bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biosynthesis‐ and transport‐mediated dynamic auxin distribution during seed development controls seed size in Arabidopsis
Authors: Liu Huabin , Luo Qiong , Tan Chao , Song Jia , Zhang Tan , Men Shuzhen
Published: January 2023

Auxin is indispensable to the fertilization‐induced coordinated development of the embryo, endosperm, and seed coat. However, little attention has been given to the distribution pattern, maintenance mechanism, and function of auxin throughout the process of seed development. In the present study, we found that auxin response signals display a dynamic distribution pattern during Arabidopsis seed development. Shortly after fertilization, strong auxin response signals were observed at the funiculus, chalaza, and micropylar integument where the embryo attaches. Later, additional signals appeared at the middle layer of the inner integument (ii1′) above the chalaza and the whole inner layer of the outer integument (oi1). These signals peaked when the seed was mature, then declined upon desiccation and disappeared in the dried seed. Auxin biosynthesis genes, including ASB1, TAA1, YUC1, YUC4, YUC8, and YUC9, contributed to the accumulation of auxin in the funiculus and seed coat. Auxin efflux carrier PIN3 and influx carrier AUX1 also contributed to the polar auxin distribution in the seed coat. PIN3 was expressed in the ii1 (innermost layer of the inner integument) and oi1 layers of the integument and showed polar localization. AUX1 was expressed in both layers of the outer integument and the endosperm and displayed a uniform localization. Further research demonstrated that the accumulation of auxin in the seed coat regulates seed size. Transgenic plants that specifically express the YUC8 gene in the oi2 or ii1 seed coat produced larger seeds. These results provide useful tools for cultivating high‐yielding crops.
Transcriptome dynamics provides insights into divergences of the photosynthesis pathway between Saccharum officinarum and Saccharum spontaneum
Authors: Jiang Qing , Hua Xiuting , Shi Huihong , Liu Jia , Yuan Yuan , Li Zhen , Li Shuangyu , Zhou Meiqing , Yin Chongyang , Dou Meijie , Qi Nameng , Wang Yongjun , Zhang Muqing , Ming Ray , Tang Haibao , Zhang Jisen
Published: January 2023

Saccharum spontaneum and Saccharum officinarum contributed to the genetic background of modern sugarcane cultivars. Saccharum spontaneum has shown a higher net photosynthetic rate and lower soluble sugar than S. officinarum. Here, we analyzed 198 RNA‐sequencing samples to investigate the molecular mechanisms for the divergences of photosynthesis and sugar accumulation between the two Saccharum species. We constructed gene co‐expression networks based on differentially expressed genes (DEGs) both for leaf developmental gradients and diurnal rhythm. Our results suggested that the divergence of sugar accumulation may be attributed to the enrichment of major carbohydrate metabolism and the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway. Compared with S. officinarum, S. spontaneum DEGs showed a high enrichment of photosynthesis and contained more complex regulation of photosynthesis‐related genes. Noticeably, S. spontaneum lacked gene interactions with sulfur assimilation stimulated by photorespiration. In S. spontaneum, core genes related to clock and photorespiration displayed a sensitive regulation by the diurnal rhythm and phase‐shift. Small subunit of Rubisco (RBCS) displayed higher expression in the source tissues of S. spontaneum. Additionally, it was more sensitive under a diurnal rhythm, and had more complex gene networks than that in S. officinarum. This indicates that the differential regulation of RBCS Rubisco contributed to photosynthesis capacity divergence in both Saccharum species.
Warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia with anti‐Jka specificity following babesiosis masquerading as a delayed hemolytic transfusion reaction
Authors: Jacobs Jeremy W. , Abels Elizabeth , Binns Thomas C. , Tormey Christopher A. , Sostin Nataliya
Published: January 2023

Background

Warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (WAIHA) is characterized by the development of autoantibodies that react with red blood cells (RBCs) optimally at physiologic temperature, classically resulting in a positive direct antiglobulin test (DAT) for IgG and a panreactive eluate. Babesiosis has been described as a potentiator of WAIHA, and all cases have shown classic blood bank findings. Only rare reports have described autoantibodies, both secondary to babesiosis and overall, with specificity for Kidd antigens.

Methods

Antibody detection and identification were performed using IgG‐specific column agglutination technology. Jka antigen phenotyping was assessed using monoclonal reagents and genotypic analysis was performed at an immunohematology reference laboratory. DATs were performed via standard tube methods. The elution was performed using the ELUclear glycine acid red cell elution kit.

Results

We report a case of WAIHA induced by Babesia microti infection with an autoantibody with Jka specificity, originally believed to be a delayed hemolytic transfusion reaction, given the detection of an RBC antibody in close proximity to numerous RBC transfusions. Determination of autoantibody status with anti‐Jka‐like reactivity was only confirmed after Kidd antigen genotyping predicted expression of the Jka antigen.

