the present study were to examine changes in media consumption over time and to analyze its prospective associations with psychological strain.

Method

The study uses a longitudinal observational design with ten periods of online data collection from March 2020 to April 2022 in an adult convenience sample (N = 8337) of the general population in Germany.

Results

Our data revealed that the frequency and duration of pandemic-related media exposure as well as their subjective critical evaluation showed the highest levels at the beginning of the pandemic and peaked again in autumn 2020 and spring 2021. The primarily used media formats changed only slightly over time. The amount of media exposure at baseline was associated with more impairing pandemic-related anxiety 1 month, 1 year, and 2 years later.

Conclusion

Our results hint to potentially problematical and long-lasting associations of pandemic-related media consumption with mental strain. Our findings could serve as an orientation for recommendations, further research, and adequate interventions for a responsible dealing with media coverage.

Trial Registration

The authors have pre-registered this research at clinicaltrials.gov without an analysis plan; retrievable at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04331106.
Network Analysis of Mindfulness and Mental Health Symptoms among Firefighters: A Transdiagnostic Lens
Authors: Yan Vivienne Yu-X. , Vujanovic Anka A. , Ponder Warren N. , Carbajal Jose , Medvedev Oleg N.
Published: May 2024

Objectives

Previous research has established the protective role of mindfulness against various psychological disorders and maladaptive behaviours. However, the associations between specific facets of mindfulness and diverse mental health and behavioural outcomes have not been thoroughly investigated in populations with risky occupations. The aim of this study was to examine the direct and indirect associations between the five facets of mindfulness and prevalent mental health and behavioural outcomes among firefighters, including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anger, suicide risk, sleep quality, and alcohol use.

Method

The assessment scores of 685 career firefighters (Mage = 38.40, SD = 8.64; 93.6% males; 77.7% White) including 154 (22.5%) military veterans, who completed measures of mindfulness, depression, PTSD, anger, suicide risk, sleep quality, and alcohol use, were investigated using both directional and non-directional network analysis.

Results

Directional network analysis indicated the primary role of anger in triggering PTSD and impacting mindfulness, leading to alcohol use, suicidal ideation, impaired sleep quality, and depression as an outcome. Mindfulness facets of Non-reactivity, Non-judging, and Describing were negatively associated with depression, while the Acting with awareness facet was inversely linked to anger.

Conclusion

This study emphasizes the clinical significance of targeting specific mindfulness facets in interventions for high-risk occupations, such as firefighters. Focusing on Non-reactivity, Non-judging, Describing, and Acting with awareness may help mitigate anger, depression, and other negative outcomes. Addressing anger management could be especially important in preventing or reducing PTSD, alcohol use, suicidal ideation, sleep disturbances, and depression, ultimately enhancing psychological well-being and quality of life.
Strobilurin X acts as an anticancer drug by inhibiting protein synthesis and suppressing mitochondrial respiratory chain activity
Authors: Takahashi Kenji , Tanaka Tomoya , Ishihara Atsushi , Ohta Toshio
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Strobilurins act as antifungal agents by inhibiting the mitochondrial respiratory chain. The cytotoxic activity of strobilurins, focusing on its anticancer activities, has been reported. However, the mechanisms involved in these activities remain unclear.

Methods

The cytotoxic effects of strobilurin X isolated from the mycelium of Mucidula. venosolamellata were examined in human cancer cell lines (A549 and HeLa) and normal fibroblasts (WI-38).

Results

Strobilurin X significantly decreased the viability of A549 and HeLa cells compared to that in the WI-38 cells after 48 h of exposure. The EC50 values for cytotoxicity in the A549, HeLa, and WI-38 cells were 3.4, 5.4, and 16.8 μg/mL, respectively. Strobilurin X inhibited the mitochondrial respiratory chain and enhanced the release of lactate in the A549 cells. The IC50 value of strobilurin X against the mitochondrial respiratory chain complex III activity was 139.8 ng/mL. The cytotoxicity induced by strobilurin X was not completely rescued after adding uridine, methyl pyruvate, or N-acetyl cysteine. Furthermore, pharmacological approaches demonstrated that strobilurin X failed to modulate the mitogen-activated protein kinase family and phosphoinositide 3-kinase-Akt pathways; alternatively, it suppressed protein synthesis independent of uridine.

