bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Don't Mix the Tenses: Managing the Present and the Future in an MBSE Context
Authors: Axehill Johanna Wallén , Herzog Erik
Published: July 2023

When implementing MBSE in complex systems development, it is never about only ONE model or only ONE language. Instead, there is a need to be able to handle different aspects over time, i.e., to separate what it shall become at the end (the future) from what it is for each specific product configuration (the present). This is especially evident in large‐scale projects with complex products having very long life cycles. Therefore, there is a need for models capturing the long‐time perspective, i.e., defining the desired future state of a system, together with models representing the current state of design, and models describing in detail how it will be in the near future. In the paper, a structured way to separate those tenses is presented in a context of the complex systems development of a fighter aircraft, allowing for representing multiple realisation models for a system element. Enablers for achieving this separation over tenses is discussed, where extensive configuration management is one key aspect.
Effect of extraction methods on phytochemical constituents and antioxidant activity of de‐kernelled Sclerocarya birrea seeds
Authors: Rama Haripriya , Ndaba Busiswa , Maaza Malik , Dhlamini Mokhotjwa Simon , Cochrane Nicolene , Roopnarain Ashira
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND

Marula (Sclerocarya birrea) is an indigenous African fruit‐bearing tree with many commercial uses; however, de‐kernelled seeds generated from marula fruit‐processing are wasted. The phytochemical constituents of de‐kernelled marula seeds have not been investigated previously and its extract/tea may potentially serve as a promising source of antioxidants and phytochemicals. This study aimed to investigate the effect of different extraction methods (maceration and decoction) on the recovery of phenolic compounds, sugars, organic acids, and antioxidants from de‐kernelled marula seeds.

RESULTS

Extracts produced from decoction for 30 min contained the highest phenolic content (2253.93 ± 25.72 mg gallic acid equivalent kg‐1 extract), flavonoid content (1020.99 ± 23.90 mg rutin equivalent kg‐1 extract), as well as combined sugars and organic acids (1884.03 mg kg‐1 extract). Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy analysis confirmed the presence of functional groups typically present in phenolic compounds, sugars, and organic acids in the extracts obtained from decoction.

CONCLUSION

The characterization revealed that decoction extraction increased solubility, variety, and yield of phytochemical and antioxidant compounds recovered from de‐kernelled marula seeds. The highest concentrations of phytochemicals were obtained using the decoction method. This study may therefore pave the way for extract composition and future utilization of de‐kernelled marula seeds in the food industry. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Climate factors regulate the depth dependency of soil organic carbon under grazing exclusion in Chinese grasslands: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Peng Cuoji , Shi Lina , He Yicheng , Yao Zeying , Lin Zhenrong , Hu Meng‐ai , Yin Ning , Xu Hengkang , Li Yikang , Zhou Huakun , Lu Xinmin , Liu Kesi , Shao Xinqing
Published: July 2023

Soil carbon (C) is one of the most abundant C pools in terrestrial ecosystems, and its dynamics is highly dependent on soil depth. Grazing exclusion (GE) has proven to be a promising approach for enhancing C sequestration; however, the comprehensive analysis on the depth distribution of soil C and driving factors of soil C dynamics under GE are still lacking. This study collected data comprising 563 paired observations from 75 papers to analyze the distribution characteristics and the driving factors of soil organic carbon (SOC) changes with soil depth under GE in Chinese grasslands. The results showed that GE positively contributed to soil C sequestration, and the change range of SOC were higher (47.70%) in the subsoil (>20 cm) than in the topsoil layer (0–20 cm; 29.24%). Furthermore, SOC was influenced by GE duration, exhibiting an increasing trend and reaching its highest value at 13–15 years of GE, then remaining stable or slightly decreasing thereafter. Boosted regression trees (BRTs) showed that climatic factors were the primary determinants of SOC changes; however, the key drivers of SOC varied across different soil depths. Mean annual precipitation (MAP) was the key driver of topsoil C dynamics, accounting for 32.7% of the variance. In contrast, mean annual temperature (MAT) regulated the response of subsoil SOC to GE, explaining 48.23% of the variance. In addition, plant biomass was a significant factor influencing the depth distribution of soil C under GE, and its effect on SOC decreased with increasing soil depth. Our study provides evidence that the subsoil has a greater potential for C sequestration than the topsoil layer after GE, and future studies should consider deep soil C dynamics to accurately assess C sequestration in grassland ecosystems.
Stability and optimal control of age‐structured cell‐free and cell‐to‐cell transmission model of HIV
Authors: Kumar Manoj , Abbas Syed
Published: July 2023

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can spread more efficiently when infected CD4+ T cells directly interact with uninfected T cells. This interaction forms virological synapses, which lead to the cell‐to‐cell transmission of HIV. This study considers an age‐structured HIV infection model in which both cell‐free infection and cell‐to‐cell transmission occur. We also incorporate the proportion of T cells in latent or exposed class. Equilibrium solutions to our model are derived and then we perform the stability analysis. Optimal control problem for the drug therapy is also considered. Forward–backward scheme is used to solve the optimal control problem numerically. Numerical simulation added to study the effect of cell‐to‐cell infection. The outcomes of this work are new and complement the existing ones.
Malnutrition accelerates the occurrence of infectious complications in patients with chronic kidney disease: A cross‐sectional survey of 682 patients with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Wang Weihong , Dai Lili , Ma Jianwei , Gu Lingna , Xie Haofen , Fu Jianfei
Published: July 2023

Background

To investigate the influencing factors of infectious complications in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and provide a basis for clinical diagnosis and prognosis evaluation of CKD.

