bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimal Configuration of Composite Energy Storage for Integrated Energy Station in Low-Carbon Park
Authors: Xu Wei , Han Wei , Jin Huaizhang , Bai Yong , Liu Huan
Published: February 2023

Composite energy storage is more effective than single energy storage in stabilizing new energy’s fluctuation and is widely used in the micro-grid. Its capacity allocation strategy is directly related to power supply’s reliability. This paper proposes a study on the optimal allocation of composite energy storage for integrated energy stations in low-carbon parks. Based on the calculation of the battery’s storage capacity and super-capacitor in the integrated energy station of a low-carbon park, the optimization model of composite energy storage capacity is constructed with the power dispatching strategy as the optimization objective. The analysis results of the actual example show that the active power loss of the integrated energy station is reduced by 1. 7 MW after the configuration of the composite energy storage is optimized by this method. The optimization effect is good, which has important value for improving the energy utilization rate of the micro-grid.
Simulation of Gas-water Two-phase Micro-scale Flow in Tight Sandstone Reservoir
Authors: Liu Chenggang , Li Jinhan , Li Yongkai
Published: February 2023

China is rich in tight gas reservoir resources, but the production of tight gas wells is greatly affected by water production. In order to further explore the law of tight gas two-phase flow and improve the recovery ratio of a single well. Based on the Lattice-Boltzmann method (LBM), this paper establishes a gas-water two-phase Lattice-Boltzmann model of tight sandstone reservoir, simulates the micro-scale flow of tight sandstone reservoir, clarifies the occurrence law of gas-water in Production layer, and studies the micro-scale flow mechanism of the tight gas reservoir. The results show that the irreducible water of tight sandstone reservoirs mainly has four modes of occurrence: blocking water, blind pore water, dead-end pore water and adsorbed liquid film. Residual gas mainly exists in rock pore throats in three forms: dead-end pore gas, narrow-throat pore gas and closed gas. At the initial stage of two-phase infiltration flow, the liquid phase exists in the form of an adsorption liquid film, which affects the gas phase flow by reducing the flow area of the gas phase. In the middle and late stages, the liquid phase mainly blocks the throat in the form of droplets, thus affecting the gas phase flow. The tight sandstone reservoir is affected by capillary force, liquid-solid viscosity, pore throat structure and other reasons, which are easy to cause water lock damage and seriously reduce the single well production and recovery ratio of tight gas reservoirs. Fracturing is an effective means to improve the overall seepage capacity of tight reservoir fluid. With the increase of fracture width, continuous liquid films on both sides of the fracture restrict the cross-flow between fracture and matrix, further strengthening the water lock damage of the matrix.
Research on multi-objective optimization of energy power system under low carbon constraints
Authors: He Hui , Wu Kai
Published: February 2023

The optimization of energy saving and application of power system under low carbon constraint is the improvement of energy security theory and economic theory. To realize the optimization of China’s energy structure, develop low-carbon energy, and strengthen the reform of the energy structure, it is conducive to promoting the development of China’s low-carbon economy and achieving the goal of energy conservation and emission reduction. In order to realize the sustainable development of the economy, energy, and environment, a multi-objective optimization study of this paper proposes an energy power system based on low carbon constraints. The multi-objective optimization structure of the energy power system is analyzed, the model assumptions are established, the decision variables are selected, the objective function is set, the constraints are determined, and the multi-objective optimization model of the energy power system under the low-carbon constraints is constructed to realize the multi-objective optimization of the energy power system. It can be seen from the analysis of the optimization results that the use of this optimization model can effectively reduce CO2 emissions, thereby promoting the healthy development of a low-carbon economic system.
Experimental Study on Electrical Properties of Power Lithium-ion Battery
Authors: Zhang Yaxuan , Zhu Xu , Chen Jian , Zhu Xiaofang , Xu Qingguo
Published: February 2023

The paper studies the surface temperature rise and pulse charge/discharge capacity of batteries with different charge/discharge rates under different temperature conditions. The discharge performance and charge rate characteristics of an automotive lithium-ion battery were investigated. The battery discharge performance tests were conducted under different ambient temperatures and different charge rate conditions to obtain the battery charge voltage curve, charge capacity, and the temperature change pattern of the external surface of the battery during the charging process. Also, internal resistances of the battery cell were measured using the hybrid pulse power characteristic (HPPC). Experimental results show that the battery’s 10% to 90% DOD range shows the excellent pulse charging and discharging ability of the battery, and the temperature change of the battery is much higher at the beginning of the charging process and the end of the discharging process due to the influence of internal resistance.
Research on Vibration Fault Diagnosis of Steam Turbine Based on Equipment Tree
Authors: Zhang Jifan
Published: February 2023

