bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ward round communication with older patients
Authors: Andersen Lene Holst , Jensen Rune Dall , Skipper Mads , Lietzen Lone Winther , Krogh Kristian , Løfgren Bo
Published: August 2023

Objectives

Ward round communication is essential to patient care. While communication in general with older patients is well described, little is known about how communication with older patients and their relatives at ward rounds can be optimised. Hence, this scoping review aims to provide an overview of ward round communication with older patients. Furthermore, the review investigates barriers to the optimal communication. Such an overview would provide a point of departure for developing future health care professionals' education in ward round communication training.

Method

A scoping review was performed by searching CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE, and PubMed databases. The search strategy included terms synonymous with “ward rounds” and “older patients.” We included studies regarding communication with patients above 65 years during ward rounds. Thematic analysis was applied.

Results

Seven of the 2322 identified papers were included in the present review. Thematic analysis revealed three overall themes: Communication strategy, frailty and patient participation, and organisational and age norm challenges. Barriers included frailty‐related patient characteristics and imbalance of power between physicians and patients. Papers focused mainly on what the optimal ward round communication should include rather than how it should be performed.

Conclusion

Characteristics of frail older patients and organisational barriers challenge effective and safe ward round communication. Little is known about how ward round communication with frail older patients and their relatives can be optimised.
Evaluation of bacterial growth, effects on albumin, and coagulation factors in canine fresh frozen plasma administered as continuous rate infusion exposed to room temperature for 12 hours
Authors: Mesa‐Sanchez Ignacio , Ferreira Rui R. F. , Blasi‐Brugué Carles , de Gopegui Rafael R. , de Matos Augusto J. F.
Published: August 2023

Objectives

To determine the risk of bacterial growth and to analyze the stability of albumin and coagulation factors in canine fresh frozen plasma (FFP) units exposed to room temperature (24°C) administered as a continuous rate infusion (CRI) for 12 hours.

Design

Ex vivo study.

Setting

University teaching hospital and pet blood bank.

Animals

None.

Interventions

None.

Measurements and Main Results

An FFP CRI was simulated to replicate the standard routine procedure used in dogs. Plasma samples were collected before starting the CRI (H0), after 4 hours (H4), and after 12 hours (H12). Bacterial culture of FFP was performed and albumin concentration and specific activity levels for factors V, VII, VIII, and IX were measured and compared. All plasma culture results were negative. There were no statistically significant differences at any time point in the factor VIII activity (median 105.5% [range, 75.6%–142.0%] at H0; median 107.8% [range, 75.0%–172.7%] at H4; and median 112.1% [range, 81.7%–171.0%] at H12); factor IX activity (median 119.3% [range, 89.1%–175.9%] at H0; median 123.1% [range, 72.5%–172.7%] at H4; and median 118.3% [range, 86.6%–177.5%] at H12); or albumin concentration (median 21.0 g/L [range, 17.0–23.0 g/L] at H0 and median 20.0 g/L [range, 17.0–24.0 g/L] at H12). A slight but significant increase in factor V activity was observed when comparing H0 (median 107.0% [range, 71.0%–159.0%]) to H4 (median 117.7% [range, 71.0%–176.7%]) (P = 0.002) or H12 (median 116.2% [range, 71.0%–191.6%]) (P = 0.001). A slight but significant increase in factor VII activity was observed when comparing H0 (median 115.4% [range, 70.6%–183.7%]) to H4 (median 118.2% [range, 82.7%–194.6%]) (P = 0.005); H0 to H12 (median 128.7% [range, 86.4%–200.0%]) (P < 0.001); and H4 to H12 (P = 0.002).

Conclusions

FFP CRI at room temperature for 12 hours could be considered safe with regard to risk for bacterial growth and also effective by providing albumin and clotting factors.
The indigenization of Ghanaian Pidgin English
Authors: Yakpo Kofi
Published: August 2023

In the world Englishes literature, ‘indigenization’ is shorthand for the localization of Outer Circle Englishes in former exploitation colonies like Ghana. However, the localization of Ghanaian English has been continually reversed by ‘corrective’ realignment with world standard English through institutional regimes. By contrast, the localization of Ghanaian Pidgin English has proceeded unhampered by standardization. This article provides a first analysis of the copula system of Ghanaian Pidgin English, showing that it owes much to patterns found in Akan and other languages of southern Ghana. In this domain, Ghanaian Pidgin English has indigenized and differentiated itself from its sister languages. I propose a consistent and expansive definition of indigenization as ‘the areal alignment of a latecomer with a linguistic ecology, causing its divergence from related varieties elsewhere.’ This study of indigenization shifts the focus from standardized Englishes to contact Englishes. The latter remain unfettered by institutional intervention and are therefore better suited to illustrating the natural dynamics of indigenization than standardized Englishes.
Career optimism and job‐related well‐being of Australian nurses during COVID‐19: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Almeida Shamika , Gunasekara Asanka , Wilson Valerie , Middleton Rebekkah
Published: August 2023

Background

Australia has been confronted with a severe nursing deficit, making it difficult to maintain a strong healthcare workforce capable of meeting the mounting demands of healthcare organizations.

Aims

This study aimed to understand how personal and organizational resources influence career optimism and job‐related affective well‐being of Australian nurses during a pandemic using the Conservation of Resource Theory.

