bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correlated ion stopping in dense plasmas with a temperature‐dependent plasmon pole approximation
Authors: Zakirova Zhanerke , Tashev Bekbolat , Deutsch Claude
Published: March 2024

The plasmon pole approximation used for the stopping function in a dense electron plasma is given a temperature‐dependent cutoff wavenumber via the ion projectile thermal wavelength. Excepted for projectile inter‐ion distance smaller than the target electron screening length and small ion fragment velocities, featuring a attosecond interaction time with a maximum correlated ion stopping (CIS) in inertial confinement fusion and warm dense matter (WDM), the given procedure is shown to yield back accurately the CIS estimated within the standard random phase approximation framework at any temperature, provided the ion fragment distribution is taken Gaussian.
Local and landscape factors differentially influence predatory arthropods in urban agroecosystems
Authors: Liere Heidi , Cowal Sanya
Published: March 2024

Like other urban green spaces, urban community gardens can act as biodiversity refugees, especially for small organisms like arthropods. In turn, arthropods can provide important ecosystem pest control services to these agroecosystems. Thus, an often‐asked question among urban gardeners is how to improve gardens and surrounding areas for natural enemies and associated pest control services. We examine how local vegetation and garden characteristics, as well as the surrounding landscape composition, affect ground‐dwelling beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae and Staphylinidae), spiders (Araneae), opilionids (Opiliones), and ladybird beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), all of which are important predators. In the summer of 2019, we collected predators, vegetation, ground cover, and garden and landscape characteristic data from 10 community gardens in the city of Seattle, Washington. We found that different groups of natural enemies are associated with different environmental variables and at different scales; probably related to differences in their dispersal capabilities, habits, and diets. Floral variables (number of flowers and number of species in flower) had a negative effect on nonflying natural enemies (spiders, opilionids, and ground‐dwelling beetles), but not on flying ones (ladybird beetles). The only taxon that was significantly affected by a landscape‐scale variable was Opiliones, the only group examined that exclusively disperses by ground. Our results show contrasting results to similar studies in different regions and highlight the need to expand the taxa and regions of study.
Evidence that ericoid mycorrhizal shrubs can outcompete ectomycorrhizal trees for nitrogen in tannin‐rich litter
Authors: Rains Kai C. , Bledsoe Caroline , Kraus Tamara E. C. , Wurzburger Nina
Published: March 2024

Mycorrhizal associations of trees play a key role in ecosystem biogeochemistry, yet we know relatively little about the nutrient acquisition strategies of ericoid mycorrhizal (ErM) shrubs, despite their prevalence in forest understories. ErM shrubs tend to produce litter with high concentrations of polyphenols, which form decay‐resistant complexes with organic nitrogen (N). Some ErM fungi appear capable of producing a diverse suite of extracellular enzymes, but it is unclear whether this enables ErM shrubs to acquire the N from their own litter, and whether this ability is greater than that of ectomycorrhizal (EcM) trees, with which they commonly co‐occur. Here, we conducted two growth chamber experiments with 15N‐enriched root and leaf litters to determine whether EcM pine and ErM vaccinium differ in litter N acquisition from these sources. Grown individually, pine and vaccinium plants acquired 1 mg or 4% of the litter N after one year. Differences between pine and vaccinium in litter N acquisition were correlated with litter chemistry, where vaccinium acquired more N from litter with a high concentration of tannins and a high C:N, while pine acquired more N from litter with a high acid‐insoluble fraction. When plants were grown in pairs, the presence of a vaccinium neighbor reduced the biomass of both species by an average of 24%, but it only reduced litter N acquisition by pine (55%), demonstrating vaccinium's ability to compete with pine for litter N. Regardless of the competitive context, vaccinium allocated a greater percentage (76%) of its acquired litter N to aboveground biomass compared with pine (47%), suggesting vaccinium is more efficient at allocating this N to photosynthesis and growth. Our finding that EcM pine and ErM vaccinium have varying abilities to acquire N from these common litters suggests a degree of niche complementarity, which may facilitate the coexistence of these plants in forest ecosystems. However, our results also suggest that, at high densities, ErM vaccinium has the potential to suppress the growth and N acquisition of EcM pine. Distinct strategies of EcM trees and ErM shrubs for acquiring and using N have the potential to shape biogeochemical cycles of many forested ecosystems.
A ChemoEnzymatic Approach for the Preparation of “Linear‐Shaped” Diaryl Pyrazines as Potential Antiprotozoal Agents
Authors: Bassanini Ivan , Braga Tommaso , Tognoli Chiara , Vanoni Marta , Mazza Gaia , Basilico Nicoletta , Parapini Silvia , Riva Sergio
Published: March 2024

Nitrogenous heterocyclic rings are present in a wide range of drugs, natural compounds, and fine chemicals and are considered privileged scaffolds in medicinal chemistry. Seeking novel anti‐protozoal drugs acting on new targets or by novel mechanisms of action, we focused on a preliminary evaluation of the potential of “linear‐shaped” diaryl pyrazines. To this purpose, a two‐enzyme chemoenzymatic synthesis of this heteroaromatic core was carried out. Specifically, starting from simple, commercially available aromatic aldehydes, the target pyrazines were obtained through a sequence of biocatalytic benzoin condensation, chemical oxidation and a transaminase‐mediated tandem process of transamination and cyclization. The profiles of the compounds as antiprotozoal agents were evaluated in vitro against parasites cultures of the Leishmania and Plasmodium genera and using the human cell line HepG2.
Limits to knickzone retreat and bedrock river incision on the Hawaiian islands
Authors: Raming L. Wren , Whipple Kelin X. , Strauch Ayron M.
Published: March 2024

