bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multistep Prediction of Multiple Small Hydropower Stations’ Total Power in a Watershed within a Day Considering the Distributed Discharge TCN-LSTM Model
Authors: Xu Hongyi
Published: November 2023

First, this paper proposes that although the small hydropower group in the basin terrace as a whole uses the hydrological natural flow to generate electricity, the small hydropower except the first stage will also reuse a certain proportion of the small hydropower outflow and immediately upper stage, solving the problem of the relationship between the total power prediction of the small hydropower group and the hydrological natural flow prediction at all levels. Second, this paper proposes a satellite remote sensing monitoring point selection method based on topographic elevation to determine the increment of rainfall collection area above each small hydropower dam site, solving the correspondence between the source of the incoming flow of each small hydropower and the rainfall collection area above the dam site nested step by step, and the problem that each small hydropower is dividing the hydrological and natural flow of the whole basin according to the increment of rainfall collection area above the dam site. Third, this paper proposes a method that combines computational yield flow, deep learning simulation of sink flow, and fitting small hydropower generation equations, i.e., considering the distributed yield flow TCN-LSTM model (DR-TCN-LSTM), which solves the problem that the major part of the incoming flow except for the first level small hydropower is the reuse of the outgoing flow and the immediate upper-level small hydropower, which is treated by the immediate upper-level small hydropower, rather than the purely natural state product of the problem. In an example of an 8-step prediction of multiple small hydropower stations’ total power in a certain basin in Guangxi, China within a day, this paper proposes a Distributed Runoff TCN-LSTM Model (DR-BP-LSTM), and the Nash coefficient of the total power is 0.919. The Nash coefficient is increased by 0.02 due to the calculated discharge. In the selection of deep learning models, the Nash coefficient of the prediction model proposed in this paper is 0.02 more than DR-TCN-GRU and 0.011 more than DR-BP-LSTM.
A fiber Bragg grating vibration sensor based on crossed variable section beam
Authors: Fu Wanquan , Tan Zhongwei
Published: November 2023

This paper presents a triaxial vibration sensor that can be used for vibration acceleration detection. The main body of the elastic structure of the sensor is a variable section beam. The fiber Bragg gratings (FBG) are applied to the surface of the crossed variable section beam. The theoretical equation for the sensitivity of this sensor is given by the theoretical analysis of material mechanics. The simulation of modal analysis was carried out by means of the finite element method. The resonant frequencies of the proposed fiber Bragg grating triaxial sensor in the Z, X, and Y directions are 363.01 Hz, 466.34 Hz, and 466.82 Hz, respectively. Finally, the sensor was calibrated and tested in each direction of vibration, and the results showed that the sensitivity of Z, X, and Y directions were 6.66 pm/g, 4.61 pm/g, and 4.61 pm/g respectively, which proved that the FBG sensor has good sensing response for vibration in three directions.
Research on Common Fault Diagnosis of Mud Pump Based on Wavelet Packet Analysis
Authors: Lu Haozhou , Yu Menghong , Cai Bin
Published: November 2023

The utilization of vibration signals to diagnose faults in centrifugal pumps is a crucial research direction in this field. Traditional frequency domain processing methods, such as Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), may not be effective in analyzing complex signals where multiple types of faults occur simultaneously at the same frequency. This paper proposes the use of wavelet packet analysis as an alternative. By analyzing fault conditions caused by blade damage and clearance wear in a mud pump and comparing the results to those obtained through the FFT analysis method, the superior accuracy of wavelet packet analysis is demonstrated.
A Simple Patch Antenna with Enhanced Isolation Without Extra Structure
Authors: Zang Yiping , Li Weishan , Ma Jie , Xiong Xueyao , Fan Zhaoyu
Published: November 2023

A simple patch antenna with enhanced isolation and without extra structure is devised. The isolation is enhanced by 5 dB by loading two shorting pins, and the working frequency is not changed at 3.45 GHz. Radiation pattern is little changed after loading two shorting pins. There is no additional structure between the two antennas. Isolation is strengthened through the structure of the antenna itself.
Transformer fault diagnosis based on Chaotic Particle Swarm Optimization RBF Neural Network
Authors: Ge Aidong , Lei Jiakang , Sun Mingcan
Published: November 2023

This article uses logistic chaotic mapping to improve the particle swarm algorithm parameters and construct the chaotic particle swarm optimization (CPSO) algorithm. Then, the CPSO algorithm is used to optimize the width, weight, and center values of the Radial Basis Function Neural Networks (RBFNN) to improve the RBFNN model used to diagnose transformer fault types. Results show that the CPSO-RBFNN model has a small mean square error and high accuracy in diagnosing transformer faults.
Three-dimensional meteorological drought characteristics and associated risk in China
Authors: Zhou Zhiling , Ding Kaixi , Zhang Liping , She Dunxian , Chen Jie , Wang Gangsheng , Xia Jun
Published: November 2023

