bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel Physically-Crosslinked Caffeine and Vitamin C-Loaded PVA/Aloe Vera Hydrogel Membranes for Topical Wound Healing: Synthesis, Characterization and In-Vivo Wound Healing Tests
Authors: Kenawy El-Refaie , El-Meligy Mahmoud A. , Ghaly Zeinab S. , Kenawy Marwa E. , Kamoun Elbadawy A.
Published: November 2023

Novel physically-crosslinked PVA membranes blended with Aloe vera extract were fabricated by solution-casting method. Physically-crosslinking process is depending on the rearrangement of PVA chains forming intermolecular hydrogen bonding with removal of water molecules using propanol as a stabilizing agent. The structure of crosslinked membranes was characterized by FT-IR, SEM, TGA, and XRD analyses and confirmed via gel faction and swelling ratio studies. Caffeine and vitamin C loaded-PVA/Aloe vera membranes were bio-assessed in terms of their impact on the wound healing using Wistar albino rats as an animal model. In vitro evaluation includes protein adsorption showed that the fabricated membranes improved significantly the wound healing ability via enhancing the tissue platelet aggregation. In addition, resulting adequate in vitro release behavior for the loaded ingredients in the potential application. In-vivo results displayed that rats full-thickness wounds were remarkably reduced after PVA/Aloe vera/Vitamin C membranes treatment, as shown by a reduction in the area of the wounds when compared to wounds treated with cotton gauze and PVA/Aloe vera membranes. Furthermore, the treated wounds with PVA/Aloevera/caffeine show more wound closer comparing to that incorporate vitamin C and the PVA/Aloevera incorporated both caffeine and vitamin C give the most significant healing that show reappearance of hair covered the wound area. Histological examinations of wounds covered in membranes showed a successful re-epithelialization, demonstrating caffeine's and vitamin C’s efficacy. These results demonstrated that, PVA/Aloe Vera/Caffeine and PVA/Aloe vera/vitamin C membrane have remarkable wound healing and skin regeneration properties.

Graphical Abstract
A case study of a virtual reality-based drink driving educational tool
Authors: Masterton Callum , Wilson Andrew Sean
Published: November 2023

Road traffic accidents are of major concern and could be reduced by better education. This paper describes the development of a virtual reality (VR) app that mimics the effects of alcohol on a driver. It was developed using Unity (version 2019.3.14), smartphone and Google Cardboard™. The user experiences a car following a predetermined route that is lined with trees and objects (traffic lights, road signs and other cars) which they need to spot and react to. By using graphical filters and time delays the driver has a feeling of being under the influence of alcohol. Twenty volunteers (18–60 years old; mean age ± sd 25.5 ± 11.6) participated in its evaluation. Data were collected on concentration times, reaction speed and observation of objects in both the alcohol simulated (impaired) and non-simulated (unimpaired) runs. Data were analysed using paired t-test. The result showed that people spent longer concentrating on objects in the impaired vs unimpaired run (10.72 ± 5.07 vs 5.30 ± 4.22 s n:20; p < 0.0001). The average reaction speed to objects in the unimpaired run was lower than in the impaired run (1.44 ± 0.66 vs 2.66 ± 0.28 s n:20; p < 0.001). Seventeen out of twenty subjects spotted all the required objects in the unimpaired whereas only seven out of twenty spotted all the objects in the impaired run (p < 0.001). The authors have shown that an inexpensive VR app can be used to demonstrate to users the effect that alcohol can have on concentration, reaction speeds and observational skills.
Biclustering multivariate discrete longitudinal data
Authors: Alfó M. , Marino M. F. , Martella F.
Published: November 2023

A model-based biclustering method for multivariate discrete longitudinal data is proposed. We consider a finite mixture of generalized linear models to cluster units and, within each mixture component, we adopt a flexible and parsimonious parameterization of the component-specific canonical parameter to define subsets of variables (segments) sharing common dynamics over time. We develop an Expectation-Maximization-type algorithm for maximum likelihood estimation of model parameters. The performance of the proposed model is evaluated on a large scale simulation study, where we consider different choices for the sample the size, the number of measurement occasions, the number of components and segments. The proposal is applied to Italian crime data (font ISTAT) with the aim to detect areas sharing common longitudinal trajectories for specific subsets of crime types. The identification of such biclusters may potentially be helpful for policymakers to make decisions on safety.
Multigene analyses with a broad sampling in Phytophthora and related genera provide evidence for the monophyly of downy mildews
Authors: Thines Marco , Mishra Bagdevi , Ploch Sebastian
Published: November 2023

