bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measurement error prediction of CVT based on DenseNet-GRU network
Authors: Chen Xu , Zhang Chao , Zhang Haomiao , Cheng Zhiqiang , Xu Yinzhe , Yan Yu , Su Yingchun , Ou Long
Published: September 2024

Capacitor voltage transformer (CVT) out-of-tolerance is one of the main factors causing power metering losses. In order to accurately predict CVT errors and avoid losses caused by CVT out-of-tolerance in a timely manner, this paper proposes a CVT error prediction algorithm based on the DenseNet-GRU network. This method uses CVT historical error data and environmental parameters as data samples to establish DenseNet-GRU Error prediction model achieves accurate prediction of CVT errors. In order to verify the effectiveness of the model, experimental comparisons were conducted with error prediction models established by similar algorithms. The results showed that the average absolute percentage error, root mean square error, and coefficient of determination of the prediction results of the DenseNet-GRU model were optimal and had higher prediction performance. The accuracy and robustness provide ideas and support for subsequent CVT error prediction research work.
Numerical modeling of borehole thermal energy storage in unsaturated soils
Authors: Meng Boyan , Luo Wenxing , Chen Guifan , Zhang Xiaoxiao
Published: September 2024

Borehole Thermal Energy Storage (BTES) in unsaturated soils offers advantages such as enhanced heat storage efficiency and widespread accessibility. However, the complex heat and mass transfer mechanisms and their impact on BTES performance necessitate further investigation. In this study, a componential two-phase heat transfer and fluid flow model was employed to examine the key mechanisms impacting the heat storage performance of a soil BTES system. Simulated results reveal that changes in soil thermal and hydraulic properties due to heat injection may significantly affect the heat transfer mechanisms and heat storage performance of the system. In particular, strong convective heat transfer may cause a reduction in heat storage efficiency. Comparison with results from the heat conduction model demonstrates the effectiveness of the modeling approach, especially when drying out occurs. The findings of this study can inform the design of soil BTES systems.
Simulation study of CCFL phenomenon in downcomer during refilling stage based on two-fluid three-field model
Authors: Zhou Fanfan , Zhang Hao , Chen Lin , Yang Yanhua
Published: September 2024

This study adopts a two-fluid three-field model instead of a traditional CCFL model to study hydraulic behavior in downcomers during a refilling stage. UPTF Test 6, a cold leg injection experiment, is simulated by the subchannel program cosSUBC. Results show that the flow field distribution in the downcomer is non-uniform. Coarser node divisions cannot simulate the actual flow field in the downcomer. The effectiveness of the interphase friction model in cosSUBC is verified by comparing simulated and experimental results. Compared with the simulation results of the CCFL model, cosSUBC has a smaller error and can predict the CCFL phenomenon in downcomers more accurately.
Algebraic discrete quantum harmonic oscillator with dynamic resolution scaling
Authors: May Michael Q , Qin Hong
Published: September 2024

We develop an algebraic formulation for the discrete quantum harmonic oscillator (DQHO) from the Hamiltonian for two, coupled QHOs and provide a physical picture for the Kravchuk function eigenstates of the oscillator. The familiar

su

(
2
)

structure of the coupled QHO Hamiltonian divides its spectrum into sets corresponding to the DQHO at different resolutions. In addition to energy ladder operators, the formulation allows for the introduction of resolution ladder operators connecting all DQHOs with different resolutions, thus enabling the dynamic scaling of the resolution of finite degree-of-freedom quantum simulations. The coherent state of the DQHO is constructed, and its expected position is proven to oscillate as a classical harmonic oscillator. The DQHO coherent state recovers that of the quantum harmonic oscillator at large resolution.
Liquid crystals generate entangled photon pairs
Authors: Wogan Tim
Published: September 2024

Researchers in Germany and Slovenia have found a new, more adaptable way of generating entangled photons, which relies on liquid crystals rather than solid ones.
Radiocarbon dating narrows age estimate of Kyrenia shipwreck
Authors: Jarman Sam
Published: September 2024

Tighter constraints have been placed on the age of an ancient Greek merchant ship, known as the Kyrenia shipwreck.
NASA cancels $450m VIPER lunar prospector
Authors: Banks Michael
Published: September 2024

NASA has cancelled the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) project, a major lunar mission, despite spending almost half a billion dollars on it.
Pistachios, LEGO bricks and space urine
Authors: Banks Michael
Published: September 2024

Michael Banks picks his favourite stories and quotes from the weird and wonderful world of physics.
Verifiable quantum homomorphic encryption based on garbled evaluation
Authors: He Renke , Chen Lingli , Li Qin , Tan Xiaoqing , Chen Lv
Published: September 2024