Methods

A total of 682 patients with CKD were selected and divided into CKD stage 1–5 subgroups according to their glomerular filtration rate. Infectious complications, length of hospital stay, and total cost of hospitalization were recorded. The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) diagnostic tool was used to assess the detection rate of malnutrition among patients. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed in patients with and without infectious complications.

Results

The incidence rates of infectious complications in CKD stages 1–5 were 45.6%, 22.7%, 28.3%, 30.8%, and 40.4%, respectively. The overall detection rate of malnutrition among patients based on the GLIM criteria was 16.7%. The total detection rate of severe malnutrition was 14.2%, with all patients with severe malnutrition in CKD stages 3–5. The incidences of infectious complications in patients with and without malnutrition were 62.3% and 29%, respectively. Binary multivariate logistic regression analysis shows that malnutrition is a risk factor for infectious complications in patients with CKD, who are at 2.41 times higher risk than patients without malnutrition. There were significant differences in length of hospital stay and hospitalization costs between the patients with CKD with and without infectious complications (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

Infectious complications are relatively common in patients with CKD. As CKD advances, the incidence of infectious complications increases. Moreover, malnutrition accelerates the occurrence of infectious complications in patients with CKD.
Improving Charge Mobilities of Novel Push–Pull Small Molecules through Thermally Induced Self‐Ordering
Authors: Sideltsev Maxim E. , Piryazev Alexey A. , Akhkiamova Azalia F. , Gapanovich Mikhail V. , Anokhin Denis V. , Sagdullina Diana K. , Novikov Alexander S. , Ivanov Dimitri A. , Akkuratov Alexander V.
Published: July 2023

The conjugated small molecules (CSMs) are an interesting class of semiconductor materials for thin‐film electronics. Herein, the synthesis of two novel donor–acceptor small molecules BBT‐H and BBT‐F is reported and the impact of morphology rearrangement upon thermal annealing on hole‐transport characteristics of thin films based on them is investigated. It is shown that morphological changes occurring upon annealing of thin films based on fluorine‐containing molecule BBT‐F result in spectacular enhancement of hole mobilities by seven times from 2.13 × 10−4 to 1.52 × 10−3 cm2V−1 s−1, whereas hole mobilities of nonfluorinated BBT‐H do not show any considerable changing. This effect features the importance of molecular engineering for the design of promising CSMs for next‐generation thin‐film electronics.
Ethical and Theological Approaches to the Value Discourses in Europe
Authors: Mandry Christof
Published: July 2023

The chapter first identifies those issues that arise when an ethical concept of value is transferred from the individual to a political community. It then argues that European values should be understood as political values associated with Europe as an ‘imagined community’. Based on a discourse history of European values in the context of European integration in the twentieth century, the historical-political process in which value semantics prevailed over other identity-related expressions is established. European values and the understanding of the European Union, it can be shown, are to be understood as the solution to a political problem, namely how the EU can function as a democracy without being a state in its own right. European values thus fulfil a certain fundamental political function, which can be more precisely characterised as a bridging function between the different historical experiences and cultural imprints of the European communities. The ethical implications of this function of values are then discussed, with the tension between universality and particularity playing a central role. The chapter concludes with reflections on the current challenges facing European values and, with them, democracy in Europe.
Quantitative titanium imaging in fish tissues exposed to titanium dioxide nanoparticles by laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry
Authors: Suárez-Oubiña Cristian , Mangone Annarosa , Giannossa Lorena C. , Nuñez-González Laura , Herbello-Hermelo Paloma , Bermejo-Barrera Pilar , Moreda-Piñeiro Antonio
Published: July 2023

Imaging studies by laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry have been successfully developed to obtain qualitative and quantitative information on the presence/distribution of titanium (ionic titanium and/or titanium dioxide nanoparticles) in sea bream tissues (kidney, liver, and muscle) after exposure assays with 45-nm citrate-coated titanium dioxide nanoparticles. Laboratory-produced gelatine standards containing ionic titanium were used as a calibration strategy for obtaining laser ablation–based images using quantitative (titanium concentrations) data. The best calibration strategy consisted of using gelatine-based titanium standards (from 0.1 to 2.0 μg g−1) by placing 5.0-μL drops of the liquid gelatine standards onto microscope glass sample holders. After air drying at room temperature good homogeneity of the placed drops was obtained, which led to good repeatability of measurements (calibration slope of 4.21 × 104 ± 0.39 × 104, n = 3) and good linearity (coefficient of determination higher than 0.990). Under the optimised conditions, a limit of detection of 0.087 μg g−1 titanium was assessed. This strategy allowed to locate prominent areas of titanium in the tissues as well as to quantify the bioaccumulated titanium and a better understanding of titanium dioxide nanoparticle spatial distribution in sea bream tissues.

Graphical abstract
A procedurally just flyer reduces subsequent speeding offences: evidence from the Queensland Speeding Engagement Trial (QSET)
Authors: Bates Lyndel , Bennett Sarah , Irvine Claire , Antrobus Emma , Gilmour John
Published: July 2023

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to test the impact of a procedural justice letter intervention that was delivered with traffic infringement notices on subsequent speeding offences.

