bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Time‐varying sliding mode controller for over‐actuated systems with constrained and uncertain actuators in flight control applications
Authors: Tohidi Seyed Shahabaldin , Yildiz Yildiray , Kolmanovsky Ilya
Published: October 2022

One solution to the problem of distributing the control action among redundant actuators with uncertain dynamics is employing an adaptive control allocator. This paper proposes a sliding mode controller which exploits a time‐varying sliding surface to complement adaptive control allocation in the presence of actuator saturation. The proposed approach does not require error augmentation for tracking desired references, which diminishes the computational burden. Aerodata Model in Research Environment, which is an over‐actuated aircraft model, is adopted to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed controller in simulation studies.
Stability of networked switched systems in the presence of denial‐of‐service attacks
Authors: Li Dandan , Zuo Zhiqiang , Wang Yijing , Fu Minyue
Published: October 2022

This article is concerned with the stability issue of networked switched systems which consist of only unstable subsystems subject to Denial of Service (DoS) attacks. The stability analysis of networked switched systems in the presence of DoS attacks under state‐dependent switching is first presented. It is shown that the derived restrictions which differ from those in the existing work are imposed on DoS attack model. Specifically, the proposed conditions to characterize the duration and frequency of DoS attacks are state‐dependent and mode‐dependent. As a result, the ratio of total duration of DoS attack to the operating time of switched systems is higher than the previous literature. Furthermore, our result is extended to the stability of networked switched affine systems in the presence of DoS attacks. In the end, two simulation examples are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of our work.
Critical soil test values of phosphorus and potassium for soybean and corn in three long‐term trials in North Carolina
Authors: Morales Nelida Agramont , Gatiboni Luke , Osmond Deanna , Vann Rachel , Kulesza Stephanie , Crozier Carl , Hardy David
Published: October 2022

Soil test correlation is continuously necessary to affirm critical soil test values (CSTV) for specific nutrients, as changes in crop management and development of new plant varieties may change CSTVs. The objective of this study was to determine the CSTVs of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) for soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and corn (Zea mays L.) using three long‐term trials in North Carolina. Soybean was cultivated in 2020 and corn in 2021 in three long‐term trials established on research stations located in the Tidewater, Coastal Plain, and Piedmont regions of NC. In each trial, up to five rates of P (0–88.2 kg P ha−1) and K (0–186.8 kg K ha−1) were applied annually at planting. Soil and tissue samples were analyzed and yield measured. There was yield response to P in all site‐years. The average CSTVs of P for corn and soybean were 51, 66, and 14 mg kg−1 for the sites at Tidewater, Coastal Plain, and Piedmont regions. The CSTV of P for Piedmont (14 mg kg−1) differs greatly from the current recommendation for NC (52 mg kg−1). The response to K fertilization was observed only in three site‐years and the CSTVs varied from 49 to 93 mg kg−1, while the current recommendation is setting the CSTV of K at 85 mg kg−1. These results indicate it is necessary to develop further studies of soil test correlation for P and K in North Carolina to better estimate the CSTVs for the state.
Equivalent geometric imperfections for the LTB‐design of members with I‐sections
Authors: Stroetmann Richard , Fominow Sergei
Published: October 2022

For the stability assessment of members and structures according to EN 1993‐1‐1, the equivalent member method, the geometrical non‐linear calculation with equivalent geometrical imperfections or the GMNIA analysis with geometrical imperfections and residual stresses can be used alternatively. The second possibility requires a corresponding model for the cross‐section resistance. For the verification of lateral torsional buckling, bow imperfections e0 out‐of‐plane are defined, which lead in combination with the given loading in‐plane and the geometrical non‐linear analysis to bending moments Mz and torsion of the members. The amplitudes of the imperfections are highly dependent on the nature of the approach (e.g., scaling of the buckling shape, assumption of bow imperfections) and the verification method for the members. Within the framework of the scientific work supervised by the TU Dresden and TU Darmstadt, extensive parametric studies were conducted to calibrate imperfections for lateral torsional buckling based on the GMNIA. After determining the nature of imperfections and the design models for section resistance, this article presents results of these parametric studies and shows the calibration of imperfections for a standardisation proposal based on EN1993‐1‐1. The evaluation of the data in combination with the necessary simplifications for the design practice leads to appropriate definitions of imperfection values e0,LT and the necessary differentiations.
Explicit compatibility condition formula for the Eulerian left Cauchy–Green deformation tensor field
Authors: Fülöp Tamás
Published: October 2022

An explicit compatibility condition formula is presented for the Eulerian left Cauchy–Green deformation tensor field. It is shown to be the appropriate finite‐strain counterpart of Saint‐Venant's compatibility condition. The difference between the Eulerian problem and the Lagrangian one is highlighted.
Case Studies of Data Projects
Authors: Farmer Jane , McCosker Anthony , Albury Kath , Aryani Amir
Published: October 2022

