bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sequential learning of climate change via a physical-parameter-based state-space model and Bayesian inference
Authors: Lai Yuchuan , Pozzi Matteo
Published: June 2024

Flexible decision-making strategies provide an alternative option for climate adaptation by considering future learning of climate change. A physical-parameter-based state-space model (SSM) with Bayesian inference is developed in this work to investigate reduction of uncertainty from more observations and facilitate flexible adaptation strategies. This SSM method integrates a two-layer, energy-balance model to describe global mean temperature response, models multiple sources of uncertainty such as climate sensitivity and aerosol forcing, and uses the informative priors from processing Global Climate Model simulations. Focusing on global mean temperature anomaly, which has important implications on policies and related impacts, the SSM is assessed by applying it to both historical and pseudo-observations (i.e., model simulations used as observations), assessing the posterior probabilities of physical parameters, and evaluating reduction of projection uncertainty. Some limitations of the method are observed, such as the sensitivity related to the adopted forcing time series. Comparing the end-of-the-century projections of global mean temperature sequentially made at year 2020, 2050, and 2080 using pseudo-observations, the reduction of uncertainty from the SSM is evident: the range of 95% prediction intervals on average decreases from 1.9°C in 2020 to 1.0°C in 2050, and to 0.6°C in 2080 under the Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) 2–4.5 (or from 2.7°C, to 1.2°C and to 0.7°C under SSP5-8.5). These results illustrate how the SSM framework provides probabilistic projections of climate change that can be sequentially updated with more observations, and this process can facilitate flexible adaptation strategies.
Nexus between regulatory pressure, eco-friendly product demand and sustainable competitive advantage of manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises: the mediating role of eco-innovation
Authors: Mady Khalid , Anwar Imran , Abdelkareem Reda Shaker
Published: June 2024

Although previous research endeavours have extensively explored the environmental pressure-performance relationship, their findings have been inclusive. Therefore, this paper examines the direct and indirect (through the mediating role of eco-innovation) impact of regulatory pressure and eco-friendly product demand on sustainable competitive advantage. The research model was examined using Structural Equation Modeling methodology, analyzing data gathered from 183 senior managers within Egyptian SMEs. Several findings have been yielded, which are: (1) eco-innovation is positively motivated by regulatory pressure and eco-friendly product demand; (2) the direct link between environmental pressures (regulatory pressure, eco-friendly product demand) and sustainable competitive advantages is not statistically significant; and (3) eco-innovation acts as a mediator in the relationship between these environmental pressures and sustainable competitive advantage. This research theoretically contributes to the institutional theory of the firm and competitive advantages theory. Particularly, the findings of this research theoretically emphasize that eco-innovation plays a prominent role in alleviating and translating environmental pressures exerted on manufacturing SMEs into sustainable competitive advantages. Furthermore, the research provides practical implications, policy recommendations, limitations, and further research avenues.
Genetic diversity of the Turkish accessions of two progenitor species, Triticum baeoticum Boiss. and Triticum urartu Thum. ex Gandil., using DArTSeq markers
Authors: Özsoy Ata Umut , Tarikahya Hacioğlu Burcu
Published: June 2024

The aim of this study was to reveal the intra and interspecies differences between Triticum baeoticum and Triticum urartu using Diversity Arrays Technology sequencing (DArTseq) on 94 accessions representing Turkish populations. Seeds were gathered from the US Department of Agriculture, and from the Turkish Seed Gene Bank. Isolated and purified DNA samples were sent to Diversity Arrays Technologies for DArTseq. After the necessary quality filtering, a total of 16,898 and 100,103 loci were obtained respectively from the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and SilicoDArT datasets. ADMIXTURE software was used to reveal the intra and interspecies population structures. Analysis of molecular variance was carried out to reveal the variance between the populations of the T. urartu and T. baeoticum species. Principal coordinate analysis was conducted to visualize the main sources of variation between the populations on a 2-dimensional plane. To reveal the evolutionary relationship, SNP dataset was used to reconstruct the phylogenetic dendrograms by using the maximum likelihood statistical method and the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean clustering algorithm. As a result of this study, the accessions of T. urartu and T. baeoticum species formed separate clusters and revealed as two different species. In line with the results obtained, it is obvious that the identification of some accessions should be re-evaluated. The results demonstrated that DArTseq, is a fast, low-cost, and high-accuracy method that can be used in species and population discrimination and an effective tool for Gene Bank management.
Thriving in vertical schools: aspirations for inclusion and capability from a salutogenic design perspective
Authors: Willis Jill , Gillett-Swan Jenna , Franz Jill , Farahnak Majd Narges , Carroli Linda , Gallagher Jeanine , Bray Elise
Published: June 2024