Downy mildews are the most species-rich group of oomycetes, with more than 700 known species. The relationships within the main downy mildew lineages (i.e. the downy mildews with pyriform haustoria, the downy mildews with coloured conidia, and the brassicolous downy mildews) are increasingly well resolved, and 20 well-characterised monophyletic genera have been described. However, their relationships to each other, the various lineages of graminicolous downy mildews, and to the species subsumed in Phytophthora are still unresolved. Recent phylogenomic studies have suggested a polyphyly of the downy mildews, but with a limited taxon sampling within Phytophthora. As taxon sampling is crucial for inferring relationships between large groups, we have conducted a multigene analysis with a set of 72 Phytophthora species and included all known downy mildew lineages. In addition, we performed approximately unbiased (AU) testing as an additional approach to evaluate major nodes. Our analyses resolve the downy mildews as a monophyletic assemblage in all phylogenetic algorithms used. We thus conclude that the evolution of the obligate biotrophy characteristic of downy mildews was a singular event and that all downy mildew pathogens can be traced to a single ancestor.
Atypical cerebellar activity and connectivity during affective touch in adults with skin-picking disorder
Authors: Wabnegger Albert , Schienle Anne
Published: November 2023

Excessive touching and picking of one’s skin are core symptoms of skin-picking disorder (SPD). Previous research has shown that patients with SPD display difficulties in motor control and show altered reward responsivity. Considering the limited knowledge about neuronal mechanisms in SPD, particularly concerning the cerebellum, the analysis focused on this brain region due to its involvement in sensorimotor and affective functions. The participants of the present study received affective (caress-like), which is typically perceived as pleasant and can be passively enjoyed. A total of 132 female participants (70 patients with SPD, 62 healthy controls) received affective and nonaffective touch to their forearms (slow vs. fast brushing) during functional magnetic resonance imaging. This tactile stimulation was rated according to pleasure, arousal, and the urge to pick one’s skin. Being touched was perceived as more negative and arousing by the SPD group, and elicited a greater urge to perform skin-picking. During affective touch, those participants with SPD were characterized by reduced activity in lobule VIII, reduced functional connectivity of lobule VIII with the hippocampus, and increased connectivity with the superior parietal lobule. Since VIII is involved in the inhibition of movement, the present findings point to deficient motor control in SPD in the context of affective-sensory processing.
Qualitätsdimensionen maschinellen Lernens in der amtlichen Statistik
Authors: Saidani Younes , Dumpert Florian , Borgs Christian , Brand Alexander , Nickl Andreas , Rittmann Alexandra , Rohde Johannes , Salwiczek Christian , Storfinger Nina , Straub Selina
Published: November 2023

Die amtliche Statistik zeichnet sich durch ihren gesetzlich auferlegten Fokus auf die Qualität ihrer Veröffentlichungen aus. Dabei folgt sie den europäischen Qualitätsrahmenwerken, die auf nationaler Ebene in Form von Qualitätshandbüchern konkretisiert und operationalisiert werden, sich jedoch bis dato hinsichtlich Ausgestaltung und Interpretation an den Anforderungen der „klassischen“ Statistikproduktion orientieren. Der zunehmende Einsatz maschineller Lernverfahren (ML) in der amtlichen Statistik muss daher zur Erfüllung des Qualitätsanspruchs durch ein spezifisches, darauf zugeschnittenes Qualitätsrahmenwerk begleitet werden. Das vorliegende Papier leistet einen Beitrag zur Erarbeitung eines solchen Qualitätsrahmenwerks für den Einsatz von ML in der amtlichen Statistik, indem es (1) durch den Vergleich mit bestehenden Qualitätsgrundsätzen des Verhaltenskodex für Europäische Statistiken relevante Qualitätsdimensionen für ML identifiziert und (2) diese unter Berücksichtigung der besonderen methodischen Gegebenheiten von ML ausarbeitet. Dabei (2a) ergänzt es bestehende Vorschläge durch den Aspekt der Robustheit, (2b) stellt Bezug zu den Querschnittsthemen Machine Learning Operations (MLOps) und Fairness her und (2c) schlägt vor, wie die Qualitätssicherung der einzelnen Dimensionen in der Praxis der amtlichen Statistik ausgestaltet werden kann. Diese Arbeit liefert die konzeptionelle Grundlage, um Qualitätsindikatoren für ML-Verfahren formell in die Instrumente des Qualitätsmanagements im Statistischen Verbund zu überführen und damit langfristig den hohen Qualitätsstandard amtlicher Statistik auch bei Nutzung neuer Verfahren zu sichern.
Green-based modifiable CaZnBr4 for solar cells application
Authors: Emetere Moses E. , Bello Oluwaseyi O.
Published: November 2023

