bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Radar signatures of sea lions at K‐band and W‐band
Authors: Rahman Samiur , Vattulainen Aleksanteri B. , Robertson Duncan A. , Milne Ryan
Published: October 2023

The millimetre wave radar signatures of sea lions collected from three animals in the outdoor seal pool available at the Sea Mammal Research Unit in St Andrews in the Autumn of 2021 is reported. The objective is to study the radar amplitude and Doppler signatures of the animals when their full body or part thereof is above water, which is important for the application of autonomous marine navigation. The data was collected using 24 GHz (K‐band) and 77 GHz (W‐band) Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave radars with linear polarisation. It has been demonstrated that the sea lions were very clearly detected by the radars with Signal to Noise Ratio greater than 30 dB at a range of 40 m. The calculated modal radar cross section (RCS) of the sea lions in HH polarisation at 24 and 77 GHz vary from −48 to −26 dBsm and −48 to −28 dBsm respectively, corresponding to the different body parts and the amount of exposure to the radar beam. In VV polarisation, the modal RCS value range is from −49 to −26 dBsm and −49 to −22 dBsm respectively. The corresponding maximum RCS and the Cumulative Distribution Function results are also reported.
Thermal Model of a Ball Bearing using the State-Space approach and Light Gray-Box Lumped Parameter Thermal Network
Authors: Cabezas Sebastian , Tóth Dániel , Hegedűs György , Bencs Péter
Published: October 2023

In this paper, a thermal model of a ball bearing subjected to radial loads is presented. By the application of the State-Space approach and the Light Gray-Box lumped parameter thermal network, the temperature of the inner components of a ball bearing, these are: outer-race To; balls Tb and inner-race Ti; and the temperature of the housing Th were determined. The relation between the external force, rotational speed, lubrication type, were investigated for the purpose of determining the total frictional moment Mf that occurs among the elements comprising the ball bearing. Subsequently, the total heat losses Qf were calculated together with the heat distribution along the elements of the ball bearing. The analytical results were validated experimentally. It could be seen that the standard deviation of temperature between the thermal model and the experimental measurements over the outer-race To and housing Th were sd = 5.06 % and sd = 0.33 % . Moreover, the temperature of the balls Tb and the inner-race Ti were predicted. In this context, the results show good agreement with real data, therefore, the thermal model can be utilized to foresee the thermal behavior of bearings with similar geometry that undergo effects of radial loads.
Environmental burden by burning waste in small heat sources
Authors: Čajová Kantová Nikola , Cibula Robert , Holubčík Michal , Jandačka Jozef
Published: October 2023

Deteriorated air quality is often related to the use of alternative fuels in heat sources, often in the form of waste. This article deals with the chemical composition of four types of alternative fuels: solid non-separable waste, solid non-separable waste with more plastic content, linden leaves and maize husks. The measurements were realized on a CHN628 analyzer and an energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. The chemical composition of the fuel is connected with the composition of emissions during their combustion. Results showed an increased chlorine content in each sample, then sulfur content (except maize husks) and also nitrogen content in the case of two samples (solid non-separable waste and maize husks). In the case of the content of toxic elements, no relevant concentration was detected in investigated samples. Therefore, it is not suitable to burn waste in conventional solid fuel heat sources. Heat source users should only use permitted fuels that are recommended by the heat source manufacturer.
Effect of sharp/oblate nose on a model subsonic rocket measured by PIV
Authors: Klátil Filip , Brtník Jiří , Peprný Jan , Suchý Martin
Published: October 2023

What is the difference between the wake past a rocket with sharp nose or with oblate nose? The measurement by Particle Image Velocimetry tries to answer at velocities 5 – 20 m/s (i.e. Reynolds numbers 20 thousand to 79 thousand). A simple model rocket is 3D printed with body diameter of 60 mm, total height 4 D, i.e. 240 mm. The maps of mean stream-wise velocity, stream-wise fluctuations and span-wise fluctuations are compared.
Stall identification methods in centrifugal compressor
Authors: Mlkvik Marek , Knížat Branislav , Olšiak Róbert
Published: October 2023

The presented paper describes a method for detecting compressor stall precursors in a measured pressure signal using procedures arising from the chaos theory. The experiment was carried out on a scaled-down model of a compressor used in natural gas transportation. It was a single-stage centrifugal compressor with a vane diffuser. The presented method is based on the analysis of an attractor constructed using the time delay method from the pressure signal collected at the compressor outlet flange at a frequency of 25 kHz. Using a parameter called correlation dimension, we identified small changes in the dynamics of the measured signal before the onset of negative stall manifestations. In general, it was found that near the stall curve there were minor disturbances in the flow field in the compressor, due to which the correlation dimension decreased.
On the dynamics of rotating rigid tube and its interaction with air
Authors: Liu Yifan
Published: October 2023