School designs have far-reaching future impacts. Facilities often remain unchanged for decades influencing whether generations of young people feel included and can access educational entitlements, especially those identifying as someone from a marginalised or minority group. Student perspectives are therefore essential to understand inclusive school environments. Student perspectives about their experiences of thriving in three new Australian vertical high schools designed to be inclusive from the outset were analysed alongside aspirations from the adults involved in designing them. Inclusion was uniquely conceptualised through capability and salutogenic theories that informed the analysis of annotated maps from over 200 Year 8 students. Inclusive environments were more evident when they were meaningful, made sense, and were easy to manage. Students highlighted the importance of choice, comfort, and spaces for resetting. Aspects where students had to work harder to manage the learning or themselves in the environment point to challenges in achieving SDG4a, where facilities need to be inclusive for all. The new conceptual approach extends current theory on designing for inclusion with intentionality in a holistic way to guide greater realisation of inclusive aspirations in school environments.
Kink-and-Disconnection Failed Eruption in 3D
Authors: Mrozek Tomasz , Li Zhentong , Karlický Marian , Chrysaphi Nicolina , Su Yang , Chen Wei , Gan Weiqun
Published: June 2024

We present a case study of a failed eruption that accompanied an M1.5 GOES class solar flare. It was observed by STIX onboard Solar Orbiter, HXI onboard the Advanced Space-based Solar Observatory, AIA onboard Solar Dynamics Observatory, and WAVES onboard the STEREO-A. The important input is from stereoscopic hard X-ray (HXR) observations obtained by HXI and STIX, whose vantage points were separated by $31.5^{\circ }$

31.5
∘

, allowing us to unfold the 3D geometry of the event. The eruption was a two-phase event. First, it started with the rope helical kink and then was slowed down, but with the structure still unstable, it erupted two minutes later due to ongoing reconnection in the interacting legs of the kinked structure. A Type III burst was observed in association with the eruption, indicating the acceleration of semirelativistic electrons into the heliosphere. During the second phase, a hot cloud was disconnected and confined in the overlying magnetic field, where the overlying loops connected two adjacent active regions. The estimated and corrected for real geometry velocities are in the range of 385 – 400 km s−1, whereas acceleration reached 4.78 – 6.33 km s−2. These extreme values are much more demanding from a perspective of conditions that are needed to stop the eruption. Images obtained simultaneously by HXI and STIX located in different vantage points showed that flare-related sources are not lying along a normal to the solar surface. The understanding of the eruption analyzed here has been highly enriched thanks to the stereoscopic information about HXR source locations.
Mental causation, interventionism, and probabilistic supervenience
Authors: Gebharter Alexander , Sekatskaya Maria
Published: June 2024

Mental causation is notoriously threatened by the causal exclusion argument. A prominent strategy to save mental causation from causal exclusion consists in subscribing to an interventionist account of causation. This move has, however, recently been challenged by several authors. In this paper, we do two things: We (i) develop what we consider to be the strongest version of the interventionist causal exclusion argument currently on the market and (ii) propose a new way how it can in principle be overcome. In particular, we propose to replace strict supervenience in the assumption that the mental supervenes on the physical by probabilistic supervenience and show how this move has the potential to license the inference to mental causation. Finally, we argue that probabilistic supervenience captures some of the most important intuitions that strict supervenience captures and discuss possible objections to weakening strict supervenience in the way we suggest.
The Paradox of Elites in Civil Society: A Comparative Study on Civil Society Leaders’ Satisfaction with Democracy in the UK and Sweden
Authors: Baxter Megan K. , Lee Jayeon , Odai Minja , Scaramuzzino Roberto
Published: June 2024

The presence of an elite group in civil society elicits a discursive friction between the long-standing normative understanding of civil society, acting as a check on government overreach and autocratic tendencies, and elite theories. Robert Michels’s iron law of oligarchy posits that as individuals rise in the ranks to become organizational leaders, they begin to take on elite attributes, and their priorities align with those of other elites and away from those of their constituents. Michels’s argument echoes with today’s populist anti-elitist rhetoric and the way populism rejects any intermediary bodies between the people and the political leaders, including interest organizations in civil society. As an attempt to empirically probe this theoretical tension, this paper explores satisfaction with the way democracy is working among the top-level leaders of the most well-resourced national-level civil society organizations in Sweden and in the UK, drawing on a survey study conducted in 2020–21.
Achieving Sustainable Goals Using an Effective Budget-Allocation Multicriteria Mives Model: Case Study of a Spanish Water Utility Company
Authors: Roigé Núria , Pardo-Bosch Francesc , Pujadas Pablo
Published: June 2024

Within the global sustainability agenda, companies must align their operations with specific Sustainable Goals (SGs) and develop corresponding budgeting strategies. This paper presents a robust multicriteria decision-making model tailored for a Spanish utility company specializing in water services. The model ensures that financial allocations reflect the company's vision and its interpretation of sustainable development within its service areas. This approach aims to promote objectivity, traceability, and sustainability in decision-making, as a critical component in achieving SGs. The article emphasizes the importance of aligning water companies' budget allocations with SGs, highlighting key indicators for consideration. It provides a practical illustration of how the company's financial allocations were synchronized with SGs using a multicriteria decision-making model. A case study is included, involving a budget allocation of 40 million euros compared across four scenarios with the historical average of budgets from the Past Three Investment Plans (P3IP). The results reveal significant variations in budget allocation across different infrastructure categories, demonstrating the system's robustness, such as a 70% variation in production infrastructures, 27% in transportation, 25% in distribution, and 40% in the remaining areas, depending on the scenario.
Using knowledge graphs for audio retrieval: a case study on copyright infringement detection
Authors: Montanaro Marco , Rinaldi Antonio Maria , Russo Cristiano , Tommasino Cristian
Published: June 2024