Method

This study used the Queensland Speeding Engagement Trial (QSET) to experimentally test the impact of using the principles of procedural justice within a police issued letter, on individuals detected speeding by cameras. Participants in the control condition (n = 7946) received a speeding infringement notice as per normal while those in the experimental condition (n = 8209) received the procedurally just letter in addition to the speeding infringement notice. Administrative data for the 12 months following the intervention was used to identify if participants engaged in subsequent speeding and other traffic offending behaviours.

Results

The results indicated that the intervention reduced subsequent speeding offences for drivers 25 years and older in the experimental condition when compared with the control condition. No differences were found for other types of traffic offences.

Conclusions

Thus, this study demonstrates that the effects of procedural justice (a) can be achieved through purposeful written communication and (b) reduce subsequent offending behaviour.
Significant Functional Differences Between Dopamine D4 Receptor Polymorphic Variants Upon Heteromerization with α1A Adrenoreceptors
Authors: Homar-Ruano Patricia , Cai Ning-Sheng , Casadó-Anguera Verònica , Casadó Vicent , Ferré Sergi , Moreno Estefanía , Canela Enric I.
Published: July 2023

The functional role of the dopamine D4 receptor (D4R) and its main polymorphic variants has become more evident with the demonstration of heteromers of D4R that control the function of frontal cortico-striatal neurons. Those include heteromers with the α2A adrenoceptor (α2AR) and with the D2R, localized in their cortical somato-dendritic region and striatal nerve terminals, respectively. By using biophysical and cell-signaling methods and heteromer-disrupting peptides in mammalian transfected cells and rat brain slice preparations, here we provide evidence for a new functionally relevant D4R heteromer, the α1AR-D4R heteromer, which is also preferentially localized in cortico-striatal glutamatergic terminals. Significant differences in allosteric modulations between heteromers of α1AR with the D4.4R and D4.7R polymorphic variants could be evidenced with the analysis of G protein-dependent and independent signaling. Similar negative allosteric modulations between α1AR and D4R ligands could be demonstrated for both α1AR-D4.4R and α1AR-D4.7R heteromers on G protein-independent signaling, but only for α1AR-D4.4R on G protein-dependent signaling. From these functional differences, it is proposed that the D4.4R variant provides a gain of function of the α1AR-mediated noradrenergic stimulatory control of cortico-striatal glutamatergic neurotransmission, which could result in a decrease in the vulnerability for impulse control-related neuropsychiatric disorders and increase in the vulnerability for posttraumatic stress disorder.
Essentialist Arguments for Discernibility are Unsound
Authors: Taillard Antoine
Published: July 2023

It is common to argue that something x is distinct from something y by pointing out that x and y do not share all their essential properties. I show that arguments of this type are unsound. This unsoundness is rooted in the fact that sentences of the form ‘x is essentially F’ are ambiguous. Under one reading, the sentence says of x that it has a property of a unique and special kind. Interpreted in that way, the sentence is false, for there are no such properties. Under another reading, the sentence says of x that it has a property and adds that this property is essential to x. Interpreted in that way, the sentence may be true but it does not allow to reach the desired conclusion that x is distinct from y. Thus, if someone argues that x is distinct from y by pointing out that x and y differ in essential properties, they face the following dilemma: either one of the argument’s premises implies the existence of the special property and it is false, or none of the premises implies the existence of the special property and the argument is invalid.
A meta-analysis study on peer influence and adolescent substance use
Authors: Watts Lara L. , Hamza Eid Abo , Bedewy Dalia A. , Moustafa Ahmed A.
Published: July 2023

The extent to which adolescents are influenced by their peers has been the focus of developmental psychological research for over 50 years. That research has yielded contradicting evidence and much debate. This study consists of a systematic review and meta-analysis, with the main aim of quantifying the effect of peer influence on adolescent substance use, as well as investigation into the factors that moderate this effect. Included studies needed to employ longitudinal designs, provide the necessary statistics to calculate cross-lagged regression coefficients controlling for target adolescent’s initial substance use, and comprise participants aged 10–19 years. A search of academic databases and reference lists generated 508 unique reports, which were screened using Covidence. The final inclusion criteria yielded a total of 99 effect sizes from 27 independent studies. A four-level meta-analytic approach with correction to allow the inclusion of multiple effect sizes from a given study was used to estimate an average effect size. Results revealed a significant effect of peer influence ($$\overline{\upbeta }$$

β
¯

= .147, p < .001), indicating that adolescents changed their substance use behaviour in accordance with their peers’ perceived or actual use. Moderation analyses found peer influence effects varied significantly as a function of substance use behaviour (categorised as alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, or composite substance use) and peer influence measure (perceived vs. actual peer report); however, no significant effects emerged in the multivariate moderation model simultaneously examining all five main moderators. These results suggest that adolescent substance use is affected by peer influence processes across multiple substance use behaviours and both directly and indirectly through perceived norms. This has significant implications for substance use prevention, including the potential of harnessing peer influence as a positive force and the need to target misperceptions of substance use.
Factors associated with myopia in 19-year-old adult men in Korea between 2014 and 2020
Authors: Gwon So Hyeon , Lee Dong Cheol
Published: July 2023

