bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The United Kingdom's disappearing wartime imports 1939–45: A statistical, ideological, and historiographical accounting
Authors: Edgerton David
Published: May 2023

In this paper I show inter alia that, by one barely known but official measure, imports of goods into the United Kingdom towards the end of the Second World War were more than twice the best‐known measure. The lower measure is that found in the historical British national accounts and in the Bank of England's A millennium of macroeconomic data. That invaluable compendium in fact has both these measures, and indeed another one also, but this is not clear, and there is no proper explanation of the differences between these series. The differences matter. What I will show to be the most obvious, though not the only legitimate, measure of wartime goods imports suggests that real imports were higher at the end of the war than in the 1930s, and higher as a proportion of gross domestic product (GDP). By contrast the national accounts figures show an absolute real‐terms fall, and a larger still fall as a proportion of GDP. This really mattered in an economy already exceptional for its high imports. In this paper I clarify the nature of the different measures of imports and how they have resulted in a radically different understanding of the British war effort.
Sensitivity to syllable stress regularities in externally but not self‐triggered speech in Dutch
Authors: Emmendorfer Alexandra K. , Bonte Milene , Jansma Bernadette M. , Kotz Sonja A.
Published: May 2023

Several theories of predictive processing propose reduced sensory and neural responses to anticipated events. Support comes from magnetoencephalography/electroencephalography (M/EEG) studies, showing reduced auditory N1 and P2 responses to self‐generated compared to externally generated events, or when the timing and form of stimuli are more predictable. The current study examined the sensitivity of N1 and P2 responses to statistical speech regularities. We employed a motor‐to‐auditory paradigm comparing event‐related potential (ERP) responses to externally and self‐triggered pseudowords. Participants were presented with a cue indicating which button to press (motor–auditory condition) or which pseudoword would be presented (auditory‐only condition). Stimuli consisted of the participant's own voice uttering pseudowords that varied in phonotactic probability and syllable stress. We expected to see N1 and P2 suppression for self‐triggered stimuli, with greater suppression effects for more predictable features such as high phonotactic probability and first‐syllable stress in pseudowords. In a temporal principal component analysis (PCA), we observed an interaction between syllable stress and condition for the N1, where second‐syllable stress items elicited a larger N1 than first‐syllable stress items, but only for externally generated stimuli. We further observed an effect of syllable stress on the P2, where first‐syllable stress items elicited a larger P2. Strikingly, we did not observe motor‐induced suppression for self‐triggered stimuli for either the N1 or P2 component, likely due to the temporal predictability of the stimulus onset in both conditions. Taking into account previous findings, the current results suggest that sensitivity to syllable stress regularities depends on task demands.
Evidence of lateralised white matter plasticity: A longitudinal study of balance performance in nonexpert healthy adults
Authors: Im Sun , Oh Jeehae , Jun So Yeon , Chang So‐youn , Kim Youngkook
Published: May 2023

Training‐induced plasticity by practicing expert skills has been of particular interest; however, little is known about white matter plasticity for improving a fundamental element of body function, such as balance or postural control. This study explored white matter plasticity in nonexpert healthy adults, based on stepwise balance training. Seventeen participants were included and performed a home‐based balance training program for 4 weeks (30 min/day, 3 days/week). Before commencing training, they underwent a baseline diffusion tensor imaging scan. A second scan was acquired at the end of the 4‐week training. Lateralised balance load was applied on the right leg to contrast any lateralised effect on the white matter tracts. The balance function was assessed using the Community Balance & Mobility Scale. We examined changes in the fractional anisotropy values of the tracts of interest between pre‐ and post‐training. After the 4‐week training, the fractional anisotropy values were enhanced in the right superior cerebellar peduncle, transverse pontine fibre, body of the corpus callosum, left fornix and left uncinate fasciculus. The Community Balance & Mobility Scale score improved after 4‐week training, but an association with changes in fractional anisotropy values cannot be evaluated due to the ceiling effect of the balance assessment tools. Balance training can strengthen the cerebro‐cerebellar and interhemispheric structural connections and induce microstructural changes in the limbic structures, including the fornix and uncinate fasciculus. The effect of a lateralised balance load could be projected to the specific white matter tracts in a lateralised manner.
A comparison between chaos theory and Lévy flights in sunflower optimization for feature selection
Authors: Pereira João Luiz Junho , Ma Benedict Jun , Francisco Matheus Brendon , Junior Ronny Francis Ribeiro , Gomes Guilherme Ferreira
Published: May 2023

Feature selection is a knowledge discovery tool to understand the problem by analysing features. In particular, the application of feature selection in data mining can not only improve the quality of extracted patterns and knowledge but also decrease computational costs. Various techniques have been applied to this complex optimization problem, in which metaheuristics have been validated to be superior. This study introduces a new metaheuristic known for having lean and fast programming, inspired by the sunflower's motions for feature selection for the first time. It is equipped with a v‐shaped transfer function and associated with the KNN classifier to become the binary sunflower optimization (BSFO). A total of 12 variants of BSFO are designed based on the chaos theory and Lévy flights, called improved binary sunflower optimization (IBSFO). A discussion between these improvement theories for feature selection has also not been made yet, and it is performed in this paper using 15 benchmark datasets from the UCI repository. The experimental results show that all variants can advance the fitness value of BSFO, and nine of them considerably decrease the computational costs. Furthermore, the chaotic BSFO with the Chebyshev function, taking replacement to normal rand, has the lowest fitness value (−11.37%) and execution time (−9.31%) than the original BSFO. Further, IBSFO is compared with another eight metaheuristics and outperforms these competitors on average fitness value and execution time. Overall, IBSFO proved to find subsets with reduced dimension and high accuracy with meagre computational cost due to its robust explorative and exploitative capacities.
Precipitation of sugammadex with nicardipine and labetalol: A laboratory research
Authors: Han Jiwon , Oh Ah‐Young
Published: May 2023