Future revolution in photovoltaics will be hinged mainly on cost, health implication, and material stability and performance. Based on these criteria, lead-based inorganic photovoltaics, organic–inorganic hybrid, and silicon photovoltaics are screened-out. According to the literature, the lead-free inorganic perovskite solar cell is favorably disposed to cost and safe-health. However, the simultaneous solution to material stability, high defect density, and low power conversion efficiency (PCE) still remains a mystery that has not been solved. This research proposed the green-based modifiable CaZnBr4 as a potential candidate for lead-free solar cell application based on the principle of A-site cation with green-based additive incorporation. The green-based additive was obtained from Kola Nitida, Carica Papaya, Ficus Exasperata, and Musa paradisiaca. The elemental characterization of the green-based additives was performed using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF). The optical, crystalline, and electronic properties were characterized using ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry, Quantum Espresso, scanning electron microscopy and SCAPS-1D. The green-base-modified CaZnBr4 showed significant PCE improvement by 3% with significant film and crystallinity formation. The stressed state of the parent compound CaZnBr4 shows that it may be better suited for thermovoltaics application. It is recommended that better results could be obtained when different synthetic routes and green-based additives are used to initiate the defect passivation protocols.
A statistical bonded particle model study on the effects of rock heterogeneity and cement strength on dynamic rock fracture
Authors: Wessling Albin , Larsson Simon , Kajberg Jörgen
Published: November 2023

Numerical modelling and simulation can be used to gain insight about rock excavation processes such as rock drilling. Since rock materials are heterogeneous by nature due to varying mechanical and geometrical properties of constituent minerals, laboratory observations exhibit a certain degree of unpredictability, e.g. with regard to measured strength and crack propagation. In this work, a recently published heterogeneous bonded particle model is further developed and used to investigate dynamic rock fracture in a Brazilian disc test. The rock heterogeneities are introduced in two steps—a geometrical heterogeneity due to statistically distributed grain sizes and shapes, and a mechanical heterogeneity by distributing mechanical properties using three Weibull distributions. The first distribution is used for assigning average bond properties of the grains, the second one for the intragranular bond properties and the third one for the bond properties of the intergranular cementing. The model is calibrated for Kuru black diorite using previously published experimental data from high-deformation rate tests of Brazilian discs in a split-Hopkinson pressure bar device, where high-speed imaging was used to detect initiations of cracks and their growth. A parametric study is conducted on the Weibull heterogeneity index of the average bond properties and the grain cement strength and evaluated in terms of crack initiation and propagation, indirect tensile stress, strain and strain rate. The results show that this modelling approach is able to reproduce key phenomena of the dynamic rock fracture, such as stochastic crack initiation and propagation, as well as the magnitude and variations of measured quantities. Furthermore, the cement strength is found to be a key parameter for crack propagation path and time, overloading magnitudes and indirect tensile strain rate.
Quadrature for quadrics
Authors: Gustafsson Björn
Published: November 2023

We make a systematic investigation of quadrature properties for quadrics, namely integration of holomorphic functions over planar domains bounded by second degree curves. A full understanding requires extending traditional settings by allowing domains which are multi-sheeted, in other words domains which really are branched covering surfaces of the Riemann sphere, and in addition usage of the spherical area measure instead of the Euclidean. The first part of the paper discusses two different points of view of real algebraic curves: traditionally they live in the real projective plane, which is non-orientable, but for their role for quadrature they have to be pushed to the Riemann sphere. The main results include clarifying a previous theorem (joint work with V. Tkachev), which says that a branched covering map produces a domain with the required quadrature properties if and only it extends to be meromorphic on the double of the parametrizing Riemann surface. In the second half of the paper domains bounded by ellipses, hyperbolas, parabolas and their inverses are studied in detail, with emphasis on the hyperbola case, for which some of the results appear to be new.
Developing auto process mapping technique for powder bed fusion using an electron beam
Authors: Aoyagi Kenta , Ono Manabu , Yanagihara Keiji , Wakoh Kimio , Chiba Akihiko
Published: November 2023

Powder bed fusion using an electron beam offers promise for manufacturing intricate metal parts. However, process optimization for defect-free parts proves costly and time-consuming. Many studies have investigated process optimization and defect prediction methods, but automating process optimization remains a significant challenge. This study developed and validated software to automatically determinei + 1-th trial conditions based on the results of thei-th trial experiment. Two algorithms were implemented and evaluated:—a dynamic programming approach and a selecting boundary conditions approach. The latter method considerably reduced the time required to determine the next conditions compared to the former approach. Considering a process mapping experiment requiring real-time trial condition determination during the build, we chose the selecting boundary conditions approach. The selecting boundary conditions approach was used to conduct a process mapping experiment to validate the software for constructing a process map using machine learning. The model and hyperparameters were optimized using sequential model-based global optimization with a tree-structured Parzen estimator. The process map underwent four updates using the developed software to determinei + 1-th trial conditions and construct a process map from the results of thei-th trial experiment.
Cynefin – Being of place. An investigation into the perspectives of first-language Welsh speaking hill farmers into the meaning of the word cynefin and the significance for education in Wales and beyond
Authors: Adams Dylan
Published: November 2023