A knickzone is defined as a waterfall or an oversteepened fluvial reach encompassing a series of waterfalls. Knickzones are remarkable landforms in that they may represent diametrically opposed conditions: either rapid upstream propagation of base‐level fall or a condition of stability and stalled response to base‐level fall. Knickzones on the Hawaiian islands exhibit evidence of both behaviours, and in this study, we explore whether this dichotomy can be explained by a threshold stream power for river incision. Topographic analysis shows that the transition between fluvial hanging valleys, where no measurable upstream retreat from the stream junction or coastline has occurred, and knickzones that have retreated or formed upstream of their outlet can be defined by a range of catchment sizes from ~0.5 to 6 km2. This transition is present on all volcanoes in our analysis regardless of significant base‐level fall, and there is no clear trend of drainage area above knickzones with volcano age. To explain these observations, we hypothesize that knickzones form or stabilize where maximum unit stream power (
) does not exceed the critical unit stream power required to incise bedrock
. Using estimates of a maximum possible flood discharge as a function of drainage area to calculate
, we show that drainage areas above knickzones are well described by the theoretical prediction that incision stalls when
, where
falls in a narrow range from 14 to 40 kW/m2. Furthermore, we demonstrate that knickzone positions are largely insensitive to mean climate conditions, likely reflecting the fact that extreme flood events are either insensitive or inversely correlated with mean annual rainfall.
Hippocampal lesions impair non‐navigational spatial memory in macaques
Authors: Forcelli Patrick A. , LaFlamme Elyssa M. , Waguespack Hannah F. , Saunders Richard C. , Malkova Ludise
Published: March 2024

Decades of studies robustly support a critical role for the hippocampus in spatial memory across a wide range of species. Hippocampal damage produces clear and consistent deficits in allocentric spatial memory that requires navigating through space in rodents, non‐human primates, and humans. By contrast, damage to the hippocampus spares performance in most non‐navigational spatial memory tasks—which can typically be resolved using egocentric cues. We previously found that transient inactivation of the hippocampus impairs performance in the Hamilton Search Task (HST), a self‐ordered non‐navigational spatial search task. A key question, however, still needs to be addressed. Acute, reversible inactivation of the hippocampus may have resulted in an impairment in the HST because this approach does not allow for neuroplastic compensation, may prevent the development of an alternative learning strategy, and/or may produce network‐based effects that disrupt performance. We compared learning and performance on the HST in male rhesus macaques (six unoperated control animals and six animals that underwent excitotoxic lesions of the hippocampus). We found a significant impairment in animals with hippocampal lesions. While control animals improved in performance over the course of 45 days of training, performance in animals with hippocampal lesions remained at chance levels. The HST thus represents a sensitive assay for probing the integrity of the hippocampus in non‐human primates. These data provide evidence demonstrating that the hippocampus is critical for this type of non‐navigational spatial memory, and help to reconcile the many null findings previously reported.
Thermal conformance parameters for assessment of heat transfer between similar and dissimilar metal contacts
Authors: Pathumudy Ramakrishna Devananda , Samuel Augustine , Prabhu K. Narayan
Published: March 2024

A novel approach to assess the thermal conformance between two metallic materials under transient conditions was proposed in the present investigation. Thermal conformance parameters (ƞ, ϴ, tg) were defined to quantify the contact condition between a metal–metal interface. To assess the effect of load and thermophysical properties of the sink and source materials on the degree of thermal conformance, a thermal conformance assessment parameter (TCAP) was proposed. Heat flux transients at the thermal interface was estimated by using an inverse heat conduction approach for various similar and dissimilar metallic surfaces in contact such as Cu─Cu, Al─Al, Al─Cu, and Cu─Al under both load and no load conditions. Commercially available silicone grease (SG) and thermal grease (CTG) were used as thermal interface materials (TIMs). The thermal conformance parameters increased with the increase in load for all the combinations of interfaces with and without TIMs. It was observed that, except for the copper–copper combination, thermal conformance parameters showed a linear relation with the TCAP. The enhancement in the heat transfer due to the application of load and TIM was validated by determining the maximum temperature difference (∆Tmax) across the interface. The experimental study revealed that the ∆Tmax decreases with the application of load and application of TIM leading to enhanced heat transfer. For the copper–copper combination, the thermal conformance depended solely on the load applied. Due to the lower thermal resistance offered by copper source/sink materials, the interfacial resistance between them becomes a dominant factor. The effect of TIM on heat absorbed by the sink was significant for the Cu/Cu interface.
Role of suction/injection on free convective flow in a vertical porous channel with non‐Fourier effects in the presence of periodic boundary
Authors: Ajibade A. O. , Jibril H. M. , Mukhtar N. L.
Published: March 2024

