bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Essence of Thought Experiments
Authors: Macklin Hayden
Published: April 2024

Thought experiments feature prominently in both scientific and philosophical methods. In this paper, I investigate two questions surrounding knowledge in the thought experiment process. First, on what implicit knowledge do thought experiments rely? Second, what provides epistemic justification for beliefs acquired through the process? I draw upon neo-Aristotelian metaphysics and Husserlian phenomenology to argue that essence is the object of implicit knowledge that anchors the imagined possibilities involved in thought experiments to the actual world, and that this essentialist knowledge enables the possibility of prima facie justification being conferred by the phenomenological givenness of thought experiment scenarios.
Phenomenological Approach to Legal Epistemic Injustice
Authors: Phillippe-Rodriguez Christopher
Published: April 2024

Injustices in legal contexts are widespread, yet we usually tend to think of them through a social lens. The study of epistemic injustices increases the resolution of this lens; it identifies how we wrong others as "knowers." In this paper, I propose that the tradition of phenomenology may be invoked to describe and identify instances of epistemic injustice in legal contexts. In order to justify this claim, I establish a phenomenological methodology predicated on the synthesis of two ideas: (1) the phenomenological recognition of the Other, and (2) society's duty to endow its members with an epistemic sphere of action.
Science and the Question of Truth
Authors: Vadlamudi Pranav
Published: April 2024

The pursuit of scientific truth has long engaged philosophers of science. Miriam Solomon’s work in Social Empiricism introduces "Whig realism," which proposes that empirical success in science reflects some underlying truths within theories. This paper examines Solomon’s argument and discusses its response to a traditional scientific realism argument. I then critique Solomon’s treatment of decision vectors and their usage in determining when dissent is normatively appropriate. I conclude that, while Solomon’s framework provides some insights into the dynamics of scientific progress, concerns arise regarding its application.
Good Little Girl is One Who Grows Up to Be a Woman
Authors: Abalogu Jemima
Published: April 2024

In today’s evolving understanding of gender, questions arise about the future of the feminist movement. Using Simone de Beauvoir’s The Second Sex, Hugh Ryan's “Who's Afraid of Social Contagion,” and Ben Kesslen’s “How the Idea of a 'Transgender Contagion' Went Viral—and Caused Untold Harm,” this paper explores the concept of the Other to analyze social contagion and gender-based oppression. It argues that while feminism must adapt, its future lies in embracing the experiences of all classified as the Other. Through de Beauvoir's work, historical definitions of gender, and social constructivism, this paper proposes a new idea for the future of feminism.
Ovidian Phaeton in Dante’s Commedia: Alter Ego and Oppositio
Authors: You Yuze
Published: April 2024

As a major mythological source and literary model, Ovid exerts a significant influence on Dante’s mythological narratives in the Commedia. Dante’s reworking of classical narratives exemplifies Ovid’s conception of mythological figures and more. Dante’s dissolution of any doubt about the dominant role of the Divinity and his underlining of the Christian faith are out of the question. However, unlike other Christian poets who focus on the moralization of Ovid’s tales, Dante is more “faithful” to the classical originals. Dante does not, for instance, exclusively read Ovid’s tales in a way that is analogous to those who produce the ordinary didactic moralizations of Ovidian myth in this period. Moreover, having freed himself from the limits of the pervasive moralizing use of Ovid, Dante better preserves the original beauty of Ovid’s writing and also, in a certain sense, its compassion for humans.
Io, suo padre. Romanzo sportivo: note sul romanzo d’esordio di Alba de Céspedes
Authors: Andreoni Annalisa
Published: April 2024

L’articolo esamina le circostanze della pubblicazione del primo romanzo di Alba de Céspedes, Io, suo padre. Romanzo sportivo, uscito nel 1935, e lo colloca nel contesto della letteratura dello sport degli anni ’30 e della produzione dell’editore Carabba. La valutazione di nuovi elementi permette di analizzare diversamente i pochi documenti a disposizione e di interpretare in modo nuovo sia il ruolo dell’editore nel commissionare il tema sportivo, sia la probabile destinazione cinematografica della storia. Questo studio vuole contribuire a una valutazione bilanciata della relazione tra il lavoro dell’autrice e la propaganda fascista.
A brief description of the epidemiology of dengue in Dili, Timor-Leste, 2018–2022
Authors: Machado Filipe de Neri , Draper Anthony DK , dos Santos Frederico Bosco Alves , Mali Marcelo Amaral , Pereira Tilman Ari J , Soares da Silva Endang , Soares Noel Garna , Sarmento Nevio , Niva Maria AV , Soares Ana Fatima , Taal Abdoulie , Francis Joshua R , Yan Jennifer , Miller Megge , Flint James
Published: April 2024

