bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acoustic prison for single live cell 3D multi-imaging enabled by light-sheet microscopy
Authors: Richard Cynthia , Vargas-Ordaz Erick J. , Cadarso Victor J. , Neild Adrian
Published: May 2023

Having a system capable of obtaining high resolution, quantitative, subcellular information of individual live cells through imaging, while minimizing cell damage, is of great importance in many fields of research. In recent years, optofluidic light-sheet fluorescent microscopy (LSFM) has emerged as a powerful tool providing a low photo-toxic imaging method utilising the fluidic environment offered by microfluidics. Here, the benefits of LSFM were integrated with an acoustic single cell prison for precise single cell handling and 3D multi-imaging in a semi-automated manner. The compact, monolithic, acousto-optofluidic platform employed standing surface acoustic waves (SSAWs) to sequentially trap an individual cell on either side of an imaging region, which gathered planar, cross-sectional images of the cell. A cytoplasmic stain was utilised to not only visualize the cell trajectory throughout the imaging process, but also to verify the cell viability post-acoustic exposure. A mitochondrial stain was also used to better demonstrate the resolution capabilities of the device. Through post-image processing, 3D volumetric images of the cell were reconstructed and the results between the first and second rounds of imaging were directly comparable. Furthermore, the acoustic prison advantageously positions the cells in the upper region of the channel, enabling the ability to accurately compare temporal changes in cell morphology; a capability that can lead to advancements in therapeutics and drug delivery to access responses of cells to stimuli over time.
Oncogenic signaling-mediated regulation of chromatin during tumorigenesis
Authors: Alam Jahangir , Huda Md Nazmul , Tackett Alan J , Miah Sayem
Published: May 2023

Signaling pathways play critical roles in executing and controlling important biological processes within cells. Cells/organisms trigger appropriate signal transduction pathways in order to turn on or off intracellular gene expression in response to environmental stimuli. An orchestrated regulation of different signaling pathways across different organs and tissues is the basis of many important biological functions. Presumably, any malfunctions or dysregulation of these signaling pathways contribute to the pathogenesis of disease, particularly cancer. In this review, we discuss how the dysregulation of signaling pathways (TGF-β signaling, Hippo signaling, Wnt signaling, Notch signaling, and PI3K-AKT signaling) modulates chromatin modifications to regulate the epigenome, thereby contributing to tumorigenesis and metastasis.
When don’t we need a new extreme event attribution study?
Authors: Clarke Ben , Otto Friederike , Jones Richard
Published: May 2023

The influence of anthropogenic climate change on the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events is becoming increasingly well understood. Extreme event attribution studies now exist for hundreds of events over the past few decades. However, there remain large heterogeneities in the number of attribution studies across the world and for different hazards, as well as limited capacity to conduct new studies. In this study, we suggest that there is more information to draw from past attribution studies about recent events. This is because, even though anthropogenic forcing continues to increase, many new events share meteorological characteristics with previously attributed ones. Here, we explore the possibility of using related studies and other lines of existing evidence such as projections and trend analysis to create rapid, low-resource attribution statements. To do this, we discuss the potential use cases for attribution results, including raising awareness of climate risks, preparing adaptation measures and attributing climate loss and damage. Then we discuss the considerations necessary to fulfil these uses in three cases studies, including a heatwave in the UK, a tropical storm in the Caribbean and a drought in East Africa. To conclude, we highlight the regions and hazards for which information can be drawn without new quantitative analysis, and those in which it remains urgent. This could aid prioritisation of limited resources for research into less well understood regions and hazards.
Some Optimal Conditions for the ASCLT
Authors: Berkes István , Hörmann Siegfried
Published: May 2023

Let $$X_{1},X_{2},\ldots $$

X
1

,

X
2

,
…

be independent random variables with $${E}X_{k}=0$$

E

X
k

=
0

and $$\sigma _{k}^{\,2}:={E}X_{k}^2<\infty $$

σ

k

2

:
=
E

X

k

2

<
∞

$$(k\ge 1)$$

(
k
≥
1
)

. Set $$S_k=X_1+\cdots +X_k$$

S
k

=

X
1

+
⋯
+

X
k

and assume that $$s_{k}^{\,2}:={E}S_k^2\rightarrow \infty $$

s

k

2

:
=
E

S
k
2

→
∞

. We prove that under the Kolmogorov condition $$\begin{aligned} |X_n|\le L_n, \quad L_n =o(s_n/(\log \log s_n)^{1/2}) \end{aligned}$$

|

X
n

|
≤

L
n

,

L
n

=
o

(

s
n

/

(
log
log

s
n

)

1
/
2

)

we have $$\begin{aligned} \frac{1}{\log s_{n}^{\,2}}\sum _{k=1}^{n}\frac{\sigma _{k+1}^{\,2}}{s_{k}^{\,2}}f\left( \frac{S_{k}}{s_{k}}\right) \rightarrow \frac{1}{\sqrt{2\pi }}\int _{\mathbb {R}}f(x)e^{-x^2/2}\,\textrm{d}x\quad \mathrm {a.s.}\end{aligned}$$

1

log

s

n

2

∑

k
=
1

n

σ

k
+
1

2

s

k

2

f

S
k

s
k

→

1

2
π

∫
R

f

(
x
)

e

-

x
2

/
2

d
x

a
.
s
.

