bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Host vegetation connectivity is decisive for the natural spread of pine wilt disease
Authors: Huang Jixia , Zhao Xiaoting , Mo Xiumei , Wu Jin , Zhou Yantao , Fang Guofei
Published: June 2024

BACKGROUND

Pine wilt disease has caused significant economic, ecological, and social losses in China, but there is a notable lack of research on the dynamic process of its propagation and diffusion over long timescales. This study revealed the spatial and temporal spread of the natural invasion of pine wilt disease through an analysis of long time series at macroscopic scales. We analysed and verified by simulations the driving mechanisms of host and wind fields in the natural spread of pine wilt disease.

RESULTS

The research findings indicate that from 1982 to 2019, the number of counties affected by pine wilt disease in the Yangtze River Delta region of China exhibited a pattern of ‘steady increase–fluctuation–outbreak’. The host forest played a decisive role in the natural spread of the disease, while the wind field played a supporting role. The study revealed specific contributions from various factors, where host forest landscape connectivity, host forest area share, mean wind speed, and wind frequency accounted for 31.8%, 28.7%, 22.6%, and 8.8%, respectively. The interaction of increased host forest area and increased wind speed can significantly increase the risk of pine wilt disease transmission. To validate these findings, vectorial metacellular automata simulations of pine nematode transmission in the Yangtze River Delta were conducted, yielding results with an accuracy of 0.803.

CONCLUSION

By quantifying the contribution of host forest connectivity to the natural spread of pine wilt disease, this research offers a scientific foundation and innovative insights for preventing and controlling its dissemination. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Transcriptome‐wide N6‐methyladenosine profiling reveals growth–defense trade‐offs in the response of rice to brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens) infestation
Authors: Li Shuai , Tan Xinyang , He Zhen , Jiang Lei , Li Yali , Yang Liu , Hoffmann Ary A. , Zhao Chunqing , Fang Jichao , Ji Rui
Published: June 2024

BACKGROUND

N6‐Methyladenosine (m6A) is a common messenger RNA (mRNA) modification that affects various physiological processes in stress responses. However, the role of m6A modifications in plants responses to herbivore stress remains unclear.

RESULTS

Here, we found that an infestation of brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens) female adults enhanced the resistance of rice to N. lugens. The m6A methylome analysis of N. lugens‐infested and uninfested rice samples was performed to explore the interaction between rice and N. lugens. The m6A methylation mainly occurred in genes that were actively expressed in rice following N. lugens infestation, while an analysis of the whole‐genomic mRNA distribution of m6A showed that N. lugens infestation caused an overall decrease in the number of m6A methylation sites across the chromosomes. The m6A methylation of genes involved in the m6A modification machinery and several defense‐related phytohormones (jasmonic acid and salicylic acid) pathways was increased in N. lugens‐infested rice compared to that in uninfested rice. In contrast, m6A modification levels of growth‐related phytohormone (auxin and gibberellin) biosynthesis‐related genes were significantly attenuated during N. lugens infestation, accompanied by the down‐regulated expression of these transcripts, indicating that rice growth was restricted during N. lugens attack to rapidly optimize resource allocation for plant defense. Integrative analysis of the differential patterns of m6A methylation and the corresponding transcripts showed a positive correlation between m6A methylation and transcriptional regulation.

CONCLUSION

The m6A modification is an important strategy for regulating the expression of genes involved in rice defense and growth during rice–N. lugens interactions. These findings provide new ideas for formulating strategies to control herbivorous pests. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Effect of Ferromagnet/Organic Semiconductor Interface Defect States on Tunnel Magnetoresistance of Hybrid Magnetic Tunnel Junctions
Authors: Sujatha Yadlapalli , Pahuja Abhishek , Deb Debajit
Published: June 2024

Herein, analytical modeling of Fe3O4/x(≈1.1 nm)/Co (x = rubrene, C60, and bathocuproine (BCP)) magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) has been performed using rubrene, C60, and BCP as organic spacer layers. The simulation is considered as nonequilibrium Green's function assuming spin precession at ferromagnet/organic semiconductor (FM/OSC) interface defect states. The voltage‐dependent resistances for both parallel (RP) and antiparallel (RAP) orientations have been observed to be dependent on spin injection from FM/OSC defect states. Pinning well‐dependent defect state depths have been associated with band misalignment‐induced lattice distortion at FM/OSC interface of the devices. The large tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) response for rubrene‐based MTJ device has been attributed to a higher change of FM/OSC defect state depths with voltage. High TMR may have reduced spin torque‐dependent spin precession, leading to lower spin transfer torque for the rubrene device. Hence, engineering of defect states at the FM/OSC interface may lead to the successful realization of enhanced TMR in organic spacer MTJs for high‐performance spintronic memory applications.
Towards Addressing COVID‐19 Vaccine Wastage in Cameroon: Challenges and Way Forward
Authors: Ezie Kengo Nathan , Ghislain Fodop Samuel , Zolo Yvan , Saidu Musa Shuaibu , Musa Shallangwa Mukhtar , Haruna Usman Abubakar , Manirambona Emery , Lucero‐Prisno Don Eliseo
Published: June 2024