The key attention of this work is on the impact of suction/injection on the free convective flow of a viscous fluid passing between two infinite, parallel, vertical and porous plates with non‐Fourier effects. The analysis focuses on a porous channel with boundaries featuring a steady–periodic temperature regime. The governing equations, representing velocity(momentum) and temperature(energy) fields, are well‐stated in dimensional form. Employing a separation technique, the momentum and energy equations are separated into steady and periodic components. On solving, the resulting second‐order ordinary differential equations derived, revealed the expressions for velocity and temperature in dimensionless form. However, the study investigates the influence of various flow parameters used in this work, including suction/injection , heat source/sink , Strouhal number , Prandtl number , and dimensionless relaxation time , on the velocity and temperature distributions. Also not left out is the rate of heat transfer on the flow performance and the skin‐friction coefficient on the plates. The findings are visualized using MATLAB‐generated graphs. An interesting observation found during the course of investigation in that the introduction of suction/injection enhances the flow velocity and fluid temperature within the channel, and they are both seen as declining functions of the Strouhal number, which measures the frequency of periodic heating on the plates. Furthermore, when the suction/injection parameter(s) is being relaxed, this study demonstrates a strong agreement with the findings of Ajibade and Mukhtar.
A systematic review of deep learning methods for the classification and segmentation of prostate cancer on magnetic resonance images
Authors: Nayagam R. Deiva , Selvathi D.
Published: March 2024

Prostate Cancer (PCa) is a prevalent global threat to male health, contributing significantly to male cancer‐related mortality. Timely detection and management are pivotal for improved outcomes, as successful cure rates are highest in the early stages. Deep learning (DL) methodologies offer a promising avenue to enhance the precision of detection, potentially reducing mortality rates. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) stands out as an effective tool for PCa diagnosis, providing comprehensive visuals of the prostate and adjacent tissues. This technology aids in identifying cancerous developments early on, crucial for treatment planning. Utilizing MRI for PCa detection has demonstrated increased accuracy, minimizing unnecessary biopsies, and facilitating personalized treatment decisions. Recent studies showcase the potential of DL methods in identifying and segmenting the prostate in MRI scans. These techniques not only improve diagnostic precision but also assist in treatment planning and monitoring. Incorporating DL in MRI‐based PCa diagnosis holds immense potential for enhancing efficiency and accuracy, promising better treatment outcomes. However, further research is imperative to explore these methods comprehensively, especially in larger and more diverse patient populations. This review evaluates the progress in employing DL techniques, rooted in artificial intelligence, for categorizing and outlining the prostate and lesions in MR images, underscoring the need for continued investigation and validation in varied clinical settings.
Rapid determination of metallic additives in century eggs by microwave plasma‐atomic emission spectrometer and microwave‐assisted digestion
Authors: Chen Ji‐Hao , Weng Chi‐Feng , Wang Wei‐Chung , Kao Yi‐Peng , Tsai Jia‐Lin , Chen Yi‐Ju , Lee Hui‐Ling , Shih Tsung‐Ting
Published: March 2024

Century eggs (also known as pídàn) are a widely used preserved food product in Taiwanese cuisine. Due to their peculiar appearance, pungent odor, and unusual texture, several consumers have raised concerns. Actually, some metallic additives are employed to control the quality of gelation of protein during the production of century eggs. Therefore, a method involving microwave plasma‐atomic emission spectrometer and microwave‐assisted digestion was proposed in this study. In addition, to clarify distribution information of metallic additives in century eggs, detailed analyses based on the egg structure were adopted. The linearities for Fe and Zn were obtained in the range of 0.1–5, and 0.02–1 mg L−1 for Cu and Pb. The method detection limits for test metals were 0.06–0.036 mg L−1. The measured values for the RM EGGS‐1 sample agreed reasonably well with the reference values, demonstrating that the developed method is practical for routine analysis with lower instrument procurement/running cost. The analytical results for century eggs collected from local markets revealed diverse distributions of metal ions in different parts. Remarkably, this method can readily identify the metallic additives used during the production processes even in the presence of complicated matrices.
INPP5E Regulates the Distribution of Phospholipids on Cilia in RPE1 Cells
Authors: Zhai Denghui , Li Lamei , Chen Cheng , Wang Xue , Liu Ruming , Shan Ying
Published: March 2024

Background

Primary cilia are static microtubule‐based structures protruding from the cell surface and present on most vertebrate cells. The appropriate localization of phospholipids is essential for cilia formation and stability. INPP5E is a cilia‐localized inositol 5‐phosphatase; its deletion alters the phosphoinositide composition in the ciliary membrane, disrupting ciliary function.

Methods

The EGFP‐2xP4MSidM, PHPLCδ1‐EGFP, and SMO‐tRFP plasmids were constructed by the Gateway system to establish a stable RPE1 cell line. The INPP5E KO RPE1 cell line was constructed with the CRISPR/Cas9 system. The localization of INPP5E and the distribution of PI(4,5)P2 and PI4P were examined by immunofluorescence microscopy. The fluorescence intensity co‐localized with cilia was quantified by ImageJ.

Results

In RPE1 cells, PI4P is localized at the ciliary membrane, whereas PI(4,5)P2 is localized at the base of cilia. Knocking down or knocking out INPP5E alters this distribution, resulting in the distribution of PI(4,5)P2 along the ciliary membrane and the disappearance of PI4P from the cilia. Meanwhile, PI(4,5)P2 is located in the ciliary membrane labeled by SMO‐tRFP.