Methods

A cross‐sectional online survey was emailed to 123 Australian nurses from January to February 2021. The survey consisted of self‐reported measures, including mindfulness, career optimism, job‐related affective well‐being, personal and job resources measures, and the Dirty Dozen scale. Correlations, independent sample t‐test, and a series of hierarchical regressions were conducted on the cross‐sectional data with SPSS Version 27. The STROBE checklist was used to report the results.

Results

Findings suggested that mindfulness, perceived supervisor support, and job autonomy were significant predictors of job‐related well‐being, whereas mindfulness, perceived supervisor support, and opportunities for professional growth contributed more to career optimism of nurses during a health crisis. Male nurses in this study reported significantly higher mindfulness, career optimism, and job‐related well‐being levels than female nurses.

Linking Evidence to Action

Developing mindfulness among nurses, allocating organizational resources to facilitate more supervisor support, and providing job autonomy may enhance career optimism and job‐related well‐being of nursing staff who work in disruptive and high‐demand work environments such as those experienced during the COVID‐19 health crisis. Supervisors should also facilitate and encourage nurses to reflect and be mindful of their behaviors with their peers and patients which can help to reduce exploitative or arrogant behaviors in the workplace.
Changes in mammary function at the onset of lactation in the goat: correlation with hormonal changes*
Authors: Davis A. J. , Fleet I. R. , Goode Jane A. , Hamon Maureen H. , Walker Felicity M. Maule , Peaker M.
Published: August 2023

1. Changes in mammary function and plasma hormone concentrations during late pregnancy and the onset of lactation have been studied in conscious goats.

2. Mammary blood flow, oxygen consumption and glucose uptake increased markedly and significantly between 2 days and 0·5‐1 day pre‐partum.

3. The increase in mammary glucose uptake was relatively greater than that of oxygen consumption or blood flow.

4. The concentration of citrate in mammary secretion increased; the first significant change was apparent 0·5‐1 day pre‐partum but the main rise occurred after this time.

5. It is concluded that the marked increase in mammary glucose uptake 0·5‐1 day before parturition indicates the time of onset of copious milk secretion.

6. The first significant increase in the concentration of unconjugated oestrogens in arterial plasma occurred 3 days pre‐partum, whereas the first significant decrease in progesterone and increase in 13,14‐dihydro‐15‐oxoprostaglandin F2α occurred 0·5‐1 day pre‐partum, thus coinciding with the mammary changes; there was also a peak in prolactin concentrations at the latter time.

7. The hormonal changes are discussed in relation to current concepts of the initiation of parturition and the onset of copious milk secretion in this species. It is suggested that the fall in plasma progesterone concentrations triggers milk secretion at high rates.
Deficit in the lordosis reflex of female rats caused by lesions in the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus.
Authors: Pfaff D W , Sakuma Y
Published: August 2023

1. The effect of electrolytic lesions of the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (v.m.n.) on the lordosis reflex has been investigated on ovariectomized female rats. Lesions were made through chronically implanted platinum‐iridium electrodes. 2. V.m.n. lesions did not disrupt lordosis immediately, but induced a gradual decline in the reflex. Lordosis performance reached it minimum no less than 12 hr after the lesion, and typically after 36‐‐60 hr. 3. The magnitude of the lordosis deficit was related to the amount of v.m.n. damage. Destruction of other hypothalamic regions was without appreciable relation to the deficit. Within v.m.n., lesion size in the lateral, but not medial portion was significantly correlated with lordosis deficit. 4. Because of the slow time courses of v.m.n. lesions and stimulation (Pfaff & Sakuma, 1978) effects, it is postulated that the v.m.n. is not part of the direct reflex‐arc for lordosis. Rather, neurones in v.m.n. are likely to exert a tonic hormone‐dependent bias on brain stem reflex paths for this behaviour.
The effect of dopamine on shivering in the rat.
Authors: Marshall H W , Stoner H B
Published: August 2023

1. Dopamine (0.5‐‐0.2 mumole) injected into a lateral cerebral ventricle inhibited shivering and lowered core temperature in rats at an ambient temperature of 0‐‐5 degrees C. 2. These effects were inhibited by the dopamine antagonist, pimozide, and imitated by the dopamine agonists, piribedil and apomorphine. 3. Pimozide itself had no effect on shivering. 4. It is concluded that while there are inhibitory dopamine receptors on the cold sensor‐‐shivering pathway in the rat they are not concerned in the normal function of this pathway.
Sound properties affect measurement of vocal consistency in birdsong: Validation of the spectrogram cross correlation method (SPCC)
Authors: Sierro Javier , de Kort Selvino R. , Hartley Ian R.
Published: August 2023