for any almost everywhere continuous function $$f: {\mathbb R} \rightarrow {\mathbb R}$$

f
:
R
→
R

satisfying $$|f(x)|\le e^{\gamma x^2}$$

|
f

(
x
)

|

≤

e

γ

x
2

, $$\gamma <1/2$$

γ
<
1
/
2

. We also show that replacing the o in (1) by O, relation (2) becomes generally false. Finally, in the case when (1) is not assumed, we give an optimal condition for (2) in terms of the remainder term in the Wiener approximation of the partial sum process $$\{S_n, \, n\ge 1\}$$

{

S
n

,

n
≥
1
}

by a Wiener process.
Structural, thermal and energetic properties of Andean-pseudocereal flours with high nutritional values
Authors: Dávalos Juan Z. , Tirado Arminda , Romero Violeta , Cisneros Gregorio , Gamarra Francisco
Published: May 2023

Structural, thermal and energetic properties of quinoa, kiwicha and kañiwa native Andean-pseudocereal flours have been studied. Moisture, protein and fat contents and also metallic and semi-metallic levels were, in general, within of the range values reported in the literature. Empirical formulas of quinoa, kiwicha and kañiwa flours have been determined as CH1.87O0.81N0.06S0.0015, CH1.90O0.82N0.05S0.0019 and CH1.76O0.73N0.06S0.0017, respectively. The elemental carbon concentration (Cflour) in organic matter follows the trend, Ckañiwa (45.6%) > Ckiwicha (43.2%) ≈ Cquinoa (43.3%), which reflects the greater structural similarity between the quinoa and kiwicha flours, with respect to kañiwa flour. Regarding thermal and energetic properties: (i) in the temperature range of 261.15–343.15 K, we found no significant differences among the specific heat capacities of the three flours, which are ranged between 1.3 and 1.9 J g−1 K−1; (ii) the organic matter decomposition temperature (Tdec) followed the trend, Tdec,kañiwa (489.8 ± 1.6 K) > Tdec,kiwicha (479.1 ± 1.5 K) ≥ Tdec,quinoa (477.1 ± 1.5 K) indicating a greater thermal stability range of kañiwa flour; (iii) the gelatinization temperatures and also the gelatinization enthalpy of kañiwa flour (4.3 ± 1.6 J g−1) were lower than corresponding thermal gelatinization parameters of quinoa and kiwicha flours; and (iv) the standard massic energy of combustion (− Δcu°) or its associated net calorific value (qNCV) of kañiwa flour (18.77 ± 0.15 kJ g−1 or 4487 ± 36 kcal kg−1) was slightly greater than for kiwicha (18.47 ± 0.11 kJ g−1 or 4415 ± 26 kcal kg−1) and quinoa (18.60 ± 0.16 kJ g−1 or 4445 ± 39 kcal kg−1) flours. Taking into account the associated uncertainties, qNCV trend is similar to the Cflour and Tdec trends. Accordingly, our results indicate a greater range thermal stability and greater net calorific value for kañiwa flour than for kiwicha and quinoa flours.
Neurometabolic changes in a rat pup model of type C hepatic encephalopathy depend on age at liver disease onset
Authors: Simicic Dunja , Rackayova Veronika , Braissant Olivier , Toso Christian , Oldani Graziano , Sessa Dario , McLin Valérie A. , Cudalbu Cristina
Published: May 2023

Chronic liver disease (CLD) is a serious condition where various toxins present in the blood affect the brain leading to type C hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Both adults and children are impacted, while children may display unique vulnerabilities depending on the affected window of brain development.

We aimed to use the advantages of high field proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (1H MRS) to study longitudinally the neurometabolic and behavioural effects of Bile Duct Ligation (animal model of CLD-induced type C HE) on rats at post-natal day 15 (p15) to get closer to neonatal onset liver disease. Furthermore, we compared two sets of animals (p15 and p21-previously published) to evaluate whether the brain responds differently to CLD according to age onset.

We showed for the first time that when CLD was acquired at p15, the rats presented the typical signs of CLD, i.e. rise in plasma bilirubin and ammonium, and developed the characteristic brain metabolic changes associated with type C HE (e.g. glutamine increase and osmolytes decrease). When compared to rats that acquired CLD at p21, p15 rats did not show any significant difference in plasma biochemistry, but displayed a delayed increase in brain glutamine and decrease in total-choline. The changes in neurotransmitters were milder than in p21 rats. Moreover, p15 rats showed an earlier increase in brain lactate and a different antioxidant response. These findings offer tentative pointers as to which neurodevelopmental processes may be impacted and raise the question of whether similar changes might exist in humans but are missed owing to1H MRS methodological limitations in field strength of clinical magnet.
A minimal model for adaptive SIS epidemics
Authors: Achterberg Massimo A. , Sensi Mattia
Published: May 2023

