bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Discrimination or a Competitive Climate? Why Women Cannot Translate Their Better High School Grades into University Grades
Authors: Galos Diana Roxana , Strauss Susanne , Hinz Thomas
Published: August 2024

While girls have better grades than boys in high school, this does not translate into better performance of young women, as compared to young men, in university. Due to the high signalling value of university grades for subsequent income and employment outcomes, this has important consequences for gender inequalities at labour market entry. However, previous studies have not yet examined the potential barriers that might limit women’s ability to maintain their previous academic achievement at the university level. Drawing on the nation-wide Student Survey, this study addresses this shortcoming by investigating perceived discrimination against women and perceived competition among students as two potential correlates. Our findings first confirm that while girls have better grades in high school than boys, this has reversed at the university level. Further, high school grades are less strongly correlated with university grades for girls compared to boys. Our results highlight that young women perceive there to be more discrimination against women as well as higher levels of competition within their field of study, than do their male peers. The study further demonstrates that an increased level of perceived discrimination is strongly associated with lower university performance for young women, thereby plausibly hindering their ability to reach their full academic potential.
Investment grants and firms’ productivity: how effective is a grant booster shot?
Authors: Alexandre Fernando , Chaves Miguel , Portela Miguel
Published: August 2024

This paper evaluates the impact of awarding a second investment grant to the same firm. We implement a Regression Discontinuity Design strategy using a rich firm-level administrative database, which allows us to link applications to grants and their scores to firms’ performance. Our results show that while a single grant has a positive impact on firms’ labour productivity, a second investment grant produces an even stronger effect. A more granular analysis suggests that only micro- and small-sized firms benefit from a single grant, whereas the overall effect of an investment grant booster shot is confirmed for the micro- and small-sized firms. No effects were found on total factor productivity for either the single or the second grant.
Surnames in Local Newspapers and Social Mobility
Authors: Baldini Massimo , Barigazzi Andrea
Published: August 2024

This study aims to investigate social mobility by introducing an innovative data source: surnames in newspapers. The core hypothesis posits that frequent mentions in newspapers are indicative of greater social relevance. Through the collection of local newspaper data in the municipality of Modena, Italy, from 1921 to 2011, we examine variations in the relative representation of surnames in newspapers with respect to their presence in registry data. The results suggest that surnames in newspapers are not a random sample of the population, supporting the assumption that they reflect social significance. Surnames belonging to privileged groups exhibit a higher representation compared to other social groups. This higher relative representation seems to be transmitted to future generations and converges over time toward the mean, with variations depending on the considered high-status group. This kind of analysis could contribute to identifying different mobility patterns at the local level and represents a useful alternative when established data sources, such as income, education, and occupational data, are not available.
Triangulation of Hard X-Ray Sources in an X-Class Solar Flare with ASO-S/HXI and Solar Orbiter/STIX
Authors: Ryan Daniel F. , Massa Paolo , Battaglia Andrea F. , Dickson Ewan C. M. , Su Yang , Chen Wei , Krucker Säm
Published: August 2024

HXI on ASO-S and STIX onboard Solar Orbiter are the first simultaneously operating solar hard X-ray imaging spectrometers. ASO-S’s low Earth orbit and Solar Orbiter’s periodic displacement from the Sun–Earth line enables multi-viewpoint solar hard X-ray spectroscopic imaging analysis for the first time. Here, we demonstrate the potential of this new capability by reporting the first results of 3D triangulation of hard X-ray sources in the SOL2023-12-31T21:55 X5 flare. HXI and STIX observed the flare near the east limb with an observer separation angle of 18°. We triangulated the brightest regions within each source, which enabled us to characterise the large-scale hard X-ray geometry of the flare. The footpoints were found to be in the chromosphere within uncertainty, as expected, while the thermal looptop source was centred at an altitude of 15.1 ± 1 Mm. Given the footpoint separation, this implies a more elongated magnetic-loop structure than predicted by a semi-circular model. These results show the strong diagnostic power of joint HXI and STIX observations for understanding the 3D geometry of solar flares. We conclude by discussing the next steps required to fully exploit their potential.
Dust and Clouds on Mars: The View from Mars Express
Authors: Määttänen A. , Fedorova A. , Giuranna M. , Hernández-Bernal J. , Leseigneur Y. , Montmessin F. , Olsen K. S. , Sánchez-Lavega A. , Stcherbinine A. , Szantai A. , Tirsch D. , Vincendon M. , Willame Y. , Wolkenberg P.
Published: August 2024

European Space Agency’s Mars Express (MEX) has been orbiting Mars for 20 years and its instruments have provided a plethora of observations of atmospheric dust and clouds. These observations have been analysed to produce many unique views of the processes leading to dust lifting and cloud formation, and a full picture of the climatologies of dust and clouds has emerged. Moreover, the orbit of MEX enables viewing the planet at many local times, giving a unique access to the diurnal variations of the atmosphere. This article provides an overview of the observations of dust and clouds on Mars by MEX, complemented by the Trace Gas Orbiter that has been accompanying MEX on orbit for some years.
The COVID-19 thrombus: distinguishing pathological, mechanistic, and phenotypic features and management
Authors: Becker Richard C. , Tantry Udaya S. , Khan Muhammad , Gurbel Paul A.
Published: August 2024

A heightened risk for thrombosis is a hallmark of COVID-19. Expansive clinical experience and medical literature have characterized small (micro) and large (macro) vessel involvement of the venous and arterial circulatory systems. Most events occur in patients with serious or critical illness in the hyperacute (first 1–2 weeks) or acute phases (2–4 weeks) of SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, thrombosis involving the venous, arterial, and microcirculatory systems has been reported in the subacute (4–8 weeks), convalescent (> 8–12 weeks) and chronic phases (> 12 weeks) among patients with mild-to-moderate illness. The purpose of the current focused review is to highlight the distinguishing clinical features, pathological components, and potential mechanisms of venous, arterial, and microvascular thrombosis in patients with COVID-19. The overarching objective is to better understand the proclivity for thrombosis, laying a solid foundation for screening and surveillance modalities, preventive strategies, and optimal patient management.

