bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cyberattack, cyber risk mitigation capabilities, and firm productivity in Kenya
Authors: Tetteh Godsway Korku , Otioma Chuks
Published: July 2024

Most scholarly work has focused on the positive effects of digitalisation in Sub-Saharan Africa without accounting for the associated risks and mitigation measures at the firm level. Using the 2016 Enterprise ICT Survey of Kenya which provides a rich source of information on the use of ICT among firms, we examine the effect of cybersecurity breach on labour productivity and show how this effect is moderated by cyber risk mitigation capabilities at the firm level. We find that cybersecurity breach reduces labour productivity at the firm level. We also find that upskilling mitigates the negative effect of cybersecurity breach on labour productivity especially for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises. The results further suggest that while Information Technology Policy and Information Technology Security capabilities can enable firms to improve labour productivity, these measures are not sufficient to offset the adverse effect of cybersecurity breach on labour productivity. Together the results imply that upskilling is an effective cyber risk mitigation measure against cybersecurity breaches at the firm level and therefore should be an integral part of the overarching IT governance strategy of firms.
Towards a Viable Knowledge Environment within an Academic Institution
Authors: Kurti Erdelina , Salavati Sadaf
Published: July 2024

This study presents a Viable System Model diagnosis of the academic structure in the form of Knowledge Environment focusing on digital transformation. Data has been collected through interviews complemented with document analysis. This research has identified several challenges mainly in terms of structural alignment between two recursive levels. In addition, we discuss how the viability of the Knowledge Environment can be strengthened by redefining roles and responsibilities of different systems. This research contributes to the scholarly work on the Viable System Model application to academic institutions. The case in focus cuts across several faculties and departments raising known challenges as identified in related research and new challenges found through the diagnosis. In this research we apply a soft systems lens combining two systems approaches, Rich Picture from Soft Systems Methodology and Viable System Model to diagnose and discuss the complexity of the dynamic knowledge environment, as well as to explore initial ideas for further enhancing its viability.
The Impact of Wettability on the Co-moving Velocity of Two-Fluid Flow in Porous Media
Authors: Alzubaidi Fatimah , McClure James E. , Pedersen Håkon , Hansen Alex , Berg Carl Fredrik , Mostaghimi Peyman , Armstrong Ryan T.
Published: July 2024

The impact of wettability on the co-moving velocity of two-fluid flow in porous media is analyzed herein. The co-moving velocity, developed by Roy et al. (Front Phys 8:4, 2022), is a novel representation of the flow behavior of two fluids through porous media. Our study aims to better understand the behavior of the co-moving velocity by analyzing simulation data under various wetting conditions. We analyzed 46 relative permeability curves based on the Lattice–Boltzmann color fluid model and two experimentally determined relative permeability curves. The analysis of the relative permeability data followed the methodology proposed by Roy et al. (Front Phys 8:4, 2022) to reconstruct a constitutive equation for the co-moving velocity. Surprisingly, the coefficients of the constitutive equation were found to be nearly the same for all wetting conditions. On the basis of these results, a simple approach was proposed to reconstruct the relative permeability of the oil phase using only the co-moving velocity relationship and the relative permeability of the water phase. This proposed method provides new information on the interdependence of the relative permeability curves, which has implications for the history matching of production data and the solution of the associated inverse problem. The research findings contribute to a better understanding of the impact of wettability on fluid flow in porous media and provide a practical approach for estimating relative permeability based on the co-moving velocity relationship, which has never been shown before.
A systematic review of diet and medication use among centenarians and near-centenarians worldwide
Authors: Dai Zhaoli , Lee Sue Yi , Sharma Srishti , Ullah Shahid , Tan Edwin C. K. , Brodaty Henry , Schutte Aletta E. , Sachdev Perminder S.
Published: July 2024

Centenarians represent a phenomenon of successful aging. This systematic review aimed to understand lifestyles and health practices, focusing on diet and medication use for healthy longevity in community-based adults 95 years or over. Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, and gray literature were searched from 1 January 2000 to 10 December 2022. Study quality was assessed using the Modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (mNOS). Pooled prevalence [%; 95% confidence interval] for categorical variables and pooled mean for continuous variables were estimated for demographics, weight status, lifestyle factors, medications, and health conditions. Of 3392 records screened, 34 studies were included in the review, and 71% (24/34) met the 6/8 criteria in mNOS. Centenarians/near-centenarians’ ages ranged from 95 to 118 years, with 75% (71–78%) female and 78% (68–88%) living in rural areas. They had an overall healthy lifestyle: current smoking (7%; 5–9%), drinking (23%; 17–30%), normal weight (52%; 42–61%), overweight (14%; 8–20%), physical activity (23%; 20–26%), and sleep satisfaction (68%; 65–72%). Diet averaged 59.6% carbohydrate, 18.5% protein, and 29.3% fat; over 60% consumed a diverse diet, and < 20% preferred salty food, contributing to lower mortality risks and functional decline. About half used antihypertensives (49%; 14–84%) or other cardiovascular drugs (48%; 24–71%), with an average of 4.6 medications. Common health issues included impaired basic activities of daily living (54%; 33–74%), hypertension (43%; 21–65%), and dementia (41%; 23–59%). The findings of this systemic review underscore the pivotal role of dietary practice and weight management in healthcare strategies to promote healthy ageing. It also recognises rural living styles and sleep hygiene as potential factors contributing to healthy longevity.
Association of physical function with connectivity in the sensorimotor and dorsal attention networks: why examining specific components of physical function matters
Authors: Boyd Madeline C. , Burdette Jonathan H. , Miller Michael E. , Lyday Robert G. , Hugenschmidt Christina E. , Jack Rejeski W. , Simpson Sean L. , Baker Laura D. , Tomlinson Chal E. , Kritchevsky Stephen B. , Laurienti Paul J.
Published: July 2024