Identifying cases of intellectual property violation in multimedia files poses significant challenges for the Internet infrastructure, especially when dealing with extensive document collections. Typically, techniques used to tackle such issues can be categorized into either of two groups: proactive and reactive approaches. This article introduces an approach combining both proactive and reactive solutions to remove illegal uploads on a platform while preventing legal uploads or modified versions of audio tracks, such as parodies, remixes or further types of edits. To achieve this, we have developed a rule-based focused crawler specifically designed to detect copyright infringement on audio files coupled with a visualization environment that maps the retrieved data on a knowledge graph to represent information extracted from audio files. Our system automatically scans multimedia files that are uploaded to a public collection when a user submits a search query, performing an audio information retrieval task only on files deemed legal. We present experimental results obtained from tests conducted by performing user queries on a large music collection, a subset of 25,000 songs and audio snippets obtained from the Free Music Archive library. The returned audio tracks have an associated Similarity Score, a metric we use to determine the quality of the adversarial searches executed by the system. We then proceed with discussing the effectiveness and efficiency of different settings of our proposed system.

Graphical abstract
Synthesis of zeolite from industrial wastes: a review on characterization and heavy metal and dye removal
Authors: Eren Sena , Türk Feride N. , Arslanoğlu Hasan
Published: June 2024

Increasing world population, urbanization, and industrialization have led to an increase in demand in production and consumption, resulting in an increase in industrial solid wastes and pollutant levels in water. These two main consequences have become global problems. The high Si and Al content of solid wastes suggests that they can be used as raw materials for the synthesis of zeolites. In this context, when the literature studies conducted to obtain synthetic zeolites are evaluated, it is seen that hydrothermal synthesis method is generally used. In order to improve the performance of the hydrothermal synthesis method in terms of energy cost, synthesis time, and even product quality, additional methods such as alkaline fusion, ultrasonic effect, and microwave support have been developed. The zeolites synthesized by different techniques exhibit superior properties such as high surface area and well-defined pore sizes, thermal stability, high cation exchange capacity, high regeneration ability, and catalytic activity. Due to these specific properties, zeolites are recognized as one of the most effective methods for the removal of pollutants. The toxic properties of heavy metals and dyes in water and their carcinogenic effects in long-term exposure pose a serious risk to living organisms. Therefore, they should be treated at specified levels before discharge to the environment. In this review study, processes including different methods developed for the production of zeolites from industrial solid wastes were evaluated. Studies using synthetic zeolites for the removal of high levels of health and environmental risks such as heavy metals and dyes are reviewed. In addition, EPMA, SEM, EDX, FTIR, BET, AFM, and 29Si and 27Al NMR techniques, which are characterization methods of synthetic zeolites, are presented and the cation exchange capacity, thermodynamics of adsorption, effect of temperature, and pH are investigated. It is expected that energy consumption can be reduced by large-scale applications of alternative techniques developed for zeolite synthesis and their introduction into the industry. It is envisaged that zeolites synthesized by utilizing wastes will be effective in obtaining a green technology. The use of synthesized zeolites in a wide variety of applications, especially in environmental problems, holds great promise.

Graphical Abstract
A unified framework of response surface methodology and coalescing of Firefly with random forest algorithm for enhancing nano-phytoremediation efficiency of chromium via in vitro regenerated aquatic macrophyte coontail (Ceratophyllum demersum L.)
Authors: Ali Seyid Amjad , Gümüş Numan Emre , Aasim Muhammad
Published: June 2024

Nano-phytoremediation is a novel green technique to remove toxic pollutants from the environment. In vitro regenerated Ceratophyllum demersum (L.) plants were exposed to different concentrations of chromium (Cr) and exposure times in the presence of titania nanoparticles (TiO2NPs). Response surface methodology was used for multiple statistical analyses like regression analysis and optimizing plots. The supplementation of NPs significantly impacted Cr in water and Cr removal (%), whereas NP × exposure time (T) statistically regulated all output parameters. The Firefly metaheuristic algorithm and the random forest (Firefly-RF) machine learning algorithms were coalesced to optimize hyperparameters, aiming to achieve the highest level of accuracy in predicted models. The R2 scores were recorded as 0.956 for Cr in water, 0.987 for Cr in the plant, 0.992 for bioconcentration factor (BCF), and 0.957 for Cr removal through the Firefly-RF model. The findings illustrated superior prediction performance from the random forest models when compared to the response surface methodology. The conclusion is drawn that metal-based nanoparticles (NPs) can effectively be utilized for nano-phytoremediation of heavy metals. This study has uncovered a promising outlook for the utilization of nanoparticles in nano-phytoremediation. This study is expected to pave the way for future research on the topic, facilitating further exploration of various nanoparticles and a thorough evaluation of their potential in aquatic ecosystems.

