bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identifying Factors Influencing Organizational Leadership for Adequate Housing Delivery in Nigeria: A Delphi Survey Approach
Authors: Mbazor David Ngwoke , Aigbavboa Clinton Ohis , Thwala Wellington Didibhuku
Published: August 2023

Nowadays, there exists a high incidence of competitions between organizations seeking control, relevance, and dominance in the market space due to globalization exacerbated by the continuous advancement in technologies, high customers’ tastes, and expectations. This has significantly influenced organizational decisions leading to constant reevaluation of operational procedures, adopting and implementing changes that will influence positive business outcomes. The literature search revealed that past studies on organizational leadership focused mainly on elements of leadership styles, strategies, and ethics. Hence, studies have not identified the factors that influence organizational leadership for adequate housing delivery in Nigeria. The study identified the factors that influence organizational leadership in the delivery of housing in Nigeria using the Broaden and Build theory, and Kurt Lewin’s leadership philosophical concepts as the fundamental basis underpinning the study. Delphi study approach was used to determine the areas of commonality before a consensus was reached. A structured questionnaire was administered to validate and removing outliers from the result. The Delphi study identified 20 distinct factors that influence organizational leadership for AHD in Nigeria. Factors such as organizational sustainability, motivation, etc., are the most significant factors influencing organizational leadership towards AHD. However, results from SEM analysis showed that only 12 variables are significant in measuring organizational leadership and management for AHD. The study concludes that the 12 identified factors are significant in AHD. Nevertheless, the application of these factors in housing delivery is still low in Nigeria. Hence, it is recommended that real estate developers and other operators in housing should use the result from this study as a template for developing adequate housing.
Planning Approval Process: An Analysis of Property Developers’ Experiences in Southwestern Nigeria
Authors: Ogunseye Nathaniel Oluwaseun
Published: August 2023

Globally, development control is one of the main activities of the planning agencies aimed at ensuring sustainable development in human settlements. Previous studies primarily explored compliance with planning regulations whereas issues of awareness, satisfaction, and willingness to participate have not been adequately dealt with. This study evaluates the property developers’ experiences with the planning approval process (PAP) in southwestern Nigeria. The specific objectives are to (i) probe property developers’ awareness of the legality of the PAP, (ii) examine property developers’ satisfaction levels regarding the PAP, (iii) determine property developers’ willingness to participate in PAP discourse, and (iv) examine problems associated with the PAP. Purposive and convenience sampling techniques were adopted to elicit data from 96 respondents using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Major findings showed that 68.8% of the developers were aware of the legality of PAP, 70.8% expressed satisfaction with the PAP, and 78.1% were willing to participate in public discourse about PAP. Fishers’ Exact test revealed that the location of developers (χ2= 6.907, p=0.025) and gender (χ2= 0.000, p=0.023) were significantly associated with developers’ awareness of the legality of PAP. The Spearman Correlation test indicated a significant association between developers’ satisfaction with PAP and their support for seeking planning approval (r=0.339, p=0.001) as well as planning approval processing time (r=0.250, p=0.026). The study recommends aspects of PAP the planning agencies need to improve upon towards achieving sustainable PAP. The study outcome will be useful for policy formulation in areas of education and awareness creation, planning approval processing time, and procuring documents required by the planning agencies. Addressing these issues will mean property developers will derive greater satisfaction from planning agencies’ services and will be inspired to participate in planning matters.
The Experience of Malay Food Delivery Gig Worker in Johor Bahru, Johor/ Pengalaman Pekerja Gig Penghantar Makanan Berbangsa Melayu di Johor Bahru, Johor
Authors: Abdull Rahman Rabeatul Husna , Abd. Hamid Mohd Azhar , Abdul Patah Salwa , Zaini Fadilah , Abdul Rohman Nazirah
Published: August 2023

The gig economy has been growing since the world economic recession in early 2008 to 2011 and created new jobs for many. Food delivery gig workers are among the important types of gig jobs especially in urban areas such as Johor Bahru. Thus, studies related to the economy of gigs, especially employees who are involved as food deliverers are also given attention by researchers. Therefore, this study aims to explore the experience of food delivery gig workers around Johor Bahru. Qualitative studies using phenomenological approaches were used to explore the working experiences of informants. Snowball sampling technique was used and through this technique 9 informants were obtained. Thematic analysis was applied to obtain the meaning of the experience of the informants interviewed in a semi -structured manner. The results of the study found that although the job is flexible, free and easy but high risk. The informant also described the gig job as still unstable in terms of job security and uncertain job prospects. This job is still considered a transition before the informant obtains a more secure permanent job. Therefore, the government and other stakeholders need to pay attention by offering policies that can ensure job security and reduce the vulnerability and risk of these gig workers.
The Development of Computational Thinking and Mathematics Problem Solving Skills Through Mathematics Modelling Activities
Authors: Kar Teck Lim , Abdullah Abdul Halim , Mokhtar Mahani , Syed Zainuddin Syed Abdul Hakim , S. Abd Rahman Sharifah Nurarfah
Published: August 2023