As the main major equipment in the power plant, the steam turbine has a complex structure and poor operating environment. Its reliability is very important for the power plant. Intelligent fault diagnosis of steam turbines is an important part of the construction of smart power plants. As a complex system, the operation state of a steam turbine may be affected by a variety of faults. Different faults are interconnected and excited each other, which is often caused by the concurrence of other faults due to the occurrence of one fault. The external phenomenon produced is the result of the comprehensive action of many factors. The intelligent fault diagnosis system of steam turbines is based on traditional parameter monitoring and further analyzes on the basis of monitoring to find out the cause of the fault and gives maintenance suggestions. It includes diagnosing the faults that have occurred to prevent further deterioration and predicting the faults that have not occurred to prevent the occurrence of faults so as to achieve the purpose of fault diagnosis, pre-diagnosis, and intelligent maintenance.
Modelling and Simulation of Two-Float Oscillating Flapping-Wing Wave Energy Converter
Authors: Fang Zifan , Yang Yanli , Zuo Xinqiu , He Kongde , Yang Weihua
Published: February 2023

In order to achieve an efficient collection of wave energy and stable power output, a two-float oscillating flapping-wing wave energy converter is proposed. Based on the hydraulic conversion system of the multi-chamber cylinder, a hydraulic conversion and merging system of the multi-chamber cylinder is created. The composition and working principle of the system, as well as the parameters of the acquisition mechanism, hydraulic conversion and merging system, are determined. AQWA is used to simulate the flapping-wing angular displacement response, and AMESim is used to build the simulation model of the acquisition mechanism, the hydraulic conversion and merging of multi-chamber cylinders, and the power conversion and energy storage system. The research results show that the system can work stably under level 3 and 4 sea conditions, and the input power of the battery is stable at about 46.5kW and 56.5kW, respectively. The rationality and feasibility of the two-float oscillating flapping-wing wave energy converter are verified by simulation.
Relay Protection Method of High Voltage Transmission Line Based on Time-frequency Analysis
Authors: Chen Zhaohui , Ding Xiaobing , Xue Mingjun , Zhang Hao
Published: February 2023

Since China entered the era of high-voltage AC and DC hybrid power grids, many high-voltage transmission lines have been successfully constructed. Due to the high voltage and long transmission distance of high-voltage transmission lines, once a fault occurs, it will cause serious losses. The research on the relay protection method of high-voltage transmission lines based on time-frequency analysis is proposed, which has important contribution value to ensure the stable development of the power grid. The fault signal of the high-voltage transmission line is extracted based on time-frequency analysis. The fault transient component of a high-voltage transmission line is detected by decomposing the fault signal characteristics. The phase correlation protection based on the fault transient component is realized to realize the relay protection of the high voltage power transmission line. The simulation results show that the accuracy of the proposed method is 100%, which verifies the reliability of this method.
Engineering practice of confirming activity based on Commercial Grade item
Authors: Yuan Shengjun , Wang Xiaodong , Li Hong , Meng Li , Lv Fengbao , Du Xiaoxiao
Published: February 2023

This paper reviews the current status of CGD activities in nuclear power measurement and control projects in recent years, including bidding, process, method, and project implementation. This paper focuses on analyzing of some problems found in practice, which fully reflects the significance and necessity of CGD, and gives suggestions, hoping that the industry can speed up to establish the relevant domestic standard system and strengthen the supervision and implementation of engineering projects.
Optimization of Chenzhuang Combined Station through Pinch Analysis
Authors: Zheng Yong
Published: February 2023

The energy flow relation in the heating and heat exchanging process in a combined station is complicated. The heat exchanging network of Chenzhuang combined station has unreasonable energy utilization. First, pinch analysis for Chenzhuang combined station is performed by selecting pinch temperature differences within a reasonable temperature range. The pinch situation and minimum heating and cooling load are determined through the problem table. Then the energy-saving potential of the heat-exchanging network, which is optimized and retrofitted, is calculated. Finally, according to the results of energy costs and heat exchanger costs, the relationship between minimum pinch temperature difference and costs is plotted, with obtaining the optimal pinch temperature difference. Hereafter, pinch analysis is performed again, and the pinch temperature and energy-saving potential are calculated under the optimal pinch temperature difference. The results show that when the temperature difference of the pinch point is 20°C, the total cost of the corresponding combined station is the lowest, and the energy-saving potential reaches 14.3%.
Drag Reduction Design of Transonic Airfoil Based on Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Zhao Qinghe
Published: February 2023

