bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel combined cooling and power cycle integrated ejector refrigeration and composition adjustment for stationary engine waste heat recovery
Authors: Sun Xiaocun , Shi Lingfeng , Tian Hua , Shu Gequn
Published: July 2024

The combined cooling and power cycle has wide applications ascribed to the feasibility of simultaneously providing cooling and electricity. The layout comprised of vapor compression refrigeration cycle and Organic Rankine Cycle by sharing condenser is one of the most common structures. However, for this kind of structure, the high temperatures of working fluid in compressor outlet and expander outlet aggravate the condensation load and lead to the decline of system performance. This study proposes a novel combined cooling and power cycle integrated of ejector refrigeration and composition adjustment running with CO2 mixture. Liquid separation condenser is introduced to realize composition adjustment. Working fluid with higher CO2 mass fraction flows to power sub-cycle and evaporation process of refrigeration sub-cycle. On the other hand, working fluid with smaller CO2 mass fraction is pumped to the inlet of ejector and heated by expansion exhaust. A stationary engine is chosen as the research objective. The co-generation system recovers waste heat of engine exhaust and coolant to provide cooling to refrigerating chamber. The results show the priority of the novel proposed co-generation system. Under the requirement of 0 ℃ chilled fluid, the basic combined cooling and power cycle could export 8 kW cooling capacity and 6.63 kW electricity, while the novel proposed system can export 4.5% more net power output with 8 kW cooling capacity output or export 18.6% higher cooling capacity with 6.63 kW electricity.
pocketORC: A BROWSER-BASED CALCULATOR FOR TEACHING ORGANIC RANKINE CYCLE POWER SYSTEMS
Authors: T White Martin
Published: July 2024

This paper presents a steady-state design model for an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) power plant that is completely web-browser based and does not rely on any external libraries (e.g., for the computation of thermodynamic properties). This means the tool can be easily accessed by students via any electronic device with a web browser and used as a teaching aid to teach basic principles relating to ORC power systems. Therefore, ORC power cycles can be introduced interactively without requiring any programming knowledge or the distribution and installation of source files. This allows ORC power systems to be introduced earlier in the curriculum, and to a wider variety of students, than might otherwise be possible. The current version of the model combines the Peng-Robinson equation of state with a thermodynamic model of a recuperated ORC system and discretised heat exchanger sizing models. The model is written in the Python programming language and the PyScript framework is used to call Python code directly from HTML. The user can vary cycle variables such as the condensation temperature, pressure ratio, degree of superheat, recuperator effectiveness and heat-source temperature drop via the graphical-user interface which returns key indicators of cycle performance such as thermal efficiency and power output amongst others. The tool enables single-point calculation and parametric studies of a single variable and includes introductory self-paced lessons. This allows students to develop an understanding of the influence of different cycle variables on cycle performance. This paper provides an overview of the tool and its capabilities, alongside discussing its potential role as a teaching aid to support the introduction of ORC power systems into the curriculum.
Third-Degree Price Discrimination in Two-Sided Markets
Authors: de Cornière Alexandre , Mantovani Andrea , Shekhar Shiva
Published: July 2024

We investigate the welfare effects of third-degree price discrimination by a two-sided platform that enables interaction between buyers and sellers. Sellers are heterogeneous with respect to their per-interaction benefit, and, under price discrimination, the platform can condition its fee on sellers’ type. In a model with linear demand on each side, we show that price discrimination (i) increases participation on both sides, (ii) enhances total welfare, and (iii) may result in a strict Pareto improvement, with both seller types being better off than under uniform pricing. These results, which are in stark contrast to the traditional analysis of price discrimination, are driven by the existence of cross-group network effects. By improving the ability to monetize seller participation, price discrimination induces the platform to attract more buyers, which then increases seller participation. The Pareto improvement result means that even those sellers who pay a higher price under discrimination can be better off, because of the increased buyer participation.

This paper was accepted by Joshua Gans, business strategy.

Funding: A. de Cornière acknowledges funding from ANR [Grant ANR-17-EURE-0010] (Investissements d’Avenir program).

Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.02788 .
Facility Location Problem: Modeling Joint Disruptions Using Subordination
Authors: Malladi Vishwakant , Muthuraman Kumar
Published: July 2024

We study the facility location problem with disruptions where the objective is to choose a set of locations that minimizes the sum of expected servicing and setup costs. Disruptions can affect multiple locations simultaneously and are caused by multiple factors like geography, supply chain characteristics, politics, and ownership. Accounting for the various factors when modeling disruptions is challenging due to a large number of required parameters, the lack of calibration methodologies, the sparsity of disruption data, and the number of scenarios to be considered in the optimization. Because of these reasons, existing models neglect dependence or prespecify the dependence structures. Using partially subordinated Markov chains, we present a comprehensive approach that starts from disruption data, models dependencies, calibrates the disruption model, and optimizes location choices. We construct a metric and a calibration algorithm that learns from the data the strength of dependence, the number of necessary factors (subordinators), and the locations each subordinator affects. We prove that our calibration approach yields consistent estimates of the model parameters. Then, we introduce a variant of the standard approach to the underlying optimization problem, which leverages partially subordinated Markov chains to solve it quickly and precisely. Finally, we demonstrate the efficacy of our approach using twelve different disruption data sets. Our calibrated parameters are robust, and our optimization algorithm performs better than the simulation-based algorithm. The solutions from our model for disruptions have lower costs than those from other disruption models. Our approach allows for better modeling of disruptions from historical data and can be adapted to other problems in logistics, like the hub location, capacitated facility location, and so on., with joint disruptions.

Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/trsc.2023.0103 .
¿Por qué saber qué comen las tuzas?
Authors: Carrasco Quiroz Alberto , Bravo Cuevas Víctor Manuel , Jiménez Hidalgo Eduardo
Published: July 2024

El modo de vida y hábitos alimentarios de las tuzas pueden modificar la distribución espacial de los recursos y el hábitat de otros organismos que conviven con ellas. En particular, estudiar su dieta proporciona información sobre las condiciones y cambios en el ambiente.
Key youth justice developments
Authors: Simpson Fiona
Published: July 2024

The outgoing chief inspector of probation charts key changes in youth justice system during his tenure
Youth organisations face changing landscape of residential schemes
Authors: Harle Emily
Published: July 2024

Experts reflect on the evolving challenges around residential programmes as the uniformed youth work sector grapples with post-pandemic delivery at home and abroad alongside the cost-of-living crisis
Optical characterization sensing method of TFBG sensor for battery electromotive force monitoring
Authors: Hu Yunxin , Jiang Shiyu , Huang Zifan , Guo Ying , Qian Siyu , Chen Xuefeng , Geng Yikai , Liu Shengchun
Published: July 2024

In the past few years, fiber optic sensors have demonstrated an amazing ability to detect the state of charge (SOC) and electromotive force (EMF) inside a battery in real-time. However, it remains an enormous challenge to characterize the relationship between the spectral shift of the fiber sensor and the internal EMF change of the battery. Here, we propose a method to monitor the electrolyte during the battery discharge process using the integral spectrum of a tiny tilted fiber Bragg grating (TFBG) sensor. The relationship between the fiber optic transmission spectrum and battery EMF was established by using this method. The results show that a TFBG sensor implanted in a lead-acid battery enables rapid EMF detection with a sensitivity of 1.16 × 105 (nm·dBm) /V. This technology provides a fiber optic precision solution for battery operating conditions and has excellent potential for detecting battery failures using traditional EMF methods.
Plasmonic properties of silicon nitride encapsulated copper
Authors: Sun Conglin , Golshani Negin , Verheyen Peter , De Messemaeker Joke , Van De Peer Myriam , Brahim Kamal , Mafakheri Erfan , Huang Yishu , Van Campenhout Joris , Catthoor Francky , Lin Dennis , Van Dorpe Pol , Haffner Christian
Published: July 2024

We investigated the optical properties (i.e. plasmonic loss) of thin-film copper that was deposited and processed in a 300mm CMOS pilot line. The optical properties at 1550 nm (QSPP,Cu = 3921 ± 350) were evaluated by measuring the propagation loss of dielectric loaded plasmonic waveguides on samples with high and low root mean square surface roughness (Rq) with and without a silicon nitride diffusion barrier and at room temperature and cryogenic temperatures. In our fabrication result, the average grain size is 2.08±0.05μm, which is much larger than the mean free path of free electrons in copper, so the surface roughness becomes the main cause of the waveguide propagation loss from the fabrication constrains. Further, we show that copper can be encapsulated by a 15 nm silicon nitride diffusion and oxidation barrier without degrading the optical properties.
Simulation of Soluble and Bound VEGF-stimulated in vitro Capillary-like Network Formation on Deformed Substrate
Authors: Chiang Hsun , Chung Chih-Ang
Published: July 2024

Capillary plexus cultivation is crucial in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Theoretical simulations have been conducted to supplement the expensive experimental works. However, the mechanisms connecting mechanical and chemical stimuli remained undefined, and the functions of the different VEGF forms in the culture environment were still unclear. In this paper, we developed a hybrid model for simulating short-term in vitro capillary incubations. We used the Cellular Potts model to predict individual cell migration, morphology change, and continuum mechanics to quantify biogel deformation and VEGF transport dynamics. By bridging the mechanical regulation and chemical stimulation in the model, the results showed good agreement between the predicted network topology and experiments, in which elongated cells connected, forming the network cords and round cells gathered, creating cobblestone-like aggregates. The results revealed that the capillary-like networks could develop in high integrity only when the mechanical and chemical couplings worked adequately, with the cell morphology and haptotaxis driven by the soluble and bound forms of VEGF, respectively, functioning simultaneously.
APOER2 splicing repertoire in Alzheimer’s disease: Insights from long-read RNA sequencing
Authors: Gallo Christina M. , Kistler Sabrina A. , Natrakul Anna , Labadorf Adam T. , Beffert Uwe , Ho Angela
Published: July 2024

