bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hydrologic Responses to Climate Change and Implications for Reservoirs in the Source Region of the Yangtze River
Authors: Qin Pengcheng , Xu Hongmei , Xia Zhihong , Liu Lüliu , Lu Bo , Wang Qiuling , Xiao Chan , Xu Zexuan
Published: October 2024

Understanding the hydrological impacts of climate change is essential for robust and sustainable water management. This study assessed the hydrologic conditions under changing climate in the Jinshajiang River basin, the source region of the Yangtze River, using the hydrological model SWAT with the historical observations and the future climate simulations under two Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP2‐4.5 and SSP5‐8.5). For the historical period, with an increasing trend of precipitation, evapotranspiration, and snowmelt, streamflow increases in upstream region but keeps decreasing in the downstream catchment. For future scenarios, a warmer and wetter climate is projected for the basin throughout the 21st century, leading to an overall increase in mean and extreme streamflow. The streamflow magnitude increases more significantly in the far future than in the near future, and more significant under SSP5‐8.5 than SSP2‐4.5. The projected remarkable increase in precipitation causes the transition in changing trend of streamflow compared with the historical period. The projected warming leads to a continuing decline in snowfall and snow water equivalent, followed by an earlier snowmelt and higher peak streamflow, especially at the upstream catchment. Ultimately, reservoirs in the basin are expected to gain more inflows, however, with greater variability including higher likelihoods of flood and drought events, which impose potential challenges on reservoir operations. These outcomes indicate the importance of adaptive water resources management in the melting water contributed basin to sustain and enhance its services under global warming.
Interannual Covariation of the North American and African Summer Monsoons
Authors: Luo Weijian , Weng Jinwen , Luo Jianzhou , Wang Lei
Published: October 2024

The North American summer monsoon (NASM) and the North African summer monsoon (NAFSM) are two vital subsystems of the global monsoon. To date, the potential inter‐monsoon relationship between the NASM and NAFSM has not been fully understood. To fill this gap, we investigate the NASM–NAFSM relationship on the interannual timescale during the period of 1979–2022. Based on statistical methods (including correlation, empirical orthogonal function and cross wavelet analyses), we identify a noteworthy interannual covariation of the NASM and NAFSM. This observed NASM–NAFSM covariation can be explained by atmospheric circulation anomalies associated with sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in the tropical central‐eastern Pacific and tropical Atlantic, suggesting the critical roles of tropical Pacific–Atlantic SST anomalies in shaping the NASM–NAFSM covariation. The results of Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) models indicate that a model's ability to simulate the NASM–NAFSM covariation tends to be related to its ability to reproduce the modulating effects of the tropical Pacific–Atlantic SST anomalies. These results have potential implications for seasonal forecasts of the NASM and NAFSM variations, suggesting that the NASM and NAFSM can be considered simultaneously in climate predictions.
Is HLA‐DQ typing useful in screening for celiac disease among Arabs with type 1 diabetes? A case–control study
Authors: Al‐Hussaini Abdulrahman , Alsaheel Abdulhameed , AlMalki Mussa , Troncone Riccardo , Alharthi Hanan , Eltayeb‐Elsheikh Nezar , Alshammari Ghadeer , Allah Shawana Zaheer , Aldossari Ghadeer , AlRajhi Norah , Abdulkareem Fatimah , Alzahrani Ahmed , AlNemer Ola , AlMazrou Lulwa , Bashir Muhammed Salman
Published: October 2024

Objectives

The data on the usefulness of DQ‐typing in screening for celiac disease (CD) among type 1 diabetic (T1D) patients came from the West. We conducted this study among T1D patients to: (1) determine the frequency of DQ‐genotypes, (2) assess the risk associated with human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐DQ genotypes, and (3) identify the cost‐effective screening strategy.

Methods

HLA‐DQ genotyping was performed on 67 T1D patients with CD (cases) (mean age 15 years) and 224 T1D patients without CD (controls) (mean age 18.29 years) (2021–2023). The entry criterion for the control group was duration of T1D ≥5 years and negative annual celiac serology assay.

Results

On comparison of the cases versus controls, T1D patients carrying homozygous DQ2.5 genotype (30% vs. 13.8%) or DR3‐DQ2.5 haplotype (81.3% vs. 65.7%) showed significantly “higher risk” (odds ratio [OR] = 2.64, p = 0.002; OR = 2.3, p = 0.008, respectively) to develop CD. Only 4% do not harbor any of the CD‐at risk genotypes (DQ2.5, DQ8, or DQ2.2) and none developed CD. Heterozygous DQ8 was associated with a significantly lower risk of developing CD with OR of 0.123 (1.5% in cases vs. 10.3% in controls, p = 0.022).

Conclusion

Only 4% of Saudi patients with T1D carry DQ‐genotypes at no risk to develop CD, which supports the European guidelines that recommend celiac serology test as the most cost‐effective screening method. We identified the risk gradient associated with DQ‐genotypes to develop CD in our population which could help in counseling patients for the risk to develop CD and planning follow‐up serology tests.
Protective effect of the branched short‐chain fatty acid isobutyrate on intestinal damage in weaned piglets through intestinal microbiota remodeling
Authors: Fang Xiuyu , Wang Zhengyi , Chen Qinrui , Du Yongqing , Sun Haowen , Liu Haiyang , Feng Ye , Li Zhongyu , Teng Teng , Shi Baoming
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND

Postweaning intestinal damage in piglets is a challenging issue in the livestock industry. Short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are important metabolic products of the gut microbiota and are widely recognized for their role in maintaining normal colonic function and regulating the intestinal immune system. However, the effects of branched short‐chain fatty acid (BSCFA) isobutyrate on intestinal health remain largely unknown. This study aims to explore the potential of isobutyrate for alleviating postweaning intestinal damage.