Dengue virus (DENV) infection causes 390 million infections per year and 40,000 deaths globally. It is endemic in many countries in Asia, Africa, the Americas, the Caribbean, and Oceania. Dengue is endemic in Timor-Leste year-round, but peak transmission occurs during the rainy season. We briefly describe the epidemiology of DENV in the Municipality of Dili between 2018 and 2022. There were 6,234 cases notified, with a mean annual incidence rate of 330 cases per 100,000 population. There were 55 deaths (case fatality rate 0.9%). The peak annual incidence (3,904 cases) occurred in 2022 after an outbreak was declared in January of that year; this outbreak included 760 cases of dengue haemorrhagic fever and 35 deaths. The number of outbreak cases requiring hospital treatment exceeded the usual capacity, but facilities established for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) isolation and treatment were repurposed to meet this demand. Existing strategies of vector control, minimising breeding sites and promoting early presentation for treatment should continue, as should the utilisation of surveillance systems and treatment facilities established during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, DENV incidence remains high, and other DENV control strategies—including the deployment of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes—should be considered in Timor-Leste.
Análisis de estabilidad y caos en sistemas dinámicos económicos con aplicación a la economía panameña
Authors: Agudo Narciso , Arrocha Idulfo
Published: April 2024

El presente artículo tiene por objetivo analizar el ciclo de crecimiento económico panameño desde la perspectiva de la dinámica económica caótica. Para tal efecto, se resalta la teoría matemática del caos como herramienta de estudio de los sistemas dinámicos cuyo comportamiento va cambiando con el transcurrir del tiempo. En consecuencia, se estudia la estabilidad o en su defecto, la inestabilidad del sistema económico panameño. Dado que en la literatura no se ha encontrado un enfoque de esta naturaleza relacionado con la economía panameña, este trabajo constituye un primer tratamiento de la dinámica económica desde la perspectiva de los sistemas dinámicos. No obstante, aunque se pueden encontrar un sinnúmero de modelos económicos que abordan este enfoque, se hará referencia a los modelos económicos de Solow y Hicks para analizar el comportamiento de la economía panameña en el marco de la teoría del caos. Los resultados que hemos obtenido son de gran utilidad, pues pueden ser utilizados para hacer los ajustes pertinentes en materia de política económica enfocada, principalmente, en el logro del bienestar del pueblo panameño.

    Finalmente, con el uso de herramientas tecnológicas de computación se desarrolla una representación matemática basada en el modelo de Solow en el tiempo continuo, esta representación analiza los puntos de equilibrio de la economía panameña. A su vez, el estudio se complementará con un diagrama de bifurcación del modelo de Hicks, en el tiempo discreto, que permita detectar el comportamiento caótico de la economía panameña.
Mural interactivo: estrategia pedagógica para promover el reciclaje en estudiantes de la región de Panamá Norte.
Authors: Serrano-Reyes Jorge Enrique , Singh Gustavino Maria Luisa , Alvarez Marta , Zambrano Milena , Castelló Sosa Miguel
Published: April 2024

La acumulación de basura en Panamá, se ha convertido en un reto ambiental y sanitario que requiere un cambio de modelos, políticas de gestión y concientización de la población para lograr soluciones efectivas. En este sentido se hace pertinente afianzar una cultura que promueva técnicas como el reciclaje, para el manejo de los residuos sólidos y que coadyuve a la disminución de la contaminación medioambiental. Este estudio presenta, desde un enfoque metodológico mixto, el uso de murales interactivos, como herramienta pedagógica para promover, en estudiantes de la región de Panamá norte, la utilización de esta técnica. Para lograr este objetivo, se incorporaron elementos electrónicos como la placa Node MCU con el ESP-8266 en el diseño de un circuito que permitiera interactuar y familiarizarse con los tipos de residuos y los colores que los identifican. La observación, experimentación, y difusión de resultados a través de la construcción y presentación de sus murales, ayudaron a fortalecer las habilidades educativas y despertar su interés, como se evidencia en las encuestas y entrevistas. Esto demuestra la validez de los murales interactivos como una técnica valiosa para mejorar el aprendizaje y promover el uso del reciclaje.
Leonardo di Ser Piero da Vinci: hombre Universal
Authors: Millán Jiménez Emilia A.
Published: April 2024

Al revisar conceptos y definiciones sobre palabras como hombre universal, genio e ingeniero, podemos señalar que Leonardo da Vinci fue una mente prodigiosa, privilegiada, persona inteligente e ingeniosa con un alto grado de compromiso, pasión y vocación por el trabajo. Se adelantó a su tiempo en varios siglos. Considerado el fundador del arte del Alto Renacimiento.

En 1502, a petición del príncipe César Borgia, duque de Valentino e hijo del papa Alejandro VI, se le ofreció el puesto de Capitán condotiero e ingeniero jefe.

Sus áreas de desarrollo fueron las Bellas artes (pintor, escultor, músico, escritor), Medicina (especialista en anatomía y representación gráfica de la figura humana), científico (físico, matemático, ingeniero).
Angus MacPhail's Frozen Credits: Film Authorship and Collaboration in British Middlebrow and Celebrity Culture
Authors: Stollery Martin
Published: April 2024