The latest TIMSS report highlighted that secondary school students from Malaysia did not perform well in this global assessment on mathematics achievement. Some studies have pointed out that students’ mathematics achievement can be improved by equipping them with computational thinking. Therefore, this study examined the development of computational thinking skill and mathematics problem-solving skills via mathematics modelling activities among secondary students in Malaysia. The research instrument used for the assessment of computational thinking was adapted from UK Berbras Challenges and CAS Barefoot Team from United Kingdom. In addition, rubrics for development of mathematics problem solving skill was adapted from Polya problem solving model. This study adopted qualitative approach and the modelling activities were conducted for six weeks. The activities were introduction of modelling, individual modelling task and group modelling task. Data were also collected based on results of computational thinking test and mathematics test. Data from observation and interviews were analyzed, and the scores obtained from both tests were compared and analyzed as well. Based on the findings of the study, it could be concluded that the students progressed at different levels during the development of their computational thinking skill and mathematics problem-solving competency via mathematics modelling activities. These results indicated that mathematics modelling activities can be conducted at schools to improve students’ performance in Mathematics.
Constitutive Modeling of Mouse Arteries Suggests Changes in Directional Coupling and Extracellular Matrix Remodeling That Depend on Artery Type, Age, Sex, and Elastin Amounts
Authors: Kailash Keshav A. , Hawes Jie Z. , Cocciolone Austin J. , Bersi Matthew R. , Mecham Robert P. , Wagenseil Jessica E.
Published: August 2023

Arterial stiffening occurs during natural aging, is associated with an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events, and can follow different timelines in males and females. One mechanism of arterial stiffening includes remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM), which alters the wall material properties. We used elastin haploinsufficient (Eln+/−) and wildtype (Eln+/+) mice to investigate how material properties of two different arteries (ascending aorta and carotid artery) change with age, sex, and ECM composition. We used a constitutive model by Dong and Sun that is based on the Holzapfel–Gasser–Ogden (HGO) type, but does not require a discrete number of fibrous ECM families and allows varied deformation coupling. We find that the amount of deformation coupling for the best fit model depends on the artery type. We also find that remodeling to maintain homeostatic (i.e., young, wildtype) values of biomechanical parameters with age, sex, and ECM composition depends on the artery type, with ascending aorta being more adaptable than carotid artery. Fitted material constants indicate sex-dependent remodeling that may be important for determining the time course of arterial stiffening in males and females. We correlated fitted material constants with ECM composition measured by biochemical (ascending aorta) or histological (carotid artery) methods. We show significant correlations between ECM composition and material parameters for the mean values for each group, with biochemical measurements correlating more strongly than histological measurements. Understanding how arterial stiffening depends on age, sex, ECM composition, and artery type may help design effective, personalized clinical treatment strategies.
Impact Location Dependence of Behind Armor Blunt Trauma Injury Assessed Using a Human Body Finite Element Model
Authors: Bustamante Michael C. , Cronin Duane S.
Published: August 2023

Behind armor blunt trauma (BABT), resulting from dynamic deformation of protective ballistic armor into the thorax, is currently assessed assuming a constant threshold of maximum backface deformation (BFDs) (44 mm). Although assessed for multiple impacts on the same armor, testing is focused on armor performance (shot-to-edge and shot-to-shot) without consideration of the underlying location on the thorax. Previous studies identified the importance of impacts on organs of animal surrogates wearing soft armor. However, the effect of impact location was not quantified outside the threshold of 44 mm. In the present study, a validated biofidelic advanced human thorax model (50th percentile male) was utilized to assess the BABT outcome from varying impact location. The thorax model was dynamically loaded using a method developed for recreating BABT impacts, and BABT events within the range of real-world impact severities and locations were simulated. It was found that thorax injury depended on impact location for the same BFDs. Generally, impacts over high compliance locations (anterolateral rib cage) yielded increased thoracic compression and loading on the lungs leading to pulmonary lung contusion (PLC). Impacts at low compliance locations (top of sternum) yielded hard tissue fractures. Injuries to the sternum, ribs, and lungs were predicted at BFDs lower than 44 mm for low compliance locations. Location-based injury risk curves demonstrated greater accuracy in injury prediction. This study quantifies the importance of impact location on BABT injury severity and demonstrates the need for consideration of location in future armor design and assessment.
Impact of Transverse Acoustic Excitation and Air Swirl on a Confined Hollow Cone Sheet
Authors: Bhattacharjee Rohit R. , I. B. Aravind , Chakravarthy Satyanarayanan R.
Published: August 2023

This study investigates the effect of imposing symmetric transverse acoustic excitation and counter-rotating air swirl flow on a confined hollow cone spray sheet. We study the impact of these forcing conditions on two unstable modes—sheet flapping and sinuous wave growth modes—and their phasic relationship. We used the shadowgraphy technique, and only the sheet edges were analyzed using the method of snapshot proper orthogonal decomposition (POD). In this study, we used postprocessing techniques to estimate the nondimensional breakup length, phase averaged cone angle, and continuous wavelet transform (CWT) frequency. Results show that imposing acoustic excitation alone causes the sheet edges to flap, axisymmetrically, at the pressure antinode, while at the pressure node and base flow condition, the asymmetric sinuous wave mode is dominant. At the pressure intermediary, we find the possible dominance of both modes. While the dominant effect of air swirl alone was difficult to ascertain, results from CWT analysis show that POD mode 1 and mode 3 have very similar spectral content, with mode 3 showing a flapping mode. Finally, air swirl flow has a more dominant effect than acoustics in causing sheet breakup.
Cyclic Analysis of In-Cylinder Vortex Interactions Based on Data-Driven Detection and Characterization Framework
Authors: Zhao Fengnian , Zhou Ziming , Hung David L. S.
Published: August 2023