RESULTS

This study indicates that isobutyrate can alleviate diarrhea in weaned piglets, enhance their growth performance, and optimize the gut microbiota. This is mainly achieved through increasing the relative abundance of probiotic bacteria such as Lactobacillus, Megasphaera, and Prevotellaceae_UCG‐003, while concurrently reducing the relative abundance of potentially harmful bacteria such as Clostridium_sensu_stricto‐1 and Escherichia‐Shigella. It promotes the production of SCFAs, including acetate, isobutyrate, and butyrate. Furthermore, it activates G‐protein‐coupled receptors (GPR43/109A), inhibits the TLR4/MyD88 signaling pathway, strengthens the intestinal barrier function, and regulates the expression of related cytokines.

CONCLUSION

In summary, exogenous isobutyrate can be considered a promising feed additive for improving the intestinal microbiota and regulating intestinal health in piglets. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Spatial‐Temporal Distribution Characteristics of Linear Heritage Hiking Tourism Based on GPS Data Analysis: A Case Study of the Great Wall in Beijing, China
Authors: Li Zhe , Wang Tianlian , Zhang Mengdi
Published: October 2024

Hiking plays a significant role in experiencing linear heritage, and gaining insights into the spatiotemporal distribution of hikers' behavior is imperative for effectively utilizing heritage resources. This study employed GPS trajectory data to examine the spatiotemporal patterns of hiking behavior on the Great Wall in Beijing and investigate the utilization patterns of heritage resources in hiking tourism. The results revealed that: there were notable variations in trajectory quantity among different months with extended activity durations, early finishing times, and an absence of nighttime activities. Spatially, the trajectories exhibited dispersion and uneven distribution, leading to the underutilization of numerous heritage resources. The distribution of starting and ending points of trajectories demonstrated a substantial correlation with neighboring natural villages. Consequently, this study offers valuable insights for informing decision‐making processes related to the development, construction, and optimization of the scenic area along the Great Wall and the planning and design of tourist routes.
How dependent are quantitative volcanic ash concentration and along‐flight dosage forecasts to model structural choices?
Authors: James Lauren A. , Dacre Helen F. , Harvey Natalie J.
Published: October 2024

Producing quantitative volcanic ash forecasts is challenging due to multiple sources of uncertainty. Careful consideration of this uncertainty is required to produce timely and robust hazard warnings. Structural uncertainty occurs when a model fails to produce accurate forecasts, despite good knowledge of the eruption source parameters, meteorological conditions and suitable parameterizations of transport and deposition processes. This uncertainty is frequently overlooked in forecasting practices. Using a Lagrangian particle dispersion model, simulations with varied output spatial resolution, temporal averaging period and particle release rate are performed to quantify the impact of these structural choices. This experiment reveals that, for the 2019 Raikoke eruption, structural choices give measurements of peak ash concentration spanning an order of magnitude, significantly impacting decision‐relevant thresholds used in aviation flight planning. Conversely, along‐flight dosage estimates exhibit less sensitivity to structural choices, suggesting it is a more robust metric to use in flight planning. Uncertainty can be reduced by eliminating structural choices that do not result in a favourable level of agreement with a high‐resolution reference simulation. Reliable forecasts require output spatial resolution 80 km, temporal averaging periods 3 h and particle release rates 5000 particles/h. This suggests that simulations with relatively small numbers of particles could be used to produce a large ensemble of simulations without significant loss of accuracy. Comparison with previous Raikoke simulations indicates that the uncertainty associated with these constrained structural choices is smaller than those associated with satellite constrained eruption source parameter and internal model parameter uncertainties. Thus, given suitable structural choices, other epistemic sources of uncertainty are likely to dominate. This insight is useful for the design of ensemble methodologies which are required to enable a shift from deterministic to probabilistic forecasting. The results are applicable to other long‐range dispersion problems and to Eulerian dispersion models.
Diffusion probabilistic priors for zero‐shot low‐dose CT image denoising
Authors: Liu Xuan , Xie Yaoqin , Liu Chenbin , Cheng Jun , Diao Songhui , Tan Shan , Liang Xiaokun
Published: October 2024

Background

Denoising low‐dose computed tomography (CT) images is a critical task in medical image computing. Supervised deep learning‐based approaches have made significant advancements in this area in recent years. However, these methods typically require pairs of low‐dose and normal‐dose CT images for training, which are challenging to obtain in clinical settings. Existing unsupervised deep learning‐based methods often require training with a large number of low‐dose CT images or rely on specially designed data acquisition processes to obtain training data.

Purpose

To address these limitations, we propose a novel unsupervised method that only utilizes normal‐dose CT images during training, enabling zero‐shot denoising of low‐dose CT images.