Rotating an axially symmetric rigid body on a horizontal plane is rather a common and simple experience, but this experience has attracted a great deal of interests due to it exhibiting novel features and containing fairly complicated mechanics. This paper is concerned with the threedimensional rotational motion of a rigid tube on a plane.We present the governing dynamical equations of this motion and give a numerical treatment, based on which we discuss the nutation of tube and simulate the trajectory of tube end. We also discuss how fast the angular velocity should be in order to initiate an uninterrupted, steady rotational motion. Then the air lift related to such a three-dimensional rotation of tube is modeled by using Kutta-Joukowski law. By employing this model, we show that the air lift indeed “lift” the tube head during rotating.
5 Leitfragen für die Versorgungsforschung – Eignen
sich GKV-Routinedaten für Ihr Forschungsvorhaben?
Authors: Ihle Peter , Schneider Udo , Vogt Verena
Published: October 2023

Die Versorgungsforschung untersucht die Versorgungsstrukturen und -prozesse der
Gesundheitsversorgung unter Alltagsbedingungen. Routinedaten der Gesetzlichen
Krankenversicherung (GKV) – sogenannte versorgungsnahe Daten –
bilden die reale Versorgung ab und sind daher eine wichtige Datenquelle
für die Versorgungsforschung. Dieser Beitrag präsentiert 5
Leitfragen, mit deren Hilfe Forschende und datenhaltende Institutionen die
Eignung dieser Datenquelle für die Beantwortung ihrer Fragestellung der
Versorgungsforschung prüfen können. Ziel dieser Leitfragen ist
es, zwischen Forschenden und datenhaltenden Institutionen ein gemeinsames
Verständnis des Forschungsvorhabens, des Forschungsziels sowie der
Umsetzbarkeit in der Versorgungsforschung zu generieren. Die 5 Leitfragen
spannen den Bogen von der Formulierung der Forschungsfrage und der geplanten
Methode, über die Zielpopulation, die relevanten
Untersuchungszeiträume bis hin zu den erforderlichen Informationen aus
den GKV-Routinedaten. Vier methodisch ausgerichtete Leitfragen werden um die
Frage ergänzt, wie die Ergebnisse des Forschungsprojektes die Versorgung
verbessern könnten. Diese 5 Leitfragen stellen somit für
Forschende eine erste Strukturierung für Datenanfragen dar; für
datenhaltende Institutionen liefern sie einen Rahmen, um eine mögliche
Beteiligung oder Unterstützung einer Forschungsidee in der
Versorgungsforschung zu prüfen.
Flooding adversely affects fresh produce safety
Authors: Singh Sukhvinder Pal
Published: October 2023

Flooding is the most recurring and common natural disaster affecting society, food security and the environment. Floodwater is known to be a carrier of biological, chemical and physical hazards affecting food safety during primary production and processing of fresh horticultural produce. Runoff from livestock, industrial, residential and sewage treatment areas into waterways and their overflow can contaminate agricultural water sources, production fields and post-harvest processing facilities. A transient increase in the population of faecal indicators such as Escherichia coli and the detection of environmental pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella in produce, water, soil and processing facility are the short-term and most notable impacts of flooding, leading to a significant amount of food losses due to microbial contamination and potentially a rise in the foodborne illnesses among produce consumers. However, the long-term impacts of recurring flooding are far more severe and damaging due to the survival and persistence of microbial pathogens in soils, water sources and processing environments. This article focuses on how flooding can exacerbate the microbial food safety risks in the primary production and processing of fresh produce and briefly describes the management strategies.
Quantitative mapping of the in vivo O-GalNAc glycoproteome in mouse tissues identifies GalNAc-T2 O-glycosites in metabolic disorder
Authors: Yang Weiming , Tian E. , Chernish Aliona , McCluggage Peggy , Dalal Kruti , Lara Alexander , Ten Hagen Kelly G. , Tabak Lawrence A.
Published: October 2023

The family of GalNAc-Ts (GalNAcpolypeptide:N-Acetylgalactosaminyl transferases) catalyzes the first committed step in the synthesis of O-glycans, which is an abundant and biologically important protein modification. Abnormalities in the activity of individual GalNAc-Ts can result in congenital disorders of O-glycosylation (CDG) and influence a broad array of biological functions. How site-specific O-glycans regulate biology is unclear. Compiling in vivo O-glycosites would be an invaluable step in determining the function of site-specific O-glycans. We integrated chemical and enzymatic conditions that cleave O-glycosites, a higher-energy dissociation product ions-triggered electron-transfer/higher-energy collision dissociation mass spectrometry (MS) workflow and software to study nine mouse tissues and whole blood. We identified 2,154 O-glycosites from 595 glycoproteins. The O-glycosites and glycoproteins displayed consensus motifs and shared functions as classified by Gene Ontology terms. Limited overlap of O-glycosites was observed with protein O-GlcNAcylation and phosphorylation sites. Quantitative glycoproteomics and proteomics revealed a tissue-specific regulation of O-glycosites that the differential expression of Galnt isoenzymes in tissues partly contributes to. We examined the Galnt2-null mouse model, which phenocopies congenital disorder of glycosylation involving GALNT2 and revealed a network of glycoproteins that lack GalNAc-T2-specific O-glycans. The known direct and indirect functions of these glycoproteins appear consistent with the complex metabolic phenotypes observed in the Galnt2-null animals. Through this study and interrogation of databases and the literature, we have compiled an atlas of experimentally identified mouse O-glycosites consisting of 2,925 O-glycosites from 758 glycoproteins.
Anomalous magnetoresistance in a nonconjugated radical polymer glass
Authors: Akkiraju Siddhartha , Gilley Dylan M. , Savoie Brett M. , Boudouris Bryan W.
Published: October 2023

