bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Information security objectives and the output legitimacy of ISO/IEC 27001: stakeholders’ perspective on expectations in private organizations in Sweden
Authors: Kamil Yasmin , Lund Sofia , Islam M Sirajul
Published: August 2023

Organizations use the ISO/IEC 27001 standard to establish an information security management system (ISMS). This standard outlines specific security measures and requirements that organizations can implement to effectively manage their information assets. However, the effectiveness of the standard’s problem-solving capabilities has raised some questions. Consequently, there is a continuous development of new governance methods that demand fresh approaches to validate security operations and measures. In light of this, research is being conducted to examine the application and impact of ISO/IEC 27001, as well as to analyze the challenges and knowledge gaps through theoretical perspectives. By employing stakeholder theory, the focus shifts towards integrating business and social issues and exploring how non-business pressures can influence stakeholder motivations in implementing standards. Additionally, it investigates the impact of these standards on an organization’s reputation, performance, and operations. Therefore, the objective of this study is to investigate the output legitimacy of ISO/IEC 27001 from the perspective of stakeholder expectations. To accomplish this, an interview-based study was conducted, involving relevant stakeholders engaged in information security management within private organizations in Sweden. The findings reveal eight key information security objectives. The results indicate that the level of output legitimacy of the standard varies across these objectives, ranging from high to medium to low. To achieve a high level of output legitimacy for ISO/IEC 27001, stakeholders must understand that the standard is not solely a technical document. Furthermore, stakeholders need to possess the appropriate knowledge and skills in information security to effectively navigate their work while leveraging the support provided by the standard.
Deep neural networks for explainable feature extraction in orchid identification
Authors: Apriyanti Diah Harnoni , Spreeuwers Luuk J. , Lucas Peter J.F.
Published: August 2023

Automated image-based plant identification systems are black-boxes, failing to provide an explanation of a classification. Such explanations are seen as being essential by taxonomists and are part of the traditional procedure of plant identification. In this paper, we propose a different method by extracting explicit features from flower images that can be employed to generate explanations. We take the benefit of feature extraction derived from the taxonomic characteristics of plants, with the orchids as an example domain. Feature classifiers were developed using deep neural networks. Two different methods were studied: (1) a separate deep neural network was trained for every individual feature, and (2) a single, multi-label, deep neural network was trained, combining all features. The feature classifiers were tested in predicting 63 orchid species using naive Bayes (NB) and tree-augmented Bayesian networks (TAN). The results show that the accuracy of the feature classifiers is in the range 83-93%. By combining these features using NB and TAN the species can be predicted with an accuracy of 88.9%, which is better than a standard pre-trained deep neural-network architecture, but inferior to a deep learning architecture after fine-tuning of multiple layers. The proposed novel feature extraction method still performs well for identification and is explainable, as opposed to black-box solutions that only aim for the best performance.

Graphical abstract
Ensuring/insuring resilient energy system infrastructure
Authors: Lonergan Katherine Emma , Greco Salvatore Francesco , Sansavini Giovanni
Published: August 2023

Natural disasters significantly impact energy systems and dependent critical infrastructures, causing severe human and economic losses in modern society. Given the increasing effects of climate change on both the frequency and the severity of extreme weather events, energy systems must adapt to cope with this new and evolving risk environment. In this perspective, we argue that re/insurers have an interest in supporting resilient infrastructure as well as the know-how to do so. Specifically, insurers can support resilient infrastructure by offering resilient-oriented insurance products, such as parametric insurance. Integrating resilience into re/insurance requires integrating existing assessment methods, including risk assessment, to develop innovative insurance products that help clients cope with climate change. Developing insurance products alongside industrial, academic, and government partners is key to making both effective and cost-attractive policies. While our argument is tailored towards energy infrastructure and climate change-related threats, resilience-based insurance would also be useful in mitigating the losses caused by other extreme and hybrid threats across interdependent critical infrastructure networks.
Preschoolers’ Psychosocial Development, Parents, and Neighborhoods: Towards an Integrative Approach for Immigrant Families
Authors: Vaughn Jennifer M. , Rojas-Flores Lisseth , Wang Kenneth T.
Published: August 2023

Nearly 5.5 million children between the ages of 0–5 in the US have at least one immigrant parent, and 22% of these children live below the poverty line. Emerging research highlights the importance of examining the neighborhood- and parenting-level risks and resources that are most impactful for young children of immigrants’ social development. Using a subsample of 3–5-year-old children (N = 1134) from the National Survey of Children’s Health (CAHMI, 2018), this study tested a conceptual model of cross-level interactions between neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES), behavior problems and flourishing in young children who have at least one foreign-born parent. Structural equation modeling results suggested an indirect effect of neighborhood SES on child flourishing and behavioral problems through neighborhood- (collective efficacy, resources) and parent-level characteristics (mental health, aggravation, parent-child interaction). The relations between neighborhood structure and child outcomes were fully mediated by parenting. Specifically, disadvantages in neighborhood structure had significant direct effects on parental mental health, parenting aggravation, and parent-child interaction, which explained relations between neighborhood structure and child outcomes. Results point to future research areas and potential policy and prevention interventions at neighborhood and parental levels.
Programmable multi-layered auxetic mechanisms
Authors: Karunanidhi Niraj Kamal , Sobczyk Martin , Wiesenhütter Sebastian , Wallmersperger Thomas , Noennig Jörg Rainer
Published: August 2023