Graphical abstract

Thrombosis involving the arterial, venous, and microvascular circulatory systems is a hallmark of COVID-19 contributing to organ injury, morbidity, and mortality. The COVID-19 thrombus has unique and distinct characteristics. Among them are a highly inflammatory signature on a foundation of endothelial cell inflammation and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). While the SARS-CoV-2 virus and resulting host immunoinflammatory response to this pathogen provide an underpinning for vascular events, the virus spike protein is necessary and likely sufficient for acute, subacute, and potentially in a latent form harbored in adipocytes, vascular endothelial cells, and circulating monocytes potentially contributing to post-infectious atherothrombotic phenotypes.
Genetic assessment of litter size, body weight, carcass traits and gene expression profiles in exotic and indigenous rabbit breeds: a study on New Zealand White, Californian, and Gabali rabbits in Egypt
Authors: Ayyat Mohamed S. , El-Monem Usama M. Abd , Moustafa Mahmoud M. A. , Al-Sagheer Adham A. , Mahran Mohamed D. , El-Attrouny Mahmoud M.
Published: August 2024

Rabbits are essential for commercial meat production due to their efficient growth and productivity, breeds like New Zealand White (NZW), Californian (CAL), and Gabali (GAB) rabbits offer unique genetic traits in litter, growth, and carcass traits. This study aimed to evaluate heritability (h2), genetic and phenotypic correlations (rg and rp) for litter size, body weight and carcass traits across California (CAL), New Zealand white (NZW) and Gabali (GA) rabbits. Along with exploring gene expression profiles of TBC1D1, NPY, AGRP, POMC, Leptin, GH, GHR, IGF-1, CAA, GPR, ACC, CPT1, FAS, and CART in the brain, liver, and meat tissues of different rabbit breeds. The breed genotype had a significant impact on litter size (LS), litter weight (LW), body weight at 12 weeks (BW12), and daily weight gain (DWG) traits. NZW rabbits displayed superior performance in terms of litter size and litter weight, while CAL rabbits recorded the highest values for BW12 and DWG. Heritability estimates (h2) were generally low for litter size (ranging from 0.05 to 0.12) and medium for body weight (ranging from 0.16 to 0.31). Both genetic (rg) and phenotypic (rp) correlations for litter size were positive and moderate (ranging from 0.08 to 0.48), while correlations for body weight ranged from 0.21 to 0.58. Additionally, CAL rabbits exhibited higher carcass traits compared to NZW and GA rabbits. In terms of breed-specific gene expression patterns, New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits displayed the highest expression levels of key genes related to energy metabolism (TBC1D1), appetite regulation (NPY, AGRP, POMC), nutrient transport (CAA), and G protein-coupled receptors (GPR) in both brain and liver tissues. Californian (CAL) rabbits exhibited superior gene expression of the ACC gene in brain tissue and GH, GHR, and IGF-1 genes in brain and meat tissues. Gabali (GAB) rabbits demonstrated the highest expression levels of TBC1D1, NPY, AGRP, GPR, and ACC genes in meat tissues. These breed-specific gene expression differences, combined with genetic evaluation efforts, have the potential to enhance reproductive and productive performance in rabbits, offering valuable insights for rabbit breeding programs and genetic selection.
Finding the Needle in the Haystack: Can Natural Language Processing of Students’ Evaluations of Teachers Identify Teaching Concerns?
Authors: Dine C. Jessica , Shea Judy A. , Clancy Caitlin B. , Heath Janae K. , Pluta William , Kogan Jennifer R.
Published: August 2024

Background

Institutions rely on student evaluations of teaching (SET) to ascertain teaching quality. Manual review of narrative comments can identify faculty with teaching concerns but can be resource and time-intensive.

Aim

To determine if natural language processing (NLP) of SET comments completed by learners on clinical rotations can identify teaching quality concerns.

Setting and Participants

Single institution retrospective cohort analysis of SET (n = 11,850) from clinical rotations between July 1, 2017, and June 30, 2018.

Program Description

The performance of three NLP dictionaries created by the research team was compared to an off-the-shelf Sentiment Dictionary.

Program Evaluation

The Expert Dictionary had an accuracy of 0.90, a precision of 0.62, and a recall of 0.50. The Qualifier Dictionary had lower accuracy (0.65) and precision (0.16) but similar recall (0.67). The Text Mining Dictionary had an accuracy of 0.78 and a recall of 0.24. The Sentiment plus Qualifier Dictionary had good accuracy (0.86) and recall (0.77) with a precision of 0.37.