Three illustrative case studies are provided of non-profit organisations’ data projects conducted by the authors, with partner non-profits, during 2017–2021. The case studies all use a collaborative data action methodology, but differ in the nature of datasets analysed, visualisations and data products generated. Case Study 1 included government departments and agencies and used datasets from public consultation, social media and news media. It generated timeline and topic visualisations about changes in the public conversation about family violence following a new policy. Case Study 2 engaged staff across several departments of three non-profits of different sizes and used operational data plus open public data to show the impact of mental health and youth employment programmes and to inform staff retention policy. Case Study 3 describes a data collaborative involving six non-profits and a bank that united to geospatially analyse internal data of organisations and open public data to examine community resilience. Overall, project participants benefitted from new learning about working with data and built relationships within and across organisations.
Data Capability Through Collaborative Data Action
Authors: Farmer Jane , McCosker Anthony , Albury Kath , Aryani Amir
Published: October 2022

This chapter explains how data capability for non-profit organisations involves having the right skills, technologies and data management practices that match different organisations’ size, mission and contexts. Data capability is a holistic concept, and capability of organisations will flex over time and with changes in organisational goals, work and wider context. The chapter also presents a collaborative data action methodology to help non-profits build towards the data capability that suits their work and context. The collaborative methodology emphasises ‘learning by doing’ involving multi-disciplinary teams and diverse perspectives and addressing actual challenges of non-profits—at least in part—through re-using internal data. The collaborative data action methodology was developed and refined over time based on the authors’ learning from multiple data projects. It features cycles of analysing, visualising and interacting with data. Since collaboration is recommended, the authors provide suggestions about where and how to find data collaborators. The last section explains the significance of responsible data governance, with two key concepts that underpin being able to re-use data optimally—data consent and ethics—particularly explored. While ethics and consent are relevant for all data projects, they are particularly salient when considering advanced projects, such as those involving data collaboratives.
Activating for a Data-Capable Future
Authors: Farmer Jane , McCosker Anthony , Albury Kath , Aryani Amir
Published: October 2022

The book concludes by summarising the goals and stages of building data capability for non-profits, considering data capability as a resource for corporate upskilling, the facilitator of a more resilient sector and social justice activism. The middle part of the chapter considers useful actions leading up to initiating data projects and ways to proceed after initial data capability is built. Options for how to access staff skills and technologies that may be beyond the investment of individual organisations are covered and a role for philanthropic organisations to support the sector is suggested. Current challenges in working with data are examined in light of emerging legal, structural and technological developments. Innovations are critiqued for their potential to address non-profit sector data analytics challenges. The chapter ends by reflecting on research issues raised from the authors’ data projects with non-profits and highlights avenues for future research.
Top-Yukawa-induced corrections to Higgs pair production
Authors: Mühlleitner Margarete , Schlenk Johannes , Spira Michael
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Higgs-boson pair production at hadron colliders is dominantly mediated by the loop-induced gluon-fusion process gg → HH that is generated by heavy top loops within the Standard Model with a minor per-cent level contamination of bottom-loop contributions. The QCD corrections turn out to be large for this process. In this note, we derive the top-Yukawa-induced part of the electroweak corrections to this process and discuss their relation to an effective trilinear Higgs coupling with integrated out top-quark contributions.
Regularity Results for Bounded Solutions to Obstacle Problems with Non-standard Growth Conditions
Authors: Gentile Andrea , Giova Raffaella , Torricelli Andrea
Published: October 2022

In this paper, we consider a class of obstacle problems of the type$$\begin{aligned} \min \left\{ \int _{\Omega }f(x, Dv)\, {\mathrm d}x\,:\, v\in {\mathcal {K}}_\psi (\Omega )\right\} \end{aligned}$$min∫Ωf(x,Dv)dx:v∈Kψ(Ω)where$$\psi $$ψis the obstacle,$${\mathcal {K}}_\psi (\Omega )=\{v\in u_0+W^{1, p}_{0}(\Omega , {\mathbb {R}}): v\ge \psi \text { a.e. in }\Omega \}$$Kψ(Ω)={v∈u0+W01,p(Ω,R):v≥ψa.e. inΩ}, with$$u_0 \in W^{1,p}(\Omega )$$u0∈W1,p(Ω)a fixed boundary datum, the class of the admissible functions and the integrandf(x, Dv) satisfies non standard (p, q)-growth conditions. We prove higher differentiability results for bounded solutions of the obstacle problem under dimension-free conditions on the gap between the growth and the ellipticity exponents. Moreover, also the Sobolev assumption on the partial map$$x\mapsto A(x, \xi )$$x↦A(x,ξ)is independent of the dimensionnand this, in some cases, allows us to manage coefficients in a Sobolev class below the critical one$$W^{1,n}$$W1,n.
Conjugations Preserving Toeplitz Kernels
Authors: Dymek Piotr , Płaneta Artur , Ptak Marek
Published: October 2022

We study conjugations in$$L^2(\mathbb {T})$$L2(T)and their relation with kernels of Toeplitz operators on$$H^2(\mathbb {T})$$H2(T)space. Such kernels are a generalization of model spaces. We investigate properties of an inequality relation between two unimodular functions defined on the unit circle. This allows us to significantly strengthen previous theorems characterizing all$$M_z$$Mz-commuting and$$M_z$$Mz-conjugations leaving invariant model spaces to the Toeplitz kernels setting.
Behavior of microcapsules in FML under different pressure of manufacturing in autoclave
Authors: Ostapiuk Monika
Published: October 2022