Quantum homomorphic encryption (QHE) can allow directly computation on the encrypted data without need to decrypt it in advance. It is also necessary to provide another property of verifiability that the client should verify whether the evaluation result is correct. However, most existing QHE schemes did not consider it and only assumed servers to be honest. In this paper, we propose a verifiable QHE (vQHE) scheme by using different types of circuits indistinguishable to the server, where the client can detect whether the server is honest or not by verifying the results of test circuits. Furthermore, by designing the gadgets to implement and test T gates and H gates in a non-interactive way for the used circuits, the proposed vQHE scheme does not require interaction during the process of evaluation. Thus the proposed vQHE scheme has the potential to make clients prefer to use it for protecting their private data in future quantum cloud environments.
Estimating the Ebro river discharge at 1 km/daily resolution using indirect satellite observations
Authors: Pellet Victor , Aires Filipe , Baez Villa Nueva Oscar , Filippucci Paolo
Published: September 2024

Estimating river discharge Q at global scale from satellite observations is not yet fully satisfactory in part because of limited space/time resolution. Furthermore, on highly anthropized basins, it is essential to anchor the analysis to reliable Q measurements. Gauge networks are however very sparse and limited in time, and SWOT (Surface Water Ocean Topography) river discharge estimates at global scale are not yet available. The method proposed here is able to obtain continuous daily Q estimates at 1 km/daily resolution, using indirect satellite data and ground-based estimates. We focus here on the Ebro. Over such an anthropized basin (e.g. change of land use, irrigation), the exploitation of 205 available gauges at their nominal resolution (i.e., daily point measurements) is a necessity. The hydrological Continuum model is used to help interpolate spatially and temporally the observations into our optimal interpolation scheme. The proposed Q-mapping is similar to an assimilation scheme were Earth observations (precipitation, evapotranspiration and total water storage change) and model simulations are constrained by in situ gauge measurements. The Q estimates are evaluated using a rigorous leave-one-out experiment, showing a good agreement with the in situ data: a correlation of 0.72 (median), and a 75th percentile of Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency up to 0.62. Our spatio-temporal continuous Q estimates at high spatial/temporal resolution can describe complex continental water dynamics, including extreme events. SWOT estimates will soon be available, at the global scale but with irregular space/time sampling: our method should help exploit them to obtain a regular space-temporal description of the water cycle at high resolution.
ETLoViT: an acne diagnose approach using vision-transformers and model ensembling
Authors: Paluri Krishna Veni , Gupta Ashish
Published: September 2024

Acne, a widespread skin condition predominantly affecting teenagers, presents intricate challenges in its diagnosis. Recent advances in deep learning, machine learning, and image processing methods have made it possible to diagnose acne automatically and effectively. However, achieving higher acne classification accuracy is still one of the concerns with these methods. Therefore, this paper introduces a group of trained models based on transfer learning that is applied to Vision Transformer extracted features (ETLoViT). These models are trained using two innovative deep-learning methods: the Vision Transformer (ViT) and model ensembling for acne image classification. The ViT approach harnesses the power of the attention module to extract acne features efficiently. These extracted features are subsequently run through different transfer learning models, such as MobileNetV2, VGG16, and InceptionResNetV2. The predicted results were subsequently combined for classification. The proposed model (ETLoViT) is compared with standing deep learning models, and the outcomes demonstrate that the proposed (ETLoViT) model consistently performs better, achieving an astounding 96% classification accuracy.
Multi-fidelity Gaussian process surrogate modeling for regression problems in physics
Authors: Ravi Kislaya , Fediukov Vladyslav , Dietrich Felix , Neckel Tobias , Buse Fabian , Bergmann Michael , Bungartz Hans-Joachim
Published: September 2024

One of the main challenges in surrogate modeling is the limited availability of data due to resource constraints associated with computationally expensive simulations. Multi-fidelity methods provide a solution by chaining models in a hierarchy with increasing fidelity, associated with lower error, but increasing cost. In this paper, we compare different multi-fidelity methods employed in constructing Gaussian process surrogates for regression. Non-linear autoregressive methods in the existing literature are primarily confined to two-fidelity models, and we extend these methods to handle more than two levels of fidelity. Additionally, we propose enhancements for an existing method incorporating delay terms by introducing a structured kernel. We demonstrate the performance of these methods across various academic and real-world scenarios. Our findings reveal that multi-fidelity methods generally have a smaller prediction error for the same computational cost as compared to the single-fidelity method, although their effectiveness varies across different scenarios.
Accelerating cavity fault prediction using deep learning at Jefferson Laboratory
Authors: Rahman Md M , Carpenter A , Iftekharuddin K , Tennant C
Published: September 2024

Accelerating cavities are an integral part of the continuous electron beam accelerator facility (CEBAF) at Jefferson Laboratory. When any of the over 400 cavities in CEBAF experiences a fault, it disrupts beam delivery to experimental user halls. In this study, we propose the use of a deep learning model to predict slowly developing cavity faults. By utilizing pre-fault signals, we train a long short-term memory-convolutional neural network binary classifier to distinguish between radio-frequency (RF) signals during normal operation and RF signals indicative of impending faults. We optimize the model by adjusting the fault confidence threshold and implementing a multiple consecutive window criterion to identify fault events, ensuring a low false positive rate. Results obtained from analysis of a real dataset collected from the accelerating cavities simulating a deployed scenario demonstrate the model’s ability to identify normal signals with 99.99% accuracy and correctly predict 80% of slowly developing faults. Notably, these achievements were achieved in the context of a highly imbalanced dataset, and fault predictions were made several hundred milliseconds before the onset of the fault. Anticipating faults enables preemptive measures to improve operational efficiency by preventing or mitigating their occurrence.
Machine learning stochastic differential equations for the evolution of order parameters of classical many-body systems in and out of equilibrium
Authors: Carnazza Francesco , Carollo Federico , Andergassen Sabine , Martius Georg , Klopotek Miriam , Lesanovsky Igor
Published: September 2024