Conclusions

INPP5E regulates the distribution of phosphoinositide on cilia. PI(4,5)P2 localizes at the ciliary membrane labeled with SMO‐tRFP, indicating that ciliary pocket membrane contains PI(4,5)P2, and phosphoinositide composition in early membrane structures may differ from that in mature ciliary membrane.
Comparable CD8+ T‐cell responses to SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination in single‐cell transcriptomics of recently allogeneic transplanted patients and healthy individuals
Authors: Tranter Eva , Frentsch Marco , Hütter‐Krönke Marie Luise , Vuong Giang Lam , Busch David , Loyal Lucie , Henze Larissa , Rosnev Stanislav , Blau Igor‐Wolfgang , Thiel Andreas , Beule Dieter , Bullinger Lars , Obermayer Benedikt , Na Il‐Kang
Published: March 2024

Despite extensive research on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) vaccination responses in healthy individuals, there is comparatively little known beyond antibody titers and T‐cell responses in the vulnerable cohort of patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT). In this study, we assessed the serological response and performed longitudinal multimodal analyses including T‐cell functionality and single‐cell RNA sequencing combined with T cell receptor (TCR)/B cell receptor (BCR) profiling in the context of BNT162b2 vaccination in ASCT patients. In addition, these data were compared to publicly available data sets of healthy vaccinees. Protective antibody titers were achieved in 40% of patients. We identified a distorted B‐ and T‐cell distribution, a reduced TCR diversity, and increased levels of exhaustion marker expression as possible causes for the poorer vaccine response rates in ASCT patients. Immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangement after vaccination proved to be highly variable in ASCT patients. Changes in TCRα and TCRβ gene rearrangement after vaccination differed from patterns observed in healthy vaccinees. Crucially, ASCT patients elicited comparable proportions of SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccine‐induced (VI) CD8+ T‐cells, characterized by a distinct gene expression pattern that is associated with SARS‐CoV‐2 specificity in healthy individuals. Our study underlines the impaired immune system and thus the lower vaccine response rates in ASCT patients. However, since protective vaccine responses and VI CD8+ T‐cells can be induced in part of ASCT patients, our data advocate early posttransplant vaccination due to the high risk of infection in this vulnerable group.
Remote ischemic conditioning improves cerebral hemodynamics in symptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis: A PET/CT‐guided randomized controlled study
Authors: An Hong , Ma Hongrui , Wu Chuanjie , Cui Chunlei , Wu Longfei , Zhao Wenbo , Cui Bixiao , Li Sijie , Wu Di , Hu Wenli , Ji Xunming
Published: March 2024

Patients with symptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis (sICAS) suffer embarrassed hemodynamic status and acute ischemic stroke (AIS) recurrence. We aimed to assess the efficacy of remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) on improving this status by evaluating cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebral glucose metabolism (CGM) via PET/CT. Adult patients with unilateral sICAS in middle cerebral artery and/or intracranial segment of internal carotid artery‐related AIS or transient ischemic attack within 6 months prior to randomization were enrolled. Individuals who received intravenous thrombolysis or endovascular treatment, or sICAS caused by cardiac embolism, small vessel occlusion, or other determined causes were excluded. Twenty‐three eligible patients were randomly assigned to standard medical treatment (SMT) (n = 10) or RIC group (n = 13). The RIC protocol consisted of 5 cycles, each for 5‐min bilateral upper limb ischemia and 5‐min reperfusion period, twice a day, with a total duration of 3 months. Ten healthy volunteers were enrolled as healthy control group. We tested CBF and CGM at the rest stage and the methazolamide‐induced stress stage. All patients received PET/CT at baseline and three‐month followup. Both CBF and CGM in ipsilateral hemisphere of sICAS patients were significantly decreased at the rest stage and the stress stage (p < .05), which were improved by three‐month RIC (p < .05). The lesions decreased notably in RIC group compared to SMT group (p < .05). RIC ameliorated the hemodynamic status and glucose metabolism in regions at high risk of infarction, which might improve the resistance capacity towards ischemic load in sICAS patients.
Hyaluronic Acid‐Dopamine‐NCSN Hydrogel Combined With Extracellular Matrix Promotes Wound Healing
Authors: Zhou Yingjie , Xu Yongbiao , Zhang Rui , Wang Haiyang , Wang Fangfang , Wang Zonghuan , Zhang Chi , Zhang Zhihan , Mei Jin , Tao Shengxiang
Published: March 2024

The skin barrier is essential to prevent pathogenic invasion. When injury occurs, multiple biological pathways are promptly activated and wound repair processes are triggered. The effective healing of wounds is essential for survival, and dysfunction could result from aberrant wound repair. Preparation of many hydrogels, which involve the addition of growth/cell factors or mimic extracellular matrix (ECM) components, has not resulted in significant advances in tissue recovery. ECM contains a large number of biologically active molecules that activate a variety of cellular transduction pathways, which are essential for wound repair. Here, this work prepares hyaluronic acid‐dopamine‐thiourea (HA‐DA‐NCSN) hydrogels exhibiting ultrafast gelation in situ, following the methods of Xu et al., and subsequently designs a hydrogel containing ECM particles. In addition, the loaded ECM material, specifically decellularized ECM material, not only enhances the strength of the hydrogel network, but also delivers bioactive substances that make it a suitable platform for skin wound repair. The ECM hydrogel has great potential as an efficient bioactive wound dressing. This research suggests that this strategy is likely to improve skin wound closure in rat skin wound models.
A comparison of physical properties of dielectric/metal/dielectric film on polyethylene terephthalate and optical glass substrates
Authors: Zarneh Z. H. , Kadivar Erfan
Published: March 2024