The interplay between disease spreading and personal risk perception is of key importance for modelling the spread of infectious diseases. We propose a planar system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) to describe the co-evolution of a spreading phenomenon and the average link density in the personal contact network. Contrary to standard epidemic models, we assume that the contact network changes based on the current prevalence of the disease in the population, i.e. the network adapts to the current state of the epidemic. We assume that personal risk perception is described using two functional responses: one for link-breaking and one for link-creation. The focus is on applying the model to epidemics, but we also highlight other possible fields of application. We derive an explicit form for the basic reproduction number and guarantee the existence of at least one endemic equilibrium, for all possible functional responses. Moreover, we show that for all functional responses, limit cycles do not exist. This means that our minimal model is not able to reproduce consequent waves of an epidemic, and more complex disease or behavioural dynamics are required to reproduce epidemic waves.
Explainable AI in radiology: a white paper of the Italian Society of Medical and Interventional Radiology
Authors: Neri Emanuele , Aghakhanyan Gayane , Zerunian Marta , Gandolfo Nicoletta , Grassi Roberto , Miele Vittorio , Giovagnoni Andrea , Laghi Andrea ,   SIRM expert group on Artificial Intelligence
Published: May 2023

The term Explainable Artificial Intelligence (xAI) groups together the scientific body of knowledge developed while searching for methods to explain the inner logic behind the AI algorithm and the model inference based on knowledge-based interpretability. The xAI is now generally recognized as a core area of AI. A variety of xAI methods currently are available to researchers; nonetheless, the comprehensive classification of the xAI methods is still lacking. In addition, there is no consensus among the researchers with regards to what an explanation exactly is and which are salient properties that must be considered to make it understandable for every end-user. The SIRM introduces an xAI-white paper, which is intended to aid Radiologists, medical practitioners, and scientists in the understanding an emerging field of xAI, the black-box problem behind the success of the AI, the xAI methods to unveil the black-box into a glass-box, the role, and responsibilities of the Radiologists for appropriate use of the AI-technology. Due to the rapidly changing and evolution of AI, a definitive conclusion or solution is far away from being defined. However, one of our greatest responsibilities is to keep up with the change in a critical manner. In fact, ignoring and discrediting the advent of AI a priori will not curb its use but could result in its application without awareness. Therefore, learning and increasing our knowledge about this very important technological change will allow us to put AI at our service and at the service of the patients in a conscious way, pushing this paradigm shift as far as it will benefit us.
The performance of international organizations: a new measure and dataset based on computational text analysis of evaluation reports
Authors: Eckhard Steffen , Jankauskas Vytautas , Leuschner Elena , Burton Ian , Kerl Tilman , Sevastjanova Rita
Published: May 2023

International organizations (IOs) of the United Nations (UN) system publish around 750 evaluation reports per year, offering insights on their performance across project, program, institutional, and thematic activities. So far, it was not feasible to extract quantitative performance measures from these text-based reports. Using deep learning, this article presents a novel text-based performance metric: We classify individual sentences as containing a negative, positive, or neutral assessment of the evaluated IO activity and then compute the share of positive sentences per report. Content validation yields that the measure adequately reflects the underlying concept of performance; convergent validation finds high correlation with human-provided performance scores by the World Bank; and construct validation shows that our measure has theoretically expected results. Based on this, we present a novel dataset with performance measures for 1,082 evaluated activities implemented by nine UN system IOs and discuss avenues for further research.
Metareflexivität: Von der Veränderungs- zur Vernunftorganisation
Authors: Meisinger Norman
Published: May 2023

Längst überlassen Unternehmen ihre Modernisierung nicht mehr dem Zufall. Verankert in der Organisationsarchitektur sollen Lernroutinen (hier konzipiert als institutionalisierte Reflexivität) die Veränderungs- und damit Überlebensfähigkeit, vor allem von größeren Unternehmen in dynamischen Settings, langfristig sichern. Diese reflexiven Qualitäten zum Zwecke der Verstetigung ertragreichen Wirtschaftens bedürfen nun selbst einer Transformation, um fortan (auch) Lernprozesse vernünftigen Wirtschaftens zu stimulieren. Eine systematische Transformation zur unternehmerischen Inwertsetzung von Natur und Mensch wird in diesem Beitrag als Metareflexivität in die Debatte eingeführt. Denn wenn ertragreiches und vernünftiges Wirtschaften in einer kontradiktorischen Beziehung zueinander stehen, dürfen auch Spannungen in ihren Modernisierungsroutinen vermutet werden, die sich erst auf übergeordneter Ebene angemessen verarbeiten lassen.
Increased prevalence of nodular thyroid disease in patients with Klinefelter syndrome
Authors: di Fraia Rosa , Esposito Daniela , Selvaggio Lucia Digitale , Allosso Francesca , Alfano Roberto , Rotondi Mario , Balercia Giancarlo , Accardo Giacomo , Pasquali Daniela
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Thyroid dysfunction in patients with Klinefelter syndrome (KS) remains an unresolved issue. Although low free thyroxine (FT4) levels within the normal range and normal thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels have been reported, there is currently no data on nodular thyroid disease in this population. This study aims to evaluate the results of thyroid ultrasound (US) examinations in KS patients compared with healthy controls.

Methods

A cohort of 122 KS and 85 age-matched healthy male controls underwent thyroid US screening and thyroid hormone analysis. According to US risk-stratification systems, nodules ≥1 cm were examined by fine needle aspiration (FNA).

Results

Thyroid US detected nodular thyroid disease in 31% of KS compared to 13% of controls. No statistical differences in the maximum diameter of the largest nodules and in moderate and highly suspicious nodules were found between patients and the control group. Six KS patients and two controls with nodules underwent FNA and were confirmed as cytologically benign. In line with published data, FT4 levels were found significantly near the lower limit of the normal range compared to controls, with no differences in TSH values between the two groups. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis was diagnosed in 9% of patients with KS.