Macromolecules bearing open-shell entities offer unique transport properties for both electronic and spintronic devices. This work demonstrates that, unlike their conjugated polymer counterparts, the charge carriers in radical polymers (i.e., macromolecules with nonconjugated backbones and with stable open-shell sites present at their pendant groups) are singlet cations, which opens significant avenues for manipulating macromolecular design for advanced solid-state transport in these highly transparent conductors. Despite this key point, magnetoresistive effects are present in radical polymer thin films under applied magnetic fields due to the presence of impurity sites in low (i.e., <1%) concentrations. Additionally, thermal annealing of poly(4-glycidyloxy-2,2,6,6- tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl) (PTEO), a nonconjugated polymer with stable open-shell pendant groups, facilitated better electron exchange and pairwise spin interactions resulting in an unexpected magnetoresistance signal at relatively low field strengths (i.e., <2 T). The addition of 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-N-oxy (TEMPO-OH), a paramagnetic species, increased the magnitude of the MR effect when the small molecule was added to the radical polymer matrix. These macroscopic experimental observables are explained using computational approaches that detail the fundamental molecular principles. This intrinsic localized charge transport behavior differs from the current state of the art regarding closed-shell conjugated macromolecules, and it opens an avenue towards next-generation transport in organic electronic materials.
Design of chiral plasmonic metamaterials based on interpretable deep learning
Authors: Xie Shusheng , Gu Leilei , Guo Jianping
Published: October 2023

Chiral plasmonic metamaterials can amplify chiral signals, resulting in circular dichroism (CD) responses that are several orders of magnitude far beyond those of nature. However, the design process of chiral plasmonic metamaterials based on conventional methods is time-consuming. In recent years, the combination of deep learning (DL) and nanophotonics have accelerated the design of nanophotonic devices. Here, we construct the fully connected neural network model for the forward prediction and inverse design of chiral plasmonic metamaterials structures and introduce the permutation importance approach to optimize the model and increase its interpretability. Our experimental results show that using the peak magnitude of CD and the corresponding wavelength instead of the entire spectrum as the output in the forward prediction improves the accuracy of the peak magnitude of CD prediction, avoids the introduction of auxiliary networks, and simplifies the network structure; the permutation importance analysis shows that the gold length of the resonator is the most critical structural parameter affecting the CD response. In the inverse design, the permutation importance method helps us to make feature selections for the input of the network. By reducing 251 inputs (the whole CD spectrum) to 4 inputs (the peak magnitude of CD and the corresponding wavelength), the network can still maintain a good prediction performance and decrease the training time of the network. Our proposed method can be extended not only to other DL models to study the CD response of chiral metamaterials but also to other areas where DL is combined with metamaterials to accelerate the system optimization and design process of nanophotonic devices.
A life prediction method of rolling bearing based on signal reconstruction and fusion dual channel network
Authors: Li Bin , Lv Xu , Zhou Fengxing , Yan Baokang
Published: October 2023

In addressing the problem of low prediction accuracy in the remaining useful life (RUL) prediction of rolling bearings, caused by noise interference and insufficient extraction of sensitive features by deep learning models, this paper presents a life prediction method based on signal reconstruction and dual-channel network fusion. First, addressing the issue of extracting weak features from rolling bearing vibration signals, an optimized combination of variational mode decomposition (VMD) and Teager–Kaiser energy operator (TKEO) for signal reconstruction is proposed. TKEO is used to track the energy of high-frequency impulses in the original signal. The sparrow search algorithm is employed for optimizing VMD to perform high-frequency filtering, resulting in an optimized impulse energy signal. This signal is then multiplied with the original signal to enhance weak impulse features under noisy background. Next, a dual-channel network model for RUL prediction is constructed based on temporal convolutional network (TCN) and convolutional neural networks (CNNs). The one-dimensional time-series signal obtained after reconstruction and denoising serves as the input for the TCN network channel. Simultaneously, the signal obtained after reconstruction and denoising undergoes synchrosqueezed wavelet transforms to generate a two-dimensional time–frequency representation as input for the CNN network channel. This setup allows TCN and CNN to respectively extract temporal features from the vibration signal and time–frequency features from the spectrogram. By incorporating self-attention mechanisms, internal correlations between different features are fully explored, thereby enhancing prediction accuracy.
Interpretive modelling of boron transport in the boundary plasma of WEST experiments with the impurity powder dropper
Authors: Afonin K. , Gallo A. , Marandet Y. , Moreau Ph. , Bodner G. , Bufferand H. , Ciraolo G. , Desgranges C. , Devynck P. , Diallo A. , Gaspar J. , Guillemaut C. , Guirlet R. , Gunn J.-P. , Fedorczak N. , Loarer T. , Lunsford R. , Manas P. , Nespoli F. , Rivals N. , Tamain P. , Unterberg E.A. ,   the WEST Team
Published: October 2023