Molybdenum trioxide/indium/silver/indium/molybdenum trioxide layers were evaporated on the polyethylene terephthalate and glass substrates using thermal evaporation coating machine. In this study, we compare the electrical, optical, and topological properties of dielectric/metal/dielectric fabricated on the polyethylene terephthalate substrate and glass substrate. In this way, the influence of dielectric and metal thicknesses on the electroptical behavior and topological properties of the transparent conductive film are studied. Furthermore, the influence of the substrate temperature on the physical properties of prepared thin films is investigated. The results show that by increasing molybdenum trioxide film thickness, the sheet resistance increases. We find that the prepared thin films on the glass substrate has high optical transmittance with respect to its on the polyethylene terephthalate substrate. We also find that by increasing the substrate temperature, figure of merit decreases. It means that the maximum figure of merit is achieved at the room substrate temperature.
Influence of nickel addition on the microstructure, mechanical, and wear properties of Zn‐40Al‐2Cu alloy
Authors: Savaşkan T. , Azaklı Z. , Tan H. O.
Published: March 2024

To study the influence of nickel addition on the microstructure, mechanical and lubricated wear properties of Zn‐40Al‐2Cu alloy, one ternary and five quaternary Zn‐40Al‐2Cu‐(0.5‐2.5)Ni alloys were made by permanent mold casting. The wear behavior of these alloys was studied using a block‐on‐cylinder type test machine, after examining their microstructural and mechanical features. The microstructure of Zn‐40Al‐2Cu alloy was comprised of aluminum‐rich α dendrites and a eutectoid α+η phase mixture. The addition of nickel caused the formation of intermetallic Al3Ni particles in the microstructure of this alloy. As the nickel content of alloys increased their hardness, friction coefficient, working temperature, and average surface roughness increased to certain extents but their strength, ductility, impact resistance, and wear volume decreased. However, the values of their wear volume and average surface roughness exhibited opposite changes with increasing nickel content. The worn surfaces of Zn‐40Al‐2Cu‐Ni alloys were observed to be characterized by smearing and scratching marks. Furthermore, the wear and mechanical properties of these alloys were correlated, and the results were discussed in terms of their microstructural features. Finally, it may be concluded that the nickel addition adversely affects the ductility of Zn‐40Al‐2Cu alloy but increases its wear resistance.
Effect of rice husk on the mechanical characteristics of abaca/jute hybrid composites
Authors: Arunkumar K. , Gopal P. M. , Seenivasan S.
Published: March 2024

Natural fiber‐reinforced composites play a vital role in all areas due to their significant material properties. In this investigation, abaca/ jute fiber reinforced with rice husk filler hybrid composites have been prepared through a compression moulding process. Three different compositions of laminates were prepared with weight percentages of rice husk filler such as 1 wt. %, 2 wt. %, and 3 wt. %. Further, the mechanical properties of the prepared hybrid composite have been investigated as per the ASTM standards. Fourier transform‐infrared spectroscopy analysis has also been carried out to study the organic groups formed in the prepared hybrid composites. The tensile morphology of the material has also been carried out using scanning electron microscopy, to study the bonding of the fiber and the hybrid matrix. The analysis revealed that the mechanical properties of the hybrid composite were improved by the inclusion of rice husk as a filler. From the tensile morphology, the addition of rice husk increases the surface area of the matrix material, which results in an improvement in the bonding between the matrix and the reinforcement.
Digital firm regulation strategy with privacy data protection costs
Authors: Lv Hongjun
Published: March 2024

Although the significant effects of protecting users' private data in the era of the digital economy have been recognized, digital firm regulation strategies based on privacy data protection costs remain unclear. We propose a theoretical model in which users have different perceived risks related to their personal data disclosure. We characterize how the revenue model of a digital firm shapes its optimal data regulation strategies. We show that the optimal digital service and profit have a positive correlation with the marginal value of two types of user privacy data and a negative correlation with regulatory costs. In addition, the digital firm's optimal digital services and profits are lowest under data privacy regulation at a cost for all users. More important, through the regulation of the social planner, digital firms both improve their digital services and enhance user welfare, which truly achieves the purpose of a “win‐win” outcome.
Executive turnover, internal control and accounting information comparability
Authors: Jiang Minxing , Chen Jiachen , He Yijiang
Published: March 2024

This paper aims to explore the causality between executive turnover and accounting information comparability (AIC) within the context of Chinese‐listed companies. The evidence with robustness tests strongly supports that the executive turnover hurts accounting comparability of corporations. These effects are more salient in the subsamples of non‐state‐owned and non‐high‐tech firms relative to state‐owned and high‐tech ones. The negative effects of executive turnover on AIC are restrained given less internal control weakness. The findings highlight the role of internal controls in ensuring AIC, and offer insights to inform the formulation of related management policies following a new executive appointment.
PET/SPECT/Spectral‐CT/CBCT imaging in a small‐animal radiation therapy platform: A Monte Carlo study—Part II: Biologically guided radiotherapy
Authors: Li Xiadong , Wang Hui , Xu Lixia , Kuang Yu
Published: March 2024

Background

This study addresses the technical gap between clinical radiation therapy (RT) and preclinical small‐animal RT, hindering the comprehensive validation of innovative clinical RT approaches in small‐animal models of cancer and the translation of preclinical RT studies into clinical practices.