Graphical Abstract
Neuroenhancement unter Studierenden im ländlichen Raum – eine Querschnittstudie zu Prävalenz, Genderunterschieden und Beweggründen
Authors: Engel Katharina Mathilde , Meissner Karin
Published: June 2024

Hintergrund

Leistungsbezogener Substanzkonsum wird weithin unter dem Begriff Neuroenhancement (NE) diskutiert. Ziel dieser Studie war es, einen ersten Überblick zu Prävalenz, Genderunterschieden und Beweggründen von NE an einer Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften (HAW) im ländlichen Raum zu geben. Hierbei wurden sowohl pharmakologisches NE (PN), also der Konsum verschreibungspflichtiger und illegaler Substanzen, als auch Soft-Enhancement (SE), d. h. die Einnahme freiverkäuflicher Substanzen, mit einbezogen.

Methodik

Mit Hilfe eines Online-Fragebogens wurde im Wintersemester 2019/2020 eine Querschnitterhebung durchgeführt, in der 503 Studierende aller Fakultäten der HAW Coburg. Angaben zu ihrem Konsum von NE sowie ihren Beweggründen machten. Zur statistischen Analyse wurden χ2-, Fisher’s exact und Mann-Whitney-U-Tests angewandt. Genderunterschiede wurden hinsichtlich PN und SE betrachtet.

Ergebnisse

Die Studienzeitprävalenz für SE betrug 91 % und für PN 28 %. Am häufigsten wurden Kaffee (70 %), Softdrinks (66 %) und Tees (60 %) für SE, sowie Cannabis (21 %), Methylphenidat (8 %) und illegale Amphetamine (7 %) für PN verwendet. Männer betrieben signifikant häufiger PN als Frauen (37 % vs. 24 %, p = 0,005; φ = 0,130). NE wurde insbesondere während der Prüfungsvorbereitungen und bei Stress angewandt. Als Beweggründe dominierten Müdigkeit und Verbesserung der Konzentration und Aufmerksamkeit.

Schlussfolgerung

Die Ergebnisse weisen darauf hin, dass NE an HAWs im ländlichen Raum ein ernstzunehmendes Phänomen ist, das es weiter zu erforschen gilt.
Inter-property Correlation of Al2O3-CaO-MgO-SiO2 Quaternary Slag System in Blast Furnace Ironmaking
Authors: Hazra Sujan , Biswajeet Devi Dutta , Pal Snehanshu , Sengupta Supratim , Nag Samik , Seetharaman Seshadri
Published: June 2024

Exploring the correlation between the density and the thermo-physical properties of the Al2O3-CaO-MgO-SiO2 quaternary slag system is a subject of great interest in the domain of high alumina slag systems. This work attempts to establish correlations between (a) molar volume/density with enthalpy of mixing and (b) molar volume/density with slag viscosity, for the quaternary slag systems. The former is targeted based on existing models to determine the slag density and enthalpy of mixing first and then to develop machine-learning models which can suitably extrapolate the enthalpy of mixing as a function of slag composition, temperature and density. The volume shrinkage and the exothermic enthalpy of mixing between the slag constituent components are correlated in the current work. The later part would involve the conjunction of two hybrid machine-learning models, one for predicting slag viscosity as a function of slag compositions and temperature, and the other which predicts slag viscosity with the incorporation of slag density. The work will facilitate the establishment of two novel quantitative relationships that could provide better insights into the blast furnace quaternary slag systems.
Conformal link prediction for false discovery rate control
Authors: Marandon Ariane
Published: June 2024

Most link prediction methods return estimates of the connection probability of missing edges in a graph. Such output can be used to rank the missing edges from most to least likely to be a true edge, but does not directly provide a classification into true and nonexistent. In this work, we consider the problem of identifying a set of true edges with a control of the false discovery rate (FDR). We propose a novel method based on high-level ideas from the literature on conformal inference. The graph structure induces intricate dependence in the data, which we carefully take into account, as this makes the setup different from the usual setup in conformal inference, where data exchangeability is assumed. The FDR control is empirically demonstrated for both simulated and real data.
Periodic second-order systems and coupled forced Van der Pol oscillators
Authors: Minhós Feliz , Perestrelo Sara
Published: June 2024

We present an existence and localization result for periodic solutions of second-order non-linear coupled planar systems, without requiring periodicity for the non-linearities. The arguments for the existence tool are based on a variation of the Nagumo condition and the Topological Degree Theory. The localization tool is based on a technique of orderless upper and lower solutions, that involves functions with translations. We apply our result to a system of two coupled Van der Pol oscillators with a forcing component.
Solving the Pervasive Problem of Protocol Non-Compliance in MRI using an Open-Source tool mrQA
Authors: Sinha Harsh , Raamana Pradeep Reddy
Published: June 2024

Pooling data across diverse sources acquired by multisite consortia requires compliance with a predefined reference protocol i.e., ensuring different sites and scanners for a given project have used identical or compatible MR physics parameter values. Traditionally, this has been an arduous and manual process due to difficulties in working with the complicated DICOM standard and lack of resources allocated towards protocol compliance. Moreover, issues of protocol compliance is often overlooked for lack of realization that parameter values are routinely improvised/modified locally at various sites. The inconsistencies in acquisition protocols can reduce SNR, statistical power, and in the worst case, may invalidate the results altogether. An open-source tool, mrQA was developed to automatically assess protocol compliance on standard dataset formats such as DICOM and BIDS, and to study the patterns of non-compliance in over 20 open neuroimaging datasets, including the large ABCD study. The results demonstrate that the lack of compliance is rather pervasive. The frequent sources of non-compliance include but are not limited to deviations in Repetition Time, Echo Time, Flip Angle, and Phase Encoding Direction. It was also observed that GE and Philips scanners exhibited higher rates of non-compliance relative to the Siemens scanners in the ABCD dataset. Continuous monitoring for protocol compliance is strongly recommended before any pre/post-processing, ideally right after the acquisition, to avoid the silent propagation of severe/subtle issues. Although, this study focuses on neuroimaging datasets, the proposed tool mrQA can work with any DICOM-based datasets.
Policy-makers and Population Ageing in Bangladesh: A Dearth of Attention
Authors: Khoda Md. Sher E , Kröger Teppo
Published: June 2024

