bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrated borehole image and rotary sidewall core data to support infrastructure-led appraisal: Capercaillie Field, Central North Sea
Authors: Neal Adrian , James Andrea , Payne Dorothy , Ashton Michael , van den Beukel Niek , Storer David
Published: February 2023

Quad 29 in the Central North Sea is a focus for bp, with a strategy to identify remaining hydrocarbon accumulations to tieback to existing infrastructure. Capercaillie was appraised in 2017 with well 29/04e-5 and sidetrack 29/04e-5z. A gas cap and thin oil rim were intersected within the siliciclastic Paleocene–Eocene Sele Formation. The reservoir sandstones were deposited in a deep marine setting by sediment-gravity flow processes. Within the context of a relatively detailed knowledge of the surrounding area, the reservoir data-operational risk-cost balance was addressed through acquisition of a full wireline logging suite, pressure data, latest-generation microresistivity images and targeted large-volume rotary sidewall cores (RSWCs), with the latter two favoured over whole core.

Mature deepwater descriptive schemes were applied at the sidewall core (lithotype), bed (borehole image facies) and bed-stack (depositional package) scales. This hierarchical approach provided robust sedimentological data to underpin higher-order depositional models, which together were used as a framework to (1) constrain the reservoirs’ mineralogical and textural attributes, (2) establish the main controls on rock quality and (3) explain the resulting variations in porosity and permeability.

This study demonstrates that the careful integration of data derived from the latest borehole imaging tools and large-volume RSWCs can be a successful means of characterizing reservoirs from a sedimentological, reservoir quality and reservoir architecture perspective in mature basins. Similar approaches to geological reservoir characterization in such settings are likely to be a common cornerstone of cost-effective development during the energy transition.
Recent Advancements in Electroporation Technologies: From Bench to Clinic
Authors: Campelo Sabrina N. , Huang Po-Hsun , Buie Cullen R. , Davalos Rafael V.
Published: February 2023

Over the past decade, the increased adoption of electroporation-based technologies has led to an expansion of clinical research initiatives. Electroporation has been utilized in molecular biology for mammalian and bacterial transfection; for food sanitation; and in therapeutic settings to increase drug uptake, for gene therapy, and to eliminate cancerous tissues. We begin this article by discussing the biophysics required for understanding the concepts behind the cell permeation phenomenon that is electroporation. We then review nano- and microscale single-cell electroporation technologies before scaling up to emerging in vivo applications.
Predictive Models for Health Deterioration: Understanding Disease Pathways for Personalized Medicine
Authors: Eskofier Bjoern M. , Klucken Jochen
Published: February 2023

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) methods are currently widely employed in medicine and healthcare. A PubMed search returns more than 100,000 articles on these topics published between 2018 and 2022 alone. Notwithstanding several recent reviews in various subfields of AI and ML in medicine, we have yet to see a comprehensive review around the methods’ use in longitudinal analysis and prediction of an individual patient's health status within a personalized disease pathway. This review seeks to fill that gap. After an overview of the AI and ML methods employed in this field and of specific medical applications of models of this type, the review discusses the strengths and limitations of current studies and looks ahead to future strands of research in this field. We aim to enable interested readers to gain a detailed impression of the research currently available and accordingly plan future work around predictive models for deterioration in health status.
Theoretical and Practical Aspects of Multienzyme Organization and Encapsulation
Authors: Abrahamson Charlotte H. , Palmero Brett J. , Kennedy Nolan W. , Tullman-Ercek Danielle
Published: February 2023

The advent of biotechnology has enabled metabolic engineers to assemble heterologous pathways in cells to produce a variety of products of industrial relevance, often in a sustainable way. However, many pathways face challenges of low product yield. These pathways often suffer from issues that are difficult to optimize, such as low pathway flux and off-target pathway consumption of intermediates. These issues are exacerbated by the need to balance pathway flux with the health of the cell, particularly when a toxic intermediate builds up. Nature faces similar challenges and has evolved spatial organization strategies to increase metabolic pathway flux and efficiency. Inspired by these strategies, bioengineers have developed clever strategies to mimic spatial organization in nature. This review explores the use of spatial organization strategies, including protein scaffolding and protein encapsulation inside of proteinaceous shells, toward overcoming bottlenecks in metabolic engineering efforts.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Refugees
Authors: Bryant Richard A. , Nickerson Angela , Morina Naser , Liddell Belinda
Published: February 2023

The number of refugees and internally displaced people in 2022 is the largest since World War II, and meta-analyses demonstrate that these people experience elevated rates of mental health problems. This review focuses on the role of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in refugee mental health and includes current knowledge of the prevalence of PTSD, risk factors, and apparent differences that exist between PTSD in refugee populations and PTSD in other populations. An emerging literature on understanding mechanisms of PTSD encompasses neural, cognitive, and social processes, which indicate that these factors may not function exactly as they have functioned previously in other PTSD populations. This review recognizes the numerous debates in the literature on PTSD in refugees, including those on such issues as the conceptualization of mental health and the applicability of the PTSD diagnosis across cultures, as well as the challenge of treating PTSD in low- and middle-income countries that lack mental health resources to offer standard PTSD treatments.
Ductile Deformation of the Lithospheric Mantle
Authors: Warren Jessica M. , Hansen Lars N.
Published: February 2023