Discussion

NLP methods can identify teaching quality concerns with good accuracy and reasonable recall, but relatively low precision. An existing, free, NLP sentiment analysis dictionary can perform nearly as well as dictionaries requiring expert coding or manual creation.
“Why Does Color Have to Matter?”: Color-Blind Racism and Political Polarization Among Jewish Americans
Authors: Horwitz Ilana M. , Spencer Ilana , Schnabel Landon
Published: August 2024

There is an appreciable divergence in views on racism among Jewish Americans based on their political affiliations, with Jewish Democrats being almost four times as likely as Jewish Republicans to perceive substantial discrimination against Black people. Through qualitative interviews with 30 Jewish adults across the political spectrum in the Philadelphia area, we analyze narratives surrounding George Floyd’s murder, the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, and the ensuing 2020 racial justice protests. The findings reveal pronounced polarization: Politically conservative Jews, predominantly Orthodox, largely opposed the BLM movement, often employing “color-blind racism” to justify their stance. In contrast, politically liberal Jews supported the BLM movement, emphasizing its importance in addressing racial injustice. This study contributes to the literature on Black–Jewish relations by providing insights into the complex relationship between American Jews and race, highlighting the impact of both religious and political polarization within the Jewish community on matters of racial justice.
Management of maize-legume conservation agriculture systems rather than varietal choice fosters human nutrition in Malawi
Authors: Muoni Tarirai , Mhlanga Blessing , Öborn Ingrid , Thierfelder Christian
Published: August 2024

Malawi smallholder farmers are facing climate-induced challenges that have increased food and nutrition insecurity in the country, thus sustainable intensification practices has been widely recommended. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of cropping systems with improved varieties on total system productivity and nutrition under different environments. The study involved on-farm experiments in ten communities in Central and Southern Malawi, incrementally established from 2005/2006 to 2018/2019 cropping seasons. Each community had six demonstration plots with three main treatments: conventional ploughing (CP): sole maize grown on seasonally constructed ridges and furrows; no-tillage (NT): sole maize grown on retained ridges with minimum soil disturbance and residue retained; and Conservation agriculture (CA): maize intercropped either cowpea, pigeon pea or groundnut on retained ridges as in NT. Our results show that total system nutrition was higher in CA treatments than NT and CP. The yields of maize were at least 800 kg ha−1 higher in CA and NT than CP despite the variety that was grown. Legume yields were also higher under CA and NT than CP. High protein yield was observed in CA systems (at least 100 kg ha−1 higher than CP) where maize and legume intercrops were rotated with grain legumes. Our results show nutrients and energy gains in CA and NT systems that can be invested in practices that increases the resilience of smallholder farmers to climate change. Conservation agriculture and NT systems have more influence on productivity of smallholder farms, despite the genotypes used (hybrids or OPVs).
Reconceptualizing the Interaction of Behavior and Environment
Authors: de Haan Jan Philippe , Simon Carsta
Published: August 2024

The concept of response strength and the process of strengthening by reinforcement are controversial in terms of their explanatory power. We clarify potential theoretical misconceptions following from a strength-based account such as essentialist thinking and circular reasoning. These problems also arise in the practice of latent variable modeling in psychometrics. To solve these conceptual problems, we discuss the Multilevel Model of Behavioral Selection (MLBS; Borgstede & Eggert, 2021) as an alternative theoretical framework. We use blocking from Pavlovian conditioning as an example to demonstrate how the MLBS framework prevents misconceptions arising from strength-based accounts and how it provides a more parsimonious and coherent explanation of the phenomenon. We illustrate the need for precisely defined and theoretically meaningful concepts and offer a reinterpretation of “strengthening by reinforcement.” The reconceptualization in terms of the MLBS renders the concept of response strength superfluous. We conclude by highlighting the importance of theoretical reconsideration, putting aside difficulties that arise when attempting to validate strength by empirical means.
Comparison of Small Rotor Tonal and Random Noise Decomposition Methods
Authors: Malkki Justin , Yauwenas Yendrew , Doolan Con , Moreau Danielle
Published: August 2024

This paper examines and compares methods of separating tonal and broadband components of the noise generated by small rotors as commonly found on small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS). Time synchronous analysis (TSA) methods with varying averaging algorithms, such as ensemble averaging (EA), exponential weighted moving averaging (EWMA) and Kalman filter averaging (KFA), are compared against themselves and against a cross-correlation-based method. The decomposition methods are used on noise measurements of a small isolated rotor under static operation and edgewise flight conditions at 10 m/s in the UNSW anechoic wind tunnel (UAT). The best method for isolating tones is TSA-EWMA and for isolating the broadband spectrum of noise is the cross-correlation method, based on the spectral reconstruction of the experimental data.
Using viscoplastic fluid to suppress part sedimentation in volumetric additive manufacturing
Authors: Salajeghe Roozbeh , Šeta Berin , Marla Deepak , Spangenberg Jon
Published: August 2024

Volumetric additive manufacturing (VAM) presents several advantages, notably reduced printing times and high surface quality. Yet, a persistent challenge is sedimentation during printing, impacting the geometric fidelity of printed objects. This study proposes an innovative solution using a viscoplastic resin, aiming to alleviate sedimentation and enable translation-free printing. Through numerical simulations, this approach’s efficacy is showcased. A comparative analysis between a viscoplastic fluid and a Newtonian case elucidates the disparities in viscosity and shear rate fields and their impact on sedimentation dynamics. Moreover, the study investigates the intricate relationships between viscoplastic parameters, resin attributes, and setup parameters to unveil their collective influence on sedimentation behavior. This methodology offers valuable insights into selecting optimal viscoplastic behavior and printing parameters to effectively control sedimentation in VAM.
Reduction of Water Consumption for Heating Plant Cooling with an Indirect Cooling System
Authors: Hlaváček Ondřej , Vagenknechtová Alice
Published: August 2024