There is a paucity of clinical data about whether sugammadex forms precipitates with other medications. This laboratory experimental study was performed to determine the drugs that produce precipitates with sugammadex. Samples of 1 ml of sugammadex were prepared in transparent cylinders, to which 1 ml of test drugs (rocuronium, neostigmine, glycopyrrolate, atropine, nitroglycerin, dobutamine, dopamine, epinephrine, vasopressin, norepinephrine, phenylephrine, ephedrine, esmolol, nicardipine, and labetalol) was added. The precipitation reaction was observed visually and via light microscope. The pH of each drugs before and after mixing with sugammadex was measured. White crystals were formed when sugammadex was mixed with nicardipine or labetalol. Sugammadex formed precipitate when mixed with nicardipine or labetalol. Sufficient fluid flushing is required between injections of each drug to prevent these reactions.
Secondary phase softening effect in PZT‐based ceramics by introducing the random electric fields
Authors: Guo Feifei , Zhou Qi , Chen Yifei , Yang Chao , Bai Wenqiang , Zhou Hongqiao , Qiu Ruigang , Long Wei , Fang Pinyang , Xi Zengzhe
Published: May 2023

In this work, the random electric fields are constructed in the hard PZT ceramics by adding the ZnO particles as a secondary phase to tune the piezoelectric properties and losses. It is found that the internal bias electric field existing in the hard PZT ceramics has been tuned successfully by the random electric fields and its value reduces with the increased ZnO content. As a consequence, the piezoelectric constant d33 reaches up to 483 pC/N in the PZT/0.75 wt%ZnO composite, which is much higher than that of the hard PZT matrix. In the meantime, the electromechanical quality factor Qm, dielectric loss tan δ, and Curie temperature TC for this composite are about 1109, 0.55%, and 279°C, respectively. The promoted d33 is attributed to the small domain size and reduced internal bias electric field, whereas the low losses (large Qm and low tan δ) can be put down to the still existing nonzero internal bias electric field.
Antitachycardia pacing at the His bundle is safer than conventional right ventricular antitachycardia pacing in a canine myocardial ischemic injury model
Authors: Hirahara Annie M. , Khan Muhammad S. , Gharbia Omar A. , Lange Matthias , Ishidoya Yuki , Smego Douglas , Ranjan Ravi , Stoddard Gregory J. , Selzman Craig H. , Dosdall Derek J.
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Antitachycardia pacing (ATP) is used to terminate ventricular tachycardia (VT) by delivering rapid, low energy pacing to the right ventricle (RV). Unfortunately, ATP is not effective against all VT episodes and can result in adverse outcomes, such as VT acceleration and degeneration into ventricular fibrillation (VF). Improving ATP is therefore desirable. Our objective was to compare the efficacy and safety of ATP delivered at the His bundle to traditional ATP.

Methods

Six dogs were anesthetized and pacing leads were implanted in the RV and His bundle. The left anterior descending artery was occluded for 2 h to create an ischemic injury. In a study 4–7 days later, a 128‐electrode sock was placed snugly around the ventricles and VT was induced using rapid pacing. ATP was delivered from either the His bundle or RV lead, then attempted at the other location if unsuccessful. Success rates and instances of VT acceleration and degeneration into VF were calculated.

Results

We induced 83 runs of VT and attempted ATP 128 times. RV ATP was successful in 36% of attempts; His ATP was successful in 38% of attempts. RV ATP resulted in significantly more adverse outcomes. RV and His ATP induced VT acceleration in 9% and 3% of trains, respectively, and induced degeneration into VF in 5% and 1% of trains, respectively.

Conclusion

His bundle ATP is safer, but not significantly more effective, than RV ATP.
Advanced helix‐fixation leadless cardiac pacemaker implantation techniques to improve success and reduce complications
Authors: Ip James E.
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Leadless cardiac pacemakers (LCPs) are becoming more commonly utilized because of their potential advantages (i.e., reduced short and long‐term complications, improved patient comfort) and may be the preferred option for patients with venous access problems, high‐risk for infection, previous lead fractures, or skin erosion. There are currently two types of LCP fixation mechanisms that have been FDA approved—Medtronic's Micra system has a tine‐based fixation and Abbott's Aveir system has a helix‐fixation design. This article highlights important tips and tricks for a successful implant of a helix‐fixation LCP, particularly when difficulties are encountered, and provides precautions to avoid potential complications.

Methods

Cases of single chamber Aveir LCP implantation were reviewed to highlight examples of procedural pitfalls and suggested methods to circumnavigate them.