In songbirds, singing with precision (vocal consistency) has been proposed to reflect whole-organism performance. Vocal consistency is measured using spectrogram cross correlation (SPCC) to assess the acoustic similarity between subsequent renditions of the same note. To quantify how SPCC is sensitive to the acoustic discrepancies found in birdsong, we created a set of 40 000 synthetic sounds that were designed based on the songs of 345 species. This set included 10 000 reference sounds and 30 000 inexact variants with quantified differences in frequency, bandwidth, or duration with respect to the reference sounds. We found that SPCC is sensitive to acoustic discrepancies within the natural range of vocal consistency, supporting the use of this method as a tool to assess vocal consistency in songbirds. Importantly, the sensitivity of SPCC was significantly affected by the bandwidth of sounds. The predictions derived from the analysis of synthetic sounds were then validated using 954 song recordings from 345 species (20 families). Based on psychoacoustic studies from birds and humans, we propose that the sensitivity of SPCC to acoustic discrepancies mirrors a perceptual bias in sound discrimination. Nevertheless, we suggest the tool be used with care, since sound bandwidth varies considerably between singing styles and therefore, SPCC scores may not be comparable.
The choline-binding proteins PspA, PspC, and LytA of
Streptococcus pneumoniae
and their interaction with human endothelial and red blood cells
Authors: Vilhena Cláudia , Du Shanshan , Battista Miriana , Westermann Martin , Kohler Thomas , Hammerschmidt Sven , Zipfel Peter F.
Published: August 2023

Streptococcus pneumoniae
is a Gram-positive opportunistic pathogen that can colonize the upper respiratory tract. It is a leading cause of a wide range of infectious diseases, including community-acquired pneumonia and meningitis. Pneumococcal infections cause 1–2 million deaths per year, most of which occur in developing countries. Here, we focused on three choline-binding proteins (CBPs), i.e., PspC, PspA, and LytA. These pneumococcal proteins have different surface-exposed regions but share related choline-binding anchors. These surface-exposed pneumococcal proteins are in direct contact with host cells and have diverse functions. We explored the role of the three CBPs on adhesion and pathogenicity in a human host by performing relevant imaging and functional analyses, such as electron microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and functional quantitative assays, targeting biofilm formation and the hemolytic capacity of
S. pneumoniae
.
In vitro
biofilm formation assays and electron microscopy experiments were used to examine the ability of knockout mutant strains lacking the lytA, pspC, or pspA genes to adhere to surfaces. We found that LytA plays an important role in robust synthesis of the biofilm matrix. PspA and PspC appeared crucial for the hemolytic effects of
S. pneumoniae
on human red blood cells. Furthermore, all knockout mutants caused less damage to endothelial cells than wild-type bacteria, highlighting the significance of each CPB for the overall pathogenicity of
S. pneumoniae
. Hence, in addition to their structural function within the cell wall of
S. pneumoniae
, each of these three surface-exposed CBPs controls or mediates multiple steps during bacterial pathogenesis.
Complete genome sequences of two
Bacillus thuringiensis
serovar
kurstaki
strains isolated from Lebanon and Tunisia, highly toxic against lepidopteran larvae
Authors: Fayad Nancy , Barssoum Rita , Marsaud Nathalie , Nasseredine Rayan , Abdelmalek Nouha , Rouis Souad , Teste Marie Ange , Pailler Vincent , Gautier Veronique , Belmonte Elodie , Aceves Lara César Arturo , Cescut Julien , Fillaudeau Luc , Kallassy Awad Mireille
Published: August 2023

Bacillus thuringiensis
-based products are key in the biopesticides market.
Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki
strains Lip and BLB1 were isolated from Lebanese and Tunisian soils, respectively. These strains are highly toxic against lepidopteran larvae,
Ephestia kuehniella
. Here, we report Lip and BLB1 complete genomes, including their plasmid and toxin contents.
Draft genome sequences of 12
Escherichia coli
co-isolated with
Enterococcus
spp. from dogs with polybacterial bacteriuria at a veterinary hospital
Authors: Walker Grayson K. , Harden Lyndy , Suyemoto M. Mitsu , Thakur Siddhartha , Jacob Megan , Borst Luke B.
Published: August 2023

Escherichia coli
are frequently co-isolated with
Enterococcus
spp. from urine cultures of dogs with urinary tract infections (UTIs). Uropathogenic
E. coli
(UPEC) are augmented by
Enterococcus
in polymicrobial UTIs. We report the draft genome sequences of 12 UPEC co-isolated with
Enterococcus
spp. from canine urinary tract infections.
Gluon Density in the Rescaling Model
Authors: Abdulov N. A. , Kotikov A. V. , Lipatov A. V.
Published: August 2023

The behavior of the gluon density in nuclei is investigated in the framework of the rescaling model.
Rising Kawasaki disease incidence in New Zealand: analysis of national population incidence and outcomes 2000–2017
Authors: Gee Paul , Burgner David , Gee Waverley , Forbes Angela , Frampton Christopher M A , McCombie Andrew
Published: August 2023

Objective

The recent epidemiology of Kawasaki disease (KD) in New Zealand (NZ) is unknown. Our aim was to describe the incidence, seasonal variation, long-term outcomes and mortality for KD in NZ.

Design

Retrospective national database analysis.

Setting

New Zealand.

Patients

First hospitalisation and deaths diagnosed with KD.

Main outcome measures

Data were extracted for all hospital admissions in NZ coded as KD (International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9 and ICD-10) from the National Minimum Dataset 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2017. Age, sex, ethnicity and associated diagnoses were available to review. Intervention rates for immunoglobulin administration were also analysed.

Results

Over the study period, there were 1008 children with initial hospitalisation for KD. The mean age was 39.8 months (SD 37) and 592 (59%) were boys. The annual incidence rate of KD has increased from 12.2 to 19.5 per 100 000 children <5 years old (0.46 case increase per year; 95% CI 0.09 to 0.83). Children of Asian and Pacific Island ethnicities had the highest incidence (51.2 and 26.1/100 000, respectively). The highest growth in incidence was among East Asian children. The case mortality rate was low (12 of 1008, 1.2%); however, Māori were over-represented (6 of 12 deaths).