Declining physical function with aging is associated with structural and functional brain network organization. Gaining a greater understanding of network associations may be useful for targeting interventions that are designed to slow or prevent such decline. Our previous work demonstrated that the Short Physical Performance Battery (eSPPB) score and body mass index (BMI) exhibited a statistical interaction in their associations with connectivity in the sensorimotor cortex (SMN) and the dorsal attention network (DAN). The current study examined if components of the eSPPB have unique associations with these brain networks. Functional magnetic resonance imaging was performed on 192 participants in the BNET study, a longitudinal and observational trial of community-dwelling adults aged 70 or older. Functional brain networks were generated for resting state and during a motor imagery task. Regression analyses were performed between eSPPB component scores (gait speed, complex gait speed, static balance, and lower extremity strength) and BMI with SMN and DAN connectivity. Gait speed, complex gait speed, and lower extremity strength significantly interacted with BMI in their association with SMN at rest. Gait speed and complex gait speed were interacted with BMI in the DAN at rest while complex gait speed, static balance, and lower extremity strength interacted with BMI in the DAN during motor imagery. Results demonstrate that different components of physical function, such as balance or gait speed and BMI, are associated with unique aspects of brain network organization. Gaining a greater mechanistic understanding of the associations between low physical function, body mass, and brain physiology may lead to the development of treatments that not only target specific physical function limitations but also specific brain networks.
Cross-cultural Comparison of Recovery College Implementation Between Japan and England: Corpus-based Discourse Analysis
Authors: Kotera Yasuhiro , Miyamoto Yuki , Vilar-Lluch Sara , Aizawa Ikuya , Reilly Owen , Miwa Akihiro , Murakami Michio , Stergiopoulos Vicky , Kroon Hans , Giles Kirsty , Garner Kennedyrae , Ronaldson Amy , McPhilbin Merly , Jebara Tesnime , Takhi Simran , Repper Julie , Meddings Sara , Jepps Jessica , Simpson Adelabu Jonathan , Kellermann Vanessa , Arakawa Naoko , Henderson Claire , Slade Mike , Eguchi Shigeyuki
Published: July 2024

Recovery Colleges (RCs) are mental health learning communities, operated in 28 countries across cultures. However, the RC operational model is informed by Western countries sharing similar cultural characteristics such as individualism and short-term orientation. How RC operational model needs to be adapted to non-Western culture remains unknown. We investigated how RCs are introduced to the public in two countries with contrasting cultural characteristics: Japan (collectivism, long-term) and England (individualism, short-term). Corpus-based discourse analysis on 22,827 words from promotional texts (13 RCs in Japan, 61 in England) revealed that both countries emphasised mental illness lived experiences. In Japan, the focus was on the relational and long-term aspects of recovery. In England, the focus was on personal learning and skill acquisition. People attending RCs in Japan may anticipate experiencing collectivistic and long-term elements, which are viewed unfavourably in the operational model. Findings suggest refinements to the operational model to include under-represented cultural characteristics.
Human Brain Organoid Research and Applications: Where and How to Meet Legal Challenges?
Authors: Kataoka M. , Lee T.-L. , Sawai T.
Published: July 2024

An ethical and legal framework is needed to regulate the rapidly developing human brain organoid research field properly. However, considering the legal issues involved in human brain organoid research remains underdeveloped and scattered. This article reviews the legal issues of human brain organoid research, grouping them into the following five broad themes: (1) consciousness, (2) legal status, (3) consent, (4) ownership, and (5) transplantation. The issues in each topic include both the urgent (e.g., appropriate forms of consent) and the speculative (e.g., protection of conscious human brain organoids). Therefore, we have attempted to be as explicit as possible about the timescale within which each issue will be realized and to prioritize each. Examining these issues has revealed legal issues specific to human brain organoid research and issues common to research in other fields. Further discussion of human brain organoid research from a legal perspective is needed in the future, considering discussions in related fields.
Effectiveness of external prestressing in enhancing the non-ductile hanger failure mechanism in reinforced concrete inverted T-beams
Authors: Atta Ahmed M. , Behiry Reda N. , Haraz Mohammed I.
Published: July 2024