The coronavirus‐2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has tremendously impacted both the small and large world economies. Schools and businesses were shut down and national borders closed, interrupting international trade and movement of people. This eventually led to huge economic losses and rendered many people jobless. Unlike in high‐income countries, recovery in the post‐pandemic period is yet to be fully actualized as many countries, especially from Africa that were hit the most by the pandemic continue to face other health and economic setbacks. The African continent is endemic to diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria and HIV which already required funding before the COVID‐19 pandemic. During the pandemic, the Cameroonian health authorities reported numerous confirmed cases. Vaccination continues to be an effective means to avoid further spread of the virus and minimize possible occurrences of other COVID‐19 variants across the globe. Despite the efforts made towards COVID‐19 vaccination, only 12% of Cameroonians were reported to have completed the COVID‐19 vaccinations in the basic series. In the country, multiple resorts were used to attenuate the impact of the virus, including barrier measures, vaccines and even traditional therapies. The initial promotion of traditional remedies as control measures created a preference over vaccines due to misinformation from social media platforms, contributing to fear of vaccines, and consequently resulted in a high vaccine hesitancy (VH) reported at 56.9%. This VH coupled with cold chain management challenges resulted in vaccine wastage. Consequently, the target of vaccinating 15 million Cameroonians by December 2022 to reach the threshold vaccination coverage expected to confer immunity was not attained. Hence, it is important to reduce expenditures on extra doses of vaccines, maximize uptake through vaccination sensitization campaigns and increase access to avoid vaccine wastage. This will be instrumental in attaining herd immunity and contribute to the fight against new COVID‐19 variants.
What are the neurodevelopmental outcomes of children with asymptomatic congenital cytomegalovirus infection at birth? A systematic literature review
Authors: Smyrli Angeliki , Raveendran Vishnuga , Walter Simone , Pagarkar Waheeda , Field Nigel , Kadambari Seilesh , Lyall Hermione , Bailey Heather
Published: June 2024

Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) is among the most common congenital infections globally. Of 85%–90% cCMV‐infected infants without symptoms at birth, 10%–15% develop sequelae, most commonly sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL); their childhood neurodevelopmental outcomes are less well understood. Embase and MEDLINE were searched for publications from 16th September 2016 to 9th February 2024 to identify studies reporting primary data on neurodevelopmental outcomes in children with asymptomatic cCMV (AcCMV), measured using assessment tools or as evaluated by the study investigators, clinicians, educators, or parents. The Newcastle‐Ottawa scale was applied to studies to assess risk of bias. Of 28 studies from 18 mostly high‐income countries, there were 5‐109 children with AcCMV per study and 6/28 had a mean or median age at last follow‐up of ≥5 years. Children with AcCMV had better neurodevelopmental outcomes than children with symptomatic cCMV in 16/19 studies. Of 9/28 studies comparing AcCMV with CMV‐uninfected children, six reported similar outcomes whilst three reported differences limited to measures of full‐scale intelligence and receptive vocabulary among children with AcCMV and SNHL, or more generally in motor impairment. Common limitations of studies for our question were a lack of cCMV‐uninfected controls, heterogeneous definitions of AcCMV, lack of focus on neurodevelopment, selection bias and inadequate follow‐up. There was little evidence of children with AcCMV having worse neurodevelopmental outcomes than CMV‐uninfected children, but this conclusion is limited by study characteristics and quality; findings highlight the need for well‐designed and standardised approaches to investigate long‐term sequelae.
Colorimetric Fluorescence of a 2,4,5‐Triaryl Imidazole‐Based Sensor for the Selective Detection of Iron
Authors: Wang Jing , Ren Lu , Liu Chang , Liu Yanqi , Shang Yujie , Zhang Yulu , Zhang Dawei
Published: June 2024

Two imidazole‐based color‐changing fluorescent probes 4‐(4,5‐bis(4‐chlorophenyl)‐1H‐imidazol‐2‐yl)‐N, N‐diphenylaniline (CIN) and 4‐(4,5‐di(furan‐2‐yl)‐1H‐imidazol‐2‐yl)‐N, N‐diphenylaniline (FIN) were synthesized and characterized. The new probes CIN and FIN exhibit excellent selectivity and sensitivity towards Fe3+ with relatively low detection limits (0.26 μM and 0.10 μM) and strong anti‐interference properties. Both the probes CIN and FIN complex 1 : 1 with Fe3+ ion, and the complexation constants were 1.165×105 M−1 (CIN) and 1.899×105 M−1 (FIN), respectively. Moreover, CIN and FIN could be recycled by EDTA and could effectively monitor Fe3+ ions at pH 4–10, which ensures the sensor‘s potential for detecting Fe3+ in actual aqueous solutions. The probes were further applied to the detection of Fe3+ in the actual reaction of Fe2+ oxidation, and the filter paper and the probe solution are combined to make an indicator to detect Fe3+ more conveniently and quickly.
Stable Radicals in Dihydrophenazine Derivatives‐Doped Epoxy Resin for High Photothermal Conversion
Authors: Chen Ziyu , Su Yonghao , Long Qianxin , Zhang Zhiyun , Su Jianhua , Guo Lifang
Published: June 2024