The new curriculum for Wales advocates place-based learnings and has a commitment to future human and planetary wellbeing. It aims to give teachers more autonomy to design their own curricula based on localised contexts and concerns. Cynefin is a key word in the new curriculum for Wales, yet it is a word that has no direct English translation. It is translated in dictionaries as habitat but in Welsh means far more than that. It is a word that is tied up with one’s relationship to a place and the land and was used in the past by Welsh hill farmers to describe the way sheep would territorialise their own part of common land to graze. This study investigates the perspectives of Welsh hill farmers about the meaning of the word cynefin. The farmers participated in semi-structured interviews focused on gaining understanding of their use of the word cynefin. Analysis of these interviews generated a number of common themes related to place-based pedagogical theory. These themes reveal how the concept of cynefin has the potential to provide a counter-pedagogy to the traditional mainstream schooling of industrialised societies yet is in keeping with place-based and Indigenous approaches to education. It is suggested these approaches necessitate ethical and epistemological perspectives, and ways of being, that could have significance not only for human and planetary wellbeing but for existential understandings.
Decomposition analysis applied to energy and emissions: A literature review
Authors: Wang Hui , Yang Yafei
Published: November 2023

Decomposition analysis has been widely used to assess the determinants of energy and CO2 emissions in academic research and policy studies. Both the methodology and application of decomposition analysis have been largely improved in the past decades. After more than 50 years’ developments, decomposition studies have become increasingly sophisticated and diversified, and tend to converge internally and integrate with other analytical approaches externally. A good understanding of the literature and state of the art is critical to identify knowledge gaps and formulate future research agenda. To this end, this study presents a literature survey for decomposition analysis applied to energy and emission issues, with a focus on the period of 2016–2021. A review for three individual decomposition techniques is first conducted, followed by a synthesis of emerging trends and features for the decomposition analysis literature as a whole. The findings are expected to direct future research in decomposition analysis.
Landscape values of large-scale civic infrastructure from visitors’ spatial perception: a content analysis
Authors: Zhu Dongwen , Liu Hao , Guo Chen , Ding Yi , Feng JiaJia , Nakai Yu
Published: November 2023

Many studies have investigated the improvement and evaluation of urban landscape development. However, only a few have discussed how to implement and align landscape values embedded in large-scale civic infrastructures, including bridges, railways, and public buildings. Taking the case of four typical large-scale civic structures, including three bridge sites and a dam project, this study explores how the landscape values embedded in these kinds of structures, whether in urban or suburban areas, are perceived by external visitors with different cultural backgrounds. Content analysis combining a quantitative approach with online user-generated reviews of on-site visits is applied and implemented. The interrelated effect of different spatial characteristics on the landscape values in those civic infrastructures is examined. The findings provide insights into efficient strategies to exploit various kinds of civic structures, especially as a promising tourism attraction for domestic and foreign markets, to achieve a more sustainable vision of public spaces in urban or broader contexts.
Undergraduate students’ perceived mobile technology-learning barriers in their academic studies: a study in Greece
Authors: Nikolopoulou Kleopatra , Tsimperidis Ioannis , Tsinakos Avgoustos
Published: November 2023

Mobile technology is used by undergraduate students for educational purposes, it supported students’ learning during the pandemic, while mobile learning may have potential benefits and barriers. This study investigates Greek undergraduate students’ perceptions on mobile technology-learning barriers in their academic studies. This topic is of international interest and still underexplored in Greece. An online questionnaire was completed by 212 students, and this study is descriptive-inferential. Students’ perceptions regarding major barriers, reveal both external (internet connectivity issues, high cost of mobile devices, outdated operating system) and internal (tutors’ negative attitudes and insufficient knowledge for mobile technology-learning integration) barriers. Other obstacles are associated with student concerns about distraction, and inadequate training opportunities to use mobile technology in their studies. Students’ confidence, attitudes and digital skills regarding mobile technology adoption/use are perceived as minor barriers (or no barriers). The findings have implications for students, university tutors and university stakeholders.
Minding the Metropolis: Precarity, Urbanity, and Mental Conditions: A Response to Ankhi Mukherjee’s Unseen City: The Psychic Lives of the Urban Poor
Authors: Parui Avishek
Published: November 2023

This article situates psychoanalysis, urbanity, and precarity apropos of the material, affective, and memory economy of the mutable metropolis marked by visuality, velocity, and violence. Responding to Ankhi Mukherjee’s Unseen City: The Psychic Lives of the Urban Poor, the article examines the interplay of visibility and invisibility in a metropolis and how that is in close and complex correspondence to the politics of precarity and privilege. Drawing on historical as well as recent research in psychology, psychoanalysis, cognitive theory, and cultural studies across various geopolitical settings, this article, through a response to and reading of Mukherjee’s book, aims to articulate and illustrate the unique relevance of literature and aesthetic education in a study of mental health conditions in the (un)seen city. It argues that such psychic and social situations may be uniquely encoded and addressed with ethics and empathy through the cognitive interiority and symbolic instrumentality afforded by the affective and liminal framework of aesthetic activity and fiction.
Anatomical studies and early results on endoscopic transoral medial pterygomandibular fold approach to salvage retropharyngeal lymphadenectomy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Xue Kai , Liu Juan , Liu Qiang , Zhang Huan-Kang , Liu Quan , Li Jing , Jiang Xiao-Wen , Zhao Ke-Qing , Gu Ye , Song Xiao-Le , Sun Xi-Cai , Yu Hong-Meng
Published: November 2023

Objective

Retropharyngeal lymphadenectomy is challenging. This study investigated a minimally invasive approach to salvage retropharyngeal lymphadenectomy in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Methods

An anatomical study of four fresh cadaveric heads was conducted to demonstrate the relevant details of retropharyngeal lymphadenectomy using the endoscopic transoral medial pterygomandibular fold approach. Six patients with nasopharyngeal cancer with retropharyngeal lymph node recurrence, who underwent retropharyngeal lymphadenectomy with the endoscopic transoral medial pterygomandibular fold technique at the Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University from July to December 2021, were included in this study.