Recently, inverted T-beams have been used in reinforced concrete (RC) bridges to support transverse precast stringers. Inverted T-beams, contrary to practice with conventional beams, are loaded on the flanges upper surface. This loading configuration causes hanger failure due to the generation of vertical tensile stresses near the bottom of the web. The key purpose of this study is to investigate the efficiency of vertical external prestressing stainless-steel bars in mitigating non-ductile hanger failure in reinforced concrete inverted T-beams. An experimental study on six inverted-T beams, including two un-strengthened specimens, was carried out. The study showed that the value of the prestressing level had a considerable impact on the performance of hanger mechanism in relation to crack pattern, ultimate loads, cracking behavior, load–deflection, strains, and ductility. The experimental results indicated that the suggested method for strengthening inverted T-beams had efficacy in reducing the seriousness of the non-ductile hanger failure and resulted in a strength increase of up to 53% when compared to that of the un-strengthened specimen. Additionally, two analytical models for estimating the hanger capacity and the average crack width of the strengthened RC inverted T-beams were proposed. The models that were proposed exhibited a high degree of agreement with the experimental results.
Don’t give me just positive feedback: How positive and negative feedback can increase feedback-based goal setting and proactive customer service behavior
Authors: Menguc Bulent , Auh Seigyoung , Ang Dionysius , Uray Nimet
Published: July 2024

How can managers use positive and negative feedback to encourage employees’ proactive customer service behavior (PCSB)? This question has significant implications because while companies utilize feedback for employee development, it remains unclear how different forms of manager feedback can improve or impair customer service. We synthesize the feedback, goal-setting, and proactive service behavior literature and propose a motivational driver–goal setting–goal striving–goal attainment (MG3) model to help unpack the feedback–PCSB link. Using time-wave survey data in Study 1, we find that feedback-based goal setting fully mediates the effect of positive (but not negative) feedback on PCSB. Using controlled experiments in Studies 2 and 3, we demonstrate that while positive feedback affects feedback-based goal setting through feedback utility, negative feedback does so via feedback accountability, revealing distinct mechanisms. Our research underscores the importance of distinguishing between feedback types when the goal is to foster PCSB.
Effect of Post-transplant Dietary Restriction on Hematopoietic Reconstitution and Maintenance of Reconstitution Capacity of Hematopoietic Stem Cells
Authors: Tao Si , Qiu Xingxing , Wang Yiting , Qiu Rongrong , Yu Chenghui , Sun Man , Liu Lulu , Tao Zhendong , Zhang Liu , Tang Duozhuang
Published: July 2024

Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is an important therapy for many hematological malignancies as well as some non-malignant diseases. Post-transplant hematopoiesis is affected by multiple factors, and the mechanisms of delayed post-transplant hematopoiesis remain poorly understood. Patients undergoing HCT often suffer from significantly reduced food intake due to complications induced by preconditioning treatments. Here, we used a dietary restriction (DR) mouse model to study the effect of post-transplant dietary reduction on hematopoiesis and hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). We found that post-transplant DR significantly inhibited both lymphopoiesis and myelopoiesis in the primary recipient mice. However, when bone marrow cells (BMCs) from the primary recipient mice were serially transplanted into secondary and tertiary recipient mice, the HSCs derived from the primary recipient mice, which were exposed to post-transplant DR, exhibited a much higher reconstitution capacity. Transplantation experiments with purified HSCs showed that post-transplant DR greatly inhibited hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) expansion. Additionally, post-transplant DR reshaped the gut microbiotas of the recipient mice, which inhibited inflammatory responses and thus may have contributed to maintaining HSC function. Our findings may have important implications for clinical work because reduced food intake and problems with digestion and absorption are common in patients undergoing HCT.

Graphical Abstract
Infectious mononucleosis complicated by transitory Epstein-Barr virus infection of T and natural killer cells
Authors: Zhang Yanlin , Xie JianLan , Zheng Yuanyuan , Zhou XiaoGe
Published: July 2024

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) typically infects B cells in infectious mononucleosis (IM), but a rare case shows EBV infection in T cells. Seven cases of lymphoproliferative disorder caused by EBV-positive cytotoxic T/natural killer (NK) cell proliferation in the lymph nodes, termed IM with transient EBV infection of T and NK cells (EBV + T/NK cells in IM), are reported here. The purpose of the study is to describe clinicopathological features of EBV + T/natural killer (NK) cells in IM of the lymph node. We retrospectively analysed seven cases of Chinese children and young people adults with EBV + T/NK cells in IM. We used morphological observation, immunohistochemical staining, EB virus in situ hybridisation detection, and analysis of T-cell receptor gene rearrangement. The patients were healthy prior to illness, experiencing sudden onset occurring in all the patients, with high fever as the first symptom, followed by lymphadenopathy and hepatosplenomegaly. Diagnosis occurred < 1.5 months of symptom onset. Most lymphocytes in lesions expressed CD3 and Granzyme B or TIA-1 and lacked CD5. CD56 was expressed in numerous cells in 5 of the 7 cases. EBV-encoded RNA (EBER) was detected in medium-to-large-sized cells (50–100 cells per cell/high-power field). T-cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangement was seen in six cases, with monoclonal rearrangement in four cases. Treatment was conservative treatment but not chemotherapy. Four received anti-HLH therapy and others anti-inflammatory treatment. All patients survived with relapse after long-term clinical observation and follow-up. EBV + T/NK cells in IM can elicit malignant features that mimic T/NK-cell lymphoma pathologically and benign features mimicking IM clinically. These findings indicate that EBV + T/NK cells in IM could serve as valuable diagnosis. Additional clinical information, including age of onset (children and young people), nature of onset (sudden), disease course (short), symptoms (systemic), EBV infection status (acute), and lymph node involvement, is crucial for accurate diagnosis and prognostic evaluation.
A novel three-part pharynx and its parallel evolution within symbiotic marine nematodes (Desmodoroidea, Stilbonematinae)
Authors: Pröts Philipp , Novotny-Diermayr Veronica , Ott Jörg A.
Published: July 2024

