bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of a digital literacy measurement tool for middle and high school students in the context of scientific practice
Authors: Son Mihyun , Ha Minsu
Published: August 2024

Digital literacy is essential for scientific literacy in a digital world. Although the NGSS Practices include many activities that require digital literacy, most studies have examined digital literacy from a generic perspective rather than a curricular context. This study aimed to develop a self-report tool to measure elements of digital literacy among middle and high school students in the context of science practice. Using Messick's validity framework, Rasch analysis was conducted to ensure the tool's validity. Initial items were developed from the NGSS, KSES, and other countries' curricula and related research literature. The final 38 items were expertly reviewed by scientists and applied to 1194 students for statistical analysis. The results indicated that the tool could be divided into five dimensions of digital literacy in the context of science practice: collecting and recording data, analyzing and interpreting (statistics), analyzing and interpreting (tools), generating conclusions, and sharing and presenting. Item fit and reliability were analyzed. The study found that most items did not show significant gender or school level differences, but scores increased with grade level. Boys tended to perform better than girls, and this difference did not change with grade level. Analysis and Interpretation (Tools) showed the largest differences across school levels. The developed measurement tool suggests that digital literacy in the context of science practice is distinct from generic digital literacy, requiring a multi-contextual approach to teaching. Furthermore, the gender gap was evident in all areas and did not decrease with higher school levels, particularly in STEM-related items like math and computational languages, indicating a need for focused education for girls. The tool developed in this study can serve as a baseline for teachers to identify students' levels and for students to set learning goals. It provides information on how digital literacy can be taught within a curricular context.
Beyond Individualism and Holism: Integrated Information Theory as Formal Framework for the Gradation of Social Structure
Authors: Christensen Benjamin
Published: August 2024

In lieu of the sum-zero scenarios of either wholly individualist or holist depictions of social entities, some social ontologists and philosophers of social science have recently called for gradualist approaches able to account for variances in ontological reducibility between specific instances of social phenomena. The precise formal tools needed for this type of approach are, however, currently lacking. In this paper, I propose a new approach to social ontology that utilizes Integrated Information Theory (IIT) in order to provide a suitable formal language for gradualist descriptions and analyses of social entities. In line with the operational physicalism of IIT, social entities are stipulated as causally irreducible to their parts to the degree that differences are made by and to them over and above the differences made by and to their parts.
Thermal Analysis of Composite Slabs Based on Experiment and Numerical Simulations
Authors: Trinh Hoai Duc , Kohno Mamoru
Published: August 2024

This paper presents an experimental and numerical investigation on the thermal response of composite slabs under fire condition, considering various slab geometries. Fire tests were conducted on six composite slabs to obtain the temperature distributions exposed to the ISO 834 standard fire curve for a duration of 210 min. The results indicated that the depth of the concrete significantly affects the temperature of the unexposed surface, while the height of the steel deck has minimal impact. During heating, water vapor and condensation occurred on all tested slabs, causing a delay in the early temperature development of the concrete. The temperature distribution across slab cross-sections was subsequently calculated using numerical simulations. The numerical models were then validated using experimental data. The challenge of precisely simulating the interface between steel deck and concrete was resolved in this numerical model.
University ambidexterity: assessing the nature of interdependence between knowledge exchange and knowledge creation in UK universities
Authors: Johnston Andrew , Woodhouse Drew , Wells Peter
Published: August 2024

The concept of university ambidexterity has been advanced to capture the simultaneous pursuit of exploration (research) and exploitation (knowledge exchange). While ambidexterity can enhance organisational performance, tensions and barriers have been identified suggesting it is far from straightforward to achieve. In light of this, it has been proposed that universities follow a ‘twisting learning path’ that alternates between exploration and exploitation. However, this violates the idea that innovation activities are persistent in nature. In order to assess the nature of the ambidexterity of UK universities, we use data from the UK Higher Education Business & Community Interaction survey to examine the temporal dynamics of the relationship between research and KE. Through estimating a suite of Panel Variance Auto Regressive models, our results suggest that university ambidexterity has three key characteristics: (1) a determinant temporal ‘path dependent’ effect, whereby research and KE activities exhibit a significant autoregressive component; (2) an inter-temporal bi-directional relationship between research and KE activities; and (3) short time lags between the implementation of research and KE coupled with the dissipation of the relationship over time that is indicative of a persistent relationship between the two. Consequently, we propose an alternative model of university ambidexterity by highlighting the continuous interdependency of research and knowledge exchange within UK universities and its persistent nature.
From traditional to digital servicification: Chinese services in European manufacturing
Authors: Cieślik Ewa
Published: August 2024

The study investigates if the advancements in the domestic servicification of manufacturing reflect the rise in Chinese servicification within the manufacturing sectors of its trade partners. In a broader context, the article verifies whether China is following global trends related to servicification and digitalization in GVCs with Europe. The research reveals a growing role for Chinese services in both developed and developing European economies, with a higher absorption observed in Western European countries due to their level of development. However, the study did not fully confirm that China is strengthening its role in European digital GVCs. The Chinese strategy of joining advanced GVCs is two-pronged, with heavy servicification with traditional services and considerable variation in the servicification with digital services.
Cardiovascular risk and glucocorticoids: a Dutch National Registry of growth hormone treatment in adults with growth hormone deficiency analysis
Authors: Slagboom Tessa N. A. , van Bunderen Christa C. , van der Lely Aart Jan , Drent Madeleine L.
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Patients with hypopituitarism are at increased cardiovascular risk, in part because of growth hormone deficiency (GHD), but probably also because of the overuse of glucocorticosteroids in concomitant adrenal insufficiency (AI). We hypothesized that patients with hypopituitarism that were on glucocorticosteroid replacement therapy for concomitant AI would have worse cardiovascular outcomes than those without.