This article, taking its cue from Charles Drazin's pioneering work, is the first extended analysis of the career of British screenwriter Angus MacPhail, described as one of the key figures who helped to lay the groundwork for the golden age of British cinema. MacPhail worked as scenario editor for producer Michael Balcon at the leading British studios Gainsborough, Gaumont-British and Ealing from the late 1920s to the late 1940s. The article considers MacPhail's work in relation to debates about authorship, collaboration and celebrity culture during this period. It explores his intellectual and cultural formation as a Cambridge undergraduate who studied for the newly established English Tripos during the early 1920s; and highlights MacPhail's ambivalent relationship to modernism, through his opposition to Virginia Woolf's reconfiguration of literary values during the 1920s, and his penchant for what Leonard Diepeveen has described as ‘mock modernism’. It goes on to analyse the circumscribed power and influence MacPhail exercised within the British studio system during the late 1920s to the late 1940s, before considering his career in relation to other key figures of this period such as Ivor Montagu and Elliot Stannard, and his relationship to British middlebrow culture. Finally, it explores how MacPhail's specialised, circumscribed focus on film writing set him apart from what Alexis Weedon describes as a new type of author-celebrity during this period, the emergent ‘transmedia storyteller’.
Book-Chicks: Bokfenomenet på TikTok
Authors: Camp Eriksson Madeleine , Ryberg Sandahl Linnea , Svensson Louise , Nasseh Marla
Published: April 2024

En blogg där vi lägger ut artiklar och våra tankar kring det nya fenomenet BookTok.
FöreningsFörenklat
Authors: Bennich Ebba , Larsson Karl , Hernandez Jhan , Gabriel Felicia
Published: April 2024

Hejsan! Vi är fyra studenter som läser programmet språk, litteratur och medier (SLM) vid Linköping universitet. Vi vill informera studenter på LiU om hur studentlivet fungerar och även undersöka hur ett rikt studentliv påverkar universitetet och studenterna
Sodium acetate increases the productivity of HEK293 cells expressing the ECD-Her1 protein in batch cultures: experimental results and metabolic flux analysis
Authors: Pérez-Fernández Bárbara Ariane , Calzadilla Lisandra , Enrico Bena Chiara , Del Giudice Marco , Bosia Carla , Boggiano Tammy , Mulet Roberto
Published: April 2024

Human Embryonic Kidney cells (HEK293) are a popular host for recombinant protein expression and production in the biotechnological industry. This has driven within both, the scientific and the engineering communities, the search for strategies to increase their protein productivity. The present work is inserted into this search exploring the impact of adding sodium acetate (NaAc) into a batch culture of HEK293 cells. We monitored, as a function of time, the cell density, many external metabolites, and the supernatant concentration of the heterologous extra-cellular domain ECD-Her1 protein, a protein used to produce a candidate prostate cancer vaccine. We observed that by adding different concentrations of NaAc (0, 4, 6 and 8 mM), the production of ECD-Her1 protein increases consistently with increasing concentration, whereas the carrying capacity of the medium decreases. To understand these results we exploited a combination of experimental and computational techniques. Metabolic Flux Analysis (MFA) was used to infer intracellular metabolic fluxes from the concentration of external metabolites. Moreover, we measured independently the extracellular acidification rate and oxygen consumption rate of the cells. Both approaches support the idea that the addition of NaAc to the culture has a significant impact on the metabolism of the HEK293 cells and that, if properly tuned, enhances the productivity of the heterologous ECD-Her1 protein.
New strontium-based coatings show activity against pathogenic bacteria in spine infection
Authors: Ghezzi Daniele , Graziani Gabriela , Cappelletti Martina , Fadeeva Inna V. , Montesissa Matteo , Sassoni Enrico , Borciani Giorgia , Barbaro Katia , Boi Marco , Baldini Nicola , Rau Julietta V.
Published: April 2024

Infections of implants and prostheses represent relevant complications associated with the implantation of biomedical devices in spine surgery. Indeed, due to the length of the surgical procedures and the need to implant invasive devices, infections have high incidence, interfere with osseointegration, and are becoming increasingly difficult to threat with common therapies due to the acquisition of antibiotic resistance genes by pathogenic bacteria. The application of metal-substituted tricalcium phosphate coatings onto the biomedical devices is a promising strategy to simultaneously prevent bacterial infections and promote osseointegration/osseoinduction. Strontium-substituted tricalcium phosphate (Sr-TCP) is known to be an encouraging formulation with osseoinductive properties, but its antimicrobial potential is still unexplored. To this end, novel Sr-TCP coatings were manufactured by Ionized Jet Deposition technology and characterized for their physiochemical and morphological properties, cytotoxicity, and bioactivity against Escherichia coli ATCC 8739 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538P human pathogenic strains. The coatings are nanostructured, as they are composed by aggregates with diameters from 90 nm up to 1 μm, and their morphology depends significantly on the deposition time. The Sr-TCP coatings did not exhibit any cytotoxic effects on human cell lines and provided an inhibitory effect on the planktonic growth of E. coli and S. aureus strains after 8 h of incubation. Furthermore, bacterial adhesion (after 4 h of exposure) and biofilm formation (after 24 h of cell growth) were significantly reduced when the strains were cultured on Sr-TCP compared to tricalcium phosphate only coatings. On Sr-TCP coatings, E. coli and S. aureus cells lost their organization in a biofilm-like structure and showed morphological alterations due to the toxic effect of the metal. These results demonstrate the stability and anti-adhesion/antibiofilm properties of IJD-manufactured Sr-TCP coatings, which represent potential candidates for future applications to prevent prostheses infections and to promote osteointegration/osteoinduction.
Unveiling Cryptosporidium parvum sporozoite-derived extracellular vesicles: profiling, origin, and protein composition
Authors: Bertuccini Lucia , Boussadia Zaira , Salzano Anna Maria , Vanni Ilaria , Passerò Ilaria , Nocita Emanuela , Scaloni Andrea , Sanchez Massimo , Sargiacomo Massimo , Fiani Maria Luisa , Tosini Fabio
Published: April 2024