Stilbonematinae are nematodes commonly found in shallow marine sands. They are overgrown by a genus- and species-specific coat of chemoautotrophic sulphur-oxidizing ectosymbiotic bacteria which profit from the vertical migration of their hosts through the chemocline by alternately gaining access to oxidizing and reducing chemical species, while in return, the host feeds on its symbionts. The subfamily exhibits a large morphological variability; e.g. the anterior pharynx is cylindrical in genera possessing a voluminous coat, but species with a bacterial monolayer possess a distinctly swollen corpus and therefore a tripartite pharynx. Since 18S-based phylogenetic analyses do not show close relationships between corpus-bearing species, we investigated the pharynx morphology using phalloidin staining in combination with confocal laser scanning microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and light microscopy in order to assess an independent evolution. The class-wide stable position of the subventral pharynx ampullae was used as a morphological marker. Ampullae are positioned at the anterior-most end of the isthmus in Cyathorobbea, further posterior in Catanema and Robbea and inside the corpus in Laxus oneistus. We therefore conclude an independent evolution of corpus enlargements within Stilbonematinae. This further suggests that pharynx morphology is driven by the volume of the symbiotic bacterial coat rather than phylogeny. Based on an existing mathematical model, an enlarged corpus should enable its bearer to ingest food in smaller quantities, in gourmet style, whereas a cylindrical pharynx would restrict its bearer to ancestral gourmand feeding. A review of pharynx types of Nematoda showed that the Stilbonematinae pharynx is substantially different compared to other tripartite pharynges. The lack of pharyngeal tubes and valves, the undivided corpus and evenly distributed nuclei in the isthmus warrant the definition of the “stilbonematoid” three-part pharynx.
Role of Edge Groups in Defining the Stability of Aromatic Molecules Under Electron Irradiation
Authors: Tong Y. , Alsalama M. , Berdiyorov G. R. , Hamoudi H.
Published: July 2024

Electron irradiation is known to be an important physical tool in tuning the properties of self-assembled organic molecules. Here, we use X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements to study the effect of electron bombardment on the structural properties of dithiol aromatic molecules, where the sulfur atoms are either in direct conjugation with phenyl rings (case of Biphenyl-4,4′-dithiol, BPN) or separated by a methylene group (case of 5,5′-bis(mercaptomethyl)-2,2′-bipyridine, BPD). The former molecule shows enhanced stability against the electron irradiation, whereas the presence of the saturated CH2 group results in considerable reduction of both carbon and sulfur contents in the XPS spectra after irradiation (around 5%). Qualitative description of the experimental results is given through bond distance-dependent total energy calculations and structural and electronic structure analysis within density functional theory. The simulation results show that the binding energy of the thiol unit to the molecule decreases by more than 15% by including the CH2 group. This effect becomes even more pronounced when extra electrons are injected to the system. The simulation results predict the easy removal of the edge group of the BPD molecules upon irradiation as compared to BPN SAMs. Our findings show the importance of the oligomeric units in altering the properties of thiol-terminated molecular self-assemblies by electron irradiation.
Current Surveillance and Treatment Guidelines for Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Lung Kirsten , Madeka Isheeta , Willis Alliric I.
Published: July 2024

Purpose of Review

Although thyroid nodules are often a common finding during examination of the thyroid gland, with a prevalence of approximately 5% in the United States population for those aged 50 years and older, thyroid carcinoma itself is a more uncommon finding, with a lifetime risk of 1.2% within the United States. With the introduction of novel diagnostic and therapeutic modalities, including targeted molecular therapies, the diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance of thyroid carcinoma has rapidly evolved in recent decades following the development of the American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines in 2015. This review summarizes the current surveillance tools and treatment pathways for patients with various subtypes of thyroid carcinoma, including differentiated thyroid carcinoma, medullary thyroid carcinoma, and anaplastic thyroid carcinoma.

Recent Findings

Advances in patient-tailored therapies, such as immunotherapeutic agents, diagnostic modalities, and risk stratification tools help to promote personalized medicine for patients with thyroid carcinoma with the goal to minimize over-treatment of low-risk thyroid disease and under-treatment of high-risk thyroid disease.