Conclusion

Strobilurin X induced cytotoxicity by blocking the mitochondrial respiratory chain and suppressing protein synthesis. These findings may aid in the development of novel anticancer drugs using strobilurins.
Equity and Justice in Loss and Damage Finance: A Narrative Review of Catalysts and Obstacles
Authors: Uri Ike , Robinson Stacy-ann , Roberts J. Timmons , Ciplet David , Weikmans Romain , Khan Mizan
Published: May 2024

Purpose of Review

Recent focus on loss and damage within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) follows decades of demands by vulnerable countries for compensation for losses due to climate change. Reviewing recent literature on loss and damage finance, we consider how the new UNFCCC Loss and Damage Fund could be transformative for climate finance.

Recent Findings

This article reviews developments within the UNFCCC, including the creation of the new Loss and Damage Fund and changes in the broader field of climate finance. Recent literature indicates that the factors necessary for just loss and damage finance include inclusive governance, new and additional funds, purpose-made instruments and channels, direct access to funds, and burden sharing aligned with the polluter pays principle.

We overview the history of loss and damage finance, suggest five criteria that could make the Loss and Damage Fund just, and discuss four potential catalysts for just loss and damage finance: ecological and climatic impacts, institutional developments outside the UNFCCC, Global South leadership on debt justice, and legal developments. As the Loss and Damage Fund is operationalized and the need for loss and damage finance grows, scholars must continue to ask whether loss and damage finance furthers core tenets of climate justice, including forms of restitution.
Segmentation of ethnic clothing patterns with fusion of multiple attention mechanisms
Authors: Ning Tao , Gao Yuan , Han Yumeng
Published: May 2024

To address the challenges posed by diverse pattern-background elements, intricate details, and complex textures in the semantic segmentation of ethnic clothing patterns, this research introduces a novel semantic segmentation network model called MST-Unet (Mixed Swin Transformer U-net). The proposed model combines a U-shaped network structure with multiple attention mechanisms. The upper layers of the model employ classical convolutional operations, focusing on local relationships in the initial layers containing high-resolution details. In deeper layers, Swin Transformer modules are utilized, capable of efficient feature extraction with smaller spatial dimensions, maintaining performance while reducing computational burden. An attention gate mechanism is integrated into the decoder, contributing to enhanced performance in ethnic clothing pattern segmentation tasks by allowing the model to better capture crucial image features and achieve precise segmentation results. In visual comparisons of segmentation results, our proposed model demonstrates superior performance. The segmentation results exhibit more complete preservation of edge contours and fewer misclassifications in irrelevant regions within the images. In qualitative and quantitative experiments conducted on the ethnic clothing pattern dataset, our model achieves the highest Dice score for segmentation results in all four subclasses of ethnic clothing patterns. The average Dice score of our model reaches an impressive 89.80%, surpassing other algorithms in the same category. When compared to Deeplab_V3+, ResUnet, SwinUnet, and Unet networks, our model outperforms them by 7.72%, 5.09%, 5.05%, and 0.67%.
Application of Response Surface Methodology on the Optimization of Chromite Recovery from the South African Middle Group Chromite Seams
Authors: Kaseba Chris Ndoe Ya Leza , Nheta Willie
Published: May 2024

The aim of this study was to optimize the recovery of chromite from the chrome plant tailings of the South African Middle Group chromite seams using a Wilfley shaking table. The optimization process employed the response surface methodology in conjunction with the central composite design. The independent variables considered in the investigation included the tilt angle (°), sample feed rate (g/min), table vibration (Hz), water flow rate (L/H), and particle size range (µm). On the other hand, the recovery (%), grade (% Cr2O3), Cr/Fe ratio, and separation efficiency (SE) (%) were determined as the response variables. Based on the characterization results, the sample was identified as a low-grade chromite containing 19.86% Cr2O3 and 18.12% Fe2O3 with a Cr/Fe ratio of 1.07. The bulk gangue material was well-liberated and rich in MgO (10.45%), Al2O3 (12.10%), and SiO2 (33.70%). The particle size distribution of the sample was 80% passing 106 µm. The optimal values for recovery, grade, Cr/Fe ratio and SE were found to be 71.59%, 36.97% Cr2O3, 1.52 and 30% respectively. The corresponding operating conditions were a tilt angle of 5.88°, a sample feed rate of 175 g/min, a table vibration of 44.5 Hz, a water flow rate of 366.16 L/H, and a particle size range of − 106 + 53 µm.

