bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unveiling Macroecological Patterns of Elasmobranchs in the Eastern Pacific Ocean
Authors: Navia Andrés F. , Alfaro‐Shigueto Joanna , Ágreda‐Arango Jose , Areano Elisa , Avalos‐Castillo Cristopher , Bizzarro Joseph J. , Bustamante Carlos , Cevallos Adriana , Concha Francisco J. , Cruz‐Escalona Víctor H. , Ebert David A. , Espinoza Mario , González‐Leiva Alberto , Guzmán Héctor M. , Hearn Alex , Hleap José S. , Mangel Jeffrey C. , Mejía‐Falla Paola A. , Morales‐Saldaña Jorge M. , Santana Heriberto , Sosa‐Nishizaki Oscar , Tovar‐Ávila Javier , Vélez‐Zuazo Ximena
Published: November 2024

Aim

To examine the species richness, distribution and macroecological patterns of elasmobranch assemblages across a broad latitudinal gradient in the Eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO).

Location

The study area encompasses the Pacific coast of the American continent, spanning from 65°N to 60°S, and extending from the coastline to approximately 1000 km offshore, encompassing the oceanic archipelagos.

Taxon

Elasmobranchs.

Methods

Utilising the established distribution ranges of 190 elasmobranch species (comprising 89 sharks and 101 rays), we assessed the richness and spatial distribution of these species across the EPO. Subsequently, three macroecological patterns were scrutinised: Rapoport's rule, the Mid Domain Effect with its association to Mean Sea Surface Temperature, and the correlation between body size and latitudinal distribution.

Results

The analysis of species richness along latitudinal gradients unveiled a bimodal pattern, reaching peaks between 30° to 20°N and 10°N to 5°S. A decline in species richness was observed from tropical to polar regions. Contrary to Rapoport's Rule, Stevens' and midpoint methods demonstrated higher geographic range values at lower latitudes, diminishing towards higher latitudes. Additionally, the mid‐domain effect model exhibited a robust correlation with the mean sea surface temperature. Exploring the interspecific relationship between body size and extent of occurrence, it was found that 29 out of 190 species are more susceptible to extinction.

Main Conclusion

Marine elasmobranchs of the EPO defy conventional latitudinal richness patterns and deviate from Rapoport's rule. Furthermore, our findings indicate a robust correlation between observed richness and both sea surface temperature and environmental heterogeneity. The proportion of species vulnerable to human or stochastic impacts potentially leading to extirpation in relation to their geographic range was low across the majority of examined provinces.
A learning analytics dashboard to support students' reflection on collaboration
Authors: Echeverria Vanessa , Nieto Gloria Fernandez , Zhao Linxuan , Palominos Evelyn , Srivastava Namrata , Gašević Dragan , Pammer‐Schindler Viktoria , Martinez‐Maldonado Roberto
Published: November 2024

Background

Dashboards play a prominent role in learning analytics (LA) research. In collaboration activities, dashboards can show traces of team participation. They are often evaluated based on students' perceived satisfaction and engagement with the dashboard. However, there is a notable methodological gap in understanding how these dashboards support the nuanced process of student reflection.

Objective

This paper presents empirical evidence on how students from high and low‐performing groups reflect individually on their performance while using a Learning Analytics Dashboard (LAD).

Methods

We address this in the context of education in healthcare, wherein we captured actions and positioning data from a simulation‐based collaborative activity and generated a collaborative LAD. A total of 41 nursing students were invited to participate in a post‐hoc semi‐structured individual interview to use a collaborative LAD while answering a set of prompts to reflect on their individual and group performance. Students' reflections were coded and analysed using Bain's 5R reflection framework. We used epistemic network analysis to capture the dynamic reflection process and to understand the connections between the reflection stages (from low to high). We compared how different these connections were for students in high and low‐performing groups.

Results and Conclusions

Our results revealed that most students were only able to achieve low and middle stages of reflection. Yet, students in low‐performing groups predominantly followed low‐to‐middle stages of reflection. In contrast, students from high‐performing groups demonstrated the ability to transition between low‐to‐middle and low‐to‐high stages of reflection. Based on these findings, we discuss implications for both research and practice, particularly emphasising the necessity to scaffold reflection when using LADs.
High frequency of mitochondrial DNA rearrangements in the peripheral blood of adults with intellectual disability
Authors: Bulduk B. K. , Tortajada J. , Torres‐Egurrola L. , Valiente‐Pallejà A. , Martínez‐Leal R. , Vilella E. , Torrell H. , Muntané G. , Martorell L.
Published: November 2024

Background

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) rearrangements are recognised factors in mitochondrial disorders and ageing, but their involvement in neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly intellectual disability (ID) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), remains poorly understood. Previous studies have reported mitochondrial dysfunction in individuals with both ID and ASD. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of large‐scale mtDNA rearrangements in ID and ID with comorbid ASD (ID‐ASD).

Method

We used mtDNA‐targeted next‐generation sequencing and the MitoSAlt high‐throughput computational pipeline in peripheral blood samples from 76 patients with ID (mean age 52.5 years, 37% female), 59 patients with ID‐ASD (mean age 41.3 years, 46% female) and 32 healthy controls (mean age 42.4 years, 47% female) from Catalonia.