Magnesium alloys are the lightest available structural metals. The low density and high strength-to-weight ratio make magnesium and its alloys an excellent option for use in the automotive and transport vehicles. In the case of magnesium and its alloys, the corrosion phenomenon is a serious problem especially when it is connected with epoxy-carbon composite (CFRP). Poor adhesion can easily cause delamination at the interface. So in this the work was analyzing the influence of pressure in laminate manufacturing in the autoclave process of a magnesium alloy/CFRP on the stability and distribution of microcapsules and observation about delamination. It was concluded that the PEO layer with sol–gel improves the adhesion between CFRP and the MCs. Different pressures in the autoclave process promote porosity if a pressure lower than 0.4 MPa is used.
Timing matters: female receptivity and mate choice in the zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Authors: Santacà Maria , Devigili Alessandro , Gasparini Clelia
Published: October 2022

Female choice has been documented in many animal taxa, and how we test it has been refined through years of studies on the topic. However, when designing mate choice experiments some variables, surprisingly, often remain overlooked, including receptivity and reproductive stage. Here, we aimed to assess whether the female reproductive stage influences strength and direction of mate choice in the zebrafish, Danio rerio. Females were offered a choice between two males differing in body size. We found that female choice in our experimental setup was significantly repeatable and that females preferred larger males. Nonetheless, the level of choosiness of females was affected by the time since the last spawning. Females spent more time choosing when tested 7 and 10 days after spawning rather than 4 days, indicating a higher receptivity to males from one week after the last spawning. Moreover, females preferred larger males only when tested 7 and 10 days after spawning. Our results suggest that female mate choice should take female receptivity into account, by standardizing time since the last spawning across females. More broadly, this suggests that 7–10 days since the previous spawning is the ideal time interval for zebrafish female receptivity to peak, with implications for facilities and researchers to increase egg production in natural spawning events and manual egg collection.

Significance statement

The role of pre-copulatory female mate preference has long been recognized in sexual selection. Nonetheless, female receptivity often remains overlooked in mate choice experiments especially in external fertilizing species. In the present study, we investigated if the female reproductive stage affects the strength and direction of female mate choice in an external fertilizing fish, the zebrafish, Danio rerio. We found that, when tested 7 and 10 days after spawning rather than 4 days, females spent more time choosing, demonstrating an increased receptivity to males from 1 week following the last spawning. Furthermore, only at 7 and 10 days after spawning females exibith a clear preference for the bigger males. Our study highlights the importance of considering the female receptivity in future studies assessing mate choices in this and other externally fertilizing species, and also for zebrafish facilities to increase egg production in natural spawning events and manual egg collection.
Can quantitative peritumoral CT radiomics features predict the prognosis of patients with non-small cell lung cancer? A systematic review
Authors: Wu Linyu , Lou Xinjing , Kong Ning , Xu Maosheng , Gao Chen
Published: October 2022

Objectives

To provide an overarching evaluation of the value of peritumoral CT radiomics features for predicting the prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer and to assess the quality of the available studies.

Methods

The PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for studies predicting the prognosis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using CT-based peritumoral radiomics features. Information about the patient, CT-scanner, and radiomics analyses were all extracted for the included studies. Study quality was assessed using the Radiomics Quality Score (RQS) and the Prediction Model Risk of Bias Assessment Tool (PROBAST).

Results

Thirteen studies were included with 2942 patients from 2017 to 2022. Only one study was prospective, and the others were all retrospectively designed. Manual segmentation and multicenter studies were performed by 69% and 46% of the included studies, respectively. 3D-Slicer and MATLAB software were most commonly used for the segmentation of lesions and extraction of features. The peritumoral region was most frequently defined as dilated from the tumor boundary of 15 mm, 20 mm, or 30 mm. The median RQS of the studies was 13 (range 4–19), while all of included studies were assessed as having a high risk of bias (ROB) overall.

Conclusions

Peritumoral radiomics features based on CT images showed promise in predicting the prognosis of NSCLC, although well-designed studies and further biological validation are still needed.

Key Points

• Peritumoral radiomics features based on CT images are promising and encouraging for predicting the prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer.

• The peritumoral region was often dilated from the tumor boundary of 15 mm or 20 mm because these were considered safe margins.

