bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Envelope following responses for hearing diagnosis: Robustness and methodological considerations
Authors: Van Der Biest Heleen , Keshishzadeh Sarineh , Keppler Hannah , Dhooge Ingeborg , Verhulst Sarah
Published: January 2023

Recent studies have found that envelope following responses (EFRs) are a marker of age-related and noise- or ototoxic-induced cochlear synaptopathy (CS) in research animals. Whereas the cochlear injury can be well controlled in animal research studies, humans may have an unknown mixture of sensorineural hearing loss [SNHL; e.g., inner- or outer-hair-cell (OHC) damage or CS] that cannot be teased apart in a standard hearing evaluation. Hence, a direct translation of EFR markers of CS to a differential CS diagnosis in humans might be compromised by the influence of SNHL subtypes and differences in recording modalities between research animals and humans. To quantify the robustness of EFR markers for use in human studies, this study investigates the impact of methodological considerations related to electrode montage, stimulus characteristics, and presentation, as well as analysis method on human-recorded EFR markers. The main focus is on rectangularly modulated pure-tone stimuli to evoke the EFR based on a recent auditory modelling study that showed that the EFR was least affected by OHC damage and most sensitive to CS in this stimulus configuration. The outcomes of this study can help guide future clinical implementations of electroencephalography-based SNHL diagnostic tests.
Sensitivity of northwest Australian tropical cyclone activity to ITCZ migration since 500 CE
Authors: Denniston Rhawn F. , Ummenhofer Caroline C. , Emanuel Kerry , Ingrosso Roberto , Pausata Francesco S. R. , Wanamaker Alan D. , Lachniet Matthew S. , Carr Kenneth T. , Asmerom Yemane , Polyak Victor J. , Nott Jonathan , Zhang Wei , Villarini Gabriele , Cugley John , Brooks Darren , Woods David , Humphreys William F.
Published: January 2023

Tropical cyclones (TCs) regularly form in association with the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), and thus, its positioning has implications for global TC activity. While the poleward extent of the ITCZ has varied markedly over past centuries, the sensitivity with which TCs responded remains poorly understood from the proxy record, particularly in the Southern Hemisphere. Here, we present a high-resolution, composite stalagmite record of ITCZ migrations over tropical Australia for the past 1500 years. When integrated with a TC reconstruction from the Australian subtropics, this time series, along with downscaled climate model simulations, provides an unprecedented examination of the dependence of subtropical TC activity on meridional shifts in the ITCZ. TCs tracked the ITCZ at multidecadal to centennial scales, with a more southward position enhancing TC-derived rainfall in the subtropics. TCs may play an increasingly important role in Western Australia’s moisture budgets as subtropical aridity increases due to anthropogenic warming.
A magnetically actuated, optically sensed tensile testing method for mechanical characterization of soft biological tissues
Authors: Rosalia Luca , Hallou Adrien , Cochrane Laurence , Savin Thierry
Published: January 2023

Mechanical properties of soft biological tissues play a critical role in physiology and disease, affecting cell behavior and fate decisions and contributing to tissue development, maintenance, and repair. Limitations of existing tools prevent a comprehensive characterization of soft tissue biomechanics, hindering our understanding of these fundamental processes. Here, we develop an instrument for high-fidelity uniaxial tensile testing of soft biological tissues in controlled environmental conditions, which is based on the closed-loop interaction between an electromagnetic actuator and an optical strain sensor. We first validate the instrument using synthetic elastomers characterized via conventional methods; then, we leverage the proposed device to investigate the mechanical properties of murine esophageal tissue and, individually, of each of its constitutive layers, namely, the epithelial, connective, and muscle tissues. The enhanced reliability of this instrument makes it an ideal platform for future wide-ranging studies of the mechanics of soft biological tissues.
Accurate global machine learning force fields for molecules with hundreds of atoms
Authors: Chmiela Stefan , Vassilev-Galindo Valentin , Unke Oliver T. , Kabylda Adil , Sauceda Huziel E. , Tkatchenko Alexandre , Müller Klaus-Robert
Published: January 2023

Global machine learning force fields, with the capacity to capture collective interactions in molecular systems, now scale up to a few dozen atoms due to considerable growth of model complexity with system size. For larger molecules, locality assumptions are introduced, with the consequence that nonlocal interactions are not described. Here, we develop an exact iterative approach to train global symmetric gradient domain machine learning (sGDML) force fields (FFs) for several hundred atoms, without resorting to any potentially uncontrolled approximations. All atomic degrees of freedom remain correlated in the global sGDML FF, allowing the accurate description of complex molecules and materials that present phenomena with far-reaching characteristic correlation lengths. We assess the accuracy and efficiency of sGDML on a newly developed MD22 benchmark dataset containing molecules from 42 to 370 atoms. The robustness of our approach is demonstrated in nanosecond path-integral molecular dynamics simulations for supramolecular complexes in the MD22 dataset.
Posttranslational modifications induce autoantibodies with risk prediction capability in patients with small cell lung cancer
Authors: Lastwika Kristin J. , Kunihiro Andrew , Solan Joell L. , Zhang Yuzheng , Taverne Lydia R. , Shelley David , Rho Jung-Hyun , Randolph Timothy W. , Li Christopher I. , Grogan Eric L. , Massion Pierre P. , Fitzpatrick Annette L. , MacPherson David , Houghton A. McGarry , Lampe Paul D.
Published: January 2023