Results

The anatomical study demonstrated that the endoscopic transoral medial pterygomandibular fold approach offers a short path and minimally invasive approach to the retropharyngeal space. The surgical procedure was well tolerated by all patients, with no significant post-operative complications.

Conclusion

The endoscopic transoral medial pterygomandibular fold approach is safe and efficient for retropharyngeal lymphadenectomy.
Independent and joint contributions of physical disability and chronic pain to incident opioid use disorder and opioid overdose among Medicaid patients
Authors: Hoffman Katherine L. , Milazzo Floriana , Williams Nicholas T. , Samples Hillary , Olfson Mark , Diaz Ivan , Doan Lisa , Cerda Magdalena , Crystal Stephen , Rudolph Kara E.
Published: November 2023

Background

Chronic pain has been extensively explored as a risk factor for opioid misuse, resulting in increased focus on opioid prescribing practices for individuals with such conditions. Physical disability sometimes co-occurs with chronic pain but may also represent an independent risk factor for opioid misuse. However, previous research has not disentangled whether disability contributes to risk independent of chronic pain.

Methods

Here, we estimate the independent and joint adjusted associations between having a physical disability and co-occurring chronic pain condition at time of Medicaid enrollment on subsequent 18-month risk of incident opioid use disorder (OUD) and non-fatal, unintentional opioid overdose among non-elderly, adult Medicaid beneficiaries (2016–2019).

Results

We find robust evidence that having a physical disability approximately doubles the risk of incident OUD or opioid overdose, and physical disability co-occurring with chronic pain increases the risks approximately sixfold as compared to having neither chronic pain nor disability. In absolute numbers, those with neither a physical disability nor chronic pain condition have a 1.8% adjusted risk of incident OUD over 18 months of follow-up, those with physical disability alone have an 2.9% incident risk, those with chronic pain alone have a 3.6% incident risk, and those with co-occurring physical disability and chronic pain have a 11.1% incident risk.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that those with a physical disability should receive increased attention from the medical and healthcare communities to reduce their risk of opioid misuse and attendant negative outcomes.
Development of a Brief Intervention for Emergency Department Attendees Presenting With Self-Harm and Co-Occurring Substance Use Problems
Authors: Padmanathan Prianka , Cohen Rachel , Gunnell David , Biddle Lucy , Griffith Emma , Breheny Katie , Hickman Matt , Munien Nik , Patel Anish , Crocker Elaine , Moran Paul
Published: November 2023

Abstract: Background: People who present to the emergency department with self-harm and co-occurring substance use problems often have difficulty accessing effective care. Aims: To develop a brief psychosocial intervention for this population, which would be suitable for testing in a future randomized controlled trial. Methods: A modified Delphi method was used. A 34-item, 3-round, online Delphi survey was informed by a literature review and stakeholder telephone discussions ( n = 17). Two panels consisting of people with lived experience (PWLE: n = 15) and people with occupational experience (PWOE: n = 21) participated in the survey. The threshold for consensus was a pooled agreement rate across the two panels of 80% or more. Results: Expert consensus was achieved for 22 items. The new intervention consists of weekly follow-up phone calls for up to 1 month, delivered by Liaison Psychiatry practitioners, in which both self-harm and substance use problems are explored and addressed, and patients are supported in accessing community services. Limitations: Some stakeholder ideas regarding intervention components could not be included as survey options due to anticipated difficulties with implementation. Conclusions: The key elements of a brief psychosocial intervention for self-harm and co-occurring substance use problems have been agreed. Feasibility testing is currently underway.
Identifying the Most (Cost‐)Efficient Regions for CO2 Removal With Iron Fertilization in the Southern Ocean
Authors: Bach Lennart T. , Tamsitt Veronica , Baldry Kimberlee , McGee Jeffrey , Laurenceau‐Cornec Emmanuel C. , Strzepek Robert F. , Xie Yinghuan , Boyd Philip W.
Published: November 2023