Organic radicals exhibit great potential in photothermal applications, however, their innate high reactivity with oxygen renders the preparation of stable organic radicals highly challenging. In this work, a series of co‐doped radical polymers ares prepared by doping dihydrophenazine derivatives (DPPs) into the epoxy resin matrix. DPPs can form radical species through the electron transfer process, which are further stabilized by the complex 3D network structure of epoxy resin. Experimental results show that the photothermal conversion efficiency is as high as 79.9%, and the temperature can quickly rise to ≈130 °C within 60 s. Due to the excellent visible light transmittance and mechanical properties of co‐doped systems, this study further demonstrates their practical applications in energy‐saving solar windows and thermoelectric power generation.
Revealing the Mechanism Underlying 3D‐AFM Imaging of Suspended Structures by Experiments and Simulations
Authors: Alam Mohammad Shahidul , Penedo Marcos , Sumikama Takashi , Miyazawa Keisuke , Hirahara Kaori , Fukuma Takeshi
Published: June 2024

The invention of 3D atomic force microscopy (3D‐AFM) has enabled visualizing subnanoscale 3D hydration structures. Meanwhile, its applications to imaging flexible molecular chains have started to be experimentally explored. However, the validity and principle of such imaging have yet to be clarified by comparing experiments and simulations or cross‐observations with an alternative technique. Such studies are impeded by the lack of an appropriate model. Here, this difficulty is overcome by fabricating 3D carbon nanotube (CNT) structures flexible enough for 3D‐AFM, large enough for scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and simple enough for simulations. SEM and 3D‐AFM observations of the same model provide unambiguous evidence to support the possibility of imaging overlapped nanostructures, such as suspended CNT and underlying platinum (Pt) nanodots. Langevin dynamics simulations of such 3D‐AFM imaging clarify the imaging mechanism, where the flexible CNT is laterally displaced to allow the AFM probe access to the underlying structures. These results consistently show that 3D‐AFM images are affected by the friction between the CNT and AFM nanoprobe, yet it can be significantly suppressed by oscillating the cantilever. This study reinforces the theoretical basis of 3D‐AFM for imaging various 3D self‐organizing systems in diverse fields, from life sciences to interface sciences.
Maiaspora: the hallmark of gleichenioid ferns (Gleicheniales) from the early Carboniferous
Authors: Mamontov Dmitriy A. , McLean Duncan , Gavrilova Olga A.
Published: June 2024

The Palaeozoic origin of gleichenioid ferns (Gleicheniales) has aroused curiosity for almost a century. The oldest definite sign of this ancient clade is the spore wall ultrastructure of Radiitheca dobranyana from the Moscovian of central Europe. However, familial assignment of this fern fossil is uncertain. A comparison of its in situ spores with those of the dispersed genus Maiaspora, from the Visean, suggests that they may represent the same group of leptosporangiates. Although these spores have a common metareticuloid sculpture, the ultra‐thin structure of the dispersed counterparts remained unknown. Study of the ultrastructure of Maiaspora concava and M. panopta from central Russia and Northumberland (UK) using transmission electron microscopy shows that the wall of Maiaspora has a middle exospore layer composed of foliated lamellae. These spread from the base of the aperture slit to the subequatorial margins of kyrtome areas. The lamellae do not overlap the aperture slit and terminate at between two‐thirds and three‐quarters of the slit height. The miospores have a three‐layered exospore in the interradial areas, while non‐apertural parts of the exospore consist of two layers. Such an ultrastructure is shared by extant Gleicheniales and fossil R. dobranyana. The combined evidence from the morphology, ultrastructure and spatiotemporal distribution of Maiaspora, as well as radioisotope dating and additional plant macrofossils, suggests that the origin of the Gleicheniales stem was related to closure of the Rheic Ocean. Apparently, the first Maiaspora‐producing gleichenioids emerged as neoendemic terrestrial ferns on the peri‐Gondwanan volcanic arcs.
Phylogenetic relationships of Malarossia Berezovsky (Eocene, Ukraine) and trends in the size evolution of the carditids (Bivalvia, Carditidae)
Authors: Pérez Damián E. , Berezovsky Anatoly A.
Published: June 2024

Phylogenetic studies of fossil bivalves are crucial for understanding evolution in both extinct and extant species, and the family Carditidae has received limited research attention in this regard. The endemic genus Malarossia comes from the Eocene deposits of Ukraine and the diversity of carditids during this time have been broadly described from North America and Western Europe, although little is known beyond these regions. The aim of this study is to explore the phylogenetic position of the genus Malarossia and discuss trends in shell size among carditids. To accomplish this, a phylogenetic analysis was conducted using 51 species and 153 morphological characters. Our findings indicate that Malarossia represents an early diverging genus within the subfamily Scalaricarditinae, supported by morphological characters related to development and number of radial ribs, placement of pallial line, and umbones, among others. A wide range in shell size can be seen among carditids, with average values ranging from 3 to 100 mm. Notably, the larger sizes were predominantly observed during the Paleocene–Eocene, in the Venericorini. The Miodomeridinae and Scalaricarditinae had the smallest shell sizes, spanning from the Eocene to the present. Paedomorphic heterochronic processes are suggested for the origin of the small size observed in the Scalaricarditinae subfamily.
Application of systems thinking and system dynamics in managing risks and stakeholders in construction projects: A systematic literature review
Authors: Ghamarimajd Zahra , Ghanbaripour Amir , Tumpa Roksana Jahan , Watanabe Tsunemi , Mbachu Jasper , Skitmore Martin
Published: June 2024