Numerous environmental factors that influence myopia have been studied, but only few factors have been definitively identified. We examined factors influencing myopia using data from 2014 to 2020 physical examinations received from the Korean Military Manpower Administration. We used the Cochran–Armitage trend test to investigate the annual prevalence of myopia and high myopia. To determine risk factors for myopia, logistic regression was performed. The data of 2,215,126 19-year-old Korean men were examined. The myopia and high myopia prevalences showed significant annual increases; in 2020, these prevalences were 58.9% and 18.0%, respectively. The myopia prevalence was high when the birth season was spring, education level was high, height was small, weight and body mass index (BMI) were low (< 18.5 kg/m2), and color vision was normal (all, p < 0.05). The high myopia prevalence was high when the birth season was spring, education level was high, height was tall, weight and BMI were low (< 18.5 kg/m2), and color vision was normal (all, p < 0.05). The prevalence of myopia and high myopia in this population is increasing annually. The risk of both conditions increased when the birth season was spring, education level was high, BMI was low, color vision was normal, and diabetes was present.
The impact of electrode conductivity on electrolyte interfacial structuring and its implications on the Na0/+ electrochemical performance
Authors: Rakov Dmitrii A. , Sun Ju , Cherepanov Pavel V. , Arano Khryslyn , Howlett Patrick C. , Simonov Alexandr N. , Chen Fangfang , Forsyth Maria
Published: July 2023

Is solid-electrolyte interphase formation affected by electrode conductivity?
Improved Bayesian network-based for fault diagnosis of air conditioner system
Authors: Xu Jiaqi , Wang Qiang , Zhou Juan , Zhou Haiting , Chen Jiayan
Published: July 2023

To solve the problem of fault prediction and diagnosis of household air conditioning, an improved Bayesian network (BN) fault diagnosis model is proposed. Firstly, the orthogonal defect classification (ODC) is used to make statistics and analysis of air conditioning fault data, and the structure of BN fault diagnosis model is built based on the analysis results. Then, genetic algorithm (GA) is used to optimize the conditional probability of network nodes and determine the network parameters. Finally, the cooling and heating failure data of household air conditioning were taken as an example to diagnose. Compared with the traditional BN model, the accuracy of fault diagnosis increases from 81.13% to 92.83%, which verifies the effectiveness of the model.
Flexible hydrogen heating technologies, with low environmental impact
Authors: Astesiano Davide , Bissoli Mattia , Della Rocca Alessandro , Malfa Enrico , Wuppermann Christian
Published: July 2023

Several roadmaps worldwide identify the decarbonization as one of the main pathways to transform the steel industry into a climate-neutral sector by 2050. New technologies and processes based on the massive use of renewable electricity, green hydrogen, and their combination, will play a fundamental role in this transformation. Aside this decarbonization pathway, the steel sector suffers from a strong inertia due to its characteristics of being very capital intensive, operating in a highly competitive global market and being characterized by an investment cycle between 20 and 30 years. In such scenario, the Tenova “Hydrogen Ready” combustion technology (which identifies a burner family able to work with any natural gas/hydrogen mixture up to 100% H2 without hardware modifications) represents a solution able to support the steelmakers through the current energy transition scenario and, at the same time, to ensure their investments for the future. This paper continues a previous work on the Tenova “SmartBurner” technology and shows the application of the “Hydrogen Ready” concept to three additional burner families, covering a wider range of downstream processes: Tenova TRKSX (flameless self-recuperative burner for heat treatment furnaces), Tenova TRGX (regenerative flameless burner for reheating furnaces), and the Tenova THSQ burners (flameless combustion system for batch annealing furnaces, heat treatment furnaces and other special heat treatment application). All these burners show NOx emissions well below the next envisioned limits (80 mg/Nm3 at 5% of O2 with furnace at 1250 °C) with all the NG/H2 mixtures, as well as with 100% H2. These results confirm the viability of the “Hydrogen Ready” approach, and the effectiveness of the flameless technology in controlling the NOx formation. The first industrial applications of these concepts are also presented.
General and multiplicative non-parametric models with interval ratio data: application to the banking industry
Authors: Farzadi Esmaeel , Hadi-Vencheh Abdollah , Tan Yong , Beigi Zahra Gheleg
Published: July 2023

The empirical literature has tried to propose relevant data envelopment analysis (DEA) models to evaluate the efficiency level of the decision-making unit (DMU) in the presence of interval ratio data; however, the use of variable production frontier in the evaluation suffers from a number of limitations. The current study fills in the gap in the previous literature by proposing relevant DEA models based on interval arithmetic, through which the shortcomings of the previous existing studies have been overcome. The findings show that extra variable changes are not needed by the proposed model and a fixed, unified production frontier can be used to measure the DMUs’ efficiency with interval data. The potential application of the proposed model is illustrated through a numerical example in the banking industry.
Alumni-Befragung des B.Sc.-Studiengangs „Physiotherapie, berufsbegleitend“ an der Hochschule Osnabrück
Authors: Adolphs Susanne , Böwer Yannick , Zalpour Christoff
Published: July 2023

Hintergrund Seit 2001 ist es in Deutschland möglich, einen akademischen Abschluss in der Physiotherapie zu erlangen. Neben primärqualifizierenden Studiengängen gibt es die Möglichkeiten, ausbildungsintegriert oder berufsbegleitend zu studieren. Die Möglichkeit, einer berufsbegleitenden akademischen Weiterqualifizierung wirft die Frage auf, welchen Nutzen eine solche Weiterentwicklung für Therapeut*innen und deren Handlungsfeld darstellt.