Conclusions

We observed a significantly higher prevalence of nodular thyroid disease in KS compared to the control group. The increase in nodular thyroid disease is likely linked to low levels of FT4, inappropriate TSH secretion, and/or genetic instability.
Pentoxifylline changes the balance of immune cell population in breast tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes
Authors: Kazemi Mohammad Hossein , Shokrollahi Barough Mahdieh , Momeni-Varposhti Zahra , Ghanavatinejad Alireza , Zarehzadeh Mehrabadi Ali , Sadeghi Behnam , Falak Reza
Published: May 2023

Immunotherapy utilizing tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) is a promising approach for cancer treatment. Pentoxifylline (PTXF), a xanthine derivative, exhibits antitumor properties. This study aimed to investigate the impact of PTXF on the phenotype and function of TILs and splenocytes in a triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) mouse model. TNBC was subcutaneously induced in BALB/c mice, followed by nine intraperitoneal injections of 100 mg/kg PTXF. TILs were then isolated by enzymatic digestion of tumors and cocultured with 4T1 cells. The proportion of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and cytotoxic T cells in TILs and splenocytes was assessed using flow cytometry. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β and interferon (IFN)-γ production in TILs and splenocytes cultures was measured by ELISA. Relative expression of t-bet, foxp3, gata-3, and ror-γt in TILs and splenocytes was evaluated using real-time PCR. Tumor growth in PTXF-treated mice was significantly lower than that in the controls (P < 0.01). The frequency of regulatory and cytotoxic TILs in PTXF-treated mice was approximately half (P < 0.01) and twice (P < 0.05) that of the control group, respectively. The level of TGF-β and IFN-γ in the supernatant of PTXF-treated TILs was decreased and increased, respectively (P < 0.05). The relative expression of t-bet and foxp3 in the PTXF-treated mice compared to controls was increased and decreased, respectively (P < 0.05). Changes in the immune cell balance were less significant in the spleen compared to the TILs. PTXF treatment could limit the tumor growth and modify the regulatory-to-cytotoxic TILs ratio, as well as cytokine balance of TILs, in favor of antitumor responses.
Model-Based Cybersecurity Analysis
Authors: Jiang Yuning , Jeusfeld Manfred A. , Ding Jianguo , Sandahl Elin
Published: May 2023

Critical infrastructure (CIs) such as power grids link a plethora of physical components from many different vendors to the software systems that control them. These systems are constantly threatened by sophisticated cyber attacks. The need to improve the cybersecurity of such CIs, through holistic system modeling and vulnerability analysis, cannot be overstated. This is challenging since a CI incorporates complex data from multiple interconnected physical and computation systems. Meanwhile, exploiting vulnerabilities in different information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) systems leads to various cascading effects due to interconnections between systems. The paper investigates the use of a comprehensive taxonomy to model such interconnections and the implied dependencies within complex CIs, bridging the knowledge gap between IT security and OT security. The complexity of CI dependence analysis is harnessed by partitioning complicated dependencies into cyber and cyber-physical functional dependencies. These defined functional dependencies further support cascade modeling for vulnerability severity assessment and identification of critical components in a complex system. On top of the proposed taxonomy, the paper further suggests power-grid reference models that enhance the reproducibility and applicability of the proposed method. The methodology followed was design science research (DSR) to support the designing and validation of the proposed artifacts. More specifically, the structural, functional adequacy, compatibility, and coverage characteristics of the proposed artifacts are evaluated through a three-fold validation (two case studies and expert interviews). The first study uses two instantiated power-grid models extracted from existing architectures and frameworks like the IEC 62351 series. The second study involves a real-world municipal power grid.
Paradoxical tensions in exploiting data to implement circular economy in the textile industry
Authors: Luoma Päivi , Penttinen Esko , Tapio Petri , Toppinen Anne
Published: May 2023

Increasing utilization of data, enabled by digitalization, constitutes a major driver toward circular economy but is not without potential paradoxical tensions. A two-round disaggregative Delphi study and analysis of the qualitative material generated in it explored these tensions. They were found to cohere around three themes: consumer concurrence, business transparency, and technology relevance. The first theme is connected with consumers’ behavior and their perceptions as to data’s value, the transparency one involves alignment of business interests and practices with data-driven developments, and the third pertains to the actual environmental impact of digital technologies used to initiate data-driven circular economy. Business decision-making should address both the positive and the negative effects, in both the short and long term. Insight as to these tensions supports discovering how businesses can successfully utilize data in their efforts promoting circular economy within the complex reality of dynamically changing business environments.
Pyrolysis of biosolids with waste cardboard: effect of operating parameters, feedstock size and blending ratio
Authors: Zuhara S. , Pradhan S. , McKay G.
Published: May 2023