The complex vortex flow interactions are critical to affect the fuel–air mixing and combustion stability in direct-injection engine. However, due to the strong cyclic variations inside engine, the multiscale swirl flow characteristics with cyclic details are difficult to be sufficiently revealed. Therefore, a vortex detection and characterization framework, including physical and data-driven methods, is implemented to elucidate the cyclic vortex interaction process. In this study, a high-speed time-resolved particle image velocimetry is applied to record the spatiotemporal flow behavior under three different swirl ratio conditions. First, the presence of vortex motion is detected at each crank angle for each engine cycle. Results show that the vortex interaction processes under different swirl ratio conditions exhibit distinctive characteristics. The presence of multiple vortices and their interactions are found to trigger dramatic changes and variations in swirl flow behavior. Then, the individual-cycle analysis of the vortex interaction effects on flow characteristics is conducted. The vortex characteristics including vortex location, strength, and size are examined with cyclic detail using data-driven unsupervised clustering. Results indicate that the vortex merging is the main source inducing the vortex characteristics variations. Furthermore, the occurrence and duration of the vortex merging process are found to be closely related to the intake swirl ratio and valve lift profile. Increased swirl ratio and valve lift cause vortex to merge earlier and reduce the merging duration. This finding provides a potential idea to alleviate the cyclic variation issue by controlling the vortex merging process.
Topological Graph Representation and Configuration Synthesis for Power-Split Hybrid Transmissions of Multi-Planetary Gear Trains
Authors: Geng Meijie , Ding Huafeng , Ke Tao , Yang Wenjian
Published: August 2023

Power-split hybrid transmissions are the core components of power-split hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), and the quest for a more energy-efficient and higher-performing power-split hybrid transmission has long been the focus of study. In contrast to previously published methodologies, this paper proposes a novel approach for directly synthesizing power-split hybrid transmissions that makes use of the results of previously synthesized planetary gear trains (PGTs) rather than necessitating a resynthesis of their PGTs. A new topological graph that can construct a bridge between the PGTs and power-split hybrid transmission has been developed, reducing the computational complexity in the synthesis process. The new topological graph is obtained by adding topological characteristics of the power-split hybrid transmission to the PGT graph. A standard structure matrix is proposed to further screen out all the isomorphic configurations. The present method can generate various types of multi-PGT hybrid transmissions while avoiding mechanical structural interference. The design process of configurations for power-split hybrid transmission with three-column PGTs (3-PGT) is used as an example to prove the rationality of the method.
Fatigue Crack Growth Evaluation of Pipeline Steels and Girth Welds
Authors: Park Dong-Yeob , Liang Jie
Published: August 2023

Fatigue test specimens were prepared and tested with an API 5 L X70 spiral welded pipe steel and girth weld. For a few selected specimens, two unloading compliance techniques (elastic compliance and back-face strain compliance) were applied simultaneously to a single specimen for direct comparisons of in situ crack size estimation. This paper also includes fatigue crack growth rate (FCGR) data of other pipe steels and welds available in the literature. It was observed that most FCGR curves of pipeline steels (X65–X100) remained within the BS 7910 mean and upper bound design curves in the Paris region. It was noted that the FCGR of austenitic stainless pipe steel and girth weld obtained from Arora et al. (2014), “Fatigue Crack Growth Studies on Narrow Gap Pipe Welds of Austenitic Stainless Steel Material,” Procedia Eng., 86, pp. 203–208) showed a very superior fatigue property.
Convergent Validity of Time in Bed Estimates From activPAL and Actiwatch in Free-Living Youth and Adults
Authors: Hibbing Paul R. , Carlson Jordan A. , Simon Stacey L. , Melanson Edward L. , Creasy Seth A.
Published: August 2023

Actiwatch devices are often used to estimate time in bed (TIB) but recently became commercially unavailable. Thigh-worn activPAL devices could be a viable alternative. We tested convergent validity between activPAL (CREA algorithm) and Actiwatch devices. Data were from free-living samples comprising 47 youth (3–16 valid nights/participant) and 42 adults (6–26 valid nights/participant) who wore both devices concurrently. On average, activPAL predicted earlier bedtimes and later risetimes compared with Actiwatch, resulting in longer overnight intervals (by 1.49 hr/night for youth and 0.67 hr/night for adults; both p < .001). TIB interruptions were predicted less commonly by activPAL (mean <2 interruptions/night for both youth and adults) than Actiwatch (mean of 24–26 interruptions/night in both groups; both p < .001). Overnight intervals for both devices tended to overlap for lengthy periods (mean of 7.38 hr/night for youth and 7.69 hr/night for adults). Within these overlapping periods, the devices gave matching epoch-level TIB predictions an average of 87.9% of the time for youth and 84.3% of the time for adults. Most remaining epochs (11.8% and 15.1%, respectively) were classified as TIB by activPAL, but not Actiwatch. Overall, the devices had fair agreement during the overlapping periods but limited agreement when predicting interruptions, bedtime, or risetime. Future work should assess the criterion validity of activPAL devices to understand implications for health research. The present findings demonstrate that activPAL is not interchangeable with Actiwatch, which is consistent with their differing foundations (thigh inclination for activPAL vs. wrist movement for Actiwatch).
Origin and functional diversification of PAS domain, a ubiquitous intracellular sensor
Authors: Xing Jiawei , Gumerov Vadim M. , Zhulin Igor B.
Published: August 2023