Drought as a hazardous natural disaster has been widely studied based on various drought indices. However, the characteristics of droughts have not been robustly explored considering its dual nature in space and time across China in the past few decades. Here, we characterized meteorological drought events from a three-dimensional perspective for the 1961–2018 period in the mainland of China, and attributed the variation of drought intensity to its influencing factors. We further assessed associated drought risk with socioeconomic data for the 2002–2018 period. We found that drought events with high intensity, large area, and long duration are mainly distributed in western and northern China, especially in Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Tibet, and Qinghai. The drought intensity and affected area anomalies present a six-phase pattern of ‘negative-positive-negative-positive-negative-positive’ during 1961–2018. The intensity of drought events showed a decreasing trend but the affected area and duration showed an increasing trend in 2009–2018. Over the decades, the centers of high drought intensity and long duration tend to move eastward and northeastward, respectively. The PET variations contributes larger than precipitation variations to drought intensity variations in the arid regions while being opposite in the humid southern regions. Drought risk assessment further indicates that high drought risk areas are concentrated in northern China, including Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Gansu, Sichuan, Hebei, and Heilongjiang. Increasing trends in drought risk for the 2002–2018 period are detected in Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Sichuan, Henan, Gansu, Hunan, Shanxi, Qinghai. Our findings provide scientific guidance for policymakers to develop adaptive disaster prevention measures.
The Role of Seed Users in Nurturing an Online Health Community for Smoking Cessation Among People With HIV/AIDS
Authors: Wang Xiangyu , Zhao Kang , Amato Michael S , Stanton Cassandra A , Shuter Jonathan , Graham Amanda L
Published: November 2023

Background

To nurture a new online community for health behavior change, a fruitful strategy is to recruit “seed users” to create content and encourage participation.

Purpose

This study evaluated the impact of support from seed users in an online community for smoking cessation among people living with HIV/AIDS and explored the linguistic characteristics of their interactions.

Methods

These secondary analyses examined data from a randomized trial of a smoking cessation intervention for HIV+ smokers delivered via an online health community (OHC). The analytic sample comprised n = 188 participants randomized to the intervention arm who participated in the community. Independent variables were OHC interactions categorized by participant interlocutor type (study participant, seed user) and interaction type (active, passive). The primary outcome was biochemically verified 7-day abstinence from cigarettes measured 3 months post-randomization; 30-day abstinence was examined for robustness.

Results

Logistic regression models showed that participants’ interactions with seed users were a positive predictor of abstinence but interactions with other study participants were not. Specifically, the odds of abstinence increased as the number of posts received from seed users increased. Exploratory linguistic analyses revealed that seed users wrote longer comments which included more frequent use of “we” and “you” pronouns and that study participants users used more first-person singular pronouns (“I”).

Conclusions

Seeding a community at its inception and nurturing its growth through seed users may be a scalable way to foster behavior change among OHC members. These findings have implications for the design and management of an OHC capable of promoting smoking cessation.
Total Sleep Deprivation Triggers a Compensatory Mechanism During Conflict Monitoring Process: Evidence From Event-Related Potentials
Authors: Chen Shufang , Song Tao , Peng Ziyi , Xu Lin , Lian Jie , An Xin , Shao Yongcong
Published: November 2023

Sleep deprivation impairs cognitive function and is accompanied by a simultaneous compensatory effect, one of the brain's capacities to maintain function in emergency situations. However, the time course of the compensatory effect is unclear. In this study, 22 male participants completed a pronunciation working memory task that included congruent and incongruent stimuli trials with EEG recordings before and after total sleep deprivation (TSD). Behavioral performance analysis showed that after TSD, the participants’ reaction time (RT) was shortened, but accuracy was reduced significantly. Analysis of event-related potential (ERP) results showed that the amplitude of N2 (an early visual ERP) was larger (i.e., more negative) after TSD than at baseline. A significant interaction between congruency and sleep condition was seen. Compared to that before TSD, the increase in amplitude of P3 (a stimulus-induced positive deflection component) under an incongruent stimulus was larger than that under a congruent stimulus after TSD. Moreover, a significant negative correlation was found between P3 amplitude and RT. Our results suggest that TSD impairs cognitive function. Meanwhile, the brain activates a compensatory mechanism after TSD, which is comprehensive during the conflict-detection and information-updating stages. This study provides a fresh viewpoint for understanding how TSD affects cognitive function.
People with Disabilities and Labour Market Barriers: The Perspectives of Israeli Social Workers
Authors: Gadot Limor , Holler Roni
Published: November 2023

Social workers play a key role in supporting the labour market inclusion of disabled people. Nevertheless, we know little about how they perceive the barriers that disabled people face and their role in addressing them. In particular, we need to know more about the extent to which they adopt an individualised versus a social model of disability. To address this gap, semi-structured interviews were conducted with twenty-three Israeli social workers providing employment-related services via public and non-profit organisations. A thematic analysis revealed that the participants tended to view their clients’ barriers as related to individual characteristics, including their impairment, level of functioning and soft skills. Whereas social barriers were acknowledged as well, these were usually framed as related to employers’ attitudes, including ignorance, stigma, fear and distrust. In addition, recognition of these social barriers was usually detached from the social workers’ daily, individualised practices.
Interferon-γ controls aquaporin 4-specific Th17 and B cells in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder
Authors: Arellano Gabriel , Loda Eileah , Chen Yanan , Neef Tobias , Cogswell Andrew C , Primer Grant , Joy Godwin , Kaschke Kevin , Wills Samantha , Podojil Joseph R , Popko Brian , Balabanov Roumen , Miller Stephen D
Published: November 2023