The management of thyroid carcinoma is constantly evolving with the advent of new diagnostic modalities and management options, including targeted therapy treatments, all of which help to enhance patient-centered care and emphasize the importance of patient-tailored surgical and medical therapies. While existing guidelines create a foundation upon which current treatment algorithms are rooted, several novel therapeutic strategies have emerged that have not only improved overall survival, but also pushed the boundary of what is known of the molecular landscape of thyroid carcinoma. These continuing improvements, in conjunction with surgical management, pave the way for creating treatment methods that will further transform care of thyroid carcinoma patients and improve quality of life for these patients.
Measuring the Direct Medical Costs of Hospital-Onset Infections Using an Analogy Costing Framework
Authors: Scott R. Douglas , Culler Steven D. , Baggs James , Reddy Sujan C. , Slifka Kara Jacobs , Magill Shelley S. , Kazakova Sophia V. , Jernigan John A. , Nelson Richard E. , Rosenman Robert E. , Wandschneider Philip R.
Published: July 2024

Background

The majority of recent estimates on the direct medical cost attributable to hospital-onset infections (HOIs) has focused on device- or procedure-associated HOIs. The attributable costs of HOIs that are not associated with device use or procedures have not been extensively studied.

Objective

We developed simulation models of attributable cost for 16 HOIs and estimated the total direct medical cost, including nondevice-related HOIs in the USA for 2011 and 2015.

Data and Methods

We used total discharge costs associated with HOI-related hospitalization from the National Inpatient Sample and applied an analogy costing methodology to develop simulation models of the costs attributable to HOIs. The mean attributable cost estimate from the simulation analysis was then multiplied by previously published estimates of the number of HOIs for 2011 and 2015 to generate national estimates of direct medical costs.

Results

After adjusting all estimates to 2017 US dollars, attributable cost estimates for select nondevice-related infections attributable cost estimates ranged from $7661 for ear, eye, nose, throat, and mouth (EENTM) infections to $27,709 for cardiovascular system infections in 2011; and from $8394 for EENTM to $26,445 for central nervous system infections in 2016 (based on 2015 incidence data). The national direct medical costs for all HOIs were $14.6 billion in 2011 and $12.1 billion in 2016. Nondevice- and nonprocedure-associated HOIs comprise approximately 26−28% of total HOI costs.

Conclusion

Results suggest that nondevice- and nonprocedure-related HOIs result in considerable costs to the healthcare system.
Metacognitive Instruction for Improving the Effectiveness of Collaborative Writing for EFL Learners’ Writing Development
Authors: Wang Kaixuan , Zhang Lawrence Jun , Cooper Maria
Published: July 2024

There has been substantial research on the effects of metacognitive instruction on improving L2 learners’ language skills. However, little is known about the impact of such instruction on improving the effectiveness of L2 students’ collaborative writing. To fill this research gap, we conducted a quasi-experimental study to investigate how such an instructional programme would help Chinese EFL learners’ writing development through collaborative writing. A total of 62 post-graduate students from a university in central China were randomly allocated to either an experimental group receiving three weeks of collaborative writing interventions with metacognitive instruction for writing collaboratively, or a control group that was taught via a genre-based approach. Pre-test, immediate post-test, and delayed post-tests were administered with both groups at the onset, immediately after, and six weeks after the interventions to compare their change in writing production, specifically in lexical complexity, accuracy, and fluency. Results revealed that the metacognitive instruction and collaborative writing interventions helped improve participants’ writing performance in lexical variation, accuracy, and fluency. However, no significant effects were observed in lexical density and lexical sophistication. We discuss the results for their pedagogical and theoretical implications.
Study on the preparation and fretting behavior of bonded oriented MoS2 solid lubricant coating
Authors: Xiong Liangliang , Wu Mengxue , Fan Xiaoqiang , Zhu Minhao
Published: July 2024

The bonded MoS2 solid lubricant coating is an effective measure to mitigate the fretting wear of AISI 1045 steel. In this work, the amino functionalized MoS2 was protonated with acetic acid to make the MoS2 positively charged. The directional arrangement of protonated MoS2 in the coating was achieved by electrophoretic deposition under the electric field force. The bonded directionally aligned MoS2 solid lubricant coating showed high adaptability to various loads and excellent lubrication performance under all three working conditions. At a load of 10 N, the friction coefficient and wear volume of the coating with 5 wt% protonated MoS2 decreased by 20.0% and 37.2% compared to the pure epoxy coating, respectively, and by 0.07% and 16.8% than the randomly arranged MoS2 sample, respectively. The remarkable lubricating properties of MoS2 with directional alignment were attributed to its effective load-bearing and mechanical support, barrier effect on longitudinal extension of cracks, and the formation of a continuous and uniform transfer film.
Illuminator: Image-based illumination editing for indoor scene harmonization
Authors: Bao Zhongyun , Fu Gang , Chen Zipei , Xiao Chunxia
Published: July 2024

Illumination harmonization is an important but challenging task that aims to achieve illumination compatibility between the foreground and background under different illumination conditions. Most current studies mainly focus on achieving seamless integration between the appearance (illumination or visual style) of the foreground object itself and the background scene or producing the foreground shadow. They rarely considered global illumination consistency (i.e., the illumination and shadow of the foreground object). In our work, we introduce “Illuminator”, an image-based illumination editing technique. This method aims to achieve more realistic global illumination harmonization, ensuring consistent illumination and plausible shadows in complex indoor environments. The Illuminator contains a shadow residual generation branch and an object illumination transfer branch. The shadow residual generation branch introduces a novel attention-aware graph convolutional mechanism to achieve reasonable foreground shadow generation. The object illumination transfer branch primarily transfers background illumination to the foreground region. In addition, we construct a real-world indoor illumination harmonization dataset called RIH, which consists of various foreground objects and background scenes captured under diverse illumination conditions for training and evaluating our Illuminator. Our comprehensive experiments, conducted on the RIH dataset and a collection of real-world everyday life photos, validate the effectiveness of our method.
A stochastic approach to delays optimization for narrowband transmit beam pattern in medical ultrasound
Authors: Razzetta Chiara , Candiani Valentina , Crocco Marco , Benvenuto Federico
Published: July 2024