Results

There are unique procedural considerations regarding the Aveir LCP implant as well as challenges that that may be occasionally encountered. Techniques to address these—such as avoiding air embolism, maneuvering difficult entry into the right ventricle, handling complicated positioning/repositioning, evaluating proper fixation, and releasing difficult tethers—are illustrated in detail. Advice to reduce risks of perforation and to position optimally for potential retrieval and communication for dual chamber pacing are also described.

Conclusions

The advanced teaching concepts described and emphasized in this article may help improve success and prevent procedural complications, especially when physicians are learning how implant these novel helix‐fixation LCPs.
Investigating the health status of primary school children in Tonga: Lessons learnt and reflections on field work in the Pacific Islands
Authors: Langridge Fiona C , 'Ofanoa Malakai , Hamm Lisa , Fakakovikaetau Toakase , Wilkinson‐Meyers Laura , Percival Teuila , Grant Cameron C
Published: May 2023

Globally, the child health focus has been on reducing under‐5‐year mortality, with large populations in low‐resource regions prioritised. Children in older age groups, particularly in less populated regions such as the Pacific, have received limited attention. Child health research in the Pacific region has been lacking, and research approaches for the region have historically been from Western biomedical paradigms. We completed the study of primary school children's health over a period of 5 years. Firstly, we conducted a literature review, then we completed an audit of hospital admissions of primary school children, then we completed a two‐round Delphi process and finally, we piloted the survey in three primary schools. Our results found there were high levels of oral health problems, ear health, obesity and exposure to violence and poverty impacting on the quality of health of primary school‐age children. Identifying these indicators was made possible by the partnerships and trust established by the study team and provides specific and measurable targets for future work to improve the quality of child health outcomes. This paper describes key field work lessons learnt for research in the Pacific region. It must: (i) be on the platform of relationship, cultural safety and local ownership; (ii) include consideration of holistic Pacific paradigms of health; (iii) be adaptive to the context and environment; and (iv) be committed to long‐term partnership and work.
Formal recognition of host‐generalist species of dinoflagellate (Cladocopium, Symbiodiniaceae) mutualistic with Indo‐Pacific reef corals
Authors: Butler Caleb C. , Turnham Kira E. , Lewis Allison M. , Nitschke Matthew R. , Warner Mark E. , Kemp Dustin W. , Hoegh‐Guldberg Ove , Fitt William K. , van Oppen Madeleine J. H. , LaJeunesse Todd C.
Published: May 2023

The existence of widespread species with the capacity to endure diverse, or variable, environments are of importance to ecological and genetic research, and conservation. Such “ecological generalists” are more likely to have key adaptations that allow them to better tolerate the physiological challenges of rapid climate change. Reef‐building corals are dependent on endosymbiotic dinoflagellates (Family: Symbiodiniaceae) for their survival and growth. While these symbionts are biologically diverse, certain genetic types appear to have broad geographic distributions and are mutualistic with various host species from multiple genera and families in the order Scleractinia that must acquire their symbionts through horizontal transmission. Despite the considerable ecological importance of putative host‐generalist symbionts, they lack formal species descriptions. In this study, we used molecular, ecological, and morphological evidence to verify the existence of five new host‐generalist species in the symbiodiniacean genus Cladocopium. Their geographic distribution and prevalence among host communities corresponds to prevailing environmental conditions at both regional and local scales. The influence that each species has on host physiology may partially explain regional differences in thermal sensitivities among coral communities. The potential increased prevalence of a generalist species that endures environmental instability is a consequential ecological response to warming oceans. Large‐scale shifts in symbiont dominance could ensure reef coral persistence and productivity in the near term. Ultimately, these formal designations should advance scientific communication and generate informed research questions on the physiology and ecology of coral‐dinoflagellate mutualisms.
Patents and sustainable innovation in Indian Startups
Authors: Jacob Renooj , Arcot Purna Prasad
Published: May 2023

Patents help in protecting research and development efforts in an organisation. They are known to increase valuation during merger and acquisition and act as signal for investors to make investment decisions in startups. Despite the value that patents add to a firm, vast majority of patents remain unutilised across organisations. Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing is gaining popularity and investors are increasingly using ESG analysis to make investments. In this paper, we study patents filed by Indian startups which pertain to one or more ESG factors, that is, environmental, social, and governance factors. The startups selected were externally funded startups. We believe that startups having patents pertaining to ESG factors will foster sustainable innovation, responsible investments, and better patent utilisation in startups.
Glecaprevir/Pibrentasvir is safe and effective in Italian patients with chronic hepatitis C aged 75 years or older: A multicentre study
Authors: Pugliese Nicola , Calvaruso Vincenza , Masarone Mario , D'Ambrosio Roberta , Battistella Sara , Licata Anna , Persico Marcello , Anolli Maria Paola , Distefano Marco , Petta Salvatore , Russo Francesco Paolo , Di Marco Vito , Aghemo Alessio
Published: May 2023

Background

Glecaprevir and Pibrentasvir (G/P) determine high rates of sustained virological response (SVR) with optimal safety profile in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The efficacy and safety of G/P in Caucasian patients aged 75 years and older have not been widely analysed.

Methods

This is a retrospective multicentre real‐world study enrolling all consecutive patients 75 years and older who received G/P between October 2017 and January 2022 at five referral centres in Italy. SVR was analysed by intention‐to‐treat (ITT) and per‐protocol analyses (PP).