Purpose

The main aim was to explore the feasibility of biologically guided RT implemented within a small‐animal radiation therapy (SART) platform, with integrated quad‐modal on‐board positron emission tomography (PET), single‐photon emission computed tomography, photon‐counting spectral CT, and cone‐beam CT (CBCT) imaging, in a Monte Carlo model as a proof‐of‐concept.

Methods

We developed a SART workflow employing quad‐modal imaging guidance, integrating multimodal image‐guided RT and emission‐guided RT (EGRT). The EGRT algorithm was outlined using positron signals from a PET radiotracer, enabling near real‐time adjustments to radiation treatment beams for precise targeting in the presence of a 2‐mm setup error. Molecular image‐guided RT, incorporating a dose escalation/de‐escalation scheme, was demonstrated using a simulated phantom with a dose painting plan. The plan involved delivering a low dose to the CBCT‐delineated planning target volume (PTV) and a high dose boosted to the highly active biological target volume (hBTV) identified by the 18F‐PET image. Additionally, the Bayesian eigentissue decomposition method illustrated the quantitative decomposition of radiotherapy‐related parameters, specifically iodine uptake fraction and virtual noncontrast (VNC) electron density, using a simulated phantom with Kidney1 and Liver2 inserts mixed with an iodine contrast agent at electron fractions of 0.01–0.02.

Results

EGRT simulations generated over 4,000 beamlet responses in dose slice deliveries and illustrated superior dose coverage and distribution with significantly lower doses delivered to normal tissues, even with a 2‐mm setup error introduced, demonstrating the robustness of the novel EGRT scheme compared to conventional image‐guided RT. In the dose‐painting plan, doubling the dose to the hBTV while maintaining a low dose for the PTV resulted in an organ‐at‐risk (OAR) dose comparable to the low‐dose treatment for the PTV alone. Furthermore, the decomposition of radiotherapy‐related parameters in Kidney1 and Liver2 inserts, including iodine uptake fractions and VNC electron densities, exhibited average relative errors of less than 1.0% and 2.5%, respectively.

Conclusions

The results demonstrated the successful implementation of biologically guided RT within the proposed quad‐model image‐guided SART platform, with potential applications in preclinical RT and adaptive RT studies.
Peridynamic modeling of seepage in multiscale fractured rigid porous media
Authors: Cai Zhuang , Zhang Heng , Li Zhiyuan , Huang Dan
Published: March 2024

The numerical simulation of seepage in fractured porous media holds significant relevance for subsurface energy development. The presence of fractures at various scales profoundly influences the hydraulic properties of porous media during seepage. A peridynamic (PD)‐based frame is proposed for the seepage problem analysis of multiscale fractured porous media, in which micro‐fractures are implicitly represented like the porous media, macro‐fractures are explicitly represented. For fluid flow modeling, the peridynamic bonds are divided into three types: pore seepage bond, fracture seepage bond, and fluid exchange bond. The micro‐permeabilities of different bonds are derived by Darcy's law, Poiseuille's law, and fluid exchange model, respectively. The proposed peridynamic model can naturally simulate the seepage problem of porous rock with multiscale fractures in a unified framework. Then, four cases of pore seepage and fracture seepage are analyzed using the proposed model, fractured porous media seepage with micro‐fractures and macro‐fractures are respectively considered. The predicted results are compared with the available theoretical solutions, the close agreement shows that the wide validity and applicability of the proposed model in multiscale seepage problems.
Associations of change in body fat percentage with baseline body composition and diabetes remission after bariatric surgery
Authors: Li Shaobo , Zhang Pin , Di Jianzhong , Han Xiaodong , Tu Yinfang , Yang Di , Xu Rongrong , Xiao Yunfeng , Zhou Jian , Bao Yuqian , Yin Jun , Yu Haoyong , Jia Weiping , Han Junfeng
Published: March 2024

Objective

The objective of this study was to determine the role of body fat percentage (BFP) changes in diabetes remission (DR) and the association between baseline body composition and its changes after bariatric surgery.

Methods

We analyzed 203 patients with type 2 diabetes who underwent Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass. Body composition was measured using a gold‐standard‐derived predictive equation and magnetic resonance imaging. Body composition changes were calculated as 100 × (baseline value – follow‐up value)/baseline value. We verified the results in a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy cohort with 311 patients.

Results

Compared with non‐remission patients in the Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass cohort, those who achieved DR showed a higher baseline fat‐free mass index (FFMI) and experienced the most significant changes in BFP (p < 0.001). In comparative analyses, BFP changes were significantly better than BMI changes in identifying short‐ and long‐term DR. Linear regression analysis identified FFMI as the most significant baseline variable correlated with BFP changes (p < 0.001). Baseline BMI was positively correlated with changes in BFP but negatively correlated with changes in FFMI. These findings were replicated in the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy cohort.