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a CNS autoimmune inflammatory disease mediated by T helper 17 (Th17) and antibody responses to the water channel protein, aquaporin 4 (AQP4), and associated with astrocytopathy, demyelination and axonal loss. Knowledge about disease pathogenesis is limited and the search for new therapies impeded by the absence of a reliable animal model. In our work, we determined that NMOSD is characterized by decreased IFN-γ receptor signalling and that IFN-γ depletion in AQP4201–220-immunized C57BL/6 mice results in severe clinical disease resembling human NMOSD. Pathologically, the disease causes autoimmune astrocytic and CNS injury secondary to cellular and humoral inflammation. Immunologically, the absence of IFN-γ allows for increased expression of IL-6 in B cells and activation of Th17 cells, and generation of a robust autoimmune inflammatory response. Consistent with NMOSD, the experimental disease is exacerbated by administration of IFN-β, whereas repletion of IFN-γ, as well as therapeutic targeting of IL-17A, IL-6R and B cells, ameliorates it. We also demonstrate that immune tolerization with AQP4201–220-coupled poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles could both prevent and effectively treat the disease. Our findings enhance the understanding of NMOSD pathogenesis and provide a platform for the development of immune tolerance-based therapies, avoiding the limitations of the current immunosuppressive therapies.
Deep learning distinguishes connectomes from focal epilepsy patients and controls: feasibility and clinical implications
Authors: Maher Christina , Tang Zihao , D’Souza Arkiev , Cabezas Mariano , Cai Weidong , Barnett Michael , Kavehei Omid , Wang Chenyu , Nikpour Armin
Published: November 2023

The application of deep learning models to evaluate connectome data is gaining interest in epilepsy research. Deep learning may be a useful initial tool to partition connectome data into network subsets for further analysis. Few prior works have used deep learning to examine structural connectomes from patients with focal epilepsy. We evaluated whether a deep learning model applied to whole-brain connectomes could classify 28 participants with focal epilepsy from 20 controls and identify nodal importance for each group. Participants with epilepsy were further grouped based on whether they had focal seizures that evolved into bilateral tonic-clonic seizures (17 with, 11 without). The trained neural network classified patients from controls with an accuracy of 72.92%, while the seizure subtype groups achieved a classification accuracy of 67.86%. In the patient subgroups, the nodes and edges deemed important for accurate classification were also clinically relevant, indicating the model’s interpretability. The current work expands the evidence for the potential of deep learning to extract relevant markers from clinical datasets. Our findings offer a rationale for further research interrogating structural connectomes to obtain features that can be biomarkers and aid the diagnosis of seizure subtypes.
Consensus on the management of pediatric deep partial-thickness burn wounds (2023 edition)
Authors: Liu Yan ,   Chinese Burn Association
Published: November 2023

Burns are a main cause of accidental injuries among children in China. Because of the unique wound repair capacity and demand for growth in pediatric patients, the management of pediatric deep partial-thickness burn wounds involves a broader range of treatment options and controversy. We assembled experts from relevant fields in China to reach a consensus on the key points of thermal-induced pediatric deep partial-thickness burn-wound management, including definition and diagnosis, surgical treatments, nonsurgical treatment, choice of wound dressings, growth factor applications, infectious wound treatment, scar prevention and treatment. The committee members hope that the Expert Consensus will provide help and guiding recommendations for the treatment of pediatric deep partial-thickness burn wounds.
Pubic and vulvar papules and vesicles
Authors: Kam Olivia , Osborne Sara , George Shaina E , Thacker Shivani , Wescott Raquel , Vo Carolynne , Wu Jashin J
Published: November 2023

We report the case of a 54-year-old woman, who had a hysterectomy and adjuvant radiation therapy for a history of cervical cancer, presenting with a 6-year history of diffuse vaginal papules and vesicles that ooze serous fluid.
Neural substrates of individual differences in learning generalization via combined brain stimulation and multitasking training
Authors: Wards Yohan , Ehrhardt Shane E , Filmer Hannah L , Mattingley Jason B , Garner Kelly G , Dux Paul E
Published: November 2023

A pervasive limitation in cognition is reflected by the performance costs we experience when attempting to undertake two tasks simultaneously. While training can overcome these multitasking costs, the more elusive objective of training interventions is to induce persistent gains that transfer across tasks. Combined brain stimulation and cognitive training protocols have been employed to improve a range of psychological processes and facilitate such transfer, with consistent gains demonstrated in multitasking and decision-making. Neural activity in frontal, parietal, and subcortical regions has been implicated in multitasking training gains, but how the brain supports training transfer is poorly understood. To investigate this, we combined transcranial direct current stimulation of the prefrontal cortex and multitasking training, with functional magnetic resonance imaging in 178 participants. We observed transfer to a visual search task, following 1 mA left or right prefrontal cortex transcranial direct current stimulation and multitasking training. These gains persisted for 1-month post-training. Notably, improvements in visual search performance for the right hemisphere stimulation group were associated with activity changes in the right hemisphere dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, intraparietal sulcus, and cerebellum. Thus, functional dynamics in these task-general regions determine how individuals respond to paired stimulation and training, resulting in enhanced performance on an untrained task.
Obstacles to local cooperation in fragmented, left-behind economies: an integrated framework
Authors: Gartzou-Katsouyanni Kira
Published: November 2023