Results

A total of 570 patients met the inclusion criteria and were analysed: mean age was 80 (75–97) years, 356 (62%) were females, 52% (298/570) had HCV‐1, 44% (252/570) had HCV‐2 and 137 (24%) patients had liver cirrhosis. Four hundred and sixty‐three (81%) patients were taking at least one concomitant drug, with 144 (25%) taking ≥5 concomitant drugs. G/P was given for 8 weeks in 488 patients (86%). During treatment, 48 patients (8%) reported side effects, with 10 (2%) patients discontinuing treatment prematurely. Two patients developed treatment‐unrelated serious adverse events. Overall, the SVR rate was 97.9% (558/570) by ITT analysis and 99.6% (558/560) by PP analysis. SVR rates remained consistently high among subgroup analysis stratified by genotype, treatment duration, fibrosis stage and concomitant medications.

Conclusions

Treatment with G/P achieved 97.9% SVR rates in HCV patients older than 75 years of age. Safety was optimal with only 2% of patients discontinuing early.
Development and modification of a dysphagia question prompt list to improve patient‐physician communication: Incorporating both esophageal expert and patient perspectives
Authors: Achalu Sudharshan , Berry Rani , Zhuo Justin , Bredenoord Albert J. , Clarke John O. , Fass Ronnie , Gyawali C. Prakash , Kahrilas Peter J. , Katzka David A. , Massey Benson T. , Penagini Roberto , Roman Sabine , Savarino Edoardo , Vela Marcelo F. , Kamal Afrin N.
Published: May 2023

Background

Question prompt lists (QPLs) are structured sets of disease‐specific questions, intended to encourage question‐asking by patients and enhance patient‐physician communication. To date, a dysphagia‐specific QPL has not been developed for patients with esophageal dysphagia symptoms. We aim to develop a dysphagia‐specific QPL incorporating both esophageal expert and patient perspectives, applying rigorous methodology.

Methods

The QPL content was generated applying a two‐round modified Delphi (RAND/UCLA) method among 11 experts. In round one, experts provided five answers to the prompts: “What general questions should patients ask when being seen for dysphagia?” and “What questions do I not hear patients asking but, given my experience, I believe they should be asking?” In round two, experts rated proposed questions on a 5‐point Likert scale. Responses rated as “essential” or “important”, determined by an a priori median threshold of ≥4.0, were accepted for inclusion. Subsequently, 20 patients from Stanford Health Care were enrolled to modify the preliminary QPL, to incorporate their perspectives and opinions. Patients independently rated questions applying the same 5‐point Likert scale. At the end, patients were encouraged to propose additional questions to incorporate into the QPL by open‐endedly asking “Are there questions we didn't ask, that you think we should?”

Key Results

Eleven experts participated in both voting rounds. Of 85 questions generated from round one, 60 (70.6%) were accepted for inclusion, meeting a median value of ≥4.0. Questions were combined to reduce redundancy, narrowing down to 44 questions. Questions were categorized into the following six themes: 1. “What is causing my dysphagia?”; 2. “Associated symptoms”; 3. “Testing for dysphagia”; 4. “Lifestyle modifications”; 5. “Treatment for dysphagia”; and 6. “Prognosis”. The largest number of questions covered “What is causing my dysphagia” (27.3%). Twenty patients participated and modified the QPL. Of the 44 questions experts agreed were important, only 30 questions (68.2%) were accepted for inclusion. Six patients proposed 10 additional questions and after incorporating the suggested questions, the final dysphagia‐specific QPL created by esophageal experts and modified by patients consisted of 40 questions.

Conclusions & Inferences

Incorporating expert and patient perspectives, we developed a dysphagia‐specific QPL to enhance patient‐physician communication. Our study highlights importance of incorporating patient perspective when developing such a communication tool. Further studies will measure the impact of this communication tool on patient engagement.
Experimental models of gut‐first Parkinson's disease: A systematic review
Authors: Videlock Elizabeth J. , Xing Tiaosi , Yehya Ashwaq Hamid Salem , Travagli R. Alberto
Published: May 2023

Background

There is strong support from studies in humans and in animal models that Parkinson's disease (PD) may begin in the gut. This brings about a unique opportunity for researchers in the field of neurogastroenterology to contribute to advancing the field and making contributions that could lead to the ability to diagnose and treat PD in the premotor stages. Lack of familiarity with some of the aspects of the experimental approaches used in these studies may present a barrier for neurogastroenterology researchers to enter the field. Much remains to be understood about intestinal‐specific components of gut‐first PD pathogenesis and the field would benefit from contributions of enteric and central nervous system neuroscientists.