The particle swarm optimization algorithm was introduced and the six-hump camelback function problem was verified and tested. The flow field of the RAE2822 airfoil was simulated by the Navier-Stokes equation and compared with the experiment very well. Based on the aerodynamic optimization case of an airfoil, an optimization design and drag reduction design with a lift coefficient fixed were developed. In this problem, geometric constraints and aerodynamic constraints are both involved. A population of 30 individuals was generated. The CST airfoil parameterized method was used to generate the new airfoil, and the dynamic mesh technique was used to update the new mesh. The aerodynamic characteristics of each airfoil was simulated by Navier-Stokes equation and obtain the individual fitness value. A total of 20 iterations of the design were carried out. There was a strong shock wave and a large shock drag in the baseline airfoil transonic flow. The shock strength is obviously weakened after optimization. The pressure drag is obviously reduced, and the lift-drag ratio is increased by 75%.
Eos: conceptual design for a demonstrator of hybrid optical detector technology
Authors: Anderson T. , Anderssen E. , Askins M. , Bacon A.J. , Bagdasarian Z. , Baldoni A. , Barros N. , Bartoszek L. , Bergevin M. , Bernstein A. , Blucher E. , Boissevain J. , Bonventre R. , Brown D. , Callaghan E.J. , Cowen D.F. , Dazeley S. , Diwan M. , Duce M. , Fleming D. , Frankiewicz K. , Gooding D.M. , Grant C. , Juechter J. , Kaptanoglu T. , Kim T. , Klein J.R. , Kraus C. , Kroupová T. , Land B. , Lebanowski L. , Lozza V. , Marino A. , Mastbaum A. , Mauger C. , Mayers G. , Minock J. , Naugle S. , Newcomer M. , Nikolica A. , Orebi Gann G.D. , Pickard L. , Ren L. , Rincon A. , Rowe N. , Saba J. , Schoppmann S. , Sensenig J. , Smiley M. , Song H. , Steiger H. , Svoboda R. , Tiras E. , To W.H. , Trzaska W.H. , Van Berg R. , Veeraraghavan V. , Wallig J. , Wendel G. , Wetstein M. , Wurm M. , Yang G. , Yeh M. , Zimmerman E.D.
Published: February 2023

Eos is a technology demonstrator, designed to
explore the capabilities of hybrid event detection technology,
leveraging both Cherenkov and scintillation light simultaneously.
With a fiducial mass of four tons, Eos is designed to
operate in a high-precision regime, with sufficient size to utilize
time-of-flight information for full event reconstruction,
flexibility to demonstrate a range of cutting edge technologies, and
simplicity of design to facilitate potential future deployment at
alternative sites. Results from Eos can inform the design
of future neutrino detectors for both fundamental physics and
nonproliferation applications. This paper describes the conceptual
design and potential applications of the Eos detector.
Sputtering of micro-carbon-silver film (μC-Ag) for endotracheal tubes to mitigate respiratory infections
Authors: da Silva Michely Glenda Pereira , Manfroi Lucas Augusto , Lobo Larissa Zamboni , Vieira Ângela Aparecida , Macário Paulo Fabrício , Fukumasu Newton Kiyoshi , da Silva Newton Soares , Tschiptschin André Paulo , Marques Francisco Das Chagas , Vieira Lúcia
Published: February 2023

Polyurethane (PU) substrates are biocompatible materials widely used to manufacture endotracheal tubes. However, in common with other biomedical materials, they are liable to the formation of microbial films. The occurrence of pneumonia in intubated patients treated at intensive care units often takes the form of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). The issue relates to the translocation of pathogenic microorganisms that colonize the oropharyngeal mucosa, dental plaque, stomach, and sinuses. New protective materials can provide a more effective therapeutic approach to mitigating bacterial films. This work concerns microcrystalline carbon film containing dispersed silver nanoparticles (μC-Ag) deposited on PU substrates using a physical vapor deposition sputtering process. For the first time, carbon paper was used to produce a carbon target with holes exposing a silver disk positioned under the carbon paper, forming a single target for use in the sputtering system. The silver nanoparticles were well distributed in the carbon film. The adherence characteristics of the μC-Ag film were evaluated using a tape test technique, and electron dispersive x-ray mapping was performed to analyze the residual particles after the tape test. The microbicidal effect of the thin film was also investigated using species S. aureus, a pathogenic microorganism responsible for most infections of the lower respiratory tract involving VAP and ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis (VAT). The results demonstrated that μC-Ag films on PU substrates are promising materials for mitigating pathogenic microorganisms on endotracheal tubes.
Increased wildfire hazard along South-Central Chile under the RCP8.5 scenario as revealed by high-resolution modeling
Authors: Ciocca Isabella , Fernández Alfonso , Jaque Edilia , Justino Flavio , Shumacher Vanúcia , da Silva Alex Santos , Muñoz Ariel , de la Barrera Francisco
Published: February 2023

Among Mediterranean regions, the South-Central Zone of Chile (SCZCh) portrays a landscape where wildfires constantly and historically occur, many times damaging ecosystems, lives and livelihoods. Since 2010, this zone has entered a period of unprecedented drought that has contributed to wildfire rising trends. Wildfire occurrence and intensity in this zone can be associated with three main factors: climate and land cover as conditioning factors, and human activity as a triggering factor. This paper evaluates wildfire hazard for the SCZCh, based on environmental susceptibility to wildfire occurrence, using numerical regional climate and wildfire modeling for the 2002–2005 historical period and for the mid and late 21st-century under the RCP8.5 climate change scenario. Results indicate high skill in matching spatial patterns of fire spot occurrence and density in the historical period, as well as the ability to simulate seasonal behavior in wildfire environmental susceptibility, consistent with national historical statistics. The fire hazard in SCZCh will slightly increase in all seasons for both 2041–2050 and 2091–2100 periods, especially southward, with a long-term spatial homogenization of medium levels of hazard in Central Valley and Coastal Range, between 0 and 1000 m a.s.l. These results combined with the current homogeneous extensive exotic species plantations dominated by inflammable tree species in SCZCh might facilitate the occurrence of large wildfires under the projected 21st-century climate regime.
Giant and reversible circular dichroism based on phase change materials for near-field image display
Authors: Jiang Huan , Peng Kangzhun , Cui Ying , Xie Zhenwei , Zhang Hui , Jiang Yongyuan , Zhao Weiren , Yuan Xiaocong
Published: February 2023