• The median Radiomics Quality Score of the included studies was 13 (range 4–19), and all of studies were considered to have a high risk of bias overall.
Aggressive intentions after social exclusion and their association with loneliness
Authors: Brinker V. , Dewald-Kaufmann J. , Padberg F. , Reinhard M. A.
Published: October 2022

Both social exclusion and loneliness are aversive experiences that can lead to hostile behavioral reactions, including aggressive behavior. This study aimed to assess whether a social exclusion scenario in the subject’s imagination elicits aggressive reactions towards an excluding person as measured with the hot sauce paradigm. Furthermore, we studied the effect of loneliness on such reactions. In total, 251 subjects (67.7% female; mean age 27.3 ± 9.3 years) participated in this study which was based on an online survey. After trait loneliness was assessed with the UCLA Loneliness scale at baseline, two imaginary scenarios were presented in randomized order, i.e., an exclusion condition (with one of two working colleagues excluding the participant from a social activity) and an inclusion condition (without exclusion). Following each scenario, participants had the task to allocate the amount of hot sauce to each colleague that they find appropriate. Participants distributed significantly more hot sauce to the excluder than to the includers. The amount of hot sauce was significantly correlated with loneliness for all includer interactions (i.e., after the inclusion as well as the exclusion scenario), but not for the interaction with the excluder. Our results support the hypothesis that social exclusion elicits aggressive behavior. Interestingly, the experience of loneliness seems to be associated with an increase in aggressive behavioral tendencies or a lack of their inhibition. The cognitive and/or emotional processes underlying the interplay between social exclusion, loneliness and aggression should be a focus of future research.
Prevalence and molecular characterization of Toxoplasma gondii in different types of poultry in Greece, associated risk factors and co-existence with Eimeria spp.
Authors: Andreopoulou Marianna , Schares Gereon , Koethe Martin , Chaligiannis Ilias , Maksimov Pavlo , Joeres Maike , Cardron Garance , Goroll Tina , Sotiraki Smaro , Daugschies Arwid , Bangoura Berit
Published: October 2022

Toxoplasma gondiiis a protozoan parasite of public health importance, infecting all warm-blooded animals, including chickens. Undercooked chicken meat or relevant products such as sausages could lead to human infections. In free-range, organic and slow-growth farming systems where the susceptibility period for chickens is extended, more knowledge about potential risk factors is essential. This study is the first seroepidemiological survey in different regions and types of chicken farms in Greece, using a major tachyzoite surface antigen-based ELISA (TgSAG1), combined with magnetic-capture PCR (mc-PCR) and bioassay for the isolation of strains from the chickens’ tissues. Potential risk factors forT. gondiiinfection in these hosts were also investigated. Additionally, the co-existence ofT. gondiiandEimeriaspp. infections was assessed to elucidate epidemiological links between these two protozoan infections. OverallT. gondiiseroprevalence was 9.5%. Of the backyard chickens sampled, 41.2% were seropositive and 70% of the organic and free-range layer farms had at least oneT. gondiiseropositive hen. No serologically positive broilers were found, although mc-PCR revealed a positive sample, highlighting the importance of accurate early-infection direct detection ofT. gondiiinfections to ensure public health.T. gondiiisolates obtained by mouse bioassay were genotyped. All belonged to type II (ToxoDB#3) as confirmed also by microsatellite typing. Production system, type of nutrition, and feeding system automation were identified as the most significant risk factors, while no association was found between the presence of cats andT. gondiiseropositivity as calculated on both a farm level and per individual bird sampled.
A Prospective, Longitudinal and Exploratory Study of Head and Neck Lymphoedema and Dysphagia Following Chemoradiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Jeans Claire , Brown Bena , Ward Elizabeth C. , Vertigan Anne E. , Pigott Amanda E. , Nixon Jodie L. , Wratten Chris , Boggess May
Published: October 2022

The aim of the study was to examine the following: (a) the trajectory of external and internal head and neck lymphoedema (HNL) in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) up to 12 months post-chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and (b) the relationship between HNL and swallowing function. Using a prospective longitudinal cohort study, external/internal HNL and swallowing were examined in 33 participants at 3, 6 and 12 months post-CRT. External HNL was assessed using the Assessment of Lymphoedema of the Head and Neck and the MD Anderson Cancer Centre Lymphoedema Rating Scale. Internal HNL was rated using Patterson’s Radiotherapy Oedema Rating Scale. Swallowing was assessed via clinical, instrumental and patient-reported measures. Associations between HNL and swallowing were examined using multivariable regression models. External HNL was prevalent at 3 months (71%), improved by 6 months (58%) and largely resolved by 12 months (10%). In contrast, moderate/severe internal HNL was prevalent at 3 months (96%), 6 months (84%) and at 12 months (65%). More severe penetration/aspiration and increased diet modification were associated with higher severities of external HNL (p=0.006 and p=0.031, respectively) and internal HNL (p<0.001 and p=0.007, respectively), and more diffuse internal HNL (p=0.043 and p=0.001, respectively). Worse patient-reported swallowing outcomes were associated with a higher severity of external HNL (p=0.001) and more diffuse internal HNL (p=0.002). External HNL largely resolves by 12 months post-CRT, but internal HNL persists. Patients with a higher severity of external and/or internal HNL and those with more diffuse internal HNL can be expected to have more severe dysphagia.
Temperature and precipitation in the US states: long memory, persistence, and time trend
Authors: Gil-Alana Luis A. , Gupta Rangan , Sauci Laura , Carmona-González Nieves
Published: October 2022