Purpose

To address these issues, we have conducted a systematic review of the two most frequently used experimental models of gut‐first PD: transneuronal propagation of α‐synuclein preformed fibrils and oral exposure to environmental toxins. We have reviewed the details of these studies and present methodological considerations for the use of these models. Our aim is that this review will serve as a framework and useful reference for neuroscientists, gastroenterologists, and neurologists interested in applying their expertise to advancing our understanding of gut‐first PD.
Arendt's phenomenology of political forgiveness
Authors: Highlen Jared
Published: May 2023

Forgiveness is often understood as a primarily interpersonal experience, a type of moral response to a wrongdoing that has particular effects on the personal relationship between the one wronged and the wrongdoer. However, some have also attempted to defend another kind of forgiveness, one that takes place in public and applies to a wider range of practices in a specifically political context. That such a concept of forgiveness is possible is not particularly controversial. But the way that this political forgiveness is unified—if it is unified—with personal forgiveness has not been clarified. By approaching the question phenomenologically, it becomes possible to root forgiveness, both personal and political, in the more fundamental context of the shared human world. Hannah Arendt's analysis of forgiveness does just this. In so doing, Arendt accounts for both the role of forgiveness in private human relationships and the way in which this role is fundamentally political.
Analysing the influence of operating conditions on the performance of algal–bacterial granular sludge processes for wastewater treatment: A review
Authors: Sanchez‐Sanchez Celina , Baquerizo Guillermo , Moreno‐Rodríguez Ernestina
Published: May 2023

This article discussed the effect of the main operating parameter involved in the operation of algal–bacterial granular sludge (ABGS) systems as promising biological processes for wastewater treatment. The focus was on the operational ranges reported in the literature capable of achieving better granule properties, good stability and high removal capacities. This review identified that hydraulic retention time (HRT), light intensity (LI) and light/dark periods were the most influential operating factors on the formation, stability, settleability and organic pollutant removal efficiency of ABGS. The discussion argued that ABGS systems enhance industrial and domestic wastewater treatment due to additional advantages that provide the symbiotic interactions to process performance, maintaining lesser operating costs concerning aerobic granular sludges (AGS) and microalgae consortia. This review will improve the understanding of the operation of ABGS systems and thus further expand possible operating combinations that help to enhance microbial interactions, microalgae growth and external aeration self‐sufficiency in further research with a focus on its scaling up.
Hepatic glycogenolysis and hypometabolism induced by chemogenetic stimulation of C1 neurons
Authors: Abe Chikara , Katayama Chikako , Bazek Murat , Ohbayashi Kento , Horii Kazuhiro , Tanida Mamoru , Nin Fumiaki , Iwasaki Yusaku
Published: May 2023

The precise regulation of blood glucose levels is indispensable for maintaining physiological functions. C1 neurons determine the outflow of the autonomic nervous and endocrine systems to maintain blood glucose levels in the body. In contrast, activation of C1 neurons induces a decrease in activity, suggesting that hypoactivity also participates in maintaining blood glucose levels. To examine this, we evaluated both glycogenolysis and hypometabolism induced by the selective activation of C1 neurons. We used DbhCre/0 mice expressing receptors for chemogenetic tools in C1 neurons, resulting from microinjection of the viral vector. C1 neurons were activated by intraperitoneal injection of clozapine N‐oxide (CNO). The chemogenetic activation of C1 neurons significantly decreased body temperature, oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production. On the other hand, blood glucose levels were increased by activation of C1 neurons 2 h after CNO administration, even in the fasting state. In this situation, an increase in glucagon and corticosterone levels was observed, while hepatic glycogen content decreased significantly. Plasma insulin levels were not changed by the activation of C1 neurons despite the increase in blood glucose level. Furthermore, adrenal sympathetic nerve activity was significantly increased by the activation of C1 neurons, and plasma catecholamine levels increased significantly. In conclusion, the selective activation of C1 neurons using chemogenetic tools induced an increase in blood glucose levels, probably as a result of hepatic glycogenolysis and hypometabolism.

image

Key points

Chemogenetic activation of C1 neurons in medulla oblongata decreased body temperature.

Oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production were decreased by chemogenetic activation of C1 neurons in medulla oblongata.

Blood glucose levels were increased by chemogenetic activation of C1 neurons in medulla oblongata.

Chemogenetic activation of C1 neurons in medulla oblongata increased glucagon, corticosterone and catecholamine levels in plasma.

An increase in blood glucose levels by activation of C1 neurons occurred due to the combined effect of hepatic glycogenolysis and hypometabolism.
Radial source velocity estimation based on cross-spectrum equalization accumulation compensation in shallow water
Authors: Song P. F. , Zhao A. B. , Hui J. , Zeng C. G. , Wang K. R.
Published: May 2023

In the former work, the histogram was effectively used to improve the interference immunity of target velocity estimation based on the cross-spectrum. This paper proposes a new method to eliminate the bias introduced by the histogram and to further improve interference immunity. The equalization window is designed to preserve the cross-spectrum peaks while suppressing the interference peaks. All frequency points are compensated and accumulated to improve the interference immunity. Finally, the simulation and sea trial data verify the effectiveness of the proposed method in this paper.
Robust adaptive beamforming based on zone orthogonal constraint and steering vector estimation
Authors: Guo Kun , Wang Zhilong , Zhang Liang , Yin Jingwei , Zeng Sai
Published: May 2023

This Letter solves steering vector estimation under mismatch for adaptive beamforming. The proposed beamformer implements a stepwise estimation of steering vector, and zone orthogonal constraint is added first based on adaptive constraint framework from Khabbazibasmenj [IEEE Trans. Signal Process. 60(6), 2974–2987 (2012)], which ensures that the estimated steering vector does not converge to an interference steering vector outside the predefined sector, even if the sector deviates from the central observation area of arrays. Then uncertainty set error constraint is used to improve the estimation accuracy. The numerical simulation and experimental results verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Multichannel equalization
Authors: Mecklenbräuker Christoph F.
Published: May 2023