Conclusions

There is evidence of increasing KD hospitalisation in NZ, similar to recent studies from Northeast Asia and Australia. KD incidence data were available for retrospective review from a national database, but data on complications and outcomes were incomplete. Notification for KD and an active national surveillance system are recommended to improve care. Future work should focus on factors contributing to poorer outcomes in Māori.
Understanding parents’ experiences of care for children with medical complexity in England: a qualitative study
Authors: McLorie Emma Victoria , Hackett Julia , Fraser Lorna Katharine
Published: August 2023

Objectives

To understand parents’ experiences of receiving care for their child with medical complexity.

Design

Qualitative semi-structured interviews with parents of children with medical complexities across England analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results

Twenty parents from four hospital sites in England took part in the study, a total of 17 interviews were completed, 3 joint and 14 single parent interviews. Four themes were developed: parents feel abandoned; continuity of care (made up of three subthemes); equipment barriers; and charities fill the gaps.

Conclusions

The perceived quality of healthcare provided to this population was found to be inconsistent, positive examples referred to continuity of care; communication, clinical management and long-lasting relationships. However, many experienced challenges when receiving care for their children; many of these challenges have been highlighted over the past two to three decades but despite the children’s needs becoming more complex, little progress appears to have been made. Parents were seen as adopting significant additional roles beyond being a parent, but they still find themselves left without support across all areas. These families require more structured support. Policy makers and commissioners need to prioritise the needs of families to enable health and social care services to provide the support required.
Effect of high-flow nasal cannula versus non-invasive ventilation after extubation on successful extubation in obese patients: a retrospective analysis of the MIMIC-IV database
Authors: Ge Yun , Li Zhenxuan , Xia Ao , Liu Jingyuan , Zhou Dongmin
Published: August 2023

Background

The pathophysiological characteristics of the respiratory system of obese patients differ from those of non-obese patients. Few studies have evaluated the effects of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) and non-invasive ventilation (NIV) on the prognosis of obese patients. We here compared the effects of these two techniques on the prevention of reintubation after extubation for obese patients.

Methods

Data were extracted from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care database. Patients who underwent HFNC or NIV treatment after extubation were assigned to the HFNC or NIV group, respectively. The reintubation risk within 96 hours postextubation was compared between the two groups using a doubly robust estimation method. Propensity score matching was performed for both groups.

Results

This study included 757 patients (HFNC group: n=282; NIV group: n=475). There was no significant difference in the risk of reintubation within 96 hours after extubation for the HFNC group compared with the NIV group (OR 1.50, p=0.127). Among patients with body mass index ≥40 kg/m2, the HFNC group had a significantly lower risk of reintubation within 96 hours after extubation (OR 0.06, p=0.016). No significant differences were found in reintubation rates within 48 hours (15.6% vs 11.0%, p=0.314) and 72 hours (16.9% vs 13.0%, p=0.424), as well as in hospital mortality (3.2% vs 5.2%, p=0.571) and intensive care unit (ICU) mortality (1.3% vs 5.2%, p=0.108) between the two groups. However, the HFNC group had significantly longer hospital stays (14 days vs 9 days, p=0.005) and ICU (7 days vs 5 days, p=0.001) stays.

Conclusions

This study suggests that HFNC therapy is not inferior to NIV in preventing reintubation in obese patients and appears to be advantageous in severely obese patients. However, HFNC is associated with significantly longer hospital stays and ICU stays.
New kids on the block:FOSandFOSBgene
Authors: Cordier Fleur , Creytens David
Published: August 2023

FOSandFOSBproto-oncogens are involved in a wide variety of tumourigenic processes.FOSandFOSBgene rearrangements are observed in epithelioid haemangioma, pseudomyogenic haemangioendothelioma, osteoid osteoma/osteoblastoma/cementoblastoma and proliferative myositis/fasciitis. In this review, we provide an overview ofFOSandFOSB,including their functions and the differences between lesions with knownFOS/FOSBgene rearrangements. Additionally, we discuss the use ofFOS/FOSBimmunohistochemistry as a diagnostic tool for these lesions.
Common variable immunodeficiency disorder (CVID)-related liver disease: assessment of the main histological aspects using novel semiquantitative scoring systems, image analysis and correlation with clinical parameters of liver stiffness and portal hypertension
Authors: Silva Hiroshi , Brito Camila Gabriela Xavier de , Hall Andrew , Eden Nadia , Somers Henry , Burke Niall , Burns Siobhan O , Lowe David , Thorburn Douglas , Halliday Neil , Quaglia Alberto
Published: August 2023

Aims

We aimed to investigate the relationship between T-cell-mediated sinusoidal injury, nodular regenerative hyperplasia like changes (NRH-LC) and fibrosis, clinical measures of fibrosis and portal hypertension, and progression rate in common variable immunodeficiency disorder (CVID)-related liver disease.

Methods

This is a retrospective single-centre study. Liver biopsies from CVID patients with liver disease were reviewed to assess for NRH-LC, fibrosis and elastosis, including collagen and elastin proportionate areas. CD3 positive T-cells infiltration and sinusoidal endothelial changes by CD34 expression were quantified by image analysis and a semiquantitative method, respectively. These findings were correlated with liver stiffness measurements (LSM) and hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG).