In order to combat drought, many industrial companies are taking austerity measures in their water management. They are driven not only by economic reasons but also by tightening legislation, directly prohibiting the extraction of water from the environment when a drought is declared. The article deals with the case of a company that operates a heating plant for an industrial zone and the adjacent town. The water source is a river 2.5 km away. In the event of a drought, the company is affected by a ban on river-water extraction, which has a direct impact on the operation of the heating plant and the entire industrial zone, with the current heating-plant cooling system consuming up to 60% of the industrial water. Previous studies have shown the impossibility of installing a dry or hybrid cooling system in the area. A possible economical option is closed-loop cooling. Most of the cooling water is lost by evaporation, the rest by surface blowdown, neither of which occurs in a closed circuit. This paper deals with an alternative closed cooling system using a river and its design parameter calculation, including a comparison of the different options for pipe location and routing.
Adipositas beim Prader-Willi-Syndrom (PWS)
Authors: Schweiger Barbara , Mühleder Johannes , Laimer Sandra
Published: August 2024

Das Prader-Willi-Syndrom ist eine genetisch bedingte Erkrankung, bei der eine pathognomonische Hyperphagie fast bei allen Patienten zu einer Adipositas führt. Da die Adipositas mit ihren Komorbiditäten die Haupttodesursache ist, kommt der Behandlung eine wichtige Rolle zu. Medikamente zeigen bisher nur mäßige Erfolge bezüglich des Body-Mass-Index, können jedoch die Hyperphagie positiv beeinflussen. Der Ernährung kommt die wichtigste Aufgabe im Therapiemanagement zu. Hierbei gilt es die Zusammensetzung der Mahlzeiten zu beachten, aber auch Verhaltensmaßnahmen altersentsprechend umzusetzen. Die Adipositasprävention ist, trotz neuer Medikamente die wichtigste Säule zur Reduktion der Morbidität und Mortalität.
Theoretical Physics and Theoretical Neuroscience: What Each Can Learn from the Other
Authors: Abbott Larry , Gaudenzi Rocco
Published: August 2024

This interview with Larry Abbott, a distinguished physicist who made his way from theoretical particle physics to neuroscience, explores similarities and differences between the theoretical scaffoldings of physics and biology and the respective modelling practices. Abbott reflects on the philosophical underpinnings and practical challenges of both fields, emphasising the role of mathematical modelling in understanding complex systems. He discusses the status and the unifying role of the Standard Model in physics, compares it to the theoretical framework at the basis of neuroscience, and addresses the sociological and methodological shifts required when applying physical principles to biological phenomena. The conversation also delves into the impact of recent advances in artificial intelligence on the theory of the brain, probing whether these technological developments enhance our understanding of intelligence and consciousness.
Interpreting the main effects on the efficiency and morphology for establishing a procedure of electrodepositing Zn from purified chloride SPL solutions
Authors: Zakiyya Hanna , Illés István B. , Kékesi Tamás
Published: August 2024

Potentiodynamic and galvanostatic experiments have been used to investigate the electrodeposition of Zn and to develop a reliable recovery method from a purified spent pickling liquor (SPL) of hot dip galvanization. The main bjective was to find the suitable conditions to deposit high-grade Zn from the purified ZnCl2–HCl–NaCl solution in a conventional electrowinning cell holding the stationary electrolyte. The effects of pH (1.5–4.5) in and Zn concentration (30–150 g/dm3) in the stationary electrolytes were studied first by the potentiodynamic method to reveal the major characteristics of the cathodic process and to give reference for further practical examinations by the galvanostatic technique. The electrowinning experiments pointed out the effects of these major parameters, beside other practical factors, like apparent current density (c.d.) and additional NaCl concentration. The long-term galvanostatic experiments proved that the current efficiency (c.e.) increases significantly as the pH and the Zn concentration are increased. A c.e. of ~ 99% can be reached with an electrolyte of pH ~ 5, Zn concentration ~ 50 g/dm3 applying a c.d. in the 300–600 A/m2 range. Increasing the Zn concentration could considerably improve also the deposit morphology. The addition of NaCl can practically improve the c.e. if the Zn concentration is at least around 50 g/dm3. In contrast, this improvement is largely off-set by the negative effects of strong H2 evolution at low (e.g. < 10 g/dm3) Zn concentrations. Extremely high Cl− ion concentrations, however, inhibit the cathodic reaction by stronger chloro-complex formation. In this case the intensive H+ reduction causes hydroxide precipitation.
Crime that ‘Withered Away?’ Democratic Backsliding and Non-Punitive Populism
Authors: Tripkovic Milena
Published: August 2024