The Reflections series takes a look back on historical articles from The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America that have had a significant impact on the science and practice of acoustics.
Sound zone control with fixed acoustic contrast and simultaneous tracking of acoustic transfer functions
Authors: Hu Meiling , Shi Li , Zou Haishan , Christensen Mads Græsbøll , Lu Jing
Published: May 2023

As environmental changes are inevitable, online algorithms that can track the variation of acoustic transfer functions are preferred in sound zone control (SZC) systems. In this paper, it is found that for the time domain SZC, the nonuniqueness problem caused by the coupling in multichannel transfer function modeling can be solved with time-varying control filters. To keep a stable acoustic contrast (AC) performance irrespective of environmental changes and also avoid the extreme distortion introduced by maximizing the AC in the time domain, the objective of maintaining a desired level of AC is used and an adaptive control algorithm is developed. The simulations validate that the proposed method tracks the environmental changes and adapts the control filters to give a stable AC performance.
Hybrid Inquiry-Based Laboratory Curriculum Highlights Scientific Method Using Bacterial Conjugation as a Model
Authors: Klages Joan E. , Baid Srishti , Giri Emily G. , Morgan Dyan E. , Hotze Eileen M.
Published: May 2023

Undergraduate microbiology students are exposed to the theory of the scientific method throughout their undergraduate coursework, but laboratory course curricula often focus on technical skills rather than fully integrating scientific thinking as a component of competencies addressed. Here, we have designed a six-session inquiry-based laboratory (IBL) curriculum for an upper-level microbiology laboratory course that fully involves students in the scientific process using bacterial conjugation as the model system, including both online discussions and in-person laboratory sessions.
Complete Genome Sequence of Mycobacterium marinum Strain 050012 Isolated from Infected Skin Tissue
Authors: Zhao Feifei , Feng Yu , Wang Chengcheng , Xie Yi , Zhou Dan , Xiao Yuling , Zong Zhiyong
Published: May 2023

We report the complete genome sequence of a
Mycobacterium marinum
strain, which was isolated from skin tissue of a wound infection. This strain was subjected to short- and long-read sequencing. Its complete genome contains a single 6,393,703-bp circular chromosome. Phylogenomic analysis of all
M. marinum
genomes assigned this strain to cluster I.
Complete Genome Sequence of Ralstonia solanacearum WR-1, a Virulent Strain on Solanum lycopersicum
Authors: Jeong HwangWeon , Oh Jae-Hyeon , Kim Sung-Mi , Seol Young-Joo , Yoon Hye-Jin , Lee Jinjeong , Ra Su Jung , Kim Eunhee , Kang Myeong Jin , Ahn Il-Pyung
Published: May 2023

Ralstonia solanacearum
is a bacterial wilt pathogen of
Solanum lycopersicum
. Its pathogenicity is the result of coevolution during continuous interaction with its host plants under given biotic and abiotic environments. To elucidate clues for pathogenicity of our WR-1 strain, its genome sequence was analyzed.
Enterovirus D68 VP3 Targets the Interferon Regulatory Factor 7 To Inhibit Type I Interferon Response
Authors: Kang Jun , Huang Mengqian , Li Jinyu , Zhang Keke , Zhu Cheng , Liu Sihua , Zhou Zhenwei , Wang Tao , Wang Zhiyun
Published: May 2023

EV-D68 is a globally emerging pathogen that causes severe respiratory illnesses. Here, we report that EV-D68 inhibits innate immune responses by targeting IRF7. Further investigations revealed that the structural protein VP3 inhibited the TRAF6-induced ubiquitination of IRF7 by competitive interaction with IRF7. These results indicate that the control of IRF7 by VP3 may be a mechanism by which EV-D68 represses IFN-I production.
Crustal eduction and slab-failure magmatism in an Orosirian (2.05–1.80 Ga) postcollisional cratonic foredeep: geochronology of Seton volcanics and Compton laccoliths, Tu Cho (Great Slave Lake), NWT, Canada
Authors: Hoffman Paul F. , Macdonald Francis A. , Bowring Samuel A. , Ramezani Jahandar , Buchwaldt Robert , Hildebrand Robert S. , Whalen Joseph B.
Published: May 2023