Conclusions

BFP changes determine DR after bariatric surgery, and baseline FFMI is crucial for BFP changes. A low initial BMI is associated with a smaller BFP reduction and greater FFMI loss after bariatric surgery.
Exposure to 4,4′‐DDE in visceral adipose tissue and weight loss in adolescents from the Teen‐LABS cohort
Authors: Rubbo Bruna , Li Zhenjiang , Tachachartvanich Phum , Baumert Brittney O. , Wang Hongxu , Pan Shudi , Rock Sarah , Ryder Justin R. , Jenkins Todd , Sisley Stephanie , Lin Xiangping , Bartell Scott , Inge Thomas H. , Xanthakos Stavra , McNeil Brooklynn , Robuck Anna R. , La Merrill Michele A. , Walker Douglas I. , Conti David V. , McConnell Rob , Eckel Sandrah P. , Chatzi Lida
Published: March 2024

Objective

Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), an obesogen accumulating in adipose tissue, is released into circulation with weight loss, although its impact is underexplored among adolescents. We tested the association using an integrative translational approach of epidemiological analysis among adolescents with obesity and in vitro measures exploring the impact of DDE on adipogenesis via preadipocytes.

Methods

We included 63 participants from the Teen‐Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery (Teen‐LABS) cohort. We assessed 4,4′‐DDE in visceral adipose tissue at surgery and BMI and waist circumference at surgery and 0.5, 1, 3, and 5 years after. We conducted longitudinal analysis to estimate the interaction on weight loss between DDE and time since surgery. In vitro analysis quantified adipogenic differentiation in commercial human preadipocytes exposed to 4,4′‐DDE via fluorescent staining and imaging.

Results

A dose–response relationship was observed, with the low‐exposure group having a greater reduction in BMI during the first year compared to higher‐exposure groups and showing smaller regains compared to higher‐exposure groups after the first year. In vitro analysis of preadipocytes treated with 4,4′‐DDE during adipogenic differentiation for 12 days showed a concentration‐dependent increase in lipid accumulation.

Conclusions

DDE could contribute to weight trajectory among adolescents undergoing bariatric surgery, potentially mediated via promoted adipogenesis in preadipocytes.
Characteristics and performance of an integrated coplanar dielectric barrier discharge device for hand hygiene
Authors: Liu Shiyun , Jin Haosheng , Lu Yunyang , Wan Li , Mei Danhua , Fang Zhi
Published: March 2024

A touchable plasma device based on coplanar dielectric barrier discharge (CDBD) is designed for hand hygiene. The biological safety is evaluated from the aspects of electrical and thermal properties. The peak value of current through the human body (~3.5 mA) and the highest device surface temperature (~40°C) are lower than the threshold of perception current and thermal damage temperature, respectively. The typical bacteria that are present on our hands in daily life Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus are selected to verify the sterilization performance of the device. The results of human contact safety evaluation and sterilization test have demonstrated that this proposed CDBD device is reliable and user‐friendly for applications in hand hygiene.
Influences of Snow Cover on the Thermal Regimes of Xing'an Permafrost in Northeast China in 1960s–2010s
Authors: Wang Hongwei , Jin Huijun , Che Tao , Li Xiaoying , Dai Liyun , Qi Yuan , Huang Chunlin , He Ruixia , Zhang Jinlong , Yang Rui , Luo Dongliang , Jin Xiaoying
Published: March 2024

The distributive characteristics of snow cover and their impacting mechanisms on ground thermal regimes in Northeast China remain evasive because of limited systematic studies. In this study, based on long‐term ground‐based observational data and auxiliary topographic data, geographically weighted regression kriging (GWRK) method and the temperature at the top of permafrost (TTOP) model were used to analyze the influences of snow cover duration (SCD) and average snow depth over the SCD (ASDSCD) on the thermal regimes of Xing'an permafrost in Northeast China in the 1960s–2010s. The results show a remarkable reduction of permafrost extent in Northeast China from the 1960s to 2010s, with an average reduction rate of 4.115 × 104 km2/decade. In permafrost regions, from the 1960s to 2010s, average SCD varied between 150 and 160 days, and the regional average of ASDSCD between 8 and 14 cm. Increases in ASDSCD led to a rise of TTOP. From the 1960s to 2010s, the regional average of ASDSCD increased by 3.53 cm, and that of TTOP by 2.02°C. The research results can provide scientific basis and data support for evaluating the responses of permafrost and cold region ecosystems to climate change in Northeast China.
Rabies in Pakistan: Policies and recommendations
Authors: Jabbar Abdul , Ahmadi Attaullah , Irm Nimra , Naseeb Iqra , Madadi Shekiba , Lucero‐Prisno Don Eliseo
Published: March 2024