Ocean iron fertilization (OIF) aims to remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere by stimulating phytoplankton carbon‐fixation and subsequent deep ocean carbon sequestration in iron‐limited oceanic regions. Transdisciplinary assessments of OIF have revealed overwhelming challenges around the detection and verification of carbon sequestration and wide‐ranging environmental side‐effects, thereby dampening enthusiasm for OIF. Here, we utilize five requirements that strongly influence whether OIF can lead to atmospheric CO2 removal (CDR): The requirement (a) to use preformed nutrients from the lower overturning circulation cell; (b) for prevailing iron‐limitation; (c) for sufficient underwater light for photosynthesis; (d) for efficient carbon sequestration; (e) for sufficient air‐sea CO2 transfer. We systematically evaluate these requirements using observational, experimental, and numerical data in an “informed back‐of‐the‐envelope approach” to generate circumpolar maps of OIF (cost‐)efficiency south of 60°S. Results suggest that (cost‐)efficient CDR is restricted to locations on the Antarctic Shelf. Here, CDR costs can be <100 US$/tonne CO2 while they are mainly >>1,000 US$/tonne CO2 in offshore regions of the Southern Ocean, where mesoscale OIF experiments have previously been conducted. However, sensitivity analyses underscore that (cost‐)efficiency is in all cases associated with large variability and are thus difficult to predict, which reflects our insufficient understanding of the relevant biogeochemical and physical processes. While OIF implementation on Antarctic shelves appears most (cost‐)efficient, it raises legal questions because regions close to Antarctica fall under three overlapping layers of international law. Furthermore, the constraints set by (cost‐)efficiency reduce the area suitable for OIF, thereby likely reducing its maximum CDR potential.
Capturing the Dynamic Processes of Porosity Clogging
Authors: Lönartz Mara I. , Yang Yuankai , Deissmann Guido , Bosbach Dirk , Poonoosamy Jenna
Published: November 2023

Understanding mineral precipitation induced porosity clogging and being able to quantify its non‐linear feedback on transport properties is fundamental for predicting the long‐term evolution of energy‐related subsurface systems. Commonly applied porosity‐diffusivity relations used in numerical simulations on the continuum‐scale predict the case of clogging as a final state. However, recent experiments and pore‐scale modeling investigations suggest dissolution‐recrystallization processes causing a non‐negligible inherent diffusivity of newly formed precipitates. To verify these processes, we present a novel microfluidic reactor design that combines time‐lapse optical microscopy and confocal Raman spectroscopy, providing real‐time insights of mineral precipitation induced porosity clogging under purely diffusive transport conditions. Based on 2D optical images, the effective diffusivity was determined as a function of the evolving porous media, using pore‐scale modeling. At the clogged state, Raman isotopic tracer experiments were conducted to visualize the transport of deuterium through the evolving microporosity of the precipitates, demonstrating the non‐final state of clogging. The evolution of the porosity‐diffusivity relationship in response to precipitation reactions shows a behavior deviating from Archie's law. The application of an extended power law improved the description of the evolving porosity‐diffusivity, but still neglected post‐clogging features. Our innovative combination of microfluidic experiments and pore‐scale modeling opens new possibilities to validate and identify relevant pore‐scale processes, providing data for upscaling approaches to derive key relationships for continuum‐scale reactive transport simulations.
Hydrological and Biogeochemical Controls of the Seasonality of Particulate and Dissolved Nitrogen Exports During Rainfall Events From a Forested Watershed in Monsoon Asia, Japan
Authors: Osaka Ken'ichi , Kunimatsu Takao , Hida Yoshifumi , Komai Yukio , Katsuyama Masanori , Ohte Nobuhito
Published: November 2023

Few studies have investigated the effects of hydrological conditions such as rainfall magnitude and soil nitrogen dynamics on nitrogen export from forests during rainfall events. In this study, the seasonal export of particulate and dissolved nitrogen during 24 rainfall events (range: 3.0–417 mm) in a temperate monsoon forest watershed in Japan was measured along with the seasonality of the soil nitrate () pool size and the nitrification rate. The increase in nitrogen export with increasing streamflow was larger for particulate nitrogen than for and dissolved organic nitrogen, but was always the most abundant nitrogen component exported, even during extreme rainfall. For all rainfall events in summer, measured exports were higher than the averaged exports, regardless of rainfall magnitude or preceding rainfall. Nitrification activity in the soil was high in summer because of the high temperature and wet conditions of the soil. Nitrification also occurred in the upper slope in summer, whereas during other seasons it is hindered by dry conditions. These results indicate that nitrogen dynamics in the soil also affect export during rainfall. Comparisons with previous studies suggested that the effects of soil nitrogen dynamics on concentrations in stream water may be stronger during rainfall than during base flow conditions. They also showed that regions with wet summers due to rainfall are more sensitive to export, compared with other regions, and that increased summer rainfall can have a particularly large impact on nitrogen export from forest watersheds.
Predictive biomarkers of response and survival following immunotherapy with a PD-L1 inhibitor benmelstobart (TQB2450) and antiangiogenic therapy with a VEGFR inhibitor anlotinib for pretreated advanced triple negative breast cancer
Authors: Han Yiqun , Wang Jiayu , Sun Tao , Ouyang Quchang , Li Jianwen , Yuan Jie , Xu Binghe
Published: November 2023