Discussion

Healthcare providers should be cognizant of the potential for babesiosis‐induced WAIHA, particularly in individuals who continue to hemolyze despite undetectable parasitemia. Furthermore, this case highlights the possibility for warm autoantibodies to demonstrate Kidd antigen specificity. Though Kidd antigen variants are rare, antigen genotyping may be beneficial, particularly in the context of recent RBC transfusions, which typically preclude accurate serological phenotypic assessment.
Education and training for infection prevention and control provided by long-term care homes to family caregivers: a scoping review protocol
Authors: MacLean Rachel , Durepos Pamela , Gibbons Caroline , Morris Patricia , Witherspoon Richelle , Taylor Natasha , Keeping-Burke Lisa , McCloskey Rose
Published: January 2023

Objective:

The objective of this review is to map the infection prevention and control education and training that long-term care homes use with families during a pandemic or infectious outbreak.

Introduction:

During the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictions were imposed on visits to long-term care homes to decrease the risk of virus transmission. These restrictions had negative consequences for both residents and families. A scoping review of infection prevention and control education and training used with families will inform family visitation practices and policies during future infectious outbreaks.

Inclusion Criteria:

This review will examine literature describing infection prevention and control education and training provided to families in long-term care homes. Research and narrative papers, including experimental, quasi-experimental, descriptive observational quantitative and qualitative studies, reviews, text, policy, and opinion papers, will be considered for inclusion.

Methods:

A 3-step approach will be followed, in line with the JBI methodology for scoping reviews. Published literature will be searched for in databases including CINAHL, Embase, ERIC, MEDLINE, and AgeLine. Published and unpublished papers will be considered from 1990 to the present, in English or in French. The World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control, and the Public Health Agency of Canada websites will be searched for unpublished and gray literature. Two authors will independently review and assess studies for inclusion and extract the data. The findings will be charted in a narrative summary and tables.
Design, Modeling, and Evaluation of a Hybrid Driven Knee-Ankle Orthosis With Shape Memory Alloy Actuators
Authors: Sun Zhi , Li Yuan , Zi Bin , Chen Bing
Published: January 2023

This paper demonstrates the mechanical design, analysis, and evaluation of a knee-ankle orthosis (KAO) for lower limb rehabilitation, including shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators and DC brushless motor actuators. First, the mechanical structure of the KAO is detailed, including the actuator system, transmission mechanism, monitoring device, and processing method of SMA actuators. Next, the dynamic model of SMA spring actuators in the phase transition process is established based on the thermal constitutive model of SMA. In addition, the dynamic output response of the knee joint under three working states is analyzed, and the rotation angle of SMA soft actuator during bending is described by pseudo rigid body model. Finally, the output of SMA actuator is preliminarily evaluated through experiments. The experimental results show that the maximum displacement of SMA spring actuator is 54.36 mm, the maximum restoring force during phase transformation is 4.14 N, and the maximum rotation angle of SMA soft actuator is 43.18 deg. The experimental results are consistent with the theoretical model.
Centering the Self, Doing the Sport, and Being the Brand: The Self-Branding of Lifestyle Athletes on Instagram
Authors: Woods Joshua , Hartwell Matthew , Oldham Leah , House-Niamke Stephanie
Published: January 2023

Several scholars have examined how sport stars and other celebrities establish personal brands on social media, but few studies have used a longitudinal research design to study the self-branding process itself and measure changes in self-branding behaviors over time. Based on a content analysis of 6,240 images posted on Instagram by 112 top-ranked professional disc golfers, this study shows how self-branding is a common practice even among the players of this lesser known sport. Drawing on Goffman’s work on impression management, self-branding is conceptualized as goal-oriented, strategic communication. The players’ uptake in self-branding may be a response to the disc golf industry’s rapid growth and new opportunities to market products on social media. While the study partially supports this perspective, it also reveals an interesting contradiction. Many players engaged in self-branding regardless of their social status or ability to monetize their personas. Bourdieu’s concepts of habitus, field, and capital may help explain why self-branding is so widespread among lifestyle athletes.
Left–Right Differential Erector Spinae Muscles Activation in Prone and Quadruped Positions
Authors: Farahpour Nader , Alemzadeh Mahboube , Mohammadi Mehri , Rezaie Mohammadreza , Allard Paul
Published: January 2023

Left–right differential erector spinae (ES) muscle strengthening is required to correct ES muscle imbalances. The objective was to test the effect of 6 body positions on the differential activation of the ES muscles. In 14 able-bodied young women, using a surface electromyography system, the bilateral ES muscles activity at the third lumbar (ESL3) and the 10th (EST10) and 6th (EST6) thoracic vertebral levels was measured with the contralateral arm and leg lifted in the prone and quadruped conditions and with a single arm lifted in the quadruped position. Results showed that the activity of the ESL3 was symmetrical (P > .05) and significantly smaller than that of the thoracic ES muscles in all body positions (P < .01). The EST10 and EST6 were differentially activated in all tests (P < .001). Besides, the differential activation was higher in the contralateral-arm and -leg lift in the quadruped position than in the other positions. In conclusion, contralateral-arm and -leg lift and single-arm lift in the quadruped and prone positions are capable of differentially activating the ES muscles on one side more than the other side. Further studies are recommended to examine the effectiveness of these exercises on the correction of ES muscle imbalances in clinical populations.
Pelvic Rotation Is Associated With Asymmetry in the Knee Extensor Moment During Double-Leg Squatting After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Ishida Tomoya , Samukawa Mina , Koshino Yuta , Ino Takumi , Kasahara Satoshi , Tohyama Harukazu
Published: January 2023