The strength of lithospheric plates is a central component of plate tectonics, governed by brittle processes in the shallow portion of the plate and ductile behavior in the deeper portion. We review experimental constraints on ductile deformation of olivine, the main mineral in the upper mantle and thus the lithosphere. Olivine deforms by four major mechanisms: low-temperature plasticity, dislocation creep, dislocation-accommodated grain-boundary sliding (GBS), and diffusion-accommodated grain-boundary sliding (diffusion creep). Deformation in most of the lithosphere is dominated by GBS, except in shear zones—in which diffusion creep dominates—and in the brittle-ductile transition—in which low-temperature plasticity may dominate. We find that observations from naturally deformed rocks are consistent with extrapolation of the experimentally constrained olivine flow laws to geological conditions but that geophysical observations predict a weaker lithosphere. The causes of this discrepancy are unresolved but likely reside in the uncertainty surrounding processes in the brittle-ductile transition, at which the lithosphere is strongest.
▪Ductile deformation of the lithospheric mantle is constrained by experimental data for olivine.▪Olivine deforms by four major mechanisms: low-temperature plasticity, dislocation creep, dislocation-accommodated grain-boundary sliding, and diffusion creep.▪Observations of naturally deformed rocks are consistent with extrapolation of olivine flow laws from experimental conditions.▪Experiments predict stronger lithosphere than geophysical observations, likely due to gaps in constraints on deformation in the brittle-ductile transition.
The Organization of Social Enterprises
Authors: Gertner Robert H.
Published: February 2023

Growing interest in the role of business entities in addressing social problems highlights the potential of social enterprises—organizations that cover all or most of their costs through revenue-generating business and have an objective to address a societal problem. A social enterprise can be an efficient and effective way to create social value by internalizing externalities, exploiting complementarities with commercial activities, providing better prices or quality to disadvantaged customers, and reducing the need for scarce philanthropic support. The challenges of managing an organization for financial success and social impact may limit their potential. Social enterprises can be for-profit or nonprofit organizations. The legal and institutional structure of for-profit and nonprofit governance and financing makes it challenging for a social entrepreneur to find a business model and organization structure to succeed.
Circadian Rhythms and Astrocytes: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Authors: Hastings Michael H. , Brancaccio Marco , Gonzalez-Aponte Maria F. , Herzog Erik D.
Published: February 2023

This review explores the interface between circadian timekeeping and the regulation of brain function by astrocytes. Although astrocytes regulate neuronal activity across many time domains, their cell-autonomous circadian clocks exert a particular role in controlling longer-term oscillations of brain function: the maintenance of sleep states and the circadian ordering of sleep and wakefulness. This is most evident in the central circadian pacemaker, the suprachiasmatic nucleus, where the molecular clock of astrocytes suffices to drive daily cycles of neuronal activity and behavior. In Alzheimer's disease, sleep impairments accompany cognitive decline. In mouse models of the disease, circadian disturbances accelerate astroglial activation and other brain pathologies, suggesting that daily functions in astrocytes protect neuronal homeostasis. In brain cancer, treatment in the morning has been associated with prolonged survival, and gliomas have daily rhythms in gene expression and drug sensitivity. Thus, circadian time is fast becoming critical to elucidating reciprocal astrocytic-neuronal interactions in health and disease.
Stress Analysis of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Electrodes Using Functional Gradient Materials
Authors: Ma Shuai , Xue Dingxi , Li Qiangqiang , Zheng Jin , Feng Chongyang , Li Guojun
Published: February 2023

The differences in material properties of different components of solid oxide fuel cells cause high stresses during sintering and operation, functional gradient material electrodes are expected to alleviate this problem. In this study, electrodes with three different material compositions are compared with electrodes using conventional materials, and the residual and thermal stresses are calculated by applying functional gradient materials to single-sided and double-sided electrodes, respectively, and the results are analyzed with the optimization goal of minimizing the stresses to find the optimal functional gradient material composition distribution. The study shows that the functional gradient material electrode can significantly reduce the interfacial stress and alleviate the local stress concentration. When using functional gradient materials for one side of the electrode, a specific material component distribution can reduce the residual stress and thermal stress on the other side, but the stresses may increase on the local side of the electrode. The interfacial stress between layers can be reduced to a maximum of 0.1 MPa when a functional gradient material with a quadratic linear distribution of components is used for both sides of the electrodes. This study has implications for the fabrication of functional gradient materials for SOFC electrodes.
Lithiation and Delithiation Behavior of Porous Li-Cu Anode in Li-ion Battery Systems
Authors: Yang Seung Hoon , Choi Sanghyeon , Kim Ji-woong , Go Nak Gyu , Yoon Woo Young
Published: February 2023