Graphical Abstract
A facile strategy for tuning the density of surface-grafted biomolecules for melt extrusion-based additive manufacturing applications
Authors: Beeren I. A. O. , Dos Santos G. , Dijkstra P. J. , Mota C. , Bauer J. , Ferreira H. , Reis Rui L. , Neves N. , Camarero-Espinosa S. , Baker M. B. , Moroni L.
Published: May 2024

Melt extrusion-based additive manufacturing (ME-AM) is a promising technique to fabricate porous scaffolds for tissue engineering applications. However, most synthetic semicrystalline polymers do not possess the intrinsic biological activity required to control cell fate. Grafting of biomolecules on polymeric surfaces of AM scaffolds enhances the bioactivity of a construct; however, there are limited strategies available to control the surface density. Here, we report a strategy to tune the surface density of bioactive groups by blending a low molecular weight poly(ε-caprolactone)5k (PCL5k) containing orthogonally reactive azide groups with an unfunctionalized high molecular weight PCL75k at different ratios. Stable porous three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds were then fabricated using a high weight percentage (75 wt.%) of the low molecular weight PCL5k. As a proof-of-concept test, we prepared films of three different mass ratios of low and high molecular weight polymers with a thermopress and reacted with an alkynated fluorescent model compound on the surface, yielding a density of 201–561 pmol/cm2. Subsequently, a bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2)-derived peptide was grafted onto the films comprising different blend compositions, and the effect of peptide surface density on the osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) was assessed. After two weeks of culturing in a basic medium, cells expressed higher levels of BMP receptor II (BMPRII) on films with the conjugated peptide. In addition, we found that alkaline phosphatase activity was only significantly enhanced on films containing the highest peptide density (i.e., 561 pmol/cm2), indicating the importance of the surface density. Taken together, these results emphasize that the density of surface peptides on cell differentiation must be considered at the cell-material interface. Moreover, we have presented a viable strategy for ME-AM community that desires to tune the bulk and surface functionality via blending of (modified) polymers. Furthermore, the use of alkyne–azide “click” chemistry enables spatial control over bioconjugation of many tissue-specific moieties, making this approach a versatile strategy for tissue engineering applications.

Graphic abstract
Dissolved black nitrogen: an overlooked active nano-catalyst in the abiotic transformation of chlorophenols by sulfides in the subsurface water
Authors: Zhang Yikang , Wang Meiyan , Wang Yiwen , Wang Fei , Gong Yan , Yin Kaiyue , Lian Fei , Xing Baoshan
Published: May 2024

The incomplete combustion of biomass and fossil fuels results in the formation of not only black carbon (BC) but also black nitrogen (BN), the dissolved fractions of which (i.e., DBC and DBN) are important components of dissolved organic matter pool. Relative to DBC, the activity and reactivity of DBN are much less understood. Here, we investigated the catalytic effect of DBN derived from N-enriched biomass in the abiotic transformation of chlorophenols by sulfides. The medium-temperature DBN (450 °C) exhibited 13–144% higher catalytic efficiency than other DBN samples and 9.3 times higher than its DBC counterpart. Both electron paramagnetic resonance spectra and fluorescent probe technique indicated that the attached sulfides contributed to the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as the “primary” radicals by favoring electron transfer from DBN to chemisorbed oxygen, and then the generated ROS reacted with N-oxides in DBN to form reactive nitrogen species (RNS) as the “secondary” radicals. The contribution of RNS to the decay of 2-chlorophenol by DBN450 was up to 72%, much higher than that of ROS and non-radical mechanism. These findings suggest that the catalytic effect of DBN is distinct but no less significant than that of DBC to the abiotic transformation of micropollutants in water/soil systems.

Graphical Abstract
Double-barreled defense: dual ent-miltiradiene synthases in most rice cultivars
Authors: Feng Yiling , Weers Tristan , Peters Reuben J.
Published: May 2024