We develop a machine learning algorithm to infer the emergent stochastic equation governing the evolution of an order parameter of a many-body system. We train our neural network to independently learn the directed force acting on the order parameter as well as an effective diffusive noise. We illustrate our approach using the classical Ising model endowed with Glauber dynamics, and the contact process as test cases. For both models, which represent paradigmatic equilibrium and nonequilibrium scenarios, the directed force and noise can be efficiently inferred. The directed force term of the Ising model allows us to reconstruct an effective potential for the order parameter which develops the characteristic double-well shape below the critical temperature. Despite its genuine nonequilibrium nature, such an effective potential can also be obtained for the contact process and its shape signals a phase transition into an absorbing state. Also, in contrast to the equilibrium Ising model, the presence of an absorbing state renders the noise term dependent on the value of the order parameter itself.
Fanny Hensel, born Fanny Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (1805–1847)
Authors: Wilson Miranda
Published: September 2024

The nineteenth century was the golden age of the cello-piano sonata. The Romantic composers Hensel, Mendelssohn, Chopin, Farrenc, Brahms, and Smyth, all of whom were pianists, found ways to showcase the lyrical qualities of the cello alongside piano parts of concerto-level difficulty. While Beethoven’s blueprint for the cello-piano sonata influenced all these composers, they also created innovations to the form through their use of harmonically rich, dramatically expressive Romantic language. Nineteenth-century developments to virtuoso technique also made it possible to write increasingly difficult material in cello parts. The dedicatees of several of the sonatas in this chapter—Count Mateusz Wielhorski for Mendelssohn, Auguste Franchomme for Chopin, and Julius Klengel for Smyth—were among the celebrity virtuosos of their day.
‘The King[’s] Courts as the fountain of justice’ and the supremacy of ordinary law: implications for English arbitration
Authors: Clover Alcolea Lucas
Published: September 2024

English arbitration law is predicated on a uniquely close relation between the courts and arbitration with, historically, substantial interference and review by the former over the latter, although in recent decades statutory reform and ‘judicial legislation’ have curtailed this. Nevertheless, English arbitration law is almost unique among leading arbitration jurisdictions in permitting appeals on points of law, as well as emphasizing the importance of the law of the seat, and a consequent trenchant rejection of the possibility of delocalized arbitration. This article suggests that these idiosyncrasies flow from the twin English constitutional principles that ‘The King is the fountain of justice’ (although in practice this means the King’s Courts) and the supremacy of ordinary law and tribunals. These principles entail a concomitant individual right to petition the King’s Courts to remedy injustice and the subjection of everyone, no matter how rich or powerful, to the same law and courts. This, in turn, explains English reluctance to permit ousters of the Court’s jurisdiction, which persists even under the current pro-arbitration regime as regards vulnerable parties, and a rejection of the idea of ‘freedom from law’ whether on the part of state authorities or private parties such as arbitral tribunals.
Hidden hurts: life with lichen sclerosus – a patient’s perspective
Authors: Galentine Elena , Powers Camille M , McAleer Leah , Rivera Dixon Sydney , Mauskar Melissa M
Published: September 2024

Teaser text

A patient with vulvar lichen sclerosus bravely shares her experiences living with this hidden, painful, life-altering and potentially stigmatizing vulvar condition. Complemented by a clinician’s perspective on the complexities of managing such patients, this piece aims to illuminate the many psychosocial challenges posed by lichen sclerosus. Through this dual narrative, we seek to deepen providers’ knowledge of the impact lichen sclerosus has on patients’ lives and the nuanced care required to support them.
Brain glycogen build-up measured by magnetic resonance spectroscopy in classic infantile Pompe disease
Authors: Najac Chloé , van der Beek Nadine A M E , Boer Vincent O , van Doorn Pieter A , van der Ploeg Ans T , Ronen Itamar , Kan Hermien E , van den Hout Johanna M P
Published: September 2024