Fostering cooperation among local stakeholders is a core aim of place-based policies, and it can generate economic benefits and help restore a sense of agency in left-behind communities. However, relatively little is known about how to induce local cooperation in low-trust, institutionally weak areas. This article develops an integrated theoretical framework to help diagnose the precise obstacles to cooperation faced in different types of adverse settings. Such a diagnosis can help design tailored local- and macro-level policies to address the obstacles to local cooperation. The utility of the proposed framework is demonstrated using a medium-n comparative case study design.
Left atrial strain in acute heart failure: clinical and prognostic insights
Authors: Barki Monica , Losito Maurizio , Caracciolo Michela Maria , Sugimoto Tadafumi , Rovida Marina , Viva Tommaso , Arosio Roberto , Alfonzetti Eleonora , Bandera Francesco , Moroni Alice , Guazzi Marco
Published: November 2023

Aims

In acute heart failure (AHF), the consequences of impaired left atrial (LA) mechanics are not well understood. We aimed to define the clinical trajectory of LA mechanics by left atrial strain (LAS) analysis.

Methods and results

Eighty-five consecutive AHF patients with reduced, mildly reduced, and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were enrolled in the LAS-AHF trial and underwent LA mechanics analysis by speckle tracking echocardiography. Seventy-seven patients were followed-up (FU) at 6 and 12 months. At hospital admission, discharge, 6 and 12 months post-discharge, LA reservoir function (LAS), LA pump strain, LAVi, LA stiffness, indicators of right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular (LV) function, congestion indexes (B lines, inferior vena cava, X-ray congestion score index), and biomarkers (NT-pro-BNP) were measured. The primary outcome was time to first event of re-hospitalization, worsening HF, or cardiovascular death. From admission to discharge, RV function significantly improved after decongestion, whereas no significant differences were observed in LA dynamics and LV function. In sinus rhythm patients with mild or no mitral regurgitation, decongestion was associated with a significant improvement of LAS and LA pump strain rate during hospitalization. At 12 months, 24 CV events occurred and lack of LAS improvement at 12 months FU emerged as the most powerful predictor followed by NT-pro-BNP. Kaplan–Meier curves showed a better survival for LAS >16%, improvement of LAS > 5%, and an LAS/LAVi ratio >0.25%/mL/m2 compared with lower cut-off values [log-rank: heart rate (HR) 3.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.8–7.3, P = 0.004; log-rank: HR 3.6, 95% CI 2–7.9, P < 0.01; log-rank: HR 3.27, 95% CI 1.4–7.7, P = 0.007].

Conclusion

In AHF of any LVEF, LA dynamics is highly predictive of re-hospitalization and cardiovascular outcome and allows to ease risk-stratification, potentially becoming an early reference target for improving long-term outcome.
Incidence and predictors of stroke and silent cerebral embolism following very high-power short-duration atrial fibrillation ablation
Authors: Boga Márton , Suhai Ferenc Imre , Orbán Gábor , Salló Zoltán , Nagy Klaudia Vivien , Szegedi Levente , Jokkel Zsófia , Csőre Judit , Osztheimer István , Perge Péter , Gupta Dhiraj , Merkely Béla , Gellér László , Szegedi Nándor
Published: November 2023

Aims

Cerebral thrombo-embolism is a dreaded complication of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for atrial fibrillation; its surrogate, silent cerebral embolism (SCE) can be detected by diffusion-weighted brain magnetic resonance imaging (bMRI). Initial investigations have raised a concern that very high-power, short-duration (vHPSD; 90 W/4 s) temperature-controlled PVI with the QDOT Micro catheter may be associated with a higher incidence of SCE compared with low-power long-duration ablation. We aimed to assess the incidence of procedural complications of vHPSD PVI with an emphasis on cerebral safety.

Methods and results

We enrolled 328 consecutive patients undergoing their PVI procedure using vHPSD. A subgroup of 61 consecutive patients underwent diffusion-weighted bMRI within 24 h of the procedure, and incidence and predictors of SCE were studied. The mean procedure time and left atrial dwell time for the overall cohort were 69.6 ± 24.1 and 46.5 ± 21.5 min, respectively. First-pass isolation was achieved in 82%. No stroke or transient ischaemic attack occurred. Silent cerebral embolism was identified in 5 of 61 patients (8.2%). Silent cerebral embolism following procedures was significantly associated with lower baseline generator impedance (105.8 vs. 112.6 Ω, P < 0.0001) and with intermittent loss of catheter–tissue contact during ablation (14.1% vs. 6.1%, P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

Very high-power, short-duration PVI is a safe technique with an excellent acute success rate. Silent cerebral embolism incidence in our cohort was below the previously reported range, with no clinically overt cerebral complications. Lower baseline generator impedance and loss of contact during ablation may contribute to a higher risk of SCEs.
The genetic basis of traits associated with the evolution of serpentine endemism in monkeyflowers
Authors: Toll Katherine , Willis John H
Published: November 2023