Switchable circular dichroism (CD) is in high demand in wireless communication, real-time imaging, etc. At present, the active switching range of CD magnitudes in a nanostructure is relatively narrow. Herein, the giant and reversible CD with large-range modulation is realized by controlling the phase transition of GST (Ge2Sb2Te5) in a double Z-shape array. The demonstrated CD undergoes the large range from −0.85 to 0.85, which is a major advance. The giant CD arises from the polarization-dependent excitations of electric and magnetic dipole resonances. Utilizing the giant and reversible CD, the application for dynamic near-field image display is demonstrated. The reconfiguration capability of our metasurface for large-range switchable CD will promote the prosperity of active chiro-optical devices.
Design and development of IV fluid warming system using TRIZ methodology
Authors: Shrivastava Siddhant , Verma Abhishek , Ramkumar Janakarajan
Published: February 2023

In intravenous (IV) tube infusion therapy, various fluids, such as saline, glucose, blood, and others, are infused into the body via the veins leading to the heart, causing the fluids to circulate throughout the body. The IV fluid is packaged in a flexible plastic-based container, and during therapy, the container is kept in an open environment that could either cool or warm the fluid. The body’s core temperature, which is usually 37 °C, catastrophic drops when this cool intravenous fluid is combined with blood, resulting in hypothermia and other health complications. It can be life-threatening for young newborns, severe patients, and elderly individuals. Nearly 14% of hospitalized patients are hypothermic upon arrival. In this study, a portable IV fluid warming system was made that warms the intravenous fluids before they reach the human body, preventing hypothermia by maintaining the required temperature. The solution was formulated using the TRIZ contradiction matrix. Various processes involved in resolving the conflict via the TRIZ matrix were investigated in depth, and the device was subsequently made employing the ideas. The device consists of an encased heating jacket that can be wrapped all around the IV fluid container to heat the fluid without direct contact, thereby eliminating the risk of contamination. It works on a feedback control system & simplifies temperature regulation desired by the physician. The design was validated via thermal analysis in software, and via experimentation, both the results were within a close tolerance of each other, which proves the design successful. Later, the equipment was certified by an ISO 13485-accredited facility, and currently, testing is ongoing in hospitals under supervision. The developed IV fluid warmer is cost-effective, recyclable, and ergonomically designed for user comfort compared to conventional commercial warmers.
Hyper-elastic Ricci flow: Gradient flow, local existence-uniqueness, and a Perelman energy functional
Authors: Slemrod Marshall
Published: February 2023

The equation of hyper-elastic Ricci flow amends classical Ricci flow by the addition of the Cauchy stress tensor which itself is derived from the a free energy. In this paper hyper-elastic Ricci flow is shown to possess three properties derived by G. Perelman for classical Ricci flow, specifically it is diffeomorphically equivalent to a gradient flow, unique smooth solutions exist locally in time, and the system possesses a non-decreasing energy function.
Direct Effect of Life-Course Socioeconomic Status on Late-Life Cognition and Cognitive Decline in the Rush Memory and Aging Project
Authors: Krasnova Anna , Tom Sarah E , Valeri Linda , Crane Paul K , Bennett David A
Published: February 2023

The role of socioeconomic status (SES) across the life course in late-life cognition is unclear. We tested the hypotheses that: 1) High SES in childhood, young adulthood, midlife, and late life have independent causal effects on higher cognition level and slower cognitive decline; 2) Compared with stable low SES (referent), stable high SES has the largest estimated effect for higher cognition level and slower decline among life-course SES combinations. The Rush Memory and Aging Project enrolled 1,940 dementia-free older adults in northeastern Illinois (1997–2018). We used inverse probability–weighted marginal structural models to estimate the joint and independent effect of each life-course SES on global and domain-specific cognition. A total of 1,746 participants had, on average, 6 years of follow-up. High SES at each life-course stage starting in young adulthood had a protective estimated effect on global and domain-specific cognition intercepts. Compared with consistently low SES, consistently high SES (β = 0.64, 95% confidence interval: 0.48, 0.93) and high SES beyond childhood (β = 0.64, 95% confidence interval: 0.47, 0.83) had the largest benefit for global cognition intercepts. None of the life-course SES measures influenced rate of global or domain-specific decline. Additional understanding of life-course SES components influencing cognitive level is warranted.
A cofunctional grouping-based approach for non-redundant feature gene selection in unannotated single-cell RNA-seq analysis
Authors: Deng Tao , Chen Siyu , Zhang Ying , Xu Yuanbin , Feng Da , Wu Hao , Sun Xiaobo
Published: February 2023