Disrupted alternative splicing plays a determinative role in neurological diseases, either as a direct cause or as a driver in disease susceptibility. Transcriptomic profiling of aged human postmortem brain samples has uncovered hundreds of aberrant mRNA splicing events in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) brains, associating dysregulated RNA splicing with disease. We previously identified a complex array of alternative splicing combinations across apolipoprotein E receptor 2 (APOER2), a transmembrane receptor that interacts with both the neuroprotective ligand Reelin and the AD-associated risk factor, APOE. Many of the human APOER2 isoforms, predominantly featuring cassette splicing events within functionally important domains, are critical for the receptor’s function and ligand interaction. However, a comprehensive repertoire and the functional implications of APOER2 isoforms under both physiological and AD conditions are not fully understood. Here, we present an in-depth analysis of the splicing landscape of human APOER2 isoforms in normal and AD states. Using single-molecule, long-read sequencing, we profiled the entire APOER2 transcript from the parietal cortex and hippocampus of Braak stage IV AD brain tissues along with age-matched controls and investigated several functional properties of APOER2 isoforms. Our findings reveal diverse patterns of cassette exon skipping for APOER2 isoforms, with some showing region-specific expression and others unique to AD-affected brains. Notably, exon 15 of APOER2, which encodes the glycosylation domain, showed less inclusion in AD compared to control in the parietal cortex of females with an APOE ɛ3/ɛ3 genotype. Also, some of these APOER2 isoforms demonstrated changes in cell surface expression, APOE-mediated receptor processing, and synaptic number. These variations are likely critical in inducing synaptic alterations and may contribute to the neuronal dysfunction underlying AD pathogenesis.
Antimicrobial activity of NK cells to Trypanosoma cruzi infected human primary Keratinocytes
Authors: Kroh Keshia , Barton Jessica , Fehling Helena , Lotter Hanna , Volkmer Beate , Greinert Rüdiger , Mhamdi-Ghodbani Mouna , Vanegas Ramirez Andrea , Jacobs Thomas , Gálvez Rosa Isela
Published: July 2024

Infection with the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi is causative for Chagas disease, which is a highly neglected tropical disease prevalent in Latin America. Humans are primary infected through vectorial transmission by blood-sucking triatomine bugs. The parasite enters the human host through mucous membranes or small skin lesions. Since keratinocytes are the predominant cell type in the epidermis, they play a critical role in detecting disruptions in homeostasis and aiding in pathogen elimination by the immune system in the human skin as alternative antigen-presenting cells. Interestingly, keratinocytes also act as a reservoir for T. cruzi, as the skin has been identified as a major site of persistent infection in mice with chronic Chagas disease. Moreover, there are reports of the emergence of T. cruzi amastigote nests in the skin of immunocompromised individuals who are experiencing reactivation of Chagas disease. This observation implies that the skin may serve as a site for persistent parasite presence during chronic human infection too and underscores the significance of investigating the interactions between T. cruzi and skin cells. Consequently, the primary objective of this study was to establish and characterize the infection kinetics in human primary epidermal keratinocytes (hPEK). Our investigation focused on surface molecules that either facilitated or hindered the activation of natural killer (NK) cells, which play a crucial role in controlling the infection. To simulate the in vivo situation in humans, an autologous co-culture model was developed to examine the interactions between T. cruzi infected keratinocytes and NK cells. We evaluated the degranulation, cytokine production, and cytotoxicity of NK cells in response to the infected keratinocytes. We observed a strong activation of NK cells by infected keratinocytes, despite minimal alterations in the expression of activating or inhibitory ligands on NK cell receptors. However, stimulation with recombinant interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), a cytokine known to be present in significant quantities during chronic T. cruzi infections in the host, resulted in a substantial upregulation of these ligands on primary keratinocytes. Overall, our findings suggest the crucial role of NK cells in controlling acute T. cruzi infection in the upper layer of the skin and shed light on keratinocytes as potential initial targets of infection.
Mobile payment, digital inclusive finance, and residents’ consumption behavior research
Authors: Hu Ningning , Hou Guanyu
Published: July 2024

Based on the data of multiple Chinese household finance surveys, the interactive relationship between mobile payment, inclusive digital finance, and household consumption is discussed. It is found that mobile payment can directly and effectively improve household consumption, and the impact on hedonistic and developmental consumption is greater than survival consumption, which is conducive to upgrading household consumption. At the same time, mobile payment can indirectly promote basic and developmental consumer spending through digital inclusive financial mechanisms and weaken hedonistic consumer spending. The heterogeneity analysis found that the impact of mobile payment on household consumption was affected by income level, dependency structure, and regional attributes, and the low-income and high-income groups benefited more significantly, and the consumption promotion effect in the eastern and central regions was greater than that in the western and northeastern regions. Further research finds that with the improvement of income status, the promotion effect of mobile payment on consumption shows a marginal decreasing trend. It is recommended to continue to promote the popularization and application of mobile payment, accelerate the matching of supply and demand in the consumer market, formulate financial inclusion policies according to local conditions, and form a good interaction mechanism between mobile payment, digital finance, and household consumption.
On the fiscal deficit and economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa: A new evidence from system GMM
Authors: Sore Atnafu Gebremeskel , Ayana Isubalew Daba , Demissie Wondaferahu Mulugeta
Published: July 2024