Cryptosporidium parvum is a common cause of a zoonotic disease and a main cause of diarrhea in newborns. Effective drugs or vaccines are still lacking. Oocyst is the infective form of the parasite; after its ingestion, the oocyst excysts and releases four sporozoites into the host intestine that rapidly attack the enterocytes. The membrane protein CpRom1 is a large rhomboid protease that is expressed by sporozoites and recognized as antigen by the host immune system. In this study, we observed the release of CpRom1 with extracellular vesicles (EVs) that was not previously described. To investigate this phenomenon, we isolated and resolved EVs from the excystation medium by differential ultracentrifugation. Fluorescence flow cytometry and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) experiments identified two types of sporozoite-derived vesicles: large extracellular vesicles (LEVs) and small extracellular vesicles (SEVs). Nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) revealed mode diameter of 181 nm for LEVs and 105 nm for SEVs, respectively. Immunodetection experiments proved the presence of CpRom1 and the Golgi protein CpGRASP in LEVs, while immune-electron microscopy trials demonstrated the localization of CpRom1 on the LEVs surface. TEM and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that LEVs were generated by means of the budding of the outer membrane of sporozoites; conversely, the origin of SEVs remained uncertain. Distinct protein compositions were observed between LEVs and SEVs as evidenced by their corresponding electrophoretic profiles. Indeed, a dedicated proteomic analysis identified 5 and 16 proteins unique for LEVs and SEVs, respectively. Overall, 60 proteins were identified in the proteome of both types of vesicles and most of these proteins (48 in number) were already identified in the molecular cargo of extracellular vesicles from other organisms. Noteworthy, we identified 12 proteins unique to Cryptosporidium spp. and this last group included the immunodominant parasite antigen glycoprotein GP60, which is one of the most abundant proteins in both LEVs and SEVs.
The time course of hypoxia effects using an aviation survival trainer
Authors: Borden Cammi K. , McHail Daniel G. , Blacker Kara J.
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Reduced environmental oxygen levels at high altitudes can result in hypoxic hypoxia, which remains a primary threat in tactical aviation. Hypoxia broadly impairs cognition and can degrade a pilot's ability to safely operate the aircraft. Current hypoxia countermeasures include aircraft life support systems that deliver supplemental oxygen and using controlled hypoxia exposures to train aviators to recognize symptoms. To maximize the effectiveness of these countermeasures, it is critical to understand how hypoxia impacts performance and associated neurocognitive outcomes. We previously showed that a neural marker that indexes sensory processing integrity is sensitive to hypoxia impairment.

Methods

Here, we extend this line of research closer to the training environment by using hypoxia simulation equipment currently standard in aviation survival training. In a single-blind, repeated-measures, counterbalanced design, we exposed 34 healthy participants to either normoxic air (ground level) or normobaric hypoxia (altitude equivalent gradually increasing from 10 to 25k') for 20 min after a 10 min baseline at ground level. During the exposure, participants completed a cognitive assessment battery while passively elicited neural responses to auditory tones were recorded using electroencephalography (EEG). Participants reported their hypoxia symptoms throughout and upon completion of their exposures.

Results

We found that the hypoxia exposure rapidly elicited the predicted physiological responses in peripheral oxygen saturation (decrease) and heart rate (increase) within 2–3 minutes of exposure onset. On average, participants reported hypoxia symptoms in a delayed manner, ~8 min following the exposure onset. Performance on the cognitive tasks was relatively unaffected by hypoxia for basic tasks including Stroop, fine motor tracking, color vision and arithmetic, but was significantly degraded by hypoxia for more advanced tasks that combined a visual search component with Stroop and a working memory task. EEG activity associated with pre-attentive auditory processing was impaired on average shortly after the first symptom report, ~10 min from exposure start.

Discussion

Together, these results move hypoxia research closer to conditions encountered in aviation survival training and support the use of training devices for future hypoxia research.
What bycatch tells us about the diet of harbor and gray seals and overlap with commercial fishermen
Authors: Lyssikatos Marjorie C. , Wenzel Frederick W.
Published: April 2024