The present work investigates programmable auxetic surfaces and how they can be enabled to achieve a general surface shape upon external control. To actively generate target geometries from an initial geometry, a process of non-uniform expansion or contraction as well as an alteration of local curvatures are necessary. This implies the alignment of a multiplicity of control factors. The present work suggests that auxetic mechanisms hold a high potential to achieve and simplify such alignments. As a key principle for achieving defined target forms and the required shape transitions, the study identifies the modification of the local scaling factor and the Gaussian curvature of plane surfaces. Within this work, such active surfaces are created utilizing multi-layered auxetic tessellations. To control the scaling factor and the curvature of the resulting structure, we propose different multi-layered auxetic structures comprising rotational actuators. These concepts are demonstrated for the example of kagome tessellations but can easily be transferred to other auxetic tessellations.
A measure-theoretic representation of graphs
Authors: Mulas Raffaella , Zucal Giulio
Published: August 2023

Inspired by the notion of action convergence in graph limit theory, we introduce a measure-theoretic representation of matrices, and we use it to define a new notion of pseudo-metric on the space of matrices. Moreover, we show that such pseudo-metric is a metric on the subspace of adjacency or Laplacian matrices for graphs. Hence, in particular, we obtain a metric for isomorphism classes of graphs. Additionally, we study how some properties of graphs translate in this measure representation, and we show how our analysis contributes to a simpler understanding of action convergence of graphops.
Reduced-order model-inspired system identification of geometrically nonlinear structures: application to a nonlinear cantilever-type structure
Authors: Ahmadi M. Wasi , Hill Thomas L. , Jiang Jason Z. , Neild Simon A.
Published: August 2023

In the field of structural dynamics, system identification usually refers to building mathematical models from an experimentally obtained data set. To build reliable models using the measurement data, the mathematical model must be representative of the structure. In this work, attention is given to robust identification of geometrically nonlinear structures, particularly those with large inertial effects. We draw inspiration from reduced-order modelling to determine a suitable model for the system identification. There are large similarities between reduced-order modelling and system identification fields, i.e. both are used to replicate the dynamics of a system using a mathematical model with low complexity. Reduced-order models (ROMs) can accurately capture the physics of a system with a low number of degrees of freedom; thus, in system identification, a model based on the form of a ROM is potentially more robust. Nonlinear system identification of a structure is presented, where inspiration is taken from a novel ROM to form the model. A finite-element model of the structure is built to simulate an experiment, and the identification is performed. It is shown how the ROM-inspired model in the system identification improves the accuracy of the predicted response, in comparison with a standard nonlinear model. As the data are gathered from simulations, system identification is first demonstrated on the high-fidelity data, and then, the fidelity of data is reduced to represent a more realistic experiment. A good response agreement is achieved when using the ROM-inspired model, which accounts for the kinetic energy of un-modelled modes. The estimated parameters of this model are also shown to be more robust and rely on the underlying physics of the system.
Metals in Callitriche cophocarpa from small rivers with various levels of pollution in SW Poland
Authors: Maksymowicz Przemysław , Samecka-Cymerman Aleksandra , Rajsz Adam , Wojtuń Bronisław , Rudecki Andrzej , Lenarcik Maciej , Kempers Alexander J.
Published: August 2023

The anthropogenic impact of metals on aquatic environments is a risk for biota, and thus their levels must be controlled. Callitriche cophocarpa Sendtn. belongs to a genus with a potential for accumulation of elevated metal levels. Thus, it may provide consolidated evidence of contamination. Therefore, the aim of this investigation was to determine Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in this species collected together with water and bottom sediments from rivers with various levels of pollution. Of these rivers, one less polluted and one more polluted was selected for the collection of C. cophocarpa for an experiment to compare its Cu and Zn concentration potential. Both metals were supplemented at concentrations 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.05, 0.08 and 0.14 mg L−1 of Cu as CuSO4 × 5H2O and 0.4, 0.6, 0,9, 1,35, 2.03 and 3.04 mg L−1 of Zn as ZnSO4 × 7H2O, and in the binary design containing (mg·L−1) 0.01Cu + 0.4Zn, 0.02Cu + 0.6Zn, 0.03Cu + 0.9Zn, 0.05Cu + 1.4Zn, 0.08Cu + 2.03 Zn and 0.14Cu + 3.04Zn. The upper concentrations of Cr, Cu, Mn and Zn in C. cophocarpa shoots from both types of rivers as well as of Ni and Pb in shoots from more polluted rivers were higher than the values typical for toxicity thresholds with no visible harmful effects, which may indicate accumulation abilities of C. cophocarpa for these metals. Both roots and shoots of C. cophocarpa may be included in the group of macroconcentrators for bottom sediments with respect to Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn and deconcentrators of Pb. Greater accumulation of most metals in roots than in shoots indicates their restricted mobility and translocation by C. cophocarpa to shoots. C. cophocarpa from the less polluted river and exposed to all experimental solutions contained significantly higher levels of Cu and Zn than that from the more polluted river exposed to identical experimental solutions. The plants collected from the more polluted river influenced by surplus of metals and living under chemical stress could probably limit further accumulation by developing a resistance mechanism. Cu and Zn contents in C. cophocarpa were higher when treated with separate metals than for binary treatment both in the more and less polluted river. Such research presenting the impact of a combination of metals could be important for understanding and explaining the interactions of these elements which may influence their bioavailability in nature as well as importance in the evaluation of the risk of environmental toxicity.
Highly active Ru/TiO2 nanostructures for total catalytic oxidation of propane
Authors: Camposeco Roberto , Miguel Omar , Torres Ana E. , Armas Daniela E. , Zanella Rodolfo
Published: August 2023