This paper investigates the time series properties of the temperature and precipitation anomalies in the contiguous USA by using fractional differentiation. This methodology allows to capture time trend components along with properties such as long-range dependence and the degree of persistence. For aggregated data, we find out that long memory is present in both precipitation and temperature since the integration order is significantly positive in the two cases. The time trend is also positive, being higher for the temperature. In addition, observing disaggregated data by states, for the temperature, there are only seven states where the time trend is not significant, with most of them located in Southeast areas, while for the rest of cases, the time trend is significantly positive. All cases exhibit long-range dependence, though the differencing parameter substantially changes from one state to another, ranging from 0.09 in Nebraska and Kansas to 0.18 in Florida and Michigan. For precipitation, the time trend is insignificant in a large number of cases, and the integration order is smaller than for the temperature. In fact, short memory cannot be rejected in fourteen states, and the highest orders of differencing are obtained in Arizona (d = 0.11) and Texas (0.12). In general, we highlight that one cannot draw conclusions about persistence and trends in these two climate-related variables based on aggregate information of the overall USA, given widespread heterogeneity across the states. Tentatively, the degree of dependence across the states seems to be negatively correlated with their level of climate-related risks and the associated preparedness in terms of handling climate change, but this conclusion requires more elaborate research in the future.
Why Children Need to Read About Plants at a Time of Climate Change
Authors: Jones Verity , MacLeod Catherine
Published: October 2022

We begin developing our relationship with and for Nature during childhood, and over the last 20 years research has advanced our understanding of human relationships with Nature. However, a focus on human-animal relationships dominates environmental understanding, including through the medium of literature, especially children’s literature. It is critical that children know, engage with and care for plants at this time of climate crisis and this could be facilitated through climate literature. The popularity of children’s climate fiction has increased dramatically in the last few years due to what publishers are calling the ‘Greta Thunberg effect’ – resulting in many more books now available that aim to empower young people to save the planet. However, in these texts, we argue that there is still an emphasis on animal and human consequences of climate change rather than on those of plants and the agency of plants (or lack thereof). We argue it is imperative that children understand not just the importance of human-animal relationships in regard to the climate crisis, but also the fundamental role of botanical life forms in preserving life on Earth. Taking three recently published children’s books of fiction we consider how botanical encounters are represented in these texts, and how this can undermine the perceived environmental importance of plants and people’s relationships with them. Informed by the recent work of Lykke Guanio-Uluru (2020), we consider the position plants play in these examples of contemporary children’s climate literature and encourage a more critical consideration of the place of plants.
RAPOC: The Rosseland and Planck opacity converter
Authors: Mugnai Lorenzo V. , Modirrousta-Galian Darius
Published: October 2022

(Rosseland and Planck Opacity Converter) is a Python 3 code that calculates Rosseland and Planck mean opacities (RPMs) from wavelength-dependent opacities for a given temperature, pressure, and wavelength range. In addition to being user-friendly and rapid, can interpolate between discrete data points, making it flexible and widely applicable to the astrophysical and Earth-sciences fields, as well as in engineering. uses ExoMol, DACE, or any user defined input data, provided that it is in a readable format. In this paper, we present the code and compare its calculated Rosseland and Planck mean opacities with other values in the literature. is open-source and available on Pypi and GitHub.
Bivalve molluscs as biosensors of water quality: state of the art and future directions
Authors: Vereycken James E. , Aldridge David C.
Published: October 2022

Biological early warning systems (BEWSs) monitor the behaviour or physiology of living organisms as an indirect mechanism to sense local environmental changes, and have become a widely established tool for monitoring water pollution. Complementary to conventional chemical and physical techniques, their strength lies in the ability to continuously monitor water quality, providing direct and rapid warning of toxic discharges. Bivalve molluscs (mussels and clams) are ideal sensing organisms for BEWSs, owing to their: high water filtration capacity; sensitivity to numerous, diverse pollutants; considerable longevity; high abundance; and wide range of physical responses to environmental change. Two behavioural metrics of bivalves have dominated in ecotoxicological studies, and consequently spawned development into BEWSs: valve movements, typically measured using electromagnetic techniques; and bivalve cardiac activity, typically measured using infrared photoplethysmography. However, other, less studied bivalve behaviours may exhibit pollutant impacts, including shell growth and dissolution, premature egg/larval release, horizontal movement, and burial. Such metrics may, with further research, provide bases for future BEWSs, some through current valve movement monitoring technology, others potentially through acoustic telemetry. Future bivalve-based BEWSs may become more informative and sensitive through the greater nuance that lies in integration of different metrics simultaneously and/or multi-species monitoring. Future directions may seek techniques that reduce disturbance to bivalves and enable observation of a more natural mode of behaviour, through using untethered, or entirely unequipped, specimens. With rigorous controls for individual- and population-level variation, bivalves have great power as biosensors and, bolstered by the scope for future advancements, this field has the potential to make significant contributions to future water quality management.
Assessing the Time Dependence of AOPs on the Surface Properties of Polylactic Acid
Authors: Kalogirou Charalampia , Höfft Oliver , Gödde Anna , Papadimitriou Nikolaos , Pandis Pavlos K. , Argirusis Christos , Sourkouni Georgia
Published: October 2022