Boron (B) powder injection is a potential alternative to glow discharge boronization as a wall conditioning method for tokamaks. This technique is currently being studied in WEST experiments, during which B powder is injected by an Impurity Powder Dropper developed by PPPL. In order to interpret and analyse experimental trends, and to help develop future experiments, a modelling workflow using a boundary plasma simulation (SOLEDGE-EIRENE) and powder ablation simulation (Dust Injection Simulator) was developed and tested. The effect of adding a B neutral source to simulated deuterium + oxygen (D + O) plasmas was compared to experimental data from the WEST C5 campaign, where B powder was injected in a dedicated experiment. While the impact of B injection on radiated power

P

rad

measurements at the upper divertor was similar, there were significant differences in measurements of

P

rad

, outer strike point electron temperature

T

e

OSP

and O-II line intensity at the lower divertor between experiment and simulation. This discrepancy suggests that those parameters were affected by phenomena not present in the simulations, with the most likely candidates being reduced D recycling and a reduced O sourcing from the divertor.
Two-phase Fluid Solid Coupling Modeling: Theory, Numerical Model, and Application
Authors: Zhao Yanan , Liu Hao , Jiang Zhongming , Zhao Hongmin , Mei Songhua
Published: October 2023

Underground compressed air energy storage (CAES) is seen as an important and promising way for balancing electrical power system. Many large-scale CAES projects (≥300 MW) are being planned in China, some of which have already been permitted for construction. Despite the benefits from CAES, some challenges arise in area of construction technology, operation system, maintenance and monitoring methods. One of the challenges lies in the evaluation of air leakage effect on flow and stress field around the underground cavern. Therefore, considering the actual physical field characteristics, the mathematical formula of mass conservation equations for air and water in porous media, as well as equilibrium equations for solid mechanics are established first and then coupled together for numerical solutions. The constitutive models for solid and porous fluid adopt classical elastic and Darcy’s law respectively, while the air-water interaction adopts classical van-Genuchten model and contributes to solid mechanics by pore pressure. Numerical implementations are based on secondary development to COMSOL software. Then interpretations to simulation results and the comparison with results not taking damage effect into account are made.
A Phase Field Crystal Method for Multilayer Graphene
Authors: Liu Kai
Published: October 2023

Bilayer graphene has been a subject of intense study in recent years. We extend a structural phase field crystal method to include an external potential from adjacent layer(s), which is generated by the corresponding phase field and changes over time. Moreover, multiple layers can be added into the structure. Using the thickness of the boundaries between different stacking variants of the bilayer structure as the key parameter, we quantify the strength of the adjacent layer potential by comparing it with atomistic simulation results. Then, we test the multiple graphene structures, including bilayers, triple layers, and up to 6 layers. We find that in addition to the initial conditions, the manner in which new layers are added into the structure affects the layout of the atomic configuration. Finally, we simulate the case of twisted stacking bilayer graphene under the “magic angle 1.1° ”, and our results help identify the key physical ingredients to predict what relaxations may occur.
Research of Meso-mechanical Performances of Recycled Brick Concrete
Authors: Yao Zeliang , Lang Maosen , Qi Yalun , Zhang Yang , LingHu TianJing , Dang Faning
Published: October 2023

Based on PYTHON, a mesoscale model of multi-interface recycled brick concrete was constructed by ABAQUS. The concrete consists of seven-phase inhomogeneous composites, including waste brick, waste concrete, old and new mortar, waste brick-new mortar, aggregate-old mortar, and new-old mortar. The numerical model was established by considering different aggregate placement rates and brick amounts, with a coarse aggregate placement rate of 45%. Computational analysis of the fine-scale mechanical properties was completed, and the damage mode of the recycled concrete containing bricks under the load was investigated. The study showed that the peak stress and elastic modulus of recycled brick concrete decreased gradually with an increase in brick quantity, and the peak strain of recycled brick concrete increased with an increase in brick quantity. However, the damage pattern of concrete with different brick quantities was basically the same.
Research on Dynamic Path Planning and Tracking Control for Ship Collision Avoidance
Authors: Liu Xin , Ren Shuwei , Zhang Lei , Shen Wei , Tu Yubo
Published: October 2023

Ship collisions are prevalent every year, leading to significant maritime traffic accidents. This paper presents research on dynamic path planning and tracking control for ship collision avoidance by integrating ship automatic avoidance technology to address this issue. We conducted a comprehensive study on artificial potential fields, trajectory tracking, and route trajectory tracking in response to the current state of ship collision avoidance and trajectory tracking. The study employed vector decomposition and slider control as research methods to analyze, optimize, and modify ship collision avoidance methods. Additionally, we carried out collision avoidance simulations using MATLAB to verify the stability and safety of ship trajectory tracking under various methods to advance the research on ship collision avoidance and trajectory. The proposed approach has the potential to significantly reduce ship collisions and enhance ship trajectory safety.
Advancing frequency fine-tuning: a theoretical approach to a novel metamaterial-inspired Bi-layer resonator
Authors: Mishra Piyush , Singh Bhupendra Pratap , Agrawal Ved Varun
Published: October 2023