Ziel Identifizierung der Auswirkungen des Bachelorstudiums „Physiotherapie, berufsbegleitend“ an der Hochschule Osnabrück (HS) auf die persönliche berufliche Entwicklung der Alumni sowie Erfragung der als hilfreich oder weniger hilfreich empfundenen Studieninhalte.

Methode Exemplarisch wurden 5 Alumni des Studienganges „Physiotherapie (B.Sc.), berufsbegleitend“ in leitfadengestützten Experteninterviews befragt. Die gewonnenen Daten wurden mithilfe der fokussierten Inhaltsanalyse nach Kuckartz und Rädiker 20 ermittelt. Dazu wurden deduktiv und induktiv Kategorien gebildet und diese vertiefend analysiert.

Ergebnisse Das gesamte Studium, aber insbesondere die Module „Trainingssteuerung und Assessments“, „Clinical Reasoning Grundlagen Seminar und Praktikum“ und „Differentialdiagnose“, wirkten sich positiv auf die berufliche Entwicklung aus und regten neue Sichtweisen auf das eigene Berufsbild der Alumni und ihr Handeln an. Die interprofessionelle Zusammenarbeit veränderte sich hingegen kaum. Gewinnbringende Inhalte bezogen sich schwerpunktmäßig auf die Bereiche Clinical Reasoning, Forschungsmethodik und Differentialdiagnostik.

Schlussfolgerung Das Studium wirkte sich im Gesamten sehr positiv auf die Entwicklung der Alumni aus. Diese Studie stellt einen Einblick in die Entwicklung der Alumni dar, für eine Repräsentativität ist die Stichprobengröße jedoch zu gering. Dennoch dient die Studie als Ausgangspunkt für eine tiefgreifendere Erhebung.
Global evidence, impact and implementation of U=U
Authors: Ong J. J. , Hui C. , Allan B. , Pulliam C. , Torres M. A. , Vuyiseka D. , Richman B.
Published: July 2023

This Special Issue brings together the most recent body of evidence supporting the concept of Undetectable equals Untransmittable (U=U). The included manuscripts explore the scientific foundations and origins of U=U, highlight the advantages of U=U, examine its implementation in specific groups of people, advocate for U=U, and present case studies from different countries.
Study on Microstructure and Properties of P92 Steel Joint with Narrow Gap Automatic Welding
Authors: Wang Yudong , Qin Ning , Shang Jianlu , Yang Jia , Sun Bin
Published: July 2023

The microstructure and mechanical properties of automatic welding joint of P92 steel are studied by means of optical microscopy and mechanical property testing. The results show that: the welded joint of P92 steel with narrow gap automatic welding has good fusion, and no defects such as unfusion, porosity and slag inclusion are found in the weld metal. The microstructure of weld and HAZ is tempered martensite. The hardness distribution in different areas of the welded joint is uniform, the impact toughness of the weld and HAZ is good, and exceed that of manual welding, the strength of the joint meets the standard requirements, and the residual stress distribution of the whole joint is low. Therefore, P92 steel welded joint obtained by narrow gap automatic welding process has good performance and obvious advantages.
A New Method to Three-dimensional Dual Medium Geometry Model Construction
Authors: Tian Xu , Liao Jianguo , Xiao Jing
Published: July 2023

Dual medium geometric model is widely used in soil and rock mass environment, which can only reflect the material exchange between cracks and matrix. The dual medium geometric model ignores the hydraulic relationship between the pores and cracks. The paper develops a new method to construct the three-dimensional dual medium geometry model. This method is completely written by Matlab scripting language, can describe the real spatial distribution state of fracture in bedrock. In the method, three-dimensional random fracture network geometric models with different parameters and three-dimensional porous media geometric models with Berlin Noise characteristics are constructed respectively, and then use the three-dimensional direct superposition method to construct the dual medium geometric model. The paper introduces the construction of three-dimensional random fracture network geometry model, three-dimensional porous media geometric model and the dual medium geometric model by direct superposition method. This research is of great significance to the construction of dual medium model and numerical simulation in related fields.
Is a wet-bulb temperature of 35 ∘C the correct threshold for human survivability?
Authors: Lu Yi-Chuan , Romps David M
Published: July 2023

A wet-bulb temperature of 35 ∘C is widely used as the threshold for human survivability, but the wet-bulb temperature is not a particularly accurate metric for human heat stress. For a person in the shade, a more accurate metric is the heat index, which is based on a model of human thermoregulation that accounts for metabolic heat, radiation, respiratory ventilation, and finite wind speeds. The heat index has two critical values: the highest heat index for which a healthy core temperature can be maintained and the highest heat index that is survivable. It is shown here that a wet-bulb temperature of 35 ∘C corresponds to conditions between these two critical values. For example, in a world warmer than pre-industrial by 10 ∘C, about 30% of the world’s population would be exposed once or more per year to a wet-bulb temperature above 35 ∘C, but the heat index reveals that less than 2% would be exposed to fatal conditions while over 60% would be exposed to conditions that would cause hyperthermia.
Unveiling the driver behind China’s greening trend: urban vs. rural areas
Authors: Qu Sai , Liu Jiangong , Li Bolun , Zhao Lin , Li Xinxin , Zhang Zhijiang , Yuan Moxi , Niu Zigeng , Lin Aiwen
Published: July 2023