Classic infantile Pompe disease is caused by abnormal lysosomal glycogen accumulation in multiple tissues, including the brain due to a deficit in acid α-glucosidase. Although treatment with recombinant human acid α-glucosidase has dramatically improved survival, recombinant human acid α-glucosidase does not reach the brain, and surviving classic infantile Pompe patients develop progressive cognitive deficits and white matter lesions. We investigated the feasibility of measuring non-invasively glycogen build-up and other metabolic alterations in the brain of classic infantile Pompe patients. Four classic infantile patients (8–16 years old) and 4 age-matched healthy controls were scanned on a 7 T MRI scanner. We used T2-weighted MRI to assess the presence of white matter lesions as well as 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy and magnetic resonance spectroscopy imaging to obtain the neurochemical profile and its spatial distribution, respectively. All patients had widespread white matter lesions on T2-weighted images. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy data from a single volume of interest positioned in the periventricular white matter showed a clear shift in the neurochemical profile, particularly a significant increase in glycogen (result of acid α-glucosidase deficiency) and decrease in N-acetyl-aspartate (marker of neuronal damage) in patients. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy imaging results were in line and showed a widespread accumulation of glycogen and a significant lower level of N-acetyl-aspartate in patients. Our results illustrate the unique potential of 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (imaging) to provide a non-invasive readout of the disease pathology in the brain. Further study will assess its potential to monitor disease progression and the correlation with cognitive decline.
Investigating recovery after a spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage in zebrafish larvae
Authors: Crilly Siobhan , Shand Isabel , Bennington Abigail , McMahon Emily , Flatman Daisy , Tapia Victor S , Kasher Paul R
Published: September 2024

Intracerebral haemorrhage is a debilitating stroke sub-type with high morbidity and mortality rates. For survivors, rehabilitation is a long process, and with no available therapeutics to limit the immediate pathophysiology of the haemorrhage, recovery is dependent on individual neuroplasticity. We have previously shown that zebrafish larvae can be used to model spontaneous brain haemorrhage. Zebrafish exhibit innate recovery mechanisms and are often used as a model system for investigation into regeneration after injury, including injury to the nervous system. Here, we investigate the spontaneous and immediate recovery in zebrafish larvae following an intracerebral haemorrhage at 2 days post-fertilisation, during pre-protected stages and over the first 3 weeks of life. We have shown that following the onset of bleed at ∼2 days post-fertilisation zebrafish are capable of clearing the haematoma through the ventricles. Brain cell damage associated with intracerebral haemorrhage is resolved within 48 h, and this recovery is associated with survival rates equal to wildtype and non-haemorrhaged sibling control animals. Larvae express more nestin-positive neural progenitor cells 24 h after injury when the most damage is observed, and through mass spectrometry analysis, we have determined that these cells are highly proliferative and may specially differentiate into oligodendrocytes. This study provides an insight into the haematoma resolution processes in a live, intact organism, and may suggest potential therapeutic approaches to support the recovery of intracerebral haemorrhage patients.
The Effects of Vaccination Status and Age on Clinical Characteristics and Severity of Measles Cases in the United States in the Postelimination Era, 2001–2022
Authors: Leung Jessica , Munir Naeemah A , Mathis Adria D , Filardo Thomas D , Rota Paul A , Sugerman David E , Sowers Sun B , Mercader Sara , Crooke Stephen N , Gastañaduy Paul A
Published: September 2024

Background

Despite high vaccine effectiveness, wild-type measles can occur in previously vaccinated persons. We compared the clinical presentation and disease severity of measles by vaccination status and age in the postelimination era in the United States.

Methods

We included U.S. measles cases reported from 2001 to 2022. Breakthrough measles was defined as cases with ≥1 documented dose of measles-containing vaccine, classic measles as the presence of rash, fever, and ≥1 symptoms (cough, coryza, or conjunctivitis), and severe disease as the presence of pneumonia, encephalitis, hospitalization, or death. Vaccinated cases with low- and high-avidity immunoglobulin G were classified as primary (PVF) and secondary (SVF) vaccine failures, respectively.

Results

Among 4056 confirmed measles cases, 2799 (69%) were unvaccinated, 475 (12%) were breakthrough infections, and 782 (19%) had unknown vaccination; 1526 (38%), 1174 (29%), and 1355 (33%) were aged <5, 5–19, and ≥20 years, respectively. We observed a general decline in classic presentation and severe disease with an increase in the number of doses and fewer complications among children aged 5–19 years compared to other age groups. Among 93 breakthrough cases with avidity results, 11 (12%) and 76 (82%) were classified as PVF and SVF, respectively, with a higher proportion of PVFs having a classic measles presentation and severe disease than SVFs.

Discussion

Breakthrough measles cases tended to have milder disease with less complications. A small proportion of breakthrough infections were due to PVF than SVF. It is critical to maintain high measles-mumps-rubella vaccination coverage in the United States to prevent serious measles illnesses.
A simplified approach to discriminate between healthy subjects and patients with heart failure using cardiac magnetic resonance myocardial deformation imaging
Authors: Witt Undine Ella , Müller Maximilian Leo , Beyer Rebecca Elisabeth , Wieditz Johannes , Salem Susanna , Hashemi Djawid , Chen Wensu , Cvetkovic Mina , Nolden Anna Clara , Doeblin Patrick , Blum Moritz , Thiede Gisela , Huppertz Alexander , Steen Henning , Remppis Bjoern Andrew , Falk Volkmar , Friede Tim , Kelle Sebastian
Published: September 2024

Aims

Left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS) shows promise as a marker to detect early heart failure (HF). This study sought to (i) establish cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR)–derived LV-GLS cut-offs to differentiate healthy from HF for both acquisition-based and post-processing techniques, (ii) assess agreement, and (iii) provide a method to convert LV-GLS between both techniques.