Using a two-step approach GMM, this study examines the short- and long-term effects of fiscal deficit on the economic growth of 42 Sub-Saharan African nations between 2011 and 2021. The World Development Index, the most reliable source, is where the panel data is taken from. Using the Levin-Lin-Chu and Hadri LM tests for unit root, it was determined that there is no risk of a random walk in the data. The study’s findings indicate that while the fiscal deficit has short-term, positive, and significant benefits on the economic growth of SSA countries, it has long-term, negative repercussions. According to the system GMM’s results, an increase in the fiscal deficit of SSA countries is linked to a short-term increase in economic growth of 0.036 percent, while an increase in the fiscal deficit of one percentage point is linked to a long-term decline in economic growth of SSA countries of 0.013 percent, holding all other factors constant. The study’s findings also showed that the budget deficit has a larger positive short-run coefficient than a negative long-run coefficient. The study also revealed that while real effective exchange rates and inflation short-term hinder economic growth, gross fixed capital creation and real interest rates are the primary drivers of economic expansion. Long-term economic growth in the SSA countries is also found to be positively and significantly impacted by gross fixed capital formation. According to the study, SSA nations should manage their fiscal deficits and, in the long run, provide more funds for gross fixed capital development.
Road mitigation structures designed for Texas ocelots: Influence of structural characteristics and environmental factors on non-target wildlife usage
Authors: Roy Anna Rivera , Ryer Kevin W. , Rahman Md. Saydur , Young John H. , Kline Richard J.
Published: July 2024

Roads negatively impact wildlife through habitat fragmentation, loss of habitat connectivity, and wildlife-vehicle collisions, thus road mitigation structures, such as wildlife crossing structures (WCS), wildlife guards (WG), and fencing are commonly used to address this issue all over the world, including in the United States. In South Texas, such structures were built or modified along a State Highway in an effort to address road mortality for the endangered ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) and non-target wildlife species. The goal of this study was to examine temporal changes in wildlife interactions with WCS and WG during and after their construction and modification along a South Texas highway and to determine whether environmental factors influenced use of WCS. Using camera traps deployed to monitor the road mitigation structures, we compared crossing rates, repel rates, and species richness of all species that interacted with the structures, and we examined whether differential wildlife use of WCS and WG was affected by one or more structural dimensions, distance to nearby vegetation, and water presence. Crossings through WCS by wildlife decreased following the completion of construction of mitigation structures; however, repel interactions at WG increased. Overall, crossings decreased at WCS that had higher openness ratios and during periods of precipitation and higher daily temperatures, but distance to vegetation had minimal influence. These factors were shown to influence crossings of each of the five most frequently observed species differently. Lastly, the presence of pooled water at one WCS caused a decrease in crossings when the water level was highest but was not a barrier at lower water levels. By examining influences on wildlife interaction with road mitigation structures, we conclude that a variety of structures, including different WCS configurations, can be beneficial in facilitating movement and restricting entry into the right-of-way for a diversity of wildlife species beyond the target species.
Machine-learning based control of bi-modular multilevel PWM inverter for high power applications
Authors: Srungaram Ravi Teja , Yadlapati Kishore
Published: July 2024

This paper presents the topology and machine learning-based intelligent control of high-power PV inverter for maximum power extraction and optimal energy utilization. Modular converters with reduced components economic and reliable for high power applications. The proposed integrated intelligent machine learning based control delivers power conversion control with maximum power extraction and supervisory control for optimal load demand control. The topology of the inverter, operating modes, power control and supervisory control aspects are presented. Simulation is carried out in MATLAB/SIMULINK to verify the feasibility of the proposed inverter and control algorithm. The experimental study is presented to validate the simulation results. The operational performance of the proposed topology is evaluated in terms of operational parameters such as regulation of output power, and load relay control and is compared to existing topologies. The economic performance is also evaluated in terms of power switch sizing and reliability in power delivery concerning switch or power sources failure.
A subpopulation of human bone marrow erythroid cells displays a myeloid gene expression signature similar to that of classic monocytes
Authors: Perik-Zavodskii Roman , Perik-Zavodskaia Olga , Shevchenko Julia , Volynets Marina , Alrhmoun Saleh , Nazarov Kirill , Denisova Vera , Sennikov Sergey
Published: July 2024