Policy responses to population ageing have seldom been studied in Bangladesh. This article contributes to this research stream by asking to what extent policy-makers in Bangladesh are aware of the rapidly growing older population and care needs in the country and how this awareness is reflected in their policy initiatives. The concept of inattention is introduced to investigate phenomena from a public policy perspective. Data were collected via open-ended interviews with key policy-makers in Bangladesh’s government and other local stakeholders. Their responses were transcribed and coded for thematic content analysis. The findings show that policy-makers in Bangladesh have paid very little attention to the rapidly growing older population and their care needs. Without considering social, economic and demographic circumstances, the government has left full responsibility for old-age care to family members. No specific health or social care facilities have been built for older adults. Instead, limited coverage pension schemes for government employees and the Old Age Allowance (OAA) for financially vulnerable older adults remain the only measures taken thus far. However, these means-tested OAAs are very limited in terms of both their level and coverage. The lack of policy attention to older adults’ needs has led to a situation in which many older persons, especially in rural areas, are left without any support or care from their family, the government or third-sector organisations. More research is needed to guide the government and other organisations in developing adequate policies to support older adults in Bangladesh.
An Analysis of Consumer Sensory and Sensibility Factors for Planning Conductive Fabric Clothing
Authors: Park Sujin , Ha Jisoo
Published: June 2024

The ultimate purpose of this research is to analyze consumers’ complex sensory and sensibility factors, providing fundamental data to assist in suggesting the planning of clothing products with conductive fabric. For conductive fabric, “electrostatic” is the key factor, while “even,” “not crude,” “mature,” “modern,” “refined,” and “urbane” constitute the primary sensibility factors. Participants tended to perceive that knit-type silver-coated conductive fabric based on the nylon is more insulating and formal than the same fabric based solely on the silver fiber. According to the analysis of differences in sensory factors based on the composition, it was observed that conductive fabric made from 100% nylon exhibits high versatility in developing clothing products. The preference for clothing products made from conductive fabric revealed that blouses, shirts, dresses, and t-shirts were highly ranked. Especially, knit-type conductive fabric appears highly suitable for developing clothing, as it exhibits the highest preference for various clothing products. Thus, actively applying knit-type conductive fabric on a preferential basis is expected to be effective in introducing conductive fabric into the clothing market and stimulating product development. In conclusion, this result indicates that introducing conductive fabric into the clothing market is positive. Sensory and sensibility factors of the proposed fabric are believed to offer an important guideline for those who develop clothing products made of conductive fabric to satisfy consumer needs.
Enhancing Low-Frequency Microwave Absorption Through Structural Polarization Modulation of MXenes
Authors: Shan Bo , Wang Yang , Ji Xinyi , Huang Yi
Published: June 2024

Two-dimensional carbon-based materials have shown promising electromagnetic wave absorption capabilities in mid- and high-frequency ranges, but face challenges in low-frequency absorption due to limited control over polarization response mechanisms and ambiguous resonance behavior. In this study, we propose a novel approach to enhance absorption efficiency in aligned three-dimensional (3D) MXene/CNF (cellulose nanofibers) cavities by modifying polarization properties and manipulating resonance response in the 3D MXene architecture. This controlled polarization mechanism results in a significant shift of the main absorption region from the X-band to the S-band, leading to a remarkable reflection loss value of − 47.9 dB in the low-frequency range. Furthermore, our findings revealed the importance of the oriented electromagnetic coupling in influencing electromagnetic response and microwave absorption properties. The present study inspired us to develop a generic strategy for low-frequency tuned absorption in the absence of magnetic element participation, while orientation-induced polarization and the derived magnetic resonance coupling are the key controlling factors of the method.
Aureobasidium pullulans formulations: evaluation of the effectiveness against grey mould of table grape
Authors: Cignola Rudy , Firrao Giuseppe , Freschi Giorgio , Di Francesco Alessandra
Published: June 2024