Methods

Our method leverages the diffusion model, a powerful generative model. We begin by training a cascaded unconditional diffusion model capable of generating high‐quality normal‐dose CT images from low‐resolution to high‐resolution. The cascaded architecture makes the training of high‐resolution diffusion models more feasible. Subsequently, we introduce low‐dose CT images into the reverse process of the diffusion model as likelihood, combined with the priors provided by the diffusion model and iteratively solve multiple maximum a posteriori (MAP) problems to achieve denoising. Additionally, we propose methods to adaptively adjust the coefficients that balance the likelihood and prior in MAP estimations, allowing for adaptation to different noise levels in low‐dose CT images.

Results

We test our method on low‐dose CT datasets of different regions with varying dose levels. The results demonstrate that our method outperforms the state‐of‐the‐art unsupervised method and surpasses several supervised deep learning‐based methods. Our method achieves PSNR of 45.02 and 35.35 dB on the abdomen CT dataset and the chest CT dataset, respectively, surpassing the best unsupervised algorithm Noise2Sim in the comparative methods by 0.39 and 0.85 dB, respectively.

Conclusions

We propose a novel low‐dose CT image denoising method based on diffusion model. Our proposed method only requires normal‐dose CT images as training data, greatly alleviating the data scarcity issue faced by most deep learning‐based methods. At the same time, as an unsupervised algorithm, our method achieves very good qualitative and quantitative results. The Codes are available in https://github.com/DeepXuan/Dn‐Dp.
Is severe carbohydrate restriction necessary for appetite suppression? The ASKED randomized controlled trial
Authors: Roekenes Jessica A. , Aukan Marthe I. , Bomo Ola Jakob , Brechan Ingeborg , Knudsen Katarina A. , Hansen Jonas G. , Coutinho Sílvia R. , Rehfeld Jens F. , Truby Helen , Sainsbury Amanda , Svendsen Mette , Martins Catia
Published: October 2024

Objective

This trial aimed to compare three low‐energy diets (LEDs) with different amounts of carbohydrates (CHO) on ketosis and changes in hunger feelings in adults with obesity.

Methods

A total of 101 adults (51 female) with obesity (BMI, mean [SEM], 34.7 [0.4] kg/m2) were randomized to follow three isocaloric LEDs (1000 kcal/day) for 8 weeks, containing either low, medium, or high CHO (70, 100, and 130 g/day, respectively), and 4 weeks of refeeding and weight stabilization. Body weight (BW) and composition, hunger and other appetite ratings, concentrations of β‐hydroxybutyrate (βHB), and appetite‐related hormones were measured at baseline and at the end of weeks 8 and 12.

Results

At week 8, weight loss and βHB concentrations were significantly different among groups: Low CHO group versus Medium CHO group (BW: 2.32 [0.95] kg, 95% CI: 0.44 to 4.21, p = 0.016; βHB: −0.40 [0.09] mM, 95% CI: −0.67 to −0.09, p < 0.001); Low CHO group versus High CHO group (BW: 2.29 [0.96] kg, 95% CI: 0.39 to 4.19, p = 0.016; βHB: −0.644 [0.10] mM, 95% CI: −0.84 to −0.44, p < 0.001); and Medium CHO group versus High CHO group (BW: −0.03 [0.94] kg, 95% CI: −1.89 to 1.84, p = 0.977; βHB: −0.15 [0.08] mM, 95% CI: −0.30 to 0.002, p = 0.054). No significant differences in hunger were found among groups: Low CHO group versus Medium CHO group (−10.87 [5.92] mm, 95% CI: −0.82 to 22.57, p = 0.068); Low CHO group versus Medium CHO group (7.74 [7.36] mm, 95% CI: −6.77 to 22.26, p = 0.294); and Medium CHO group versus High CHO group (−3.13 [7.48] mm, 95% CI: −17.89 to 11.63, p = 0.676).

Conclusions

Although the findings of this trial are not definitive, changes in hunger ratings with weight loss did not differ among groups. Additional studies with CHO intake of up to 130 g in 1000‐kcal/day LEDs are warranted to replicate these findings.
Comprehensive Optimization of PID Controller Parameters for DC Motor Speed Management Using a Modified Jellyfish Search Algorithm
Authors: Güven Aykut Fatih , Mengi Onur Özdal , Elseify Mohamed A. , Kamel Salah
Published: October 2024

The proportional integral derivative (PID) controller plays a crucial role in various industrial applications. However, conventional methods often fail to provide optimal parameter values. Therefore, this study proposes a novel version of the jellyfish search (JS) algorithm, the modified jellyfish search (mJS) algorithm, for optimally tuning PID controllers to regulate the speed of a direct current (DC) motor. The original JS algorithm is known for its nature‐inspired approach; however, it has limitations in terms of exploitation power. To address these issues, the proposed mJS incorporates quasi‐dynamic opposed‐based learning and a Weibull probability distribution. The objective function minimizes the integral of the time‐weighted absolute error (ITAE). The effectiveness of mJS was validated by solving the 23rd classical benchmark function, followed by a comparative analysis with contemporary optimization algorithms using stringent statistical criteria. Then mJS is then applied to optimize the PID parameters of three different DC motor models. Results show that the mJS outperforms the standard JS, gray wolf optimization (GWO), JAYA, and golden jackal optimization (GJO) for various performance indicators. Specifically, the best ITAE values were 3.274e6 for DC motor 1 using the JS algorithm, 0.002737 for DC motor 2 using the GJO algorithm, and 0.02785 for DC motor 3 using the mJS algorithm. Additionally, the mJS and JS algorithms reduced the settling time to 0.005 s for DC motor 1, whereas the best settling time of 0.325 s for DC motor 2 was achieved by the mJS algorithm, and a settling time of 1.19 s was recorded for DC motor 3 using both the mJS and JS algorithms. These findings underscore the practical importance of the developed optimizer in engineering applications and its significant contribution to the literature.
Availability and Pricing of Drugs Prescribed by Otolaryngologists Through a Direct‐to‐Consumer Pharmacy: Medicare Savings Implications
Authors: Erickson Taylor S. , Pletcher Steven D. , Soler Zachary M. , Schlosser Rodney J. , Workman Alan D. , Rathi Vinay K.
Published: October 2024