Ruthenium is a robust catalyst for a variety of applications in environmental heterogeneous catalysis. The catalytic performance of Ru/TiO2 materials, synthesized by using the deposition precipitation with urea method, was assessed in the catalytic oxidation of C3H8, varying the ruthenium loading. The highest catalytic reactivity was obtained for a Ru loading of 2 wt. % in comparison with the 1, 1.5, 3, and 4 wt. % Ru catalysts. The physicochemical properties of the synthesized materials were investigated by XRD, N2 adsorption, TEM, FT-IR pyridine, H2-TPR, and XPS. The size of ruthenium particles was found to be greatly dependent on the pretreatment gas (air or hydrogen) and the catalytic activity was enhanced by the small-size ruthenium metal nanoparticles, leading to changes in the reduction degree of ruthenium, which also increased the Brönsted and Lewis acidity. Metal to support charge transfer enhanced the reactant adsorption sites while oxygen vacancies on the interface enabled the dissociation of O2 molecules as revealed through DFT calculations. The outstanding catalytic activity of the 2Ru/TiO2 catalysts allowed to convert C3H8 into CO2 at reaction temperatures of about 100 °C. This high activity may be attributed to the metal/support interaction between Ru and TiO2, which promoted the reducibility of Ti4+/Ti3+ and Ru4+/Ru0 species, and to the fast migration of TiO2 lattice oxygen in the catalyst. Furthermore, the Ru/TiO2 catalyst exhibited high stability and reusability for 30 h under reaction conditions, using a GHSV of 45,000 h−1. The underlying alkane-metal interactions were explored theoretically in order to explain the C–H bond activation in propane by the catalyst.
Assessing resilience, equity, and sustainability of future visions across two urban scales
Authors: Berbés-Blázquez Marta , Cook Elizabeth M. , Grimm Nancy B. , Iwaniec David M. , Mannetti Lelani M. , Muñoz-Erickson Tischa A. , Wahl Darin
Published: August 2023

Cities need to take swift action to deal with the impacts of extreme climate events. The co-production of positive visions offers the potential to not only imagine but also intervene in guiding change toward more desirable urban futures. While participatory visioning continues to be used as a tool for urban planning, there needs to be a way of comparing and evaluating future visions so that they can inform decision-making. Traditional tools for comparison tend to favor quantitative modeling, which is limited in its ability to capture nuances or normative elements of visions. In this paper, we offer a qualitative method to assess the resilience, equity, and sustainability of future urban visions and demonstrate its use by applying it to 11 visions from Phoenix, AZ. The visions were co-produced at two different governance scales: five visions were created at the village (or borough) scale, and six visions were created at the regional (or metropolitan) scale. Our analysis reveals different emphases in the mechanisms present in the visions to advance resilience, sustainability, and equity. In particular, we note that regional future visions align with a green sustainability agenda, whereas village visions focus on social issues and emphasize equity-driven approaches. The visions have implications for future trajectories, and the priorities that manifest at the two scales speak of the political nature of visioning and the need to explore how these processes may interact in complementary, synergistic, or antagonistic ways.
Human Multi-Chimeric Cell (HMCC) Therapy as a Novel Approach for Tolerance Induction in Transplantation
Authors: Siemionow Maria , Cwykiel Joanna , Brodowska Sonia , Chambily Lucile
Published: August 2023

Cellular therapies are regarded as the most promising approach for inducing transplant tolerance without life-long immunosuppression in solid organ and vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA). Currently, no therapies are achieving this goal. This study introduces a novel Human Multi-Chimeric Cell (HMCC) line created by fusion of umbilical cord blood (UCB) cells, from three unrelated donors as an alternative therapeutic approach to bone marrow transplantation and tolerance induction in solid organ and VCA transplants. We performed eighteen ex vivo polyethylene glycol mediated fusions of human UCB cells from three unrelated donors to create HMCC. Mononuclear cells labeled with PKH26, PKH67, and eFluor™ 670 fluorescent dyes were fused and sorted creating a new population of triple-labeled (PKH26/PKH67/eFluor™ 670) HMCC. The creation of HMCC from three unrelated human UCB donors was confirmed by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Genotyping analyses determined the tri-chimeric state of HMCC by presence of parent alleles and selected loci specific for each of three UCB donors. Phenotype characterization confirmed hematopoietic markers distribution, comparable to UCB donors. HMCC maintained viability and displayed a low apoptosis level. The COMET assay revealed absence of genotoxicity, confirming fusion safety. Colony forming units assay showed clonogenic properties of HMCC. This study confirmed the feasibility of HMCC creation from three unrelated human UCB donors and characterized tri-chimeric state, hematopoietic phenotype, viability, safety, and clonogenic properties of HMCC. The created HMCC line, representing genotype characteristics of three unrelated human UCB donors, introduces a novel therapeutic approach for bone marrow, solid organ, and VCA transplants.