The floras on chemically and physically challenging soils, such as gypsum, shale, and serpentine, are characterized by narrowly endemic species. The evolution of edaphic endemics may be facilitated or constrained by genetic correlations among traits contributing to adaptation and reproductive isolation across soil boundaries. The yellow monkeyflowers in the Mimulus guttatus species complex are an ideal system in which to examine these evolutionary patterns. To determine the genetic basis of adaptive and prezygotic isolating traits, we performed genetic mapping experiments with F2 hybrids derived from a cross between a serpentine endemic, M. nudatus, and its close relative M. guttatus. Few large effect and many small effect QTL contribute to interspecific divergence in life history, floral, and leaf traits, and a history of directional selection contributed to trait divergence. Loci contributing to adaptive traits and prezygotic reproductive isolation overlap, and their allelic effects are largely in the direction of species divergence. These loci contain promising candidate genes regulating flowering time and plant organ size. Together, our results suggest that genetic correlations among traits can facilitate the evolution of adaptation and speciation and may be a common feature of the genetic architecture of divergence between edaphic endemics and their widespread relatives.
Centromere structure and function: lessons from Drosophila
Authors: Kyriacou Eftychia , Heun Patrick
Published: November 2023

The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster serves as a powerful model organism for advancing our understanding of biological processes, not just by studying its similarities with other organisms including ourselves but also by investigating its differences to unravel the underlying strategies that evolved to achieve a common goal. This is particularly true for centromeres, specialized genomic regions present on all eukaryotic chromosomes that function as the platform for the assembly of kinetochores. These multiprotein structures play an essential role during cell division by connecting chromosomes to spindle microtubules in mitosis and meiosis to mediate accurate chromosome segregation. Here, we will take a historical perspective on the study of fly centromeres, aiming to highlight not only the important similarities but also the differences identified that contributed to advancing centromere biology. We will discuss the current knowledge on the sequence and chromatin organization of fly centromeres together with advances for identification of centromeric proteins. Then, we will describe both the factors and processes involved in centromere organization and how they work together to provide an epigenetic identity to the centromeric locus. Lastly, we will take an evolutionary point of view of centromeres and briefly discuss current views on centromere drive.
Demonstration of the pathogenicity of a common non-exomic mutation in ABCA4 using iPSC-derived retinal organoids and retrospective clinical data
Authors: Burnight Erin R , Fenner Beau J , Han Ian C , DeLuca Adam P , Whitmore S Scott , Bohrer Laura R , Andorf Jeaneen L , Sohn Elliott H , Mullins Robert F , Tucker Budd A , Stone Edwin M
Published: November 2023

Mutations in ABCA4 are the most common cause of Mendelian retinal disease. Clinical evaluation of this gene is challenging because of its extreme allelic diversity, the large fraction of non-exomic mutations, and the wide range of associated disease. We used patient-derived retinal organoids as well as DNA samples and clinical data from a large cohort of patients with ABCA4-associated retinal disease to investigate the pathogenicity of a variant in ABCA4 (IVS30 + 1321 A>G) that occurs heterozygously in 2% of Europeans. We found that this variant causes mis-splicing of the gene in photoreceptor cells such that the resulting protein contains 36 incorrect amino acids followed by a premature stop. We also investigated the phenotype of 10 patients with compound genotypes that included this mutation. Their median age of first vision loss was 39 years, which is in the mildest quintile of a large cohort of patients with ABCA4 disease. We conclude that the IVS30 + 1321 A>G variant can cause disease when paired with a sufficiently deleterious opposing allele in a sufficiently permissive genetic background.
Qualitative study of the stigma associated with the lived experiences of Buruli ulcer disease among patients in Nigeria
Authors: Azubuike Precious Chidozie , Imo Uchenna Frank , Ogbonna Chimankpam Kingsley
Published: November 2023

Background

Buruli ulcer disease (BUD) is a neglected tropical disease of the skin, subcutaneous tissue and bone caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans, with various disabling and stigmatising sequelae. Patients face a range of adverse impacts owing to the disease as most are unable to relate effectively with their communities, battling stigma and fear of discrimination. This study aimed to explore the stigma associated with the lived experiences of BUD in patients in Nigeria.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional qualitative study that employed a focus group discussion (FGD) and key informant interviews in Enugu State, Nigeria. A random sampling of communities was followed by a purposive selection of FGD participants and key informants. A total of six key informants and eight FGD participants took part in the study. Data were collected over 6 wk from December 2022 to February 2023. The NVivo application was used to analyse transcripts and compute themes of quotes.

Results

Patients experienced stigma owing to the condition. The most reported experiences by participants were shame and culpability, isolation and social exclusion, including maltreatment from family members.

Conclusions

Identifying the stigma experienced by patients owing to BUD helps in the provision of psychosocial management services and support for patients.
Killing Protests with Kindness: Anti-China Protests and China's Public Diplomacy
Authors: Yang Yujeong , Kim-Leffingwell Sanghoon , Shen Shuyuan , Gong Do Young
Published: November 2023

Anti-China protests have posed challenges to China's ambition to further expand its political and economic influence globally. How does Beijing respond to anti-China protests? And how do anti-China protests affect Beijing's use of public diplomatic resources? We address these questions by examining the effect of anti-China protests on China's public diplomatic engagement across low- and middle-income countries in Asia. We argue that anti-China protests lead to an increased level of non-financial public diplomatic engagement (e.g., elite visits) as well as financial engagement through foreign aid. We further argue that the effect of anti-China protests on increasing public diplomatic engagement is contingent on regime type. This is because China takes the anti-China message from autocracies more seriously given the higher political costs of participating in public protests in autocracies. Compared to democracies, autocracies are also in a better position to use anti-China protests as a means to signal their political constraints, compelling China to invest more public diplomatic resources for the countries.
Effects of hydrolyzed chicken liver on digestibility, fecal and urinary characteristics, and fecal metabolites of adult dogs
Authors: Pinto Caroline F D , Sezerotto Pamela P , Barcellos Jéssica F , Bortolo Marcelino , Guldenpfennig Ryan , Marx Fábio R , Trevizan Luciano
Published: November 2023