Methods

Retrospective nationwide cohort study. GHD patients from the Dutch National Registry of Growth Hormone Treatment in adults were grouped by the presence (AI; N = 1836) or absence (non-AI; N = 750) of concomitant AI, and differences between groups were analyzed for baseline characteristics and cardiovascular risk, at baseline and during GHRT.

Results

At baseline, AI patients had higher levels of total and LDL cholesterol (both p < 0.01). During GHRT, AI patients were more likely to use cardiovascular drugs (p ≤ 0.01), but we did not find worse outcomes for blood pressure, body composition, lipid and glucose metabolism. The risk of developing peripheral arterial disease (HR 2.22 [1.06–4.65]) and non-fatal cerebrovascular events (HR 3.47 [1.60–7.52]) was higher in AI patients, but these differences disappeared in the models adjusted for baseline differences.

Conclusion

We found no clear evidence to support our hypothesis that patients with hypopituitarism and concomitant AI have worse cardiovascular outcomes than non-AI patients. This suggests that glucocorticoid replacement therapy in AI may be safer than previously thought. However, cardiovascular burden, events and medication use at baseline and during GHRT (in unadjusted models) were higher in AI; so the lack of power, the important role of (adjusting for) other risk factors, and the inability to distinguish between glucocorticoid treatment regimens may have influenced the outcomes.
Systematic Evaluation of Uncertainty Calibration in Pretrained Object Detectors
Authors: Huseljic Denis , Herde Marek , Hahn Paul , Müjde Mehmet , Sick Bernhard
Published: August 2024

In the field of deep learning based computer vision, the development of deep object detection has led to unique paradigms (e.g., two-stage or set-based) and architectures (e.g., Faster-RCNN or DETR) which enable outstanding performance on challenging benchmark datasets. Despite this, the trained object detectors typically do not reliably assess uncertainty regarding their own knowledge, and the quality of their probabilistic predictions is usually poor. As these are often used to make subsequent decisions, such inaccurate probabilistic predictions must be avoided. In this work, we investigate the uncertainty calibration properties of different pretrained object detection architectures in a multi-class setting. We propose a framework to ensure a fair, unbiased, and repeatable evaluation and conduct detailed analyses assessing the calibration under distributional changes (e.g., distributional shift and application to out-of-distribution data). Furthermore, by investigating the influence of different detector paradigms, post-processing steps, and suitable choices of metrics, we deliver novel insights into why poor detector calibration emerges. Based on these insights, we are able to improve the calibration of a detector by simply finetuning its last layer.
What is this thing called misfit? A systematic review into how employee misfit has been defined and researched
Authors: Sun Yuwei , Billsberry Jon
Published: August 2024

Since 2015, there was a significant surge of interest in employee misfit. These studies demonstrate that although misfit is generally associated with negative outcomes such as organizational exit, social isolation, and depressive states, it can also be viewed more positively as an opportunity for job crafting, growth, and development. In these studies, misfit has been conceptualized, defined, and measured in a myriad of different ways making the interpretation of results problematic. This systematic review investigates how scholars have approached misfit with the goals of documenting and organizing the various ways it has been conceptualized and measured to highlight the main themes and forms of empirical misfit research. The systematic review surfaced 107 studies in 91 papers investigating workplace misfit within the domain of person-environment fit. Close analysis of the design and construction of these studies reveals that misfit has largely been conceptualized atomistically or as value incongruence and there is considerable variation in the way that researchers have defined the concept. It has mainly been measured using atomistic and molar measures rather than molecular ones, which are more suited to misfit investigation. The paper ends with a discussion of the elusiveness of misfit with an argument that it is an umbrella concept beyond definition. Instead, researchers take perspectives on the topic and six different perspectives of employee misfit are identified and defined. Avenues for future research are outlined for each perspective. There is also a discussion of the methodological challenges currently limiting misfit research.
Influence of Germination Time on the Morphological, Structural, Vibrational, Thermal and Pasting Properties of Potato Starch from Solanum tuberosum Phureja Group
Authors: Lucas-Aguirre Juan Carlos , Quintero-Castaño Víctor Dumar , Henao-Ossa Johan Sebastián , Barrón-García Oscar Yael , Rodríguez-García Mario Enrique
Published: August 2024