Northwest Atlantic harbor (Phoca vitulina vitulina) and gray (Halichoerus grypus atlantica) seal populations are recovering from early to mid-20th century exploitation, increasing their biological interactions and bycatch in Northeastern US commercial fisheries. We evaluated the seals’ diet composition and compared their prey to commercial catches to assess trophic overlap and potential competition with commercial fisherman target catches. We obtained 148 harbor and 178 gray seal stomach samples from bycatch events that occurred between 2004 and 2018. We learned from the hard part remains that the majority of seals bycaught are young-of-the-year (≤12 months old) that consume a wide breadth of prey across three trophic groups. There was a general dichotomy in extrinsic factors associated with seal diet in which 45% trophic niche separation was explained by non-overlapping harbor and gray seal phenology and pup haul-out locations that are adjacent to active fishing areas. Prey size estimated from fish otoliths and squid beaks recovered from stomach contents showed that gray seals consumed larger prey than harbor seals and prey sizes from both seals showed limited overlap with prey sizes caught by commercial gillnet fishermen. The most important prey to both seals included large (>20 cm) and small (≤20 cm) silver hake (Merluccius bilinearis), (≤40 cm) red hake (Urophycis chuss), gulf stream flounder (Citharichthys arctifrons), medium (21–40 cm) white hake (Urophycis tenuis), and (<50 cm) Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). Important prey to harbor seals that did not overlap with gray seals were Acadian redfish (Sebastes fasciatus), Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus), longfin (Doryteuthis pealeii), and shortfin squid (Illex illecebrosus). They contrasted with prey important to gray seals that did not overlap with harbor seals: yellowtail flounder (Limanda ferruginea), sand lance (Ammodytes spp.), Urophycis spp., and fourspot flounder (Hippoglossina oblonga). Despite the potential bias associated with opportunistic bycatch sampling, this study demonstrates the importance and value of utilizing carcasses retained from bycatch events, is complimentary to newer methodologies (i.e., DNA meta-barcoding), and fills data gaps in our understanding of the role recovering harbor and gray seal populations have on Northeastern US regional food webs.
Thematic analysis of stakeholder perceptions for co-creative healthcare XR resource design and development; traversing a minefield of opportunities
Authors: Antoniou Panagiotis Evaggelos , Varella Annita , Pickering James D. , Chatzimallis Charalambos , Moumtzi Vassiliki , Bamidis Panagiotis D.
Published: April 2024

Introduction

The expansive curricular volume of healthcare education makes a necessity the incorporation of innovative methods and immersive media in it. The core challenge in such approaches is the timely development of relevant immersive content such as Virtual, Augmented or Mixed Reality (VR/AR/MR) resources for healthcare topics. There is currently significant interest in the use of co-creative methods for streamlining immersive content development.

Methods

A core research pursuit in this translational research field is the formulation of evidence-based, optimized workflows that streamline immersive content creation allowing for rapid expansion of innovative educational approaches in healthcare curricula. The purpose of this paper is to aggregate the perceptions of healthcare technologists and educators who participated in a series of co-creation sessions in order to elicit their best practice insights for design and development of XR educational resources using co-creative methods.

Results

According to our thematic analysis, findings of the qualitative study demonstrated that a rigorous organizational approach is required to maintain a constructive exchange of information and to keep the design process alive for both content and technical experts. In addition, rapid prototype and display of co-created features can empower their contributions and help them design more efficiently.

Discussion

Co-creative content production can benefit from adaption of existing frameworks and lightweight authoring environments that can facilitate generalized XR content development use cases.
Study on erosion deformation of dry-red soil in Yuanmou dry-hot valley with different elevation gradients based on SBAS-InSAR technology
Authors: Guo Junqi , Xi Wenfei , Huang Guangcai , He Guangxiong , Shi Liangtao , Yang Zhengrong , Ding Zitian , Wang Lixia , Cao Ruihan
Published: April 2024

The Yuanmou dry-hot valley has been confirmed as a typical area subjected to severe soil erosion in southwestern China. The research on the soil erosion deformation exhibited by the dry-red soil that is extensively distributed in this region takes on critical significance in deepening the investigation of soil and water loss control efforts in the Yuanmou dry-hot valley. In this study, a time series of soil erosion deformation was established at different altitudinal gradients from March 2018 to October 2022 using Small Baseline Subset InSAR (SBAS-InSAR) technology to explore the deformation patterns exhibited by soil erosion in the dry-red soil of the Yuanmou dry-hot valley. Next, the time series of fractional vegetation cover (FVC) and monthly average rainfall in the identical period were analyzed comprehensively. The result of this study are presented as follows: 1) The dry-red soil regions in the Yuanmou dry-hot valley, which were observed in the line of sight (LOS) direction, attained the deformation rates ranging from −101.683 mm/yr to 30.57 mm/yr (Ascending),-79.658 mm/yr to 41.942 mm/yr (Descending). In general, areas with significant surface erosion were concentrated in the Longchuan River basin flowing through the north and south of Yuanmou County as well as in the river confluence zones. Uplifted areas have been more widely reported in the central and northern regions of Yuanmou (e.g., the Wudongde hydroelectric power station reservoir area). 2) A significant altitudinal gradient effect was exerted by soil erosion in the dry-red soil of the Yuanmou dry-hot valley. The valley-dam area and the medium and low mountain areas were subjected to the most severe soil erosion, and the maximum erosion reached over 80 mm. Erosion was mitigated in the low mountain areas around the dam and the medium and high mountain areas, and the maximum erosion reached 60 mm and 30 mm, respectively. At an altitude of 1,350 m, soil erosion in the dry-red soil was more significantly affected by rainfall. Nevertheless, at an altitude over 1,350 m, variations in FVC become the primary factor for soil erosion in the dry-red soil. The results of this study can scientifically support soil and water loss control efforts in the Yuanmou dry-hot valley.
Effect of blended teaching on college students' EFL acquisition
Authors: Tao Yanan , Yu Ludan , Luo Licheng , Zhang Hai
Published: April 2024