High-protein low-carbohydrate diets have been widely used for adult maintenance dogs, as well as in specific weight loss diets and maintenance programs. However, increasing dietary protein may increase undigested protein in the hindgut, modifying intestinal fermentation and fecal metabolite concentrations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of protein source and concentration on apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients, metabolizable energy (ME), fecal and urinary characteristics, and fecal metabolites of dogs. Twelve healthy adult dogs were distributed into six treatments (n = 6 per diet) in a balanced incomplete Latin square design consisting of three periods of 30 days each. Six diets, varying in protein source [poultry byproduct meal (PBPM) and hydrolyzed chicken liver powder (HCLP)] and concentration [24, 32, and 40% crude protein (CP) on dry matter (DM) basis] were tested: PBPM24 (PBPM based diet with 24% CP); PBPM32 (PBPM with 32% CP); PBPM40 (PBPM with 40% CP); HCLP24 (HCLP based diet with 24% CP); HCLP32 (HCLP with 32% CP); HCLP40 (HCLP with 40% CP). The ATTD of CP was greater in dogs-fed HCLP and higher protein concentrations diets (P < 0.05). However, dogs-fed HCLP diets had lower ATTD of fat and carbohydrates, and ME (P < 0.05). Similarly, high-protein diets reduced the ATTD of DM, OM, fat, carbohydrates, and energy (P < 0.05). High-protein diets increased the daily fecal output and moisture (P = 0.004 and P < 0.05, respectively), as well as the fecal score (P < 0.0001), verified as soft, moist stools, but still within the ideal range. Fecal valerate concentration was greater in dogs-fed PBPM at 32% CP (P = 0.007). Fecal isobutyrate tended to increase in dogs-fed PBPM and high-protein diets (P < 0.10). Also, dogs-fed PBPM and high-protein diets had greater fecal concentrations of isovalerate, branched-chain fatty acids (BCFA), and ammonia (P < 0.05). Finally, the fecal lactate concentration increased in dogs-fed HCLP and high-protein diets (P < 0.05). The HCLP increased the ATTD of CP, being a highly digestible protein. Although the inclusion of HCLP slightly increased fecal score and moisture, it decreased the amount of fecal metabolites of protein fermentation ammonia and BCFA, both of which are associated with proteolytic fermentation in the colon.
Managing insect and plant pathogen pests with organic and conventional pesticides in onions
Authors: Constancio Natalie , Higgins Douglas , Hausbeck Mary , Szendrei Zsofia
Published: November 2023

Onion thrips (Thrips tabaci Lindeman, Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is a significant insect pest of onions (Allium cepa L., Asparagales: Amaryllidaceae). In addition to feeding on onion foliage, they may spread plant pathogens. Currently, onion thrips and pathogens are managed as separate pests with insecticides and fungicides. It may be beneficial to manage these pests simultaneously as limiting onion thrips may reduce pathogen damage. We tested combinations of bio- and conventional pesticides in a season-long management program in Michigan onion fields. From 2020 to 2022, we counted onion thrips weekly and visually estimated plant foliage necrotic damage (%) in experimental plots each year. In 2020, we tested 6 treatment programs including: azadirachtin, spinosad, a copper-based fungicide, azadirachtin + copper-based fungicide, spinosad + copper-based fungicide, and untreated control. The thrips populations were not significantly reduced compared to the control, but necrotic damage was reduced significantly in spinosad-treated plots. In 2021, we tested a combination of 8 bio- and conventional pesticide programs. Compared to the control, the bioinsecticides did not reduce onion thrips populations, but the conventional pesticide programs reduced both onion thrips numbers and necrotic damage. In 2022, we tested only conventional insecticide programs but included 3 different action thresholds for initiation and applied them with or without a fungicide, for 8 treatments. All insecticide programs reduced onion thrips compared to the control, the action threshold did not impact thrips numbers significantly. Overall, the use of action thresholds can lead to fewer insecticide applications and a lower incidence of leaf damage.
Between science and art
Authors: Reeve Anna
Published: November 2023

Professor Irene Manton (1904–1988) was in the vanguard of technical advances in botany through the use of electron microscopy. As well as new techniques and discoveries communicated through a considerable body of scientific publications, she left behind a collection of antiquities spanning a broad range of cultures and dates. Through these objects, Manton investigated intellectual problems in the history of science and communicated her findings with a highly original and idiosyncratic approach. At first sight a disparate group of unprovenanced antiquities, through the lens of Manton’s archives this collection can be understood as a rich repository of material evidence. This critical examination of Manton’s collecting practices and the uses she made of her ancient objects provides new evidence for the variety of approaches to collecting and interpreting antiquities, spanning disciplinary boundaries, over the course of the twentieth century.
Political anger, affective injustice, and civic education
Authors: Zembylas Michalinos
Published: November 2023