This work focuses on the study of the physicochemical changes that take place during a short germination period in flours and starches of the Creole potato tuber. To this end, the changes in the composition of flours and the structural, thermal, vibrational, functional and pasting changes of the isolated starches from germinated potatoes were evaluated during the 12-day germination period, measured every 4 days. The water absorption index (WAI) and the swelling powder showed no significant changes. Germination resulted in a decrease in fat and ash content, but an increase in protein and amylose content. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed no changes in the morphology of the starch during germination. X-ray diffraction showed that isolated Creole potato starch contains nanocrystals with hexagonal crystal structure, which are not affected by germination. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) shows a shift of the gelatinization peak to the right, which could be attributed to the concentration effect. The pasting profiles of the isolated starches show no significant changes, indicating that the starch granules do not suffer any external damage due to the enzymatic process during germination and that the final viscosity behaves like a hydrogel.
Adjuvant modern radiotherapy in resected pN2 NSCLC patients: results from a multicentre retrospective analysis on acute and late toxicity on behalf of AIRO thoracic oncology study group: the RAC-TAC study
Authors: Nardone Valerio , Bruni Alessio , Franceschini Davide , Marini Beatrice , Vagge Stefano , Ciammella Patrizia , Sepulcri Matteo , Cappelli Anna , D’Angelo Elisa , De Marco Giuseppina , Angrisani Antonio , Manetta Mattia , Scricciolo Melissa , Guida Cesare , Aiello Dario , Borghetti Paolo , Cappabianca Salvatore
Published: August 2024

Background

Recently, the PORT-C and LUNG-ART trials, which evaluated the role of postoperative radiation therapy (PORT), have significantly altered the treatment landscape for NSCLC pN2 patients who previously underwent surgery. In response, the Italian Association of Radiotherapy and Oncology Thoracic Oncology study group has initiated an observational multicenter trial to assess both acute and late toxicities of PORT in pN2 NSCLC patients treated with modern techniques.

Methods

Data on NSCLC patients submitted to PORT after radical surgery treated between 2015 and 2020 in six Italian Centers were collected. Heart, lung, and esophageal acute and late toxicities have been retrospectively analyzed and related to radiation therapy dosimetric parameters. Furthermore, loco-regional control, distant metastasis and overall survival have been analyzed.

Results

A total of 212 patients with a median age of 68 years from six different centers were included in this analysis (142 males and 70 females). Prior to undergoing PORT, 96 patients (45.8%) had a history of heart disease, 110 patients (51.9%) had hypertension, and 51 patients (24%) had COPD.

Acute toxicity was observed in 147 patients (69.3%), with lung toxicity occurring in 93 patients (G1 in 70 patients, G2 in 17 patients, and G3 in 4 patients), esophageal toxicity in 114 patients (G1 in 89 patients, G2 in 23 patients, and G3 in 1 patient), and cardiac toxicity in 4 patients (G1 in 2 patients and G3 in 2 patients). Late side effects were found in 60 patients (28.3%), predominantly involving the lungs (51 patients: 32 G1, 11 G2, and 1 G3) and the esophagus (11 patients: 8 G1 and 3 G2), with no reported late cardiac side effects.

Various clinical and dosimetric parameters were found to correlate with both acute and chronic toxicities. Over a median follow-up period of 54 months, 48 patients (22.6%) showed locoregional disease relapse, 106 patients (50%) developed distant metastases, and 66 patients (31.1%) died.

Conclusions

RAC-TAC retrospective multicentric study showed the low toxicity of PORT when advanced technology is used. At the same time, it’s noteworthy to underline that 50% of the patients develop distant recurrences in the follow up.
Causes of Death After Bariatric Surgery: Long-Term Study of 10 Years
Authors: Rookes Nathaniel , AL-Asadi Oday , Yeluri Sashi , Vasas Peter , Samuel Nehemiah , Balchandra Srinivasan , Hussain Abdulzahra
Published: August 2024

Background

There is a lack of up-to-date research addressing the causes of death and predictors of long-term mortality after bariatric surgery.

Methods

This was a single-centre retrospective study. Trust records were used to identify deceased patients and their medical history. The demographic data, comorbidities, cause of death, and time since surgery were retrieved and tabulated. Data was recoded to allow for use in IBM SPSS.

Results

There were 39 deaths amongst 891 patients who underwent bariatric surgery between 15th June 2010 to 18th September 2022. The main cause of death was pneumonia and respiratory causes with 15.4% of the cohort. A history of asthma/COPD had an association with the cause of death (p = 0.021). A history of hypertension, ischaemic heart disease (IHD), and smoking were all associated with a higher age at death, whilst a history of IHD was associated with a higher number of days from operation to death. Age at operation and number of comorbidities both correlated with age at death, and multiple linear regression of age at death with age at operation and number of comorbidities as predictors was significant (p < 0.001). A Cox regression found age at operation to have a significant effect on survival, with a hazard ratio of 1.063 (95% CI:1.027 to 1.100, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Pneumonia and respiratory causes are the largest causes of long-term mortality after bariatric surgery. The only factor found to have a detrimental effect on all-cause mortality was age at operation which reduced survival. Hypertension, IHD, and smoking are indirect factors that are associated with mortality.