Graphical Abstract
Kinderarmut in der Kita im Spiegel organisationsethischer Fragen
Authors: Beinzger Dagmar , Bliemetsrieder Sandro
Published: August 2023

Dieser Beitrag beschäftigt sich mit der Frage, vor welchem Hintergrund sich die Institution Kita einer organisationsethischen Position zu Kinderarmut annähern kann. Dabei wird im Rückgriff auf die historischen Wurzeln von kindheitspädagogischen Institutionen deutlich, dass Kinderarmut als gesellschaftlich relevanter Gegenstand schon immer eine bedeutende Rolle bei der Etabalierung und der Funktion von Kindertagesbetreuung gespielt hat. Die Orientierung am Ideal der bürgerlichen Kleinfamilie sowie die Individualisierung von armutsbedingten Problemlagen sind Traditionslinien, die bis heute auffindbar sind. Hier könnte eine machtreflexive Organisationsethik ansetzen, die die Verletzlichkeit von Individuen in sozialen Risikosituationen als Faktum systematisch mitbedenkt und zur Grundlage ihres Leitbildes macht.
The Mystery of Mental Integrity: Clarifying Its Relevance to Neurotechnologies
Authors: Zohny Hazem , Lyreskog David M. , Singh Ilina , Savulescu Julian
Published: August 2023

The concept of mental integrity is currently a significant topic in discussions concerning the regulation of neurotechnologies. Technologies such as deep brain stimulation and brain-computer interfaces are believed to pose a unique threat to mental integrity, and some authors have advocated for a legal right to protect it. Despite this, there remains uncertainty about what mental integrity entails and why it is important. Various interpretations of the concept have been proposed, but the literature on the subject is inconclusive. Here we consider a number of possible interpretations and argue that the most plausible one concerns neurotechnologies that bypass one’s reasoning capacities, and do so specifically in ways that reliably lead to alienation from one’s mental states. This narrows the scope of what constitutes a threat to mental integrity and offers a more precise role for the concept to play in the ethical evaluation of neurotechnologies.
Editorial to the topical collection “Building stones and geomaterials through history and environments: from quarry to heritage. Insights on the conditioning factors - The Rolf Snethlage-Volume”
Authors: Siegesmund Siegfried , Sousa Luís , López-Doncel Rubén
Published: August 2023

Under the umbrella of “building stones”, a wide range of research topics are possible. A vast interdisciplinary scientific community provides valuable information that should be considered at several levels. These are the extraction of the stone from the quarry to their application on buildings, and the implementation of conservation measures when necessary. The present special issue contains 44 articles on the research into natural building stones. The editorial intention is to present the main highlights of each paper, which are grouped into the following sections in order to better understand the overall content: Quarrying, Physical–Mechanical Properties, Heritage and Weathering, Restoration and Techniques, Miscellaneous. This volume is dedicated to the memory of Professor Rolf Snethlage. The international community of applied geosciences has lost an important researcher and teacher. Therefore, a brief description of importance of the research carried out by Rolf Snethlage is presented at the end of the Editorial.
From Kiwi Peels’ “End-of-Life” to Gold Nanoparticles: the Upcycling of a Waste
Authors: Gubitosa Jennifer , Rizzi Vito , Maggi Filippo , Laurenzana Anna , Caprioli Giovanni , Anceschi Cecilia , Mustafa Ahmed M , Fini Paola , Cosma Pinalysa
Published: August 2023

Following a green approach, kiwi peels (a waste) were washed in hot water to obtain a water-based polyphenolic extract (KPWW) used to reduce Au3+ (coming from a HAuCl4 water-based solution) for forming gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Indeed, KPWW, as shown after performing high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS-MS) analysis, is mainly composed by different polyphenols acting as reductant agents, accomplishing a red-ox reaction and decorating the AuNPs-KPWW surface. Spectroscopic and morphologic techniques were used in synergy for investigating the AuNPs-KPWW main features. Polyhedral-shaped plasmonic nanoparticles with a mean size of 30±10 nm and a negative charge of −40 mV were thus obtained. The AuNPs’ stability was assessed under different working conditions, investigating the role of ionic strength, pH, and temperature. The photostability was also assessed by irradiating AuNPs-KPWW with a solar simulator lamp. Both temperature and solar light did not perturb AuNPs-KPWW. Thanks to the presence of polyphenols, the antioxidant and skin-lightening properties were positively demonstrated. Moreover, the protective role of AuNPs in scavenging H2O2 and ·OH was also investigated by inhibiting the oxidation of a biomolecule. The sunscreen ability of AuNPs-KPWW was also estimated, and the theoretical calculation of the sun protection factor (SPF) was determined. Finally, the AuNPs-KPWW biocompatibility was tested on endothelial colony-forming cells and normal dermal fibroblasts as human cell lines, revealing that AuNPs-KPWW did not affect cell viability and did not alter cell morphology, demonstrating their safety and their potential application in nanomedicine.
A target map of clinical combination therapies in oncology: an analysis of clinicaltrials.gov
Authors: Yang Jing , Kang Heming , Lyu Liyang , Xiong Wei , Hu Yuanjia
Published: August 2023