Methods and results

A secondary analysis of a prospective study enrolling healthy subjects (n = 19) and HF patients (n = 56) was conducted. LV-GLS was measured using fast strain–encoded imaging (fSENC) and feature tracking (FT). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed to derive and evaluate LV-GLS cut-offs discriminating between healthy, HF with mild deformation impairment (DI), and HF with severe DI. Linear regression and Bland–Altman analyses assessed agreement. Cut-offs discriminating between healthy and HF were identified at −19.3% and −15.1% for fSENC and FT, respectively. Cut-offs of −15.8% (fSENC) and −10.8% (FT) further distinguished mild from severe DI. No significant differences in area under ROC curve were identified between fSENC and FT. Bland–Altman analysis revealed a bias of −4.01%, 95% CI −4.42, −3.50 for FT, considering fSENC as reference. Linear regression suggested a factor of 0.76 to rescale fSENC-derived LV-GLS to FT. Using this factor on fSENC-derived cut-offs yielded rescaled FT LV-GLS cut-offs of −14.7% (healthy vs. HF) and −12% (mild vs. severe DI).

Conclusion

LV-GLS distinguishes healthy from HF with high accuracy. Each measurement technique requires distinct cut-offs, but rescaling factors facilitate conversion. An FT-based LV-GLS ≥ −15% simplifies HF detection in clinical routine.
Prognostic significance of estimated pulse wave velocity in critically ill patients with coronary heart disease: analysis from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV database
Authors: Gu Yingzhen , Han Xiaorong , Liu Jinxing , Li Yifan , Li Zuozhi , Zhang Wei , Lv Naqiang , Dang Aimin
Published: September 2024

Background

There are currently no specialized risk scoring systems for critically ill patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Arterial stiffness, as measured by estimated pulse wave velocity (ePWV), has emerged as a potential indicator of mortality or adverse cardiovascular events in individuals with CHD. This study aimed to evaluate the association between ePWV and all-cause mortality among critically ill patients with CHD beyond traditional risk scores.

Methods and results

This study included 11 001 participants with CHD from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV, with a 1-year follow-up. The primary endpoint was 1-year all-cause mortality, and the secondary endpoint was in-hospital mortality. Elevated ePWV was significantly associated with higher risks of in-hospital [odds ratio 1.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12–1.17, P < 0.001] and 1-year (hazard ratio 1.21, 95% CI 1.20–1.23, P < 0.001) mortality. These associations remained consistent when adjusted for traditional risk scores and potential confounders. When ePWV was integrated into traditional risk scoring models (Oxford Acute Severity of Illness Score, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, Acute Physiology Score III, Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome score, Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, and Logistic Organ Dysfunction System score), the predictive accuracy (area under the curve: 64.55–70.56, 64.32–72.51, 72.35–75.80, 55.58–67.68, 71.27–73.53, and 67.24–73.40, P < 0.001) and reclassification (net reclassification index: 0.230, 0.268, 0.257, 0.255, 0.221, and 0.254; integrated discrimination improvement: 0.049, 0.072, 0.054, 0.068, 0.037, and 0.061, P < 0.001) of these models significantly improved for 1-year mortality. Similar results were also found for in-hospital mortality.

Conclusions

Estimated pulse wave velocity is a strong independent predictor of both short- and long-term mortality in critically ill patients with CHD. Importantly, integrating ePWV into traditional risk scores significantly boosts the predictive accuracy for 1-year and in-hospital all-cause mortality.
Lobbying for Globalisation
Authors: Blanga-Gubbay Michael , Conconi Paola , Parenti Mathieu
Published: September 2024

Using detailed information from lobbying reports filed under the Lobbying Disclosure Act, we construct a unique dataset that allows us to identify which firms lobby on free trade agreements negotiated by the United States, their positions (in favour or against) and their lobbying efforts on the ratification of each trade agreement. Using this dataset, we show that lobbying on free trade agreements is dominated by large multinational firms, which are in favour of these agreements. On the intensive margin, we exploit exogenous variation across free trade agreements to show that individual firms put more effort into supporting agreements that generate larger potential gains—larger improvements in their access to foreign consumers and suppliers and smaller increases in domestic competition—and that are more likely to be opposed by politicians. To rationalise these findings, we develop a new model of endogenous lobbying on trade agreements. In this model, heterogeneous firms select into trade and choose whether and how much to spend lobbying on the ratification of a free trade agreement, and politicians may be biased in favour of or against the agreement.
Numeracy and the legacy of slavery: age-heaping in the Danish West Indies before and after emancipation from slavery, 1780s–1880s
Authors: Rönnbäck Klas , Galli Stefania , Theodoridis Dimitrios
Published: September 2024

In many slave societies, enslaved persons were barred from acquiring much education. What skills the enslaved persons nonetheless were able to acquire, and how this changed following emancipation from slavery, is not well known. We study quantitatively how a legacy of slavery impacted upon the development of basic numeracy skills. Our results show that numeracy skills started to improve in the population under study following the legal abolition of slavery. Investments in public schooling during this period thus seem to have been important for the increased learning of basic numeracy skills.
Regulation of Kv1.2 Redox-Sensitive Gating by the Transmembrane Lectin LMAN2
Authors: Lamothe Shawn M , Das Damayantee , Wong Anson A , Hao Yubin , Maguire Aislinn D , Kerr Bradley J , Baronas Victoria A , Kurata Harley T
Published: September 2024