Graphical Abstract
Diagnosing and management of thyroid nodules and goiter – current perspectives
Authors: Studen Katica Bajuk , Domagała Bartosz , Gaberšček Simona , Zaletel Katja , Hubalewska-Dydejczyk Alicja
Published: August 2024

Due to the frequent diagnosis of benign thyroid nodules, it is necessary to deviate from the traditional paradigm based on frequent surgical treatment. This article highlights the evolution of diagnosis and treatment in recent years, beginning from standardization of ultrasound assessment of nodules and cytology results to minimally invasive techniques to reduce the size of symptomatic thyroid nodules. These achievements reduce the number of surgeries, enable more individualized care for patients with benign thyroid disease, reduce long-term complications, and promote cost-effectiveness within healthcare systems. Furthermore, although the use of minimally invasive techniques significantly decreases thyroid nodule volume, the thyroid nodule usually does not disappear and the challenges in this field are discussed (the efficacy of thermal ablation, a variable part of thyroid nodules that remains viable after thermal ablation, some of the nodules treated with thermal ablation may require a second treatment over time and the efficacy of thermal ablation in nodules with different phenotypes). However, although surgery still represents the “gold standard” for establishing the final histopathologic diagnosis, it is associated with lifelong thyroid hormone substitution need and serious complications in rare cases. Therefore, it should represent the ultima ratio only after a detailed diagnostic procedure. In the future, artificial intelligence-assisted programs for the evaluation and management of nodules are expected.
Unfolding IoT Adoption: A Status Quo Bias Perspective
Authors: Rimbeck Marlen , Stumpf-Wollersheim Jutta , Richter Alexander
Published: August 2024

Internet of Things (IoT) solutions are still far from using their enormous potential, partly because misconceptions lead employees to avoid using IoT solutions and stick to established working routines. To shed light on the non-rational perspective of users, which allows for inference on the emergence of cognitive misconceptions, 489 respondents' perceptions of benefits and costs of IoT solutions were analyzed. Using the perspective of “status quo bias”, the qualitative analysis reveals that the perceptions of experienced and inexperienced users partly overlap on benefits such as the reduction of errors and relief of personnel. However, the perceptions also diverge in part, as inexperienced users consider IoT solutions to be gimmicky, fostering mistrust. In addition, inexperienced users overestimate learning phases for interacting with IoT solutions, leading to loss aversion and consequently to cognitive misperceptions. Hence, the study examines the gap between experienced and inexperienced users as a neglected aspect in IoT adoption. Further, identifying relevant drivers for the implementation of IoT solutions at the individual level helps to extend the hitherto technical view of IoT solutions towards a multi-layer approach that includes a holistic, behavioral perspective.
From stigma to increased social acceptance? Living with Machado-Joseph disease in São Miguel, Azores, Portugal
Authors: Couto Daniela , Sequeiros Jorge , Lima Manuela , Sousa Liliana , Mendes Álvaro
Published: August 2024

This study describes the experiences with the stigma attached to Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) in São Miguel Island, the Azores (Portugal). We draw on semi-structured interviews with persons with MJD, family members, healthcare professionals, and direct care providers recruited through the local patient’s association (n = 28). Qualitative thematic analysis revealed three main themes: (i) the intense stigma associated with MJD in the past; (ii) the current tendency towards increased openness; and (iii) increased availability of information about MJD and support. The findings suggest that stigmatization was more frequent and intense in the past. Still, there is currently a decrease in the intensity of perceived stigma, accompanied by an increasing awareness about MJD within the community. The local patient’s association is noted for playing a pivotal role in raising awareness about MJD in the community and fostering the confidence of individuals with MJD and their families to engage socially, which may help to reduce or mitigate feelings of stigma. This raises questions about whether the diminished stigma towards MJD in São Miguel results from heightened awareness about the condition, a decrease in the social acceptability of stigma, or a gradual internalization and normalization of stigma among individuals with MJD as a coping mechanism.
Cutaneous Signs of Nutritional Deficiencies
Authors: Park Sarah E. , Williams Madison , Crew Ashley B. , Hsiao Jennifer L.
Published: August 2024

Purpose of Review

This review article highlights cutaneous findings of nutritional deficiencies with a particular focus on conditions that impact the elderly population, who are at higher risk of developing these deficiencies.

Recent Findings

An increasing number of studies demonstrate the importance of adequate nutrition intake in regulating aging processes and the progression of key age-related illnesses.