The research into the efficacy of blended EFL (English as a Foreign Language) teaching at the collegiate level holds significant importance for comprehending and implementing this novel pedagogical approach on a larger scale within universities. Within this domain, scholars have primarily concentrated on feedback mechanisms and quality assurance, while comparatively neglecting the advancement of college students' foreign language proficiency and the individual variances in the acceptance and rewards of blended teaching across distinct language proficiency groups. In light of this, leveraging micro-data from a provincial normal university's blended college English teaching, this study employs R 3.6.1 and R Studio to implement multiple linear regression and conditional quantile models so as to assess the impact of blended teaching on different language proficiency groups across four dimensions: listening, reading, writing, and overall language proficiency. To mitigate endogenous system risk, students admitted to the same major are selected as samples and their data undergoes additional screening, excluding learners who failed the CET4 exam or did not participate in the CET6 exam. After employing purposive sampling techniques, a valid sample of 676 learners is established, comprising 363 learners in the experimental group for blended teaching intervention and 313 learners in the control group receiving traditional teaching. The study results indicates that the samples had random characteristics. The study findings suggest the following: (1) Blended teaching has a significant positive impact on enhancing the efficiency of English acquisition. (2) The effectiveness of blended teaching in improving learners' reading, listening, and writing skills follows a sequential decrease, exhibiting a downward trend as students' language ability increases. This indicates that blended teaching facilitates the acquisition of foundational language knowledge, however, its impact on more advanced language processing abilities is limited. (3) Blended teaching demonstrates a range effect, primarily benefiting learners at the intermediate level and below in terms of enhancing their language proficiency. Conversely, learners at the medium-high and high proficiency levels derive comparatively lesser benefits from this approach. This study introduces a new methodology by employing multiple linear regression and conditional quantile models to assess the impact of blended teaching. This methodology not only enables us to examine the overall impact of blended teaching, but also allows assessment of its effect on different proficiency groups, helping to identify its effectiveness on individual learners across four dimensions.
Association of glycogen synthase kinase-3β with cognitive impairment in type 2 diabetes patients: a six-year follow-up study
Authors: Wei Wei , Xu Pan , Li Li , Mao Hong , Li Na , Wang Xiao-qing , Wang Li , Xu Zhi-peng , Zhao Shi
Published: April 2024

Background

Our previous multicenter case-control study showed that aging, up-regulation of platelet glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), impaired olfactory function, and ApoE ϵ4 genotype were associated with cognitive decline in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. However, the causal relationship between these biomarkers and the development of cognitive decline in T2DM patients remains unclear.

Methods

To further investigate this potential relationship, we designed a 6-year follow-up study in 273 T2DM patients with normal cognitive in our previous study. Baseline characteristics of the study population were compared between T2DM patients with and without incident mild cognitive impairment (MCI). We utilized Cox proportional hazard regression models to assess the risk of cognitive impairment associated with various baseline biomarkers. Receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) were performed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of these biomarkers in predicting cognitive impairment.

Results

During a median follow-up time of 6 years (with a range of 4 to 9 years), 40 patients (16.13%) with T2DM developed MCI. Participants who developed incident MCI were more likely to be older, have a lower education level, have more diabetic complications, a higher percentage of ApoE ϵ4 allele and a higher level of platelet GSK-3β activity (rGSK-3β) at baseline (P<0.05). In the longitudinal follow-up, individuals with higher levels of rGSK-3β were more likely to develop incident MCI, with an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 1.60 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05, 2.46), even after controlling for potential confounders. The AUC of the combination of age, rGSK-3β and ApoEϵ4 allele predicted for incident MCI was 0.71.

Conclusion

Platelet GSK-3β activity could be a useful biomarker to predict cognitive decline, suggesting the feasibility of identifying vulnerable population and implementing early prevention for dementia.
Multi-feature based extreme learning machine identification model of incipient cable faults
Authors: Wang Feng , Zhang Pengping , Li Jianxiu , Li Zhiqi , Zhao Mingzhe , Liang Yongliang , Su Guoqiang , You Xinhong
Published: April 2024

In the operation of medium-voltage distribution cables, the local insulation performance may degrade due to inherent defects, environmental influences, and external forces, leading to consecutive self-recovering latent faults in the cables. If not addressed promptly, these faults may escalate into permanent failures. To address this issue, this paper analyzes the development mechanism and characteristics of latent cable faults. A 10kV low-resistance cable latent fault model based on the Kizilcay arc model is built in the PSCAD/EMTDC platform. Furthermore, the paper analyzes and extracts the time-domain, frequency-domain, and time-frequency domain features of fault current samples. Effective fault feature vectors are constructed using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Based on the fault feature vectors and Extreme Learning Machine (ELM), an intelligent fault identification model for cable latent faults is developed. The initial parameters of the ELM model are optimized using the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm. Finally, the superiority of the proposed model is validated in terms of classification accuracy, training time, and robustness compared to other machine learning algorithms.
A low-carbon evaluation framework for regional power systems
Authors: Ye Jichao , Zhang Hanbing , Huang Hui , Hu Xinwei , Wu Xinhua , Qiu Yi , Liao Huanxin , Zhu Yifan
Published: April 2024