Voltage gated potassium (Kv)1.2 channels influence excitability and action potential propagation in the nervous system. Unlike closely related Kv1 channels, Kv1.2 exhibits highly variable voltage-dependence of gating, attributed to regulation by unidentified extrinsic factors. Variability of Kv1.2 gating is strongly influenced by the extracellular redox potential, and we demonstrate that Kv1.2 currents in dorsal root ganglion sensory neurons exhibit similar variability and redox sensitivity as observed when the channel is heterologously expressed in cell lines. We used a functional screening approach to test the effects of candidate regulatory proteins on Kv1.2 gating, using patch clamp electrophysiology. Among 52 candidate genes tested, we observed that co-expression with the transmembrane lectin LMAN2 led to a pronounced gating shift of Kv1.2 activation to depolarized voltages in CHO and L(tk-) cell lines, accompanied by deceleration of activation kinetics. Overexpression of LMAN2 promoted a slow gating mode of Kv1.2 that mimics the functional outcomes of extracellular reducing conditions, and enhanced sensitivity to extracellular reducing agents. In contrast, shRNA-mediated knockdown of endogenous LMAN2 in cell lines reduced Kv1.2 redox sensitivity and gating variability. Kv1.2 sensitivity to LMAN2 is abolished by mutation of neighboring residues F251 and T252 in the intracellular S2-S3 linker, and these also abolish redox-dependent gating changes, suggesting that LMAN2 influences the same pathway as redox for Kv1.2 modulation. In conclusion, we identified LMAN2 as a candidate regulatory protein that influences redox-dependent modulation of Kv1.2, and clarified the structural elements of the channel that are required for sensitivity.
Animal-Assisted Stress Management for Veterinary Staff
Authors: Eaton-Stull Yvonne M , Streidl Christopher , Jaffe Batya G , Kuehn Sarah , Kaufman Alexandra
Published: September 2024

High levels of stress have a detrimental impact on veterinary staff, negatively influencing their mental health and contributing to high rates of suicide. Veterinary social workers are tasked with providing interventions to reverse these consequences and support the professional’s health and well-being. Twenty-one veterinary staff participated in a study to evaluate the impact of animal-assisted support. Over three months, participants attended one or two therapy dog visits per month, interacting with therapy dogs for a minimum of 10 minutes each session. Pre- and postmeasures of blood pressure, heart rate, and self-reported stress were taken at each session. A measure to assess compassion fatigue and satisfaction was administered at the end of each session, and at the conclusion of the study participants’ thoughts about the visits from the therapy dogs were assessed. Significant reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure were found as well as significantly lower ratings of self-reported stress. Additionally, participants looked forward to these visits stating they made them happy, helped them feel better, and took their mind off their troubles. Considering the growing utilization of therapy dogs, this timely study adds to the body of evidence, highlighting the benefits of animal-assisted interventions with veterinarian staff.
Substance Use and Mental Health among Canadian Social Workers
Authors: Kiepek Niki , Beagan Brenda
Published: September 2024

This article reports the findings of an online survey designed to collect information about substance use (licit, illicit, or pharmaceutical) and mental health (depression or anxiety) among social workers. Among the 489 participants, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) screenings indicated symptoms of depression and anxiety at a higher prevalence than those of the general Canadian population. There were relatively few correlations between mental health scores and substance use. PHQ-9 total score significantly predicted past-year antidepressant use and past-year sleeping medication use. GAD-7 total score significantly predicted past-year benzodiazepine use and past-year melatonin use. Effects of substances (e.g., cannabis, alcohol, benzodiazepines, cocaine, ecstasy) were predominantly beneficial or nonproblematic (e.g., enjoyment/pleasure; socializing enhanced; concentration/focus improved). Subjective experiences of social workers should be sought to understand potential relationships between mental health scores and enhancement effects of substance use. Substances are being used, at least in part, for their performance-enhancing effects to meet the expectations of day-to-day life. Interventions can shift toward root causes, with institutions held more accountable for supporting social workers and promoting “workplace care.”
Validation of the Attitudes toward Lying to People with Dementia (ALPD) Questionnaire among Social Workers in Spain
Authors: Yusta-Tirado Rubén , Gallardo-Peralta Lorena P , Gálvez-Nieto José Luis , Sánchez-Moreno Esteban
Published: September 2024