Early recognition of dermatological manifestations associated with nutritional disorders can prompt appropriate supplementation and help prevent sequelae of cutaneous and systemic complications.
Possible application of quantum computing in the field of ocean engineering: optimization of an offshore wind farm layout with the Ising model
Authors: Kagemoto Hiroshi
Published: August 2024

As a possible application of quantum computing in the field of ocean engineering, an attempt is made to identify the optimum layout of an offshore wind farm with the quasi-quantum annealing method while assuming a wake model that conforms to the standard Jensen–Katic wake model but can be implemented in the Ising model. The optimum layouts obtained in the present study are compared with those identified with other conventional methods such as the genetic algorithm. It is confirmed that the quasi-quantum annealing method works as well as other methods in identifying the optimum layouts, while the optimum layout of an offshore wind farm composed of even more than 100 wind turbines can be identified with reasonable CPU time.
Effect of Sumatriptan in an Adult with Meningitis-Induced Severe Headache: a Case Report
Authors: Hansen Christoffer Kjær Kjærgård , Øzdemir Cagla Margit , Maassen Van Den Brink Antoinette , Amin Faisal Mohammad
Published: August 2024

Meningitis is a serious neurological condition caused by inflammation of the meninges due to infection. Meningitis typically triggers symptoms of severe headaches, high fever, and neck stiffness. In this case, we evaluate the effect of sumatriptan on meningitis-induced severe headache and the underlying pathophysiology. In this case report, we present a patient with no history of migraine with a meningitis-induced headache. The patient did not experience analgesic relief from paracetamol, ibuprofen, or tramadol, but significant relief was achieved after the administration of sumatriptan. While treating his headache, diagnostic interventions such as lumbar puncture were done, and PCR analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid identified varicella-zoster virus. The patient experienced a significant analgesic effect from sumatriptan, possibly due to constriction of the meningeal arteries, blocking of meningeal inflammation, or both.
Towards trustworthy and privacy-preserving decentralized auctions
Authors: Henry Tiphaine , Hatin Julien , Besnard Eloi , Laga Nassim , Gaaloul Walid
Published: August 2024

Blockchain smart-contracts can be used as service mappers, connecting a contractor with the service provider best fitting desired service requirements (e.g., price or quality of service). The allocation consists of comparing competitive bids using a smart-contract. However, in competitive environments, service providers may be reluctant to share sensitive information offers with the blockchain as it makes any transaction implicitly public. To reconcile data privacy imperatives with the benefits of blockchain, we propose to leverage fully homomorphic encryption (FHE) for blockchain-based sealed-bid auctions. More precisely (i) FHE enables the processing of bids without decrypting them, (ii) smart-contracts gather and orchestrate bids comparison, and (iii) a computation oracle carries on comparisons over ciphered data. Collusion attempts may occur between bidders and the computation oracle. To prevent this, we combine FHE with hybrid RSA/AES encryption to preserve the privacy of the onchain bid contents. Hence, our protocol prevents information leakage onchain and on the service providers’ side during bids comparison. We validate this approach through an implemented prototype.
Native-Speakerism and Trans-Speakerism
Authors: Hiratsuka Takaaki
Published: August 2024

Native-speakerism is a deeply embedded prejudice that perpetuates unequal power dynamics in language education. By introducing the liberating concept of trans-speakerism, this innovative book dismantles prevalent biases and reshapes the discourse in the field. It proposes inclusive designations such as global speaker of English (GSE), global teacher of English (GTE), and global Englishes researcher (GER), and urges a shift away from labels that maintain marginalization. By systematically reviewing previous studies, it challenges native-speakerism, and seeks to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion for all language speakers, teachers and researchers – transcending the limitations imposed by speakerhood statuses. The volume features the voices of non-native English-speaking (NNES) secondary school teachers, graduate students, and university professors in Japan, highlighting the strengths, interests, and uniqueness of language practitioners and researchers – both intellectually and emotionally. It ultimately encourages all language educators, researchers, and policymakers to oppose biases, welcome linguistic diversity, and develop inclusive language education environments.
Freshly Developed Low‐Latitude Postmidnight‐To‐Dawn F‐Region Ionospheric Irregularities Over China on 13 November 2015
Authors: Li Yaxian , Gong Wanlin , Yan Chunxiao , Zhu Kai , Zhang Min , Zhang Qiang
Published: August 2024

In this study, the evolutional features and underlying driving mechanisms of the postmidnight‐to‐dawn equatorial plasma bubble (EPB) irregularities during the weak geomagnetic activity period on 13 November 2015 were investigated based on the multiple satellite and ground‐based observations. By using the coherent scatter radar operating at very high frequency at Fuke (19.5°N, 109.1°E, dip latitude 14.4°N), China, it was found that the freshly developed field‐aligned irregularities (FAIs) occurred within the radar's field of view around ∼04:37 LT and sustained for more than 40 min. The remarkable EPB‐related density and total electron content (TEC) depletions measured by the satellite and GNSS receivers were also observed, which indicates the persistence of EPB irregularities until ∼06 LT. The significant elevation of bottomside F‐layer's virtual height obtained by the Digisonde at Fuke as well as the upward vertical F‐layer plasma drifts derived from a nearby Digisonde at Sanya (18.4°N, 109.6°E, dip latitude 13.1°N) both imply the existence of strong eastward perturbation electric fields after local midnight. These findings suggest that the collective effects of eastward overshielding penetration electric field (PEF) resulted from the substorm onset and rapid northward turning of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) Bz, surpassed the role of westward undershielding prompt penetration electric field (PPEF) induced by the southward turning of IMF Bz. Thus, the former predominated in modulating the equatorial/low‐latitude zonal electric fields and raised the F‐layer considerably, which consequently boosted the growth of R‐T instability and created the favorable conditions for the postmidnight‐to‐dawn EPBs development.
MEMPSEP‐I. Forecasting the Probability of Solar Energetic Particle Event Occurrence Using a Multivariate Ensemble of Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Chatterjee Subhamoy , Dayeh Maher A. , Muñoz‐Jaramillo Andrés , Bain Hazel M. , Moreland Kimberly , Hart Samuel
Published: August 2024