In our phase Ib trial (ClinialTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03855358), benmelstobart (TQB2450), a novel humanized IgG1 antibody against PD-L1, plus antiangiogenic multikinase inhibitor, anlotinib, demonstrated promising antitumor activities in pretreated triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients. We conducted explorative analyses of genomic biomarkers to explore the associations with treatment response and survival outcomes. Targeted next generation sequencing (NGS) was undertaken toward circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) collected from peripheral blood samples prior to the start of treatment and after disease progression. A total of 31 patients received targeted NGS and functional driver mutations in 29 patients were analyzed. The most frequent mutations were TP53 (72%), MLL3 (28%), and PIK3CA (17%). At a blood-based tumor mutational burden (bTMB) cutoff of 6.7 mutations per megabase, patients with low bTMB showed better response to anlotinib plus TQB2450 (50% vs. 7%, P = 0.015) and gained greater PFS benefits (7.3 vs. 4.1 months, P = 0.012) than those with high bTMB. At a maximum somatic allele frequency (MSAF) cutoff of 10%, a low MSAF indicated a better objective response (43% vs. 20%) as well as a significantly longer median PFS (7.9 vs. 2.7 months, P < 0.001). Patients with both low MSAF and low bTMB showed a notably better objective response to anlotinib plus TQB2450 (70% vs. 11%, P < 0.001) and a significantly longer median PFS (11.0 vs. 2.9 months, P < 0.001) than patients with other scenarios. Our findings support future studes and validation of MSAF and the combined bTMB-MSAF classification as predictive biomarkers of immune checkpoint inhibitor-based regimens in advanced TNBC patients.
City-level population projection for China under different pathways from 2010 to 2100
Authors: Zhang Shangchen , Zhao Mengzhen , Liu Zhao , Yang Fan , Lu Bo , Zhao Zhenping , Gu Kuiying , Zhang Shihui , Lei Mingyu , Zhang Chi , Wang Can , Cai Wenjia
Published: November 2023

Cities play a fundamental role in policy decision-making processes, necessitating the availability of city-level population projections to better understand future population dynamics and facilitate research across various domains, including urban planning, shrinking cities, GHG emission projections, GDP projections, disaster risk mitigation, and public health risk assessment. However, the current absence of city-level population projections for China is a significant gap in knowledge. Moreover, aggregating grid-level projections to the city level introduces substantial errors of approximately 30%, leading to discrepancies with actual population trends. The unique circumstances of China, characterized by comprehensive poverty reduction, compulsory education policies, and carbon neutrality goals, render scenarios like SSP4(Shared Socioeconomic Pathways) and SSP5 less applicable. To address the aforementioned limitations, this study made three key enhancements, which significantly refines and augments our previous investigation. Firstly, we refined the model, incorporating granular demographic data at the city level. Secondly, we redesigned the migration module to consider both regional and city-level population attractiveness. Lastly, we explored diverse fertility and migration scenarios.
The volatilome signatures of Plasmodium falciparum parasites during the intraerythrocytic development cycle in vitro under exposure to artemisinin drug
Authors: Stead Zenaida , Capuano Rosamaria , Di Natale Corrado , Pain Arnab
Published: November 2023

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) comprise a diverse range of metabolites with high vapour pressure and low boiling points. Although they have received attention, they are a largely unexplored part of the metabolome. Previous studies have shown that malaria infections produce characteristic, definitive, and detectable volatile signatures. Many transcriptional and metabolic differences are observed at different stages of the parasite Intraerythrocytic Developmental Cycle (IDC) as well as when artemisinin-resistant parasites are put under drug pressure. This prompted our research to characterize whether these responses are reflected at a volatile level in malaria during the IDC stages using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. We investigated whether the resistant P. falciparum parasites would produce their own characteristic volatilome profile compared to near-isogenic wild-type parasite in vitro; firstly at three different stages of the IDC and secondly in the presence or absence of artemisinin drug treatment. Finally, we explored the VOC profiles from two media environments (Human serum and Albumax) of recently lab-adapted field parasite isolates, from Southeast Asia and West/East Africa, compared to long-term lab-adapted parasites. Recognizable differences were observed between IDC stages, with schizonts having the largest difference between wild type and resistant parasites, and with cyclohexanol and 2,5,5-trimethylheptane only present for resistant schizonts. Artemisinin treatment had little effect on the resistant parasite VOC profile, whilst for the wild type parasites compounds ethylbenzene and nonanal were greatly affected. Lastly, differing culturing conditions had an observable impact on parasite VOC profile and clustering patterns of parasites were specific to geographic origin. The results presented here provide the foundation for future studies on VOC based characterization of P. falciparum strains differing in abilities to tolerate artemisinin.
Exploring risk factors of drive for muscularity and muscle dysmorphia in male adolescents from a resource-limited setting in Burkina Faso
Authors: Terhoeven Valentin , Nikendei Christoph , Bountogo Mamadou , Friederich Hans-Christoph , Ouermi Lucienne , Sié Ali , Harling Guy , Bärnighausen Till
Published: November 2023