Gerontological interventions should address the various geriatric syndromes suffered by the elderly, such as neurodegenerative diseases. Therapeutic lying is an effective and humanizing strategy to deal with dementia, used by various disciplines in the social and healthcare fields. This intervention strategy is made up of all the different responses to reality that are given to a person with cognitive impairment. This study analyzes the validity of the Spanish adaptation of the Attitudes toward Lying to People with Dementia (ALPD) questionnaire, given to 253 social workers who directly and indirectly intervened with older people suffering from cognitive impairment in public and private centers in Spain during the year 2022. The results of the validity and reliability analyses support the psychometric quality of ALPD for use in Spanish social workers. The statistical results indicate a good fit of the bifactor model (person-focused and lie-focused) and show the questionnaire to be reliable, with adequate psychometric properties. The article concludes with a discussion of practical, formative, and ethical challenges for social work in the field of geriatric services.
Differential Impact of Adolescent or Adult Stress on Behavior and Cortical Parvalbumin Interneurons and Perineuronal Nets in Male and Female Mice
Authors: Santos-Silva Thamyris , Souza Beatriz Kinchin , Colodete Débora Akemi Endo , Campos Lara Ramos , Lima Thaís Santos Almeida , Guimarães Francisco S , Gomes Felipe V
Published: September 2024

Background

Stress has become a common public health concern, contributing to the rising prevalence of psychiatric disorders. Understanding the impact of stress considering critical variables, such as age, sex, and individual differences, is of the utmost importance for developing effective intervention strategies.

Methods

Stress effects (daily footshocks for 10 days) during adolescence (postnatal day [PND] 31–40) and adulthood (PND 65–74) were investigated on behavioral outcomes and parvalbumin (PV)-expressing GABAergic interneurons and their associated perineuronal nets (PNNs) in the prefrontal cortex of male and female mice 5 weeks post stress.

Results

In adulthood, adolescent stress induced behavioral alterations in male mice, including anxiety-like behaviors, social deficits, cognitive impairments, and altered dopamine system responsivity. Applying integrated behavioral z-score analysis, we identified sex-specific differences in response to adolescent stress, with males displaying greater vulnerability than females. Furthermore, adolescent-stressed male mice showed decreased PV+ and PNN+ cell numbers and PV+/PNN+ colocalization, while in females, adolescent stress reduced prefrontal PV+/PNN+ colocalization in the prefrontal cortex. Further analysis identified distinct behavioral clusters, with certain females demonstrating resilience to adolescent stress-induced deficits in sociability and PV+ cell number. Adult stress in male and female mice did not cause long-lasting changes in behavior and PV+ and PNN+ cell number.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that the timing of stress, sex, and individual variabilities seem to be determinants for the development of behavioral changes associated with psychiatric disorders, particularly in male mice during adolescence.
Low regularity error estimates for the time integration of 2D NLS
Authors: Ji Lun , Ostermann Alexander , Rousset Frédéric , Schratz Katharina
Published: September 2024

A filtered Lie splitting scheme is proposed for the time integration of the cubic nonlinear Schrödinger equation on the two-dimensional torus $\mathbb{T}^{2}$. The scheme is analysed in a framework of discrete Bourgain spaces, which allows us to consider initial data with low regularity; more precisely initial data in $H^{s}(\mathbb{T}^{2})$ with $s>0$. In this way, the usual stability restriction to smooth Sobolev spaces with index $s>1$ is overcome. Rates of convergence of order $\tau ^{s/2}$ in $L^{2}(\mathbb{T}^{2})$ at this regularity level are proved. Numerical examples illustrate that these convergence results are sharp.
A genome assembly for the Chryxus Arctic (Oeneis chryxus), the highest butterfly in North America
Authors: MacDonald Zachary G , Schoville Sean , Escalona Merly , Marimuthu Mohan P A , Nguyen Oanh , Chumchim Noravit , Fairbairn Colin W , Seligmann William , Toffelmier Erin , Gillespie Thomas , Shaffer H Bradley
Published: September 2024

We describe a highly contiguous and complete diploid genome assembly for the Chryxus Arctic, Oeneis chryxus (E. Doubleday, [1849]), a butterfly species complex spanning much of northern and western North America. One subspecies, the Ivallda Arctic (O. c. ivallda), is endemic to California’s Sierra Nevada and of particular biogeographic interest and conservation concern. Extreme alpine habitats occupied by this subspecies include the summit of Mt. Whitney, California, representing the highest elevation butterfly population in North America. The assembly presented here consists of two haplotypes, 738.92 and 770.85 Mb in length, with contig N50 values of 10.49 and 10.13 Mb, scaffold N50 values of 25.35 and 25.69 Mb, scaffold L50 values of 13 and 14, and BUSCO completeness scores of 96.5 and 98.3%, respectively. More than 97% of the assembly is organized into 29 scaffolds, which likely represent whole chromosomes. This assembly is the first major genomic resource for Oeneis, providing a foundational reference for future genomic studies on the taxonomy, evolutionary history, and conservation of the genus. As part of the California Conservation Genomics Project, we will use this assembly in conjunction with short-read resequencing to resolve patterns of evolutionary differentiation, adaptive genomic variation, and gene flow among remaining O. c. ivallda populations. These data can and will be used to inform the subspecies’ conservation as warming climatic conditions continue to lead to the loss and fragmentation of alpine habitats. We also provide genome assemblies for the O. chryxus mitochondrion and a Wolbachia endosymbiont.
Health insurance continuity and mortality in children, adolescents, and young adults with blood cancer
Authors: Ji Xu , Zhang Xinyue (Elyse) , Yabroff K Robin , Stock Wendy , Cornwell Patricia , Bai Shasha , Mertens Ann C , Lipscomb Joseph , Castellino Sharon M
Published: September 2024

Background

Many uninsured patients do not receive Medicaid coverage until a cancer diagnosis, potentially delaying access to care for early cancer detection and treatment. We examined the association of Medicaid enrollment timing and patterns with survival among children, adolescents, and young adults with diagnosed blood cancers, where disease onset can be acute and early detection is critical.