Antagonism against Botrytis cinerea is often carried out using yeast as direct antagonists. Aureobasidium pullulans strain AP1 was tested in two different formulations: wettable powder (WP) and oil dispersion (OD). By in vitro assays, the viability of the strain cells was constantly evaluated for seven months and the OD formulation ensured the highest cells viability. The efficacy of the formulations was assayed by evaluating the production of volatile and non-volatile metabolites. Results showed that the formulation affected the non-volatile less than the volatile metabolites. Both AP1 WP and AP1 OD non-volatile metabolites displayed almost 50% of mycelial pathogen inhibition. Comparing the two products, the lowest EC50 value (518.15 mg L− 1) was detected for the AP1 OD formulation that was thus chosen for postharvest in vivo assays. The preventative treatments (200, 400, 800 mg L− 1) were active in reducing the pathogen incidence on table grape on average by 52%. Instead, in the curative application assay, the highest concentration (800 mg L− 1) reduced grey mold incidence by 86%. The present study reported the potential of two new formulations to use against the postharvest grey mold of table grape for a possible further commercial product development.
Application of bi-directional evolutionary structural optimization to the design of an innovative pedestrian bridge
Authors: Lai Yaping , Li Yu , Liu Yanchen , Chen Peixin , Zhao Lijun , Li Jin , Xie Yi Min
Published: June 2024

With rapid advances in design methods and structural analysis techniques, computational generative design strategies have been adopted more widely in the field of architecture and engineering. As a performance-based design technique to find out the most efficient structural form, topology optimization provides a powerful tool for designers to explore lightweight and elegant structures. Building on this background, this study proposes an innovative pedestrian bridge design, which covers the process from conceptualization to detailed design implementation. This pedestrian bridge, with a main span of 152 m, needs to meet some unique architectural requirements, while addressing multiple engineering challenges. Aiming to reduce the depth of the girder but still meeting the load-carrying capacity requirements, the superstructure of this bridge adopts a variable-depth spinal-shaped girder in the center of its deck, thus forming an elegant curving facade, from which one pathway cantilevers on either side. At one end of the bridge, given considerable elevation difference between the bridge deck and the ground, a two-level Fibonacci-type spiral-shaped bicycle ramp is provided. The superstructure is supported by a series of organic tree-shaped branching piers resulting from the topology optimization. The ingenious design for the elegant profile of the bicycle ramp generates an enjoyable and dynamic crossing experience, with scenic views in all directions. By virtue of technological innovation, the pedestrian bridge is expected to create an iconic, cost-effective, and low-maintenance solution. A brief overview of the theoretical background of the bi-directional evolutionary structure optimization (BESO) and the multi-material BESO approach is also offered in this paper, while the construction requirements and challenges, conceptual development process, form-finding strategy, detailed design, and construction method of the bridge are presented.
Identification of nuclear membrane SUN proteins and components associated with wheat fungal stress responses
Authors: Guo Huan , Wang Jianfeng , Yao Di , Yu Ligang , Jiang Wenting , Xie Lincai , Lv Shikai , Zhang Xiangyu , Wang Yajuan , Wang Changyou , Ji Wanquan , Zhang Hong
Published: June 2024

In eukaryotes, the nuclear membrane that encapsulates genomic DNA is composed of an inner nuclear membrane (INM), an outer nuclear membrane (ONM), and a perinuclear space. SUN proteins located in the INM and KASH proteins in the ONM form the SUN-KASH NM-bridge, which functions as the junction of the nucleocytoplasmic complex junction. Proteins containing the SUN domain showed the highest correlation with differentially accumulated proteins (DAPs) in the wheat response to fungal stress. To understand the characteristics of SUN and its associated proteins in wheat responding to pathogen stress, here we investigated and comprehensive analyzed SUN- and KASH-related proteins among the DAPs under fungi infection based on their conserved motifs. In total, four SUN proteins, one WPP domain-interacting protein (WIP), four WPP domain-interacting tail-anchored proteins (WIT), two WPP proteins and one Ran GTPase activating protein (RanGAP) were identified. Following transient expression of Nicotiana benthamiana, TaSUN2, TaRanGAP2, TaWIT1 and TaWIP1 were identified as nuclear membrane proteins, while TaWPP1 and TaWPP2 were expressed in both the nucleus and cell membrane. RT-qPCR analysis demonstrated that the transcription of TaSUN2, TaRanGAP2 and TaWPP1 were strongly upregulated in response to fungal infection. Furthermore, using the bimolecular fluorescence complementation, the luciferase complementation and a nuclear and split-ubiquitin-based membrane yeast two-hybrid systems, we substantiated the interaction between TaSUN2 and TaWIP1, as well as TaWIP1/WIT1 and TaWPP1/WPP2. Silencing of TaSUN2, TaRanGAP2 and TaWPP1 in wheat leaves promoted powdery mildew infection and hyphal growth, and reduced the expression of TaBRI1, TaBAK1 and Ta14-3–3, indicating that these NM proteins play a positive role in resistance to fungal stress. Our study reveals the characteristics of NM proteins and propose the preliminary construction of SUN-WIP-WPP-RanGAP complex in wheat, which represents a foundation for detail elucidating their functions in wheat in future.
Oncometabolites in cancer: from cancer cells to the tumor microenvironment
Authors: Chen Luoyi , Huang Min
Published: June 2024