Results

The study revealed a high frequency of mtDNA rearrangements in patients with ID, with 10/76 (13.2%) affected individuals. However, the prevalence was significantly lower in patients with ID‐ASD 1/59 (1.7%) and in HC 1/32 (3.1%). Among the mtDNA rearrangements, six were identified as deletions (median size 6937 bp and median heteroplasmy level 2.3%) and six as duplications (median size 10 455 bp and median heteroplasmy level 1.9%). One of the duplications, MT‐ATP6 m.8765‐8793dup (29 bp), was present in four individuals with ID with a median heteroplasmy level of 3.9%.

Conclusions

Our results show that mtDNA rearrangements are frequent in patients with ID, but not in those with ID‐ASD, when compared to HC. Additionally, MitoSAlt has demonstrated high sensitivity and accuracy in detecting mtDNA rearrangements, even at very low heteroplasmy levels in blood samples. While the high frequency of mtDNA rearrangements in ID is noteworthy, the role of these rearrangements is currently unclear and needs to be confirmed with further data, particularly in post‐mitotic tissues and through age‐matched control studies.
AI in Aesthetic/Cosmetic Dermatology: Current and Future
Authors: Thunga Sukruthi , Khan Marius , Cho Soo Ick , Na Jung Im , Yoo Jane
Published: November 2024

Background

Recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have significantly impacted dermatology, particularly in diagnosing skin diseases. However, aesthetic dermatology faces unique challenges due to subjective evaluations and the lack of standardized assessment methods.

Aims

This review aims to explore the current state of AI in dermatology, evaluate its application in diagnosing skin conditions, and discuss the limitations of traditional evaluation methods in aesthetic dermatology. Additionally, the review proposes strategies for future integration of AI to address existing challenges.

Methods

A comprehensive review of AI applications in dermatology was conducted, in both diagnostic and aesthetic fields. Traditional methods such as subjective surveys and hardware devices were analyzed and compared with emerging AI technologies. The limitations of current AI models were evaluated, and the need for standardized evaluation methods and diverse datasets was identified.

Results

AI has shown great potential in diagnosing skin diseases, particularly skin cancer. However, in aesthetic dermatology, traditional methods remain subjective and lack standardization, therefore limiting their effectiveness. Emerging AI applications in this field show promise, but they have significant limitations due to biased datasets and inconsistent evaluation methods.

Conclusions

To develop the potential of AI in aesthetic dermatology, it is crucial to create standardized evaluation methods, collect diverse datasets reflecting various ethnicities and ages, and educate practitioners on AI's utility and limitations. Addressing these challenges will improve diagnostic accuracy, better patient outcomes, and help integrate AI effectively into clinical practice.
CD1a affects the recurrence and prognosis of ovarian cancer
Authors: Zhu Qiong , Liu Jun , Xie Yinghao , Wu Chengqiu
Published: November 2024

Objective

Explored the correlation between CD1a expression in recurrence and prognosis of ovarian cancer (OV).

Methods

The CD1a expression profile in OV, recurrent OV, and normal tissues, as well as corresponding clinical data, were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC), Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and Genotype Tissue Expression (GTEx) databases. Meanwhile, immunohistochemical detection of CD1a expression in normal and OV tissues. Kaplan–Meier curves were plotted to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) of survival in OV. In addition, the correlation between CD1a and immune cells in OV, as well as the CD1a expression profile and corresponding survival time in pan‐cancer were obtained from TCGA database.

Results

CD1a was overexpressed in OV and was significantly under‐expressed in recurrent OV (TCGA‐OV, p < 0.0001 and ICGC‐OV, p < 0.0001). CD1a immunohistochemistry is significantly overexpressed in OV compared to normal tissue (p < 0.05). Recurrent OV (ICGC, p < 0.001; GSE17260, p < 0.001; GSE32062, p < 0.05). The prognosis in OV was significantly better when CD1a is overexpressed compared to under‐expressed (HR [low], 1.426: 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.912–2.128; p = 0.050). Meanwhile, the overexpression of CD1a has a better prognosis than low expression in OV and recurrent OV (p = 0.004, HR [low] = 2.462, 95%CI [1.346–4.504] and p = 0.011, HR [low] = 2.199, 95%CI [1.202–4.024]). In addition, CD1a expression was closely correlated with immune cells, the CD8+ T cells, macrophages, and NK cells, while uncharacterized cells were significantly different (p = 2.65e−6, p = 7.52e−13, p = 8.28e−12, and p = 5.89e−8, respectively). Moreover, CD1a expression affected the prognosis in various other cancers.