Signal perception is a key function in regulating biological activities and adapting to changing environments. Per-Arnt-Sim (PAS) domains are ubiquitous sensors found in diverse receptors in bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes, but their origins, distribution across the tree of life, and extent of their functional diversity are not fully characterized. Here, we show that using sequence conservation and structural information, it is possible to propose specific and potential functions for a large portion of nearly 3 million PAS domains. Our analysis suggests that PAS domains originated in bacteria and were horizontally transferred to archaea and eukaryotes. We reveal that gas sensing via a heme cofactor evolved independently in several lineages, whereas redox and light sensing via flavin adenine dinucleotide and flavin mononucleotide cofactors have the same origin. The close relatedness of human PAS domains to those in bacteria provides an opportunity for drug design by exploring potential natural ligands and cofactors for bacterial homologs.
Machine learning-based detection of adventitious microbes in T-cell therapy cultures using long-read sequencing
Authors: Strutt James P. B. , Natarajan Meenubharathi , Lee Elizabeth , Teo Denise Bei Lin , Sin Wei-Xiang , Cheung Ka-Wai , Chew Marvin , Thazin Khaing , Barone Paul W. , Wolfrum Jacqueline M. , Williams Rohan B. H. , Rice Scott A. , Springs Stacy L.
Published: August 2023

Assuring that cell therapy products are safe before releasing them for use in patients is critical. Currently, compendial sterility testing for bacteria and fungi can take 7–14 days. The goal of this work was to develop a rapid untargeted approach for the sensitive detection of microbial contaminants at low abundance from low volume samples during the manufacturing process of cell therapies. We developed a long-read sequencing methodology using Oxford Nanopore Technologies MinION platform with 16S and 18S amplicon sequencing to detect USP <71> organisms and other microbial species. Reads are classified metagenomically to predict the microbial species. We used an extreme gradient boosting machine learning algorithm (XGBoost) to first assess if a sample is contaminated, and second, determine whether the predicted contaminant is correctly classified or misclassified. The model was used to make a final decision on the sterility status of the input sample. An optimized experimental and bioinformatics pipeline starting from spiked species through to sequenced reads allowed for the detection of microbial samples at 10 colony-forming units (CFU)/mL using metagenomic classification. Machine learning can be coupled with long-read sequencing to detect and identify sample sterility status and microbial species present in T-cell cultures, including the USP <71> organisms to 10 CFU/mL.

IMPORTANCE

This research presents a novel method for rapidly and accurately detecting microbial contaminants in cell therapy products, which is essential for ensuring patient safety. Traditional testing methods are time-consuming, taking 7–14 days, while our approach can significantly reduce this time. By combining advanced long-read nanopore sequencing techniques and machine learning, we can effectively identify the presence and types of microbial contaminants at low abundance levels. This breakthrough has the potential to improve the safety and efficiency of cell therapy manufacturing, leading to better patient outcomes and a more streamlined production process.
Dorsal Raphe Nucleus Serotonergic Neuron Activity is Necessary for the Manifestation of the Antidepressant Effect of Ketamine
Authors: Drozd U. S. , Lanshakov D. A. , Dygalo N. N.
Published: August 2023

Abstract—The mechanisms of the ketamine antidepressant effects observed in humans and laboratory animals are not fully understood. To further clarify the role of brain serotonergic (5-HT) activity in the action of antidepressant drugs, optogenetic inhibition of 5-HT neurons in the rat dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) was applied. In control animals, a subanesthetic dose of ketamine alleviated their depressive-like behavior in the tail suspension test. Inhibition of 5-HT neurons abolished the drug effect and moreover, a sedative response to ketamine was found under these conditions. Furthermore, optogenetic suppression of the activity of 5-HT neurons prevented the increase in c-Fos expression induced by ketamine both in light-sensitive neurons and in other DRN neurons. The data emphasize the key role of 5-HT neuron activity in the rapid ketamine antidepressant effect.
Managing drugs with anticholinergic activity
Authors: Bishara Delia
Published: August 2023