This paper conducts a systematic literature review on systems thinking (ST) and system dynamics (SD) applications in construction project risk and stakeholder management over the past decade. It evaluates current practices' alignment with SD, addressing project complexity and uncertainty. Seventy‐three articles are analysed following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, using descriptive, thematic and bibliometric analyses. Findings show fluctuating trends in ST and SD applications due to COVID‐19 in 2019, with notable contributions from China, Australia and the UK. Building projects are the most studied, employing mixed methodologies. Thematic analysis highlights SD's significant role in system representation and risk management, with 80% of studies utilizing SD models for various risk factors. While less common in stakeholder management, SD enhances communication and understanding of stakeholder dynamics. The study advocates for integrating SD modelling in construction management for improved decision‐making, risk mitigation and stakeholder engagement for project management practitioners, urging collaboration between academia, industry and policymakers for effective construction policies. Academics and researchers should focus on standardizing SD modelling tools, exploring hybrid methodologies like agent‐based modelling, and integrating emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) to enhance real‐time decision‐making capabilities. Collaboration between academia, industry practitioners and policymakers is crucial to ensure SD research translates into effective policies and best practices, particularly in safety and environmental impact assessments.
Site Selection Story, 2002–2006: Shortlist
Authors: Schilizzi Richard T. , Ekers Ronald D. , Dewdney Peter E. , Crosby Philip
Published: June 2024

The SKA telescope site selection process was long and complex. It went through five distinct stages: (1) separate national initiatives in China and Australia to identify potential sites (1994–2002), (2) centrally coordinated activity to identify and characterise these and two other potential sites in Southern Africa and Argentina-Brazil (2000–2005), (3) the short-listing process and decision (2004–2006), (4) further characterisation of the two short-listed sites, and politicisation of the site competition (2007–2011), and (5) the final site selection process and decision (2009–2012).

This chapter describes and analyses the first three stages of site selection from the early national initiatives to the creation of a shortlist of two potential hosts, Australia and Southern Africa. Initially the International SKA Steering Committee (ISSC) aimed to select the SKA site in 2006 but after advice from the funding agencies interested in the project, the goal of outright selection changed in mid-2005 to a shortlist of acceptable sites.

Chapter 8 continues the story to its culmination in 2012 when the SKA governing body decided to locate the mid-frequency dish array in Southern Africa and the low-frequency array in Australia.
Implementing Luck Egalitarianism in a Relational Way: Selecting Social Contracts Under Resource Constraints, Resolving Practical Challenges, and Ensuring Dignity
Authors: Hiromitsu Toshiaki
Published: June 2024

There is a disparity between luck egalitarianism and social reality, as illustrated by widening inequality. This paper argues for the implementation of luck egalitarianism to resolve this disparity, showing that its implementation should incorporate critiques from relational egalitarianism. First, by examining luck egalitarianism under resource constraints, the promising nature of the equality of resources (an equality of goods and leisure) is demonstrated. Equality of resources is a promising choice for those who want to live in a free and equal society in which the relational aspects between people are considered with full regard for human dignity. The idea of a hypothetical insurance market, separate from luck egalitarianism, should be abandoned. Furthermore, three practical challenges in social implementation—the distinction between option and brute luck, the harshness objection, and tensions with the private sphere—are discussed. To resolve these challenges, luck egalitarianism should be implemented relationally, guided by the idea of dignity and embodied in reasonable standards within social institutions.
Learning from Historical Injustice?
Authors: Pollmann Arnd
Published: June 2024

The history of human rights and human dignity is to be told as a legal history of the collective “processing” of experiences of historical injustice. The supposed “triumph” of these two ideas has been bought at the price of monstrous violence, countless victims of war and barbaric dehumanizing. However, a methodological difficulty arises if philosophical legal theory wants to claim such a “learning process”: the original historical experiences of war, violence and degradation are hardly accessible to analysis from today's perspective. Instead, academic discourse is always dependent on historical documentation, eyewitness accounts and, above all, literary-autobiographical memories in which these forms of injustice have already been interpreted. This is exemplified by recourse to the famous memoirs of Jean Améry, which reveal a philosophically revealing experiential connection between human rights on the one hand and human dignity on the other.
A modified cosmic brane proposal for holographic Renyi entropy
Authors: Dong Xi , Kudler-Flam Jonah , Rath Pratik
Published: June 2024