Conclusions

CD1a expression affected the recurrence and prognosis of OV and is closely related to various immune cell levels.
Utilization of digitally milled verification jigs for recording jaw relations in complete‐arch implant rehabilitation: A digital clinical report
Authors: Altoman Majed S. , Alshowail Lamia Yahya M. , Alfaifi Mohammed A. , Alqarni Hatem , Gadah Thuraya S. , Kattadiyil Mathew T.
Published: November 2024

This clinical report introduces a digital approach that utilizes milled verification jigs to acquire the jaw relations for the fabrication of monolithic zirconia implant‐supported fixed complete dental prosthesis (IFCDP), in patients without a conversion implant prosthesis. The procedures employ photogrammetry for precise data acquisition, combined with image‐based capture in 4 dimensions (ICAM4D), to design and mill verification jigs that accurately record the occlusal vertical dimension (OVD) and centric relation (CR). This approach streamlines the clinical workflow by reducing the number of patient visits and associated costs while enhancing precision and predictability. It eliminates the need for conventional steps and analog definitive casts in the fabrication of IFCDP without a conversion implant prosthesis.
Political Accountability and the Distortion of Law Enforcement
Authors: Yamaguchi Yohei , Yahagi Ken
Published: November 2024

Citizens may derive personal benefits from new technologies while remaining uncertain about their potential social harm. Consequently, citizens may delegate the decision of legal prohibition to politicians, but conflicts can arise because politicians may have self‐interested motivations. How does the interaction of uncertainty regarding social harm and politicians' incentives affect the legal prohibition of new technologies? To answer this question, we develop a two‐period political agency model combined with a law enforcement model in which citizens endogenously determine whether to become law‐breaking or law‐abiding citizens. We then demonstrate that (i) when uncertainty regarding social harm is low, politicians tend to opt for under‐enforcement, while (ii) when uncertainty is high, politicians are inclined toward over‐enforcement. Additionally, we show that as politicians have greater motivation to hold office, expected welfare is enhanced when future uncertainty about harm exceeds current uncertainty although this may result in distorted law enforcement.
Determination of Plasma Metabolites and Basal Ileal Endogenous Amino Acid Losses in Growing Pigs Fed a Nitrogen‐Free or Casein Diet
Authors: Ávila‐Arres Iris Elisa , Reis De Souza Tércia Cesária , Ramírez‐Rodríguez Ericka , Mariscal‐Landín Gerardo
Published: November 2024

The nitrogen‐free diet (NFD) method for determining basal ileal endogenous losses (BEL) of amino acids (AA) has been associated with different metabolic abnormalities that can affect the accurate determination of BEL. Consequently, the use of highly digestible proteins has been suggested. This study aimed to determine the metabolic status and BEL of AA in pigs fed either an NFD or a casein (CAS) diet. Eight cannulated, castrated male pigs (39.8 kg) were randomly assigned to a 2 × 2 crossover design. An NFD diet based on corn starch, dextrose, cellulose, oil, vitamins and minerals was used. The CAS diet was equivalent, but 18% of the corn starch was replaced with casein. Pigs were fed one of the diets for a 7‐day period, and blood samples were collected at the beginning and end of each period to determine plasma metabolites. Ileal digesta samples were collected on Days 6 and 7 to estimate the BEL of the AA. Results indicated that plasma albumin was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in pigs fed the CAS diet, whereas creatinine and LDL levels were higher (p < 0.03) in pigs fed the NFD. No significant differences were observed in the levels of other plasma metabolites. The BEL of protein did not differ between diets. However, in pigs fed the CAS diet, the BEL of glutamic acid, aspartic acid, serine, glycine, histidine, threonine, alanine, tyrosine and valine significantly increased (p < 0.05), while isoleucine showed a tendency to increase (p = 0.06). In conclusion, NFD did not significantly affect energy and lipid metabolism in pigs. However, the decrease in albumin synthesis and increase in plasma creatinine levels indicate that pigs fed NFD have a negative protein balance, affecting the estimation of the BEL of AA. Therefore, it is essential to consider the metabolic state of animals when estimating the BEL of AA.
Performing national practices of solidarity‐through‐sameness
Authors: Shoham Hizky
Published: November 2024

The literature on national solidarity is puzzled by the question of how solidarity can bridge social differences and has not asked how it works through sameness; that question was relegated to the literature on national identity. But can solidarity create nationhood through sameness? This theoretical article rehabilitates Durkheim's underused concept of mechanical solidarity and proposes to study sameness not as a human given, identity or group quality, but as a social performance that constitutes similarity between people and thus also solidarity. Whilst mechanical solidarity can function in all types of groups, it is particularly prominent in the context of nationhood. To explain how, the article explores performances of national customs related to food, which convey a conformist and unreflective subjectivity as well as horizontal unanimity. When people do things collectively, they perform national solidarity without necessarily indicating a collective identity that exists out there or agreeing about ideas and values. Contrary to common stereotypes of modern societies as ‘complex’, the article underscores sameness as crucial to modern nationalism—still the most significant socio‐political principle of our era.
On Skin, Monsters and Boundaries: What The Silence of the Lambs can Teach Nurses About Abjection
Authors: Johansson Jim A. , Holmes Dave
Published: November 2024