Urban and rural areas play an important role in the greenness change in China, despite exhibiting divergent landscape ecologies. Although recent studies have revealed an overall greening pattern in China, the relative contribution of urban and rural vegetation to nationwide greening trend and their driving mechanisms behind these changes remain poorly understood. Here, we first utilized a high-resolution land use/cover dataset (GlobeLand30) to establish a framework for distinguishing between urban and rural areas. We then assessed and compared the greenness changes in both urban and rural areas using multiple vegetation indices from 2000 to 2020. By employing Random Forest model and generalized linear model regression, we further investigated drivers behind the changes in urban and rural vegetation trends. Our results demonstrated a significant greening trend in China, and the greenness increased 13.71% from 2000 to 2020. Vegetation changes in both urban (+4.96%, 0.0011 yr−1) and rural areas (+14.25%, 0.0026 yr−1) have contributed positively to China’s greening trend, with their contribution being 11.3% and 88.7%, respectively. Urban core areas exhibited the largest trend magnitudes (0.0043 ± 0.0035 yr−1) among all the urban–rural subregions. Increased tree cover was identified as the primary driver of greening trends in both urban and rural areas, explaining 36% and 29% of the greening, respectively. However, the pathways of tree cover increase differed between urban and rural areas, with urban areas focusing on green space construction and rural areas implementing afforestation programs. In contrast, climate change and the CO2 fertilization effect had a greater contribution to the greening trend in rural areas than in urban areas. Our study demonstrates the positive role played by both urban and rural areas in China’s greening trends and elucidates the underlying mechanisms driving these changes, highlighting the need for differentiated strategies in urban and rural areas for future vegetation restoration.
Prediction of Response to Systemic Corticosteroids in Active UC by Microbial Composition—A Prospective Multicenter Study
Authors: Blesl Andreas , Wurm Philipp , Waschina Silvio , Gröchenig Hans Peter , Novacek Gottfried , Primas Christian , Reinisch Walter , Kutschera Maximilian , Illiasch Constanze , Hennlich Barbara , Steiner Pius , Koch Robert , Tillinger Wolfgang , Haas Thomas , Reicht Gerhard , Mayer Andreas , Ludwiczek Othmar , Miehsler Wolfgang , Steidl Karin , Binder Lukas , Reider Simon , Watschinger Christina , Fürst Stefan , Kump Patrizia , Moschen Alexander , Aden Konrad , Gorkiewicz Gregor , Högenauer Christoph
Published: July 2023

Background

Corticosteroids are used for induction of remission in patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis. However, up to one-third of patients fail to this therapy. We investigated if fecal microbial composition or its metabolic capacity are associated with response to systemic corticosteroids.

Methods

In this prospective, multicenter study, patients with active ulcerative colitis (Lichtiger score ≥4) receiving systemic corticosteroids were eligible. Data were assessed and fecal samples collected before and after 4 weeks of treatment. Patients were divided into responders (decrease of Lichtiger Score ≥50%) and nonresponders. The fecal microbiome was assessed by the 16S rRNA gene marker and analyzed with QIIME 2. Microbial metabolic pathways were predicted using parsimonious flux balance analysis.

Results

Among 93 included patients, 69 (74%) patients responded to corticosteroids after 4 weeks. At baseline, responders could not be distinguished from nonresponders by microbial diversity and composition, except for a subgroup of biologic-naïve patients. Within 4 weeks of treatment, responders experienced changes in beta diversity with enrichment of ascribed beneficial taxa, including Blautia, Anaerostipes, and Bifidobacterium, as well as an increase in predicted butyrate synthesis. Nonresponders had only minor longitudinal taxonomic changes with a significant increase of Streptococcus salivarius and a microbial composition shifting away from responders.

Conclusion

Baseline microbial diversity and composition seem to be of limited use to predict response to systemic corticosteroids in active ulcerative colitis. Response is longitudinally associated with restoration of microbial composition and its metabolic capacity.
HLA-DQA1*05 Was Not Associated With Primary Nonresponse or Loss of Response to First Anti-TNF in Real-World Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients
Authors: Pascual-Oliver Andrea , Casas-Deza Diego , Cuarán Camila , García-López Santiago , Corsino-Roche Pilar , Sierra-Moros Eva , Olier-Martínez Pilar , González-Tarancón Ricardo , Vicente-Lidón Raquel
Published: July 2023

Background

We lack predictors of response to biologics in the management of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). A recent study has shown a significant association between HLA-DQA1*05 carriers and the development of loss of response to anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) mediated by immunogenicity.

Methods

Retrospective single-center cohort study including IBD patients who had received anti-TNF therapy as a first biologic and whose HLA-DQA1*05 had been determined. Primary nonresponse and secondary failure (assessed by survival analysis) have been evaluated as well as safety outcomes.

