bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fatiguing high-intensity intermittent exercise depresses maximal Na+-K+-ATPase activity in human skeletal muscle assessed using a novel NADH-coupled assay
Authors: Vigh-Larsen Jeppe F. , Frangos Sara M. , Overgaard Kristian , Holloway Graham P. , Mohr Magni
Published: November 2024

The Na+-K+-ATPase is a critical regulator of ion homeostasis during contraction, buffering interstitial K+ accumulation, which is linked to muscle fatigue during intense exercise. Within this context, we adopted a recently reported methodology to examine exercise-induced alterations in maximal Na+-K+-ATPase activity. Eighteen trained healthy young males completed a repeated high-intensity cycling protocol consisting of three periods (EX1-EX3) of intermittent exercise. Each period comprised 10 × 45-s cycling at ~ 105% Wmax and a repeated sprint test. Muscle biopsies were sampled at baseline and after EX3 for determination of maximal in vitro Na+-K+-ATPase activity. Blood was drawn after each period and in association with a 2-min cycling test at a standardized high intensity (~ 90% Wmax) performed before and after the session to assess plasma K+ accumulation. Further, a 5-h recovery period with the ingestion of carbohydrate or placebo supplementation was implemented to explore potential effects of carbohydrate availability before sampling a final biopsy and repeating all tests. A ~ 12% reduction in maximal Na+-K+-ATPase activity was demonstrated following EX3 compared to baseline (25.2 ± 3.9 vs. 22.4 ± 4.8 μmol·min−1·g−1 protein, P = 0.039), which was sustained at the recovery time point (~ 15% decrease compared to baseline to 21.6 ± 5.9 μmol·min−1·g−1 protein, P = 0.008). No significant effect of carbohydrate supplementation was observed on maximal Na+-K+-ATPase activity after recovery (P = 0.078). In conclusion, we demonstrate an exercise-induced depression of maximal Na+-K+-ATPase activity following high-intensity intermittent exercise, which was sustained during a 5-h recovery period and unrelated to carbohydrate availability under the present experimental conditions. This was shown using a novel NADH coupled assay and confirms previous findings using other methodological approaches.
Sclerosing mucoepidermoid carcinoma of salivary glands
Authors: Othman Bacem Khalele , Bradová Martina , Simpson Roderick H. W. , Laco Jan , Agaimy Abbas , Rito Miguel , Ihrler Stephan , Steiner Petr , Grossmann Petr , Hájková Veronika , de Rezende Gisele , Goma Montse , Koljenovic Senada , Fonseca Isabel , Michal Michal , Leivo Ilmo , Skalova Alena
Published: November 2024

Sclerosing mucoepidermoid carcinoma (SMEC) of the salivary glands is a rare variant of low-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma with scanty cellular atypia characterized by marked fibrosis/sclerosis and a rich inflammatory infiltrate. Herein, we report 25 unpublished cases of SMEC, two of them with prominent eosinophilia (2/25; 8%) and three with abundant IgG4-positive plasma cells (3/25; 12%). In our series of salivary SMEC, molecular analysis using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and/or next-generation sequencing (NGS) provided evidence of MAML2 gene rearrangement in 18 cases of the 21 analyzable cases tested (86%), while this gene locus was intact in 3 cases (14%). This study focuses on the diagnostic criteria of salivary SMEC given its challenge of abundant collagenous stroma, minimal residual neoplastic areas, and inconspicuous mucous cells. Follow-up data of our cases indicate that salivary SMECs have favorable outcomes. Molecular analysis for MAML2 gene rearrangement suggests that SMECs of salivary glands represent a rare variant of conventional low-grade MECs of salivary glands. In contrast, SMECs of the thyroid gland are genetically distinct from salivary-type thyroid MECs.
A novel mouse model recapitulating the MMR-defective SCLC subtype uncovers an actionable sensitivity to immune checkpoint blockade
Authors: Ibruli Olta , Rose France , Beleggia Filippo , Schmitt Anna , Cartolano Maria , Fernandez Lucia Torres , Saggau Julia , Bonasera Debora , Kiljan Martha , Gozum Gokcen , Lichius Luca , Cai Jiali , Niu Li-na , Caiaffa Manoela Iannicelli , Herter Jan M. , Walczak Henning , Liccardi Gianmaria , Grüll Holger , Büttner Reinhard , Bosco Graziella , George Julie , Thomas Roman K. , Bozek Kasia , Reinhardt Hans Christian , Herter-Sprie Grit S.
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) has an extremely poor prognosis. Despite high initial response rates to chemotherapy and modest survival improvements with the addition of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), almost all patients experience relapse and fatal outcomes. Recent genomic insights uncovered extensive molecular heterogeneity in addition to the almost uniform loss of RB1 and TRP53. Additionally, defective DNA mismatch repair (MMR) has recently been described in some SCLC cases. Here, we generated a novel SCLC mouse model capturing MMR deficiency and assessed immunotherapy responses.

Methods

We developed an MMR-deficient genetically engineered mouse model (GEMM) of SCLC by introducing a conditional Msh2 gene, crucial for maintaining MMR integrity, into the standard Rb1fl/fl;Trp53fl/fl (RP) model. Genomic characteristics and preclinical therapy responses were evaluated by focusing on overall survival and whole exome sequencing (WES) analyses.