This article analyses arguments and concerns about the emergence of feelings of anger amongst students, when issues of injustice are encountered in the study of the subject civic education. The aim is to determine the extent to which such concerns supply grounds for regulating anger as counterproductive. In particular, it is argued that to encourage students to forgo all feelings of anger that might be aroused by issues of injustice that students have encountered in civic education—in the name of positive psychology and students’ well-being—not only constitutes a form of ‘affective injustice’, but also unfairly asks students to engage in harmful emotion regulation that reproduces existing exclusions. A crucial task for civic education is to provide learning spaces in which teachers and students can explore the affective complexities of political anger and its consequences.
Theoretical study of inelastic processes in collisions of Y and Y+ with hydrogen atom
Authors: Wang Y , Alexeeva S , Wang F , Liu L , Wu Y , Wang J G , Zhao G , Yakovleva S A , Belyaev A K
Published: November 2023

Utilizing a simplified quantum model approach, the low-energy inelastic collision processes between yttrium atoms (ions) and hydrogen atoms have been studied. Rate coefficients corresponding to the mutual neutralization, ion-pair formation, excitation, and de-excitation processes for the above collision systems have been provided in the temperature range of 1000–10 000 K. Three ionic states and 73 covalent states are considered in calculations for the collisions of yttrium atoms with hydrogen atoms, which include six molecular symmetries and 4074 partial inelastic reaction processes. For the collisions of yttrium ions with hydrogen atoms, one ionic state and 116 covalent states are included, which are related to three molecular symmetries and 13 572 partial inelastic collision processes. It is found that the rate coefficients for the mutual neutralization process have a maximum at T = 6000 K, which is an order of magnitude higher than those of other processes. Notably, the positions of optimal windows for the collisions of yttrium atoms and ions with hydrogen atoms are found near electronic binding energy −2 eV (Y) and −4.4 eV (Y+), respectively. The scattering channels located in or near these optimal windows have intermediate-to-large rate coefficients (greater than 10−12 cm3 s−1). The reported data should be useful in the study of non-local thermodynamic equilibrium modelling.
On the existence of a tight planar relation between stellar specific angular momentum, mass, and effective surface brightness for ALFALFA galaxies
Authors: Elson E
Published: November 2023

Measurements of the dependence of stellar specific angular momentum (j*) on stellar mass (M*) are presented for large samples of galaxies from the Arecibo Legacy Fast ALFA (ALFALFA) survey, spanning the stellar mass range ∼108–1011 M⊙. Accurate estimates of j* are generated using measurements of I-band effective radius and velocity width of the H i line profile. While the full sample (N = 3607) of galaxies yields a j*–M* relation with power-law index α = 0.404 ± 0.03, it is shown that various subsamples have indices that are very similar to the best literature results, yet with comparatively lower intrinsic scatters. A galaxy’s mean I-band surface brightness within its effective radius (<μeff>) is shown to significantly correlate with j*–M* scatter. A 3D plane fit to all N = 3607 galaxies in log10j*–log10M*–<μeff> space yields j* ∝ M0.589 ± 0.002 <μeff>0.193 ± 0.002 with scatter σ = 0.089 dex. <μeff>-selected subsamples of size up to N = 1450 yield power-law j*–M* relations mostly consistent with α = 0.55 ± 0.02 from the literature and with intrinsic scatter ranging from 0.083 to 0.129 dex. Thus, this paper presents new, highly accurate measurements of the j*–M* relation that can be used to better understand the important roles played by angular momentum in the formation and evolution of galaxies.
Modelling solar coronal magnetic fields with physics-informed neural networks
Authors: Baty H , Vigon V
Published: November 2023

We present a novel numerical approach aiming at computing equilibria and dynamics structures of magnetized plasmas in coronal environments. A technique based on the use of neural networks that integrates the partial differential equations of the model, and called physics-informed neural networks (PINNs), is introduced. The functionality of PINNs is explored via calculation of different magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equilibrium configurations, and also obtention of exact two-dimensional steady-state magnetic reconnection solutions. Advantages and drawbacks of PINNs compared to traditional numerical codes are discussed in order to propose future improvements. Interestingly, PINNs is a meshfree method in which the obtained solution and associated different order derivatives are quasi-instantaneously generated at any point of the spatial domain. We believe that our results can help to pave the way for future developments of time dependent MHD codes based on PINNs.
Evolutionary “Crowdsourcing”: Alignment of Fitness Landscapes Allows for Cross-species Adaptation of a Horizontally Transferred Gene
Authors: Kosterlitz Olivia , Grassi Nathan , Werner Bailey , McGee Ryan Seamus , Top Eva M , Kerr Benjamin
Published: November 2023