Over the past two decades, considerable data have emerged on an association between drugs with anticholinergic activity and serious adverse effects in older people. Well-recognised anticholinergic adverse effects include dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation and urinary retention. Of particular concern is the potential impact on cognitive function with several studies showing that long-term use of medicines with anticholinergic activity is associated with worsening of cognitive function, increased incidence of dementia and increased mortality. This article gives an overview of the evidence, discusses some of the tools used to identify high-risk drugs and highlights issues to consider when prescribing drugs with anticholinergic activity with a view to reducing potential risks in older people and those at highest risk of cognitive impairment.
Using infection prevalence, seroprevalence and case report data to estimate chlamydial infection incidence
Authors: Clay Patrick A , Pollock Emily D , Copen Casey E , Anyalechi E Gloria , Danavall Damien C , Hong Jaeyoung , Khosropour Christine M , Galloway Eboni , Spicknall Ian H
Published: August 2023

Objectives

To measure the effectiveness of chlamydia control strategies, we must estimate infection incidence over time. Available data, including survey-based infection prevalence and case reports, have limitations as proxies for infection incidence. We therefore developed a novel method for estimating chlamydial incidence.

Methods

We linked a susceptible infectious mathematical model to serodynamics data from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey, as well as to annual case reports. We created four iterations of this model, varying assumptions about how the method of infection clearance (via treatment seeking, routine screening or natural clearance) relates to long-term seropositivity. Using these models, we estimated annual infection incidence for women aged 18–24 and 25–37 years in 2014. To assess model plausibility, we also estimated natural clearance for the same groups.

Results

Of the four models we analysed, the model that best explained the empirical data was the one in which longer-lasting infections, natural clearance and symptomatic infections all increased the probability of long-term seroconversion. Using this model, we estimated 5910 (quartile (Q)1, 5330; Q3, 6500) incident infections per 100 000 women aged 18–24 years and 2790 (Q1, 2500; Q3, 3090) incident infections per 100 000 women aged 25–37 years in 2014. Furthermore, we estimated that natural clearance rates increased with age.

Conclusions

Our method can be used to estimate the number of chlamydia infections each year, and thus whether infection incidence increases or decreases over time and after policy changes. Furthermore, our results suggest that clearance via medical intervention may lead to short-term or no seroconversion, and the duration of untreated chlamydial infection may vary with age, underlining the complexity of chlamydial infection dynamics.
Development of the Canadian Eating Practices Screener to assess eating practices based on 2019 Canada's Food Guide recommendations
Authors: Wallace Angela , Martin Alicia , Bédard Alexandra , Pitre Camille , Lemieux Simone , Simpson Janis Randall , Kirkpatrick Sharon I. , Hutchinson Joy M. , Williams Tabitha E. , Westaway Ailish M. , Lamarche Benoît , Day Meghan , Guenther Patricia M. , Jessri Mahsa , L'Abbé Mary R. , Louzada Maria Laura de Costa , Olstad Dana Lee , Prowse Rachel , Reedy Jill , Vatanparast Hassan , Vena Jennifer E. , Haines Jess
Published: August 2023

In 2019, Health Canada released a new iteration of Canada's Food Guide (2019-CFG), which, for the first time, highlighted recommendations regarding eating practices, i.e., guidance on where, when, why, and how to eat. The objective of this study was to develop a brief self-administered screener to assess eating practices recommended in the 2019-CFG among adults aged 18–65 years. Development of the screener items was informed by a review of existing tools and mapping of items onto 2019-CFG recommendations. Face and content validity were assessed with experts in public health nutrition and/or dietary assessment ( n = 16) and individuals from Government of Canada ( n = 14). Cognitive interviews were conducted with English-speaking ( n = 16) and French-speaking ( n = 16) adults living in Canada to assess face validity and understanding of the screener items. While some modifications were identified to improve relevance or clarity, overall, the screener items were found to be relevant, well-constructed, and clearly worded. This comprehensive process resulted in the Canadian Eating Practices Screener/Questionnaire court canadien sur les pratiques alimentaires, which includes 21 items that assess eating practices recommended in the 2019-CFG. This screener can facilitate monitoring and surveillance efforts of the 2019-CFG eating practices as well as research exploring how these practices are associated with various health outcomes.
Industrial agricultural and woody encroachment associated with American Woodcock habitat selection in an altered grassland ecosystem
Authors: Brenner Stephen J. , Jorgensen Joel G.
Published: August 2023

Animal distributions continue to undergo dramatic shifts in response to environmental change as many ecosystems become altered or transition away from their historic states. The North American Great Plains was historically a vast prairie ecosystem that has been heavily altered into a patchwork of remnant grasslands, industrial agriculture, and tracts invaded by woody vegetation. We studied the habitat selection of a forest-dwelling bird, the American Woodcock ( Scolopax minor J. F. Gmelin, 1789), at the westward periphery of the species’ range to determine how this species uses resources in this modified landscape. During the migratory and breeding season (March–May), woodcock tracked using GPS transmitters in Nebraska selected areas with higher proportions of young forest and forests with moist soils, exhibiting similar selection to birds occupying core areas of their range in eastern North America. During the summer, woodcock routinely used (46% of diurnal points) irrigated agricultural fields during the day, which was unexpected for a species that is known to summer in forest-dominated ecosystems. Our study provides evidence for flexible and atypical woodcock habitat selection at the edge of their range. These results add to the growing body of evidence pointing to regional shifts in avian community structure and further underscore the threats of agricultural conversion and woody encroachment to the Great Plains.
Exploring high-frequency gravitational waves with magnons
Authors: Ito Asuka , Soda Jiro
Published: August 2023