In ultrasound imaging, state-of-the-art methods for transmit beam pattern (TBP) optimization have well-known drawbacks like non-uniform beam width over depth, significant side lobes, and quick energy drop-out beyond the focal region. To overcome these limitations, we develop a TBP optimization approach by focusing on its narrowband approximation and considering transmit delays as free variables instead of linked to specific focal depths. We formulate a non-linear Least Squares problem to minimize the difference between the TBP corresponding to a set of delays and the desired one, modeled as a 2D rectangle elongated along the beam axis. Three metrics are defined to quantitatively evaluate the results. Results obtained by synthetic simulations show that the main lobe width is considerably more intense ($$+31.5\%$$

+
31.5
%

on average) and uniform ($$+28.7\%$$

+
28.7
%

on average) over the whole depth range compared to classical focalized Beam Patterns. The application of the method to elastography shows improvements in the ultrasound energy concentration along a desired axis.
Per-acetic acid effect on separation of banana fiber and their dyeing with natural dyes
Authors: Patel B. H. , Panchal D. P. , Chaudhari S. B.
Published: July 2024

The fiber derived from the pseudo-stem of the banana plant is the subject of this investigation. It describes the processes involved in creating pseudo-stem fiber from bananas, such as fiber extraction, retting, and degumming. Banana fiber has been separated using per-acetic acid. To evaluate the efficacy of the process, the fiber's appearance and form have been altered. A homogeneous, spotless surface was observed under Scanning Electron Microscopy. Weight loss is the outcome of the treatment and absorbency increases. 3.66% of the weight loss is attributed to the per-acetic acid treatment. The fiber’s average diameter was reduced 81.9% compared to the raw fiber. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis was utilized to assess the chemical changes brought about by the treatment, which verified the presence of cellulose in the fiber. The separated fibers were colored using natural dyes, which were then assessed based on how well they characterized the color. The results demonstrated the use of natural colors derived from extracts of madder and myrobalan. The standard test indicates that ferrous sulfate (FeSO4) exhibits strong resistance to light, washing, and rubbing fastness, making it a viable mordant for achieving brown to black color.

Graphical Abstract
Integration of facility manager in planning, design, and execution of construction projects
Authors: Jari Yasir A. , Abdulghafour Abdulrazak B.
Published: July 2024

Construction projects typically progress through four primary phases, namely planning, design, implementation, and operation. This study discusses the facility manager’s (FM) role during the project development phases prior to operation to improve the facility’s operational efficiency. The study applied deductive positivism approaches and quantitative analysis through the application of stratified sampling and cross-sectional survey to identify the potential roles before the operation phase. The study identified the primary roles in which FM might participate throughout the project’s lifecycle. The results confirmed that FM has a crucial role in the decision-making process in the design phase while having minimal roles in the planning and execution phases. Additionally, results showed that among stakeholders, clients are the most reluctant to support FM integration in projects while consultants are the most supportive group. The client’s reluctance can be linked with potential added administrative costs and complexities or concerns related to duplication of roles. The study proposed a model to effectively integrate FM throughout the project while preserving managerial flexibility to fit different client institutions' needs and their various administrative systems.
Conversing with AI chatbots: examining what OpenAI ChatGPT-4, Microsoft Bing Chatbot, and google bard know, think they know, do not know, and would like to know about engineering
Authors: Naser M. Z. , AlOgla Saleh , Anand N. , Zhou Huanting , Zhang Gang
Published: July 2024

Over the past few weeks, chatbots have become increasingly popular, and these are likely to revolutionize our lives. While the most common three chatbots, namely, OpenAI ChatGPT, Microsoft Bing Chatbot, and Google Bard, remain in their early release days, these chatbots present exciting opportunities to various users, including engineers. This short paper hopes to shed light on the current state of these three AI chatbots’ understanding of engineering history, principles, concepts, and societal challenges and compare their responses to those noted by the National Academy of Engineering and the National Society of Professional Engineers. By exploring the capabilities and limitations of these chatbots, this piece hopes to foster discussions on the role of chatbots in engineering and their potential impact on our future. Then, this paper presents a case for the future integration of chatbots as co-creators of knowledge.
Characterizing Satellite Soil Moisture Drydown: A Bivariate Filtering Approach
Authors: Sinha Jhilam , Sharma Ashish , Marshall Lucy , Kim Seokhyeon
Published: July 2024