Global waste is a rising problem that requires attention. Pyrolysis is a process that converts waste into valuable products like biochar, bio-oil, and gas by heating feeds above 300 °C. Pyrolysis studies mostly concentrate on fuel production and characterization, while biochar studies lack parametric analysis, especially for co-pyrolysis. Little attention is given to the effects of blending ratio and particle size on biochar yield. This research focuses on the pyrolysis of biosolids obtained from gas-to-liquid wastewater treatment, waste cardboard, and co-pyrolysis of blended samples. Pyrolysis was performed using a muffled furnace at temperatures ranging from 350–850 °C , heating rates of 3–10 °C /min, and residence times of 30–180 min to examine biochar yield and properties. Particle sizes and blending ratios were also studied. Proximate and ultimate analyses, metal composition, surface area, and surface charge studies were conducted on biochar samples utilizing analytical instruments. Biosolids had the highest yield followed by mixed samples and cardboard for all conditions, with temperature and blending ratio having the greatest impact on yield. Regarding surface area, the maximum was found to be at 650 °C revealing 10.34, 170.4, and 124.8 m2/g for biosolids, cardboard, and mixed samples, respectively. A significant effect with change in blending ratio and a minimal effect by varying particle size was observed on the biochar yield. For future applications, temperatures below 550 °C can be considered in terms of biochar yield, ash, and metal contents; as heating rate and residence time showed minimal effects on yield, lower points are preferred to conserve energy during pyrolysis. Overall, mixing waste improved quality and yield, making it environmentally beneficial for applications.

Graphical abstract
In-vitro antiplatelet effect of melatonin in healthy individuals and patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Böhm A. , Lauko V. , Dostalova K. , Balanova I. , Varga I. , Bezak B. , Jajcay N. , Moravcik R. , Lazurova L. , Slezak P. , Mojto V. , Kollarova M. , Petrikova K. , Danova K. , Zeman M.
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The incidence of acute myocardial infarctions (AMI) shows circadian variation typically peaking during morning hours with a decline at night. However, this variation does not occur in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). The night’s decline of AMI may be partially explained by melatonin-related platelet inhibition. Whether this effect is absent in diabetic patients is unknown. The aim was to study the effect of melatonin on in-vitro platelet aggregation in healthy individuals and patients with type 2 DM.

Methods

Platelet aggregation was measured in blood samples from healthy individuals (n = 15) and type 2 DM patients (n = 15) using multiple electrode aggregometry. Adenosine diphosphate (ADP), arachidonic acid (ASPI) and thrombin (TRAP) were used as agonists. Aggregability for each subject was tested after adding melatonin in two concentrations.

Results

In healthy individuals, melatonin inhibited platelet aggregation in both higher (10–5 M) and lower concentrations (10–9 M) induced by ADP, ASPI, and TRAP (p < 0.001, p = 0.002, p = 0.029, respectively). In DM patients, melatonin did not affect platelet aggregation in both concentrations induced by ADP, ASPI, and TRAP. Melatonin decreased platelet aggregation induced by ADP, ASPI, and TRAP significantly more in healthy individuals compared to patients with DM. (p = 0.005, p = 0.045 and p = 0.048, respectively).

Conclusion

Platelet aggregation was inhibited by melatonin in healthy individuals. In-vitro antiplatelet effect of melatonin in type 2 DM patients is significantly attenuated.
Numerical Analysis of Vibration Attenuation and Bandgaps in Radially Periodic Plates
Authors: Manconi E. , Hvatov A. , Sorokin S. V.
Published: May 2023

Objective

Periodic configuration of mechanical and civil structures has shown great potential for noise and vibration reduction. However, the use of Cartesian coordinates in studying periodicity effects in elastic structures overlooks the benefits of radially periodic configurations when dealing with wave propagation in large flexible plates disturbed by a small source area. This paper presents an easy-to-use numerical approach to predicting bandgap characteristics in polar coordinates.

Methodology

To demonstrate the vibration-attenuation effect, we consider a circular radially periodic plate model. We use an adapted Wave Finite-Element method in numerical experiments to demonstrate the existence of the attenuation effect. To verify the numerical results, we apply an adapted Floquet theory to polar coordinates.

Results and Conclusions

Our findings indicate that theoretical and numerical results are in excellent agreement considering a new parameter that introduces the distance from the origin. The adapted Wave Finite-Element approach and Floquet theory presented here demonstrate their potential to model more complex structures in polar coordinates.
Standardizing fairness-evaluation procedures: interdisciplinary insights on machine learning algorithms in creditworthiness assessments for small personal loans
Authors: Genovesi Sergio , Mönig Julia Maria , Schmitz Anna , Poretschkin Maximilian , Akila Maram , Kahdan Manoj , Kleiner Romina , Krieger Lena , Zimmermann Alexander
Published: May 2023