High prescription drug prices can financially strain patients and insurers, with substantial clinical repercussions. In recent years, direct‐to‐consumer (DTC) pharmacies have emerged as potentially lower‐cost alternatives for patients to fill prescriptions. We evaluated whether drugs commonly prescribed by otolaryngologists were available at a national DTC pharmacy (Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company [MCCPDC]) and estimated potential Medicare savings from DTC pricing. We identified drugs and prices paid by Medicare Part D plans using the 2021 Drug Spending Dashboard. Our analysis included 16 generic drugs within the MCCPDC formulary, which offered lower prices for 14 (87.5%) drugs. If plans had secured MCCPDC pricing for all 16 drugs, Medicare patients and plans would have saved $2.9 billion (relative reduction: 62.3%) in 2021. Estimated total savings were greatest for budesonide‐formoterol ($1.9 billion), dexlansoprazole ($464.6 million), and levothyroxine ($327.4 million). Otolaryngologists and insurers may consider utilizing DTC pharmacies with lower drug prices, though patients may face challenges projecting out‐of‐pocket costs across pharmacies, medications, benefit phases, and formulary tiers.
Allelic interactions defining Raphanus raphanistrumAHAS resistance level: strong vs weak target‐site AHAS resistance alleles
Authors: Gil Mercedes , Garcia Federico , Breccia Gabriela , Ochogavía Ana C. , Nestares Graciela , Gundel Pedro E. , Han Heping , Yu Qin , Powles Stephen B. , Vila‐Aiub Martin
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND

Chlorsulfuron resistance and genetic dominance was evaluated in Raphanus raphanistrum genotypes homozygous (122‐RR, 376‐RR), heterozygous (122‐RS, 376‐RS) and compound heterozygous (122‐R/376‐R) for the target‐site resistance mutations Ala‐122‐Tyr and Asp‐376‐Glu in the AHAS (acetohydroxyacid synthase) gene.

RESULTS

At the AHAS level, 122‐RR and 122‐RS plants exhibited significantly higher I50 values than 376‐RR and 376‐RS plants, respectively. However, plants of the compound heterozygous genotype (122‐R/376‐R), showed no difference in AHAS activity compared to the 122‐RS genotype but lower activity than the 122‐RR genotype, and showed a nearly 400‐fold greater I50 value than both genotypes (376‐RR and 376‐RS) carrying the 376‐Glu allele. At the whole‐plant level, 100% survival was observed for 122‐RR plants at the highest chlorsulfuron dose of 640 g ha−1, yet 376‐RR plants showed no survival at 380 g ha−1. Thus, this survival difference resulted in different median lethal dose (LD50) estimates [>640 (122‐RR) versus 330 g ha−1(376‐RR)]. The effect of chlorsulfuron in reducing aboveground growth of surviving plants also was markedly lower for the homozygous 122‐RR (GR50 = 566 g ha−1) than for 376‐RR plants (GR50 = 66). Heterozygous plants carrying the 122‐Tyr allele (122‐RS) exhibited two‐ and five‐fold higher LD50 values than both homozygous and heterozygous plants carrying the 376‐Glu allele (376‐RR, 376‐RS), respectively. Along the difference in plant survival, 122‐RS plants also showed four‐fold higher GR50 than both 376‐RR and 376‐RS plants. Survival of plants with the compound heterozygous genotype (122‐R/376‐R) under increasing chlorsulfuron doses was similar to 122‐RR or 122‐RS genotypes. However, this compound heterozygous genotype showed two‐ and six‐fold higher LD50 values than 376‐RR or 376‐RS genotypes, respectively. However, both resistance 122‐Tyr and 376‐Glu alleles were dominant or nearly dominant over the wild‐type susceptible alleles (ALA‐122 and ASP‐376), and the resistance 122‐Tyr allele was dominant over the 376‐Glu allele.