Three Orosirian basins and associated foreland thrust-fold belts are preserved on the margins of the Slave craton. All three are related to orogenic belts where oceans opened and later closed, uniting new crustal partners. The Great Slave basin differs from the Kilhigok and Coronation basins in ways that have defied explanation. It lacks a passive margin sequence and hosts two discrete igneous suites, separated by large-scale thrusting, that occurred well after the adjacent paleocean had closed. Here we report U–Pb zircon geochronology by chemical abrasion isotope dilution thermal ionization mass spectrometry for a member of each suite to constrain the age and origin of postcollisional thrusting. A widespread pulse of mainly phreatic alkaline volcanism, coeval with renewed foredeep flexure, occurred at 1889.0 ± 0.7 Ma (2 σ internal error). A quartz-monzodiorite body, one of a belt-parallel chain of laccoliths that postdate thrusting, was emplaced at 1866.9 ± 0.9 Ma. These ages bracket renewed foredeep sedimentation and thrusting that telescoped major facies zones and was rooted within the basin. The older age is 70 and 30−60 Myr younger than collision in the Thelon and Taltson orogens, respectively. We attribute postcollisional thrusting and foredeep subsidence to “eduction”—the upward and outward ejection of partly subducted crust—and postulate that the top of the ejected wedge was a normal-sense detachment fault projecting beneath the Nonacho basin. We infer that eduction was triggered by slab failure, producing alkaline volcanism, and ended with delamination and laccolith emplacement. Eduction was facilitated by tradewind-driven erosion. Delamination was enabled by crustal transfer to the educted wedge, reducing footwall buoyancy. Slab failure and/or delamination removed the passive margin.
Comment on “Lanczos potential of Weyl field: interpretations and applications”
Authors: Riegert Ronald J.
Published: May 2023

We show that a proposal by Vishwakarma to realize conformal-covariance for the Weyl-Lanczos equation is nonviable.
Intersectional Computing---Where it All Began: A Sankofa Story (Part 1)
Authors: Thomas Jakita O.
Published: May 2023

In this forum we explore different perspectives for how to apply intersectionality as a critical framework for design across multiple contexts. ---
Yolanda A. Rankin and Jakita O. Thomas, Editors
A Comprehensive Performance Comparison of IEEE 802.15.4 DSME and TSCH in a Realistic IoT Scenario for Industrial Applications
Authors: Mantilla Gonzalez Ivonne Andrea , Meyer Florian , Turau Volker
Published: May 2023

In the Industrial Internet of Things (i.e., IIoT), the standardization of open technologies and protocols has achieved seamless data exchange between machines and other physical systems from different manufacturers. At the MAC sublayer, the industry-standard protocols IEEE 802.15.4 Time Slot Channel Hopping (TSCH) and Deterministic and Synchronous Multi-channel Extension (DSME) show promising properties for high adaptability and dynamically changing traffic. However, performance comparison between these MAC protocols rarely has gone beyond a simulation phase. This work presents the results of such a comparison on physically deployed networks using the facilities of the FIT-IoTLab. The evaluation includes fully implementing an IIoT protocol stack based on MQTT in Contiki-NG. It comprises the integration of DSME as part of Contiki-NG’s software stack through OpenDSME, the only publicly available implementation of DSME. Results show that both protocols suit IIoT applications, particularly for data collection. The comparison between TSCH and DSME also includes an evaluation of distributed schedulers for both MAC modes and one autonomous scheduler for TSCH within a UDP protocol stack.
Market Valuation of Artificial Intelligence Implementation Announcements
Authors: Huang Cheng-Kui (Tony) , Lee Yu-Tsung
Published: May 2023

With the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), more and more enterprises have begun developing AI to promote their own competitive advantage and increase their business value. In order to reveal the value-added results of AI implementation, this study adopts an event study methodology to capture the abnormal returns resulting from the announcement of AI implementation. Based on the empirical results of this study, in response to the announcement of AI implementation, we find significant positive abnormal returns on the event day. With respect to the grouping analysis, the results show significant differences in average cumulative abnormal returns between announcements with detailed information and those without detailed information. In addition, our findings present significant differences in average cumulative abnormal returns between IT-companies and non-IT companies on the event day. Ultimately, according to the content analysis, only one characteristic, the frequency of negative words, is modestly and negatively correlated with average cumulative abnormal returns.
The exocyst complex is required for the trafficking and delivery of KCa3.1 to the basolateral membrane of polarized epithelia
Authors: Logue Matthew J. E. , Farquhar Rachel E. , Eckhoff-Björngard Yoakim , Cheung Tanya T. , Devor Daniel C. , McDonald Fiona J. , Hamilton Kirk L.
Published: May 2023

Our Ussing chamber and immunoblot experiments demonstrate that when subunits of the exocyst complex were transiently knocked down, this significantly reduced the basolateral population and functional expression of KCa3.1. These data suggest, combined with our protein association experiments, that the exocyst complex regulates the tethering of KCa3.1-containing vesicles to the basolateral membrane prior to the SNARE-dependent insertion of channels into the basolateral membrane of epithelial cells.
Sel1-like proteins and peptides are the major Oxalobacter formigenes-derived factors stimulating oxalate transport by human intestinal epithelial cells
Authors: Arvans Donna , Chang Changsoo , Alshaikh Altayeb , Tesar Christine , Babnigg Gyorgy , Wolfgeher Don , Kron Stephen , Antonopoulos Dionysios , Bashir Mohamed , Cham Candace , Musch Mark , Chang Eugene , Joachimiak Andrzej , Hassan Hatim
Published: May 2023

We previously identified Oxalobacter formigenes-derived secreted factors stimulating oxalate transport by human intestinal epithelial cells in vitro and reducing urinary oxalate excretion in hyperoxaluric mice by enhancing colonic oxalate secretion. We now identified Sel1-like proteins and small peptides as the major secreted factors and they have significant therapeutic potential for hyperoxalemia and hyperoxaluria, impacting the outcomes of patients suffering from kidney stones, primary and secondary hyperoxaluria, chronic kidney disease, kidney failure, and renal transplant recipients.
Oxaloacetate regulates complex II respiration in brown fat: dependence on UCP1 expression
Authors: Som Ritu , Fink Brian D. , Yu Liping , Sivitz William I.
Published: May 2023