Results

NRH-LC and pericellular elastosis were present in most biopsies (32/40 and 38/40, respectively). All biopsies showed fibrosis, which was limited to pericellular in 21/40 (52.5%) and included bridging fibrous septa in 19/40 (47.5%). 28/40 liver biopsies showed enhanced sinusoidal expression of CD34. There were more CD3 positive cells in biopsies with NRH-LC compared with those without. There was no significant correlation between LSM, HVPG and fibrosis/elastosis scores. Five of seven patients with at least two biopsies showed progression in fibrosis stage.

Conclusions

NRH-LC and fibrosis in CVID patients often coexist along with the presence of sinusoidal endothelial changes and sinusoidal lymphocytic infiltration. Fibrosis progresses over time, and significant fibrosis can be observed in young patients (<30 years old), potentially reflecting a more aggressive form of CVID-related liver disease. Further studies are necessary to investigate the relationship between histological findings, clinical measures of fibrosis and portal hypertension and outcome.
Timing of HPV vaccination as adjuvant treatment of CIN2+ recurrence in women undergoing surgical excision: a meta-analysis and meta-regression
Authors: Petráš Marek , Dvořák Vladimír , Lomozová Danuše , Máčalík Roman , Neradová Sylva , Dlouhý Pavel , Malinová Jana , Rosina Jozef , Lesná Ivana Králová
Published: August 2023

Objective

The main aim was to determine the overall vaccine effectiveness (VE) against recurrent cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse (CIN2+) including specific VE associated with timing of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination using data from published studies.

Design

Meta-analysis and meta-regression.

Data sources

A computerised literature search was undertaken using the MEDLINE, EMBASE, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, Derwent Drug File, ProQuest Science and Technology, Cochrane and MedRxiv databases. To be eligible, the studies, with no language restrictions, had to be published between 1 January 2001 and 25 May 2023.

Review methods

Included were studies with an unvaccinated reference group that assessed CIN2+ recurrence irrespective of the HPV genotype in women undergoing conisation provided. The present study was carried out in compliance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses and Meta-analysis Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines. The risk of study bias was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation guidelines were used to assess the strength of evidence for the primary outcome. Data synthesis was conducted using meta-analysis and meta-regression.

Results

Out of a total of 14 322 publications, 20 studies with a total of 21 estimates were included. The overall VE against recurrent CIN2+ irrespective of the HPV genotype achieved 69.5% (95% CI: 54.7% to 79.5%). While the HPV vaccine valency, follow-up duration, type of study including its risk of bias had no effect on VE, the highest VE of 78.1% (95% CI: 68.7% to 84.7%) was reported for women receiving their first dose not earlier than the day of excision. This outcome was supported by additional analyses and a VE prediction interval ranging from 67.1% to 85.4%.

Conclusions

The outcome of this meta-analysis and meta-regression convincingly showed the beneficial effect of post-excisional HPV vaccination against CIN2+ recurrence. Studies published to date have been unable to determine whether or not vaccination, completed or initiated before conisation, would be associated with more favourable results.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42022353530.
Effect of forest understorey stand density on woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) habitat selection
Authors: Wilson Steven F. , Nudds Thomas D. , Green Philip E.J. , de Vries Andrew
Published: August 2023

Woodland caribou ( Rangifer tarandus caribou (Gmelin, 1788)) use older forests that provide abundant terrestrial lichen forage and refuge from predators. However, forest structural characteristics vary widely, differing in forage availability but also, perhaps, in the ability of caribou to move freely to access forage or to escape predation. We conducted a multivariate analysis of habitat in two geographically and biophysically distinct regions to identify the independent effects of various attributes, including forest understorey stand density, defined as standing and downed biomass, on caribou habitat selection. We developed Bayesian network models to predict the probability of habitat selection based on a set of remotely sensed habitat inputs. Caribou in the Bistcho range (northwestern Alberta) selected non-forest/sparsely forested areas, while caribou in the Trout Lake region (northwestern Ontario) selected primarily forested habitats, nevertheless consistent with selection for reduced predation risk in both cases. Caribou also selected forest stands with lower understorey stand density in both regions, consistent with selection for stands that would allow greater ease of movement. The high-resolution satellite data resolved habitat characteristics more consistently and in greater detail than standard forest cover datasets that are most often used for these analyses, and led us to conclude that habitat management may require different treatments in different parts of the species’ range to address what are nevertheless common pathways to decline.
DNA repair and oxidative stress defense systems in radiation-resistant Deinococcus murrayi
Authors: de Groot Arjan , Blanchard Laurence
Published: August 2023