Rice (Oryza sativa) produces numerous diterpenoid phytoalexins that are important in defense against pathogens. Surprisingly, despite extensive previous investigations, a major group of such phytoalexins, the abietoryzins, were only recently reported. These aromatic abietanes are presumably derived from ent-miltiradiene, but such biosynthetic capacity has not yet been reported in O. sativa. While wild rice has been reported to contain such an enzyme, specifically ent-kaurene synthase-like 10 (KSL10), the only characterized ortholog from O. sativa (OsKSL10), specifically from the well-studied cultivar (cv.) Nipponbare, instead has been shown to make ent-sandaracopimaradiene, precursor to the oryzalexins. Notably, in many other cultivars, OsKSL10 is accompanied by a tandem duplicate, termed here OsKSL14. Biochemical characterization of OsKLS14 from cv. Kitaake demonstrates that this produces the expected abietoryzin precursor ent-miltiradiene. Strikingly, phylogenetic analysis of OsKSL10 across the rice pan-genome reveals that from cv. Nipponbare is an outlier, whereas the alleles from most other cultivars group with those from wild rice, suggesting that these also might produce ent-miltiradiene. Indeed, OsKSL10 from cv. Kitaake exhibits such activity as well, consistent with its production of abietoryzins but not oryzalexins. Similarly consistent with these results is the lack of abietoryzin production by cv. Nipponbare. Although their equivalent product outcome might suggest redundancy, OsKSL10 and OsKSL14 were observed to exhibit distinct expression patterns, indicating such differences may underlie retention of these duplicated genes. Regardless, the results reported here clarify abietoryzin biosynthesis and provide insight into the evolution of rice diterpenoid phytoalexins.
Study on carbon emissions towards flange connection joints of assembled steel structures
Authors: Guo Jinyang , Zhang Yanxia , Zheng Mingzhao , Zhao Xi , Wu Binglong
Published: May 2024

In order to comply with the trend of global climate change, countries are gradually promoting energy conservation and emission reduction, and prefabricated buildings have become one of the main paths for the construction industry to develop towards carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals. This paper takes the box-shaped column flange connection achieved by plug welding-core sleeve in the dormitory building of Tongzhou Campus of the Affiliated High School of Capital Normal University in China as the research object. Based on the consumption quota of prefabricated construction projects and the actual project quantity, the carbon emissions of steel structure column connection joints at different phases are calculated by the emission factor method, and it is proposed that the production consumption of building materials plays a key role in energy conservation and emission reduction. This paper concludes that the box-shaped column flange connection achieved by plug welding-core sleeve in the construction phase of an assembled steel building emits 49.5% less carbon dioxide than a conventional full fusion-welded joint. And the reason for the high carbon emissions of the latter is mainly from the amount of materials and machinery required for full penetration welding. It further affirms the green and environmental protection effect of the assembled steel structure plug welding-core sleeve flange connection joint in actual projects, and provides a reference for related research.
Optimizing scope 3 emissions in the automotive manufacturing industry: a multidisciplinary approach
Authors: Wang Yan , Hao Yu , Hou Yilin , Quan Quan , Li Yuanzhe
Published: May 2024

The acceleration of global climate change poses enormous challenges to the automotive manufacturing industry, a key sector in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Particularly, Scope 3 emissions, encompassing indirect emissions, often constitute the largest carbon footprint component in this sector, yet their quantification and management remain challenging. This paper proposes an interdisciplinary approach that integrates cloud computing, text analysis, and machine learning, and systematically details its implementation, key benefits, and potential applications. Through this methodology, the paper seeks to provide the automotive industry with innovative and actionable insights to tackle the complexities of Scope 3 emissions. It focuses on enhancing the accuracy of emission quantification and optimizing supply chains, aiming to reduce the overall carbon footprint. Moreover, this paper outlines the future challenges and directions for these technologies and methodologies in sustainable development and environmental management. This work underlines the critical role of interdisciplinary approaches in resolving environmental challenges, setting the stage for the automotive industry to forge paths towards a greener future.

Graphical Abstract
“Spectator to One's Own Life”
Authors: TAYLOR MARK ROBERT
Published: May 2024

Galen Strawson (2004) has championed an influential argument against the view that a life is, or ought to be, understood as a kind of story with temporal extension. The weight of his argument rests on his self-report of his experience of life as lacking the form or temporal extension necessary for narrative. And though this argument has been widely accepted, I argue that it ought to have been rejected. On one hand, the hypothetical non-diachronic life Strawson proposes would likely be psychologically fragmented. On the other, it would certainly be morally diminished, for it would necessarily lack the capacity for integrity.
Wafer-Thin History: India and World War I Through Postcards
Authors: Khan Omar
Published: May 2024

World War I (1914–1918) was a defining moment in world history. The Great War came just at the end of the golden age of picture postcards, the Instagram of its time, when humans first shared pictures with each other at a volume and breadth never realized before. This article examines postcards of the war of Indian soldiers and prisoners by French, German, British, and Indian soldiers and associated Europeans to reveal how prejudices and identities were affected by warfare. Postcards also reflected the rise of the Independence struggle as one of its consequences toward the end of the war. As visual media and social extensions of print capitalism, they are a rich source of how complex and contradictory this formative phase of nationalism was for all involved, and the way these humble new media objects were able to play an important role in the psychological conflicts that ensued.
What Sadness for Husain? Comparative ethnographic analysis of two Muharram celebrations in Sindh and Punjab (Pakistan)
Authors: Ortis Delphine
Published: May 2024