In the current European debate on the regulation of Artificial Intelligence there is a consensus that Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems should be fair. However, the multitude of existing indicators allowing an AI system to be labeled as “(un)fair” and the lack of standardized, application field specific criteria to choose among the various fairness-evaluation methods makes it difficult for potential auditors to arrive at a final, consistent judgment. Focusing on a concrete use case in the application field of finance, the main goal of this paper is to define standardizable minimal ethical requirements for AI fairness-evaluation. For the applied case of creditworthiness assessment for small personal loans, we highlighted specific distributive and procedural fairness issues inherent either to the computing process or to the system’s use in a real-world scenario: (1) the unjustified unequal distribution of predictive outcome; (2) the perpetuation of existing bias and discrimination practices; (3) the lack of transparency concerning the processed data and of an explanation of the algorithmic outcome for credit applicants. We addressed these issues proposing minimal ethical requirements for this specific application field: (1) regularly checking algorithmic outcome through the conditional demographic parity metric; (2) excluding from the group of processed parameters those that could lead to discriminatory outcome; (3) guaranteeing transparency about the processed data, in addition to counterfactual explainability of algorithmic decisions. Defining these minimal ethical requirements represents the main contribution of this paper and a starting point toward standards specifically addressing fairness issues in AI systems for creditworthiness assessments aiming at preventing unfair algorithmic outcomes, in addition to unfair practices related to the use of these systems. As a final result, we indicate the next steps that can be taken to begin the standardization of the three use case-specific fairness requirements we propose.
Analyzing the impact of COVID-19 on the electricity demand in Austin, TX using an ensemble-model based counterfactual and 400,000 smart meters
Authors: Dai Ting-Yu , Radhakrishnan Praveen , Nweye Kingsley , Estrada Robert , Niyogi Dev , Nagy Zoltan
Published: May 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic caused lifestyle changes and has led to the new electricity demand patterns in the presence of non-pharmaceutical interventions such as work-from-home policy and lockdown. Quantifying the effect on electricity demand is critical for future electricity market planning yet challenging in the context of limited smart metered buildings, which leads to limited understanding of the temporal and spatial variations in building energy use. This study uses a large scale private smart meter electricity demand data from the City of Austin, combined with publicly available environmental data, and develops an ensemble regression model for long term daily electricity demand prediction. Using 15-min resolution data from over 400,000 smart meters from 2018 to 2020 aggregated by building type and zip code, our proposed model precisely formalizes the counterfactual universe in the without COVID-19 scenario. The model is used to understand building electricity demand changes during the pandemic and to identify relationships between such changes and socioeconomic patterns. Results indicate the increase in residential usage , demonstrating the spatial redistribution of energy consumption during the work-from-home period. Our experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed framework by assessing multiple socioeconomic impacts with the comparison between the counterfactual universe and observations.
Nutritional Risk Assessment and Countermeasures for Stroke Patients Based on Deep Learning and Multimodal MRI Images
Authors: Jiang Yiming , Sun Jian , Ren Xinchen , Wang Huikai
Published: May 2023

The main objective of this study is to evaluate the nutritional risk of stroke patients through deep learning and multimodal MRI images, and provide appropriate nutrition for patients in a timely manner to improve their recovery speed. The method of this article mainly solves the problem of incomplete understanding of patient nutritional risk through a deep learning (DL) and multimodal MRI image-based nutritional risk assessment (RA) model, and accurately provides corresponding countermeasures. The evaluation model based on DL and multimodal MRI images shows that 27 people in Group A are at nutritional risk, accounting for 90%. 26 people in Group B are at nutritional risk, accounting for 86.6%. Both groups of patients urgently need corresponding strategies to reduce risk. Therefore, this article also tested two sets of nutritional support methods, and the results showed that the nutritional support methods in Group B were more effective. The nutritional indicators are not only normal, but the infection rate and mortality rate of patients have also decreased. The results demonstrate that deep learning and multimodal MRI images can promote the recovery process of patients.
Earnings differentials between H-2A and unauthorized citrus harvesters in Florida
Authors: Simnitt Skyler Mark , Onel Gulcan
Published: May 2023

The H-2A temporary agricultural workers visa program is a federal program allowing agricultural employers to bring in foreign workers on a seasonal basis. The extent to which H-2A workers earn more compared to their domestic unauthorized counterparts is of interest for both producers and workers. Using novel data on citrus harvest workers in the state of Florida, we estimate hourly earnings differentials by legal status using Classical and Bayesian inference. Findings suggest that participation in the H-2A program is associated with 18–23% higher hourly earnings for migrant harvesters in Florida after controlling for observable demographic and work-related variables.
Agricultural credit association efficiencies over time and with mergers
Authors: He Yurou , Tauer Loren W.
Published: May 2023

Efficiencies of Agricultural Credit Associations of the US Farm Credit System are measured quarterly from 2005 through 2020. A slacks-based measure based on the directional distance function is used with non-performing loans included as an undesirable output. This permitted efficiency scores to be measured by type of defined input or output. Generally, most Associations were highly efficient, but there was deterioration in mean efficiency over the years 2008–2018, a period of financial difficulties in the US agriculture. Efficiencies of Associations that merged or consolidated were tracked before and after these activities. Mergers and consolidations often led to increased efficiencies.
Mechanism for the subglacial formation of cryogenic brines
Authors: Neuhaus Sarah U. , Tulaczyk Slawek M.
Published: May 2023

Cryogenic brines are under-studied, despite the fact that they may contain information about past ice-sheet behavior. Cryogenic brines form through cryoconcentration of seawater, although the specific setting and mechanism of formation have been debated. Previous conceptual models of brine formation require seawater isolation from the ocean in a closed basin experiencing freezing. We propose instead that they may form in pore spaces of marine sediments subjected to repeat cycles of ice-sheet advance and retreat. During periods of basal freezing, cryoconcentration produces hypersaline brines which experience downward flow driven by unstable density stratification. Our advection-diffusion model of porewater chemistry evolution successfully recreates the porewater chemistry of two deep Antarctic cores containing cryogenic brines (AND-1B and AND-2A), suggesting that cryogenic brines can be formed through the repeated isolation and cryoconcentration of marine waters within subglacial sediment pore spaces of modern and past ice sheets.
A novel(ty) perspective of fear bias
Authors: Kelsey Caroline Malory
Published: May 2023