The 1991 film The Silence of the Lambs tracks the fictional pursuit of an American serial killer by a Federal Bureau of Investigation trainee, via the assistance of another incarcerated serial killer. It features psychologically disturbing themes, such as corpses, the mutilation of skin and monstrous persons. Incidentally, these are all themes regularly encountered by nurses in their day‐to‐day practices, including forensic mental health nurses. Despite regular encounters with these themes and phenomena, nurses continue to find them disturbing and troubling, but, at the same time, clinically fascinating. This paper will mobilize Kristeva's poststructuralist, psychoanalytic concept of abjection to relate the encounters in The Silence of the Lambs to those of nurses, to reconceptualize feelings of both disgust and fascination and to consider how vulnerability may benefit nursing practice. Of particular relevance are the breakdown of skin encountered in nursing practice, encounters with corpses and work with forensic patients considered monstrous. The film provides opportunity for nurses to conceptualize abjection in their own practice and to consider how a reconceptualization of boundaries and vulnerability may prove productive.
Marine macrophytes in a changing world: mechanisms underpinning responses and resilience to environmental stress – an introduction to a Virtual Issue
Authors: Smale Dan A. , King Nathan G.
Published: November 2024

This Editorial introduces the Virtual Issue ‘Marine macrophytes in a changing world: mechanisms underpinning responses and resilience to environmental stress’ that includes the following papers: Campbell et al. (2018), Collier et al. (2018), Ferreira et al. (2014), Jung et al. (2023), Konotchick et al. (2013), Litsi‐Mizan et al. (2023), McIntire & Fajardo (2014), Murúa et al. (2020), Pedersen et al. (2016), Saha et al. (2024), Schmidt & Saha (2021), Smale (2020), Viana et al. (2019). Access the Virtual Issue at www.newphytologist.com/virtualissues.
From nature to urbanity: exploring phyllosphere microbiome and functional gene responses to the Anthropocene
Authors: Li Jian , Petticord Daniel F. , Jin Mingkang , Huang Lijie , Hui Dafeng , Sardans Jordi , Peñuelas Josep , Yang Xiaoru , Zhu Yong‐Guan
Published: November 2024

The Anthropocene exerts various pressures and influences on the stability and function of the Earth's ecosystems. However, our understanding of how the microbiome responds in form and function to these disturbances is still limited, particularly when considering the phyllosphere, which represents one of the largest microbial reservoirs in the terrestrial ecosystem.

In this study, we comprehensively characterized tree phyllosphere bacteria and associated nutrient‐cycling genes in natural, rural, suburban, and urban habitats in China.

Results revealed that phyllosphere bacterial community diversity, richness, stability, and composition heterogeneity were greatest at the most disturbed sites. Stochastic processes primarily governed the assembly of phyllosphere bacterial communities, although the role of deterministic processes (environmental selection) in shaping these communities gradually increased as we moved from rural to urban sites. Our findings also suggest that human disturbance is associated with the reduced influence of drift as increasingly layered environmental filters deterministically constrain phyllosphere bacterial communities. The intensification of human activity was mirrored in changes in functional gene expression within the phyllosphere microbiome, resulting in enhanced gene abundance, diversity, and compositional variation in highly human‐driven disturbed environments. Furthermore, we found that while the relative proportion of core microbial taxa decreased in disturbed habitats, a core set of microbial taxa shaped the distributional characteristics of both microbiomes and functional genes at all levels of disturbance.

In sum, this study offers valuable insights into how anthropogenic disturbance may influence phyllosphere microbial dynamics and improves our understanding of the intricate relationship between environmental stressors, microbial communities, and plant function within the Anthropocene.
Assessing weak interaction and threshold effects of the trophic field overlap index on the relationship between species uniqueness and centrality in food webs
Authors: Yang Ruijing , Feng Minquan , Liu Zimeng
Published: November 2024

In addition to considering the influence of a species on other species (centrality), the identification of keystone species should also consider whether it has a unique network position (uniqueness). Clarifying the correlation between species centrality and uniqueness, or whether central species exhibit positional redundancy in food webs, can enhance the understanding of mechanisms stabilizing food webs. However, the findings from analyses utilizing different measures of uniqueness are contentious. In this study, we constructed the food web of the eutrophic Zhangze Lake (northern China) using stable isotopes to estimate the contribution of food sources to consumers. We then calculated trophic field overlap index to assess the uniqueness of species using this quantified food web information. Additionally, we analyzed how the weak interaction and the threshold value under which interactions are considered as weak influence the relationship between species uniqueness and centrality. The findings revealed that, in contrast to the traditional trophic field overlap index, the improved index identified the basal species with the strongest trophic interactions with other species and the filter‐feeding fishes with the fewest interactors as the most unique species, while the basal species were considered the least unique under the traditional index. The ranking results of the traditional index and the centrality showed a significant negative correlation, whereas the improved index displayed a positive correlation, which was caused by the comprehensive consideration of threshold and weak interaction. In addition, based on the data analysis, the suggestion was given for the selection of indices used to identify unique species, and whether central species have positional redundancy was explored. The methodology used in study provides a practical solution for the identification of the most unique species, points out and solves the problems faced in the uniqueness analysis, and advances the understanding of the mechanisms underlying food web robustness.
Fighting to thrive via plant growth regulators: Green chemical strategies for drought stress tolerance
Authors: Raza Ali , Bhardwaj Savita , Rahman Md Atikur , García‐Caparrós Pedro , Copeland Rhys G. R. , Charagh Sidra , Rivero Rosa M. , Gopalakrishnan Subramaniam , Corpas Francisco J. , Siddique Kadambot H. M. , Hu Zhangli
Published: November 2024