Detecting gravitational waves with frequencies higher than 10 kHz requires new strategies. In previous papers, we proposed magnon gravitational wave detectors and gave the first limit on gigahertz gravitational waves by reinterpreting the existing data from axion dark matter experiments. In this paper, we show that the sensitivity can be improved by constructing the detector specific to gravitational waves. In particular, we employ an infinite sum of terms in the expansion of Fermi normal coordinates to probe gravitational waves with a wavelength comparable to the detector size. As a consequence, we obtain sensitivity of around $$h_c \sim 10^{-20}$$

h
c

∼

10

-
20

.
Effects and Mechanistic Role of Mulberry Leaves in Treating Diabetes and its Complications
Authors: Zhang Yanjiao , Miao Runyu , Ma Kaile , Zhang Yuxin , Fang Xinyi , Wei Jiahua , Yin Ruiyang , Zhao Jingxue , Tian Jiaxing
Published: August 2023

Diabetes mellitus (DM) has become a surge burden worldwide owing to its high prevalence and range of associated complications such as coronary artery disease, blindness, stroke, and renal failure. Accordingly, the treatment and management of DM have become a research hotspot. Mulberry leaves (Morus alba L.) have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for a long time, with the first record of its use published in Shennong Bencao Jing (Shennong’s Classic of Materia Medica). Mulberry leaves (MLs) are considered highly valuable medicinal food homologs that contain polysaccharides, flavonoids, alkaloids, and other bioactive substances. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that MLs have multiple bioactive effects, including hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, antioxidation, and anti-inflammatory properties, with the ability to protect islet [Formula: see text]-cells, alleviate insulin resistance, and regulate intestinal flora. However, the pharmacological mechanisms of MLs in DM have not been fully elucidated. In this review, we summarize the botanical characterization, traditional use, chemical constituents, pharmacokinetics, and toxicology of MLs, and highlight the mechanisms involved in treating DM and its complications. This review can provide a valuable reference for the further development and utilization of MLs in the prevention and treatment of DM.
Light Codes for Fast Two-Way Human-Centric Visual Communication
Authors: Gupta Mohit , Wang Jian , Bayer Karl , Nayar Shree K.
Published: August 2023

Visual codes, such as QR codes, are widely used in several applications for conveying information to users. However, user interactions based on spatial codes (e.g., displaying codes on phone screens for exchanging contact information) are often tedious, time consuming, and prone to errors due to image corruptions such as noise, blur, saturation, and perspective distortions. We propose Light Codes (LICO), a novel method for fast and fluid exchange of information among users. Light codes are based on transmitting and receiving temporal codes (instead of spatial) using compact and low-cost transceiver devices. The resulting approach enables seamless and near instantaneous exchange of short messages among users with minimal physical and cognitive effort. We design novel coding techniques, hardware prototypes, and applications that are optimized for human-centric communication, and facilitate fast and fluid user-to-user interactions in various challenging conditions, including a range of distances, motion, and ambient illumination. We evaluate the performance of the proposed methods both via quantitative analysis and user study based comparisons with several existing approaches including display-camera links, Bluetooth, and near-field communication, which show strong preference toward Light Codes in various real-world application scenarios.
Viruses in Marine Invertebrate Holobionts: Complex Interactions Between Phages and Bacterial Symbionts
Authors: Zhou Kun , Zhang Ting , Chen Xiao-Wei , Xu Ying , Zhang Rui , Qian Pei-Yuan
Published: August 2023

Marine invertebrates are ecologically and economically important and have formed holobionts by evolving symbiotic relationships with cellular and acellular microorganisms that reside in and on their tissues. In recent decades, significant focus on symbiotic cellular microorganisms has led to the discovery of various functions and a considerable expansion of our knowledge of holobiont functions. Despite this progress, our understanding of symbiotic acellular microorganisms remains insufficient, impeding our ability to achieve a comprehensive understanding of marine holobionts. In this review, we highlight the abundant viruses, with a particular emphasis on bacteriophages; provide an overview of their diversity, especially in extensively studied sponges and corals; and examine their potential life cycles. In addition, we discuss potential phage–holobiont interactions of various invertebrates, including participating in initial bacterial colonization, maintaining symbiotic relationships, and causing or exacerbating the diseases of marine invertebrates. Despite the importance of this subject, knowledge of how viruses contribute to marine invertebrate organisms remains limited. Advancements in technology and greater attention to viruses will enhance our understanding of marine invertebrate holobionts.
Recurrent Ischemic Strokes due to Monogenic COL4A1 Mutation: The First Case Report from Latin America
Authors: Wong-Valenzuela Emilio Israel , San Juan Daniel , Santos Zambrano José , Camacho Molina Alejandra , Morales-Morales Miguel Angel , Lopez-Landa Alejandro
Published: August 2023