Erythroid cells, serving as progenitors and precursors to erythrocytes responsible for oxygen transport, were shown to exhibit an immunosuppressive and immunoregulatory phenotype. Previous investigations from our research group have revealed an antimicrobial gene expression profile within murine bone marrow erythroid cells which suggested a role for erythroid cells in innate immunity. In the present study, we focused on elucidating the characteristics of human bone marrow erythroid cells through comprehensive analyses, including NanoString gene expression profiling utilizing the Immune Response V2 panel, a BioPlex examination of chemokine and TGF-beta family proteins secretion, and analysis of publicly available single-cell RNA-seq data. Our findings demonstrate that an erythroid cell subpopulation manifests a myeloid-like gene expression signature comprised of antibacterial immunity and neutrophil chemotaxis genes which suggests an involvement of human erythroid cells in the innate immunity. Furthermore, we found that human erythroid cells secreted CCL22, CCL24, CXCL5, CXCL8, and MIF chemokines. The ability of human erythroid cells to express these chemokines might facilitate the restriction of immune cells in the bone marrow under normal conditions or contribute to the ability of erythroid cells to induce local immunosuppression by recruiting immune cells in their immediate vicinity in case of extramedullary hematopoiesis.
Cushion hypothesis and credit risk: Islamic versus conventional banks from the MENA region
Authors: Abdeljawad Islam , Rashid Mamunur , Abu Alia Muiz , Qushtom Rana , Irshaid Mahmoud , Sahyouni Ahmad
Published: July 2024

Conventional banks are ‘indirectly’ allowed to take more risk under the shadow of sovereign guarantees. Banks commit moral hazards as any major banking crisis will be ‘cushioned’ by deposit insurance and bailed out using the taxpayer’s money. This study offers an alternative explanation for the determinants of banks’ credit risk, particularly those from the Islamic regions. Although conventional banks and Islamic banks may share state and social cushioning systems, Islamic banks are strictly prohibited by moral and religious principles from gambling with depositors’ funds, even if there is a cushion available to bail them out. However, banks belonging to collective societies, such as those in the MENA area, may be inclined to take more risks due to the perception of having a larger safety net to protect them in the event of failure. We analyse these theoretical intersections by utilising a dataset consisting of 320 banks from 20 countries, covering the time span from 2006 to 2021. Our analysis employs a combination of Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), Fixed Effects (FE), and 2-step System-GMM methodologies. Our analysis reveals that Islamic banks are less exposed to credit risk compared to conventional banks. We contend that the stricter ethical and moral ground and multi-layer monitoring system amid protracted geopolitical and post-pandemic crises impacting Islamic countries contribute to the lower credit risk. We examine the consequences for credit and liquidity management in Islamic banks and the risk management strategies employed by Islamic banks, which can serve as a valuable reference for other banks.
Key extracellular proteins and TF-miRNA co-regulatory network in diabetic foot ulcer: Bioinformatics and experimental insights
Authors: Lin Guanlin , Liu Ximing
Published: July 2024

Background

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), a serious complication of diabetes, are associated with abnormal extracellular protein (EP) metabolism. The identification of key EPs and their regulatory networks is crucial for the understanding of DFU formation and development of effective treatments. In this study, a large-scale bioinformatics analysis was conducted to identify potential therapeutic targets and experimental validation was performed to ensure the reliability and biological relevance of the findings.

Methods

Due to the comprehensive profiling of DFU samples provided by the GSE80178 dataset, we initially selected it to derive differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with DFU. Subsequently, utilizing the UniProt database and annotated EP list from the Human Protein Atlas annotation database, we screened for extracellular protein–related differentially expressed genes (EP-DEGs) due to their crucial role in the pathogenesis and healing of DFU. We examined EP-DEG pathway enrichment and protein-protein interaction networks, analyzed paired full-thickness skin tissue samples from 24 patients with DFUs and healthy controls, and performed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) experiments to validate candidate genes. Ultimately, we constructed a transcription factor (TF)-microRNA (miRNA)–hub gene co-regulatory network to explore upstream and downstream regulatory connections based on validated DEGs.

Results

Four crucial candidate genes (FMOD, LUM, VCAN, and S100A12) were identified and verified via PCR analysis. The TF-miRNA-hub EP-DEG regulatory network contained the pivotal TFs TRIM28 and STAT3 and the miRNAs hsa-mir-20a-5p, hsa-miR-21, and hsa-miR-203.

Conclusion

The findings of this study advance our understanding of the pathology of DFU by defining key roles of specific EPs and elucidating a comprehensive regulatory network. These insights pave the way for novel approaches to improve DFU treatment outcomes.
Metabolic profiles in drought-tolerant wheat with enhanced abscisic acid sensitivity
Authors: Weng Yuanjie , Mega Ryosuke , Abe Fumitaka , Tsujimoto Hisashi , Okamoto Masanori
Published: July 2024