The commemoration of Husain’s martyrdom named “Muharram” implies for the Shi’ite community that it publicly expresses its grief. This emotion is central to its definition, as Muharram is referred to as the “month of mourning” and the Shi’ite as a “community of mourners.” However, Muharram would not be equivalent across Pakistan, as a young Shi’ite fakir, who will serve as our guide, in this comparative study, points out. According to him, the sadness would be greater in Lahore (Punjab) than in Sehwan (Sindh), and for this reason Muharram would be better celebrated there. The comparison of the ritual process in these two cities, drawn from the experiences of this fakir and the ethnographer, will show how the production and expression of sadness are subject to contrasting experiences on the one hand, and divergent aims on the other, depending on the position of the actors in the social context in which they are lived.
A study of streamline geometries in subsonic and supersonic regions of compressible flow fields
Authors: Tian Zhong Wei , Cui Kai
Published: May 2024

The geometrical properties of streamlines, such as the curvatures, directions and positions, are studied in steady inviscid compressible flow fields via differential geometry theories and conservation laws. The influences of the streamline geometries on the flow speeds and pressures are also identified and discussed. By transforming the streamlines to fill the domain and satisfy the boundary conditions, a unified geometry-based solver, the streamline transformation method, is proposed for both subsonic and supersonic regions. The governing equations and boundary conditions along streamlines and shock waves are also derived. This method is verified by numerical results of three typical flow fields, including the subsonic channel flow, the supersonic downstream of attached shock waves and especially the subsonic/supersonic downstream of detached bow shock waves. Both two-dimensional planar and axisymmetric flow fields are considered. Compared with the results from computational fluid dynamics, good agreements are achieved by this method, while fewer computational resources, by an order of magnitude, are consumed. Features of these flow fields are also analysed from a geometrical perspective, such as flow speeds and pressures deviated by the wall curvatures, and three-dimensional effects in the after-shock flow fields. For a hyperbolic-shaped bow shock wave, the stand-off distances and the transitions from subsonic to supersonic regions are also discussed. As indicated by the accuracy, efficiency and applicability in a wide range of flow speeds, the streamline transformation method would be a potential candidate for the theoretical analysis and inverse design of high-speed flow fields, especially where the subsonic regions exist downstream of strong shock waves.
Perspectives for extraordinary elastic-wave control in non-Hermitian meta-structures
Authors: Ren Bochen , Hu Yabin , Li Zheng , Liu Yongquan , Li Bing
Published: May 2024

Meta-structures, including metamaterials and metasurfaces, possess remarkable physical properties beyond those observed in natural materials and thus have exhibited unique wave manipulation abilities ranging from quantum to classical transports. The past decades have witnessed the explosive development and numerous implications of meta-structures in elastic-wave control under the Hermitian condition. However, more notably, a lot of recent research has been made to show that non-Hermitian meta-structures offer novel means for wave manipulation. Non-Hermiticity has enhanced both the accuracy and efficiency of wave steering capabilities. To this end, starting from electromagnetics and acoustics, we mainly review the up-to-date progress of non-Hermitian elastic meta-structures with a focus on their extraordinary elastic-wave control. A variety of promising scenarios realized by non-Hermitian elastic metamaterials and metasurfaces, such as the parity-time-symmetric system and the skin effect, are summarized. Furthermore, the perspectives and challenges of non-Hermitian elastic meta-structures for future key opportunities are outlined.
Conditional Enfranchisement: How Partisanship Determines Support for Noncitizen Voting Rights
Authors: ALARIAN HANNAH , ZONSZEIN STEPHANIE
Published: May 2024

Expanding suffrage is critical for democratic inclusion. In the United States, noncitizen residents are the latest focus of such (re)enfranchising efforts. Public opinion plays a significant role in the passage of legislation expanding or restricting noncitizen access to local elections. Although elite support for noncitizen suffrage is well-documented, little is known about public opinion toward such noncitizen voter policies. What accounts for voter support for noncitizen electoral participation? We argue that the partisan alignment between noncitizens and U.S. voters shapes U.S. voters’ support for noncitizen voting rights. Evidence from two survey experiments suggests that U.S. voters are pragmatic in their enfranchising preferences: voters increase their support for co-partisan enfranchisement but oppose this same policy when considering out-partisans. These dynamics are present among both Republicans and Democrats, underscoring the societal implications of heightened partisanship on American democracy.
Chilean-Style Populism: Carlos Ibáñez's Electoral Support Base
Authors: Mimica Nicolás , Navia Patricio
Published: May 2024