Asymmetry in knee extensor moment during double-leg squatting was observed after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, even after the completion of the rehabilitation program for return to sports. The purpose of this study was to clarify the association between asymmetry in the knee extensor moment and pelvic rotation angle during double-leg squatting after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Twenty-four participants performed double-leg squatting. Kinetics and kinematics during squatting were analyzed using a 3-dimensional motion analysis system with 2 force plates. The limb symmetry index of knee extensor moment was predicted by the pelvic rotation angle (R2 = .376, P = .001). In addition, the pelvic rotation and the limb symmetry index of the vertical ground reaction force independently explained the limb symmetry index of the knee extensor moment (R2 = .635, P < .001, β of pelvic rotation = −0.489, β of vertical ground reaction force = 0.524). Pelvic rotation toward the involved limb was associated with a smaller knee extensor moment in the involved limb than in the uninvolved limb. The assessment of pelvic rotation would be useful for partially predicting asymmetry in the knee extensor moment during double-leg squatting. Minimizing pelvic rotation may improve the asymmetry in the knee extensor moment during double-leg squatting after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
Structural and Biochemical Features of OXA-517: a Carbapenem and Expanded-Spectrum Cephalosporin Hydrolyzing OXA-48 Variant
Authors: Dabos Laura , Raczynska Joanna E. , Bogaerts Pierre , Zavala Agustin , Girlich Delphine , Bonnin Remy A. , Dortet Laurent , Peyrat Aurélie , Retailleau Pascal , Iorga Bogdan I. , Jaskólski Mariusz , Glupczynski Youri , Naas Thierry
Published: January 2023

OXA-48-producing Enterobacterales have now widely disseminated throughout the world. Several variants have now been reported, differing by just a few amino-acid substitutions or deletions, mostly in the region of the loop β5-β6.
The Oligosaccharide Region of LPS Governs Predation of E. coli by the Bacterivorous Protist, Acanthamoeba castellanii
Authors: Liu Ying , Koudelka Gerald B.
Published: January 2023

Rather than being transmitted from host to host, most opportunistic bacterial pathogens reside in the environment for significant amounts of time. Protist predation is a major cause of bacterial mortality.
A Stable Dried Tube Specimen for Quality Assurance and Training Programs for HIV Rapid Test for Recent Infection
Authors: Di Germanio Clara , Yufenyuy Ernest L. , Hampton Dylan C. , Thorbrogger Chloe , Parekh Bharat S. , Norris Philip J.
Published: January 2023

Implementation of stabilized dried tube specimens (DTSs) for quality control and training would facilitate HIV recency programs, especially in point-of-care settings without cold chain availability. This study shows that addition of the disaccharide trehalose to DTSs prior to drying the samples increased stability of the samples across a range of temperatures.
Benefits of electronic charts in intensive care and during a world health pandemic: advantages of the technology age
Authors: Pankhurst Tanya , Lucas Laurie , Ryan Steve , Ragdale Chris , Gyves Helen , Denner Louise , Young Ian , Rathbone Laura , Shah Anwar , McKee Deborah , Coleman Jamie J , Evison Felicity , Atia Jolene , Rosser David , Garrick Mark , Baker Richard , Gallier Suzy , Ball Simon
Published: January 2023

Aims and objectives

This study sets out to describe benefits from the implementation of electronic observation charting in intensive care units (ICU). This was an extension to the existing hospital wide digital health system. We evaluated error reduction, time-savings and the costs associated with conversion from paper to digital records. The world health emergency of COVID-19 placed extraordinary strain on ICU and staff opinion was evaluated to test how well the electronic system performed.

Methods

A clinically led project group working directly with programmers developed an electronic patient record for intensive care. Data error rates, time to add data and to make calculations were studied before and after the introduction of electronic charts. User feedback was sought pre and post go-live (during the COVID-19 pandemic) and financial implications were calculated by the hospital finance teams.

Results

Error rates equating to 219 000/year were avoided by conversion to electronic charts. Time saved was the equivalent of a nursing shift each day. Recurrent cost savings per year were estimated to be £257k. Staff were overwhelmingly positive about electronic charts in ICU, even during a health pandemic and despite redeployment into intensive care where they were using the electronic charts for the first time.

Discussion

Electronic ICU charts have been successfully introduced into our institution with benefits in terms of patient safety through error reduction and improved care through release of nursing time. Costs have been reduced. Staff feel supported by the digital system and report it to be helpful even during redeployment and in the unfamiliar environment of intensive care.
Alteration of faecal microbiota balance related to long-term deep meditation
Authors: Sun Ying , Ju Peijun , Xue Ting , Ali Usman , Cui Donghong , Chen Jinghong
Published: January 2023

Background

Advancements in research have confirmed that gut microbiota can influence health through the microbiota–gut–brain axis. Meditation, as an inner mental exercise, can positively impact the regulation of an individual’s physical and mental health. However, few studies have comprehensively investigated faecal microbiota following long-term (several years) deep meditation. Therefore, we propose that long-term meditation may regulate gut microbiota homeostasis and, in turn, affect physical and mental health.