Grossmann presents an exciting and interesting theory on the function of fearfulness. In this commentary it is argued that fearfulness may be a byproduct of a larger executive functioning network and these early regulatory skills considered more broadly may be key building blocks for later cooperative behaviors.
The dark side of fear expression: Infant crying as a trigger for maladaptive parental responses
Authors: Parsons Christine E. , Skewes Joshua C.
Published: May 2023

While infant fearfulness, and its expression via crying, may have been adaptive in our evolutionary history, for modern parents, crying can be challenging to respond to. We discuss how and why prolonged crying can raise the risk for difficulties with adult care. Given that crying is the most-reported trigger for shaking, its potential to elicit maladaptive responses should not be overlooked.
Fearfulness: An important addition to the starter kit for distinctively human minds
Authors: Dwyer Dominic M. , Heyes Cecilia
Published: May 2023

Grossmann's impressive article indicates that – along with attentional biases, expansion of domain-general processes of learning and memory, and other temperamental tweaks – heightened fearfulness is part of the genetic starter kit for distinctively human minds. The learned matching account of emotional contagion explains how heightened fearfulness could have promoted the development of caring and cooperation in our species.
Narratives of crisis: From affective structures to adaptive functions
Authors: Pelletier Petra , McLaughlin Cécile , Boespflug Magali
Published: May 2023

This commentary focuses on affective structures and the main adaptive functions of shared narratives to fill the gaps of the Conviction Narrative Theory. The transmission of narratives among individuals in highly uncertain situations is irrevocably tainted by affects and anchored in collective memory. Narratives have important evolutionary functions for human beings under threat and act as the social glue that creates and strengthens social bonds among individuals.
Is Conviction Narrative Theory a theory of everything or nothing?
Authors: Newell Ben R. , Szollosi Aba
Published: May 2023

We connect Conviction Narrative Theory to an account that views people as intuitive scientists who can flexibly create, evaluate, and modify representations of decision problems. We argue that without understanding how the relevant complex narratives (or indeed any representation, simple to complex) are themselves constructed, we also cannot know when and why people would rely on them to make choices.
Conviction Narrative Theory and the Theory of Narrative Thought
Authors: Beach Lee Roy , Wise James A.
Published: May 2023

Conviction Narrative Theory bears a close resemblance to the Theory of Narrative Thought, although the two were designed to address different questions. In this commentary, we detail some of the more pronounced similarities and differences and suggest that resolving the latter could produce a third theory of narrative cognition that is superior to either of these two.
A novel 10 kV high-voltage cable stripping robot’s mechanism design and analysis
Authors: Zhong Jun , Wang Zhichao , Hu Shaoguang , Han Zhenfeng
Published: May 2023

A 10 kV distribution network is critical for ensuring power supply to residents and factories. The number of power maintenance operations is rapidly increasing, and aerial cable stripping is a significant branch of these routine maintenances. High-voltage cable stripping, on the other hand, is mostly done manually, which is inefficient and poses serious security risks. As a result, this paper proposes an automatic wire stripping robot for use in a 10 kV power grid. The mechanical structure of the stripping robot is designed for installation on the insulating rod based on the working environment of 10 kV overhead cables. The robot was subjected to electromagnetic field simulation, modal analysis, and rigid-flexible coupling analysis. Finally, the robot prototype is built, and the PID controller is designed. Stripping tests are performed on a cable with a cross-sectional area of 95, 120, 150, 240, and 300 mm2, and the results are satisfactory.
Trends and population estimate of the threatened Buff-breasted SandpiperCalidris subruficolliswintering in coastal grasslands of southern Brazil
Authors: Faria Fernando A. , Dias Rafael A. , Bencke Glayson A. , Bugoni Leandro , Senner Nathan R. , Almeida Juliana B. , Nunes Guilherme Tavares , Gonçalves Maycon S. S. , Lyons James E.
Published: May 2023

Information about population sizes, trends, and habitat use is key for species conservation and management. The Buff-breasted SandpiperCalidris subruficollis(BBSA) is a long-distance migratory shorebird that breeds in the Arctic and migrates to south-eastern South America, wintering in the grasslands of southern Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina. Most studies of Nearctic migratory species occur in the Northern Hemisphere, but monitoring these species at non-breeding areas is crucial for conservation during this phase of the annual cycle. Our first objective was to estimate trends of BBSA at four key areas in southern Brazil during the non-breeding season. We surveyed for BBSA and measured vegetation height in most years from 2008/09 to 2019/20. We used hierarchical distance sampling models in which BBSA abundance and density were modelled as a function of vegetation height and corrected for detectability. Next, we used on-the-ground surveys combined with satellite imagery and habitat classification models to estimate BBSA population size in 2019/20 at two major non-breeding areas. We found that abundance and density were negatively affected by increasing vegetation height. Abundance fluctuated five- to eight-fold over the study period, with peaks in the middle of the study (2014/15). We estimated the BBSA wintering population size as 1,201 (95% credible interval [CI]: 637–1,946) birds in Torotama Island and 2,232 (95% CI: 1,199–3,584) in Lagoa do Peixe National Park during the 2019/20 austral summer. Although no pronounced trend was detected, BBSA abundance fluctuated greatly from year to year. Our results demonstrate that only two of the four key areas hold high densities of BBSA and highlight the positive effect of short grass on BBSA numbers. Short-grass coastal habitats used by BBSA are strongly influenced by livestock grazing and climate, and are expected to shrink in size with future development and climatic changes.
Tidal Evolution and Predictable Tide‐Only Inundation Along the East Coast of the United States
Authors: Gao Feng , Liu Lintao , Hu Huiwen , Shi Zhimin , Ren Dong , Wang Guocheng , Liang Xinghui , Sun Xuepeng
Published: May 2023