Based on his record as president, Carlos Ibáñez is usually considered a populist caudillo in Chilean historiography. However, there are few studies of whether his electoral base permits this classification or of the type of populism he represented. In his four presidential bids between 1927 and 1952, Ibáñez ran with the support of both left- and right-wing parties. Using municipal-level data, we assess his electoral support in the 1942 and 1952 presidential campaigns and support for Ibañista parties in the 1953 legislative elections. In 1942, Ibáñez's electoral base was similar to that of right-wing candidates while, in 1952, his support increased in areas where the Left was historically strong. While he received consistent support in agricultural areas, it fluctuated in mining and industrial areas.
Consent and Inclusion of People Living with Dementia (PLWD) in Research: Establishing a Canadian Agenda for Inclusive Rights-Based Practices
Authors: Grenier Amanda , O’Connor Deborah , James Krista , Imahori Daphne , Minchopoulos Daniella , Velev Nicole , Tamblyn-Watts Laura , Mann Jim
Published: May 2024

Background

People living with dementia (PLWD) may want to participate in research, but the guidelines and processes enacted across various contexts may prohibit this from happening.

Objective

Understanding the experiences of people with lived experiences of dementia requires meaningful inclusion in research, as is consistent with rights-based perspectives. Currently, the inclusion of PLWD in Canadian research is complex, and guidelines and conceptual frameworks have not been fully developed.

Methods

This research note outlines a three-year proof-of-concept grant on the inclusion and consent of PLWD in research.

Findings

It presents a brief report on some of the contradictions and challenges that exist in legislation, research guidelines, and research practices and raises a series of questions as part of an agenda on rights and inclusion of PLWD in research.

Discussion

It suggests conceptual, legal, and policy issues that need to be addressed and invites Canadian researchers to re-envision research practices and to advocate for law and policy reform that enables dementia research to align and respect the rights and personhood of PLWD.
Perceived organizational support moderates the effect of job demands on outcomes: Testing the JD-R model in Italian oncology nurses
Authors: Ramaci Tiziana , Santisi Giuseppe , Curatolo Krizia , Barattucci Massimiliano
Published: May 2024

Objectives

The research aimed to test the job demands-resources (JD-R) model on a sample of Italian oncology workers, and the role of perceived organizational support (POS) as a moderator of the effects of JD on outcomes (job satisfaction and burnout [BO]).

Methods

Based on the JD-R model, a correlational study was designed to investigate the relationships between JD, POS as a job resource, self-esteem (as a personal resource), and job outcomes (BO and job satisfaction); the research involved a sample of oncology nurses (N = 235) from an Italian public hospital, who completed a questionnaire during working hours. Relationships between variables were investigated with multiple regressions and moderation analysis.

Results

Results confirmed that JD predict both BO and job satisfaction; POS is a weak predictor of job outcomes, but its mediator role in the JD-outcomes relationship was confirmed: the more the nurses perceive a supportive organization, the weaker the positive relationship between JD and BO.

Significance of results

Findings are consistent with other contributions that highlighted that organizational job resources may attenuate the adverse effect of JD on positive and negative outcomes: POS may play a central role in employee well-being and health, acting as a possible moderator, and somehow defusing the positive association between JD and outcomes.
Effects of bed width and crop row spacing on barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli) emergence and seed production in furrow-irrigated rice
Authors: Reed Noah H. , Butts Thomas R. , Norsworthy Jason K. , Hardke Jarrod T. , Barber L. Tom , Bateman Nick R. , Poncet Aurelie M. , Kouame Koffi B. J.
Published: May 2024