Li-metal anodes exhibit the potential to increase the efficiencies of Li-ion battery systems. However, the commercialization of Li metal is hindered by several inherent challenges, such as the formation of inhomogeneous Li dendrites and considerable volume expansion during deposition and dissolution. Fabrication of 3D porous structures is a promising technique that resolves these problems, however, no attempts to replace graphite anodes with porous Li-Cu anodes in Li-ion secondary battery systems are reported. Moreover, the charging/discharging behaviors of porous Li-Cu anodes are not yet completely understood. In this study, the changes in a porous Li-Cu anode in a symmetric cell during lithiation and delithiation are investigated. The porous Li-Cu anode suppresses dendrite growth and volume changes via the filling and evacuation of the pores around the Li particles within and on the surface of the anode, and thus, the higher porosity results in a larger capacity. The Li-Cu anode displays a stable cyclability at 1 mA cm–2 with a capacity of 1 mA h cm–2 over 700 h. The porous Li-Cu anode exhibits promise in replacing graphite in Li-ion secondary battery systems.
Nicotine aerosols diminish airway CFTR function and mucociliary clearance
Authors: Rasmussen Lawrence W. , Stanford Denise , LaFontaine Jennifer , Allen Antonio Demarcus , Raju S. Vamsee
Published: February 2023

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) are often promoted as safe alternatives to smoking based on the faulty perception that inhaling nicotine is safe until other harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke are absent. Previously, others and we have reported that, similar to cigarette smoke, e-cig aerosols decrease CFTR-mediated ion transport across airway epithelium. However, it is unclear whether such defective epithelial ion transport by e-cig aerosols occurs in vivo and what the singular contribution of inhaled nicotine is to impairments in mucociliary clearance (MCC), the primary physiologic defense of the airways. Here, we tested the effects of nicotine aerosols from e-cigs in primary human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells and two animal models, rats and ferrets, known for their increasing physiologic complexity and potential for clinical translation, followed by in vitro and in vivo electrophysiologic assays for CFTR activity and micro-optical coherence tomography (μOCT) image analyses for alterations in airway mucus physiology. Data presented in this report indicate nicotine in e-cig aerosols causes 1) reduced CFTR and epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC)-mediated ion transport, 2) delayed MCC, and 3) diminished airway surface hydration, as determined by periciliary liquid depth analysis. Interestingly, the common e-cig vehicles vegetable glycerin and propylene glycol did not affect CFTR function or MCC in vivo despite their significant adverse effects in vitro. Overall, our studies contribute to an improved understanding of inhaled nicotine effects on lung health among e-cig users and inform pathologic mechanisms involved in altered host defense and increased risk for tobacco-associated lung diseases.
Detection and Characterization of Goose Astrovirus Infections in Hatcheries and Commercial Goose Flocks
Authors: Ren Zhihao , Zhang Qingshui , Li Jinxin , Yu Ziding , Fu Guanghua , Liu Rongchang , Huang Yu , Su Jingliang
Published: February 2023

Goose astrovirus (GoAstV) has frequently been isolated in China since it was first identified as the etiological agent of visceral gout in goslings in 2017. However, the actual prevalence of GoAstV infection and its economic impact on commercial goose production remain poorly characterized. Here, virus detection and serological testing were conducted to determine the extent of GoAstV infection in commercial goose flocks. We detected GoAstV RNA in 2% (6/300) of dead-in-shell embryos and day-old hatched goslings by RT-PCR, indicating vertical transmission under natural conditions. Using a virus neutralization test, GoAstV antibodies were detected in 41.7%–61.1% of serum samples from four commercial goose flocks, indicating that infections were common. To determine the virus types circulating in the commercial flocks, we isolated 15 GoAstVs from goose tissue samples from farms located in five provinces during 2018–2022. Genomic sequence analysis showed that all sequences were corresponded to GoAstV group 2 (GoAstV-2) but were assigned into three capsid subgroups based on sequence variations in the capsid protein. Representative isolates of capsid subgroups were also antigenically evaluated using cross-neutralization tests in LMH cell cultures. The antigenic relatedness values (R) calculated using the Horsfall formula were between 62% and 86%, indicating that no significant antigenic differences exist between the isolates. Our findings indicate that GoAstV-2 viruses are an important cause of fatal gout in goose flocks, as well as hatchery contamination in China.
Application Potential of Luteolin in the Treatment of Viral Pneumonia
Authors: Li Wei-Feng , Wang Xuan , Wang Tian-Han , Ding Ya-Li , Wang Meng-Xi , Tao Jia-Lei , Yuan Bin
Published: February 2023