Feature gene selection has significant impact on the performance of cell clustering in single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis. A well-rounded feature selection (FS) method should consider relevance, redundancy and complementarity of the features. Yet most existing FS methods focus on gene relevance to the cell types but neglect redundancy and complementarity, which undermines the cell clustering performance. We develop a novel computational method GeneClust to select feature genes for scRNA-seq cell clustering. GeneClust groups genes based on their expression profiles, then selects genes with the aim of maximizing relevance, minimizing redundancy and preserving complementarity. It can work as a plug-in tool for FS with any existing cell clustering method. Extensive benchmark results demonstrate that GeneClust significantly improve the clustering performance. Moreover, GeneClust can group cofunctional genes in biological process and pathway into clusters, thus providing a means of investigating gene interactions and identifying potential genes relevant to biological characteristics of the dataset. GeneClust is freely available at https://github.com/ToryDeng/scGeneClust.
The use of ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging in the management of hidradenitis suppurativa: a narrative review
Authors: Mendes-Bastos Pedro , Martorell Antonio , Bettoli Vincenzo , Matos António P , Muscianisi Elisa , Wortsman Ximena
Published: February 2023

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, inflammatory follicular skin disease that frequently affects the apocrine gland-bearing skin of the axillary, inguinal and anogenital regions. HS has a significant impact on the psychosocial health and quality of life of patients. Diagnosis of HS is typically clinical, and relies on the ability of physicians to recognize the signs of HS. However, lesions may present at the dermal and subcutaneous skin layers, which cannot be diagnosed by clinical examination alone. Further, the complexity of the clinical presentation of HS can lead to misdiagnosis and delay of diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Imaging is an important tool that can address these issues by detecting inflammatory activity and the early subclinical and dermal features of HS, and accurately characterizing lesional morphology, thereby informing on optimal therapeutic strategies. Overall, imaging is a key tool that can be used in conjunction with clinical examination to improve the management of HS by providing additional information to physicians, and thus optimize clinical decision making.

In this narrative review, we provide an overview of the general role of imaging in the management of HS, and we illustrate HS-specific applications of two pertinent imaging modalities, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. Finally, based on the literature, we summarize their uses in HS and provide considerations relating to standardizing the practise of ultrasound and effectively implementing the use of imaging in the management of HS.
Monkeypox: a review of the 2022 outbreak
Authors: Lim Eleanor Y , Whitehorn James , Rivett Lucy
Published: February 2023

Introduction

In May 2022, the World Health Organisation declared a multi-country monkeypox outbreak in non-endemic countries following cases reported from 12 member states that were not endemic for monkeypox virus.

Sources of data

Pubmed search.

Areas of agreement

The virology, epidemiology, transmission, incubation and aspects of infection control are described. Clinical features of previous and current outbreaks are described, with growing observations that the current outbreak presents with clinical features distinct from previous outbreaks.

Areas of controversy

There are variations in clinical presentations seen in the current outbreak that have not been seen in prior outbreaks. More research is needed to investigate the reasons for these differences.

Growing points

The higher numbers of HIV-positive patients in the current outbreak has allowed better description of the disease in patients co-infected with HIV and monkeypox. The absence of more severe symptoms in HIV-positive patients in the current outbreak could possibly be due to the fact that most of these patients had well-controlled HIV, although further characterization of this cohort of patients would be useful.

Areas for developing research

Current treatment and vaccination options have been extrapolated from studies of other Orthopox viruses. There remains a need for more data on the safety and efficacy of these options in the context of monkeypox infections.
Regulatory B cells are reduced in the blood in patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis, and fail to regulate T-cell IFN-γ production
Authors: Appelgren Daniel , Puli Srinivasulu , Hellmark Thomas , Pochard Pierre , Pers Jacques-Olivier , Ernerudh Jan , Eriksson Per , Segelmark Mårten
Published: February 2023