Furrow-irrigated rice (Oryza sativa L.) has become a popular option for rice production in Arkansas. Highly troublesome weeds like barnyardgrass [Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv.] are a major problem for producers in all rice production systems. Cultural tactics should become a priority to enhance crop growth and competitiveness. This research aimed to determine the effects of bed width (irrigation furrow spacing) and crop row spacing manipulation on E. crus-galli emergence and seed production in a furrow-irrigated rice system. Three bed widths (76, 97, and 152 cm) (whole-plot factor) were used, and plots were drill seeded in four crop row spacings (13, 19, 25, and 38 cm) (subplot factor). The widest width of 152 cm had a slight increase in E. crus-galli density in the early rice life cycle but, by the end of the season, did not differ from the narrower bed widths. Conversely, a decrease in E. crus-galli seed production was observed as the bed width increased. Similar rice canopy coverage and yields occurred among all three bed widths. As for crop row spacing, as the width increased, E. crus-galli density also increased. The 13-cm crop row spacing had the lowest preflood E. crus-galli density, preharvest panicle count, and seed production. No effect of crop row spacing was observed on rice canopy coverage; however, the 13-cm crop row spacing produced the greatest rice yield. The 13-cm crop row spacing paired with the 152-cm bed width may be the optimum combination of ecological strategies in furrow-irrigated rice to reduce E. crus-galli seed production while maintaining rice growth and yield.
Seismic Moment Accumulation Rate From Geodesy: Constraining Kostrov Thickness in Southern California
Authors: Guns Katherine , Sandwell David , Xu Xiaohua , Bock Yehuda , Yong Lauren Ward , Smith‐Konter Bridget
Published: May 2024

Seismic moment accumulation rate is a fundamental parameter for assessing seismic hazard. It can be estimated geodetically from either fault‐based modeling, or strain rate‐based calculations, where fault‐based models largely depend on the rheological layering and the number of faults. The strain‐rate method depends on an unknown (Kostrov) thickness used to convert strain rate into moment rate. In Part 1 of this study, we use three published fault‐based models from southern California to establish the value of the Kostrov thickness such that the total moment from the strain‐rate approach, calculated from the fault model‐predicted strain rate, matches the fault‐based approach. Constrained thickness estimates of 7.3, 9.7, and 11.5 km (6.4–13.0 km, including uncertainties) suggest that the 11 km value used in previous studies may be too large and a lower value may be more accurate. In Part 2 we use calibrated values of Kostrov thickness, along with the latest compilation of GNSS velocity data, to partition moment rate into on‐fault and off‐fault moment rate, where off‐fault varies from 32%–43% of the total moment rate. The largest uncertainty is related to the method used to interpolate sparse GNSS data. Lastly, we compare our estimates of total moment rate (mean: 2.13 ± 0.42 × 1019 Nm/yr) with the historical seismic catalog. Results suggest that including uncertainties in Kostrov thickness brings fault‐based geodetic moment rate closer to the seismic moment release (particularly when aseismic afterslip is accounted for), while the (uncertain) values of off‐fault moment rate push geodetic moment rates to be larger than seismic moment rates.
Repeated Coseismic Uplift of Coastal Lagoons Above the Patton Bay Splay Fault System, Montague Island, Alaska, USA
Authors: DePaolis Jessica M. , Dura Tina , Witter Robert C. , Haeussler Peter J. , Bender Adrian , Curran Janet H. , Corbett D. Reide
Published: May 2024

Coseismic slip on the Patton Bay splay fault system during the 1964 Mw 9.2 Great Alaska Earthquake contributed to local tsunami generation and vertically uplifted shorelines as much as 11 m on Montague Island in Prince William Sound (PWS). Sudden uplift of 3.7–4.3 m caused coastal lagoons along the island's northwestern coast to gradually drain. The resulting change in depositional environment from marine lagoon to freshwater muskeg created a sharp, laterally continuous stratigraphic contact between silt and overlying peat. Here, we characterize the geomorphology, sedimentology, and diatom ecology across the 1964 earthquake contact and three similar prehistoric contacts within the stratigraphy of the Hidden Lagoons locality. We find that the contacts signal instances of abrupt coastal uplift that, within error, overlap the timing of independently constrained megathrust earthquakes in PWS—1964 Common Era, 760–870 yr BP, 2500–2700 yr BP, and 4120–4500 yr BP. Changes in fossil diatom assemblages across the inferred prehistoric earthquake contacts reflect ecological shifts consistent with repeated draining of a lagoon system caused by >3 m of coseismic uplift. Our observations provide evidence for four instances of combined megathrust‐splay fault ruptures that have occurred in the past ∼4,200 years in PWS. The possibility that 1964‐style combined megathrust‐splay fault ruptures may have repeated in the past warrants their consideration in future seismic and tsunami hazards assessments.
Internal Versus Forced Variability Metrics for General Circulation Models Using Information Theory
Authors: Sane Aakash , Fox‐Kemper Baylor , Ullman David S.
Published: May 2024