CONCLUSIONS

These results broaden our understanding of AHAS target‐site resistance in R. raphanistrum and strengthens the hypothesis that the AHAS 122‐Tyr allele corresponds to a stronger target‐site resistance allele than the 376‐Glu allele. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Resolution dependence of southern Atlantic Ocean stratocumulus decks
Authors: Canton Jacopo , Dipankar Anurag , Schär Christoph
Published: October 2024

Oceanic stratocumulus decks of clouds are among the largest contributors to the Earth's radiation budget, covering around a fifth of the planet's surface and reflecting a large part of the incoming solar radiation. Unfortunately, these clouds are not well represented in modern climate models, resulting in one of the leading causes of uncertainty in climate change projections. This contribution analyses this issue from a novel perspective and sheds light on the mechanisms behind the misrepresentation and resolution dependence of these large clouds. The analysis is based on realistic week‐long simulations performed over a  km oceanic domain. Four horizontal resolutions, between 4.4 and 0.55 km, are employed, resulting in a timely investigation, especially in light of the high resolutions employed by present and near‐future climate projections. Results show that the liquid cloud water, the main contributor to the simulated grid‐scale clouds, decreases with a power‐law decay as the resolution increases, whereas the water vapour, responsible for subgrid‐scale clouds, is much less affected by the grid spacing. The leading cause is identified as an imbalance between the rates of change of the advection and turbulence parametrisation terms. In order to verify this observation and provide a possible mitigation to the issue, a second set of simulations is performed where the turbulence parametrisation is tuned. The strategy proves to be successful, confirming the hypotheses and resulting not only in a resolution‐independent radiation budget but also cloud coverage.
Comparative Study of Fast Optimization Method for Four‐Intensity Measurement‐Device‐Independent Quantum Key Distribution Through Machine Learning
Authors: Cao Zhou‐Kai , Yu Zong‐Wen , Jiang Cong , Wang Xiang‐Bin
Published: October 2024

The four‐intensity protocol for measurement‐device‐independent (MDI) quantum key distribution (QKD) is renowned for its excellent performance and extensive experimental implementation. To enhance this protocol, a machine learning‐driven rapid parameter optimization method is developed. This initial step involved a speed‐up technique that quickly pinpoints the worst‐case scenarios with minimal data points during the optimization phase. This is followed by a detailed scan in the key rate calculation phase, streamlining data collection to fit machine learning timelines effectively. Several machine learning models are assessed—Generalized Linear Models (GLM), k‐Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Decision Trees (DT), Random Forests (RF), XGBoost (XGB), and Multilayer Perceptron (MLP)—with a focus on predictive accuracy, efficiency, and robustness. RF and MLP were particularly noteworthy for their superior accuracy and robustness, respectively. This optimized approach significantly speeds up computation, enabling complex calculations to be performed in microseconds on standard personal computers, while still achieving high key rates with limited data. Such advancements are crucial for deploying QKD under dynamic conditions, such as in fluctuating fiber‐optic networks and satellite communications.
Nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease caused by Mycobacterium seoulense
Authors: Nakamoto Keitaro , Fujiwara Keiji , Morimoto Kozo , Ohta Ken
Published: October 2024

Mycobacterium seoulense was first isolated and reported in Korea in 2007. We report a rare case of nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) pulmonary disease caused by M. seoulense. A woman in her mid‐90s was referred to our hospital due to bloody sputum. She had medical histories of chronic heart failure and chemoradiotherapy for right small cell lung carcinoma. Chest computed tomography showed a consolidation on the mediastinal side of the right lung following radiotherapy and nodules with bronchiectasis of the right upper and middle lobes. Acid‐fast culture tests of sputum were positive for M. seoulense. We are currently treating her with tranexamic acid and carbazochrome sodium sulfonate and conducting careful follow‐up. M. seoulense infection may need to be recognized as one of the notable NTM pulmonary diseases presenting with respiratory symptoms and radiological findings.
Dielectric Relaxation, Electrical Conductivity, Dielectric Permittivity, and Correlated Barrier Hopping Conduction Mechanism Analysis in Ag Doped Bi2S3 at Low Temperatures
Authors: Masood Fiza , Abbas Qaisar , Kazmi Syed Mesam Tamar , Sher F. , Rafiq M. A.
Published: October 2024

Pure and 6% Ag doped bismuth sulfide (Bi2S3) were synthesized via solid‐state reaction method at 500 °C. The X‐ray diffraction method confirmed the orthorhombic phase with average crystallite size ∼25 nm and average lattice strain ∼0.5% and ∼0.6% for pure and 6% Ag doped Bi2S3. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) images confirmed nanobelt morphology. A direct bandgap of ∼3.3 and ∼3.4 eV for pure and doped Bi2S3 was estimated using UV–vis spectroscopy, respectively. AC measurements were performed from 200 Hz to 2 MHz at temperature 223–298 K. Investigation of Nyquist plots of 6% Ag doped Bi2S3 nanobelts suggested space‐charge‐dependent behavior and indicated an negative temperature coefficient of resistance (NTCR). AC conductivity adhered to Jonscher's power law in which the decreasing trend of s‐parameter with increasing temperature indicates correlated barrier hopping conduction mechanism. From this model, hopping distance (∼10−9–10−11 m) and density of states (∼1022–1023 eV−1 cm−3) were estimated. The dielectric permittivity exhibited dispersion at low frequencies due to the combined effect of electronic, ionic, and interfacial polarizations. Presence of two semicircular arcs in the complex modulus analysis suggested the presence of both grain and grain‐boundary effects.
Interpretable machine‐learning models for predicting creep recovery of concrete
Authors: Mei Shengqi , Liu Xiaodong , Wang Xingju , Li Xufeng
Published: October 2024