The Sun continuously affects the interplanetary environment through a host of interconnected and dynamic physical processes. Solar flares, Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs), and Solar Energetic Particles (SEPs) are among the key drivers of space weather in the near‐Earth environment and beyond. While some CMEs and flares are associated with intense SEPs, some show little to no SEP association. To date, robust long‐term (hours‐days) forecasting of SEP occurrence and associated properties (e.g., onset, peak intensities) does not effectively exist and the search for such development continues. Through an Operations‐2‐Research support, we developed a self‐contained model that utilizes a comprehensive data set and provides a probabilistic forecast for SEP event occurrence and its properties. The model is named Multivariate Ensemble of Models for Probabilistic Forecast of Solar Energetic Particles (MEMPSEP). MEMPSEP workhorse is an ensemble of Convolutional Neural Networks that ingests a comprehensive data set (MEMPSEP‐III by Moreland et al. (2024, https://doi.org/10.1029/2023SW003765)) of full‐disc magnetogram‐sequences and in situ data from different sources to forecast the occurrence (MEMPSEP‐I—this work) and properties (MEMPSEP‐II by Dayeh et al. (2024, https://doi.org/10.1029/2023SW003697)) of a SEP event. This work focuses on estimating true SEP occurrence probabilities achieving a 2.5% improvement in reliability and a Brier score of 0.14. The outcome provides flexibility for the end‐users to determine their own acceptable level of risk, rather than imposing a detection threshold that optimizes an arbitrary binary classification metric. Furthermore, the model‐ensemble, trained to utilize the large class‐imbalance between events and non‐events, provides a clear measure of uncertainty in our forecast.
Surface Rupture and Fault Characteristics Associated With the 2020 Magnitude (MW) 6.6 Masbate Earthquake, Masbate Island, Philippines
Authors: Llamas D. C. E. , Marfito B. J. , Dela Cruz R. , Aurelio M. A.
Published: August 2024

On 18 August 2020, Masbate Island was struck by a magnitude (MW) 6.6 earthquake. This seismic event represents the second occurrence of a strong earthquake (M > 6) in 17 years, emphasizing the necessity for further investigation into the characteristics of this event. In this study, we employ Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar, seismicity analysis, and field investigations to comprehensively characterize the coseismic and postseismic slip associated with the event. Our findings reveal a 50‐km‐long fault rupture along the Masbate segment of the Philippine Fault, with ∼23 km surface rupture mapped onshore, despite the occurrence of interseismic creep. The slip distribution demonstrates decreasing displacements northwestward toward the creeping section, with a maximum left‐lateral displacement of 0.97 m near the epicenter. Toward the southeast offshore, the rupture terminates at a left stepover of a fault. While the surface rupture appears relatively straight and narrowly concentrated, the secondary ruptures and mapped offshore faults reveal a more complex transtensional fault structure in the southeastern part of Masbate Island. This fault complexity represents an asperity that facilitates high‐stress accumulation and rupture initiation. Postseismic slip persists for several months along the onshore creeping segment. Based on comprehensive measurements of both cumulative and coseismic slip along the Masbate fault segment, we calculate a slip rate ranging between 2.8 and 3.8 cm/year and a recurrence interval of 16–41 years for earthquakes similar to the 2020 earthquake. Our study highlights how heterogeneity in fault properties, including geometry and coupling state, influences the distribution of slip and magnitude of earthquakes. The 2020 Masbate earthquake provides valuable insights into the rupture dynamics and fault behavior of the Philippine Fault in the Masbate region.
High‐Resolution Seismicity and Ground Motion Variability Across the Highly Locked Southern Anninghe Fault With Dense Seismic Arrays and Machine Learning Techniques
Authors: Song Junhao , Yang Hongfeng , Yao Huajian
Published: August 2024