With the escalating challenges of climate change and the imperative for carbon neutrality, evaluating the carbon footprint of regional power systems becomes crucial. To address this issue, a low-carbon evaluation framework for regional power systems is developed. First, this study identifies the fundamental requirements that the index system for the low-carbon power system should follow and specifies the general direction for the index system’s creation. Second, an evaluation model for carbon reduction ability is proposed by considering generation side, grid side and load side of the power system. Then, a comparative evaluation model for the carbon reduction capability of multi-regional power systems is proposed to spatiotemporally compare the carbon reduction capability of different power systems. Next, a quantification method for the weights of low-carbon evaluation indicators is established based on the power system simulation of multi-scenario scheduling and index sensitivity analysis method. Finally, a low-carbon comprehensive score for regional power systems is created by combining the evaluation results of the system’s carbon reduction capacity with index weights. The practical research results in a region of Zhejiang province in China demonstrate that the proposed model can provide a reasonable and feasible evaluation plan for the low-carbon construction of regional power systems.
Investigation into hydraulic fracture propagation behavior during temporary plugging and diverting fracturing in deep coal seam
Authors: Zening Sun , Zhanglong Tan , Junwen Lin , Qi An , Yushi Zou , Shikang Liu , Ziwen Zhao
Published: April 2024

In this study, we conducted indoor temporary plugging and diverting fracturing (TPDF) experiments on samples of natural deep and shallow coal seams using a small-scale true triaxial fracturing simulation system. By integrating high-precision CT scanning technology and crack reconstruction techniques, and relying on the quantitative characterization of the crack complexity coefficient, we investigated the differences in internal structures between deep and shallow coal seam samples and the variations in the expansion of TPDF cracks. Furthermore, the study primarily focused on exploring the influence of temporary plugging agent (TPA) parameters (quantity and particle size) on the expansion patterns of TPDF cracks in deep coal seam coal-rock samples. The experimental results reveal that in shallow coal samples, artificially induced fractures are notably longer and extend to various surfaces of the samples. Conversely, in deep coal samples, the expansion of artificially induced fractures is influenced by well-developed cleavage and cleats. The crack complexity coefficient of artificial fractures in deep coal samples is 1.54 higher than that in shallow coal samples, with an increased crack width of 98 μm. However, the expansion distance of the fractures is shorter and does not extend to the S3 and S6 surfaces. Increasing the dosage of the TPA is advantageous for inducing frequent redirection of fractures and communication with previously untouched areas. When the dosage of the TPA is increased from 30 g/L to 60 g/L, the expansion distance of artificial fractures significantly increases, extending to various surfaces of the samples. The crack complexity coefficient increases by 1.1, and the crack width enlarges by 84 μm. Appropriate particle sizes of the TPA can effectively form seals. However, small particle sizes (200/400 mesh) struggle to seal initial fractures, while large particle sizes (10/20 mesh) can lead to excessive wellhead blockage, causing rapid shut-in pressure, destructive fracturing in deep coal samples, and the generation of a large amount of coal fines. This study holds significant guidance for the optimal selection of process parameters in the temporary plugging hydraulic fracturing of deep coal rock.
The role of topography feedbacks in enrichment of heavy metal elements in terrace type region
Authors: Tang Yuanyuan , Zhang Donghui , Xu Honggen , Dai Liangliang , Xu Qingyang , Zhang Zhijie , Jing Xiaodong
Published: April 2024

Minerals, metallurgy, and other production activities will cause a large number of heavy metal elements to leak into the natural environment. A large number of heavy metal elements have been found in the farmland soil, where the adsorption of plants enhances the enrichment. Here, we have selected a region with three terraces to conduct a whole-area soil sample collection and satellite hyperspectral data processing study to explore the role of terrain in this enrichment process. Five spectral transformation methods and four feature enhancement algorithms were designed, and the content extraction model was established to quantitatively retrieve eight heavy metal elements. The results indicates that the three terraces are the source state, transition state, and stable state of heavy metals respectively with the decrease of elevation; The correlation coefficient of various heavy metal elements exceeds 0.92, and the enrichment pattern is consistent although slope and aspect have no significant correlation with the enrichment of heavy metal elements; Local Cd exceeds 30.00%, Hg exceeds 10 times, and As exceeds 48.30% according to the indicator provisions of Chinese national standard (GB 15618-2018). Such knowledge extends our understanding of the abundance, migration, and enrichment of heavy metals from the perspective of topography, which is crucial for pollution assessment and soil remediation.
Carbon finance and funding for forest sector climate solutions: a review and synthesis of the principles, policies, and practices
Authors: Zhou Kai , Midkiff David , Yin Runsheng , Zhang Han
Published: April 2024