Results

MMR-defective SCLC tumors (Rb1fl/fl;Trp53fl/fl;Msh2fl/fl (RPM)) developed later than tumors in MMR-proficient mice. However, the time from tumor manifestation to death of the affected animals was substantially shortened (median survival 55 days in RP vs. 46.5 days in RPM), indicating increased aggressiveness of MMR-defective tumors. RPM tumors exhibited MMR deficiency, high tumor mutational burden (TMB), and an elevated load of candidate neoantigens, compared to RP lesions (p = 0.0106), suggesting increased immunogenicity. Importantly, the overall survival of RPM animals was significantly improved when exposed to ICI.

Conclusion

We propose a novel RPM mouse model as a suitable system to mimic MMR-defective SCLC and tumors with high TMB. We provide in vivo evidence that Msh2 deficiency enhances ICI sensitivity. These findings could contribute to stratifying SCLC patients to immunotherapy, thereby improving treatment outcomes.
Acceptance and commitment therapy as a transdiagnostic approach to adolescents with different anxiety disorders: study protocol
Authors: Figueiredo Diana Vieira , Salvador Maria do Céu , Rijo Daniel , Vagos Paula
Published: November 2024

Adolescence increases vulnerability to mental ill-health, particularly anxiety disorders like Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Still, the understanding of Psychological Flexibility/Inflexibility (PF/PI) as a transdiagnostic framework relevant to explaining these difficulties and the efficacy of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in addressing adolescent SAD and GAD remains limited. Hence, this study has two aims: examining the role of PI/PF on adolescents’ mental health and assessing ACT’s efficacy for adolescent SAD and GAD. We will collect data from 400 community adolescents and employ network analysis to explore connections between PI/PF processes, anxiety, and flourishing. We will also investigate pathways linking PI/PF processes with flourishing and anxiety across samples (clinical SAD, clinical GAD, and mentally healthy groups), expecting to find similar patterns. Furthermore, a Randomized Controlled Trial with three groups (control, SAD experimental and GAD experimental), each comprising 29 participants, and four assessment moments (pre- and post-intervention and 3- and 6-months follow-up) will be conducted. Similar improvements are anticipated in both experimental groups, driven by changes in PI/PF processes. Findings from this work will provide valuable evidence to PI/PF as accurate conceptualizations of human suffering and expand the transdiagnostic application of ACT to adolescents with anxiety disorders.
Improving ranking-based question answering with weak supervision for low-resource Qur’anic texts
Authors: ElKoumy Mohammed , Sarhan Amany
Published: November 2024

This work tackles the challenge of ranking-based machine reading comprehension (MRC), where a question answering (QA) system generates a ranked list of relevant answers for each question instead of simply extracting a single answer. We highlight the limitations of traditional learning methods in this setting, particularly under limited training data. To address these issues, we propose a novel ranking-inspired learning method that focuses on ranking multiple answer spans instead of single answer extraction. This method leverages lexical overlap as weak supervision to guide the ranking process. We evaluate our approach on the Qur’an Reading Comprehension Dataset (QRCD), a low-resource Arabic dataset over the Holy Qur’an. We employ transfer learning with external resources to fine-tune various transformer-based models, mitigating the low-resource challenge. Experimental results demonstrate that our proposed method significantly outperforms standard mechanisms across different models. Furthermore, we show its better alignment with the ranking-based MRC task and the effectiveness of external resources for this low-resource dataset. Our best performing model achieves a state-of-the-art partial Reciprocal Rank (pRR) score of 63.82%, surpassing the previous best-known score of 58.60%. To foster further research, we release code [GitHub repository:github.com/mohammed-elkomy/weakly-supervised-mrc], trained models, and detailed experiments to the community.
Identification of three QTLs that additively affect heading time in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) by QTL-seq approach
Authors: Komura Shoya , Kobayashi Fuminori , Oono Youko , Handa Hirokazu , Inoue Yoshihiro , Yoshida Kentaro
Published: November 2024

Optimizing the timing of heading is crucial for achieving stable production in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). We analyzed a breeding line, ‘B1-0393’, that headed 5 days earlier than the Japanese elite cultivar ‘Kitahonami’. To identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) responsible for this difference, we conducted QTL-seq using F3 progeny of a cross between ‘Kitahonami’ and ‘B1-0393’. We detected QTLs on chromosomes 2D (QDth.kupg-2D), 3D (QDth.kupg-3D), and 4A (QDth.kupg-4A), explaining 10.25%, 2.00%, and 8.24%, respectively, of phenotypic variance. The QDth.kupg-2D locus corresponded to the major photoperiod-regulating gene Photoperiod-D1 (Ppd-D1). ‘Kitahonami’ had the photoperiod-sensitive Ppd-D1b allele and ‘B1-0393’ had the insensitive Ppd-D1a allele. QDth.kupg-4A overlapped with previously reported QTLs, while QDth.kupg-3D was a novel QTL. Segregation analysis using F2 and F3 plants confirmed that alleles from ‘B1-0393’ at all three loci accelerated heading and that the three QTLs had additive effects on days to heading. Our findings could be valuable for regulating the timing of heading to optimize wheat yield.
Soluble Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator Receptor and Inflammatory Biomarker Response with Prognostic Significance after Acute Neuronal Injury – a Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Sajanti Antti , Hellström Santtu , Bennett Carolyn , Srinath Abhinav , Jhaveri Aditya , Cao Ying , Takala Riikka , Frantzén Janek , Koskimäki Fredrika , Falter Johannes , Lyne Seán B. , Rantamäki Tomi , Posti Jussi P. , Roine Susanna , Jänkälä Miro , Puolitaival Jukka , Kolehmainen Sulo , Girard Romuald , Rahi Melissa , Rinne Jaakko , Castrén Eero , Koskimäki Janne
Published: November 2024