Global warming has led to the expansion of arid lands and more frequent droughts, which are the largest cause of global food production losses. In our previous study, we developed TaPYLox wheat overexpressing the plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) receptor, which is important for the drought stress response in plants. TaPYLox showed resistance to drought stress and acquired water-saving traits that enable efficient grain production with less water use. In this study, we used TaPYLox to identify ABA-dependent and -independent metabolites in response to drought stress. We compared the variation of metabolites in wheat under well-watered, ABA treatment, and drought stress conditions using the ABA-sensitive TaPYLox line and control lines. The results showed that tagatose and L-serine were ABA-dependently regulated metabolites, because their stress-induced accumulation was increased by ABA treatment in TaPYLox. In contrast, L-valine, L-leucine, and DL-isoleucine, which are classified as branched chain amino acids, were not increased by ABA treatment in TaPYLox, suggesting that they are metabolites regulated in an ABA-independent manner. Interestingly, the accumulation of L-valine, L-leucine, and DL-isoleucine was suppressed in drought-tolerant TaPYLox under drought stress, suggesting that drought-tolerant wheat might be low in these amino acids. 3-dehydroshikimic acid and α-ketoglutaric acid were decreased by drought stress in an ABA-independent manner. In this study, we have succeeded in identifying metabolites that are regulated by drought stress in an ABA-dependent and -independent manner. The findings of this study should be useful for future breeding of drought-tolerant wheat.
Dynamic impacts of public health events on price fluctuations in broiler industry Chain in China: Evidence from COVID-19 epidemic
Authors: Xie Ning , Fan Haixin , Liu Xiaochun , Ye Feng , Weng Zhenlin
Published: July 2024

Using weekly data from January 2020 to December 2021 on the prices of various links in the Chinese broiler industry chain and the COVID-19 epidemic, we employed a time-varying parametric vector auto-regressive (TVP-VAR) model to investigate the dynamic effects of public health events on price fluctuations of upstream, midstream, and downstream products in the Chinese broiler industry chain. Our findings showed that the COVID-19 epidemic had different effects on the prices of various broiler products, both in direction and magnitude, at different lags and time intervals. Chicken and live chicken prices were impacted the most, followed by broiler chick prices, while broiler feed prices were impacted the least. The epidemic constantly impacted broiler chick and chicken prices, while its effect on live chicken prices was initially negative but turned positive afterwards. Additionally, the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on broiler product prices consistently increased with more extended lag periods. The impulse responses at different epidemic time points were heterogeneous. With the results of this study, policy recommendations can be suggested to relevant government departments to optimize the prevention and control measures for public health emergencies and ensure price stability in the broiler industry.
Thermal infrared imaging for conveyor roller fault detection in coal mines
Authors: Xiuyu Yang , Liyong Tian , Feng Cai
Published: July 2024

As a key mechanism of belt conveyor, the health status and working state of its parts have a profound impact on whether the belt conveyor can run normally and safely. In the composition of the standard belt conveyor, the number of rollers is numerous and scattered. At the same time, under the complex environment of the work site, the fault detection of each roller is particularly difficult. In order to solve the above problems, a diagnosis method based on thermal infrared image features is proposed to detect the faults of each roller mechanism in the belt conveyor. Firstly, the position of the idler is identified based on the YOLOv4 identification method, and then the sticking resistance and bearing damage of the idler are detected based on the temperature difference discrimination method. In this paper, the target recognition method based on YOLOv4 is used to identify the position of the roller, and the recognition accuracy is 93.8%, which meets the requirements of the project. The infrared image obtained by the dual-spectrum camera is used to distinguish the fault of the idler in the coal mine. The temperature of the bearing and surface of the normal roller increases rapidly within 10 minutes of operation, and the temperature changes slightly after 10 minutes of operation. The bearing damaged idler has a greater friction effect at the bearing, so the temperature at the bearing rises faster, and there is a temperature difference of about 7°C between the bearing and the normal roller. The surface temperature of the idler in the blocking state is also fast for about 20 minutes, and there will be a temperature difference of about 8°between the surface of the idler and the normal roller. In this paper, it is determined that the temperature rise coefficients of the roller surface and bearing under normal conditions are 24% 28% and 18% 22% respectively. It is determined that the threshold value of the temperature rise coefficient in the blocking state and the damaged state is 30% and 25% respectively, that is, when the surface temperature rise coefficient of the roller is detected to be more than 30%, it is determined that the card resistance fault occurs, when the temperature rise coefficient at the roller bearing is detected > 25%, the bearing damage fault is judged.
Viral interference between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and influenza A viruses
Authors: Gilbert-Girard Shella , Piret Jocelyne , Carbonneau Julie , Hénaut Mathilde , Goyette Nathalie , Boivin Guy
Published: July 2024