Introduction. Monogenic mutations as the cause of recurrent ischemic cerebral small-vessel disease with leukodystrophy are rare. COL4A1 gene mutations are a relatively new etiology of cerebrovascular lesions in young adults; however, any patient has been reported from Latin America. Case Presentation. We presented a Mexican young female with leukodystrophy and recurrent stroke secondary to COL4A1 monogenic mutation. Discussion/Conclusion. COL4A1 monogenic mutations are associated with cerebral small-vessel disease and other systemic manifestations. To date, there is little evidence to justify the treatment and prevention of recurrent strokes in patients with this mutation.
Supplementary Table S3 from Development and Validation of a 15-gene Expression Signature with Superior Prognostic Ability in Stage II Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Rokavec Matjaz , Özcan Elif , Neumann Jens , Hermeking Heiko
Published: August 2023

Supplementary Table S3 shows a summary and performance of prognostic signatures in CRC patient cohorts.
Supplementary Figure S1 from Development and Validation of a 15-gene Expression Signature with Superior Prognostic Ability in Stage II Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Rokavec Matjaz , Özcan Elif , Neumann Jens , Hermeking Heiko
Published: August 2023

Supplementary Figure S1 shows pathway analysis and clinico-pathological associations of unfavorable prognostic genes.
Supplementary Methods from Whole-genome CpG-resolution DNA Methylation Profiling of HNSCC Reveals Distinct Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis for Fine-scale HPV+ Cancer Subtypes
Authors: Qin Tingting , Li Shiting , Henry Leanne E. , Chou Elysia , Cavalcante Raymond G. , Garb Bailey F. , D'Silva Nisha J. , Rozek Laura S. , Sartor Maureen A.
Published: August 2023

Supplementary Methods
FIGURE 5 from Development and Validation of a 15-gene Expression Signature with Superior Prognostic Ability in Stage II Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Rokavec Matjaz , Özcan Elif , Neumann Jens , Hermeking Heiko
Published: August 2023

Performance of the combined 15-gene signature/pT classifier in predicting RFS. A–D, KM analysis of RFS according to the 15-gene signature score combined with the pT classifier in the indicated stage II colorectal cancer patient cohorts.
Supplementary Fig 7 from Whole-genome CpG-resolution DNA Methylation Profiling of HNSCC Reveals Distinct Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis for Fine-scale HPV+ Cancer Subtypes
Authors: Qin Tingting , Li Shiting , Henry Leanne E. , Chou Elysia , Cavalcante Raymond G. , Garb Bailey F. , D'Silva Nisha J. , Rozek Laura S. , Sartor Maureen A.
Published: August 2023

Methylation and expression profiles of the eleven genes that are hypermethylated in TCGA HNSC tumor vs normal, and hypermethylated in KRT vs IMU shown in Figure 5C.
Supplementary Fig 5 from Whole-genome CpG-resolution DNA Methylation Profiling of HNSCC Reveals Distinct Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis for Fine-scale HPV+ Cancer Subtypes
Authors: Qin Tingting , Li Shiting , Henry Leanne E. , Chou Elysia , Cavalcante Raymond G. , Garb Bailey F. , D'Silva Nisha J. , Rozek Laura S. , Sartor Maureen A.
Published: August 2023

Correlate GSE testing results from mRNA expression and DNA methylation in the exon, intron regions and keratinization genes visualization.
Supplementary Fig 3 from Whole-genome CpG-resolution DNA Methylation Profiling of HNSCC Reveals Distinct Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis for Fine-scale HPV+ Cancer Subtypes
Authors: Qin Tingting , Li Shiting , Henry Leanne E. , Chou Elysia , Cavalcante Raymond G. , Garb Bailey F. , D'Silva Nisha J. , Rozek Laura S. , Sartor Maureen A.
Published: August 2023

Comparison of locations of positive versus negative cis-eQTMs that overlap with DMRs for: IMU vs HPV(-) (1st row), IMU vs KRT (2nd row), and KRT vs HPV(-) (3rd row) of each panel. (A) CpG island annotations; (B) genic annotations. 1st and 2nd columns are hypermethylated in the first comparison group; 3rd and 4th columns are hypomethylated in the first comparison group. Negative eQTMs are in the 1st and 3rd columns, while positive eQTMs are in the 2nd and 4th columns.
Supplementary Fig 2 from Whole-genome CpG-resolution DNA Methylation Profiling of HNSCC Reveals Distinct Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis for Fine-scale HPV+ Cancer Subtypes
Authors: Qin Tingting , Li Shiting , Henry Leanne E. , Chou Elysia , Cavalcante Raymond G. , Garb Bailey F. , D'Silva Nisha J. , Rozek Laura S. , Sartor Maureen A.
Published: August 2023

Average methylation of tumors and normal epithelial cells at gene body (A), promoter (B), CpG island (C) and repetitive region (D). Samples were grouped by HPVor HPV integration status.
Modulation of Pulsatile Left Ventricular Afterload by Renal Denervation in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction
Authors: Rommel Karl-Philipp , Pagoulatou Stamatia , Kresoja Karl-Patrik , Rosch Sebastian , Schöber Anne Rebecca , von Roeder Maximilian , Thiele Holger , Fengler Karl , Stergiopulos Nikolaos , Lurz Philipp
Published: August 2023

Background:

Arterial stiffening contributes to hemodynamic derangements in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). We sought to investigate the impact of renal denervation on pulsatile left ventricular loading in patients with HFpEF and hypertensive patients without heart failure (control).