Combination therapies have taken center stage for cancer treatment, however, there is a lack of a comprehensive portrait to quantitatively map the current clinical combination progress. This study aims to capture clinical combination therapies of the validated FDA-approved new oncology drugs by a macro data analysis and to summarize combination mechanisms and strategies in the context of the existing literature. A total of 72 new molecular entities or new therapeutic biological products for cancer treatment approved by the FDA from 2017 to 2021 were identified, and the data on their related 3334 trials were retrieved from the database of ClinicalTrials.gov. Moreover, these sampled clinical trials were refined by activity status and combination relevance and labeled with the relevant clinical arms and drug combinations, as well as drug targets and target pairs. Combination therapies are increasingly prevalent in clinical trials of new oncology drugs. From retrospective work, existing clinical combination therapies in oncology are driven by different patterns (i.e., rational design and industry trends). The former can be represented by mechanism-based or structure-based combinations, such as targeting different domains of HER2 protein or in-series co-targeting in RAF plus MEK inhibitors. The latter is an empirically driven strategy, including redundant combinations in hot targets, such as PD-1/PD-L1, PI3K, CDK4/6, and PARP. Because of an explosion in the number of clinical trials and the resultant shortage of available patients, it is essential to rationally design drug combinations.
THMs removal from aqueous solution using hydrochar enhanced by chitosan nanoparticles: preparation, characterization, kinetics, equilibrium studies
Authors: Jahin H. S. , Hesham A. , Awad Y. M. , El-Korashy S. , Khairy G.
Published: August 2023

In this study, novel green and economical techniques were established to synthesize modified banana peel hydrochar (HBP) through hydrothermal carbonization. Chitosan nanoparticles, a green adsorbent with multiple features, were prepared, characterized, and used to enhance the performance of the hydrochar in THMs removals. The optimal method for hydrothermal carbonization was determined based on previously cited methods. The dried banana peels and HBP were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), pH, zero point of charge, and bulk density. The prepared chitosan nanoparticles were characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and zeta potential techniques. The average size of chitosan nanoparticles was 12.1 nm, and a 1:1 mixture of HBP and chitosan nanoparticles was used for the removal of THMs from an aqueous solution. The concentrations of THMs were measured using gas chromatography, and the effect of THMs’ initial concentrations, adsorbent doses, temperature, and pH value on the adsorption capacity was studied. The results showed that the 1:1 mixture of HBP and chitosan nanoparticles was an efficient adsorbent for removing THMs from aqueous solutions. This adsorbent was found to be effective in removing THMs from the aqueous solution, even at low temperature and pH values, with an estimated maximum sorption capacity (qm) of 588.23 g g−1, exceeding numerous other adsorbents previously studied, and the regression coefficient (R2 = 0.9959) for data fitting with the Freundlich isotherm. This research has the potential to offer a great avenue for future development and implementation in water treatment. It could lead to improved methods of treating water, which would be beneficial for both environmental protection and economic growth. The developed adsorbent had high adsorption affinity toward the THMs compounds, making the adsorption method efficient and viable technique for treating water containing such contaminants.
A Norwegian seaweed utopia? Governmental narratives of coastal communities, upscaling, and the industrial conquering of ocean spaces
Authors: Albrecht Moritz
Published: August 2023

Algae-based biomass occupies a prominent role in policy narratives for a more sustainable future situated between Blue Growth Strategies and European (Blue) bioeconomy development. Especially in Norway, the developing seaweed farming sector is portrayed as a novel bioresource sector entailing an array of benefits to remediate global as local environmental and socio-economic challenges. Accredited with massive growth potentials and framed by large-scale industrialist rhetoric with a future in conquering ocean spaces through technological fixes, the sector’s development faces multiple challenges. Additionally, the assumptive growth-centred policy narratives employed leave little room for small-scale, locally embedded alternatives called upon by many experts on sustainable and socially just blue resource governance. The paper addresses this issue by conceptualizing Norwegian seaweed farming as an assembling process with a focus on (policy) narratives as a means for governmental spatial interventions. Based on qualitative data with a focus on active Norwegian seaweed farmers’ perspectives for the sector’s current practices and future developments, the paper assesses the relations and contradictions between the optimistic key policy narratives, current sector developments, and the entrepreneur positionalities that shape the reproduction processes of this Norwegian seaweed assemblage. The paper shows that strong beliefs in extensive growth and technological solutions to tackle the fluid materialities of seaweed production are widespread among entrepreneurs. Paired with policy strategies and a development environment rooted in similar narratives, this creates a current development approach that reduces challenges to technological and administrative domains and neglects the (local) socio-economic and sustainability potential vested in alternative, small-scale approaches.
Effects of blood pressure and antihypertensive drugs on osteoarthritis: a mendelian randomized study
Authors: Zhang Yinzhen , Wang Yanpeng , Zhao Changwei , Cai Wenjun , Wang Zhengyan , Zhao Wenhai
Published: August 2023

Background

Previous studies have suggested that antihypertensive drugs may play a role in the treatment of osteoarthritis, but these studies may be limited by confounding factors and lead to biased results. Therefore, we conducted a Mendelian randomization study to investigate the effects of blood pressure and antihypertensive drugs on osteoarthritis.