This study presents a novel adjustable device designed for precise frequency tuning within the S-band of the microwave spectra. In addition to the geometrical design and dielectric behavior of the resonator, this study identifies an influential governing factor that affects the resonant frequency. The proposed method utilizes a bi-layer split ring resonator configuration implemented on a

4
×
4

cm

FR4 epoxy substrate with a dielectric constant of 4.4. The substrate is coated with a 35 μm- thick layer of copper and patterned as split ring resonator. Frequency tuning was achieved by spatially separating the two parallel split ring resonators in increments of 800 μm. This innovative approach allows for a shift in the resonant frequency range from 2.36 GHz to 2.61 GHz, covering the desired frequencies in the S-band for applications such as biomedical and wireless communications. This study demonstrates that the alteration in the frequency domain is dependent on the distance between the two layers of split ring resonators. Compared to existing frequency tuning mechanisms, this adjustable bi-layer split ring resonator offers numerous advantages including simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and high sensitivity. The research employs a combination of finite-element simulations and theoretical analysis to validate the findings.
Evolutionary history of Magnolia sect. Talauma (Magnoliaceae) in Cuba
Authors: Testé Ernesto , Hernández-Rodríguez Majela , Guzmán Díaz Salvador , Palmarola Alejandro , Veltjen Emily , Bécquer Eldis R , Aldaba-Nuñez Fabián A , Samain Marie-Stephanie , González Torres Luis R , Robert Thierry
Published: October 2023

Evolutionary biologists recognize that understanding the phylogenetic history of closely related species is challenging without considering their population genetics history. The taxonomy of Magnolia sect. Talauma in Cuba has long been debated, with several changes in taxon delimitations. All these taxonomic revisions were based exclusively on leaf morphological characteristics of a few individuals, limiting their ability to elucidate taxon boundaries. Recent studies have focused on conservation genetics and species delimitation of Cuban magnolias, based on ecological, morphological and genetic data. Here, we use full plastome sequences and microsatellite data to infer phylogenetic relationships and potential historical migration events among species in Magnolia sect. Talauma in Cuba. Bayesian phylogeny and TreeMix were used to understand the phylogenetic relationships. Based on this, Magnolia sect. Talauma in Cuba does not comprise a monophyletic group. The data continue to show a highly supported unresolved species complex in the taxa of Magnolia subsect. Talauma from north-eastern Cuba. From a taxonomic point of view, our results do not entirely support the most recent taxonomic review proposed for the family in Cuba.
Effectiveness and safety of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation at low risk of stroke in japan: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Uchida Masato , Jo Taisuke , Okada Akira , Matsui Hiroki , Yasunaga Hideo
Published: October 2023

Aims

Contemporary guidelines differ in their recommendations regarding initiating non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) at low risk of stroke. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness and safety of NOACs for low-risk AF in a Japanese cohort.

Methods and results

In this retrospective cohort study based on the JMDC Claims Database extracted between April 2011 and November 2022, we identified 13 291 patients with AF at low risk of stroke. We performed inverse probability of treatment weighting Cox regression analyses to compare the embolization and bleeding risks between the nontreatment and NOAC groups. Net clinical benefit was defined as the annual incidence of ischaemic stroke events prevented by NOACs after subtracting intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) events attributable to NOACs, multiplied by a weighting factor. The incidences of stroke and ICH in the nontreatment group were 0.47 and 0.15 per 100 person-years, respectively. The NOAC group had higher incidences of ICH (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.73, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.75–4.00) and stroke (HR: 1.41, 95% CI: 0.84–2.36). The net clinical benefit of NOAC treatment was −0.35% per year (95% CI: −0.99–0.29%).

Conclusion

Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants treatment may be associated with a slightly high risk of ICH, and it yielded a neutral clinical benefit in the present Japanese population, which provides reassurance concerning the role of ethnicity in NOAC treatment for patients with AF and suggests a need to assess comprehensive weighting of the respective risk factors.
The influence of socio-demographic and clinical factors on sick leave and return to work after open-heart surgery: a nationwide registry-based cohort study
Authors: Mortensen Michael , Nilsen Roy M , Kvalheim Venny L , Bjørnstad Johannes L , Svendsen Øyvind S , Haaverstad Rune , Moi Asgjerd L
Published: October 2023

Aims

To estimate sick leave (SL) duration after first-time elective open-heart surgery and identify factors contributing to increased SL.