Plastics are artificial synthetic organic polymers that have been used in every area of daily life. However, because of their slow degradation rate, their use is contentious. The treatment of the surface of the sample is considered necessary as enzymatic or bacterial attach is not possible if the plastic surface environment is not ideal. The main topic of this work is the investigation of the effect of different advanced oxidation processes (AOP) on the near surface structure of polylactic acid (PLA) samples, which, in turn, can promote the adhesion of enzymes or bacteria for further biodegradation. The Advanced Oxidation Processes that have been used are Ultrasonication, UV photodegradation and Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) plasma. After the treatments, the surfaces were characterized by Infrared Spectroscopy (IR), Drop Contact Angle (DCA), Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). Both ultrasonic and UV treatments have a significant impact on the surface properties of immersed PLA by removing the oxygen-containing groups of the polymer chain, albeit in different ways, while plasma tends to uncover oxygen groups on the surface. The influence of the pre-treatment on improving the adhesion of bacteria on the PLA surface has been proven using a pseudomonas knackmussii strain.
Explanatory integration and integrated explanations in Darwinian medicine and evolutionary medicine
Authors: Kranke Nina
Published: October 2022

Recently, two research traditions that bring together evolutionary biology and medicine, that is to say, Darwinian medicine and evolutionary medicine, have been identified. In this paper, I analyse these two research traditions with respect to explanatory and interdisciplinary integration. My analysis shows that Darwinian medicine does not integrate medicine and evolutionary biology in any strong sense but does incorporate evolutionary concepts into medicine. I also show that backward-looking explanations in Darwinian medicine are not integrated proximate-and-ultimate explanations but functional explanations that include reference to evolutionary concepts. Nevertheless, explanations in Darwinian medicine have heuristic roles as they potentially contribute to conceptual change and tie pieces of knowledge from different fields of medical research together. I argue that Darwinian medicine is an “interfield” that fosters cross-disciplinary exchange between evolutionary biologists and medical researchers and practitioners based on division of labour and separation, rather than unity. Research in evolutionary medicine, on the other hand, happens at the intersection of evolutionary biology and medicine where the two disciplines are already integrated and is designed to produce entangled proximate-evolutionary explanations. My analysis thus adds another important aspect to the philosophical discussion on the distinction between Darwinian medicine and evolutionary medicine.
Narrative Economics, Public Policy and Mental Health
Authors: Tubadji Annie , Boy Frédéric , Webber Don J.
Published: October 2022

General public’s mental health can be affected by the public policy response to a pandemic threat. Britain, Italy and Sweden have had very distinct approaches to the COVID-19 pandemic: early lock-down, delayed lock-down and no-lock-down. We develop a novel narrative economics of language Culture-Based Development approach, and using Google trend data for seed keywords, death and suicide, we reach two main conclusions: (i) while countries had a pre-existing culturally relative disposition towards death-related anxiety, the sensitivity to the public policy towards COVID-19 was also country specific; (ii) however, significant spillovers from one specific national lockdown public policy to another country’s mental health are identified.
Treatment patterns and survival of patients with locoregional recurrence in early-stage NSCLC: a literature review of real-world evidence
Authors: Bowes Kathleen , Jovanoski Nick , Brown Audrey E. , Di Maio Danilo , Belleli Rossella , Chadda Shkun , Abogunrin Seye
Published: October 2022

Approximately 10–50% of patients treated for early-stage (I–III), resectable non-small cell lung cancer (eNSCLC) will develop locoregional recurrence. There is a lack of prospective trials evaluating optimal post-surgery follow-up for this patient population, and treatment guidelines recommend salvage therapies such as surgery, local ablative therapy, and (chemo)radiotherapy. A literature review was conducted according to pre-defined criteria to identify observational studies describing treatment patterns and survival outcomes in patients with eNSCLC who experienced locoregional recurrence. Results showed that, in real-world clinical practice, around 80% of patients with locoregional recurrence underwent any form of active treatment. The most frequently administered treatments were chemotherapy (35.7%), chemoradiotherapy (31.2%), radiotherapy (20.3%), and surgery alone (12.8%). Chemoradiotherapy was associated with improved PFS and OS compared with radiotherapy, while no statistically significant survival benefits were observed for patients receiving surgery in addition to these treatments. The overall survival of patients following treatment for locoregional recurrence was generally poor, and the proportion of patients who experienced any form of post-treatment re-recurrence ranged from 35 to 72%. These findings highlight the need to develop more effective treatment strategies for locoregional recurrence, including preventative treatments, and strategies to improve the survival outcomes of those who do develop locoregional recurrence.
The Dynamics of Selenium in Dairy Agroecosystems
Authors: McKernan Claire , Meharg Caroline , Carey Manus , Meharg Andrew A.
Published: October 2022