Methods:

Patients underwent renal denervation for treatment of hypertension and were followed up at 3 months at a single center. A validated computer model of the arterial tree, noninvasive aortic flow curves, left ventricular volumes, and E/e′ as inputs were used to determine key parameters of left ventricular vascular load.

Results:

In comparison to controls (n=30), patients with HFpEF (n=30) demonstrated lower total arterial compliance (mean difference, −0.41 [95% CI, −0.72 to −0.10] mL/mm Hg), higher impedance of the proximal aorta (Zc: 0.02; 0.01 to 0.04 mHg·s/mL), premature wave reflections (shorter backward wave transit time normalized to ejection time: −3.5; −6.5% to −0.5%), and higher wave reflection magnitude (reflection coefficient: 7.3; 2.8% to 11.9%). Overall, daytime systolic (−9.2; −12.2 to −6.2 mm Hg) and diastolic blood pressures (−5.9; −7.6 to −4.1 mm Hg) as well as blood pressure variability (−2.0; −3.0 to −0.9 mm Hg) decreased after renal denervation. In patients with HFpEF, total arterial compliance (0.42; 0.17 to 0.67 mL/mm Hg) and backward transit time normalized to ejection time (1.7; 0.4% to 3.0%) increased; Zc (−0.01; −0.02 to −0.01 mm Hg·s/mL) and reflection coefficient (−2.6; −5.0% to −0.3%) decreased after renal denervation. This was accompanied by a symptomatic improvement in patients with HFpEF.

Conclusion:

HFpEF is characterized by heightened aortic stiffness and unfavorable pulsatile left ventricular load. These abnormalities are partly normalized after renal denervation.
Virtual Reality Versus Flatscreen Pornography: Correlations and Effects on Relationship Satisfaction, Rape-Myth Acceptance, and Problematic Use
Authors: Mitchell Katharine M. , Ratan Rabindra , Maas Megan K. , Holt Karen , Slaker Janine S. , Gambino Andrew
Published: August 2023

Traditional pornography use on a flatscreen (FS) is associated with lower relationship satisfaction, greater rape-myth acceptance (RMA), and problematic pornography use. Increasingly, immersive media technologies, such as virtual reality (VR), are transforming the way people consume and are potentially influenced by pornography. Spatial and social presence help explain differences between VR and FS in other media contexts and are therefore considered in the present study. This research examines effects and associations of VR pornography compared to FS pornography. A two-phase study was conducted to investigate how relationship satisfaction, RMA, and problematic pornography use vary between FS and VR formats. Study 1 used a survey to assess associations between use of VR pornography and relationship satisfaction, RMA, and problematic pornography use. Study 2 employed a 2 (modality: VR or FS) x 2 (masturbation: restricted or unrestricted) between-subjects online experiment. After the manipulation, participants completed a questionnaire. In both study phases, results suggest that consuming VR pornography is associated with less relationship satisfaction. Both RMA and problematic pornography use were associated with VR pornography use in Study 1, but there were no effects in Study 2. The findings presented here elucidate potential impacts of VR pornography use compared to FS consumption.
Redefining the Principle of Permanent Sovereignty over Natural Resources from a Geographical Perspective
Authors: Ibrahim Imad Antoine
Published: August 2023

The principle of permanent sovereignty over natural resources has been a subject of debate since its emergence. Scholars have discussed its purpose and effectiveness, as well as whether there is a need to reinterpret or update it given the numerous changes that have taken place over the last few decades. This article falls under the latter category, as the author argues for the need to redefine this concept, since its current definition does not allow its practical implementation in the transboundary context. To prove this point, transboundary aquifers are selected as a case study, as well as their most recent legal instrument, the Draft Articles on the Law of Transboundary Aquifers, adopted in 2008.
International Community? What International Community?
Authors: Gazzini Tarcisio
Published: August 2023

The expression “international community” is ubiquitous in international legal instruments, government policies, jurisprudence and scholarship. Yet, its meaning, significance and repercussions in international law are still unclear. The departing point of the analysis is the horizontal or decentralized character of the international legal order, which lacks any authorities above States and has traditionally been the kingdom of bilateralism. In the second part of the XX Century, however, States moved beyond bilateralism and accepted the existence of obligations owned to the international community as a whole. The paper looks at such historical development from three different perspectives: (a) the definition(s) of “international community” in State practice and its possible identification with the United Nations; (b) the legal implications of the emergence in international jurisprudence and practice of obligations owned to the international community as a whole, as celebrated in the Barcelona Traction Case (1970); and (c) the rules governing international responsibility for breaches of those obligations, which were not completely defined in the International Law Commission’s Articles on State Responsibility (2001).
The World Health Organization’s Response to the Health Emergency and its Impact on Investment Arbitration and Human Rights Case Law
Authors: Faccio Sondra
Published: August 2023

The paper discusses the potential impact of the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s recommendations and guidelines on the assessment of the State’s right to regulate by investment tribunals, and on the assessment of the State’s decision to limit and/or suspend certain human rights for reasons of public interest and in cases of emergency by human rights Courts.