Deinococcus murrayi is a bacterium isolated from hot springs in Portugal, and named after Dr. Robert G.E. Murray in recognition of his research on the genus Deinococcus. Like other Deinococcus species, D. murrayi is extremely resistant to ionizing radiation. Repair of massive DNA damage and limitation of oxidative protein damage are two important factors contributing to the robustness of Deinococcus bacteria. Here, we identify, among others, the DNA repair and oxidative stress defense proteins in D. murrayi, and highlight special features of D. murrayi. For DNA repair, D. murrayi does not contain a standalone uracil-DNA glycosylase (Ung), but it encodes a protein in which Ung is fused to a DNA photolyase domain (PhrB). UvrB and UvrD contain large insertions corresponding to inteins. One of its endonuclease III enzymes lacks a [4Fe-4S] cluster. Deinococcus murrayi possesses a homolog of the error-prone DNA polymerase IV. Concerning oxidative stress defense, D. murrayi encodes a manganese catalase in addition to a heme catalase. Its organic hydroperoxide resistance protein Ohr is atypical because the redox active cysteines are present in a CXXC motif. These and other characteristics of D. murrayi show further diversity among Deinococcus bacteria with respect to resistance-associated mechanisms.
A proton pairing isomer in 174Hf: Reinterpretation of data and support for the split prolate–oblate pairing approximation for deformed nuclei
Authors: Sharpey-Schafer J. F.
Published: August 2023

The available data on the even–even isotope174Hf are reinterpreted to conclude that the low-lying 02+level, usually regarded as a “β vibration”, is actually a proton (2p–2 h) excitation known as a Pairing Isomer. This is the first identification of a Pairing Isomer based on Proton Nilsson Orbitals. Its identification demonstrates that Pairing Isomers can exist anywhere in the Nuclear Chart if the positioning of the Fermi Surface is favourable with respect to relevant Nilsson orbitals.
Multi-objective study using entropy generation for Ellis fluid with slip conditions in a flexible channel
Authors: Imran Naveed , Javed Maryiam , Sohail Muhammad , Qayyum Mubashir , Mehmood Khan Raja
Published: August 2023

A mathematical model is developed to investigate the entropy generation on peristaltic transport of the Ellis fluid through a uniform two-dimensional symmetric channel with elastic nature of the walls. An analysis of heat and mass transfer is also made to examine the effects of viscous dissipation. To simplify the governing equations, nondimensional analysis with low Reynolds number and large wavelength is done. Solutions of the problems are presented via a NDSolve Mathematica numerical technique. The effects of various parameters on flow characteristics, thermal characteristics and species characteristics have been computed and physically interpreted. The numerically acquired solutions are studied graphically for the effective analysis of the flow. The velocity and temperature profiles are parabolic in nature. Higher values of elastic parameters and chemical reaction parameters rapidly increase concentration profile for Newtonian case as compared to non-Newtonian case. The outcomes of this model can be applicable in various fields of biomedical engineering where smart peristaltic pumps can be engineered to transport the biological fluids without any contamination, i.e., electromagnetic peristaltic micro pumps.
FERMAT ECCENTRIC DISTANCE SUM OF EXTENDED VICSEK NETWORKS
Authors: WANG WENJIE , LIANG XIANGYU , ZENG CHENG , XUE YUMEI , PENG LULU
Published: August 2023

In this paper, we study Vicsek polygons and extended Vicsek networks, which are an extension of Vicsek fractal. Our research indices are some Fermat-type indices, including the Fermat eccentricity and the Fermat eccentric distance sum. Fermat-type indices are novel graph invariants with vast potential in research on structure–activity and quantitative structure–property. By the approach of finite pattern, we solve some integrals to gain their asymptotic formulas on Fermat eccentricity and Fermat eccentric distance sum.
EXACT FORMULA OF DISTANCE SUMS ON SIERPIŃSKI SKELETON NETWORKS
Authors: CUI KEQIN , MA WENJIA , XI LIFENG
Published: August 2023

The aim of this paper is to illustrate a strategy for how to get the exact formula of the distance sums of fractal networks (for example, the Sierpiń ski skeleton networks) with the technique of finite pattern [S. Wang, Z. Yu and L. Xi, Average geodesic distance of Sierpinski gasket and Sierpinski networks, Fractals 25(5) (2017) 1750044].
FRACTIONAL QUANTUM HERMITE–HADAMARD-TYPE INEQUALITIES FOR INTERVAL-VALUED FUNCTIONS
Authors: CHENG HAIYANG , ZHAO DAFANG , ZHAO GUOHUI
Published: August 2023

Based on the [Formula: see text]-shifting operator, we introduce the concept of Riemann–Liouville fractional quantum integration for interval-valued functions (IVFs), and establish new Riemann–Liouville fractional [Formula: see text]-Hermite–Hadamard ([Formula: see text]-HH) and [Formula: see text]-HH-Fejér inequalities for left and right [Formula: see text]-convex IVFs (LR-[Formula: see text]-convex-IVFs). The findings obtained generalize known results in the literature and serve as a foundation for future studies in inequalities for interval-valued functions and fractional quantum calculus. The results are illustrated with examples.
ASYMPTOTIC STABILITY ANALYSIS AND STABILIZATION CONTROL OF FRACTIONAL-ORDER VEHICLE SUSPENSION SYSTEM WITH TIME DELAY
Authors: ZHANG ZHE , LI XIAOYAO , WANG YAONAN , LIU MIN , ZHANG XIAOGANG , ZHANG JING
Published: August 2023