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) elicits the generation of autoantibodies that result in unique paraneoplastic neurological syndromes. The mechanistic basis for the formation of such autoantibodies is largely unknown but is key to understanding their etiology. We developed a high-dimensional technique that enables detection of autoantibodies in complex with native antigens directly from patient plasma. Here, we used our platform to screen 1009 human plasma samples for 3600 autoantibody-antigen complexes, finding that plasma from patients with SCLC harbors, on average, fourfold higher disease-specific autoantibody signals compared with plasma from patients with other cancers. Across three independent SCLC cohorts, we identified a set of common but previously unknown autoantibodies that are produced in response to both intracellular and extracellular tumor antigens. We further characterized several disease-specific posttranslational modifications within extracellular proteins targeted by these autoantibodies, including citrullination, isoaspartylation, and cancer-specific glycosylation. Because most patients with SCLC have metastatic disease at diagnosis, we queried whether these autoantibodies could be used for SCLC early detection. We created a risk prediction model using five autoantibodies with an average area under the curve of 0.84 for the three cohorts that improved to 0.96 by incorporating cigarette smoke consumption in pack years. Together, our findings provide an innovative approach to identify circulating autoantibodies in SCLC with mechanistic insight into disease-specific immunogenicity and clinical utility.
Resuscitation-Promoting Factor Accelerates Enrichment of Highly Active Tetrachloroethene/Polychlorinated Biphenyl-Dechlorinating Cultures
Authors: Su Xiaomei , Xie Mengqi , Han Zhen , Xiao Yeyuan , Wang Rui , Shen Chaofeng , Hashmi Muhammad Zaffar , Sun Faqian
Published: January 2023

The resuscitation promoting factor (Rpf) of
Micrococcus luteus
has been reported to resuscitate and stimulate the growth of functional microorganisms that are involved in the aerobic degradation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). However, few studies have been conducted to investigate the role of Rpf on anaerobic microbial populations.
Multiple Sites on Glycoprotein H (gH) Functionally Interact with the gB Fusion Protein to Promote Fusion during Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Entry
Authors: Fan Qing , Hippler Daniel P. , Yang Yueqi , Longnecker Richard , Connolly Sarah A.
Published: January 2023

Enveloped viruses enter cells by fusing their envelope with the host cell membrane. Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) entry requires the coordinated interaction of several viral glycoproteins, including gH/gL and gB. gH/gL and gB are essential for virus replication and both proteins are targets of neutralizing antibodies. gB fuses the membranes after being activated by gH/gL, but the details of how gH/gL activates gB are not known.
Commensal Lactobacilli Metabolically Contribute to Cervical Epithelial Homeostasis in a Species-Specific Manner
Authors: Jimenez Nicole R. , Maarsingh Jason D. , Łaniewski Paweł , Herbst-Kralovetz Melissa M.
Published: January 2023

Lactobacillus
species contribute to cervicovaginal health by their production of lactic acid and other antimicrobial compounds. Yet, much is still unknown regarding the metabolic potential of lesser-studied but common vaginal lactobacilli.
Implications of an integrated late Ediacaran to early Cambrian stratigraphy of the Siberian Platform, Russia
Authors: Bowyer Fred T. , Zhuravlev Andrey Yu , Wood Rachel , Zhao Fangchen , Sukhov Sergei S. , Alexander Ruaridh D. , Poulton Simon W. , Zhu Maoyan
Published: January 2023

The transition from the terminal Ediacaran to early Cambrian (ca. 550−530 Ma) witnessed both the decline of Ediacaran-type soft-bodied and skeletal biota and the rapid diversification of Cambrian-type skeletal biota, which dominate the Terreneuvian (ca. 538.8−521 Ma) fossil record. This interval hosts globally widespread positive and negative δ13Ccarb excursions, including a negative δ13Ccarb excursion near the Ediacaran-Cambrian boundary termed the 1n/BACE. Efforts to produce a global composite chemostratigraphic and biostratigraphic correlation through this interval are complicated by stratigraphic incompleteness and a dearth of radiometric ages with which to constrain δ13Ccarb chemostratigraphy. Extensive and richly fossiliferous open-marine carbonates of the Siberian Platform were deposited from the terminal Ediacaran to beyond Cambrian Series 2, and they offer a unique archive to refine this chemostratigraphic and biostratigraphic framework. Here, we present new δ13Ccarb data from two sections of the southeastern Siberian Platform, and we synthesize these with published δ13Ccarb data from multiple sections throughout the Siberian Platform that record near-continuous carbonate deposition from the latest Ediacaran to Cambrian Series 2. This compilation allowed the construction of two possible chemostratigraphic age models that conform to a coherent framework of lithostratigraphic correlation and platformwide stratal stacking patterns. These age models were then used to test alternative calibrations of fossil first appearances and the spatiotemporal evolution of carbonate deposition on the Siberian Platform. Both models support a pre-1n/BACE appearance of anabaritids in the most distal open-marine sections, and they confirm a transitional Ediacaran-Cambrian biotic assemblage that consisted of co-occurring cloudinids and anabaritids. Sedimentologic and sequence stratigraphic analysis on the Siberian Platform also provides strong evidence to indicate that the 1n/BACE marks the onset of a gradual, pulsed rise in relative sea level that was sustained throughout the Terreneuvian and Series 2 of the Cambrian.
Root morphology, growth, and physiology in Begonia (Malus × micromalus) grown in copper hydroxide containers
Authors: Zhou Yumei , Yang Ming , Deng Jifeng , Tai Zhijuan , Luan Dongtao , Zhu Siyi , Jia Jingjing , Yang Zhuo , Luo Yuxin , Wu Wen
Published: January 2023