Methods

We identified 28 750 children, adolescents, and young adults (birth to 39 years of age) with newly diagnosed blood cancers from the 2006-2013 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program–Medicaid data. Enrollment patterns included continuous Medicaid enrollment (preceding through diagnosis), newly gained Medicaid coverage (at or shortly after diagnosis), other noncontinuous Medicaid enrollment, and private/other insurance. We assessed cumulative incidence of death from diagnosis, censoring at last follow-up, 5 years after diagnosis, or December 2018, whichever occurred first. Multivariable survival models estimated the association of insurance enrollment patterns with risk of death.

Results

One-fourth (26.1%) of the cohort was insured by Medicaid; of these patients, 41.1% had continuous Medicaid enrollment, 34.9% had newly gained Medicaid, and 24.0% had other or noncontinuous enrollment. The cumulative incidence of all-cause death 5 year after diagnosis was highest in patients with newly gained Medicaid (30.2%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 28.4% to 31.9%), followed by other noncontinuous enrollment (23.2%, 95% CI = 21.3% to 25.2%), continuous Medicaid enrollment (20.5%, 95% CI = 19.1% to 21.9%), and private/other insurance (11.2%, 95% CI = 10.7% to 11.7%). In multivariable models, newly gained Medicaid was associated with a higher risk of all-cause death (hazard ratio = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.27 to 1.53) and cancer-specific death (hazard ratio = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.35 to 1.68) compared with continuous Medicaid.

Conclusions

Continuous Medicaid coverage is associated with survival benefits among pediatric, adolescent, and young adult patients with diagnosed blood cancers; however, fewer than half of Medicaid-insured patients have continuous coverage before diagnosis.
Bildung, hermeneutics, divergence: learning in the dystopian university
Authors: Cuccurullo Milena
Published: September 2024

In this article, I offer an account of the 2014 dystopian-fiction film Divergent, based on the novel by Veronica Roth. The film tells the story of Beatrice, a young woman living in a postapocalyptic Chicago, and her process of enrolment into the higher education system. I argue that Beatrice’s troubled story can help us to uncover the high tension between today’s university’s self-alienating mechanisms and the thirst for Bildung. I suggest that the notion of ‘divergence’ can help to develop an account of Bildung in an innovative direction. ‘Divergence’ is a term used in the film to define individuals—like Beatrice—who cannot fit into the categories established by the government to sort students into appropriate educational pathways. I link the notion of ‘divergence’ to an interpretation of Gadamer’s account of Bildung. First, I draw on Gadamer’s thinking to suggest the metaphor of the university as a ‘crossroads’ and outline the idea of the risks and possibilities that are attached to authentic learning experience. Then I explore the self-alienating mechanisms that Gadamer saw at work within the postindustrial structure of the university. In conclusion, I develop Gadamer’s notion of self-education along the lines of the idea of divergence. While some argue that the university can still be a place for human encounter and gathering, I aim to show that, without divergence, it remains a site of displacement, or a dystopia.
Antimicrobial potential of Streptomyces sp. NP73 isolated from the forest soil of Northeast India against multi-drug resistant Escherichia coli
Authors: Konwar Aditya Narayan , Basak Surajit , Saikia Kangkon , Gurumayum Shalini , Panthi Nitya , Borah Jagat Chandra , Thakur Debajit
Published: September 2024

This study reports the isolation and characterization of a Streptomyces sp. from soil, capable of producing bioactive secondary metabolites active against a variety of bacterial human pathogens. We targeted the antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli ATCC-BAA 2469, a clinically relevant strain of bacteria harbouring resistance genes for carbapenems, extended spectrum beta-lactams, tetracyclines, fluoroquinones, etc. Preliminary screening using the spot inoculation technique identified Streptomyces sp. NP73 as the potent strain among the 74 isolated Actinomycetia strain. 16S rRNA gene and whole genome sequencing (WGS) confirmed its taxonomical identity and helped in the construction of the phylogenetic tree. WGS revealed the predicted pathways and biosynthetic gene clusters responsible for producing various types of antibiotics including the isolated compound. Bioactivity guided fractionation and chemical characterization of the active fraction, carried out using liquid chromatography, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, infra-red spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, led to the tentative identification of the active compound as Pyrrolo[1,2-a] pyrazine-1,4-dione, hexahydro-, a diketopiperazine molecule. This compound exhibited excellent antimicrobial and anti-biofilm properties against E. coli ATCC-BAA 2469 with an MIC value of 15.64 µg ml−1, and the low cytotoxicity of the compound identified in this study provides hope for future drug development.