Abstract

We propose a new formula for computing holographic Renyi entropies in the presence of multiple extremal surfaces. Our proposal is based on computing the wave function in the basis of fixed-area states and assuming a diagonal approximation for the Renyi entropy. For Renyi index n ≥ 1, our proposal agrees with the existing cosmic brane proposal for holographic Renyi entropy. For n < 1, however, our proposal predicts a new phase with leading order (in Newton’s constant G) corrections to the cosmic brane proposal, even far from entanglement phase transitions and when bulk quantum corrections are unimportant. Recast in terms of optimization over fixed-area states, the difference between the two proposals can be understood to come from the order of optimization: for n < 1, the cosmic brane proposal is a minimax prescription whereas our proposal is a maximin prescription. We demonstrate the presence of such leading order corrections using illustrative examples. In particular, our proposal reproduces existing results in the literature for the PSSY model and high-energy eigenstates, providing a universal explanation for previously found leading order corrections to the n < 1 Renyi entropies.
Extending EP matrices by means of recent generalized inverses
Authors: Ferreyra D. E. , Levis F. E. , Priori A. N. , Thome N.
Published: June 2024

It is well known that a square complex matrix is called EP if it commutes with its Moore–Penrose inverse. In this paper, new classes of matrices which extend this concept are characterized. For that, we consider commutative equalities given by matrices of arbitrary index and generalized inverses recently investigated in the literature. More specifically, these classes are characterized by expressions of type $$A^mX=XA^m$$

A
m

X
=
X

A
m

, where X is an outer inverse of a given complex square matrix A and m is an arbitrary positive integer. The relationships between the different classes of matrices are also analyzed. Finally, a picture presents an overview of the overall studied classes.
Cultural assimilation and segregation in heterogeneous societies
Authors: Russo Francesco Flaviano
Published: June 2024

I propose a model of cultural assimilation with endogenous social networks and idiosyncratic assimilation patterns that is consistent with the empirical evidence for Europe. The model implies that assimilation is weaker in pluralistic or more culturally heterogeneous societies, and stronger in socially denser societies, but it is not influenced by the minority share. Social segregation for the minority increases with social density, with the minority share, and with the initial average cultural distance between the majority and the minority.
Multi-material and thickness optimization of a wind turbine blade root section
Authors: Hermansen Sebastian M. , Lund Erik
Published: June 2024

Structural optimization has been shown to be an invaluable tool for solving large-scale challenging design problems, and this work concerns such optimization of a state-of-the-art laminated composite wind turbine blade root section. For laminated composites structures, the key design parameters are material choice, fiber orientation, stacking sequence, and layer thickness, however a framework for treating these simultaneously in optimization, on the current wind turbine blade scale, has not been demonstrated. Thus, the motivation and novelty of the present work is providing and demonstrating a general gradient-based approach applicable to wind turbine blades, where the key design parameters and structural criteria, i.e., buckling, static strength, and fatigue damage, are considered for multiple design load cases. The optimization framework is based on a variation of the Discrete Material and Thickness Optimization approach, where the thickness is directly parametrized, allowing for appropriately treating the sandwich parts of the blade. It is demonstrated how optimization leads to a design consisting of complex variable-thickness laminates, a good overall distribution of the structural criteria in the model, and a significant reduction in mass compared to the initial design.
Gender segregation: analysis across sectoral dominance in the UK labour market
Authors: Leoncini Riccardo , Macaluso Mariele , Polselli Annalivia
Published: June 2024

This paper aims to evaluate how changing patterns of sectoral gender segregation play a role in accounting for women’s employment contracts and wages in the UK between 2005 and 2020. We then study wage differentials in gender-specific dominated sectors. We found that the propensity of women to be distributed differently across sectors is a major factor contributing to explaining the differences in wages and contract opportunities. Hence, the disproportion of women in female-dominated sectors implies contractual features and lower wages typical of that sector, on average, for all workers. This difference is primarily explained by “persistent discriminatory constraints”, while human capital-related characteristics play a minor role. However, wage differentials would shrink if workers had the same potential and residual wages as men in male-dominated sectors. Moreover, this does not happen at the top of the wage distribution, where wage differentials among women working in female-dominated sectors are always more pronounced than those among men.
Local Langlands correspondences in $$\ell $$-adic coefficients
Authors: Imai Naoki
Published: June 2024

Let $$\ell $$
ℓ
be a prime number different from the residue characteristic of a non-archimedean local field F. We give formulations of $$\ell $$
ℓ
-adic local Langlands correspondences for connected reductive algebraic groups over F, which we conjecture to be independent of a choice of an isomorphism between the $$\ell $$
ℓ
-adic coefficient field and the complex number field.
Are brood sex ratios adaptive? – The effect of experimentally altered brood sex ratios on parental feeding behaviour
Authors: Gyarmathy Helga , Kopena Renáta , Sarkadi Fanni , Szöllősi Eszter , Szász Eszter , Török János , Rosivall Balázs
Published: June 2024