A major concern with container seedlings is root circling and deformation that will affect post-planting performance and stability. To improve root quality, 3-year-old Begonia ( Malus ×  micromalus) plants were grown in the containers treated on interior surfaces with different concentrations of copper hydroxide (Cu(OH)2) (0, 40, 80, 120, 160, and 200 g L−1) for 1 year. Compared with the standard container control (SC) and carrier asphalt container control (AC), the number of terminal lateral roots and lateral root volume were increased by 21% and 13% at 80 and 120 g L−1 Cu(OH)2 but decreased by 8% and 10% at 200 g L−1 Cu(OH)2. Only 80 g L−1 Cu(OH)2 increased the plant height and root weight, while other concentrations of Cu(OH)2 resulted in the declines. Phosphorus and potassium were improved with lower concentrations of Cu(OH)2 but decreased with 160 and 200 g L−1 Cu(OH)2. No significant difference in the concentrations of soluble protein and sugars in leaves was observed between Cu(OH)2 treatments and the controls. AC decreased nitrogen concentration in leaves by 12% over the SC across the whole growing season and increased taproot diameter by 17%. Our results indicate that 80 g L−1 Cu(OH)2 was the optimum concentration for root pruning and the maintenance of physiological function. Disadvantages in growth and physiology gradually showed up with increased concentrations.
Personality differences between sexes are present in a peaceful lizard, but not in an aggressive one: a chemical communication trial in two Liolaemus species
Authors: Ruiz-Monachesi M.R. , Sommaro L.V. , Martínez J.J.
Published: January 2023

Animal personality can be defined as behavioral individual consistency across contexts and time, and sociability may facilitate it. Boldness and exploration can be considered as social conflictive behaviors and in lizards, social scent can either diminish or promote social conflicts. We studied boldness and exploration in Liolaemus albiceps Lobo and Laurent, 1995 and Liolaemus coeruleus Cei and Ortiz, 1983, and tested whether Liolaemus albiceps, a lesser aggressive species, presents higher individual consistency in a socially nonconflictive behavior, such as escape (boldness). We also expect Liolaemus coeruleus, a more aggressive species, to present higher individual consistency in exploration, which is socially more conflictive behavior. We exposed lizards to their own conspecifics and control scent treatments. We calculated the repeatability for boldness and exploration, analyzed their correlation, and tested for behavioral plasticity. Boldness and exploration were repeatable in Liolaemus albiceps at species level, with females showing highly repeatable boldness, and males, highly repeatable exploration. Liolaemus coeruleus exhibited no significant repeatability for either behavior. There was no correlation between these two behaviors, and both species showed plasticity. Liolaemus albiceps individuals were bolder and explored less under conspecific scents. Liolaemus coeruleus individuals explored less in presence of their own scents than novelty scents, and presented interindividual variation in plasticity. A peaceful lifestyle may favor behavioral consistency within individuals, whereas a more aggressive lifestyle may constrain within and among individual consistency in a chemical communication context. However, individual differences in plasticity could counterbalance this constraint.
Sophora alopecuroides Alleviates Neuroinflammation and Oxidative Damage of Parkinson’s Disease In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Sun Ting , Chen Lei , Liu Rui , Liu Qing-Shan , Cheng Yong
Published: January 2023

For centuries, Sophora alopecuroides L. has been used both as a food and an herbal medicine in northern China. A new cytisine-type alkaloid, N-methylene-(5,7,4[Formula: see text]-trihydroxy)-isoflavone (LY01), was found in the fruits of Sophora alopecuroides L. and shows neuroprotective effects against Parkinson’s disease (PD). PD is a frequently occurring, irreversible neurodegenerative disease that seriously threatens the health of the elderly population. There is no cure for PD. The available treatments help manage the symptoms, but their use is limited by multiple side effects. Therefore, more pharmacological treatments addressing this pathology are urgently required. This study aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of LY01 against PD, as well as their underlying mechanisms, using both in vitro and in vivo experimental models. A 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine hydrochloride (MPTP)-induced mouse model of PD was used to assess the effects of LY01 on the motor coordination deficit, progression of the pathology, and molecular characteristics. 1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP[Formula: see text])-activated SH-SY5Y cells and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated BV-2 cells were used to evaluate LY01 effects on oxidative damage and neuroinflammation. In the rotarod test, LY01 alleviated the impaired motor coordination in PD mice. Furthermore, LY01 treatment prevented the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and striatum of the PD mice, reduced neuroinflammation in the mice with MPTP-induced PD and the LPS-activated BV-2 cells, and diminished oxidative stress in the PD mice and the MPP[Formula: see text]-induced SH-SY5Y cells. In conclusion, these results suggest the potential of LY01 as a therapeutic agent for treating PD.
MEMRISTOR-BASED LSTM NETWORK FOR TEXT CLASSIFICATION
Authors: DOU GANG , ZHAO KAIXUAN , GUO MEI , MOU JUN
Published: January 2023