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), ischemic stroke (IS), and traumatic brain injury (TBI) are severe conditions impacting individuals and society. Identifying reliable prognostic biomarkers for predicting survival or recovery remains a challenge. Soluble urokinase type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) has gained attention as a potential prognostic biomarker in acute sepsis. This study evaluates suPAR and related neuroinflammatory biomarkers in serum for brain injury prognosis. This prospective study included 31 aSAH, 30 IS, 13 TBI, and three healthy controls (n = 77). Serum samples were collected on average 5.9 days post-injury, analyzing suPAR, IL-1β, cyclophilin A, and TNFα levels using ELISA. Outcomes were assessed 90 days post-injury with the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), categorized as favorable (mRS 0-2) or unfavorable (mRS 3-6). Statistical analyses included 2-tailed t-tests, Pearson’s correlations, and machine learning linear discriminant analysis (LDA) for biomarker combinations. Elevated suPAR levels were found in brain injury patients compared to controls (p = 0.017). Increased suPAR correlated with unfavorable outcomes (p = 0.0018) and showed prognostic value (AUC = 0.66, p = 0.03). IL-1β levels were higher in the unfavorable group (p = 0.0015). LDA combinatory analysis resulted a fair prognostic accuracy with canonical equation = 0.775[suPAR] + 0.667[IL1-β] (AUC = 0.77, OR 0.296, sensitivity 93.1%, specificity 53.1%, p = 0.0007). No correlation was found between suPAR and CRP or infection status. Elevated suPAR levels in acute brain injury patients were associated with poorer outcomes, highlighting suPAR’s potential as a prognostic biomarker across different brain injury types. Combining IL-1β with suPAR improved prognostic accuracy, supporting a multimodal biomarker approach for predicting outcomes.
Synthesis of ZnTe powders from green solvents by a solvothermal method. Study of the sensing properties in a CO atmosphere
Authors: Pizano José Josué Rodríguez , Olvera M. de la L.
Published: November 2024

In this work, the characterization and testing of sensing properties of ZnTe powders for detecting carbon monoxide were investigated. The ZnTe synthesis was reached by a solvothermal process, using three different green solvents, methanol, ethanol, and isopropanol. The structural, morphological, and compositional properties of ZnTe powders were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, XRD, scanning electron microscopy, SEM, and atomic force microscopy, AFM, and X-ray energy dispersion (EDS), respectively. XRD confirmed the zincblende-type cubic phase of ZnTe, with crystallite sizes of the order of 69 nm. SEM images of all synthesized samples showed a surface covered with particles of different sizes and irregular morphologies. Finally, the sensing response of ZnTe samples to CO was measured for concentrations varying from 1 to 500 ppm at different operating temperatures, 100, 200, and 300 °C. The highest sensitivity, 18.4, was obtained for ZnTe samples synthesized from isopropanol as solvent, so ZnTe powders showed a good response for CO detection, resulting these materials promising to be applied as gas sensors.
$$\textsf{ST}$$ and $$\textsf{TS}$$ as Product and Sum
Authors: Blomet Quentin , Égré Paul
Published: November 2024

The set of $$\textsf{ST}$$
ST
-valid inferences is neither the intersection, nor the union of the sets of $$\textsf{K}_3$$

K
3

-valid and $$\textsf{LP}$$
LP
-valid inferences, but despite the proximity to both systems, an extensional characterization of $$\textsf{ST}$$
ST
in terms of a natural set-theoretic operation on the sets of $$\textsf{K}_3$$

K
3

-valid and $$\textsf{LP}$$
LP
-valid inferences is still wanting. In this paper, we show that it is their relational product. Similarly, we prove that the set of $$\textsf{TS}$$
TS
-valid inferences can be identified using a dual notion, namely as the relational sum of the sets of $$\textsf{LP}$$
LP
-valid and $$\textsf{K}_3$$

K
3

-valid inferences. We discuss links between these results and the interpolation property of classical logic. We also use those results to revisit the duality between $$\textsf{ST}$$
ST
and $$\textsf{TS}$$
TS
. We present a notion of duality on which $$\textsf{ST}$$
ST
and $$\textsf{TS}$$
TS
are dual in exactly the same sense in which $$\textsf{LP}$$
LP
and $$\textsf{K}_3$$

K
3

are dual to each other.
Exploring the Motives Behind the Adoption of Climate Change Adaptation Strategies among Farmers in the Czech Republic
Authors: Muench Steffen , Čechura Lukáš , Bavorova Miroslava
Published: November 2024