Aims

To investigate the effects of long-term deep meditation on the gut microbiome structure.

Methods

To examine the intestinal flora, 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed on faecal samples of 56 Tibetan Buddhist monks and neighbouring residents. Based on the sequencing data, linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) was employed to identify differential intestinal microbial communities between the two groups. Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt) analysis was used to predict the function of faecal microbiota. In addition, we evaluated biochemical indices in the plasma.

Results

The α-diversity indices of the meditation and control groups differed significantly. At the genus level,PrevotellaandBacteroideswere significantly enriched in the meditation group. According to the LEfSe analysis, two beneficial bacterial genera (MegamonasandFaecalibacterium) were significantly enriched in the meditation group. Functional predictive analysis further showed that several pathways—including glycan biosynthesis, metabolism and lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis—were significantly enriched in the meditation group. Moreover, plasma levels of clinical risk factors were significantly decreased in the meditation group, including total cholesterol and apolipoprotein B.

Conclusions

Long-term traditional Tibetan Buddhist meditation may positively impact physical and mental health. We confirmed that the gut microbiota composition differed between the monks and control subjects. The microbiota enriched in monks was associated with a reduced risk of anxiety, depression and cardiovascular disease and could enhance immune function. Overall, these results suggest that meditation plays a positive role in psychosomatic conditions and well-being.
Cross-sectional associations of different types of nature exposure with psychotropic, antihypertensive and asthma medication
Authors: Turunen Anu W , Halonen Jaana , Korpela Kalevi , Ojala Ann , Pasanen Tytti , Siponen Taina , Tiittanen Pekka , Tyrväinen Liisa , Yli-Tuomi Tarja , Lanki Timo
Published: January 2023

Background

Exposure to natural environments is thought to be beneficial for human health, but the evidence is inconsistent.

Objective

To examine whether exposure to green and blue spaces in urban environments is associated with mental and physical health in Finland.

Methods

The Helsinki Capital Region Environmental Health Survey was conducted in 2015−2016 in Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa in Finland (n=7321). Cross-sectional associations of the amounts of residential green and blue spaces within 1 km radius around the respondent’s home (based on the Urban Atlas 2012), green and blue views from home and green space visits with self-reported use of psychotropic (anxiolytics, hypnotics and antidepressants), antihypertensive and asthma medication were examined using logistic regression models. Indicators of health behaviour, traffic-related outdoor air pollution and noise and socioeconomic status (SES) were used as covariates, the last of these also as a potential effect modifier.

Results

Amounts of residential green and blue spaces or green and blue views from home were not associated with medications. However, the frequency of green space visits was associated with lower odds of using psychotropic medication (OR=0.67, 95% CI 0.55 to 0.82 for 3–4 times/week; 0.78, 0.63 to 0.96 for ≥5 times/week) and antihypertensive (0.64, 0.52 to 0.78; 0.59, 0.48 to 0.74, respectively) and asthma (0.74, 0.58 to 0.94; 0.76, 0.59 to 0.99, respectively) medication use. The observed associations were attenuated by body mass index, but no consistent interactions with SES indicators were observed.

Conclusions

Frequent green space visits, but not the amounts of residential green or blue spaces, or green and blue views from home, were associated with less frequent use of psychotropic, antihypertensive and asthma medication in urban environments.
Wood density variations of E. urophylla clone among growth sites are related to climate
Authors: Almeida Maria Naruna Felix , Vidaurre Graziela Baptista , Louzada José Luis Penetra Cerveira , Pezzopane José Eduardo Macedo , Rocha Sofia Maria Gonçalves , Câmara Ana Paula , Oliveira Jean Carlos Lopes , Alvares Clayton Alcarde , Campoe Otávio Camargo
Published: January 2023

The Eucalyptus genus is extensively planted in Brazil for industrial use, and with the expansion of forest frontiers and climate changes, studies are needed on how these changes affect wood density (WD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of some climate variables on WD of an Eucalyptus urophylla clone for a 4–5 year period. WD from trees collected in 12 sites were evaluated. Five growth rings were identified using a magnifying glass, X-ray densitometry, and forest inventory. WD was correlated with temperature ( T), precipitation ( P), soil water deficit, ring width, and current annual increment. There was no variation in WD in the first 20 months among sites. From that age on, WD was mainly correlated with T ( r > 0.6). The 1 °C increase in T resulted in a WD reduction of 0.014 g cm−1, and increases of 10 m³ ha−1 in the final volume were related to an increase of 0.004 g cm−1 in WD. Researchers and managers should continue to put efforts into broad experimental networks to assess the effects of climate change on the adaptation and wood quality of Eucalyptus clones.