Sea level rise (SLR) increases the frequency of floods caused by forces such as spring tides or storm surges. However, with the continuous evolution of global ocean tides, future flooding may be driven only by astronomical tides. Therefore, we introduce an inaction method (IM) that can accurately extract the harmonic constant of tidal components from the time‐frequency spectrum of the tide, and obtain the precise long‐term trend and spatial evolution characteristics of the tides at 18 sites along the East Coast of the United States (ECUS). Except for some sites in the middle of the East Coast, M2 shows an average upward trend of more than 51 mm/century, which is most obvious at three sites in North Carolina, with an average upward trend of more than 80 mm/century. We simultaneously combine the IM with harmonic analysis into an IMHA method to estimate the historical and future “Tide‐only” inundation (TOI) frequency and quantify the effect of tidal evolution on the future TOI frequency. The results show that four stations in the Gulf of Maine have experienced relatively frequent TOI events in the past, with the highest frequency at the Eastport station. The most significant increasing and decreasing effects of tidal evolution on the future TOI frequency under the SLR scenario are at the Wilmington and Lewes stations, respectively. At the spatial scale, there are increases in the northeast and southeast and a decrease in the middle of the ECUS, which is consistent with the spatial characteristics of the long‐term tidal trend.
On the Evolution of Tropopause Layer Cooling Over Tropical Cyclone
Authors: Yin Jiayue , Chu Kekuan , Tan Zhe‐Min , Gu Jian‐Feng , Liu Hao‐Yan
Published: May 2023

This study investigates the evolution of tropopause layer cooling (TLC) in an idealized tropical cyclone (TC) as well as the physical mechanism for its formation throughout its lifetime. TLC development is closely related to the intensity change of the TC. The TLC within the inner core of a TC coincides with the occurrence of the TC warm core, whereas the enhancement of the TLC precedes the strengthening of the warm core and the intensification of the TC. This phenomenon suggests that the TLC could be a valuable signal for predicting TC intensity and intensity change. After the onset of rapid intensification, the TLC continues to enhance until it is replaced by the warm core in the inner core region, and it expands to the outer core area and forms a cold ring above the TC outflow layer. The budget analyses of the azimuthal mean potential temperature indicate that advection plays a leading role during all stages of the TLC evolution. Prior to and during the rapid intensification stages of a TC, advection (due to eddy motion) contributes to a cooling of the upper layer above the TC center. This upper‐level cooling is assumed to be related to the uplift caused by overshooting and convection within the inner core. However, the advection process caused by the azimuthal vertical motion dominated the broad cooling across the whole TLC area.
Sox13 and M2-like leukemia-associated macrophages contribute to endogenous IL-34 caused accelerated progression of acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Zhang Dongyue , Cui Xiaoxi , Li Yifei , Wang Rong , Wang Hao , Dai Yibo , Ren Qian , Wang Lina , Zheng Guoguang
Published: May 2023

Interleukin 34 (IL-34) mainly plays physiologic and pathologic roles through the sophisticated multi-ligand signaling system, macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF, CSF-1)/IL-34-CSF-1R axis, which exhibits functional redundancy, tissue-restriction and diversity. This axis is vital for the survival, differentiation and function of monocytic lineage cells and plays pathologic roles in a broad range of diseases. However, the role of IL-34 in leukemia has not been established. Here MLL-AF9 induced mouse acute myeloid leukemia (AML) model overexpressing IL-34 (MA9-IL-34) was used to explore its role in AML. MA9-IL-34 mice exhibited accelerated disease progression and short survival time with significant subcutaneous infiltration of AML cells. MA9-IL-34 cells showed increased proliferation. In vitro colony forming assays and limiting dilution transplantation experiments demonstrated that MA9-IL-34 cells had elevated leukemia stem cell (LSC) levels. Gene expression microarray analysis revealed a panel of differential expressed genes including Sex-determining region Y (SRY)-box 13 (Sox13). Furthermore, a positive correlation between the expressions of IL-34 and Sox13 was detected human datasets. Knockdown of Sox13 rescued the enhanced proliferation, high LSC level and subcutaneous infiltration in MA9-IL-34 cells. Moreover, more leukemia-associated macrophages (LAMs) were detected in MA9-IL-34 microenvironment. Additionally, those LAMs showed M2-like phenotype since they expressed high level of M2-associated genes and had attenuated phagocytic potential, suggesting that LAMs should also contribute to IL-34 caused adverse phenotypes. Therefore, our findings uncover the intrinsic and microenvironmental mechanisms of IL-34 in AML and broadens the knowledge of M-CSF/IL-34-CSF-1R axis in malignancies.