Aim of the Review. This study aims to summarize the therapeutic effect of luteolin on the pathogenesis of viral pneumonia, explore its absorption and metabolism in the human body, evaluate the possibility of luteolin as a drug to treat viral pneumonia, and provide a reference for future research. Materials and Methods. We searched MEDLINE/PubMed, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Google Scholar and collected research on luteolin in the treatment of viral pneumonia and related diseases since 2003. Then, we summarized the efficacy and potential of luteolin in directly inhibiting viral activity, limiting inflammatory storms, reducing pulmonary inflammation, and treating pneumonia complications. Results and Conclusion. Luteolin has the potential to treat viral pneumonia in multiple ways. Luteolin has a direct inhibitory effect on coronavirus, influenza virus, and respiratory syncytial virus. Luteolin can alleviate the inflammatory factor storm induced by multiple factors by inhibiting the function of macrophages or mast cells. Luteolin can reduce pulmonary inflammation, pulmonary edema, or pulmonary fibrosis induced by multiple factors. In addition, viral pneumonia may cause multisystem complications, while luteolin has extensive protective effects on the gastrointestinal system, cardiovascular system, and nervous system. However, due to the first-pass metabolism mediated by phase II enzymes, the bioavailability of oral luteolin is low. The bioavailability of luteolin can be improved, and its potential value can be further developed by changing the dosage form or route of administration.
Long-Term Survival of More than 5 Years with Maintenance Therapy Using Single-Agent Pemetrexed in a Patient with Diffuse Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Authors: Otsuka Yasuo , Komeda Yoriaki , Takeda Masayuki , Takahama Takayuki , Kono Masashi , Takenaka Mamoru , Hagiwara Satoru , Nishida Naoshi , Kashida Hiroshi , Kudo Masatoshi
Published: February 2023

A 76-year-old woman presented with lower abdominal pain and nausea and was referred to the gastroenterology department in our institution. Previous contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CE-CT) for follow-up after breast cancer surgery had indicated a soft tissue mass below the right diaphragm, which was considered a benign change. CE-CT performed at the first visit to our department revealed further thickening of the soft tissue mass with extension to the liver surface. In addition, ascites and nodules were observed in the abdominal cavity. Histopathological examination of a biopsy specimen revealed peritoneal invasion of atypical epithelioid cells with trabecular and glandular patterns. The tumor cells were positive for AE1/AE2, calretinin, WT-1, D2-40, HEG1, EMA, BAP1, and MTAP and negative for carcinoembryonic antigen, MOC-31, Ber-Ep4, ER, PgR, TTF-1, claudin 4, and desmin. A diagnosis of epithelioid mesothelioma was made. The patient received chemotherapy with cisplatin (75 mg/m2) and pemetrexed (500 mg/m2). After six courses of combined chemotherapy, pemetrexed was administered as a single agent. At the time of writing this report, she was undergoing over the 30th course of chemotherapy without any significant side effects. Diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare, fatal, and progressive disease. Our patient achieved long-term survival of more than 5 years with maintenance therapy using single-agent pemetrexed.
Re-Emergence of BTV-4 in Sheep Farms in Kosovo, 2020: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Celina Seyma S. , King Simon , Ashby Martin , Harris Katie , Polo Noemi , Alishani Mentor , Robaj Avni , Hamidi Afrim , Sylejmani Driton , Batten Carrie , Černý Jiří
Published: February 2023

Kosovo has previously seen two bluetongue (BT) epizootics, each caused by a different serotype, BTV-9 in 2001 and BTV-4 in 2014. Since 2014, no clinical cases of BT have been reported in Kosovo. In September, 2020, clinical signs suggestive of BTV infection were observed in several sheep farms in Kosovo. Blood samples from sheep (n = 40) were collected and subjected to further molecular investigations. Molecular analyses confirmed BTV serotype 4 (BTV-4) infection in thirty-six sheep from five different farms across two different regions. Full genome sequence analyses indicated that the BTV-4 strains (KOS2020/01 and KOS2020/02) detected in Kosovo in 2020 had high sequence identity (99.9%-100%) with a strain responsible for an outbreak in North Macedonia in July, 2020, (MKD2020/06) and with previous isolates (≥99.3%) from Greece, Hungary, and France. The percent nucleotide sequence (nt%) identity and phylogenetic analyses suggest that the incursion of BTV-4 into Kosovo was a re-emergence of a previously seen strain and not a novel reassortant. This could be due to a reintroduction of the strain into the region or from subclinical circulation which had been ongoing and underreported for years. Surveillance across Kosovo and the Balkan region to monitor the circulation of BTV is crucial if outbreaks are to be brought under control.
Prolonged Intractable Hiccups Associated with HSV (I&II) Esophagitis and H. pylori Gastritis
Authors: Hopkins Christina , Bansari Asha , Ladna Michael , Dideban Bahram
Published: February 2023

An immunocompetent male presented with an intractable hiccup. EGD revealed circumferential ulceration of middistal esophagus and biopsies confirmed HSV (I&II) esophagitis and H. pylori gastritis. He was prescribed triple therapy for H. pylori and acyclovir for HSV esophagitis. HSV esophagitis and H. pylori should be included in differential for intractable hiccups.
Molecular and Serological Identification of Pathogenic Leptospira in Local and Imported Cattle from Lebanon
Authors: Harran Elena , Abi Rizk Alain , Angelloz-Pessey Sophie , Groud Karine , Lattard Virginie , Hilan Christo , Ayral Florence
Published: February 2023