Ocean model simulations show variability due to intrinsic chaos and external forcing (air‐sea fluxes, river input, etc.). It is important to estimate their contributions to total variability for attribution. Using variance to estimate variability might be unreliable due to non‐Gaussian higher statistical moments. We show the use of non‐parametric information theory metrics, Shannon entropy and mutual information, for measuring internal and forced variability in ocean models. These metrics are applied to spatially and temporally averaged data. The metrics delineate relative intrinsic to total variability in a wider range of circumstances than previous approaches based on variance ratios. The metrics are applied to (a) a synthetic ensemble of random vectors, (b) ocean component of a global climate (GFDL‐ESM2M) large ensemble, (c) ensemble of a realistic coastal ocean model. The information theory metric qualitatively agrees with the variance‐based metric and possibly identifies regions of nonlinear correlations. In application (2)–the climate ensemble–the information theory metric detects higher temperature intrinsic variability in the Arctic region compared to the variance metric illustrating that the former is robust in a skewed probability distribution (Arctic sea surface temperature) resulting from sharply nonlinear behavior (freezing point). In application (3)–coastal ensemble–variability is dominated by external forcing. Using different selective forcing ensembles, we quantify the sensitivity of the coastal model to different types of external forcing: variations in the river runoff and changes in wind product do not add information (i.e., variability) during summer. Information theory enables ranking how much each forcing type contributes across multiple variables.
High‐Latitude Off‐Great Circle Propagation Associated With the Solar Terminator
Authors: Cameron T. G. , Fiori R. A. D. , Perry G. W. , Ruck J. J. , Thayaparan T.
Published: May 2024

Large‐scale ionospheric gradients associated with the solar terminator can deflect high frequency (HF) radio waves to off‐great circle paths during the morning and evening, negatively impacting technologies reliant on HF radio wave propagation. For example, geolocation algorithms used by scientific and military over‐the‐horizon radars (OTHRs) generally assume on‐great circle propagation, and thus lateral deviations from the great‐circle path can lead to positioning errors. In this study, radio wave propagation is simulated via 3D numerical ray traces though an empirical, high‐latitude model ionosphere initialized for a variety of times of the day and year to explore and quantify high‐latitude off‐great circle propagation associated with the solar terminator. Analysis of these simulations show large scale east‐west ionospheric gradients due to the solar terminator can cause lateral deviations in north‐directed propagation paths exceeding 20° at sunrise and sunset depending on radio wave frequency, though the largest portion of received signal power tends to experience maximum deflections of 5°. An exploration of the dependence of propagation direction on deflection shows that propagation paths parallel to the solar terminator tend to experience the largest deflections. Since the solar terminator at high latitudes is at an angle with respect to north in the winter and summer, propagation paths oriented west or east of north can experience larger deflections than north oriented paths at sunrise and sunset during these times of year. Impacts of these diurnal deflections on the operation of OTHR and scientific radar are discussed, as well as possible strategies for mitigating them.
The Geodetic Signature of Bookshelf Faulting in Nicaragua
Authors: Higgins M. , La Femina P. C. , Saballos A. J. , Geirsson H. , Strauch W. , Malservisi R. , Mattioli G.
Published: May 2024

Trench‐parallel translation of the Central American Forearc (CAFA) is the result of strain partitioning along the Cocos and Caribbean (CA) convergent margin. Unlike the tectonics of northwestern Costa Rica and El Salvador, CAFA‐CA relative motion in Nicaragua is not accommodated on margin‐parallel fault systems. Rather, the northwest‐trending dextral shear is accommodated on margin‐normal sinistral strike‐slip faults that approximate the motion of a margin‐parallel fault (i.e., bookshelf faulting). We compare a new Global Positioning System interseismic horizontal velocity field to analytical and numerical models to show that the bookshelf faulting model can produce the observed velocity field and provide insight into the kinematics and configuration of the margin‐normal fault system. We find that a fault system with 20 km‐long parallel to sub‐parallel margin‐normal sinistral faults, spaced ∼5 km apart, locked from the surface to 5 km depth, and with interseismic slip deficits of 4 mm yr−1, can replicate the observed velocity field. These findings have implications for the region's seismic hazard where shallow moderate‐magnitude earthquakes will have reoccurrence intervals of ∼50 years. These findings are also important for volcanic hazard estimation and unrest forecasting because the margin‐normal faults are in the volcanic arc and magma‐tectonic interactions have been documented along the CAFA.