Methods

We used published large-scale genome-wide association data and applied univariate and multivariate Mendelian randomization methods. The main analysis model was inverse variance weighting, and the reliability of the results was tested using MR-Egger intercept analysis, Cochran's Q test, and leave-one-out analysis. We comprehensively evaluated the relationship between systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, 12 antihypertensive drugs, and osteoarthritis. We also conducted verification in the independent queue of UK Biobank and built a simple linear regression model to obtain an independent comparison.

Results

We found no evidence that systolic and diastolic blood pressure significantly affected osteoarthritis. However, among antihypertensive drugs, we observed a significant positive correlation between potassium-preserving diuretics and aldosterone antagonists and all osteoarthritis (OR: 0.560, 95% CI 0.406–0.772, P = 0.0004). Sensitivity analysis showed no horizontal pleiotropy or heterogeneity, and the leave-one-out analysis demonstrated the reliability of the results. This result was replicated with nominally statistical significance in the validation cohort and exhibited significant correlation in the linear regression analysis.

Conclusions

Our study suggested that controlling the protein targets of potassium-sparing diuretics and aldosterone antagonists may have beneficial results for osteoarthritis. These findings provide valuable medication strategies for the control of hypertension in patients with osteoarthritis.
GelMA hydrogel scaffold containing curcumin-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles promotes the regeneration of degenerative discs
Authors: Wang Ying , Xu Yidi , Shang Lijun , Mao Yingji
Published: August 2023

Intervertebral disc degenerative disease (IDD), which usually causes lower back and neck pain, is one of the most widespread musculoskeletal disorders and often causes a low quality of life. However, the surgical and conservative treatments commonly used in clinical practice are not effective. Previous studies have identified curcumin (Cur) as a potential therapeutic agent. However, its development in this regard has been limited due to its low dissolution, instability in water, and rapid metabolism. In this study, we developed a novel anti-inflammatory composite hydrogel scaffold with curcumin encapsulated in solid lipid nanoparticles and mixed it with gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) hydrogel to treat IDD. The hydrogel scaffold, denoted Cur-solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs)/GelMA, promoted the restoration of Collagen type II (Col II) and aggrecan expression levels in vivo, indicating that the regeneration of the intervertebral discs was effective. Combined in vitro studies showed that Cur-SLNs inhibited the expression of the inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-6. Additionally, immunofluorescence and western blotting experiments verified that Cur-SLNs regulated the recovery of Col II and aggrecan in an inflammatory environment and promoted the metabolic homeostasis of the extramedullary cell matrix. In conclusion, this study provides a new strategy to promote IDD regeneration, which brings new application prospects.
Central nervous system disorders after use of dolutegravir: evidence from preclinical and clinical studies
Authors: Jakimiuk Alicja , Piechal Agnieszka , Wiercińska-Drapało Alicja , Nowaczyk Alicja , Mirowska-Guzel Dagmara
Published: August 2023

The evaluation of dolutegravir based on available preclinical and clinical studies reveals a risk of central nervous system (CNS) disorders associated with long-term use of the drug. The available literature on the pharmacokinetics of the drug, including its penetration of the blood–brain barrier, was reviewed, as well as clinical trials assessing the incidence of adverse effects in the CNS and the frequency of its discontinuation. This paper also summarizes the impact of factors affecting the occurrence of CNS disorders and indicates the key role of pharmacovigilance in the process of supplementing knowledge on the safety of drugs, especially those that are newly registered.
Resilience
Authors: Southwick Steven M. , Charney Dennis S. , DePierro Jonathan M.
Published: August 2023

Life presents us all with challenges. Most of us at some point will be struck by major traumas such as the sudden death of a loved one, a debilitating disease, or a natural disaster. What differentiates us is how we respond. In this important book, three experts in trauma and resilience answer key questions such as What helps people adapt to life's most challenging situations?, How can you build up your own resilience?, and What do we know about the science of resilience? Combining cutting-edge scientific research with the personal experiences of individuals who have survived some of the most traumatic events imaginable, including the COVID-19 pandemic, this book provides a practical resource that can be used time and time again. The experts describe ten key resilience factors, including facing fear, optimism, and relying on role models, through the experiences and personal reflections of highly resilient survivors. Each resilience factor will help you to adapt and grow from stressful life events and will bring hope and inspiration for overcoming adversity.
Recovery trajectories of IQ after pediatric TBI: A latent class growth modeling analysis
Authors: Narad Megan E. , Smith-Paine Julia , Cassedy Amy , LeBlond Elizabeth , Taylor H. Gerry , Yeates Keith Owen , Wade Shari L.
Published: August 2023

Objective:

To identify latent trajectories of IQ over time after pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) and examine the predictive value of risk factors within and across recovery trajectories.