Long short-term memory (LSTM) with significantly increased complexity and a large number of parameters have a bottleneck in computing power resulting from limited memory capacity. Hardware acceleration of LSTM using memristor circuit is an effective solution. This paper presents a complete design of memristive LSTM network system. Both the LSTM cell and the fully connected layer circuit are implemented through memristor crossbars, and the 1T1R design avoids the influence of the sneak current which helps to improve the accuracy of network calculation. To reduce the power consumption, the word embedding dimensionality was reduced using the GloVe model, and the number of features in the hidden layer was reduced. The effectiveness of the proposed scheme is verified by performing the text classification task on the IMDB dataset and the hardware training accuracy reached as high as 88.58%.
Macroprogramming: Concepts, State of the Art, and Opportunities of Macroscopic Behaviour Modelling
Authors: Casadei Roberto
Published: January 2023

Macroprogramming refers to the theory and practice of expressing the macro(scopic) behaviour of a collective system using a single program. Macroprogramming approaches are motivated by the need of effectively capturing global/system-level aspects and the collective behaviour of multiple computational components, while abstracting over low-level details. Previously, this programming style had been primarily adopted to describe the data-processing logic in sensor networks; recently, research forums on spatial computing, collective systems, and the Internet of Things have provided renewed interest in macro approaches. However, related contributions are still fragmented and lack conceptual consistency. Therefore, to foster principled research, an integrated view of the field is provided, together with opportunities and challenges.
Reinventing Radiobiology in the Light of FLASH Radiotherapy
Authors: Limoli Charles L. , Vozenin Marie-Catherine
Published: January 2023

Ultrahigh–dose rate FLASH radiotherapy (FLASH-RT) is a potentially paradigm-shifting treatment modality that holds the promise of expanding the therapeutic index for nearly any cancer. At the heart of this exciting technology comes the capability to ameliorate major normal tissue complications without compromising the efficacy of tumor killing. This combination of benefits has now been termed the FLASH effect and relies on an in vivo validation to rigorously demonstrate the absence of normal tissue toxicity. The FLASH effect occurs when the overall irradiation time is extremely short (<500 ms), and in this review we attempt to understand how FLASH-RT can kill tumors but spare normal tissues—likely the single most pressing question confronting the field today.
Multipulse transcranial magnetic stimulation of human motor cortex produces short-latency corticomotor facilitation via two distinct mechanisms
Authors: Kesselheim Janine , Takemi Mitsuaki , Christiansen Lasse , Karabanov Anke Ninija , Siebner Hartwig Roman
Published: January 2023

TMS pairs evoke SICF at interpulse intervals (IPIs) that match I-wave periodicity. Biphasic bursts with IPIs at the latency of the first peak facilitate MEPs and reduce corticomotor threshold. Bursts at the latency of the first trough facilitate MEPs and reduce corticomotor threshold to a lesser extent. TMS bursts facilitate corticomotor excitability via two mechanisms: SICF-dependently via fast-conducting direct projections from M1HAND to spinal motoneurons and SICF-independently, probably through slower-conducting indirect pyramidal tract projections.
Application of Improved Monarch Butterfly Optimization for Parameters’ Optimization
Authors: Huang Shixin , Zhang Kedao , Li Hongmei , Chen Xiangjian
Published: January 2023

The reasonable selection of cutting parameters in the machining process is of great significance to improve productivity, reduce production costs, and improve the quality of parts. However, due to the complexity of cutting parameter model optimization, most factories currently use experience or refer to relevant manuals to select the value of cutting parameters in production. In order to avoid and minimize abnormalities, they usually select more experienced and conservative values, and often do not select reasonable cutting parameters, which is not conducive to improving productivity, reducing production costs, and improving the quality of parts. Therefore, the research on cutting parameter optimization has important theoretical value and application value. In this paper, in order to find the optimal cutting parameters, the cutting model is solved by the improved monarch butterfly optimization (IMBO) algorithm, and the optimized cutting parameters are obtained. By establishing the mathematical model of cutting, the constraint conditions of actual machining are introduced into the model. In order to solve the model, some ideas of particle swarm optimization (PSO) and differential evolution (DE) are added to the traditional monarch butterfly optimization (MBO) algorithm. The MBO algorithm is improved to deal with multiobjective optimization problems. The IMBO algorithm is used to optimize the cutting model. The experiment shows that the optimized cutting parameters can significantly reduce production cost and maintain high production efficiency. Compared with NSGA‐II algorithm and other swarm intelligence optimization algorithms, it shows that the IMBO algorithm has certain advantages in multiobjective optimization.
Effects of Different Precursors on Particle Size and Optical–Magnetic Properties of ZnCr2O4 Nanoparticles Prepared by Microwave-Assisted Method
Authors: Sankudevan P. , Sakthivel R. V. , Poonkodi K. , Ramalingam Gopal , Raghupathi C. , Alam Mohammed Mujahid , Rangasamy Baskaran
Published: January 2023