Highlights The influence of climate on E. urophylla wood density was greater after the third year of growth. The mean air temperature was the best correlated climatic variable with E. urophylla wood density. The cross-site climatic gradient was more important in wood density variation of E. urophylla than the variability among the years.
Influence of winter ticks (Dermacentor albipictus) and temperature on recumbent behaviour of moose (Alces alces) calves
Authors: Addison Edward M. , Thompson Daniel P. , McLaughlin Robert F. , Fraser Douglas J.H.
Published: January 2023

Heavy infestations with winter ticks ( Dermacentor albipictus (Packard, 1869)) have been associated with mortality of moose ( Alces alces (Linnaeus, 1758)). Recumbency is an obligate behaviour for moose when ruminating and when conserving core body heat in cold weather. Recumbent behaviours were used to establish impacts of ticks and ambient temperatures on moose calves during the winter. Calves ( n = 12) were evenly divided into no-tick, low-tick, and high-tick groups. Recumbency bout duration increased over the winter but was independent of the tick group. The probability of ruminating decreased during warm temperatures for infested moose in the early stages of infestation. Legs tucked tightly decreased with increasing ambient temperature for all groups, and all groups had a higher probability of head down when ambient conditions were colder. The greatest differences in behaviour were between moose of the high-tick group and other moose. During the most active tick phases when ambient conditions dropped below −10 °C, moose of the high-tick group had a higher probability of being recumbent with their head down and legs tucked tight to the body. Energy conservation, irritation from ticks, and the impact of body condition are the three primary stimuli that most likely influenced recumbent postures of moose calves in this study.
No constraints for f(T) gravity from gravitational waves induced from primordial black hole fluctuations
Authors: Papanikolaou Theodoros , Tzerefos Charalampos , Basilakos Spyros , Saridakis Emmanuel N.
Published: January 2023

Primordial black hole (PBH) fluctuations can induce a stochastic gravitational wave background at second order, and since this procedure is sensitive to the underlying gravitational theory it can be used as a novel tool to test general relativity and extract constraints on possible modified gravity deviations. We apply this formalism in the framework of f(T) gravity, considering three viable mono-parametric models. In particular, we investigate the induced modifications at the level of the gravitational-wave source, which is encoded in terms of the power spectrum of the PBH gravitational potential, as well as at the level of their propagation, described in terms of the Green function which quantifies the propagator of the tensor perturbations. We find that, within the observationally allowed range of the f(T) model-parameters, the obtained deviations from general relativity, both at the levels of source and propagation, are practically negligible. Hence, we conclude that realistic and viable f(T) theories can safely pass the primordial black hole constraints, which may offer an additional argument in their favor.
Rényi entropy correction to expanding universe
Authors: Fazlollahi H. R.
Published: January 2023

The Rényi entropy comprises a group of data estimates that sums up the well-known Shannon entropy, acquiring a considerable lot of its properties. It appears as unqualified and restrictive entropy, relative entropy, or common data, and has found numerous applications in information theory. In the Rényi’s argument, the area law of the black hole entropy plays a significant role. However, the total entropy can be modified by some quantum effects, motivated by the randomness of a system. In this note, by employing this modified entropy relation, we have derived corrections to Friedmann equations. Taking this entropy associated with the apparent horizon of the Friedmann–Robertson–Walker Universe and assuming the first law of thermodynamics,$$dE=T_{A}{dS}_{A}+WdV$$dE=TAdSA+WdV, satisfies the apparent horizon, we have reconsidered expanding Universe. Also, the second thermodynamics law has been examined.
Complexity of warped conformal field theory
Authors: Bhattacharyya Arpan , Katoch Gaurav , Roy Shubho R.
Published: January 2023

Warped conformal field theories in two dimensions are exotic nonlocal, Lorentz violating field theories characterized by Virasoro–Kac–Moody symmetries and have attracted a lot of attention as candidate boundary duals to warped AdS$$_3$$

3

spacetimes, thereby expanding the scope of holography beyond asymptotically AdS spacetimes. Here we investigate WCFT$$_2$$

2

 s using circuit complexity as a tool. First we compute the holographic volume complexity (CV) which displays a linear UV divergence structure, more akin to that of a local CFT$$_2$$

2

and has a very complicated dependence on the Virasoro central charge c and the U(1) Kac–Moody level parameter k. Next we consider circuit complexity based on Virasoro–Kac–Moody symmetry gates where the complexity functional is the geometric (group) action on coadjoint orbits of the Virasoro–Kac–Moody group. We consider a special solution to extremization equations for which complexity scales linearly with “time”. In the semiclassical limit (large c, k, while c/k remains finite and small) both the holographic volume complexity and circuit complexity scales with k.
Digging our way to a Just Transition
Authors: McGrath Eoin , O'Donnell Eoin , Torremans Koen
Published: January 2023