Our study focuses on the analysis of asymptotic stability and the development of asymptotic stabilization control methods for fractional vehicle suspension systems (FVSS). We begin by constructing a mathematical model for FVSS using the state-space equations of Caputo fractional calculus. Initially, we utilize the fractional Routh–Hurwitz criterion to derive the necessary conditions for asymptotic stability and instability in the open-loop system of the fractional vehicle suspension. Subsequently, we propose a novel control strategy for FVSS and establish an associated asymptotic stabilization criterion by combining a new vector Lyapunov function with the [Formula: see text]-matrix method. Moreover, we extend the fractional-order vehicle suspension model to include time delay resulting from the interactions between different variables in the real system, thus creating a FVSS with time delay. Based on the vector Lyapunov function, [Formula: see text]-matrix measure, and Razumikhin interpretation, we develop a control strategy specifically tailored for FVSSs with time delay. Lastly, we compare two numerical simulations of the FVSS, one with time delay and one without, to demonstrate the accuracy, effectiveness, and applicability of the proposed method presented in our paper.
Anomaly Detection Algorithm for Heterogeneous Wireless Networks Based on Cascaded Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Wu Qiang
Published: August 2023

As the popularity of wireless networks deepens, the diversity of device types and hardware environments makes network data take on heterogeneous forms while the threat of malicious attacks from outside can prevent ordinary methods from mining information from abnormal data. In view of this, the research will be devoted to the feature processing of the anomalous data itself, and the convolutional operation of the anomalous information by the convolutional neural network (CNN). This is to extract the internal information. In the first step of the cascaded CNNs, the dimensions of the anomaly data will be processed, the anomaly data will be sorted under the concept of relevance grouping, and then the sorted results will be added to the convolution and pooling. The performance test uses three datasets with different feature capacities as the attack sources, and the results show a 13.22% improvement in information mining performance compared to the standard CNN. The extended CNN step will perform feature identification for homologous or similar network threats, with feature expansion within the convolutional layer first, and then pooling to reduce the computational cost. The test results show that when the maximum value domain of linear expansion is 2, the model has the best feature recognition performance, fluctuating around 85%; The model comparison test results show that the accuracy of the extended CNN is higher than that of the standard CNN, and the model stability is better than that of the back propagation (BP) neural network. This indicates that the cascaded CNN dual module can mine for the data itself, thus ignoring the risk unknowns, and this connected CNN has some practical significance. The proposed cascaded CNN module applies advanced neural network technology to identify internal and external risk data. The research content has important reference value for the security management of IoT systems.
Old core, new tricks: a comparative study of old and new mudstone cores for applications in the energy transition
Authors: Bensing Joel P. , Misch David , Skerbisch Lukas , Hujer Wolfgang , Gumpenberger Thomas , Mekonnen Elias , Kostoglou Nikolaos , Gier Susanne
Published: August 2023

Repurposing depleted oil and gas reservoirs for secondary storage may play an important role in the transition to low-carbon energy. The integrity of the cap rocks overlying the reservoirs is an important factor for gas storage and needs to be understood prior to repurposing. In some cases, old cap-rock cores collected during exploration and development of oil and gas fields may be available for characterization using modern techniques but after being stored for decades these cores are likely to have experienced many changes in moisture, which can lead to physical changes. A comparative study of samples taken from old, unpreserved mudstone core and samples from a recently acquired and preserved core taken from the same formation shows that the mineralogy, porosity and permeability results are relatively similar between the two cores. The differences in the porosity measurements between the old and new core samples are primarily due to natural variations in grain size, rather than the preservation status of the cores. Geomechanical data, however, show significant and non-systematic differences between the old samples and the new samples, suggesting that old core samples are not suitable for geomechanical characterization. In the absence of new, well-preserved core, old core samples may provide suitable porosity, permeability and mineralogical data, whereas the old, unpreserved core is unlikely to provide reliable geomechanical data.

Supplementary material:
Individual BIB-SEM porosity measurements for each sample are available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.6725765

Thematic collection:
This article is part of the Fault and top seals 2022 collection available at:
https://www.lyellcollection.org/topic/collections/fault-and-top-seals-2022
Horus
: Accelerating Kernel Fuzzing through Efficient Host-VM Memory Access Procedures
Authors: Liu Jianzhong , Shen Yuheng , Xu Yiru , Sun Hao , Jiang Yu
Published: August 2023

Kernel fuzzing is an effective technique in operating system vulnerability detection. Fuzzers such as
Syzkaller
and
Moonshine
frequently pass highly structured data between fuzzer processes in guest virtual machines and manager processes in the host operating system to synchronize fuzzing-relevant data and information. Since the guest virtual machines’ and the host operating system’s memory spaces are mutually isolated, fuzzers conduct synchronization operations using mechanisms such as Remote Procedure Calls over TCP/IP networks, incurring significant overheads that negatively impact the fuzzer’s efficiency and effectiveness in increasing code coverage and finding vulnerabilities.

In this paper, we propose
Horus
, a kernel fuzzing data transfer mechanism that mitigates the aforementioned data transfer overheads.
Horus
removes host-VM memory isolation and performs data transfers through copying to and from target memory locations in the guest virtual machine.
Horus
facilitates such efficient transfers through using
fixed stub structures
in the guest’s memory space, whose addresses, along with the guest’s RAM contents, are exposed to the host during the fuzzer’s initialization process. When conducting transfers,
Horus
passes highly-structured
non-trivial
data between the host and guest instances through copying the data directly to and from the stub structures, reducing the overall overhead significantly compared to that of using a network-based approach. We implemented
Horus
upon state-of-the-art kernel fuzzers
Syzkaller
,
Moonshine
and kAFL and evaluated its effectiveness. For
Syzkaller
and
Moonshine
,
Horus
increased their transfer speeds by 84.5% and 85.8% for non-trivial workloads on average and improved their fuzzing throughputs by 31.07% and 30.62%, respectively.
Syzkaller
and
Moonshine
both achieved a coverage speedup of 1.6× through using
Horus
. For kAFL,
Horus
improved specifically its Redqueen component’s execution speeds by 19.4%.
Punishment in Modern Societies: The Prevalence and Causes of Incarceration Around the World
Authors: Clegg John , Spitz Sebastian , Usmani Adaner , Wolcke Annalena
Published: August 2023