Leptospirosis is a worldwide bacterial zoonosis for which the risk increases in warm and wet climates. Despite the suitability of the local climate for the bacteria’s persistence, Lebanon lacks a formal system of prophylaxis for the prevention of Leptospira infection in both humans and animals, and the disease’s epidemiology is unknown so far. As a preliminary step, we focused on Leptospira infection in cattle, which is of public health and economic concern. We conducted a descriptive study in cattle from the governorate of Mount Lebanon (ML) and in imported cattle. A total of 187 blood and 135 serum samples were provided. Among the 187 blood samples, 135 were from randomly selected animals from 14 herds, while the remaining 52 were from imported livestock. Serum specimens (n = 135) were obtained exclusively from cattle in the ML governorate. DNA was extracted from all blood samples and subjected to real-time PCR targeting 16S rRNA. All Leptospira-positive DNA samples were then amplified using conventional PCR (cPCR), and Leptospira species were identified via Sanger sequencing. A microscopic agglutination test (MAT) was performed on the 135 serum samples from local cattle. The real-time PCR revealed Leptospira infection in 7 of 135 local animals and 1 of 52 imported animals. DNA from six of the seven local animals and the one imported animal were amplified by cPCR and successfully sequenced, identifying the pathogen as the species L. kirschneri. Seven animals located in five out of the 14 tested herds had MAT titers ≥1 : 100. Serogroup Grippotyphosa was predominant. This is the first study to provide epidemiological data on bovine Leptospira infection in Lebanon. Pathogenic Leptospira species and serogroups were identified in both local and imported cattle. These findings highlight the cattle associated risk of Leptospira infection in Lebanon, in the contexts of farming and trade. Summary. Leptospirosis is a severe zoonotic disease that can have critical consequences for people and animals. Within the country of Lebanon, this disease has been reported, but its epidemiology is unknown so far. The present study thus provides the first description of the existence of Leptospira in cattle in Lebanon (local and imported). It also highlights the existence of different pathogenic serogroups of Leptospira in local cattle. Our results should raise public health awareness of the threat posed by this underdiagnosed disease and serve as a starting point for control efforts in Lebanon.
Prediction of Secondary Metabolites Content of Laurel (Laurus nobilis L.) with Artificial Neural Networks Based on Different Temperatures and Storage times
Authors: Karaca Öner Emel , Yeşil Meryem , Odabas Mehmet Serhat
Published: February 2023

Bay laurel leaves, also known as bay leaves, are an important herb in many cuisines around the world. In addition to their use in cooking, bay leaves have also been used for their medicinal properties and are thought to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) device was used to determine the secondary metabolites in the essential oil of bay laurel leaves samples kept at different temperatures (−22, −20, −18, 2, 4, 6, and 22°C) and storage times (1, 2, and 3 months). In this research, temperature (°C) and storage time (month) were used as input parameters in the neural network. On the other hand, alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, sabinene, 1.8-cineole, gamma-terpinene, cymenol, linalool, borneol, 4-terpineol, caryophyllene, sabinene, alpha-terpineol, germacrene-D, alpha-selinene, methyl eugenol, caryophyllene oxide, spathulenol, eugenol, and beta-selinenol were used as an output parameter. Considering the R2 values obtained from the artificial neural network analysis, R2 values of 0.97156 for the test, 0.98978 for the training, 0.98998 for the validation value, and 0.98831 for all values were obtained.
Analysis of Oscillations during Out-of-Step Condition in Power Systems
Authors: Alnassar Zainab , Nagarajan S. T.
Published: February 2023

Power systems interconnected by weak tie lines can be subject to low-frequency oscillations because of disturbances which excites the low-frequency modes of the system; furthermore, these oscillations can be stable or unstable. The latter, if not treated, can cause severe oscillations that divide the network into smaller groups which oscillate against each other, leading to out-of-step (OOS) condition in the network. The detection of OOS condition is a challenge for power system operators in real time as it is difficult with conventional measuring instruments, to identify the instant at which the bus voltage angle between two areas connected by tie line falls out of synchronism. Conventionally, the detection of OOS condition has been carried out with impedance-based relays along with power swing blocking. With the advent of synchrophasor-based measurement units, it is now possible to measure the bus voltage angle in real time leading to direct detection of OOS condition in power system and intentional islanding. In this article, a systematic analytical study and EMT time-domain simulation study have been performed to simulate OOS condition in the power systems, and its detection is based on the voltage angle difference with wide-area measurement systems (WAMSs). The article has been carried out on a single machine infinite bus (SMIB) to monitor generator OOS, Kundur’s two-area system to detect interarea OOS, and the IEEE39 bus system to identify OOS condition and with a new algorithm. Time-domain simulation studies carried out with OPAL-RT real-time simulator in HYPERSIM environment corroborates with analytical results.
Antisynchronization and Generalized Pinning Control of Multiweighted Coupled Complex-Valued Delayed Memristive Neural Networks
Authors: Su Limei , Huang Yanli
Published: February 2023

In this article, antisynchronization problem of multiweighted coupled complex-valued delayed memristive neural networks (MWCCVDMNNs) with and without coupling delays are investigated. First, via devising a suitable controller and constructing an appropriate Lyapunov functional, a criterion for ensuring antisynchronization of MWCCVDMNNs is derived. Second, we research the generalized pinning antisynchronization of MWCCVDMNNs by creating a generalized pinning controller to guarantee that the considered networks can accomplish antisynchronization. Similarly, several sufficient conditions guaranteeing the antisynchronization and generalized pinning antisynchronization of MWCCVDMNNs with coupling delays are also presented. Third, two numerical examples are provided to verify the correctness of the obtained antisynchronization results.
Chemical Profiles and In Vitro Cholinesterase Inhibitory Activities of the Flower Extracts of Cassia spectabilis
Authors: Suciati  , Laili Erlinda R. , Ekasari Wiwied , Kuatman  , Nuengchamnong Nitra , Suphrom Nungruthai
Published: February 2023