Climate change threatens agriculture in the EU and is a primary issue discussed in the European Green Deal within the Common Agricultural Policy. Central and Eastern European countries are particularly prone to climate change effects, such as droughts and extreme weather. Therefore, agriculture in Central and Eastern Europe is expected to be increasingly affected by shifting climatic patterns. This study examines the motivation for adopting adaptation strategies derived from climate-smart agriculture among farmers in the Czech Republic. We drew particular attention to analyzing the influence of farm-level and information source variables on the adaptation behavior of Czech farmers. The dataset comprises 358 respondents who were asked about climate change adaptation through a quantitative survey. We analyzed the collected data via descriptive statistics and binary logit regression models. The analysis results reveal a high degree of awareness and a diversified usage of climate change adaptation strategies among the respondents. The close linkage between perceived profitability and the willingness to adapt to climate change requires policymakers to communicate economic benefits within this context further. Information sources, such as topic-specific journals, research institutions, and field training, positively influenced the adaptation rates among the sample. Therefore, we recommend focusing on these media channels to communicate targets set within the European Green Deal.
« La France est mon sort et ma destinée » : l’œuvre de l’écrivain, journaliste et traducteur André Adorján
Authors: Tüskés Anna
Published: November 2024

André Adorján (1883, Szombathely, Hongrie–1966, Eaubonne, France) était un traducteur et journaliste à succès qui, ayant vécu à Paris sans interruption à partir de 1919, était bien intégré dans les cercles intellectuels français. Il est, avec Ladislas Gara, celui qui a le plus contribué à faire découvrir la littérature hongroise en France entre les années 1920 et la fin des années 1940. Il a ainsi promu la littérature hongroise contemporaine grâce à ses traductions de pièces de théâtre hongroises et aux articles et extraits de traduction qu’il a publiés dans des journaux français. Membre à la fois de l’Institut de retraite des journalistes hongrois et du Syndicat des journalistes français, il a gardé sa double nationalité jusqu’à sa mort. Les recherches sur la littérature hongroise, la presse et l’histoire locale n’ont jusqu’à présent porté que sur la phase hongroise de l’œuvre d’Adorján, jusqu’à la fin de la Première Guerre mondiale. Dans mon étude, je présenterai sa vie, son travail d’écrivain, de journaliste, de traducteur et d’éditeur, et j’analyserai ses activités de promotion de la littérature hongroise ainsi que la correspondance qui m’est parvenue. Adorján n’a pas laissé d’héritage littéraire connu, mais quelque trois cents de ses lettres sont conservées dans divers fonds d’archives. Les documents le concernant pour la première moitié du XXe siècle ne sont que sporadiquement disponibles, mais ses lettres écrites à des écrivains et journalistes entre 1947 et 1966 peuvent être lues comme un roman épistolaire.
Production of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and lupeol by Lycium schweinfurthii suspension cultures in shake flasks and a rocking-motion bioreactor
Authors: Mamdouh Diaa , Neubauer Peter , Junne Stefan , Smetanska Iryna
Published: November 2024

Lycium schweinfurthii, a wild shrub of the Solanaceae family, has received increasing attention in the last decade for its therapeutic potential in traditional medicine due to its diverse array of secondary metabolites, including phenolic substances and terpenoids. The aim of this study was to investigate the accumulation of phenolics, flavonoids, and the terpenoid lupeol in L. schweinfurthii cell suspension shake flask cultures and a single-use 2-dimensional rocking motion bioreactor. Three different media formulations were compared for in vitro cell cultures. Various parameters, such as biomass accumulation, settled cell volume, cell viability (assessed via a 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride assay), and sucrose consumption were determined as indicators of cell activity and growth. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were estimated spectrophotometrically, lupeol was quantified via High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC). Although a higher fresh biomass concentration of 464 g L− 1 was obtained in MS medium supplemented with a combination of each, 1 mg L− 1 of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 1-Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), the rocking-motion bioreactor cultivation was performed with 2 mg L− 1 NAA due to its superior reproducibility in viability, productivity, and content of bioactive compounds (e.g., phenolics, flavonoids, lupeol). A final fresh biomass concentration of 185 g L− 1 was achieved in a 16 L cultivation scale with a notable increase in the concentration of phenolics (1.4-fold) and flavonoids (1.7-fold). Most importantly, the concentration of lupeol, a pentacyclic triterpenoid known for its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-atherogenic properties, exhibited a remarkable 5.5-fold increase in the bioreactor cultivation (585 µg g− 1) compared to shake flask cultivations (106 µg g− 1). The current study demonstrated the profound impact of media composition and non-limited fed-batch conditions in a rocking-motion bioreactor on the accumulation of bioactive compounds. The findings are also relevant to other plant cell cultures.
Milk production and composition in warm-climate regions: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Rashid Mohamed , Aboshady Hadeer M. , Agamy Rania , Archimede Harry
Published: November 2024

Milk production is a key component of the agriculture sector in the tropics and subtropics, contributing 47.32% to global milk production. This study aimed to quantify milk production and composition (fat and protein) in warm-climate regions located between 30 degrees north and south of the equator. A meta-analysis was conducted using the standardized mean (SM) for milk production, fat percentage, and protein percentage, all adjusted for dry matter intake (DMI), focusing on lactating ruminants. A total of 42, 11, 15, and 16 research papers were selected for cows, buffalo, sheep, and goats, respectively, encompassing 2421 animal records from experiments published between 1992 and 2024. The SM for milk production was 10.38, 9.77, 0.79, and 1.13 kg/day/animal for cows, buffalo, sheep, and goats, respectively. Due to the significant variance between different cow breeds, the study divided the cows into three main groups based on breed type crossbreds, foreign, and local breeds. The SM for milk production per animal was 11.49 kg/day for crossbreds, 22.95 kg/day for foreign breeds, and 7.13 kg/day for local breeds. The effect of DMI on the SM of milk production for cows, sheep, and goats was highly significant. For milk fat, the SM was 3.95, 6.64, 4.70, and 3.56% for cows, buffalo, sheep, and goats, respectively. Regarding milk protein, the SM was 3.36, 3.91, 4.34, and 3.45% for cows, buffalo, sheep, and goats, respectively. The results of this meta-analysis highlight that warm-climate regions are significant contributors to global dairy production. Furthermore, improving ruminant milk production and quality in hot climates need further efforts.
Discontinuity-Induced Dynamics in the Conductance-Based Adaptive Exponential Integrate-and-Fire Model
Authors: Desroches Mathieu , Kowalczyk Piotr , Rodrigues Serafim
Published: November 2024