As global climate change intensifies, the occurrence and severity of various abiotic stresses will significantly threaten plant health and productivity. Drought stress (DS) is a formidable obstacle, disrupting normal plant functions through specific morphological, physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms. Understanding how plants navigate DS is paramount to mitigating its adverse effects. In response to DS, plants synthesize or accumulate various plant growth regulators (PGRs), including phytohormones, neurotransmitters, gasotransmitters, and polyamines, which present promising sustainable green chemical strategies to adapt or tolerate stress conditions. These PGRs orchestrate crucial plant structure and function adjustments, activating defense systems and modulating cellular‐level responses, transcript levels, transcription factors, metabolic genes, and stress‐responsive candidate proteins. However, the efficacy of these molecules in mitigating DS depends on the plant species, applied PGR dose, treatment type, duration of DS exposure, and growth stages. Thus, exploring the integrated impact of PGRs on enhancing plant fitness and DS tolerance is crucial for global food security and sustainable agriculture. This review investigates plant responses to DS, explains the potential of exogenously applied diverse PGRs, dissects the complex chemistry among PGRs, and sheds light on omics approaches for harnessing the molecular basis of DS tolerance. This updated review delivers comprehensive mechanistic insights for leveraging various PGRs to enhance overall plant fitness under DS conditions.
Effect of vegetation die‐back on genetic diversity in large‐scale restored Spartina alterniflora marshes and comparison to native marshes in the Chesapeake Bay, USA
Authors: Plough Louis V. , Lee Benjamin B. , Staver Lorie W.
Published: November 2024

Tidal marshes at the Paul S. Sarbanes Ecosystem Restoration Project at Poplar Island (PI) are part of a large‐scale restoration project to replace lost island habitat in Chesapeake Bay, United States. However, observations of Spartina alterniflora die‐back prompted questions about the impact on genetic diversity and resilience of restored versus natural marshes, leading to an investigation of genetic diversity and population structure. Transects were established across three distinct restored marshes with different ages and histories of die‐back and across two local, non‐restored native marshes. Plants were genotyped at eight microsatellite markers to examine metrics of genetic diversity, population structure, and clonality. Allelic richness but not heterozygosity was higher in restored marshes compared to reference marshes, which showed significantly higher clonality and spatial genetic autocorrelation. Restored marsh areas experiencing die‐back had slightly lower multilocus diversity indices than non‐die back areas in two cases, but not a third comparison. Significant genetic differentiation was observed between the native and restored marshes (mean GST approximately 0.06), which reflects the approximately 100 km distance between native marshes and restored seed source in New Jersey. Overall, die‐back in restored marshes did not substantially affect genetic diversity or composition, but substantial differences in diversity were observed between restored and native marshes. Reduced clonal diversity in mature, native marshes may be a function of their greater age, as has been reported elsewhere. Future monitoring of neutral genetic diversity in PI marshes will be useful for understanding longer‐term patterns of genetic change and diversity in planted, restored marshes.
Changes in satellite‐derived spectral variables and their linkages with vegetation changes after peatland restoration
Authors: Räsänen Aleksi , Jantunen Aapo , Isoaho Aleksi , Ikkala Lauri , Rana Parvez , Marttila Hannu , Elo Merja
Published: November 2024

Remote sensing (RS) can be an efficient monitoring method to assess the ecological impacts of restoration. Yet, it has been used relatively little to monitor post‐restoration changes in boreal forestry‐drained peatlands, and particularly the linkages between changes in RS and plant species remain vague. To understand this gap, we utilize data from the Finnish peatland restoration monitoring network spanning 150 sites and a 10‐year post‐restoration monitoring period. We employ Bayesian joint species distribution models (Hierarchical Modeling of Species Communities) to study (1) the changes in optical Sentinel‐2 and Landsat satellite spectral signatures, (2) whether the RS variables improve predictions of vascular plant and moss species and functional type occurrence and cover, and (3) what kinds of associations exist between RS variables and plant species or functional types. Our results show that peatland restoration increases the reflectance of red and near‐infrared (NIR) bands in sparsely treed pine mire forests and open mires but not in densely treed spruce mire forests. Impacts on other tested RS variables consisting of moisture and greenness indices are less clear. Additionally, RS variables increase species‐ or functional type‐specific predictive power only modestly, and there are few clear links between the changes in RS variables and species or functional‐type occurrence and cover. We suggest that red and NIR reflectance can be used as satellite‐based indicators for peatland restoration success and further studies are required to develop usable methods for detecting species‐specific changes with RS.
Serum integrin accumulation during asthma exacerbation: The role of matrix metalloproteinases
Authors: Tellez‐Jimenez Olivia , Trejo‐Jasso Christian , Ramos‐Ramirez Patricia , Chapela Rocío , Miguel‐Reyes José Luis , López‐Estrada Erika del Carmen , Bazán‐Perkins Blanca
Published: November 2024