Environmental selenium deficiency and toxicity can result in Keshan disease and selenosis, respectively. Due to dietary preferences, milk is considered a primary source of selenium, where, in controlled environments milk selenium concentration reflects the selenium provided in fodder to lactating cows. However, the movement of selenium through agroecosystems is not well understood. Therefore, the aim of this current study was to investigate variables that are responsible for transfer of selenium from soil to milk. Investigated parameters include spatial variability, soil selenium status, season, herd diet and husbandry of cattle. Farm-based sample collections were carried out, where soil, grass, silage and milk were collected over forty-eight geographically spaced locations over Northern Ireland during both summer and winter. Selenium concentrations were determined using ICP-MS. Median selenium concentrations for soil (0.46 mg/kg DM), grass (0.06 mg/kg DM) silage (0.03 mg/kg DM) and milk (0.23 mg/kg DM). Results showed that soil selenium concentrations were significantly affected by the pH and organic matter composition of soil. Additionally, a statistically significant relationships between soil and grass selenium concentrations were also found. Despite these strong environmental relationships with grass, these relationships were not reflected in the milk selenium concentrations, indicating a disconnect between the selenium concentration in the agricultural environment and the milk from which it is derived. Selenium was higher in milk in winter months as compared to summer, related to supplemental feed practices over the winter when cows are housed. This study highlighted that cattle feed supplementation of feed with selenium, an essential element, was an effective way of enhancing dietary exposure through a commonly consumed foodstuffs derived from dairy.
Stacked Lateral Gate-All-Around Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors and Their Three-Dimensional Integrated Circuits
Authors: Ye Shujun , Liu Liwei , Ma Yuanxiao , Wang Yeliang
Published: October 2022

According to the International Roadmap for Devices and Systems, gate-all-around (GAA, also known as a surrounding gate) metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) will be the main device in integrated circuits (ICs). Lateral GAA (LGAA) MOSFETs have been applied in CMOS logic circuits from a 3-nm technology node. However, further shrinkage of the contacted gate pitch is difficult owing to the physics and processing limitations. Three-dimensional (3D) stacking of chips or wafers is therefore widely studied for high integration. However, the device distance between stacked chips or wafers is rarely less than 10 µm, which is too long considering the electrical resistance and transfer delay, especially for logic circuits. Complementary field-effect transistors are currently a widely used 3D logic device; however, a compatible process is required for the heterostructures. The authors previously developed a fabrication process for symmetric-source/drain vertical GAA (referred to as ultimate VGAA, UVGAA) MOSFET for the first time; a novel architectural 3D IC with stacking UVGAA-based devices (CMOS and/or SRAM) in the vertical direction was also developed. In this perspective, a fabrication process for stacked LGAA (SLGAA) MOSFETs in the vertical direction is proposed for the first time and a high integration 3D logic IC based on SLGAA MOSFETs is also developed. These novel 3D architectures lay the foundations for next-generation ICs.
‘…and yet there’s still no peace’ Catholic Indigenous Residential Schools in Canada
Authors: McKinney Stephen J.
Published: October 2022

Pope Francis met representatives of the Indigenous peoples of Canada in Rome in April 2022 and in Canada in July 2022. At these meetings he offered sincere apologies for the ways in which the Catholic Church had colluded with the strategy of cultural assimilation of the Indigenous people in Canada. This was especially abhorrent in the residential schools, operated by the Catholic Church (and other Christian churches), that aimed to ‘evangelise’ and ‘civilise’ the Indigenous children. He emphasised that this was a ‘disastrous error’ and the ‘overall effects of the policies linked to the residential schools were catastrophic’. He was very clear at both meetings that this abuse was ‘incompatible with the Gospel of Jesus Christ’. These Catholic residential schools and the impact of these schools on the Indigenous people are discussed in this article.
Economic Enfranchisement, Goal Setting, and Rural Development
Authors: Hackett Susan , Watson Philip
Published: October 2022

This analysis introduces a conceptual framework for economic enfranchisement and studies its effect on an individual’s likelihood to set strong financial goals. A conceptual and empirical model is developed to investigate how economic enfranchisement influences an individual’s likelihood to set a goal and the strength of that goal. The empirical analysis employs an ordered probit to account for the two-stage goal-setting and goal strength decision process. Results show that economic enfranchisement has a significant effect on an individual’s likelihood to set financial goals where more enfranchised individuals are more likely to set strong goals than their disenfranchised counterparts.
U.S. Streams Are Drying Up
Authors: Schmidt Jennifer
Published: October 2022

A new study reports that streamflow drought is getting more intense in some parts of the United States, a phenomenon that is stressing the nation’s water policy and infrastructure.
Analysis of anti-SARS-CoV-2 Omicron-neutralizing antibody titers in different vaccinated and unvaccinated convalescent plasma sources
Authors: Sullivan David J. , Franchini Massimo , Joyner Michael J. , Casadevall Arturo , Focosi Daniele
Published: October 2022