In this article, we present a computational study of the Conductance-Based Adaptive Exponential (CAdEx) integrate-and-fire neuronal model, focusing on its multiple timescale nature, and on how it shapes its main dynamical regimes. In particular, we show that the spiking and so-called delayed bursting regimes of the model are triggered by discontinuity-induced bifurcations that are directly related to the multiple-timescale aspect of the model, and are mediated by canard solutions. By means of a numerical bifurcation analysis of the model, using the software package coco, we can precisely describe the mechanisms behind these dynamical scenarios. Spike-increment transitions are revealed. These transitions are accompanied by a fold and a period-doubling bifurcation, and are organised in parameter space along an isola periodic solutions with resets. Finally, we also unveil the presence of a homoclinic bifurcation terminating a canard explosion which, together with the presence of resets, organises the delayed bursting regime of the model.
Formation process of cover collapse sinkholes related to groundwater level decline in karst areas
Authors: Liu Xingzong , Chen Hongkai , Gong Bin , Jiang Guanghui , Wang Jintao
Published: November 2024

The decline in groundwater level is a key factor contributing to cover collapse in karst areas. In this study, the model tests and numerical simulations are conducted to reveal the breeding process and formation mechanism of cover collapse sinkholes caused by the decline of groundwater level in karst area. Firstly, the model tests confirm that the decline of groundwater level generates negative pressure at the lower edge of overlying soil. The negative pressure experiences four distinct phases during the groundwater drawdown process: rapid rise, slow decline, rapid decline, and gradual dissipation. The maximum negative pressure is influenced by the particle size distribution of the overlying soil. Then, the numerical simulations are carried out to investigate the change process of negative pressure caused by the loss of fillers in karst pipe. The simulated results indicate that the rate of groundwater decline and the thickness and initial void ratio of the overlying soil can affect the maximum negative pressure. As groundwater level drops, a negative pressure zone forms underground, causing tensile failure in the surrounding soil and creating an arched soil hole, which weakens the support for the overlying soil. This phenomenon can also lead to the collapse of the overlying soil under its self-weight. Groundwater table decline in karst areas can result in both internal and surface collapses. When the overlying soil is thin, internal and surface collapses occur simultaneously. In contrast, for thick overlying soil, internal collapse happens first, followed by a layer-by-layer collapse, ultimately forming sinkholes. Finally, the breeding process and formation mechanism of the Yujiawan Reservoir sinkholes are discussed. Geological conditions and groundwater level decline significantly affect internal collapse in karst areas, requiring careful consideration from on-site engineers.
Development of Four Component Scattering Power Decomposition Technique for Dual Polarization SAR Data
Authors: Rajat  , Avtar Ram
Published: November 2024

The increasing availability of dual-polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (PolSAR) data has led to a significant rise in its applications over the past few decades. Model-based decompositions combined with polarimetric information extraction from PolSAR data play a crucial role in target identification and classification. In this context, the covariance matrix [C], composed of four independent parameters, was used as the input for dual-pol four-component scattering power decomposition (DP-4SD). A novel 4SD model was tested using dual polarimetric SAR data from the spaceborne ALOS-2/PALSAR-2, and its performance was evaluated against existing scattering power decomposition methods. The performance of the proposed 4SD model was assessed using dual-polarization data from the Haldwani Forest and San Francisco to evaluate its classification capabilities within a single class (forest) and across various land use and land cover classes in San Francisco. The overall classification accuracy achieved was 85.69% for the Haldwani forest and 93.66% for San Francisco, with fewer unclassified samples compared with the existing model. The 4SD model demonstrates superior classification accuracy and enhances the interpretation of polarimetric information, indicating its potential to significantly improve land-use and land-cover mapping using dual PolSAR data.
Remote side-channel analysis of the loop PUF using a TDC-based voltage sensor
Authors: Probst Matthias , Tebelmann Lars , Wettermann Moritz , Pehl Michael
Published: November 2024