The article explores the relationship between democratic backsliding and governance of crime. By focusing on Serbia, which began to democratize in 2000 but started to backslide already in 2012, the article argues that governance of crime has been largely insulated from the damaging impact of the overall process of democratic decline and has been characterized by mostly moderate and inert penal tendencies. While the autocratic inclinations of the political regime have grown substantively in the last decade, crime has lost salience as a tool for political manipulation: the article proposes that this was mostly owing to an overarching political elite’s narrative that depicts Serbia as a successful and well-governed country, in which (most) crime has ‘withered away’. The article concludes by calling for research that better grasps the specificities of various forms of backsliding to understand the role of penality within them and by assessing the coherence of this finding with some of the key ideas developed within the punishment and society literature.
Molecular beam epitaxy growth of topological insulator Bi4Br4 on silicon for the infrared applications
Authors: Xu Shiqi , Meng Xiangkai , Zhang Xu , Zhang Chunpan , Bai Jiangyue , Jiang Yujiu , Li Xiuxia , Wang Chong , Mao Pengcheng , Han Junfeng , Yao Yugui
Published: August 2024

Bi4Br4 is a material rich in intriguing topological properties. Monolayer Bi4Br4 film exhibits helical edge states characteristic of a quantum spin Hall insulator, while bulk Bi4Br4 represents a higher-order topological insulator with hinge states. However, direct exfoliation from single crystal can only obtain thin nanowires due to the weak van der Waals forces between Bi4Br4 chains, which limits its optical analysis and application, while the growth of Bi4Br4 thin films is also full of challenges due to the extremely narrow growth temperature range and the accurate control of the BiBr3 flux. Here, we reported the controlled growth of α-Bi4Br4 thin films on intrinsic silicon substrates using molecular beam epitaxy. The growth temperature, BiBr3 flux, and the flux ratio of Bi and BiBr3 were accurately controlled. Then, the morphology, composition, and bonding of the prepared films were investigated using atomic force microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The growth of large, uniform thin films provides an ideal material platform for studying the physical properties of Bi4Br4. Additionally, we utilized Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy to explore the film’s infrared characteristics, revealing strong absorption in the low frequency range due to the high proportion of one-dimensional topological edge states and laying the groundwork for further exploration of its potential applications in the optoelectronic field.
Identifying the Magnetospheric Drivers of Giant Undulations: Global Modeling of the Evolving Inner Magnetosphere and Its Auroral Manifestations
Authors: Sorathia K. A. , Shumko M. , Sciola A. , Michael A. , Merkin V. G. , Gallardo‐Lacourt B. , Henderson M. G. , Lin D. , Bao S. , Garretson J. , Ukhorskiy A. Y.
Published: August 2024

We present the first global geospace simulation to reproduce auroral giant undulations (GUs). To identify their magnetospheric drivers, we employ the MAGE (Multiscale Atmosphere‐Geospace Environment) model in a case study of a geomagnetic storm for which there were spacecraft‐ and ground‐based observations of GUs. The model reproduces the spatial and temporal scales of the GUs as well as the presence of duskside subauroral polarization streams (SAPS) and plasmapause undulations. Based on our modeling, we are able to identify the magnetospheric drivers of GUs as mesoscale ring current injections which, after drifting westward, create inverted regions of flux‐tube entropy (FTE) and subsequent interchange instability. Outward‐protruding interchange fingers disrupt shielding of the inner magnetosphere, creating longitudinally localized ripples in magnetospheric convection equatorward of the magnetospheric instability, which structure the plasmapause and duskside diffuse precipitation. While not causal, SAPS and plasmapause undulations are a consequence of the unstable magnetospheric configuration.
Prioritising patients for publicly funded bariatric surgery in Queensland, Australia
Authors: Scuffham Paul , Cross Megan , Teppala Srinivas , Hopkins George , Chikani Viral , Wykes Katie , Paxton Jody
Published: August 2024

Objectives

This study reports the development and pilot application of the Bariatric Surgery Assessment and Prioritisation Tool (BAPT) for use in a public health system. The BAPT was designed as a patient prioritisation instrument to assess patients with excessive weight and type 2 diabetes suitable for bariatric surgery. We assessed whether the instrument successfully identified those who gained the greatest benefits including weight loss, diabetes remission, reduction in comorbidities, and health-related quality of life (HR-QoL).

Methods

The BAPT instrument was applied to score 292 patients referred for bariatric surgery in Queensland between 2017 and 2020 based on their, body mass index, diabetes status, surgical risk (e.g. pulmonary embolism) and comorbidities (e.g. non-alcoholic steatohepatitis). These data were collected at referral and at 12-months post-surgery for 130 patients and stratified by BAPT scores. Outcomes included clinical and HR-QoL.

Results

Patients’ BAPT scores ranged from 12 to 78 (possible range 2–98). Those with higher scores tended to be younger (p < 0.001), have higher BMI (p < 0.001) or require insulin to manage diabetes (p < 0.01). All patients lost similar percentages of body weight (20–25%, p = 0.73) but higher-scoring patients were more likely to discontinue oral diabetes medications (p < 0.001) and the improvement in glycated haemoglobin was four times greater in patients scoring 70–79 points compared to those scoring 20–29 (p < 0.05). Those who scored ≥ 50 on the BAPT were substantially more likely to obtain diabetes remission (57% vs 31%). BAPT scores of 40 and above tended to have greater improvement in HR-QoL.