Zinc chromite (ZnCr2O4)-based nanoparticles have various exceptional properties that make them suitable for use in a variety of fields, including chemistry, medicine, energy, the environment, industry, and information. In this work, nanocrystalline ZnCr2O4 has been effectively synthesized with a distinct fuel by microwave-assisted solution combustion method. The XRD results reveal a single-phase high pure formation of nanoscale ZnCr2O4. The ZnCr2O4 samples are further characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscope, UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometer. The results reveal that modifying the fuel precursors in the combustion technique played an impact on the particle size, bandgap energy, magnetic properties, and reaction time of the ZnCr2O4 preparation. The average particle size of the various samples ranged from 18.6 to 13.9 nm with various fuels. The significance of this study is the tuning effect of optical and magnetic properties of ZnCr2O4 by using various fuel precursors.
Evaluating the Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema with Aflibercept Based on a Regional Network of Ophthalmologic Care Givers
Authors: Khalil Haidar , Mariacher Siegfried , Strauss Rupert , Podkowinski Dominika , Waser Klemens , Bolz Matthias
Published: January 2023

Purpose. In Austria, anti‐VEGF therapies are reimbursed only in clinical settings. This study aimed to describe the outcome of a treat and extend regimen (TER) with aflibercept for diabetic macular edema (DME) in a network of practitioners. Methods. In a prospective study over 36 months, patients with DME were treated with a loading dose of aflibercept and further on with adjusted treatment intervals based on optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings. All patients were monitored in an outpatient setting by regional ophthalmologists, and the treatment was administered in the clinic. Main outcome parameters were best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from baseline to the last regular visit. Number of visits at the practitioner’s office as well as the number of injections were secondary outcome parameters. Results. Thirty‐three patients completed the study at their final visit. BCVA improved significantly by 5.8 letters between baseline and the final visit from 70.4 letters at baseline (p = 0.004). Patients visited the practitioner’s office 12.8 times in the observation period of 36 months. 3.7, 5.1, and 3.9 visits were performed, respectively, in the first, second, and third years, and 25.5 ± 7.9 injections were performed. The mean interval of injections over the observation period was 6.2 ± 2.2 in weeks. Conclusion. The treat and extend regimen was valuable for treating patients with DME in this specific setting. The functional results of this study were comparable to those of other real‐world evaluations. Adherence to the same treating institution seems to be important to avoid differences in therapeutic decision making and may also increase patient’s compliance.
ATP5D Is a Potential Biomarker for Male Fertility
Authors: Wang Yi-Bo , Zhai Chen-Yang , Yao Guan-Ping , Chen Ting-Bao , Xue Lu-Lu , Zhou Lin , Xiong Liu-Lin , Wang Ting-Hua
Published: January 2023

Background. Infertility is a global medical and social problem that affects human health and social development. At present, about 15% of couples of the right age in the world are infertile. As all we know, genetic defects are the most likely underlying cause of the pathology. ATP5D is also known as the delta subunit of mitochondrial ATP synthase. Mitochondria maintain sperm vitality, capacitation, acrosome reaction, and DNA integrity through ATP. Mitochondrial damage can trigger energy synthesis disorders, resulting in decreased sperm quality and function or even disappearance. The specific role of ATP5D in regulation of the male reproductive system remains elusive. Methods. In this study, semen from normal and infertile males were collected and their indicators were examined by analysis of routine sperm parameters; ATP5D protein content in semen was examined by ELISA. Singer sequencing was used to detect whether there was a mutated of ATP5D in semen. Meanwhile, ATP5D knockout (KO) and knockin (KI) male mice were selected at 8-12 weeks of age and mated with adult wild-type (WT) female mice for more than two months to assess their fertility and reproductive ability. Morphological changes in tissues such as testes and epididymis were observed by HE staining; spermatozoa were taken from the epididymis of the mice; sperm counts were performed and morphological changes were observed by Diff-Quik staining. Results. The results showed that the expression of ATP5D in infertile males was significantly lower than that in normal males (

P
<
0.001

) and the normal morphology rate of spermatozoa was much lower than that of normal males, and the sequencing results showed no mutations. The animal reproductive experiments showed no significant changes in the number of fertility in KO/KI mice compared with WT mice, but the duration of fertility was significantly longer (

P
=
0.02

). The testicular cells in KO mice were loosely arranged and disorganized, the lumen was larger, the interstitial cells were atrophied, and the number of spermatozoa was reduced and the malformation rate was higher in WT males. This suggests that ATP5D is an essential protein for sperm formation and fertility in male mice and may be used as a biomarker of male fertility. Conclusion. This study found ATP5D correlated with male infertility and the expression levels were significantly reduced in the seminal plasma of all male infertile patients without gene mutations. KO male significantly prolonged fertility time and impaired testicular histomorphology. This suggests that ATP5D may be associated with spermatogenic function and fertility in male mice and may be used as a biomarker for male fertility. Future studies are required to elucidate the potential mechanisms. The trial registration number is KLL-2021-266.
Influencing Factors of Employee Turnover Based on the Random Forest and DEMATEL Method: Evidence from the Qinghai Electric Power Company in China
Authors: Xu Hao , Zheng Jian , Liu Renjing , Zhang Xiangwen , Zhang Ru
Published: January 2023