Regulatory B (Breg) cells can dampen inflammation, autoreactivity, and transplant rejection. We investigated the frequencies, phenotypes, and function of Breg cells in granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) to gain further knowledge as to whether there are numerical alterations or limitations of their ability to regulate T-cell function. Frequencies and phenotypes of CD24hiCD27+ and CD24hiCD38hi B-cells in the blood were determined with flow cytometry in 37 GPA patients (22 in remission and 15 with active disease) and 31 healthy controls (HC). A co-culture model was used to study the capacity of Breg cells to regulate T-cell activation and proliferation in cells from 10 GPA patients in remission and 12 HC. T-cell cytokine production in vitro and levels in plasma were determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Frequencies of CD24hiCD27+ B-cells were reduced both during active disease and remission compared with HC (P = 0.005 and P = 0.010, respectively), whereas CD24hiCD38hi B-cells did not differ. Patient CD24hiCD27+ B-cells exhibited decreased expression of CD25 but increased expression of PD-L1 and PD-L2 during remission. B-cells from GPA patients regulated T-cell proliferation but failed to regulate interferon (IFN)-γ production (median T-cells alone 222 ng/ml vs. T-cells + B-cells 207 ng/ml, P = 0.426). IFN-γ was also elevated in patient plasma samples (P = 0.016). In conclusion, GPA patients exhibit altered numbers and phenotypes of CD24hiCD27+ B-cells. This is accompanied by a disability to control T-cell production of Th1-type cytokines during remission, which might be of fundamental importance for the granulomatous inflammation that characterizes the chronic phase of this disease.
Assessing the effect of interaction between lifestyle and longitudinal changes in brain structure on sleep phenotypes
Authors: Zhao Yijing , Yang Xuena , Cheng Shiqiang , Li Chun’e , He Dan , Cai Qingqing , Wei Wenming , Qin Xiaoyue , Zhang Na , Shi Sirong , Chu Xiaoge , Meng Peilin , Zhang Feng
Published: February 2023

Longitudinal changes in brain structure and lifestyle can affect sleep phenotypes. However, the influence of the interaction between longitudinal changes in brain structure and lifestyle on sleep phenotypes remains unclear. Genome-wide association study dataset of longitudinal changes in brain structure was obtained from published study. Phenotypic data of lifestyles and sleep phenotypes were obtained from UK Biobank cohort. Using genotype data from UK Biobank, we calculated polygenetic risk scores of longitudinal changes in brain structure phenotypes. Linear/logistic regression analysis was conducted to evaluate interactions between longitudinal changes in brain structure and lifestyles on sleep duration, chronotype, insomnia, snoring and daytime dozing. Multiple lifestyle × longitudinal changes in brain structure interactions were detected for 5 sleep phenotypes, such as physical activity×caudate_age2 for daytime dozing (OR = 1.0389, P = 8.84 × 10−3) in total samples, coffee intake×cerebellar white matter volume_age2 for daytime dozing (OR = 0.9652, P = 1.13 × 10−4) in females. Besides, we found 4 overlapping interactions in different sleep phenotypes. We conducted sex stratification analysis and identified one overlapping interaction between female and male. Our results support the moderate effects of interaction between lifestyle and longitudinal changes in brain structure on sleep phenotypes, and deepen our understanding of the pathogenesis of sleep disorders.
Neural unscrambling of temporal information during a nonlinear narrative
Authors: Grall Clare , Equita Josefa , Finn Emily S
Published: February 2023

Although we must experience our lives chronologically, storytellers often manipulate the order in which they relay events. How the brain processes temporal information while encoding a nonlinear narrative remains unclear. Here, we use functional magnetic resonance imaging during movie watching to investigate which brain regions are sensitive to information about time in a narrative and test whether the representation of temporal context across a narrative is more influenced by the order in which events are presented or their underlying chronological sequence. Results indicate that medial parietal regions are sensitive to cued jumps through time over and above other changes in context (i.e., location). Moreover, when processing non-chronological narrative information, the precuneus and posterior cingulate engage in on-the-fly temporal unscrambling to represent information chronologically. Specifically, days that are closer together in chronological time are represented more similarly regardless of when they are presented in the movie, and this representation is consistent across participants. Additional analyses reveal a strong spatial signature associated with higher magnitude jumps through time. These findings are consistent with prior theorizing on medial parietal regions as central to maintaining and updating narrative situation models, and suggest the priority of chronological information when encoding narrative events.
Variation in the reference range limits of thyroid function tests and association with the prevalence of levothyroxine treatment
Authors: Razvi Salman , Jabbar Avais , Addison Caroline , Vernazza Jonathan , Syed Akheel , Soran Handrean , Leng Owain
Published: February 2023

Many individuals with marginally abnormal thyroid function test (TFT) results may be treated and it is unknown if the limits of the thyrotropin (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4) reference intervals reported alongside the laboratory results are associated with the prevalence of levothyroxine treatment. We obtained information regarding reported TFT reference intervals from UK National Health Service (NHS) laboratories and evaluated its relationship with the prevalence of levothyroxine treatment for corresponding health areas for 2014. The upper limit of serum TSH was significantly, linearly, independently, and negatively associated with prevalent levothyroxine treatment: −0.54% (95% CI, −0.68% to −0.40%). The lower limit of serum FT4 was significantly and independently associated with the prevalence of levothyroxine treatment in a non-linear (J-shaped) manner with an increase being noted from a FT4 level of ≈9.5 pmol/L onwards. We conclude that minor changes in the reference range limits for serum TSH and FT4 are associated with levothyroxine treatment.
Attuning ourselves to tunes
Authors: Nowell Smith David
Published: February 2023