As the world transitions to a green economy and society weans itself off fossil fuel dependency, the potential exists for significant economic and societal hardships to arise in regions locally reliant on the extraction and use of fossil fuels. Across Europe the oil, coal and peat producing regions will see significant job losses as mines and extractive facilities close, along with the relocation of energy infrastructure to more renewable-rich areas. The European Commission has recognized these potential issues and committed to ensuring that the green transition will be a ‘Just Transition’ towards climate neutrality. Within Ireland, the Geological Survey has been examining the potential for geogenic natural resources to assist in providing a Just Transition for workers across the most strongly affected region. The exploration and extraction of raw materials and realization of geothermal potential are among the natural resources that can offset major unemployment and contribute to a Just Transition in the affected areas.
KenSwQuAD—A Question Answering Dataset for Swahili Low-resource Language
Authors: Wanjawa Barack W. , Wanzare Lilian D. A. , Indede Florence , Mconyango Owen , Muchemi Lawrence , Ombui Edward
Published: January 2023

The need for question-answering (QA) datasets in low-resource languages is the motivation of this research, leading to the development of the Kencorpus Swahili Question Answering Dataset (KenSwQuAD). This dataset is annotated from raw story texts of Swahili, a low-resource language that is predominantly spoken in eastern Africa and in other parts of the world. Question-answering datasets are important for machine comprehension of natural language for tasks such as internet search and dialog systems. Machine learning systems need training data such as the gold-standard question-answering set developed in this research. The research engaged annotators to formulate QA pairs from Swahili texts collected by the Kencorpus project, a Kenyan languages corpus. The project annotated 1,445 texts from the total 2,585 texts with at least 5 QA pairs each, resulting in a final dataset of 7,526 QA pairs. A quality assurance set of 12.5% of the annotated texts confirmed that the QA pairs were all correctly annotated. A proof of concept on applying the set to the QA task confirmed that the dataset can be usable for such tasks. KenSwQuAD has also contributed to resourcing of the Swahili language.
How Important are Detailed Hand Motions for Communication for a Virtual Character Through the Lens of Charades?
Authors: Adkins Alex , Normoyle Aline , Lin Lorraine , Sun Yu , Ye Yuting , Di Luca Massimiliano , Jörg Sophie
Published: January 2023

Detailed hand motions play an important role in face-to-face communication to emphasize points, describe objects, clarify concepts, or replace words altogether. While shared virtual reality (VR) spaces are becoming more popular, these spaces do not, in most cases, capture and display accurate hand motions. In this article, we investigate the consequences of such errors in hand and finger motions on comprehension, character perception, social presence, and user comfort. We conduct three perceptual experiments where participants guess words and movie titles based on motion captured movements. We introduce errors and alterations to the hand movements and apply techniques to synthesize or correct hand motions. We collect data from more than 1000 Amazon Mechanical Turk participants in two large experiments, and conduct a third experiment in VR. As results might differ depending on the virtual character used, we investigate all effects on two virtual characters of different levels of realism. We furthermore investigate the effects of clip length in our experiments.

Amongst other results, we show that the absence of finger motion significantly reduces comprehension and negatively affects people’s perception of a virtual character and their social presence. Adding some hand motions, even random ones, does attenuate some of these effects when it comes to the perception of the virtual character or social presence, but it does not necessarily improve comprehension. Slightly inaccurate or erroneous hand motions are sufficient to achieve the same level of comprehension as with accurate hand motions. They might however still affect the viewers’ impression of a character. Finally, jittering hand motions should be avoided as they significantly decrease user comfort.
Toward the Minimal Wait-for Delay for Rechargeable WSNs with Multiple Mobile Chargers
Authors: Wang Zuyan , Tao Jun , Xu Yifan , Gao Yang , Zou Dikai
Published: January 2023

Nowadays, the flourish of the internet of things incurs a great demand for progressive technologies to prolong the lifetime of Wireless Sensor Networks. Exploiting a fleet of Mobile Chargers (MCs) to replenish the energy-critical sensor nodes provides a new dimension to maintain long-term network operations, but may suffer from high charging delay due to MC’s limited mobility. Most existing studies focus on the reduction of server-oriented delay, i.e., the overall time taken by MCs (servers) to carry out sensor charging and travel inside the sensing field. However, these solutions may not be robust enough as some energy-critical sensor nodes will run out of the stored energy before the charger’s arrival. In this article, we address this challenge by reducing the client-oriented delay—referred to as the
wait-for delay
—which is defined as the “arrival times” at the to-be-charged sensor nodes (clients). To this end, we first formulate a novel wait-for charging delay minimization problem under the multi-node energy charging scheme. We then prove the NP-hardness of the proposed problem. Inspired by empirical observations, we devise an efficient approximation algorithm with a provable approximation ratio for the problem. We have evaluated the proposed algorithm using real-life system settings. The experimental results suggest that the proposed algorithm certainly performs better than the existing benchmarks; it could reduce the wait-for delay by up to 87.4 percent.
Challenges of Working from Home in Software Development During Covid-19 Lockdowns
Authors: Müller Katharina , Koch Christian , Riehle Dirk , Stops Michael , Harutyunyan Nikolay
Published: January 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020/2021/2022 and the resulting lockdowns forced many companies to switch to working from home, swiftly, on a large scale, and without preparation. This situation created unique challenges for software development, where individual software professionals had to shift instantly from working together at a physical venue to working remotely from home. Our research questions focus on the challenges of software professionals who work from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which we studied empirically at a German bank. We conducted a case study employing a mixed methods approach. We aimed to cover both the breadth of challenges via a quantitative survey, as well as a deeper understanding of these challenges via the follow-up qualitative analysis of 15 semi-structured interviews. In this article, we present the key impediments employees faced during the crisis, as well as their similarities and differences to the known challenges in distributed software development (DSD). We also analyze the employees’ job satisfaction and how the identified challenges impact job satisfaction. In our study, we focus on challenges in communication, collaboration, tooling, and management. The findings of the study provide insights into this emerging topic of high industry relevance. At the same time, the study contributes to the existing academic research on work from home and on the COVID-19 pandemic aftermath.
Formalizing UML State Machines for Automated Verification – A Survey
Authors: André Étienne , Liu Shuang , Liu Yang , Choppy Christine , Sun Jun , Dong Jin Song
Published: January 2023