Methods and results

A retrospective nationwide cohort study combined data from the Norwegian Register for Cardiac Surgery and SL data from the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administrations. All able-bodied adults who underwent first-time elective open-heart surgery in Norway between 2012 and 2021 were followed until 1 year after surgery. The impact of socio-demographic and clinical factors on SL after surgery was analysed using logistic regression and odds ratios. Of 5456 patients, 1643 (30.1%), 1798 (33.0%), 971 (17.8%), 1035 (18.9%), and 9 (0.2%) had SL of <3, 3–6, 6–9, and 9–12 months, and 1 year, respectively. SL >6 months was associated with female gender, primary education only, and average annual income. Post-operative stroke, post-operative renal failure, New York Heart Association Functional Classification system (NYHA) score >3, earlier myocardial infarction, and diabetes mellitus increased the odds of SL >6 months.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that socio-demographic and clinical factors impact SL after first-time elective open-heart surgery. Patients who experience a stroke or develop renal failure after surgery have the highest odds of SL >6 months. Females and patients with low education levels, earlier myocardial infarction, or NYHA scores III–IV have a two-fold chance of SL >6 months. The findings allow for future investigations of pre- and post-surgery interventions that can most effectively reduce SL and aid return to work.
What is missing from how we measure and understand the experience of poverty and deprivation in population health analyses?
Authors: Timpson Katharine , McCartney Gerry , Walsh David , Chabanis Berengere
Published: October 2023

Background

Explaining why some populations are healthier than others is a core task of epidemiology. Socioeconomic position (SEP), encompassing a broad range of exposures relating to economic circumstances, social class and deprivation, is an important explanation, but lacks a comprehensive framework for understanding the range of relevant exposures it encompasses.

Methods

We reviewed existing literature on experiential accounts of poverty through database searching and the identification of relevant material by experts. We mapped relevant concepts into a complex systems diagram. We developed this diagram through a process of consultation with academic experts and experts with direct experience of poverty. Finally, we categorized concepts on the basis of whether they have previously been measured, their importance to the causal flow of the diagram, and their importance to those consulted, creating a list of priorities for future measurement.

Results

There are a great many aspects of SEP which are not frequently measured or used in epidemiological research and, for some of these, work is needed to better conceptualize and develop measures. Potentially important missing aspects include stigma, social class processes, access to education, sense of lost potential, neighbourhoods, fairness and justice, emotional labour, masking poverty, being (in)visible, costs, and experiences of power.

Conclusions

Analyses seeking to understand the extent to which SEP exposures explain differences in the health of populations are likely to benefit from a comprehensive understanding of the range and inter-relationships between different aspects of SEP. More research to better conceptualize and measure these aspects is now needed.
MyeloidmiR-155plays a limited role in antibacterial defense duringKlebsiella-derived pneumosepsis and is dispensable for lipopolysaccharide- orKlebsiella-induced inflammation in mice
Authors: Qin Wanhai , Saris Anno , van ’t Veer Cornelis , Roelofs Joris J T H , Scicluna Brendon P , de Vos Alex F , van der Poll Tom
Published: October 2023

MicroRNA-155 (miR-155) plays a crucial role in regulating host inflammatory responses during bacterial infection. Previous studies have shown that constitutive miR-155 deficiency alleviates inflammation while having varying effects in different bacterial infection models. However, whether miR-155 in myeloid cells is involved in the regulation of inflammatory and antibacterial responses is largely elusive. Mice with myeloid cell specific miR-155 deficiency were generated to study the in vitro response of bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs), alveolar macrophages (AMs) and peritoneal macrophages (PMs) to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and the in vivo response after intranasal or intraperitoneal challenge with LPS or infection with Klebsiella (K.) pneumoniae via the airways. MiR-155-deficient macrophages released less inflammatory cytokines than control macrophages upon stimulation with LPS in vitro. However, the in vivo inflammatory cytokine response to LPS or K. pneumoniae was not affected by myeloid miR-155 deficiency. Moreover, bacterial outgrowth in the lungs was not altered in myeloid miR-155-deficient mice, but Klebsiella loads in the liver of these mice were significantly higher than in control mice. These data argue against a major role for myeloid miR-155 in host inflammatory responses during LPS-induced inflammation and K. pneumoniae-induced pneumosepsis but suggest that myeloid miR-155 contributes to host defense against Klebsiella infection in the liver.
The Science of Animal Behaviour
Authors: Nordell Shawn E. , Valone Thomas J.
Published: October 2023

This chapter introduces the science of animal behavior. Animal behavior refers to any internally coordinated, externally visible pattern of activity that responds to changing external or internal conditions. The chapter highlights the importance of animals and their behavior for human society as millions of people work with animals or own them for companionship. Thus, ethograms are vital to record animal behavior in terms of frequency, duration, rate, and intensity. Moreover, Dutch biologist Niko Tinbergen provided a framework to study behavior through observing proximate explanations and ultimate explanations. Comparative psychologists look into animal behavior to understand the behavior of humans better.
Dispersal and Migration
Authors: Nordell Shawn E. , Valone Thomas J.
Published: October 2023

This chapter considers the mechanisms and benefits of dispersal and migration of animals. Dispersal is a relatively short-distance, one-way movement away from a site to another location. The locations can differ from its availability of resources and its breeding opportunities. Animals migrate in response to environmental change. Proximate mechanisms involved with the timing of migration are often linked to a series of internal factors such as annual rhythms and associated physiological changes. The chapter also provides a model of the evolution of migration. Orientation and navigation are often issues migrating animals face. They mitigate these issues by using environmental cues and compass systems.
Habitat Selection, Territoriality, and Aggression
Authors: Nordell Shawn E. , Valone Thomas J.
Published: October 2023