Some respiratory viruses can cause a viral interference through the activation of the interferon (IFN) pathway that reduces the replication of another virus. Epidemiological studies of coinfections between SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses have been hampered by non-pharmacological measures applied to mitigate the spread of SARS-CoV-2 during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the ease of these interventions, SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A viruses can now co-circulate. It is thus of prime importance to characterize their interactions. In this work, we investigated viral interference effects between an Omicron variant and a contemporary influenza A/H3N2 strain, in comparison with an ancestral SARS-CoV-2 strain and the 2009 pandemic influenza A/H1N1 virus. We infected nasal human airway epitheliums with SARS-CoV-2 and influenza, either simultaneously or 24 h apart. Viral load was measured by RT-qPCR and IFN-α/β/λ1/λ2 proteins were quantified by immunoassay. Expression of four interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs; OAS1/IFITM3/ISG15/MxA) was also measured by RT-droplet digital PCR. Additionally, susceptibility of each virus to IFN-α/β/λ2 recombinant proteins was determined. Our results showed that influenza A, and especially A/H3N2, interfered with both SARS-CoV-2 viruses, but that SARS-CoV-2 did not significantly interfere with A/H3N2 or A/H1N1. Consistently with these results, influenza, and particularly the A/H3N2 strain, caused a higher production of IFN proteins and expression of ISGs than SARS-CoV-2. SARS-CoV-2 induced a marginal IFN production and reduced the IFN response during coinfections with influenza. All viruses were susceptible to exogenous IFNs, with the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 and Omicron being less susceptible to type I and type III IFNs, respectively. Thus, influenza A causes a viral interference towards SARS-CoV-2 most likely through an IFN response. The opposite is not necessarily true, and a concurrent infection with both viruses leads to a lower IFN response. Taken together, these results help us to understand how SARS-CoV-2 interacts with another major respiratory pathogen.
Highly restrictive and directional penetration of the blood cerebral spinal fluid barrier by JCPyV
Authors: O’Hara Bethany A. , Lukacher Avraham S. , Garabian Kaitlin , Kaiserman Jacob , MacLure Evan , Ishikawa Hiroshi , Schroten Horst , Haley Sheila A. , Atwood Walter J.
Published: July 2024

The human polyomavirus JCPyV is an opportunistic pathogen that infects greater than 60% of the world’s population. The virus establishes a persistent and asymptomatic infection in the urogenital system but can cause a fatal demyelinating disease in immunosuppressed or immunomodulated patients following invasion of the CNS. The mechanisms responsible for JCPyV invasion into CNS tissues are not known but direct invasion from the blood to the cerebral spinal fluid via the choroid plexus has been hypothesized. To study the potential of the choroid plexus as a site of neuroinvasion, we used an adult human choroid plexus epithelial cell line to model the blood-cerebrospinal fluid (B-CSF) barrier in a transwell system. We found that these cells formed a highly restrictive barrier to virus penetration either as free virus or as virus associated with extracellular vesicles (EVJC+). The restriction was not absolute and small amounts of virus or EVJC+penetrated and were able to establish foci of infection in primary astrocytes. Disruption of the barrier with capsaicin did not increase virus or EVJC+penetration leading us to hypothesize that virus and EVJC+were highly cell-associated and crossed the barrier by an active process. An inhibitor of macropinocytosis increased virus penetration from the basolateral (blood side) to the apical side (CSF side). In contrast, inhibitors of clathrin and raft dependent transcytosis reduced virus transport from the basolateral to the apical side of the barrier. None of the drugs inhibited apical to basolateral transport suggesting directionality. Pretreatment with cyclosporin A, an inhibitor of P-gp, MRP2 and BCRP multidrug resistance transporters, restored viral penetration in cells treated with raft and clathrin dependent transcytosis inhibitors. Because choroid plexus epithelial cells are known to be susceptible to JCPyV infection both in vitro and in vivo we also examined the release of infectious virus from the barrier. We found that virus was preferentially released from the cells into the apical (CSF) chamber. These data show clearly that there are two mechanisms of penetration, direct transcytosis which is capable of seeding the CSF with small amounts of virus, and infection followed by directional release of infectious virions into the CSF compartment.
c-FLIP facilitates ZIKV infection by mediating caspase-8/3-dependent apoptosis
Authors: Zhang Shengze , Li Nina , Wu Shu , Xie Ting , Chen Qiqi , Wu Jiani , Zeng Shike , Zhu Lin , Bai Shaohui , Zha Haolu , Tian Weijian , Wu Nan , Zou Xuan , Fang Shisong , Luo Chuming , Shi Mang , Sun Caijun , Shu Yuelong , Luo Huanle
Published: July 2024

c-FLIP functions as a dual regulator of apoptosis and inflammation, yet its implications in Zika virus (ZIKV) infection remain partially understood, especially in the context of ZIKV-induced congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) where both apoptosis and inflammation play pivotal roles. Our findings demonstrate that c-FLIP promotes ZIKV infection in placental cells and myeloid-derived macrophages, involving inflammation and caspase-8/3-mediated apoptosis. Moreover, our observations reveal that c-FLIP augments ZIKV infection in multiple tissues, including blood cell, spleen, uterus, testis, and the brain of mice. Notably, the partial deficiency of c-FLIP provides protection to embryos against ZIKV-induced CZS, accompanied by a reduction in caspase-3-mediated apoptosis. Additionally, we have found a distinctive parental effect of c-FLIP influencing ZIKV replication in fetal heads. In summary, our study reveals the critical role of c-FLIP as a positive regulator in caspase-8/3-mediated apoptosis during ZIKV infection, significantly contributing to the development of CZS.
Analysis of Job Satisfaction Status and Improvements for Wildland Firefighters
Authors: Ryu Juyeol , Jang Mi Na , Cha Sung Eun , Kwon Chun Geun ,   Crisis and Emergency Management: Theory and Praxis
Published: July 2024