Under the background of the deepening reform of China’s electric power industry, how to make use of existing resources, keep existing employees, and identify and distinguish the influencing factors of turnover have become major problems faced by companies. At the same time, the identification of influencing factors also provides a reference for relevant enterprises to do a good job in talent reserve and recruitment. The influencing factors of employee turnover are numerous and interrelated. Identifying and distinguishing the influencing factors are the focus of academic research. Meanwhile, it provides a reference for relevant enterprises to do an excellent job in personnel reserve and recruitment. Aiming at the limitation of constructing a direct matrix based on experts’ scoring method in the traditional DEMATEL model, a model combining random forest and DEMATEL is proposed, applied to identify the influencing factors of employee turnover in electric power enterprises in Qinghai Province. Based on the employee turnover data set of Qinghai Electric Power Company from 2012 to 2020, the empirical analysis is conducted to analyze the influencing factors of employee turnover from two perspectives of the degree of centrality and the degree of causal. The research results show that marital status, household registration, political status, type of job, and the location of the work unit are the key influencing factors, providing a theoretical basis for the early warning of employee turnover and confirming the feasibility of the random forest‐DEMATEL method proposed by us.
National Weekly SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR Screening of All Workers in Long-Term Care Facilities Associated with Decrease in Resident Mortality Rate
Authors: Abu-Fraiha Yasmeen , Robinson Shahar Geva , Maimon Michal , Hassan Lior , Grotto Itamar , Uzan Limor Gortzak , Goldin Sivan , Novack Victor , Maimon Nimrod
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Outbreaks of COVID-19 in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) have resulted mainly from disease transmission by asymptomatic health care workers. This study examines whether routine screening tests carried out on health care workers can help in reducing COVID-19 outbreaks, morbidity, and mortality of LTCF residents. Methods: The study followed a weekly, nationwide, government-funded screening program of LTCF personnel for SARS-CoV-2, by using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction as the main testing technology. It included all residents and employees in Israeli LTCFs who were screened weekly during the second wave of COVID-19, during the period of time between July 13, 2020, and November 21, 2020. Results: During the study period, 1,107 LTCFs were screened on a weekly basis, including 62,159 HCWs and 100,046 residents. The program screened a median of 55,282 (range 16,249, min 45,910, max 62,159) employees per week, 0.05–1.5% of which were positive for SARS-CoV-2. LTCF mortality in the first wave accounted for 45.3% of all COVID-19 deaths recorded nationally (252 of 556), and in the second wave, this ratio was reduced to 30.3% (709 of 2,337) representing a reduction of 33.8% in expected mortality (p < 0.001). A significant reduction was detected also in hospitalization rate (13.59 vs. 11.41%, p < 0.001) and elder (≥75 years old) mortality rate (52.89 vs. 41.42%, p < 0.001). 214 outbreaks in the second wave were avoided by early identification of SARS-CoV-2 positive HCWs and successful prevention of subsequent infections in the facility. Conclusion: Routine weekly SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR testing of LTCF employees was associated with reduced national LTCF residents’ hospitalizations and mortality rate.
Effects of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Diet on Change in Cardiac Biomarkers Over Time: Results From the DASH‐Sodium Trial
Authors: Belanger Matthew J. , Kovell Lara C. , Turkson‐Ocran Ruth‐Alma , Mukamal Kenneth J. , Liu Xiaoran , Appel Lawrence J. , Miller Edgar R. , Sacks Frank M. , Christenson Robert H. , Rebuck Heather , Chang Alex R. , Juraschek Stephen P.
Published: January 2023

Background

The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet has been shown to reduce biomarkers of cardiovascular disease. We aimed to characterize the time course of change in biomarkers of cardiac injury (high‐sensitivity cardiac troponin I), cardiac strain (NT‐proBNP [N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide]), and inflammation (hs‐CRP [high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein]) while consuming the DASH diet.

Methods and Results

The DASH‐Sodium trial was a randomized controlled trial of 412 adults with elevated blood pressure or hypertension. Participants were randomly assigned to 12 weeks of the DASH diet or a typical American diet. Energy intake was adjusted to maintain body weight. Measurements of high‐sensitivity cardiac troponin I, NT‐proBNP, and hs‐CRP were performed in stored serum specimens, collected at baseline and ≈4, 8, and 12 weeks after randomization. In both the control diet and DASH diet, levels of NT‐proBNP decreased; however, there was no difference between diets (
P
‐trend compared with control=0.22). On the DASH diet versus control, levels of high‐sensitivity cardiac troponin I decreased progressively during follow‐up (
P‐
trend compared with control=0.025), but a statistically significant between‐diet difference in change from baseline levels was not observed until week 12 (% difference, 17.78% [95% CI, −29.51% to −4.09%]). A similar pattern was evident for hs‐CRP (
P‐
trend compared with control=0.01; % difference at week 12, 19.97% [95% CI, −31.94% to −5.89%]).

Conclusions

In comparison with a typical American diet, the DASH diet reduced high‐sensitivity cardiac troponin I and hs‐CRP progressively over 12 weeks. These results suggest that the DASH diet has cumulative benefits over time on biomarkers of subclinical cardiac injury and inflammation.