The below is a transcript (with a small number of footnotes added) for an inaugural lecture given at the University of East Anglia on 28 November 2022. The lecture sought to answer the following questions: why read poems? Why study poetry? This talk argues that poetry constitutes language in its most condensed, but also most enlarged, form: when we read poems, we enliven ourselves to the expressive power of language as a whole, we attune ourselves to the language’s tunes. Through discussions of poems from across history, the talk will explore the different ways that poems ‘make sense’: that is, generate senses and sensations. In particular, the talk will reflect on the sense of tunes and the tunefulness of sense. A recording of the lecture and ensuing Q&A can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flU1fuJVUqU
The urgent need for valid data on access to healthcare in Europe
Authors: Guidi Caterina Francesca , Ingleby David
Published: February 2023

The probability of experiencing an unmet need for medical or dental care can be expressed either (a) as a proportion of the whole population studied or (b) as a proportion of those who had a need. Only (b) yields a valid measure of access to care. Using (a) combines access to care with state of health. Unfortunately, the main data source used by researchers (the European Union Survey of Income and Living Conditions, EU-SILC) uses method (a), rendering the literature to date subject to unknown errors. The authors argue that there is an urgent need for Eurostat to publish data using method (b).
sgsR: a structurally guided sampling toolbox for LiDAR-based forest inventories
Authors: Goodbody Tristan R H , Coops Nicholas C , Queinnec Martin , White Joanne C , Tompalski Piotr , Hudak Andrew T , Auty David , Valbuena Ruben , LeBoeuf Antoine , Sinclair Ian , McCartney Grant , Prieur Jean-Francois , Woods Murray E
Published: February 2023

Establishing field inventories can be labor intensive, logistically challenging and expensive. Optimizing a sample to derive accurate forest attribute predictions is a key management-level inventory objective. Traditional sampling designs involving pre-defined, interpreted strata could result in poor selection of within-strata sampling intensities, leading to inaccurate estimates of forest structural variables. The use of airborne laser scanning (ALS) data as an applied forest inventory tool continues to improve understanding of the composition and spatial distribution of vegetation structure across forested landscapes. The increased availability of wall-to-wall ALS data is promoting the concept of structurally guided sampling (SGS), where ALS metrics are used as an auxiliary data source driving stratification and sampling within management-level forest inventories. In this manuscript, we present an open-source R package named sgsR that provides a robust toolbox for implementing various SGS approaches. The goal of this package is to provide a toolkit to facilitate better optimized allocation of sample units and sample size, as well as to assess and augment existing plot networks by accounting for current forest structural conditions. Here, we first provide justification for SGS approaches and the creation of the sgsR toolbox. We then briefly describe key functions and workflows the package offers and provide two reproducible examples. Avenues to implement SGS protocols according to auxiliary data needs are presented.
Functional validation of transposable element–derived cis-regulatory elements in Atlantic salmon
Authors: Sahlström Hanna M , Datsomor Alex K , Monsen Øystein , Hvidsten Torgeir R , Sandve Simen Rød
Published: February 2023

Transposable elements (TEs) are hypothesized to play important roles in shaping genome evolution following whole-genome duplications (WGDs), including rewiring of gene regulation. In a recent analysis, duplicate gene copies that had evolved higher expression in liver following the salmonid WGD ∼100 million years ago were associated with higher numbers of predicted TE-derived cis-regulatory elements (TE-CREs). Yet, the ability of these TE-CREs to recruit transcription factors (TFs) in vivo and impact gene expression remains unknown. Here, we evaluated the gene-regulatory functions of 11 TEs using luciferase promoter reporter assays in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) primary liver cells. Canonical Tc1-Mariner elements from intronic regions showed no or small repressive effects on transcription. However, other TE-CREs upstream of transcriptional start sites increased expression significantly. Our results question the hypothesis that TEs in the Tc1-Mariner superfamily, which were extremely active following WGD in salmonids, had a major impact on regulatory rewiring of gene duplicates, but highlights the potential of other TEs in post-WGD rewiring of gene regulation in the Atlantic salmon genome.
Evaluation of Associations of Growth Differentiation Factor-11, Growth Differentiation Factor-8, and Their Binding Proteins, Follistatin and Follistatin-Like Protein-3, With Measures of Skeletal Muscle Mass, Muscle Strength, and Physical Function in Older Adults
Authors: Cawthon Peggy M , Patel Sheena , Newman Anne B , Bhasin Shalender , Peng Liming , Tracy Russell P , Kizer Jorge R , Lee Se-Jin , Ferrucci Luigi , Ganz Peter , LeBrasseur Nathan K , Cummings Steven R
Published: February 2023

Background

Based on studies from animal models, growth differentiation factor-11 (GDF-11) may have rejuvenating effects in humans. GDF-11 has high sequence homology with GDF-8 (also known as myostatin); follistatin and follistatin-like protein-3 (FSTL-3) are inhibitory proteins of both GDF-8 and GDF-11.