In recent years, the global escalation and prolonged nature of wildfires have exacerbated challenges in recruiting and retaining wildland firefighters, leading to increased job aversion and turnover rates. To address this issue, the U.S. Department of the Interior and the Forest Service have actively conducted surveys and research to improve the duties and well-being of wildland firefighters, expanding specialized training, increasing wages, and implementing health promotion programs through additional budget allocation for wildfire management. However, domestically, there is a lack of comprehensive research on the job satisfaction and appropriateness of organizational structures for wildland firefighters. This study analyzes job satisfaction among domestic wildland firefighters through a survey (correlation analysis, one-way ANOVA, independent sample t-tests, regression analysis, etc.) and proposes solutions for identified issues by referencing U.S. wildfire management policies. Recommendations focus on enhancing the treatment and job satisfaction of domestic wildland firefighters.
Clinical Competence and Clinical Practice Stress: The Influence of Big-5 Personality Traits on Nursing Students
Authors: Kim Yunyoung , Bae Hyun Ji ,   Crisis and Emergency Management: Theory and Praxis
Published: July 2024

This study aims to examine the impact of Big-5 personality traits on clinical practice stress and clinical competence among nursing students who have experienced at clinical practice. Data were collected from March to April 2022 using a questionnaire. A total of 115 responses were analyzed by Multiple Regression Analysis with the SPSS 27.0 Statistics Program. The findings revealed that the presence of emotional instability, as one of the Big-5 personality traits, significantly influenced clinical practice stress (F=11.505, p<.001). Furthermore, extraversion, conscientiousness, and openness among Big-5 personality traits were found to significantly influence clinical competence (F=15.317, p<.001). To mitigate clinical practice stress and enhance clinical competence among nursing students, programs should be developed to prevent and cope with clinical practice stress based on nursing students' personality traits, in addition to programs aims at improving clinical competence.
Impact of Perceptions of a Sustainable Future on Environmental Behavioral Intentions
Authors: Kwon So Yeong , Kim Da Young , Lee Min Kyu ,   Crisis and Emergency Management: Theory and Praxis
Published: July 2024

To address the climate crisis, government policies and ethical business practices must be complemented by conscious environmental behaviors at the individual level. This study aims to understand how perceptions of a sustainable society influence the formation of intentions toward environmental behavior. It examines the impact of an individual's current status on their intention to engage in environmentally responsible actions. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was conducted using Stata 18 SE, with variables including active social participation, general social perception, awareness of social issues, and sustainable social and environmental issues. The findings reveal that while general social perception did not significantly influence active social participation, awareness of social issues, and perceptions related to sustainable social and environmental issues, had a significant positive impact on active social participation. This study empirically validated the perceptions of individual environmental behaviors that are formed based on diverse backgrounds.
Direction and Challenges of Police Leadership Education in the Transition to Competency-based Education
Authors: Cho Jeong Hye , Lee Ju Yong ,   Crisis and Emergency Management: Theory and Praxis
Published: July 2024

Public safety and citizen protection are common goals that police officers must achieve. Developing leadership capacity alongside crisis management skills is essential for effectively responding to various crises within the security field. Additionally, there is active discussion about the leadership that the public sector must possess due to changes in government governance patterns to solve complex problems in future society. Future police education and training will be converted to competency-based education by the Police Future Vision 2050. Accordingly, the purpose is to suggest future tasks for police leadership education. Firstly, it advocates for establishing a police leadership education system based on an independent leadership model. Secondly, it is necessary to restructure police leadership education into a competency-based system. Thirdly, there is a need to integrate leadership functions of educational institutions and establish a management of quality and inspection system for education. Finally, this paper underscores the importance of evaluating and applying research on police leadership competencies.
Bayesian Multilevel Models for Identifying Vehicle Crashes Related to Senior Drivers: A Case Study on Daejeon Metropolitan City
Authors: Lym Youngbin , Kim Ki-Jung ,   Crisis and Emergency Management: Theory and Praxis
Published: July 2024

This study examines various influential factors aimed at identifying crashes involving senior drivers. We consider variables reflecting the individual characteristics of drivers, crash types, roadway conditions, and environments, along with latent effects related to space and time, as potential identifiers of senior driver-related crashes in Daejeon. To this end, we employ Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models to unveil the random influences arising from spatial dependency and temporal autocorrelation after accounting for the fixed effects by explanatory variables. The result reveals that the overall annual trend, violations, and intersections appear to be positively associated with the log odds of the probability. Conversely, snow and icy roadway surface conditions, along with several crash types, are estimated to lower the log odds. The latent spatial effects dominate overall residual fluctuation, suggesting the benefits of our adopted model. We argue that our approach lays the foundations for designing safety policies for senior drivers.