Registration

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT00000608.
Two new species of Platynectes Régimbart, 1879 from China with notes on other Chinese members of the genus, including a key to species (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae: Agabinae)
Authors: JIANG ZHUO-YIN , ZHAO SHUANG , JIA FENG-LONG , ŠŤASTNÝ JAROSLAV
Published: January 2023

Two new Platynectes species, P. maizuqii sp. nov. from Guangdong and P. pangu sp. nov. from Yunnan, are described. New records are provided for the following species: P. davidorum Hájek, Alarie, Šťastný & Vondráček, 2019 from Jiangxi, P. dissimilis (Sharp, 1873) from Guangxi, P. gemellatus Šťastný, 2003 from Hunan and Zhejiang, P. kashmiranus lemberki Šťastný, 2003 from Xizang and P. nanlingensis Šťastný, 2003 from Jiangxi. Additional records are also given for most other Chinese species. Platynectes kashmiranus kashmiranus J. Balfour-Browne, 1944 is removed from the Chinese fauna. The habitus of all and the male genitalia of most species are illustrated. An updated key to all Chinese species of Platynectes is provided.
Morphological and molecular approaches revealed a new species of snapping shrimp genus Alpheus Fabricius, 1798 (Decapoda: Caridea: Alpheidae) from Lakshadweep Islands, India
Authors: PURUSHOTHAMAN P. , BHARATHI S. , DAMODHAR A. T. , KUMAR T. T. AJITH , LAL K. K.
Published: January 2023

A new species of the alpheid genus Alpheus Fabricius, 1798, Alpheus sulcipalma sp. nov., is described and illustrated based on the specimens collected from the intertidal zone of Agatti Island, Lakshadweep, India at 0.5–1.0 m depth. This species belongs to the A. edwardsii group by absences of tooth in the orbital hoods and presence of compressed major chela with dorsal and ventral notches. Alpheus sulcipalma sp. nov. is morphologically closely related with A. pacificus Dana, 1852, absence of balaeniceps crests in the minor chela and absences of spine in the merus of major pereiopod of both sexes. However, the new species differs from A. pacificus in presence of strong and broad triangular groove on the dorsolateral and dorsomesial surface of the palm of major chela; length ratio and armature of fingers and palm of minor chela, carpus segments of second and third pereiopods and telson length. The results of phylogenetic analyses using partial sequences of mitochondrial COI gene data compared between A. sulcipalma sp. nov. with congener species which strongly support the description of new species with available limited sequences. The interspecific genetic divergences of the COI gene for A. sulcipalma sp. nov. and A. pacificus were observed higher in ranges (11.1–28.9%).
New species and new country records for Neotropical Cerambycinae (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae)
Authors: BEZARK LARRY G. , SANTOS-SILVA ANTONIO
Published: January 2023

Three new species of Cerambycidae (Coleoptera) are described and illustrated: Lingafelterellus barclayi sp. nov. (Elaphidiini), from Ecuador; Neocompsa obliqua sp. nov. (Tropidini, Compsina), from Mexico; and Odontogracilis mudgei sp. nov. (Rhinotragini), from Mexico. An updated key to species to Lingafelterellus is provided. Neocompsa obliqua sp. nov. is included in a previous key. New country records are provided for: Criodion tuberculatum Gahan, 1892; Juiaparus batus batus (Linnaeus, 1758); Eburodacrys nemorivaga Gounelle, 1909; Compsibidion vanum (Thomson, 1867); and Tropidion fairmairei (Gounelle, 1909).
Vertical Motions in Orographic Cloud Systems over the Payette River Basin. Part I: Recovery of Vertical Motions and Their Uncertainty from Airborne Doppler Radial Velocity Measurements
Authors: Zaremba Troy J. , Rauber Robert M. , Haimov Samuel , Geerts Bart , French Jeffrey R. , Grasmick Coltin , Heimes Kaylee , Tessendorf Sarah A. , Friedrich Katja , Xue Lulin , Rasmussen Roy M. , Kunkel Melvin L. , Blestrud Derek R.
Published: January 2023

Vertical motions over the complex terrain of Idaho’s Payette River basin were observed by the Wyoming Cloud Radar (WCR) during 23 flights of the Wyoming King Air during the Seeded and Natural Orographic Wintertime Clouds: The Idaho Experiment (SNOWIE) field campaign. The WCR measured radial velocity Vr, which includes the reflectivity-weighted terminal velocity of hydrometeors Vt, vertical air velocity w, horizontal wind contributions as a result of aircraft attitude deviations, and aircraft motion. Aircraft motion was removed through standard processing. To retrieve vertical radial velocity W, Vr was corrected using rawinsonde data and aircraft attitude measurements; w was then calculated by subtracting the mean W () at a given height along a flight leg long enough for to equal the mean reflectivity-weighted terminal velocity at that height. The accuracy of the w and retrievals were dependent on satisfying assumptions along a given flight leg that the winds at a given altitude above/below the aircraft did not vary, the vertical air motions at a given altitude sum to 0 m s−1, and at a given altitude did not vary. The uncertainty in the w retrieval associated with each assumption is evaluated. Case studies and a projectwide summary show that this methodology can provide estimates of w that closely match gust probe measurements of w at the aircraft level. Flight legs with little variation in equivalent reflectivity factor at a given height and large horizontal echo extent were associated with the least retrieval uncertainty. The greatest uncertainty occurred in regions with isolated convective turrets or at altitudes where split cloud layers were present.
The Recognition of Indigenous Peoples in Latin American Climate Governance: A Review of Nationally Determined Contributions
Authors: Carmona Rosario , Carril Francisca , Yon Rocío
Published: January 2023