FPGAs promise significant performance improvements for several computations in cloud applications. However, their shared use in multi-tenant scenarios makes them susceptible to attacks. Different from classical scenarios, where the attacker has hardware access to the device, in cloud scenarios the attack is possible only from remote. As a consequence remote SCA attacks gained increasing attention in the last years. These attacks exploit that attacker and victim share with the same FPGA also the same PDN so that operation-dependent voltage fluctuations caused by the victim’s IP are observable by a voltage sensor of the attacker. While previous attacks in this domain focused on cryptographic algorithms, this work provides insights in an attack on a PUF primitive, the Loop PUF. This primitive is an interesting target for the attack since it might be used, e.g., for storing or deriving secret keys on a remote FPGA. We introduce and discuss the setup of such a remote SCA using a TDC-based voltage sensor. With this sensor, we compare the performance of classical and remote SCA attacks on the Loop PUF using two different Artix-7 FPGA and demonstrate and discuss findings regarding sampling frequency and placement. This work extends and deepens the analysis from a previously published analysis at the ASHES Workshop 2022. In particular, it provides insights into the influence of repeated measurements, measurement time, and usage of multiple TDCs on the attack performance. It also discusses the applicability of the attack to further RO-based PUF primitives. Overall the results show that remote SCA attacks on PUFs in a multi-tenant FPGA scenario have to be considered as a severe attack vector in the future.
Case report. Fungal balls, een zeldzame oorzaak van urosepsis
Authors: Kamphorst Kyara , Schrier Bart Ph.
Published: November 2024

Samenvatting

Deze patiëntbespreking betreft een patiënt met een zeldzame oorzaak van urosepsis, fungal balls. Nadat orale antifungale therapie niet hielp werd besloten intravesicale en intra-ureterale antifungale therapie te starten met amfotericine B‑spoelingen en later anidulafunginespoelingen. Bij geen verbetering werd besloten tot een robotgeassisteerde pyelo- en cystotomie, waarbij de fungal balls succesvol in toto werden verwijderd.
Identification and Spatiotemporal Characteristic Analysis of Compound Weather and Climate Extremes for Maize in Different Climate Zones of the Songliao Plain
Authors: Zhou Ziyuan , Guo Ying , Chen Dan , Li Kaiwei , Wang Rui , Wei Xiao , Zhang Jiquan , Zhao Chunli , Tong Zhijun , Liu Xingpeng
Published: November 2024

Due to global climate anomalies, the intensity and spatial extent of weather and climate extremes have increased notably. Therefore, extreme events must be studied to ensure agricultural production. In this study, the growing season accumulated temperature above 10 °C (GSAT10) was used as the climate regionalization index for maize in the Songliao Plain region, and the study area was divided into three climate zones. The standardized precipitation requirement index (SPRI) and standardized temperature index (STI) were introduced to analyze the spatial and temporal patterns of drought, waterlogging, and heat during the maize growing season from May to September using meteorological station data from the Songliao Plain between 1991 and 2020. The compound event magnitude indices were constructed by modeling the marginal distribution to detect the patterns of compound drought and heat events (CDHEs) and compound waterlogging and heat events (CWHEs), and to assess their potential impacts on maize production. The results show that: (1) The major meteorological disasters in the Songliao Plain region were drought and heat. The areas with prolonged high temperatures were similar to the areas with higher severity of temperature extremes, and were mainly concentrated in the central and southern parts of the study area (Zone 3). (2) The CWHEs mainly occurred in the northern part of the study area (Zones 1 and 2), and the CDHEs predominantly occurred in the central and southern parts of the study area. (3) For most sites on the Songliao Plain, the duration, severity, and intensity of compound extreme events were positively correlated with relative meteorological yield (Yw). Maize yield reduction was significantly affected by the CDHEs.
Phycoremediation of industrial wastewater: review of algae consortia
Authors: Walters C. , Steyn M. , Ndlela L. , Nocanda X. , Moloi M. , Oberholster P.
Published: November 2024

Industrialisation, population growth, and concomitant demand for fresh water have immensely impacted water quality and scarcity. In particular, wastewater generated from industries generally produces high amounts of nutrients, heavy metals, and chemicals that degrade the environment. Several algal species have been studied and utilized for their role in the treatment of various types of wastewater. Conventional wastewater treatment options are often expensive and energy-demanding, and generally ineffective at completely removing contaminants. Conversely, phycoremediation technology is an emerging green approach used to remove various types of pollutants from the environment while producing valuable compounds. Compared to conventional methods, phycoremediation presents as an eco-friendly and economically attractive alternative. This paper serves as a review of an algal-based treatment technology in wastewater remediation for industry, describing the most common microalgal consortia used for this purpose. Phycoremediation challenges and strategies to urgently accelerate steps towards achieving a clean and safe environment are presented, while examples of applications in industries are also provided.
Ukraine not ‘the’ Ukraine
Authors: Dyczok Marta
Published: November 2024

This Element is a historical tour of Ukraine from the medieval Kyivan prince Volodymyr the Great through to Ukraine's twenty-first-century rock star president Volodymyr Zelensky. It presents Ukraine as an actor, not a pawn, in international history. And it focuses on people. In the past, historians wrote about Ukraine from a colonial perspective that portrayed it as a region, not its own entity. This shaped the way people thought about Ukraine and created mental maps where it was just part of something else. Put in contemporary terms, Ukraine was subjected to a historical disinformation war. This Element joins voices that are decolonizing that way of thinking by drawing a different mental map, one where Ukraine exists as itself. It explains how the people living on its lands have their own distinct history, how they shaped it, were shaped by it, and had an impact on both European and global history.
The Roman Provinces, 300 BCE–300 CE
Authors: Burnett Andrew
Published: November 2024