The inflammation caused by asthma exacerbation can lead to permanent changes in the airways and loss of lung function. Integrins are membrane receptors that interact with components of the extracellular matrix and cell adhesion molecules. It is known that these receptors can be found in soluble form in some conditions such as asthma, but it is unknown if exacerbation during asthma leads to soluble integrins. Our results indicated that asthma patients showed higher levels of soluble α1, α2, and β2 integrin subunits in their serum compared to controls, as confirmed by both ELISA and western blot. During asthma exacerbation, the levels of α2 and β2 integrin subunits increased even more compared to non‐exacerbation and controls, while the α1 integrin subunit decreased. Western blot analysis identified two β2 integrin subunits, one at 75 kDa and another at 120 kDa; the 120 kDa subunit increased during asthma exacerbation. The activity of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) increased during exacerbation, while MMP2 remained unchanged. Lower forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) values were associated with higher expression levels of α2, β1, and β2 integrin subunits. Active and latent MMP9 were correlated with the levels of the β2 integrin subunit, which means that at low levels of active and latent MMP9, there are lower levels of β2 integrin subunit. In conclusion, asthma exacerbation leads to the presence of soluble integrins, particularly the β2 subunit, most likely due to MMP9‐induced proteolytic cleavage.
Cross‐group contact predicts positive beliefs about girls’ and Black peers’ STEM abilities and occupational prospects
Authors: Forbes Marley B. , Kaufman Elise M. , Rumberger Jonquil , Killen Melanie
Published: November 2024

High‐quality forms of intergroup contact, such as cross‐group play and friendships, have been identified as particularly effective for promoting positive beliefs toward outgroup peers. Relations between children's cross‐group play experiences and their beliefs about peers’ math and science competencies and high‐status occupational prospects have not yet been examined. Understanding these relations is important given that children from minoritized groups continue to face exclusion and bias in these domains. The present study examined the associations between children's (N = 983, Mage = 9.64, SDage = .89) reported cross‐group play experiences and their math and science competency beliefs and high‐status occupation expectations about girls and Black peers. Results revealed that, for majority group participants (i.e., boys and White children), higher levels of cross‐group play were associated with significantly higher beliefs and expectations for girls and Black peers. Further, results demonstrated contexts in which higher levels of cross‐group play were positively associated with girls’ and Black children's beliefs and expectations for their own groups. Together, these findings advance theory and research on the benefits of cross‐group contact in childhood by highlighting novel outcomes to which cross‐group contact is positively related, as well as by showing that children from both minoritized and majority status groups stand to benefit from cross‐group contact.
Existence and Uniqueness of Micropolar Elastic Stoneley Waves With Sliding Contact and Formulas for the Wave Slowness
Authors: Pham Giang Thi Ha , Pham Vinh Chi
Published: November 2024

The existence of Stoneley waves propagating in two micropolar isotropic elastic half-spaces with sliding contact was considered by Tajuddin (1995, Existence of Stoneley Waves at an Unbonded Interface Between Two Micropolar Elastic Half-Spaces, ASME J. Appl. Mech., 62, 255–257). However, the existence of Stoneley waves was proved only for the case when two half-spaces are incompressible or Poisson solids and their material properties are close to each other. In this paper, the authors investigate the existence of micropolar elastic Stoneley waves with sliding contact for the general case when two micropolar isotropic elastic half-spaces are arbitrary. By using the complex function method, the authors have established the necessary and sufficient conditions for a micropolar elastic Stoneley wave to exist and have proved that if a micropolar elastic Stoneley wave exists, it is unique. When the micropolarity is absent, the established existence result recovers the necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of an elastic Stoneley wave with a sliding contact that was found by Barnett and co-workers (1988, Slip Waves Along the Interface Between Two Anisotropicelastic Half-Spaces in Sliding Contact, Proc. R. Soc. London, Ser. A, 415, 389–419) by using the interface impedance matrix method. Explicit formulas for the slowness (the inverse of velocity) of micropolar elastic Stoneley waves have also been derived which will be of great interest in both theoretical and practical aspects.
LLM4CAD: Multimodal Large Language Models for Three-Dimensional Computer-Aided Design Generation
Authors: Li Xingang , Sun Yuewan , Sha Zhenghui
Published: November 2024

The evolution of multimodal large language models (LLMs) capable of processing diverse input modalities (e.g., text and images) holds new prospects for their application in engineering design, such as the generation of 3D computer-aided design (CAD) models. However, little is known about the ability of multimodal LLMs to generate 3D design objects, and there is a lack of quantitative assessment. In this study, we develop an approach to enable LLMs to generate 3D CAD models (i.e., LLM4CAD) and perform experiments to evaluate their efficacy where GPT-4 and GPT-4V were employed as examples. To address the challenge of data scarcity for multimodal LLM studies, we created a data synthesis pipeline to generate CAD models, sketches, and image data of typical mechanical components (e.g., gears and springs) and collect their natural language descriptions with dimensional information using Amazon Mechanical Turk. We positioned the CAD program (programming script for CAD design) as a bridge, facilitating the conversion of LLMs’ textual output into tangible CAD design objects. We focus on two critical capabilities: the generation of syntactically correct CAD programs (Cap1) and the accuracy of the parsed 3D shapes (Cap2) quantified by intersection over union. The results show that both GPT-4 and GPT-4V demonstrate great potential in 3D CAD generation by just leveraging their zero-shot learning ability. Specifically, on average, GPT-4V outperforms when processing only text-based input, exceeding the results obtained using multimodal inputs, such as text with image, for Cap 1 and Cap 2. However, when examining category-specific results of mechanical components, the prominence of multimodal inputs is increasingly evident for more complex geometries (e.g., springs and gears) in both Cap 1 and Cap 2. The potential of multimodal LLMs to improve 3D CAD generation is clear, but their application must be carefully calibrated to the complexity of the target CAD models to be generated.
Data and Model Synergy-Driven Rolling Bearings Remaining Useful Life Prediction Approach Based on Deep Neural Network and Wiener Process
Authors: Zhu Yonghuai , Zhou Xiaoya , Cheng Jiangfeng , Liu Zhifeng , Zou Xiaofu , Cheng Qiang , Xu Hui , Wang Yong , Tao Fei
Published: November 2024