Fault activity and structure are important factors for the assessment of seismic hazards. The Anninghe fault is one of the most active strike‐slip faults in southwestern China but has been experiencing seismic quiescence for M > 4 earthquakes since the 1970s. To understand better the characteristics of its highly locked southern segment, we investigate seismicity and ground motion variability using recently deployed multi‐scale dense arrays. Assisted by machine learning (ML) seismic phase picking and event discrimination models, we first compile a high‐resolution catalog of local seismic events. We find limited earthquakes that occurred on the Anninghe fault, consistent with its generally acknowledged high locking degree. Whereas, most newly detected events appear within off‐fault clusters, among which four are closely related to anthropogenic activities (e.g., mining blasts), and two neighboring faults host the remaining ones. We further apply an ML‐based first‐motion polarity (FMP) classifier and successfully obtain a reliable small earthquake focal mechanism, which agrees well with the geologically inferred north‐south trending and eastward dipping of the Anninghe fault. Analyses of ground motion variations along two across‐fault linear arrays show abrupt changes in FMPs and obvious frequency‐dependent site amplifications near the mapped fault traces. It further suggests that, at finer scales, the damaged Anninghe fault zone may have split into two smaller damaged zones at shallower depths, resulting in a typical “flower‐type” fault structure. The efficient workflow developed in this study can be well applied for the longer‐term monitoring and better characterization of the southern Anninghe fault, or other similar regions.
Large Porewater‐Derived Carbon Outwelling Across Mangrove Seascapes Revealed by Radium Isotopes
Authors: Cabral Alex , Reithmaier Gloria M. S. , Yau Yvonne Y. Y. , Cotovicz Luiz C. , Barreira João , Viana Bárbara , Hayden Juliana , Bouillon Steven , Brandini Nilva , Hatje Vanessa , de Rezende Carlos E. , Fonseca Alessandra L. , Santos Isaac R.
Published: August 2024

Mangrove‐dominated coastlines have high carbon sequestration capacity, but it remains unclear whether tidally outwelled carbon is transformed within the coastal ocean or exported offshore. Here, we used radium isotopes (224Ra and 223Ra) to investigate carbon outwelling in two mangrove seascapes in Brazil across multiple spatial scales. We sampled porewaters to define the source composition, mangrove creek waters to resolve tidal cycles, and cross‐shelf transects to trace outwelling in coastal seascapes. Radium isotopes were positively correlated with dissolved inorganic (DIC), organic (DOC) and particulate organic (POC) carbon across the seascapes. DIC was the primary form of carbon (mean ± SD), representing 85% of the total carbon pool as bicarbonate (75 ± 11%), carbonate (6 ± 5%), and CO2 (4 ± 9%). DOC and POC accounted for 10 ± 6% and 5 ± 6% of total carbon, respectively. Although mangrove waters emitted CO2 to the atmosphere (38–143 mmol m−2 d−1), both bays and continental shelves were a CO2 sink (−2.5 to −0.5 mmol m−2 d−1) associated to chlorophyll‐a enrichments (r2 = 0.86). Total carbon outwelled from mangroves were 3–4 times higher than soil carbon burial at both mangrove sites. Bicarbonate export (27–72 mmol m−2 d−1) to the continental shelf was the major fate of carbon outwelling, more than doubling the perceived capacity of mangrove soil to sequester carbon. Hence, disregarding outwelling as a blue carbon sink mechanism would lead to underestimated assessments of how mangroves capture CO2 and help to mitigate climate change.
Stimulation of cGAS-STING pathway as a challenge in the treatment of small cell lung cancer: a feasible strategy?
Authors: Miglietta Giulia , Russo Marco , Capranico Giovanni , Marinello Jessica
Published: August 2024

Lung cancer has a significant incidence among the population and, unfortunately, has an unfavourable prognosis in most cases. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies lung tumours into two subtypes based on their phenotype: the Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) and the Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC). SCLC treatment, despite advances in chemotherapy and radiotherapy, is often unsuccessful for cancer recurrence highlighting the need to develop novel therapeutic strategies. In this review, we describe the genetic landscape and tumour microenvironment that characterize the pathological processes of SCLC and how they are responsible for tumour immune evasion. The immunosuppressive mechanisms engaged in SCLC are critical factors to understand the failure of immunotherapy in SCLC and, conversely, suggest that new signalling pathways, such as cGAS/STING, should be investigated as possible targets to stimulate an innate immune response in this subtype of lung cancer. The full comprehension of the innate immunity of cancer cells is thus crucial to open new challenges for successful immunotherapy in treating SCLC and improving patient outcomes.
Altered expression of vesicular trafficking machinery in prostate cancer affects lysosomal dynamics and provides insight into the underlying biology and disease progression
Authors: Nturubika Bukuru D. , Guardia Carlos M. , Gershlick David C. , Logan Jessica M. , Martini Carmela , Heatlie Jessica K. , Lazniewska Joanna , Moore Courtney , Lam Giang T. , Li Ka L. , Ung Ben S-Y , Brooks Robert D. , Hickey Shane M. , Bert Andrew G. , Gregory Philip A. , Butler Lisa M. , O’Leary John J. , Brooks Douglas A. , Johnson Ian R. D.
Published: August 2024

Background

This study focuses on the role of lysosomal trafficking in prostate cancer, given the essential role of lysosomes in cellular homoeostasis.

Methods

Lysosomal motility was evaluated using confocal laser scanning microscopy of LAMP-1-transfected prostate cells and spot-tracking analysis. Expression of lysosomal trafficking machinery was evaluated in patient cohort databases and through immunohistochemistry on tumour samples. The roles of vesicular trafficking machinery were evaluated through over-expression and siRNA. The effects of R1881 treatment on lysosome vesicular trafficking was evaluated by RNA sequencing, protein quantification and fixed- and live-cell microscopy.