Rabies, commonly referred to as the endemic disease of the impoverished in Pakistan, remains a significant public health concern. Globally, it contributes to over 55,000 fatalities annually, with 31,000 cases reported in Asia, predominantly among children. In Karachi, the yearly occurrence of rabies ranges between 7 and 9.8 cases per million individuals. However, the actual burden is likely underestimated due to underreporting. Key challenges in Pakistan include limited awareness and increasing dog bite incidents. To address this, comprehensive educational programs focusing on proper wound care, the ineffectiveness of homemade remedies, the importance of early medical intervention, and the administration of vaccines and post‐exposure prophylaxis are imperative. Implementing a One Health model, encompassing mass vaccination, cost‐effective treatments, training on intradermal vaccine administration, accurate data collection, and community awareness initiatives, is essential for rabies control. This article aims to provide policymakers and scholars with valuable insights into the primary factors and challenges of controlling endemic human rabies in Pakistan and proposes effective strategies for its control, with the ultimate goal of achieving rabies‐free status by 2030.
Spectrum of Gyrotropic Modes and Energy Transfer between Dipolar‐Coupled Magnetic Vortices in a Square Lattice via Triggered Vortex Gyration: A Promise for Spintronics Technology
Authors: Bhattacharjee Payal , Barman Anjan , Barman Saswati
Published: March 2024

The atoms in a crystal lattice vibrate together and generate vibrational modes known as acoustic and optical phonon modes. Similarly, collective vortex gyration motion can be generated in artificial magnetic vortex lattices, created from periodically arranged nanodisks of specific dimensions and aspect ratios. This study uses micromagnetic simulations to characterize the spectra of gyrotropic modes in two‐dimensional magnetic vortex‐based, tailor‐made square lattice arrangements. The shifting of mode frequencies and mode splitting is witnessed depending on the vortex configurations in the lattice. The obtained gyrotropic modes are analogous to two‐dimensional square lattice structures exhibiting acoustic and optical phonon modes. The dynamics of magnetic vortices are also discussed in the transfer of magnetic energy at three points along the three high symmetry directions of the lattice when the central magnetic vortex is excited by a spin‐polarized current with an excitation frequency equal to the collective gyrotropic frequencies of the vortices. Similar to the higher contribution of acoustic phonon modes in the heat transmission process in a crystal lattice, acoustic‐like gyrotropic modes transfer more energy than optical‐like gyration modes in the vortex lattices. These magnetic metastructures hold promise for novel applications in magnetic waveguides and information processing devices, as well as for advancing spintronics.
Social media and crowdsourcing in disaster risk management: Trends, gaps, and insights from the current state of research
Authors: Nielsen Anne B. , Landwehr Dario , Nicolaï Juliette , Patil Tejal , Raju Emmanuel
Published: March 2024

Social media and crowdsourcing (SMCS) are increasingly used as tools to govern disasters. Nevertheless, we have a limited understanding of how these technologies support disaster risk management (DRM). Based on a comprehensive literature review of 237 papers, we present a state‐of‐the‐art of the research field linking SMCS with DRM. The paper provides insights into major trends in research published from 2008 to 2023. It maps the use of SMCS across disaster phases, disaster types, research design, and geographies before and after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. Our results show that existing research predominantly focuses on preparedness and response activities. Moreover, research on SMCS tends to favor (single) case studies and secondary data, and despite a minor shift following the COVID‐19 pandemic, research is dominated by North America, South Asia, Australia, and Europe. There is very little research coming from severely disaster‐prone regions in the Global South on SMCS in disasters with a few exceptions. Research should focus on the power shifts that these technologies produce, the contexts in which they are supposed to be applied, and the sociocultural conditions that co‐produce, potentially vulnerable, outcomes of SMCS in disaster risk management.
An RGB‐D object detection model with high‐generalization ability applied to tea harvesting robot for outdoor cross‐variety tea shoots detection
Authors: Wu Yanxu , Chen Jianneng , He Leiying , Gui Jiangsheng , Jia Jiangming
Published: March 2024

Detecting tea shoots is the first and most crucial step in achieving intelligent tea harvesting. However, when faced with thousands of tea varieties, establishing a high‐quality and comprehensive database comes with significant costs. Therefore, it has become an urgent challenge to improve the model's generalization ability and train it with minimal samples to develop a model capable of achieving optimal detection performance in various environments and tea varieties. This paper introduces a model named You Only See Tea (YOST) which utilizes depth maps to enhance model's generalization ability. It is applied to detect tea shoots in complex environments and to perform cross‐variety tea shoots detection. Our approach differs from common data augmentation strategies aimed at enhancing model generalization by diversifying the data set. Instead, we enhance the model's learning capability by strategically amplifying its attention towards core target features while simultaneously reducing attention towards noncore features. The proposed module YOST is developed upon the You Only Look Once version 7 (YOLOv7) model, utilizing two shared‐weight backbone networks to process both RGB and depth images. Then further integrate two modalities with feature layers at the same scale into our designed Ultra‐attention Fusion and Activation Module. By utilizing this approach, the model can proficiently detect targets by capturing core features, even when encountering complex environments or unfamiliar tea leaf varieties. The experimental results indicate that YOST displayed faster and more consistent convergence compared with YOLOv7 in training. Additionally, YOST demonstrated a 6.58% enhancement in AP50 for detecting tea shoots in complex environments. Moreover, when faced with a cross‐variety tea shoots detection task involving multiple unfamiliar varieties, YOST showcased impressive generalization abilities, achieving a significant maximum AP50 improvement of 33.31% compared with YOLOv7. These findings establish its superior performance. Our research departs from the heavy reliance on high‐generalization models on a large number of training samples, making it easier to train small‐scale, high‐generalization models. This approach significantly alleviates the pressure associated with data collection and model training.