Conclusions

The BAPT prioritised younger patients with higher BMIs who realised greater improvements in their diabetes after bariatric surgery. Higher-scoring BAPT patients should be prioritised for bariatric surgery as they have a greater likelihood of attaining diabetes remission.
Tau PET positivity predicts clinically relevant cognitive decline driven by Alzheimer’s disease compared to comorbid cases; proof of concept in the ADNI study
Authors: Ioannou Konstantinos , Bucci Marco , Tzortzakakis Antonios , Savitcheva Irina , Nordberg Agneta , Chiotis Konstantinos ,   for the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: August 2024

β-amyloid (Aβ) pathology is not always coupled with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) relevant cognitive decline. We assessed the accuracy of tau PET to identify Aβ(+) individuals who show prospective disease progression. 396 cognitively unimpaired and impaired individuals with baseline Aβ and tau PET and a follow-up of ≥ 2 years were selected from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative dataset. The participants were dichotomously grouped based on either clinical conversion (i.e., change of diagnosis) or cognitive deterioration (fast (FDs) vs. slow decliners (SDs)) using data-driven clustering of the individual annual rates of cognitive decline. To assess cognitive decline in individuals with isolated Aβ(+) or absence of both Aβ and tau (T) pathologies, we investigated the prevalence of non-AD comorbidities and FDG PET hypometabolism patterns suggestive of AD. Baseline tau PET uptake was higher in Aβ(+)FDs than in Aβ(-)FD/SDs and Aβ(+)SDs, independently of baseline cognitive status. Baseline tau PET uptake identified MCI Aβ(+) Converters and Aβ(+)FDs with an area under the curve of 0.85 and 0.87 (composite temporal region of interest) respectively, and was linearly related to the annual rate of cognitive decline in Aβ(+) individuals. The T(+) individuals constituted largely a subgroup of those being Aβ(+) and those clustered as FDs. The most common biomarker profiles in FDs (n = 70) were Aβ(+)T(+) (n = 34, 49%) and Aβ(+)T(-) (n = 19, 27%). Baseline Aβ load was higher in Aβ(+)T(+)FDs (M = 83.03 ± 31.42CL) than in Aβ(+)T(-)FDs (M = 63.67 ± 26.75CL) (p-value = 0.038). Depression diagnosis was more prevalent in Aβ(+)T(-)FDs compared to Aβ(+)T(+)FDs (47% vs. 15%, p-value = 0.021), as were FDG PET hypometabolism pattern not suggestive of AD (86% vs. 50%, p-value = 0.039). Our findings suggest that high tau PET uptake is coupled with both Aβ pathology and accelerated cognitive decline. In cases of isolated Aβ(+), cognitive decline may be associated with changes within the AD spectrum in a multi-morbidity context, i.e., mixed AD.
Dynamics of human serotonin synthesis differentially link to reward anticipation and feedback
Authors: Hahn Andreas , Reed Murray B. , Murgaš Matej , Vraka Chrysoula , Klug Sebastian , Schmidt Clemens , Godbersen Godber M. , Eggerstorfer Benjamin , Gomola David , Silberbauer Leo R. , Nics Lukas , Philippe Cécile , Hacker Marcus , Lanzenberger Rupert
Published: August 2024

Serotonin (5-HT) plays an essential role in reward processing, however, the possibilities to investigate 5-HT action in humans during emotional stimulation are particularly limited. Here we demonstrate the feasibility of assessing reward-specific dynamics in 5-HT synthesis using functional PET (fPET), combining its molecular specificity with the high temporal resolution of blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) fMRI. Sixteen healthy volunteers underwent simultaneous fPET/fMRI with the radioligand [11C]AMT, a substrate for tryptophan hydroxylase. During the scan, participants completed the monetary incentive delay task and arterial blood samples were acquired for quantifying 5-HT synthesis rates. BOLD fMRI was recorded as a proxy of neuronal activation, allowing differentiation of reward anticipation and feedback. Monetary gain and loss resulted in substantial increases in 5-HT synthesis in the ventral striatum (VStr, +21% from baseline) and the anterior insula (+41%). In the VStr, task-specific 5-HT synthesis was further correlated with BOLD signal changes during reward feedback (ρ = −0.65), but not anticipation. Conversely, 5-HT synthesis in the anterior insula correlated with BOLD reward anticipation (ρ = −0.61), but not feedback. In sum, we provide a robust tool to identify task-induced changes in 5-HT action in humans, linking the dynamics of 5-HT synthesis to distinct phases of reward processing in a regionally specific manner. Given the relevance of altered reward processing in psychiatric disorders such as addiction, depression and schizophrenia, our approach offers a tailored assessment of impaired 5-HT signaling during cognitive and emotional processing.
The effect of comorbidities on diagnostic interval for lung cancer in England: a cohort study using electronic health record data
Authors: Rogers Imogen , Cooper Max , Memon Anjum , Forbes Lindsay , van Marwijk Harm , Ford Elizabeth
Published: August 2024

Background

Comorbid conditions may delay lung cancer diagnosis by placing demand on general practioners’ time reducing the possibility of prompt cancer investigation (“competing demand conditions”), or by offering a plausible non-cancer explanation for signs/symptoms (“alternative explanation conditions”).

Method

Patients in England born before 1955 and diagnosed with incident lung cancer between 1990 and 2019 were identified in the Clinical Practice Research Datalink and linked hospital admission and cancer registry data. Diagnostic interval was defined as time from first presentation in primary care with a relevant sign/symptom to the diagnosis date. 14 comorbidities were classified as ten “competing demand“ and four “alternative explanation” conditions. Associations with diagnostic interval were investigated using multivariable linear regression models.