Correlations between brood sex ratios (BSRs) and parental or environmental quality have been found in many species. This phenomenon is called sex ratio adjustment, and is expected to evolve if certain factors affect the fitness return from the offspring in a sex-dependent way. However, it is seldom studied whether biased sex ratios are indeed adaptive. We manipulated BSRs in a cross-fostering experiment, and investigated parental costs in terms of feeding rate and survival in the collared flycatcher (Ficedula albicollis). In our population, male nestlings can grow faster under good conditions, but are more sensitive to adverse conditions. Assuming that the sensitivity of the males results from their larger energy requirement, we predicted increased costs in broods with male-biased experimental BSR. Assuming that BSR adjustment is adaptive and related to parental care giving capacity, we expected higher feeding and survival rate by parents that originally had more sons, and predicted that low quality parents are less able to adjust their feeding rates to the needs of their foster broods or pay higher survival cost. However, we found that the manipulated BSR and its interaction with original BSR affected neither the feeding rate nor the survival of the parents. Only male feeding rate was correlated with original BSR, however, contrary to our prediction: males with female-biased original BSR fed their foster chicks more frequently. Our results, with those of a previous report about the effects of the experiment on nestlings, do not support that the observed BSRs are adaptive in our population.

Significance statement

Many hypotheses propose that higher vertebrates adaptively adjust the primary sex ratio of their offspring to individual or environmental quality. While the potential adaptive value of the observed patterns is regularly discussed, studies that specifically test the adaptivity of sex ratio adjustment are very scarce and correlative. Using a special cross-fostering experiment, we investigated whether original brood sex ratios are related to the rearing capacity of the parents, and experimental sex ratios are related to the rearing costs in terms of feeding effort or survival. We found no effect of experimentally altered brood sex ratios on either parental feeding effort or survival. Furthermore, contrary to the adaptive scenario, males that had female-biased broods originally had higher feeding rates. So far, we have found no evidence that the sex ratio adjustment is adaptive in the collared flycatcher.
Longitudinal investigation of undergraduates’ radiation anxiety, interest, and career intention in interventional radiology
Authors: Cao Yanyan , Yu Li , Xiong Fu , Wang Jing , Kan Xuefeng , Zheng Chuansheng
Published: June 2024

Purpose

To evaluate the effect of the school curriculum and on-site observation of interventional radiology (IR) operations in clinics on undergraduates’ radiation anxiety, interest, and career intention.

Methods

Between the academic years 2021 and 2023, all of the fourth-year undergraduates were surveyed by questionnaires, which covered their pre-curriculum, post-curriculum in-school, and post-on-site view of IR surgeries in clinic. The survey included categories of gender, fear of X-ray and IR operation, interest in IR surgery, and career-pursuing intention.

Results

A total of 333 (91.0%) respondents (111 students for three times) were included in analyses. The fear of X-ray and radiation exposure during IR procedures was reduced after taking school courses (p < 0.001), and it was further decreased after on-site viewing (p < 0.001). The association values among the three groups were 33.8% and 41.9%, respectively. The interest in IR was improved both after applying for the curriculum and after clinical exposure to IR surgery (p < 0.001). In addition, 4 (3.6%) and 12 (10.8%) students showed a sense of achievement after taking courses and on-site viewing, respectively. The association value was 49.4%. Regarding career intention, it was both significantly increased after taking courses and on-site observation (p < 0.001). Besides, 8 (7.2%), 17 (15.3%), and 36 (32.4%) students in the three groups considered IR as the preferred career choice, respectively.

Conclusions

Applying for IR curriculum could reduce undergraduates’ radiation anxiety, and activate their professional interest and career pursuing intention. Clinical exposure to IR surgeries further boosted this effect.

Clinical relevance statement

Educational interventions of curriculum and on-site view of IR surgery improve the undergraduates’ interest in IR and stimulate their career intention, which is crucial for the advancement of IR.

Key Points

Increasing interest in interventional radiology (IR) as a career is urgent, given rising demand of services.

Education and on-site viewing of IR surgery reduced radiation anxiety and increased interest in IR.

Early exposure to IR is effective at encouraging undergraduates to consider IR as their career.
Perspectives on vulnerability from the narratives of older migrants
Authors: Kainradl Anna-Christina
Published: June 2024

Background

Older migrants are considered a vulnerable population group in many ways. Marginalization and social exclusion lead to unequal opportunities for social participation.

Aim

In order to break down barriers for older migrants, the perspectives of people with migration biographies should be given greater consideration.

Material and methods

To this end, the results of an explorative intersectional ethical analysis of care narratives of older migrants are discussed in the light of aging studies research. The focus is on the ethical analysis of five guided interviews with older migrants between 65 and 80 years old, who have migrated from different countries in southeastern Europe.