Results

Altered regulation of lysosomal trafficking genes/proteins was observed in prostate cancer tissue, with significant correlations for co-expression of vesicular trafficking machinery in Gleason patterns. The expression of trafficking machinery was associated with poorer patient outcomes. R1881 treatment induced changes in lysosomal distribution, number, and expression of lysosomal vesicular trafficking machinery in hormone-sensitive prostate cancer cells. Manipulation of genes involved in lysosomal trafficking events induced changes in lysosome positioning and cell phenotype, as well as differential effects on cell migration, in non-malignant and prostate cancer cells.

Conclusions

These findings provide novel insights into the altered regulation and functional impact of lysosomal vesicular trafficking in prostate cancer pathogenesis.
Sub-surface thermal measurement in additive manufacturing via machine learning-enabled high-resolution fiber optic sensing
Authors: Wang Rongxuan , Wang Ruixuan , Dou Chaoran , Yang Shuo , Gnanasambandam Raghav , Wang Anbo , Kong Zhenyu
Published: August 2024

Microstructures of additively manufactured metal parts are crucial since they determine the mechanical properties. The evolution of the microstructures during layer-wise printing is complex due to continuous re-melting and reheating effects. The current approach to studying this phenomenon relies on time-consuming numerical models such as finite element analysis due to the lack of effective sub-surface temperature measurement techniques. Attributed to the miniature footprint, chirped-fiber Bragg grating, a unique type of fiber optical sensor, has great potential to achieve this goal. However, using the traditional demodulation methods, its spatial resolution is limited to the millimeter level. In addition, embedding it during laser additive manufacturing is challenging since the sensor is fragile. This paper implements a machine learning-assisted approach to demodulate the optical signal to thermal distribution and significantly improve spatial resolution to 28.8 µm from the original millimeter level. A sensor embedding technique is also developed to minimize damage to the sensor and part while ensuring close contact. The case study demonstrates the excellent performance of the proposed sensor in measuring sharp thermal gradients and fast cooling rates during the laser powder bed fusion. The developed sensor has a promising potential to study the fundamental physics of metal additive manufacturing processes.
Characterisation and modelling of potassium-ion batteries
Authors: Dhir Shobhan , Cattermull John , Jagger Ben , Schart Maximilian , Olbrich Lorenz F. , Chen Yifan , Zhao Junyi , Sada Krishnakanth , Goodwin Andrew , Pasta Mauro
Published: August 2024

Potassium-ion batteries (KIBs) are emerging as a promising alternative technology to lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to their significantly reduced dependency on critical minerals. KIBs may also present an opportunity for superior fast-charging compared to LIBs, with significantly faster K-ion electrolyte transport properties already demonstrated. In the absence of a viable K-ion electrolyte, a full-cell KIB rate model in commercial cell formats is required to determine the fast-charging potential for KIBs. However, a thorough and accurate characterisation of the critical electrode material properties determining rate performance—the solid state diffusivity and exchange current density—has not yet been conducted for the leading KIB electrode materials. Here, we accurately characterise the effective solid state diffusivities and exchange current densities of the graphite negative electrode and potassium manganese hexacyanoferrate $${{{{\rm{K}}}}}_{2}{{{\rm{Mn}}}}[{{{\rm{Fe}}}}{({{{\rm{CN}}}})}_{6}]$$

K

2

Mn

[

Fe

(

CN

)

6

]

(KMF) positive electrode, through a combination of optimised material design and state-of-the-art analysis. Finally, we present a Doyle-Fuller-Newman model of a KIB full cell with realistic geometry and loadings, identifying the critical materials properties that limit their rate capability.
Antibodies utilizing VL6-57 light chains target a convergent cryptic epitope on SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and potentially drive the genesis of Omicron variants
Authors: Yan Qihong , Gao Xijie , Liu Banghui , Hou Ruitian , He Ping , Ma Yong , Zhang Yudi , Zhang Yanjun , Li Zimu , Chen Qiuluan , Wang Jingjing , Huang Xiaohan , Liang Huan , Zheng Huiran , Yao Yichen , Chen Xianying , Niu Xuefeng , He Jun , Chen Ling , Zhao Jincun , Xiong Xiaoli
Published: August 2024

Continued evolution of SARS-CoV-2 generates variants to challenge antibody immunity established by infection and vaccination. A connection between population immunity and genesis of virus variants has long been suggested but its molecular basis remains poorly understood. Here, we identify a class of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing public antibodies defined by their shared usage of VL6-57 light chains. Although heavy chains of diverse genotypes are utilized, convergent HCDR3 rearrangements have been observed among these public antibodies to cooperate with germline VL6-57 LCDRs to target a convergent epitope defined by RBD residues S371-S373-S375. Antibody repertoire analysis identifies that this class of VL6-57 antibodies is present in SARS-CoV-2-naive individuals and is clonally expanded in most COVID-19 patients. We confirm that Omicron-specific substitutions at S371, S373 and S375 mediate escape of antibodies of the VL6-57 class. These findings support that this class of public antibodies constitutes a potential immune pressure promoting the introduction of S371L/F-S373P-S375F in Omicron variants. The results provide further molecular evidence to support that antigenic evolution of SARS-CoV-2 is driven by antibody mediated population immunity.