Results

A total of 199 IBD patients (161 [81%] with Crohn’s disease and 38 [19%] with ulcerative colitis) were included. A total of 42.4% were HLA-DQA1*05 carriers and 60% received combination therapy at the start of anti-TNF treatment. Median follow-up was 24 (interquartile range, 11-66) months. No statistically significant differences were found in primary nonresponse to anti-TNF (89.3% vs 87.8%; P = .825), depending on HLA carriers and noncarriers. No differences in secondary loss of response according to HLA variant in any of the analyses performed (full cohort, according to IBD or anti-TNF type) were observed. Again, no differences were observed in patients treated with combination therapy. In terms of safety, no significant differences were found in the rate of infusion reactions or serious adverse events.

Conclusion

In our real-life cohort of IBD patients treated for the first time with anti-TNF, being an HLA-DQA1*05 carrier did not act as a predictor of response failure, either primary or secondary. The safety of anti-TNF treatment has also not been influenced by the variant.
Introduction to The Symposium: “The Role of Mechanosensation in Robust Locomotion”
Authors: Stanchak Kathryn E , Katz Hilary R
Published: July 2023

Synopsis

Mechanosensory information is a critical component of organismal movement control systems. Understanding the role mechanosensation plays in modulating organismal behavior requires inherently multidisciplinary research programs that reach across biological scales. Recently, there have been rapid advances in discerning how mechanosensory mechanisms are integrated into neural control systems and the impact mechanosensory information has on behavior. Thus, the Symposium “The Role of Mechanosensation in Robust Locomotion” at the 2023 Annual Meeting of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology was convened to discuss these recent advances, compare and contrast different systems, share experimental advice, and inspire collaborative approaches to expand and synthesize knowledge. The diverse set of speakers presented on a variety of vertebrate, invertebrate, and robotic systems. Discussion at the symposium resulted in a series of manuscripts presented in this issue that address issues facing the broader field, mechanisms of mechanosensation, organismal function and biomechanics, and sensing in ecological and social contexts.
Antimicrobial Resistance Profiling and Genome Analysis of the penA-60.001 Neisseria gonorrhoeae Clinical Isolates in China in 2021
Authors: Tang Yingxian , Liu Xiaofeng , Chen Wentao , Luo Xiaojuan , Zhuang Peiqu , Li Rongzhen , Lin Xiaomian
Published: July 2023

Background

Neisseria gonorrhoeae antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an urgent public health threat. With dissemination of FC428-related clones, the efficacy of ceftriaxone has become controversial.

Methods

Agar dilution and whole genome sequencing were used to analyze AMR.

Results

High resistance to penicillin (75.2%), tetracycline (87.9%), ciprofloxacin (98.3%), ceftriaxone (8.9%), cefixime (14.3%), and azithromycin (8.6%) was observed among 463 isolates first collected in China in 2021. All penA-60.001 clones exhibited resistance to ceftriaxone or cefixime, and 1 of the 12 cases was resistant to azithromycin. ngMAST and ngSTAR of penA-60.001 isolates showed that single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the porB, tbpB, ponA, gyrA, and parC genes were the major causes of different sequence types. MLST-7365 (n = 5) and MLST-1903 (n = 3) were main genotypes, and the other 4 strains featured MLST-10314, MLST-13871, MLST-7827 and MLST-1600. Furthermore, resistance markers (eg, penA, blaTEM-1, blaTEM-135) and virus factors were detected. Most penA-60.001 strains were fully mixed with global FC428-related clones; 2021-A2 and F89 had the same origin; and 2021-A1 exhibited a unique evolutionary trajectory.

Conclusions

Results provide the first demonstration of extremely severe AMR rates of N gonorrhoeae in China in 2021, particularly strains with ceftriaxone decreased susceptibility. The sustained transmission of penA-60.001 subclones might further threaten treatment effectiveness.
The dual nature of the tidal tails of NGC 5904 (M5)
Authors: Piatti Andrés E
Published: July 2023

The tangential velocity dispersion of stars belonging to the Milky Way globular cluster’s tidal tails has recently been found from N-body simulations to be a parameter that distinguishes between cored and cuspy profiles of low-mass dwarf galaxy dark matter subhaloes where that globular cluster formed, and the in situ formation scenario. In this context, we discovered that M5’s tidal tails are composed by stars at two different metallicity regimes ([Fe/H] ∼ −1.4 and −2.0 dex). The more metal-rich tidal tail stars are of the same metal content than M5’s members and have a tangential velocity dispersion that coincides with the predicted value for a cuspy formation scenario (subhalo mass ∼ 109 M⊙). The more metal-poor stars, that are found along the entire M5 tidal tails and have similar distributions to their more metal-rich counterparts in the M5 colour–magnitude diagram and orbit trajectory, have a tangential velocity dispersion that refers to a cored subhalo (mass ∼ 109 M⊙), or an in situ formation scenario. In order to reconcile the dual distribution of M5 tidal tail stars, in kinematics and chemistry, we propose that M5 collided with another more metal-poor and less-massive globular cluster anytime before or after it was accreted into the Milky Way.
The protobranch Aequiyoldia eightsii (Jay, 1839) (Nuculanida: Sareptidae) reveals uncommon siphonal anatomy among bivalves
Authors: Batistão A R , Audino J A , Passos F D
Published: July 2023