Results

Complete data were available for 11870 lung cancer patients. In adjusted analyses diagnostic interval was longer for patients with “alternative explanation” conditions, by 31 and 74 days in patients with one and ≥2 conditions respectively versus those with none. Number of “competing demand” conditions did not remain in the final adjusted regression model for diagnostic interval.

Conclusions

Conditions offering alternative explanations for lung cancer symptoms are associated with increased diagnostic intervals. Clinical guidelines should incorporate the impact of alternative and competing causes upon delayed diagnosis.
Accelerated differentiation of neo-W nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes between two climate-associated bird lineages signals potential co-evolution with mitogenomes
Authors: Low Gabriel Weijie , Pavlova Alexandra , Gan Han Ming , Ko Meng-Ching , Sadanandan Keren R. , Lee Yin Peng , Amos J. Nevil , Austin Lana , Falk Stephanie , Dowling Damian K. , Sunnucks Paul
Published: August 2024

There is considerable evidence for mitochondrial-nuclear co-adaptation as a key evolutionary driver. Hypotheses regarding the roles of sex-linkage have emphasized Z-linked nuclear genes with mitochondrial function (N-mt genes), whereas it remains contentious whether the perfect co-inheritance of W genes with mitogenomes could hinder or facilitate co-adaptation. Young (neo-) sex chromosomes that possess relatively many N-mt genes compared to older chromosomes provide unprecedented hypothesis-testing opportunities. Eastern Yellow Robin (EYR) lineages in coastal and inland habitats with different climates are diverged in mitogenomes, and in a ~ 15.4 Mb nuclear region enriched with N-mt genes, in contrast with otherwise-similar nuclear genomes. This nuclear region maps to passerine chromosome 1A, previously found to be neo-sex in the inland EYR genome. To compare sex-linked Chr1A-derived genes between lineages, we assembled and annotated the coastal EYR genome. We found that: (i) the coastal lineage shares a similar neo-sex system with the inland lineage, (ii) neo-W and neo-Z N-mt genes are not more diverged between lineages than are comparable non-N-mt genes, and showed little evidence for broad positive selection, (iii) however, W-linked N-mt genes are more diverged between lineages than are their Z-linked gametologs. The latter effect was ~7 times stronger for N-mt than non-N-mt genes, suggesting that W-linked N-mt genes might have diverged between lineages under environmental selection through co-evolution with mitogenomes. Finally, we identify a candidate gene driver for divergent selection, NDUFA12. Our data represent a rare example suggesting a possible role for W-associated mitochondrial-nuclear interactions in climate-associated adaptation and lineage differentiation.
Metallic coatings in offshore wind sector—a mini review
Authors: Syrek-Gerstenkorn Berenika , Paul Shiladitya
Published: August 2024

Offshore wind energy is pivotal for achieving global renewable energy targets. As of 2022, 12% of global electricity is derived from wind and solar power, with an imperative to reach 90% renewable energy by 2050. The offshore wind industry, constituting 7.1% of global wind power, plays a central role in meeting these goals. The Global Wind Energy Alliance envisions reaching 380 GW by 2030 and 2000 GW by 2050. This paper addresses corrosion challenges in the offshore environment, emphasising sacrificial coatings as an effective mitigation strategy. By critically evaluating the latest revisions of widely used international standards such as Norsok M-501, ISO 12944, and VGBE-S-021, the study focuses on zinc- and aluminium-rich coatings that form a galvanic couple with steel, providing cathodic protection. Liquid coatings, thermally sprayed coatings, and hot-dip galvanised coatings are examined for their applicability with discussion on the advantages and limitations of these systems. Considerations of cost, environmental impact, and testing methods are crucial in selecting corrosion mitigation strategies. The review alludes to these requirements and highlights the significance of durable solutions, such as sacrificial coatings, in ensuring the long-term integrity of offshore wind structures amid the sector’s rapid expansion. Further collaborative research, involving industry and academia, is recommended to refine testing regimes and explore innovative coating solutions.
Loss of plasticity in deep continual learning
Authors: Dohare Shibhansh , Hernandez-Garcia J. Fernando , Lan Qingfeng , Rahman Parash , Mahmood A. Rupam , Sutton Richard S.
Published: August 2024

Artificial neural networks, deep-learning methods and the backpropagation algorithm1 form the foundation of modern machine learning and artificial intelligence. These methods are almost always used in two phases, one in which the weights of the network are updated and one in which the weights are held constant while the network is used or evaluated. This contrasts with natural learning and many applications, which require continual learning. It has been unclear whether or not deep learning methods work in continual learning settings. Here we show that they do not—that standard deep-learning methods gradually lose plasticity in continual-learning settings until they learn no better than a shallow network. We show such loss of plasticity using the classic ImageNet dataset and reinforcement-learning problems across a wide range of variations in the network and the learning algorithm. Plasticity is maintained indefinitely only by algorithms that continually inject diversity into the network, such as our continual backpropagation algorithm, a variation of backpropagation in which a small fraction of less-used units are continually and randomly reinitialized. Our results indicate that methods based on gradient descent are not enough—that sustained deep learning requires a random, non-gradient component to maintain variability and plasticity.
Stem cells tightly regulate dead cell clearance to maintain tissue fitness
Authors: Stewart Katherine S. , Abdusselamoglu Merve Deniz , Tierney Matthew T. , Gola Anita , Hur Yun Ha , Gonzales Kevin A. U. , Yuan Shaopeng , Bonny Alain R. , Yang Yihao , Infarinato Nicole R. , Cowley Christopher J. , Levorse John M. , Pasolli Hilda Amalia , Ghosh Sourav , Rothlin Carla V. , Fuchs Elaine
Published: August 2024