The latest SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern Omicron, with its immune escape from therapeutic anti-Spike monoclonal antibodies and WA-1 vaccine-elicited sera, demonstrates the continued relevance of COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) therapies. Lessons learnt from previous usage of CCP suggests focusing on early outpatients and immunocompromised recipients, with high neutralizing antibody titer units. Here, we systematically review Omicron-neutralizing plasma activity data, and report that approximately 47% (424/902) of CCP samples from unvaccinated pre-Omicron donors neutralizes Omicron BA.1 with a very low geometric mean of geometric mean titers for 50% neutralization GM(GMT50) of ~13, representing a > 20-fold reduction from WA-1 neutralization. Non-convalescent subjects who had received two doses of mRNA vaccines had a GM(GMT50) for Omicron BA.1 neutralization of ~27. However, plasma from vaccinees recovering from either previous pre-Omicron variants of concern infection, Omicron BA.1 infection, or third-dose uninfected vaccinees was nearly 100% neutralizing against Omicron BA.1, BA.2 and BA.4/5 with GM(GMT(50)) all over 189, 10 times higher than pre-Omicron CCP. Fully vaccinated and post-BA.1 plasma (Vax-CCP) had a GM(GMT50) > 450 for BA.4/5 and >1,500 for BA.1 and BA.2. These findings have implications for both CCP stocks collected in prior pandemic periods and for future plans to restart CCP collections. Thus, Vax-CCP provides an effective tool to combat ongoing variants that escape therapeutic monoclonal antibodies.
Isotropic reconstruction for electron tomography with deep learning
Authors: Liu Yun-Tao , Zhang Heng , Wang Hui , Tao Chang-Lu , Bi Guo-Qiang , Zhou Z. Hong
Published: October 2022

Cryogenic electron tomography (cryoET) allows visualization of cellular structures in situ. However, anisotropic resolution arising from the intrinsic “missing-wedge” problem has presented major challenges in visualization and interpretation of tomograms. Here, we have developed IsoNet, a deep learning-based software package that iteratively reconstructs the missing-wedge information and increases signal-to-noise ratio, using the knowledge learned from raw tomograms. Without the need for sub-tomogram averaging, IsoNet generates tomograms with significantly reduced resolution anisotropy. Applications of IsoNet to three representative types of cryoET data demonstrate greatly improved structural interpretability: resolving lattice defects in immature HIV particles, establishing architecture of the paraflagellar rod in Eukaryotic flagella, and identifying heptagon-containing clathrin cages inside a neuronal synapse of cultured cells. Therefore, by overcoming two fundamental limitations of cryoET, IsoNet enables functional interpretation of cellular tomograms without sub-tomogram averaging. Its application to high-resolution cellular tomograms should also help identify differently oriented complexes of the same kind for sub-tomogram averaging.
Cellular glycan modification by B3GAT1 broadly restricts influenza virus infection
Authors: Trimarco Joseph D. , Nelson Sarah L. , Chaparian Ryan R. , Wells Alexandra I. , Murray Nathan B. , Azadi Parastoo , Coyne Carolyn B. , Heaton Nicholas S.
Published: October 2022

Communicable respiratory viral infections pose both epidemic and pandemic threats and broad-spectrum antiviral strategies could improve preparedness for these events. To discover host antiviral restriction factors that may act as suitable targets for the development of host-directed antiviral therapies, we here conduct a whole-genome CRISPR activation screen with influenza B virus (IBV). A top hit from our screen, beta-1,3-glucuronyltransferase 1 (B3GAT1), effectively blocks IBV infection. Subsequent studies reveal that B3GAT1 activity prevents cell surface sialic acid expression. Due to this mechanism of action, B3GAT1 expression broadly restricts infection with viruses that require sialic acid for entry, including Victoria and Yamagata lineage IBVs, H1N1/H3N2 influenza A viruses (IAVs), and the unrelated enterovirus D68. To understand the potential utility of B3GAT1 induction as an antiviral strategy in vivo, we specifically express B3GAT1 in the murine respiratory epithelium and find that overexpression is not only well-tolerated, but also protects female mice from a lethal viral challenge with multiple influenza viruses, including a pandemic-like H1N1 IAV. Thus, B3GAT1 may represent a host-directed broad-spectrum antiviral target with utility against clinically relevant respiratory viruses.
Glutamyl-prolyl-tRNA synthetase 1 coordinates early endosomal anti-inflammatory AKT signaling
Authors: Lee Eun-Young , Kim Su-Man , Hwang Jung Hwan , Jang Song Yee , Park Shinhye , Choi Sanghyeon , Lee Ga Seul , Hwang Jungwon , Moon Jeong Hee , Fox Paul L. , Kim Sunghoon , Lee Chul-Ho , Kim Myung Hee
Published: October 2022

The AKT signaling pathway plays critical roles in the resolution of inflammation. However, the underlying mechanisms of anti-inflammatory regulation and signal coordination remain unclear. Here, we report that anti-inflammatory AKT signaling is coordinated by glutamyl-prolyl-tRNA synthetase 1 (EPRS1). Upon inflammatory activation, AKT specifically phosphorylates Ser999 of EPRS1 in the cytoplasmic multi-tRNA synthetase complex, inducing release of EPRS1. EPRS1 compartmentalizes AKT to early endosomes via selective binding to the endosomal membrane lipid phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate and assembles an AKT signaling complex specific for anti-inflammatory activity. These events promote AKT activation-mediated GSK3β phosphorylation, which increase anti-inflammatory cytokine production. EPRS1-deficient macrophages do not assemble the early endosomal complex and consequently exacerbate inflammation, decreasing the survival of EPRS1-deficient mice undergoing septic shock and ulcerative colitis. Collectively, our findings show that the housekeeping protein EPRS1 acts as a mediator of inflammatory homeostasis by coordinating compartment-specific AKT signaling.