Drying of soil impacts land energy and water balance, influences the sustainability of vegetation growth, and modulates hydrological extremes including floods. While satellite soil moisture data are widely used for a range of environmental applications, systematic differences from regional in‐situ data prevent their optimal use as key physical signatures (such as soil moisture recession, also termed drydown) are represented differently. This study investigates differences in drydowns from the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) level 4 product with reference to in‐situ observations. A bivariate filtering alternative is proposed to minimize the disparity noted by modeling the relationship between the rate of drying and initial soil wetness and representing the same as in‐situ. Considerable improvements are observed in the resulting SMAP soil moisture filtered estimates. Although the algorithm assumes spatial stationarity, improvements exist across different soil properties and climatic conditions, providing a parsimonious alternative to better capture the dynamics of soil moisture loss.
Parameter Regionalization With Donor Catchment Clustering Improves Urban Flood Modeling in Ungauged Urban Catchments
Authors: Hu Chen , Xia Jun , She Dunxian , Jing Zhaoxia , Hong Si , Song Zhihong , Wang Gangsheng
Published: July 2024

The lack of discharge observations and reliable drainage information is a pervasive problem in urban catchments, resulting in difficulties in parameterizing urban hydrological models. Current parameterization methods for ungauged urban catchments mostly rely on subjective experiences or simplified models, resulting in inadequate accuracy for urban flood prediction. Parameter regionalization has been widely used to tackle model parameterization issues, but has rarely been employed for urban hydrological models. How to conduct effective parameter regionalization for urban hydrological models remains to be investigated. Here we propose a parameter regionalization framework (PRF) that integrates donor catchment clustering and the optimal regression‐based methods in each cluster. The PRF is applied to an urban hydrological model, the Time Variant Gain Model in urban areas (TVGM_Urban), in 37 urban catchments in Shenzhen City, China. We first show satisfactory flood simulation performance of TVGM_Urban for all urban catchments. Subsequently, we employ the PRF for parameter regionalization of TVGM_Urban. PRF classifies 37 urban catchments into three groups, and the partial least‐squares regression is identified as optimal regression‐based method for Groups 1 and 2, while the random forest model is found to be best for Group 3. To evaluate the simulation performance of PRF, we compare it with eight single regionalization methods. The results indicate better simulation performance and lower uncertainty of PRF, and donor catchment clustering can effectively enhance the simulation performance of linear regression‐based methods. Lastly, we identify curve number, land cover area ratios, and slope as critical factors for most TVGM_Urban parameters based on PRF results.
Isogeochemical Characterization of Mountain System Recharge Processes in the Sierra Nevada, California
Authors: Armengol Sandra , Ajami Hoori , Acero Triana Juan S. , O. Sickman James , Ortega Lucia
Published: July 2024

Mountain System Recharge processes are significant natural recharge pathways in many arid and semi‐arid mountainous regions. However, Mountain System Recharge processes are often poorly understood and characterized in hydrologic models. Mountains are the primary water supply source to valley aquifers via lateral groundwater flow from the mountain block (Mountain Block Recharge) and focused recharge from mountain streams contributing to focused Mountain Front Recharge at the piedmont zone. Here, we present a multi‐tool isogeochemical approach to characterize mountain flow paths and Mountain System Recharge in the northern Tulare Basin, California. We used groundwater chemistry data to delineate hydrochemical facies and explain the chemical evolution of groundwater from the Sierra Nevada to the Central Valley aquifer. Stable isotopes and radiogenic groundwater tracers validated Mountain System Recharge processes by differentiating focused from diffuse recharge, and estimating apparent groundwater age, respectively. Novel application of End‐Member Mixing Analysis using conservative chemical components revealed three Mountain System Recharge end‐members: (a) evaporated Ca‐HCO3 water type associated with focused Mountain Front Recharge, (b) non‐evaporated Ca‐HCO3 and Na‐HCO3 water types with short residence times associated with shallow Mountain Block Recharge, and (c) Na‐HCO3 groundwater type with long residence time associated with deep Mountain Block Recharge. We quantified the contribution of each Mountain System Recharge process to the valley aquifer by calculating mixing ratios. Our results show that deep Mountain Block Recharge is a significant recharge component, representing 31%–53% of the valley groundwater. Greater hydraulic connectivity between the Sierra Nevada and Central Valley has significant implications for parameterizing groundwater flow models. Our framework is useful for understanding Mountain System Recharge processes in other snow‐dominated mountain watersheds.
Effective Characterization of Fractured Media With PEDL: A Deep Learning‐Based Data Assimilation Approach
Authors: Nan Tongchao , Zhang Jiangjiang , Xie Yifan , Cao Chenglong , Wu Jichun , Lu Chunhui
Published: July 2024