Billions of cells are eliminated daily from our bodies1–4. Although macrophages and dendritic cells are dedicated to migrating and engulfing dying cells and debris, many epithelial and mesenchymal tissue cells can digest nearby apoptotic corpses1–4. How these non-motile, non-professional phagocytes sense and eliminate dying cells while maintaining their normal tissue functions is unclear. Here we explore the mechanisms that underlie their multifunctionality by exploiting the cyclical bouts of tissue regeneration and degeneration during hair cycling. We show that hair follicle stem cells transiently unleash phagocytosis at the correct time and place through local molecular triggers that depend on both lipids released by neighbouring apoptotic corpses and retinoids released by healthy counterparts. We trace the heart of this dual ligand requirement to RARγ–RXRα, whose activation enables tight regulation of apoptotic cell clearance genes and provides an effective, tunable mechanism to offset phagocytic duties against the primary stem cell function of preserving tissue integrity during homeostasis. Finally, we provide functional evidence that hair follicle stem cell-mediated phagocytosis is not simply redundant with professional phagocytes but rather has clear benefits to tissue fitness. Our findings have broad implications for other non-motile tissue stem or progenitor cells that encounter cell death in an immune-privileged niche.
Genome-scale quantification and prediction of pathogenic stop codon readthrough by small molecules
Authors: Toledano Ignasi , Supek Fran , Lehner Ben
Published: August 2024

Premature termination codons (PTCs) cause ~10–20% of inherited diseases and are a major mechanism of tumor suppressor gene inactivation in cancer. A general strategy to alleviate the effects of PTCs would be to promote translational readthrough. Nonsense suppression by small molecules has proven effective in diverse disease models, but translation into the clinic is hampered by ineffective readthrough of many PTCs. Here we directly tackle the challenge of defining drug efficacy by quantifying the readthrough of ~5,800 human pathogenic stop codons by eight drugs. We find that different drugs promote the readthrough of complementary subsets of PTCs defined by local sequence context. This allows us to build interpretable models that accurately predict drug-induced readthrough genome-wide, and we validate these models by quantifying endogenous stop codon readthrough. Accurate readthrough quantification and prediction will empower clinical trial design and the development of personalized nonsense suppression therapies.
Trends of peroxyacetyl nitrate and its impact on ozone over 2018–2022 in urban atmosphere
Authors: Lin Ziyi , Xu Lingling , Yang Chen , Chen Gaojie , Ji Xiaoting , Li Lingjun , Zhang Keran , Hong Youwei , Li Mengren , Fan Xiaolong , Hu Baoye , Zhang Fuwang , Chen Jinsheng
Published: August 2024

Peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) is an important photochemical product and affects ozone (O3) formation in the troposphere. Yet, the long-term observation of PAN remains scarce, limiting the full understanding of its impacts on photochemical pollution. Here, we observed PAN from 2018 to 2022 in urban Fuzhou, Southeastern China. We found that, in contrast to upward trend of O3, PAN concentrations shown a significant decreasing trend at an average rate of −0.07 ppb/year. NO2, CO, UVB, and T contributed to the decreasing trend of PAN according to Machine learning analyses, while the effect of O3-represented atmospheric oxidation capacity on PAN was fluctuating from year to year. Chemical box model revealed active PA production and depletion in Fuzhou. Thus, despite the decreasing PAN concentration, PAN chemistry effectively promoted O3 formation by rising ROx levels, leading to increases of 2.18%–58.4% in net O3 production rate in different years. Our results provide valuable insights into the evolution of photochemical pollution in urban environments.
Gelatinous filter feeders increase ecosystem efficiency
Authors: Stukel Michael R. , Décima Moira , Fender Christian K. , Gutierrez-Rodriguez Andres , Selph Karen E.
Published: August 2024

Gelatinous filter feeders (e.g., salps, doliolids, and pyrosomes) have high filtration rates and can feed at predator:prey size ratios exceeding 10,000:1, yet are seldom included in ecosystem or climate models. We investigated foodweb and trophic dynamics in the presence and absence of salp blooms using traditional productivity and grazing measurements combined with compound-specific isotopic analysis of amino acids estimation of trophic position during Lagrangian framework experiments in the Southern Ocean. Trophic positions of salps ranging 10–132 mm in size were 2.2 ± 0.3 (mean ± std) compared to 2.6 ± 0.4 for smaller (mostly crustacean) mesozooplankton. The mostly herbivorous salp trophic position was maintained despite biomass dominance of ~10-µm-sized primary producers. We show that potential energy flux to >10-cm organisms increases by approximately an order of magnitude when salps are abundant, even without substantial alteration to primary production. Comparison to a wider dataset from other marine regions shows that alterations to herbivore communities are a better predictor of ecosystem transfer efficiency than primary-producer dynamics. These results suggest that diverse consumer communities and intraguild predation complicate climate change predictions (e.g., trophic amplification) based on linear food chains. These compensatory foodweb dynamics should be included in models that forecast marine ecosystem responses to warming and reduced nutrient supply.