Results and discussion

In contrast to the prevalent expert perspective, the narratives of the older migrants interviewed revealed not only resistance to vulnerabilization but also multiple negotiations of autonomy and dependency. By making ambivalent narrative and action strategies visible and linking them to narratives of intergenerational care relationships, the significance of care-ethical interpretations of vulnerability and characterization of vulnerability as “a universal, inevitable, and anthropological feature of humanity resulting from the embodied, finite, and socially contingent structure of human existence” [4] can be demonstrated.
Potential of cannabidiol as acne and acne scar treatment: novel insights into molecular pathways of pathophysiological factors
Authors: Lee Jun Hyo , Yoon Ji Young , Kim Dong Hyo , Kwon Yoon Gyung , Kim Geun-Hyeong , Park Byoung Jun , Suh Dae Hun
Published: June 2024

Cannabidiol (CBD), which is derived from hemp, is gaining recognition because of its anti-inflammatory and lipid-modulating properties that could be utilized to treat acne. We conducted experiments to quantitatively assess the effects of CBD on acne-related cellular pathways. SEB-1 sebocytes and HaCaT keratinocytes were exposed to various CBD concentrations. CBD exhibited a concentration-dependent impact on cell viability and notably reduced SEB-1 viability; furthermore, it induced apoptosis and a significant increase in the apoptotic area at higher concentrations. Additionally, CBD remarkably reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines, including CXCL8, IL-1α, and IL-1β. Additionally, it inhibited lipid synthesis by modulating the AMPK-SREBP-1 pathway and effectively reduced hyperkeratinization-related protein keratin 16. Simultaneously, CBD stimulated the synthesis of elastin, collagen 1, and collagen 3. These findings emphasize the potential of CBD for the management of acne because of its anti-inflammatory, apoptotic, and lipid-inhibitory effects. Notably, the modulation of the Akt/AMPK-SREBP-1 pathway revealed a novel and promising mechanism that could address the pathogenesis of acne.
Rethinking Parkinson's disease: could dopamine reduction therapy have clinical utility?
Authors: Sackner-Bernstein Jonathan
Published: June 2024

Following reports of low striatal dopamine content in Parkinson’s disease, levodopa was shown to rapidly reverse hypokinesis, establishing the model of disease as one of dopamine deficiency. Dopaminergic therapy became standard of care, yet it failed to reverse the disease, suggesting the understanding of disease was incomplete. The literature suggests the potential for toxicity of dopamine and its metabolites, perhaps more relevant given the recent evidence for elevated cytosolic dopamine levels in the dopaminergic neurons of people with Parkinson’s. To understand the relevance of these data, multiple investigations are reviewed that tested dopamine reduction therapy as an alternative to dopaminergic agents. The data from use of an inhibitor of dopamine synthesis in experimental models suggest that such an approach could reverse disease pathology, which suggests that cytosolic dopamine excess is a primary driver of disease. These data support clinical investigation of dopamine reduction therapy for Parkinson’s disease. Doing so will determine whether these experimental models are predictive and this treatment strategy is worth pursuing further. If clinical data are positive, it could warrant reconsideration of our disease model and treatment strategies, including a shift from dopaminergic to dopamine reduction treatment of the disease.
Die nicht-ärztliche onkologische und hämatologische Pflegesprechstunde
Authors: Kaiser Ulrich , Kaiser Florian , Damnali Gamze , Vehling-Kaiser Ursula
Published: June 2024

Die Versorgung von Patienten mit malignen Erkrankungen wird mit der kontinuierlichen Entwicklung neuer Therapieformern und insbesondere oraler Therapien zunehmend komplexer. Eine kontinuierliche und hochqualifizierte Überwachung ist in zunehmendem Maße erforderlich. Um diesem Anspruch auch in Zukunft gerecht zu werden, stellt die verstärkte Einbindung nicht-ärztlichen Fachpersonals in die Versorgung der Tumorpatienten eine wichtige Option dar. Hierfür existieren aktuell bereits mehrere Modelle. Im vorliegenden Beitrag soll beispielhaft ein solches Modell, nämlich die nicht-ärztliche onkologische und hämatologische Pflegesprechstunde, unter Berücksichtigung von existierender Literatur und Erfahrungswerten der Autoren präsentiert werden. Zusammenfassend stellen folgende Gesichtspunkte die wesentlichen Ziele einer nicht-ärztlichen onkologischen und hämatologischen Pflegesprechstunde dar: Erläuterung der jeweiligen Therapieform einschließlich des Nebenwirkungsmanagements; Adhärenzkontrolle; soziale Aspekte und organisatorische Aspekte. Neben der fachlichen Qualifikation der Mitarbeiter, die die Pflegesprechstunde durchführen, müssen auch strukturelle Voraussetzungen zur erfolgreichen Durchführung der Pflegesprechstunde erfüllt werden. Obschon aktuell keine zusätzliche Vergütung der nicht-ärztlichen onkologischen und hämatologischen Pflegesprechstunde vorgesehen ist, hat diese Versorgungsform durchaus das Potenzial, ein fester Bestandteil vor allem der ambulanten Versorgung von Tumorpatienten zu werden und diese sinnvoll zu ergänzen.
Performance enhancement of a vortex ring thruster by adopting the Coanda effect
Authors: Seok Woochan , Heo Young Min , Rhee Shin Hyung
Published: June 2024