This chapter focuses on animals' habitat selection, territoriality, and aggression. The ideal free distribution model (IFD) explains how animals distribute themselves among habitats following the assumption that animals act to maximize survival and reproduction in their selected habitats. The number of individuals in a habitat is proportional to habitat quality and fitness. Animals often defend a territory to secure resources, while distributions change when individuals are not free to select a habitat occupied by dominant animals. Additionally, the chapter explores how hormones and a winner-challenge effect could impact aggression. It also tackles how game theory models are used to showcase how the decisions of opponents and resource value influence fighting behavior.
Avoiding Predators and Finding Food
Authors: Rubenstein Dustin R.
Published: October 2023

Antipredator Behavior

Social Defenses

Blending In

Standing Out

Optimality Theory and Antipredator Behavior

Foraging Behavior

Optimal Foraging Theory

Cognition and Finding Food

Landscapes of Fear

Frequency Dependence and Foraging Behavior

Consider how animals balance behavioral decisions to obtain food and avoid predators....
Principles of Communication
Authors: Rubenstein Dustin R.
Published: October 2023

Communication and Animal Signals

A Communication Framework

Functionally Referent Signals

The Evolution of Animal Signals

Preexisting Traits

Preexisting Biases

Preexisting Traits versus Preexisting Biases

The Function of Animal Signals

The Function of a Strange Display

Honest Signaling

Deceitful Signaling

Eavesdropping

Evaluate...
Genes and Genomes
Authors: Cooper Geoffrey M. , Adams Kenneth W.
Published: October 2023

4.1 The Structure of Eukaryotic Genes

4.2 Noncoding Sequences

4.3 Chromosomes and Chromatin

KEY EXPERIMENT

The Discovery of Introns

KEY EXPERIMENT

The ENCODE Project

As the genetic material, DNA provides a blueprint that directs all cellular activities and specifies the developmental plan of multicellular organisms....
Transcriptional Regulation and Epigenetics
Authors: Cooper Geoffrey M. , Adams Kenneth W.
Published: October 2023

7.1 Gene Regulation in E. coli

7.2 Transcription Factors in Eukaryotes

7.3 Chromatin and Epigenetics

KEY EXPERIMENT

Isolation of a Eukaryotic Transcription Factor

KEY EXPERIMENT

The Role of Histone Modification

The preceding chapter discussed the mechanisms of RNA synthesis and processing in both prokaryotic and...
Cell Signaling
Authors: Cooper Geoffrey M. , Adams Kenneth W.
Published: October 2023

16.1 Signaling Molecules and Their Receptors

16.2 G Proteins and Cyclic AMP

16.3 Tyrosine Kinases and Signaling by the MAP Kinase and PI 3-Kinase Pathways

16.4 Receptors Coupled to Transcription Factors

16.5 Signaling Dynamics and Networks

KEY EXPERIMENT

G Protein-Coupled Receptors and Odor Detection

MOLECULAR...
Mutation and Variation
Authors: Futuyma Douglas J. , Kirkpatrick Mark
Published: October 2023

The zigzag nerite (Neritina communis), a marine snail that lives among mangroves in the Western Pacific, has extremely variable shells.
The Evolution of Quantitative Traits
Authors: Futuyma Douglas J. , Kirkpatrick Mark
Published: October 2023

Several species of grasses have been modified by human selection to make them the major food in many parts of the world. Among them is rice (Oryza sativa), seen here in beautiful terraces in Vietnam.
Evolution in Space
Authors: Futuyma Douglas J. , Kirkpatrick Mark
Published: October 2023

A giant barrel sponge (Xestospongia testudinaria) releases a large cloud of sperm as it spawns on a coral reef, while a threadfin hawkfish (Cirrhitichthys aprinus) looks on. When gametes and individuals move, they take their genes with them, which results in...
Reproductive biology of the red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852) (Decapoda: Astacidea: Cambaridae): A review
Authors: Hamasaki Katsuyuki , Dan Shigeki , Kawai Tadashi
Published: October 2023

The red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852) is an alien invasive species as well as a commercially exploited animal. The sterile-male-release technique (SMRT) using infertile but sexually active males has been an effective candidate measure to control this invasive crayfish. Additionally, the limited supply of juveniles due to females’ spawning seasonality hinders the further development of the P. clarkii aquaculture industry. Information on its reproductive biology, such mating strategies and factors affecting offspring production, is crucial for developing an effective SMRT and aquaculture systems for P. clarkii. We review the reproductive biology of this species in terms of 1) sexual dimorphism and reproductive status, 2) sex recognition, mating, and mate preferences, and 3) egg production, embryonic development, and hatching. Intra- and intersexual dimorphisms of chelae are evident in P. clarkii, and a reproductive morphotype (form I) with larger chelae and a non-reproductive morphotype (form II) with smaller chelae are detected in both females and males, allowing us to easily determine the reproductive status of both sexes. The crayfish exhibits mutual mate choice (i.e., preference for larger mates), and small-sized males reproductive potential is low. Female fitness (i.e., number of offspring) generally depends on their body size. Female brood care appears to promote early embryo development before the egg-nauplius stage. Further study is required to identify the maternal factors affecting early embryonic development, which may improve measures for controlling invasive populations and enhancing aquaculture productivity.
Reinstrumentation for progressive hyper-kyphotic deformity after implant removal despite obtaining physiological alignment by posterior corrective surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with flat back: a case report
Authors: Toga Akira , Fukuda Kentaro , Ozaki Masahiro , Fujii Takeshi , Yonezawa Yoshiro
Published: October 2023