Methods

Using highly specific liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry assays for GDF-11 and GDF-8 and immunoassays for follistatin and FSTL-3, we quantified the association of these factors with muscle size, strength, and physical performance in 2 prospective cohort studies of community-dwelling older adults (Health, Aging, and Body Composition study [Health ABC] and Cardiovascular Health Study [CHS]).

Results

GDF-8 levels were positively associated with thigh muscle cross-sectional area and density in Health ABC (data not available in CHS). GDF-8 levels were positively associated with lean mass (a surrogate of muscle mass) in Health ABC but not CHS, and grip strength in CHS but not Health ABC. FSTL-3 (and perhaps follistatin) was negatively associated with lean mass and had variable associations with other variables. In contrast, GDF-11 was not significantly associated with strength or performance.

Conclusions

GDF-8 and its binding proteins, follistatin and FSTL-3, may constitute a counterregulatory system (chalones) to restrain age-related loss of muscle mass and strength.
Association Between Weight Status and Rate of Cognitive Decline: China Health and Nutrition Survey 1997–2018
Authors: Lynch David H , Howard Annie Green , Tien Hsiao-Chuan , Du Shufa , Zhang Bing , Wang Huijun , Gordon-Larsen Penny , Batsis John A
Published: February 2023

Background

There is a close relationship between weight status and cognitive impairment in older adults. This study examined the association between weight status and the trajectory of cognitive decline over time in a population-based cohort of older adults in China.

Methods

We used data from adults aged ≥55 years participating in the China health and nutrition survey (1997–2018). Underweight (body mass index [BMI] ≤ 18.5 kg/m2), normal weight (18.5–23 kg/m2), overweight (23–27.5 kg/m2), and obesity (BMI ≥ 27.5 kg/m2) were defined using the World Health Organization Asian cutpoints. Global cognition was estimated every 2–4 years through a face-to-face interview using a modified telephone interview for cognitive status (scores 0–27). The association between BMI and the rate of global cognitive decline, using a restricted cubic spline for age and age category, was examined with linear mixed-effects models accounting for correlation within communities and individuals.

Results

We included 5 992 adults (53% female participants, mean age of 62 at baseline). We found differences in the adjusted rate of global cognitive decline by weight status (p = .01 in the cubic spline model). Models were adjusted for sex, marital status, current employment status, income, region, urbanization, education status, birth cohort, leisure activity, smoking status, and self-reported diagnosis of hypertension, diabetes, or Myocardial Infarction (MI)/stroke. In addition, significant declines by age in global cognitive function were found for all weight status categories except individuals with obesity.

Conclusions

In a cohort of adults in China, cognitive decline trajectory differed by weight status. A slower rate of change was observed in participants classified as having obesity.
Sense-Making of Loneliness and Exclusion From Social Relations Among Older Adults in Sweden
Authors: Ågren Axel , Pavlidis George
Published: February 2023

Background and Objectives

Loneliness and exclusion from social relations (ESR) are frequently addressed as public health issues for older adults. Public discourses potentially influence how loneliness and ESR are understood in society and experienced by the individual. The aim of this study was to analyze how older adults in different parts of Sweden use the discourses and concepts available to them to describe experiences of ESR and loneliness, and how these descriptions are used to construct a self-identity.

Research Design and Methods

Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 individuals (14 men, 16 women) aged 67–87 years and living in Sweden. Emphasis was, in line with perspectives of discursive psychology, on how individuals draw on discourses to make sense of experiences. The empirical material was analyzed through an inductive process where we were open to finding concepts and themes.

Results

Most participants emphasized the importance of not being lonely, considered achievable through maintaining an active lifestyle. “Othering” was taking place, where a general image of a “lonely” older adult was referred to when speaking about “others” loneliness. Those who expressed feelings of loneliness related these feelings to loss, being omitted, and other difficult life circumstances.

Discussion and Implications

States of ESR were discussed more comfortably than loneliness, whereas various linguistic resources were used to distance themselves from loneliness. These findings indicate the need for further studies elaborating on how older adults make sense of ESR and loneliness and what implications this has for older adults’ well-being and identity making.
Audience–campaign planner interaction in social media communication campaigns: how it influences intended campaign responses in the observing audience
Authors: Shi Jingyuan , Dai Yue (Nancy)
Published: February 2023

We proposed a dual typology of audiences for social media communication campaigns: the participating audience, who interacts with campaign planners, and the observing audience, who observes those interactions. Situated in a context of promoting seeking counseling for depression, our online experiment (N = 570) demonstrated that the similarity of the observing and participating audiences (high vs. low), the message features of campaign planners’ replies (high person-centeredness vs. low person-centeredness vs. no reply), and the observing audience’s predispositions (with vs. without depressive symptoms) jointly affected the observing audience’s attitude toward seeking counseling. For observers with depressive symptoms, seeing a campaigner addressing a negative comment that reflects a similar concern of their own mitigated the adverse impact of the comment on the observers’ attitude. Our findings introduce a theoretical lens for understanding a communication process unique to campaigns on social media and offer insights into how the process shapes campaigns’ intended responses.