A vortex ring thruster (VRT) is a propulsion device in which a piston pushes fluid and thrusts it in reaction. As the fluid inside a VRT is moving, the boundary layer near the wall at the edge of the exit surface of a VRT separates and rolls up into a vortex ring. In this paper, we performed performance analysis on a regular VRT and a VRT enhanced by the Coanda effect (hereafter referred to as a CoVoRT) on axisymmetric geometry. A CoVoRT consists of two jets: a primary jet and a Coanda jet. The primary jet has a relatively large volume flow rate compared to the Coanda jet, and the Coanda jet attracts the surrounding fluid by flowing along the curved surface at a relatively small flow rate. The present study evaluates the propulsion performance in two ways using SNUFOAM. This software was developed based on OpenFOAM, which is an open-source computational fluid dynamics (CFD) toolkit and specialized for naval hydrodynamics. The first one quantifies the propulsion performance by calculating the ratio of energy input and energy output generated by two jets during a stroke of the piston motion. The second one is to observe the evolution and pinch-off process of a vortex ring with formation time, which is a non-dimensional time scale. The comparison of propulsion performance was conducted with changes in the curvature of the Coanda jet, changes in the length of the Coanda jet exit, and changes in the Coanda jet velocity and piston stroke ratio. For quantitative evaluation of propulsion performance, the propulsion performance evaluation index (PPEI) was introduced. The results showed that the PPEI of a CoVoRT was improved by about 50% compared to that of a VRT, and it was confirmed that the dynamic characteristics of a CoVoRT’s vortex ring were superior to those of a VRT in terms of propulsion performance.
Introducing an innovative surgical technique: gluteal turnover flap for posterior vaginal wall reconstruction: a case series
Authors: Kreisel S. I. , van den Braak Robert R. J. Coebergh , Rothbarth J. , Musters G. D. , Tanis P. J.
Published: June 2024

Four patients with rectal cancer required reconstruction of a defect of the posterior vaginal wall. All patients received neoadjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy, followed by an en bloc (abdomino)perineal resection of the rectum and posterior vaginal wall. The extent of the vaginal defect necessitated closure using a tissue flap with skin island. The gluteal turnover flap was used for this purpose as an alternative to conventional more invasive myocutaneous flaps (gracilis, gluteus, or rectus abdominis). The gluteal turnover flap was created through a curved incision at a maximum width of 2.5 cm from the edge of the perineal wound, thereby creating a half-moon shape skin island. The subcutaneous fat was dissected toward the gluteal muscle, and the gluteal fascia was incised. Thereafter, the flap was rotated into the defect and the skin island was sutured into the vaginal wall defect. The contralateral subcutaneous fat was mobilized for perineal closure in the midline, after which no donor site was visible.The duration of surgery varied from 77 to 392 min, and the hospital stay ranged between 3 and 16 days. A perineal wound dehiscence occurred in two patients, requiring an additional VY gluteal plasty in one patient. Complete vaginal and perineal wound healing was achieved in all patients. The gluteal turnover flap is a promising least invasive technique to reconstruct posterior vaginal wall defects after abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer.
Socio-emotional behavior, learning, and the distinct contributions of Executive Functions in primary graders
Authors: Ruffini Costanza , Bei Eva , Pecini Chiara
Published: June 2024

Socio-emotional school behavior and learning are both fundamental aspects of children’s development influenced by cognitive control processes named Executive Functions (EF). Yet, research on school-age children has often focused on the relationship between EF and learning skills overlooking that of EF and school behavior, which has usually been examined among preschoolers. The current study investigated the contribution of EF in both school behavior and learning in school-age children. One hundred forty-six III–V graders were assessed using text comprehension and EF tasks and evaluated by teachers-rated inventories on behavioral difficulties and EF within the school context. The results suggested a different involvement of direct and indirect EF measures in the two domains considered: controlling for socioeconomic level and age, an EF direct measure, predicted reading comprehension whereas teacher-reported EF related to both behavior and text comprehension. The results contribute to defining the role of cognitive control processes on school behavior and learning in school-age children.
Random forest with differential privacy in federated learning framework for network attack detection and classification
Authors: Markovic Tijana , Leon Miguel , Buffoni David , Punnekkat Sasikumar
Published: June 2024

Communication networks are crucial components of the underlying digital infrastructure in any smart city setup. The increasing usage of computer networks brings additional cyber security concerns, and every organization has to implement preventive measures to protect valuable data and business processes. Due to the inherent distributed nature of the city infrastructures as well as the critical nature of its resources and data, any solution to the attack detection calls for distributed, efficient and privacy preserving solutions. In this paper, we extend the evaluation of our federated learning framework for network attacks detection and classification based on random forest. Previously the framework was evaluated only for attack detection using four well-known intrusion detection datasets (KDD, NSL-KDD, UNSW-NB15, and CIC-IDS-2017). In this paper, we extend the evaluation for attack classification. We also evaluate how adding differential privacy into random forest, as an additional protective mechanism, affects the framework performances. The results show that the framework outperforms the average performance of independent random forests on clients for both attack detection and classification. Adding differential privacy penalizes the performance of random forest, as expected, but the use of the proposed framework still brings benefits in comparison to the use of independent local models. The code used in this paper is publicly available, to enable transparency and facilitate reproducibility within the research community.