Indigenous Peoples’ advocacy has enabled them to position themselves in global debates on climate change. Although the international community progressively acknowledges Indigenous Peoples’ contributions to climate action, their effective recognition in national climate governance remains marginal. This article analyses Indigenous Peoples’ recognition in the climate governance of Latin American states based on a document analysis of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) submitted between 2016 and March 2022. A content analysis and a frequency analysis were conducted on 30 documents. Mentions related to Indigenous Peoples in the NDCs are increasing; nevertheless, this recognition reproduces the multicultural approach that has characterized Latin American states’ legislations and thereby undermines the coherence of climate policy. The references mainly allude to cultural diversity and climatic vulnerability without addressing the ongoing territorial conflicts that mediate the relationship between Indigenous Peoples and states. Nor do the NDCs recognize the right of Indigenous Peoples to participate at the different levels of climate change decision-making processes. Intercultural recognition of Indigenous Peoples and better standards of participation in climate change governance are mandatory. However, states must first promote institutional transformations to address the historical and institutional factors that have produced Indigenous Peoples’ climate vulnerability and generate the necessary mechanisms to implement the recognition committed to in the NDCs.

Significance Statement

The decisions of the Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change progressively encourage the participation of Indigenous Peoples and consider their knowledge in decision-making processes. Our article explores how this recommendation is assumed in Latin America through the analysis of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)—the national pledges in the context of the Paris Agreement for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and adaptation to climate change. Our findings reveal that the mentions and recognition of Indigenous Peoples in NDCs are increasing. This recognition is not matched by promoting full and meaningful intercultural participation. In addition to generating mechanisms for effective participation, addressing the multiple historical and institutional drivers of Indigenous Peoples’ climate vulnerability is necessary.
Numerical simulation and experimentation to investigate the performance of powder mixed dielectric in electrical discharge micromachining
Authors: Singh Mahavir , Jain Vijay Kumar , Ramkumar Janakarajan
Published: January 2023

In the current work, numerical simulation and experimentation are carried out to investigate the performance of powder mixed dielectric in the electrical discharge micromachining process. Three distinct powders, namely aluminum (electrically conductive), silicon (semi-conductive), and aluminum oxide/alumina (electrically non-conductive) dispersed in the kerosene dielectric, are considered. For a constant applied voltage, a silicon powder particle inserted in the gap immersed with liquid dielectric shows an enlargement in the inter-electrode gap (∼38% and 63% with circular and elliptical powder) compared to the pure dielectric. The enlarged inter-electrode gap increases the machining yield due to improved flushing efficiency. The intensification of the electric field near the particles’ surface lowers the breakdown voltage and charging time of the capacitor for the constant inter-electrode gap, resulting in a decrease in discharge energy per pulse and increased spark frequency. The influence of powder material properties and their sizes on breakdown strength is analyzed. Further, the discharge parameters acquired from the electric field numerical simulation of powder mixed dielectric have been utilized to conduct the numerical simulation of single crater formation with pure dielectric and powder mixed dielectric. The simulated single carters’ dimensions are validated with the experimentally machined single craters. Numerical simulation and experimentation of powder mixed dielectric depict the effectiveness of aluminum oxide powders in addition to silicon and aluminum powders when dispersed in kerosene host dielectric.
Non-Aligend Summit Diplomacy
Authors: Barm J.K.
Published: January 2023

One of the main goals of the Non-aligned Movement (NAM) has, since long, been the democratisation of international order. It is highly critical of the undemocratic nature of important international organisations like the United Nations, the World Bank and the IMF (International Monetary Fund); and for the last several years has been fighting the inequality and oligarchism built into these vital organisations affecting, obviously, the life, development and security of many countries. But this campaign of the NAM would be lacking to a great extent in credibility and strength if the organization itself suffers from the same flaws and deficiencies. Unless the NAM is democratic in its structure and functioning, it has little moral right to point its finger at the absence of democracy in other international bodies. No member of the NAM has got “veto” power or “weightage voting”, the characteristic features of Great Power dominance in the Security Council and the World Bank respectively. But this is not enough to conclusively suggest that the NAM is a democratic body. To have a better idea about this, one has to examine its decision-making processes: whether all members have an equal voice in the formulation of its policies and programmes. For this purpose we need to look into the dynamics of the diplomacy of non-aligned summits. What are the various inputs of the decisions taken by these summits'! Do some countries wield more power than others?

Apart from the big-small differential, the examination of non-aligned summit diplomacy may reveal some other important variables like the Cold War/ideological cleavage, communalism, regionalism, etc. The more powerful these divisive forces are, the weaker is the NAM. One of the wellknown features of decision-making at non-aligned meetings is “consensus.” Its members seem to be demanding a lot of credit for practising “consensus” which, they claim, is not only highly democratic but also unifying in nature. A critical look at this phenomenon would be in order. It would also be important to find out if external forces try to influence the non-aligned policies. What are the various strategies employed by the Great Powers of rival Cold War sides to influence the deliberation and decisions of non-aligned summits? These are some of the issues which have been dealt with here.