Genes that undergo horizontal gene transfer (HGT) evolve in different genomic backgrounds. Despite the ubiquity of cross-species HGT, the effects of switching hosts on gene evolution remains understudied. Here, we present a framework to examine the evolutionary consequences of host-switching and apply this framework to an antibiotic resistance gene commonly found on conjugative plasmids. Specifically, we determined the adaptive landscape of this gene for a small set of mutationally connected genotypes in 3 enteric species. We uncovered that the landscape topographies were largely aligned with minimal host-dependent mutational effects. By simulating gene evolution over the experimentally gauged landscapes, we found that the adaptive evolution of the mobile gene in one species translated to adaptation in another. By simulating gene evolution over artificial landscapes, we found that sufficient alignment between landscapes ensures such “adaptive equivalency” across species. Thus, given adequate landscape alignment within a bacterial community, vehicles of HGT such as plasmids may enable a distributed form of genetic evolution across community members, where species can “crowdsource” adaptation.
Elevated MSH2 MSH3 expression interferes with DNA metabolism in vivo
Authors: Medina-Rivera Melisa , Phelps Samantha , Sridharan Madhumita , Becker Jordan , Lamb Natalie A , Kumar Charanya , Sutton Mark D , Bielinsky Anja , Balakrishnan Lata , Surtees Jennifer A
Published: November 2023

The Msh2–Msh3 mismatch repair (MMR) complex in Saccharomyces cerevisiae recognizes and directs repair of insertion/deletion loops (IDLs) up to ∼17 nucleotides. Msh2–Msh3 also recognizes and binds distinct looped and branched DNA structures with varying affinities, thereby contributing to genome stability outside post-replicative MMR through homologous recombination, double-strand break repair (DSBR) and the DNA damage response. In contrast, Msh2–Msh3 promotes genome instability through trinucleotide repeat (TNR) expansions, presumably by binding structures that form from single-stranded (ss) TNR sequences. We previously demonstrated that Msh2–Msh3 binding to 5′ ssDNA flap structures interfered with Rad27 (Fen1 in humans)-mediated Okazaki fragment maturation (OFM) in vitro. Here we demonstrate that elevated Msh2–Msh3 levels interfere with DNA replication and base excision repair in vivo. Elevated Msh2–Msh3 also induced a cell cycle arrest that was dependent on RAD9 and ELG1 and led to PCNA modification. These phenotypes also required Msh2–Msh3 ATPase activity and downstream MMR proteins, indicating an active mechanism that is not simply a result of Msh2–Msh3 DNA-binding activity. This study provides new mechanistic details regarding how excess Msh2–Msh3 can disrupt DNA replication and repair and highlights the role of Msh2–Msh3 protein abundance in Msh2–Msh3-mediated genomic instability.
RVdb: a comprehensive resource and analysis platform for rhinovirus research
Authors: Zhao Peng , Zhou Siyu , Xu Panpan , Su Haoxiang , Han Yelin , Dong Jie , Sui Hongtao , Li Xin , Hu Yongfeng , Wu Zhiqiang , Liu Bo , Zhang Ting , Yang Fan
Published: November 2023

Rhinovirus (RV), a prominent causative agent of both upper and lower respiratory diseases, ranks among the most prevalent human respiratory viruses. RV infections are associated with various illnesses, including colds, asthma exacerbations, croup and pneumonia, imposing significant and extended societal burdens. Characterized by a high mutation rate and genomic diversity, RV displays a diverse serological landscape, encompassing a total of 174 serotypes identified to date. Understanding RV genetic diversity is crucial for epidemiological surveillance and investigation of respiratory diseases. This study introduces a comprehensive and high-quality RV data resource, designated RVdb (http://rvdb.mgc.ac.cn), covering 26 909 currently identified RV strains, along with RV-related sequences, 3D protein structures and publications. Furthermore, this resource features a suite of web-based utilities optimized for easy browsing and searching, as well as automatic sequence annotation, multiple sequence alignment (MSA), phylogenetic tree construction, RVdb BLAST and a serotyping pipeline. Equipped with a user-friendly interface and integrated online bioinformatics tools, RVdb provides a convenient and powerful platform on which to analyse the genetic characteristics of RVs. Additionally, RVdb also supports the efforts of virologists and epidemiologists to monitor and trace both existing and emerging RV-related infectious conditions in a public health context.
ATR phosphorylates DHX9 at serine 321 to suppress R-loop accumulation upon genotoxic stress
Authors: Liu Mei-Yin , Lin Keng-Ru , Chien Yuh-Ling , Yang Bing-Ze , Tsui Li-Yu , Chu Hsueh-Ping Catherine , Wu Ching-Shyi Peter
Published: November 2023

Aberrant DNA/RNA hybrids (R-loops) formed during transcription and replication disturbances pose threats to genome stability. DHX9 is an RNA helicase involved in R-loop resolution, but how DHX9 is regulated in response to genotoxic stress remains unclear. Here we report that DHX9 is phosphorylated at S321 and S688, with S321 phosphorylation primarily induced by ATR after DNA damage. Phosphorylation of DHX9 at S321 promotes its interaction with γH2AX, BRCA1 and RPA, and is required for its association with R-loops under genotoxic stress. Inhibition of ATR or expression of the non-phosphorylatable DHX9S321A prevents DHX9 from interacting with RPA and R-loops, leading to the accumulation of stress-induced R-loops. Furthermore, depletion of RPA reduces the association between DHX9 and γH2AX, and in vitro binding analysis confirms a direct interaction between DHX9 and RPA. Notably, cells with the non-phosphorylatable DHX9S321A variant exhibit hypersensitivity to genotoxic stress, while those expressing the phosphomimetic DHX9S321D variant prevent R-loop accumulation and display resistance to DNA damage agents. In summary, we uncover a new mechanism by which ATR directly regulates DHX9 through phosphorylation to eliminate stress-induced R-loops.