Creep recovery of concrete is essential for accurately assessing the performance of concrete structures over service time. Existing creep recovery models exhibit low accuracy, and the influencing factors of creep recovery remain inadequately elucidated. In this paper, interpretable machine learning (ML) techniques were employed to develop a prediction model for concrete creep recovery. Several ML techniques were selected including random forest (RF), support vector regression (SVR), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) and light gradient boosting machine (LGBM). In order to maximize the sample size of the dataset, 109 sets of creep recovery data were collected from existing literatures for model training. Feature selection is utilized to determine the input parameters for ML models, and 12 input variables were selected. The model is fine‐tuned using Bayesian optimization techniques. To ensure the reliability of ML models, 10‐fold cross‐validation and random data splitting were implemented. The results indicate that the ML models exhibited higher accuracy compared to the existing creep recovery model. Among these ML models, LGBM demonstrated superior accuracy, efficiency and stability (with R2 = 0.993, 0.978, and 0.973 for the training, testing, and validation sets, respectively). Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) were employed to interpret the significance of each input parameter on ML model prediction. Duration after unloading, stress magnitude, and ambient relative humidity were the main feature variables influencing concrete creep recovery. Upon comparing the influencing factors, it was discerned that there exists a distinct difference between creep and creep recovery of concrete.
Dynamic prediction of pregnancy outcome after previous stillbirth or perinatal death: pilot study to establish proof‐of‐concept and explore method feasibility
Authors: Heazell A. E. P. , Graham N. , Parkes M. J. , Wilkinson J.
Published: October 2024

Objective

To establish proof‐of‐concept for the dynamic prediction of adverse pregnancy outcome in women with a history of stillbirth or perinatal death, repeatedly throughout the pregnancy.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of women in a subsequent pregnancy following previous perinatal loss, who received antenatal care at a tertiary hospital between January 2014 and December 2017, was used as the basis for exploratory prognostic model development. Models were developed to repeatedly predict a composite adverse outcome (stillbirth or neonatal death, 5‐min Apgar score < 7, umbilical artery pH ≤ 7.05, admission to the neonatal intensive care unit for longer than 24 h, preterm birth (< 37 completed weeks) or birth weight < 10th centile) using the findings of sequential ultrasound scans for fetal biometry and umbilical and uterine artery Doppler.

Results

In total, 506 participants were eligible, of whom 504 were included in the analysis. An adverse pregnancy outcome was experienced by 110 (22%) participants. The ability to predict the composite outcome using repeated head circumference and estimated fetal weight measurements improved as the pregnancy progressed (e.g. area under the receiver‐operating‐characteristics curve improved from 0.59 at 24 weeks' gestation to 0.74 at 36 weeks' gestation), supporting proof‐of‐concept. Predictors to include in dynamic prediction models were identified, including ultrasound measurements of fetal biometry, umbilical and uterine artery Doppler and placental size and shape.

Conclusion

The present study supports proof‐of‐concept for dynamic prediction of adverse outcome in pregnancy following prior stillbirth or perinatal death, which could be used to identify risks earlier in pregnancy, while highlighting methodological challenges and requirements for subsequent large‐scale model development studies. © 2024 The Author(s). Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Magnetic resonance imaging and tractography of sensorimotor tracts in fetuses with intraventricular hemorrhage: feasibility and added prognostic value
Authors: Hadi E. , Dorittke T. , Kienast P. , Binder J. , Glatter S. , Hershko‐Klement A. , Lerman‐Sagie T. , Prayer D. , Kasprian G.
Published: October 2024

Objectives

To assess the feasibility, characteristics and prognostic value of prenatal visualization of the corticospinal tracts (CSTs) using diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐based tractography in fetuses with intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH).

Methods

This was a retrospective single‐center cohort study of singleton fetuses diagnosed with IVH on MRI from January 2011 to December 2018. The left and right CSTs were reconstructed according to an in‐utero diffusion tensor imaging sequence using a multi‐region of interest (ROI) deterministic tractography approach. The CSTs were segmented by two polygonal ROI: at the level of the posterior limb of the internal capsule and the crus cerebri. The morphology and integrity of the CSTs were assessed visually. Internal capsule and crus cerebri apparent diffusion coefficient and fractional anisotropy values were measured. Postnatal motor function data were obtained from the parents using the functional status scale.

Results

A total of 35 fetuses with IVH (mean ± SD gestational age, 29.1 ± 5.1 (range, 19.9–38.9) weeks) were included in the analysis. Parenchymal involvement on T2‐weighted sequences was demonstrated in 19 (54%) of the cohort. CST involvement correlated significantly with the presence of parenchymal damage on T2‐weighted imaging (P = 0.02). Among liveborn cases, the rate of motor impairment was 14% (1/7) in children with intact CSTs compared with 100% (5/5) in cases in which the CSTs were impaired (P = 0.015).