Method:

206 children ages 3–7 years at injury were included: 87 TBI (23 severe, 21 moderate, 43 complicated mild) and 119 orthopedic injury (OI). We administered intelligence tests shortly after injury (1½ months), 12 months, and 6.8 years postinjury. Latent class growth modeling was used to identify latent subgroups. Separate models examined verbal and nonverbal IQ recovery trajectories following TBI versus OI. Variables included: age at injury, sex, race, socioeconomic status, injury severity, quality of the home environment, family functioning, and parenting style.

Results:

Both the TBI and OI analyses yielded different growth models for nonverbal (k = 3) and verbal IQ (k = 3). Although all models resulted in 3 latent classes (below average, average, and aboveaverage performance); trajectory shapes, contributors to class membership, and performance within each class varied by injury group and IQ domain. TBI severity was associated with class membership for nonverbal IQ, with less severe injuries associated with higher IQ scores; however, TBI severity did not influence verbal IQ class membership. Parenting style had a more prominent effect on verbal and nonverbal IQ within the TBI than OI trajectories.

Conclusions:

Findings suggest TBI severity is related to recovery trajectories for nonverbal but not verbal IQ and parenting style has stronger effects on recovery in TBI than OI. Results highlight the importance of parental factors on long-term recovery after TBI.
Estimating the Socioeconomic Impacts of Flooding on Regional Economies With a Computable General Equilibrium Model
Authors: Parent Olivier , Hofe Rainer vom , Oh Seunghoon , Ervin Paul , Khalid Md Atikul , Yeghiazarian Lilit
Published: August 2023

The growing number of flood events in urban areas is causing far‐reaching economic losses and social disruptions. To implement suitable flood risk management strategies and measures for flood prevention and mitigation, it is paramount to adequately assess economy‐wide losses associated with potential flood events. The assessment of potential flood damage in the USA relies significantly on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazus Flood Model. A primary requirement to reduce uncertainty is to empirically gather user input data. Consequently, there is a need to integrate publicly accessible business data for accurate evaluation of losses in business activities. We present a novel approach for estimating both the direct losses in business activities during a flood and the total economy‐wide impact that arise from these disruptions. First, we integrate the FEMA Hazus Flood Model with Reference Solutions business‐level data to estimate the reduction in business activities (i.e., direct losses) following a 100‐year flood event in New Hanover County, North Carolina. Second, we estimate the broader economy‐wide impact these business activity losses have on total industry output, employment, value‐added and household income using a regional computational general equilibrium model. The advantage of our approach is the easy replicability of the business loss estimation process for US cities and regions of interest, which, when used in a follow‐up economic impact study, leads to estimating the total economy‐wide losses in economic activities. Policy makers relying solely on direct physical and economic damages would, by ignoring indirect losses, underestimate the benefits of investing in flood mitigation and protection.
Intensification of Mesoscale Convective Systems in the East Asian Rainband Over the Past Two Decades
Authors: Li Puxi , Song Fengfei , Chen Haoming , Li Jian , Prein Andreas F. , Zhang Wenxia , Zhou Tianjun , Zhuang Moran , Furtado Kalli , Muetzelfeldt Mark , Schiemann Reinhard , Li Chao
Published: August 2023

As one of the major producers of extreme precipitation, mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) have received much attention. Recently, MCSs over several hotpots, including the Sahel and US Great Plains, have been found to intensify under global warming. However, relevant studies on the East Asian rainband, another MCS hotpot, are scarce. Here, by using a novel rain‐cell tracking algorithm on a high spatiotemporal resolution satellite precipitation product, we show that both the frequency and intensity of MCSs over the East Asian rainband have increased by 21.8% and 9.8% respectively over the past two decades (2000–2021). The more frequent and intense MCSs contribute nearly three quarters to the total precipitation increase. The changes in MCSs are caused by more frequent favorable large‐scale water vapor‐rich environments that are likely to increase under global warming. The increased frequency and intensity of MCSs have profound impacts on the hydroclimate of East Asia, including producing extreme events such as severe flooding.
Sea‐Ice Impacts Inter‐Annual Variability of Phytoplankton Bloom Characteristics and Carbon Export in the Weddell Sea
Authors: Giddy I. S. , Nicholson S.‐A. , Queste B. Y. , Thomalla S. , Swart S.
Published: August 2023

The Antarctic Marginal Ice Zone (MIZ) accounts for 15% of the Southern Ocean's primary production (PP), but limited data has hindered understanding of its variability and connection to carbon export. Using a combination of gliders, biogeochemical Argo floats and satellite observations in the northeast Weddell Sea, we show that years with more sea‐ice formation over winter are followed by more intense phytoplankton blooms (∼15% greater daily PP) and export to 100 m (∼50% higher daily carbon export) the following summer. However, the carbon export beyond the deepest winter mixed layer did not vary in proportion to PP, suggesting different drivers of carbon export at depth compared to surface waters. Furthermore, across the entire MIZ, the response of blooms to sea‐ice volume was spatially variable, indicating the need to consider spatial heterogeneity in the response of the biological carbon pump to future sea‐ice changes.
Perturbation of Tropical Stratospheric Ozone Through Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Chemistry Due To Pinatubo
Authors: Peng Yifeng , Yu Pengfei , Portmann Robert W. , Rosenlof Karen H. , Zhang Jiankai , Liu Cheng‐Cheng , Li Jiangtao , Tian Wenshou
Published: August 2023