Provincial coinage gives us a unique insight into the Roman world, reflecting the values and concerns of the elites of the many hundreds of cities in the Roman empire. Coins offer a very different perspective from written history, which usually represents the views of the senatorial class, and which was usually composed long after the events that are described. The coins, in contrast, provide evidence without hindsight, and uniquely allow a systematic examination across the whole Roman world. This volume makes it possible for instructors and students and scholars to deploy a complex set of material evidence on many historical topics. It includes over two hundred illustrations of coins with detailed captions, so providing a convenient sourcebook of the most important items, and covers topics such as the motivation for Roman conquest, the revolution of Augustus, the world of the Second Sophistic and the crisis of the third century.
Meta-analysis of predictors of healthcare-associated Clostridioides difficile infection
Authors: Fajnzylber Jesse , Patterson William M. , Nero Neil , Hernandez Adrian V. , Deshpande Abhishek
Published: November 2024

Our systematic review and meta-analysis of 40 studies (n = 3,905,559) identified gastric acid suppressants, recent hospitalization, antibiotic exposure, and certain comorbidities as independent predictors of healthcare-associated Clostridioides difficile infection (HA-CDI) among adult inpatients. Targeted antibiotic stewardship and judicious use of gastric acid suppressants can reduce the incidence of HA-CDI.
Prosoluble subgroups of free profinite products
Authors: Zalesskii Pavel
Published: November 2024

We describe finitely generated and second countable prosoluble subgroups of free profinite products. We also give a description of relatively projective prosoluble groups.
F. H. Bradley's Feeling as Hegelian Phenomenology
Authors: Barbour Kyle
Published: November 2024

In this essay, I argue for a reinterpretation of F. H. Bradley's theory of feeling based on the underemphasized influence of Hegel's phenomenology on Bradley's philosophy. While traditional interpretations of Bradleyan feeling often understand it to have strong metaphysical connotations, I argue that such interpretations result in an important distortion of the overall structure of Bradley's thought. Contra the metaphysical interpretation, I argue that Bradley's account of feeling can only be properly understood by interpreting his theory in light of his own explicit attributions of the theory to Hegel. By taking Bradley at his word that feeling truly is derived from Hegel, I argue that we are better able to understand the overall structure of Bradley's thought and the way in which he belongs to the neo-Hegelian tradition of philosophy. Through explaining the debt that Bradley owes to Hegel regarding feeling, an important source of disagreement between Bradley and Hegel will become apparent, namely, the ability for feeling to be subsumed within thought, thereby differentiating Bradley's and Hegel's ultimate characterizations of reality.
WeedScan, a weed reporting system for Australia using an image classification model for identification
Authors: Schmidt-Lebuhn Alexander N. , Bell Matt , Eckelmann Carsten , Evans Dane , Glanznig Andreas , Li Rongxin , Mitchell Andrew , Mitchell-Storey Tomas , Newton Michael , O’Duibhir Liam , Southerton Richard , Thomas Emily , Wu Hanwen
Published: November 2024

Fast and efficient identification is critical for reducing the likelihood of weed establishment and for appropriately managing established weeds. Traditional identification tools require either knowledge of technical morphological terminology or time-consuming image matching by the user. In recent years, deep learning computer vision models have become mature enough to enable automatic identification. The major remaining bottlenecks are the availability of a sufficient number of high-quality, reliably identified training images and the user-friendly, mobile operationalization of the technology. Here, we present the first weed identification and reporting app and website for all of Australia. It includes an image classification model covering more than 400 species of weeds and some Australian native relatives, with a focus on emerging biosecurity threats and spreading weeds that can still be eradicated or contained. It links the user to additional information provided by state and territory governments, flags species that are locally reportable or notifiable, and allows the creation of observation records in a central database. State and local weed officers can create notification profiles to be alerted of relevant weed observations in their area. We discuss the background of the WeedScan project, the approach taken in design and software development, the photo library used for training the WeedScan image classifier, the model itself and its accuracy, and technical challenges and how these were overcome.
The Impact of Interior Immigration Enforcement on the Lives of Undocumented Immigrants
Authors: Wong Tom K. , Shklyan Karina
Published: November 2024

How does interior immigration enforcement affect how undocumented immigrants describe their interactions with state and societal institutions? Although there is some evidence that points to a broad range of chilling effects that result when local law enforcement officials work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on federal immigration enforcement, there is no systematic study that collectively examines the impacts that may result with such enforcement efforts. We situate our paper as evidence of the homeland security state and show how contemporary interior immigration enforcement subjugates undocumented immigrants in nearly all facets of their interactions with state and societal institutions. To illustrate this, we embedded an experiment in a survey (n = 594) drawn from a probability-based sample of undocumented immigrants. When respondents are told that local law enforcement officials are working with ICE on federal immigration enforcement, they report that they would be less likely to report crimes they witness or are victims of to the police, use public services that require them to disclose their personal contact information, do business that requires them to disclose their personal contact information, and participate in public events where the police may be present, among other main findings.
Adaptive neural network-based sliding mode control for trajectory tracking control of cable-driven continuum robots with uncertainties
Authors: Chen Qi , Ming Chengjun , Qin Yanan
Published: November 2024