Conclusions

Fetal corticospinal tractography is feasible technically and offers valuable prognostic information. It enhances parental counseling by providing insights into potential motor outcome, underscoring its utility in complementing fetal neurosonography in cases of prenatal IVH. © 2024 The Author(s). Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Coexistence through sustainable conservation strategies for sitatunga Tragelaphus spekii in African ecosystems
Authors: Mayengo Gabriel , Ngonyoka Anibariki , Mtili Bakari , Ojija Fredrick , Mng'ong'o Marco E.
Published: October 2024

Sitatunga Tragelaphus spekii is an antelope species adapted to the dense swamps and marshes of Sub‐Saharan Africa, where traditional population survey techniques have been ineffective and encountered difficulties in making estimations. The species formerly occurred alongside waterways throughout the lowland forest zone of West and central Africa, extending into swamp systems in the savanna zones of central, East, and southern Africa. In most parts of Africa, the sitatunga population is declining, and attracting the attention of conservationists. Furthermore, its geographical range has been recorded to have shrunk. The present study reviewed major threats to sitatunga, assessed previous and current management approaches, and proposed new approaches to effectively manage its declining populations in Africa. To achieve the study objectives, published literature, reports, online information, expert knowledge, and personal experience were reviewed to acquire relevant information. Results indicated that sitatunga are threatened due to increased habitat loss, population isolation, political instability, water level changes, habitat fragmentation, illegal hunting, and diseases. Current wildlife management approaches raise many doubts as to their effectiveness. National‐level management may unsustainably segment management actions while the protected area approach manages only part of the range of wildlife. The current tenure system in most parts of Africa discourages human–wildlife co‐existence, whereas human–wildlife conflict management approaches only treat the symptoms and not the root cause of the problems. If wildlife, including sitatunga, are to persist in Africa, management approaches should be changed and include re‐focusing of the management context at the ecosystems and landscape level; assessing the genetic diversity of sitatunga; promoting better wetland management, including the aspect of human dimension in management; using non‐invasive techniques to genetically estimate the minimum population size; assessing inbreeding; and enhancing the implementation strategy of wildlife policy in African countries. Changing the attitude of the local community may take time, but it is a pivotal point if humans and wildlife are to coexist.
Credit Risk Transfer and Systemic Risk
Authors: Moliterni Francesco
Published: October 2024

This chapter investigates the relationship between the banking and insurance industry by focusing on systemic risk. The concept of credit risk transfer stems from banks’ inclination to offload credit risks. Insurance companies, particularly those specializing in risk transfer services, emerge as natural recipients for these risks. Notably, credit insurance firms are equipped with specialized expertise in risk assessment and selection. Banks seek to mitigate their exposure to credit risks by transferring them to insurance companies. This transfer occurs because insurance companies, particularly those offering risk transfer services, possess the necessary expertise to assess and manage these risks effectively.
Researching Precarious Work Experiences
Authors: Hancock Philip , Tyler Melissa
Published: October 2024

This chapter presents and evaluates the methodological approach to the research discussed in subsequent chapters, explaining how data was identified, collected, and analysed. It describes how the project began with a consideration of existing research and secondary data, including relevant policy and briefing documents and reports published before and during the duration of the project, allowing us to establish a broad understanding of the ethnographic landscape shaping the lived experiences we set out to understand. The chapter then describes and evaluates the approach we took to the collection and analysis of primary data, based on an online survey and series of in-depth, semi-structured interviews with freelance and self-employed live performers in the UK.
COVID-19 and Its Impact
Authors: Hancock Philip , Tyler Melissa
Published: October 2024

Drawing on original research data, this chapter examines the measures taken to contain the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK and their impact on freelance and self-employed live performers and their particular industries. It then focuses on the lived experiences of freelance and self-employed performers during this period, providing insight into their hopes and fears in the face of the devastation of their working lives at the time of the pandemic, while contextualising these in relation to the pre-existing precarity discussed previously. Finally, the chapter considers the ability of performers to transition to performing online during periods of lockdown, evaluating both the opportunities and challenges that such a transition brought about, and reflecting on how these were experienced.
The Challenges of Financial and Operational Precarity
Authors: Hancock Philip , Tyler Melissa
Published: October 2024

In this chapter, survey and interview data are again used to report in more depth on the financial and operational impact of the pandemic on freelance and self-employed performers working in the live entertainment industries during and in the aftermath of COVID-19. The chapter focuses on performers’ experiences of the financial consequences of the pandemic, in particular. It considers the challenges faced by performers who tried to access various forms of governmental and organisational support as well as the experiences of those who performed online, providing a detailed account of the operational and personal challenges that doing so presented.
Precarity, Identity, and the Meaning of Cultural and Creative Work
Authors: Hancock Philip , Tyler Melissa
Published: October 2024

This chapter focuses on the subjective experiences of precarity as these were relayed to us and discussed during the research. In doing so, the chapter explores the significance of a number of existential themes relating to identity, vulnerability, and the desire for recognition that impacted on freelance and self-employed live performers’ lived experiences of the pandemic in such a way that they often led to some questioning the viability of their working lives and identities. Further, the chapter reports on the perceived importance of individual entrepreneurial activities geared towards establishing professional and audience networking during and beyond the pandemic, considering how the sense of recognition this could generate might help to contribute not only to a performers’ greater financial security but also to a positive sense of self-esteem and self-respect. It also considers some of the more problematic and challenging issues such activities raised, not least in relation to the question of what it means to be a live performance artist.
Phase transition and gravitational waves in maximally symmetric composite Higgs model
Authors: Banerjee Avik , Merchand Marco , Nałęcz Ignacy
Published: October 2024