In low-income countries, Muscle Dysmorphia (MD) has only been investigated in adult south African amateur-bodybuilders. To date, there is no epidemic study about MD or its cardinal symptom “drive for muscularity” (DFM) and its impact on young men’s lives in African low-income settings. We analyzed a population-representative cross-sectional study of 838 adolescent males aged 12–20 in the rural northwestern Burkina Faso. Participants were assessed for MD with the research criteria of Pope and its cardinal symptom DFM based on the DFM scale (DMS). Since DFM has not been studied in a comparable sample so far, all possible influencing variables were examined exploratively in a linear regression model. Many respondents were underweight (41.5%) and few overweight (1.3%). No-one met standard clinical MD criteria. While 60.1% of 837 wished to be more muscular, only 8.7% of 824 desired a lower body-fat percentage. Regression analysis revealed that higher DMS scores were associated with greater internalization of the muscular body ideal, going to school, living in a rural area, older age, and a history of having faced sexual harassment or assault, but not with media exposure. Our results show that levels of DMS in Burkinabe adolescents were elevated. Risk factors for DFM in environmental circumstances where undernutrition and poverty are common are discussed.
Research on permanent magnet synchronous motor algorithm based on linear nonlinear switching self-disturbance rejection control
Authors: Liu Xiangde , Li Yu , Xia Liang , Tan Xianfeng , Cao Xiang
Published: November 2023

This paper presents a linear-nonlinear switching control strategy, called Switching Active Disturbance Rejection Control (SADRC), to enhance the disturbance rejection capability of the speed controller in a servo system. SADRC combines the advantages of Linear Active Disturbance Rejection Control (LADRC) and Nonlinear Active Disturbance Rejection Control (NLADRC), and introduces a parameter to switch between nonlinear and linear control, thereby improving the robustness of the servo system. Firstly, the mathematical model of the motor is analyzed as the starting point of the paper. Then, the basic principles of Active Disturbance Rejection Control (ADRC) are analyzed, and improvements are made to address its limitations, resulting in the design of SADRC. The parameters introduced in SADRC are analyzed to determine their appropriate ranges. Finally, the performance of SADRC is validated by comparing the rotational effects of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM).
Inferring individual evaluation criteria for reaching trajectories with obstacle avoidance from EEG signals
Authors: Iwane Fumiaki , Billard Aude , Millán José del R.
Published: November 2023

During reaching actions, the human central nerve system (CNS) generates the trajectories that optimize effort and time. When there is an obstacle in the path, we make sure that our arm passes the obstacle with a sufficient margin. This comfort margin varies between individuals. When passing a fragile object, risk-averse individuals may adopt a larger margin by following the longer path than risk-prone people do. However, it is not known whether this variation is associated with a personalized cost function used for the individual optimal control policies and how it is represented in our brain activity. This study investigates whether such individual variations in evaluation criteria during reaching results from differentiated weighting given to energy minimization versus comfort, and monitors brain error-related potentials (ErrPs) evoked when subjects observe a robot moving dangerously close to a fragile object. Seventeen healthy participants monitored a robot performing safe, daring and unsafe trajectories around a wine glass. Each participant displayed distinct evaluation criteria on the energy efficiency and comfort of robot trajectories. The ErrP-BCI outputs successfully inferred such individual variation. This study suggests that ErrPs could be used in conjunction with an optimal control approach to identify the personalized cost used by CNS. It further opens new avenues for the use of brain-evoked potential to train assistive robotic devices through the use of neuroprosthetic interfaces.
Non-invasive assessment of skin hydration and sensation with diffuse reflectance spectroscopy
Authors: Chen Ying-Yu , Tzeng Shih-Yu , Yen Yun-Yo , Cheng Nan-Yu , Tseng Sheng-Hao
Published: November 2023

The skin is a vital organ in the human body, providing essential functions such as protection, sensation, and metabolism. Skin hydration is one of the crucial factors in maintaining normal skin function. Insufficient skin hydration can lead to dryness, shedding of the stratum corneum, a decrease in skin barrier function, and may cause skin inflammation. Therefore, maintaining or improving skin hydration is critical in promoting healthy skin. Currently, the commonly used method for measuring skin hydration is bioelectrical capacitance analysis, which is often affected by environmental humidity and can only provide limited information. To overcome these limitations, this study used diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) in the wavelength range of 400-1000 nm to quantify skin absorption and scattering modulation caused by changes in skin hydration states. The advantages of this technique include rapid measurements, non-invasiveness, a straightforward optical setup, and suitability for prolonged skin monitoring. We found that DRS-derived skin absorption coefficients had a correlation coefficient of 0.93 with the skin capacitance at various skin hydration states. In addition, our findings reveal that absorption and scattering coefficients may be useful in discerning skin hydration enhancement induced by applying soaked cotton pads or cosmeceutical facial masks, as well as evaluating skin sensation. This study verifies that the DRS method could be a convenient and effective tool for evaluating skin hydration related information.