The Unified Modeling Language (UML) is a standard for modeling dynamic systems. UML behavioral state machines are used for modeling the dynamic behavior of object-oriented designs. The UML specification, maintained by the Object Management Group (OMG), is documented in natural language (in contrast to formal language). The inherent ambiguity of natural languages may introduce inconsistencies in the resulting state machine model. Formalizing UML state machine specification aims at solving the ambiguity problem and at providing a uniform view to software designers and developers. Such a formalization also aims at providing a foundation for automatic verification of UML state machine models, which can help to find software design vulnerabilities at an early stage and reduce the development cost. We provide here a comprehensive survey of existing work from 1997 to 2021 related to formalizing UML state machine semantics for the purpose of conducting model checking at the design stage.
Cancer Prognosis and Diagnosis Methods Based on Ensemble Learning
Authors: Zolfaghari Behrouz , Mirsadeghi Leila , Bibak Khodakhast , Kavousi Kaveh
Published: January 2023

Ensemble methods try to improve performance via integrating different kinds of input data, features, or learning algorithms. In addition to other areas, they are finding their applications in cancer prognosis and diagnosis. However, in this area, the research community is lagging behind the technology. A systematic review along with a taxonomy on ensemble methods used in cancer prognosis and diagnosis can pave the way for the research community to keep pace with the technology and even lead trend. In this article, we first present an overview on existing relevant surveys and highlight their shortcomings, which raise the need for a new survey focusing on Ensemble Classifiers (ECs) used for the diagnosis and prognosis of different cancer types. Then, we exhaustively review the existing methods, including the traditional ones as well as those based on deep learning. The review leads to a taxonomy as well as the identification of the best-studied cancer types, the best ensemble methods used for the related purposes, the prevailing input data types, the most common decision-making strategies, and the common evaluating methodologies. Moreover, we establish future directions for researchers interested in following existing research trends or working on less-studied aspects of the area.
SEH: Size Estimate Hedging Scheduling of Queues
Authors: Akbari-Moghaddam Maryam , Down Douglas G.
Published: January 2023

For a single server system, Shortest Remaining Processing Time (SRPT) is an optimal size-based policy. In this article, we discuss scheduling a single-server system when exact information about the jobs’ processing times is not available. When the SRPT policy uses estimated processing times, the underestimation of large jobs can significantly degrade performance. We propose an index-based policy with a single parameter, Size Estimate Hedging (SEH), that only uses estimated processing times for scheduling decisions. A job’s priority is increased dynamically according to an SRPT rule until it is determined that it is underestimated, at which time the priority is frozen. Numerical results suggest that SEH has desirable performance for estimation error variance that is consistent with what is seen in practice.
Rationales for Combining Therapies to Treat Cancer: Independent Action, Response Correlation, and Collateral Sensitivity Versus Synergy
Authors: Schmidt Emmett V. , Sun Linda Z. , Palmer Adam C. , Chen Cong
Published: January 2023

The principle of independent drug action proposes that responses to drug combinations result from responses to one or the other of two combining agents, but not both. Explorations of biological pathway interactions in signal transduction and immunobiology as synergy have not been connected to mathematical demonstrations of above–independent action activity, which would define pharmacologic synergy. We review independent action as the explanation for cancer drug combinations and find no evidence for pharmacologic synergy. Rather, a measure of correlation of response ( ρ) when positive can explain below–independent action results, and negative correlation can explain above–independent action results. Anticorrelated responses may be a mathematical demonstration of collateral sensitivity, which can achieve above–independent action activity. Inappropriate use of biological concepts of synergy may be contributing to high failure rates for immuno-oncology clinical trials, indicating a need for more rigorous applications of independent action to the development of cancer drug combination therapy.
CAR NK Cells: The Future Is Now
Authors: Raftery Martin J. , Franzén Alexander Sebastian , Pecher Gabriele
Published: January 2023