Geological formations with fractures are frequently encountered in various research fields. Accurately characterizing these fractured media is of paramount importance when it comes to tasks that demand precise predictions of liquid flow and solute transport within them. Since directly measuring fractured media poses inherent challenges, data assimilation (DA) techniques are typically employed to derive inverse estimates of media properties using observable state variables. Nonetheless, the considerable difficulties arising from the strong heterogeneity and non‐Gaussian nature of fractured media have diminished the effectiveness of existing DA methods. In this study, we formulate a novel DA approach known as parameter estimator with deep learning (PEDL) that harnesses the capabilities of DL to capture nonlinear relationships and extract non‐Gaussian features. To evaluate PEDL's performance, we conduct three case studies, comprising two numerical cases and one real‐world case. In these cases, we systematically compare PEDL with three widely used DA methods: ensemble smoother with multiple DA (ESMDA), iterative local updating ES (ILUES), and ES with DL‐based update (ESDL). Notably, in the problems characterized by highly non‐Gaussian features, ESMDA and ILUES produce significantly divergent results. Conversely, employing the DL‐based update, ESDL demonstrates improved performance. However, its estimation uncertainty remains high, potentially attributable to ESDL's updating mechanism. Comprehensive analyses confirm PEDL's validity and adaptability across various ensemble sizes and DL model architectures. Moreover, even in scenarios where structural difference exists between the accurate reference model and the simplified forecast model, PEDL adeptly identifies the primary characteristics of fracture networks.
Observational and Numerical Modeling Constraints on the Global Ocean Biological Carbon Pump
Authors: Doney Scott C. , Mitchell Kayla A. , Henson Stephanie A. , Cavan Emma , DeVries Tim , Gruber Nicolas , Hauck Judith , Mouw Colleen B. , Müller Jens D. , Primeau Francois W.
Published: July 2024

This study characterized ocean biological carbon pump metrics in the second iteration of the REgional Carbon Cycle Assessment and Processes (RECCAP2) project. The analysis here focused on comparisons of global and biome‐scale regional patterns in particulate organic carbon (POC) production and sinking flux from the RECCAP2 ocean biogeochemical model ensemble against observational products derived from satellite remote sensing, sediment traps, and geochemical methods. There was generally good model‐data agreement in mean large‐scale spatial patterns, but with substantial spread across the model ensemble and observational products. The global‐integrated, model ensemble‐mean export production, taken as the sinking POC flux at 100 m (6.08 ± 1.17 Pg C yr−1), and export ratio defined as sinking flux divided by net primary production (0.154 ± 0.026) both fell at the lower end of observational estimates. Comparison with observational constraints also suggested that the model ensemble may have underestimated regional biological CO2 drawdown and air‐sea CO2 flux in high productivity regions. Reasonable model‐data agreement was found for global‐integrated, ensemble‐mean sinking POC flux into the deep ocean at 1,000 m (0.65 ± 0.24 Pg C yr−1) and the transfer efficiency defined as flux at 1,000 m divided by flux at 100 m (0.122 ± 0.041), with both variables exhibiting considerable regional variability. The RECCAP2 analysis presents standard ocean biological carbon pump metrics for assessing biogeochemical model skill, metrics that are crucial for further modeling efforts to resolve remaining uncertainties involving system‐level interactions between ocean physics and biogeochemistry.
Electron Beams at Europa
Authors: Allegrini F. , Saur J. , Szalay J. R. , Ebert R. W. , Kurth W. S. , Cervantes S. , Smith H. T. , Bagenal F. , Bolton S. J. , Clark G. , Connerney J. E. P. , Louarn P. , Mauk B. , McComas D. J. , Pontoni A. , Sarkango Y. , Valek P. , Wilson R. J.
Published: July 2024

Jupiter's moon Europa contains a subsurface ocean whose presence is inferred from magnetic field measurements, the interpretation of which depends on knowledge of Europa's local plasma environment. A recent Juno spacecraft flyby returned new observations of plasma electrons with unprecedented resolution. Specifically, powerful magnetic field‐aligned electron beams were discovered near Europa. These beams, with energies from ∼30 to ∼300 eV, locally enhance electron‐impact‐excited emissions and ionization in Europa's atmosphere by more than a factor three over the local space environment, and are associated with large jumps of the magnetic fields. The beams therefore play an essential role in shaping Europa's plasma and magnetic field environment and thus need to be accounted for electromagnetic sounding of Europa's ocean and plume detection by future missions such as JUICE and Europa Clipper.
Field‐Aligned Current Structures During the Terrestrial Magnetosphere's Transformation Into Alfvén Wings and Recovery
Authors: Beedle J. M. H. , Chen L.‐J. , Shuster J. R. , Gurram H. , Gershman D. J. , Chen Y. , Rice R. C. , Burkholder B. L. , Ardakani A. S. , Genestreti K. J. , Torbert R. B.
Published: July 2024

On 24 April 2023, a Coronal Mass Ejection event caused the solar wind to become sub‐Alfvénic, leading to the development of an Alfvén Wing configuration in the Earth's magnetosphere. Alfvén Wings have previously been observed as cavities of low flow around moons in Jupiter's and Saturn's magnetospheres, but the observing spacecraft did not have the ability to directly measure the Alfvén Wings' current structures. Through in situ measurements made by the Magnetospheric Multiscale spacecraft, the 24 April event provides us with the first direct measurements of current structures during an Alfvén Wing configuration. These structures are observed to be significantly more anti‐field‐aligned and electron‐driven than the typical diamagnetic magnetopause current, indicating the disruption caused to the magnetosphere current system by the Alfvén Wing formation. The magnetopause current is then observed to recover more of its typical, perpendicular structure during the magnetosphere's recovery from the Alfvén Wing formation.