The Pinatubo eruption in 1991 injected 10–20 Tg SO2 into the stratosphere, which formed sulfate aerosols through oxidation. Our modeling results show that volcanic heating significantly perturbs the heterogeneous and homogeneous chemistry including NOx and HOx catalytic cycles in the tropical stratosphere. The simulated tropical chemical ozone tendency is positive at 20 mb while negative at 10 mb in the tropics. The simulated ozone chemical tendency is of the same magnitude as the dynamical ozone tendency caused by the accelerated tropical upwelling, but with the opposite sign. Our study finds that the tropical ozone chemical tendency due to homogeneous chemistry becomes more important than heterogeneous chemistry 3 months after eruption. Sensitivity simulations further suggest that the tropical ozone tendency through heterogeneous chemistry is saturated when the injected amount exceeds 2 Tg.
Decoupled Zircon Si–O Isotopes Tracing the Supracrustal Silicification and Komatiitic‐Derived Fluids in the Source of TTGs
Authors: Lei Kai , Wang Hao , Wang Xiaolei , Zhang Qing , Li Xian‐Hua
Published: August 2023

The tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite suites (TTGs) are key components of the Archean continental crust and therefore crucial to the understanding of the evolution of the early Earth. Here, we present in situ zircon Si–O isotope data of TTGs from Barberton. Results show that the 3.45–3.42 Ga (Group 1) and 3.24–3.23 Ga TTGs (Group 2) have elevated δ30Simelt values but mantle‐like δ18Ozrc values, whereas the 3.23–3.22 Ga TTGs (Group 3) have coupled elevated δ30Simelt and δ18Ozrc values relative to mantle‐derived rocks. We suggest that the Group 1 and 2 TTGs had a silicified source that was affected by low‐δ18O fluid released from the komatiitic rocks. The low‐δ18O fluid decreased the δ18Ozrc values of Group 1 and 2 TTGs but had negligible influence on their δ30Simelt values. The Group 3 TTGs were generated solely from the silicified source, as the low‐δ18O fluid had become exhausted at that time.
Winter Arctic Outflow Winds Cause Upper Ocean Cooling and Reoxygenation in a Temperate Canadian Fjord
Authors: Jackson J. M. , Holmes K. , Klymak J. M. , Bianucci L. , Evans W. , Floyd W. C. , Hannah C. G. , Hare A. , Wan D.
Published: August 2023

Arctic outflow winds bring cold air from the continent to the coastline through mountain passes. Using observational data and a 2‐D model, we show that a February 2019 outflow event caused the upper 100 m in Bute Inlet, British Columbia (within the traditional territory of the Homalco Nation) to cool up to 1.9°C and gain up to 4.1 mLL−1 of oxygen. The cold, oxygenated water persisted for almost 1 year within the 1,023–1,023.5 kgm−3 isopycnal range (∼50–150 m). Atmospheric (from 1929 to 2022) and oceanographic (from 1951 to 2022) data showed a statistically significant relationship between continental air temperature at Tatlayoko Lake and temperature and oxygen in Bute Inlet. This local mechanism that counters some effects of climate change could create a biological refugium as surrounding waters warm and lose oxygen at a faster rate. The number of outflow events decreased from 1951 to 2018, and increased since.
Space Plasma Diagnostics and Spacecraft Charging. The Impact of Plasma Inhomogeneities on Mutual Impedance Experiments
Authors: Bucciantini L. , Henri P. , Wattieaux G. , Lavorenti F. , Dazzi P. , Vallières X.
Published: August 2023

Plasma diagnostic instruments are carried into space by satellites to measure in situ the properties of space plasmas. However, due to spacecraft charging, satellites perturb the surrounding plasma, that reacts by enveloping the platform and its instruments with a short scale, strongly inhomogeneous plasma region called plasma sheath. Such plasma sheath perturbs particles and electric field measurements performed onboard the satellite. Mutual Impedance (MI) experiments are a type of in situ diagnostic technique used in several space missions for the identification of the plasma density and the electron temperature. The technique is based on the electric coupling between emitting and receiving electric sensors embedded in the plasma to diagnose. Such sensors are surrounded by the plasma sheath, which is expected to affect the plasma response to MI emissions. In this context, we quantify for the first time the impact of the plasma sheath on the diagnostic performance of MI experiments. For this purpose, we use a full kinetic Vlasov‐Poisson model to simulate numerically MI experiments in an inhomogeneous medium. For the first time, we explain the locality of MI measurements. We find that MI plasma density diagnostic are not affected by the plasma sheath (dn/n < 10%). The experiment retrieves the density of the plasma unperturbed by the satellite's presence. The electron temperature diagnostic, instead, presents significant perturbations if the plasma sheath is ignored. To mitigate such electron temperature errors, the plasma sheath needs to be included in the analysis of MI measurements.