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has been a great success in CD19+ hematological diseases. Natural killer (NK) CAR cells offer an alternative to CAR T cells with an intrinsic potential for universal off-the-shelf cell therapeutics. The choice of cell type and the choice of CAR are both relevant for the feasibility, effectivity, engraftment, persistence, side effects, and safety of the cell therapy. Until recently CAR NK cells have proven difficult to develop into therapeutic products. Here, we give an overview of the source of CAR NK cells, gene transfer methods, and the manufacture of CAR NK cells for clinical application. We discuss improvements, as well as future options and problems that need to be addressed.
The Effects of Clonal Heterogeneity on Cancer Immunosurveillance
Authors: Dijkstra Krijn K. , Wu Yin , Swanton Charles
Published: January 2023

Intratumor heterogeneity (ITH) is associated with tumor progression in several clinical and experimental settings and contributes to therapeutic resistance. Its relation to cancer immunosurveillance is complex. Clonally heterogeneous tumors are associated with decreased immunosurveillance and are less responsive to immune checkpoint inhibition, but the mechanistic basis underlying these observations remains unclear. One possibility is that tumors that are under active immunosurveillance are relatively homogeneous because immunosurveillance prevents the outgrowth of immunogenic subclones. Alternatively, high ITH might directly impair immunosurveillance due to lower dosages of subclonal antigens, competition between antigens and immunodominance, the induction of detrimental T cell differentiation programs, or negative feedback loops. Here we review the evidence for these scenarios and outline hypotheses that could underlie the negative association between clonal heterogeneity and cancer immunosurveillance.
The Unity and Diversity of Altaic
Authors: Janhunen Juha A.
Published: January 2023

In popular conception, Altaic is often assumed to constitute a language family, or perhaps a phylum, but in reality, it involves a historical, areal, and typological complex of five separate language families of different origins—Turkic, Mongolic, Tungusic, Koreanic, and Japonic—to which Uralic also adheres in the transcontinental context of Ural-Altaic. The similarities between the individual Altaic language families are due to prolonged contacts that have resulted in both lexical borrowing and structural interaction in a number of binary patterns. The historical homelands of the Altaic language families were located in continental Northeast Asia, but secondary expansions have subsequently brought these languages to most parts of northern and central Eurasia, including Anatolia and eastern Europe. The present review summarizes the basic facts concerning the Altaic language families, their common features, their patterns of interaction with each other and with other languages, and their historical and prehistorical context.
Three-dimensional Porous Alloy Host for Highly Stable and Dendrite-Free Zinc Metal Anode
Authors: Xiong Yu , Zhou Fengyin , Zhu Dongdong , Jing Xiaoyun , Shi Hao , Li Wei , Wang DiHua
Published: January 2023

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) are considered to be one of the most attractive energy storage systems due to their environmental friendliness, low cost, high safety and high energy density. However, the uncontrollable Zn dendrites impose limitations on the durability of ZIBs. Herein, a three-dimensional Fe-Ni (3DP-FeNi) alloy with uniform and small pores, good wettability and high hydrogen evolution overpotential is prepared by electrochemically dealloying reaction in molten salts and further used as a host for Zn (3DP-FeNi@Zn) metal anode. The 3DP-FeNi@Zn anode exhibits a high stripping/plating coulombic efficiency of 98.8% and stable cycling over 700 h at 0.5 mA cm−2 without dendrite formation, which is superior to that of bare Zn and Ni foam loaded Zn (Ni@Zn). Furthermore, when 3DP-FeNi@Zn anode is coupled with porous carbon loaded I2 (PC@I2) cathode, the full battery of 3DP-FeNi@Zn//PC@I2 can yield a capacity of 123.3 mAh g−1 (on the basis of I2) after 5000 cycles at 1 A g−1 without short circuit in comparison to less than 870 cycles for batteries built on bare Zn and Ni@Zn. This work provides an effective strategy to improve the cycling stability of ZIBs anode.
Reversible Lithium Electroplating for High-Energy Rechargeable Batteries
Authors: Ding Ning , Sumboja Afriyanti , Yin Xuesong , Zheng Yuanhuan , Wen Hui Fam Derrick , Zong Yun
Published: January 2023

Electrification is seen as one of the key strategies to mitigate the growing energy demands in areas like transportation. With electrification, a better and safer energy storage system becomes a pressing need. Therefore, Li-based batteries are gaining popularity due to their high theoretical capacities. However, the use of Li-based batteries had been fraught with safety concerns. Specifically, Li dendrite formation during Li-plating can cause shorting in cells and thermal runaway. To that end, much effort has been put into mitigating the growth of these dendrites. To tackle this issue, the mechanisms involved in the formation of different morphologies of the plated Li is highlighted, as it determines, to a large extent, the mechanical properties of the plated Li. In turn, the mechanical properties of the plated Li will affect the cyclability and the overall safety of the battery. However, the yield strength of most materials used in separators and solid electrolytes are usually not high enough to prevent penetration by Li dendrites. Hence, various strategies to control the growth and morphology of Li deposits that can form dendrites, has been highlighted here as these strategies are key research directions for the advancement of high energy density Li-based batteries.