We examined mitochondrial respiration initiated at mitochondrial complex II in mice with varying degrees of brown adipose tissue UCP1 expression. We show that, by affecting inner membrane potential, UCP1 expression determines reverse electron transport from complex II to complex I and, consequently, the NADH/NAD+ ratio. Accordingly, this regulates the level of oxaloacetate accumulation and the extent of oxaloacetate inhibition of complex II
Adrenal response to ACTH challenge alters thyroid and immune function and varies with body reserves in molting adult female northern elephant seals
Authors: Northey Allison D. , Holser Rachel R. , Shipway Garrett T. , Costa Daniel P. , Crocker Daniel E.
Published: May 2023

Intrinsic stressors associated with life-history stages may alter the responsiveness of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and responses to extrinsic stressors. We administered adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) to 24 free-ranging adult female northern elephant seals (NESs) at two life-history stages: early and late in their molting period and measured a suite of endocrine, immune, and metabolite responses. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of extended, high-energy fasting on adrenal responsiveness. Animals were blood sampled every 30 min for 120 min post-ACTH injection, then blood was sampled 24 h later. In response to ACTH injection, cortisol levels increased 8- to 10-fold and remained highly elevated compared with baseline at 24 h. Aldosterone levels increased 6- to 9-fold before returning to baseline at 24 h. The magnitude of cortisol and aldosterone release were strongly associated, and both were greater after extended fasting. We observed an inverse relationship between fat mass and the magnitude of cortisol and aldosterone responses, suggesting that body reserves influenced adrenal responsiveness. Sustained elevation in cortisol was associated with alterations in thyroid hormones; both tT3 and tT4 concentrations were suppressed at 24 h, while rT3 increased. Immune cytokine IL-1β was also suppressed after 24 h of cortisol elevation, and numerous acute and sustained impacts on substrate metabolism were evident. Our data suggest that female NESs are more sensitive to stress after the molt fast and that acute stress events can have important impacts on metabolism and immune function. These findings highlight the importance of considering life-history context when assessing the impacts of anthropogenic stressors on wildlife.
Assessing the impact of boldine on the gastrocnemius using multiomics profiling at 7 and 28 days post-complete spinal cord injury in young male mice
Authors: Potter Luke A. , Toro Carlos A. , Harlow Lauren , Lavin Kaleen M. , Cardozo Christopher P. , Wende Adam R. , Graham Zachary A.
Published: May 2023

This is the first study to describe the multiome of skeletal muscle paralyzed by a spinal cord injury (SCI) in mice across the acute and subacute timeframe after injury. We show large-scale changes in the metabolome and transcriptome at 7 days post-injury compared with 28 days. Furthermore, we show that the alkaloid boldine was able to prevent SCI-induced changes in muscle glucose and free amino acid levels at 7 days, but not 28 days, after SCI.
Dynamic Response Analysis of Roadway Surrounding Rock Induced by Dynamic Load under the Action of Hard and Thick Rock Stratum
Authors: Liang Kaihua , Wu Quansen , Wu Quanlin , Shi Xiang , Zhao Hong , Ma Fuwu , Zhang Zhaomin
Published: May 2023

In the process of coal seam mining, there are often hard thick key layers in the overlying strata. Due to the high strength and good integrity of the hard thick key layer, after the hard thick key layer is broken, the overlying strata will collapse and lose stability in a large area, which is very easy to induce dynamic disasters such as rock burst, mine earthquake, coal wall caving, and roof slab caving. Aiming at the hard and thick key layer overlying the working face, the dynamic response of the mine under the strong mine earthquake induced by the breaking of the main key layer of high-level magmatic rock is numerically simulated and analyzed by using FLAC2D numerical simulation software, and the variation laws of the stress field, displacement field, and velocity field of the coal seam roadway under different boundary conditions and different focal heights are studied. The research shows that the roof of solid coal roadway is prone to vibration in a small range, and the displacement increases and decreases with the disturbance. The displacement of the floor and two sides of the solid coal roadway and the top floor and two sides of the roadway along the goaf continues to increase in the initial stage of the disturbance, and the displacement will remain stable with the continuation of the disturbance. The displacement of both sides and roof and floor of gob roadway can reach stability in the later stage of disturbance, and with the increase of the number of adjacent goaf, the longer it takes for the displacement of surrounding rock to reach stability. When the focal height is lower than 90 m, the variation of surrounding rock response increases sharply with the decrease of focal height. When a strong earthquake occurs in the low rock stratum, the impact damage of roadway surrounding rock is almost inevitable. The influence degree of strong earthquake on the stability of roadway surrounding rock is arranged as follows: gob-side roadway (mined out on one side) > solid coal roadway (mined out on both sides) > solid coal roadway (mined out on one side). The evolution process also shows that the working face boundary conditions have an important influence on the energy propagation of mine earthquake. With the increase of the number of adjacent goafs, the faster the energy attenuation rate of mine earthquake propagation is. The research results have important reference significance for the safe mining of working face under similar geological conditions.