Background. Cassia spectabilis is a flowering plant containing various metabolites that provide potential for pharmacological activities. The current study aimed to investigate the ethanolic and water extracts of C. spectabilis as cholinesterase inhibitor as one of the target treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. The chemical composition of the extracts was also studied to determine which components are responsible for the bioactivity. Methods. The cholinesterase inhibitory activity assay was carried out by the modified Ellman’s method against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). LC-MS/MS analysis was carried out to investigate the chemical profiles of the extracts, followed by a molecular networking study by GNPS. Results. Both extracts showed inhibition against AChE and BChE in a dose-dependent manner, with the higher potency exhibited by the ethanolic extract with IC50 values of 7.88 and 3.78 μg/mL. The chemical analysis and molecular networking study of the flower extracts revealed similarity between the ethanolic and water extracts. Piperidine alkaloids were identified in both extracts, while the sphingolipid compounds were found in the ethanolic extract. Conclusion. The water and ethanolic extracts of C. spectabilis flowers displayed potency for Alzheimer’s disease treatment. The presence of piperidine alkaloids in the extract may be responsible for the cholinesterase inhibitory activity. The higher potency of the ethanolic extract compared to the water extract is possibly due to the higher amount of piperidine alkaloids in the ethanolic extract. Further study is needed to quantify the concentration of alkaloids in the extracts.
Authentic Leadership and Psychological Well-Being of Nurses: A Mediated Moderation Model
Authors: Teo Stephen , Lux Andrei , Pick David
Published: February 2023

Aims. This study investigates how authentic leadership influences the psychological well-being of Australian nurses. We examined whether authentic leadership could reduce the prevalence of workplace incivility and tested whether shared values and person-organization (P-O) fit could moderate the relationship between workplace incivility and psychological well-being (PWB). A mediated moderation model underpinned by social learning theory was developed to test the influence of authentic leadership on PWB. Design. We adopted a descriptive correlational research design to test the hypothesized model with a cross-sectional sample of Australian nurses using an online survey. Data were collected across two-waves separated by a six-month interval (N = 230, response rate = 38.3%) to minimize the potential effects of common source bias. The hypotheses were tested using Hayes Process Macro (Model 14) on IBM SPSS. Results. The hypothesized model had good fit indices and supported the mediated moderation model. There was no support for the direct association between authentic leadership and PWB. The supervisor authentic leadership behavior was negatively associated with workplace incivility and PWB. The association between incivility and PWB was positively associated with P-O fit. Nurses with high P-O fit reacted strongly to the positive effect of authentic leadership in reducing workplace incivility, such that they experienced higher levels of PWB. Conclusion. Authentic leadership behavior is important in the healthcare workplace. It reduces workplace incivility and improves PWB for nurses with high levels of congruence. Implications: our study suggests that senior management should deploy strategies through which frontline supervisors can learn and enact authentic leadership behaviors. They will then be better equipped to improve the PWB of their followers by minimizing the prevalence of workplace incivility. Impact: the study found a significant indirect relationship between authentic leadership behavior and psychological well-being, as mediated by workplace incivility and moderated by person-organization fit. The findings highlight the importance of positive leadership behaviors on the well-being outcomes of nurses in Australia.
Secure and Efficient Smart Healthcare System Based on Federated Learning
Authors: Liu Wei , Zhang Yinghui , Han Gang , Cao Jin , Cui Hui , Zheng Dong
Published: February 2023

The rapid development of smart healthcare system in the Internet of Things (IoT) has made the early detection of many chronic diseases more convenient, quick, and economical. However, when healthcare organizations collect users’ health data through deployed IoT devices, there are issues of compromising users’ privacy. In view of this situation, this paper introduces federated learning technology to solve the problem of data security. In this paper, we consider the two main problems of federated learning applications in IoT smart healthcare system: (1) how to reduce the time overhead of system running and (2) how to authenticate that the user device uploading data is deployed by the system itself. To solve the above problems, we propose the first federated learning scheme based on full dynamic secret sharing. First, we use a two‐mask protocol to keep the user’s local model parameters confidential during federated learning. Then, based on homogeneous linear recursive equation, homomorphic hash function, and elliptic curve cryptosystem, the full dynamic secret sharing and user identity authentication are realized. In addition, our scheme allows users to join or quit during training. Finally, we have carried out simulation test on this scheme. The experimental results show that the efficiency of our scheme is improved by about 60% on average in the case of no user dropping and by about 30% in the case of some users dropping.
Mass Cytometry Reveals the Imbalanced Immune State in the Peripheral Blood of Patients with Essential Hypertension
Authors: Yang Rui , He Yuhong , Zhang Honggang , Zhang Qiuju , Li Bingwei , Xiong Changming , Zou Yubao , Liu Bingyang
Published: February 2023