Oncometabolites refer to pro-oncogenic metabolites that are aberrantly accumulated due to distorted metabolic pathways in cancer cells, and play a crucial role in promoting cancer malignancy. In recent years, the concept of oncometabolites has been broadened beyond their original definition. Emerging evidence has suggested that oncometabolites also exert crucial functions in non-cancer cells within the tumor microenvironment, and can even be produced by these cells. In this review, we summarize the expanded understanding of oncometabolites by presenting an overview of their functions and mechanisms in oncogenesis and cancer progression from the viewpoint of the tumor microenvironment, with a special attention to metabolite-mediated cell-cell crosstalk in promoting cancer progression. With this review, we hope to gain a better understanding of roles and the regulation of the rewired metabolism in cancer and inspire novel therapeutic avenues for treating oncometabolite-driven cancers.
Effect of magnetic needle magnetic particle grinding process on the performance of metal aluminum plates
Authors: Zou Hang , Ying Jun , Ma Xuedong , Chen Yan , Han Bing , Zhan Jiawei
Published: June 2024

Magnetic needle grinding processing technology is one of the magnetic grinding processing techniques. It possesses the characteristics of micro-cutting removal, small increase in processing temperature, flexible processing, high-quality, and high-precision processing. It is mainly utilized to remove burrs at the edge of the workpiece and the edge of the hole, as well as to finish the surface of the workpiece. It is frequently employed in civil, aerospace, navigation, and other fields. Due to the randomness and complexity of magnetic needle movement in magnetic abrasive finishing, it is difficult to quantify the processing parameters and predict processing effects. Therefore, this paper establishes a simulation model of magnetic needle in magnetic abrasive finishing by the coupling numerical simulation method of fluid dynamics discrete element method (CFD-DEM) to analyze the working state parameters of the magnetic needle. Through the simulation of actual working conditions, the machining process and parameters of magnetic abrasive finishing are quantified and analyzed, and the motion trend of magnetic needles during the machining process is studied. Then, the residual stress of single magnetic needle impact is analyzed with ABAQUS, and the performance enhancement of the workpiece is predicted. Finally, observations of surface morphology and validation of residual stress prediction were conducted through experiments on an aluminum plate. The results show that the residual stress of the aluminum plate is positively correlated with the number of strikes of the magnetic needle. The residual stress changes from tensile stress (+0.1 MPa) to compressive stress (-16.5 MPa). The comparison between simulation results and experimental results is good, indicating that the simulation model can comprehensively consider multiple factors such as magnetic field, particle motion, and fluid flow, and establish a magnetic needle magnetic grinding process model that is suitable for actual working conditions.
Geo-electrical prognosis of aquifer protectivity, corrosivity, and vulnerability via index-based models within a major coastal milieu
Authors: Udosen Ndifreke I. , Ekanem Aniekan M. , George Nyakno J.
Published: June 2024

This work was carried out to investigate the protective capacity, vulnerability, and corrosivity within a major coastal milieu in Southern Nigeria with the use of index-based geo-electrical modeling methods. Vertical electrical soundings were undertaken at twenty locations with the aid of Schlumberger array having a maximum electrode spacing of 400 m. The results indicated that the lithology comprised four subsurface layers having variable values of resistivity and thickness. The Dar-Zarrouk parameter, the Aquifer Vulnerability Index (AVI), and the GOD (Groundwater occurrence G, Overlying lithology O and Depth to aquifer D) models were employed to appraise measures of aquifer protectivity and vulnerability to contamination. The longitudinal conductance values ranged from 0.0071–1.95 mhos with a mean of 0.32 mhos, indicating moderate protectivity. AVI values ranged from 1.73–4.10 with a mean of 3.03, indicating moderate aquifer vulnerability. The GOD indices ranged from 0.35–0.63 with a mean of 0.49, indicating moderate aquifer vulnerability. Corrosivity was also computed based on topsoil resistivity values which ranged from 12.7 to 664.2 Ωm with a mean of 168.17 Ωm, indicating moderate corrosivity, and demonstrating the unsuitability of corrosive locations for laying underground pipes. All the index-based models gave similar interpretations, indicating moderate aquifer protectivity and susceptibility. These results were corroborated by 2D electrical resistivity tomography surveys conducted at four stations. This work has therefore delineated important aquifer geo-hydraulic properties with index-based geo-electrical modeling techniques. The results obtained are critical for effective aquifer management, conservation, and sustainability.
Neuropsychobiology of fear-induced bradycardia in humans: progress and pitfalls
Authors: Battaglia Simone , Nazzi Claudio , Lonsdorf Tina B. , Thayer Julian F.
Published: June 2024

In the last century, the paradigm of fear conditioning has greatly evolved in a variety of scientific fields. The techniques, protocols, and analysis methods now most used have undergone a progressive development, theoretical and technological, improving the quality of scientific productions. Fear-induced bradycardia is among these techniques and represents the temporary deceleration of heart beats in response to negative outcomes. However, it has often been used as a secondary measure to assess defensive responding to threat, along other more popular techniques. In this review, we aim at paving the road for its employment as an additional tool in fear conditioning experiments in humans. After an overview of the studies carried out throughout the last century, we describe more recent evidence up to the most contemporary research insights. Lastly, we provide some guidelines concerning the best practices to adopt in human fear conditioning studies which aim to investigate fear-induced bradycardia.
Survival of patients with ruptured gastrointestinal stromal tumour treated with adjuvant imatinib in a randomised trial
Authors: Joensuu Heikki , Reichardt Annette , Eriksson Mikael , Hohenberger Peter , Boye Kjetil , Cameron Silke , Lindner Lars H. , Jost Philipp J. , Bauer Sebastian , Schütte Jochen , Lindskog Stefan , Kallio Raija , Jaakkola Panu M. , Goplen Dorota , Wardelmann Eva , Reichardt Peter
Published: June 2024

Background

Patients with ruptured gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) have poor prognosis. Little information is available about how adjuvant imatinib influences survival.