Various remaining useful life (RUL) prediction methods, encompassing model-based, data-driven, and hybrid methods, have been developed and successfully applied to prognostics and health management for diverse rolling bearing. Hybrid methods that integrate the merits of model-based and data-driven methods have garnered significant attention. However, the effective integration of the two methods to address the randomness in rolling bearing full life cycle processes remains a significant challenge. To overcome the challenge, this paper proposes a data and model synergy-driven RUL prediction framework that includes two data and model synergy strategies. First, a convolutional stacked bidirectional long short-term memory network with temporal attention mechanism is established to construct Health Index (HI). The RUL prediction is achieved based on HI and polynomial model. Second, a three-phase degradation model based on the Wiener process is developed by considering the evolutionary pattern of different degradation phases. Then, two synergy strategies are designed. Strategy 1: HI is adopted as the observation value for online updating of physics degradation model parameters under Bayesian framework, and the RUL prediction results are obtained from the physics degradation model. Strategy 2: The RUL prediction results from the data-driven and physics-based model are weighted linearly combined to improve the overall prediction accuracy. The effectiveness of the proposed model is verified using two bearing full life cycle datasets. The results indicate that the proposed approach can accommodate both short-term and long-term RUL predictions, outperforming state-of-the-art single models.
Hybrid RANS-LES Simulation of Rotor–Stator Interaction in a Compressor Stage Using a Grid-Adaptive Simulation Method
Authors: Tang Yumeng , Wei Xindi , Liu Yangwei
Published: November 2024

Flows in compressors are extremely complex with various scales. Small-scale turbulence, middle-scale rotor–stator interaction (RSI), large-scale corner separation, and tip leakage flow should all be considered in the simulation of compressors. Recently, a new hybrid Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes-large eddy simulation (RANS-LES) strategy that modifies the turbulent viscosity equation based on the Kolmogorov energy spectrum, termed the grid-adaptive simulation (GAS) method, is proposed by our group to achieve high accuracy simulation using different grid resolutions. In this study, the GAS method with the shear stress transport (SST) turbulence model is employed to simulate the RSI just with RANS-like grid resolution in a single-stage transonic compressor TUDa-GLR open test case. Compared with experiments and other simulation methods (including RANS and delayed detached eddy simulation (DDES) methods), results show that the GAS method can significantly improve the prediction accuracy for stall margin and radial distribution of flow parameters. Then, the effect of RSI on the secondary flow structures is analyzed based on the unsteady flow field simulated by the GAS method. Results show that the incorrect prediction of rotor tip leakage vortex breakdown and the underestimation of mixing losses in the tip region of the rotor are blamed for the high prediction deviation of RANS. An intuitive total pressure fluctuation caused by wakes is observed in the stator inlet. The particle tracking shows that the wake from the suction surface of the rotor has a strong trend to transport into the tip region of the stator. Spectral proper orthogonal decomposition (SPOD) is also utilized. Unsteady temporal–spatial structures induced by local unsteadiness and RSI are distinguished by SPOD, which includes the reverse flow in the tip region of the rotor and the pressure wave generated from RSI. SPOD also found that the separation of the stator on the suction side exhibits an unsteady fluctuation with a frequency of 1.6 blade passing frequency (BPF).
Bearing Electrical Erosion Signal Detection Technique Based on Current Signal Analysis for Electric Motors
Authors: Hwang Ji-Min , Jeong Ji-Su , Kim Ji-Wook , Kim Dong-Hyuk , Ko Dae-Cheol , Kim Dong-Hwan , Jang Jin-Seok
Published: November 2024

In modern industries, enhancing the efficiency and performance of electric motors is a critical requirement. Pulse-width modulation (PWM) inverters utilized to enhance the energy efficiency of electric motors generate complex shaft voltages and bearing currents, leading to bearing electrical erosion. This study proposes a new method for detecting high-frequency (HF) circulating current and electric discharge machining (EDM) current signals in bearings for electric motors. The proposed method utilizes common mode voltage (CMV) and bearing current data, analyzing the relationship between these signals. Subsequently, it applies filtering techniques and differentiation for signal preprocessing. The interquartile range (IQR) method is used to detect outliers, classify HF circulating current and EDM current signals, and perform time-series data clustering to determine the occurrence frequency and timing of EDM signals. Finally, the implementation outcomes of the proposed method are validated, and its classification efficacy is evaluated and benchmarked against established methodologies through a comprehensive performance analysis. The proposed technique is anticipated to be applicable to the maintenance and prediction of modern electric motors in future developments, contributing to enhanced durability and reliability.
Theoretical Model Construction and Static Performance Analysis of Multi-Leaf Journal Foil Bearings
Authors: Hu Yang , Ding Pengjing
Published: November 2024