Mounting evidence has confirmed that essential hypertension (EH) is closely related to low-grade inflammation, but there is still a lack of in-depth understanding of the state of immune cells in the circulating blood of patients with EH. We analyzed whether hypertensive peripheral blood immune cell balance was destroyed. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of all subjects were analyzed using time-of-flight cytometry (CyTOF) based on 42 kinds of metal-binding antibodies. CD45+ cells were categorized into 32 kinds of subsets. Compared with the health control (HC) group, the percentage of total dendritic cells, two kinds of myeloid dendritic cell subsets, one intermediate/nonclassical monocyte subset and one CD4+ central memory T cell subset in the EH group, was significantly higher; the percentage of low-density neutrophils, four kinds of classical monocyte subsets, one CD14lowCD16- monocyte subset, one naive CD4+ and one naive CD8+ T cell subsets, one CD4+ effector and one CD4+ central memory T cell subsets, one CD8+ effector memory T cell subset, and one terminally differentiated γδ T cell subset, decreased significantly in EH. What is more, the expression of many important antigens was enhanced in CD45+ immune cells, granulocytes, and B cells in patients with EH. In conclusion, the altered number and antigen expression of immune cells reflect the imbalanced immune state of the peripheral blood in patients with EH.
Choroidal Vascularity Index versus Choroidal Thickness as Biomarkers of Acute Central Serous Chorioretinopathy
Authors: Ruiz-Moreno José M. , Gutiérrez-Bonet Rosa , Chandra Ashay , Vupparaboina Kiran Kumar , Chhablani Jay , Ruiz-Medrano Jorge
Published: February 2023

Introduction: The aim of this study was to analyze the choroidal vascularity index (CVI) versus choroidal thickness (CT) as biomarkers in acute central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR). Methods: In this multicenter retrospective, cross-sectional, noninterventional study carried out at Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda University Hospital, Madrid, Spain; Jules-Gonin, Lausanne, Switzerland; and Pittsburg University, USA. 40 eyes from 40 patients with acute CSCR, 40 eyes from 40 patients with keratoconus (KC), and 40 eyes from 40 healthy patients were included. The variables analyzed were age, CT, CVI, and the presence of neurosensory retinal detachment. CT and the CVI were obtained from a 12-mm horizontal single-line B-scan (Triton SS-OCT, Topcon Co., Japan). Blinded measurements of the subfoveal CT were performed manually by two independent investigators. The images of the choroid were automatically binarized using a validated algorithm, and a percentage of vascularity was calculated. Results: There were no significant differences in age between the three groups (ANOVA, p = 0.092). There were statistically significant differences in CT and the CVI (ANOVA, p < 0.001). After Bonferroni correction, pairwise analysis between CSCR group against the KC group showed no significant differences in age and CT (p = 0.10 and p = 0.27, respectively). CVI was statistically greater among CSCR patients (p = 0.03). Conclusion: CT does not meet the criteria to be considered a biomarker of acute CSCR, while CVI may prove to be a more specific and reliable biomarker. Further studies with larger sample sizes, standardized procedures, and a wider representation of all CSCR stages are necessary to confirm the validity of CVI as biomarker in this disease. Further studies with larger samples are required in order to validate the use of CVI/CT correlation as a new biomarker.
New and little-known genera and species of Agraeciini (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Conocephalinae) from New Guinea
Authors: INGRISCH SIGFRID
Published: February 2023

Two formerly monotypic subgenera of Scytocera Redtenbacher, 1891, namely Morocera Gorochov, 2016 stat. nov. and Papucera Gorochov, 2016 stat. nov. are raised to full genus status. The first male of Morocera loriae (Griffini, 1908) and two new species of this genus are described: M. nigrifrons sp. nov. and M. peniculosa sp. nov. In the genus Papucera, formerly only known from P. smaragdifrons Naskrecki & Rentz (2010), P. dentata sp. nov. is described as new species. Four new genera are proposed to accommodate species with unique characters, namely Cuspicera gen. nov. for two species, C. luxoria spec. nov. (typus generis) and C. alata sp. nov., Kaindiagraecia gen. nov. for K. bilobata sp. nov., Glennagraecia gen. nov. for G. curvata sp. nov. and Angustocera gen. nov. for A. plana sp. nov. All data are based on specimens found in historical museum collections in Europe and North America.
Historical Climate Trends over High Mountain Asia Derived from ERA5 Reanalysis Data
Authors: Khanal S. , Tiwari S. , Lutz A. F. , Hurk B. V. D. , Immerzeel W. W.
Published: February 2023