Methods

We explored recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) of patients with ruptured GIST who participated in a randomised trial (SSG XVIII/AIO), where 400 patients with high-risk GIST were allocated to adjuvant imatinib for either 1 year or 3 years after surgery. Of the 358 patients with confirmed localised GIST, 73 (20%) had rupture reported. The ruptures were classified retrospectively using the Oslo criteria.

Results

Most ruptures were major, four reported ruptures were reclassified unruptured. The 69 patients with rupture had inferior RFS and OS compared with 289 patients with unruptured GIST (10-year RFS 21% vs. 55%, OS 59% vs. 78%, respectively). Three-year adjuvant imatinib did not significantly improve RFS or OS of the patients with rupture compared with 1-year treatment, but in the largest mutational subset with KIT exon 11 deletion/indel mutation OS was higher in the 3-year group than in the 1-year group (10-year OS 94% vs. 54%).

Conclusions

About one-fifth of ruptured GISTs treated with adjuvant imatinib did not recur during the first decade of follow-up. Relatively high OS rates were achieved despite rupture.

Clinical Trial Registration

NCT00116935.
Review of the role of imaging in the diagnosis of priapism
Authors: von Stempel Conrad , Walkden Miles , Kirkham Alex
Published: June 2024

Imaging has a specific role in the diagnosis and management of priapism. The primary imaging modality is ultrasound with colour Doppler (CDUS) which can accurately assess the hemodynamics of the cavernosal arteries. This is particularly useful in equivocal cases and can help differentiate ischemic from non-ischemic priapism as well as confirm the presence and location of arterio-venous fistulae post penile trauma. Furthermore, CDUS is invaluable in the post treatment follow up of non-ischemic priapism. Contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can demonstrate the extent of cavernosal necrosis in ischemic priapism and in conjunction with computer tomography (CT) has an important role in excluding underlying malignancy. MRI and CT angiography are used to evaluate pudendal arterial anatomy, which can be extremely variable and aids in the management of non-ischemic priapism. In selected cases of non-ischemic priapism, catheter angiography and transcatheter embolization of arteriovenous fistulae is an effective treatment. This review will examine the specific roles of different imaging modalities in the subtypes of priapism as well as highlight some of the pitfalls encountered in imaging.
Molecular and physiological changes in the SpaceX Inspiration4 civilian crew
Authors: Jones Christopher W. , Overbey Eliah G. , Lacombe Jerome , Ecker Adrian J. , Meydan Cem , Ryon Krista , Tierney Braden , Damle Namita , MacKay Matthew , Afshin Evan E. , Foox Jonathan , Park Jiwoon , Nelson Theodore M. , Suhail Mohamad Mir , Byhaqui Syed Gufran Ahmad , Aslam Burhan , Tali Ummer Akbar , Nisa Liaqun , Menon Priya V. , Patel Chintan O. , Khan Sharib A. , Ebert Doug J. , Everson Aaron , Schubert Michael C. , Ali Nabila N. , Sarma Mallika S. , Kim JangKeun , Houerbi Nadia , Grigorev Kirill , Garcia Medina J. Sebastian , Summers Alexander J. , Gu Jian , Altin John A. , Fattahi Ali , Hirzallah Mohammad I. , Wu Jimmy H. , Stahn Alexander C. , Beheshti Afshin , Klotz Remi , Ortiz Veronica , Yu Min , Patras Laura , Matei Irina , Lyden David , Melnick Ari , Banerjee Neil , Mullane Sean , Kleinman Ashley S. , Loesche Michael , Menon Anil S. , Donoviel Dorit B. , Urquieta Emmanuel , Mateus Jaime , Sargsyan Ashot E. , Shelhamer Mark , Zenhausern Frederic , Bershad Eric M. , Basner Mathias , Mason Christopher E.
Published: June 2024

Human spaceflight has historically been managed by government agencies, such as in the NASA Twins Study1, but new commercial spaceflight opportunities have opened spaceflight to a broader population. In 2021, the SpaceX Inspiration4 mission launched the first all-civilian crew to low Earth orbit, which included the youngest American astronaut (aged 29), new in-flight experimental technologies (handheld ultrasound imaging, smartwatch wearables and immune profiling), ocular alignment measurements and new protocols for in-depth, multi-omic molecular and cellular profiling. Here we report the primary findings from the 3-day spaceflight mission, which induced a broad range of physiological and stress responses, neurovestibular changes indexed by ocular misalignment, and altered neurocognitive functioning, some of which match those of long-term spaceflight2, but almost all of which did not differ from baseline (pre-flight) after return to Earth. Overall, these preliminary civilian spaceflight data suggest that short-duration missions do not pose a significant health risk, and moreover present a rich opportunity to measure the earliest phases of adaptation to spaceflight in the human body at anatomical, cellular, physiological and cognitive levels. Finally, these methods and results lay the foundation for an open, rapidly expanding biomedical database for astronauts3, which can inform countermeasure development for both private and government-sponsored space missions.