The question of funding necessary climate actions, including those in the forest sector, to drastically reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and global warming, is important to both national governments and international agencies. The objective of this paper is to address this question by reviewing and synthesizing the economic principles associated with reducing GHG emissions, the pricing mechanisms used to achieve that goal, and the diverse practices of climate finance. Included in the carbon pricing mechanisms and practices are carbon tax, compliance and voluntary emission trading, internal pricing, and funding via issuing bonds or mobilizing public budgetary resources. Then, it proceeds to describe the roles that public and private organizations can play and have played in supporting emission reduction and removal, which serves as a vital backdrop for examining current states and relative costs of forest sector initiatives. Overall, as reported by the World Bank, only about 23% of global GHG emissions are subject to any explicit price, and 75% of the emissions that are subject to a price are charged less than $10 per tCO2e. Market-based forest finance and international support for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation have accounted for a small fraction of the total spent on climate mitigation and adaptation. Further, the more recent developments in carbon pricing and funding remain slow and disappointing. Without the right scale of green finance at the right time, however, it will be difficult to achieve the needed energy and economic transformation.
UAVs for improving seasonal vegetation assessment in arid environments
Authors: Abdullah Meshal M. , Al-Ali Zahraa M. , Blanton Austin , Charabi Yassine , Abulibdeh Ammar , Al-Awadhi Talal , Srinivasan Shruthi , Fadda Eyad , Mohan Midhun
Published: April 2024

In the last few decades, revegetation strategies for ecosystem restoration have received great attention in dryland studies, especially those related to the restoration and revegetation of native desert plants to combat land degradation. Long-term monitoring and assessment are critical for the restoration programs to track the progress of the restoration program goals. The effectiveness and success of monitoring depend on the selected methods with respect to spatial and temporal scales. Traditional methods for vegetation monitoring are time-consuming, expensive, and require considerable labor efforts (manpower) in terms of field measurements, collecting samples, lab analysis, and the difficulty of accessing some study areas. Thus, satellite remote sensing images have been widely used to monitor land degradation and restoration programs using multispectral and hyperspectral sensors and indices such as NDVI, which is the most popular index for vegetation monitoring. However, such techniques showed many limitations when used in arid ecosystems, especially for seasonal vegetation assessments, which could mislead the monitoring and assessment of the restoration projects. This paper discusses lessons learned from previous research work, including the limitations of using satellite remote sensing in arid ecosystems and the use of UAV methods to overcome these issues and challenges to provide more accurate outcomes for seasonal assessment of vegetation in arid landscapes.
Exploring the roles and potential therapeutic strategies of inflammation and metabolism in the pathogenesis of vitiligo: a mendelian randomization and bioinformatics-based investigation
Authors: He Ming-jie , Ran De-long , Zhang Zhan-yi , Fu De-shuang , He Qing , Zhang Han-Yin , Mao Yu , Zhao Peng-Yuan , Yin Guang-wen , Zhang Jiang-an
Published: April 2024

Introduction:

Vitiligo, a common autoimmune acquired pigmentary skin disorder, poses challenges due to its unclear pathogenesis. Evidence suggests inflammation and metabolism’s pivotal roles in its onset and progression. This study aims to elucidate the causal relationships between vitiligo and inflammatory proteins, immune cells, and metabolites, exploring bidirectional associations and potential drug targets.

Methods:

Mendelian Randomization (MR) analysis encompassed 4,907 plasma proteins, 91 inflammatory proteins, 731 immune cell features, and 1400 metabolites. Bioinformatics analysis included Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network construction, Gene Ontology (GO), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis. Subnetwork discovery and hub protein identification utilized the Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE) plugin. Colocalization analysis and drug target exploration, including molecular docking validation, were performed.

Results:

MR analysis identified 49 proteins, 39 immune cell features, and 59 metabolites causally related to vitiligo. Bioinformatics analysis revealed significant involvement in PPI, GO enrichment, and KEGG pathways. Subnetwork analysis identified six central proteins, with Interferon Regulatory Factor 3 (IRF3) exhibiting strong colocalization evidence. Molecular docking validated Piceatannol’s binding to IRF3, indicating a stable interaction.

Conclusion:

This study comprehensively elucidates inflammation, immune response, and metabolism’s intricate involvement in vitiligo pathogenesis. Identified proteins and pathways offer potential therapeutic targets, with IRF3 emerging as a promising candidate. These findings deepen our understanding of vitiligo’s etiology, informing future research and drug development endeavors.
Defining tropism and activity of natural and engineered extracellular vesicles
Authors: Choi Wooil , Park Dong Jun , Eliceiri Brian P.
Published: April 2024

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have important roles as mediators of cell-to-cell communication, with physiological functions demonstrated in various in vivo models. Despite advances in our understanding of the biological function of EVs and their potential for use as therapeutics, there are limitations to the clinical approaches for which EVs would be effective. A primary determinant of the biodistribution of EVs is the profile of proteins and other factors on the surface of EVs that define the tropism of EVs in vivo. For example, proteins displayed on the surface of EVs can vary in composition by cell source of the EVs and the microenvironment into which EVs are delivered. In addition, interactions between EVs and recipient cells that determine uptake and endosomal escape in recipient cells affect overall systemic biodistribution. In this review, we discuss the contribution of the EV donor cell and the role of the microenvironment in determining EV tropism and thereby determining the uptake and biological activity of EVs.