This case report describes a 13-year-old female patient with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and flat back who experienced progressive kyphotic deformity after implant removal despite obtaining physiological alignment postoperatively. The patient underwent multiple surgeries, and a late-developing infection complicated her treatment course. Despite hard bracing to prevent kyphotic change, the kyphosis progressed to 74° within a year after implant removal, leading to a decrease in patient height and back pain. Revision surgery was eventually necessary. Possible factors for the kyphotic progression include injury to paraspinal back muscles due to multiple surgeries or insufficient bony fusion from late-developing infection. This case highlights the importance of thorough evaluation and follow-up for optimal patient outcomes after implant removal in AIS patients, particularly those with flat back.
Machine learning and data analysis for word segmentation of classical Chinese poems: illustrations with Tang and Song examples
Authors: Liu Chao-Lin , Chang Wei-Ting , Chu Chang-Ting , Zheng Ti-Yong
Published: October 2023

Words are essential parts for understanding classical Chinese poems. We report a collection of 32,399 classical Chinese poems that were annotated with word boundaries. Statistics about the annotated poems support a few heuristic experiences, including the patterns of lines and a practice for the parallel structures (對仗), that researchers of Chinese literature discuss in the literature. The annotators were affiliated with two universities, so they could annotate the poems as independently as possible. Results of an inter-rater agreement study indicate that the annotators have consensus over the identified words 93 per cent of the time and have perfect consensus for the segmentation of a poem 42 per cent of the time. We applied unsupervised classification methods to annotate the poems in several different settings, and evaluated the results with human annotations. Under favorable conditions, the classifier identified about 88 per cent of the words, and segmented poems perfectly 22 per cent of the time.
Single-cell transcriptomes reveal the heterogeneity and microenvironment of vestibular schwannoma
Authors: Huo Zirong , Wang Zhaohui , Luo Huahong , Maimaitiming Dilihumaer , Yang Tao , Liu Huihui , Li Huipeng , Wu Hao , Zhang Zhihua
Published: October 2023

Background

Vestibular schwannoma (VS) is the most common benign tumor in the cerebellopontine angle and internal auditory canal. Illustrating the heterogeneous cellular components of VS could provide insights into its various growth patterns.

Methods

Single-cell RNA sequencing was used to profile transcriptomes from 7 VS samples and 2 normal nerves. Multiplex immunofluorescence was employed to verify the data set results. Bulk RNA sequencing was conducted on 5 normal nerves and 44 VS samples to generate a prediction model for VS growth.

Results

A total of 83 611 cells were annotated as 14 distinct cell types. We uncovered the heterogeneity in distinct VS tumors. A subset of Schwann cells with the vascular endothelial growth factor biomarker was significantly associated with fast VS growth through mRNA catabolism and peptide biosynthesis. The macrophages in the normal nerves were largely of the M2 phenotype, while no significant differences in the proportions of M1 and M2 macrophages were found between slow-growing and fast-growing VS. The normal spatial distribution of fibroblasts and vascular cells was destroyed in VS. The communications between Schwann cells and vascular cells were strengthened in VS compared with those in the normal nerve. Three cell clusters were significantly associated with fast VS growth and could refine the growth classification in bulk RNA.

Conclusions

Our findings offer novel insights into the VS microenvironment at the single-cell level. It may enhance our understanding of the different clinical phenotypes of VS and help predict growth characteristics. Molecular subtypes should be included in the treatment considerations.
Causal associations of cytokines and growth factors with cholelithiasis: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Su De-qiang , Tian Xiao-feng
Published: October 2023

Background

It has been reported that patients with cholelithiasis may have changes in levels of cytokines and growth factors, while their causal relationships were still unclear.

Methods

This study was a bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) study. Datasets of 41 circulation cytokines and growth factors and the data on cholelithiasis were obtained. Six steps of strict instrumental variable filtration were set, and inverse-variance weighted analysis, MR-Egger regression, and weighted median test were used to identify the causal relationships. Benjamini–Hochberg method was used to adjust the P-values.

Results

After adjustments of P-values, four cytokines and growth factors were still causally associated with cholelithiasis significantly: interleukin 2 receptor alpha (adjusted P: 4.59E-02), interleukin 8 (adjusted P: 1.09E-02), monocyte-specific chemokine 3 (adjusted P: 2.73E-04), and stem cell factor (adjusted P: 2.73E-04). In the reverse MR analysis, no significant causal relationship was detected after adjustment.

Conclusions

Four cytokines and growth factors, including interleukin 2 receptor alpha, interleukin 8, monocyte-specific chemokine 3, and stem cell factor, were proven to relate to cholelithiasis causally and unidirectionally.