The climate of High Mountain Asia (HMA) has changed in recent decades. While the temperature is consistently increasing at a higher rate than the global warming rate, precipitation changes are inconsistent, with substantial temporal and spatial variation. Climate warming will have enormous consequences for hydroclimatic extremes. For the higher altitudes of the HMA, which are a significant source of water for the large rivers in Asia, often trends are calculated using a limited number of in situ observations mainly observed in valleys. This study explores the changes in mean, extreme, and compound-extreme climate variables and their seasonality along the full altitudinal range in HMA using daily ERA5 reanalysis data (1979–2018). Our results show that winter warming and summer wetting dominate the interior part of HMA. The results indicate a coherent significant increasing trend in the occurrence of heatwaves across all regions in HMA. The number of days with heavy precipitation shows more significant trends in southern and eastern basins than in other areas of HMA. The dry period occurrence shows a distinct demarcation between lower- and higher-altitude regions and is increasing for most basins. Although precipitation and temperature show variable tendencies, their compound occurrence is coherent in the monsoon-dominated basins. These changes in indicators of climatic extremes may imply substantial increases in the future occurrence of hazards such as floods, landslides, and droughts, which in turn impact economic production and infrastructure.
Subseasonal Ensemble Prediction of Flash Droughts over China
Authors: Ma Ruxuan , Yuan Xing
Published: February 2023

Flash droughts have been occurring frequently worldwide, which has a serious impact on food and water security. The rapid onset of flash droughts presents a challenge to the subseasonal forecast, but there is limited knowledge about their forecast skills due to the lack of appropriate identification and assessment procedures. Here, we investigate the forecast skill of flash droughts over China with lead times up to 3 weeks by using hindcast datasets from the Subseasonal-to-Seasonal Prediction (S2S) project. The flash droughts are identified by using weekly soil moisture percentiles from two S2S forecast models (ECMWF and NCEP). The comparison with reanalysis shows that ECMWF and NCEP forecast models underestimate flash drought occurrence by 5% and 19% for lead 1 week. The national mean hit rates for flash droughts are 0.22 and 0.16 for ECMWF and NCEP models for lead 1 week, and they can reach 0.29 and 0.18 over South China. The ensemble of the two models increases equitable threat score (ETS) from ECMWF and NCEP models by 8% and 40% for lead 1 week. In terms of probabilistic forecast, ECMWF has a higher Brier skill score than NCEP, especially over eastern China, which is consistent with higher temperature and precipitation forecast skill. The multimodel ensemble has the highest Brier skill score. This study suggests the importance of multimodel ensemble flash drought forecasting.

Significance Statement

Flash droughts have raised considerable concern, but whether they can be predicted at subseasonal time scales remains unclear. This study evaluates forecast skill of flash droughts over China based on ECMWF and NCEP hindcast data. Focusing on the historical flash drought events identified by the onset speed and duration, it is found that the ECMWF model outperformed the NCEP model with higher hit rates, lower false alarm ratios, and higher equitable threat scores, especially during the first week. However, less than 30% of the drought events can be captured in most regions by both models. An ensemble of the two models showed skill improvement against the ECMWF model for both deterministic and probabilistic forecasts.
Examining reasons for victim retraction in domestic violence and abuse: A qualitative analysis of police retraction statements in the United Kingdom
Authors: Hopkins Anna
Published: February 2023

Understanding the factors that influence domestic violence and abuse (DVA) victims to withdraw from the Criminal Justice System globally continues to be a key focus for professionals and academics working within this area. There is a dearth of extant literature examining the motivations behind victim withdrawal, particularly retraction occurring post provision of an initial statement. This paper examines the phenomenon of retraction, by thematically analysing N = 60 police retraction statements (PRS) collected by police officers in a large suburban police force in the North West of England. In examining these statements, insight can also be garnered from those victims still in an active relationship with their abusers. Findings highlight female victims’ motivations for retraction and are framed around victim problem solving including: a) accepting the relationship which resulted in a discordance in proceeding with the prosecution of the abuser b) rejecting the relationship thereby rendering the prosecution as redundant c) engaging in procedural problem solving where alternative measures such as civil actions were sought to substitute a CJS prosecution and d) the effect of children where motivations were split between retracting to return to the complete family unit including the victim as the mother and retracting due to recognising the importance of the father’s role without involvement from the mother. Notwithstanding limitations, this paper demonstrates that there is significant value in conducting an analysis of PRSs in furthering the understanding of why victims choose to retract at this point in their prosecution journey. The extracts from this dataset add insight and understanding into DVA female victim motivations to retract post-initial statement provision and highlight the differences within victim populations who retract their original statement.
The Black Unicorn Effect: Micro-daily Events and Satisfaction Decrease the COVID-19 Xenophobia, but Only for Those With Low Levels of Neuroticism
Authors: Junça-Silva Ana , Vilela Cristiana
Published: February 2023

Drawing on the behavioral concordance model and the trait activation theory, this study examined how and when daily micro-events influence COVID-19 xenophobic attitudes. First, we examined the mediating role of satisfaction, and then, tested the moderating role of neuroticism in the mediated relationship. Overall, 340 working adults volunteered to participate in this study. The findings revealed that (1) satisfaction mediated the negative relationship between daily micro-events and xenophobic attitudes and (2) neuroticism moderated this relationship such that xenophobic attitudes increased for neurotic individuals, even when their satisfaction increased. Our findings contribute to understanding the relationship between daily micro-events and COVID-19 xenophobia and provide empirical evidence for the combined effects of personality factors and affective factors on xenophobic attitudes. Furthermore, we evidence the existence of the black unicorn effect, that is, neurotic individuals tend to transpose their neurotic cognitions and emotions to xenophobic attitudes despite the uplifting and satisfying nature of positive events.