In this paper, a novel fast nonsingular integral terminal sliding mode controller based on an adaptive neural network (ANN-FNITSMC) is proposed for the trajectory tracking control of cable-driven continuum robots (CDCRs) in complex underwater environments with uncertainties. First, a novel fast nonsingular integral terminal sliding mode control (FNITSMC) is designed to solve the chattering and singularity problems of the conventional terminal sliding mode control (TSMC). Second, an adaptive neural network (ANN) based on a radial basis function (RBF) is established to derive the uncertainties and compensate for the control input of CDCRs, enabling high-stable accuracy and strong robustness trajectory tracking in complex underwater environments. Simulation results are presented to demonstrate the high accuracy and strong robustness of the ANN-FNITSMC. Finally, the high accuracy, high stability, and strong robustness of the proposed trajectory tracking strategy are verified through an underwater experiment platform.
Response of corn to reduced rates of tiafenacil applied at vegetative growth stages
Authors: Miller Donnie K. , Barber Tom L. , Bond Jason A. , Steckel Lawrence E. , Stephenson Daniel O. , Foster Matthew R. , Butts Thomas R. , Kouame Koffi Badou-Jeremie
Published: November 2024

Tiafenacil is a new nonselective protoporphyrinogen IX oxidase (PPO)–inhibiting herbicide with both grass and broadleaf activity labeled for preplant application to corn, cotton, soybean, and wheat. Early-season corn emergence and growth often coincides in the mid-South with preplant herbicide application in cotton and soybean, thereby increasing opportunity for off-target herbicide movement from adjacent fields. Field studies were conducted in 2022 to identify the impacts of reduced rates of tiafenacil (12.5% to 0.4% of the lowest labeled application rate of 24.64 g ai ha–1) applied to two- or four-leaf corn. Corn injury 1 wk after treatment (WAT) for the two- and four-leaf growth stages ranged from 31% to 6% and 37% to 9%, respectively, whereas at 2 WAT these respective ranges were 21.7% to 4% and 22.5% to 7.2%. By 4 WAT, visible injury following the two- and four-leaf exposure timing was no greater than 8% in all instances except the highest tiafenacil rate applied at the four-leaf growth stage (13%). Tiafenacil had no negative season-long impact, as the early-season injury observed was not manifested in a reduction in corn height 2 WAT or yield. Application of tiafenacil directly adjacent to corn in early vegetative stages of growth should be avoided. In cases where off-target movement does occur, however, affected corn should be expected to fully recover with no impact on growth and yield, assuming adequate growing conditions and agronomic/pest management practices are provided.
Observed Pathways and Interannual Variability of the Warm Inflow Onto the Continental Shelf in the Southern Weddell Sea
Authors: Steiger N. , Sallée J. B. , Darelius Elin , Janout Markus , Østerhus Svein
Published: November 2024

Model projections suggest that the continental shelf in the southern Weddell Sea may experience a shift from today's near‐freezing temperature to a much warmer state, where warm water floods the shelf and basal melt rates beneath the Filchner Ronne Ice Shelf increase dramatically. Today, the Filchner Trough serves as a conduit for the southward flow of Warm Deep Water (WDW) during summer and, thus, requires continuous monitoring of its hydrographic conditions. An extensive network of moorings was installed at key sites along the inflow pathway from 2017 to 2021, to expand on existing mooring records starting in 2014. The moorings complemented with under‐ice profiling floats reveal two inflow pathways, where WDW enters along the eastern flank of the Filchner Trough as well as through a smaller trough east of there. Within the observed period, 2017 and 2018 feature anomalously warm inflows. The inflow is regulated by the heaving of isopycnals over the continental slope, and the southward propagation toward Filchner Ice Shelf is two times faster during these warm years. Furthermore, the warm years coincide with low summer sea ice concentration, which enhances surface stratification through increased freshwater input and modifies sea ice‐ocean stresses that both act to lift the warm water layer and increase the temperatures on the continental shelf. Finally, the recent record low sea ice conditions around the Antarctic emphasize the importance of our findings and raise concerns regarding a potentially increasing presence of WDW on the southern Weddell Sea shelf.
Impact‐Based Skill Evaluation of Seasonal Precipitation Forecasts
Authors: Nikraftar Zahir , Mbuvha Rendani , Sadegh Mojtaba , Landman Willem A.
Published: November 2024

We introduce an impact‐based framework to evaluate seasonal forecast model skill in capturing extreme weather and climate events over regions prone to natural disasters such as floods and wildfires. Forecasting hydroclimatic extremes holds significant importance in an era of increasing hazards such as wildfires, floods, and droughts. We evaluate the performance of five Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) seasonal forecast models (CMCC, DWD, ECCC, UK‐Met, and Météo‐France) in predicting extreme precipitation events from 1993 to 2016 using 14 indices reflecting timing and intensity (using absolute and locally defined thresholds) of precipitation at a seasonal timescale. Performance metrics, including Percent Bias, Kendall Tau Rank Correlation Score, and models' discrimination capacity, are used for skill evaluation. Our findings indicate that the performance of models varies markedly across regions and seasons. While models generally show good skill in the tropical regions, their skill in extra‐tropical regions is markedly lower. Elevated precipitation thresholds (i.e., higher intensity indices) correlate with heightened model biases, indicating deficiencies in modeling severe precipitation events. Our analysis using an impact‐based framework highlights the superior predictive capabilities of the UK‐Met and Météo‐France models in capturing the underlying processes that drive precipitation events, or lack thereof, across many regions and seasons. Other models exhibit strong performance in specific regions and/or seasons, but not globally. These results advance our understanding of an impact‐based framework in capturing a broad spectrum of extreme weather and climatic events, and inform strategic amalgamation of diverse models across different regions and seasons, thereby offering valuable insights for disaster management and risk analysis.