The literature on the prevalence and causes of punishment has been dominated by research into the United States. Yet most of the world's prisoners live elsewhere, and the United States is no longer the country with the world's highest incarceration rate. This article considers what we know about the prevalence and causes of incarceration around the world. We focus on three features of incarceration: its level, inequality, and severity. Existing comparative research offers many insights, but we identify methodological and theoretical shortcomings. Quantitative scholars are still content to draw causal inferences from correlations, partly because (like qualitative scholars) they are often limited to studying the present and the developed world. More data will allow better inferences. We close by defending the goal of building precise and generalizable theories of punishment.
Risks to Coastal Critical Infrastructure from Climate Change
Authors: Pal Indrajit , Kumar Anil , Mukhopadhyay Anirban
Published: August 2023

Coastal systems are sensitive to direct and indirect impacts of climate change. Approximately 90% of all coastal areas will be affected by climate change to varying degrees. Nearly half of the world's major cities are located within 50 km of a coast, and coastal population densities are 2.6 times greater than those of inland areas, with a steep rise over the years. While coastal critical infrastructure is expanding, more social and physical systems are increasingly exposed to climate-induced hazards. The interconnectedness and interdependencies of critical infrastructure systems increase their systemic instability and fragility, resulting in greater dynamic risk and cascading impacts. Coastal critical infrastructure systems on several continents are at risk from the effects of climate change, including sea level rise, storm surges, and extreme weather events. Therefore, it is necessary to build and run climate-resilient infrastructure that is planned, designed, implemented, and operated to predict, be prepared for, and adapt to changing climatic circumstances. This review provides an up-to-date, objective, and critical assessment based on the literature to help determine what is known and what needs the future attention of researchers.
Inflation and Asset Returns
Authors: Cieslak Anna , Pflueger Carolin
Published: August 2023

The past half-century has seen major shifts in inflation expectations, how inflation comoves with the business cycle, and how stocks comove with Treasury bonds. Against this backdrop, we review the economic channels and empirical evidence on how inflation is priced in financial markets. Not all inflation episodes are created equal. Using a New Keynesian model, we show how “good” inflation can be linked to demand shocks and “bad” inflation to cost-push shocks driving the economy. We then discuss asset pricing implications of “good” and “bad” inflation. We conclude by providing an outlook for inflation risk premia in the world of newly rising inflation.
Investigating Dry Room Compatibility of Chloride Solid-State Electrolytes for Scalable Manufacturing
Authors: Chen Yu-Ting , Tan Darren H. S. , Ham So-Yeon , Sayahpour Baharak , Lee Jeong Beom , Kim Yeeun , Song Min-Sang , Nguyen Long Hoang Bao , Oh Jin An Sam , Ridley Phillip , Cronk Ashley , Deysher Grayson , Jang Jihyun , Chen Zheng , Meng Ying Shirley
Published: August 2023

Solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) are receiving growing attention as they can replace conventional organic liquid electrolytes to alleviate flammability issues. The low Young’s modulus, decent ionic conductivity, and good oxidation stability make chloride SSEs promising candidates to be used as catholytes in all-solid-state batteries. To assess the scalability of chloride SSEs, their chemical stability in air and dry room environments needs to be evaluated. In this study, threechloride SSEs are investigated for their chemical stability under ambient air and dry room conditions: Li2ZrCl6(LZC), Li3YCl6(LYC), and Li3InCl6(LIC). LZC undergo an irreversible hydrolysis reaction during air exposure and cannot be recovered by heat treatment. LYC decomposes into its hydrated precursors when exposed to ambient air, and further hydrolyzed during heat treatment and was thus not recoverable. LIC forms a stable hydrate and can be easily recovered by heating at 260 °C under vacuum. Finally, the electrochemical performance of dry room exposed chloride SSEs is evaluated where capacity loss was observed due to the lower SSE ionic conductivity due to the irreversible reactions.
Optimization of Pore Formation Process of Lotus Aluminum by Phase Field Simulation
Authors: Takahashi K. , Yamaguchi K. , Sasajima Y. , Ikeda T.
Published: August 2023

We have used multi-phase field simulation to mimic the actual process of lotus aluminum production, i.e., unidirectional solidification of aluminum in a hydrogen atmosphere. We used PD control and PID control, conventional methods of feedback control, to control the pore width precisely in the simulation. The pore width was shown to decrease slowly in PID control due to the slow feedback of I-control, and PD control was shown to produce stable long pores, although the pore width became larger than the target pore width. The initial hydrogen concentration in the liquid, which was controlled by atmospheric hydrogen pressure, had a significant effect on the pore growth; the higher the hydrogen concentration, the thicker the pore width and vice versa. It was also clarified that the pore width and the elongation length of the pore took various values depending on the combination of PD parameters even if the same target value was set.