Multi-leaf journal foil bearing (MLJFB) structures are complex, making performance prediction challenging, and the accurate prediction of gas film thickness and pressure distributions is crucial. In this study, comsol finite-element software was used to establish an initial foil assembly and structural deformation simulation model for an MLJFB with bump foils. Using matlab, a compressible gas lubrication model was established and solved using the finite volume method. Real-time data transfer between comsol and matlab enabled a fully coupled fluid–structure interaction simulation. This model meticulously accounts for the pre-tension force in the multi-leaf bearing assembly, contact friction between adjacent foils, and the interaction between the top foil and gas film pressure. The effects of journal movement distance, direction, and top foil overlapping ratio on the bearing capacity as well as the effects of different external load directions on the journal equilibrium position were analyzed based on this model. The results indicate that increasing the top foil overlapping ratio enhances the bearing capacity of the MLJFB. Furthermore, compared to the direction of the top foil overlap position, external loads applied in the direction of the top foil midpoint are more beneficial for bearing operational stability.
Opposed east-west climate response of the Arctic Ocean during the present interglacial
Authors: de Vernal Anne , Hillaire-Marcel Claude , Song Tengfei , Radi Taoufik , Falardeau Jade , Liu Yanguang
Published: November 2024

The role of the Arctic Ocean in the global climate system during the last climatic cycles remains conjectural, but radiocarbon-based chronologies and proxy data provide reliable information about the present interglacial. In the western Arctic, paleoceanographic data demonstrate a linkage between increasing Pacific water fluxes, resulting from the postglacial submergence of the Bering Strait, and the progressive warming, until climate conditions stabilized when sea level reached its present-day limit during the late Holocene. Meanwhile, the southeastern Arctic Ocean evolved from optimal conditions toward a perennial sea ice cover with cooling. We hypothesize that sea level, which determines the depth of Bering Strait and the submergence of the Arctic shelves, has led to enhanced production of seasonal sea ice and an increased freshwater export to the North Atlantic Ocean, since the onset of the present interglacial until preindustrial time.
Rhythmic liver drives feeding behavior
Authors: Martinez-Sanchez Noelia , Ray David
Published: November 2024

The hepatic vagal nerve mediates the impact of circadian disruption on food intake in mice
Africa’s breaking heart
Authors: Voosen Paul
Published: November 2024

In Botswana, a geologist hunts for signs of the rifting that is tearing the continent apart
Fluid-fluxed melting of juvenile lower crust traced by molybdenum isotopes
Authors: Xia You-Shan , Gao Peng , Sun Guo-Chao , Zhao Zi-Fu , Qin Lei , Wen Gang , Li Zhen-Xin , Dai Li-Qun
Published: November 2024

Fluid-fluxed melting is considered to be an important process in reworking continental crust. However, the process is challenging to identify because of complex magma differentiation processes. This study uses novel molybdenum (Mo) isotopes to address this issue because they are sensitive to fluid activity. Early Paleozoic adakitic rocks from the Dabie orogen, China, were analyzed for whole-rock Mo isotopes as well as elements and Sr–Nd isotopes to identify the magma sources and the influence of fluids during melting. The rocks are characterized by high and highly varied δ98Mo values (–0.13‰ to 0.74‰, median = 0.22‰), which cannot be explained by fractional crystallization (which can only cause a maximum of 0.06‰ fractionation). Sr–Nd isotopes indicate that these rocks probably originated from melting of juvenile basements, but the higher δ98Mo values relative to those of adjacent coeval mafic rocks and their positive correlation with Na2O/K2O ratios indicate the influx of external fluids with heavy Mo isotope compositions. Meanwhile, the correlation between δ98Mo values and Sr/Y ratios and fluid-immobile elements suggests that the Dabie adakitic rocks are more likely to have originated from fluid-fluxed melting induced by fluid addition. This conclusion is supported by Ti-in-zircon thermometry and phase equilibria modeling. Our work presents compelling evidence for fluid-fluxed melting in generating adakitic rocks and highlights that Mo isotopes can act as an effective tracer for fluid activity during crustal reworking.
Supplemental Material: Differential tectonic activity along the southern boundary of the Qilian Mountains: Insights from low-temperature thermochronology, seismic data, and fluvial geomorphology
Authors: YU Xiangjiang , al. et
Published: November 2024

Table S1. Apatite (U-Th)/He dating results for bedrock samples in this study. Table S2. Published AHe ages in the southern boundary of the Qilian Mountains. 
Round Splashes of a Viscous Liquid
Authors: Bazilevskii A. V. , Rozhkov A. N.
Published: November 2024

The splashes of a highly viscous fluid (glycerol) resulting from its pulsed displacement from a gap between two rapidly approaching disks are studied. It is found that, outside the disks, the splash has the form of a thin film bounded by an annular rim. A physical model of the splash is formulated, and analytical solutions describing its trajectory are given. The calculation results are compared with experimental data. The effects of fluid viscosity, surface tension, and film breakdown are analyzed. It is shown that the key influence on the splash development scenarios is exerted by surface tension of the film connecting the rim to the disks.