Abstract

In this paper we study phase transitions in a maximally symmetric composite Higgs model with next-to-minimal coset, where a pseudoscalar singlet emerges alongside the Higgs doublet. The maximal symmetry guarantees the finiteness of the radiatively generated scalar potential. We explore the scenario involving an explicit source of CP violation in the strong sector, which induces a ℤ2 asymmetric scalar potential, and consequently leads to nonzero vacuum expectation value for the singlet. Current experimental bounds from the LHC are imposed on the masses of the composite resonances, while the CP violating interactions of the pseudo Nambu-Goldstone bosons are tightly constrained from the measurements of the electric dipole moment of the electron. We compute the finite temperature corrections to the potential, incorporating the momentum-dependent form factors in the loop integrals to capture the effect of the strong dynamics. The impact of the resonances from the strong sector on the finite temperature potential are exponentially suppressed. The presence of explicit CP violation leads to strong first-order phase transition from a false vacuum to the electroweak vacuum where the pseudoscalar singlet has a non-zero vacuum expectation value. We illustrate that, as a result of such phase transitions, the production of potentially observable gravitational waves at future detectors will offer a complementary avenue to probe the composite Higgs models, distinct from collider experiments.
Blackening S-folds
Authors: Guarino Adolfo , Rudra Anik , Sterckx Colin , Trigiante Mario
Published: October 2024

Abstract

We construct the universal AdS4 black hole that asymptotes to the (φ, χ)-family of type IIB S-fold backgrounds dual to the conformal manifold of $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 S-fold CFT’s. We present the explicit type IIB embedding of such a universal black hole for two particular asymptotics: the $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 S-fold with U(2) symmetry at (φ, χ) = (0, 0) and the $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 S-fold with SO(4) symmetry at (φ, χ) = (1, 0). As a byproduct, we also present a novel two-parameter family of AdS2 × M8 supersymmetric S-fold backgrounds with M8 = ℍ2 × S5 × S1 that features a parametrically-controlled scale separation involving some of the internal directions.
Alpha-hemolysin promotes internalization of Staphylococcus aureus into human lung epithelial cells via caveolin-1- and cholesterol-rich lipid rafts
Authors: Goldmann Oliver , Lang Julia C. , Rohde Manfred , May Tobias , Molinari Gabriella , Medina Eva
Published: October 2024

Staphylococcus aureus is a pathogen associated with severe respiratory infections. The ability of S. aureus to internalize into lung epithelial cells complicates the treatment of respiratory infections caused by this bacterium. In the intracellular environment, S. aureus can avoid elimination by the immune system and the action of circulating antibiotics. Consequently, interfering with S. aureus internalization may represent a promising adjunctive therapeutic strategy to enhance the efficacy of conventional treatments. Here, we investigated the host-pathogen molecular interactions involved in S. aureus internalization into human lung epithelial cells. Lipid raft-mediated endocytosis was identified as the main entry mechanism. Thus, bacterial internalization was significantly reduced after the disruption of lipid rafts with methyl-β-cyclodextrin. Confocal microscopy confirmed the colocalization of S. aureus with lipid raft markers such as ganglioside GM1 and caveolin-1. Adhesion of S. aureus to α5β1 integrin on lung epithelial cells via fibronectin-binding proteins (FnBPs) was a prerequisite for bacterial internalization. A mutant S. aureus strain deficient in the expression of alpha-hemolysin (Hla) was significantly impaired in its capacity to enter lung epithelial cells despite retaining its capacity to adhere. This suggests a direct involvement of Hla in the bacterial internalization process. Among the receptors for Hla located in lipid rafts, caveolin-1 was essential for S. aureus internalization, whereas ADAM10 was dispensable for this process. In conclusion, this study supports a significant role of lipid rafts in S. aureus internalization into human lung epithelial cells and highlights the interaction between bacterial Hla and host caveolin-1 as crucial for the internalization process.
Hidden in red: evidence for and against red camouflage in a jumping spider (Saitis barbipes)
Authors: Gerfen Jasmin Laura , Tedore Cynthia
Published: October 2024

Investigating the conspicuousness of animal color patterns to different observers is crucial for understanding their function. This study examines the peculiar case of a jumping spider (Saitis barbipes) whose males display red and black ornaments during courtship despite an apparent inability to distinguish these colors. We propose that, through predator eyes, red may actually be a better match than black to the spiders’ leaf litter background, and that the black fringe of hairs surrounding red ornaments may blur with red at natural predator acuities and viewing distances to produce a background-matching desaturated red. In a field experiment, we test whether red ornaments reduce predation relative to red ornaments painted black, and find that, unexpectedly, spiders with red ornaments are more heavily predated upon. Having established birds as the spiders’ primary predators, we image the spiders in their natural habitat using an avian-vision camera. We find their red coloration to have similar color contrast, but lower achromatic contrast, with the background than black coloration. We also find that red and black elements blur together at typical avian acuities and viewing distances to produce lower chromatic and achromatic contrasts with the background than would be seen by animals with higher acuities and/or closer viewing distances. Interestingly, red ornaments appear orange or yellow when viewed obliquely, which reduces their achromatic, but not chromatic, contrast with the background. Our imaging results provide support for our hypothesis that red is camouflaging, whereas the results of our predation experiment do not. Any functional significance of the spiders’ red coloration therefore remains unresolved.