Siphons represent a remarkable example of evolutionary convergence in different bivalve lineages. In Protobranchia, the siphons, when present, are used exclusively to channel the water currents used for respiration, waste removal and gamete release. Their emergence is thought to be associated with the taxonomic and morphological diversification within the Nuculanida. While siphons have been extensively studied in other bivalve groups, particularly the Heterodonta, gaps remain in the knowledge of protobranch siphons, especially on their morphology, including the musculature and innervation, and their functioning. The few data on Protobranchia siphons are restricted to some Nuculanoidea, and information is still missing for other nuculanid lineages, such as the Sareptoidea. The present study provides a description of the siphonal morphology of Aequiyoldia eightsii, a sareptid bivalve. Histological data were obtained to investigate their organization and infer their functioning. All traits observed were compared with those of heterodont siphons. In A. eightsii, the siphons are fused with each other and distinguished by their reduced longitudinal musculature in bundles that do not form layers, by the presence of a blood lacunal system that fills most of the wall of the siphon and by the innervation that is likely diffuse. This suggests that the siphons are hydrostatic organs with a hydraulic mechanism whose expansion occurs when the lacunar system is filled with blood. Our results provide the first morphological and functional details of a protobranch siphon and thus contribute to knowledge on the comparative anatomy of Bivalvia.
Impact of Anti-EGFR Therapies on HER2-Positive Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Bekaii-Saab Tanios S , Lach Krzysztof , Hsu Ling-I , Siadak Muriel , Stecher Mike , Ward James , Beckerman Rachel , Strickler John H
Published: July 2023

Background

HER2 overexpression/amplification in patients with RAS wild-type (WT) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) may be associated with resistance to standard-of-care anti-EGFR therapies. Given the lack of comprehensive investigations into this association, we assessed the prognostic or predictive effect of HER2 amplification/overexpression on anti-EGFR treatment outcomes.

Methods

A systematic review of MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library (2001-2021) identified studies evaluating progression-free survival (PFS), overall response rate (ORR), and overall survival (OS) in HER2-positive vs. HER2-negative patients with RAS WT mCRC who received anti-EGFR treatments and whose HER2 status was known. Meta-analyses of proportions (ORR) and hazard ratios (PFS, OS) were performed using random-effect models with pre-specified sensitivity analyses.

Results

Five high-quality retrospective cohort studies were included in the meta-analyses representing 594 patients with mCRC. All patients received anti-EGFR treatment, either as monotherapy or in combination with chemotherapy. Meta-analysis of PFS demonstrated a 2.84-fold higher risk of death or progression (95% CI, 1.44-5.60) in patients with HER2-positive (vs. HER2-negative) RAS WT mCRC treated with anti-EGFR regimens. The odds of response to anti-EGFR treatment were 2-fold higher in HER2-negative vs. HER2-positive (odds ratio, 1.96 [95% CI, 1.10-3.48]). Differences in OS were not statistically significant. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the base-case estimates.

Conclusions

While this study could not account for all confounding factors, in patients with RAS WT mCRC who received anti-EGFR therapy, HER2 overexpression/amplification was associated with worse PFS and ORR and may therefore predict poorer outcomes. HER2 testing is important to inform treatment decisions and could optimize outcomes for patients.
XIIIThe Victorian Period
Authors: Garza Ana Alicia , Snailham Fiona , Blackburn-Daniels Sally , Zarif Mariam , Baker William
Published: July 2023

This chapter has five sections: 1. General and Prose, including Dickens; 2. The Novel; 3. Poetry; 4. Periodicals, Publishing History, and Drama; 5. Miscellaneous and Drama. Section 1 is by Ana Alicia Garza; section 2 is by Fiona Snailham; section 3 is by Sally Blackburn-Daniels; section 4 is by Mariam Zarif; section 5 is by William Baker, who thanks for their assistance Dominic Edwards, Brent E. Kinser, Marcus Neacey, Jean Saunders, and Patrick Scott.
Liver tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase: a determinant of anxiety-like behaviour – studies with chronic nicotine administration in rats
Authors: Bano Samina , Sharif Humaira , Sajid Faiza , Hamid Sumaiya Binte , Badawy Abdulla A-B
Published: July 2023

Deletion of the tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO2) gene induces an anxiolytic-like behaviour in mice and TDO inhibition by allopurinol elicits an antidepressant-like effect in rats exposed to restraint stress. Chronic nicotine administration inhibits TDO activity, enhances brain serotonin synthesis and exerts anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects in rodent models. There is a strong association between anxiety, depression and tobacco use, which is stronger in women than in men. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between behavioural measures of anxiety and depression with liver TDO activity, brain tryptophan concentration and serotonin synthesis in rats treated chronically with nicotine. Behavioural measures included the elevated plus maze (EPM), open field (OFT) and forced swim (FST) tests. Biochemical measures included TDO activity, serum corticosterone and brain Trp, 5-HT and 5-HIAA concentrations. Anxiolytic-like and antidepressant-like effects of chronic nicotine were confirmed in association with TDO inhibition and elevation of brain Trp and 5-HT. Sex differences in behaviour were independent of the biochemical changes. At baseline, female rats performed better than males in OFT and FST. Nicotine was less anxiolytic in females in the open arm test. Nicotine treatment did not elicit different responses between sexes in the FST. Our findings support the notion that liver TDO activity exhibits a strong association with behavioural measures of anxiety and depression in experimental models, but provide little evidence for sex differences in behavioural response to nicotine. The TDO-anxiety link may be underpinned by kynurenine metabolites as well as serotonin.